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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Leather-Furniture | How to Clean Leather Furniture | To clean leather furniture, remove the cushions and vacuum it using an attachment once per month. Next, starting at the top and working your way to the bottom, wipe the furniture down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. If the furniture still looks dirty, mix equal parts water and vinegar together to make a mild cleaning solution. Then, dampen a clean cloth with the solution and wipe the furniture down again. Finally, dry the furniture off with a clean microfiber towel. | Vacuum the entire piece of furniture once per month. Use the attachments on your vacuum to sweep the cracks and crevices of the furniture. Remove any cushions and vacuum away all visible dirt. Use the soft brush attachment to clean the surface of the furniture, too. Always use the vacuum attachments rather than picking up the entire vacuum and putting it on the furniture. The weight of the vacuum and its sharp edges could easily scratch the leather. Wipe the furniture down with a microfiber cloth from the top to bottom. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to give the entire piece of furniture a thorough wipe down. Start at the top of the furniture and work your way down so that any dislodged dust or dirt will fall to areas that haven't been wiped clean yet. While you're wiping the furniture down, take note of any areas that are stained or particularly dirty so you can treat them later. Mix together equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution. In a small bowl, combine ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of water with ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar. To prevent spilling the mixture, place the bowl on the ground near the furniture that you're cleaning. Test out new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first just in case it doesn't react well with the leather. Use the water and vinegar to wipe away any dirty areas you noticed. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the solution and squeeze it out so that it's damp, but not dripping. Use a gentle, circular motion to clean away dirt and grime. It's not necessary to clean the entire piece of furniture, though it won't hurt the leather to wipe the whole thing down. Be very gentle if you're cleaning unprotected leather, as it is much easier to scratch and damage. Dry off the water and vinegar with a clean microfiber towel. After you wipe down the piece of furniture, take a clean, dry microfiber towel and wipe away any excess moisture that remains. Avoid letting wet spots air dry. If the microfiber cloth gets too wet while you're drying off the furniture, use a fresh, dry towel. Apply a conditioner to your furniture every 6 to 12 months. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before you apply the conditioner. Generally, you'll apply the conditioner to a clean washcloth and rub it into the leather using gentle, circular motions. Make sure to check how long the conditioner needs to be left alone before you use the furniture again. Test the conditioner out on an inconspicuous area of the furniture before applying it to the entire piece. Blot away spills as quickly as possible after they occur. As soon as a spill happens, grab some clean paper towels to wipe away the bulk of it. Once that is done, take a clean, dry washcloth and blot the stained area by pressing down on it repeatedly. Blotting the spill should help draw up any liquid or matter that has already started to set into the leather. Wipe away grease with a dry cloth and baking soda. If your leather is stained with butter, body lotion, oil, or any other kind of grease or fat, use a dry washcloth to wipe off as much of it as you can. Once the grease has mostly been removed, sprinkle enough baking soda over the stain so it's completely covered. Leave the baking soda on the stain for 2 to 3 hours, then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Don't use water to wipe away grease stains. Water could actually cause the grease to set into the leather, rather than clearing it away. The baking soda helps draw the grease out of the leather, making it easier to wipe away. Use rubbing alcohol to address ink stains on your leather furniture. Dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and gently squeeze it out so it's not dripping wet. Then dab the cotton ball against the ink stain to remove it from the leather. Dab in an up-and-down motion, rather than rubbing the area. Stop once the stain has been lifted. Depending on how big the stain is, you may need to use more than 1 cotton ball. The stain should transfer from the leather to the cotton ball, so when you notice the cotton looks stained, trade it out for a fresh one. Dab away juice and soda stains with a clean cloth and distilled water. Dampen a clean cloth in distilled water, and blot any areas on your leather furniture that have been stained by water-based liquids. After the stain has been blotted, leave the spot to air-dry. The water and cloth will clean away any stickiness left from the liquid. Mix together lemon juice and cream of tartar to clean beige leather. Mix together 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cream of tartar in a small bowl. Spread the mixture over the stained area. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wipe it clean with a damp washcloth. Don't use this method on darker pieces, as the lemon juice could lighten the leather. | Vacuum the entire piece of furniture once per month. Wipe the furniture down with a microfiber cloth from the top to bottom. Mix together equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution. Use the water and vinegar to wipe away any dirty areas you noticed. Dry off the water and vinegar with a clean microfiber towel. Apply a conditioner to your furniture every 6 to 12 months. Blot away spills as quickly as possible after they occur. Wipe away grease with a dry cloth and baking soda. Use rubbing alcohol to address ink stains on your leather furniture. Dab away juice and soda stains with a clean cloth and distilled water. Mix together lemon juice and cream of tartar to clean beige leather. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-High-Blood-Pressure-Without-Using-Medication | How to Lower High Blood Pressure Without Using Medication | To lower high blood pressure without using medication, try making simple dietary changes. Try to reduce your salt intake, as excess salt can cause fluid retention which raises your blood pressure. To reduce your salt intake, don't add more than a pinch of salt to your meals and avoid processed foods. Overall, try to eat a lean, plant-based diet and focus on moderation. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables, alongside some lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Increasing your fiber intake and eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and herring can also help reduce your blood pressure. | Don't add excess salt to your foods. Avoid adding more than a pinch of salt to your food when you cook it and don't add salt once you are getting ready to eat. You need a small amount of salt in your diet, but you will get more than enough through the prepared foods that you eat and the small amounts you add to your food. Adding excess salt will only cause you to retain excess fluids, which causes high blood pressure. Keep in mind that seas salt and kosher salt have the same amount of sodium as regular table salt. Salt makes your body retain fluid, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Avoid eating processed foods. Processed foods are typically loaded with salt and other additives, such as the preservative sodium benzoate. Remember, it's not just the salt that you put on your food while cooking or at the table, it's also the amount of sodium that's in the prepared foods that you buy. Sodium causes your body to retain water, which can increase your blood pressure. It is usually listed on the nutritional breakdown on the label of prepared foods. Read labels and buy low-salt, low-sodium, or unsalted foods. Foods that commonly have a ton of salt in them are prepared, canned, and bottled foods. These include meats, pickles, olives, soups, chili, bacon, ham, sausage, bakery products, and meats with added water, which will have a higher sodium content. Also, avoid prepared condiments, such as prepared mustard, salsa, chile sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce and other sauces. Track your sodium levels. Many American diets include up to 5000 milligrams (5g) of sodium daily, which nearly all medical professionals consider extremely unhealthy. While you usually can't, and don't want to, cut out all sodium, it's important to try to get to below 2 g (2000 mg) per day. To do this, track your total daily intake of salt/sodium, and make sure you are avoiding as much sodium as you can. To track how much sodium you have eaten it's a good idea to keep a food journal or use a tracking app. There are a variety of fitness and health apps that will allow you to track your sodium intake throughout the day. A low-sodium diet usually consists of eating between 0 mg and 1400 mg of salt a day. A moderate sodium diet will have between 1400 mg and 4000 mg a day. A high-sodium diet is anything over 4000 mg per day. Keep in mind that sea salt and kosher salt contain the same amount of sodium as table salt. Salt substitutes contain potassium chloride, which is not safe for some people, so you may want to avoid it. Instead, look into sodium-free alternatives to replace salt in your diet, such as lemon juice, flavored vinegar, fresh herbs, and salt-free herb and spice blends. Note that the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of sodium is about 2500 mg. Eat a moderate, lean diet. When trying to lower your blood pressure, it's important to focus on moderation and eating a balanced diet. Try eating a plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and few meats, milk products, and eggs. Try to have at least 1 meal each day that doesn't include meat and mainly consists of fruits and vegetables. For example, you could have a salad for lunch that consists of several cups of leafy greens and is covered in a variety raw vegetables and seeds, such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, and sunflower seeds. When you do eat meat and fish, make sure it is a lean type, such as chicken or salmon without the skin. When you eat or drink dairy products, make sure you are picking low-fat options. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. This means you should avoid candy bars, processed carbs, and red meats. These foods may be delicious but they provide little nutritional value, and you can get what value they have from healthier choices. Instead of eating red meat, eat healthier meats like chicken or fish. If you have a craving for sugar, eat a piece of fruit instead of a piece of candy. Increase your fiber intake. Fiber won't lower your blood pressure on its own, but it helps to regulate your digestion and keep you healthy in general. Most vegetables are high in fiber, especially those with leafy greens. Many fruits, nuts, and legumes (beans and peas) are also rich in fiber, as are whole-grain products. Some of the best foods you can eat to increase your fiber include pears, strawberries, avocados, apples, carrots, beets, broccoli, lentils, and kidney beans. It is recommended that you eat 8 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits each day, so vary the foods you eat when adding fiber to your diet. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), and restoring some balance here may naturally reduce your blood pressure. Consume fish twice a week or more, as they will provide you with omega-3 fatty acids, lower fats called triglycerides, and promote overall heart health. Fish is high in protein, and many types of fish, including salmon, mackerel, and herring, also have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids are highest in the oils of the fish, so if you eat canned fish, don't discard the oil. Eat it along with the fish! It is recommended that you eat only one or two 3 oz (85 g) servings of lean meat, including fish, each day. You can also take fish oil tablets regularly to get more omega-3 fatty acids. However, do research on the fish oil tablet product you take. There are some concerns about raised levels of mercury from certain processed fish products. Increase your intake of dietary potassium. Too much potassium can be harmful, but some is necessary. Aim for 3500 and 4700 mg of potassium a day. You may need more potassium if you are active, and less if you are elderly or sick. Some foods that are naturally high in potassium include: Bananas Tomatoes/tomato juice Potatoes Beans Onions Oranges Fresh and dried fruits Talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your diet. Check with your doctor to see whether a natural remedy may help lower your blood pressure. Many natural remedies have scientific evidence to show that they can lower high blood pressure, but you should never attempt to replace your blood pressure medication without talking with your doctor. The top supplements may assist in lowering blood pressure are coenzyme Q10, omega-3, fish oil, garlic, curcumin (from turmeric), ginger, cayenne, olive oil, nuts, black cohosh, hawthorn, magnesium and chromium. Ask your doctor if these are safe for you to take. You can also try using fenugreek seeds, basil, and flaxseeds to help improve your blood pressure. Vitamins like B12, B6 and B9 can help lower homocysteine levels in the blood. High homocysteine levels can lead to heart problems. Stop smoking. Stimulants in cigarette smoke, like nicotine, can increase blood pressure. If you stop smoking, you may be able to lower your blood pressure, help your heart to become healthier, and reduce your chances of getting other diseases, including lung cancer. If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about how they can help you. They may be able to prescribe you medication that will help you quit and steer you towards programs that will help as well. Use less caffeine. Stopping drinking coffee, soda pop, and other caffeinated beverages will lower your blood pressure. Even 1 or 2 cups of coffee can raise blood pressure to an unhealthy level, so it's best to cut it out completely. If a person already has hypertension, caffeine complicates the problem further because it is a nervous system stimulant. Thus, agitated nerves cause the heart to beat faster, which raises the blood pressure. If you are a person who drinks a lot of caffeine (more than 4 caffeinated drinks a day), you may need to taper yourself off caffeine to prevent withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches. Lose weight. Carrying around extra weight causes your heart to work harder all the time and this increases your blood pressure. By losing this extra weight, through changes to your diet and exercising more often, your heart won't have to beat as hard and you'll lower your blood pressure. Avoid recreational use of drugs and alcohol. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol can damage many organs in the body, including the liver and the kidneys. This may contribute to high blood pressure. Many drugs are stimulants. These cause the heart to beat faster and the blood pressure to go up. By cutting out drugs and alcohol, you'll succeed in reducing your blood pressure. Monitor your blood pressure and talk with your doctor. A medical professional can check your blood pressure by using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope , or you can check it yourself using an automatic blood pressure monitoring device. If you have concerns about your blood pressure, talk to your doctor to determine what treatment options may work best for you. Blood pressure is usually divided into categories, which include: Normal blood pressure: below 120/80 Pre-hypertension blood pressure: 120-139/80-89 First stage hypertension: 140-159/90-99 Second stage hypertension: 160/100 and above Reduce chronic stress. Minimize daily stressors, if possible, such as being involved with high stakes business dealings. If you are under chronic stress where you produce that stress hormone every day, then your cardiovascular system will naturally go into a state where it is overworking. This overworking happens because the stress hormone increases your pulse, respiration, and heart rate. Your body thinks you need to either fight or run and is naturally getting your body ready do one of those things. Many people have a temporary rise in blood pressure when under stress. If you have high blood pressure because you are overweight or have a family history of hypertension, then stress raises it that much more. This is because your adrenal gland releases stress hormones which tend to cause your cardiovascular system to overwork. Take a relaxing bath or shower to reduce your blood pressure. Taking a soaking hot bath or hot shower for 15 minutes can actually suppress your blood pressure for several hours. Taking a hot bath just prior to bedtime can help the body retain lower blood pressure for hours or even the entire night. Meditate to calm yourself and reduce your blood pressure. Take time every day to calm yourself, as this can reduce your overall stress. Simply observing and slowing the respiration rate produces a significant reduction in blood pressure. When you are meditating, you can simply focus on breathing deeply and slowly. Do this until you fall asleep or you feel relaxed. Take a walk or do some other type of exercise every day. Walk every day for at least 20 to 30 minutes at a moderate speed of about 3.0 mph (4.8 km/h). Study after study has demonstrated that the mere act of walking has a suppression effect on hypertension. Can't walk outside? Use a treadmill inside. The advantage is that you can walk even as it rains or snows outside. You can even walk in your pajamas without the neighbors seeing you! Taking a long walk will take the edge off a stressful day long before bedtime. Make time for decompressing each and every day. | Don't add excess salt to your foods. Avoid eating processed foods. Track your sodium levels. Eat a moderate, lean diet. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. Increase your fiber intake. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Increase your intake of dietary potassium. Talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your diet. Stop smoking. Use less caffeine. Lose weight. Avoid recreational use of drugs and alcohol. Monitor your blood pressure and talk with your doctor. Reduce chronic stress. Take a relaxing bath or shower to reduce your blood pressure. Meditate to calm yourself and reduce your blood pressure. Take a walk or do some other type of exercise every day. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Restaurant-Manager | How to Become a Restaurant Manager | To become a restaurant manager, start by finishing high school or completing a GED program. Then, consider applying to college to get a 2 or 4-year hospitality management degree, which can give you an edge in the business. While you're in school, try to get an entry-level job in the type of restaurant you want to manage, so you can pick up skills and learn about the industry. At the same time, investigate state requirements for certification and start chipping away at them so that you're ahead of the game when you look for your first job as a manager. | Complete your education. Most manager positions require that you at least have your high school diploma or GED. In addition to your high school degree, consider completing a two-year or four-year hospitality management degree. This degree can give you an edge during hiring and will help you learn valuable management skills quickly. A degree program can also help you find quality internship placements and gain valuable experience with reputable employers. Consider what type of restaurant you want to eventually manage. This will help you determine where you want to get entry-level experience to best prepare you for your career. What size restaurant do you prefer? Managing a small restaurant can be a quite different experience from managing a restaurant that seats 300 people a night. What style service are you looking for? Fine dining? Casual? Fast casual? Do you have a preferred culinary style? For example, you might know that you'd love to manage a sushi restaurant or a fine-dining Italian restaurant. Apply for entry-level restaurant work. In becoming a restaurant manager, there is no substitute for seeing how a restaurant works by working in one. Try to apply for jobs in restaurants that have similar qualities to the type of restaurant you'd like to manage. Many managers start in front of house positions, as a waiter or waitress, but you can also start in a kitchen position, if you are really interested in learning the food side of the business. No matter where you start, take an interest in the business. Ask questions to employees who have worked at the restaurant for a while. Take an interest in how other people work, and ask about positions other than your own. Be willing and eager to take on additional responsibilities. If you are pursing a degree program, working in a restaurant while you study is a great way to make a living and also gain experience. If this is the case, let your managers know. Likely, they will want to give you extra responsibilities and teach you on the job. Look for locally owned spots. Often, if you work at a locally owned restaurant, you'll be able to meet the owner and managers. You'll get a better feel for the decision-making process involved in the restaurant business. Acquire your certifications. Depending on what state you live in, you will need to have a variety of certifications to handle food and work in restaurants. You might need a food handlers card and complete a course in food safety and handling instructions. If you work at a restaurant that serves alcohol, many state require that you complete a course and get an alcohol server's card. Before you begin applying for managerial positions, you should already have these certifications. Even though you can usually work for a few weeks before getting them, it's a small edge that can put you ahead of other candidates. Create a food and beverage resume. As you are looking for jobs, you want to make sure that you have a solid resume tailored to the position you are seeking. Include all your jobs and internships in the food and beverage industry. In your resume, include examples of your leadership qualities and any responsibilities you had at your previous jobs. Focus on emphasizing accomplishments rather than merely listing duties. Make sure to have at least two good references to give out. It's best if these are people who have seen you work in the restaurant industry and can speak to your leadership and organizational skills. Work your way up. If you start out working in a restaurant, and you like the atmosphere, you may be able to work your way up into a managerial positions. Don't be afraid to ask about possible opportunities. Make it known that you're looking for a leadership position. Often, restaurants that value their employees will create positions for good people. This may not be the track for you, if you want to be a general manager of a restaurant, rather than one of a few managers. If you do work for a larger corporate chain, inquire about opportunities in other cities or states and at new stores. Companies will be more likely to hire someone that shows initiative and has experience with their model of restaurant. Look for job postings online and in newspapers and cold call restaurants. For more options, be willing to relocate to accept a position. Look on job boards like Indeed or Craigslist for new positions and in the classified section of your newspaper. Widening your geographical search can open up more opportunities. If you cold call restaurants, make sure you don't go during busy service hours. Take a printed out copy of your resume. Network with restaurant managers and owners in your area. If you want to manage a new restaurant, networking is an invaluable tool at your disposal. In many cities, restaurant workers form tight-knit communities. Often, restaurant owners have more than one restaurant in a given area. Display an interest in who's involved in your local community. Ask who owns different restaurants, and remember names and faces. Attend culinary events in your city, and introduce yourself to people. Show a genuine interest in their work. Make it known that you are looking to manage a restaurant, but don't be pushy when contacting your connections. Maintain a good example for employees. Restaurant managers work on their feet, and you want to make sure that you always pay attention to the small details while you are working. Maintain a positive attitude, and don't allow your stress to show during the work day. If one of your employees asks you a question, give a definitive answer with authority. Respect your guests. As a manager, you will be the one to deal with any customer issues that arise. Even if a customer makes unreasonable demands, treat them with kindness and respect. In correcting mistakes, be gracious. For example, if a take out order gets messed up, let the guest know they can have a free dessert the next time they come to the restaurant. Stay informed about the menu. Even if you are primarily working on the financial and personnel side of the restaurant, make sure you maintain a detailed knowledge of food and the dishes on the menu. You need to be a resource both for front and back of house staff. If a customer asks you about a dish, you need to be able to respond professionally with clear knowledge. Incorporate new ideas. As a manager, you have the ability to make decisions and change the way things are done at the restaurant. Take time to visit other restaurants in your city and other places you travel. Make note of things you like about them. Don't be afraid to incorporate new ideas and ways of completing tasks in the routine at your restaurant. | Complete your education. Consider what type of restaurant you want to eventually manage. Apply for entry-level restaurant work. Acquire your certifications. Create a food and beverage resume. Work your way up. Look for job postings online and in newspapers and cold call restaurants. Network with restaurant managers and owners in your area. Maintain a good example for employees. Respect your guests. Stay informed about the menu. Incorporate new ideas. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Stop-Squeaky-Door-Hinges | How to Stop Squeaky Door Hinges | To stop squeaky door hinges, apply a lubricating oil to the inside of the hinges. If they keep squeaking, use a hammer and nail to tap out the pins inside of the hinges and then coat them with white grease, motor oil, or cooking oil. Then, tap the pins back into the hinges. You can also dip the pins in melted paraffin wax to stop them from squeaking. | Try to lubricate the hinge pin without removing it. Before you try to remove the hinge pin from a door, try lubricating it first. You may be able to spray enough oil into the hinge pin without needing to actually remove the door. Use some silicon-based blaster spray to coat the hinge as best you can and see if this fixes your squeaky door before trying other methods. Remove the hinge pin using a hammer and nail punch. Close your door and tap the hinge pin with a hammer and nail punch. Place the nail on the bottom of the door hinge and tap the nail's tip with your hammer. Keep in mind that the nail will be useless after you do this. When you've loosened the pin, pull it up and out using the back end of your hammer or an old flat head screwdriver. When the hinge pins are removed, your door will not be attached to the doorway. Prop it up against the wall to prevent it from falling. Coat your hinge pins in white grease. White grease will help to coat the hinge and prevent rusting. This oil will also last longer on your hinges without drying out. Press a rag or paper towel over the oil's bottle opening and wipe down the hinge pins thoroughly. Motor oil also removes light (or surface) rust. A silicon-based blaster product can work as an alternative, as can cooking oil. Put the pins back into the hinge. Replace the pins by wiggling the pins back in until stable enough to use your hammer and nail again. Open and close the doors several times to make sure that the squeaking is gone and that your door is secure. If the door is still squeaky, you may not have applied enough oil. Recoat your door hinge with oil (after re-removing the hinge pins) until the squeaking stops. Wipe down any excess oil. Because oil is a fluid lubricant, some might drip on your door. As this can cause staining, use a clean rag to wipe away any leftover oil. Reapply the oil as needed whenever your hinges resume squeaking. Purchase paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is commonly found in candles, though you can find it in a raw form at many craft stores. Raw wax is white, odorless, and is usually sold in small cubes or larger slabs. If you buy wax in a candle form, check the label to make sure you purchase paraffin wax. Beeswax can work as an alternative, though it is generally more rare. Old paraffin candles, even those with scents or colors, can be used to lubricate hinge pins. Melt your candle wax over a stove or microwave. If you have an electric stove, heat your paraffin wax over it until completely melted. Gas stoves are unsafe for melting wax because, if overheated, it can ignite flammable wax vapors. Use a microwave to heat your wax if you have a gas stove for 1:30-2:00 minute segments until the wax has melted evenly. Use a thermometer to measure your wax's temperature. Paraffin wax's melting point is generally around 284°F (140°C). Dip the hinge pins in hot wax. Remove the hinge pins just as you would if lubricating with oil. Unlike oil solutions, hot wax can be applied to the hinge pins with little dust-accumulating residue. As you dip the hinge pins into the hot wax, aim for an even coat covering the entire pin. Put the pins back into the hinges. Wait until the wax has cooled to avoid it dripping off the pins. This should take 5-10 minutes. Test the door several times to make sure the squeaking has stopped. Recoat the hinge pins with wax until the squeaking stops. Sometimes a singular coat of paraffin wax will not be enough to stop the sound. Continue coating the hinge pins in wax until your squeaking problem is solved. Because the wax residue is thinner than oil, you do not need to wipe off excess wax after each coat. Use wool if your hinge pins are dirty. If oil or wax does not stop your door from squeaking, your hinges might be too dirty to function properly. Lubricants will not remove dirt, rust, or grease. Inspect your hinges carefully. If they are discolored or coated in gunk, try wool first. Remove the hinge pins. Once you've removed them and propped your door up, place your hinge pins over a sink. Find a steel wool pad and place it nearby to begin cleaning the hinge pins. Scrub the hinge pins with the steel wool. Super fine steel wool work best to thoroughly clean the pins. Remove any and all dirt, rust, or residual paint. Rub the hinge pin in small circular motions to remove stubborn spots. Use a diluted household cleaner along with the steel wool to remove stubborn dirt or rust spots. Coat the hinge pins with a lubricant. After your hinge pins are cleaned, use oil or melted wax to evenly cover the hinge pins. In a pinch, grease or dish soap can also work. Then, place the pins back into the hinge, then open the door a few times to test their sound. Wipe off excess grease, dish soap, or oil if you use any as a lubricant. | Try to lubricate the hinge pin without removing it. Remove the hinge pin using a hammer and nail punch. Coat your hinge pins in white grease. Put the pins back into the hinge. Wipe down any excess oil. Purchase paraffin wax. Melt your candle wax over a stove or microwave. Dip the hinge pins in hot wax. Put the pins back into the hinges. Recoat the hinge pins with wax until the squeaking stops. Use wool if your hinge pins are dirty. Remove the hinge pins. Scrub the hinge pins with the steel wool. Coat the hinge pins with a lubricant. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Female-Body | How to Draw a Female Body | To draw a female body, start by sketching out a wire frame of the torso, arms, and legs to get a basic sense of the person's proportions. Over that frame, sketch out the body shapes to give volume to the frame. Then, start adding in details, like the collarbone and facial features. Once you are happy with the shape, erase the wire frame sketching you started with and start shading in the figure. Start with a base shade and then layer in additional shades until you are happy with the results. | Sketch a circle near the top of your paper to make the head. Lightly press your pencil on the paper so you can go back later and adjust the shape of the head. For now, the circle will be a basic guide so you can get the proportions of the female on paper. Draw a vertical line that extends down through the center of the head. Lay a ruler in the middle of the circle and lightly draw a straight line through the head. Keep drawing the line until it's about as long as you think the drawing will be. You can further extend this line or erase the end of it once you add the horizontal guidelines. Draw a horizontal line through the head circle and make the jaw shape pointed. Sketch a straight line through the middle of the circle so you'll know where to place facial features. Then, make a small point below the circle on the vertical line. Draw a line from the sides of the circle down to this point to create a curved chin. Make the distance between the bottom circle and the chin about 1/3 to 1/4 of the length of the circle. Make 7 horizontal lines below the head with 1 head-length between each. To make a basic grid for your female body proportions, turn your ruler so it's perpendicular to the vertical line you drew. Place it at the chin and lightly draw a straight line. Measure the distance from the top of the head to the chin. Then, leave this much space below the chin and draw another horizontal line. Do this until you have 7 horizontal lines. Add a horizontal line halfway below the bottom line to mark the feet. Since female body figures are about 7 1/2 heads high, make another horizontal line a 1/2 head distance below the lowest line on your paper. This line indicates where the female's feet are. Now you can go back and mark where key parts of the body fall in relation to one another. For example, you'll make a waistline, hipline, and line for the knees. Draw 2 horizontal lines just below the chin to mark the shoulders and the chest. The line for the shoulders should be about 1/3 of a head below the chin, and the chest line will be where the second original gridline you drew was. Draw this line in darker to show where the midpoint of the breasts are on the chest. It might help to label each of the lines you're drawing for reference. For example, write "shoulder line." Sketch 2 horizontal lines between the second and fourth gridlines for the shoulders and hips. Slide the ruler halfway between the second and third guidelines from the top. Draw a horizontal line to show the waistline. Then, move the ruler down so it's halfway between the third and fourth guidelines from the top. Sketch a horizontal line to show where the hips go. Make a horizontal line between the fifth and sixth guidelines to mark the knees. Place the ruler between the fifth and sixth guidelines from the top and draw a horizontal line. This is where you'll eventually draw the knees. If you'd like to label the very bottom line, you could mark "feet" on the line that's halfway below the seventh guideline from the top. Draw a horizontal rectangle just below the first gridline to make the chest. Sketch the top line of the rectangle so it's 1/4 of a head below the first guideline. Make another horizontal line over the second horizontal guideline for the bottom of the rectangle. Then, draw a line that curves away from the body and up to the end of the top rectangle line. Repeat this on the other end of the rectangle. Draw your rectangle so it extends 1/2 of a head's width at both ends. Make a horizontal oval between the second and fourth gridlines for the bottom of the torso. Sketch the oval halfway below the second guideline and halfway below the third guideline. You can make the oval extend as far as you like near the ends, depending on how wide you want the female's hips to be. Sketch another horizontal oval between the rectangle and bottom oval. Lightly make a smaller oval in between the chest and lower torso shapes. Draw the oval so the center touches the chest line and the top of the lower oval. The top of the lower oval is the waistline. Draw a curved line to connect the outside of the shapes and make a basic torso. Press firmly near the end of the shoulder line and sketch down along the chest's curve towards the waist. Keep drawing the line to connect with the edge of the bottom torso rectangle and repeat this for the opposite side of the body. Then, go back to the shoulder line and draw a small line that curves up to meet the head. Remember to draw the opposite line for the neck as well. Make a small circle at both ends of the shoulder and on the hip line to make elbows. Draw a faint circle at each top corner of the chest shape. Make them extend from the shape so the line of the rectangle passes through the circle. Then, draw a faint circle on each side of the body so they're level with the waistline. Make these circles about 1/2 the size of the shoulder circles. Sketch the outline of the shoulders down to the hands. Press firmly to draw a rounded curve from the top of the shoulder circle and make it go down to the side of the elbow circle. Continue drawing the line so it bulges slightly for the forearm muscles before sketching the hand. Draw the hand so it's halfway below the fourth guideline from the top. You can draw a detailed hand with fingers or simply make the outline of a fist. Remember to repeat this on the opposite side of the female's body. Make 2 circles on the knee line and sketch a curved line to make each upper leg. Sketch a circle for each knee halfway below the fifth guideline from the top. Make the circles the same size as the elbow circles. Then, draw a smooth line that connects from the bottom of the torso to the side of the circle. Keep curving your line back up to make the inner thigh and stop drawing the line just above the fourth guideline. Repeat this for the other side so the stopping points form the crotch just above the fourth guideline. Draw the lower legs from the middle of the fifth guideline down to the feet. Sketch from the knee down towards the ankles. Make the outer line of the lower leg curve away from the body before you make it taper down near the seventh guideline from the top. Then, draw a rounded triangle that extends halfway below that guideline to make space for the foot. Leave the feet as rounded basic shapes if you plan on drawing shoes or sandals over them. If not, sketch individual toes to include more detail. Erase guidelines before adding details to the figure. Use a small eraser to carefully remove the horizontal and vertical guidelines you drew. Erase any lines from drawing the joints or torso shapes before you sketch clothing or features on your female figure. Use the eraser on the end of a mechanical pencil if you want the most control when erasing in small spaces. | Sketch a circle near the top of your paper to make the head. Draw a vertical line that extends down through the center of the head. Draw a horizontal line through the head circle and make the jaw shape pointed. Make 7 horizontal lines below the head with 1 head-length between each. Add a horizontal line halfway below the bottom line to mark the feet. Draw 2 horizontal lines just below the chin to mark the shoulders and the chest. Sketch 2 horizontal lines between the second and fourth gridlines for the shoulders and hips. Make a horizontal line between the fifth and sixth guidelines to mark the knees. Draw a horizontal rectangle just below the first gridline to make the chest. Make a horizontal oval between the second and fourth gridlines for the bottom of the torso. Sketch another horizontal oval between the rectangle and bottom oval. Draw a curved line to connect the outside of the shapes and make a basic torso. Make a small circle at both ends of the shoulder and on the hip line to make elbows. Sketch the outline of the shoulders down to the hands. Make 2 circles on the knee line and sketch a curved line to make each upper leg. Draw the lower legs from the middle of the fifth guideline down to the feet. Erase guidelines before adding details to the figure. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Serve-Irish-Soda-Bread | How to Serve Irish Soda Bread | To serve Irish soda bread, cut it into slices and serve it warm. Put out some room-temperature butter or citrus marmalade to spread over the slices with a knife. You can also serve Irish soda bread with a hearty stew and dip the bread in it. If you want to try something more elaborate, make sandwiches with the bread using things like swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut. | Serve Irish soda bread warm. Soda bread is good at room temperature. However, it is best served warm. A warmer temperature compliments the thick cakey texture of the bread and brings out the hearty flavors. Serve this bread freshly baked or toasted. While hot, spread the bread with butter. The butter will melt and soak into the slice. Slice the loaf of bread. Irish soda bread is usually served in slices. Cut the bread into reasonable portions. For example, if you used a large circular pan to make your bread, you may need to cut the loaf in half before cutting slices. Otherwise, the pieces will be large and unwieldy. Make sure each slice is about a quarter inch thick to avoid crumbling the bread. Set the loaf on the table. If you're serving this bread with a meal, place the loaf on the table. Your diners can serve themselves as many pieces as they'd like. Serve the bread on a bread boat, a bread plate, or in a bread basket. Add a white linen doily to the basket to help keep the bread warm. Either slice the bread in advance or provide a bread knife so that guests can cut their own slices. If your loaf is crumbly, give your guests small bread plates for their soda bread slices. This will help keep your table clean. Store the bread. After you and your guests have finished eating, store the bread in an airtight container. You can plastic wrap the bread onto a dish, place the bread in a re-sealable bag, or store it in a bread box. If you don't store the bread in an airtight container it will quickly become stale. Eat Irish soda bread with butter. This method of serving is a timeless classic. Slice the loaf of bread while it's still hot. Next, spread on a thick layer of room-temperature butter. If the butter is unsalted, sprinkle on a pinch of salt to bring out the creamy flavors. Mash room-temperature butter with freshly cut herbs to create an aromatic herbal butter. Serve the bread with citrus marmalades. Irish soda bread has a hearty flavor that pairs wonderfully with sweet or bitter citrus marmalades. You can either make your own marmalade or buy some in the jam section of your favorite grocery store. If your loaf isn't fresh out of the oven, toast the Irish soda bread before adding the marmalade. Serve a slice with a stew. The thick and hearty nature of Irish soda bread helps it pair very well with meaty stews. You can use it to soak up the juices as you eat or as a vehicle for the meat and vegetables. Traditionally, Irish soda bread is served with a slow-simmered beef and barley stew. You can make your own beef and barley stew or buy it ready-made at a gourmet grocery store. Make a sandwich. Irish soda bread has a very mild flavor that can pair well with any kind of sandwich filling. Add Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut for a classic savory sandwich combination. If you want to get creative, spread some apple butter on slices of toasted Irish soda bread and top them with freshly fried bacon. Soda bread is notoriously crumbly. Toast the slices before arranging the sandwich to help keep the bread together. Any kind of cheese will go with Irish soda bread, but blue cheese is especially good. Gather your ingredients. There are many different Irish soda bread recipes that call for additions such as raisins or sugar. However, traditional Irish soda bread only has four ingredients: 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 14 ounces of buttermilk. If you want to make brown Irish soda bread, substitute three of the cups of white flour with whole wheat flour. Buttermilk can be found in the dairy section of your local grocery store. Prepare your workspace. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius) for about ten minutes. While you wait, grease and flour a nine-inch circular cake pan and set it aside. Alternatively, use a cast-iron skillet for a more traditional touch. The skillet should be pre-seasoned and doesn't need to be greased and floured. To grease and flour a cake pan, first coat the inside of the pan with butter. Next, sift over a small amount of flour until all of the butter is coated. Discard any excess flour. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Sift the flour while adding it to remove any lumps. Make sure these ingredients are very well combined by whisking them together. If they're not, you risk having unsavory pockets of baking soda all through your bread. Incorporate the buttermilk. Add the buttermilk all at once and fold it into the dry ingredients with a spatula. Stir until the ingredients are just combined. If you mix it a lot, you will have a smooth crust. If you mix until just combined, your crust will have the traditional rough texture. Don't use an electric mixer to incorporate the buttermilk. The mixer will overmix the batter and your bread won't rise very well. Transfer the batter to the cake pan or cast-iron skillet. Once all of the batter is in the pan, tap the pan on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. Next, cut an “x” shape in the batter with a sharp knife for a traditional Irish soda bread look. Bake the bread for thirty to forty five minutes. Place your soda bread in the center of a hot oven and bake it for about thirty minutes. Check the loaf periodically after the thirty minute mark to see if it's ready. The crust should be firm to the touch, and if you insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf it should come out clean. If you use a cast-iron skillet instead of a cake pan, your bread will need more time to cook. Let the bread cool. Remove the bread from the oven when it's done cooking and transfer it to a wire baking rack. If you leave the bread in the pan to cool, the bottom of the crust will get soggy. Let the bread cool for a few minutes before serving it. If the bread crumbles a lot while you're slicing it, let the bread cool for a few more minutes. This will give the loaf more time to firm up. Gather your ingredients and tools. You will need a few slices of Irish soda bread, three eggs, ¼ cup of milk, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg. You will also need a skillet to cook the French toast in and butter to keep it greasy. Slice the bread into ¾ inch thick pieces. This will help create a thick custardy French toast texture. You can make French toast with fresh or stale Irish soda bread. Create the egg mixture. The bread will be dipped in this mixture just before it's fried. Mix the wet ingredients and seasoning together until the eggs are combined. Don't worry if there are a few stubborn bits of egg that won't mix. These bits of egg will cook onto the bread and disappear. Pan fry the French toast. Place a buttered skillet on the stove over medium heat. Gently press a slice of Irish soda bread in the egg mixture until it's soaked through. Next, fry it on a buttered skillet until both sides are golden brown. Remove the slice to a plate to cool before serving. If your bread starts to smoke, the heat on your skillet is too high. Turn it down a little bit and keep cooking. Serve the French toast. French toast is a traditionally sweet breakfast. Top a few slices with maple syrup, berries, and powdered sugar for a sugary dish. However, French toast is also delicious in savory dishes. Use French toast slices, bacon, and a fried egg to make a delicious breakfast sandwich. | Serve Irish soda bread warm. Slice the loaf of bread. Set the loaf on the table. Store the bread. Eat Irish soda bread with butter. Serve the bread with citrus marmalades. Serve a slice with a stew. Make a sandwich. Gather your ingredients. Prepare your workspace. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Incorporate the buttermilk. Transfer the batter to the cake pan or cast-iron skillet. Bake the bread for thirty to forty five minutes. Let the bread cool. Gather your ingredients and tools. Create the egg mixture. Pan fry the French toast. Serve the French toast. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Dorm | How to Decorate a Dorm | To decorate a dorm, start by choosing a great bedspread with a color and pattern that will help brighten the room. Additionally, get some matching throw pillows for added comfort and style and hang some string lights or paper lights to brighten up the space. You'll also want to invest in a throw rug to add color and warmth to the room, and consider hanging curtains for added color. In order to decorate the walls, pick some fun decals that can easily be removed at the end of the year, or tape up some pictures and artwork that make you happy when you look at them. | Think about your color palette. Before you start buying or crafting new items for your dorm room, it's a good idea to have a theme in mind. You will be working with a neutral backdrop, so your accessories will bring all of the color into the room. Make sure your color choices represent your personality and the mood you want to create in your room. For a monochromatic but balanced color palette, choose three or four different shades from the same color family. If you want accent colors, choose one or two colors from a different color family. You can look at a color wheel and choose colors that are across from your primary colors. You can also use the accent colors in your bedding or other fabrics for inspiration. Choose a great bedspread. Your bedspread is often the biggest part of your decor you have control over. Find a pattern or color you like and will not grow out of in a few months. Consider a few different layers of bedding to add visual interest and provide optimal comfort in different seasons. Don't forget fun, coordinating throw pillows for some added comfort and style. You can put matching pillows on your chairs as well. Be sure to check with your college to find out if the beds are regular length or extra long. Add a rug. A throw rug is a perfect way to add some color to your drab dorm room floor, and to add warmth and comfort to your room. Throw rugs are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and styles. Consider hanging curtains. Curtains are the perfect way to dress up bare windows, and they're yet another way to add some much-needed color to your room. To avoid putting holes in the walls, use a tension rod to hang your curtains or get creative by using adhesive hooks to support the curtain rod. If you're on a budget, consider using shower curtains or buying bundles of fabric and sewing them yourself. You can also buy inexpensive plain white curtains and dress them up yourself by dying them, stenciling them, or decorating them with ribbon. Consider functionality as well. Blackout curtains will keep your room dark and will help keep the warmth in on cold winter nights. Sheer curtains will provide privacy but still allow light to filter into your room. Find fun decals. You may not be able to paint or hang traditional wallpaper in your dorm room, but you still have a lot of options for decorating your walls. Stick-on wall decals are available in a huge variety of styles, and they peel right off of your wall in seconds when it's time to move out. Whether you want to cover an entire wall with a geometric pattern or you want to dress up a wall with an image of your favorite animal or sport, you can find a decal or temporary wallpaper that's right for you. A super cheap alternative to buying decals is to make some yourself using construction paper. Consider cutting out lots of colorful circles and sticking them to your walls with double-sided tape for a fun confetti look. Use washi tape. If you love colorful geometric patterns and are willing to spend a bit of time on a project, you can create a true masterpiece on your walls with colorful washi tape. Just stick it on in whatever pattern you please and peel it off when the school year is over. You can use washi tape on more than just walls! Consider using it on doors, floors, and furniture as well. Add pictures or posters to your dorm walls. Posters or other forms of wall art are a fun and popular way to decorate your dorm room. Add some of your favorite band posters, or posters with images of landscapes, art print reproductions, or appealing abstract designs. Get creative with arranging your pictures in a way that expresses your individual personality. Most large universities will have a week-long poster sale near the beginning of the fall semester. You can easily find popular dorm-room posters at this sale. Create a gallery wall by taping a group of pictures to the wall, either in a grid pattern in a more random arrangement. You can also hang rows of string or wire from your walls and attach your picture to them with clips. If you have one or two photos that you really love, think about having them blown up to poster size. Display your own artwork by hanging clipboards from the wall. This makes it super easy to switch up the pieces you have on display. Store-bought artwork is also an option. Visit thrift shops for great deals. Hang pictures of friends and family members. If you have pictures of people who are important to you (including friends, family, and a significant other), you can frame these and hang them around your dorm room. It's common for students to frame several pictures (between 5 and 10) and hang them together on the same section of wall as a photograph montage. Students also often hang unframed photographs along a hung strand of Christmas lights. If you're worried about being homesick at college, pictures of loved ones are a good way to feel connected. You can find picture frames at any nearby craft or hobby store. Incorporate plants. Plants add so much cheer to a room, so consider incorporating a few into your design. As an added bonus, they also purify the air. You can display them in decorative pots on the floor or on your desk. If there's no space for that, you could consider buying hanging planters. If you feel like doing a DIY project, attach pipe straps to a piece of wood to hang mason jars as planters. You can decorate the wood in any way you like. Make sure you have enough light to keep your plants alive. Putting them near the window is your best bet. Remember that you will need to water your plants regularly in order to keep them healthy. If live plants aren't for you, artificial plants can look just as good and are totally maintenance free! Buy multipurpose furniture. Versatility is key in a small space, so always look for pieces that serve multiple purposes. For example, cube ottomans can be used for both seating and storage. You may also be able to find a bedside table that has a drawer you can use for clothing. Add lighting. If your dorm room is dark and dreary, it's easy to brighten it up with some additional lighting. Look for desk lamps and floor lamps that go with the theme of your room. Try to have a light source in at least 2 corners of the room so things don't get too dark. Paper lanterns and string lights are also fun ways to add some extra mood lighting. If you have a boring lampshade, dress it up by stenciling it or gluing some decorative ribbon to it. Display your things. If you have clothing items that you really love, you can use them to decorate your space. Just hang some adhesive hooks on your wall or buy a small display shelf. This will keep you organized and make your room look awesome. Paint your dorm room walls, if permitted. If you're unhappy with the color of your dorm room walls, ask your RA or university housing manager if you are permitted to paint the walls. Although most schools will not allow this, some may give you permission. This works especially well for things like shoes, scarves, bags, and hats. Create a message board. Every dorm room needs a message board of some sort! It will help keep you organized and give your friends a handy spot to leave you notes. Depending on your needs, you may opt for a corkboard, a magnet board, a chalkboard, a whiteboard, or some combination of these. For a cheap magnet board, hang cookie sheets on your wall with adhesive tape. If you can't find colorful ones, consider spray painting them to match your decor. Chalk paint can turn any surface into a message board, from a tabletop to a piece of scrap lumber that you can hang on the wall. Use storage bins as a decoration. You'll need to cram a lot into a small space, so storage bins and baskets will come in super handy. Choose decorative storage containers that match your decor. There are plenty of designs to choose, from wicker baskets to neon-colored plastic bins and patterned fabric containers. Use the space under your bed. You can store a ton of stuff under your bed, which helps you control your clutter and keep your room looking great. If you don't have enough height, buy some bed risers to lift your bed a little higher. Invest in under-the-bed storage containers to keep your storage area neat and tidy. Get an extra-long bed skirt if you want to keep your storage out of view. Organize your closet. It may not sound like a lot of fun, but keeping your closet organized will help you keep your room neat and tidy, and it will make it so much easier to find the things you're looking for! Consider buying hanging closet organizers. The smaller ones are great for storing shoes, while the larger ones give you a place to store folded sweaters and jeans. Slim velvet hangers are great space savers for small closets. Take advantage of any space you have at the top of your closet too. You may be able to stash storage bins up there for off-season clothing or other items that you don't use every day. Place a couple of potted plants in your dorm. Small potted plants will add a natural look to your dorm room. They take up little space, and are simple to care for. If you anticipate having little time to care for and water plants, look into purchasing succulents (including cacti). These plants are easy to care for, require little water, and can thrive in most kinds of light. Look for small potted plants at a local plant nursery or gardening center. Add a small lamp for light and style. This is a practical decoration as well as an aesthetic one. If you plan to do a lot of homework in your room, you'll need a lamp to help you see by. Add a small lamp on your desk, or invest in a larger floor-lamp to provide light for the whole dorm room. Lamps come in many different styles and shapes. Look for lamps to purchase at a nearby furniture store, office-supply store, or general retail stores like Target or Walmart. Purchase a couple of floor cushions or beanbag chairs. If you're short on space in your dorm but would still like to have seating to entertain friends, consider adding a beanbag chair. You can also find large-sized floor cushions, which take up less room than the beanbag chairs but still provide seating space. You may be able to find floor cushions or beanbag chairs at your university bookstore. If you have a cohesive color theme to your dorm, colored beanbag chairs or floor cushions can help reinforce the colors. Place a colorful rug on your dorm floor. In order to make your dorm room feel more like a small home and less like a large closet, you can lay a rug down. Place the rug either in front of your door or else in the middle of the dorm floor. A large, colorful rug will draw the eye of any visitors. You can also complement the room's overall color scheme with this rug. If you're planning to decorate your dorm room frugally, you can find online instructions for various ways to make your own rug. Buy plenty of dorm room bedding. Pick up bedding supplies in a color or pattern that will complement the general color theme of your dorm room. In order to be well prepared for a year in a dorm, plan to purchase: one or two quilts or comforters, one or two comfortable sleeping pillows, a handful of decorative pillows (if desired), a sheet set (containing pillowcases, a top sheet, and a fitted sheet), and a zippered mattress protector. Before you begin shopping for dorm bedding, make sure that you confirm the bed size and length with the housing department. Most dorm beds are twin sized, and either standard or extra long. Add a small desk to the room. In addition to taking up floor space and serving as a practical decoration, as the desk will give you room to study and provide space to put your books and other personal possessions. You can purchase a desk and bring it with you to your university. Alternatively, your university may provide you with a standard wooden desk. This is another opportunity to communicate and cooperate with your roommate: you'll both need to decide whose desk will be placed where. Put up a little shelving. Storage space can be tight in a dorm, and added shelving will give you space to store small items like textbooks, school supplies, and candles. You'll also be able to display small decorations on shelves: plants, standing framed pictures, decorative lamps, and other personal effects. If you'd rather add storage space in a less invasive way, shop for a hanging shoe holder (which will fit neatly in a closet) and a hanging basket to hold your shower and bathroom supplies. Play by the rules. Most dorms have strict rules about hanging decorations with nails and painting the walls, among other things. Always check the rules and regulations before you do anything that might be a violation. Adhesive strips and hooks make it possible to hang nearly anything on your walls without leaving a mark, so don't feel that you are limited in your design options! Some dorms may also prohibit you from hanging anything from the ceiling, even if it doesn't create a hole. Most dorm rooms do not allow you to burn candles or incense, so look for fire-free ways to add a nice scent to your room, like oil diffusers. Fire codes may also limit what you are allowed to hang on your door. Talk to your roommates. If you'll be sharing your room with one or more other students, it's a good idea to start talking to them as soon as possible to determine what each of you is bringing. You can coordinate so that each of you brings one or two large items that will be available for everyone to use. For example, you can hang pictures on the right side of the dorm, and your roommate's on the left. It also helps to talk to your roommates about likes, dislikes, and color preferences. If you come up with a design plan together, your room will look much more cohesive. Be sure to talk about practical things like dorm fridges, microwaves, and televisions, in addition to decor items. Go shopping for new items with your roommates if possible. This will be a great way to get to know each other while decorating your room. Get measurements. It helps a lot to know exactly how much space you will have to deal with before you start buying items to decorate your room with. If possible, visit the dorm rooms yourself and take measurements of everything (Including the existing furniture). If you can't do it yourself, call your college and see if they can provide you with measurements. Remember that you can't fill every square inch of your floor space with furniture. When deciding how much will really fit, be sure to take walking space into consideration. Don't be afraid to rearrange. You do have to deal with the furniture that comes with your dorm room, but there's no reason you have to leave it in the same place! Feel free to move things around to create a space that works for you and your roommates. | Think about your color palette. Choose a great bedspread. Add a rug. Consider hanging curtains. Find fun decals. Use washi tape. Add pictures or posters to your dorm walls. Hang pictures of friends and family members. Incorporate plants. Buy multipurpose furniture. Add lighting. Display your things. Paint your dorm room walls, if permitted. Create a message board. Use storage bins as a decoration. Use the space under your bed. Organize your closet. Place a couple of potted plants in your dorm. Add a small lamp for light and style. Purchase a couple of floor cushions or beanbag chairs. Place a colorful rug on your dorm floor. Buy plenty of dorm room bedding. Add a small desk to the room. Put up a little shelving. Play by the rules. Talk to your roommates. Get measurements. Don't be afraid to rearrange. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Canvas | How to Clean Canvas | To clean canvas shoes, remove the shoelaces and knock the shoes together over a garbage can to knock off dirt and dust from the bottoms of the shoes. Next, use a soft-bristled brush to sweep away loose dirt particles on the canvas of the shoes. Dip the brush into soapy water and scrub the dirty areas of shoes, working in a circular motion. It's okay if you saturate the canvas with the soapy water, but try not to get the insoles wet, since they may be damaged. Rinse the shoe under a small stream of cool water, then allow them to air dry. | Remove the shoelaces. Untie and unthread the laces from the lace holes in the shoe. Removing the laces will allow you to thoroughly scrub the tongue area of the shoe while cleaning. You could also clean the shoelaces later on, or just replace them. Remove surface dirt. Smack the shoes together over a garbage can to knock off dirt and dust from the bottoms of the shoes. Then use a soft bristled brush to brush off any loose dirt particles and impurities on the canvas areas of the shoes. An old toothbrush works great for removing dirt, especially for reaching into tiny crevices. Mix your cleaning solution. Any mild detergent mixed with water will work as a cleaning solution. Gentle body soap, dishwashing soap, or a small amount of laundry detergent, are all viable options. For about a cup of water, consider using about ½ a teaspoon of mild detergent. Use your old toothbrush to mix up the water and soap until some bubbles start to form. You could also use a small amount of bleach if your shoes are white, but be aware that bleach can potentially yellow the canvas fabric. A mild detergent is the safer bet. Soak the laces. If you're planning on cleaning the laces rather than replacing them, drop the laces into the the cleaning solution. Allow them to soak in the solution for about 15 minutes. While you wait for the laces to soak, you can clean the actual shoe. Scrub the shoe. Dip your old toothbrush into the soapy water mixture, and start scrubbing at the dirty areas of the shoe. Move the toothbrush in circles to thoroughly loosen the dirt and remove the stains. Continue dipping the toothbrush into the soapy water mixtures as you focus on other areas of the shoe. It's okay to saturate the canvas with the soapy water solution, but try your best to keep from getting the foot bedding of the shoe wet. If you get the foot bedding wet, it won't ruin your shoe, but it could cause damage after repeated saturation. Rinse the shoe. You can rinse the canvas of the shoe by running it under a small stream of cool water from a faucet. A small stream will ensure you gently rinse off the soapy solution from the shoe without getting water into the inside of the shoe. Scrub the laces. After the laces have had time to soak, remove them from the soapy water solution. Use your old toothbrush to scrub away at the stains. Once you have scrubbed all the stained areas of the laces, rinse them in cool water. It may help to hold down the laces with your fingers on one hand, and focus on scrubbing a stained area with your other hand. Dry the shoes and laces. Once the shoes and laces are cleaned, dab them dry with a paper towel to soak up any remaining water. Then allow the shoes and laces to dry naturally, outside in the sun. Drying shoes in the dryer can damage the adhesive on the shoe and shrink the canvas material. Brush off any surface dirt. Tiny leaves and little bits of dirt can get caught in canvas furniture. Wipe off the canvas furniture with a bristled brush to remove any surface dirt. You could even hit canvas pillows with your hands to loosen dust from the fabric. Look at the canvas covering labels. If the labels on your canvas furniture covers say they are machine washable, go ahead and wash them in a washing machine. Use a mild detergent on a mild washing setting to wash the canvas coverings; Canvas fabric can be delicate. If your canvas coverings are not machine washable, you will have to clean them by hand like the rest of your furniture pieces. Create your cleaning mixture. Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of clean water. Add approximately ½ a capful of a mild detergent like dishwashing soap, or detergent specifically made for washing items by hand. You can swirl your bristled brush around in the bucket to make the water sudsy. Clean the canvas surface. Use a rag or sponge dipped in the cleaning solution to initially wipe down the canvas surfaces. Then use a bristled brush dipped in the cleaning solution to go over the canvas again, and scrub the soiled areas. You don't have to apply too much pressure while scrubbing the canvas surfaces. Rough scrubbing can end up damaging the fabric. Rinse the canvas. Lightly spray the canvas furniture with clean water to rinse off any soap residue. Water from a hose will work just fine. Once all furniture pieces are rinsed, allow the furniture to dry naturally in the sun. If the canvas is colored, be aware that allowing the furniture to dry in the sun may weaken its coloring.. Consider applying a fabric protectant. To protect the canvas from further damage, apply a protective spray that will help the canvas repel dirt and water. Apply this spray only when the canvas is completely dried. Spray the canvas surfaces from approximately 3 feet away, being sure to spray in a thorough, even, widespread fashion. Be sure to follow the instructions on the protective spray bottle. If you don't know which kind of protective spray to use on your canvas, consult an employee at your local home department store. Remove surface debris. Use a stiff bristled brush, and wipe off any loose dirt from the surface of the canvas covering. Some items that may be stuck to the canvas surface include leaves, dust, dirt, bird droppings, and algae growths. Spray the canvas with water. Gently hose the canvas covering to dampen the surface. Then, use a spray bottle or a cloth dipped in water to moisten the seams of the canvas, since the seams can accumulate and house a lot of dirt. Saturating the canvas surface with water will help the cleaning agent adhere, and soak into the grimy nooks and crannies of the canvas. Make your cleaning solution. The cleaning solution should be mild and diluted with water. A mild detergent such as dishwashing soap or a detergent specific for washing fabrics by hand is a good option, but you could also use bleach. A good cleaning mixture ratio is about 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of warm water. If you are going to use a mild detergent, consider using about ¼ cup of detergent to per gallon of warm water. Clean the fabric. Use a stiff bristled brush to work the cleaning solution into the canvas fabric. You can move the brush in circles or scrub back and forth. However, don't apply a great amount of pressure while scrubbing; you could damage the canvas fabric. Again, remember to focus on scrubbing the seams of the canvas, because that's where a lot of filth collects. Let the cleaning solution soak. Leave the soapy cleaning solution on the canvas fabric for a about 30-60 minutes. This will allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric and release the dirt and impurities. Rinse the fabric. Rinse the fabric with clean water to remove the soapy solution. Hosing down the fabric will work just fine. You may have to repeat this process a few times if your boat canvas is particularly dirty. Air dry the canvas. Allow the canvas covering to dry naturally by the sun and wind outside. Your canvas covering should be completely dry with one full day sitting in the sun. Consider retreating the fabric. You may want to consider applying a water proofing spray to the surface of the fabric. Some fabric treatments made especially for boats can even contain solutions to prevent wear and tear from sun rays. Simply follow the instructions on the fabric protectant spray bottle. Normally, 2 thin coats of protectant spray are recommended for the best results. Allow the first coat to completely dry before adding on the second coat. If you are unsure about what kind of fabric treatment to use, consult a worker at your local boat shop. | Remove the shoelaces. Remove surface dirt. Mix your cleaning solution. Soak the laces. Scrub the shoe. Rinse the shoe. Scrub the laces. Dry the shoes and laces. Brush off any surface dirt. Look at the canvas covering labels. Create your cleaning mixture. Clean the canvas surface. Rinse the canvas. Consider applying a fabric protectant. Remove surface debris. Spray the canvas with water. Make your cleaning solution. Clean the fabric. Let the cleaning solution soak. Rinse the fabric. Air dry the canvas. Consider retreating the fabric. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Black-Hair-Grow | How to Make Black Hair Grow | While it can feel like your Black hair doesn't grow, keeping it moisturized will prevent breakage and ultimately help it grow longer. To avoid drying out your hair, only wash it every 4-7 days. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and massage it into your scalp to stimulate blood flow, which encourages hair growth. After you wash out the shampoo, apply a conditioner and leave it in your hair for a few minutes to fully hydrate it. When your hair is still damp, apply a moisturizer and gently use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your locks. Additionally, avoid using high heat to style your hair, since this can damage your ends. | Wash your hair every 4-7 days. Washing regularly helps to remove any hair product build up you might have, allowing your scalp to breathe. When you wash, you also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which encourages hair growth. A lot of shampoos on the market contain sulfates, which can strip your hair of its natural oils. These natural oils help your hair to stay moisturized, preventing breakage. Search for sulfate-free products to keep your hair healthy and strong. Remember to deep condition when you wash. Deep conditioning can be time consuming, but it may help repair any damage from breakage. Try a pre-poo treatment. If your hair feels too dry after a regular wash, consider treating your hair with oil, or pre-pooing, before shampooing. Popular pre-poo oils are olive oil and coconut oil. Coconut oil may even help reduce protein loss during your shampooing process. Mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of castor oil, and 4 drops of tea tree oil and apply to damp or dry hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes before shampooing as normal. Mix together 4 tablespoons of coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon each of 3 different oils. Olive, castor, coconut, almond, and jojoba oil are all great choices. Warm the mixture in the microwave and apply it to dry, unwashed hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and a thermal heat turban and let it sit for an hour before washing as normal. Keep your hair moisturized. You might find that your hair gets a little dried out even if you follow a good hair washing routine. If this happens, you may need to use a moisturizer or sealant between washes. Water is the best moisturizer for dry hair. Some days you may be able to get by with just spraying a little water on your hair to keep it soft. If you do have to buy a moisturizer, search for products that have water listed as the first or second ingredient. Sealants help keep the moisture in your hair, and are often made with oils and butters. You should only apply sealants after you moisturize, otherwise you'll just have greasy hair. If you find a product that contains both water and oil, it may work as a moisturizer and a sealant. If your hair is especially kinky or dry, search for thicker, creamier moisturizers. Take care of your scalp. Massaging your scalp for 20-30 minutes a day may help encourage hair growth. If you have any damage or thinned hair from hair relaxers or weaves, this can be especially helpful. Use protective or low manipulation styles. Protective and low manipulation styles are good ways to prevent breakage and retain length. Protective styles are styles that protect the ends of your hair by tucking them away. Cornrows , and two-strand twists , are common examples of protective styles. Weaves and extensions are technically protective styles, but can still damage your hair. Some protective styles, such as a two-strand twist, allow you to further style your hair with a bun, or a twist-out. Braiding cornrows can be a time consuming task and takes a bit of practice to master. Have a friend help you if you plan on going this route. Low manipulation styles don't protect the ends of the hair, but they can still prevent breakage. They are easier to do and less permanent than protective styles. Twist-outs and coils are examples of low manipulation styles. Detangle when your hair is damp. After washing, make sure you give your hair a little time to dry before trying to detangle it. If your hair is dry, use a spray bottle and mist it with some water before detangling. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. If you find that using a comb causes your hair to break, then switch to finger-combing. Some people prefer to use a little conditioner or shea butter to help detangle their hair. Once your hair is detangled, rinse the moisturizer out with water. Trim your ends. When trying to grow your hair, it's best to trim away any split ends to prevent further damage to your hair. Schedule your trims every 3-4 months, when the hair starts naturally splitting. In between trims use a sealant to protect the ends of your hair. Trimming your hair when it is dry will give you a better idea of your hair's actual length. Dry hair also allows you to see more split ends and the true shape of your hair. Trimming your hair when it is wet might be easier because your hair is more flexible. But, during a wet trim you can't see the actual shape of your hair. Avoid using high heat to style your hair. Heat tools, such as flat irons and hot combs, can permanently damage your hair if used too much. These tools suck the moisture from your hair and increase the chances of breakage. Too much heat may lead to more frequent trims, which means a longer growing process. Try braiding or twisting your hair to naturally increase the length. Drink lots of water. Water is essential for good health, especially if you're trying to improve hair growth. The cause of poor hair growth is often due to poor nutrition and the best thing you can do is get more water in your diet. The recommended daily amount is 9 glasses of water for women, and 13 glasses for men. Get enough protein. Without enough protein in your diet, your hair can become brittle, or even lose color. Many sources of protein contain other nutrients necessary for healthy hair and skin. Poultry is a good source of protein and iron. Beans are also a good source of protein and iron, as well as zinc and biotin. Incorporating nuts into your diet will also give you a good protein boost. Some nuts, such as Brazil nuts, contain selenium, which promotes scalp health. Eat more fish. Fish is a good source of protein, but it is also an excellent way to get Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. Omega-3s are necessary to keep your hair naturally moisturized. A lack of these fatty acids in your diet can contribute to a dry scalp and dull hair. Substitute a couple of tablespoons of flaxseed into your diet to get your Omega-3s if you're a vegetarian. Eat your greens. Greens are a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Vitamins A and C help your body produce sebum, an oily substance that acts as a natural conditioner, and keeps your hair follicles healthy. Broccoli, spinach, kale, and chard are just a few examples of some greens to add to your diet for healthy hair. Carrots are also an excellent source of vitamin A, though they aren't technically a green. | Wash your hair every 4-7 days. Try a pre-poo treatment. Keep your hair moisturized. Take care of your scalp. Use protective or low manipulation styles. Detangle when your hair is damp. Trim your ends. Avoid using high heat to style your hair. Drink lots of water. Get enough protein. Eat more fish. Eat your greens. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Cotton-Eyed-Joe-Dance | How to Do the Cotton Eyed Joe Dance | To do the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, place your hands on your hips and tap your right heel forward twice on the first 2 beats of the music. For the next 2 beats, tap the ground behind you with your right toe twice. On count 5, tap your right foot to the side, then bring it in front of your body, touching your heel on count 6. On 7, tap your foot to the side again, then bring your right heel across and behind your body on 8, touching your heel again. Shuffle to the right for 4 beats, then take 4 steps to the left while spinning your body for the next 4. Swing your right arm overhead like you're swinging a lasso for the last 4 counts of the dance. | Begin by tapping your right heel forward twice. On the first two beats of the chorus, stick your right foot out and tap the ground with the bottom of the heel twice. Your taps should line up with the beat of the song. Rest your hands on your hips or in your pockets. Tap your right foot behind your body twice. On the next two beats of the chorus, put your right foot behind you and tap the ground with your toe twice. Tap your right foot to the side and bring your right heel across and in front of your body. For the next two beats of the song, you will perform a scooping motion across the front of your body with your right leg. Tap your right foot beside your body (beat one), before touching your right foot with your left hand (beat two). Tap your right foot to the side, and bring your right heel across and behind your body. For the following two beats, you will perform the same scooping motion behind your body. Tap your right foot beside your body again (beat one), before reaching back to touch your right foot with your left hand (beat two). Altogether, these first four moves make up the first 8 beats of the dance. Perform a four count grapevine to the right. For the next four beats, shuffle your body to the right by doing a grapevine move with your feet. Step your right foot to the side, step your left foot behind your right, step your right foot to the side again, and step your left foot together with your right. Clap your hands on the fourth beat of this move, when your two feet come together. Take four side steps to the left while spinning your body. For the final four beats of the song, take four small side steps while turning your body 90 degrees with each step. In this move, you'll return to your original position on the dance floor while rotating your body a full 360 degrees. As you move your feet in a sideways shuffle on the beat - left, right, left, right - turn your body in a circle to the right as well. These previous two steps make up the second 8 beats of the dance. One entire round of this dance is 16 beats long. Swing your right arm overhead for the last four counts of the dance. As you spin your body and move to the left, keep your left hand on your hip while pretending you are swinging a lasso overhead with your right arm. Repeat these moves, but lead with your left foot. As the song continues, these same 16-count dance moves keep repeating, but they'll alternate sides every time. When you lead with your left foot, you'll perform your grapevine to the left as well. Practice the moves slowly at first. In order to learn the moves, it's best to practice slowly, counting the beats out loud while going through the motions. By taking the time to learn slowly, you'll have an easier time remembering the moves later on. Watch other people perform the dance. If you're new to the Cotton Eyed Joe dance and want to join in at a dance party, watch the first few rounds of the dance before joining. The dance repeats for the entire length of the song, so you'll have plenty of time to join in after watching and getting the hang of the moves from the sidelines. You can also find videos of people doing the Cotton Eyed Joe on YouTube. Learn how the dance moves line up with the song lyrics. Spend some time listening to the Cotton Eyed Joe song and try to remember which counts of the dance line up with specific words in the chorus. If you get lost during a round of the dance, you'll be able to listen to the song to help you find your place. The chorus of the song is 16 beats, and is the same length as one round of the Cotton Eyed Joe dance. The final hook, “Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from, Cotton Eyed Joe?” lines up with your final 8 counts of the dance, where you will be moving from side to side. Join in on the chorus. The Cotton Eyed Joe is a long song, and it is most common to see people join in on the chorus. When you're new to the dance, try performing the moves during the chorus so that you'll have lots of other people to blend in with. If you get lost or forget the moves along the way, wait for the top of the chorus ("If it hadn't been for the Cotton Eye Joe, I'd been married a long time ago...") to start the dance over again. During the rest of the song, feel free to keep performing the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, or dance in any other way you please! Add a bounce on your left foot for the first eight counts of the dance. Once you get the moves down, try adding tiny jumps on your left foot as you perform the first stationary toe-tap moves. Bounce on your right foot when you lead with your left foot. The bouncing will help make the moves look and feel more upbeat. | Begin by tapping your right heel forward twice. Tap your right foot behind your body twice. Tap your right foot to the side and bring your right heel across and in front of your body. Tap your right foot to the side, and bring your right heel across and behind your body. Perform a four count grapevine to the right. Take four side steps to the left while spinning your body. Swing your right arm overhead for the last four counts of the dance. Repeat these moves, but lead with your left foot. Practice the moves slowly at first. Watch other people perform the dance. Learn how the dance moves line up with the song lyrics. Join in on the chorus. Add a bounce on your left foot for the first eight counts of the dance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-the-Things-You-Want-to-and-Still-Lose-Weight | How to Eat the Things You Want to and Still Lose Weight | You can eat the things you want and still lose weight by giving yourself permission to eat high calorie foods in moderation. For example, it's easier to eat things like pizza and beer on occasion than it is to completely cut them out of your diet forever and risk binging on them. Remember that your body craves things when you're lacking nutrients, so make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods to keep your cravings under control. Besides eating the right foods, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day since it's easy to overeat when you're dehydrated. | Avoid attaching guilt or judgement to food. Food is simply a source of nutrients and calories. It is not a moral entity or a thing you should feel guilty about. Stop thinking of your favorite foods as “guilty pleasures” or “weaknesses.” Replace those negative connotations with positive, encouraging ones that promote health and weight loss instead of shame and guilt. For example, instead of saying that chocolate cake is your guilty pleasure, tell yourself that you love chocolate cake because it's delicious, and that's okay. To lose weight, you now simply stop at a small serving of the cake rather than eating two big pieces. Give yourself permission to eat anything you want. Don't make any foods off-limits. Instead, focus on eating foods you love in moderation. Allowing yourself moderate portions of foods and drinks that you love will stave off binges and help you feel less deprived, which in turn will help you lose weight. Swearing off pizza or beer, for example, might sound like a good approach to weight loss for you if you love them. Unfortunately, if you deprive yourself of these treats, then you'll likely sabotage yourself in the long run and binge on them. Instead of denying yourself the pizza, realize that it will be a part of your diet occasionally, and other foods like salad or fruit will complement that to give your body what it needs. View food as fuel. Your body needs fuel to operate optimally. Food is neither your enemy nor your friend. It is there to keep you healthy and alive. Eat as much as you need to feel satisfied, and avoid severe calorie restriction as a weight loss tool, as this can lead to health problems and disordered eating. A good approach to gauging your level of fullness is to rate your hunger on a scale of 1 to 10 during your meal. If 1 means you're extremely hungry and 10 means you're miserably full, aim for a score of 5 or 6 when your meal is over, to ensure that you're not overeating and slowing down your weight loss. Try addressing your nutrition needs by eating the necessary nutrients first, then anything else after that if you are still hungry. If you eat only until you're not hungry, as opposed to full, then you are practicing moderation with your eating. Even if you still occasionally incorporate your favorite unhealthy foods, eating them in smaller quantities will help with weight loss. Concentrate on nutrition. When we are deficient in vitamins, minerals, and fat, we develop cravings for the wrong foods. To stave off these cravings and promote weight loss, be sure to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods and take a multivitamin supplement, if needed. Fruits, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods are great sources of vitamins and minerals. These foods also tend to be low in calories, so filling up on these foods will help promote weight loss. Don’t be afraid to eat fat. Your brain requires fat to function, so don't be afraid of eating healthy fats like those found in avocados and fish. Studies have shown that very low fat diets are not ideal for weight loss or overall health because fats help with brain function, vitamin absorption, and help keep you fuller for longer. Avoid dangerous types of fat like trans fats, which have been linked to a variety of health problems like diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke. Make sure you read food labels and do not buy anything with trans fats (sometimes called partially hydrogenated oils). If you don't enjoy eating fat, you can try a fish oil supplement. Be sure you store these supplements in the refrigerator to preserve freshness, and choose a brand that specifies that their supplements are free from Mercury. Know the difference between hunger and boredom. Many times when we are bored we turn to eating as a pleasurable activity to pass time; however, this can wreak havoc on our weight loss plans, especially if we choose unhealthy foods. Avoid mindless eating in front of the TV or computer. Find other activities to keep your hands and/or mouth busy, such as knitting or chewing gum, so you don't feel compelled to mindlessly snack. When you do eat, turn off the TV and put away your laptop, smartphone, or anything else distracting. Focus on eating mindfully and paying attention to your body. Identify emotional eating. We often eat when we are stressed, sad, happy, or angry. Before you have a meal or snack, pause and ask yourself if you are actually hungry or if you're eating because of your present feelings. Try keeping a food journal. Not only will this help you identify emotional eating, but it is also an excellent way to track your calories and plan for indulgences. For example, if you want ice cream later in the day, you can plan ahead in your food journal to have a lighter lunch to make up for your high calorie treat. This will help you satisfy your cravings for the foods you love while still keeping you on track for your weight loss goals. Stay hydrated. It is easy to confuse thirst for hunger because the same part of our brain, the hypothalamus, regulates both hunger and thirst. To combat this confusion, try having a large glass of water and waiting fifteen minutes. If you no longer feel hungry, then you were likely just dehydrated. To avoid dehydration and help curb cravings, invest in a refillable water bottle, so you always have access to water. Put cravings on hold. If you're craving a particular unhealthy food that you love, try to distract yourself and wait twenty minutes. Do something unrelated to food like going for a short walk or calling a friend. Have a small piece of fruit or vegetable, and then if you still want the food that you were craving, then don't deprive yourself (but limit your portion size). Avoid foods known to cause cravings. Some foods and drinks contain ingredients that make us feel hungry when we consume them. Artificial sweeteners in diet sodas and regular sugar can cause us to feel hungrier by spiking blood sugar and having little nutritional value. Set a workout goal. Once you decide on a calorie goal for your weight loss regimen, then it's important to create a matching workout plan. If you plan to keep incorporating your favorite foods, then you need to remain flexible with your expectations. To lose 1lb per week, you need to consume 500 fewer calories per day than you burn. You might lose weight more slowly than those who adhere to very strict diets, but remember that your approach is more healthy and sustainable in the long-term. Crash diets and overly restrictive diets usually lead to binges and other unhealthy eating habits, and people usually gain back the weight they lost. Burn as many calories as possible. When you want to lose weight and still eat your favorite foods, it's important to exercise to offset any extra calories you might consume. Interval training in which you alternate bursts of hard cardio exercises with moderate cardio are very efficient calorie burners. For example, if you know that you will be having a high-calorie dinner, then you can help offset the calorie overload by increasing your workout for that particular day. Be sure to accurately Measure Calories Burned During Exercise. Running interspersed with fast walking or using an elliptical machine at varying levels of difficulty are excellent ways to incorporate interval training. Add extra exercises throughout your day. If you have an office job or are a student, you might find that you spend a majority of your day sitting and getting little to no exercise. Incorporate techniques that will help you Burn Calories at Work , such as taking the stairs to your office, stretching at your desk, and taking walks during your lunch break. If your workplace allows it, install a standing desk. We burn more calories standing than sitting, so this is an option to increase your calorie burn while at work. You might even be able to use a walking/treadmill desk, though these can be expensive. Invest in a fitness tracker. If you are a visual person, then a fitness tracker might be helpful for you in your weight loss goals. These trackers can track your steps, calories burned, sleep patterns, and heart rate, to give you a broad picture of your weight loss and exercise progress. Knowing your calorie burn for the day will tell you how many calories to allot at mealtimes, which will help accelerate your weight loss. Move past setbacks. Don't beat yourself up if you experience a setback and binge one day or skip a week at the gym. One day of overeating will not completely sabotage your weight loss goals. Be sure to pick up the next day with your exercise routine and eating the foods you love in moderation. Remember that 3,500 calories equals a pound, so even if you binged on your favorite unhealthy food, you probably didn't undo very much of your weight loss progress. | Avoid attaching guilt or judgement to food. Give yourself permission to eat anything you want. View food as fuel. Concentrate on nutrition. Don’t be afraid to eat fat. Know the difference between hunger and boredom. Identify emotional eating. Stay hydrated. Put cravings on hold. Avoid foods known to cause cravings. Set a workout goal. Burn as many calories as possible. Add extra exercises throughout your day. Invest in a fitness tracker. Move past setbacks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Leggings-in-Summer | How to Wear Leggings in Summer | To wear leggings in summer, choose leggings made from breathable materials, like a cotton or Lycra blend, which will help keep you cool. Avoid leggings made for yoga or exercise, which are made out of thicker materials like spandex, since these can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Pair high-waisted leggings with a crop top or tied-up tank to show off your mid-drift. Or, go for a comfortable, summery look with a long shirt or an oversized blouse. Since leggings are tight against your skin, you should wash them after every 1 or 2 uses to avoid odor-causing bacteria. | Choose a breathable material like cotton to avoid overheating. You want something with good ventilation for hotter days, and your best options will be a cotton or Lycra blend, or even bamboo. Some legging styles also have mesh stripes or bands, which can increase breathability as well. These have a sporty look that will go well with oversized t-shirts and jerseys. Try leggings on before buying them to make sure they look and feel good. The waist should be tight enough that your leggings stay in place when you move, but loose enough that it doesn't press uncomfortably on your stomach or hips. Try a few squats and kicks. If the leggings seem to bunch or sag anywhere when you move around, try a different pair. It's especially important to try on leggings beforehand when you are buying printed or patterned leggings. Some patterns look don't look as good when they're stretched out, or you may find that they're unflattering once you put them on. Stick to darker colors to create a slimming effect. We tend to wear lighter, brighter colors in summer, but you'll still want your leggings to be darker than what you wear on top for the most flattering look. If you do choose lighter-colored leggings, be sure to wear them with a long top, since they are often more transparent. Buy high-waisted leggings if you have shorter legs. This will make your legs appear longer, and will also match well with cool, comfortable summer shirts like crop tops. They can also be useful for making your midsection appear longer and thinner, and avoiding bulging or “muffin-top” around your waist. Try wearing high-waisted leggings with a cropped t-shirt and sneakers for a casual summer look. Choose capri leggings for hotter days. When the temperatures are really high, capris can be a cooler way to wear leggings. They should come down to just under the muscular part of your calf. Tapered legs, rather than flared, will make for a more slimming look. Wear crop tops or tied-up tanks with high-waisted leggings. Shirts that come down to just above your waist can be a cool option on hot days, and high-waisted leggings are a great complement to this look. If you don't have high-waisted leggings or don't like calling too much attention to your midriff, try adding a light, open blouse or tying a shirt or jacket around your waist. Create a comfortable, summery look with long, breezy shirts. Leggings go well with airy tunics and light oversized blouses. Choose something that comes down past your waist. Wear a nude tank top underneath, or pair a brightly colored tank or sports bra with a plain, light-colored shirt. Accent your outfit with a light jacket or kimono for chillier temperatures. If you want an extra layer for the when the sun goes down, throw on a silk kimono, oversized blouse, or light jacket. This will also help make your torso look longer. A brightly colored kimono with a plain tank top, dark leggings, and sandals can make an excellent outfit for going out on a summer evening. Wear dark flats or heels for a more formal look. If you want to dress up, wear black leggings with dark, closed-toed heels or flats that show your ankles. You can also opt for faux-leather or metallic leggings for a little extra flair. Dark heels, an oversized blouse, and light jewelry can make black leggings look dressy. Choose bright or patterned shoes to accent plain leggings. A simple shoe with bright colors or patterns can make for an interesting accent to plain, dark-colored leggings. Just make sure they don't clash with your shirt or accessories. Try metallic or sequined flats to dress up a simple outfit like black leggings and a long dress shirt. If you have shoes in bright, solid colors, pair them with small accents of the same color. For instance, try bright red shoes with matching lipstick or earrings. Wear low-cut or Converse sneakers for a casual look. Comfortable sneakers can be a great complement to jeans leggings, or help to dress down a fancy outfit. Look for something low-cut, which will draw attention to the narrower part of your calf and make your legs appear slimmer. Brightly colored converses are a great accent to simple outfits like jeans leggings and an oversized t-shirt. When pairing with dressier outfits, choose sneakers in dark colors to keep the contrast subtle. Buy leggings that are meant for everyday wear to avoid discomfort. Leggings that are intended for yoga or exercise are often made of a thicker material like spandex and can be less comfortable to wear for long periods, as well as less flattering. Stretch cotton is a better pick for comfort. Avoid wearing leggings as formal or professional attire. While leggings can be a great base for a dressy outfit you wear out on the town, they are not generally considered appropriate for the workplace or for any other strictly formal situation. Don't wear transparent leggings without a long top. It can be difficult to tell how transparent material is until you put the leggings on, and some styles are more transparent in the light. Make sure your leggings are thick enough that you can't see through them, or else pair them with a long top. Avoid an unflattering “bodysuit” effect by wearing loose, flowy tops. Wearing skin-tight shirts with leggings can make your outfit look like a bodysuit or unitard, which can be unflattering for any body type. Choosing loose-fitting tops with boxy or flowy shapes will create a more appealing contrast. Try adding a long sleeveless sweater or a light tunic to your wardrobe that you can throw on over any outfit to add a little length and dimension. Wash your leggings after wearing them twice to avoid odor buildup. You may even want to wash them after every use in the summer when your leggings are more likely to absorb sweat and body oils. Follow the instructions on your leggings' care label, and consider using a detergent that contains enzymes, which break down odor-causing bacteria. It can also be helpful to spritz leggings with diluted vodka or vinegar after wearing them, especially if you're unable to wash them right away. | Choose a breathable material like cotton to avoid overheating. Try leggings on before buying them to make sure they look and feel good. Stick to darker colors to create a slimming effect. Buy high-waisted leggings if you have shorter legs. Choose capri leggings for hotter days. Wear crop tops or tied-up tanks with high-waisted leggings. Create a comfortable, summery look with long, breezy shirts. Accent your outfit with a light jacket or kimono for chillier temperatures. Wear dark flats or heels for a more formal look. Choose bright or patterned shoes to accent plain leggings. Wear low-cut or Converse sneakers for a casual look. Buy leggings that are meant for everyday wear to avoid discomfort. Avoid wearing leggings as formal or professional attire. Don't wear transparent leggings without a long top. Avoid an unflattering “bodysuit” effect by wearing loose, flowy tops. Wash your leggings after wearing them twice to avoid odor buildup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Panhandle | How to Panhandle | Panhandling can be an effective way to earn some cash, but you'll need to choose a busy area and ask people appropriately to make it work. Choose a place where there's a lot of foot traffic, like a subway stop or urban campus, since you'll find it easier to talk to more people. It's a good idea to move to a new spot every once in a while so you don't wear out your welcome. When you ask for money, be polite and always say thank you whether or not they give you any. Being courteous will encourage more people to give to you, whereas being aggressive or rude will only lead to confrontation. You should also ask for something specific, since people are more likely to give you a few cents if your story sounds believable. For example, it would be better to say you need 40 cents for a bus ticket than tell someone you need money for a bus ticket. Avoid getting into disputes with other panhandlers, since this could put your safety at risk. Remember to stash your money somewhere safe from time to time so you're not carrying large amounts of cash around with you. | Choose an area with lots of foot traffic. If you're going to maximize your earning-potential, you'll need to go to a place in which you'll encounter a lot of different approachable people. It helps if you're both on foot at the same time. For this reason, by far the most popular locations are subway stations, metro stops, truck stops, urban campuses, or the areas around other commuter zones. Placing yourself directly outside of the entrance to a subway station is a high-yield opportunity. Different people will pass through every couple of minutes, so the turnover is high. Centralized downtown locations are a safer bet than malls or shopping centers, because commercial zones are typically worked by security staff who are typically unwelcoming of your endeavor. Choose an area with lots of auto traffic. If you've got a sign or the materials to make one, posting up in a traffic median near an interstate on-ramp or a busy downtown street corner ensures that you'll be seen by lots of people in lots of cars without having to move or even speak. This requires the least amount of effort on your part, but it's also easier for people to ignore someone while in a car. This works best during spring or summer months when people drive with their windows down. Avoid wealthy neighborhoods and expensive restaurant districts. While it may seem intuitive to go to where people have lots of money to give away, the wealthiest segments of the population are statistically the least likely to give to panhandlers. People in these areas are also more likely to call police, even if you're being courteous. Stick to downtown commercial districts and middle-class areas. Keep moving. Posting up outside the same neighborhood coffee shop every day will likely get you into some heat with the staff and you'll quickly wear out your welcome with the patrons, making the likelihood of an uncomfortable confrontation too great. Besides, at that point, you'll have stopped making any money. Aim to hit up the same place no more than once a month. If you're not tied to a location, you might develop a circuit or a route based on the weather. If you're in New York in the summer, say, make your way to Boston for the early fall, Baltimore for the late fall, and get down to Florida for the winter and sleep on the beach. Keep track of the places you visit, the places you sleep, and friendly areas to work. Choose a city friendly to panhandlers. Increasingly, when neighborhoods once commonly friendly to panhandlers become gentrified, the laws and population will change significantly, making it difficult to stay ahead of the game. Medium-to-large cities are typically friendlier to panhandlers than smaller towns. College towns, however, can be a good bet. They're full of young idealistic students who are often flush with disposable cash and susceptible to a good story. Pick a place with good weather. If you're going to be outside all day, rain or shine, pick a place where it'll be shining at least. Be polite. If there's one thing that's guaranteed to fail and get you in lots of trouble, it's demanding money from strangers in a rude or confrontational way. Smile, be courteous, and thank people whether or not they choose to give you anything. Thanking people will lay the groundwork for developing a reputation in your area. If you develop a good working relationship with the people in the areas you solicit, they'll be more likely to give you money the next time. It's not worth telling someone off in the long run, even though you might be feeling frustrated. Be believable. Whatever your tactic in asking--if you choose to tell people the whole truth, or if you spin a yarn to get some change--you need to sound like you're being honest. If you're asking for money to get a bus ticket because you really need a bus ticket, it won't matter if the person you're asking thinks you're going to buy booze. Tailor your story to your location. If you're going to ask for a bus ticket, it helps if you're right around the corner from a bus station and have a bag. Name a specific location you need to get to, somewhere faraway and strange, like "Ohio." Make sure your appearance matches your story as best as it can. If you're playing the lost traveler, it won't help your story if it looks like you've been sleeping outside for the past couple months, even if you have been. Be specific. Some panhandlers believe the key to success is in asking for a very particular amount of money for a very particular reason. "I need 40 cents to get a bus ticket, can you help me out?" tends to be a more effective approach than "I need to get a bus ticket." If you ask for a very specific amount of money, it increases the believability of your question. If you ask for a dollar you may get some spare change, but if you ask for 40 cents, you may get a dollar. Be clear and concise. To avoid intimidating people or making them frustrated and unlikely to give you anything, just come out and ask for what you're looking for: "Excuse me sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but I need some change to get something to eat." Ask for one thing and give one reason: "I need ____ for _____." Using a sign can be the easiest way to panhandle. All you need is a piece of cardboard from a recycling or garbage dumpster and something to write with. Make the lettering bold and clear so it can be read quickly. Alternatively, depending on your verbal skills and your experience, being as evasive as possible can be a good way to confuse someone and make them want to get rid of you. This works especially well on "out-of-towners" or college students: "Excuse me sir, how you doing tonight? I'm sorry to bother you, but my cell phone is dead and my girlfriend's stuck up on 34th St. with our kid in the car and they got in a little accident right after they ran out of gas (you don't have a cigarette do you?) and my mom would usually pick them up but she's in the hospital with chronic fatigue syndrome and my battleship's taking off tomorrow and I'm already in the doghouse about that (you know what I mean) so I was just wondering if you had change for a twenty or just had a couple dollars or something so I can get something to eat? You got three tens?" Be sympathetic. Some people are more willing to donate if they recognize that you're in a dire situation and are truly in need of help. Whether this is a lie or the truth, try appealing to their sense of empathy and morality. If they think it's their obligation to help you, they'll be more likely to do it. Saying that you're a veteran or that you were injured in a construction accident and stuck with huge hospital bills are likely to appeal to a person's sense of injustice and make them willing to help you. If you find a broken wheelchair in the trash, use it. Be very careful about elaborate lies intended to appeal to sympathy. If you claim to be a veteran and you're not, running into real soldiers with a fake story could be problematic. Be funny. Often, appealing to someone's sense of humor rather than their sense of empathy is a more effective tactic. A sign that says, "I know where Bin Laden is. Need $ for a flamethrower and a ticket" or "Why lie? I want a beer" might make someone chuckle and donate who would normally be unsympathetic or unwilling. In a college town, humor can be particularly effective. Stay abreast of current events and local culture to get a sense of what might go over well. Singing "I'll stop singing for a dollar" to the tune of a Lady Gaga song might help rake it in or it might get you arrested. Remember the regulars. In the old film "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," Humphrey Bogart plays a down-on-his-luck American in Mexico who accidentally asks the same American for money three times in the same day. "I never looked at your face," Bogart says when the American becomes annoyed. Don't make the same mistake. If you see the same people on their way to work every day, learn their names and greet them. If they know you're there asking for money, you won't have to ask and you know they'll give it if they feel like it. They'll also be more likely to give if you're a friendly face on their commute each day and not an inconvenience. Remember: It's a numbers game. Don't become irritated or rude to people if they choose not to give you anything. Thank them and let them move on. Someone else will be passed in another couple seconds if you're in a good location anyway. Moving quickly through your routine is a much more effective method than dwelling on lost opportunities. Be consistent and you'll make some money. Learn the laws in the area you're planning to panhandle. Some, once popular with panhandlers, have outlawed begging in certain areas. Portland, OR, for example, no longer permits panhandling in traffic medians. Some cities have likewise restricted panhandling to particular areas or at particular times, outlawing panhandling during public events like parades, street fairs, etc. You need to learn the rules governing panhandling, so you're not arrested or ticketed. Be a good neighbor. Your relations with nearby businesses and other panhandlers can make or break your efforts. Be courteous and cooperative to business owners and their customers. Show your appreciation for their tolerance by patronizing their shop if you can, and if you're asked to leave or asked to stand a little further away, do so without argument. Always be friendly to other beggars, as well, and avoid territorial disputes. At the very least you'll avoid dangerous and unsightly squabbles and you may even get some good money-making tips and make some friends. Watch for "No soliciting" or "No loitering" signs. Be cautious to avoid areas even informally labeled with these tags. You don't want to draw the ire of anyone who'll call the cops, confront you, or make for an uncomfortable scene. Keep moving and be courteous. If someone tells you to move, just move. Especially if you're alone and vulnerable, avoid possibly-dangerous confrontations at all costs. Staying on the move is a good idea in general, so if someone becomes annoyed by your presence, it's time to go elsewhere. Stash your money frequently. Panhandlers are frequently the target of robbers. If you've been working all day, you might end up with a fair amount of spare change and cash on hand. It's not a great idea to carry it around with you all the time and attract the attention of unsavory characters. Find a spot to stash your cash, or at least a hidden lock-box or instrument case in which you might keep your money. At the very least, keep your money in different places on your person. Some in your shoes, some in your pockets, etc. Exhaust other options before relying upon panhandling to make a living. Local churches, non-profit organizations, soup kitchens, shelters, and related services that are designed to help you get back on your feet. Panhandling is at best an inconsistent source of income and at worst a difficult and dangerous profession. Make sure you investigate all the options available in your area. | Choose an area with lots of foot traffic. Choose an area with lots of auto traffic. Avoid wealthy neighborhoods and expensive restaurant districts. Keep moving. Choose a city friendly to panhandlers. Be polite. Be believable. Be specific. Be clear and concise. Be sympathetic. Be funny. Remember the regulars. Remember: Learn the laws in the area you're planning to panhandle. Be a good neighbor. Stash your money frequently. Exhaust other options before relying upon panhandling to make a living. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Car-Loan-With-No-Credit-or-Bad-Credit | How to Get a Car Loan With No Credit or Bad Credit | To get a car loan if you have no credit, start by opening a bank account. Next, save up for a down payment, which is usually 10-20% of the car's total cost. Then, provide a copy of your bank statement, proof of employment history, and any paid bills, such as your phone or utilities, in order to obtain a loan through your bank. If you can't get that, check out loan options offered by car dealerships near you or see if a family member will cosign to speed things along. | Order your credit reports. Having your credit reports can give you a detailed picture of where you stand, and can help you pinpoint any errors that may appear on the reports. You can then address these errors before you approach lenders. The three major credit agencies offer free reports once a year. Pay for your credit scores. Seeing your credit score will cost a few dollars, but it can be worth it to get an idea of how the lenders will treat you. Your scores will likely vary slightly between the credit agencies. Make all your payments for other bills. Before you go loan shopping, make an effort to pay all of your other bills on time for at least six months. While this won't have a major impact on your credit, it will show the lenders that you have been responsible lately, and may help get you the loan. Go to your bank first. Check with your financial institution before going to the dealership or other lenders. Your bank may be able to give you favorable terms, and will usually help their customers more than they would a stranger. Check with your insurance company. Some insurance companies offer financing as well. Check with them because, like financial institutions, they are more likely to treat their own customers more favorably. Shop around. Don't take the first loan you are offered, especially if the terms aren't very good. It will be harder to find a loan with bad credit, and most will come with high interest rates. Try to get your financing before approaching the dealership, as dealership loans are likely to be more expensive. Try well-known institutions before trying loan shops. Go to reputable banks and other financial institutions before trying lenders that specialize in bad credit. Focus on institutions that are known for dealing heavily in auto loans. Focus on the terms and not on the monthly payments. If you get low monthly payments, but have to pay the loan back for more than 7 years, it's probably not worth it. You want to try to find the loan that will give you the lowest interest rate and the shortest monthly payments. Make sure terms are final. Some dealerships will increase the monthly payments on your car after a few months. Always read the fine print to ensure that you aren't getting tricked into a more expensive payment situation. Refinance your loan. After a year of making payments on your loan, you can attempt to get it refinanced. This is especially useful if your financial situation and credit has improved since you took on the loan. Even lowering the interest rate by 1% can save you lots of money in the long run. Open a bank account. If you have no credit history, the first step towards getting a car loan is opening a bank account. A bank account will be your first step into the world of credit, and will be the base of your loan. You do not need any prior credit to open a basic checking or savings account. Save up for a down payment. A large down payment on a car will make the loan easier to get, and will result in having to pay less for the car in the long run. If you can, try to save up between 10-20% of the total cost of the car. The more you can save for the down payment, the less you'll have to pay later on. Gather your documents. You will need a copy of your new bank statement, proof of employment history, and any paid bills such as your phone or utilities. These will show the lender that you are able to make payments on a loan. Get a cosigner. A cosigner will help shoulder the responsibility of your payments. Be very aware of the risk that your cosigner is in. If you don't make your payments, it falls on the cosigner to do so, otherwise their credit gets damaged. Make sure that you have a good relationship with your cosigner, and treat the loan with respect. Ask your bank about loans first. Your financial institution is more likely to give you a favorable loan than any other place. Banks like to do business with their own customers, so you will be treated more favorably than a stranger. Check with other reputable banks and lending institutions before moving on to car dealerships. Finding a loan with no credit is usually easier than finding one with bad credit. Ask car dealerships next. If your bank is unable to get a loan for you, ask the dealership where you plan to purchase your car what kind of loan options they offer. A dealer is very likely to try to get a loan for you so that they can make a profit. Be aware that a dealership loan will usually be more expensive than a bank loan. Make payments on time. Once you have your loan, always make your monthly payments on time. This will be your first major entry in your credit history, and starting strong will lead to much better credit in the future. | Order your credit reports. Make all your payments for other bills. Go to your bank first. Check with your insurance company. Shop around. Focus on the terms and not on the monthly payments. Refinance your loan. Open a bank account. Save up for a down payment. Gather your documents. Get a cosigner. Ask your bank about loans first. Ask car dealerships next. Make payments on time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cuff-Jeans | How to Cuff Jeans | To cuff jeans, start by choosing a cuff style, like single roll, double roll, or skinny roll. Next, put on the jeans you want to cuff, create the cuffs, and measure the length of the cuff folds. Then, wash the jeans in cold water and lay them out flat while they're still wet. Recreate the cuffs using the measurements you took and let the jeans dry before pressing the cuffs in place with an iron. Finally, hand sew the cuffs to make them permanent. | Look at pictures of different cuff styles. In case you hadn't noticed, cuffs are everywhere, in many different forms. Do research in fashion magazines or online, or simply notice how other people are cuffing their jeans. Find a cuff that works for you. Factors to consider include the width and weight of your jeans, the type of footwear you expect to pair with them, and whether you want a cuff that adds length to your silhouette. The breakdown of cuffs is roughly as follows: Single Roll: Jeans are rolled up once about 1 inch (2.5 cm), with the option of tucking the hem under the rolled part. This works with a variety of jeans, and suits all body types thanks to its moderate length. Avoid narrow footwear, however, as it may appear too much like a slipper under this non-tapered cuff. Long Roll: Like the single roll, only longer - up to 2 inches (5 cm). This is for selvage denim that you want to show off. More petite or stocky frames should beware, however, since this long cuff has a shortening effect. A more casual variation involves bunching the cuff a little to create dimension and texture. Skinny Roll: A mini cuff (about 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm) made from three small, tight flips to the hem. As the name suggests, this look is best for slim silhouettes and lighter-weight denim. Delicate shoes shine with this look, but opt out of chunky footwear. Double Cuff (Thick Cuff): First cuff the hem 1 inch (2.5 cm), then again, this time 2 inches (5 cm). This cuff works best with mid- to lightweight jeans; heavier jeans will give this cuff more structure. You can wear mid-weight to chunky shoes. Be aware that the thickness of this cuff can be shortening. Inner Roll: Instead of folding the cuff up, this one is tucked under. The original hemline is concealed, and the look is very smooth. Your denim needs to be fairly hefty to maintain this tuck. Depending on the jean width and how far you tuck under, it can work with a variety of footwear. Another bonus is that it can be quite lengthening. Try on the jeans and make your cuff. Stand in front of a full-length mirror if you can. Wearing your favorite shoes and top helps give you a better overall sense of how the cuff works. You can use a tape measure or ruler to help you make the initial cuff, and then adjust according to your taste. Note the measurement of the cuff's folds. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the length of each fold in the cuff, and write down this information. You'll need in the next section. Wash the jeans. Use cold water on the gentle cycle to prevent fading or shrinking. Follow the care instructions on the jeans' inside label, if there is one. It may suggest washing the jeans inside out. Remove the jeans from the washing machine as soon as the cycle has ended to prevent possible wrinkling of the fabric. Lay the jeans on a flat surface while they are still wet. Smooth out the material with your hands as much as possible. You can lay out a thick bath towel or two underneath if you're concerned about getting the flat surface wet. Create the cuff. Using your notes about the fold length(s), manipulate the bottom edge of the jeans until it has been folded over into a cuff. Make sure there are as few wrinkles as possible. Repeat the process with the other jean leg, keeping both cuffs the same length. Allow the jeans to dry. Keep them on a flat surface during the drying process. While it may be tempting to hang them on a clothesline or over a shower rack, doing so can cause the cuffs to unfold. It might be useful to use a sweater dryer if you have one (you can let the waist drape off the end if the jeans are too long). Flip the jeans over from time to time to allow both sides to dry evenly. Iron the jeans. Once your jeans are dry, get out your ironing board and heat up your iron. Again, consult the care label on the jeans for iron temperatures. It may suggest a medium or high setting. Press with the hot iron on both sides to ensure all wrinkles have been removed. Press the cuffs (unless you want them bunched, as in the casual version of a long roll). Try on your newly cuffed jeans. Test out your cuffs with a few different outfits and shoes to see how you like it. If you think you've found a cuff you want to keep, you're ready to sew. If you've worn the jeans several times, it might be necessary to repeat Part 2, Steps 1-6 before sewing. Remove your jeans and gather your thread and needle. Use thread that is of a color similar to the jeans. The needle needs to be sharp and strong enough to penetrate layers of thick denim, so it may be advisable to use a leather needle. If your jeans are lightweight, however, a medium-thick needle may suffice. Stitch the jean cuff in place. Do this at two points on either leg, where the vertical hem of the pants meets the horizontal hem of the cuff. Start the needle from the inside of the leg and make enough stitches that the cuff feels securely in place. The needle should not pass all the way to the outside of the cuff. Stitch the first layer of hem only. Finish each side with a knot on the inside of the cuff. Repeat the process on the other jean leg. You're done! | Look at pictures of different cuff styles. Find a cuff that works for you. Try on the jeans and make your cuff. Note the measurement of the cuff's folds. Wash the jeans. Lay the jeans on a flat surface while they are still wet. Create the cuff. Allow the jeans to dry. Iron the jeans. Try on your newly cuffed jeans. Remove your jeans and gather your thread and needle. Stitch the jean cuff in place. Finish each side with a knot on the inside of the cuff. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-MIT | How to Get Into MIT | To get into MIT, focus on doing well in your classes, and strive to get straight A's with only the occasional B. Opt to take weighted classes, like Honors, AP, or IB courses, which are more rigorous. Get involved in 1-2 extracurricular activities that showcase a variety of interests, such as sports and musical theater. Then, study for your SAT and ACT to meet or exceed the average scores posted on the MIT admissions site. Remember to submit your application and personal essay on time! | Ace your classes. You must show your ability to do well in classes. While this may not require a 4.0 GPA in high school, getting lots of B's won't help. Tell your teachers about your aspirations. They'll want to see you succeed. Ask for outside help whenever you feel it's necessary. Take weighted courses. At some high schools, certain courses affect your GPA more than others. This is because they're just plain harder. In fact, with weighted courses, you can end up with more than a 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale)! Skip study hall and opt for that AP course. It shows drive and initiative. MIT requires students who take every opportunity to learn and better themselves. This does not mean cutting classes like band or choir out of your schedule. MIT also wants cultivated, interesting students--not just mathbots. If you're good at something, stick with it. It'll pay off. Get college credit. Many schools offer opportunities for seniors to take classes at their local university or community college. Showing you can handle college courses as a high school student is impressive. If your school doesn't have a program like this, ask. Better yet, create one. They won't turn down your opportunity for a better education. MIT is a very math and science oriented school. Taking any college course looks great--but loading up on calculus (and loving it) looks even better. Pile on the extra-curricular activities. This is where the genius-IQ students get turned away. You can have absolutely outstanding test scores and grades and still get turned down. About 60% of all applicants are fully qualified. So ditch those video games and sign up for the debate team. MIT has what's called "holistic admissions." This means that not only are grades and test scores considered, but they also take into account the whole person. Try to focus in on a few core activities and show your talents. If you're on the rowing super! You're talented and athletic. But if you're on those teams and in show choir, you're talented, athletic, and artistic. Show them that you care about a certain few activities. Show initiative. Do you feel passionate about something your high school doesn't have? Don't be limited by the size or success of your high school. Start that environmental club (you could be the President!). Form an after-school Spanish study group. Think outside the box. Compete in many competitions - MIT demographics show that 10 to 12% of their approved petitions are from people that have some sort of achievement (ISEF, AIME, USPHO, IBO, etc.). Cultivate relationships with your teachers. To get into MIT, you'll need two evaluation letters. With that stellar GPA of yours, it shouldn't be hard. You'll need two letters from teachers of opposing subjects. One from the math or science department and one from the humanities or languages. Why stop at 2 when you can do 3? It's best to have a back up in case a teacher gets sick or is running behind your deadline. Put your best self on Facebook. Having an internet profile that shows your best side is ideal in today's techno-driven world. So, go ahead, post away those photos of your rewards! You earned it. Allowing colleges and employers to look at information about you turns you into a real person. You are no longer just a name on one of a thousand pages. Open your profile and invite them to look. Any 18-year-old with an impressive internet profile is a diamond in the rough. As an alternative, close your profile to the public. But make sure it's secure--the folks at MIT know what they're doing. Get involved in your community. A high-schooler who is truly world-thinking and driven doesn't just stop within the grounds of their educational establishment. Volunteer at your local hospital, animal shelter, or nursing home. MIT seeks to serve humanity and builds their student base off this criterion. Write a compelling essay. There are many topics you can choose from; however, choose something that appeals to you. What do you like to talk about? What would you want to read about? Here are some options: Evaluate a significant experience you've had and its impact on you. This could be an ethical dilemma, a risk you have taken, or simply an achievement. Avoid the "Look how great I am!" and opt for self-evaluation. Discuss an issue of concern and its importance to you. This could be on any level: local, national, or global. But don't turn it into a righteous lecture. Describe an experience that is telling of what you would bring to MIT's college community. The admissions board is looking for students who will actively contribute. Get your application in on time. As all universities, MIT has several deadlines that must be met in order to be considered. In addition, there is a $75 application fee for processing. For early action, the interview scheduling deadline is October 20th. November 1st is the ultimate deadline for reference letters, essays, and the application itself. For regular action, the deadline to schedule an interview is December 10th. January 1st is the ultimate deadline for reference letters, essays, and the application itself. The SAT and ACT tests dates should be in November and January, respectively. Master the standardized test. Some schools accept one or the other; however, MIT accepts both. For the SAT, MIT released their 2017 ranges data in the 25th-75th percentile form. The first number represents the score of a student in the 25th percentile (25% of students got this score or lower). The second number represents the score of a student in the 75th percentile (75% of students got this score or lower). The higher the percentile, the more students there are that are below you. SAT Composite: 1480-1590 SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 730-780 SAT Math: 770-800 For the ACT, MIT follows the same guidelines. ACT Composite: 34-35 ACT English: 34-36 ACT Math: 34-36 MIT has incredibly high average test scores. It's in your best interest to sign up for a prep course and/or take the test multiple times (if necessary). These are considered good practices, not second chances. Show passion. You are about to join a community dedicated to applying science and technology to solutions that will improve the world. Make it clear that you are ready and eager to be a part of that. Have you rewired the electricity in your bedroom? Made your own locks on your doors? Don't be hesitant to include these things in your interview. You will stand out in your creativity and uniqueness. MIT is, ultimately, a network. Let them know how you work on a team and how you make that team better. MIT wants something unusual, even weird, even freakish. If you have, let's say, a fascination with a certain fish, you should develop that interest. Learn about that fish. Own that fish. Do something to help that fish. You want to have something that everyone else doesn't. Stand out. Show balance. Things that happen in an a cappella group or at bible camp are relevant to things that happen in the classroom and science lab. Leave neither hide nor hair unturned. MIT is looking for incredibly dynamic students. Making it clear that you're involved in every aspect of your community--as a volunteer, student, artist, athlete, employee, caregiver, initiator--to show just how valuable you are. Most of their applicants will be great at 1 or 2 things; very few will be great at many. Show you fit. There are tons of good schools out there--why do you want to go to MIT? Do your research and prove you belong. Log onto their website and take a look at their stats. Do you like the size of their student body? The set up of their campus? Their location? Their mission statement? Familiarize yourself (like you would a friend) to figure out if you are truly compatible. Take a tour. Many universities have high freshman dropout rates because they're just not at the right place at the right time. Be certain this is what you want and fully commit. Don't worry about financial aid. MIT is one of the few institutions in America that is need-blind. That is, students who can pay full tuition have no advantage over those who cannot. Take the tests. You have two options and MIT shows no preference for either one. Take the test with which you are the most comfortable. The SAT or the ACT and 2 SAT subject tests: one in math and one in science. The TOEFL as well as 2 SAT subject tests: one in math and one in science. The second is recommended for students with lower English-speaking skills. MIT offers no ESL courses; therefore, a TOEFL score of 600+ and 100+ is recommended for the Paper Based Test and the Internet Based Test, respectively. For students residing in countries that do not offer the SAT or ACT, you will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not be penalized. Complete the application. Log onto MIT's website to start the process. You will create an online profile and go from there. In early September, start your application. December 10th is the deadline to contact your interviewer; January 1st is the deadline to apply. In late March, decisions will be released. Schedule an interview. This is with an MIT alum whose name you will receive via your MIT account. But remember: You have to contact them! Due to capacity issues, only a limited number of interviews are available and only in certain regions. If you live outside the US and your interview is initially waived, you will be notified if one becomes available. Skype interviews are a possibility. Discuss with your Educational Counselor (EC). Requesting an interview will not ensure that you get one. If it isn't possible to provide you with an interview, it will not be held against you. Meet eligibility. This means two or more completed terms at a reputable college, university, or technical institute. You must have at least one year (but not more than 2 1/2 years) of college credit under your belt. It's highly recommended to take calculus and physics classes before applying. Core graduation requirements for all majors at MIT are two semesters of college calculus and calculus-based physics, and one semester each of chemistry and biology. Round yourself out. Unlike high school students, you've had one or two years in the adult world to take charge. The extra-curricular activities don't stop with high school. Make your job something to brag about. Seek out specialized duties or a managerial position to make up for the time (and money) you don't have to spend organizing bake sales for away football games. Don't lose your passions. Were you great at an instrument in high school? A star track runner? Keep it up. MIT is about contributing to the global community--not just about good grades. Submit a strong application. This consists of a biographical information form, evaluation letters, essays, transcripts, activities form and tests form. The application packet can be downloaded on their website. The biographical information form is the first step to applying and includes the initial $75 application fee. Evaluation letters (3): one from a math or science instructor and two from an instructor of any topic Essays (3): two short-answer response questions (250 word limit) and one longer essay (+/-500 words) Activities form: Use the form on their website. It's similar to a resume but a slightly different format. Standardized tests: self-reported scores and scores from the agency Both high school and college transcripts Meet the deadlines. These are obviously different for spring and fall semesters. November 15th is the spring application deadline. It is also the last month to take any necessary standardized tests. January is the last month to take standardized tests and February 15th is the fall application deadline. Applicants will be notified in mid-December and early April, respectively. | Ace your classes. Take weighted courses. Get college credit. Pile on the extra-curricular activities. Cultivate relationships with your teachers. Put your best self on Facebook. Get involved in your community. Write a compelling essay. Get your application in on time. Master the standardized test. Show passion. Show balance. Show you fit. Take the tests. Complete the application. Schedule an interview. Meet eligibility. Round yourself out. Submit a strong application. Meet the deadlines. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Silver-Jewelry | How to Clean Your Silver Jewelry | If your silver jewelry has become tarnished and you want to clean it, combine 2 cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of salt in a small bowl and stir it until the salt has dissolved. Then, put a few strips of aluminum foil in the bottom of the bowl and place your jewelry on top of them. Wait for 5 minutes before removing the jewelry and rinsing it with cold water. After you've rinsed off your jewelry, dry it off with a soft cloth or clean it again if all of the tarnish hasn't come off yet. | Pour two cups of hot water into a bowl. You just need enough to cover the jewelry you're cleaning. This method works as a gentle cleanser that removes tarnish without abrading the silver. If your silver is lightly tarnished, the salt bath should take the tarnish right off. If you're cleaning a lot of jewelry at once, you can use more water. For just one piece of jewelry, use less water. If your jewelry has gemstones, make sure they won't be affected by being submerged in a saltwater solution. This solution is gentle on most stones, but if you're cleaning very fine jewelry with expensive gemstones, you're better off taking it to a professional just in case. You can also contact your jeweler for advice. Add salt and aluminum foil. Stir one tablespoon of salt it into the hot water with a spoon until it completely dissolves. Take a sheet of aluminum foil and tear off a few strips, then put them in the bowl. The combination of salt and aluminum will react with the tarnish on the silver's surface and create a bright, shiny surface in place of the tarnish. Tarnish happens when the surface of silver combines with sulfur and turns into silver sulfide, which is black. When silver sulfide reacts with aluminum in a salt solution, the chemical reaction between the substances turns the silver sulfide back to silver. The reaction happens faster when the solution is warm. If you don't have table salt on hand, you can use baking soda instead. It has the right properties to facilitate the same chemical reaction. Submerge your jewelry in the solution. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Stir it around a bit to see whether the tarnish is going away. When you see that the silver's shine has been restored, remove the silver from the solution. If you're working with deeply tarnished silver, you might need to repeat the process two or more times. Make sure the solution is completely heated, since the reaction is much slower if the solution is cool. Rinse the jewelry. Run it under cool running water to rinse off the salt, then gently dry it using a soft cloth or microfiber towel. The jewelry should be good as new. If you still see signs of tarnish, repeat the process until it looks clean. Purchase a silver polish. When tarnish develops on silver, a simple salt and aluminum bath may not suffice to remove it. Specially formulated silver jewelry polishes are your safest option for polishing silver jewelry, especially if you are dealing with an antique or a piece that has intricate designs etched into it. Even special polishes can remove a layer of silver, so get a professional cleaning if you're dealing with a delicate piece. Instead of buying silver polish from the drugstore, consider getting it from a jewelry store or a store with a high-quality jewelry department. Rub the jewelry with a little polish. Moisten a soft silver-polishing cloth or the sponge included with the silver polish and take a little bit of polish onto the cloth. Rub the polish into the silver jewelry gently. Use only a straight-line, back-and-forth motion. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing in circles, since this can leave scratches or patterns in the surface of the jewelry. Just let the polish do the job. Rinse and dry the silver jewelry. Rinse it under cool running water. Be sure to clean off all of the polish residue so it won't continue working on the surface of the jewelry. Dry it completely using a soft cloth. Consider using common household products for less rare or less valuable pieces. They will usually work to remove tough tarnish, but may cause damage such as pock marks or scratches. Try them at your own risk. Try toothpaste. Select a plain white toothpaste without the special whitening options. Take a soft, dampened cloth or a damp sponge and put some toothpaste on it. Gently rub over the silver jewelry in straight, back-and-forth motions. Be very gentle, and if you notice scratching at any point, stop and rinse the toothpaste off. As the cloth or sponge becomes dark with tarnish, add more toothpaste to a clean part of the dampened cloth/sponge and continue gently polishing. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft towel. Baking soda may remove stubborn tarnish, but don't use it unless you don't mind the risk of damaging the silver. Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, gently rub it into the surface of the jewelry, and rinse when the tarnish is removed. Try a silver dip. Commercial silver "dips" can dissolve stains without rubbing the silver jewelry, although they may take off a layer of silver. For this reason, they should only be used as a last resort. Contrary to what the word "dip" implies, professionals rarely actually soak silver in these products, at least not for long. Dips are generally harsh, potentially dangerous chemicals, so follow the directions carefully and consult a professional when in doubt. Clean it often. Clean your silver jewelry often, and clean it promptly after use. Silver jewelry that is frequently used rarely has tarnish problems. When tarnish is not yet present, or when it's just beginning to develop, simply wash your silver jewelry in warm (not hot) water with a gentle, phosphate-free detergent. Prompt cleaning is especially important when the silver jewelry has been exposed to certain foods containing sulfur, or those which are acidic or salty. In particular, common foods such as table salt, eggs, some fruits, onions, mayonnaise, and vinegar are harmful to silver. In any case, wash your silver jewelry right away or at least rinse it well with warm water, and don't leave silver sitting in dishwater that may contain traces of these foods. Wash it separately. It's a good idea to wash silver separately from your other silver pieces, like bowls or silverware, because metal sinks and utensils can scratch silver jewelry. You should also avoid using rubber gloves when washing silver, as rubber corrodes silver jewelry. Stainless steel can also damage the finish if it comes into contact with your silver jewelry, so avoid putting it in the sink; use a bowl to wash it in instead. Dry it with a polishing cloth. Use a special polishing cloth or simply a soft, lint-free cloth to gently rub the silver clean after washing. Make sure it gets completely dry. Silver can be so soft that even using a scratchy, rough towel could be enough to make indentations in its surface. Make sure to use a soft cloth. As you dry the jewelry, gently buff the shine back with a soft cotton cloth. Store your silver jewelry correctly. Beyond prompt and frequent cleaning, the best way to preserve your silver is to store it correctly. Make sure each piece is completely dry before storing it. You can buy special bags for storing silver jewelry that prevent them from getting tarnished. If you don't have the bags, use this technique: Wrap each piece of silverware in acid-free tissue paper or anti-tarnish paper. You can also wrap pieces in flannel. Store the silver in a compartment separate from the rest of your jewelry. Never store silver jewelry where it can contact rubber, stainless steel, or paint. | Pour two cups of hot water into a bowl. Add salt and aluminum foil. Submerge your jewelry in the solution. Rinse the jewelry. Purchase a silver polish. Rub the jewelry with a little polish. Rinse and dry the silver jewelry. Consider using common household products for less rare or less valuable pieces. Try a silver dip. Clean it often. Wash it separately. Dry it with a polishing cloth. Store your silver jewelry correctly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Defecate-Outdoors | How to Defecate Outdoors | If you're camping or you're outdoors with no toilet nearby, you can do your business in a discreet spot. Before you go, tell someone where you're going in case you get lost and can't find your way back to the others. Walk at least 100 feet from other people and 200 feet from water sources so you don't contaminate them. Look for a stick and dig a hole with it so you can easily bury your waste. Keep your used toilet paper in a sealable bag and carry it out with you until you find a toilet. If you're using biodegradable toilet paper, you can dig a deep hole and bury it instead. Then, use the stick to cover it with dirt. You can also cover it with a large stone if you're struggling to fill the hole. Wash your hands with hand sanitizer if you don't have access to soap and water. | Decide what you will do about toilet paper before leaving home. If you insist on having it, be warned you will have to carry the used paper out with you, preferably double-bagged. A more environmentally-friendly method is to use "natural toilet paper" - leaves, sticks, etc. Inform someone when you are going to go. This way, they can look out for you, and if you do not return after a short time, they will look for you to make sure you are safe. Head out into the forest. Go far enough so that people can no longer see you. If it is dark, do not wander too far from your camp, ask someone to accompany you, and always take a flashlight with you. Find a place at least 100 feet (30 meters) from camp and the trail, and 200 feet (60 meters) from water sources. Preparing your location. Once you reach a desired place, grab a stick (or bring a small shovel) and dig a hole no more than 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep (the bacteria that properly break down this waste don't live deeper than that). This hole will function the same as an outhouse hole. Do your business in the hole. Don't forget to take care of the paperwork. Use a stick to stir some soil into your dropping. This way the soil bacteria can break down the droppings more quickly. Then completely cover the material you deposited in the hole with dirt. Place the dirty paper, if you used it, in a zip-lock freezer bag. This way you can pack it out in a sanitary and odor free way. Head back to camp. Wash and sanitize your hands. Do not defecate in the snow. When the snow melts someone else will find your "present", as well as there is a possibility that the run-off, mixed with feces, will contaminate a water source. Walk until you find dirt. Alternatively, pack it out in a sanitary fashion(for example, double-bagged with kitty litter, or in a poop-tube ). If you are camping on a glacier, find a small, deep crevasse. Don't bury your fecal waste in the desert. As the dropping will not decompose due to lack of bacteria in the dry soil. Find a rock well away from foot traffic. Do your business there. Smear the dropping into a thin layer with a stick or large rock. Leave the smeared remains uncovered and the sun will quickly decompose and sanitize the area. | Decide what you will do about toilet paper before leaving home. Inform someone when you are going to go. Head out into the forest. Preparing your location. Do your business in the hole. Use a stick to stir some soil into your dropping. Place the dirty paper, if you used it, in a zip-lock freezer bag. Head back to camp. Do not defecate in the snow. Walk until you find dirt. Don't bury your fecal waste in the desert. Find a rock well away from foot traffic. Smear the dropping into a thin layer with a stick or large rock. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Gore%E2%80%90Tex | How to Wash Gore‐Tex | To wash Gore Tex outerwear, set the washing machine's water temperature to “warm,” and add a dime-sized amount of liquid detergent. Then, set the machine to "permanent press" for the wash cycle, and tumble dry on a warm, gentle cycle. If you need to wash Gore Tex gloves, hand wash them in a solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Squeeze out as much water as you can after washing, then hang them up to dry with the wrist openings facing downward. | Zip all zippers completely closed. Gore Tex jackets and pants will have a variety of zippers on them. Make sure these are all zipped closed. You should also close any snaps and release any tension cords. Set the water temperature to "warm" on your washing machine. The water temperature should be around 105 °F (41 °C). Then set your washer's cycle to permanent press – this is usually the standard setting on a washing machine. Add a dime-sized amount of liquid detergent to the washing machine. You won't need to use as much detergent as you use for a regular load of laundry. Instead, measure out about a dime-sized amount of liquid detergent. Pour it into the washing machine. Don’t use powder detergents when washing Gore Tex. You also shouldn't use bleach or detergent with fabric softeners. All of these things can ruin the water repellant on your Gore Tex. Wash on a permanent press cycle. Once you have the water and detergent in the washing machine, add your Gore Tex outerwear. Set your washer to a permanent press cycle - usually the standard setting on a washing machine. Then turn your washer on. Dry your outerwear. You can line dry your Gore Tex if you have a couple of hours. Or you can tumble dry your outerwear on a warm, gentle cycle. Don't dry clean your outerwear, as this can ruin the water repellent. Remove the foot bed, if possible. If you have sole inserts in your boots, remove them. Then brush them gently with a soft-bristled brush to remove any loose dirt. Set them aside until you're finished cleaning your boots. Shake out any gravel or dirt out of your shoes. Once you have the foot bed out of your shoes, tip them upside down and shake them. Any dirt, gravel, or dust in your shoes should come out. You can also tap on the sole of your shoes to remove any stubborn dirt stuck inside. Use a cloth dipped in lukewarm water to clean fabric. For any fabric on your Gore Tex boots, you'll want to use a soft cloth. Dip the cloth into lukewarm water and gently scrub the fabric of your boots. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean leather. If your Gore Tex shoes have leather toes or heels, you should use a soft-bristled brush to clean them. Dip the brush in lukewarm water and gently scrub the leather to remove any dirt. Let your shoes air dry. Leave your boots out and let them air dry overnight. You can also use a convection-style boot dryer. Follow the directions for the boot dryer if that's what you decide to use. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Don't overfill the bowl, since you could spill water while washing the gloves. Use just enough water so the gloves are covered. Add a mild detergent to the bowl. Don't use a detergent with bleach or fabric softener in it. A mild, clear detergent is best to protect the water repellency of your gloves. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of detergent into the bowl of water. Then mix the water and soap until small bubbles form. Hand wash your gloves. Put your gloves in the soapy water. Then, using your hands, gently rub the gloves until the dirt comes out of your gloves. Once they're washed, rinse the gloves under clear running water. Squeeze the gloves to remove excess water. Starting at the wrist of the gloves, squeeze the gloves, moving up to the fingers. Air dry leather gloves. Once you squeeze out the excess water, lay the gloves out so that wrist opening faces downward. Let the gloves air dry until they are completely dry, about 3 hours. Tumble dry fabric gloves. You can place fabric Gore Tex gloves in the dryer. Set the dryer to the lowest heat setting it has and set it for a 30-minute cycle. Wash and dry your Gore Tex. Wash your items according to the directions for the type of Gore Tex you have. Then make sure it's fully dry, either by line drying it or using a dryer. Dry your garment for another 20 minutes. If you have a dryer available, put your garment back in the dryer for 20 minutes. This should reactivate the water repellency. Iron your garment if you don’t have a dryer. Set your iron to a warm – not hot – setting, without steam. Place a towel on top of the garment before you iron it. Run the iron over the towel. This will apply enough heat to reactive the water repellency, but the towel will protect your garment from damage. Apply a new water-repellent treatment if necessary. If the water repellency won't reactivate, you might need to apply a new water-repellent treatment. Use any fabric water repellent that comes in a spray bottle. Spray your garments. Then put them back in the dryer for another 20 minutes. | Zip all zippers completely closed. Set the water temperature to "warm" on your washing machine. Add a dime-sized amount of liquid detergent to the washing machine. Don’t use powder detergents when washing Gore Tex. Wash on a permanent press cycle. Dry your outerwear. Remove the foot bed, if possible. Shake out any gravel or dirt out of your shoes. Use a cloth dipped in lukewarm water to clean fabric. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean leather. Let your shoes air dry. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Add a mild detergent to the bowl. Hand wash your gloves. Squeeze the gloves to remove excess water. Air dry leather gloves. Tumble dry fabric gloves. Wash and dry your Gore Tex. Dry your garment for another 20 minutes. Iron your garment if you don’t have a dryer. Apply a new water-repellent treatment if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Pita-Bread | How to Eat Pita Bread | If you want to eat pita bread, you can choose between lots of options, including a pita sandwich, a tasty pita pizza, or dipping warm pita in a dipping sauce. For a pita sandwich, cut the top off of the pita bread and gently pop open the pocket, then stuff it with tasty filling like feta cheese, kale, and chickpeas. To enjoy pita with a dip, warm it in the oven for 5-10 minutes or cut it into eighths and toast it in the oven to make chips. Dip it in hummus, tzatziki sauce, or even a warm cheese dip. | Cut your pita bread and pop it open to create a pocket. To make a quick pita pocket, set it on a cutting board and slice off the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) at a slight angle. Gently open it up and slide the extra piece inside to give the pita a little extra stability. Choose a tasty white pita bread for the richest flavor, or go for a whole wheat version if you want a healthier option. A pita pocket sandwich is a great option for a quick lunch or dinner, and can even be eaten for breakfast. Fill the pita with kale, feta, and chickpeas for a satisfying snack. Drain a half can of chickpeas, then toss them with a sprinkle of olive oil and half of a chopped tomato. Stuff the pita with a few handfuls of fresh, washed baby kale and about ½ cup (57 g) of feta cheese crumbles, then add the chickpea mixture. Make a BLT in your pita for a fresh take on a classic. For a quick BLT pita, cook 2-4 pieces of bacon, slice up a tomato, and chop up several pieces of lettuce. Crack the bacon into 3-4 pieces each, then fill the pita with your BLT ingredients, adding a few squirts of mayonnaise for an extra burst of flavor. Stuff the pita with eggs and salsa for a breakfast option. Pita pocket sandwiches can make a great breakfast option as well! Scramble 2 eggs and slide them into your pita, then mix in a few spoonfuls of pico de gallo or salsa. You can experiment with adding other breakfast foods as well, like bacon bits or cooked ham. Fill your pita with cooked salmon and yogurt for a tasty, protein-filled meal. Cut up a fillet of cooked salmon and flake it a bit with a fork, then mix it with 1-2 spoonfuls of chopped fresh dill and plain yogurt. Stuff your pita with a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach, then fill in the rest with your salmon mixture. This is a great option for salmon leftovers if you've recently cooked a fillet or two for dinner! Make a peanut butter and jelly pita with healthy twist. To make a classic, sweet lunch a little healthier, coat the inside of your pita with peanut butter. Then, slice up 3-4 strawberries and a banana and stuff them inside. Drizzle honey inside for an extra burst of sweetness! Try a balsamic pita for a Mediterranean flavor. Slice up 2-3 strawberries and stuff them into the pita, along with a ½ cup (75 g) of goat cheese crumbles. Add in ½ cup (115 g) of raw, washed baby spinach and drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top to your taste for a tasty, balsamic salad-inspired pita! Preheat your oven and lay out your pitas. Set your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and place 2 pitas flat on a baking sheet. Use a spoon to spread about 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of olive oil over each one. You can use either white or whole wheat pitas for this recipe. If you want more than 2 pitas, you can lay another 2 out on a second sheet, or simply make them in batches on the same sheet. Spread tomato sauce, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes for a margherita pizza. For the most classic pita pizza recipe, spread an even layer of tomato sauce onto the pita, then sprinkle about a ½ cup (57 g) of shredded mozzarella on top. Slice up 5 cherry tomatoes and place them on top of the mozzarella for a traditional margherita look and flavor. You can add to this recipe to fit your tastes! Place pepperoni on top, add extra cheese, or sprinkle on some veggies as desired. Layer on sauce, antipasta, and goat cheese for a crisper taste. For a more unique taste, try spreading on a couple spoonfuls of tomato sauce and some antipasti , a mixture of artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms. Sprinkle about a ½ cup (75 g) of goat cheese crumbles over the top. You can buy a pre-mixed antipasta mixture or make your own by combining artichoke hearts, 3-4 sundried tomatoes, pitted green or black olives, and mushrooms. Experiment with the proportions to fit your taste! Spread arugula, caramelized onions, and goat cheese for a healthy, green pizza. Slice a red onion and cook half of it in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil until it's caramelized. Add about 2 cups (20 g) of fresh, washed arugula and let it cook for 1 minute. Spread the mixture on top of a pita and sprinkle a ½ cup (74 g) of crumbled goat cheese on top. Add mozzarella, potatoes, onion, and rosemary for a fresh, unique taste. Boil 1 potato for 10-15 minutes or until soft, then let it cool and slice it up. Spread as much mozzarella cheese onto your pita as you want, then add the potatoes on top. Spread ½ of a sliced red onion on top, then sprinkle on rosemary and pepper to suit your taste. Cook your pizzas 2 at a time for 20 minutes. Once your pizzas are prepared, set the baking sheet in the oven and cook it for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the sheet with an oven mitt and slice your pita pizzas into quarters or eighths before you eat! If you made a margherita-style pita pizza, you can also add a ¼ cup (8 g) of chopped basil on top after it's done cooking. Toast your pita bread for a crunchy chip alternative. To make toasted pita bread chips, preheat your oven to 375 °F (191 °C) and open a package of pita bread. Cut each bread into eighths and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle them lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake your pita chips for about 5 minutes, then turn them over with tongs and set them back in the oven for another 5 minutes, or until they're crisp. Serve your pita warm and soft for a chewy appetizer or snack. If you don't want to completely toast your pita bread but still want it warm, try heating in the oven. Set the temperature to 350 °F (177 °C), then use a pastry brush to coat the pita on both sides with just a bit of water. Stack the pitas on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until they're heated all the way through. Dampening the pita before heating it will keep it from drying out or toasting by accident. Dip your pita in hummus if you want a classic pairing. Nothing goes together like pita bread and hummus. Whether you toasted your pita, warmed it up, or are just eating it at room-temperature, spreading a bit of hummus on it makes for a tasty, filling snack. You can buy hummus at a grocery store or try making your own. Serve your pita with a tzatziki sauce for a tangy yogurt taste. Tzatziki sauce is a creamy, tangy sauce that goes nicely with the bland, full taste of pita bread. Buy some or make your own from garlic, cucumber, dill, and Greek yogurt. Dip your pita bread in and enjoy! Make or buy baba ganoush for a Middle Eastern pita dip. Baba ganoush is a Middle Eastern dip made of smoked eggplant, garlic, and tahini sauce. It pairs well with pita bread, both soft and toasted, and gives a smoky flavor that stands out from the crowd. Bake a warm, cheesy brussel sprout dip for an indulgent snack. For a tasty and surprisingly healthy cheese dip, start by preheating the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Heat olive oil in a skillet, then add 2 chopped leeks, 8 oz of shaved brussel sprouts, and 2 cloves of garlic. Saute them for 5-8 minutes. Then, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir in about ¾ cup (75 g) of grated cheese. Mix in the brussel sprout mixture and bake for 40 minutes. The dip should be crispy around the edges and golden brown on top when it's ready to eat! | Cut your pita bread and pop it open to create a pocket. Fill the pita with kale, feta, and chickpeas for a satisfying snack. Make a BLT in your pita for a fresh take on a classic. Stuff the pita with eggs and salsa for a breakfast option. Fill your pita with cooked salmon and yogurt for a tasty, protein-filled meal. Make a peanut butter and jelly pita with healthy twist. Try a balsamic pita for a Mediterranean flavor. Preheat your oven and lay out your pitas. Spread tomato sauce, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes for a margherita pizza. Layer on sauce, antipasta, and goat cheese for a crisper taste. Spread arugula, caramelized onions, and goat cheese for a healthy, green pizza. Add mozzarella, potatoes, onion, and rosemary for a fresh, unique taste. Cook your pizzas 2 at a time for 20 minutes. Toast your pita bread for a crunchy chip alternative. Serve your pita warm and soft for a chewy appetizer or snack. Dip your pita in hummus if you want a classic pairing. Serve your pita with a tzatziki sauce for a tangy yogurt taste. Make or buy baba ganoush for a Middle Eastern pita dip. Bake a warm, cheesy brussel sprout dip for an indulgent snack. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Egyptian-Rat-Screw | How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw | To play Egyptian Rat Screw, you'll need a little luck and a lot of quick thinking to take as many of the cards as possible. When the dealer passes out the cards, keep your stack facedown. Then, let the person to the left of the dealer pull the top card off their pile and place it face-up in the middle. Try to match the type of card that's been thrown down. For example, if it's a number card, everyone has to play a number card. When someone plays a letter card, play a letter card as well. If you can't, then the person who played the card wins the cards for that round. | Take a regular deck of playing cards (minus the jokers) and shuffle thoroughly. Pass out the entire deck to the players, face down. Distribute evenly so everyone has the same amount. Players hold their cards face down and are not allowed to look at them. Begin the game. The person left of the dealer goes first by pulling the top card off his/her pile and placing it face-up in the middle. You are not allowed to see your card until it is placed in the middle. If the card played has a number on it, the person two spaces to the left of the dealer puts down a card, too. This continues around the table until somebody puts down a letter card (J, Q, K, or A). When a letter card is played, the next person in the sequence must play another letter card in order for play to continue. The number of chances they have to play a letter card is determined by the initial letter; you can play up to 4 cards if an ace has been played, 3 for a king, 2 for a queen, and just 1 for a jack. If the next person in the sequence does not play a letter card within their allotted chances, the person who played the last letter card wins the round and the whole pile goes to them. Subsequently, the next round begins with this winning person. If you play with jokers, in some versions, you have to put down 5 cards for a joker. If you do this, then you can't play the jokers slap (look two steps below). Remember, nobody can look at their cards before they're played, so the odds are completely random! The only thing that overrides the letter card rule is the slap rule. The first person to slap the pile of cards when the slap rule is put into effect is the winner of that round. If it cannot be determined who was the first to slap the pile, the person with the most fingers on top wins. If the tie cannot be resolved this way, play continues normally. Players should abide by the slap rule in the following situations: Double : when two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively. Ex: 5, 5 Sandwich : when two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively, but with one card of different value between them. Ex: 5, 7, 5 Top bottom (or bottoms up): when the same card as the first card of the set is laid down. However, this rule is nullified if a card is burned as a penalty (see below). Tens : when two cards played consecutively (or with a letter card in between) add up to 10. For this rule, an ace counts as one. Ex: 3, 7 or A, K, 9 (sandwich) Jokers : when jokers are used in the game, which should be determined before gameplay begins. Anytime someone lays down a joker, the pile can be slapped. This is only if you're not playing the version where you lay down 5 cards for a joker. Four in a row : when four cards with values in consistent ascending or descending order is placed. Ex: 5, 6, 7, 8 or Q, K, A, 2 Marriage : when a Queen is placed over or under a King (this is considered an optional rule). Ex: Q, K or K,Q You must add one or two cards to the bottom of the pile if you slap the pile and it was not slap-able. This is called "burning cards" and voids the top bottom slap, since it changes the first card in the set. If you have no cards and you slap at the wrong time, then you are out of the game for good (unless you are playing by modified rules, such as allowing players to lend cards to each other). Continue playing even if you have run out of cards. So long as you don't slap at the wrong time, you are still allowed to "slap in" and get cards! Everyone should try to stay in the game until you have a single winner who obtains all the cards. Treat triples as instant-win scenarios. In this variation, when three cards of the same type are played in a row (777, QQQ, etc.) the first player to slap instantly wins the game, even if they had no cards before slapping! Note that this is exceedingly rare - for this to happen, the first double has to have gone unnoticed. If anyone slaps the initial double, s/he wins those cards and a triple is no longer possible, even if the next card played is the same type as those in the double. Treat triple 6's as instant-lose scenarios. For a devilish twist on the standard triples rules, use this optional variation. In this case, when a triple six is played (666), if anyone slaps it, s/he instantly loses, no matter how many cards s/he had. It's extra-tricky to remember to slap any triples except for this one, so be prepared for serious frustration! As with the normal triples described above, this one also requires the initial double to go un-slapped to be valid. Treat triples as you would normally treat doubles. If you're not interested in playing Egyptian Rat Screw with the possibility of someone instantly winning or losing through luck, you can simply treat triples as doubles and proceed to play as you normally would, allowing players that slap triples to win the cards in the pile. | Take a regular deck of playing cards (minus the jokers) and shuffle thoroughly. Begin the game. If the card played has a number on it, the person two spaces to the left of the dealer puts down a card, too. When a letter card is played, the next person in the sequence must play another letter card in order for play to continue. The only thing that overrides the letter card rule is the slap rule. Players should abide by the slap rule in the following situations: You must add one or two cards to the bottom of the pile if you slap the pile and it was not slap-able. Continue playing even if you have run out of cards. Treat triples as instant-win scenarios. Treat triple 6's as instant-lose scenarios. Treat triples as you would normally treat doubles. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Begin-the-Day | How to Begin the Day | To begin your day, start by getting up and getting moving as soon as possible once you're awake. Have a good stretch, make your bed, or grab a glass of water from the kitchen to get going! Exercise before breakfast if you can to kick-start your day, then eat a healthy breakfast, which will give you more energy and focus throughout the day. Try to take a few minutes focus inward by meditating, journaling, or doing something you enjoy, like reading. Finally, take time to prioritize your tasks for the day and budget your time so you can get those things done. | Start the night before. The first step to beginning the day the right way is ending the previous night the right way. Without sufficient restful sleep and some night-before planning for the morning ahead, your chances of getting your day off to a great start are much reduced. Do as much of your morning preparation as possible the night before. Lay out your clothes, prepare your breakfast and lunch, or at least set your menu. Pack your bag and keep your coat, keys, etc. in the same place so you don't need to hunt for them. Save your morning time for preparing your body and mind for the day ahead, instead of hunting for your wallet in the couch cushions. For more detailed information on night-before preparation, including determining the right bedtime, reducing screen time, and putting your body into sleep mode, visit How to Be a Morning Person. Get up and get moving. Your day can't really begin until you manage to get out of bed. It is typically best to get out of bed as soon as possible after waking up, and set up roadblocks against the urge to climb back under the covers. Actually rising from bed properly, by stretching your spine, then each arm and leg, all while breathing slowly and deeply before sitting then standing, can get you off to a good start. Simple steps like locating your alarm clock so that you have to walk across the room to shut it off, splashing water on your face, or making the bed can help get and keep you up and moving. Again, you can consult How to Be a Morning Person for more details. Leaving the room to drink a glass of water can prove doubly effective, as it gets you away from the bed and helps counteract nighttime dehydration, which can cause a lethargic body and mind. Exercise before breakfast. We all intend to exercise more frequently, but the later in the day you plan your exercise time, the more likely it will be bumped aside by a backlog of work or plain old exhaustion. Take care of it first, before your daily responsibilities start piling up. Exercising first thing after waking up (and before eating) not only shakes off any grogginess, it also kick-starts your metabolism for the day. Even if an early morning jog, bike ride, or kickboxing session isn't in the cards for you, taking 10 to 15 minutes doing some simple yoga poses offers health benefits and helps prepare both body and mind for the day ahead. Eat a healthy breakfast. Your mother always said it was the most important meal of the day, and your food choices in the morning can indeed shape your eating habits (and how you feel) throughout the day. A good breakfast gives you more energy and focus, as opposed to when your stomach feels like an empty pit or is stuffed to the gills with unhealthy junk. Smart breakfast choices can include Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and flax seeds, oatmeal with dried fruit, or a vegetable omelet , among many others. Good, nutritious, quick breakfast recipes can be found easily online. Some people advocate for eating the same healthy breakfast (like that veggie omelet) every day, which cuts down on the time spent thinking about what to have for breakfast and then making it. If the notion of having the same breakfast every morning can't pass muster with you, cycling through several healthy options each day may be a beneficial compromise. Awaken your senses. Does your routine involve lurching awake to a blaring alarm clock, jolting yourself into consciousness by dunking your face in a sink full of cold water, and scalding your throat by chugging down some coffee? If so, trying to engage each of your senses in a more pleasant, uplifting manner may help set a better tone for your new day. Natural sunlight signals the body to transition from sleeping to waking modes, so try to start each day by opening the shades. Better yet, open up the window or go outside. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds chirping, and welcome the new day (if you are lucky enough to have that as your outdoor environment). Filling your room with warm, welcoming colors like reds and blues, having the color and fragrance of fresh flowers at the ready, and cueing up some uplifting music can all help engage your senses in a positive manner first thing in the morning. Focus inward, not outward. With many people using their smartphones as their alarm clock, a natural first move once awakened is to check emails, texts, social media updates, news feeds, etc. Fight this urge, and make the first part of your new day all about you. If you can give yourself fifteen minutes, great. If you can only manage five, take it. Start your day by practicing “mindfulness” — meditation, prayer, reflection, whatever it is that allows you to focus inward and prepare yourself for the day ahead. Many people find it beneficial to spend at least some of this “me” time focusing on gratitude. Meditate on all the things you have to be grateful for, starting perhaps with the fact that you have risen to see another day. Focusing on your reasons to be thankful before getting into the day's obstacles can make them seem less overwhelming or insurmountable. Pick up a pen and paper. It may seem quaint in today's digital world, but taking the time to actually write down your thoughts can be a refreshing exercise. It helps you visualize your thoughts and establish them as a guide for your day. Some people find writing down the previous night's dreams to be helpful, even if they don't make much sense at the time. If that's not appealing to you, why not go completely “retro” and write daily entries in a journal or diary? If you tend to wake up already stressed out by all you need to do that day, you may benefit from jotting down a daily “to ignore” list (as opposed to the more common “to do” variety). List things that need not be addressed today — non-essential emails, cleaning the bathroom, whatever they may be — and pledge to set them aside for the coming day. Focus your energies on what you can do, not what you could do. Some people find that doing an early morning “brain dump” helps set their focus and energizes their creativity. Jot down whatever ideas, schemes, or plans that come to mind first thing in the morning, no matter how strange or impractical they are. Think of it as “clearing the decks” for your creative mind at worst, and at best as a source of inspiration. Do something uplifting that you enjoy. Make each morning something to look forward to by budgeting in some time to do something enjoyable just for you. Starting off your day with a smile makes it much more likely that you'll go through the day with one. Take some time to read from an uplifting religious, spiritual, or just plain enjoyable book. Do some knitting or model-building. Call an old friend, or meet up for coffee. Read a story to your kids. Make love to your partner. Make some “happy time” a part of how you begin the day. Start with a clean slate. Today is a new day, and you should treat it as such when you begin your productive tasks. If you have unfinished work from the previous day, set it aside for the first hour or so (it's not going anywhere!). If you've begun your day the right way to this point, you should have a burst of energy and focus when you start your workday. Circling back to yesterday's unfinished business may sap that energy more quickly than starting fresh. If you have to complete yesterday's work first, try to treat it as a new task for a new day. Organize your workspace so that it is ready to go first thing in the morning. This probably means you need to take a few minutes at the end of the previous workday to clean up and organize the space. You may just want to get out of there at that point, but the time is well-spent if it enables you to be more productive at the start of the next day. Take time to strategize. If you have the early morning burst of energy, you may want to jump right in to work before it runs out. It will be worth your while to use a few minutes of this energy to plan out your day and beyond, though. Before your focus becomes clouded by all the little things that come up during a workday, plot out what you want to accomplish that day and how you will do so. Prioritize your tasks, and budget your time accordingly. Don't just focus on the short-term, however. Think about how your daily plan fits into your larger monthly, yearly, and even career goals. Are you budgeting your time in the best way to get that promotion, or to graduate a semester early? Take advantage of your morning focus. Once you've taken a few minutes to plot your strategy, the time has arrived to maximize the burst of workday energy you are hopefully experiencing. Even if you aren't feeling overly energetic during your first hour or so of work, your mind is still likely to be less cluttered than it will become as the day goes on. Use this time for a task that requires more intensive focus, such as writing. You will almost certainly be more productive and efficient now than at 4:00 pm (or 11:00 pm, for that matter). When possible, put off meetings, scrolling through emails, and dealing with "people conflicts" until later in the morning. Direct your focus inward as much as possible until your burst of morning energy begins to wane, then let the outside world in. Once again, don't worry, these things will be waiting for you! | Start the night before. Get up and get moving. Exercise before breakfast. Eat a healthy breakfast. Awaken your senses. Focus inward, not outward. Pick up a pen and paper. Do something uplifting that you enjoy. Start with a clean slate. Take time to strategize. Take advantage of your morning focus. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-a-Pet-Mouse-or-Pet-Rat | How to Choose Between a Pet Mouse or Pet Rat | Rats and mice can both make great pets, but if you're torn between the 2, there are a few considerations to help you choose. Mice are generally more independent and don't need to be played with as often as rats, but rats tend to be more affectionate. If you're pressed for space, you might want to go with a mouse, since they don't need as large a cage as rats do. Mice also tend to be cheaper than rats, since they need smaller cages and less food. On the other hand, rats are generally cleaner and can be toilet trained. They also get along better with cats and dogs, so you might want to choose a rat if you have other pets. If you have children, a rat is probably a better option, since they're more playful and less likely to bite. | Choose the right pet for your schedule. Both mice and rats are nocturnal animals and are therefore likely to be hiding and sleeping during the day. Keep this is mind before adopting because they often like to play and make noise at night; keep this in mind when considering adopting a pet rodent. Adopt a mouse if you want a low maintenance pet. You can gently hold and stroke a pet mouse, or leave it to exercise in its cage. In contrast, rats need a bit more attention and will regularly need to be let out of their cage to play. If you don't want this commitment, get a mouse instead. Pick your pet based on the cage size it needs. How a rat or mouse cage might fit into your home could be an important factor to consider in deciding which animal to adopt. Rats require larger cages than mice due to their larger size. Both mice and rats should have cages where they can be viewed from the front rather than the top, so as to minimize stress. Both rats and mice are social creatures and need to be housed with others of their kind. When choosing either rodent, you'll have to adopt at least two pets and pick your cage size accordingly. However, male mice should not be housed with other mice due to their aggressive nature. The minimum cage size for 2 adult rats is 1 metre (3.3 ft) x 60 centimetres (24 in) x 60 centimetres (24 in). The minimum cage size for 2 mice is 60 centimetres (24 in) x 30 centimetres (12 in) x 25 centimetres (9.8 in). Choose a rat for a cleaner pet. You will have to clean up after both pet mice and pet rats. However, overall rats tend to be cleaner than mice, particularly in terms of their smell and droppings. Pet rats can also be toilet trained whereas pet mice can't. While pet mice tend to be a bit smellier than pet rats, female mice are less smelly than their musky male counterparts. Both rats and mice tend to urinate and defecate in a corner of their cage. You will need to clean this daily and replace the soiled litter. Rat cages need to be washed and/or disinfected once a week. Mice cages need to be washed and disinfected every 3-4 weeks. Be careful not to disturb their cage unless absolutely necessary, as this can stress them out. Pick a mouse if your budget is tight. Both rats and mice are good pets for those on a budget. However, rats tend to be a bit more expensive as they require larger cages and considerably more food. Buy a mouse if you want more of a short term commitment. Rats tend to live slightly longer than mice. If you'd like less of a responsibility in terms of how long your pet will live for, mice could be a good option for you. Rats live for 3-4 years, as compared to mice who live for 2-3 years. Both rats and mice are a commitment and need to be engaged with and attended to for the duration of their lives. Pick a rat if you want an active, human-loving pet. Rats are a great choice if you prefer a curious and intelligent animal that enjoys human stimulation and companionship. They love to be held and can even be toilet trained and learn basic tricks. Rats should have an area outside of their cage where they can play regularly. This is especially stimulating for your pet if the space is filled with various toys - and can be quite entertaining for you! Choose a mouse if you prefer a more independent pet. Mice are decidedly more independent than rats. They require less handling and attention and are a good option if you prefer watching your animals to playing with them. Although mice don't enjoy the human touch as much as rats, they still need to be handled daily so as to keep them tame and check on their health. If you like watching your mouse play you can include ladders, ropes and wheels in their cage, or even buy a multi-story cage to allow for sufficient exercise. This is fun for you and also good for your mouse. Consider adopting a pet rat if you have children. Pet mice are really small, fragile and often a bit skittish. Because of this they can be a difficult pet to own if you have children, as they don't respond as well as rats to human touch, making them more likely to bite. A pet rat is hardier and may also be more stimulating for children. Consider choosing a rat if you have other family pets. Rats are better able than mice to make friends with other family pets and these relationships can be really enjoyable to watch. Mice are a bit too fragile for this and are usually seen as a snack - especially for cats! Rats are known to pair particularly well with dogs and cats. Rats should always be supervised when socialising with other family pets - just to be safe. | Choose the right pet for your schedule. Adopt a mouse if you want a low maintenance pet. Pick your pet based on the cage size it needs. Choose a rat for a cleaner pet. Pick a mouse if your budget is tight. Buy a mouse if you want more of a short term commitment. Pick a rat if you want an active, human-loving pet. Choose a mouse if you prefer a more independent pet. Consider adopting a pet rat if you have children. Consider choosing a rat if you have other family pets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Naked-Egg | How to Make a Naked Egg | To make a naked egg, start by placing an egg in a tall glass and filling the glass with enough white vinegar to cover it. Then, let the egg soak in the vinegar for 24 hours before draining the glass and refilling it with fresh vinegar. Finally, let the egg sit for another 24 hours before draining the vinegar and rinsing the egg off with water. | Place the egg in a tall glass, jar, or a plastic cup and fill the glass with white vinegar, submerging the egg. Leave the egg in the vinegar for a full 24 hours. Look closely. Do you see any bubbles forming on the shell? To see the best reaction place your face above the egg. Change the vinegar on the second day. Carefully pour the old vinegar down the drain and cover the egg with fresh vinegar. But remember, use a strainer to catch the egg so it does not fall down the drain. Place the glass with the vinegar and egg in a safe place for 1 day- Don't disturb the egg, but pay close attention the bubbles forming on the surface of the shell (or what's left of it). Pour off the vinegar and carefully rinse the egg with water. The egg now looks translucent because the outside shell is gone! The only thing that remains is the delicate membrane of the egg! Remember to take pictures day by day of the egg and take notes! (for a science project!) Finished. | Place the egg in a tall glass, jar, or a plastic cup and fill the glass with white vinegar, submerging the egg. Leave the egg in the vinegar for a full 24 hours. Change the vinegar on the second day. Pour off the vinegar and carefully rinse the egg with water. Remember to take pictures day by day of the egg and take notes! Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Identify-a-Munchkin-Cat | How to Identify a Munchkin Cat | To identify a munchkin cat, look for a cat with unusually short legs and a long body, similar to how a Dachsund looks. Also, look for large, round eyes and triangle-shaped ears, which are common characteristics of munchkin cats. You should also note how fast and energetic the cat you're looking at is since munchkin cats have a lot of energy and love to run around. | Look for unusually short legs. The most defining characteristic of a Munchkin cat is that they have extremely short legs. The front legs average around three inches long. The rear legs may be the same length or slightly longer. Notice a long body. Due to the short legs, the body length of this breed looks extremely long. The body is around the size of a medium-sized cat. This breed weighs between four to eight pounds This breed is often compared to a Dachshund due to the long body and short legs. Assess the rest of the body. The Munchkin cat generally has a broad, round head that is considered a modified wedge. The ears are medium-sized triangles. The eyes are large, walnut-shaped, and wide set. The tail and neck are medium-thick. The breed has both a short and long-haired variety. Because they are outcrossed with domestic cats, there is a wide variety of colors and patterns. Look for a fast, agile cat. Munchkin cats have a lot of energy. They are very fast, and often can be seen running around their house. They love to chase anything from mice to toys. Though they have short legs, that doesn't stop them from jumping and climbing, even if it takes them longer. They often stand on their hind legs to investigate their surroundings. Expect a loving, affectionate pet. This breed is very social, so expect the cat to be outgoing and friendly with people and other pets. They often wrestle and play with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. They love attention from their owners, and love to curl up in your lap. This breed is great with children. Be aware of their love for shiny objects. One unique characteristic of this breed is their tendency to steal shiny objects and hide them. They also will take their favorite toys and place them somewhere they can find them later. Don't be surprised if you find this cat borrowing some of your shiny belongings. Because of this, Munchkin cats have been described as the magpies of the cat species. Try to put away any objects that the cat may try to steal or chew on. If these small objects are swallowed, the cat may choke. Some small objects, such as button batteries, can kill the cat if swallowed. Locate a breeder. If you want to adopt a Munchkin from a breeder, make sure to look for a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders will perform health certifications that screen for any genetic health problems. They also will raise kittens at home and in social settings, and never isolate them. Check cat breed websites, such as The Fanciers Breeder Referral List and The International Cat Association. They will list reputable Munchkin breeders you can peruse. If you visit breeder websites, watch for any suspicious claims or behavior. Red flags may include kittens that are immediately available, one breeder having multiple litters, the breeder asking to pay online with a credit card, and the promise of your choice of any kitten. Adopt a Munchkin cat. Instead of going through a breeder for your cat, consider adopting a Munchkin cat. Try rescue organizations, such as Rescue Me! and The Purebred Cat Rescue. Munchkin cats may be harder to find to adopt, but you may want to try that before going to a breeder. Try pet adoption websites. Petfinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com let you search by breed and feature Munchkin cats. You can check in your area, or try to adopt from somewhere nearby. You can also check your local shelter. Talk to your local vet or Humane Society about helping you find a Munchkin to adopt. Be patient. Finding a Munchkin cat may take time. If you are interested in getting a cat from a breeder, be aware that reputable breeders wait until the kittens are old enough to leave the litter before you can adopt. Remember that you may contact a breeder who has a future litter and have to wait for the kittens to be born and become old enough for adoption. Make sure to search all avenues, including adoption or rescue, before deciding on whether you are going to adopt an adult cat or get a kitten from a breeder. Understand health issues that may affect Munchkins. Like all cat breeds, Munchkins are susceptible to certain health problems. While many Munchkins are relatively healthy, this breed is more likely to have spinal problems than other breeds. These conditions include: Lordosis, a deformity in the spine behind the shoulders that can constrict the heart and lungs in the chest cavity. Pectus excavatum, which is a deformity of the breast bone that can also put pressure on the heart and lungs. Joint disease, such as osteoarthritis. | Look for unusually short legs. Notice a long body. Assess the rest of the body. Look for a fast, agile cat. Expect a loving, affectionate pet. Be aware of their love for shiny objects. Locate a breeder. Adopt a Munchkin cat. Be patient. Understand health issues that may affect Munchkins. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Teenager-from-Stealing | How to Stop a Teenager from Stealing | To stop your teenager from stealing, explain the consequences of their actions, like getting kicked out of school, being arrested, and going to jail. While you're talking to them, try to find out why they decided to steal, since this can help you understand how to stop them doing it again. For example, if your child stole money because they were tired of being poor, encourage them to get a part-time job so they can earn money. You can also make them do chores to repay the value of what they stole, which lets them redeem themselves through positive actions. If they stole something for a thrill or to impress their friends, get them to join a club or sports team, which will keep them busy and help them make new friends. | Explain the consequences of stealing. Perhaps you discovered your teen was stealing money out of your wallet, or you found stolen goods in your teen's backpack. If your teen is a first time offender and has not been charged with a crime, it's important that you sit your teen down and explain how taking other people's property is illegal and could lead to jail time. Don't downplay the seriousness of the situation or coddle your teen into believing stealing is okay as long as you don't get caught. Be clear and forceful with your words as you explain the serious, potentially life altering consequences of stealing to your teen. Use legal terms to explain the possible jail time associated with committing larceny (which is when you steal property from someone, like a purse or a bicycle) and committing a felony (which is when you steal with the intent to deprive someone of money, such as taking someone's wallet or writing a bad check). The value of the stolen property will determine if the crime is considered a felony or a misdemeanor. Regardless of the level of the crime, your teen could be fined a steep amount or serve several months or years in jail if they are caught stealing. Show your teen the consequences of stealing. Another method is to show, rather than tell, your teen what could happen if they are caught stealing. If your teen has stolen money or goods from you, some parents recommend calling the police and having a police officer mock arrest the teen. The officer may hand cuff your teen and place them in the back of the police car so they can explain what a felony charge is and how it can affect your teen's future. This may seem like an extreme tactic, and it should only be done if your teen has stolen from you directly as you are the one who will decide whether or not to press charges against your teen. However, this tactic can scare your teen so much that they may never even consider stealing again. If they have not stolen from you, try showing them prison documentaries or interviews with inmates. This will show them exactly what happens in prison and that could be them one day. Impose a punishment that requires a positive action from your teen. Rather than enforce a physical punishment or a shaming punishment that causes your teen to become more angry and resentful, focus on creating a punishment that requires your teen to make up for stealing with a positive action. This will reinforce the damage stealing does to the relationships with those around you, and allow your teen to learn the value of honesty. For example, you may have caught your teen stealing money from your purse. You may then punish them by having them pay back all the money they stole from you. This may take time, as they may need to get a job or do odd jobs to earn back the money. But they will learn the consequences of their actions, gain more responsibility by getting a job, and understand why it's wrong to steal. Another option is to have your teen pay back the money with doing extra chores around the house or cooking dinner for the family for a month. This way, they will be doing positive actions for others to make up for their mistake. Ask your teen why they feel they need to steal. Your teen may be motivated to steal due to other issues or problems. Identifying the root cause of your teen's actions will help you prevent your teen from stealing again. Teens tend to steal for several reasons, including: Peer pressure can be a big motivator for your teen's stealing. They may want the latest smart phone or the cool, new sneakers and feel the only way to get them is to steal them from others, or steal money from you to buy these items. A big part of adolescence is fitting in with peers, and your teen may feel pressure to have certain items so they can blend in with the other teens at school. The need for attention is another possible reason why your teen is stealing. Any attention from others, especially authority figures, can seem better to your teen than none at all. Your teen may be stealing because they know it will get your attention and make you notice them. Embarrassment or anxiety around certain items, like condoms, tampons, emergency contraception, or a pregnancy test, could lead your teen to steal these items. Your teen may be too embarrassed to go to the clinic for these items or to ask you for money for these things, so they feel their only resort is to steal them. The thrill of wrongdoing could also be a motivator for your teen. Often, teens enjoy the thrill of doing something wrong and participating in risky behavior. Most teens are interested in things that are off limits or considered wrong. So stealing may be one way they are pushing the boundaries and trying to see how much they can get away with. Provide other sources of income for your teen. If your teen is stealing because they feel they cannot afford items their peers own, have your teen get a part time job after school or take up odd jobs to earn some money. This will help them learn responsibility and money management, and allow them the freedom to purchase items they want, rather than steal them. You want to suggest your teen create a budget and learn how to manage their money so they develop good money management habits. Get your teen involved in healthy extra curricular activities. Encourage your teen to focus their energy on improving their skills and abilities with others in a productive way through joining a sports team or a club at school. This may help them connect with peers who are interested in other things besides material objects or the latest must-have items. Spend quality time with your teen. Stealing can be seen as a cry for attention from your teen. Don't ignore this. Instead, try to spend quality time with your teen on a consistent basis. Show your teen you care about them and what they're interested in by suggesting you do a favorite activity together or you both go see a band they like. During this quality time, you may want to discuss contraception, condoms, tampons etc. with your teen if you find out embarrassment or shame was their reason for stealing. Let your teen ask specific questions and provide these items so your teen does not have to feel embarrassed about having them. Talk to your teen about sex if this is part of their motivation for stealing. Speak to a family counselor or therapist if your teen keeps stealing. If you catch your teen stealing again, it may be time to reach out to a family counselor or a therapist. Some teens steal due to deeper issues that may require hands on therapy, with your family or at an individual level. Don't let your teen's stealing become a habit, as this can lead to more serious consequences and a skewed moral code for your teen. Some teens can develop kleptomania, a rare compulsive disorder where the person feels anxiety or tension before stealing and then feels relief or gratification after stealing. Talk to your doctor or a therapist if you suspect your teen may be developing this disorder. | Explain the consequences of stealing. Show your teen the consequences of stealing. Impose a punishment that requires a positive action from your teen. Ask your teen why they feel they need to steal. Provide other sources of income for your teen. Get your teen involved in healthy extra curricular activities. Spend quality time with your teen. Speak to a family counselor or therapist if your teen keeps stealing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wooden-Shield | How to Make a Wooden Shield | To make a simple wooden shield, start by sketching your design true to size on a large piece of poster board. Next, purchase a lightweight, unfinished wood, such as plywood or fine particle board, and trace your design onto the wood. Then, cut the shield out of the wood with a hand saw or bandsaw and sand the surface until it feels smooth. Finally, prime the surface before painting the shield however you like! | Develop a design. Sketch your design true to size using pencil and a large sheet of design paper or poster board. While more advanced shields may be various shapes, a beginner's shield made in a rectangle is a good way to become familiar with the tools and techniques needed while avoiding more complex work. If you have an electric saw and the know-how to use it, a simple oval or circle pattern works well too. You can also create plans for a design or logo for the front of the shield. You can just paint the entire shield a solid color, but a pattern or design adds character. The size of an authentic shield varies depending on its intended use and the size of the person who will use it. A basic shield should at least be the width of the user's shoulders and the length of the user's torso. Select and purchase your materials. Using simple materials will help keep the beginner's shield streamlined and easy to put together. A light weight wood is best, such as plywood or fine particle board. You will want a unfinished wood that is easy to cut and at least half an inch thick and about two feet wide and four feet tall, a standard size available at most lumber yards. While more advanced (and historically accurate) shields generally have leather handles on the inside, beginner fighters can use a handle purchased at a hardware store. It is easier to make and to attach, and simple to hold. Look for a smooth handle that will not hurt your hand if you grasp it tightly, such as a bail pull from the knob and handle section of the hardware store. You will need screws or short nails to attach it to the shield. Trace the design on the shield. Using your plans as a guide, trace the design in pencil on the wood, on what will be the back of your shield. You can use a ruler or other straight edge if you've decided to go with a rectangular shaped shield. Use a large compass to make a circle for a rounded shield. If you are not completely happy with your design, trace it again. Don't cut until you're sure! Cut the design out. You will need a saw, and although you can use a hand saw, it will be a lot of work. A bandsaw is ideal. Go slowly for accuracy and safety. Attach handle. How you attach the handle depends on how securely you need it to stay in place. If you are not going to use the shield roughly, you can secure the handle using small nails or screws. Otherwise, if the shield will see a lot of action in battle, secure it using bolts. Decorate the front of the shield. You can use a solid color paint, or create a replica design from a historic time period. You can also create your own coat of arms to feature on the front if you are artistic. Sand any rough spots or edges before painting, then apply a thin layer of primer, which will help the paint to adhere. After it is dry, apply another layer of primer and let dry. Apply a thin layer of paint in your color of choice. You can use either oil- or water-based paint, but it is important that you use the same kind for both primer and paint or the paint will peel off. After the first layer of paint dries thoroughly, add another layer if you prefer, then let it dry before hand painting on details. Remember to use oil- or water-based paint for the detailing, too, according to what you used for your primer and base color. Add a layer of polyurethane coating once everything else has dried, and let it sit for 48 hours to cure. The polyurethane will seal the paint in so that it does not chip. Design a more complex shape. Using posterboard and a pencil, sketch the shape you want your final product to be, and make notations about the length and height. The base of a shield is often a circle or an ellipse, but with your skill level you can expand your design to more complex patterns. Do an internet search for "shield shapes" to get some ideas. Historically, the size and shape of the shield depended on its intended use. For example, a swordsman would use a small shield such as a buckler, which is lightweight yet not cumbersome. An infantryman would need a tall shield to duck behind or cover the legs during an assault. For historic authenticity, research the particular type of shield you want to make and find out its ideal dimensions and shape. Many historic shields were convex, curving around the user's body to protect the user in battle by deflecting swords and arrows. However, you would need advanced technological equipment in order to bend your wood.You can purchase a wood press online or in some large hardware stores if you are interested in bending the wood for a convex shape. Choose your materials. If you are going to use the shield for re-enactment or simply want a more authentic piece of armor, you will need a solid piece of wood such as oak. You can use other types of wood if it is more authentic to the type of shield you are trying to create (for example, English, Scottish, Viking, etc.). Historically, medieval European shields were made from several layers, with a core made of oak. You will need a 2' by 4' piece of solid unfinished oak, and optionally, as many pieces of plywood in the same size plywood to make additional layers. Keep in mind, solid oak is heavy, and additional layers will make a very heavy shield! Most authentic shields have heavy leather straps as handles. You will need two thick leather pieces about six inches wide and a foot long. These are available at crafting supply stores. Build your shield. If you read the instructions for a beginner's shield, you will notice that these steps are similar. Trace the design on the wood in pencil, by cutting out your poster board design and using it as a guide. Cut the wood out using a bandsaw or handsaw (a bandsaw will make it much easier, but use what you have). If you are using additional layers of plywood, cut them out to the same pattern. If you are using plywood, attach it using a thick layer of wood glue to the front (and back, if you're using two layers) of the oak layer. Let it dry thoroughly before continuing. Attach the straps. Add two leather straps to put your arm through across the back of the shield, which will allow you to hold the shield with one arm and a weapon with the other. Hold the shield up to your body to determine the natural placement of the straps. Holding the shield up with your non-dominant hand, place your dominant hand across the back of the shield where it naturally falls when you hold the shield in place and your arm at a ninety degree angle. Mark the outline of your forearm on the back of the shield with pencil. This will show you where to secure the straps, about six inches apart directly above and below where your arm will go. Secure the leather straps using metal bolts. Decorate the front of the shield. You can use a solid color paint, or create a replica design from a historic time period. You can also create your own coat of arms to feature on the front if you are artistic. Sand any rough spots or edges before painting, then apply a thin layer of primer, which will help the paint to adhere. After it is dry, apply another layer of primer and let dry. Apply a thin layer of paint in your color of choice. You can use either oil- or water-based paint, but it is important that you use the same kind for both primer and paint or the paint will peel off. After the first layer of paint dries thoroughly, add another layer if you prefer, then let it dry before hand painting on details. Remember to use oil- or water-based paint for the detailing, too, according to what you used for your primer and base color. Add a layer of polyurethane coating once everything else has dried, and let it sit for 48 hours to cure. The polyurethane will seal the paint in so that it does not chip. Reinforce splits in the wood. If you notice that your handle has splits or cracks in the wood after battle, repairing before your next re-enactment. You can add wooden stays or leather straps bolted in place to repair the damage if the area is small enough. Cut wooden slats or thick leather strips a couple of inches wide by a couple of inches long (or however long you need to secure it on both sides of the crack). Bolt these in place on either end. Repair broken handles. It is important to have a secure handle so that you don't lose hold of your shield during battle. If your handle breaks, you can either grab the shield with both hands (which means putting down your weapon), or put down the shield (which means exposing you to oncoming attacks). Be sure that the handle is on securely before going in to battle. Replace a damaged, split, or frayed leather strap or handle at first sign of wear. Don't wait for it to fall off completely before repairing. Leave dents alone. Dents and dings in your shield add character and make your shield seem more realistic. If you hate having dents in your shield, you can use sandpaper to try to buff them out. You will need to repaint that area. Build a new shield. If your shield is split in half during re-enactments or battle, you will need to build a new one. This time, try making a more advanced shield; you've already practiced once! | Develop a design. Select and purchase your materials. Trace the design on the shield. Cut the design out. Attach handle. Decorate the front of the shield. Design a more complex shape. Choose your materials. Build your shield. Attach the straps. Decorate the front of the shield. Reinforce splits in the wood. Repair broken handles. Leave dents alone. Build a new shield. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Croissants | How to Make Croissants | To make croissants, let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, roll it out, fold it into thirds, and let it rise again. After that, roll the dough out a second time, top it with a layer of butter, and fold it in. You should repeat that process of rolling and folding the dough multiple times before chilling it and rolling it out a final time. Then, cut the dough into triangles, roll them into croissants, let them rise, and bake them at 475°F for 12-15 minutes. | Mix the dough. Mix the warm water, sugar, salt and yeast in a bowl, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until it foams and bubbles. Warm the milk in a pan on the stove, or in 5-second intervals in the microwave. Place the flour, warm milk, yeast mixture and oil in a bowl, and mix together. You can use a stand mixer or mix the ingredients by hand with a spatula. Be sure the milk doesn't come to a boil when you warm it. If it does, start over with new milk. Knead the dough. If you're using a stand mixer, you can simply let it continue to do the work for you for a minute or two after the ingredients are combined. If you're kneading by hand, punch out the dough 8 to 10 times. It should feel smooth and elastic when you're done. Let the dough rise. Place the dough into a clean bowl dusted with flour. The flour will make it easier to remove the dough from the bowl later. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a dish towel. Allow the dough to rise for one to two hours. When it's doubled in size, you'll be ready for the next step. You can snip an X into the top of the dough to help the dough rise a little more quickly. Cut an X that's about 2 inches (5 cm) wide in the middle of the dough. Place the dough in a warm area in your kitchen to help it rise faster. Press the dough. After the dough has doubled, gently remove it from the bowl and place it on a countertop lightly dusted with flour. Press the dough into an 8x12-inch rectangle (20x30 cm). Try to keep the edges as straight as possible. You can use your hands, or gently press down with a rolling pin. Turn the dough. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter. This is called "turning." Fold up the bottom third of the dough so that it covers the middle third, then fold the top third down over the other two layers. Let the dough rise a second time. Cover the dough lightly with plastic wrap or a dish towel. Let it rise until it doubles in size again, which should take about an hour and a half. Put it in the refrigerator for the last half-hour, since it needs to be chilled for the next step. If you'd like, you can allow the dough to rise overnight in the refrigerator. Just put it in the fridge, and it'll be ready to go in the morning. Roll the butter. Line the countertop with a large piece of wax paper. Put the chilled butter on the wax paper, and fold the end of the paper over the top. Use a rolling pin to roll the butter between the sheets of wax paper, into a 12x6-inch rectangle (30x15cm). Pound the stick a few times with the rolling pin to flatten it, then roll it out quickly into the rectangle. Try to work fast so the butter won't get too warm. An important thing to keep in mind throughout this process is that you never want the butter to melt until you place it in the oven. Try to prevent it from ever getting warmer than room temperature. Place it back in the refrigerator when necessary. It helps to chill your hands and kitchen equipment so you don't warm up the butter. Wash your hands with cold water, and work with cooking instruments that have been chilling in the refrigerator. Make sure your kitchen isn't too warm, too. Lay the butter on the dough. Get the dough out of the fridge, and flatten it into a 14x8 inches (35x20 cm) rectangle. Place the rectangle of butter in the center of the rectangle of dough, lining it up so that it is at least a half-inch away from the edge of the dough. Turn the dough. Fold up the bottom third of the dough to cover the middle third, and the top third down to cover both layers, like you'd fold a letter. Make sure the butter is evenly layered and folded up with the dough. Roll the dough. Rotate the rectangle of dough 90 degrees, so that the short side of the rectangle is facing you. Roll the dough into a 14x8-inch rectangle (35x20 cm). This is the most important part of the process, and the trickiest one for most people to grasp: you're not rolling the butter into the dough. Instead, you're rolling out the dough and the butter so that the layers are ultra thin. If the previous steps took you awhile and the butter was starting to look a little soft when you put it into the dough, consider chilling the dough for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling it out in this step. Remember, you want the butter to stay cold and in thin little layers within the dough; you don't want it to melt or become part of the dough. Turn the dough again. Just as you did before, fold the dough like a letter, into thirds. Chill the dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or wax paper, and place it in the refrigerator. Let it sit for 2 hours. Unwrap the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Tap it gently with your rolling pin a few times to deflate it. Place it so that the top and bottom sides are short, and the right and left sides are long. Allow the dough to rest for 8 to 10 minutes. Roll and turn the dough twice more. Roll out the dough into a 14x8 inches (35x20 cm) rectangle. Again, be careful not to press too hard — you don't want to crush the layers, just thin them out. Turn the dough again (folding it into thirds, like a letter). Now rotate the rectangle so that the short side is facing you. Roll it out into another 14x8-inch rectangle (35x20 cm). Fold it into thirds a final time. Chill the dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap or wax paper again. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for two more hours. You can leave it overnight if you wish, as long as you put something heavy on top to prevent it from rising. Prepare for cutting. Lightly butter the baking sheet you plan to use. Lay a piece of wax paper over a second baking sheet. Dust the countertop with flour. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and let it rest on the countertop for 10 minutes. Finally, roll the dough into a 20x5-inch rectangle (50x12 cm). Cut the dough lengthwise. Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut the dough in half lengthwise. You should end up with two 10x5-inch (25x12 cm) pieces of dough. Place one piece of dough on the baking sheet covered in wax paper. Put another layer of wax paper on top. Cut the second piece of dough into three 5x5-inch squares (12x12 cm). Make two width-wise cuts on the strip of dough. Place two of the squares on the wax paper baking sheet. There should be a layer of wax paper separating them from your larger rectangle of dough. Put the baking sheet in the fridge to keep the butter chilled. Diagonally cut the remaining square of dough in half. You'll end up with two triangles, which will become your croissants. Roll a dough triangle into a croissant. Starting at the widest side, roll the dough upward to the top of the triangle. Form it into a crescent, and place it on the buttered baking sheet so that the top of the triangle is pinned to the sheet by the croissant. Repeat with the second dough triangle. Finish making croissants. Remove another dough square from the refrigerator. Repeat the cutting and rolling process. Continue removing squares from the refrigerator, cutting them into triangles, and rolling the triangles into croissants until you run out of dough. You should end up with 8 croissants on your buttered baking sheet. Let the croissants rise. Cover the baking sheet loosely with a clean dishtowel, and allow the croissants to rise for an hour. Preheat the oven to 475°F (240°C). Make the egg wash. Break the egg into a small bowl, and use a fork to mix it up with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the egg wash over the tops of the croissants. Bake the croissants for 12 to 15 minutes. They should be golden brown on top when they're done. Serve the croissants. Remove the croissants from the oven, and let them cool for 10 minutes on a baking rack. Try to resist the urge to eat them immediately — they'll be hot! | Mix the dough. Knead the dough. Let the dough rise. Press the dough. Turn the dough. Let the dough rise a second time. Roll the butter. Lay the butter on the dough. Turn the dough. Roll the dough. Turn the dough again. Chill the dough. Unwrap the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll and turn the dough twice more. Chill the dough. Prepare for cutting. Cut the dough lengthwise. Cut the second piece of dough into three 5x5-inch squares (12x12 cm). Diagonally cut the remaining square of dough in half. Roll a dough triangle into a croissant. Finish making croissants. Let the croissants rise. Preheat the oven to 475°F (240°C). Make the egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the tops of the croissants. Bake the croissants for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve the croissants. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Memory-Book | How to Make a Memory Book | To make a memory book, pick a theme, like a book all about your family, your wedding, or a vacation you took. On each page of the book, tape or glue a photograph or another item that ties into your theme, along with a written explanation for why that item is significant. You could include ticket stubs, drawings, quotations, stickers, greeting cards, or anything else that you can easily attach to paper. Remember, the book will be unique to you, so feel free to design it however you want! | Pick a theme. Whether you're making a physical or digital memory book, the first thing you need to do is decide what you want your book to be about. Common memory book themes include: Family members – Make a book about a specific loved one. In addition to photographs, you can also include things he or she wrote (like letters and postcards), drew (like pictures your child has made), or anything else that is flat enough to fit inside a book or to be scanned into a computer. You can also include documents associated with this person, such as a report card, a copy of a birth certificate or marriage license, or a birthday card he or she received. If your child is young, you can start a memory book now and add to it as he or she grows up. Events – Weddings, birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, graduations, and anniversaries are all popular choices when making a memory book. Holidays, like Christmas or Valentine's Day, are also common themes. If the event or special day happens annually, you can add a new page or chapter each year. Vacations – Use your memory book to relive a fun vacation or share it with others. This is an especially good idea if you went to an exotic location and took a lot of pictures. You can also include things like your plane ticket stubs or even a pressed flower you brought home with you. If this is an annual family vacation, consider adding a new chapter each year. You can put every chapter in the same book or a different one per year. More specific combinations – This option is especially popular for parents making a book of their child or children. They can be about one specific event, such as "Duane & Derrick's First Halloween," or one that covers a longer period of time, such as "Melissa's First Year of School" or "Becky's Birthdays from Six Through Ten." Decide on the content. There aren't many rules for what you can include in a memory book. Just make sure whatever you add fits your chosen theme and, if you're making a physical memory book, make sure that all of your items are relatively flat and can be attached to the pages with ease. Physical memory books often include photographs, illustrations, poetry, quotations, ticket stubs, greeting cards, programs, postcards, stickers, and even small mementos like coins or tokens. Each item is often paired with a written explanation for its context. In addition to photographs and other scannable documents, digital memory books can also feature sound and video. Remember that a memory book is different from a general photo album. Don't include every related photo you've shot. Instead, choose only a handful that tell a story. Ask people to contribute. Many memory books are made through collaboration. Consider asking other people to help make your memory book. They can help by either making a particular page or chapter or by simply submitting photos and other items they may have. Pick the right book. The book itself will be the foundation of your memory book, so choose wisely. Any type of notebook will do, as long as it contains acid-free paper. In general, scrapbooks work best. These can be found in most general, stationary, grocery, craft, and even convenience stores. If you plan on creating your memory book over time, consider picking a type of notebook where extra pages can be added as needed. Some scrapbooking albums allow you to attach new cardstock pages, while you can also always easily add new pages to a "book" made from a simple three-ring binder. Many retailers, such as bookstores and hobby shops, sell ready-made memory books for particular occasions. These memory books typically contain fill-in-the-blank text and places to put your photos. They may be a good choice when making your first memory book if you are uncertain of how to format it. Gather your materials. Once you have your book ready, you'll need things to put in it. Gather together all photographs and other elements you'd like to put in your book. The only other materials you must have are a pen and adhesive. Your adhesive may be any type of glue or tape. Make sure whatever you use is acid-free. Archival glues meant for books and paper projects will produce the best results. However, a simple glue stick will also work. You may also choose to include small items related to your book's theme. You may want to decorate your memory book with embellishments. These decorations may be directly related to your book's theme or content, such as die-cut snowflakes for a book about winter or pumpkin stickers for a Halloween chapter. You may also use purely decorative embellishments, such as glitter and rhinestones, that may not strictly match your book's theme. Sketch a layout. Once you have everything in one place, it may help you to sketch a layout or arrange your items before actually attaching them to the page. It's a good idea to figure out a layout before you glue your items permanently in place. You may choose to arrange elements items in any way you think looks nice. A common format for store-bought memory books is to include a place for a photograph on one page and fill-in-the-blank text on the page opposite. Include large embellishments when determining your layout. Crop your photos. Instead of using uncropped rectangular photographs, you may want to crop them into other shapes. This will help your memory book to have a more interesting, cohesive feel. Crop photos for shape. You may choose to trim a photo so that it better fits in your page's layout. Thematic shapes, such as a heart for Valentine's Day, are another cropping option. Crop photos for content. If a photo includes certain aspects that don't fit with your memory book, see if you can trim them away. For example, a picture of your friend at the beach may be cropped to remove strangers Use a pair of sharp scissors to get crisp edges. Cropping may be done before the layout step if you are planning to crop a photo a certain way regardless of page design. Attach your items. For most of your elements, you will likely use some form of acid-free glue. Simply spread a thin layer of adhesive on the back of each item and stick it in place. Use your fingers to smooth each piece flat and wait for each page to dry before turning to the next one. Some three dimensional objects may require a different type of adhesive. Double-sided sticky tape or scotch tape may be good alternatives. If your memory book pages are thick enough, you can sew items onto the paper. Because different glues can have very different set times, check your particular glue's packaging for how long they should take to dry. Write about your items. Describe your pictures and other elements. Explain what they depict and/or why they are important. These can be simple words (like "Grandma Rose, September 28, 2015"), phrases ("This was dad's favorite song."), sentences, or even whole paragraphs. You don't need to write a caption for each item, but it helps to flesh out your memory book and distinguish it from a photo album. If you are including poems, lyrics, or quotations, you may also choose to handwrite them instead of using a clipping or print-out. If you are working with a pre-made memory book, simply fill in the blank spaces where appropriate. You may also choose to write more in the margins. Decorate your memory book. Add any finishing touches to embellish your book's content. This is the time to add things like glitter, smaller stickers, stamps, and ornamental designs. Try to use your embellishments to reduce the amount of blank space. If your memory book tells a story, lay them out in a way that draws the reader's eye across the page to each item in the correct chronological order. A simple trick for this is to connect each item in the desired order with a line or ribbon between them. Once you've finished decorating, your memory book is ready to share. Find a template or program you like. Search the web for resources for digital memory books and scrapbooking. You have a couple general options when it comes to digital memory books: Websites that allow you to put together your memory book for display online. These sites act as aggregators where you can add and arrange digital content into virtual albums. Some of these websites focus only on pictures and their captions, while others allow you to also share stand-alone text, videos, audio, and URLs. You can either upload your own content or add content already on the web to your digital memory book. Programs, templates, and websites for building a more traditional memory book which may be published later as physical hard copies. These will allow you to select a size and format for your memory book and arrange pictures and text onto each page just as you would a traditional memory book. They are often paired with an integrated print service that will allow you to order a printed, professionally-bound copy of your book. Even if you decide to keep your book digital, these services can be used to create shareable files. Ready your content. Scan or download all elements you plan on including in your digital scrapbook. Make sure to optimize your content for your platform of choice. If you intend on printing out your book, remember to scan and save your images and pages at 300 DPI (dots per inch) at minimum. Save as a TIFF for perfect image quality. If you intend to keep your book entirely digital or publish on the web, compressing images to lower their file size is likely appropriate. JPEGs are generally good for photos but often introduce artifacts. GIFs are more appropriate for text or simple art but are limited to 256 colors and don't work well with photos. PNG-formatted images can be of good enough quality for print while not being too big for the web. With modern high speed Internet and large hard drives able to handle larger files, this format is becoming more common. Some digital memory book programs have their own built-in image editors. However, you will likely need to touch up your pictures with an image editor before importing them. Adjust contrast and brightness and correct colors as necessary. Crop your pictures digitally just as you would with scissors. Pick a consistent style. Although not entirely necessary, choosing and sticking to a font (or set of fonts) and color scheme for use throughout your book will give it a much more professional look. You can use text with multiple fonts, colors, and sizes in the same project as long as long as each is used for a different purpose. For example, you could use large all caps purple lettering for titles with smaller black text for your captions. Pick colors that match your theme. For example, a memory book of your college years may use your school's colors. Design your memory book. If you're using a template, allow it or your software to guide you through the process, adding text and pictures where necessary. If you are creating your memory book free-form, it will be up to you to decide how each page should look. Just remember that memory books should include both pictures and text. Use picture captions to tell a story. Share your memory book. If you want professionally bound digital hard copies of your memory book, either use your software's printing service or find one online that's compatible. You can also choose to do an inexpensive version of this at home by printing out your pages and assembling them in a notebook or with binder clips. You may also choose to store your book onto disks or flash drives to share with others. If the file is small enough, you can even simply email the file out. If you're using an online scrapbooking tool, make sure your privacy settings allow it to be viewable and share the link to you page. | Pick a theme. Decide on the content. Ask people to contribute. Pick the right book. Gather your materials. Sketch a layout. Crop your photos. Attach your items. Write about your items. Decorate your memory book. Find a template or program you like. Ready your content. Pick a consistent style. Design your memory book. Share your memory book. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Group-Fitness-Instructor | How to Become a Group Fitness Instructor | To become a group fitness instructor, start by taking a variety of group fitness classes, such as strength training and dance fitness, to determine what you want to teach. Then, go online and research certification organizations to figure out which one offers the benefits you want. Once you find a program you like, study the training material and take the required exam to get certified. Additionally, obtain your CPR and AED certifications through the American Red Cross, which most employers expect you to have before starting work. | Try out different group fitness classes to determine what you like. There is a long list of group fitness classes available. To be sure you're really interested in becoming a group fitness instructor, it's a good idea to try several different types of classes to make sure it's something that really interests you. Pay attention to what the instructors do in these classes and ask yourself if you could do the same thing. Try a variety of classes such as mind-body, aquatic, bodyweight training, strength training, and dance fitness. Try classes that use a variety of different types of equipment. Pay attention to what the instructor does and says in the class, specifically notice the things you like and dislike about the instructor. Take away ideas on how you could either use similar techniques or thoughts on what techniques are not working well. A general group fitness instructor may end up teaching a wide variety of classes, so it's important to understand you may need to be flexible and diversify your teaching skills. Find a mentor. Becoming a fitness instructor is easier if you have someone helping to guide you. A mentor is a great asset to have as you work your way to becoming a certified group fitness instructor. Your mentor can be anyone who is already in the industry, but you should look specifically for someone who teaches the type of fitness classes you're interested in. There is no step-by-step plan to finding a mentor. You may have to attend several classes and speak to several instructors before you find someone who you really admire. Don't just learn from your mentor, learn from your mentor's students. Attend your mentor's classes and speak to the students about what makes a great instructor. Decide what type of certification you’d like to obtain. Most employers will expect group fitness instructor candidates to have a certification. There are currently 5 different organizations which certify group fitness instructors in the United States. Each organization offers different benefits and has different downsides. You need to research all of them to determine which certification will work best for you. Information about the American Council on Exercise (ACE) can be found here — https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/group-fitness-certification/comparison.aspx. Information about the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) can be found here — http://www.netafit.org/certifications/group-exercise.php. Information about the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) can be found here — http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-certified-group-exercise-instructor. Information about the Aerobics and Fitness Association of American (AFAA) can be found here — http://www.afaa.com/courses/group-ex. Information about the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA) can be found here - http://store.afpafitness.com/group-fitness-instructor-certification-1/. If there is a specific employer you'd like to work for, it may be a good idea to contact them to determine which certification they prefer for group fitness instructors. Different countries have different certification requirements for becoming a group fitness instructor. If you're note sure what the requirements are in your country, look it up online or ask a local group fitness instructor. Enroll in a certification program. Once you've decided which certification you want to pursue, you'll need to register for the program. The easiest way to register is via each organization's website. Each organization offers different deals and bundles that may combine your study material costs and your exam fee into one payment, but you are not required to do this. Study the exam material. Unless you decide to enroll in a course or workshop, studying for the certification exam is done at your own pace. Some certification organizations require that the exam is completed within a certain time period after you have enrolled, so check your registration to determine if you have a time limit. Some organizations offer in-class or online workshops or courses in addition to study materials and the certification exam. Perform one or more practice exam. Some certification organizations may either provide practice exams as part of a package or offer practice exams for sale at an additional cost. Practice exams are normally exams from previous years that you can use to test your own knowledge at home. In order not to be surprised during the actual exam, it is always a good idea to complete one or more practice exam in advance. Book your certification exam. Use the certifications online booking website to select a day, time, and location to take your exam. Be sure to read all the details about what you can and can't bring to the test, and any other important logistics for test day. Some organizations require that you have your CPR certification before the exam and you will be required to present that certification before you begin. Some organizations will allow you to take the test at home and then submit it online for marking. Complete the certification exam. Some certification exams will consist of both a written and a practical component, while others may only include a written component. If your certification includes a practical component, you'll be required to demonstrate specific exercises. The written component consists of specific questions that you answer either on paper or via computer. Most organizations require that you attend the certification exam in-person at an exam location. However, some organizations may allow you to complete the exam at home and submit your results on your own. All of the certification organizations require a certain minimum mark in order to obtain your certification. If you were not able to achieve the minimum mark, they will usually allow you to write the test, at least, one more time, but there will be a cost involved. Obtain your CPR certification. Most, if not all, employers will require group fitness instructors to have a CPR and AED certification before they can teach. These certifications are available through the Red Cross. You can find a location near you using the Red Cross' website and sign-up for the appropriate course online. The Red Cross' website can be accessed here — http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr. The Red Cross offers classroom-only courses and blended online/classroom courses. The certification usually combines adult and pediatric first aid, CPR, and AED into one course. You will need this certification before you can work, and in some cases before you can take the exam, therefore it's a good idea to work towards this certification while you're studying for your group fitness instructor certification. This certification is good for two years, so you will need to renew it if you continue to teach after two years. Perform a job search. Once you've become certified, it's time to look for a job as a group fitness instructor. Start your search by determining where you want to work geographically. Then start searching for specific gyms, organizations, and jobs within that geographical location. Be sure to include organizations like hospitals, wellness department, universities, community centres, country clubs, cruise ships, and even corporations in your job search. Many of these organizations employ group fitness instructors on some level. Research whether the certification program you went through has any tools or resources to help you find a job. Some of these programs offer their graduates guaranteed interviews for some positions. Purchase music and put together playlists. The music played during a group fitness class is often the responsibility of the instructor. It needs to be set to the right beat for the movements being performed, and it needs to transition to a different tempo when required. Copyright infringement is important to remember when preparing your music playlist. You can only use music you've personally purchased. You cannot share music with other people. You will need to review the music you want to use for foul language and discriminatory comments. Depending on where you work, these items may not be allowed as part of your playlist. Prepare a demonstration class for a potential employer. Some potential employers will want to see you in action before they'll hire you as a group fitness instructor. It's a good idea to be ready for this by preparing a specific routine that you can have ready-to-go if and when you get a call for an interview. This demonstration won't have to be as long as a normal class, it's usually closer to 5 to 20 minutes in length. Start your own business. As a group fitness instructor, you can also work for yourself and offer classes where you're able to find space — you don't necessarily have to own a gym. Keep in mind that starting your own business is challenging and has a lot of additional legal requirements you need to complete before you can start working. You may want to consider consulting a lawyer to ensure you have all the proper documentation needed to start your own business, including insurance. Market and advertise your business to gain clients. As a new group fitness instructor, possibly with your own business, you may need to spend some extra time getting yourself known in your community and with potential clients. One of the best ways to bring in new clients is through word of mouth, so encourage your existing clients, friends, family, etc., to spread the word that you're an awesome instructor. Great marketing tools include: personalized websites (that are well maintained), social media pages (that are frequently updated), flyers and posters, business cards, and newsletters. You may also want to consider offering free classes for new clients in order to encourage them to give you a try. If they have a great time, they're likely to come back AND talk about you to their friends. Keep yourself up-to-date on industry trends. The fitness industry is constantly changing. New equipment, exercises, diets, programs, plans — you name it — are constantly being introduced. New research into human health and nutrition is always being published. As a group fitness instructor you should stay as up-to-date as possible with things happening in the industry. Some great ways to stay up-to-date include: subscribing to industry newsletters and journals, attending continuing education seminars and workshops, attending new classes offered by other instructors, etc. Ensure you obtain the proper number of continuing education units before your re-certification. As a group fitness instructor, you'll need to be re-certified every 2 years. Re-certification usually requires a certain number of hours of continuing education units (CEUs) within that two-year span. Only some courses and activities will count towards your CEUs. Refer to your certification organization's website to determine which courses or workshops qualify as CEUs for your specific certification. Don't avoid a workshop or course just because it doesn't count towards a CEU, any new information you can learn about the industry is still important. Note that some workshops and courses may require the support of a gym or fitness centre before you're able to attend. This simply means you need to be currently employed to take the workshop or course. Attend other instructors’ classes. Once you become an instructor don't stop attending other classes. Attending other group fitness classes will not only give you some great ideas for your own classes, it may allow you to try out specific programs you aren't familiar with. Plus, it can help you build a great network of fellow group fitness instructor to which you can stay in contact and share industry information. Obtain feedback from your students, mentor, supervisor, and other group instructors. While you can certainly improve your group fitness instructing skills on your own, it is always a good idea to ask a variety of other people what they think. Students might be able to provide you with ideas on what's working well and what they don't like. Mentors and supervisors may be able to point out areas they'd like to see you improve upon. And other group instructors may be able to provide you with tips and ideas on how to demonstrate a specific move in a way you hadn't thought about before. Work to obtain other fitness certifications. Your group instructor certification should just be the first step in your fitness career. This initial certification teaches you the basics and will allow you to teach a variety of fitness classes. But if there's a specific type of program you're really interested in (e.g. yoga, pilates, etc.) you may need to work towards additional certifications. Ask other group instructors where they obtained their additional certifications and if they would recommend that route. Ask your employer what additional certifications they respect and encourage. Use the internet to search for other group instructor certifications available in the United States. | Try out different group fitness classes to determine what you like. Find a mentor. Decide what type of certification you’d like to obtain. Enroll in a certification program. Study the exam material. Perform one or more practice exam. Book your certification exam. Complete the certification exam. Obtain your CPR certification. Perform a job search. Purchase music and put together playlists. Prepare a demonstration class for a potential employer. Start your own business. Market and advertise your business to gain clients. Keep yourself up-to-date on industry trends. Ensure you obtain the proper number of continuing education units before your re-certification. Attend other instructors’ classes. Obtain feedback from your students, mentor, supervisor, and other group instructors. Work to obtain other fitness certifications. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Productive-Day | How to Have a Productive Day | They key to having a productive day is scheduling your time and staying on task. First thing in the morning or the night before, write a schedule or to-do list for your day. Prioritize things in order of importance so you can get the big jobs out of the way first. Make sure your plan is realistic so you don't get overwhelmed. It's best to avoid, or even block, social media, news, and any other websites that could easily distract you during the day. While you're working, focus on one thing at a time to avoid unnecessary stress and confusion. You should also take regular breaks throughout the day and eat properly to break up your day and avoid burn out. | Start preparation the night before. You should plan ahead if you want a productive day. Before going to bed for the night, make a to-do list. Actually, make one that's doable. If you list an onslaught of tasks, this is more likely to stress you out than make you productive. Stick to 3 to 5 big daily goals. If your goals are bigger, stick to a lower number. For example, if you need to finish a report for work, that's going to take a lot of sub-steps. You can write a goal that just says, "Finish the Henderson report by end of day" and assume you'll have a lot of sub-steps involved there. If you don't have any big tasks ahead, reach for 4 or 5 smaller goals. You could write something like, "Return e-mail to Cindy, rewrite press release, proofread website copy, and return Carter's phone call." Remember, you may get more done. In fact, if you work hard and stay productive , there is a good chance you will exceed this list. The point of making your list is to get a sense of what absolutely must be done by the end of the day. Seeing your main goals written down can help you prioritize. Have a glass of lemon water. Lemon can boost your energy in the morning, which can increase your productivity throughout the day. As soon as you wake up in the morning, have a glass of water with lemon juice squeezed in. Do not drink pure lemon juice, as this is hard on your teeth. It can help to place a pitcher of lemon water in the fridge before bed at night. For best results, you should drink the lemon water on an empty stomach. Wait 15 to 30 minutes to eat after drinking the water. Avoid social media right away. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets can make you lose focus. Do not grab your phone first thing in the morning to check your Facebook. Instead, focus your energy elsewhere. Think of a relaxing, positive way to start the day. Social media can often fuel feelings of inadequacy, making you grumpy at the beginning of the day. Instead, stretch, meditate, watch the birds outside, or listen to a song you like. Make a rule for yourself about when you can first look at social media. You can promise yourself, for example, you won't check Facebook until after breakfast. If this becomes a more serious problem for you, you can even block distracting sites on your iPhone. Have breakfast. A good breakfast is vital for a successful day. It's called the most important meal of the day for a reason. Breakfast helps improve your mood and energy and can increase your overall productivity. Go for a real breakfast. Skip the processed foods or sugary snacks like donuts. Oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, and eggs are all great breakfast choices. If you're in a rush, try grabbing something small on your way out the door. Even eating a banana on your way to work can help bolster your productivity levels. Exercise before work. A workout can help regulate your mood and stress level. Also, physical activity bolsters your energy. Get up a little earlier in the mornings so you can fit a workout in before work or school. You don't have to do a long workout. Something as simple as 10 minutes of physical activity can help. You can go for a brisk 10 minute walk, do 10 minutes of aerobics in your kitchen, or run on the treadmill for 10 minutes. If you like something like yoga or Pilates, try to find a 10 minute routine online. Eliminate distractions. A productive day begins with minimal distractions. Going into work or school, remove anything that could get you off track. You want to be able to focus on your work and not other things. If you work on a computer, shut any browsers and close any applications or software that's distracting. Log out of social media accounts. Shut down websites where you're reading news articles. If you have a distracting program in the background, close it. Get rid of anything on your desk that may distract you. If you have a book you brought to read during downtime, put it away. Put away any electronic devices, like an iPhone or an iPod, that may take away your energy. Say “no” to requests that do not fit in with your priorities. There is nothing wrong with saying “no,” especially if you have a busy day ahead and people ask you to do things that you do not have the time or energy to do. If someone asks you to do something that does not fit in with your priorities for the day, then let them know that you cannot help them. Try saying something like, “No, I have a lot on my plate today and I can't add anything else.” Or, simply say, “No. I can't help you with that today.” Organize your workspace. No one can work productively in a messy atmosphere. Before you begin to work, take a few moments to tidy up. Organize any papers and throw out anything you don't need. If there's dirt or dust on your desk, quickly wipe it off. If you notice any garbage, like a can of soda or a candy wrapper, throw it away. A neat workspace can go a long way in terms of making you more productive. Organize papers logically. Papers that you need to review or work on can be in one pile. Papers that have been completed can be in another. Keep your supplies organized. Have all your basic office supplies (staplers, scissors, pens, etc.) on one part of your desk. Focus on one thing at a time. While you're working on a single task, keep your energy focused there. Do not think about your commute home while you're working on a report, for example. Do not think about the next assignment you need to do while you're working on another assignment. Focusing on one thing at a time will make you more productive, as you'll work more productively when you give a task your full attention. Multitasking is actually bad for productivity. It will take you much longer to try to do three things at once than it will to do one thing at a time. Instead of bouncing between different tasks, choose one, complete it, and then move on. Avoid things like checking your phone or email while you're trying to complete something. Tackle the most important tasks first. If you're not looking forward to a difficult or important task, do it first. This way, important jobs will not fall to the wayside. You will also feel more relaxed after getting a big task done, allowing you to proceed through your day with less stress. This can make you more productive. You can refer to the list you made the night before. What were the three to five things you absolutely needed to do? Start with one of those. For example, say you're nervous about returning an email to an important client. Rather than putting this off and worrying about it, do it first thing in the morning. Give yourself breaks and rewards throughout the day. Part of being productive is cutting yourself some slack on occasion. If you don't take breaks, you'll burn out well before the day is over. Time yourself as you work and grant yourself a small break every 15 to 30 minutes. You can also reward yourself. You may work harder if you know there's a reward coming at the end of a particular task. For example, you can allow yourself to have a piece of candy after finishing one essay. You can grant yourself a 5 minute social media break after you finish planning a presentation. Reflect on your day. At the end of the day, take some time to reflect when you get home. Do not immediately jump into a new task for the day, as this can leave you feeling stressed and burnt out. Instead, sit down and review your day. Think about everything you accomplished. Allow yourself to feel a sense of pride. Congratulate yourself on anything you did right during the day. For example, think something like, "I'm really glad I spoke up in that meeting today." Then, forgive yourself for anything you did wrong. Remind yourself everyone makes mistakes and embrace the fact imperfections and missteps are a normal part of life. For example, "I know there was a typo in that memo I sent out, but everyone makes mistakes." Set your clothes up for the next day. It's a good idea to have the clothes you're going to wear ready the night before. Choose the outfit you want to wear to work or school the next day. Lay it out near your bed. This way, you won't waste any time scrambling to find clothes when the morning comes around. Get some cleaning done. Doing a little bit of cleaning each day helps you feel more productive at home. Remember, a clean environment helps with a productive mindset. In addition to this, regular cleaning saves you time. If you clean a bit each day, you won't have to spend hours on the weekend doing a big cleanup. If there's a chore you particularly dread, start with that. Once you feel like that's out of the way, you'll free up mental space to handle other chores. You can separate chores into different days of the week. For example, you can always do laundry on Mondays, dishes on Tuesdays, pay bills on Wednesdays, and so on. Engage in activities that help you relax. You can't be going all the time. It's important to take time each night to give yourself a break. Before bed, do something that keeps you feeling sane and grounded. Choose an activity like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or watching some television. All of this can help you feel more relaxed, preventing burnout which can decrease productivity. Make a to-do list for the next day before bed. Again, make a to-do list. You can keep up the productivity cycle the following day. Remember to write down 3 to 5 tasks you absolutely must do the next day. | Start preparation the night before. Have a glass of lemon water. Avoid social media right away. Have breakfast. Exercise before work. Eliminate distractions. Say “no” to requests that do not fit in with your priorities. Organize your workspace. Focus on one thing at a time. Tackle the most important tasks first. Give yourself breaks and rewards throughout the day. Reflect on your day. Set your clothes up for the next day. Get some cleaning done. Engage in activities that help you relax. Make a to-do list for the next day before bed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Request-a-Copy-of-a-Contract | How to Request a Copy of a Contract | If you need to request a copy of a contract, start by finding out who has the original and how you should contact them. Once you have someone to contact, write a letter that includes as many details about the contract as you can remember, like the parties involved and when it was signed. Additionally, tell them the reason for your request, and use any legal precedent, like the Consumer Credit Act for a credit agreement, to improve your case. After you send your request, follow up with a phone call 10 days later if you don't get a response. If you still don't receive your copy, send another letter requesting it, but with a deadline and the legal consequences you might take if you don't get it. | Figure out who has the contract. In some cases, such as a contract for the private sale of personal items, the other party to the contract should have a copy. However, if the contract is an employment or sales contract with a large company, determining who exactly has the contract can be more difficult. Here are some guidelines to help you determine who has the contract. If the other party to the contract is an individual, he or she should have the original agreement with both of your signatures. If a company or organization is the other party to the contract, you will need to find the appropriate person within the organization who is likely to have a copy of the contract. The company's Human Resource (“HR”) or Legal Department would be a logical place to start. If there is no HR or Legal department, or you cannot locate a phone number for the individual department, simply call the company's general number. Whomever answers the phone should be able to tell you which department retains copies of executed company contracts, and direct your call accordingly. Obtain contact information for the appropriate party. Start by looking through your personal paperwork to see if you have records showing contact information for the person or business with whom you signed the contract. Next, look in the telephone book or online for specific contact information, such as a mailing address, phone number, or email address. Social media sites are another potential source of contact information. If you have the correct contact information, it will be easier to contact the person or business with whom you signed the contract. Decide what type of request is most appropriate. The type of request will depend on to whom it is directed. For example, if you personally know the party who has the contract, a phone call may be the most appropriate type of request. A request directed to a large company may call for a formal letter. What follows should help you decide what type of request is most appropriate. Telephone. For many contract requests, directly calling the person who has the contract is best. If you know the person who has the contract and you have a phone number for him or her, a telephone request may be the most appropriate. E-mail. If you are unable to reach the person holding the contract by telephone, or you do not have a direct number to him or her, you may want to send a formal email requesting a copy of the contract. Ask that a signed copy be mailed or e-mailed to you and provide your mailing address or e-mail address. Letter. If the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), a government agency such as the military, or a large company has the contract, you may wish to write a formal letter requesting a copy of it. Do not send a letter to a government agency by certified mail, as the agency generally will not sign for it. You may wish to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope in order to ensure that a copy is mailed to you. In person. If e-mail, telephone, and/or written requests are unsuccessful, you may wish to visit the person's office or place of business personally in order to request a copy of the contract. If the person accepts appointments, call and make an appointment. Otherwise, visit him or her at their office or place of business and be prepared to wait until he or she is free to see you. Online. Depending on the type of contract, you may be able to request a copy online by filling out a simple request form. For example, the National Archives and Records Administration keeps copies of all government contracts. This includes any military enlistment contracts. You can visit the National Archives and Records Administration at [1] and fill out such a request. Likewise, if you need a copy of a U-Haul rental agreement, you can access U-Haul's website at [2] and request a copy through their online form. Include all relevant information in your request. The format and content of your request will depend on the type of request you are making and from whom you are requesting the contract. The more information that you have, the easier it will be to identify the contract for the recipient of your request. Although not all contracts are written, many different types of contracts are required to be in writing. For instance, you should have the names of all parties and companies that are parties to the contract. You also should describe the content of the contract as specifically as possible. This includes the type of contract, which, for example, could be a lease, rental agreement, contract for services, or employment contract. Also identify the subject of the contract, whether it be services, personal property, goods purchased, or rental of a piece of equipment or a physical address. Be sure to specify that you want a signed copy of the contract. An unsigned copy won't do you any good if you are trying to enforce your rights under the contract. You will need to be able to prove that both parties actually signed the contract. Explain the reason for your request. Some state laws require that you be given a copy of a signed lease agreement or other type of contract. The Consumer Credit Act also requires, for example, that you be given a copy of a credit agreement upon request. In other states, giving you a copy of a contract is not required, although it is a good practice to do so. In any case, if you are a party to the contract, you are entitled to have a copy of it for your records. Deliver your request. Call, visit, send the e-mail, or mail the letter. When sending a letter or an e-mail, you may wish to use a delivery method that will allow you to confirm receipt by the other party, such a certified mail return receipt or an e-mail delivery receipt, for example. Keep track of your request. If you do not receive a reply within 10 days, call and ask if there is any more information that you can provide in order to expedite your request. You also may wish to ask how long you can expect it to take to receive the contract. Demand a copy of the contract in writing. If you do not receive a copy of your contract within a few days of making a follow up telephone call, write a demand letter. Describe the contract. You want the recipient of the letter to be as clear as possible about which contract you would like copied and sent to you. Give the names of the parties, the subject of the contract, and the date on which it was executed, or signed. Provide specific instructions on how to comply with your demand. Make it as easy as possible to respond to your request quickly and efficiently. If it is easy to comply, you are more likely to get a response. For example, you might write, “please mail a copy of the contract to me at the following address” and provide your mailing address and a self-addressed stamped envelope. You also might write, "please leave a copy of the contract with my secretary," and provide a physical address where it can be delivered. You also could provide your e-mail address and write, “please e-mail a copy of the contract to me at the following e-mail address.” State a deadline. Name the exact date or time period by which you should receive a copy of the contract. For example, you could give the recipient 10 days or a deadline of September 1, 2015. State the consequences of refusing to comply. Let the recipient know what will happen if he or she fails to comply with your request and provide you with a copy of the contract. For example, you could write, “If I do not receive the requested information by the date specified, I will be forced to hire an attorney.” You also could write, “Failure to comply with this demand will result in legal action against you.” Bring in some muscle. If all else fails, and you find yourself still without a copy of the contract, hire an attorney. You may have legal options that will force the other party to produce the contract for your review. Oftentimes, receiving a threatening letter from an attorney is just what is needed to force a party to comply with simple requests, such as mailing a copy of a contract. Determine if another agency has a copy of the contract. In some cases, another agency may have a copy of the contract on file. For instance, if you live in government-subsidized housing, your landlord is typically required to file a copy of your lease with the local or state housing agency every year. If there has been a court proceeding about your lease, mortgage loan agreement, or another type of contract, then the Clerk of Court is likely to have a copy of the contract on file. | Figure out who has the contract. Obtain contact information for the appropriate party. Decide what type of request is most appropriate. Include all relevant information in your request. Explain the reason for your request. Deliver your request. Keep track of your request. Demand a copy of the contract in writing. Describe the contract. Provide specific instructions on how to comply with your demand. State a deadline. State the consequences of refusing to comply. Bring in some muscle. Determine if another agency has a copy of the contract. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Butt-Hair | How to Remove Butt Hair | To remove your butt hair, first purchase a hard wax kit from a beauty store, which usually costs 20 to 40 dollars. Before you start waxing, wash your butt thoroughly so you don't get an infection. Additionally, trim your hair to about 0.2 inches in length with a trimmer, which will make it easier for you to wax. You should also carefully follow the instructions so you don't use wax that's too hot or cold, which could either burn your skin or fail to remove your hair. When you apply the wax, do so in the direction that your hair grows. Once you're ready to pull off the wax strips, pull in the opposite direction of your hair growth for best results. After you've finished waxing, use baby oil to remove any residue and apply a moisturizer to soothe your skin. If you don't feel confident enough to wax your butt at home, remember you can pay for it to be done professionally for between 10 dollars and 30 dollars. | Schedule a professional waxing for the safest and most efficient hair removal. Since the hairs around your butt area are difficult to reach by yourself, it's best to get them waxed off by a professional. Waxing specialists can recommend several different waxing methods, such as sugaring or hard wax for sensitive skin or wax strips for pulling up all of those fine hairs. Sugaring and hard wax won't be able to remove those tiny hairs as efficiently as wax strips, but they'll be less painful than wax strips. A wax specifically for your butt typically costs between $10 and $30. Choose a hard wax if you'll be waxing at home. Hard wax is best for waxing your butt area — it pulls out fine hairs while not pulling off skin, making it great on sensitive areas. Hard wax kits cost roughly $20-$40 and can be found at beauty stores or online. Exfoliate and clean the butt area before starting the waxing process. If you're going to do the waxing yourself, make sure you remove any dead skin and clean the area thoroughly. If your butt isn't clean before waxing, you could risk your pores getting dirt or bacteria in them once they're opened. Trim the hairs so that they’re roughly 0.25 inches (0.64 cm). By trimming the hairs to 0.25 inches (0.64 cm), you'll make the waxing process go much more smoothly. If your butt hairs are much longer than that, the wax might not be as effective, and shaving beforehand won't allow the wax to cling to your hairs. Test the temperature of the wax before following the specific instructions. Make sure your wax isn't too cold or too hot — wax that's cold won't be able to pull out the hairs, and if the wax is too hot, you could end up with burns or damaged skin. Follow the specific instructions that come with your wax kit, which will be different depending on the specific type of wax. As a rule of thumb, try to apply the wax in the same direction that the hairs are growing. When pulling off the wax, pull it the other way. Remove any residue and moisturize your skin after waxing. After you've removed all of the wax, you can use baby oil or olive oil to clean off your butt and remove any residue. It's important to moisturize the area where you removed the hairs after waxing to help soothe the sensitive skin. Use a lotion that suits your skin after waxing, and continue to use it if you feel irritation. Find a good-quality cartridge razor. Shaving your butt with a razor might lead to a feeling of prickliness as the hairs grow back, as well as the possibility of cutting sensitive skin. To prevent this, use a high-quality razor if you're choosing this method. A cartridge razor will allow you to move around the curves of your body more easily. It's also important to use a new blade. Lather up with shaving cream or lotion. Since the skin on your butt is quite sensitive, you don't want to begin shaving on dry skin. Rub shaving cream or lotion onto the area that you want to shave, making sure you apply it in an even layer. Choose a shaving cream or lotion that won't irritate your skin. Use a handheld mirror to ensure you can see the area. Your butt is a pretty hard spot to see, so you're going to need some backup. Use a handheld mirror to help you navigate the shaving process, ensuring that you don't cut yourself. Shave in the direction that the hair is growing. Shaving in the same direction of hair growth will help prevent your skin from becoming irritated or getting razor burn, which is a common occurrence. When you're shaving the hair off, do it gently and use light, fast movements. Use a damp towel to wipe off any extra shaving cream once you're finished. Put lotion on your butt after shaving. After you've completed your shave, it's important to moisturize the area to reduce irritation. Apply a thin layer of lotion to your butt, making sure to rub it in well. Use an epilator to pull out the hairs. Epilators are small electric devices that pull out many different hairs at once as you rub it over your skin. It's essentially a bunch of mini tweezers removing your hairs, but they're doing it mechanically. Epilators can be found at bath and beauty stores and big-box stores, as well as online. They typically cost between $20 and $100 and are rechargeable. Since epilators pluck out many of your hairs at once, it's not going to feel super pleasant, but also should not cause severe pain. Apply a depilatory cream to get rid of hairs at the surface. Depilatory creams are applied to the skin and then get rid of hairs by breaking them down at the surface. They won't last as long as a wax, but they're less painful and easy to do at home. You can find a depilatory cream at most drug stores or big-box stores, and they cost $4-$20. Depilatory creams shouldn't cause pain when you use them. If you apply one to your butt and feel a burning sensation, it could be that your skin is too sensitive for the cream and it should be rinsed off with cold water. Trim your butt hair using an electric clipper. Electric clippers are a safe way to shave your lower area without worrying about nicking yourself. They usually come with rounded heads so that you can get to hard-to-reach spots. Electric or body-specific clippers typically cost $20-$70 and can be purchased at big-box stores and some drug stores, as well as online. Consider laser hair removal for a permanent fix. If you're looking for a more permanent end to your butt hair problems, you have the option of laser hair removal. However, this option is pricey — an average session costs roughly $235 — and it usually takes at least 3 sessions for it to work efficiently. Lasers have a tricky time removing hair from the butt area, which is why more sessions are needed, and it's said to be a little bit painful. Go online to find a laser hair removal center near you. Schedule a consultation so that you're able to get all the information you need up-front. | Schedule a professional waxing for the safest and most efficient hair removal. Choose a hard wax if you'll be waxing at home. Exfoliate and clean the butt area before starting the waxing process. Trim the hairs so that they’re roughly 0.25 inches (0.64 cm). Test the temperature of the wax before following the specific instructions. Remove any residue and moisturize your skin after waxing. Find a good-quality cartridge razor. Lather up with shaving cream or lotion. Use a handheld mirror to ensure you can see the area. Shave in the direction that the hair is growing. Put lotion on your butt after shaving. Use an epilator to pull out the hairs. Apply a depilatory cream to get rid of hairs at the surface. Trim your butt hair using an electric clipper. Consider laser hair removal for a permanent fix. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Smocking | How to Do Smocking | To do smocking, start by making a grid on a piece of fabric using small, evenly-spaced dots. Then, thread a needle and make a small stitch under the first dot, from one side of the dot to the other. Then, bring the stitch to the next dot and repeat. Keep doing this until you complete the row in the grid, then do the same thing with the rest of the rows. Next, pull the thread at the end of the first two rows, stitch the 2 rows together, and repeat with the remaining rows in the grid. | Choose fabric and thread. Smocking can be done using any type of fabric, but it works best if you use thin fabric that doesn't have a lot of stretch. Try thin cotton or linen if this is your first time. Choose embroidery floss in a matching or contrasting color. The stitches are meant to be seen to create a pretty dotted pattern. Smocking gives fabric an elastic quality and makes it more form fitting. You'll need to take this into account when cutting fabric for the pattern you're using. Make it 2 1/2 to 3 times wider than what your pattern calls for. If you'd rather not have visible stitching, choose a regular sewing thread (rather than thick embroidery floss) in the same color as your fabric. Draw a dotted grid on the fabric. Use a fabric pen or a pencil to draw a grid of evenly-spaced dots covering the area that you want to smock. The grid may be square or rectangular. The dots may be spaced close together or far apart, depending on how many pleats you want to make. A good starter measurement is placing the dots one inch apart, both across and down. The lines of dots should line up with the grain of the fabric. Be sure your dots are placed in straight lines across the fabric - otherwise your smocking will turn out crooked. You can make your grid using iron-on dots as well, so you won't have to worry about measuring out the dots. Look for smocking patterns in your local sewing store. Thread your needle. The first step will be to use a needle and thread to gather the fabric and hold it in place. Thread a needle and tie the end so that it won't pull through the fabric. This placeholder thread will be trimmed away, so it doesn't matter what kind you use. The gathers will later be fastened with decorative stitches, and that's when you can use your pretty embroidery thread. Make a small stitch under the first dot. Pass the needle through the fabric from one side of the first dot, under the dot to the other side. Pull the thread so that the knot rests alongside the dot. Continue taking stitches under each dot in the row. Pass the needle through the fabric from one side of the second dot, under the dot to the other side. Do the same with the third dot and on down the row until you reach the end. Wrap the tail of the thread around a pin to hold the stitches in place. Make each stitch as neat as possible, so that each dot has the same amount of room on either side. — — — — — Finish stitching the remaining rows of dots. Thread your needle again and do the next row in the same way. Continue stitching the rows and securing the ends to a pin until all the rows are complete. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Gather the first two rows. Pull the end of the thread from the first stitched row gently, so that the fabric is folded into small, even gathers. The dots should be at the outward-facing top of each gather. Hold the gathers in place by securing the end of the thread around a pin or tying off the end with a knot. Gather the second row in the same way, taking care to make sure each gather is the same size as the gathers in the first row. Thread your needle with embroidery floss. It's time to use that colorful embroidery thread you picked out to create a smocked pattern. Tie off the end of the thread. Bring your needle up through the first dot. Pull the thread through so that it comes out directly through the dot in the first gather. Stitch the first gather to the second gather. Move your needle to the second gather. Insert the needle on the right side of the dot and pass it under the dot so that the needle comes out on the left side. Move the needle back to the first gather and pass it under the dot where the thread is coming out. Pull the thread through, then cross it over the stitch you made and pass the needle back through the second gather. The completed stitch will look like a tiny "x" that cinches the gathers together. Your needle and thread should finish under the fabric. x — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Bring your needle up through the second dot in the second row. Skip the first dot in the second row and bring your needle up through the second gather, right where the dot is marked. Stitch the second gather to the third gather. Move your needle to the third gather. Insert it on the right side of the dot and pass it underneath so that the needle comes through on the left side. Move the needle back to the second gather and pass it under the dot where the thread is coming out. Pull the thread through, then cross it over the stitch you made and pass the needle back through the third gather to cinch the gathers. Your needle should finish under the fabric. x — — — — — x — — — — — — — — — — — — — Follow the honeycomb pattern to finish stitching the first two rows. Bring the needle up through the next empty dot in the top row. Using the same stitching method, stitch it to the adjacent gather, making a little "x" with your stitches and finishing with the needle under the fabric. Bring the needle up through the next dot in the second row and stitch to the adjacent gather. Continue alternating between rows until all the gathers in the first two rows have been stitched. Tie off the thread on the back side when you're finished. x — x — x — x — x — x Continue smocking the remaining rows. Working two rows at a time, use the same process to stitch the gathers in the remaining rows with your embroidery thread. x — x — x — x — x — x x — x — x — x — x — x Pull the gathers in the next two rows. Gently tug the thread to create even gathers, with the dots in the rows appearing at the top of each gather. Secure the thread by wrapping it around a pin at the end of the rows. Stitch the first and second gather in the first row, finishing with your needle under the fabric. Stitch the second and third gather in the second row, finishing with your needle under the fabric. (Don't forget to skip that first dot!) Continue stitching adjacent gathers, alternating between the first and second rows, until all the gathers have been stitched. Tie and trim the thread on the underside of the fabric. Cut and remove the gathering thread. The thread you initially used to pull the gathers is no longer necessary. Unwind it from the pins and pull or cut it away, so that only your embroidery stitching is left. | Choose fabric and thread. Draw a dotted grid on the fabric. Thread your needle. Make a small stitch under the first dot. Continue taking stitches under each dot in the row. Finish stitching the remaining rows of dots. Gather the first two rows. Thread your needle with embroidery floss. Bring your needle up through the first dot. Stitch the first gather to the second gather. Bring your needle up through the second dot in the second row. Stitch the second gather to the third gather. Follow the honeycomb pattern to finish stitching the first two rows. Continue smocking the remaining rows. Cut and remove the gathering thread. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-Safely-on-a-Two-Lane-Road | How to Pass Safely on a Two Lane Road | If you're trying to pass safely on a two-lane road, start at least one vehicle length behind the car you're passing and begin accelerating slowly. Check your mirrors to be sure you're clear, and put your turn signal on to indicate that you're changing lanes. Then, accelerate quickly as you move into the passing lane, but be sure you're not exceeding the posted speed limit. When you can see in your side and rear-view mirrors that you're about two vehicle lengths in front of the car you're passing, put your turn signal on and move back into the driving lane. | Look at traffic signals and lane markings to ensure passing is legal. Check for signs indicating whether you're in a designated passing zone or non-passing zone. If you're unsure, look at the lane markers. A solid yellow line indicates it's unsafe to pass into oncoming traffic. A single dotted yellow line or a solid yellow line with a dotted line on your side of traffic indicates that it's a safe move. Evaluate the conditions. Look around you, and check to be sure that there are no conditions that could prohibit you from making a safe pass. Be aware of upcoming hills or curves, traffic stop signs or lights, and train tracks. Tunnels, bridges and viaducts can obstruct your view. If you see any up ahead, wait until you have passed them to consider a move. Do not attempt to pass a slow moving car if you're driving on a hill or curve. Wait for a long stretch of flat road. Be aware of driveways and other entrances where cars may unexpectedly come from. If the weather is rainy, foggy or snowy, consider staying in your lane as these types of conditions can cause you to slip or they can make it more challenging to see ahead. Check your surroundings for animals, like deer, that can run into the middle of the road. Check surrounding traffic. Look ahead to the other lane, and notice traffic following behind you, and check for vehicles in front of the one you plan to pass. Establish there is no oncoming traffic that will come within 200 feet (0.061 km) of you in the passing lane. Do not pass if you can't see.25 miles (0.40 km) ahead. Look at your rear-view and side mirrors for traffic coming from behind you right before you move into the opposite lane to pass. Then check for oncoming traffic once again. Ensure you can pass without going over the speed limit. It can be frustrating to be behind someone driving slow, but if they are driving less than 15 miles (24 km) under the speed limit, it may be best to stay put. You'll have to increase your speed up to 20 miles (32 km) to pass, so be sure you're aware of the speed limit where you are. Be aware that speed limits can drop dramatically, up to 30 miles (48 km), along some country roads upon arriving in a town. Have a backup plan. Ensure that you have enough space between the vehicle in front of you and any behind you so that you have an opening if you need get back into your lane without passing. Use the two-second rule. Count one thousand one, one thousand two after the car in front of you has passed a marker of some kind to be sure you have enough space. A sign, tree or lamppost works as a marker. Accelerate slowly. Give yourself at least one vehicle length distance between the front end of your car and the back end of the one you're passing. Avoid being aggressive with your speed and give yourself plenty of time and space between the vehicle. Don't slam on the gas to safely arrive in front of the slow car. Use your turn signal. Alert the slow driver of your maneuver by using your turn signal. Check your mirrors as you start to make a pass. Smoothly pass over the dotted lane marker. Look ahead to be sure there is still no traffic coming up ahead. If it's safe, swiftly accelerate to a speed that does not exceed the speed limit. You should be able to make the maneuver in roughly 15 seconds. Quickly pass the vehicle. Glance at both your side and rear-view mirrors to determine the position of the vehicle you just passed. Always keep an eye on the vehicle you're passing to be sure they don't speed up or move in an unexpected way. Keep both hands on the wheel the whole time. Be on alert. Signal your re-entry to the appropriate lane. Put on your turn signal after moving about two car lengths in front of the vehicle you are passing. Smoothly cross back into the lane. Maintain your desired speed without exceeding the limit. Glance in your rear-view to check the distance of yourself and the car you passed. | Look at traffic signals and lane markings to ensure passing is legal. Evaluate the conditions. Check surrounding traffic. Ensure you can pass without going over the speed limit. Have a backup plan. Accelerate slowly. Use your turn signal. Smoothly pass over the dotted lane marker. Quickly pass the vehicle. Signal your re-entry to the appropriate lane. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-Greatest-Common-Factor | How to Find the Greatest Common Factor | To find the greatest common factor of two or more numbers, make a list of all of the factors of each number. For example, for the number 10, the factors are 1, 2, 5, and 10, and for the number 21, the factors are 1, 3, 7, and 21. Then, compare the list of factors to find the largest number that the two have in common. For 10 and 21, the greatest common factor is 1. | Find factors of the number. You don't have to know prime factorization to find the greatest common factor. Start by finding all the factors of the set you are comparing. Compare the sets of factors until you find the biggest number that's in both sets. Factor each number completely into its prime numbers. A prime number is number greater than 1 that has no factors but itself. Examples of prime numbers include 5, 17, 97, and 331, to name just a few. Identify any common prime factors. Pick out any prime numbers between the set that are the same. There can be several common factors, one common factor, or none. Calculate: If there are no common factors then the greatest common factor is 1. If there's only one prime common factor, then that's your common factor. If there are multiple prime common factors, then multiply all the prime common factors together to get your greatest common factor. To demonstrate this method, study this example. | Find factors of the number. Compare the sets of factors until you find the biggest number that's in both sets. Factor each number completely into its prime numbers. Identify any common prime factors. Calculate: To demonstrate this method, study this example. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Newspaper | How to Read a Newspaper | Start reading a newspaper by deciding which sections you want to focus on, like the editorial section or entertainment pages. Browse the stories by focusing on the first paragraph of each piece, known as the lead, as it contains the most important details. Alternatively, you could consult the table of contents. After you complete a section, set it aside so you can continue reading more easily. | Find a comfortable place to read your paper. Coffee shops, outdoor seating at restaurants, or your own easy chair are great places to settle in and enjoy reading your chosen paper. If you take the train to work, you can also read it there, on your way. Decide your reading purpose. If you're reading relaxation or pleasure, then you're approach might be less structured. If you're looking for a specific topic or for reading practice, you'll need to be more organized. Most English-language newspapers are written at range of reading levels, from about fifth grade to college level, so you should focus on the articles and sections that will probably fit your purpose. For example, the film reviews will be easier, and faster, reading, while reports on complicated economic topics might be more challenging and take more time. Reading a paper to practice a foreign language will help you learn about the issues that are important to speakers of that language and as well as to engage in the culture and learn new vocabulary. Decide where you want to begin. After you've gotten a sense of the overall paper, choose the section or article that has caught your attention, based on your reading purpose. You might choose a headline article on the front page, or you might skip to another section and begin reading sports. Use the table of contents as your guide. The editorial section contains opinionated articles rather than strictly factual news, such as the “Opinion” section in the Detroit Free Press , which may offer editorial perspectives on universal healthcare or the War on Terror. The lifestyle section usually has stories about the arts and commerce. Forbes , for example, may have articles about new movies, popular car models, and travel ideas. The entertainment section includes movie and theater reviews, as well as interviews with authors and artists and information about art galleries and other local and national events. Similarly, the sports section will report box scores from sports currently in season, and may include personal stories about players, coaches, or issues in the athletic world, such as the concussion problem in the NFL. Fold your paper so that you can read easily and comfortably. If you're in a crowded space, like a train, fold your newspapers into quadrants for easier reading and less worry about bothering other people. You might find it easier to separate the various sections, usually marked by a letter, and deal with them one at a time, rather than trying to keep all of the pages in order. Folding a newspaper correctly is optional, although if you're passing it on to another person, it's courteous to put all of the sections back in place when you're done. Preview the section you’ve chosen to read. Newspaper articles are usually written in an "inverted pyramid" structure, which means that the most significant information appears at the start of the story, rather than the end, followed by the details in order of importance. The first sentence, called the "lead" or "lede," is designed to catch readers' attention and provide the major details of the story to entice them to read further. Sidebars near significant stories offer analysis for understanding the "why" of the story. Read them first to have some context for the ideas. You can also read the articles' subheadings or callout quotes, if available, for an overview of major topics and notable comments in the story. Choose the article that you want to read and begin. Read the first few paragraphs, as these will contain the primary points of the article, and you'll be able to determine if you want to continue reading it. Read the rest of the article or move to a new one if you've lost interest or if it doesn't provide any information that you find worthwhile. Don't be afraid to jump to a new article or section if your purpose is satisfied or if you need a break from a difficult topic. For example, you may find reading too much about domestic violence is too distressing for a relaxing read, so you can decide to save an article about an upcoming domestic violence court case for later. Once you've finished with a section, you can set it aside as you find a new place to begin previewing and reading. By the time you've read all or most of the sections, you should feel a sense of satisfaction as you collect that new pile of papers for recycling or reuse. Determine your own opinion and note your own biases. When you're reading the editorial section, or the "op-ed" (opposite the editorial page), remember that you're reading the opinions of those writers, and not necessarily straight facts. Before you begin, you should read the article title to get an idea of the topic, and then take a moment to consider your own opinion first. Even though the news section is strictly informational, being aware of your own opinions and biases before reading those articles will help you to be more open minded about difficult topics. Try reading opinion pieces that are in opposition to your own views. Even if you don't agree, you might learn something new, whether it's a different way to defend your opinion, or a new perspective on the issue altogether. Connect your reading to your own life and other news sources. Even if you're reading to relax, taking a moment to see the relationship between the articles you're reading and your own experiences or concerns can lead to a more enjoyable experience. Ask yourself: “Can I connect the ideas or events that I'm reading about to my own life and the other stories I've read about this topic?” Making connections between your TV news and Internet video clips and a printed newspaper will help you to become even more informed about the topic and engaged as a citizen. Decide how much of the newspaper you want to read. Sometimes, you may want to read a particularly long newspaper, like the Sunday edition, or you may have a requirement for a course in school. If you have limited time but you want to read the whole paper, your strategy will be different than if you need to read specific sections for an assignment. If you need or want to read the entire paper, but have only a small window of time, plan to use previewing and skimming strategies. If you have an assignment or a particular topic you're interested in reading about, then you'll be focused on the finding only the appropriate articles quickly and reading them carefully. Skim the headlines and pictures on all of the pages, one at a time. The front page section is the most valuable “real estate” in the paper, and the editors reserve it for the biggest or most popular stories. Reading the headlines will give you an idea of the most important happenings, either locally, nationally, or internationally, and the images are chosen to establish the central or most interesting idea in a given story. This overview should take about three minutes, and you'll have a better idea of where you want to start. Start on the first page. The most important story, by long newspaper tradition, should appear at the top right of the front page. The second-most important story will appear at the top left. Also, editors use larger type for "bigger" stories. Checking the table of contents, if you're looking for a particular topic, section, or article, will save you time, since you won't have to search the newspaper blindly. Some newspapers include mini-headlines at the very top of the page to catch readers' attention for stories in interior sections of the paper, such as sports or entertainment.< Read the first paragraphs of the articles. Each time you begin a new article, read just the first paragraph or two. Newspaper articles always start with a "lede" or "lead," which contains the most important information. The rest of the article fills out the story with details, in order of importance. If you're reading efficiently, the first paragraph should give you enough information for a general understanding of the topic. If something in an article catches your attention, keep reading, but be ready to move on if your curiosity is satisfied. If you're reading for an assignment, use the lede to help you set up your summary notes, as it's the "Main Idea" of the passage. Articles should answer the questions: "Who? What? Where? How?," so use those questions to structure your notes, if necessary. Read every article in a section. If an article in full contains a "jump line," or instructions to continue the story on another page, complete that story on the new page, and then return to the original section to continue reading. Avoid starting on the new page and possibly wasting time later trying to remember which articles you'd forgotten to read in earlier sections. You can also simply skim all of the articles, especially if you're in a hurry but want to get a snapshot of the main ideas. If you're reading for an assignment, or if you have a particular subject of interest, you can also scan all of the articles for key words of your topic. You can then read just those articles more carefully. Set aside each section as you complete it. If you have space and want the encouragement that you're reading at a good pace, setting the completed sections aside will provide you with a tangible reminder of your accomplishments. Choose a local newspaper if you want more community engagement. Local newspapers, both dailies and weeklies, can connect you to your community's residents, politics, and happenings, and will be written by local writers with a vested interest in your area. These papers tend to have more reporter-initiated stories rather than mostly stories based on national news, which means they're more proactive and less “reactive” in nature. Some local news are daily, while others are weekly or bi-weekly. Weekly newspapers will be even more community-centered, since they have more time to fully develop and research local stories. Local newspapers will employ not only writers from your community, but they will also use community members as sources, and so you may find the stories even more relevant to your own life. Choose a national newspaper if you want wider coverage of national issues. National news outlets, such as USA Today or The Guardian, will include stories with wider appeal, but many of the stories will be wire-service pieces, such as those from the Reuters or the Associate Press (AP). They'll include information on national weather trends and major political stories, and they're more likely to have a significant online presence. Some very large metro-area newspapers, such as The LA Times or the Chicago Tribune, can be a good blend of local news stories and significant national coverage. National news outlets may offer more perspectives on many issues, as their staff writers might be located throughout the country, rather than in a single city. Choose an international or foreign paper to discover new perspectives. International newspaper outlets can provide you with a new look at familiar issues or a chance to learn about a different culture. The newspapers of each country or region present their stories from the viewpoint of its culture, highlighting the values and positive attributes of that area of the world. If you read critically, you can pay attention to that bias, as well as your own, and gain a new understanding of the truth of a story. Some bias exists in popular newspapers, such as Russia Today and the Australian Associated Press , reporting on war and conflicts, primarily through either overreporting or underreporting of violence. Other issues arise from oversimplification of complicated national and international issues. Decide if you want to read a physical newspaper or an online version. If you want the top stories, with up-to-the minute information and links to other perspectives on the same issues, try a digital newspaper edition. For possibly more in-depth coverage, including more editorializing or responses from other readers such as letters to the editor, go for print. Not all local papers will have comparable online coverage. For instance, the Community Impact News in Texas, includes only some stories on their website, though they have enormous local print circulation. Some newspapers, particularly national and international papers, will charge a subscription fee for online access. For example, the New York Times charges from $1.88-$8.75 a week for a subscription, depending on your level of access. Some online news sites, even those with print editions, may use inadequate research and intentionally misleading tactics to encourage traffic to their sites. Choose a newspaper that presents the news honestly and the opinions separately. Newspapers are a mix of factual news and opinionated editorials. A news reporter should offer as many validated and researched facts as available, and an editorial should be clearly marked in a particular section of the paper. Check for credible sources and inappropriate stereotypes in headlines and stories. Ask yourself: “Who is telling the story?” If a story about the economy focuses on stockbrokers instead of the everyday people affected by a recession, the newspaper may not only be biased, but also out of touch with its readers. Find out more about the editorial staff and writers. Do they represent the diversity of the community that they serve? If not, then the stories may show further evidence of bias, particularly on coverage of news on parts of the community not represented at the paper. | Find a comfortable place to read your paper. Decide your reading purpose. Decide where you want to begin. Fold your paper so that you can read easily and comfortably. Preview the section you’ve chosen to read. Choose the article that you want to read and begin. Determine your own opinion and note your own biases. Connect your reading to your own life and other news sources. Decide how much of the newspaper you want to read. Skim the headlines and pictures on all of the pages, one at a time. Start on the first page. Read the first paragraphs of the articles. Read every article in a section. Set aside each section as you complete it. Choose a local newspaper if you want more community engagement. Choose a national newspaper if you want wider coverage of national issues. Choose an international or foreign paper to discover new perspectives. Decide if you want to read a physical newspaper or an online version. Choose a newspaper that presents the news honestly and the opinions separately. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cheat-a-Polygraph-Test-(Lie-Detector) | How to Cheat a Polygraph Test (Lie Detector) | If you need to cheat a polygraph or lie detector test, make sure to only respond to questions with "yes" or "no," so you don't reveal any details. When you're asked relevant questions, slow your breathing to 15 to 30 breaths each minute, without breathing too deeply, and answer them firmly, seriously, and without hesitation. Keep in mind that the interviewer will also ask you control questions, which aren't relevant but will help the polygraph measure your physical response when telling the truth. During control questions, vary your breathing rate by speeding it up, slowing it down, or holding your breath for a few seconds. As a result, the lie detector won't be able to tell which questions you're genuinely reacting to, since you'll be reacting to all of them. | Say only what you need to. “Yes” or “No” answers should be all you need for most of the test. Resist the temptation to explain your answers or to go into details, although the polygrapher may try to get you to do so. Be courteous and cooperative, but do not offer any more information than is absolutely necessary. Don’t admit anything relevant. No matter what the lines on the chart look like, nothing is more certain or damaging than your confession. The polygrapher will most likely try to convince you that he or she can “see” a lie in your polygraph, even if there's nothing abnormal there. Don't fall for it. However, you want to appear honest, so don't be afraid to make minor admissions to control questions. Just make sure you don't admit anything in these that can invite further questioning or that may be construed as relevant. Remember that the job of polygraphers is to extract confessions. In many ways, the whole examination is a complex ruse to trick you into confessing something. Answer questions firmly, seriously, and without hesitation. This is no time to joke around or try to be crafty. You want to appear earnest, cooperative and resolute. Breathe normally. Except during control questions, you should try to maintain a breathing rate of 15-30 breaths per minute. Do not breathe too deeply. Alter breathing rate with control questions. The polygrapher will compare your physiological responses to control questions to your responses to relevant questions. If the deviation from normal during control questions exceeds the deviation from normal during relevant questions, you will pass. If you react more to a relevant question than to control questions, the polygrapher will perceive (rightly or wrongly) that you are lying in response to something relevant and you will likely fail the polygraph. Change your breathing pattern when a control question is asked. You can make it faster or slower, hold your breath for a couple seconds after an exhalation, or breathe more shallowly. Do this for 5-15 seconds and return to your normal breathing pattern before the next question. Answer control questions strangely. When you are asked a question that is obviously a control question, answer in a vague or odd fashion. For instance, if you're asked what year it is, you might respond with, "the year of the snake" or such an answer. Your goal is to make it difficult for the tester to get a bead on what a "normal" response is for you. Think of something mentally stressful when answering a control question. If you can artificially worry yourself when answering a control question, you can modify the results of your test so that your "normal" responses appear the same as the responses that actually worry you. For instance, you might try doing mental arithmetic when a control question is asked. Count backwards by 7s in your head as quickly as possible or do some quick long division. This will help change your blood pressure and heart rate to a level that's similar to that which occurs during actual stressful situations - like answering a revealing question. Alternatively, you can mentally picture a frightening scenario, like, for instance, drowning, as this typically will also increase your heart rate and breathing. Handle the post-test interview. After you're disconnected from the machine, the polygrapher may leave you in the room for a while and come back. The polygrapher may then claim to “know” that you are lying about something. This is a trick. Remain calm and firmly but politely repeat your denial. Don't change or augment your answers and decline extended post-test interviewing if possible. Remember that the polygrapher is not your friend. The polygrapher may try to convince you that he or she is on your side and will help you out if you'll just be truthful. This is deception; don't buy it. Beware of pretest tricks. Polygraphers will frequently attempt to instill fear in the subject or convince the subject of the accuracy of the polygraph machine. The theory is that the more you fear that you may be caught, the greater your physiological reactions will be. Don't believe the hype. The polygrapher may also try to elicit reactions from you based on fear. For example, he or she may say that you need to wash your hands so the machine can accurately read your sweat output. A hidden camera in the bathroom may then catch the subject going into the bathroom as directed, but not washing his or her hands. Identify the types of questions you are being asked. There are three basic types of questions you will be asked: relevant, irrelevant and control. Irrelevant questions are those that are obvious, such as “What is your name?” or “Are the lights on in this room?” Relevant questions are the important ones, such as “Did you leak that memo to the media,” “Have you ever stolen money from an employer?” or “Have you ever sold drugs?” Control questions are those against which your reactions to relevant questions will be compared. These are usually questions to which (just about) everybody can answer “yes,” but which everybody is uncomfortable honestly answering. Examples might include, “Have you ever lied to get out of trouble?” or “Have you ever taken anything of value from an employer?” Conceal your knowledge of polygraphy. The polygrapher may ask you, before the test if you've done any research on polygraph tests or what you know about them. Do not disclose that you've done extensive research. Act as though you don't know much about polygraph examinations, but that you do believe polygraphy to be a science and polygraphs to be reliable (or at least do not exhibit any doubt as to their reliability). The polygrapher may try to trick you by mentioning certain technical terms and acronyms such as, “Your test came back NDI.” While you will know that “NDI” means “no deception indicated,” you need to act as though you have no idea what it means. Too much knowledge of the process may make the polygrapher think you've got something to hide, even if you don't. Learn about polygraphs. If your career or court case depends on it, wouldn't you do as much research as you can? Read about what they are and how the process generally works. The most important thing to know is that polygraphy is not an exact science. In fact, it is not a science at all. It was created by interrogators, not scientists, and frequently produces incorrect results. Find out what the tester is looking for. A polygraph examination is administered to help find out specific information, such as whether you're a spy or whether you've used drugs. If your test is prompted by a specific incident, you probably know what the examiner is looking for. For pre-employment screening tests and the like, research the company or agency's policies to determine what you can and cannot admit. Practice countermeasures in advance. Practicing these beforehand can greatly increase the likelihood that you will “pass” the polygraph examination, but only if you do them right. Once you read about the measures, be sure to practice them well before the test so that you're thoroughly prepared. Approach your whole “polygraph day” as a test. Treat the polygraph examination as an extreme job interview. Dress conservatively and appropriately, and try to make a good impression before the test. Be sure to arrive on time and, unless it's the direst of circumstances, do not reschedule or attempt to postpone the exam. Be aware that your every move is very likely being observed from the moment you arrive at the testing location. There may be hidden cameras in the waiting room and the restrooms, and there is almost certainly a camera or two-way mirror in the polygraph room. Your polygraph examination begins long before you are hooked up to the machine and ends only when you've left the testing location. | Say only what you need to. Don’t admit anything relevant. Answer questions firmly, seriously, and without hesitation. Breathe normally. Alter breathing rate with control questions. Answer control questions strangely. Think of something mentally stressful when answering a control question. Handle the post-test interview. Remember that the polygrapher is not your friend. Beware of pretest tricks. Identify the types of questions you are being asked. Conceal your knowledge of polygraphy. Learn about polygraphs. Find out what the tester is looking for. Practice countermeasures in advance. Approach your whole “polygraph day” as a test. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cowboy-Coffee | How to Make Cowboy Coffee | To make cowboy coffee, start by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil in a kettle. Then, once the water starts boiling, take it off the heat and let it cool down for 1 minute. Next, add 5-6 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee to the kettle and return it to the heat, bringing the coffee to a simmer. Once it starts simmering, take the kettle off the heat and steep the coffee for 4 minutes. Finally, add some cold water to the kettle to settle the grounds before serving your coffee. | Bring the water to a rolling boil. Fill a metal or enamel camping kettle with water. When your fire burns down, move the hot coals to one side of the fire pit and place a camp grill over the coals. Put the lid on the kettle and place the kettle on the grill over the hot coals to boil the water. You can also boil the water on a gas, wood, or electric stove if you don't have a campfire. To make a larger batch of coffee, increase the coffee and water quantities equally. Remove the water from the heat and cool it for a minute. When the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully remove the kettle from the grill. Protect your hands with oven mitts or a silicone glove, or use tongs to move the hot kettle. Set the kettle aside on the ground and let the water cool for 30 to 60 seconds. It's important to cool the water before adding the coffee, otherwise the boiling water will make the coffee bitter. The ideal temperature for brewing coffee is between 195 and 205 °F (91 and 96 °C), which is slightly below boiling. Stir in the coffee and return the kettle to the heat. Pour the coffee grounds into the hot water and stir the mixture for 15 seconds to saturate the grounds. Use 5 tablespoons (26 g) for a slightly weaker coffee, or the full 6 tablespoons (32 g) for a stronger brew. Leave the lid off and put the kettle back on the grill. You can use finely ground coffee instead, but coarsely ground beans will stand up to the heat better, producing a less bitter cup of coffee. Bring the coffee to a simmer. Watch the coffee carefully, because you don't want the water to fully boil. Instead, you want to bring the water to a simmer, which is about 195 °F (91 °C). You can tell the water is simmering when bubbles regularly break the surface of the water, but the water isn't yet at a full rolling boil. Remove the kettle from the heat and steep the coffee for 2 minutes. When the coffee is simmering, carefully take the kettle off the grill. Put on the lid and set the coffee aside to brew for a couple of minutes. Stir the coffee and steep for another 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, remove the lid from the kettle and stir the coffee for another 15 seconds. Replace the lid and set the kettle aside to let the coffee brew for an additional 2 minutes. Let the coffee sit for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the lid to allow fresh air into the kettle. As the air cools the grounds, they will naturally sink to the bottom of the kettle. Settling the grounds is an important part of the process when making cowboy coffee, because the grounds don't get filtered out. Allowing the grounds to sink naturally is the easiest way to get the grounds to settle without having to add anything extra to the coffee. Add some cold water instead to settle the grounds faster. If you can't wait to drink your coffee, pour 2.5 tablespoons (37 ml) of cold water into the kettle with the coffee. When the cold water hits the grounds, it will chill them and force them to sink to the bottom. Don't add too much cold water, or you'll make the coffee warm instead of hot. Add crushed egg shells to settle the grounds and remove bitterness. A third way to settle the grounds is by adding crushed eggshells to the coffee. After you hard-boil an egg, let the shell dry and then use a pestle and mortar or spice grinder to crush the eggshell into a coarse powder. Sprinkle a pinch of the powder into your coffee and stir to combine the eggshell and grounds. The eggshell will help the grounds stick together and force them to sink to the bottom of the kettle. Because eggshells are slightly alkaline, they will also help offset the acidity in the coffee, making it less bitter. Eggshells can be a good source of calcium. As long as they eggs were treated for salmonella or hardboiled, then you don't have to worry about food-borne illnesses. Don’t pour the last few drops of coffee from the pot. You should leave the last few tablespoons (several ml) of coffee in the bottom of the kettle when you make cowboy coffee. All the grains will be concentrated in the last few drops, so it's best to discard the last of the coffee rather than drinking it. For traditional cowboy coffee, the grounds don't get strained from the coffee. Pour the coffee slowly. When the coffee has finished brewing and the grounds have settled to the bottom, it's time to enjoy your coffee. Slowly pour the coffee into a mug or cup. If you pour too quickly, you'll stir up the grounds and end up with a grainy cup of coffee. Add milk and sugar, to taste. Most people prefer to drink cowboy coffee black, but you can add sweeteners, cream, or milk if you like. Start with a teaspoon (5 g) of sugar at a time, and add more if necessary. Similarly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of milk or cream at a time, and add more accordingly until you're happy with the flavor. Add a pinch of salt to reduce bitterness. Some people find cowboy coffee to be bitter, especially if it was left to boil on the fire for too long. You can cut some of the bitterness and smooth out the flavors with salt. Pour ⅛ teaspoon (0.75 g) of salt into your coffee cup and stir before enjoying. | Bring the water to a rolling boil. Remove the water from the heat and cool it for a minute. Stir in the coffee and return the kettle to the heat. Bring the coffee to a simmer. Remove the kettle from the heat and steep the coffee for 2 minutes. Stir the coffee and steep for another 2 minutes. Let the coffee sit for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add some cold water instead to settle the grounds faster. Add crushed egg shells to settle the grounds and remove bitterness. Don’t pour the last few drops of coffee from the pot. Pour the coffee slowly. Add milk and sugar, to taste. Add a pinch of salt to reduce bitterness. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Adidas-Gazelles | How to Clean Adidas Gazelles | To clean your Adidas Gazelles, use a shoe brush or damp rag to gently clean off the top layer of dirt. If your shoes are stained, use a solution of 2-parts water and 1-part vinegar to get rid of the stains. Once you've got the worst of the dirt off, remove your insoles and spray a deodorizing cleanser inside your Gazelles to kill any bacteria. For the soles and outside rims, use a diluted detergent solution and a damp rag. If there are any scuffs left on your shoes, use a white pencil eraser to rub them off. Once they're clean, brush your shoes every week or 2 to keep them looking fresh. | Remove excess dirt and shoelaces. Prepare your shoes for cleaning by brushing away excess dirt, removing the shoelaces, and stuffing your shoes with newspaper or a shoe tree to protect their shape. You can use either a shoe brush or a damp rag to clean off the top layer of dirt clinging to the surface of your shoes. Suede is soft and fairly delicate. Use gentle brushing motions to clear away dirt. You can wash your laces either by hand or by placing them in a mesh laundry bag in a washing machine. Treat food and salt stains with vinegar and water. If you wear your Gazelles through the winter they may accumulate salt stains. To remove salt stains, apply a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar to the stained area with a rag. Allow it to dry, then gently go over the area with a brush. White vinegar works best. Remove oil and grease stains with baking soda. Pour a small amount of baking soda on the stain and allow it to sit for several hours as it draws in the liquid. Gently brush away the baking soda with an old toothbrush using a circular motion. Oil and grease stains can be very tough to remove. If the stain is too strong for the baking soda cleaning method, you should consider having your shoes professionally cleaned. Mist dried water stains with water. Strangely enough, the treatment for dried water stains is adding more water. But only a small amount! Lightly mist the area around the stain, then gently brush the spot in a circular motion. Focus your brushing especially on the borderlines of the dried water stain. The spot should blend in with the rest of the shoe after drying. Use a white pencil eraser to remove scuffs. Scuff marks are caused when the fibers of the suede material on your Gazelles get flattened. You can use a pencil eraser to gently rub the affected area to lift the nap and remove any markings. Avoid using a pink eraser as the color might transfer to your shoe. For especially difficult scuff marks you can use a fingernail file. Remove the shoe insoles and deodorize the shoe's interior. To keep your shoes smelling fresh, don't forget to clean inside! After removing the insoles, spray them with a deodorizing cleanser to kill any odor-causing bacteria. You can also spray a rag and wipe the interior of your shoe to combat any lingering odor. Allow your shoes and the insoles to air dry. Lysol or Febreze are both cleaners that eliminate odor-causing bacteria. If you would prefer a natural option, you can use tea tree oil or other essential oil. Place several drops of tea tree oil onto a rag and wipe the interior of the shoe. For tough odors, add several drops to a paper towel and leave inside the shoe overnight. Tea tree oil is thought to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Wipe leather parts with a rag dampened with water. Carefully wipe the leather stripes on the shoe's exterior with a rag to remove dirt. Make sure to avoid smearing dirt onto the suede sections of your shoes. If your rag gets dirty, use a fresh rag and continue cleaning. This will help ensure that dirt doesn't accidentally come in contact with the suede. For stubborn dirt or mud, use a mild detergent diluted with water to dampen your rag. Avoid applying leather cleaner to the stripes as it may damage nearby suede. Use a rag dampened with a diluted cleaning solution to clean the bottom of the shoes. Dirt may have also accumulated around the external rim of the shoe's sole. Dampen a rag with a diluted detergent mixture to wipe away the dirt. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub away any dry or caked on dirt stuck to the rubber sole. Brush the entire shoe for a uniform texture. After cleaning the leather, use a shoe brush or dry rag to go over the entire shoe once more. This will smooth out any rough areas caused by the spot treatments, leaving a smooth, uniform look. Apply protective spray to minimize future stains. Now that you've gotten your Gazelles looking clean and spiffy it is time to protect them from future stains and dirt! Shoe stores carry a variety of different protective sprays which are designed to be applied to suede shoes. Follow the application instructions listed on the spray bottle. Brush your shoes regularly with a shoe brush to eliminate dirt. Dirt build-up over time can cause your shoes to look prematurely worn-out. Similarly, scuff marks can accumulate and become more difficult to remove over time. Regularly brushing the suede on your Gazelles will keep them looking fresh and new! You may want to consider investing in a suede brush, which is specifically constructed for this type of maintenance. Avoid wearing your shoes in the rain as water stains suede easily. Suede is especially susceptible to water damage. If possible, it is best not to wear your Gazelles in the rain. | Remove excess dirt and shoelaces. Treat food and salt stains with vinegar and water. Remove oil and grease stains with baking soda. Mist dried water stains with water. Use a white pencil eraser to remove scuffs. Remove the shoe insoles and deodorize the shoe's interior. Wipe leather parts with a rag dampened with water. Use a rag dampened with a diluted cleaning solution to clean the bottom of the shoes. Brush the entire shoe for a uniform texture. Apply protective spray to minimize future stains. Brush your shoes regularly with a shoe brush to eliminate dirt. Avoid wearing your shoes in the rain as water stains suede easily. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Ingrown-Hair-Scars | How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hair Scars | To get rid of ingrown hair scars naturally, soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it directly to the scar once a day, which can lighten dark marks. Alternatively, you can use your fingers to apply aloe vera or lavender oil to the scar, which may help scars heal faster. To reduce the appearance of scars with green tea, steep a tea bag in hot water for 3 minutes, squeeze out the excess water, and hold it on the scar for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. | Apply lemon juice to lighten darker scars. Ingrown hairs may sometimes cause skin to look darker. Vitamin C is essential for normal wound healing and it also has mild bleaching properties, so applying lemon juice may help to improve the look of your ingrown hair scars. To use lemon juice, soak a cotton ball or Q-tip in lemon juice and apply the juice to the scar. Let the lemon juice dry on the scar and then rinse the scar with some warm water. Repeat this process once per day. Use aloe vera gel. Ingrown hairs can tighten up skin tissue due to the inflammation that they cause. You can massage aloe vera gel into your ingrown hair scars to help soften the tissue. Aloe vera has been shown to help with burn scars, but it may also be helpful for scars caused by ingrown hairs. Aloe vera reduces inflammation, especially in the early stages of scar formation. Aloe vera may also help to increase the elasticity of new tissue. To use aloe vera, use your fingers to apply a thin layer of fresh aloe or pure aloe vera gel to a scar. Leave the gel on the scar and allow it to dry. Hold a green tea bag on scars. Green tea may also help to get rid of ingrown hair scars when applied to your skin. Green tea has antioxidant properties, which may promote healing of tissues and reduce the appearance of scars. To use a green tea bag, steep a bag of organic green tea in hot water for about three minutes. Then, remove the tea bag from the water and gently squeeze out the excess water. Place the tea bag directly on the ingrown hair scar and hold it there. You can repeat this process three to four times per day for 10 – 15 minutes. As an alternative, you can also soak a cotton towel in green tea and use it as a compress. Squeeze out the excess tea and place it over ingrown hair scars for 10 – 15 minutes, three to four times per day. Try lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil may also help ingrown hair scars heal. Lavender oil seems to have anti-inflammatory properties that may promote scar healing. To use lavender oil, place two to three drops of lavender oil in two tablespoons of castor oil and massage the oil into your ingrown hair scars. Repeat this process three to four times per day. Consider St John’s wort oil. St. John's wort oil has been shown to be effective as a treatment for healing cesarean section scars, so it might be helpful for other scars, including ingrown hair scars. To use St. John's Wort oil, mix a few drops of St. John's wort oil with two tablespoons of castor oil. Then, massage the oil into your ingrown hair scars. Repeat this process three to four times daily. Apply cortisone cream to red ingrown hair scars. New ingrown hair scars often have a red appearance, which is due to inflammation. Cortisone creams can reduce the redness of a new ingrown hair scar by reducing inflammation. You can purchase cortisone cream without a prescription. Make sure that you read and follow the package instructions for use. Check with your dermatologist if you are unsure about how much or how often to use the cream. Do not use cortisone cream on broken skin. Make sure that the ingrown hair has completely healed before using cortisone cream. These types of ingrown hairs are usually are result of shaving. Make sure you use a lubricant when shaving. These lesions are often known as “razor bumps” or “shave bumps.” Try a natural lightening cream. Ingrown hair scars can cause a dark-colored scar and lightening creams can help to reduce this darkness. Talk to your doctor before you start using a lightening cream and only purchase lightening creams that contain natural lightening agents. Avoid products that include hydroquinone because this product has a carcinogenic effect and it can also irritate your skin. Look for a lightening cream that contains one of the following ingredients instead: Kojic acid (derived from mushrooms) Arbutin (sometimes listed as bearberry extract) Vitamin C Leave ingrown hair scars and ingrown hairs alone. Picking at ingrown hair scars (or ingrown hairs) can lead to irritation, infection, and an increased risk of scarring. To minimize these risks, do not pick, pop, or squeeze any ingrown hair scars or ingrown hairs. Allow them to heal on their own. If you are concerned about the look of an ingrown hair scar or ingrown hair, then make an appointment to see your dermatologist. Also check out this article How to Remove and Ingrown Hair. Limit sun exposure and always wear sunscreen. Too much sun exposure can cause scars to darken and it can also slow down healing, so try not to spend much time in the sun. If you must be outside, protect your skin with an SPF 30 sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. The sun is most powerful between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Try not to go outside at all during these hours. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. If your ingrown hair scars are severe or if they do not respond to treatment, then you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can examine your ingrown hair scars and determine the best treatment options for you. Book an appointment for a laser filler treatment. If your ingrown hair scars do not respond to natural remedies and over-the-counter treatments, then you may want to look into laser filler treatments. A few treatment sessions with a fractionated laser can help to even out the surface of your skin and encourage collagen production, which will help fill in any pitted areas. Other types of laser and filler treatments include: Ablative lasers. This type of laser treatment will flatten and smooth the surface of your skin. Non-ablative lasers. This type of laser treatment will leave the surface of your skin as it is, but they will encourage collagen growth to help improve the appearance of your skin. Filler injections. You can also get injections of collagen in conjunction with a laser treatment to help improve the appearance of scars, but you will need to repeat these injections every four to six months to maintain the results. Ask about Radix Arnebiae. Radix Arnebiae has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries to help reduce scarring. Radix Arnebiae is also called Zi Cao and Lithospermum erythrorhizon and it is characterized as a heat and toxin releaser in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This herb may help to reduce the numbers and functions of scar-forming cells. You will need to find a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to get this herb. | Apply lemon juice to lighten darker scars. Use aloe vera gel. Hold a green tea bag on scars. Try lavender essential oil. Consider St John’s wort oil. Apply cortisone cream to red ingrown hair scars. Try a natural lightening cream. Leave ingrown hair scars and ingrown hairs alone. Limit sun exposure and always wear sunscreen. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. Book an appointment for a laser filler treatment. Ask about Radix Arnebiae. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Baby-Guinea-Pigs | How to Care for Baby Guinea Pigs | To care for baby guinea pigs, get a roomy cage and make sure they can't slip through the spaces between the bars. Feed the pups twice a day, provide a constant supply of fresh water, and handle them often so they can get comfortable with human interaction. Try to determine the sex of your pups as early as possible, then separate the males from the females when they reach 3-4 weeks of age to prevent accidental pregnancies! | Measure the size of your guinea pig cage. Pups will reach adult size very quickly, so it is recommended to have your pups in a cage that is an adequate size for an adult guinea pig. The cage should be at least 7.5 square feet. If you purchased pups from the pet store, make sure that the cage is large enough before you leave the store. Even though the cage may seem a bit big for your pups, they will appreciate the extra space they will have to run and explore their environment. If you have a mother guinea pig in a cage with her babies, the cage should be large enough (minimum of 8 square feet) to accommodate all of them through the nursing stage. If your current cage is not large enough, visit your local pet store for assistance in selecting the right size cage. Prevent your pups from escaping. The majority of guinea pig cages are built for adult guinea pigs. For example, there is usually one-inch spacing between the bars on a guinea pig cage. Your pups could possibly be small enough to squeeze through this spacing. To prevent them from doing this, consider purchasing a cage that has a deeper pan at the bottom. The deeper pan would be more difficult for your pups to climb out of. As an alternative to buying a new cage, you can purchase grids with smaller spacing at your local pet store. Secure the grids on the outside of the cage with cable ties. Position the inverted plastic water bottle inside the cage. The water bottle should be positioned low enough so that your pups can comfortably reach and sip from the bottle's sipper tube. You may need to reposition the water bottle several times before it's at just the right height for them. These water bottles can be purchased at your local pet store. The lowered water bottle may too low for your pups' mom. If you see that she is struggling to sip from the water bottle, it may be helpful to place a second water bottle at a higher height for her. Place the cage in a quiet area of your house. This is important whether you are bringing home pups or caring for the ones that your female guinea pig has given birth to. Guinea pigs can be very sensitive to noise, so your pups will need to stay in a quiet area during their first few weeks of life. The cage should also be out of the path of direct sunlight and placed away from vents that could constantly blow air on the cage. It is ideal for the cage to be placed at approximately waist-level. This can make it easier to clean. Handle your pups early and often. Pups should be held as early and often as possible so that they can become comfortable with human interaction. The more comfortable they are with people, the better socialized they will be, making them better pets. The mother guinea pig will not reject her babies if you hold them, but she will need time to complete the birthing process before they are ready to be held. Female guinea pigs typically give birth to an average of three pups per litter. The birthing process usually takes about 30 minutes, with about three to five minutes between pups. You will know when the process is over when all pups have been delivered and the mother has eaten the placenta and cleaned the pups. In general, guinea pigs are not used to being held and may initially feel afraid when you pick them up. Getting your pups to be comfortable with you holding them may take some time. To pick up one of your pups, slowly reach into the cage and reach for him from the front. Slide one of your hands under his chest and use your other hand to support his back end. Slowly pick him up and hold him against your chest for as long as he will let you. Talk to him with a gentle voice as you are handling him. If the pup becomes squirmy when you are holding him, gently lower him back into his cage. Your pup may start to squeak when you take him away from his mom to hold him. Make sure not to keep him away from his mother for long. Do not try to handle your pups when they are sleeping or nursing. Determine the sex of your pups. If you purchased your pups from your local pet store, you probably will not need to determine whether they are male or female. If your adult female guinea pig gave birth, you can try to determine the sex of the babies soon after they are born. Female guinea pigs will have what looks like a tiny grain of rice in their genital area. Male guinea pigs will have a white ring in this area. It is recommended to have your veterinarian or a guinea pig expert determine the sex of your pups, if this has not already been done at the pet store. Separate the male pups from the female pups. If necessary, the male pups should be separated from their sisters and mother and moved to a different cage at the time of sexual maturity, which is around three to four weeks of age. This separation is necessary to prevent accidental pregnancies. Ideally, males should be moved to a different cage around three weeks of age. Female pups can stay with their mother until four weeks of age. Guinea pigs are usually ready to begin leading more independent lives when they are around six weeks old, but you should still aim to separate them by three to four weeks of age if necessary. Learn what you should feed your pups. Pups generally eat the same thing as adult guinea pigs, so you do not need to feed a specialized baby diet. One exception is that pups need additional calcium in their first few weeks of life. The extra calcium will help their bones grow properly. Alfalfa hay is especially high in calcium. Alfalfa-based pellets are also available. Timothy hay and fresh fruits (oranges, melons) are high in vitamin C and are nutritious foods that you can feed your pups. Learn how to feed your pups. Feed your pups twice a day by placing small amounts of food in a sturdy food bowl. Remove any leftover food so that it does not spoil. Pups also need a constant supply of fresh water. Refill the plastic water bottle as needed and clean it with hot, soapy water once a week. If the pups are still with their mother, they will start nursing within about 24 hours of birth and will continue nursing for about three weeks (before they reach sexual maturity). They will nurse from their mother during the first few days of life, then transition to solid food and mimic how their mother eats. Monitor your pups for sickness. Guinea pigs are susceptible to many types of diseases, such as heat stress, foot pad infections, and pneumonia. Because pups need a lot of vitamin C in their diet, a deficiency of this vitamin can cause a disease called scurvy. Signs of scurvy include swollen and painful joints, lack of appetite, and a reluctance to move. If your pups are showing signs of scurvy, take them to the veterinarian for immediate treatment. Depending on the severity of the deficiency, your veterinarian may need to give your pups vitamin C injections. Change the cage bedding regularly. The ideal bedding for your pups' cage consists of several inches of shredded newspaper or pine shed bedding. This bedding can quickly become soiled with leftover food and dropping. It may also become wet with drops of water from the water bottle. Change this bedding twice a week to keep the cage clean. Provide your pups with toys. Just like adult guinea pigs, pups love to play. Toys that your pup would enjoy include tunnels and ramps (if your cage is multi-level). Toys can be purchased at your local pet store, or you can make homemade toys out of such items as empty shoeboxes, empty milk cartons, and toilet paper rolls. You can also let your pups play outside of their cage. You will need to guinea pig-proof a room first to make the play area as safe as possible. | Measure the size of your guinea pig cage. Prevent your pups from escaping. Position the inverted plastic water bottle inside the cage. Place the cage in a quiet area of your house. Handle your pups early and often. Determine the sex of your pups. Separate the male pups from the female pups. Learn what you should feed your pups. Learn how to feed your pups. Monitor your pups for sickness. Change the cage bedding regularly. Provide your pups with toys. |
https://www.wikihow.tech/Rearrange-Pages-in-Word | How to Rearrange Pages in Word | While Microsoft Word doesn't have a simple way to rearrange pages, one way you can still do it is by creating a heading for each page. To do this, type a title at the beginning of a page and press “Enter,” select the title, then click “Heading 1” in the “Styles” section of the toolbar. If you're using a Mac, you'll have to click the “Styles” drop-down box in the far-right side of the toolbar. Once your pages have headings, click the “View” tab at the top and check the “Navigation pane” box in the “Show” section of the toolbar. In the “Navigation” window that pops up, click “Headings” and drag your headings to where you want them in the list to rearrange your pages. | Open the document. Double-click the Word document that you want to rearrange to open it in Microsoft Word. Click the Home tab. It's in the blue ribbon that's at the top of the Word window. Add a heading to the top of each page. To add a heading to a page, type a title (e.g., "Page 1") at the beginning of the page and press ↵ Enter , select the title, and click Heading 1 in the "Styles" section of the toolbar. On a Mac, you may first have to click the Styles drop-down box in the far-right side of the toolbar. Depending on your document's formatting, you may have to scroll down through the "Styles" menu to find the Heading 1 option. Click the View tab. It's several tabs right of the Home tab. Check the "Navigation pane" box. You'll find this box in the "Show" section of the toolbar. Checking it prompts a "Navigation" window to pop out on the left side of the Word window. Click Headings. It's a tab at the top of the "Navigation" pane. Doing so will display a list of all of the headings in your Microsoft Word document. Rearrange the headings. Click and drag a heading up or down in the "Navigation" pane until you have it where you want it, then release the mouse button. Your Word document's pages will shift accordingly. Save your document. Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or ⌘ Command + S (Mac). Open the document. Double-click the Word document that you want to rearrange to open it in Microsoft Word. Find a page that you want to move. Scroll down until you find the page that you want to move up or down. Select the page's text. Click and hold the mouse button just before the first word on the page, then drag the cursor to the end of the final word. When you release the mouse button, all of the text on the page will be highlighted. Cut the page's text. Press Ctrl + X (Windows) or ⌘ Command + X (Mac) to do so. "Cutting" copies the selected text and removes it from the document, so don't be alarmed when the text disappears from your document. Find an area to place the text. Scroll up or down until you find the page before which you want to place your cut page. Click the beginning of the selected page. This will place your mouse cursor right where you want to insert your cut page. Add back the cut text. Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (Mac), then press ↵ Enter. You should see the text appear, with the first word of the cut page appearing right where your mouse cursor was. Save your document. Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or ⌘ Command + S (Mac). You can repeat this process for multiple pages in your Word document. | Open the document. Click the Home tab. Add a heading to the top of each page. Click the View tab. Check the "Navigation pane" box. Click Headings. Rearrange the headings. Save your document. Open the document. Find a page that you want to move. Select the page's text. Cut the page's text. Find an area to place the text. Click the beginning of the selected page. Add back the cut text. Save your document. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Russian | How to Learn Russian | To learn Russian, start by learning how to say a few common words and phrases that are likely to come up in everyday conversation, such as "Hello" and how to introduce yourself. To go deeper, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the Russian alphabet and pronunciation patterns by using online resources, Russian textbooks, or classroom-based programs. From there, learn basic Russian grammar and parts of speech so you can start forming your own sentences. Try to work on your Russian a little bit each day to best retain the knowledge you gain! | Sign up for a class at your local college or university. One of the easiest ways to start learning a language is to take a class. If you're in college, look at the course catalog and see if Russian is offered. Even if you're not currently enrolled in a college or university, you may be able to sign up for a Russian class at a school in your area. For example, many community colleges in the United States offer continuing education language classes that are open to anyone. Some universities also offer online language courses. You can check individual schools' online programs or find a variety of courses through platforms like Coursera and edX. Try a language-learning book or program if you're a self-guided learner. If you don't need the structure and guidance offered by a class, then you might find it helpful to use a language-learning book or software. For example, you might try Rosetta Stone's Learn Russian software, or purchase a book like Beginner's Russian by Anna Kudyma, Frank Miller, et al. Many language learning books and software packages include a variety of supplementary media to help you learn the language, such as recordings, videos, and interactive online quizzes and workbooks. Search for online resources to get additional help. There are numerous online resources for people who are interested in learning Russian, and many of them are free. For example, you can find introductory lessons on Russian grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and more on websites like Russianlessons.net or Russianforeveryone.com. If you're more of an audio-visual learner, YouTube offers a wide variety of videos for helping you learn Russian. Use language learning apps to brush up your vocabulary and grammar. While you probably won't become fluent using language learning apps, they can help you master some of the basics. These apps can beef up your vocabulary, help you review basic grammar, or teach you useful phrases. A few popular options include: Duolinguo Memrise Busuu Beelinguapp Find a fluent Russian speaker who can practice with you. Finding a language exchange partner is a great way to refine your skills and apply what you've learned. If you don't know any native Russian speakers, try searching for Russian penpals online or joining a Russian language forum. Some apps, like HelloTalk, Tandem, and Speaky, can help you connect with native speakers of a variety of languages. Depending on the app, you may have the ability to communicate via text alone or through voice and video calls as well. Websites like Mylanguageexchange.com are also a great way to connect with language-learning partners. Look into immersion programs if you want to become fluent. If you're serious about becoming fluent in Russian, an immersion program may be your best bet. Immersion-style learning can help you learn the language on a deeper level and retain it longer than other approaches, even if you go for a while without using the language afterwards. In an immersion program, you plunge right into learning the language by actively using it. Instead of being introduced to various linguistic concepts gradually through instruction in your first language, you will receive most or all of your instruction in Russian. While some immersion programs involve going abroad, you may also be able to find immersion classes or schools in your area. Do a search using terms like “Russian immersion program near me.” Learn some common words and phrases. As you're just beginning to learn Russian, it can be useful to get some common vocabulary and phrases under your belt. Focus on words or expressions that are likely to come up in everyday conversation. You can use these to help break the ice when you converse with your teachers, classmates, language exchange partners, or native speakers. For example: “Hello” is “Здравствуйте” (Zdravstvujte). “Goodbye” is “До свидания” (Do svidanija). To introduce yourself, say, “Меня зовут...” (“My name is...”). For example, “Меня зовут Джэнайфр” (“My name is Jennifer”). You can also learn words and phrases that might be useful in specific contexts. For example, if you're traveling to Russia by air, it's helpful to master phrases like “Где можно получить багаж?” (“Where can I get my luggage?”). Familiarize yourself with the Russian alphabet. Russian is written in an alphabet called Cyrillic, which is quite different from the Latin alphabet used to write English and many other European languages. If you're not familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet, you'll have to learn it in order to read and write Russian. You can find the Cyrillic alphabet online or in any Russian textbook or language learning program. Most of the Cyrillic letters correspond roughly to the letters in the Latin alphabet, but not all of them have exact matches. For example, the Cyrillic letter В, в looks like a Latin B, but is pronounced like the English V as in “vet.” The Cyrillic letter Щ, щ has no Latin equivalent. It is pronounced like 2 “sh” sounds together, as in “wa sh s hirts.” Work on your pronunciation. Russian pronunciation is often a challenge for non-native speakers to master. Read up on Russian pronunciation in a textbook or other language learning guide, and listen to people speaking Russian either in person or in recordings so that you understand how the different sounds are pronounced. Keep in mind some of the following rules: Most Russian consonants come in either a “plain” or “palatalized” form. In general, the palatalized sound is much like the plain form except that it sounds as though it has a “y” sound after it. To understand this, think of the difference between the way the combination of “p” and “oo/u” is pronounced in the English words “poor” versus “pure.” You can tell whether a consonant is pronounced in its plain or palatalized form by looking at the form of the vowel that comes after it. For example, мэ is plain (pronounced like “meh”), while ме is palatalized (pronounced “myeh”). Study the basics of grammar. Much like English, Russian words can be divided up into a variety of different types or “parts of speech.” These include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and pronouns. However, these parts of speech may behave in ways that are quite different from what you are used to. You'll need to study and memorize the rules for understanding how the different parts of speech operate in Russian. For example, English nouns change form slightly depending on whether they are singular or plural (e.g., “child, children” or “cat, cats”). Russian nouns have a much wider variety of forms depending on factors like gender, number, and case. Most Russian words are built on “roots,” the meaning of which can be changed by adding various prefixes and suffixes. For example, the root ЛЁГ forms the core of verbs like положќть (“put” or “lay,” as in “lay something down”) and лежђть (“lie down”). Master the different sentence structures. Most English sentences need a subject (typically a noun or a pronoun) and a verb at minimum in order to be grammatically correct. However, Russian sentences can be constructed without any kind of noun or pronoun subject. For example, to say “It is cold,” you would say “Хћлодно.” In English, the subject is “It.” In Russian, the subject is expressed through the form of the verb to create a complete sentence. Word order can also differ between Russian and English. For example, in Russian, the subject may be introduced at the end of a sentence rather than at the beginning. You would translate this structure as a passive sentence in English, even though it is technically active. For example, “Сђшу предстђвила Мђша” literally means “Masha introduced Sasha,” but the subject (“Masha”) is at the end in order to emphasize to the listener that this is new information (e.g., in response to the question “Who introduced Sasha?”). You could get the general sense by translating it as “Sasha was introduced by Masha.” Set aside a specific time to study each day. If you're taking a formal class or working with a tutor, you'll probably already have a set class schedule a few days a week. To really reinforce what you're learning, though, it's important to also study on your own. Set aside some time every day—for example, 1 hour in the evening—to review vocabulary, grammar, or whatever you are currently working on. Even taking 15 minutes every day to quiz yourself on a vocabulary list or some verb forms can be helpful! Some language learning experts say that it takes a total of 10,000 hours of study and practice to become fluent in a new language. However, the amount of time you need to spend studying Russian depends on your schedule, your individual learning style, and the level of fluency you want to achieve. Quiz yourself to retain your knowledge better. Testing yourself is not only a great way to review the material, but it can also help you pinpoint areas where you need to improve your knowledge and understanding. If you're using a textbook or language learning program that includes quizzes or knowledge checks, take advantage of those. You can also use flashcards or ask a friend to test you. For example, you might create flashcards with the different noun cases and review those once a day for a while until you get them down. | Sign up for a class at your local college or university. Try a language-learning book or program if you're a self-guided learner. Search for online resources to get additional help. Use language learning apps to brush up your vocabulary and grammar. Find a fluent Russian speaker who can practice with you. Look into immersion programs if you want to become fluent. Learn some common words and phrases. Familiarize yourself with the Russian alphabet. Work on your pronunciation. Study the basics of grammar. Master the different sentence structures. Set aside a specific time to study each day. Quiz yourself to retain your knowledge better. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Thicken-a-Low-Carb-Sauce | How to Thicken a Low Carb Sauce | If you need to thicken a low-carb sauce, there are a lot of different thickeners you can choose from. You can use coconut flour, chickpea flour, oat fiber, xanthum gum, psyllium husk, or agar agar. Just use one of these low-carb alternatives in place of flour to thicken your sauce. Another option is to reduce your sauce to thicken it, which doesn't require adding anything else. Just simmer the sauce in a pot until the excess moisture evaporates and the sauce is thick enough. | Find a place to shop for low-carbohydrate thickening agents. If you want to cook low-carbohydrate sauces, you should make sure you have the right ingredients in your kitchen. Although some of these ingredients can be hard to find, you should be able to pick most of them up at your local health food or bulk goods store. Common low-carbohydrate thickening agents include coconut flour, agar agar, and psyllium husk. Pick up some coconut flour. Coconut flour is a tasty vegan thickener that tastes a bit like cake and is much healthier than conventional flour. It has lots of fiber and protein but very few carbohydrates, which makes it a wonderful low-carbohydrate thickener. It is used in all kinds of baking such as pies, puddings, cookies, smoothies, and truffles. Buy agar agar. Agar agar is a seaweed that is very low in calories and does not have any sugar or fat, while containing some nice fiber. It comes in powdered flakes and ends up having a gelatinous texture in sauces. It is also used in many vegan dessert recipes. Find some psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is almost free of calories and contains mostly fiber. It can be used in all kinds of sauces, smoothies, baking, and soups. Psyllium husk is great for replacing the fiber that is hard to get in low carbohydrate diets. It will reduce your appetite and improve your digestion. Purchase some chickpea flour. This flour tastes great in a wide variety of baking recipes. Chickpea flour is almost free of gluten and has lots of protein as well as iron and fiber. Chickpea flour can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. Find some xanthum gum. This gum is a gluten-free thickener that can be used in smoothies, muffins, and other baked goods. Avoid using xanthum gum if you are experiencing hard stools, nausea, appendicitis or other abdominal troubles. It could cause intestinal gas and bloating. It is safe to consume up to fifteen grams of xanthum gum a day. Buy oat fiber. Oat flour has complex carbohydrates with lots of vitamins, which is preferable to simple carbohydrates. Oats also make you feel full quickly, so adding just a bit of oat fiber as a sauce thickener goes a long way. Oats are great for lowering cholesterol and maintaining a healthy heart. They may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Learn the art of reducing sauces. You don't necessarily need to add anything to a sauce to thicken it. Instead, simply simmer a sauce until the flavor intensifies and the texture becomes thick. If you are cooking meat or fish, you can take out the protein while you thicken the sauce and then add it back in at the end. By avoiding the addition of flour and other common thickening agents, you can make your sauce lower in carbohydrates. You can reduce and thicken sauces quicker by using a pot with a larger surface area. If you are in a hurry, you can divide the sauce into two pots and reduce them both at once. Make a low-carb and gluten free enchilada sauce. Many people use roux with flour and chicken stock to make enchilada sauce, which results in a high carbohydrate sauce. Instead of roux with flour, you can use tomato paste: Use a large and deep frying pan on a medium heat setting. In your frying pan, add three cups of chicken broth, three tablespoons of tomato paste, one bay leaf, a quarter cup of pure chile powder, two teaspoons of ground cumin, a teaspoon of dried oregano, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of granulated garlic, half a teaspoon of onion powder, half a teaspoon of erythritol, a quarter teaspoon of chipotle chile powder, a sixteenth teaspoon of ground clove, a sixteenth teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and two tablespoons of butter, olive oil, or ghee. Cook a low carbohydrate white sauce. Melt two tablespoons of coconut oil, which has plenty of healthy fats that are easily turned into energy. Next, add two tablespoons of coconut flour and stir it into the coconut oil until the two are thoroughly mixed. Finally, add one cup of almond milk which is low in carbohydrates and has lots of vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Add the sauce to whatever recipe you desire. Create a low carbohydrate hollandaise sauce. Throw three egg yolks into a food processor. Melt seven ounces of coconut butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stove. Next, gradually add the coconut butter to the egg yolks in the food processor. Finally, add a tablespoon of lemon juice. By omitting any flour and using coconut butter instead of regular butter, your sauce will be low in carbohydrates and full of beneficial fats to carry you through the day. You can make it even more low-carbohydrate by serving your eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce on iceberg lettuce or thin crackers instead of English muffins. Make a low carbohydrate roux. Roux is a mother sauce in a lot of French and European recipes. Traditionally, roux is made with half flour and half fat, which is usually butter. To make a low carbohydrate roux, simply replace the flour with a low carbohydrate option such as coconut flour or chick pea flour. Coconut flour has very few carbohydrates and chick pea flour is especially great if you want to lower the gluten in your diet. Melt a cup of butter in a saucepan over a medium heat burner. Once the butter gets hot, you can whisk in three quarters to one cup of coconut flour or chickpea flour. You can cook the roux for twenty minutes to get a nice blond colour or for forty-five minutes to get a darker color roux. After cooking, place it in the refrigerator and break off pieces whenever you need some roux for a recipe. Enjoy a low carbohydrate hot fudge sauce. This low-carbohydrate hot fudge sauce is a wonderful addition to ice cream, since it will slightly melt your vanilla ice cream when you pour it on top. It also has chocolate, which contains important antioxidants and reduces stress and anxiety. Whisk a cup of whipping cream with a third of a cup of zero-calorie swerve sweetener in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to a come to a simmer and then quickly take it off the burner. Next, you can add two and a half ounces of unsweetened, chopped chocolate chunks. Let the chocolate melt in the mixture for five minutes. Next, add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract and whisk it into the chocolate mixture. Finally, drizzle your low-carbohydrate sauce over ice cream. Make a low carbohydrate cashew vanilla sauce. A nice cashew vanilla sauce can be poured over fresh strawberries, raspberries or pears. Making two cups of cashew vanilla sauce only takes a couple minutes. In a blender, add a cup of cashews, a cup of almond milk, a tablespoon of erythritol or other sweetener, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Revel in a low carbohydrate blueberry sauce. In a pot on a medium high burner, add two cups of fresh or frozen blueberries, a quarter cup of water, a tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of erythritol, and a quarter teaspoon of stevia glycerite. Next, add two teaspoons of cornstarch or arrowroot and two teaspoons of water. Let the sauce simmer until it has thickened to your liking. Serve the sauce over fruit or pancakes. If you want to spice up your low carbohydrate sauce, you can add a pinch of nutmeg, one eighth of a teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract and an eighth of a teaspoon of almond extract. For a tipsy version, you can add two tablespoons of orange liqueur or Cassis. | Find a place to shop for low-carbohydrate thickening agents. Pick up some coconut flour. Buy agar agar. Find some psyllium husk. Purchase some chickpea flour. Find some xanthum gum. Buy oat fiber. Learn the art of reducing sauces. Make a low-carb and gluten free enchilada sauce. Cook a low carbohydrate white sauce. Create a low carbohydrate hollandaise sauce. Make a low carbohydrate roux. Enjoy a low carbohydrate hot fudge sauce. Make a low carbohydrate cashew vanilla sauce. Revel in a low carbohydrate blueberry sauce. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-Sweet-Potatoes | How to Boil Sweet Potatoes | To boil sweet potatoes, first peel the potatoes using a vegetable peeler or pairing knife. Then, cut the potatoes into bite sized cubes. Next, bring a pot of water to boil and add the sweet potatoes to it. Cover the pan and let the sweet potatoes cook for 10-30 minutes. The longer you let them cook, the more tender they'll be. For added nutrients, leave the skin on when you boil sweet potatoes. You can also cut sweet potatoes in halves instead of cubes and boil them that way for 30-45 minutes. | Wash your sweet potatoes. You should always wash produce before cooking it. Sweet potatoes are no different. To wash sweet potatoes, run them under cold tap water. Remove any excess dirt or debris from the potato. Make sure the skin is completely clean before you proceed. Peel the potato. You can either use a vegetable peeler or a pairing knife to remove a sweet potato's skin. You should also cut off either end of the potato with a knife. If you're having trouble peeling your sweet potato, scrub it with a produce brush first. This should loosen the skin, and make the peeling process easier. Prepare a pot. Find a pot that's big enough that you can fully emerge your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, in water. You want to make sure all the potatoes fit comfortably without being crowded. You also want to make sure you have a cover for the pot you choose. Once you find a suitable pot, fill it about halfway full with tap water. Add your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, to the pot. Make sure they're all covered with water. If necessary, add a bit more water. Bring the water to a boil. Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes and then check them. Add your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, to the pot. Cover the pot and allow the potatoes to cook for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have passed, remove the cover from the pot. The potatoes should be tender enough that you can pierce the outside of the potatoes easily. However, you should not be able to pass the knife through the sweet potatoes. Cook longer, if necessary. If your sweet potatoes are not tender enough after 10 minutes, cook them for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. You may also want to cook your sweet potatoes longer if you want very soft sweet potatoes, such as the kind you would use in mashed potatoes. These need to be cooked for 25 to 30 minutes. When the sweet potatoes are cooked to your desired tenderness, drain them with a colander and set them aside to cool. Wash your sweet potato. Run the sweet potato under cool tap water. Wash the surface of the sweet potato. Make sure to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the sweet potato's skin. Place your sweet potato in a pot. Choose a pot big enough to cover all your sweet potatoes with water. You also need a pot with a lid. Fill the pot with water until the sweet potatoes are covered in water. Place the pot over on the stove and cover it with a lid. Puncture the sweet potato with a knife after boiling for 10 minutes. Keep the pot over high heat for 10 minutes. Then, remove the lid and take a knife. Use the knife to make a small puncture mark on the sweet potato. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Once you've punctured your sweet potato, cover the pot again. Allow the sweet potato to cook for an additional 20 minutes over high heat. When it's tender, you should be able to place a knife through the sweet potato without meeting any resistance. You may have to cook a sweet potato slightly longer if it's not done after 20 minutes. Drain the water. Use a colander to pour the hot water out of the pot. Allow the sweet potato to sit in the colander until it's cool to the touch. If you need to cool a sweet potato faster, you can place it under cool running water. Remove the skin. After the boiling process is over, a sweet potato's skin should slip off easily. Use a pairing knife to make an initial slice into a sweet potato's skin. From there, you can simply peel off the skin as if you were peeling the skin of a banana. Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes and use them as a side dish. Boiled sweet potatoes can be used on their own as a side dish. You simply need to cut them into cubes. Then, toss them in some butter, salt, and pepper until you get your desired taste. Add boiled sweet potatoes to other dishes. You can also cut your sweet potatoes into cubes and add them to other dishes. Boiled sweet potatoes can be used in salads, tacos, soups, stews, pastas, and casseroles. If you're looking to add nutrients to a meal, throw in some boiled sweet potatoes. Make mashed sweet potatoes. It's best to peel sweet potatoes first if you're going to mash them. Boil about six sweet potatoes and then use an electronic mixer to add in other ingredients. While mixing the sweet potatoes, add in 3/4 a cup of milk, adding it about half a cup at a time. You should also add half a cup of butter and 3/4 of a cup of maple syrup. | Wash your sweet potatoes. Peel the potato. Prepare a pot. Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes and then check them. Cook longer, if necessary. Wash your sweet potato. Place your sweet potato in a pot. Puncture the sweet potato with a knife after boiling for 10 minutes. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Drain the water. Remove the skin. Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes and use them as a side dish. Add boiled sweet potatoes to other dishes. Make mashed sweet potatoes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lox | How to Make Lox | To make lox at home, cut a rinsed and deboned salmon fillet in half with a sharp knife, and combine 1 cup (288 g) of kosher salt and 1 cup (200 g) of sugar in a medium bowl. Then, pour the mixture onto the halves, and sprinkle ½ of a bunch of dill onto the pieces before sandwiching them together. Once the pieces are together, wrap the salmon in plastic wrap and put it in a zipper bag to be refrigerated for 2-3 days under a weight, draining the excess liquid every day. After 2 days, remove the salmon to taste it, and rinse and slice the salmon before serving! | Rinse the salmon and check for bones. To prepare homemade lox, you'll need 1 ½ to 2 pounds (680 to 907 g) of boneless salmon fillet with the skin on. Run some cold water in the sink and rinse the fillet well. Next, examine the fillet to make sure that all of the bones have been removed. You can purchase either "belly lox" or regular "lox" fillets. Both are salmon, but belly lox comes from the stomach region of the fish. The graining of fat in the stomach region makes belly lox the better option to use when you make lox because it is more widely spaced. This results in a final product that is more desirable and less salty. If there are any pin bones left in the salmon fillet, use a small pair of tweezers or pliers to pull them out in the same direction that they're facing. Pin bones are more likely to occur in wild salmon than farmed salmon. Cut the salmon in half. Once the salmon is thoroughly rinsed, use a sharp knife to cut the fillet in half. Make sure that the pieces are as equal in size as you can get them. Combine the salt and sugar. Add 1 cup (288 g) of kosher salt and 1 cup (200 g) of sugar to a medium bowl. Mix the ingredients together well so they're fully blended. If you like, you can also add about ¼ teaspoon (½ g) of coarsely ground black pepper to the mixture. Divide the salt mixture between the two salmon pieces. Place the two pieces of salmon in a shallow dish so they're side by side. Pour an equal amount of the salt mixture over each piece, piling it right on top of the salmon. It may seem that there is a lot of excess salt mixture on the salmon, but the fish will absorb it during the curing process. Set the dill on top of salmon and sandwich them together. After you've added the salt mixture to the salmon pieces, divide half a bunch of dill with the stems removed between them and add it on top of the salt. Next, place one of the salmon pieces on top of the other, being careful not to knock off the salt mixture. Wrap the salmon and place it in a plastic bag. When the salmon pieces are sandwiched together, carefully wrap them in plastic wrap. Once the fish is secure in the plastic wrap, set it in a large plastic zipper bag. Before closing the zipper bag, be sure to push all of the air out of it first. Weigh the salmon down and refrigerate it for a few days. Set the bag with the salmon down in a shallow dish. Place another heavy dish on top of the bag to weigh it down, and refrigerate the fish for 2 to 3 days. You can use any heavy item, such as a bottle of wine, to weigh down the salmon. Drain the liquid from the container daily. While you're curing the salmon, it's important to keep it from getting soggy. Remove any liquid that's been extracted from the salmon from the plastic bag and flip the fish over so both sides are evenly weighed down. Taste the fish and remove when it’s reached the desired taste. At the two day mark, begin tasting the lox. Once it has the taste that desire, you can take it out of the curing container and unwrap it. If the lox isn't properly cured after two days, you should leave in the container for another day. Rinse the fish and slice it. After you've removed the fish from the plastic wrap, rinse it well under cold water to remove any residue. Use a sharp knife to cut it thin on the bias. Make sure to leave the skin behind. You can freeze the lox if you don't plan to eat all of it right away. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag for storage. You should eat it within 3 to 4 months. Slide the knife over the smoked salmon at an angle. If you don't want to make your own lox, you can substitute store-bought smoked salmon. However, you must cut it properly. Place 4 ounces (113 g) of smoked salmon on a cutting board, and position your knife against the fish at a slight angle in a downward motion. Any sharp knife with a long, non-serrated blade works well for cutting the salmon. However, you can also purchase a special salmon knife that's designed specifically for cutting smoked salmon thinly. Make sure that your knife is as sharp as possible for the cleanest cuts. Insert a knife into the smoked salmon shallowly. To create the appropriate texture for lox, it's important to slice it as thin as possible. When you insert the knife's blade into the fish, keep it as shallow as you can so you can create a paper-thin slice. Use a back and forth motion with the knife to slice the salmon. Once you've insert the knife into the salmon, move the blade back and forth in a smooth motion until you've cut a slice. You shouldn't have to push too hard to cut the fish, so if you feel resistance, you may want to sharpen your blade. Use the length of the knife's blade to make a long, sweeping back and forth motion for the cleanest cuts. Continue slicing until all of the salmon is cut. After you've cut the first slice, repeat the cutting process until you've sliced all of the salmon. Be sure to leave the skin behind as you cut, and remove any black meat that you come across. Combine the cream cheese, scallions, dill, parsley, milk, and salt. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of cream cheese that's been softened to room temperature, 1 tablespoon (10 g) of minced scallions, 1 tablespoon (4 g) of minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon (4 g) of minced fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of milk, and a pinch of kosher salt to the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat the mixture on low until it is well blended. You can also use a handheld electric mixer to beat the ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut the bagels into rounds lengthwise. Once the cream cheese spread is prepared, take 2 bagels and use a sharp knife to cut them into rounds lengthwise. You should create 3 rounds from each bagel for a total of 6 rounds. Plain bagels are a classic option for lox and cream cheese, but you can use any flavor that you prefer. Spread the cream cheese mixture over three of the rounds and top it with the lox. After you've sliced the bagels into rounds, use a butter knife to smooth some of the cream cheese mixture over 3 of the rounds. Add a slice of lox to each round on top of the cream cheese mixture. You can add some capers to the lox and cream cheese if you like. Top the cream cheese and lox with the remaining rounds and serve. Once you've added the lox, top each of the bagel pieces with the remaining 3 rounds to create sandwiches. Serve the bagels with lox and herbed cream cheese alongside some light salads or hearty soup. | Rinse the salmon and check for bones. Cut the salmon in half. Combine the salt and sugar. Divide the salt mixture between the two salmon pieces. Set the dill on top of salmon and sandwich them together. Wrap the salmon and place it in a plastic bag. Weigh the salmon down and refrigerate it for a few days. Drain the liquid from the container daily. Taste the fish and remove when it’s reached the desired taste. Rinse the fish and slice it. Slide the knife over the smoked salmon at an angle. Insert a knife into the smoked salmon shallowly. Use a back and forth motion with the knife to slice the salmon. Continue slicing until all of the salmon is cut. Combine the cream cheese, scallions, dill, parsley, milk, and salt. Cut the bagels into rounds lengthwise. Spread the cream cheese mixture over three of the rounds and top it with the lox. Top the cream cheese and lox with the remaining rounds and serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Worm-Habitat | How to Make a Worm Habitat | To make a worm habitat, start by getting a small plastic or glass container, like an aquarium, an empty bottle, or a jar. Then, alternate 1-inch layers of sand and soil in the container until it's nearly full. Next, water the soil so it's moist, and drop a few food scraps on top for the worms, like fruit peels or pieces of vegetables. Finally, place some worms inside the container, and cover the container with a porous lid. | Pick out a small plastic or glass container to keep the worms in. An aquarium, a bug container, a large glass jar or even a plastic bottle will do the trick—choose one that will comfortably house your worms, and deep enough that they will have room to burrow into the soil. If you will have just a few worms, a jar or bottle will be comfortable enough, but if you plan on having more than 3 you should consider a glass aquarium or plastic tank. Plastic or glass containers are the best options as they will contain the dirt effectively and keep moisture and heat inside the habitat. Don't use a cage or a container with openings on the sides, as it will be harder to keep the soil moist. Alternate 1 in (2.5 cm) layers of sand and soil until you fill the container. Start with a layer of sand on the bottom, then add soil on top of that, and keep alternating sand and soil until the container is full — the top layer should be soil. Leave at least 3 in (7.6 cm) free at the top so you have room to feed your worms. Opt for potter's soil or nutrient-rich soil instead of dry dirt, as it is healthier for worms. Worms need dirt to burrow, and sand will keep moisture trapped inside the soil. Water the soil heavily, and spray the inside of the container with water. Soil needs to be moist for worms to take an interest in it. Add enough water to make the soil thoroughly moist, and then spray the top of the container with water to keep the container's atmosphere humid. Having a moist environment is essential, as worms need to keep their skin hydrated to thrive. Drop food, such as fruit peels and veggie scraps, on top of the soil. Worms are notorious for eating a huge variety of foods. Start off with fruit peels, vegetable scraps, tea bags, coffee grinds, and other food waste or leftovers, and over time you can give them more foods you would normally throw away. Other great options include dry leaves, used napkins, and tea bags. Worms will eat just about anything you give them, but it is recommended to start with fruit and veggie scraps to enrich the soil with the worms' excrement. Avoid giving your worms anything non-organic, such as metal and plastic, greasy foods, and avoid giving your worms acidic fruits such as pineapple or orange flesh, and never give your worms feces. These can raise the pH of the soil, and can cause temperature issues due to rotting. Introduce the worms and cover the container with a porous lid. Gently drop the worms into the soil and watch them bury underneath the surface layer. Put the lid on the container, making sure that there are air holes for ventilation. Avoid using a cage or container with holes in the side, but it is essential that there is some ventilation on the top or your worms could suffocate with time. Plastic and glass animal containers will usually come with a cover with holes on top. For habitats in bottles or jars, cut a few small holes in the top lid to provide fresh air. Store the habitat in a dark place away from sunlight. Worms hate sunlight and choose to live in dark and cool areas rather than bright and warm places. Keep the habitat in a closet, in a dark room, or in the basement to keep your worms happy and healthy. Only take it out to observe the worms or clean their habitat. If you don't have a reliably dark place to keep the worms, consider laying some paper or opaque plastic on the sides and top of the container. This will prevent you from easily looking at the worms, but it will keep light from getting into their habitat and keep the container cool. Keep the temperature of the habitat anywhere from 60–70 °F (16–21 °C). Worms will go dormant under 50 °F (10 °C), and will stop being productive and active above 80 °F (27 °C). Keep the temperature at a moderate 60–70 °F (16–21 °C) by storing the container in a temperature-controlled room and keep a thermometer attached to the enclosure to keep a watch on the heat levels. Do not give your worms manure, as it naturally gives off a lot of heat which can raise the temperature of the habitat. You can raise the temperature of the habitat, if it gets too cold, by placing a porous piece of carpet over the top, which helps to keep heat in. Lower the temperature if it gets too hot by removing the top cover and gently mixing the soil around to allow air to ventilate. Feed the worms only when they have finished their previous foods. Worms are slow eaters, so don't be surprised if they keep munching on the food you give them for a few days at a time. Offer a variety of different foods each time you feed them — if you gave them a lot of veggies in the last feeding, give them some dried leaves or used tea bags in the next one, for example. Worms like rotting food, but remove anything that gets moldy. Avoid giving your worms meat or greasy foods to reduce the risk of mold developing in the habitat. Spray water in the habitat every few days to keep the soil moist. Worms require moist, dank environments to thrive. If the soil starts to look dry, spray some water inside the container or douse the soil again with water. Clean the container if it starts to smell sour or looks slimy. You won't have to clean the worm habitat very often, but if it starts to smell sour or if the soil starts to turn slimy rather than fluffy, replace the soil and clean the container thoroughly. The habitat should smell earthy and natural, not disgusting and rotting. Keep your worms in another small container with some soil in it, such as a tupperware or similar small container, while you clean out the worms' regular habitat. Use a light bleach solution to wipe down the container after you empty the soil, but be sure to completely wipe away the bleach with a wet rag afterwards. Even a small amount of bleach can be harmful for your worms and can make the soil inhabitable. | Pick out a small plastic or glass container to keep the worms in. Alternate 1 in (2.5 cm) layers of sand and soil until you fill the container. Water the soil heavily, and spray the inside of the container with water. Drop food, such as fruit peels and veggie scraps, on top of the soil. Introduce the worms and cover the container with a porous lid. Store the habitat in a dark place away from sunlight. Keep the temperature of the habitat anywhere from 60–70 °F (16–21 °C). Feed the worms only when they have finished their previous foods. Spray water in the habitat every few days to keep the soil moist. Clean the container if it starts to smell sour or looks slimy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Your-iPhone-to-Your-TV | How to Connect Your iPhone to Your TV | * HDMI: Plug an AV Adapter into your phone. Connect the adapter to an HDMI cable. Plug the cable into your TV. Turn on your TV and switch to the correct input. More ↓ | Obtain an HDMI adapter. Apple and third-party manufacturers make Lightning to HDMI adapters that connect to your iPhone's charging port. An iPhone 4 will require a 30-pin to HDMI adapter. Only iPhone 4 or newer can connect to your TV over HDMI. Obtain an HDMI cable. Connect the HDMI adapter to your iPhone. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter and the other to an HDMI port on the TV. HDMI ports are typically on the back or sides of a TV. Take note of the HDMI port number. It will be labeled on the TV. Power on the TV and iPhone, if they are not already on. Locate and press the input selector for the TV. It's a button on the remote or on the TV itself and is typically labeled "Input" or "Source." Select the HDMI port to which your iPhone is connected. Your iPhone is connected to the TV. The screen will exactly mirror the screen on iPhone 4S or newer. On iPhone 4, you'll see a black screen until you launch an app, such as TV or YouTube, with video output. Obtain an analog adapter. On iPhone 4S or older, you'll need an adapter with a 30-pin connector on one end and red, white, and yellow analog plugs on the other end. On iPhone 5 or newer, you'll need a lightning to VGA adapter. If your TV doesn't have a VGA port, you'll have to use HDMI or Apple TV. Note: VGA does not transmit audio. You'll have to run audio from your iPhone's headphone jack. On iPhone 7, it's advisable to stick with HDMI. Obtain a composite or VGA cable. Connect the analog adapter to your iPhone. Connect one end of the analog cable to the adapter and the other to the TV. Match the colors of the composite jacks and the plugs: Put the yellow (video) plug in the yellow jack, and the red and white (audio) plugs in the audio jacks. Take note of the port number labeled on the TV. Power on the TV and iPhone, if they are not already on. Locate and press the input selector for the TV. It's a button on the remote or on the TV itself and is typically labeled "Input" or "Source." Select the Composite or VGA port to which your iPhone is connected. Your iPhone is connected to the TV. The screen will exactly mirror the screen on iPhone 4S or newer. On iPhone 4, you'll see a black screen until you launch an app, such as TV or YouTube, with video output. Power on your TV and switch the source to the Apple TV port. In order to connect with this method, you'll need an iPhone 4 or newer and a second-generation (late 2010) Apple TV or newer. Turn on your TV and the Apple TV unit. Make sure that the TV is set to the input that the Apple TV is connected to. You should be able to see the Apple TV interface. If you are using your Apple TV for the first time, you'll need to set it up. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen. This launches to the Control Center. Tap AirPlay Mirroring. Tap AppleTV. Your iPhone's screen will appear on your TV screen. If you launch an app that plays video output, such as Photos, TV, or YouTube, the content will appear full-screen on the TV. | Obtain an HDMI adapter. Obtain an HDMI cable. Connect the HDMI adapter to your iPhone. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter and the other to an HDMI port on the TV. Power on the TV and iPhone, if they are not already on. Locate and press the input selector for the TV. Select the HDMI port to which your iPhone is connected. Obtain an analog adapter. Obtain a composite or VGA cable. Connect the analog adapter to your iPhone. Connect one end of the analog cable to the adapter and the other to the TV. Power on the TV and iPhone, if they are not already on. Locate and press the input selector for the TV. Select the Composite or VGA port to which your iPhone is connected. Power on your TV and switch the source to the Apple TV port. Turn on your TV and the Apple TV unit. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen. Tap AirPlay Mirroring. Tap AppleTV. |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Take-Hydroxycut | How to Take Hydroxycut | Hydroxycut is a product that relies mainly on caffeine to help you lose weight. To take Hydroxycut, start off slow to test the effects before you increase your dosage, and be sure to drink plenty of water. For Hydroxycut Pro Clinical, start by taking 1 tablet twice a day about 30 minutes before you eat a meal. After 3 days of use, if you're not experiencing any negative side effects such as anxiety, increased heart rate, or insomnia, you can increase your dosage to 2 pills, twice a day. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to counteract the high caffeine content. If you're trying Hydroxycut Hardcore, which has even more caffeine than Pro Clinical, start by taking 1 tablet once a day before you eat a meal. If you don't have any negative side effects after 3 days, go ahead and start taking 2 pills on the 4th day. If you ever experience negative side effects such as rapid heart rate and insomnia, stop taking Hydroxycut and visit your doctor. | Start with 1 tablet twice a day. Take 1 tablet at a time. Drink a glass of water with your tablet. Take each tablet 30-60 minutes before a meal. Do not take a pill within 5 hours of your bedtime. Try to take the pills before the main meals of your day. If you eat a full breakfast and lunch, these are your best options. You can take your pill before dinner as long as you do so more than 5 hours before your bedtime. Increase your dosage after 3 days. If you have taken 2 pills twice a day and have not experienced any unpleasant symptoms, go ahead and increase your dosage to 2 capsules, twice daily. Do not take more than 2 capsules in a 4 hour period. Do not take more than 4 capsules in a 24 hour period. Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. The manufacturers of Hydroxycut ask all clients to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. While they do not say why, it is probably meant to counteract the high caffeine content of Hydroxycut. Try it out by taking 1 tablet once a day. Take 1 tablet 30-60 minutes before you eat a meal. Do not snack between meals. Hydroxycut Hardcore contains even more caffeine than Hydroxycut Pro Clinical and other Hydroxycut products. Do not take more than the recommended amount of this product. Up your dosage after 3 days. After taking 1 pill a day for 3 days, take 2 pills on the 4th day. Do this only if you haven't had any adverse effects from taking 1 pill. Use for at least 2 months with diet and training. Hydroxycut Hardcore is meant to be used as a workout supplement. Use it for at least 60 days in combination with exercise and a healthy diet. Stop use immediately if you feel strange or notice any side effects. Notice signs of liver damage. Hydroxycut has been linked to potentially fatal liver damage. While fewer deaths have been reported in recent years, cases of liver damage continue to be linked to Hydroxycut use. Discontinue use immediately and seek medical help if you experience any of these symptoms, most of which will appear 2-12 weeks after you begin taking the pills: Fatigue Nausea Abdominal pain Dark urine Jaundice Watch out for symptoms of caffeine overdose. Hydroxycut products include a list of ingredients, but do not include the proportions of ingredients used. However, based on toxicity reports and on the company's warning to drink a lot of water with the product, it's likely that Hydroxycut contains high amounts of caffeine. Too much caffeine can be fatal, so visit the doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms while taking Hydroxycut: Difficulty sleeping Agitation, anxiety, or confusion Frequent urination An irregular or racing heartbeat Muscle twitching Ringing in the ears Stomach pain Seizures Consult a doctor if you are on other medications. Most formulations of Hydroxycut have been shown to interact with a wide variety of medications. Talk to your doctor before you start administering Hydroxycut to yourself. Drugs that are affected by Hydroxycut may include antidepressants, antibiotics, and stimulants. Report any issues with the pills. In order for doctors to diagnose you, take note of the exact version of Hydroxycut you have taken, as well as any other supplements you might be on. Bring in the bottle if you can. This will also help doctors report your case to the FDA if they determine that the Hydroxycut has caused your symptoms. . Make time for regular aerobic exercise Every week, plan to get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise. Rather than doing all your exercise at once, try exercising several times a week. Find forms of exercise you enjoy, and commit to doing them regularly. Try moderate aerobic exercises, such as walking, biking on even terrain, or dancing. A moderate aerobic activity is one you can talk through. Experiment with different forms of vigorous aerobic activity, such as swimming, fast biking, or running. An aerobic activity is considered vigorous if it makes talking difficult. . Eat well Strive for consistency in your mealtimes, but diversity in your foodstuffs. Eat fruits and vegetables every day, and make sure you don't skip your carbohydrates or protein. You need carbohydrates to work out, and protein to help your muscles grow and repair. If you snack, eat vegetables and fruits. If you want a treat, go for natural high-fat over high-sugar. Small servings of nuts, yogurt, and hummus will satisfy your craving without putting you over the edge. Drink water, not soda. Being properly hydrated is essential to your health and energy. Drink whenever you're thirsty, and try for about 8 glasses a day. While you should primarily drink water, other beverages such as juice, milk, nut milk, coffee, tea, and even beer or wine can all contribute to your hydration. However, you'll lose more weight if you avoid high-sugar beverages, such as soda and alcohol. Drink water before and after exercise. Drink more water on days when you sweat, vomit, or have diarrhea. You'll know you're hydrated when your urine is clear. . Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night Sleep regulates your hormones, helping you process calories appropriately. If you are an adult and you get more or less than 7-8 hours of sleep a night you are at risk for weight gain. Teenagers should aim for 8-10 hours. | Start with 1 tablet twice a day. Increase your dosage after 3 days. Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Try it out by taking 1 tablet once a day. Up your dosage after 3 days. Use for at least 2 months with diet and training. Notice signs of liver damage. Watch out for symptoms of caffeine overdose. Consult a doctor if you are on other medications. Report any issues with the pills. . . Drink water, not soda. . |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sleep-Comfortably-on-a-Hot-Night | How to Sleep Comfortably on a Hot Night | To sleep comfortably on a hot night, wear light cotton pajamas, which are breathable and will help wick moisture away from your skin. If you can, find a spot to sleep that is on a lower floor, or if that's not possible, sleep on the floor of your room, since heat rises and the floor will stay cooler. Then, keep the door open and run a fan facing your bed to encourage air flow. Also, try slipping an ice pack under your neck or on your forehead as you fall asleep to make your whole body feel cooler. | Stop exercising a few hours before bedtime and drink plenty of water. When you exercise, you raise your body temperature and retain heat. Not exercising several hours before you go to bed will give your body time to cool down. You should also drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. You may also want to keep water by your bedside. Avoid large or spicy foods or meals. Eating a heavy meal or spicy food before bedtime may cause you to feel even hotter. Eat a light dinner at least two to three hours before bed and skip the spices and hot sauce. Avoid drinking ice cold water. Drinking cold water not only slows digestion, it also slows down metabolism by constricting blood vessels and thereby decreasing hydration and ability of your body to cool off. Drink room temperature water instead. Take a tepid shower or a bath. Don't take a very cold shower, as this can have a rebound effect. Your body temperature may actually rise to counteract the cold water. Instead, have a medium cold, or tepid, shower. You can also soak your hands and feet in tepid water. Your hands and feet are your "radiators", or the areas of your body that tend to heat up. Cooling them down by soaking them will regulate your body temperature and cool you down. Find a cool, dark sleeping spot that is on a lower floor or in a basement. Heat rises, so find a spot that is low to ground, such as the floor of your bedroom, or that is low in your home, such as the bottom floor or the basement. Replace heavy bedding with lighter bedding. Remove thick mattress protectors or pads, which retain heat, and any heavy blankets or duvets. Use lighter bedding like cotton sheets and lightweight cotton weave blankets on your bed. Straw or bamboo mats are also great for a cool night's sleep. They do not retain body heat and will not warm you up. You can create a bamboo mat bed on the floor of your bedroom for an alternative spot to your regular bed. Put your bedding in the freezer. Stick your pillow cases, bed sheets and blankets in the freezer 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed. Once you place the bedding on your bed, they should stay cool enough for 30 to 40 minutes, just enough time to fall asleep. Avoid getting your bedding wet or sleeping on or in wet sheets or clothing. Don't dip your socks in cold water and wear them to bed, or wear a wet t-shirt to bed. Bringing anything wet into the room, or wearing anything wet, will only trap dense humidity in your room and cause discomfort. Open your windows or use an air conditioner. An hour before bedtime, open the windows in the room to increase air circulation and cool down the room. However, you should close the windows before you fall asleep to avoid heating up the room with air during the night. While you sleep your body temperature dips to its lowest point at around 3 am. At 3 am, the temperature outside is also extremely low. If you are asleep with the windows open, the muscles around your neck and head can tense up involuntarily due to the sudden temperature drop and you can be woken up. Keep the windows closed and the blinds or shades drawn during the day to avoid heating up the room. Sleep in cotton clothing or wear as little as possible when going to bed. Though you may be tempted to strip down and go naked to stay cool, sleeping naked can make you feel hotter as it does not allow moisture to evaporate between your body and the sleeping surface. Go for cotton sleepwear, and avoid synthetic fabrics like nylon or silk, as they are not breathable and can make you feel hotter. Wipe your face, hands, and feet with a damp cloth. Use a damp cloth or towel by your bedside to wet your face or arms throughout the night. But avoid going to sleep with a wet face or arms. Once you have wiped your body, dry yourself off with a dry towel before you go to sleep. You can also buy special towels that are made of hyper-evaporative material that retains water, but stays dry to the touch. They will cool you down without getting your skin wet. Run your wrists or the inside of your arms under cold running water for 30 seconds. These areas are where your blood stream flows closest to the surface of your body. Running them under cold water for a minute will cool your blood down, making your whole body cooler. Encourage airflow with a fan. Keep the bedroom door open and position the fan in a corner of the room so it faces your bed. Avoid pointing the fan at your face, your back, or too close to your body. Pointing the fan at your face can cause your neck muscles to stiffen and lead to allergies or illness. Make an ice towel. Before there was AC, people would suspend ice packs, ice towels, or cooling packs in front of fans to stay cool. To make an ice towel, hang a wet towel holding ice cubes from two chairs. Point a fan at the towel and at a wall or far away from you in the corner of the room. Place a container under the towel to catch the melting ice water. Flip your pillow over to the cool side. If you wake up due to heat during the night, flip your pillow over to the other side. The other side will be cooler than the side you were sleeping on, as it has not absorbed your body heat during the night. Place an ice pack on your neck or forehead. You can buy cold packs in most grocery stores. Slip a cold pack under your neck, on your forehead, or under your arms, by your armpits. Cooling down the back of your neck, your forehead, and under your arms helps cool the rest of your body down as well. You can also make your own cold pack at home. Place three to four tablespoons of dish soap in a resealable Ziploc bag. Place it in the freezer. The soap will not harden, and it will hold the cold temperature longer than ice and/or the blue ice packs. Once you are ready to use it, place in a pillowcase or fold it in a towel and apply it to your neck or arms. Because the pack is not solid, it is versatile and comfortable on most areas of your body. You can also Make a Rice Sock. Place it in the freezer and leave it there for at least two hours. When you turn in, bring the bag with you to use as a cool compress. Try placing it under your pillow so it's nice and cool when you flip it over. Mist your face and neck with a spray bottle. If you wake up during the night due to heat, take a spray bottle and fill it with cold water. Mist your face and neck to cool down. | Stop exercising a few hours before bedtime and drink plenty of water. Avoid large or spicy foods or meals. Avoid drinking ice cold water. Take a tepid shower or a bath. Find a cool, dark sleeping spot that is on a lower floor or in a basement. Replace heavy bedding with lighter bedding. Put your bedding in the freezer. Open your windows or use an air conditioner. Sleep in cotton clothing or wear as little as possible when going to bed. Wipe your face, hands, and feet with a damp cloth. Run your wrists or the inside of your arms under cold running water for 30 seconds. Encourage airflow with a fan. Make an ice towel. Flip your pillow over to the cool side. Place an ice pack on your neck or forehead. Mist your face and neck with a spray bottle. |
https://www.wikihow.legal/Close-a-Business | How to Close a Business | Closing a business can be a complicated process, so it's best to work with professional advisors, like lawyers and accountants, who can walk you through the legal requirements. If you're an LLC or corporation, you'll need approval from your partners or shareholders in order to dissolve the business. Once you're ready to close, call your debtors directly and ask them to remit payment on any outstanding debts. That way, you can pay off your own creditors, and hopefully, walk away with a profit. You should also arrange for a sale of your business inventory and assets in order to pay back your debts. Afterwards, you'll need to meet legal requirements, like terminating your lease and paying your employees what they're owed. | Review the status of your business. Before deciding to close your business, it is important to evaluate your business' financial strengths and its debt obligations. Determine whether there are costs that you can cut in order to make the business more profitable. You should check to see if you can reduce your payroll costs, renegotiate your lease, or reduce business overhead by changing vendors. Reducing costs may allow you to stay in business longer or make your company more sellable. Get professional advice. Before you make any final decisions about closing your business, you should speak with your accountant, lawyer and potentially other trusted business advisors. You want to make sure that you have exhausted all avenues for making a profit and your accountant can review your books and explain the likelihood of turning a failing business around. If you still think you should close your business, your lawyer can help guide you through all of the legal requirements. This may entail filing payroll taxes, corporate dissolution documents or other IRS tax forms. Review corporate documents. If you are an LLC or a corporation, you must review your corporate documents, including bylaws, articles of organization and any partner agreements to determine what, if any, steps you must take to gain partner approval to close the business. Generally, LLCs require partners to meet and vote on a dissolution. If there is a majority that support closing the business then the LLC can move forward with settling its accounts, paying its employees and filing its paperwork. It is important that you follow the specific state rules where your business is registered or incorporated. You can find a state-by-state guide to requirements for dissolving an LLC at: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-dissolve-llc-your-state.html Corporations also require a require a vote by shareholders or members to dissolve the company. Typically, the corporation's business documents will dictate the procedures for closure, but if they don't then you must review your state's business statutes and follow any requirements.. Contact your creditors. You are required to notify your creditors before closing your business. This allows your creditors to calculate all of your outstanding debt and position themselves to collect. Before selling any assets you should discuss your plans for liquidation with your creditor and explain how you intend to repay your debt. Collect outstanding money owed to the business. Once you have decided to close your business, you want to make sure that you get as much money as you can in order to pay off creditors and hopefully walk away with the business with some profit. Since you need to collect the outstanding debt as quickly as possible, consider the following: Call debtors directly and ask them to remit payment. You can also offer a discount as an incentive for the debtor to pay you quickly. Attempt to collect on the debt before you announce the closure of the business. A debtor may try to hold out on paying you if he or she knows the business is closing anyway. If you have significant accounts receivable, consider selling them to a company that buys accounts receivables. These companies will buy your debt at a reduced value and then aggressively pursue debt collection for their own company. While you will not get full value for your accounts receivable, you do not have to try to collect on any debt and you can get access to funds fairly quickly. Fulfill outstanding orders. If you are under contract to provide certain goods and/or services, you must either fulfill your end of the bargain or try to negotiate to end your relationship early. It is very important that you speak to your customers with outstanding orders and try to reach a solution. If you fail to reach a compromise or complete the order, you can be sued for breach of contract. Sell your business inventory and assets. It is important to take a thorough inventory of all your assets and then begin the process of selling them. Depending on how quickly you need to close the business, you may need to offer significant discounts to move the products quickly. You can also consider selling your assets in the following ways: Sell your assets at an auction. You can hold an auction on your business premises and this allows you to sell the greatest amount of inventory with the least amount of extra work and additional shipping costs. Sell to a local consignment store. These businesses take your goods and when they sell them, they pay you a percentage of the sale. Sell items online. There are a number of places like EBAY where people sell their goods through an online marketplace. This may be a good venue for selling smaller items. If you have large pieces of equipment, however, shipping costs may make the sale cost prohibitive for many buyers. Terminate your lease. If your business is renting space, you need to provide the landlord with notice of when you are terminating your lease. You may be required to pay for the entirety of the lease unless you or the landlord can find a new tenant. This is called mitigating damages and you would only be responsible for the rent from the time you ended your lease until the new tenant moved in. Some landlords may be willing to allow you to pay a fee to terminate the lease, especially if the location is under high demand. Because you are closing your business, landlords may be more willing to negotiate with you in order to ensure that they are receiving some payment for the terminated lease. Pay your employees. As the business winds down, you must pay your employees what they are owed. This could include wages or unused vacation time. You may be required to provide employees with a final paycheck within a certain amount of time. You can check state-specific laws regarding final paychecks here: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/final-paycheck-employee-rights-chart-29882.html The U.S. Department of Labor provides links to state agencies so that you can determine whether your state requires you to pay employees for their unused vacation time. You can find that information here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm Depending on the size of your business, you may be required to provide employees a certain amount of notice before closing your business. For companies with 100 or more employees, you may be required to provide employees with 60-days notice. File Payroll Taxes. It is very important that you submit employees' withheld taxes to the state and federal government on time. Failure to submit these taxes could result in a penalty equal to the amount owed and the government can seize assets in order to be collect on the amount. Pay your creditors. Once you have sold all of your assets, you must inform your creditors and pay your outstanding debt. If your business had few assets, creditors may be willing to negotiate a debt settlement with you. Since you previously notified your creditors, you should have received their claims for unpaid debt. You should begin by paying secured loans (loans that are guaranteed repayment by using property as collateral) and then pay off your secured debts. You can then pay off any business credit cards or outstanding bills to suppliers. Pay your taxes. You must file all required state and federal tax information. The IRS created a checklist for closing businesses to ensure that they meet their tax obligations. The checklist can be found at: https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Closing-a-Business-Checklist. Generally, you should discuss with your accountant which of the following taxes you must pay: Payroll taxes and Sales tax. Federal and State Income tax. Business tax returns, including those required of an employer. Pension plans, withholding statements and employees' Social Security and Medicare. Distribute remaining assets. If, after paying all of your creditors, you still have funds remaining, you can distribute those assets to the business' owners and partners, if any. You should consider setting some money aside to repay any final debt claims. Make sure that you follow the company's bylaws or other organizing documents when distributing funds. Close all accounts and shut off utilities. If you have not already done so, notify utility companies that you terminated your lease and want to stop services. Also, once final distributions have been made, you should close all business accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards and social media accounts. Keep a copy of your records. You are required to maintain your business records for several years after you close. This allows you to defend against any claims that may arise. The Small Business Association suggests you keep your records for at least 7 years. | Review the status of your business. Get professional advice. Review corporate documents. Contact your creditors. Collect outstanding money owed to the business. Fulfill outstanding orders. Sell your business inventory and assets. Terminate your lease. Pay your employees. File Payroll Taxes. Pay your creditors. Pay your taxes. Distribute remaining assets. Close all accounts and shut off utilities. Keep a copy of your records. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Orthodontist | How to Become an Orthodontist | To become an orthodontist, take relevant courses during college, such as biology and inorganic chemistry. Additionally, take your Dental Admissions Test, which you'll need to pass to get into dental school, in your junior year of college. Once you graduate from dental school, take the National Board Dental Examination to get your license. Additionally, complete a residency in orthodontics to gain practical experience in your chosen specialty. | Take the right undergraduate courses. Attend a four-year college to earn your Bachelor's degree and take courses that will prepare you for dental school. The best thing you can do is talk to your academic advisor to help you choose your coursework. While there is no specific major needed for admission, you will need background in specific subjects to pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Dental schools will also look for the following classes on your transcript when considering your application: Required: Biology with Lab; Inorganic Chemistry with Lab; Organic Chemistry with Lab; Physics with Lab; An English class with a writing focus Recommended: Anatomy; Biochemistry; Psychology; Mathematics Unrelated courses that make you a stronger candidate: Business; A foreign language; humanities or social science courses Plan your undergraduate years wisely. It's not enough to just take the recommended classes. To best prepare yourself for the DAT and admittance, you have to be smart about the order in which you take them. Some of the courses required for entrance to dental school are not actually tested on the DAT. Take the tested courses first, and save the untested courses for later. Many students take the entrance exam in the summer before their junior year. Though you should create a plan with your academic advisor, a possible roadmap for your coursework is: Freshman year: Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, and general electives Sophomore year: Organic Chemistry, Biology electives, Math, and general electives Summer before Junior year: Take the Dental Admission Exam Junior year: Physics, English, and general electives Senior year: Biochemistry and general electives Learn how the DAT exam is structured. The Dental Admission Exam is split into 4 parts: 1. Survey of Natural Sciences, 2. Perceptual Ability Test (PAT), 3. Reading Comprehension, and 4. Quantitative Reasoning. The DAT is a one-day test, so you will cover all four sections on the same day. You should read the American Dental Association's DAT Program Guide for detailed information about the exam before applying to take it. Survey of Natural Sciences: You have 90 minutes to answer 40 Biology, 30 Inorganic Chemistry, and 30 Organic Chemistry short answer questions. PAT: You have 60 minutes to answer questions testing your spatial ability and logic. The 90 questions cover angle discrimination, cube counting, view recognition, 3D for development, and paper folding. Reading Comprehension: You have 60 minutes to answer 50 questions testing your ability to pull information from 3 different writing passages. Quantitative Reasoning: You have 40 minutes to answer 40 questions testing your knowledge of algebra, word problems, data analysis, quantitative comparison, and probability and statistics. Take a practice exam. You should begin preparing for the exam well ahead of time. You may find it helpful to take a practice exam before you begin studying, as this will help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. You can use that information to focus your studying hours in the areas where you need the most help. Though you have to buy practice exams from the American Dental Association, many students find the benefits outweigh the small cost. The online practice test costs $37 as of 2015, and the print format practice test costs $27 + tax and shipping. You can purchase practice exams as often as you'd like throughout the studying process to see how you're improving. Find studying resources. There are many test-prep books, guide, and courses available to help you prepare for the exam. The most popular and widely available resources are available through Kaplan and the Princeton Review. Try to make friends with other pre-dental students who have already taken the DAT and ask for their advice on how to study for it. Ask for copies of any study guides they may have used or created for themselves. Note that the content of the Quantitative Reasoning section changed significantly in 2015. Used or outdated guides from before 2015 will prepare you for information that is no longer on the exam, and will not prepare you for information that is now included in that section. Be disciplined in your test preparation. When you take classes, you have a teacher setting deadlines and making sure you stay on schedule. For the DAT, though, you'll have to self-motivate. Studying for the DAT is not going to be fun, especially when your friends are out having fun. But if you want to reach your goals, you have to dedicate yourself to test prep. Just passing the test isn't enough to get into dental school — you have to achieve a highly competitive score. Create a study schedule for yourself. If you just say that you'll study when you have spare time, you'll find you suddenly have no time to spare! Set aside at least an hour every weekday to study for the test. You should study at the same time every Monday, and every Tuesday, etc. Set aside more time on the weekends. Apply to take the DAT. You should apply for the exam 60-90 days before you actually want to take it. To apply for the exam, you will first have to create a DENTPIN®, which stands for Dental Personal Identification Number. Once you've received your DENTPIN, use it to apply for the DAT on the American Dental Association's website. Test registration costs $25 if you register 31+ business days (excludes weekends and holidays) before the requested date. It costs $60 if you register 6-30 businesses days before the date, and $100 if you register 1-5 days before the test date. Take the Dental Admission Test. Make sure you know how to get to the testing site and find parking, etc. beforehand so you don't run late on the big day. Get to the test site early on test day to let yourself settle in and get used to your settings. You will need to show two forms of identification to be admitted to the exam, including one government-issued photo-ID. The test computer allows you to "Mark" questions you're not sure about to come back to them. Answer all the questions you're confident about first to make sure you get all the points you can. Return to the harder questions after that. Make good use of the break you'll be given at the half-way point. Eat a snack to re-energize yourself, and stretch your legs and back. Four hours is a long time to sit in one place! You can take the DAT up to 3 times, total, waiting 90 days between each exam. If you want to retake the exam to try for a higher score, just get back to studying and redouble your efforts. Apply to dental schools. Most dental schools use the American Dental Education Association's website for the application process, though individual programs will link to their specific application site. Apply to dental schools during the summer after your Junior year, when you have your final DAT scores. Admissions committees take the following into consideration when evaluating dental school applicants: DAT scores GPA Letters of recommendation Personal statement Interview — find out if your university's career center offers mock interviews to prepare for the interview process. Experience shadowing at a dental office Pay a deposit for a spot in dental school. If you're offered enrollment in one of the programs you applied to, you may be asked to put down a deposit to reserve your spot. Most dental schools send out their offers in December. As soon as you know where you're going, contact the program's financial aid office to begin the application process for financial aid. In many cases, financial aid works on a first-come-first-serve basis. Study hard in dental school. You will earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM), both of which qualify you to be a dentist. During the first two years of these 4-year programs, you receive classroom instruction on foundational science. During the last two years, you get hands-on experience through clinical rotations. Curricula vary from program to program, but most programs require some study of orthodontia for graduation. You'll earn your specialized orthodontic training during your residency, after dental school. Study for and take the National Board Dental Examination. The DAT isn't the only test you need to pass to become an orthodontist! After you graduate from dental school, you must take the NBDE to either get your license to practice or, in many cases, to apply for postdoctoral residencies. The NBDE is a two-part exam that takes three days to complete. NBDE I: You will answer 400 questions on Anatomic Sciences; Biochemistry-Physiology; Microbiology-Pathology; and Dental Anatomy and Occlusion. NBDE II, Day 1: You will answer 400 questions on. Endodontics; Operative Dentistry; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pain Control; Oral Diagnosis; Orthodontics/Pediatric Dentistry; Patient Management; Periodontics; Pharmacology; and Prosthodontics NBDE II, Day 2: You will answer 100 case-based questions about what to do with actual patients. The exam will provide a summary of the patient's health and history; dental chart; diagnostic radiographs, and clinical photographs. From that information you must interpret the information; make a diagnosis; select materials, technique and armamentarium; treat the patient; evaluate his/her progress and complications; and establish procedures for prevention and maintenance. Complete a residency in orthodontia. After you've graduated from dental school, you must apply for a residency in your field of specialty — orthodontics. Residencies last a minimum of 2 years, but often last longer. There are two systems used to find postdoctoral education: the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH). The programs you apply for may use one or the other, or even both, so you should sign up for both systems. Postdoctoral programs will ask for your undergraduate and dental school transcripts, National Board Dental Exam scores, three or more letters of recommendation, work experience, and a personal statement of career goals. Research licensing requirements in your area. The requirements to practice as an orthodontist varies from state to state. Most states only ask you to get a dental license, which allows you to practice general dentistry or a specialty, like orthodontics. But some states, like Michigan, Oregon, and Idaho, require both a dental license and an orthodontic license. Contact your state's dental board to find out which license(s) you need before you can begin your practice. Find out what you need to qualify for a license. In most cases, you will need dental school transcripts, a passing score from a national or regional dental board exam, and completion of an orthodontic residency. Apply for your dental and/or orthodontic license. Depending on where you live, the application fee can be anywhere from $300-$600. You will also have to submit to a background check and drug testing. Take and pass your licensing exam. Even though you've already passed your DAT and NBDE, you still have to prove to the state that you meet their standards before you can practice. The exam varies from state to state. Contact your state dental board for information on the test's content and structure, and for guides to help you prepare. Once you pass the licensing exam, you can legally practice as an orthodontist in the state. If you move to a different state, you will have to repeat the licensing process. Some states will exempt you from the licensing exam if you passed it in another state, though. Consider getting board-certified. You don't have to be certified by the American Board of Orthodontics to practice — in fact, only about 1% of orthodontists are. However, getting certified can set you apart from other orthodontists in your area because it shows that you have passed yet another bar of excellence. You will have to take and pass an exam of 240 written questions, as well as a clinical exam. Certification expires every ten years. You must take and pass a renewal exam every decade to prove you are still able to practice at a high standard. | Take the right undergraduate courses. Plan your undergraduate years wisely. Learn how the DAT exam is structured. Take a practice exam. Find studying resources. Be disciplined in your test preparation. Apply to take the DAT. Take the Dental Admission Test. Apply to dental schools. Pay a deposit for a spot in dental school. Study hard in dental school. Study for and take the National Board Dental Examination. Complete a residency in orthodontia. Research licensing requirements in your area. Apply for your dental and/or orthodontic license. Take and pass your licensing exam. Consider getting board-certified. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Finch | How to Choose a Finch | When choosing a finch, consider getting a House Finch if you want to fill your house with music, since they're known for their long, twittering songs. For a finch that's a bit flashier, go for a Gouldian Finch, which has a bright red, purple, and green coat. In fact, you should consider getting a pair of finches, since they are social and can get lonely without another bird around. To avoid any issues, consider getting 2 of the same variety, like a pair of Zebra Finches, which are the most common breed. While sticking to 1 variety is easier, you can pair finches from the same region. For instance, Zebra Finches can be paired with black cheeked, black faced, Florida fancy, or timor finches. Just make sure to talk to a finch breeder before you pair up different varieties, because a territorial variety could attack or even kill another bird. | Keep 2 finches rather than just 1. Finches love to hang out with one another, so you should avoid purchasing just 1 finch! In contrast to companion animals that like to spend time with humans, finches mostly socialize with one another. As such, you should purchase finches in pairs of the same variety. If you buy 1 alone, it will be unhappy or bored. Select the perfect variety of finches for your taste. Pick a pair of the same type of finch, such as a pair of zebra finches. There are many beautiful varieties to choose from, such as the Gouldian finch with the bright red, purple, and green coat. If you want more than one variety, you should get a pair of each. Some breeds can be more aggressive than other breeds. Some breeds cannot be housed inside aviaries for various reasons. The most common breed is the Zebra Finch, but there are other breeds that make good pets, such as the Spice Finch, Strawberry Finch, Society Finch, and the Gouldian Finch. Decide whether to keep multiple finch varieties from the same region. Although it is common to keep different varieties together, you'll need to do your homework to get the pairing right. Typically, people will keep different finch varieties from the same region, such as Australia or North America. However, you may want to consult a finch breeder before pairing different varieties of finches. You could keep zebra finches with black cheeked, black faced, light black, Florida fancy, crested, or timor finches. You could keep Australian owl, shaft-tail, star, Gouldian, painted, and masked finches together. Sometimes one variety will interfere with the breeding activity of another. If one variety is territorial, there could be injuries or even death in your bird cage. Purchase your finches. Although you may find it easier to purchase your finches online, there are some advantages of shopping in-person for your finches. For instance, you might find that you connect to the color or the sound of a particular type of finch at the pet store. However, you may find a wider selection of finches on bird classifieds websites and online retailers. Some retailers specialize in finches from particular regions, such as Australasian finches. Some online classifieds websites, such as “BirdsNow,” allow you to purchase finches from local breeders or individuals. You could also adopt a finch from a local pet shelter. If you have a friend who breeds, you could ask them for a finch. Pick a finch if you enjoy beautiful birdsongs. One of the reasons people love finches is the sound of their songs in the morning! For instance, the House Finch sings a long, twittering song. Finches communicate important information to one another through song, so you'll get to enjoy their wonderful tweets! Finches sing to their babies before they are born in order to communicate environmental conditions. Choose a finch if you want a low-maintenance bird. As long as they are well fed and have enough room to fly around and socialize with one another, finches are easy to care for! In comparison to other birds, like the Parakeet, owning a finch is not a huge time commitment. Keep finches away from cats. If you own a cat and are thinking about getting finches, you should think about how you will ensure the safety of your finches. Cats will typically hunt birds. The best way to prevent a fatal interaction is to keep the finches away from your cats. Although finches spend most of the time in their cage, you may want to avoid choosing a finch if you own cats. You can still care for a finch in your house even though you own a cat or a dog. You'll just have to make sure the cat or dog cannot access the finches at any time. Avoid finches if you like to hold your birds. Unlike parrots, finches do not typically enjoy human touch. They are the type of bird that is really enjoyable to watch and listen to. If you want a bird that involves more interactivity, you should consider a Parrot. Budget for both the birds and additional costs. Finches can cost anywhere between $10 and $100. But you also have to consider the cost of the cage, food, water dishes, and perches. In addition, you need to budget for possible veterinarian bills in case your bird gets sick or injured. A bird cage costs between $60 and $1,000. Food and water bowls cost between $8 and $30. Toys cost between $20 and $100. Two perches cost between $12 and $30. A nest will cost between $4 and $12. A bag of bird food will cost between $9 and $20. Get a cage with 3 feet (0.91 m) of floor space for each pair of finches. You should get a cage that is wider than it is tall. It should have plenty of room for the finches to fly from one perch to another. You can determine the size of the cage based on the number of finches you want to keep, since each pair of finches will need 3 or 4 feet (0.91 or 1.22 m) of floor space. If your cage is 24 inches (61 cm) by 30 inches (76 cm), you could keep 2 finches. If your cage is 3 feet (0.91 m) by 3 feet (0.91 m), you could keep 4 finches. Avoid cages that are too narrow. You can clean the cage with warm, soapy water. Give your finches different kinds of perches and nests. Finches enjoy a variety of different perches, which will help them exercise and stay healthy. Make sure the cage has perches of different sizes, shapes and textures, rather than all the same type of perch. Give them lots of little nests, but avoid giving them a big nest that will encourage breeding. If you want to encourage breeding, you can give them larger sized nests. In addition, you'll need feeding and drinking dishes, bedding, bird toys, bird feed and treats. You'll need a cage that has room for all of the perches and swings while still allowing room for your finches to fly around. Locate the bird cage in a quiet room with a stable temperature. You'll want to place the bird cage in a room with a consistent temperature and without any drafts. You should pick a quiet room, since finches need adequate rest in order to stay healthy. Avoid situating the cage near the kitchen, as fumes from nonstick pans are toxic to birds. Don't put the cage in a room that has a television on all the time, since the finches won't be able to sleep. Keep the cage away from open doors and windows. Feed your finches a wholesome diet. You should feed them mostly pellet foods and some seeds. In addition, give them spray millet. Make sure they always have access to fresh water. To round out their diet, give them the following foods: Egg food. Carrot, lettuce, dandelion, apples, and oranges. Never give them avocado, chocolate, or alcohol. Although you may love avocado, chocolate, and alcohol, these foods are toxic to your finches! In addition, you should never expose them to meat products or dairy. If you let them out of their cage for a bit, remember to properly store these foods. Bathe your finches. You can put a little bathtub in the cage so your finches can clean themselves. You could also spray them with a mister. Aside from bathing, finches don't require much grooming. Never clip their wings because they rely on them for flight. | Keep 2 finches rather than just 1. Select the perfect variety of finches for your taste. Decide whether to keep multiple finch varieties from the same region. Purchase your finches. Pick a finch if you enjoy beautiful birdsongs. Choose a finch if you want a low-maintenance bird. Keep finches away from cats. Avoid finches if you like to hold your birds. Budget for both the birds and additional costs. Get a cage with 3 feet (0.91 m) of floor space for each pair of finches. Give your finches different kinds of perches and nests. Locate the bird cage in a quiet room with a stable temperature. Feed your finches a wholesome diet. Never give them avocado, chocolate, or alcohol. Bathe your finches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Parchment-Paper-in-Cooking | How to Use Parchment Paper in Cooking | To use parchment paper in cooking, place a sheet of it on the bottom of a baking tray before adding cake, brownie, or cookie batter to prevent the baked treat from sticking. To make cleanup a snap, cover your work surface with parchment paper when you need to drizzle sauces or decorate baked goods. If you're roasting veggies or meats, line the tray with parchment paper before popping the dish in the oven. | Use parchment paper to make brownies and cakes so they don’t stick. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of a baking tray. Make it long enough so that the edges of the paper extend over the lip of the tray 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm). Cut a second piece of parchment paper to go the opposite direction across the tray so that all the edges are covered. Pour the batter in on top of the parchment paper. When the brownies or cake are done cooking, simply lift the parchment paper out of the baking tray to easily remove the baked goods. For a round cake tin, cut a circle of parchment paper for the bottom of the tray, and then grease or butter the sides of the tin like you normally would. To keep the parchment paper itself from slipping, spray just a little bit of cooking spray or add some grease to the corners. This will make the parchment paper stick to the sheet or tray, and it won't move when you start adding batter or cookies to it. Keep your counters clean by decorating baked goods on parchment. When you need to drizzle sauces or decorate baked goods with sprinkles, lay them out on parchment paper before you begin. After you've finished decorating things, simply throw away the parchment paper. For extra help containing those sprinkles, lay the parchment paper on a baking sheet that has an edge around it. That way the sprinkles will stay on the parchment paper and in the baking sheet, no matter what. Line a baking sheet to keep cookies from sticking. The next time you bake cookies, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your baking sheet. Place the cookies on the parchment paper, and then cook them as you normally would. The parchment paper distributes the heat to the cookies more evenly, keeps the bottoms from burning, and prevents the cookies from spreading too wide as they bake. Cut 5 inches (13 cm) squares to put in the bottom of muffin tins. When making muffins, cut out a parchment square for each individual tin. Place a square into each tin, and then press them down with a thin glass, so that the bottom creases around the edges of the tin. Then pour in your batter and cook the muffins according to the recipe. When the muffins are done baking, you should be able to turn them out easily onto a clean linen towel and peel the parchment off of the bottoms of the muffins. Fashion a pastry bag out of parchment paper to decorate baked goods. Take a square of parchment paper, and roll it into a cone shape. Fill it with frosting, snip off the end of the cone with a pair of scissors, and decorate your baked goods! You won't get any pretty designs in your frosting from the parchment paper pastry bag, but it'll allow you to frost and decorate baked goods when you find yourself without a real pastry bag. Roast veggies and acidic fruits on parchment paper. Veggies will be easy to clean up, and fruits like strawberries or tomatoes will have a great flavor. Lay a piece of cut parchment paper over a baking sheet, and layer your fruits or veggies evenly across it. Bake them as you normally would, and throw away the parchment paper when they're done. Aluminum pans can make acidic fruits taste really bitter, and the acid from the fruits could also react with the pan, causing damage. Some vegetables cook better with aluminum foil rather than parchment paper: potatoes, beets, corn, and cauliflower get softer in aluminum foil than they would if cooked on parchment paper. Use parchment paper to roast tender, juicy meats. Whether you're cooking chicken, beef, or pork, cut out a sheet of parchment paper to fit on the bottom of a baking sheet. Place the prepared protein on the baking sheet, and cook it in the oven as you normally would. Once you're done with your meal, simply throw out the parchment paper. If you're roasting an entire chicken or turkey, use aluminum foil rather than parchment paper. The foil will keep that quantity of meat more moist than parchment paper would. Protect fish by cooking fillets on a sheet lined with parchment paper. Cooking fish directly on a baking sheet often results in the skin of the fish sticking to the pan. Line the sheet with parchment paper, and cook the fish on that instead. When the fish is done, it should easily slide off of the paper. This is an especially great method to use when cooking fish that still has its skin on. Roll specialty homemade butters in parchment paper. Butter infused with different herbs is delicious and makes a great gift. After you've made the butter, put it in the middle of a large piece of parchment paper. Then use the paper to mold and roll the butter into whatever shape you'd like, whether that's a round ball or a log. You can use this same method for rolling out slice-and-bake cookie dough. Make a steaming pouch out of parchment paper for vegetables. Fold a 14 by 12 inches (36 by 30 cm) piece of parchment paper in half, and then cut the paper into the shape of a heart. Put your prepared veggies (and fish, too, if you want) in the middle of the parchment paper. Roll the edges of the parchment paper up toward the vegetables as tightly as you can, creating a seal overtop of them. Put the parchment packet on a baking sheet, and bake them like you normally would. The parchment can come up over the veggies, or it can just create walls around the ingredients. Either way, you should get steamed veggies and have very little left to clean up. Line a baking dish with parchment paper when making casseroles. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your baking dish, with the edges of the paper coming up slightly higher than the natural edge of the dish. Cut a second sheet of parchment paper to lay in the dish going the opposite direction so that all sides are covered with paper. Pour or assemble the casserole inside the lined dish, and bake it in the oven. When the casserole is done and has cooled for 10 minutes, lift the entire thing out of the oven by grabbing the protruding ends of parchment paper. This also makes it a lot easier to cut the casserole. Just do it on top of the parchment paper, and then throw it out or compost it once you're done. | Use parchment paper to make brownies and cakes so they don’t stick. Keep your counters clean by decorating baked goods on parchment. Line a baking sheet to keep cookies from sticking. Cut 5 inches (13 cm) squares to put in the bottom of muffin tins. Fashion a pastry bag out of parchment paper to decorate baked goods. Roast veggies and acidic fruits on parchment paper. Use parchment paper to roast tender, juicy meats. Protect fish by cooking fillets on a sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll specialty homemade butters in parchment paper. Make a steaming pouch out of parchment paper for vegetables. Line a baking dish with parchment paper when making casseroles. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Straighten-Your-Hair-With-a-Flat-Iron | How to Straighten Your Hair With a Flat Iron | Before you straighten your hair with a flat iron, brush your hair to remove any tangles and spray it all over with a heat protectant. Divide your hair into sections, then clamp the flat iron on a 1-2 inch section of hair near the roots and slowly glide it all the way down the length of the hair. Don't leave the straightener in one place for too long, as it can burn your hair. Continue this process until you've straightened all of your hair. | Wash and dry your hair until damp. Wash your hair, then blow-dry or allow it to air dry until slightly damp. Blow drying may make your hair a little straighter already, saving you some time. Brush or comb your hair. Remove all tangles. The heat protectant will distribute more evenly if you brush or comb thoroughly beforehand. There should definitely not be any tangles left by the time you start straightening, or the process will leave crimps and knots. Apply heat protectant. Spray lightly onto your entire head of hair. Quickly comb your hair a second time to distribute the heat protectant evenly. Damp hair absorbs heat protectant more effectively, but you can still apply it to dry hair. You may use argan oil or other natural heat protectants instead, but set the iron to a low temperature to protect your hair further. This will make it less effective. Finish drying. Blow-dry or allow to air dry completely. Never straighten your hair while wet, as the iron may burn or damage wet hair. Let the iron warm up. Plug in the flat iron and let it heat up for three to five minutes, while you get started on the next step. Choose a temperature setting based on your hair: For thin hair, use the lowest heat setting. For average hair thickness, use medium heat (about 300–350ºF / 150–177ºC). For thick hair, use high heat (400–450ºF / 200–232ºC). To be safe, you may want to start lower and work your way up until you can straighten the hair in one pass. If you aren't using heat protectant, use low temperatures only. Be aware that there is a high risk of burning. Section off your hair. The thicker the hair, the more sections you need. People with thin hair can skip this step or divide it into two to four sections, while people with thick hair may need many more. Clip every section out of your way, except for one section of the lowest layer. You'll be working with locks of hair 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) thick. Each section can include several locks of hair, as long as it's convenient and easy to separate and hold one lock at a time. Section off the top section of your hair by lifting it and tying or clipping it in a half ponytail. You'll need total access to the lower layers of hair. Separate a lock of hair. Starting with the lowest layer of hair, separate a lock of hair 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide. This should be small enough that you can fit the flat iron around it easily, and straighten it in one pass. Clamp the iron above the roots. Place your flat iron 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) above your scalp. Close the two heated sides together, with the hair between them. Straightening too close to your scalp may damage the roots or burn your scalp. Be sure not to clamp too firmly, as this will create a ridge at the top of your hair. Leaving the iron in one place for too long will also cause a ridge. If there is excess hair falling out of the iron, open the iron and try again with a smaller amount of hair. Run the iron down the length of your hair. Slowly run the iron down the length of your hair. Keep the same amount of pressure on the hair at all times. Don't twist or move the iron from its path, or you may end up with crimps in your hair. It is normal to see steam coming from your hair and the iron. Your hair is not burning; this is just the heat protectant evaporating a little. If you see a lot of steam, or smell burning hair, move the iron more quickly. If your hair is particularly curly or frizzy, start with a few short strokes near the top, before dragging slowly as described. Repeat if necessary. If the lock of hair isn't straight after the first try, go over it a second time. If this keeps happening, use smaller locks of hair or raise the iron temperature. Multiple passes with a low-temperature iron can cause more damage than a single pass with a high-temperature iron. Repeat with all remaining locks. Once you've finished one section, unpin the next and repeat. Work from the lowest layers of hair up to the surface. Pay extra attention to the very back of your head. It's easy to miss a kink hiding out of your sight. Smooth down your hair (optional). If you're left with a few flyaway hair strands, try smoothing them down with one of the following: Rub in a drop of hair oil, about the size of a pea or even smaller. Spray a little hairspray over the flyaway strands and comb them down. You may apply hairspray over all your hair to protect from wind and moisture. Hold the can 12 to 14 inches (30–38 cm) away from your hair. Finished. | Wash and dry your hair until damp. Brush or comb your hair. Apply heat protectant. Finish drying. Let the iron warm up. Section off your hair. Separate a lock of hair. Clamp the iron above the roots. Run the iron down the length of your hair. Repeat if necessary. Repeat with all remaining locks. Smooth down your hair (optional). Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Moles-on-Your-Face | How to Get Rid of Moles on Your Face | If you'd like to get a mole removed from your face, talk to your doctor about getting it taken off with a basic surgical excision. Another option is to have the mole frozen off with liquid nitrogen. If your mole doesn't go very deep, look into laser surgery, which can reduce your risk of scarring. As an alternative to surgery, try a topical treatment, such as salicylic acid or BIO-T. You can also experiment with alternative remedies, such as covering the mole in garlic paste or soaking it in sour apple juice. | Perform a self-skin check. This can help you monitor for new mole growth. You also should watch for discoloration or growth of old moles. Count your moles. If you have more than 100 moles, you are a higher risk for skin cancer. You should make an appointment with a dermatologist. Recognize different mole types. Before you even consider removing a mole, you should know the type of mole and its symptoms. Some moles can be safe to remove, while others are not. Atypical mole — Atypical moles, or dysplastic moles, can look suspicious in color and size. They can sometime be larger than an eraser head, have an odd shape, or have many colors. If you have this type of mole, consult your doctor to be sure it is not cancerous. Congenital mole — This is the type of mole you are born with. Roughly, 1 in 100 people are born with moles. They can range in size from tiny (size of a pin head) to giant (larger than a pencil eraser). Doctors suspect that people born with giant moles are at a higher risk for skin cancer. Spitz nevus — This mole looks pink, raised, and dome shaped. It often looks like melanoma. It may ooze. It may itch or bleed. These are uncommon and mostly benign. Acquired Mole — This term means moles that are acquired after birth. These are often called common moles. Identify melanoma symptoms. A common way to do so is to remember the “ABCD” rule. If you suspect that you have melanoma, seek medical attention immediately. Asymmetry — The mole looks uneven, or one side does not match the other in size, shape, or color. Border that is irregular — The mole has ragged, blurred, or uneven edges. Color that is uneven — The mole has multiple shades, including black, brown, tan, or blue. Diameter — The mole is large in diameter (typically around ¼ inch wide). Evolving — The mole changes size, shape, and/or color in weeks or months time. Have the mole cut off. Moles on the face can be removed by surgical cutting. A dermatologist will either shave the mole off or make a surgical excision depending on the nature of the mole. If a mole is small and mainly exists above the surface of the skin, a doctor will likely perform a surgical shave. He or she will numb the skin and use sterile scalpel to cut around and beneath the mole. No stitches will be required, but the healing process can leave a flat scar that will vary in color from the rest of your skin. This scar may or may not be as visible as the original mole. If the mole is flat or otherwise has cells that go deeper into the skin, the doctor will perform a surgical excision. During this procedure, the mole and a margin of unaffected skin will be removed with a scalpel or sharp punch device. You will need stitches to close this wound, and the procedure often leaves a scar in the form of a thin, light line. Since the procedure does scar, however, it is often not preferred for moles on the face. Ask a dermatologist to freeze the mole. This procedure is also referred to as "cryosurgery." The doctor will apply a small amount of cold liquid nitrogen directly to the mole by spraying or swabbing it on. This liquid nitrogen is so cold that it destroys the cells of the mole. Usually, this procedure leaves a small blister behind in place of the mole. This blister will heal on its own in a matter of days to weeks. Once the blister heals, you may or may not be left with a light scar. Even if this should happen, though, the scar is typically much lighter and more difficult to spot than the original mole, so it might still be worth considering if you have a mole on your face. Find out if the mole can be burned off. A dermatologist can burn a mole off the face using a laser or by trying a procedure known as "electrosurgery." During laser surgery, the doctor will use a small, specialized laser to target the mole. As the laser heats the mole tissue, it breaks it down, causing the cells to die off. A small blister may result from the procedure, but this blister will heal on its own and may or may not leave a scar in its place. Note that laser removal is not usually used for deep facial moles since the laser does not usually go deep enough into the skin. During electrosurgery, the doctor will shave the top portion of the mole with a scalpel and use an electric needle to destroy the tissue beneath it. An electric current passes through the wire of the needle, heating it and causing the upper layers of skin to burn off. You might need multiple treatments, but this option leaves behind very little scarring, making it a good option to consider for moles on the face. Take an acid treatment. Mild acids can be used to get rid of moles as long as they are packaged for that purpose. Try an over-the-counter version or a prescription version. Always follow the instructions on the label to avoid damaging healthy skin surrounding the mole. As a general rule, you should apply the acid directly to the mole and avoid letting it come into contact with unaffected skin. One acid commonly used to treat moles is salicylic acid. Acid treatments can come in the form of lotions, liquids, sticks, cleansing pads, and creams. Sometimes an acid treatment will get rid of a mole completely, but some weaker treatments may only fade the mole. Learn about a popular herbal treatment. The only herbal treatment occasionally used by dermatologists is BIO-T. This solution is applied directly to the mole. A bandage will be placed over the treated mole, and the BIO-T will be left to work on its own. The mole can disappear in five days or so. This treatment is gentle and leaves virtually no scar behind, so it works well as an option for moles on the face. The usefulness of this treatment is still up for debate in some medical circles, so your dermatologist may or may not recommend it. If your doctor does not mention it as an option, though, you should bring it up and ask for his or her professional advice and opinion on it. Understand the limitations and risks of home remedies. Most home remedies are based on anecdotal evidence (or personal experience) and have little or no medical evidence supporting their effectiveness. Furthermore, there is a possibility that they could result in permanent damage to the skin on your face, leaving a scar or discoloration. Speak with your physician before attempting any of these remedies. Use garlic. The enzymes in garlic are believed to dissolve moles by breaking apart the cell clusters that make them up. It can lighten the pigmentation of the moles, and in some cases, it may even get rid of the mole completely. Cut a thin slice of garlic and place it directly on the mole. Cover the area with a bandage. This technique should be repeated twice a day for two to seven days, or until the mole goes away. Alternatively, grind a clove of garlic in a food processor until it breaks down into a paste-like consistency. Dab a little of the paste onto your facial mole and cover it with a bandage. Leave this paste on overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Repeat this procedure for up to one week. Soak the mole in juice. There are various types of fruit and vegetable juice that can be applied to the mole. Usually, some acidic or astringent element in these juices can attack the cells of the mole, causing the mole to fade and even disappear. Apply sour apple juice three times a day for up to three weeks. Dab onion juice onto the mole two to four times a day for two to four weeks. Wash the juice off 40 minutes after applying it. Spread pineapple juice over the mole and let it sit overnight before rinsing it off in the morning. You could also apply slices of pineapple directly to the mole. Repeat this once a night for a couple of weeks. Crush coriander leaves until juice forms and dab that juice directly on the mole. Let it dry, the wash it off. Repeat once a day for a couple of weeks. Mix equal parts roasted pomegranate and lime juice until a paste forms. Apply this paste to the mole at night, cover the mole with a bandage, then wash the paste off in the morning. Repeat this for as long as a week. Make a paste from baking soda and caster oil. Combine a pinch of baking soda with a drop or two of caster oil. Mix with a toothpick until a paste forms. Apply this paste to the mole just before you go to bed and cover the area with a bandage. Rinse the dried paste off in the morning. Repeat this technique for about a week, or until the mole fades or disappears. Use dandelion roots. Cut the root of a dandelion in half. Squeeze the root until a little of the milky liquid is released, and dab this liquid directly on the mole. Leave it in place for 30 minutes before washing it off. Repeat this treatment once daily for at least a week. No scientific evidence supports the notion, but it is commonly held that the milky liquid inside the dandelion root can help fade flat facial moles from sight. Apply flaxseed paste. Combine equal parts flaxseed oil and honey. Gradually add in a pinch or so of ground flaxseed until a paste forms. Apply this paste directly to the mole and leave it on for an hour before washing it off. Repeat once a day for a week or so. While there is no scientific explanation for it, flaxseed is a popular folk remedy for many different types of skin blemishes. Try apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a very gentle and natural acid. Like prescription acid treatments, it is believed to gradually burn the cells of the mole until they die off, causing the mole to disappear, as well. Wash the mole for 15 to 20 minutes using warm water so that the skin becomes soft. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar. Apply the vinegar to the mole for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash the apple cider vinegar off with clean water and dry the area. Repeat these steps four times a day for a week or so. Typically, the mole will turn black and become a scab. That scab will fall off, leaving the skin beneath it mole-free. Wipe the mole out with iodine. It is a commonly held belief that iodine can break into the cells of the mole and wipe them out using a natural, gentle chemical reaction. Apply a bit of iodine directly to the mole at night and cover the area with a bandage. Rinse it off in the morning. Repeat this treatment for two to three days. The mole should begin disappearing in this time period. Treat the mole with milkweed herb. Steep extract of milkweed herb in warm water for 10 minutes. Apply this "tea" to the mole on your face and leave it on overnight. Clean the area in the morning. Do this every night for a week. Apply aloe vera gel. Use a cotton swab to apply aloe vera gel directly to the mole. Cover it with a cotton bandage and leave it on for three hours so that your skin can soak the aloe vera in fully. Apply a fresh bandage afterward. Repeat this once a day for several weeks. Theoretically, the mole should disappear in this time period. | Perform a self-skin check. Count your moles. Recognize different mole types. Identify melanoma symptoms. Have the mole cut off. Ask a dermatologist to freeze the mole. Find out if the mole can be burned off. Take an acid treatment. Learn about a popular herbal treatment. Understand the limitations and risks of home remedies. Use garlic. Soak the mole in juice. Make a paste from baking soda and caster oil. Use dandelion roots. Apply flaxseed paste. Try apple cider vinegar. Wipe the mole out with iodine. Treat the mole with milkweed herb. Apply aloe vera gel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Corned-Beef-Hash | How to Make Corned Beef Hash | To make corned beef hash, peel and dice a few potatoes and place them in a large skillet with finely chopped corned beef and diced onions. Then, add beef broth to the mixture, cover the skillet, and bring all of the ingredients to a simmer. Once all of the broth is absorbed, add salt and pepper to taste and garnish your dish with chopped parsley. | Prepare the potatoes. Peel and dice a few potatoes so that you have about 2 cups. Place the raw potato pieces into a large skillet. Get the corned beef ready. Finely chop corned beef, either fresh, leftover or canned, into bite-sized pieces. Place the pieces in the skillet with the potatoes. Add the onion. Dice and onion and stir it in with the potatoes and beef. If you are using leftover corned beef with cabbage, you can throw in some of the cabbage too. This adds a more savory flavor to your corned beef hash recipe. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid1386703-v4-728px-Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Add some minced garlic for more depth of flavor. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/aid1386703-v4-728px-Make-Corned-Beef-Hash-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Add the beef broth. Pour it over the meat and vegetable mixture. Cover the skillet and bring the ingredients to a simmer. Cook them over medium heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. Season the hash. Add Salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with chopped parsley. Melt butter in a skillet. Place the butter in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, and melt it over medium heat. Add the potatoes. Spread them evenly over the bottom of the skillet and cook them in the butter until they become soft. Add the onions and meat. Mix them in with the potatoes and spread them over the the bottom of the skillet. Press down with the spatula so that the mixture forms a solid hash. Brown the hash. Cook it on one side until it becomes brown and crispy. Flip the hash. Turn it over, section by section, and press each section down with the spatula. Cook the hash on the other side until it's brown. Season the hash. Add Salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with chopped parsley. Boil the potatoes. Place the peeled, diced raw potatoes in a large pot of salted water and boil for about 3 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set them aside. Chop the beef and onion. Use a sharp knife to chop the corned beef and onion into small pieces. Sauté the onions in butter. Place the butter in a skillet and heat until it's melted, then place the raw onions in the butter. Sauté the onions until they're soft. Add the potatoes and Sauté the mixture for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, and keep cooking until the onions and potatoes are soft and lightly browned. Mix in the corned beef and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream. Pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Add the eggs. Make 4 holes into the corned beef hash and break 1 egg into each hole. Cover and cook on medium heat until eggs are done to your preference. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Gather the ingredients. You will need: 1 can corned beef hash 1 sweet/salad onion 1 cup mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste. Combine corned roast beef hash, onion , mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well. Lightly toast bread. This step is optional; untoasted bread is also fine. Spread the corned beef hash mixture on bread. Serve immediately. | Prepare the potatoes. Get the corned beef ready. Add the onion. Add the beef broth. Cover the skillet and bring the ingredients to a simmer. Season the hash. Melt butter in a skillet. Add the potatoes. Add the onions and meat. Brown the hash. Flip the hash. Season the hash. Boil the potatoes. Drain the potatoes and set them aside. Chop the beef and onion. Sauté the onions in butter. Add the potatoes and Sauté the mixture for 5 minutes. Mix in the corned beef and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream. Add the eggs. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Gather the ingredients. Combine corned roast beef hash, onion , mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a bowl. Lightly toast bread. Spread the corned beef hash mixture on bread. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Sexually-Empowered | How to Be Sexually Empowered | To become sexually empowered means you make your own choices and respect your needs and desires. Part of being sexually empowered is understanding the potential consequences of sex and how to protect yourself from them. Make sure to choose methods of protection, like condoms or diaphragms, that you feel comfortable with. Another way to feel sexually empowered is to accept your sexual desires as normal. For example, many people are taught that masturbation is wrong or sinful, which can lead to confused or negative feelings toward sex, but the reality is that this is a normal desire and act that most people engage in. You'll also want to work on loving and accepting your body. Try looking at yourself naked and getting comfortable with your entire body. Smile at yourself as you think about all of the amazing things your body is capable of. This will help you become more confident and empowered. | Learn about safe sex. In order to be sexually empowered, it is important to understand the potential consequences of sex and how to protect yourself from them. The more knowledgeable you are about sex, the better equipped you will be to make the right decisions for yourself. There are a wide variety of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that you may be exposed to when you choose to have sex with someone. Using a condom can help protect you from transmitting an STI. Pregnancy is also a potential consequence of heterosexual sex. There are a variety of ways to prevent pregnancy , so choose the method that works best for you. Barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps provide protection during each sexual encounter, while hormonal birth control methods such as pills, shots, patches, and implants prevent pregnancy for longer periods of time. Understand your rights. By law, you have the right to consent to each and every sexual experience you have. If anyone ever violates this right and forces you to have sex without your consent, this is considered rape. Don't feel like you have to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing, no matter how badly your partner wants it. Being sexually empowered means you make the decisions that suit you best. The law protects you from more than just unwanted sex. If anyone ever touches you in any way that you are uncomfortable with, you have the right to say no and to report the incident to the police if the person does not listen. You should also report any incidents of verbal harassment. If you are raped or sexually assaulted, understand that it is never your fault. No matter what you were wearing or how you were acting, you were not asking to be assaulted. Recognize gender role stereotypes. Gender role stereotypes are beliefs that a community holds on the way individuals of a specific gender should look or act. These beliefs are often untrue and can be very damaging to individuals who do not conform to the stereotypes. Most people are introduced to these beliefs at a very young age, so it's important to step back and challenge everything you think you know about gender roles. These stereotypes often reinforce the beliefs that people should only be attracted to member of the opposite sex, or that men should hold the power in a heterosexual relationship. It is important to recognize the double-standards that exist in gender stereotypes and to form your own opinions about them. For example, men who have multiple sexual partners are often encouraged by their peers, while women who have multiple sexual partners are often chastised for being promiscuous. Individuals who do not fit within the confines of traditional gender stereotypes often feel ostracized and misunderstood. If this is the case for you, seek out support from like-minded friends and loved ones, or from a support group. There are a variety of support groups and hotlines for members of the LGBTQ community, for example. Understand the power of choice. You don't necessarily need to be sexually active in order to be sexually empowered. While everyone finds empowerment in different ways, the most important thing is that you decide what you will do with your own body. If you choose not to have sex, that is your choice and you should not let anyone persuade you to do anything you don't want to do. Learn to love and accept your body. Many men and women feel shame about their bodies, and some haven't seen every part of their bodies. In order to be sexually empowered, you have to see and love your body. To improve your body image, try looking at yourself naked in a mirror. Smile at yourself and give yourself compliments. Remind yourself of all of the wonderful things our body is capable of. The more you do this, the more comfortable it will become for you. Accept your sexual desires as normal. It's completely natural to have sexual feelings and you should embrace that. If it wasn't for sex we wouldn't be here! If you feel any guilt or shame about your sexual desires, realize that there is no reason at all for anyone to make you feel that way. Just because something is stigmatized by society, does not mean there is anything wrong with it. For example, many people, especially women, are taught that masturbation is wrong or sinful, which can cause them to become confused and hold negative feelings towards sex and their own bodies. The reality is that most women do masturbate and it is perfectly normal. If you are having sexual desires that would involve harming others in any way, you should not embrace these. A therapist can help you understand where these desires are coming from and help you find more appropriate outlets for them. Own your gender identity and sexual orientation. Individuals often face discrimination for failing to conform to gender stereotypes or for not being heterosexual. While it is certainly not an easy thing to do, fighting back against this discrimination and being proud of who you are is essential to becoming sexually empowered. Do not let others tell you what your role should be in a relationship or who you should be attracted to. These decisions are entirely up to you. Dismiss the critics. Many cultures, religions, and individuals stigmatize people who do not conform to the norms of that community. If your community is unaccepting of you, you will face a lot of challenges in your journey to be sexually empowered. Eventually you will need to decide whether you will conform to the norms or ignore everyone who does not accept you for who you are. Always think about your safety first. If you ever feel endangered in any way, call the police. You have the right to be safe and to express yourself! It is up to you whether you want to share details of your sexual orientation, gender identity, and lifestyle with your family. Many people feel the need to do so in order to be their true selves, but for others, the consequences are not worth it. It's important to consider your own comfort level when deciding who to come out to. If you know that some people in your life are likely to be more accepting than others, consider coming out to them first. They can offer you the support you need and help guide you as you talk with more and more people. For some people, leaving the unaccepting community is the best option. Even if you do not completely cut ties with the community, you may be able to find a supportive group of like-minded people outside of the community. Look online for support groups, hotlines, or even chat rooms that are dedicated to supporting people like you. Maintain the power. In order for any sexual act to be empowering for you, it needs to be your choice. If someone else is forcing you to do something, it will objectify you, not empower you. If you feel pressured by an individual or by society as a whole to perform a sexual act, you no longer have the power. The choice needs to be entirely un-coerced in order to be empowering. Remember that you always have the right to stop consenting to something as soon as it becomes uncomfortable for you. Form your own beliefs on empowerment. Everyone has different beliefs on sexual empowerment. What some people find sexually empowering, others may find objectifying. Because of these varying opinions, it is important to take some time to consider what you personally find sexually empowering. You should always base your decisions about sex on your own opinions on empowerment. Just because you want to be sexually empowered does not mean you need to have multiple sexual partners; it merely means that you can choose to have multiple sexual partners if you wish without feeling bad about it. If this doesn't feel right for your body, then it will not be empowering to you. In addition to deciding about your sexual preferences, you will need to decide how much you want to display your body. Some women find it empowering to pose in sexually suggestive poses or dance in suggestive ways, for example. Other women may not find these things empowering at all. Talk to your partners about your desires. When you find yourself in a sexual relationship, communicate with your partner about your sexual desires and preferences. If you both understand what the other wants, you're more likely to have a satisfying sexual experience. Don't be shy about telling your partner if you don't like something. Remember that your pleasure is just as important as your partner's and one should not be prioritized above the other. Don't make demands or intimidate your partner in any way. He or she deserves to be sexually empowered as well, and your sexual empowerment should not come at the expense of your partner's. | Learn about safe sex. Understand your rights. Recognize gender role stereotypes. Understand the power of choice. Learn to love and accept your body. Accept your sexual desires as normal. Own your gender identity and sexual orientation. Dismiss the critics. Maintain the power. Form your own beliefs on empowerment. Talk to your partners about your desires. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Rice-Pudding | How to Make Rice Pudding | To make rice pudding, start by combining the cooked rice, milk, and sugar in a pot. Next, cook the mixture on a medium heat for 30-40 minutes, taking care to stir it regularly so the rice doesn't stick. Finish by stirring in the vanilla extract and spooning the pudding into cups. To make rice pudding in the oven instead, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, and salt in a casserole dish, add the rice and raisins, and place the dish in a larger dish filled with 1 inch of water. Bake the pudding for 1 hour 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. | Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready in a saucepan. You can use leftover rice from the night before, or you can make it fresh. If you wish to make it fresh, do the following: Fill a saucepan with ½ cup (115 grams) of dry rice (preferably medium-grain) and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water. Bring the water and rice to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the rice over low heat for 15 minutes. Fluff the rice up with a fork. Leave it in the saucepan. Stir in the milk and sugar. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot, especially if you made the rice fresh. This will help dislodge any rice that got stuck to the bottom of the pan. Cook the rice, uncovered, over medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir the rice often so that it doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pot. The rice pudding is done when it becomes thick, like porridge. Take the pot off the stove and stir in the vanilla extract. Keep stirring until it is evenly combined. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot from time to time as well. Sometimes, rice gets glued to the bottom of the pot, and this will knock those grains loose. Spoon the pudding into cups and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Using a ladle, scoop the pudding into individual bowls. Garnish each with a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. Let the pudding cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve the pudding while it is still hot. If you'd like a more refreshing treat, let the pudding cool down to room temperature first, then chill it in the fridge until it becomes cold to your liking. If you are chilling the pudding in the fridge, press a sheet of plastic wrap against the surface of the pudding. This will prevent a skin from forming on top. Peel the plastic wrap away before serving the pudding. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). At this time, you can also grease your casserole dish. Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready. You can use leftover rice from the night before, or you can make it fresh. If you are making it fresh, you will need about ½ cup (115 grams) of dry rice (preferably medium-grain) and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water. If you want to make the rice fresh, do the following: Put ½ cup (115 grams) of dry rice (preferably medium-grain) and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water into a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover the saucepan, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the rice over low heat for 15 minutes. Fluff the rice up using a fork. Leave it in the saucepan. Beat the eggs in a buttered, 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish. Crack the eggs directly into the casserole dish, then beat them with a whisk until the yolks break and combine with the whites. Stir in the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Keep stirring with the whisk until everything is evenly combined. You do not want there to be any streaks of unmixed egg yolk. Fold in the rice and raisins, if desired, into milk and egg mixture using a rubber spatula. Don't worry if the mixture looks wet and soupy; the rice will continue to soak up the liquid as you bake it. Adding raisins is traditional, but if you don't like them, you can leave them out. For a twist, soak the raisins in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of bourbon or whiskey for 1 hour before adding them to your pudding. Place the casserole dish in a pan filled with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of water. Place the casserole dish inside of a larger pan (such as a baking pan or a roasting pan). Fill the larger pan with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of water. Bake the rice pudding for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every half hour. Carefully place the pans into the oven. Bake the rice pudding for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Every 30 minutes, open the oven door and give the pudding a stir. Let the pudding cool for a few minutes before serving it. Serve it while it is still hot. If you'd like something a little more refreshing, let the rice cool to room temperature first, then let it finish cooling in the fridge. To prevent a skin from forming on top, press a sheet of plastic wrap over the surface of the rice pudding; be sure to remove it before serving it. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). At this time, you can also lightly grease your casserole dish, so that it will be ready for you. Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready. You can use leftover rice, or you can make it fresh. If you want to make the rice fresh, do the following: Fill a saucepan with ½ cup (115 grams) of dry rice (preferably medium-grain) and 1 cup (240 milliliters). Bring the water and rice to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low. Allow the rice to simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. Leave it in the saucepan. Beat the eggs and coconut milk in a buttered, 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish. Crack the eggs directly into the casserole dish, then add the coconut milk. Mix the two together with a whisk until the yolks break. Keep whisking until everything is evenly blended and no streaks remain. Stir in the vanilla extract, cardamom, and sugar. If you'd like to add a more exotic flavor and texture to the rice pudding, add ½ cup (30 grams) of shredded coconut. Fold in the rice using a rubber spatula. Don't worry if the mixture looks soggy and soupy. The rice will soak up the liquid as it bakes, and the eggs will give you a custard-like texture. Set the casserole dish into a larger baking dish filled with water. Place the casserole dish into a larger baking dish, such as a baking pan or a roasting pan. Fill the larger dish with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of water. Bake for about 50 minutes, stirring after the first half hour. Carefully place both baking dishes into the oven, and let the rice pudding bake for 30 minutes. Open the oven door and give the mixture a stir, then bake it for another 20 minutes or so, or until the pudding turns firm. Let the rice pudding cool for a few minutes before serving it. It will taste great while it is still hot, but you can also serve it cold. To do this, let it cool down to room temperature first, then let it finish chilling in the fridge. Press a sheet of plastic wrap against the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming on top. Finished. | Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready in a saucepan. Stir in the milk and sugar. Cook the rice, uncovered, over medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Take the pot off the stove and stir in the vanilla extract. Spoon the pudding into cups and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Let the pudding cool for a few minutes before serving. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready. Beat the eggs in a buttered, 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish. Stir in the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Fold in the rice and raisins, if desired, into milk and egg mixture using a rubber spatula. Place the casserole dish in a pan filled with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of water. Bake the rice pudding for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every half hour. Let the pudding cool for a few minutes before serving it. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Have 1½ cups (375 grams) of cooked rice ready. Beat the eggs and coconut milk in a buttered, 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish. Stir in the vanilla extract, cardamom, and sugar. Fold in the rice using a rubber spatula. Set the casserole dish into a larger baking dish filled with water. Bake for about 50 minutes, stirring after the first half hour. Let the rice pudding cool for a few minutes before serving it. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Name-in-Pennsylvania | How to Change Your Name in Pennsylvania | If you need to change your name in Pennsylvania, you'll need to visit the Office of the Prothonotary or the Office of Judicial Records in your county to submit the necessary documents. If you want to change your name for personal reasons, file a Petition for Name Change. While some offices have a sample petition for you to fill out, other offices require that you write your own petition, which must cover your reason for changing your name, your current address, and all of your addresses for the 5 years prior to your petition. You'll also need to have your fingerprints taken to make sure you don't have a criminal record and get an order for Publication and Notice signed by the judge. In addition to the paperwork, pay the filing fee, which can range from around 97 dollars to 328 dollars. To complete the process, publish a notice of your intended name change in the newspaper, present proof of your financial standing to the court, and attend a court hearing. | File a Petition for Name Change in your local Prothonotary’s office. You should file your paperwork in the county in which you live. Some Prothonotary offices have sample petitions for you to fill out. Other offices require that you write your own petition. This step starts the name change process. Your petition must contain the following information: Your desire and intention to change your name Your reason for asking for a name change, which can be any reason that the Court will approve. However, you may not change your name to avoid creditors, commit fraud, or because you don't want others to know that you have committed crimes in the past. Your current address All of your addresses for the five years prior to filing your petition File any other required forms. These forms differ in each county. However, they may include a Civil Cover Sheet, a Court Administration Office Scheduling Sheet, and an Order for Publication and Notice. Your county Prothonotary office may have these forms for you to fill out, or you may need to write your own forms. These forms are usually just to ensure that your case moves properly through the court system and that you complete all of the required steps to change your name. Pay the court’s filing fee. The amount of this fee varies widely from county to county, ranging from about $97.00 to $328.00. You can file an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition and order if needed. This petition asks the court to waive the normal fee because you receive public assistance or are otherwise unable to afford the fee or are considered to be low-income. If the judge agrees to waive the court's fee, you will receive a signed order waiving the filing fee by mail. Get your fingerprints taken. When you file your Petition for Change of Name, the court will issue an order that directs you to have your fingerprints taken. You may be able to receive that order from the court the same day that you file your petition, or you may receive it later in the mail. Using this order, you can set up an appointment with your local police department in order to get your fingerprints taken. The police department is likely to charge you a fee to get your fingerprints taken. The court will use your fingerprints to check your criminal history with the Pennsylvania State Police. If you have been convicted of certain crimes, you may not be eligible to change your name. Get an Order for Publication and Notice signed by the judge. After your fingerprints have been submitted, the court will schedule a hearing. You will receive a hearing date by mail, along with a completed Order for Publication and Notice. This Order directs you to publish notice that you wish to change your name. Publish notice of your intended name change. Your notice also will contain the date of the hearing that has been scheduled on your request to change your name. This allows any interested person to attend the hearing and object to your proposed name change. Your publication notice must follow these guidelines: The notice must be published one time in two newspapers of general circulation in your county of residence or in a nearby county. You can use any newspaper in those locations. Since the fees may vary, you may wish to check with several newspapers to see which costs less. Your Prothonotary's Office can tell you which newspapers are generally used and how to contact them. A copy of the newspaper notice will serve as evidence that you have properly published the notice of your intended name change. The court can waive the publication requirement if it finds that publishing notice would jeopardize your safety. Present proof of financial standing to the court. You typically satisfy this requirement by submitting an official judgment or lien check showing no outstanding judgments. This document must be signed by the Prothonotary's office. Depending on your county's requirements, you also may need to get searches done by the Clerk of Court's Office and the Recorder of Deeds Office. You must provide proof of these searches to the court. You must request that these searches be performed individually by each office. Each office may have a different form for making this request. Some offices in some counties may even require you to conduct the search yourself. The Prothonotary's Office and the Clerk of Court's Office are typically located in your county courthouse. The Recorder of Deeds Office also may be in the courthouse or in another local government building, depending on your county. Each office may charge a fee for the search requests. The amount of this fee is different in every office and varies from one county to the next. Once you have paid the fee and the search is complete, the office will give you a signed document that states the results of the search. This is the document that you will present to the court when you attend your hearing. Attend a court hearing. Your court hearing typically will be about one to three months from the date that your petition for name change is filed. This gives you plenty of time to publish the required notices. At the court hearing, the court will determine if you are eligible for a name change. If you qualify under Pennsylvania law, the court will order your name change. Some people do not qualify for a name change. If the judge denies your petition for name change, you do have the right to appeal. However, the appeal process is complex and you probably should consult with an attorney first before attempting to file an appeal on your own. You will not be eligible for a name change for the following reasons: To avoid creditors or debts that you owe To commit fraud or similar criminal acts To avoid people knowing about your past criminal convictions Obtain the required forms. An Election or Notice to Resume Maiden Name form for an adult who wants to change her name after a divorce is generally available in most Prothonotary offices in each county. Filing this form will allow you to change your name from a married surname to a prior surname if you are newly divorced. The Prothonotary's office will charge a fee to change your name. This fee typically ranges from $19.00 for a person who was divorced in her county of residence, to $42.00 for a person who was divorced in another county or state. However, these fees vary by county. Obtain a copy of your birth certificate. If you wish to resume using your maiden name following a divorce, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate that shows your maiden name. Get a certified copy of your divorce decree, if required. If your divorce was filed in another county or state, you will need to place a certified copy of your divorce decree on file in the Prothonotary's office. You can get a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Prothonotary office in the county in which you were divorced, or from the county clerk's office if you were divorced in another state. If your divorce was granted in the county in which you are filing for a name change, you do not need to provide a copy of your divorce decree to the Prothonotary's office. File the completed Election or Notice to Resume Maiden Name form, birth certificate, and divorce decree in the Prothonotary’s office. Once you have filed the required paperwork, you have effectively given notice of your intent to return to using a prior surname. This is all you have to do to start using your prior name under Pennsylvania law. Change your name with the Social Security Administration. You can change your name on your social security card to your spouse's surname by bringing your marriage certificate to your local Social Security Administration branch office. You also will need to present a copy of a valid photo identification card, such as a driver's license. There is no fee for changing your name with the Social Security Administration. You will receive your new social security card in the mail. Change your name on your driver’s license. You can change your name on your driver's license to your spouse's surname by bringing your marriage certificate to your local Driver License Center and filling out Form DL-80. There is no fee for simply changing your name on your driver's license. Change your name on other important documents. Once you have obtained a new social security card and driver's license showing your new married surname, you can take those documents to other offices to have your name changed there, as well. Some places will want to see your marriage certificate along with your new social security card and driver's license, and they may require you to fill out their own internal forms in order to change your name. Other places where you may need to change your name include: Your employer Institutions that service your retirement accounts Banks and credit unions Credit card accounts Insurance policies, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability Complete and sign the back of the child’s birth certificate. When both biological parents agree to change their child's name, they don't have to do it through the court system. There is a form located on the back of every child's birth certificate for this purpose. Both biological parents must sign this form to show their agreement. Mail the form to the Department of Vital Statistics. You must include a legible copy of one parent's government-issued ID card with the form. If you want the original birth certificate returned to you, you also must include a $4 fee. The only exception is if you provide proof of membership in the Armed Forces. In that case, you don't have to pay the $4 fee. Receive a new birth certificate with your child’s new name. You can use the new birth certificate to change your child's name with the Social Security Administration. You also should show the new birth certificate to other offices that need the child's correct name, such as his or her school and doctor's office. Consult with an attorney. Changing the name of a minor child can be complicated. The court does not have to grant your request to change your child's name. An attorney can evaluate your situation and advise you whether you are likely to be successful in changing your child's name. File a petition to change your child’s name. You must file the petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which you live. Pay the court’s filing fee. The amount of this fee may vary. You can file an IFP (in forma pauperis) petition and order if needed. This petition asks the court to waive the normal fee because you are unable to afford the fee or are considered to be low-income. If the judge agrees to waive the court's fee, you will receive a signed order waiving the filing fee by mail. Serve the child’s other parent with notice. A court cannot change the name of a minor child without the other parent getting notice. You must send notice of the petition for name change to the other parent by registered or certified mail. You should ask for a return receipt when mailing the notice. You must file the return receipt along with a certificate of service with the court. This proves that you properly gave notice to the other parent. Prove that the name change is in the best interest of the child. The court will hold a hearing to determine if the child's name should be changed. The best interest of the child standard includes a number of different factors to consider. The natural bond between parent and child The parent's history of visitation with child Whether the parent has paid child support Whether the parent has been consistently involved in child's life Whether ties exist between the child and the parent's extended family The social impact or respect according the child's present name in the community The age and ability of the child to understand the significance of changing his or her name | File a Petition for Name Change in your local Prothonotary’s office. File any other required forms. Pay the court’s filing fee. Get your fingerprints taken. Get an Order for Publication and Notice signed by the judge. Publish notice of your intended name change. Present proof of financial standing to the court. Attend a court hearing. Obtain the required forms. Obtain a copy of your birth certificate. Get a certified copy of your divorce decree, if required. File the completed Election or Notice to Resume Maiden Name form, birth certificate, and divorce decree in the Prothonotary’s office. Change your name with the Social Security Administration. Change your name on your driver’s license. Change your name on other important documents. Complete and sign the back of the child’s birth certificate. Mail the form to the Department of Vital Statistics. Receive a new birth certificate with your child’s new name. Consult with an attorney. File a petition to change your child’s name. Pay the court’s filing fee. Serve the child’s other parent with notice. Prove that the name change is in the best interest of the child. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pok%C3%A9mon-Card | How to Make a Pokémon Card | To make a Pokémon card, start by finding a card maker site online, such as my poke card (dot) com or poke card (dot) net, to generate your card. Then, upload an image for your card, either of a real character or one you've created. Next, follow the prompts to fill in the information about your Pokémon, such as the name, evolution stage, and any special characteristics. When you've filled in all the fields, complete your card and print it out on card stock using high quality ink. | Search for a Pokémon card maker site. Search keywords “Pokémon card maker” and you should find many online generators. Two popular sites are mypokecard.com or pokecard.net. Find an image for your Pokémon card. If you're going for realism, search for an animated image with the same characteristics as real Pokemon, like sharp edges and bold colors. If you want a funny card or something unique, you can use a photo of yourself or scary animal. Once you've chosen your image, upload it onto the site. Choose an image that goes with the type of Pokémon that you're creating. For example, you might choose a water or fire type, in which case you should make sure the image you choose fits the type. So if you have a photo of an animal shooting water from its mouth, don`t choose fire type. Choose an evolution stage. The evolution stage is similar to giving your Pokemon's age. If it's basic then it's a kid, if it's stage 1 then it's a teen, and if it's stage 2 then it is an adult. Select the name for your Pokemon. If choosing a name is difficult, think about what your Pokémon represents. Is it funny? Is it powerful? Is it scary? You can name it after its move like “Firebreather” or “Lightning Strike” Fill in special characteristics. Each Pokémon has a set of special characteristics and a card maker site will prompt you with what to fill out. This is what makes up your Pokémon and should be fun. Think about the type moves and and weaknesses your card should have. Put in its attacks, fill out the author statement, and the weaknesses of the Pokemon. Put the Pokémon's name at the very top. It's important to come up with a name that represents your Pokémon well. Use the official Pokémon font that can be found using a quick online search. Place your Pokémon’s HP number at the top right corner. The stronger your Pokémon is, the higher the HP level. You can also be hit more often with a high HP number. How much health your Pokémon will have depends on its type. For example, water types tend to have high health. Additionally, Stage 1 or Stage 2 evolutions will have more health than previous evolutions. List your Pokémon’s moves below the image. Below the image, add 2 or 3 types of attacks. When attacking your opponent, you need to develop a strategy so choose your moves wisely. As with health, the damage your attacks do is based on the Pokémon's type and evolutionary stage. Different types also have different effects (ie. electric types often have coin flips in their attacks, and fire types commonly make you detach energy to attack). For example, when attacking, you could say, "Quick Attack, hit!" If your opponent does not say dodge before you say hit, than your opponent loses however many damage counters the move has. Sometimes, if a Pokémon is very weak to a type of pokemon, you can retreat. Other times, when your opponent is very weak to a certain type of pokemon, and the move has a boost in attack. Keep in mind that you can also use potions, trainer cards and supporter cards together with your moves. Those cards count as one turn. Place the damage counters next to the attacks. Directly to the right, create how many damage counters the attack move has. Whenever attacking, make sure to check for special conditions. Next to the attacks will be the damage it produces and under will also be either the status it changes to (ex.sleep poison stunned), or instructions to flip a coin to do more damage, depending on heads or tails. On the left side will be the attacks attribute. Attack attributes often put the defending Pokémon to sleep or continue to deal damage. Before starting a battle, always make sure to check weakness and resistance. Create a small line going across for the Pokedex number. The Pokedex number is the order assigned by the International Pokédex. It gives a brief history and characteristics of your Pokemon Give the type of Pokémon under the image. For example, mushroom pokemon, tiny mouse pokemon, or destruction Pokémon are all valid types. Also, include the height and weight below the image to help distinguish your type. Indicate how rare and important your card is. When trading and selling cards, you can find out if it is rare, when you look at the bottom right corner. There will be either a circle meaning not rare, a rhombus meaning uncommon, a star meaning rare, and a shining star meaning very rare. Place a card number near the bottom left. You will find two numbers that indicate how rare a card is. The higher the number the better. If you find a card that looks something like this, (109\108) that means that you have a rare card. Write a character description at the very bottom of your card. Pokémon cards will list something about the pokemon. For example, "Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. Its thick fur guards it from stuns. The illustrator weakness resistance and retreat cost should also located at the bottom of your card. Emphasize texture. Some cards are rare Holofoil or collectable cards, and usually have a shiny texture. So if you decide to mimic this feature, use glossy material. There are several different types of cards. There are full Art Cards, Holofoils, Reverse Holos, and Old School cards. Old School cards are older cards. They often have different art styles, or red HP. If you are not sure, check the bottom of the card for the date. You cannot buy these cards in stores. Separate an authentic Pokemon card. Pokemon cards are 2 separate cards glued together, a front and a back. Remove them, and keep the back for later. Scan a real card to create an image file. Upload the file to an image editor, preferably one that can support layers, such as Paintshop pro, GIMP 2 or Photoshop. Download an image creating software. There are many image creating software that allow you to both create and edit. Some must be purchased, like Photoshop, and some are free, like GIMP. There are also websites that specifically cater to creating Pokemon imagery. If you use a website, simply follow the directions given. Obtain all of the components of a real Pokemon card and combine them using the software. Search keywords like “Pokemon Card Resources” or simply use a real card as your template. Recreate the Pokémon card template using the tools of the image software. Recreate the border, edit your Pokémon picture, write text for HP, moveset, and any other things that are necessary to get an authentic look. Edit your text. When creating your text it is important to choose the right fonts as they appear on official cards. Search for Pokémon fonts online but keep in mind that some sites may require you to purchase their fonts. Save your work! Choose a file name that's easy to remember and file type. Go to the top menu and click 'export' to export the card to a pdf and save it as a JPEG or PNG. Resize your image. Open the PDF file with a Word Processor (ex. Microsoft Word) and resize it to match that of an authentic card (6.3 in width and 8.8 cm in height). Once you've resized it, remember the pixels of the card that you printed, so you can make a back. Print out the card. Make sure to use high quality color ink for best results. You should also consider the cardboard you are going to use. White cardstock works well. Keep in mind the texture of the card. Cut it to the precise shape and glue on the back of the card. Be careful not to create jagged or slanted edges. Use the back of the card that you saved to ensure that the size matches up. Glue it to the back of an existing card for rigidity. Apply a transparent tape on the cards to give it a glossy feel Glue it on with a strong glue such as rubber cement. Use the back of an existing card that you preferably do not care for such as a weak double. | Search for a Pokémon card maker site. Find an image for your Pokémon card. Choose an evolution stage. Select the name for your Pokemon. Fill in special characteristics. Put the Pokémon's name at the very top. Place your Pokémon’s HP number at the top right corner. List your Pokémon’s moves below the image. Place the damage counters next to the attacks. Create a small line going across for the Pokedex number. Give the type of Pokémon under the image. Indicate how rare and important your card is. Place a card number near the bottom left. Write a character description at the very bottom of your card. Emphasize texture. Separate an authentic Pokemon card. Scan a real card to create an image file. Download an image creating software. Obtain all of the components of a real Pokemon card and combine them using the software. Edit your text. Save your work! Resize your image. Print out the card. Cut it to the precise shape and glue on the back of the card. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Telephone-Game | How to Play the Telephone Game | To play the telephone game, start by having everyone stand in a line, making sure people are far enough apart that they can't overhear other players. Next, have the starting player think of an uncommon word, like planetarium or dictionary, and whisper it into the ear of the person standing next to them. Then, continue having people listen to the word and whisper it to the next player until everyone has heard it. Finally, see what everybody thinks they heard to see how the word changed as it went down the “telephone line.” | Get everyone in place. Although the game of telephone is simple to play, you will need to arrange the players in a way that supports the game. Have everyone stand in either a line or a circle. Players should be spaced far enough apart that they won't overhear the word when it isn't their turn. Proper position is important when playing telephone. If people aren't in some sort of order, they won't know when it's their turn. Start the game. Choose a person to start the game. This person will think of a word and whisper it to the person next to them. The word should be an uncommon one as the idea is to see how much it changes by the game's end. Once the word has been told to the next person, they will whisper it to the person next to them. Alternatively, choose a word with three or more syllables, such as: extraterrestrial, planetarium, or encyclopedia. Base the difficulty of the word on the age of the audience. What might seem difficult for a 5 year old would be easy for a 12 year old. If this is for school, consider using one of the vocabulary words that you are studying. You can also use a term from a science class. Continue whispering the word. Players continue listening to the word and repeating what they think they heard to the person next to them. This is done until the last person in the line or circle is told the word. By the end of the game, every person should have heard the word or phrase. See how much the word changed. Once the last person hears the word or phrase, they will say what they think they heard out-loud. This is compared to the original word that the game started with. This is the moment when all the players get to learn just how much the word or phrase changed through their “telephone line”. Say a word or phrase only once. An important rule for the game of telephone, is that you can only say a word or phrase one time. Repeating the phrase will only help to clarify it, going against the point of the game. Only allow those playing one chance to whisper the word or phrase on their turn. This will force the players not only to speak clearly, but to also listen carefully. Pick a unique word or phrase. The fun of telephone is to see how much a word changes throughout the game. Picking a simple or familiar word will make the game too easy, allowing the word to be heard clearly. Instead, it's a good idea to pick a difficult, long, or unique word to use when playing telephone. Choosing the word "dog" is probably a poor choice, even for young children. Something like "bayou" might be a better choice. Using the word "misanthropic" could be a challenging choice, and suitable for older children. Let only one person know the word. It's important that no one but the person starting the round of telephone knows the word being used. If other players know the word, they will be able to repeat it with ease. Always keep the word a secret to ensure that it ends up being changed by the game's end. Sometimes, the word does not get changed at all by the last person. This means that the players are really good at listening (and honest about not changing the word). Always whisper. You will need to whisper a word or phrase to a person during the game of telephone. Whispering helps in two ways; keeping the word a secret and making it hard to interpret correctly. Keeping the word quiet can make it more likely that it will end up being misheard and wildly different from the starting phrase. Play in teams. Playing telephone in teams can add a fun competitive edge to the game. Teams will each play the game in same manner, with one person starting the game off and the players whispering it down the line. However, one player is chosen to whisper the same word to both teams. The goal is to see which team can end the game with the word being closest to the original. Words that are closer will generally sound more alike or be a variation of the original word. Words that are farther apart from the original will generally have wildly different sounds and meanings. For example, you may start with the word "benevolence". One team ends the game thinking that the word was "beneficent", while the other team got "detriment". In this case, the team who said "beneficent" would be closer to the original word and win the round. Try the “rumor” variation. In this version, players are required to make changes. Even if you hear the phrase correctly, you must add one or two differences. This will result in huge changes to the original phrase the game started with. For example: If you started out with "Mary had two white cats," the next person might say: "Mary had two black dogs." The third person might say: "Mary had one black-and-white dog." Increase the difficulty. If you are finding that your team is able to keep the word or phrase close to the original, you can try making the game harder. Try picking new words or phrases that are more difficult to hear correctly. Keep some of these tips in mind when trying to make the game of telephone a bit more difficult: Pick longer words or phrases. The more you say, the harder it will be to pass on to the next person. You might try using "Squirreled" or "Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?". Pick words that aren't often used. For example, "magnanimous" isn't said often and may cause players to mishear it. Use random words that don't have context. For example using “tower, nose, zircon” would make it much more difficult to guess what was said without the context that normal phrases would have. | Get everyone in place. Start the game. Continue whispering the word. By the end of the game, every person should have heard the word or phrase. See how much the word changed. Say a word or phrase only once. Pick a unique word or phrase. Let only one person know the word. Always whisper. Play in teams. Try the “rumor” variation. Increase the difficulty. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-Good-Hoof-Care-on-Your-Horse | How to Maintain Good Hoof Care on Your Horse | To take good care of your horse's hooves, clean them daily to keep them free of debris. When you clean them, use a hoof pick to pry away large pieces of debris, and then go back over them with a stiff-bristle brush to clean off mud and dirt. You should also check your horse's hooves for signs of damage when you clean them, like puncture wounds, cracks, and bacterial infections. In addition to keeping your horse's hooves clean, have them trimmed every 10 to 12 weeks by a farrier so they're not overgrown. | Secure your horse. If possible, it may be helpful to have someone hold your horse in place. If you do not have anyone to help hold your horse, you may want to tie your horse to a stationary object. You want to make sure that your horse doesn't try to move away while you're lifting her feet, as this could cause injury to your horse and to you. Be sure to use a quick-release mechanism or a quick-release knot when tying up your horse for hoof maintenance. Stand in the proper place. Where you stand is crucial when you're going to perform hoof maintenance. If you're standing in any way behind your horse's foot, she could easily kick you, which can cause you significant injury or even death. When lifting the front legs, stand perfectly in line with your horse's front leg, facing her rear. Stroke your horse's neck with the hand closest to her body. Use your other hand to run down the back of your horse's leg and grasp the cannon bone, right above her ankle. When lifting the hind legs, stand with your shoulders in line with your horse's hip bone, and remain facing the rear of your horse. Keep the hand closest to your horse firmly in place on her hip. Use your other hand to stroke her rear and gently run your hand down to the cannon bone (just above the ankle). Apply pressure to the cannon bone. For the front legs, press against the horse's shoulder with the hand you were using to stroke her neck. For the hind legs, press against the horse's hip with the hand you were using to stroke her rear. When you properly apply pressure to the cannon bone, your horse should shift her weight to the other leg that you are not holding. Cup your horse's hoof. Once your horse shifts her weight to the other foot, move your hand from the horse's shoulder or rear to the front of her ankle on the foot you're trying to lift. Gently cup the hoof in your hand. Then release the hoof, praise your horse, and offer her a treat. Repeat the whole process. This should be done several times in a row until your horse learns what you're expecting of her and is no longer startled. Be sure that your horse knows where you are in relation to her body at all times, and be careful to avoid getting kicked. Lift the hoof. Once your horse is accustomed to having her cannon squeezed and lifting her leg on command, grasp the hoof and hold it in place. Remove large debris. While holding your horse's hoof in place, use a hoof pick to pry away any large debris, such as rocks, grass, and manure. Use the hoof pick to gently pry debris out of your horse's frog (the cloven V-shaped part of your horse's hoof). Work the frog from heel to toe, being cautious not to accidentally poke the frog itself. Use the side of the pick to scrape the surface of the sole and the outer edges of the hoof. Remove finer debris. Once you've picked away large objects with the hoof pick, use a stiff-bristle brush to gently scrub away mud, dirt, and sand. Once you've picked and brushed the hooves, you should be able to clearly see the sole of your horse's hoof. Don't be alarmed if your horse's frog appears tattered or worn. Horses shed the frogs of their hooves one to two times each year. Repeat for each hoof. It's important that you thoroughly clean each hoof every day, especially after riding or performing field work with your horse. Check for thrush. Thrush is a bacterial infection, typically acquired from standing for prolonged periods on wet or dirty ground. Thrush should be treated with an over-the-counter medication, and the stall should be thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent future occurrences of thrush. Signs of thrush include: foul smells in the frog of the hoof a dark ooze secreted from the frog a "cheesy" texture on the frog Check for puncture wounds. Inspect the sole of the hoof closely. If your horse stepped on something sharp that subsequently fell out, you may not notice the wound until an abscess forms. If you find a foreign object that is still stuck in the hoof, it's important that you do not pull it out. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible to have the vet examine your horse's puncture wound. If an abscess has formed, you will most likely notice it during inspection. In addition to visual signs of an abscess, your horse's hoof will probably feel warmer to the touch, and her digital pulse will most likely throb stronger than usual. Have your vet inspect the abscess as soon as possible to prevent infection. If both of your horse's front hooves are warm to the touch and throbbing with an unusually strong pulse, and your horse is shifting from side to side uncomfortably, call your veterinarian immediately. Your horse may have laminitis, which is fatal if left untreated. Check for cracks. Horse hooves often experience minor, "superficial" cracks that do not cause any real discomfort or harm. However, some cracks can develop into bigger, deeper, more painful cracks. If you notice a crack, it's best to stay ahead of the problem and let your farrier or vet know where the crack is and how big it is. Either your farrier or your vet should be able to tell you whether the crack needs to be addressed or not. Keeping your horse's hooves shoed can help prevent cracks and abscesses from forming. Rasp off flares. Flares, or hoof walls with an incorrectly-trimmed edge, should be rasped off every two weeks or as often as necessary. The walls of each hoof should be straight without any irregular flares on any sides of the hoof. Use a rasp in a side-to-side motion across the quarter section of the hoof walls until all quarters are flush with the ground. Trim the hooves. When trimming hooves, balancing the hoof is one of the most important concerns. Make sure that the the hoof wall's inner and outer size and shape are equal. If you have never trimmed a horse's hooves before, it's best to have a vet or farrier show you how to trim the hooves. An even better option would be to have the farrier perform the trimming, to ensure that you do not accidentally injure the horse. Learn how often to trim hooves. Hooves will generally need to be trimmed every 10-12 weeks for light-use, unshod horses. Some horses, depending on use level, will need to have their hooves trimmed every five to seven weeks. Each horse's needs will be different on a case-by-case basis. Consult with your vet or farrier on how often your horse's hooves need to be trimmed. Ensure a balanced trim. Before you can shoe a horse's hooves, you need to ensure that the hooves have a balanced trim. If a hoof is unbalanced, you may have to rasp the walls until the walls are straight and the quarters are flush with the ground. Choose a proper shoe. There are many materials that horse shoes are made of, though typically a shoe will be steel, aluminum, or plastic, depending on the horse's anticipated use and activity levels. Once you've selected a material, you'll need to measure the shoe to your horse's hoof. A good-fitting shoe should run the circumference of the hoof wall, covering the heels without extending out past the edge of the hoof. If a shoe sticks out past the edge, the horse may accidentally step on the rim of the shoe, and it could get pulled off or dislodged. Nail the hoof in place. Horse shoes are usually fastened in place using short nail clinches. Use square clinches that are not too coarse, and fasten the clinches approximately 3/4 inch up the wall of the hoof. If you are unfamiliar with how to fasten a horse shoe to a horse's hoof, have a farrier or qualified vet show you how to shoe a horse hoof. | Secure your horse. Stand in the proper place. Apply pressure to the cannon bone. Cup your horse's hoof. Repeat the whole process. Lift the hoof. Remove large debris. Remove finer debris. Repeat for each hoof. Check for thrush. Check for puncture wounds. Check for cracks. Rasp off flares. Trim the hooves. Learn how often to trim hooves. Ensure a balanced trim. Choose a proper shoe. Nail the hoof in place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Style-Dreadlocks | How to Style Dreadlocks | If you have dreadlocks, apply a thin film of locking pomade at the roots before you style them to smooth down any frizzy hairs. If your dreadlocks are at least chin-length, try braiding them in a traditional braid. Gather your locks into a ponytail or 2 pigtails. Separate each pony into 3 equal sections, then alternate crossing the sections over the center section until you reach the ends. Secure each braid with a hair tie. | Wash your dreadlocks regularly and dry them completely. Shampoo your dreadlocks at least once a week with a residue-free dreadlock shampoo for tight dreadlocks that are easier to style. Always dry your dreads thoroughly by squeezing them in a towel after washing. Let them air dry completely before styling to avoid creating any damp spots that might become musty. Sleep in a silk nightcap each night. Keep your dreadlocks frizz free and ready for styling by sleeping in a protective nightcap. A silk cap helps keep moisture in your dreadlocks and reduces friction from your pillow. Your dreadlocks will be hydrated and ready for styling when you wake up each day. Use locking pomade to smooth out frizziness immediately before styling. Use your fingertips to apply a thin film of locking pomade to the frizzy loose hairs at the root of each dreadlock. Work the pomade into the hair to moisturize it, and then twist the lock in the direction of the hair growth to help incorporate the loose hairs. Rub any locking pomade residue on your fingers down the length of each dreadlock. This pomade routine will help set your style and hold it in place, much like a hairspray. Form a traditional braid with your dreadlocks. If your dreadlocks are at least chin-length, put them in a ponytail or in two pigtails. Separate each pony into three equal sections of dreadlocks. Cross the right section of the three over the center section. Repeat this motion with the left side. Continue alternating crossing the sides of the braid over the center until you reach the ends of the dreadlocks. Secure your single or pigtail braids with hair ties so they don't come undone. French braid your dreadlocks. Gather three equal sections of dreadlocks from the crown of your head. Begin braiding the sections in a traditional braid. Gradually, incorporate additional dreadlocks from each side of the head into the side sections of your braid. Continue until all the dreadlocks from the sides have been incorporated fully into your braid. Secure the braid with a hairband. You could also do 2, 3, or more French braids with your dreadlocks. Curl your dreadlocks using rollers. Spray water onto your dreadlocks to dampen them. Then, wrap the end of one dreadlock around a satin-covered foam roller, so the curl is twisting away from your face. Continue wrapping the lock around the roller until you reach the scalp. Secure the roller using a hairpin. Repeat this method until all your dreadlocks are rolled. Let this style set under a warm dryer for 15 minutes, or wrap it in a silk nightcap and let it set overnight without heat. Smaller rollers will create tighter curls, and larger rollers will create looser waves. Fishtail braid your dreadlocks. Separate your dreadlocks into two equal sections, holding one in each hand. Using your right index finger, gather a dreadlock from the outside of the left section. Cross it over the left bundle of locks and pull it underneath the right section, adding it to that right section of locks. Now perform this process using the left index finger and the right bundle of dreadlocks. Repeat this method you've reached the end of your hair. Secure the style with a hair tie. Basketweave your dreadlocks. Grab two small sections of dreadlocks from the crown of your head. Cross them over one another. Then gather two new sections, one from either side of your head from slightly further down, cross them over the sections you just crossed to secure them. Repeat this process until you've gathered and crossed all the dreadlocks on the sides of your head. Secure your basketweave with hairpins or a hair tie. You can turn this into a half-up hairstyle, by basket-weaving from the crown of your head to your ears and then securing it. Leave the rest of your dreadlocks loose. Cornrow your dreadlocks. Use your fingers to separate your dreadlocks into even vertical rows from your forehead all the way back to the nape of your neck. Secure each section loosely with a hair band to keep the integrity of your parts. French braid each individual section starting at the forehead to create fine rows of braided dreadlocks. Secure each braid with a small hairband. Form a ponytail. Use your fingers to gather all your dreadlocks into one mass. Hold the bunch of dreadlocks at the base against your scalp with one hand. Secure a hairband around the base of the dreadlocks to fix them into a ponytail shape. Play with your ponytail by changing up the positioning. You can secure it at the nape of your neck for a low-key style, or put it high on your head for a theatrical ponytail fit for a popstar. Or, you could change up your part. Use a center part, a deep side part, or even no part at all. Try a bun. If your dreadlocks are shoulder-length or longer, gather them into a ponytail and then twist it, holding the twist in place with your fingers. Wrap the twisted dreads around the hairband at the base of your ponytail to form a spiral bun. Secure your bun with another hairband over the top or with hairpins. For a casual look, create a looped bun instead. When creating your ponytail, pull your loose dreads only halfway through the last turn of the hairband. This will create a messy, loose bun. Create a Mohawk. Shave the sides of your head to create a thick strip of dreads going from your forehead to the nape of your neck. If your have short dreads, your Mohawk will stand up vertically. If you have heavier, longer dreads, you can style your dreads to either side as you wish. If you don't want to shave the sides of your head, pin the dreadlocks up into a Mohawk style and secure them with bobby pins. Or, cornrow the hair on the sides of your head and leave the dreads free on the top. Experiment with a fade. Ask your stylist to give you an undercut. If your dreads are short, the effect will be spiky. If your dreads are long, you can pull them back into a ponytail or style them to the side. Wear your dreads half up. Run your thumbs along the sides of your head above your ears until they meet behind your head. Use a hair tie to secure the top section of your dreadlocks into a ponytail, and leave the bottom section loose. Create a variation on this style by forming your top section of secured hair into a braid rather than a loose ponytail. Create a Gibson tuck updo. Pull your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Above the hairband, open up a separation in your secured dreadlocks, and flip your loose ponytail through the hole. This will create a twisted effect on both sides. Flip the loose ends of your dreadlocks up through the hole once more, but this time use hairpins to secure the loose ends of your dreadlocks on the underside of the twisted area. The final look will be a sleek wrapped updo. You will need medium-to-long dreadlocks to execute this style. Note that the longer your dreadlocks are, the heavier they will be to wear up. Use as many hairpins as needed for your style to feel comfortable and secure. Play with wraps and beads. Search your favorite online retailers and beauty supply shops for hair jewelry, such as ribbon wraps or metallic beads, you can fasten to your dreadlocks. These are usually applied for a day style and should be removed at night for sleeping. Avoid sleeping in hair jewelry to keep your dreadlocks from becoming frizzy. | Wash your dreadlocks regularly and dry them completely. Sleep in a silk nightcap each night. Use locking pomade to smooth out frizziness immediately before styling. Form a traditional braid with your dreadlocks. French braid your dreadlocks. Curl your dreadlocks using rollers. Fishtail braid your dreadlocks. Basketweave your dreadlocks. Cornrow your dreadlocks. Form a ponytail. Try a bun. Create a Mohawk. Experiment with a fade. Wear your dreads half up. Create a Gibson tuck updo. Play with wraps and beads. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Travel-Brochure | How to Make a Travel Brochure | To make a travel brochure, start by identifying the main attractions in the area you're advertising, such as restaurants or movie theaters. Next, decide who your target audience is by evaluating the attractions at the destination, like by aiming for a young demographic if it's a vacation spot. To start writing, choose a catchy title and engage your audience with the first sentence on the opening flap by mentioning the destination's key strong points, such as good accommodation. Then, make sure you have great visuals to break up the text, since pictures are key if you want to grab people's attention. | Choose the destination of your potential clients. If you are a professional working for a travel company, your destination of choice will be the one you work for. If you are a student, and are creating a pretend travel brochure, you will want to pick out a desirable, exotic, and interesting location. A professional should already know what destination they are representing, or attempting to advertise for. Use this step to get to know the key features of your location: mountains, lakes, cabins, museums, parks, etc. Write each of these key features down on a piece of paper for use later on. If you are a student, find an exciting place to advertise for. Some great examples are Mexico, Hawaii, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, the beaches of Florida, or Australia, to name just a few. Research the location you choose (using reputable sources such as online search engines, encyclopedias, library books, etc.) and find out key features about the location. Write each of these down on a piece of paper for use later on. The lists for both students and professionals should be extra long at the beginning. It is better to create a long list to start, and then cross off items later on. Explore and locate the amenities of the location. These include, but are not limited to, restaurants, shops, bathrooms, movie theaters, etc. It is important that your potential client knows what amenities are available to them at your destination, and where they are located. Travel around the website by yourself and write down what and where the particular amenity is. If you are far away from where you are advertising for, look for maps online that might help you locate particular amenities. Sites like Google Maps often point out exactly what and where each of these is. After you have created a detailed list of the amenities, put a star next to the items you think are most important (bathrooms generally are a top priority). Make sure to note whether these amenities provide additional accommodations, such as being handicap accessible. Find out what the residents are saying, if your destination has residential accommodations. If you live with, or near, persons whom live there, talk to them. Get their opinions/first hand accounts of what the destination is like. Visit peoples' homes and ask them politely to give their opinion. Remember to bring a pencil and paper to write down exactly what they say. You can also bring a voice recorder if you do not write very fast. If the destination is strictly for vacation (non-residential) try calling people whom have vacationed there in the past. As with the previous step, write down exactly what they have to say about their experience. Students who do not have direct contact with persons whom live, or have vacationed there, should look online. Find internet sites that link you with local hotels, restaurants, etc. in the area of your destination. Look for reviews that have to do with the destination (Mexico, Hawaii, etc.) rather than a particular place of accommodation. Write down what they have to say. Pick your target audience. For every destination, you will need to figure out what demographic group will be most interested. This will not only help you highlight particular accommodations, but also create a brochure that is visually stimulating to your targeted demographic group. Use your list of key features and amenities to pick a target audience. Here are some key examples which will help: Vacation spots with lots of bathrooms, and restaurants available are great for an older demographic audience. Destinations which are primarily vacation spots (non-residential) usually target a younger audience, or newlywed couples going on their honeymoon. Vacation spots which have hotels furnished with WiFi and cable TV are great destinations for families. Destinations which have large rooms are great for business workers, who are looking to conduct work from far away. This is not an all encompassing list, but it will give you an idea about what to look for, and how to pick the right demographic audience. Something you might think is minor (a boardwalk for example) might make all the difference in the world for a particular clientele. Determine the price of your travel package. This is the most important step of all. You need to make a reasonable profit, but you also do not want to scare away potential visitors. If you are a professional, the price of the trip will probably already be determined. Take into account the previous four steps, and in particular the target demographic group. Set a standard price to each of the amenities, and add them all up. Set a standard price for all of the key features of the destination and add them all up. Finally, add the price of the amenities and destination hot-spots together. Adjust the vacation cost according to who the audience is. Younger clientele and families will most likely be looking for a cheaper vacation. Older clientele and business types will have more money to spend. Generally speaking, vacations for a family of four should run between $1000 and $2000. Go higher or lower as you see fit. How to Calculate Cost of Travel Create a preliminary outline. Before you begin to publish a final copy, you will want to practice writing exactly what you want to say in the brochure. This is a great time to check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. First, you'll want to create a story. Just like a good novel pulls in a reader, the client wants to feel as if they are going on an adventure. In paragraph form (full sentences), write a convincing argument for why your vacation spot is the best place to visit. After you have written down your argument, go back and proofread. More importantly, cross out extraneous information, keep what is critical, and add in to places that need a more exciting, or convincing argument. This argument can then be split apart into different sections of your brochure. You might have to tailor the sentences to exist as a stand-alone argument in the different sections, but this will give you a good head start. It is important that the writer knows exactly why each of the individual pieces are critical, and how they come together to convince the clientele. Use specialized fonts and lettering. The brochure should be legible, and easy to follow. There should be an overall flow to the brochure, and it should not feel discombobulated. Your heading/title should appear in bold lettering, underlined, and be large enough to read from far away. If someone is sitting in a doctors office, or at a coffee shop, they should be able to see the title clearly, at the top of the brochure. Each of the subheadings/section headings should also be in bold, and underlined. They should be a slightly smaller font size than the title. They should all also all be the same font. If one subtitle is in Times New Roman, keep them all Times New Roman. This creates a nice flow to your brochure, and does not bog down the viewer in trying to comprehend the brochure. Write a captivating title. Simple tag lines like "Mexican Vacation" or "Hawaiian Vacation" are going to bore the potential vacationers and not draw them in to read the rest of the brochure. You need to use descriptive adjectives, possibly even verbs, to entice the viewer. Write down some adjectives you know that are not typically used, such as adventurous, pulsating, mind-boggling, fanciful, breathtaking, etc. Put these words first in your title, so that the readers eyes, reading left to right, will catch that key word. Then, make sure to include the location in the title. If you advertising for a Hawaiian vacation, do not leave out the word Hawaii. Put the location right after the adjective. Following the name of the place, you can finish the title with simply "vacation" or a synonym. End the title in an exclamation point, so that it appears that the person selling the vacation is just as excited as the potential clientele. Bold the lettering, and underline the title. A good example is: Adventurous Mount Everest Vacation! Hook your audience with the opening sentence. This sentence should appear on the first flap the reader opens up to. Think of this sentence as a thesis statement of a paper. You want to make the argument for this vacation clear right up front. The reader is not going to look around the rest of the brochure if they are not convinced at the very beginning. This would be a great time to simply list off a few of the accommodations/hot spots. For example: “An all-encompassing Hawaiian vacation that includes beautiful scenery, top-of-the-line hotels, and all the food you can eat!”. Write each of your sections. Your brochure is going to be about half visuals, and half written words. Therefore, for each section of the brochure, you will only use a few sentences (3-4) to explain each distinct aspect of the vacation. You will want to include, at the bare minimum, the following sections: restaurants, hotels, scenery(appearance of the vacation spot), and shops. These are four of the most basic things people need to know about before they go on the vacation. In total, you should have around six to eight sections. Make sure that what you are saying is necessary, succinct, and convincing. Consider what image you are using and make sure that the words match up. Feel free to highlight, italicize, or bold certain words or phrases. This would also be a great time to add in those accommodations, such as handicap accessible, free continental breakfast, bike/walking trails, etc. Copy and edit testimonials. Earlier, you gathered and wrote down the personal experiences of people whom have previously been on vacation there. This is a great time to not only include a summary of what they said, but include block quotes. To include block quotes in your brochure, start by indenting. Then add a quotation mark, and write in your quote. Finish by adding another quotation mark. You will want to include only the most sensitive, valuable information. Do not include bad experiences, as this might turn off the clientele. If you want to take out a sentence in the middle of a paragraph, simply highlight and delete. Then, in between the remaining sentences, add... (three periods in a row). This will allow you to shorten the quote, keep what is necessary, and highlight what is most important. Include a price section. This is not an all encompassing section. There is no need to create a chart, showing them all the options. However, you should give them a ballpark figure as to how much the vacation should cost. Include some simple terms in your 3-4 sentence price section such as: “Prices as low as $1000 for a family of four!” or, “Prices start at $1500, and include great discounts if you purchase by phone!” Mention the different offers/deals vacationers can get through your particular company. Usually, there are family discounts, senior discounts, children discounts, etc. This section should appear on the inside of the pamphlet, to the far right (at the end). You do not want to start the brochure by introducing price, nor do you want to put the price on the back of the brochure, as the clientele will probably look there first and never look inside. Link the viewer to other sources. This step is critical, because the brochure will not be enough. After the price section, or on the back of the brochure, include a section that links email addresses, web page addresses, phone numbers, and a mailing address. This should be done as a series of bulleted points or dashes. Do not write this information in paragraph form, as it will all run together. Check a second and third time that the information is up to date and correct. Look at the bottom of webpages to see when the last time the page was updated. Call the numbers you are listing on the brochure and see who picks up the phone. The information you are presenting needs to be accurate. Choose eye-catching photos. These photos will help you tell the story you want to tell. The clientele should be excited and intrigued by what they see in the brochure. Some good examples include: A smiling visitor hugging a dolphin at a sea life attraction, or a woman relaxing with a massage in an open-air spa that overlooks the tropical sunset. Make sure the photos are in color, and have a high-quality resolution. Do not use stock photos which generally look fake, and off-putting. Use real life images, or photos you have taken yourself at the location. People enjoy seeing others having fun, so try to include photos of people enjoying themselves at your destination rather than showing an empty hotel room or deserted beach. This will invite readers to project themselves into the photo. Consider the color scheme carefully. Each vacation will have a different feel/tone. You will want to convey whether your destination is relaxing, exciting, or somewhere in between. To convey a relaxed feeling appropriate for a spa, use muted pastel tones. Children's destinations are best marketed with bright, bold colors. Historical site brochures can be given an "antique" feeling with sepia and earth tones. For each panel of the brochure, use the same color. If there are different colors for each panel, it can become distracting and gaudy. Add in borders, asterisks, and designs. While you never want to distract the viewer too much, these three things can help in the aid of the story you are trying to tell. Use a thin border to contain each of the panels in your brochure. A thick border can become distracting. The border should be a color that is a slightly darker/lighter shade of the tone that you use for the rest of the brochure. If you want to highlight key points of your story, use bullet points or asterisks. Generally, 3-4 is the range you want to stay in. Try to highlight things that are not written about in the sentences. Designs can also help, such as stars, rainbows, arrows, etc. Add these where and when you see fit. Once more, do not overuse these, and bog down the viewer in the visuals. The clientele should want to read more, not necessarily look more. Organize the brochure so the copy and visuals work together. The 3-4 sentence sections should match what the visuals are saying. For example, if you are talking about restaurants in your section, use a picture of a restaurant. Invest in a professional printing company. If you are a student, a standard folded piece of paper will work just fine. However, professionals should look into printing brochures at facilities that specialize in printing. Tell the printing company that you want the brochures printed on high-quality paper. Cheap, flimsy paper can easily be torn, ripped, or water-damaged. Thick, coated paper provides resistance to accidents, and can be carried around mush easier. If you wind up needing to use your home or business printer, just make sure to use thick, heavy paper. The settings of your printer should be set to the highest pixel quality so that your pictures come out clean and crisp. Provide a final copy proof. Make sure the printing company has not dramatically changed/altered the layout or design of the brochure. For both professionals and students, this is a great time to go back and proofread one more time. | Choose the destination of your potential clients. Explore and locate the amenities of the location. Find out what the residents are saying, if your destination has residential accommodations. Pick your target audience. Determine the price of your travel package. Create a preliminary outline. Use specialized fonts and lettering. Write a captivating title. Hook your audience with the opening sentence. Write each of your sections. Copy and edit testimonials. Include a price section. Link the viewer to other sources. Choose eye-catching photos. Consider the color scheme carefully. Add in borders, asterisks, and designs. Organize the brochure so the copy and visuals work together. Invest in a professional printing company. Provide a final copy proof. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drain-a-Washing-Machine-by-Hand | How to Drain a Washing Machine by Hand | To drain a front-loading washing machine by hand, you'll need some old towels and something to drain the water into, like a deep baking tray or dish. Before you start draining your washer, make sure it's unplugged or turned off at the wall to avoid an electric shock. Then, lay the towels down in front of the washer and position your dish underneath its drainage filter. This should be at the bottom of the washer's front side and may be covered with a panel. Unscrew the drainage filter slowly until it starts to leak water. You may need to close the filter and empty the dish a couple of times until the water stops. Draining a top-loading washing machine is a little easier. Just pull it away from the wall, detach the drain hose from the wall, and aim it into a bucket. Let the water drain until it stops. | Read the manual for your washer. The methods included here are fairly standard and should generally work with most washers. Even so, break out your owner's manual and read over the appropriate sections, just in case any directions or advice are particular to that manufacturer and/or model. Check its table of contents or index for subjects like: Drainage issues and troubleshooting Disconnecting and reconnecting drain hoses and/or filters Avoid electrical shock. Draining your washer shouldn't be an out-of-control project with water flying everywhere, but play it safe anyway. If your washer is plugged into a power outlet, unplug it. If it's hardwired into your electrical system instead, switch off the appropriate circuit breaker. Eliminate the risk of electrocution just in case you experience any unforeseen mishaps. Do the same with any other electrical devices in the immediate area. Grab some towels. Again, this project shouldn't create a huge mess, but be prepared for at least a little water to possibly go wild. Before you begin, set yourself up with some towels to keep on hand. Make clean-up a cinch by having them within easy reach in case you spill any water on the floor or elsewhere. Draining a front-loading machine is more likely to be messy than a top-loading machine, so if that's what you have, expect more spills. In addition to towels, you could also lay out a tarp, dropcloth, or similar material on the floor around your washer. Figure out where to put the water. This may seem like a no-brainer, but make life easier by knowing exactly how you'll dispose of the water before you start. If your laundry room has a drain in the floor, use that. If your washer is in a bathroom and has a drainage hose that will reach, use your bathtub or shower stall. Otherwise, have a bucket or dish ready to transport the water to a sink or tub elsewhere in your home. Be aware that used water from your washer is usually considered “gray water.” Your local, state, or even federal government may have laws regarding the proper disposal of gray water. This means that you may not be allowed to simply toss it outside so it can soak into the ground. If you need to use a bucket or dish, consider the area that you need to cross between the washer and the drain that you choose. You may want to protect surfaces or clear the area of anything easily damaged by water in case any spills out along the way. Wait for the water to cool. If you only used cold water for your last load, go ahead and skip this step. If, however, you used hot water, give it time to cool off before you attempt draining. Don't make things worse by scalding yourself. This is especially important with front-loading machines. With these, you can't open the door and test the water, and your hands will definitely get wet once you start draining. The time it takes for the water to cool off to a safe temperature will vary by your settings and your machine. As a precaution, wear safety gloves when you start your project. Locate the drainage filter. Look along the bottom of the front of your machine. Find the small panel that covers the drainage filter. Most panels these days are hinged and can be easily removed without tools, but if your panel is screwed into place, find an appropriate screwdriver. However: Don't remove the panel just yet. For now, just note its location. Raise the front of the machine, if it’s safe to do so. Note that the drainage filter is along the very bottom of your machine, which means you're going to have to use a very shallow dish to catch water coming out of it. To make life easier, pull the machine away from the wall just enough for you to tip it back a little. Lift the front end a few inches off the floor. Slide bricks or solid blocks of wood underneath the front corners for them to rest on while you work so you can use a deeper dish. However, keep in mind that: The washer weighs a lot on its own, and the water inside makes it even heavier. If possible, have a partner help you with this step to make it easier. Do not attempt lifting your machine if you don't think you're able to do so, even with a partner. Skipping this step just means more trips to and from your drain. This may be a pain figuratively speaking, but it's better than injuring yourself for real. Remove the panel and set up your gear. Unscrew or unhinge the panel to your drainage filter. Lay a towel over the floor directly underneath. Then, depending on your machine's design: Set a shallow bowl, dish, or similar container directly below the filter if no funnel or similar device is included behind the panel. If there is a funnel or similar device to carry water away from the machine, extend it and set your dish below that. Unscrew, drain, and repeat. Once your towel and dish is in place, start unscrewing the drainage filter very slowly. Once it opens just enough for water to start trickling out in a manageable stream, stop unscrewing. Let the dish fill close to capacity, then screw the filter shut again. Dispose of the drained water, then repeat until no more water empties out of your machine. Don't unscrew the filter all the way. This will enable more water than your dish can hold to spill out of the machine all at once. It will also make it difficult for you to fit the filter back into place and seal it shut as water continues to empty out. Lower your machine and finish draining. If you propped the front of your machine up on bricks, keep in mind that there is still some water inside, even though it has quit draining. Make sure the filter is sealed tight, then remove the bricks and set the machine back on the floor. Now finish draining your machine as you did before, using a shallower dish if necessary. Tipping your machine backward and propping the front up on bricks causes the water inside to gravitate toward the back. Pull your machine out from the wall. If you're worried about scratching up your floor, lift the front end of your machine so a partner can lay a dropcloth, blanket, or similar material underneath. Then do the same with the back, if possible. Once you're ready, slowly pull the machine away from the wall. Stop once you're able to reach the drain hose in back. Don't pull it out so far that you end up yanking any hoses out of the wall. If the machine's too heavy for you to move, open the lid. Use a pitcher or similar container to ladle water out into your bucket. Empty as much water as you like this way, or just until the machine's light enough for you to move. If you're working by yourself and the machine's still too heavy even after you've ladled out as much water as you can, ask a partner to help you. Detach the drain hose from the wall. Uncouple the drain hose where it meets the drainage pipe inside your wall. Be careful to keep that end of the hose raised higher than the machine itself as you do. Expect gravity to start pumping water out of the hose before you're ready if you lower it. You'll need to do this even if you ladled all the water out of the machine's inner drum. There is still water underneath that, which you can't reach through the top of the machine. Fill your bucket. Avoid spills by feeding the hose's open end inside the bucket before setting the bucket on the floor. As the hose lowers, water will start pumping out on its own, so keep an eye on the bucket's water level as it rises. Once it fills as much as you'd like, simply raise the hose's open end above the machine to stop the flow. Drain the bucket and repeat until no more water comes out. Although it may be tempting to use the largest bucket possible and fill it all the way up, remember the distance you have to carry it. Only empty as much at a time that you can safely carry without sloshing any over the sides. Alternately, you can simply aim the hose's open end over a floor drain or into a bathtub if there's one within its reach. Finish draining the last of the water into a bottle. To completely drain your machine, lower the hose to floor level. The rim of your bucket or bathtub is probably too high for this, so switch to a gallon-size jug or bottle. Lay it on its side and cover its mouth with the hose's open end. Drain the bottle as it fills up, and repeat until the job is done. If the hose's open end is larger than the bottle's mouth, try using a funnel to reduce spills. | Read the manual for your washer. Avoid electrical shock. Grab some towels. Figure out where to put the water. Wait for the water to cool. Locate the drainage filter. Raise the front of the machine, if it’s safe to do so. Remove the panel and set up your gear. Unscrew, drain, and repeat. Lower your machine and finish draining. Pull your machine out from the wall. Detach the drain hose from the wall. Fill your bucket. Finish draining the last of the water into a bottle. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Fight-Bad-Breath | How to Fight Bad Breath | To fight bad breath, try cleaning your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once, if you don't already, as this helps to clean out bacteria. You can also try brushing your tongue, which can get rid of any remaining bacteria. Additionally, drink plenty of water throughout the day, since a dry mouth can contribute to bad breath. Also, try to avoid strong smelling or spicy foods, such as onion or garlic, since these can linger on your breath. | Clean your teeth twice a day. As bad breath is typically caused by the buildup of bacteria in your mouth, brushing your teeth twice daily can help. Brush your teeth when you get up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Brush both the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth. Spend at least two minutes brushing. You can use either an electronic or regular toothbrush. Both are equally effective at combating bad breath and bacteria in the mouth. Spit out any excess toothpaste when you finish brushing. Do not rinse your mouth out before spitting extra toothpaste. Rinsing your mouth with water too soon can dilute the fluoride in your toothpaste. Floss. You should floss at least once a day. Flossing helps remove food particles that may be caught in your teeth. This can help reduce bad breath. Take 12 to 18 inches of floss. Grasp it, using your fingers, so you have a couple of inches of floss between your hands. Slip the floss between each tooth. Use 8 to 10 strokes to guide the floss down to the gums. As you go, periodically adjust your fingers to use a fresher portion of the floss you're holding. Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can help combat bad breath. Use an over-the-counter brand of mouthwash after brushing and flossing. Keep in mind that if your bad breath is caused by a dental problem, mouthwash will not cure it. It will merely cover up the odor. If bad breath persists, you should see a dentist to evaluate the potential cause. Brush your tongue. Many people neglect to brush their tongue when brushing their teeth. Your tongue can easily become coated with bacteria. Giving it a gentle brushing each time you brush your teeth may remove some of this bacteria, lessening bad breath. Clean dentures or other dental appliances. If you use dentures or something like a retainer, these supplies must be cleaned daily. If they're left unclean, bacteria can build up. This can cause bad breath and other dental problems. When you got your dentures or retainer, your dentist should have provided you with information on cleaning. Follow these guidelines when cleaning dental appliances. If you do not remember the guidelines, call your dentist for clarification. Replace your toothbrush regularly. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Brushing your teeth with an old toothbrush will not adequately remove bacteria from your mouth. This can lead to bad breath and other dental health problems. If your toothbrush begins to look frayed and show signs of age, replace it with a new one. . Quit smoking The biggest lifestyle change you can make to combat bad breath is to quit smoking. Tobacco, in addition to causing many other health problems, can seriously affect your breath. If you smoke, take steps to quit. Both chewing and smoking tobacco products can leave an unpleasant smell in your mouth. You can mask these smells with mouthwashes and mints, but these only cover up the problem. Gum disease can result from smoking, which can worsen bad breath. Quitting smoking can be an incredibly difficult process. Talk to your doctor about taking steps to quit. He or she can recommend the proper course of action for you. Seek support if you're quitting smoking. Let your friends and family members know you've made the decision to quit. Ask them to help distract you when you have cravings. If you have friends or family members that smoke, request that they not do so in front of you. There are many support groups, both online and in person, where former smokers go to talk about quitting, addiction, and recovery. Consider finding a support group online or in your area. Avoid foods and beverages that cause bad breath. Strong smelling or spicy foods, especially foods containing products like onions or garlic, can easily cause bad breath. If you have a diet high in these types of foods, consider cutting back. You may notice your breath improving if you cut out more pungent foods. Sticky or sugary foods can also cause bad breath. Combat dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause bad breath. If your mouth feels dry, drink more water throughout the day. You should avoid coffee, soda, and alcohol as these things can increase dry mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy during the day. This can stimulate saliva, lessening dry mouth. If your dry mouth does not improve with lifestyle changes, talk to your dentist. He or she may be able to recommend medication that stimulates the flow of saliva. Try increasing your dairy intake. While further research is needed, some studies suggest dairy products can neutralize odors in the mouth. Try adding unsweetened yogurt and low-fat cheese to your diet and see if you notice a difference. Make an appointment with your dentist. If your bad breath persists after you've made lifestyle changes, make an appointment with your dentist. Bad breath is rarely a medical concern, but chronic bad breath may be a sign of disease or infection. Avoid eating, chewing gum, smoking, or drinking strong scented beverages within 3 hours of your appointment. Avoid perfumes, scented lotions, or strong smelling lipsticks as well. Your dentist will do a basic exam and teeth cleaning. He or she will also ask you questions about your lifestyle and symptoms. Your dentist will want to know when your bad breath started, whether it's occasional or continuous, what kinds of foods you eat, what health conditions you have, and how often you brush and floss your teeth. You may want to make an appointment with your doctor if your dentist can't pinpoint the problem. Bad breath can also be caused by underlying medical conditions. Try a mouth rinse and toothpaste recommended by your dentist. Your bad breath may be the result of a buildup of bacteria on your teeth. In this case, your dentist will likely recommend a particular mouth rinse or toothpaste. Your mouth rinse will probably contain cetylpyridinium chloride, which combats the buildup of odors. If you need a prescription, you can get the mouthwash at your dentist's office or at a local pharmacy. However, your dentist may simply recommend an over-the-counter brand. The recommended toothpaste will probably contain an antibacterial agent. This can also help get rid of unwanted odors. Follow all your dentist's instructions exactly. If you have any questions about their products and their potential side effects, ask. Treat gum disease as your dentist advises. Gum disease is often the cause of bad breath. If your dentist suspects gum disease, he will refer you to a gum specialist who can better address the issue. However, he may also just advise better cleaning to combat the disease. If you're diagnosed with gum disease or another infection, ask your dentist any questions you have. Treatments vary greatly based on personal medical history and the progression of the disease. | Clean your teeth twice a day. Floss. Use mouthwash. Brush your tongue. Clean dentures or other dental appliances. Replace your toothbrush regularly. . Avoid foods and beverages that cause bad breath. Combat dry mouth. Try increasing your dairy intake. Make an appointment with your dentist. Try a mouth rinse and toothpaste recommended by your dentist. Treat gum disease as your dentist advises. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Fresh-Rosemary | How to Store Fresh Rosemary | To store fresh rosemary, first rinse the sprigs in cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, wrap the whole, uncut sprigs in a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Place the wrapped sprigs in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. Write the date on the bag or container. Store the sprigs in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and set the humidity in the drawer to high. You can store the rosemary here for up to 2 weeks before it will begin to turn brown and lose its freshness. | Wash your rosemary. Rinse the sprigs in cool water and lay them on a paper towel to dry. Use a salad spinner if you have one. Otherwise, simply pat them thoroughly with a second paper towel. Excess water will cause the rosemary to get slimy when you store it, so make sure your sprigs are totally dry. Wrap your rosemary in a damp paper towel. Keep the sprigs whole and uncut. The damp paper towel will prevent them from drying out in the refrigerator. Place the sprigs in a resealable bag. This will protect the sprigs from oxygen, which can cause them to spoil and turn brown. You can use a Ziploc bag or an airtight container. You can write the date on the bag or container so you don't forget how long your rosemary has been in the refrigerator. Put the bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Set the humidity to high. With your bag or container firmly sealed, your rosemary should stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. Rosemary is still good as long as it's green and fresh-looking. When it gets to be black or brown and a little slimy, it's gone bad. Wash and dry your rosemary. Rinse the sprigs in cool water and lay them flat to dry, patting them with a paper towel to speed up the process. You can also use a salad spinner, if you have one. Place the sprigs on a baking sheet. Keep the leaves attached to the stem and spread the sprigs out on the sheet in a single, even layer. Try not to let the sprigs touch each other, as they might freeze together! You can place them directly on the sheet or on a piece of parchment paper. Freeze the rosemary for a few hours. Check on them every half an hour or so and leave them in the freezer until they're frozen solid. This means you shouldn't be able to bend them very easily, and that the leaves shouldn't droop or move at all when you pick up a sprig. Freezing the rosemary first on the tray will allow each sprig to freeze separately and not get stuck to any others. It will also allow for a faster and more thorough freeze than if the sprigs were in a freezer bag. Put the frozen sprigs in a freezer bag. Zip them up tight and press all the air out of the bag to conserve freezer space. Write the date on the container so you'll know how old the rosemary is if you forget or lose track of it in the freezer. Finally, place your rosemary back in the freezer. Keep your rosemary for several months to a year. Depending on the quality of your freezer, your rosemary should stay fresh for about a year or even longer. Check on it every month or so to see if it's still good to use, keeping an eye out for signs of browning or mold. When you're ready to cook with your rosemary, you can grab it right from the freezer bag; no need to let it thaw out. Wash and dry your rosemary. Rinse the sprigs with cool water and lay them flat to dry. You can pat them with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to help them dry faster. Remove the lower leaves from your rosemary. Tear off the leaves from the lower part of the sprigs, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) up from the bottom. This is where you'll be tying your rosemary to hang it up. Tie the rosemary in bunches with twine. Turn the sprigs so that they're all facing the same direction. Gather a small handful of sprigs, enough to fit comfortably in your palm. The exact amount of rosemary in each bunch doesn't matter as much as keeping all the bunches mostly even. Tie each bunch at the bottom using twine, a rubber band, or twist ties. Tie the string tight, but allow the bunches themselves to be looser at the top so that the air can circulate through. Hang the bunches to dry in a dark, clean area. You can use a basement, spare bedroom, or closet as a storage space. Hang your rosemary from a clothesline, laundry rack, or exposed rack. Use clothespins or pieces of string a few inches long to tie and hang up the sprigs. Wherever you store your sprigs, make sure they're out of direct sunlight and away from cooking oils, smoke, dust, and steam. They should be kept as dry and clean as possible to get the best quality and flavor. Check on the rosemary every few days. Pinch them a bit to see how they crumble. If they fall in flakes, they're ready to go! You can also place a few leaves into a glass jar or plastic bag and seal it tightly. If condensation gathers on the inside of the jar or bag, your rosemary needs a bit more time to dry. The process could take anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months, so be patient! If the sprigs disintegrate into powder when you pinch them, they're over-dried. This is why it's important to check on your sprigs every few days, or even more frequently as they get closer to being ready. You won't be able to salvage your rosemary once it's been dried for too long. Store your dried rosemary in airtight containers. Cut the leaves from the stems and place them in an airtight jar or resealable plastic bag. You can crumble your rosemary before storing or store them whole, then crumble them when you're ready to cook. Your dried rosemary should last for a year in a pantry or cabinet. Wash and dry your rosemary. Use cool water and pat the sprigs dry with a paper towel. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to air dry completely, as baking the herbs while still damp will make the process take much longer. Lay the sprigs on a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper first, then space the sprigs evenly apart. You can always use more than one baking sheet if you need more space! Set the oven to the lowest temperature possible. This will allow your rosemary to bake slowly, but not burn. Place the baking sheet inside, close to the middle of the oven. Let the rosemary bake for 30 minutes. About 15 minutes into the baking, open the oven door for about a minute to let the moisture out, which will allow your rosemary to bake more quickly. After 30 minutes, check on the herbs by using oven mitts to crumble them a bit. If they flake apart in your fingers, they're done! If not, put the sheet back in the oven and check back in about 15 minutes. The rosemary shouldn't take more than an hour to bake! Let the rosemary cool completely. Remove the sprigs from the sheet and place them on a flat, clean surface. Once the rosemary is cool, you can remove the leaves from the stems if desired, crumble them, or keep the sprigs whole if you want to use a larger sprig in cooking or as a garnish. It's important that the rosemary is totally dry before you store it. Any heat will create moisture in the container, which can cause mold. Store the rosemary in an airtight container. You can use a jar, a plastic container, or even a resealable bag. For the best taste, use up your dried rosemary within one year. It will still be good to eat after that time, but may not have as strong a flavor. | Wash your rosemary. Wrap your rosemary in a damp paper towel. Place the sprigs in a resealable bag. Put the bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Wash and dry your rosemary. Place the sprigs on a baking sheet. Freeze the rosemary for a few hours. Put the frozen sprigs in a freezer bag. Keep your rosemary for several months to a year. Wash and dry your rosemary. Remove the lower leaves from your rosemary. Tie the rosemary in bunches with twine. Hang the bunches to dry in a dark, clean area. Check on the rosemary every few days. Store your dried rosemary in airtight containers. Wash and dry your rosemary. Lay the sprigs on a baking sheet. Set the oven to the lowest temperature possible. Let the rosemary bake for 30 minutes. Let the rosemary cool completely. Store the rosemary in an airtight container. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Rabbit-Not-to-Chew-Furniture | How to Teach a Rabbit Not to Chew Furniture | To teach a rabbit not to chew, make your furniture less appetizing by spraying it with bitter apple spray or rubbing it with a cloth dabbed with olive oil. Additionally, as you play with your rabbit, spray it with water or clap loudly and say “no bite” if it starts to chew on anything you don't want it to. Chewing is a natural urge for rabbits, so try to be patient as it learns. However, if your rabbit gets near furniture and resists that urge, give it some positive reinforcement, like a treat. | Provide plenty of fresh grass or hay. Rabbits need to chew on grass or hay every day to keep their teeth worn down and to get the nutrients they need to thrive. Ensuring that your rabbit always has a supply of fresh, growing grass or good quality hay will reduce the chances that she will chew on your furniture. Timothy hay is a great choice and you can find it in pet stores. Give your rabbit some pellets. Pellets can also offer your rabbit some valuable nutrition and something appropriate to chew on. Rabbits don't need a lot of pellets though. Provide 1/8 to 1/4 cup of pellets for every 6 pounds of body weight. You may need to adjust the amount of pellets that you give your rabbit depending on her weight and activity level. For example, if your rabbit is underweight or still growing, then she may be able to have more pellets. Ask your veterinarian if you are not sure. Offer your rabbit some vegetables. Chewing on dark leafy greens and crunchy vegetables will also help keep your rabbit's teeth worn down and reduce her urge to chew on your furniture. Some good veggies to give your rabbit include: romaine lettuce dandelion greens kale collard greens fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil carrots (one 2 inch piece per day) carrot tops Treat your rabbit now and then. Fruit and hulled sunflower seeds can make a nice treat for your rabbit, which may also reduce her urge to chew on your furniture. Giving your rabbit a treat can also be a good distraction tactic if you catch her in the act. Try offering your rabbit one treat per day, such as: a couple of apple slices a few banana slices a teaspoon of hulled sunflower seeds Keep your rabbit hydrated. Giving your rabbit plenty of fresh water every day may not keep her from chewing on your furniture, but rabbits need water to stay hydrated and healthy. Provide your rabbit with fresh clean water at all times and check her supply at least once per day to ensure that she has enough water. You can give a rabbit her water in a ceramic dish or in a sipper bottle. Either is fine, but a sipper bottle is less likely to spill or get contaminated with food or feces. Give your rabbit something else to chew. Rabbits chew in order to file down their teeth and to entertain themselves. Your rabbit might chew on your furniture if nothing else is available for her to chew. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can offer your rabbit (just make sure not to feed her human food that may be toxic to her). Rabbits love to chew: Fruit branches (apple), willow branches, aspen branches Cardboard boxes Chew toys Cotton towels (as long as she doesn't eat them) Untreated pieces of pine lumber Compressed alfalfa cubes Phone books Untreated wood blocks Let her run around. Your rabbit may be chewing the furniture if she's bored. Give her a safe enclosed space to run around and explore. If you can, let her run around outside where she can burn off energy and chew on hay or grass. Pay attention when your rabbit is running around outside. Make sure predators can't get to her. If she's running around inside, make sure she doesn't chew on electrical cords or get stuck behind furniture. Create a digging box. Entertain and distract your rabbit by making her an indoor digging burrow. Fill a large cardboard box with hay or shredded paper. Let her hop in and dig into the hay. She can also chew the box. Add cardboard tubes that your rabbit can toss around. You might want to cut another hole in the side of the box so your rabbit has another way in and out of the box. Check to make sure that your rabbit doesn't toilet in the box. You may need to replace shredded hay and paper after a few days or once your rabbit loses interest in them. Give your rabbit a friend. Your rabbit might be chewing out of boredom. If she's been destroying furniture or chewing inappropriate things like wires, she might need company. Consider getting another rabbit so your rabbit can have social interaction. This may distract her from destructive chewing. If you choose to get another rabbit, consider the commitment. Decide whether you want the responsibility of caring for another rabbit. Spend time with your rabbit. Does it feel like your rabbit chews on the furniture to get your attention? Try to spend more time simply playing and snuggling with your rabbit. Lay on the floor and let her hop around you. Talk to your rabbit and pet her so she feels relaxed around you. You can also toss her toys like cardboard tubes or chew toys. While you can buy chew toys from the pet store, you can also let her play with toddler toys or baby teethers. Keep certain areas off limits. You may want to move valuable pieces of furniture into an area that's closed off to your rabbit, at least until you've trained her not to chew furniture. If you don't want to keep the door to the room closed, use a tall baby gate that she can't hop over. You may want to remove wicker furniture or baskets. Your rabbit will have a hard time distinguishing between wicker that's inappropriate to chew and fruit branches that you allow her to chew. Cover the furniture. Hide the furniture from your rabbit by draping large thick blankets over it. This way, your rabbit can't get to the actual furniture. Consider doing this while you work with your rabbit to control her chewing behavior. Once you can trust her not to chew the furniture, remove the covers. Consider replacing wooden furniture with metal or glass furniture which will keep your rabbit from chewing. Block off the backs of your furniture. If your rabbit has been hopping behind the furniture to chew at the back, you'll need to block the furniture or her access. Rabbits enjoy running through crawl spaces, but these can be dangerous, especially if she gets stuck or chews exposed nails or finish on the furniture. Use blocking material to cover the backs of furniture or close off her crawl spaces. For example, if your rabbit likes to hop under the couch to get behind it, try stuffing the space under the couch with pillows. This keeps her from getting under and behind the couch. Set up a safe rabbit space. If you can't rabbit-proof dangerous parts of your home, use large wire panels or grids to block off a large space. Or, securely attach a low wooden doorway that you can easily get through (just make sure it's tall enough that your rabbit can't hop over it). If you want to install something permanent, try setting up moveable wire or panels first. This way, you can determine if your rabbit is safe in the area, or if you need to block off more or less space. Protect furniture edges and corners. If you don't want to completely cover your furniture, think about buying clear plastic baby-proofing rails and corner guards. Place these along the edges and corners of your furniture to keep your rabbit from chewing. You can also use these on painted walls, if you find your rabbit chewing them. Clear or metal corner guards can keep your rabbit from eating paint. Spay your rabbit. Female rabbits are more likely to want to chew, but spaying her can reduce this urge. Try to spay your rabbit before she's 4 to 6 months old. If she's already older than that, just get her spayed when you can. If she's over two years old, get her examined before spaying. If your rabbit is already spayed, but still chews a lot you may just need to wait for her to outgrow this tendency. Spray your furniture with taste deterrents. Stop your rabbit from chewing furniture by making the furniture taste bad. You can buy sour apple spray or other bad-tasting deterrent sprays from a pet store. Tasting the deterrent should keep your rabbit from chewing the furniture in the future. Avoid spraying things like perfume or chili oil onto the furniture. Instead, use a product made for rabbits or small animals and use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Dab an oil on your furniture. If you prefer not to buy a bad tasting spray deterrent, look for alternatives you already have at home. Dab a little oil on a cloth and spread it along the edges of your wooden furniture. Your rabbit won't like the taste and will avoid chewing there. You can use olive oil or a few drops of cinnamon, lavender, or mint essential oils. Once the scent disappears, reapply the oil so your rabbit avoids the furniture. Discipline your rabbit. When your rabbit starts to chew on the furniture, spray her with water or clap loudly to get her attention and say, "no bite." Move her away from the furniture and offer her something that is alright to chew, like a teether or chew toy. Be consistent, but always remember to work with your rabbit. Chewing is just a natural urge for her. Never shout or yell at your rabbit. This will only make your rabbit frightened of you. Offer positive reinforcement. Reward your rabbit if you see her approach the furniture, but she doesn't chew it. There are several ways you can reward good behavior. Give her praise (like saying, "good girl"), spend time petting her, or give her a small food treat. Do this as soon as you notice the good behavior. This way, your rabbit will associate the act with the reward. You can also reward your rabbit when you see her chewing appropriate things, like the branches, chew toys, or cardboard. Rabbits learn better with positive reinforcement than discipline. | Provide plenty of fresh grass or hay. Give your rabbit some pellets. Offer your rabbit some vegetables. Treat your rabbit now and then. Keep your rabbit hydrated. Give your rabbit something else to chew. Let her run around. Create a digging box. Give your rabbit a friend. Spend time with your rabbit. Keep certain areas off limits. Cover the furniture. Block off the backs of your furniture. Set up a safe rabbit space. Protect furniture edges and corners. Spay your rabbit. Spray your furniture with taste deterrents. Dab an oil on your furniture. Discipline your rabbit. Offer positive reinforcement. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Cannabis-Seeds-Indoors | How to Plant Cannabis Seeds Indoors | To plant cannabis seeds indoors, first soak the seeds in lukewarm tap water for 12 hours. Discard any seeds that float to the top. Then, place the seeds on a damp paper towel on a plate with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each seed. Cover the seeds with another damp paper towel. Keep the seeds in a spot that remains between 70-80°F (21-27°C), and spray the paper towels with water whenever they start to dry out. The seeds will sprout in 2-3 days. When they do, fill pots or a growing tray 3/4 of the way with loose potting soil that has a pH between 5.8 and 6.3. Press the soil down lightly, leaving some air in it. Then, use a pencil to poke 1 inch (2.5 cm) holes in the soil. Place the sprouted seeds vertically in the holes and fill the holes with potting soil. Water the soil thoroughly and place the pots or tray in a spot that's always 75°F (24°C) or warmer. Set up a grow light over the seeds and leave it on at all times. Water the seeds every day so the soil doesn't dry out. The seedlings will emerge in 2-4 weeks. | Soak the seeds. To make germination easier, consider soaking the seeds in tap water for 12 hours in a bowl. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and non-viable seeds will float. After 12 hours, place the viable seeds on a towel. Wet one paper towel and put it on a plate. Paper towels are thick enough to retain the moisture needed to help the seeds germinate. Place one paper towel under running water until it is wet to the touch, but not dripping wet. Use a ceramic dish or plate, as it will be strong enough to hold the towels and the seeds. The paper towel should cover the dish or plate. Put the seeds 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) apart on the towel. Place the blunt end of the seeds, the end that does not have a point, on the towel, spacing them apart so their roots do not get tangled. If you do not have enough space on one plate for all your seeds, soak two more paper towels and put the remainder on a new plate covered in a wet paper towel. Wet other paper towel and place it over the seeds. Make sure the wet towel makes contact with the seeds. Store the seeds at 70 to 85 °F (21 to 29 °C). The cannabis seeds need to sit at a warm, consistent temperature to germinate. Store the seeds out of direct sunlight in a warm area, such as the top of your refrigerator. You can try using a heat lamp near the seeds to keep them warm. Do not warm the seeds up too much, as you do not want your heat source to dry out the paper towels. Keep the paper towels moist. Spray the top towel with a spray bottle of water to keep them moist. Check the paper towels several times a day to ensure they do not dry out. If the seeds become too dry, they could die and never germinate. Wait for the seeds to germinate. Viable cannabis seeds will usually open with 48 hours. You should see the roots start to appear within a few days, depending on the seed type. Once the tap roots are ⁄ 4 to ⁄ 2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) long, the seeds are ready to be planted. Be very careful with the seeds as they open. Avoid prodding, pulling, or touching the seeds, as you do not want to damage the roots. Any seeds that have not opened and grown roots within a few days should be discarded, as they are not viable. Fill small, 2 inches (5.1 cm) garden pots with potting soil. Get plastic garden pots that are small enough to house the seeds. Look for garden pots at your local garden supply store or online. Use potting soil that is loose and airy. The potting soil should be moist to the touch. Fill the pots ¾ of the way with the soil. As an alternative to soil, you can use starter cubes from your local nursery or online. Starter cubes are pre-cut growing pods made of composted bark. They contain a hole where you can place the cannabis seeds and grow them in good conditions. Basic starter cubes are inexpensive and easy to use. Make a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) deep hole in the soil. Use a pen or pencil to poke a hole in the soil for the seeds. Do not poke the hole too deep or too close to the surface of the soil. If you make planting holes that are too shallow, the seed's roots will not have enough soil to grow well. If you make the planting holes too deep, the seed will have a difficult time sprouting. Use tweezers to drop the seeds in the hole. Make sure you drop the seeds with the tap root facing into the hole. The tap root is the long root that will grow out of one end of the seed. Do not pull or tug at the seeds when you pick them up with tweezers. If they are stuck to the paper towel, wet the towel with water to make the seeds easier to pick up. Cover the seeds with soil. Gently cover the seeds in ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) of soil so they can grow. Do not press hard on the seeds when you cover them, as this can disturb their growth. If you are using starter cubes, pinch the top of the holes in the cubes closed. Keep the seeds out of direct sunlight in a moist area. Do not put the potted seeds on a windowsill or near a heater, as this will make the air too dry and hot. A closet or a basement are two good indoor spots for the plants to grow. Maintain a growing temperature of 75 to 85 °F (24 to 29 °C) for the plants so they thrive. Wet the soil one to two times a day. Use a spray bottle to keep the seeds moist. Make sure it is moist to the touch, but not soaking or dripping wet. Avoid pooling the soil with water, as this can lead to growth issues due to overwatering. Stick to a regular watering schedule so the plants get enough moisture. You can plan to spray the plants in the morning and then again at night so they get the water they need. Use cool white grow lights. Your cannabis seeds need light 24 hours a day, seven days a week to grow. Use cool white grow lights that have a consistent temperature of 72 °F (22 °C). Keep the lights 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the pots. Use 3 to 5 watts of light for each pot. Grow lights range from $200 to $1,200 USD depending on the size and model. You can get cool white grow lights at your local hardware store or online. Avoid touching or handling the seeds as they grow. Touching or handling the seeds can damage them and stunt their growth. With the right growing conditions and care, your seeds should sprout and poke out of the soil within five to ten days. | Soak the seeds. Wet one paper towel and put it on a plate. Put the seeds 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) apart on the towel. Wet other paper towel and place it over the seeds. Store the seeds at 70 to 85 °F (21 to 29 °C). Keep the paper towels moist. Wait for the seeds to germinate. Fill small, 2 inches (5.1 cm) garden pots with potting soil. Make a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) deep hole in the soil. Use tweezers to drop the seeds in the hole. Cover the seeds with soil. Keep the seeds out of direct sunlight in a moist area. Wet the soil one to two times a day. Use cool white grow lights. Avoid touching or handling the seeds as they grow. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ice-Cream-with-a-Machine | How to Make Ice Cream with a Machine | To make ice cream with a machine, start by freezing the ice cream bowl the night before. Next, prepare an ice bath in your sink. After mixing your ingredients together, chill them in the ice bath for at least a half-hour. Then, cover and refrigerate the mixture for 3 to 24 hours. Take the ice cream bowl out of the freezer and put it in the ice cream maker, insert the beater, and pour the ice cream base into the bowl. Churn the ice cream until it thickens, which typically takes 20 minutes, then add extras, like chocolate chips or nuts, if you like. After your ice cream is done churning, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, put a piece of wax paper over it, and freeze it for at least 4 hours. | Freeze the ice cream bowl the night before. Most ice cream machines have a bowl that you need to freeze beforehand. If you forgot or didn't get to freeze the bowl, make the ice cream base first. Put the base into the fridge and the ice cream maker bowl into the freezer. Churn the ice cream the next day. Philadelphia-style ice cream is egg-free. It has a light and delicate texture and flavor. It is also quicker to make, compared to French-style ice cream. Set up an ice bath. Even though you won't be cooking the ice cream base, you still want it to be as cold as possible. Fill your sink with enough cold water and ice so that it comes up ½ to ⅔ of the way up the side of your mixing bowl. The ice bath should be more ice than water. Stir together the heavy cream and the milk. Pour both into a large bowl or saucepan, and stir them together. Make sure that you have enough room for the sugar as well. Add the sugar and whisk it until it dissolves. This will take about 3 to 4 minutes. Taste the mixture and make sure that it doesn't feel grainy. If you are using a glass bowl, look at the bottom and make sure that there are no grains of sugar. Stir in the vanilla extract. At this point, you can also add in other flavoring extracts or oils. Chill the mixture in the ice bath. Set the bowl down into the sink. Make sure that the ice comes up ½ to ⅔ of the way up the sides of the bowl. Leave the bowl in the ice bath for 30 to 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 3 to 24 hours. Take the bowl out of the ice bath. Place a sheet of plastic wrap right onto the surface of the mixture. Put it in the fridge, and leave it there for 3 to 24 hours. Place the ice cream bowl into the freezer the night before. Most types of ice cream machines have a bowl that needs to be frozen for several hours. If you forgot or didn't get a chance to freeze the bowl, prepare the base as instructed in the following steps. Put the base into the fridge and the bowl in the freezer, then churn it the following day. French-style ice cream is also called custard style. It is made with egg yolks, which gives the ice cream a smooth, rich, and creamy taste and texture. Set up an ice bath on the day you're ready to make ice cream. Place a large bowl into a sink. Fill the sink with enough ice and cold water to reach ½ to ⅔ of the way up the side of the bowl. Place a strainer over the bowl. The ice bath should be more "ice" than "water." You will be tempering the eggs to reduce curdling, but some curdles may form. The strainer will catch them. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar. Separate the yolks from the whites first. Place the yolks into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add the sugar. Whisk the two together until the mixture turns pale yellow. Set the bowl aside when you are done. The mixture will be thick and dark yellow at first; keep whisking until it turns pale. Heat the milk, then add the vanilla. Pour the milk into a medium-sized saucepan, then place it on the stove. Add the vanilla extract, then bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Once it comes to a simmer, remove it from heat. You can also use a vanilla bean pod instead. Split the bean in half, then scrape the seeds into the milk. Add in the pod as well. Consider adding other herbs and spices to the milk for extra flavor, such as mint leaves, lavender flowers, coffee beans, chocolate, etc. Temper the egg mixture with the hot milk. Measure out ½ to 1 cup (120 to 240 milliliters) of the hot milk. Slowly pour it into the egg mixture, whisking while you do so. This will help gradually warm up the egg mixture and prevent it from curdling in the next step. Pour the egg mixture into the milk, then heat it until it thickens. Stir the tempered egg mixture into the milk first. Place the saucepan back on the stove and turn the heat up to low. Stir the custard base slowly, but constantly, as it cooks. Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the saucepan often. You are ready for the next step when the custard turns thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170°F (77°C). Pour the custard base through the strainer into the ice bath bowl. Once you have everything in the bowl, lift the strainer out. If you see anything caught in the strainer, such as egg curdles or vanilla bean pods, throw them out. Stir the heavy cream into the custard, then chill it completely. You can leave the custard base in the ice bath for 20 minutes, stirring it occasionally. You can also cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then refrigerate it for 3 to 8 hours. For extra flavor, stir in your favorite extract, liqueur, or flavoring oil. Freeze the bowl ahead of time. If you have not already, put the bowl of your ice cream maker into the freezer the night before you plan to make ice cream. If it's too late for that, put the bowl into the freezer now, and the ice cream base in the fridge. Leave them there over night, then continue the next day. Assemble the ice cream maker. Take the bowl out of the freezer and place it into the ice cream maker. Insert the beater, then plug the ice cream maker in. If you have a manual/hand-cranked ice cream maker, do the following: Insert the bowl into the bucket, then the beater. Fill the bucket (not the bowl) with 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) of ice. Sprinkle salt evenly over the ice. Repeat these layers until the bucket is half-full. Pour cold water over the ice until the bucket is full. Pour the ice cream base into bowl. Use a rubber spatula to help scrape the bowl clean so that you don't waste any ice cream base. Churn the ice cream until it thickens. You want it to reach a soft-serve consistency, which is a little thicker than a milkshake. If the mixture becomes hard to churn, you are ready for the next step. This will take about 20 minutes for most machines, but double-check the instructions on your machine. If you have a manual or hand-cranked machine, you will have to turn the crank to the right. Add any extras, if desired. Now is the time to add in any extra ingredients into your ice cream, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or chopped up strawberries. Other options include caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles. You don't have to do this, but it can take your ice cream to the next level. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Remove the churner from the bowl first, then take the bowl out. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the ice cream into a freezer-safe container. If you want to enjoy your ice cream as soft-serve, you can serve it now. Place a sheet of wax paper against the ice cream. Make sure that it is touching the surface of the ice cream. This will help prevent the ice cream from developing ice crystals. If you don't have any wax paper, you could try parchment paper or plastic wrap. Freeze the ice cream until it turns solid. Cover the container with a lid, if you have one, and place it in the coldest part of your freezer. Leave it there until the ice cream turns solid. This will take at least 4 hours. Eat the ice cream within 2 weeks. If you made Philadelphia-style ice cream, you may start noticing ice crystals after a few days. After 2 weeks, the French-style will start to form ice crystals as well. | Freeze the ice cream bowl the night before. Set up an ice bath. Stir together the heavy cream and the milk. Add the sugar and whisk it until it dissolves. Stir in the vanilla extract. Chill the mixture in the ice bath. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 3 to 24 hours. Place the ice cream bowl into the freezer the night before. Set up an ice bath on the day you're ready to make ice cream. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar. Heat the milk, then add the vanilla. Temper the egg mixture with the hot milk. Pour the egg mixture into the milk, then heat it until it thickens. Pour the custard base through the strainer into the ice bath bowl. Stir the heavy cream into the custard, then chill it completely. Freeze the bowl ahead of time. Assemble the ice cream maker. Pour the ice cream base into bowl. Churn the ice cream until it thickens. Add any extras, if desired. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Place a sheet of wax paper against the ice cream. Freeze the ice cream until it turns solid. Eat the ice cream within 2 weeks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Needle-Punch | How to Needle Punch | To needle punch, start by transferring or drawing your design onto the fabric. Next, lock the fabric into the embroidery hoop and thread the punch needle. Then, hold the needle like you would a pencil and punch the outline of your pattern, making sure to go all the way through so that the depth gauge touches the fabric. Afterwards, fill in the inner sections 1 row at a time, punching from the inside out. Once all the sections are filled, carefully pull the needle out of the fabric and cut off the thread with a pair of scissors. | Pick a fun, simple design for your needle punch project. When you are just starting out, you may want to practice doing a small, simple design. Look online for inspiration or sketch your own design on a piece of paper. Designs with larger blocks of color will be easier than intricate fine lines. To make your life easier, consider using a symmetrical design, so it doesn't matter which side is the front or back. Purchase enough weavers cloth for your project. Get enough fabric to easily fit your design plus a few extra inches around the sides so that you can attach the embroidery hoop. Weavers cloth is a kind of woven cotton and polyester blend that will hold your needle punch stitches in place. If you are needle punching a rug, you will need a heavier weight weavers cloth than if you are making a pillow. You can buy weavers cloth online or at a craft store. As an alternative, you can also use denim or a poly-cotton twill, but they won't work as well as weavers cloth. If you use a cotton fabric like muslin, the fibers might tear when you try to punch needle. Draw your pattern onto your fabric in reverse. You can use a fabric pencil, a normal pencil, or even a marker, since the marks will be covered with stitches anyways. When you punch needle, you will create a side with loops and a side with flat stitches. The loops will be on the back as you create the design, but most people want them on the front for the finished design, so you have to draw your design in reverse. That way, when you flip over the pattern, it will be in the right direction. If you prefer to have the loops on the back of your fabric, you can draw your design normally, not in reverse. If you chose a symmetrical design, it won't matter whether you draw it in reverse or not. Use tracing paper to transfer your design in reverse as an alternative. If you don't want to draw your design by hand, you can transfer it onto your fabric with tracing paper. Put a sheet of tracing paper down on your fabric. Print out your picture, and put it face down on top of the tracing paper. Draw over all the lines in the drawing with a pencil, and the tracing paper will leave marks in the shape of your design on the fabric. If you want the loops to be on the back of your design, trace the printed image face up instead of face down. Unfasten an embroidery hoop and lay your fabric over the small hoop. Embroidery hoops are made off 2 hoops, a smaller inner hoop and a larger outer hoop. Loosen the screw on the outside of the large hoop until you can easily pop it off the small hoop. Lay the fabric over the small hoop so that your design is centered in the hoop. Lock the fabric tightly in place with the outer hoop. Place the larger hoop over the smaller hoop. Adjust the fabric until it is smooth and tight across the hoop. Turn the screw on the outer hoop so that it is tight around the inner hoop. You may have to loosen the screw, adjust the fabric, and tighten the screw again a few times until the fabric is evenly taut across the hoop. Get embroidery floss in all the colors you need for your design. You get to decide what colors you use. For example, if you are making a tree, you might want brown, red, and a few kinds of green. Make sure to buy embroidery floss, not sewing thread. Embroidery floss is thread that is twisted so that it has 6 strands, so it is thicker than the thread you would use for sewing. You can use cotton or wool embroidery floss. Push the metal threader through the needle punch. The metal threader is made of thin metal wires and it should come with the punch needle in the same package. Push the metal threader through the front of the punch needle, at the hollow tip of the needle. Push the threader all the way down so that the end sticks out the back of your punch needle. Thread your floss in the back of metal threader. Push the end of your embroidery floss through the back of the metal threader. Leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more of tail, so that when you pull the threader through the needle punch, the floss won't slip off. Remember to use the color of floss that you want to stitch first in your design. Pull the threader through the punch needle and remove the floss. Pull the metal threader out through the front of the punch needle, so that it pulls the floss with it. Your floss should be coming out the front of your punch needle. Take the string off the back of the metal threader so that it is dangling freely. If the threader didn't bring the floss with it, try again with a longer tail. Put your needle threader through the eye in the tip of your needle. The tip of your needle punch has a scooped out front, called the bevel, and a smooth back. The smooth back has a little hole it in, called an eye. Put your needle threader through this eye, so that the threader is sticking out into the beveled part of the tip. It might take you a few tries to get the metal threader through the small eye. Working under a bright light should help if you're struggling with this step. Pull the floss through the eye with the threader. Put your floss back into the tip of the threader. Pull the threader out of the eye, so that it pulls the floss with it. Remove the floss from the threader. The floss will continue to unspool as you needle punch, so you don't need to cut a specific length of floss at this stage. Set the loop length using the slider on the side of the needle punch. The higher the number, the longer the loop will be. Start with a setting in the middle. If you don't like the loop after a few stitches, you can easily pull out the stitches and reset the length. You can also check the instructions that come with your specific punch needle to see what loop length they recommend. Keep in mind that the longer loops you have, the more floss you will use, which can add up in cost if you do a lot of needle punching. Hold the needle with the bevel side facing the direction you are punching. Hold the punch needle like you would a pen or pencil, with the tip of the needle resting on your taut fabric. The bevel, which is the scooped-out, open side of the needle, always needs to face the direction of your stitches. As you stitch, you'll have to keep rotating the pen so that it faces the direction you're stitching. Start with the outlines and fill in the design row by row. Start with the outline first, then fill in the main elements from the inside out, going a row at a time. You can spiral in toward the inside or start at one end and fill in rows all the way until the other side. Keep your rows so close together that the floss touches. For an extra-clean look, punch the stitches in your row so that they line up with the middle of the stitches in the previous row. Punch your first stitch and pull the tail through the back of the fabric. Place the sharp end of the needle on the pattern, punch directly through the fabric so that the depth gauge touches the fabric. Flip your hoop over so that you can see the front side, and pull the tail of floss through. You'll trim this tail at the end of the project, so don't worry about it now. Pull the needle out and along the surface about 0.125 inches (0.32 cm) to punch again. The needle head should always remain touching the fabric. Punch the needle through the fabric again until the needle is fully through and the plastic part of the pen touches the fabric. Then slowly remove the needle back towards you. It's important to be gentle, because if you tug backwards on the floss, all your stitches will unravel. Flip the fabric over now and then to check the other side. Check that the loops are a consistent length and close enough together to form a solid color. You can always go back and fill in gaps in your stitches or make your rows closer together. If you don't like how it looks, you can also pull out the stitches easily. Trim the excess floss from the first and last stitches when you’re done. Pull the needle punch out very carefully on your last stitch so that you don't accidentally unravel your hard work. Trim the floss so that it is very close to the fabric. Trim the tail that's sticking out from the beginning of your stitching, too. If you want, you can push the end of the floss out through the other side of the fabric using your metal threader, so that the floss pokes out onto the loop side. Pull apart the embroidery hoop to remove the completed pattern. Loosen the screw at the top of the large hoop until the hoop easily slides off. Then, just remove your fabric from the top of the small hoop. Frame your design in a hoop if you want to hang it on the wall. Framing your punch needle art right in the embroidery hoop is an easy way to frame your art. Then, you don't have to go to the trouble of buying a frame and making sure the fabric is stretched tight enough. If you don't like the embroidery hoop you used for the needle punching, you could paint it or buy a prettier frame. Cut a piece of felt 1 inch (2.5 cm) bigger than the hoop to form a backing. You need a backing for your piece to protect your stitches from unraveling. One easy way to measure how big the felt should be is to stick it in the embroidery hoop, and then trim the edges until there is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) all the way around. Your measurements don't have to be exact – you just want enough fabric to be able to glue down the back. Put your pattern back in the hoop with the felt underneath it. Place the felt over the smaller embroidery hoop. Put the weavers cloth with your needle punch design on top of the felt. Then slide the larger hoop over both fabrics and tighten the screw. Adjust the fabrics until they are smooth and taut across the hoop. Hot glue the fabric down onto the back. Start by putting a line of glue around the inside edge of your hoop and carefully press the fabric against it. Fold the weavers cloth down onto the back and glue it down. Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry. You can hang your mounted design on the wall or give it as a gift. Turn your design into a patch so you can put it on clothes or bags. If you have a small, cute design, turning it into a patch is a great way to show it off in your day-to-day life. Instead of leaving the design mounted in your house, turning it into a patch lets you wear it on your clothes or tote bags. Patches can also make cool homemade gifts. Iron on an adhesive to the back of your design. Iron-on adhesive has 2 sides, a matte side and a sticky side. Set your design face down on an ironing board, and put the sticky side of the iron-on adhesive face down on the back of your design. Iron on the adhesive, moving the iron in gentle circles for about 10 seconds. Make sure to iron it down well around the edges. The steam setting on your iron should be off. Cut out your design with fabric scissors. Using fabric scissors, cut out your design, trimming off all the excess fabric and adhesive. Cut close to the embroidery floss, but be careful not to cut so close that you'll accidentally snip your stitches. Don't use normal scissors, because they will be too dull to cut your fabric. Glue the edges so the patch doesn’t fray. Run fabric glue around the edge of your patch so that the edge don't fray. If you don't have fabric glue, you can use super glue instead. Wait for the glue to totally dry. You can iron your patch on to a jacket, a tote bag, a pair of jeans, or whatever you want. | Pick a fun, simple design for your needle punch project. Purchase enough weavers cloth for your project. Draw your pattern onto your fabric in reverse. Use tracing paper to transfer your design in reverse as an alternative. Unfasten an embroidery hoop and lay your fabric over the small hoop. Lock the fabric tightly in place with the outer hoop. Get embroidery floss in all the colors you need for your design. Push the metal threader through the needle punch. Thread your floss in the back of metal threader. Pull the threader through the punch needle and remove the floss. Put your needle threader through the eye in the tip of your needle. Pull the floss through the eye with the threader. Set the loop length using the slider on the side of the needle punch. Hold the needle with the bevel side facing the direction you are punching. Start with the outlines and fill in the design row by row. Punch your first stitch and pull the tail through the back of the fabric. Pull the needle out and along the surface about 0.125 inches (0.32 cm) to punch again. Flip the fabric over now and then to check the other side. Trim the excess floss from the first and last stitches when you’re done. Pull apart the embroidery hoop to remove the completed pattern. Frame your design in a hoop if you want to hang it on the wall. Cut a piece of felt 1 inch (2.5 cm) bigger than the hoop to form a backing. Put your pattern back in the hoop with the felt underneath it. Hot glue the fabric down onto the back. Turn your design into a patch so you can put it on clothes or bags. Iron on an adhesive to the back of your design. Cut out your design with fabric scissors. Glue the edges so the patch doesn’t fray. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ship-Packages-from-Home | How to Ship Packages from Home | If you have heavy packages that you need to ship, it may be easiest to ship them from home. After finding boxes that fit your packages, use a tape measure to find the length, width, and height of the boxes. Then, weigh the packed boxes on a scale and navigate to the USPS homepage to calculate the postage. After you've input your package information, pay for the postage online and print out your shipping labels. You can then return to the post office homepage and find the link to “Schedule a Pickup.” To save money on shipping, use items around your house to pack your things, like crumpled newspaper, old blankets, clean rags, or fabric stuffing to keep your packages safe. | Choose a suitable box and pack your item(s). Your box should fit your item(s) well. It shouldn't be too large, but there should be space for padding on all sides of the item(s). For padding, you might use newspaper, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and so on. If you don't have a box, you might be able to salvage one for free from you workplace. Ask your manager if you can take a used box home. Be sure previous addresses are blacked out. Free Priority shipping boxes can be acquired at your local post office. Simply ask the attendant for some free priority boxes. Calculate the shipping cost. If you take your box to the post office, they'll calculate the cost for you. To do this at home, use a tape measure to find the length, width, and height of the box. Then weigh it on a scale. After that: Navigate to the USPS homepage in your web browser. Click on the "Calculate Postage" link and input your package information to determine its cost. Select the services you want from the pages following the postage calculator. Some examples of services include next day shipping or package insurance, which cost extra. Pay for your shipping. After you've input your package information and selected services, you should reach a screen asking you to confirm the information. Double check the recipient's address and the return address. Then pay for the postage with a credit or debit card. Attach the shipping label. Once you've paid for shipping, you'll be able to print out your shipping label. Tape this firmly in place on a clearly visible part of the package. When taping, be sure to avoid the bar codes on the label. Tape could affect the bar code reader and delay your package. Seal your box. Packing tape is preferred for sealing your box, but other durable tape, like duct tape, will work in a pinch. Tape the flaps of your box closed so it is firmly fastened shut. If the tape feels loose, use another layer (or a few layers) to reinforce it. For recycled boxes being used again, you might want some additional stability. Tape all edges and seams of the box with tape to prevent it from falling apart or spilling open in transit. Schedule the pickup for your package. Go to the post office home page. You should find a link that says something similar to, "Schedule a Pickup." Select this, and follow the directions to choose a time for your package to be picked up. Although the USPS offers free pickup, many private shipping providers do not. Be wary of these additional expenses, as they can significantly increase the shipping cost. Generally, you will choose a location for pickup when scheduling. Some examples of locations include in/at your mailbox, or at your front/back door. You can also typically leave instructions to knock on the door/ring the bell, and so on. Prepare your box to ship. Do this in the same way you would normally ship a box from home with the post office. Insert your item(s) in a suitable box and pad the items well with things like newspaper, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap. Then take the measurements of your box. Depending on the company, the information you have to provide for your package may vary. Generally, length, width, height, and weight are necessary to ship a package. Input your information and schedule a pickup. Go to the homepage of the company you are planning to use to ship your package. Select the "Schedule a Pickup" option and input the necessary information to calculate postage and shipping details. Then: Double check the shipping and return addresses. Verify the label policy. You may need to use a special label provided by the company, which you may have to order by mail or pick up from a brick and mortar location, or you may be able to pay with a card and print one. Choose a time for pickup. Ship the package. Seal your package with tape. Then tape or stick the label in place where it's clearly visible. Do not cover the bar codes of the label with tape. If the company you are using requires a special label, you may have to fill out shipping documents before the driver can take the package. Generally, the driver brings these when picking up the package. Some companies may require you to be present at package pickup. Others may require you to select a pickup location, like your mailbox, at your front/back door, and so on. Economize on shipping materials. Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and even boxes can be quite expensive. To save money on these expenses, you can use or reuse items around your house to safely pack your parcel. For example, you might: Use crumpled newspaper, old blankets, clean rags, or fabric stuffing to keep your packaged items from getting damaged en route. Salvage boxes from your place of employment, from local businesses (like grocery stores and big box stores), and so on. Black out previous addresses on these with a permanent marker. Shop around with shipping providers. Your home country's national postal service is most likely the least expensive option. However, for regular shipping or high volume shipping, you can often negotiate a better rate than the ones offered by competitors. If one company has given you a better quote for the cost, mention this to competitors. They might offer to beat that cost. Inquire about special rates. Private shipping companies might have special rates for those who are shipping from home for the first time. There might also be special rates offered during the slow season to encourage more shipping. When shopping around, be sure to ask something like: "I'm planning on shipping a medium sized, 20 pound (9 kg) package from my home. Are there any special rates being offered right now for that kind of shipping?" Ship your package media mail, if possible. Media mail is a more affordable way of shipping packages under 70 lbs (32 kg). The downside to media mail is that it usually takes much longer than regular shipping, so it isn't preferred for time sensitive packages. Items that qualify for media mail include: Print material at least 8 pages in length (including sheet music, play scripts, manuscripts, guides, periodicals, and so on). Sound and video recordings (like CDs and DVDs). Computer material that is readable. Film (16 mm or narrower) Educational materials (like test materials and accessories, reference charts, etc.) | Choose a suitable box and pack your item(s). Calculate the shipping cost. Pay for your shipping. Attach the shipping label. Seal your box. Schedule the pickup for your package. Prepare your box to ship. Input your information and schedule a pickup. Ship the package. Economize on shipping materials. Shop around with shipping providers. Inquire about special rates. Ship your package media mail, if possible. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Block-Facebook | How to Block Facebook | You can block Facebook from being accessed on your Windows or Mac computer by adding Facebook's address to the "hosts" file, though you will need to use an administrator account to do so. iPhone users can block Facebook by enabling Restrictions from the Settings app, disabling App Store downloads, adding Facebook's address to the list of blocked websites, and deleting the Facebook app. Android users can use a free app called BlockSite to block both the Facebook website and the Facebook app from being accessed. | Open your computer's "hosts" file. You'll need to be on an administrator account to do this: Open Notepad in Administrator mode. Click File , then click Open.... Navigate to the "hosts" file by clicking This PC , double-clicking your hard drive, opening the "Windows" folder, opening the "System32" folder, opening the "drivers" folder, and opening the "etc" folder. Click the "Text Documents" drop-down box, then click All Files. Allow editing for the "hosts" file by right-clicking it, clicking Properties , clicking Security , clicking Edit , checking the "Full Control" box, clicking OK , clicking Yes , and clicking OK. Double-click the "hosts" file to open it in Notepad. Place the cursor at the bottom of the "hosts" file. Scroll down to the bottom of the "hosts" file, then click below the very last entry at the bottom. You may have to click at the end of the last line in the "hosts" file and then press ↵ Enter. Enter the redirect address. Type in 127.0.0.1 at the very bottom of the "hosts" file, then press the Tab ↹ key. Enter Facebook's address. Type in facebook.com and then press ↵ Enter. You should now have a line that resembles the following: 127.0.0.1 facebook.com If you use Google Chrome, press the spacebar after typing in facebook.com , then type in www.facebook.com as well. Add Facebook's mobile address. To do this, type in 127.0.0.1 m.facebook.com and press ↵ Enter. Again, if you use Google Chrome, make sure you place a space after "m.facebook.com" and type in www.m.facebook.com before pressing ↵ Enter. Save your "hosts" file. In order to save your "hosts" file to override the original file, do the following: Click File , then click Save As.... Click Text Documents in the bottom-right corner, then click All Files in the drop-down menu. Click the "hosts" file to select it. Click Save , then click Yes when prompted. Restart your computer. Click Start {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , click Power {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/5\/5d\/Windowspower.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Windowspower.png\/30px-Windowspower.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , and click Restart. Once your computer finishes restarting, Facebook should be blocked in all web browsers. Open your Mac's "hosts" file. You must have administrator privileges on your account to do this: Open Spotlight {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png\/30px-Macspotlight.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Mac icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Type in terminal , then double-click Terminal. Type in sudo nano /etc/hosts and press ⏎ Return. Enter your Mac's password when prompted. Place the cursor at the bottom of the "hosts" file. Press the "Down" ↓ arrow key until your cursor is at the bottom of the "hosts" file on its own line. Enter the redirect address. Type in 127.0.0.1 at the very bottom of the "hosts" file, then press the Tab ↹ key. Enter Facebook's address. Type in facebook.com and then press ⏎ Return. You should now have a line that resembles the following: 127.0.0.1 facebook.com If you use Google Chrome, press the spacebar after typing in facebook.com , then type in www.facebook.com as well. Add Facebook's mobile address. To do this, type in 127.0.0.1 m.facebook.com and press ⏎ Return. Again, if you use Google Chrome, make sure you place a space after "m.facebook.com" and type in www.m.facebook.com before pressing ⏎ Return. Save your "hosts" file. Once you've finished editing the "hosts" file, do the following to save your changes: Press Control and X at the same time. Press Y when prompted. Press ⏎ Return. Restart your Mac. Click the Apple menu {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/f\/ff\/Macapple1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Macapple1.png\/29px-Macapple1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":476,"bigWidth":"29","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Mac icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , click Restart... , and click Restart when prompted. Once your computer finishes restarting, Facebook should be blocked in all web browsers. Open your iPhone's Settings. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a set of gears on a grey background. Scroll down and tap General. You'll find this option near the top of the Settings page. Scroll down and tap Restrictions. It's near the middle of the General page. Enter your Restrictions passcode. Type in the four-digit passcode you use to unlock the Restrictions menu. If you haven't yet enabled Restrictions on this iPhone, tap Enable Restrictions at the top of the screen, then type in twice a unique passcode that you'll remember. Scroll down and tap the green "Installing Apps" switch . This switch is in the second group of options. Tapping it causes the switch to turn grey {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png\/47px-Iphoneswitchofficon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":294,"bigWidth":"47","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iPhone icon\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , thus disabling the App Store. Scroll down and tap Websites. It's at the bottom of the "ALLOWED CONTENT" section of options. Tap Limit Adult Content. This option is near the top of the screen. Tap Add a Website… under the "NEVER ALLOW" heading. You'll find this near the bottom of the screen. A text box will appear. Enter Facebook's address. Type in www.facebook.com and tap Done in the lower-right side of the keyboard. Minimize the Settings app. Press the Home button to do so. Your Restrictions settings will be saved. Delete the Facebook app. If you have the Facebook app installed on your iPhone, tap and hold its icon until the icon starts shaking, then tap X in the top-left corner of the icon and tap Delete when prompted. Since you've disabled app downloads from the App Store, it will be impossible to reinstall the Facebook app. Delete any third-party browsers that don't use your Restrictions. Browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox will all honor your Restrictions settings by blocking Facebook, but other browsers may not depending on their privacy settings. Once you've finished this, your iPhone will no longer be able to access Facebook. Install BlockSite. Open the {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/1\/1e\/Androidgoogleplay.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Androidgoogleplay.png\/26px-Androidgoogleplay.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":531,"bigWidth":"26","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Google Play Store app, then do the following: Tap the search bar. Type in blocksite , then tap Done or Enter. Tap Block Site - Block Distracting Apps & Sites. Tap INSTALL , then tap ACCEPT when prompted. Open BlockSite. Tap OPEN in the Google Play Store, or tap the shield-shaped BlockSite app icon. Tap GET STARTED. It's a green button near the bottom of the screen. Tap GO TO SETTINGS. This button is near the bottom of the screen. Doing so will take you to a page that explains how to enable BlockSite in your Android's Settings. Tap GOT IT. It's at the bottom of the screen. The appropriate Settings page will open. Scroll down and tap BlockSite. Its location on the page will vary depending on your Android, but you'll find it somewhere on the page that opens. Tap the grey "Off" switch . The switch will change color {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png\/35px-Android7switchon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":394,"bigWidth":"35","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , signifying that BlockSite is now enabled. At this point, BlockSite should re-open. You may have to tap OK to confirm this step. Tap +. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Doing so opens the WEBSITES tab. If BlockSite didn't automatically open when you turn it on in Settings, tap the "Apps" button and then select BlockSite in the list of open apps. Enter Facebook's address. Type in www.facebook.com and then tap the checkmark icon {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/5\/5a\/Android7done.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Android7done.png\/30px-Android7done.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} in the top-right corner of the screen. Add the Facebook app to the block list. In order to block the Facebook app, do the following: Tap + in the bottom-right corner again. Tap the APP tab at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap Facebook. Consider locking your BlockSite settings. While BlockSite will prevent you from accessing Facebook, it doesn't include a password or a provision to prevent a user from simply deleting the BlockSite app to begin using Facebook again. You can lock BlockSite with a password by doing the following: Install the Norton Lock app from the Google Play Store. Open Norton Lock, then follow the on-screen instructions to add it to your Android's app permissions. Create an unlock code in Norton Lock, then tap Continue. Tap BlockSite and Play Store in the list of apps to lock. | Open your computer's "hosts" file. Place the cursor at the bottom of the "hosts" file. Enter the redirect address. Enter Facebook's address. Add Facebook's mobile address. Save your "hosts" file. Restart your computer. Open your Mac's "hosts" file. Place the cursor at the bottom of the "hosts" file. Enter the redirect address. Enter Facebook's address. Add Facebook's mobile address. Save your "hosts" file. Restart your Mac. Open your iPhone's Settings. Scroll down and tap General. Scroll down and tap Restrictions. Enter your Restrictions passcode. Scroll down and tap the green "Installing Apps" switch . Scroll down and tap Websites. Tap Limit Adult Content. Tap Add a Website… under the "NEVER ALLOW" heading. Enter Facebook's address. Minimize the Settings app. Delete the Facebook app. Delete any third-party browsers that don't use your Restrictions. Install BlockSite. Open BlockSite. Tap GET STARTED. Tap GO TO SETTINGS. Tap GOT IT. Scroll down and tap BlockSite. Tap the grey "Off" switch . Tap +. Enter Facebook's address. Add the Facebook app to the block list. Consider locking your BlockSite settings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Maryland-Blue-Crab | How to Eat a Maryland Blue Crab | To eat a Maryland blue crab, start by removing the claws and legs and throwing away any that don't have meat in them. Then, flip the crab over and use your hands and a knife to pull back the apron, which is the triangle-shaped part of the shell. Next, use your fingers to remove the gills on either side of the crab and scoop out anything inside of the crab that doesn't look appetizing, like the crab's digestive system. Finally, break the crab in half with your hands and pick out the meat inside. | Check to see if the blue crab is in season. The Maryland Blue Crab can be found fresh or pasteurized (sealed in cans and heated to kill pathogenic organisms) throughout the year, but it is not in season all year long. The crab season in Maryland starts in April and ends in December. Crabs are usually less expensive at the beginning of the season. Crabs harvested in June through August are the most flavorful. The largest crabs are found in September and October. Buy six to eight crabs per person. If you're not eating at a restaurant, crabs can be purchased from crab houses or shacks. You can order blue crabs online if you're not close to the sea. Six crabs per person is recommended, but some people may want to eat eight to ten. They can be purchased alive or steamed. Check out docks to purchase crabs if you are by the sea. Crabbing can be done yourself at many public beaches. Check with a Visitor Center in your area for crabbing locations. A bushel or jimmy equals sixty to seventy crabs. A half bushel of male crab costs around $115-$130. Male crabs are typically more expensive, but more accessible than female crabs. Choose the biggest crabs for your meal. Choosing a big crab is better option if you're inexperienced. A larger crab is easier to pick apart. Steam the crabs while they are fresh. You can begin picking apart the crabs if they were bought steamed. The crabs do not need extra preparation in that case. Live crabs do need to be steamed, and they can last for six to eight hours out of water. If they are stored in a cool temperature, they can last for several days. Live crabs that are chilled in the refrigerator are easier to steam because the cold temperature causes them to be inactive. Make sure the crabs are alive when you put them into the steamer. A dead crab can be dangerous to cook because they spoil quickly. Use a crab steamer. An average size steamer holds three or four dozen crabs at a time. You can buy a steamer at most hardware stores. You can make your own crab steamer with a large pot and makeshift basket to keep the crabs out of the water. Fill the steamer with about two inches of water. Add the crabs into the steamer. Cover the steamer and wait for steam to escape. This should take about ten minutes. Make sure the lid to the steamer is closed tightly with no gaps. Add apple cider vinegar to the water for extra flavor. Allow the crabs to cook for another twenty to thirty minutes. The exact cooking time depends on the amount of crabs and the heat source. A dozen crabs takes fifteen minutes to cook. A half bushel takes twenty minutes to cook. A full bushel takes thirty-five minutes of cooking time. Check the color of the crabs before removing them from the pot. The crabs should be bright orange. Dark red, reddish-green, or blue patches means that the crabs are not finished. Remove the crabs. Place them on a platter. Sprinkle them with your favorite seasoning. Old bay is a very popular seasoning for Maryland Blue Crabs. J.O. Spice is a common seasoning, and it is often used at restaurants. Cover the table with newspaper. A crab feast is messy. Covering the table with newspaper makes the meal less worrisome and the clean up much faster. Wear a bib. Wearing a bib will keep your clothes safe from the mess of the meal. It's not a good idea to wear your best clothes to a crab feast, so consider wearing something that is not easily stained. Set out dipping sauces. Crab feasts usually come with small dishes off melted butter. Apple cider vinegar is another favorite dipping sauce. Decide on your tools. Use a paring knife to pick apart a crab. Use a mallet is used to crack open the claws. If you don't want to use tools, picking apart a crab with your hands is just fine. Remove the claws and legs. Throw away the small legs. Reserve the large claws because they can be eaten later. Some of the small legs have enough meat in them to be eaten. Check first before throwing them away. Use your hands to separate the shells. Throw way the orange top shell. Keep the apron, which is the underside of the crab. Pull back the apron. Flip the cooked crab on its shell. The belly should be facing up. Use your hands, a paring knife, or even a claw to pull the apron back. Put your tool of choice under the apron, lift the apron, break it off, and then discard it. Male crabs have a thin apron. A female crab's apron is wider and rounder. Use your fingers or knife remove the gills on either side of the crab. The gills are not edible, so discard them. Remove anything that does not look appetizing. The yellow “mustard” is called the hepatopancreas, which is a main component of the blue crab's digestive system. It is edible and considered a delicacy to some, but often thrown away. Break the crab in half. Once it is broken in half, break each half in half again. You can use a paring knife, or you can use your hands. Pick out the meat. Take on half of the crab, squeeze it, and then pull it open. Dig out as much meat as you can. Open the claws. Put the claw on the table with the pincers facing up. Place the knife just behind the joint, take the mallet, and hit the knife gently until the shell cracks. Then, pull the shell off. The meat should come out whole. If this doesn't work, use your knife and dig the meat out. | Check to see if the blue crab is in season. Buy six to eight crabs per person. Choose the biggest crabs for your meal. Steam the crabs while they are fresh. Use a crab steamer. Fill the steamer with about two inches of water. Allow the crabs to cook for another twenty to thirty minutes. Check the color of the crabs before removing them from the pot. Remove the crabs. Cover the table with newspaper. Wear a bib. Set out dipping sauces. Decide on your tools. Remove the claws and legs. Pull back the apron. Use your fingers or knife remove the gills on either side of the crab. Remove anything that does not look appetizing. Break the crab in half. Pick out the meat. Open the claws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Tapeworm-in-Cats | How to Treat Tapeworm in Cats | To treat tapeworms in cats, start by visiting the vet to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription with praziquantel in it. The medication can be given in a number of ways, including injection, tablet form, or topically. Once your cat has been treated, focus on preventing future outbreaks by not allowing your cat to hunt and eat rodents, which can be a source of tapeworm infection. Additionally, treat your cat for fleas since they can be another source of infestation. | Understand what tapeworms are. As the name suggests, tapeworms are long flat worms. They can reach up to 60cm in length, and are a creamy-white color with flat segments along their length. The tapeworms attach firmly to the lining of the bowel wall, so it is unusual to see an adult worm unless the cat has had a worming treatment. It's much more common to see tapeworm egg packets on the cat's fur, especially near the anus. Look for white, rice-like objects in the cat's fur. When a tapeworm reproduces it fills special segments, called proglottids, which contain thousands of tiny eggs. The adult tapeworms shed these egg packets into the bowel lumen where they migrate out of the cat's anus. The proglottids are about the size of a grain of rice and a similar shape. If you see a white rice-like object on the cat's fur then it is highly likely he has tapeworms. Bring a sample to the vet for testing. If in doubt, stick the egg packet to a piece of sellotape (tear of a 6 inch length of sticky tape, and touch the adhesive side to the object, then stick the tape to a piece of card) to show to your veterinarian. Know that a cat with a flea infestation is highly likely to have tapeworms. There are two types of tapeworm that commonly infect the cat, and these tapeworms have different intermediate hosts. Dipylidium caninum (the most common cat tapeworm) uses fleas as its go-between. Cats with fleas are likely to develop tapeworm as immature fleas feed on tapeworm eggs in cat feces. The tapeworm hatches and develops inside the flea (the intermediate host), and when the cat grooms and swallows the flea, her digestive juices crack open the fleas body and release the larval form of the tapeworms. Thus, regular flea control is essential to prevent and control tapeworm in the cat. Understand that hunting cats are more likely to develop tapeworm. The second most common tapeworm, Taenia taeniaeformis, develops its larval stage inside rodents such as rats and mice. Therefore, hunting cats are more likely to be infected with this type of tapeworm. Rodents infect themselves with the larval form of tapeworm when they eat plants contaminated by cat feces containing tapeworm eggs. The tapeworm burrows into the rodents muscles and when the cat hunts and eats the infected rodent, it will infect itself with tapeworm. Thus, hunting cats need to be wormed regularly, ideally every 3-6 months. Take your cat to the vet. If possible, bring a sample of the rice-like proglottids that you found in your cat's fur. This will help your vet determine which type of tapeworm your cat has contracted. Your vet will prescribe a tapeworm product that contains the ingredient praziquantel. While treatment is the same no matter what type of tapeworm has infected your cat, knowing which type will help your vet give you advice about how to prevent future infections. Praziquantel is the only ingredient that can kill tapeworms, but many tapeworm products are combined with another ingredient that works against roundworms as well. Understand how praziquantel works. Praziquantel paralyzes the tapeworm, causing it to release its grip on the bowel wall. The dead worm is then passed out through the feces. Praziquantel causes paralysis by making the phospholipid integument (skin) of the tapeworm permeable to sodium, potassium, and calcium ions. A massive influx of calcium ions paralyses the tapeworm's primitive nerve system, so the worm's suckers let go of the bowel wall and it is passed out. Identify some products that contain praziquantel. For many years the only products containing praziquantel were Drontal tablets and the Droncit injection. However, other products are now available including Milbemax tablets, and a spot-on product, Profender, which is applied to the skin on the back of the cat's neck. A summary of these products is listed below: Droncit injection: Contains praziquantel and is solely effective against tapeworms (no efficacy against roundworms). Drontal tablets: Contains praziquantel against tapeworm and pyrantel which is effective against roundworms Milbemax tablets: Contains praziquantel against tapeworm and milbemycin against roundworms. Profender spot-on: Contains praziquantel against tapeworm and emodepside against roundworms. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for administering the medication. Approximately 2% of cats have mild side effects after oral dosing, which include sickness, diarrhea, or reduced appetite. If your cat appears to be experiencing side effects, call your vet immediately. The tapeworm medication will kill the tapeworms present in the cat at the time of dosing, but has no lingering effect should the cat re-infect itself the following day. Prevent your cat from hunting. Hunting and eating vermin is a source of tapeworm infection, and stopping a cat from hunting is an excellent way of preventing infection with the taenia species of tapeworm. Treat your cat for fleas. The other source of infection are fleas. The cat and all other animals in the household should be treated with an effective product as directed on the manufacturer's guidelines. There are many products available, but those proven to be the most effective are those containing fipronil (Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Efipro) as well as selamectin (Revolutions US, Stronghold UK,). Treat your cat against tapeworm every 1 to 12 months. It is commonly recommended that you treat your cat every 1-3 months, but depending on your cat's health and lifestyle, you may only need to treat your cat every 4-12 months instead. Ask your vet for specifics based on your cat's needs and the dewormers available in your area. | Understand what tapeworms are. Look for white, rice-like objects in the cat's fur. Bring a sample to the vet for testing. Know that a cat with a flea infestation is highly likely to have tapeworms. Understand that hunting cats are more likely to develop tapeworm. Take your cat to the vet. Understand how praziquantel works. Identify some products that contain praziquantel. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for administering the medication. Prevent your cat from hunting. Treat your cat for fleas. Treat your cat against tapeworm every 1 to 12 months. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Love-Yourself | How to Learn to Love Yourself | If you're trying to learn to love yourself, build self-compassion by writing yourself a kind letter in an understanding tone from the perspective of someone who loves you unconditionally. Focus on self-love by making and keeping a list of things you like about yourself, or asking family and friends to come up with things you're good at. Try to catch yourself when you're thinking negative thoughts, check whether those thoughts are true, and change those thoughts to something positive. | Imagine how you would react to a friend in your situation. To start practicing self-compassion, it may be helpful for you to start thinking about how you would respond to a friend who was in your situation. Try to imagine the words and behaviors that you would use to comfort a friend who was dealing with the same problem as you are and write about them. Some good questions to answer as part of this exercise include: What would you say to a friend who came to you with the problem that you are having? How would you treat him or her? How do you tend to treat yourself? How is this different from how you would treat a friend? How might a friend react if you treated him or her the way that you treat yourself? How might you start to feel if you treated yourself the way you would treat a friend? Create a self-compassion script. In difficult moments, it may be helpful for you to recite a self-compassion script to keep yourself from being over-critical of yourself. A self-compassion script will help you to acknowledge your feelings and be kind to yourself in the moment. For example, you might say something like, “I am having a really hard time right now, but suffering is part of being human. The way I feel right now is temporary.” You can alter the script so that it is in your own words or recite it as is whenever you are tempted to criticize yourself. Write a kind letter to yourself. Another way to start seeing yourself with more compassion is to write yourself a kind letter. Write the letter from the perspective of a friend who has unconditional love for you. You can imagine someone real or imaginary Try starting the letter with something like, “Dear (your name), I heard about (your situation) and I am so sorry. I want you to know that I care about you….” You can continue the letter from this point. Remember to maintain a kind, understanding tone throughout the entire letter. Give yourself some physical comfort. Physical comfort can help you to feel better when you are feeling low. That is why friends and family members may hug you or pat you on the back if you are struggling with something. Even if you are alone, you can give yourself the benefits of physical comfort by hugging, patting, or just laying hands on yourself. Try holding your hands over your heart or wrap your arms around yourself in a big hug. Practice meditation. After a while, self-critical thinking may become automatic, which can be difficult to change. Meditation can help you to become more aware of your thoughts, so you will be able to tell when you are criticizing yourself and address the thoughts rather than letting them take over. Learning to meditate takes time and practice, so it is a good idea to take a class or find someone who can give you lessons. You can even try a self-compassion guided meditation: http://self-compassion.org/category/exercises/#guided-meditations Recognize opinions do not equal facts. How you feel about yourself may not be accurately be represented as fact. Do not believe everything you tell yourself. To change negative thought patterns , try the cognitive behavioral technique “the 3 C's”: catch, check, change. Catch yourself thinking something negative about yourself, check if what you are thinking about is true, and then change your thoughts to more positive one. Avoid negative people. People who make you feel bad about yourself will make it more difficult to find self-love. If you find yourself surrounded by people like this, it is time to consider distancing yourself. It might be difficult to completely disappear or disengage from people. Start slow. If you want to distance yourself from friends, for example, try to communicate less. Gradually stop seeing or talking to them, and then block them on social media. Breaking up with someone who is a negative influence can be a bit trickier. However, if you can handle it, then your life can be much better. Stay away from negative situations. Negative situations can create negative behavior and may create self-hatred. Avoiding these situations will remove the stimuli and will help you focus on making a better you. Do not to dwell on things you can not change. For example, you can't control the weather. Why let it upset you? When it comes to things about yourself, there are just some things you will not be able to control (such as past decisions). Focus on the things you can. Avoid thinking that you aren’t good enough. Feeling inadequate is very common. You must recognize that you cannot excel at every aspect of your life. Imperfection is part of the human condition. Recognize this to begin loving yourself and what you do accomplish. Write a list. Start by writing down what you like about yourself. This strategy will give a focus. Consider writing both physical and psychological lists. Start with small things to help motivate yourself. Perhaps write things: I like the color of my eyes. I like my laugh. I enjoy my job. I like my hard work ethic. Be thankful. Similarly, it helps to write a list for what you are thankful. These can be vary from the previous list to focus more on what you appreciate about the world around you. Consider writing things: I am thankful for my loving family. I am thankful for my dog. I am thankful for my apartment/house. I am thankful for the wonderful weather today. Talk to those you love. If you are struggling with getting started with what you should write about, consider talking to people who love you. They might provide a different perspective. Think about asking: ”Mom, what do you think are my best traits?” ”Dad, what are you thankful for?” (This might give you ideas.) ”[Sibling name] Do you think I'm good at [x]?” Practice daily affirmations. Daily affirmations are scientifically proven to improve the way to think about yourself. They have been proven to improve mood and reduce stress. To practice daily affirmations, do the following: Every morning, when you first wake up, stand in front of a mirror. Look yourself in the eye and repeat a mantra. This affirmation is designed to help you reinforce positivity. Try saying things like: “I will say yes to more things today.” Repeat this three to five times to help you reinforce the idea. You can change your affirmation daily, or focus on something specific you want to change. Exercise. Getting physical has many positive benefits, both psychological and physical. The “exercise effect” is the scientific phenomenon of feeling better about oneself after physical exercise. Also, participating in exercises that you enjoy can promote happiness. For example, try taking a walk through a local park. It'll give you time to think, burn off some calories, and provide a beautiful view! Eat a healthy diet. Similar to exercising, eating healthy has psychological benefits. Try eating more proteins (fish, meat, beans) and less simple carbohydrates (white bread, sugars, sweets, etc.). Get plenty of sleep. Sleeping makes a body and mind feel good. Scientists suggest that amount of sleep varies on age. School age — nine to 11 hours per night. Teenager — eight to 10 hours per night. Young adult — seven to nine hours per night. Adult — seven to nine hours per night. Older Adult — six to eight hours per night. | Imagine how you would react to a friend in your situation. Create a self-compassion script. Write a kind letter to yourself. Give yourself some physical comfort. Practice meditation. Recognize opinions do not equal facts. Avoid negative people. Stay away from negative situations. Do not to dwell on things you can not change. Avoid thinking that you aren’t good enough. Write a list. Be thankful. Talk to those you love. Practice daily affirmations. Exercise. Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of sleep. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Conjugate-French-Verbs | How to Conjugate French Verbs | To conjugate regular French verbs in the present tense, start by removing the ending of the infinitive form of the verb, such as “-er” or “-ir.” Then, replace it with the ending that corresponds with the subject of the sentence, like “-e” for a first person perspective or “-ent” for the third person plural. For irregular verbs, you'll need to learn the individual conjugations for each subject, such as "je suis" and "tu es." | Know that conjugation is when you change a verb based on who it involves. We do this in English as well. For example, you would say "I run," but you would add and "s" for " he run s. " Conjugation in French works similarly; for every pronoun (I, he, she, it, we, you) there is a different conjugation. Remember the French pronouns. There are more French pronouns then English, but they are still easy to remember: Je: I Tu: You Il, elle, on: He, she, it Nous: We Vous: You (plural or formal) Ils, elles: They (male), they (female). Note the infinitive of verbs. An unconjugated verb is called the "infinitive." In English you simply at the word "to," so the infinitive is "to be," "to see," or "to write." In French the infinitive is one word -- like "aller" (to go), "ouvrir" (to open) or "répondre" (to respond). The infinitive is the base verb, or what changes as you conjugate. For example, in English you would not say, "He to be," you would say "he is." This is how we conjugate the verb "to be" in English. Recognize the three types of "regular" verbs. In French the large majority of verbs fall under three categories based on the ending of the infinitive. For each of these three categories there is a set of rules for conjugation. -er Verbs: This includes verbs like "parler" (to talk) and "manger" (to eat). -ir Verbs: This includes verbs like "applaudir" (to clap) and "finir" (to finish). -re Vebrs: This includes verbs like "entendre" (to hear). Know what verbs are irregular. There are, unfortunately, some verbs in French that no longer use the same rules to conjugate. Almost every tense of these verbs is different, so you often have to look irregular verbs up separately. While by no means exhaustive, this list shows some of the most common irregular verbs: être: To be Avoir: To have Aller: To go Vouloir: To want Faire: To make, to do Mettre: To put, to place. Use the present tense for current or habitual action. The present tense is used similarly in French as in English. Use the present tense to translate phrases like "I swim in the pool" or "He eats fish." There are three basic types of verbs to conjugate, as well as a handful or "irregular verbs," or verbs that don't follow set rules. The basic types of verbs are: -er Verbs: "Parler" (to talk) and "manger" (to eat). -ir Verbs: "Applaudir" (to clap) and "finir" (to finish). -re Vebrs: "Entendre" (to hear). Conjugate "-er verbs" by replacing the "er. " Each pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) has a different ending that goes in the place of "-er." The endings are -e, -e, -es, -ons, -ez, -ent. For example, "parler" (to talk), would conjugate as: First person: "-e." Je parle → I talk Second person: "-es." Tu parles → You talk Third person: "-e." Il parle, → He talks. Plural first person: "-ons." Nous parlons → We talk. Plural second person: "-ez." Vous parlez → You all talk. Plural third person: "-ent." Elles parlent → They talk. Conjugate "-ir verbs by replacing the "ir". To do so,add in the following endings, depending on the pronoun: -is, -is, -it, -issons, -issez, -issent. For this example we will use "applaudir" (to clap): First person: "-is." J'applaudis → I clap. Second person: "-is." Tu applaudis → You clap. Third person: "-it." Il applaudit → He claps. Plural first person: "-issons." Nous applaudissons → We clap. Plural second person: "-issez." Vous applaudissez → You all clap. Plural third person: "-issent." Ils applaudissent → They clap. Conjugate "-re" verbs by replacing the "re. " These are the least common regular verbs, but you still need to know how to conjugate them. The endings are -s, -s, nothing, -ons, -ez, ent. Note how one conjugation, the third person (he/she) does not have an ending. To conjugate an example, "répondre" (to respond): First person: "-s." Je réponds → I respond. Second person: "-s." Tu réponds → You respond. Third person: "nothing." Il répond → He responds. Plural first person: "-ons." Nous répondons → We respond. Plural second person: "-ez." Vous répondez → You all respond. Plural third person: "-ent." Elles répondent → They respond. Learn the conjugations for common irregular verbs. There are a lot of irregular verbs, but there are a few that are essential to know moving forward. The rest can be quickly looked up online by trying "Verb + French Conjugation." être (to be): Je suis, tu es, il est, nous sommes, vous êtes, elles sont. Avoir (to have): J'ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, elles ont. Aller (to go): Je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, elles vont. Faire (to make, to do): Je fais, tu fais, il fait, nous faison, vous faites, ils font. Advanced note: The conjugations of "être, "avoir," and "aller" are necessary for the past and future tenses. To make the future tense, for example, you conjugate "aller" (to go), then add the other verb so that it translates as "going to do (verb)." Use the past tense for simple, complete actions in the past. The "passé composé" is for actions that had a definite beginning and end, such as "I threw a ball," or "They have baked a cake." Actions in the past that happen often or habitually (like the weather or your mood) use a different tense. The passé composé is the most common past tense in French. Conjugate the present tense of "avoir" to start the passé composé. The passé compose is a compound tense, which is a fancy way of saying it has two parts. The first part is a conjugated version of "avoir" (to have)." This is similar to English, where you can say "I have eaten," or "She has run." This is the first part of your conjugation. As a refresher, the conjugation of "avoir" is: Avoir (to have): J'ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, elles ont. Find the "past participle" of your verb. Think of the English expression, "I have eaten." Notice how "eaten" is not like any other conjugation for the verb "to eat." French does the same thing -- there is a different ending for the past tense of verbs. Luckily, they are easy to remember: -Er verbs, "-é." Examples: parlé, montré, decidé. -Ir verbs, "-i." Examples: fini, réussi. -Re verbs, "-u" Examples: entendu, répondu. Put the two parts together to form the past tense. Simply add your conjugation of "avoir" to your past participle to form the past tense. While the literal translation will always be "I have talked," or "they have listened," this tense can also translate to "I talked," or "they listened." Several examples from different verbs: First person: "ai + verb." J'ai parlé → I talked. Second person: "as + verb." Tu as fini → You finished. Third person: "a + verb." Il a entendu → He heard. Plural first person: "avons + verb." Nous avons réussi → We succeeded. Plural second person: "avez + verb." Vous avez essayé → You all tried. Plural third person: "-ont + verb." Elles ont répondu → They responded. Know the verbs that conjugate with "être" instead of "avoir. " The formula "avoir + past participle works for 95% of French verbs. However, there are a selection of verbs that must use "être + past participle" (to be) to be put in the simple past tense. The translation is still in the past ("I fell"). These verbs are: Devenir, Revenir, Monter, Rester, Sortir, Venir, Aller, Naître, Descendre, Entrer, Rentrer, Tomber, Retourner, Arriver, Mourir, Partir A helpful way to remember these verbs is by the acronym, Dr. & Mrs. Vandertramp. You'll notice the list above is already in this order. Grammatically, these verbs are known as "intransitive verbs." Replace "avoir" with "être" for Dr. & Mrs. Vandertramp verbs. Once you remember which verbs need "être" (to be), add the past participle to make the past tense. Note, however, that the verb has to match the subject. Plural phrases get an "-s" and expressions about females get an extra "-e" First person: "suis + verb." Je suis tombée → I fell. ("I" refers to a woman.) Second person: "es + verb." Tu es tombé → You fell. Third person: "est + verb." Il est tombé → He fell. Plural first person: "sommes + verb." Nous sommes tombés → We fell. Plural second person: "etes + verb." Vous êtes tombés → You all fell. Plural third person: "sont + verb." Elles sont tombées → They fell. Know that the imperfect past refers to things that happened over a span of time. Though this seems tricky, it is actually simple in practice. The imperfect tense is used for things that happened in the past, but not at a specific time. For example, phrases like, "when I was 10, I played hide and seek," or "Every week, they ate Chinese food." These expression could refer to one of the many times you played hide and seek, or the broader habit of ordering Chinese food. Use Imperfect for: States of being, weather, habitual actions, emotions, age, background information. The simple past is for the events of a story (I bought candy, I ate it), and the imperfect is for background information (I was ten, I went to the store after school each day, it was sunny). Find the "stem" of verbs by dropping the "-ons" from the present "nous" form. This works for irregular verbs as well. Start the imperfect by dropping the "-ons" from the nous form. The same same thing happens in English: the stem of "to walk," for example, is walk (walk, walks, walked, walking, etc.). Examples include: Parler: Parlons → "parl" Finir: Finissons → "finniss" Entendre: Entendons → "entend" Avoir: Avons → "av" Faire: Faisons → "fais" The only exception to this rule is "être, since the nous form ("nous sommes") does not have an "ons." The stem of être is "ét." Add the imperfect endings to your stem to get the imperfect tense. Unlike the passé composé, the imperfect tense is only one word. Simply add the endings to your stem and you've finished. The imperfect endings are "-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient." Using the verb "regarder" (to watch) as an example: First person: "-ais." Je regardais → I was watching. Second person: "-ais." Tu regardais &rarr: You were watching. Third person: "-ait." Il regardait → He was watching. Plural first person: "-ions." Nous regardions → We were watching. Plural second person: "-iez." Vous regardiez → You all were watching. Plural third person: "-aient." Elles regardaient → They were watching. Express the near future with "aller + infinitive of verb. " This simple construction literally translates as "is going to do," and is used similarly in English. For example, use the near future for sentences like "I am going to run," "She will eat," or "they are going to study," basically any sentence where the action is going to take place soon. To use the near future tense, simply conjugate "aller" in the present tense and add your unconjugated verb. The example uses the verb "nager" (to swim). First person: "vais + verb." Je vais nager → I am going to swim. Second person: "vas + verb." Tu vas nager → You are going to swim. Third person: "va + verb." Il va nager → He is going to swim. Plural first person: "allons + verb." Nous allons nager &rarr: We are going to swim. Plural second person: "allez + verb." Vous allez nager → You all are going to swim. Plural third person: "vont + verb." Elles vont nager → They are going to swim. Add future endings to the infinitive form to make future tense. Remember that the infinitive is the normal version of the verb, like "parler," "finir," or "enterndre." The future stem always ends in an "r," so you must eliminate the "e" in verbs like "entrendre to continue. However, there is only one set of endings for every future tense verbs: "-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont." The following example uses "nager" (to swim): First person: "-ai." Je nagerai → I will swim. Second person: "-as." Tu nageras &rarr: You will swim. Third person: "-a." Il nagera → He will swim. Plural first person: "-ons." Nous nagerons → We will swim. Plural second person: "-ez." Vous nagerez → You all will swim. Plural third person: "-ont." Elles nageront → They will swim. Recognize the words with irregular future stems. There are, of course, exceptions to the rules. There are only a few, however, and a [ complete list can be found here. ] Some examples and their future stems include: être → serr- Voir → verr- Pouvoir → pourr- Voulor → voudr- Aller → ir- Know that both clauses of a sentence need to be in the future tense, or neither. This is one instance where French and English differ. For example, English speakers would say, "When she finishes, they will eat dinner," with the first half in the present tense (she finishes) and the second in the future (they will eat). In French you would say, "Quand elle finira, elles mangeront." Use the subjunctive tense for uncertain or subjective actions and ideas. The subjunctive is used to express sentences like "I want you to do something," "It is necessary that we talk," or "she hopes that he ______." Unfortunately, there is no real subjunctive tense in English to compare with the French. The easiest way to comprehend the subjunctive is to read French and speak to French speakers, noting where they use it. The most common phrases that use subjunctive are "il faut que + pronoun + subjunctive verb" ("It's necessary that someone does (verb)") and "je veux que + pronoun + subjunctive verb" ("I want someone to do (verb)") Know that all subjunctive phrases start with the "que. " Before conjugating any subjunctive phrase, remember that the subjunctive tense always begins with "que," which translates as "that" or "who/whom." Examples: Il faut que, (it is necessary that), aimer mieux que (prefer that) Find the "stem" of verbs by dropping the "-ent" from the present "ils/elles" form. This works for irregular verbs as well. Start conjugating subjunctive by dropping the "-ent" from the plural 3rd person verb form. The same same thing happens in English: the stem of "to walk," for example, is walk (walk, walks, walked, walking, etc.). Examples include: Parler: Parlent → "parl" Finir: Finissent → finniss" Entendre: Entendent → "entend"' Add the subjunctive endings to complete the subjunctive tense. There is only one set of endings for the subjunctive tense in French. They are "-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent." Remember to add the "que" as well. The following examples translate the phrase "it is necessary that (I, you, she, they, etc.) talks." First person: "-e." Il faut que je parle → It is necessary that I talk. Second person: "-es." Il faut que tu parles → It is necessary that you talk. Third person: "-e" Il faut que il parle → it is necessary that he talks. Plural first person: "-ions." Il faut que nous parlions → It is necessary that we talk. Plural second person: "-iez." Il faut que vous parliez → It is necessary that you all talk. Plural third person: "-ent." Il faut que elles parlent → It is necessary that they talk. Know what verbs are irregular in the subjunctive. Any verb that does not end in "-ent" in the present tense 3rd person plural ("They," or "Ils/Elles") has an irregular stem. Luckily, the endings are still the same. Some common verbs include: Faire → fass-" Savoir &rarr: sach- Pouvoir → puiss- Advanced Tip:' There are also several words that have two stems -- one singular and one plural. In this case, use the nous form, minus "-ons" and the same ending (Ex. buvoir &rarr: boiv & buv) Memorize the the conjugations for "etre" and "avoir. " These are the only two verbs that are completely different in the subjunctive. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most common words in French. To conjugate them: Etre: je sois, tu sois, il soit, nous soyons, vous soyez, elles soient. Avoir: j'aie, tu aies, il ait, nous ayons, vous ayez, elles aient. | Know that conjugation is when you change a verb based on who it involves. Remember the French pronouns. Note the infinitive of verbs. Recognize the three types of "regular" verbs. Know what verbs are irregular. Use the present tense for current or habitual action. Conjugate "-er verbs" by replacing the "er. Conjugate "-ir verbs by replacing the "ir". Conjugate "-re" verbs by replacing the "re. Learn the conjugations for common irregular verbs. Use the past tense for simple, complete actions in the past. Conjugate the present tense of "avoir" to start the passé composé. Find the "past participle" of your verb. Put the two parts together to form the past tense. Know the verbs that conjugate with "être" instead of "avoir. Replace "avoir" with "être" for Dr. Know that the imperfect past refers to things that happened over a span of time. Find the "stem" of verbs by dropping the "-ons" from the present "nous" form. Add the imperfect endings to your stem to get the imperfect tense. Express the near future with "aller + infinitive of verb. Add future endings to the infinitive form to make future tense. Recognize the words with irregular future stems. Know that both clauses of a sentence need to be in the future tense, or neither. Use the subjunctive tense for uncertain or subjective actions and ideas. Know that all subjunctive phrases start with the "que. Find the "stem" of verbs by dropping the "-ent" from the present "ils/elles" form. Add the subjunctive endings to complete the subjunctive tense. Know what verbs are irregular in the subjunctive. Memorize the the conjugations for "etre" and "avoir. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Garlic-Mashed-Potatoes | How to Make Garlic Mashed Potatoes | To make garlic mashed potatoes, start by combining potato slices and garlic cloves in a pot with enough water to cover the potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes, then drain the potatoes and garlic, and mash them thoroughly. Next, add warm milk and mix with the potatoes until the consistency is creamy and light. Finish by seasoning with salt and pepper, and garnishing with fresh parsley. | Peel and chop 1 ½ lb. of baking potatoes. Cut the potatoes. Cut them crosswise in ¼-inch pieces. Add the cubes to a deep pot. Place 6 whole peeled cloves of garlic to the pot. Add enough water to cover the potatoes. Heat the pot on high and bring the water to a boil. Let the potatoes simmer for 15 minutes. The garlic flavor will start to seep in to the potatoes as they cook. Drain the potatoes and the garlic. Once you've drained them, return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes with the garlic. Mash them thoroughly with a masher or a large spoon or fork until the potatoes and garlic are mixed and the potatoes are fully mashed. Add 1 1/3 cups of warmed milk to the mixture. Blend the milk and the potatoes until the result is creamy and light. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add garnish. Add ½ cup of parsley to the mixture. Serve. Enjoy these simple garlic mashed potatoes as a side to a delicious piece of chicken, beef, or salmon. Peel and dice 3 ½ lbs. of russet potatoes. Dice them into cubes that are relatively the same size. Place them in a large saucepan. Add 2 tbsp. of salt and cover the potatoes with water. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a rolling boil. Cook the potatoes until they fall apart when you poke them with a fork. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Heat 16 fluid ounces (2 cups) of half-and-half and 6 cloves of crushed garlic in a medium saucepan. Heat this combination until it's simmering. Then, remove it from the heat. Remove the cooked potatoes from the heat. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Mash the potatoes with the garlic-cream mixture and Parmesan. Add the garlic-cream mixture and 6 oz. grated Parmesan to the potatoes and mash them with a masher or large fork or spoon until the ingredients are fully combined. Let the potatoes stand for 5 minutes. This will thicken the mixture. Serve. Serve these tasty potatoes as a side to any meal. Remove the papery outer skin from 1 garlic bulb. Don't peel the garlic or separate the cloves. Cut off the top of the garlic bulb. Brush the bulb with 1 tsp. of oil. Wrap it in heavy-duty foil. Bake the bulb at 425° (218°C) for 30-35 minutes or until it’s softened. Cook 1 medium chopped white onion over 1 tsp. of olive oil. Cook it for 15-20 minutes or until it's golden brown, stirring occasionally. Place the onion in a food processor. Cover the processor and process the onion until it's blended. Then, set it aside. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan. Cover the saucepan in water. Bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat. Continue to heat the potatoes on a medium to low setting, letting them simmer for about 15-20 minutes or when they're soft enough to fall off of a fork. Drain the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Squeeze the softened garlic into the potatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients to the potatoes. Mix ¼ cup of softened butter, ¼ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup of 2% milk, ½ tsp. of salt, and ¼ tsp. of pepper together with the potatoes. Beat the mixture until the potatoes are mashed. Use a masher or a large spoon or fork to stir and mash the ingredients until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Let the potatoes stand for 5 minutes. This will thicken the mashed potatoes a bit. Serve. This delicious potato dish is a great side to almost any main course. | Peel and chop 1 ½ lb. Cut the potatoes. Add the cubes to a deep pot. Place 6 whole peeled cloves of garlic to the pot. Add enough water to cover the potatoes. Heat the pot on high and bring the water to a boil. Let the potatoes simmer for 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and the garlic. Mash the potatoes with the garlic. Add 1 1/3 cups of warmed milk to the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add garnish. Serve. Peel and dice 3 ½ lbs. Place them in a large saucepan. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a rolling boil. Cook the potatoes until they fall apart when you poke them with a fork. Heat 16 fluid ounces (2 cups) of half-and-half and 6 cloves of crushed garlic in a medium saucepan. Remove the cooked potatoes from the heat. Mash the potatoes with the garlic-cream mixture and Parmesan. Let the potatoes stand for 5 minutes. Serve. Remove the papery outer skin from 1 garlic bulb. Cut off the top of the garlic bulb. Brush the bulb with 1 tsp. Wrap it in heavy-duty foil. Bake the bulb at 425° (218°C) for 30-35 minutes or until it’s softened. Cook 1 medium chopped white onion over 1 tsp. Place the onion in a food processor. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan. Bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat. Drain the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Squeeze the softened garlic into the potatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients to the potatoes. Beat the mixture until the potatoes are mashed. Let the potatoes stand for 5 minutes. Serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Private-Adoption | How to Do a Private Adoption | A private adoption is a wonderful way for you to extend a helping hand to someone who can't care for their child. There are different eligibility requirements for private adoption in each state, so make sure you look them up before you start the process. To find a child to adopt, talk to adoption agencies or a non-profit adoption facilitator. They'll be able to help match you with a birth mother and explain the adoption process. In most cases, you'll also want to hire an attorney, since the legal process can be pretty complicated. Before you can adopt a child, you're required to participate in a home study, which is a series of interviews and inspections to make sure you know everything you need to be an adoptive parent. Once you pass this, you'll need to file an adoption petition with your attorney and attend a hearing to finalize the adoption. | Explore your eligibility to adopt a child. There is not a constitutional right to adopt a child. As a result, all adoption rights, procedures, and requirements are governed by state statutes with some guidance from the federal government. In general, under current state laws, any single adult or married couple is eligible to adopt if they meet certain criteria. Age requirements of prospective parents, if listed in the statute, range from 18 to 25. Six states, California, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Utah, require that the adoptive parent be at least ten years older than the adoptee. In Idaho, it is 15 years. Consult the laws of your state for the specific eligibility requirements. Determine the residency requirement. Seventeen states require that you be a resident of the state with periods ranging from 60 days to one year. Your residency can be proved through your driver's license, mortgage receipts, tax records, utility receipts, and car registration information. If you are unsure, consult with an adoption attorney or agency. In general, the states that require you to be a resident are Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If you or your spouse are members of the military, there may be exceptions to the residency requirements. Consult with a local JAG attorney, family law attorney, or adoption agency to see if the residency requirement can be waived. Consider an adoption facilitator. Facilitators are unlicensed individuals and organizations who match birth mothers with prospective adoptive parents. Facilitators range from non-profit organizations to businesses that charge a very large fee for the introduction. Adoption facilitators operate outside the legal framework and are not held to any of the same licensing and competency requirements of the professional agencies. Adoption facilitators are not legal in all states. Check state laws in both the state of your residence and the state where the child may reside and verify that using a facilitator is allowed. Some facilitators have good reputations and have a vast network of community contacts for finding birth mothers who want to put babies up for adoption. If you want to consider using a facilitator, you must research them carefully. You want a reputable organization with a track record of successful placements. Ask for references and check them carefully. Ask about fees and request they be put in writing. Decide who you want to handle the legal side of your adoption. In a private adoption, the birth parents transfer their rights directly to the adoptive parents rather than the state or an adoption agency. However, the adoption is still governed by state law and there are many legal procedures and requirements you must meet for the adoption to be granted. Most adoptive parents work with an attorney to guide them through the process. Choose an attorney with experience in private adoptions. When you interview attorneys, ask if they are a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys or an equivalent state accreditation. If your attorney is not accredited, question her about her specific experience handling private adoptions. The AAAA maintains a directory of accredited adoption attorneys in the United States. A private adoption where the adoptive parents and the birth mother have not agreed beforehand can cost over $20,000. Before you make the financial and emotional investment in the adoption, you want an attorney who is familiar with all federal, state, and local laws and procedures. Depending on your location, expect to pay $100 to $200 per hour for skilled legal assistance. Because of the complexities of the adoption process and the potential for negative consequences, it is not recommended that you attempt to do an adoption pro se. Even a consent adoption within the family, for example, an aunt and uncle adopting a nephew with full consent of the birth parents, should still be prepared and shepherded through the court by an attorney. Prepare for the Home Study. All states require that prospective adoptive parents participate in a home study. There are no exceptions for private adoptions. While a source of stress for many, the home study is intended to educate you about the process and evaluate your home life and capability to be an adoptive parent. Home studies vary by state. Some require you attend an orientation and training class. Others will be conducted strictly at your home. Your attorney can familiarize you on the procedure in your state. State law determines who can conduct a home study. In a private adoption, it will most likely be done by a private agency licensed by the state. Expect to pay up to $1,000 for your home study. Your home study may take three to six months to complete. Many prospective parents do the home study while waiting to be matched with a birth mother. Participate in the Home Study. The interviews and inspections may be long and feel very invasive. However, it is critical that you participate openly and enthusiastically. Questions will vary by state requirements, but there are some common themes. You will be asked about the family background of everyone living in the home. Be prepared to discuss your childhood and how you were parented, including feelings on discipline. Be prepared to submit to a criminal background check. The interviewer will ask about your education and employment, including future plans. If asked, be ready to produce income and expense information. Be ready to talk about your daily routines. If you have other children, what schedules and routines do you keep. If you and your partner work, the interview will ask how you intend to integrate the needs of the child into your schedule. You should be ready to discuss how you will handle child care. Your home will be inspected for safety and suitability. You do not have to own your own home or have a separate bedroom for each child. If you have concerns about where you live, discuss it with your adoption attorney. The Home Study will probe the state of your relationship and your support system. Single parents will be asked about dating and romantic relationships. Married parents will be encouraged to talk about the relationship and how a child might affect the marriage. Keep you Home Study current. You do not have to have located an adoptive child before the Home Study. However, most states require that if a certain amount of time, usually 6 months, elapses, the process must be repeated and an updated report prepared. Discuss your concerns with the Home Study agency and your attorney. File the adoption petition. Once a child has been identified and the Home Study completed, your attorney will prepare and file the adoption petition with the court. The petition will identify you and your partner, the birth parents, consent to the adoption, and ask the court to grant the adoption. When the petition is filed, the court clerk will set it on the judge's calendar for an initial review. Serve the petition on the birth parents. Your lawyer will have the adoption papers delivered to the birth parents. In a private adoption where there is not an issue of consent, your lawyer will likely meet with the birth parents and have them sign the documents. No consent to the adoption is binding until the child is born. Your attorney will explain to you whether the birth parents have any opportunity to revoke consent. In some states, the signature is considered irrevocable. In other states, there may be a grace period of up to 30 days. If the birth parents refuse to sign or revoke consent, the adoption cannot proceed. In a private adoption, the court will not compel consent or sever parental rights. If the birth parents refuse to consent and are unfit, the child will be taken into state custody. A refusal to give consent or a revocation can be emotionally devastating to the adoptive family. You must be prepared for this possibility and have a support system in place to deal with your loss. Attend the final hearing. Adoption hearings can either be part of the regular court schedule or on a special adoption docket. Assuming the consent and Home Study are in order, the judge will review the file and issue the orders that finalize the adoption. Discuss the hearing with your lawyer. If you are scheduled on the regular docket, do not bring balloons, cameras, or large groups. Your adoption may be scheduled in between a divorce, a child support modification, and a motion about visitation. Do not disrupt or delay the court's schedule. Save the party for after the hearing. If you are scheduled on a special adoption docket, the procedure will be relaxed and more festive. However, still check with your attorney before using your camera in the courtroom. Unless your state allows for an appeal, the adoption is final when signed by the judge. | Explore your eligibility to adopt a child. Determine the residency requirement. Consider an adoption facilitator. Decide who you want to handle the legal side of your adoption. Prepare for the Home Study. Participate in the Home Study. Keep you Home Study current. File the adoption petition. Serve the petition on the birth parents. Attend the final hearing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-for-Success | How to Dress for Success | To dress for success, wear a neutral-colored suit with a white button-up and tie. Or, you could wear a pencil skirt with a white or light-colored blouse. Alternatively, if you're going for a business casual look, wear khakis and a button-up shirt or a knee-length dress. You can also dress for success when attending casual events by wearing a cute sundress or some fitted dark jeans and a crisp t-shirt. | Familiarize yourself with the setting’s dress code. Whether you're starting a new job or attending an event, find out how other people will be dressed in advance. Ask an employee about a company's culture, drive by their office to see what people are wearing, or look for photographs on their social media pages. If you're planning your outfit for an event, consult the host or check the invitation for information on the dress code. If you're not sure about a dress code, it's always better to be overdressed, especially in professional settings. Wear formal attire to interviews, presentations, and important meetings. For a masculine look, stick with a neutral, navy or gray suit, white collared shirt, and a plain tie (no bold, eccentric patterns or graphics). Feminine business formal choices include a pant suit or skirt suit with a white or light-colored blouse. Coordinate your dress shoes with your belt, which should always be worn with masculine outfits. If you wear a tie, it should just barely cover your belt buckle. Heels should be less than 2 ⁄ 2 inches (6.4 cm), and skirts should be no shorter 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the knee. Pair a button-up with dress pants or a skirt for a business casual look. While business formal attire is best for job interviews and important occasions, business casual is usually the day-to-day dress code. Definitions vary by company and industry, but typical outfits include khakis with a collared shirt, a blouse with dress slacks or a skirt, and a knee-length dress. Since business casual is more relaxed, patterned shirts and blouses are acceptable. Sweaters and vests are also appropriate. Ties are preferred in industries such as finance and law. Creative fields, such as advertising and entertainment, on the other hand, usually enjoy more flexibility. Even neat, dark denim is acceptable in some settings. Put together neat, presentable casual outfits. You should still dress for success at low-key social events and when you're out running errands. For instance, pair well-fitting, dark jeans with a crisp tee or polo, or hit the town in a stylish sundress. When you're out and about, avoid wearing tattered tee shirts, sweatpants, and baggy jeans and shorts. It's okay to wear athletic clothing when you hit the gym or go for a run. Just make sure they fit well, are clean, and presentable. Practice healthy grooming habits. In addition to dressing your best, make sure you're neat, tidy, and well-groomed. Shower, wear deodorant, and brush and floss your teeth to ensure you smell fresh. Keep your hair well-kempt, and trim and clean your nails. If you choose to paint them and will be in a professional setting, go with a plain, light-colored polish. While you should smell fresh, it's best to avoid wearing strong-smelling cologne or perfume in professional settings. Additionally, keep your breath fresh with mints instead of chewing gum, which comes off as unprofessional. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. Press your clothes with an iron, and avoid leaving the house with a wrinkled outfit. Check your clothes for stains, missing buttons, and tattered hems, and polish away any scuffs in your shoes. It's also wise to run a lint brush over your clothes, especially if you have a pet. It doesn't matter how well-dressed you are if your clothes are dirty or wrinkled. Add personality and color with accessories. Neutral colors, such as navy, gray, and black, are typically preferred in professional settings, but there are still opportunities to liven up your attire. Ties, pocket squares, scarves, and other accessories are great ways to add pops of color to your outfits. For instance, an orange pocket square or tie would stand out nicely against a navy suit. Watches, cufflinks, simple jewelry, and other smaller accessories can also help complete your look. Tailor your clothes whenever possible. When it comes to a polished look, nothing beats neat clothes that fit perfectly. You can buy a super expensive suit, but it'll look cheap if it doesn't fit well. Likewise, having an inexpensive garment tailored can make it look high-end. If you're on a limited budget, start by tailoring a suit and, if possible, at least 1 or 2 collared shirts. That way, you can put your best foot forward at interviews and other formal occasions. Choose items in neutral colors that you can mix and match. To start, focus on putting together a collection of 5 to 10 collared shirts and at least 5 dress bottoms (including slacks and skirts). Instead of purchasing trendy or wildly patterned garments, choose simple, timeless, and easy-to-match items. For instance, slacks, shirts, and skirts in navy, gray, beige, black, and white are better choices that polka-dot blouses and neon green jeans. Shop at discount retailers, thrift stores, and consignment shops. It may take some digging, but you can often find gently used, quality items at discount and second-hand shops. Stores in affluent areas are especially great for bargain hunting. Try to find out when a store stocks the shelves, and visit it on those days to search through the new inventory. Find steals and deals, but go for quality over quantity. Invest in well-made items that will last for years instead of garments that will fall apart in a matter of months. Hunt for end-of-season deals. In addition to shopping second-hand, look for end-of-season sales at brand name stores and outlets. If you wait a few months and shop for clothes at the end of a season, you can often find items discounted by 50% off or more. Again, the key is to end-of-season shopping is to choose pieces that will stand the test of time. A simple, white collared shirt or blouse won't go out of style next season. On the other hand, wild patterns, ruffles, and other trendy details may not be so fashionable next year. Take care of your clothes so they last longer. With proper care, well-made clothes can last for years. Wash your clothes according to the tags' instructions, and hang or fold them promptly to help preserve the fabric. Try to keep machine drying to a minimum, especially for dress shirts and slacks. Instead, hang your garments and allow them to air dry. As for stains, dabbing any spots with cold water and, if necessary, mild detergent, often does the trick, provided you attack the stain within a few minutes. The one exception is ink, which should be treated with alcohol instead of water. Invest in a versatile suit for formal occasions. You might need to splurge on a good, well-tailored suit, but it's definitely worth the expense. Choose a solid, neutral color instead of pinstripes, patterns, and flashy colors. Navy or gray are good options, as they're more versatile and stylish than black. A suit may be one of the priciest items in your wardrobe, but you can get plenty of use out of it. In addition to wearing it to interviews and formal events, you can mix the match the jacket and pants or skirt with other garments. | Familiarize yourself with the setting’s dress code. Wear formal attire to interviews, presentations, and important meetings. Pair a button-up with dress pants or a skirt for a business casual look. Put together neat, presentable casual outfits. Practice healthy grooming habits. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. Add personality and color with accessories. Tailor your clothes whenever possible. Choose items in neutral colors that you can mix and match. Shop at discount retailers, thrift stores, and consignment shops. Hunt for end-of-season deals. Take care of your clothes so they last longer. Invest in a versatile suit for formal occasions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Kidney-Cleansing-Fast | How to Do a Kidney Cleansing Fast | There's actually little evidence that cleansing fasts can eliminate toxins from your body, and your kidneys are already very effective at doing that themselves. There are cleansing fasts you can try if you'd like, like only drinking up to 1 gallon of apple juice and 1 gallon of water each day for 3 days, but the best thing you can do is just take care of your kidneys. This includes drinking lots of water every day, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and limiting processed and salty foods like candy, white bread, pasta, and soda. Try to avoid smoking and drinking regularly too, since both of those things can put extra strain on your kidneys. | Check with your doctor first. Consult your doctor before starting a kidney cleansing fast. Depending on your current health conditions, it may not be safe. Don't be surprised if your doctor expresses some skepticism about the benefits of your fast. She will most likely recommend you just drink more fluids and improve your diet to achieve lasting kidney-health. If you have diagnosed kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a diet for you in cooperation with a dietitian. A kidney cleansing fast can affect medication absorption, so do not fast if you are taking any medication. Drink more water. If you want to go on a kidney cleansing fast, the safest way to do it is just to increase the amount of water you drink. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help keep your kidneys healthy. If you do opt for a kidney cleansing fast, make sure you continue to drink plenty of water. Eat less refined foods. Help out your kidneys by cutting out refined and high-sodium foods. Refined carbohydrates that you should try to limit include: sweets, chocolate, cake, biscuits, and sugary drinks. Other refined foods are white breads and pasta. A detox diet that cuts out all highly processed foods can make you feel better in the short-term. For a long-term solution, opt for a balanced diet. Try an apple juice cleanse. If you want a short-term method that may help cleanse your kidneys, you can attempt a fluid-only fast. One method claims that consuming up to a gallon of apple juice and up to a gallon of distilled water a day, over the course of three days, can help cleanse your kidneys and pass kidney stones. Apples are a good choice to help keep your kidneys healthy. Apples can help lower cholesterol and glucose levels, and are good source of vitamin C. The peel is also a good source of antioxidants. Be aware that bought apple juice often contains a lot of sugar. Consider the “lemonade diet. ” An alternative fluid cleanse is known as the “lemonade diet.” This requires you to drink a concoction of two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of maple syrup, a tenth of teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1-2 cups of pure water. You then consume only this “lemonade” (followed by a glass of water chaser) for ten days, before reintroducing raw fruit and vegetables. You should have between 6 and 12 cups of the lemonade a day. You are also recommended to drink a laxative tea every morning. There is, however, no scientific evidence that such cleanses are a good approach to better sustainable health. Try watermelon. Another fasting technique cited by some as a way to cleanse your kidney involves consuming a lot of watermelon. You can buy between 20 and 100 lbs of watermelon and then try to eat it throughout the day, while regularly emptying your bladder. If you have chronic kidney problems you should avoid this method due to the high levels of potassium in watermelon. You should not have more than a cup of watermelon a day if you have chronic kidney disease. Watermelons are around 92% water, so this fast is similar to just drinking a lot of water. Too much watermelon can cause health problems, so talk to your doctor first. Consider a herbal cleanse. An alternative to the “lemonade diet” is a drinking a specially made herbal tea. This tea involves soaking a quarter cup of hydrangea root, gavel root and marshmallow root in ten cups of cold water. Leave it overnight and then add some boiled parsley, before bringing the whole mixture to boil and allowing it to simmer for 20 minutes. Once it has cooled, drink a quarter cup and then put the rest in containers. Each morning pour ¾ cup of the mixture and half a cup of water into a large mug. Add 20 drops to goldenrod tincture and a tablespoon of glycerine. Drink this throughout the day, but stop if you have stomach pains. Drink lots of water. You will help your kidneys function effectively, and cleanse the toxins from your body naturally, by drinking plenty of fluids. In general you should aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but in hot weather you may need to drink more to make up for the fluid you lose through sweat. Monitor the colour of your urine to judge if you should be drinking more water. Your urine should be the colour of straw. If it is darker, you may be dehydrated and need to drink more. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will lessen your risk of developing kidney stones. Have a healthy diet. A healthy balanced diet will help you maintain good kidney-health, which in turn will help your body cleanse itself of toxins naturally. A healthy diet should include plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains in order to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Use the myplate tool to evaluate and plan your diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlate. Some of the best foods for the health of your kidneys include apples, blueberries and strawberries. Try to include some kale, and spinach in your diet. Sweet potato is another kidney-friendly vegetable. Fish that is high in omega 3 – fatty acids are good for your kidneys. Try to include some salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines in your diet. Cut down on salty and fatty foods. Lowering the amount of salty and fatty food you consume can help your kidneys to function more effectively. Buying fresh food more often than pre-prepared food can help you dramatically lower the amount of salt in your diet. Packaged foods often come with high levels of salt already included, but if you cook your own food you can control and lower the salt levels. Look on food labels for phrases like “sodium free,” “salt free,” “no salt added,” or “lightly salted.” Use herbs for flavour, rather than salt. Be sure to thoroughly rinse all canned beans, meats, vegetables and fish before you eat them. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can both be very damaging for your kidneys. Try to stop smoking completely, and limit your alcohol consumption to not more than two small drinks a day for a man, or one for a woman. Smoking and drinking can both raise your blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of kidney disease. You should visit your doctor to have your blood pressure checked at lease every five years. Have an active lifestyle. You should always couple a healthy diet with an active lifestyle. Being overweight will increase your blood pressure and can contribute to problems with your kidneys. In general, you should aim for at least around 150 minutes of exercise a week. This can include everything from running, cycling and swimming, to team sports and visiting the gym. Work out your BMI and use this to find out if you are at a healthy weight. You can use an online tool to do this: http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyweightcalculator.aspx | Check with your doctor first. Drink more water. Eat less refined foods. Try an apple juice cleanse. Consider the “lemonade diet. Try watermelon. Consider a herbal cleanse. Drink lots of water. Have a healthy diet. Cut down on salty and fatty foods. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Have an active lifestyle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Hernia | How to Cure a Hernia | To cure a hernia, start by getting a physical examination by a doctor so they can diagnose you and determine the best course of treatment. If they determine that you have a small, asymptomatic hernia, they may just send you home to wait for the hernia to disappear on its own. If you have a large hernia with multiple symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it. In that case, your doctor will tell you which kind of surgery, open or laparoscopic, is best for your situation. | Determine whether you’re at risk. Though hernias can also occur after surgery, inguinal hernias are by far the most common type of hernia. This is the hernia in which a weak point in the abdominal muscles allows internal organs to bulge out of the abdominal cavity. Although anyone can get a hernia, there are certain at-risk groups that are more likely. Men are nine times more likely to get a hernia than women. Men between the ages of 40 and 59 are particularly at risk of hernia. People who regularly do heavy lifting, like weightlifters and manual laborers are also at increased risk. Learn the risk factors for women. Although women are at a lower risk of hernia, you should still know the categories of women who most often get them: Taller women Women with chronic cough Pregnant or obese women who may get an umbilical hernia "Femoral hernias" tend to cause bowel blockage in women. Take note of common misconceptions about risk factors. Surprisingly, obese and overweight men are not at risk of inguinal hernia. This may be due to a sedentary lifestyle that avoids heavy lifting. Tobacco and alcohol use also have no effect on inguinal hernias. Look for the symptoms of an inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias present as a bulge in the groin that gets worse when straining. Activities that can worsen the bulge include constipation, lifting heavy objects, manual labor, or coughing and sneezing. This bulge is actually the organs in your abdomen poking out through weakened muscle tissue. Usually, you can manually push them back into the abdomen by applying pressure. Trouble starts when you can no longer “reduce” the hernia or push it back behind the abdominal muscles. Other symptoms of hernia include: Pain that can be described as pulling, tugging, or burning. It can feel worse after physical activity. Pain relief when lying on your back, when organs are restored to their rightful place. Possible gurgling sound when bowels are in the hernia. Rigid bulge: If you can't push the hernia back in, the bowels may have become trapped, or "incarcerated." Incarcerated hernias require emergency medical care. Get a physical examination from a doctor. To diagnose a hernia, the doctor will first look for a bulging area about the size of a golf ball in the groin, next to the hip bone. He'll have you lay back to see if the bulge recedes on its own when you lay down. He may manipulate the bulge manually to see if the hernia can be pushed back behind the abdominal wall. If the intestine is present in the hernia, the doctor will be able to hear gurgling with a stethoscope. Allow the doctor to examine the hernia through the scrotal sac. With male patients, the doctor may try to feel the hernia from below to confirm its presence. He will press a gloved finger up through the loose scrotal sac. Then, he'll ask you to cough or bear down like you're making a bowel movement. If you have a hernia, he will feel it hitting his finger firmly. The doctor will check both sides of the scrotum to be confident in the diagnosis. Have an ultrasound done if necessary. In the majority of cases, the doctor will be able to diagnose a hernia through a simple physical exam. In some cases, though, the hernia may be difficult to diagnose. If he's not confident in his diagnosis, the doctor may order an ultrasound that will visually confirm the hernia. The procedure is relatively cheap and non-invasive. Discuss your options with your doctor. If you have a small, asymptomatic hernia, the doctor may just send you home with instructions on how to monitor the hernia's status. In most cases, the hernias resolve on their own without surgery. If you observe worsening symptoms, you may need to get surgery. Surgery is recommended for patients with large hernias that present with multiple symptoms. People who have recurrent hernias after an initial surgical repair also need surgery. Pregnant women and women who've previously given birth are at higher risk for recurrent hernias. Incarcerated hernias are a surgical emergency and need immediate attention. When this happens, the bowel gets blocked and strangulated, cutting off blood flow. Learn what happens during an open hernia surgery. The vast majority of hernia surgeries are open surgeries. During this procedure, the surgeon will first separate the hernia from its surrounding tissues. Then, he will remove the hernia sac or push the intestines back into your abdominal cavity. The weakened abdominal muscles are closed with strong stitches. Because this surgery opens the abdominal muscles, some people experience further muscle weakness and hernia after surgery. To prevent this, surgeons often sew a piece of mesh into the abdominal wall. This helps strengthen the wall and prevent a hernia from recurring. Consider getting laparoscopic surgery. Only about 10% of all hernia surgeries are done laparoscopically. Instead of making a large cut to your abdominal muscles, potentially weakening them further, the surgeon makes three to four smaller cuts. He uses a laparoscope — a tiny camera mounted on a long, thin tube — to see inside the body instead of opening the patient up. The laparoscope and surgical tools are inserted through the small incisions, but otherwise, the surgery is the same as open surgery. Discuss which surgery is best for you with your doctor. Open surgeries are more common, and surgeons may be more comfortable with them. They also provide a clearer view of the tissue being manipulated. This is why they're recommended for large or complicated hernias. However, a laparoscopic surgery heals faster with less scarring, and causes less pain. Prepare for your surgery. Make sure the doctors have an updated list of all drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter) and supplements you're taking. On the night before the surgery, you must fast after midnight. This includes both food and liquids. Ask the doctor if you will be released from the hospital on the same day as the surgery. Make sure you have a ride home from the hospital if you will. Stay in the hospital for monitoring, if necessary. If you had a complicated hernia or surgery, the hospital may want to keep you behind for a few days after surgery. Specifically, they will monitor your diet to make sure you ease back into normal amounts of food. In some cases, an abrupt return to a normal diet can cause intestinal paralysis. Rest and care for yourself during the recovery period. It will likely take about four to six weeks to recover from an open hernia surgery. Laparoscopic surgeries have a much shorter recovery time of one to two weeks. Your medical team will give you detailed instructions on when you can resume normal activities. Until then, rest so you don't further weaken the fresh cuts in your abdominal muscles. Take a light walk the day of your surgery. Although you've just had surgery, it's important to get up and moving as soon as you feel ready. This jumpstarts the recovery process, but more importantly, it prevents blood clots. Limit intense physical exertion during the recovery period. Both types of surgery will allow you to return to normal activities after two to three days. But you should not engage in any strenuous activity or lift anything over 20 pounds for one to two weeks. After open hernia surgery, you should avoid strenuous activity of lifting anything over five to ten pounds for three weeks. In both cases, defer to the judgment of your doctor when deciding when you can resume heavy lifting. Ease back into a normal diet. There are technically no restrictions on diet after hernia surgery. However, some patients feel nauseous for a few days after surgery. In that case, begin with a liquid diet of water, juices, smoothies, and broths/soups. Transition to soft foods like bananas or mashed potatoes, and work your way back to a normal diet. Also start with smaller meals and work your way back up to normal sized meals. Care for your surgical incisions. In both types of surgery, your incision will be covered in surgical dressing or steri-strips. If they're covered with gauze or Band-Aids, refresh them as needed. If the surgeon used steri-strips, leave them to fall off on their own. Keep the incisions dry for 24–48 hours after surgery. Cover them in something like a "press 'n seal" kitchen product to keep them dry in the shower. After 48 hours, expose the incisions to running shower water, and pat dry gently. Then reapply fresh dressing. Do not allow the incisions to soak (bathtub, pool, ocean) for 10–14 days after laparoscopic surgery or four to six weeks after open hernia surgery. Keep a post-operative appointment with the surgeon. Even if you are feeling well and appear to have no complications, it is important to make — and attend — a post-operative appointment with your doctor. This helps ensure that things are progressing well and minimizes risk for post-operative complications. Take stool softeners. During the procedure, the surgeon uses an anesthetic that paralyzes the bowel. As a result, you may be constipated for about a week after the surgery. The last thing you want to do after hernia surgery is strain during bowel movements and possibly do more damage. To prevent this, use an over-the-counter stool softener like milk of magnesia or Metamucil. If you don't want to use stool softeners, the best thing you can do is stay hydrated. Drink at least eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water per day. Drink prune juice and apple juice to naturally soften stool. Contact the doctor if you observe signs of complication. Though hernia surgeries are very common, all surgeries come with a risk of complication. Contact your doctor if you have a fever over 101.5 °F (38.6 °C), pain or swelling in your calf, or have trouble breathing. Increased drainage from an incision and altered skin color should also be reported. But you should get to an emergency room immediately if you observe any of the following: Excessive bleeding from an incision Vomiting Change in mental status (fuzziness, wooziness, loss of consciousness) Inability to breath | Determine whether you’re at risk. Learn the risk factors for women. Take note of common misconceptions about risk factors. Look for the symptoms of an inguinal hernia. Get a physical examination from a doctor. Allow the doctor to examine the hernia through the scrotal sac. Have an ultrasound done if necessary. Discuss your options with your doctor. Learn what happens during an open hernia surgery. Consider getting laparoscopic surgery. Discuss which surgery is best for you with your doctor. Prepare for your surgery. Stay in the hospital for monitoring, if necessary. Rest and care for yourself during the recovery period. Take a light walk the day of your surgery. Limit intense physical exertion during the recovery period. Ease back into a normal diet. Care for your surgical incisions. Keep a post-operative appointment with the surgeon. Take stool softeners. Contact the doctor if you observe signs of complication. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Mites-on-Pet-Mice | How to Spot Mites on Pet Mice | To spot mites on your pet mouse, you'll probably need to use a magnifying glass since mites are so small. With a magnifying glass, look for small dark specks that have 8 legs. If you don't have a magnifying glass, try pressing a small piece of tape on your mouse's fur. Gently peel it off, and inspect it for small black specks, which could be mites. If you spot any mites, or if your mouse has been really itchy lately, take it to see a vet so they can take a closer look and figure out what's going on. | Learn what a mite looks like. Mites are only a small fraction of an inch long (1/32 inch). On your mouse's fur, an adult mite will look like a small black dot. A mite egg will look like a round speck. Given the tiny size of mites, you may not be able to tell the difference between an adult mite and a mite egg. Mites have 8 legs. If you have a black mouse, the mites may look like white specks of dust on his fur. Scan your mouse’s fur with a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass will help you spot mites in your mouse's fur. With the magnifying glass, look for tiny specks in the fur. Since mites can cause intense itching around the shoulders, neck, and face, start your search in those areas. If you do not have a magnifying glass, you can find one at your local pharmacy. Place clear tape on your mouse’s fur. Rather than using a magnifying glass, you could use tape to spot mites on your mouse. Take a small piece of tape (an inch or two in length), place it on an affected area of fur, then remove the tape and see what stuck to it. The mites would look like black specks on the tape. Be gentle when taking the tape off. You do not want to hurt your mouse. Keep in mind that not all mice show signs of mites. The mites on your mouse may not cause him to itch very much, so you may not see a section of affected fur. Take your mouse to your vet. If you have spotted mites on your mouse (or if he's extremely itchy), take him to your vet. Your vet will take a close look at your mouse's skin and fur. They will take a sample from your mouse's fur and look at it under the microscope to confirm your mouse has mites. Treat your pet mouse right away. If left untreated, mites can cause your mouse to itch and scratch constantly, making feel him worse and worse over time. Your vet will prescribe one of the available mite-killing medications. These medications can by injected (by your vet), given by mouth (by you), or put on your mouse's skin (by you). Follow your vet's treatment instructions carefully. A drug called ivermectin is a common mite-killing treatment for pet mice. Although ivermectin can be given by mouth or applied directly to the skin, skin application is the safer and more effective choice. If you are unsure how to give the treatment, ask your veterinarian to show you how. Since you will need to clean your mouse's cage, keep him in a separate cage with all of his necessities (food, water, toys) until he has finished treatment. Remove the bedding from your mouse’s cage. Bedding is a common source of mites in pet mice. To prevent your mouse from getting re-infected with mites, remove and discard all of his cage's bedding. Clean and disinfect his cage before you put fresh and clean bedding in the cage. Clean your mouse’s cage and its accessories. After removing the cage accessories, clean the cage with hot water, detergent, and a scrub brush. To clean the accessories, put them all in a large bucket filled with hot, soapy water and clean them with a scrub brush ( not the same one you used to clean the cage). Use a second bucket to rinse the accessories before disinfecting them. Use an un scented dish soap. Clean the inside and outside of the cage. Disinfect the cage and its accessories. To disinfect, mix 1/2 tablespoon of bleach per 1 gallon of cold water. Put some of this solution in a spray bottle and spray the inside and outside of your mouse's cage. You can either wipe the cage dry after 2 minutes or let it air dry. For the cage accessories, add the bleach solution to another bucket and let the accessories soak for about 30 seconds. Let them air dry before putting them in the cage. When cleaning and disinfecting your mouse's cage, you should not be able to smell the cleaning agent. | Learn what a mite looks like. Scan your mouse’s fur with a magnifying glass. Place clear tape on your mouse’s fur. Take your mouse to your vet. Treat your pet mouse right away. Remove the bedding from your mouse’s cage. Clean your mouse’s cage and its accessories. Disinfect the cage and its accessories. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Small-Balloon-Release | How to Plan a Small Balloon Release | A balloon release is a great way to celebrate a special event with your friends, family, or coworkers. Buy at least one helium balloon for each guest so everyone will be able to participate in the release. Transport and store the balloons in a large bag or net to keep them from floating away. Alternatively, inflate your own balloons from a helium canister before the event. Once your guests have arrived and you're ready to release the balloons, do a countdown and let them go at the same time. You'll want to host the event somewhere without tall trees, overhead cables, or anything else that the balloons might get stuck on. Don't forget to ask someone at your city hall or county courthouse for permission first. | Check with your city. Talk to someone at your city hall or county courthouse who is in charge of public land or events to make sure that they don't have restrictions or limits on balloon releases. Get a permit or written permission for holding such an event if you are told you need one. Find a suitable location. Pick a location for your event that will have plenty of space for the guests and the quantity of balloons. Choose an area as free of obstructions like tree branches, buildings, or power lines, as possible; a large open field would be ideal. You can even do the release indoors in a high-ceilinged venue to avoid harmful environmental impact and lessen cleanup. Make sure that you have the proper permission to rent or reserve the space for a balloon-reelease event if you need it. Avoid holding the event by a lake or other body of water, or within 500 miles upwind of the sea. While this might seem ideal for its open space, it will be too difficult or impossible to retrieve the fallen balloons after the release, and leaving them in the water is both littering and a threat to the wildlife in that body of water. Invite your guests. Send out invitations or whatever form you want to notify guests of the event, its location, and what you will be doing. Warn guests that anyone with latex allergies should not participate. Determine your number of balloons. Decide if you want each guest at the event to hold and release one balloon or several, depending on how many are attending, what you want the effect to be, any local restrictions, and the fact that you will later need to clean up whatever number of balloons you release. Visit a party supply store. Go to a party supply store or a general retailer that sells balloons. Purchase the number of balloons you decided on for your guests. Keep in mind any restrictions that your city and county has on the number allowed, and remember that you will need to pick up all of the balloons after the release. Ask party supply staff if you have any questions about balloons or blowing them up to the proper inflation. Choose latex balloons. Purchase only latex balloons, as latex is made from the sap of a tree and may biodegrade after 24-36 months, in the event that any remain loose in the environment. Blow up your balloons. Ask staff at the party store how to fill your balloons with helium, either doing it yourself or having them do it for you. Blow up balloons as close to the time of your event as possible to avoid any deflation. Note that there are risks associated with using helium. It causes balloons to fly far away where they can't easily be cleaned up, and it depletes helium, which is a finite resource used for many other essential applications in medicine, engineering, and countless other areas. Try blowing up balloons with just your breath or an air pump, and tossing them into the air instead. Tie them off by hand. Close your balloons by making a knot in the end of the balloon itself, without using clips, string, ribbon, valves, or other material to tie it off. If you use string or ribbon to hold the balloons for the balloon release, you must have a way of retrieving every balloon after the release. Strings and ribbons can choke or entangle wildlife if not collected and disposed of. Store and transport the balloons. Find an easy way to store the balloons, like placing them in large plastic bags or nets, and recruit people to help transport them carefully. Fill vehicles with the bags of balloons, weighing down the bags to keep them from escaping truck or trailer beds if needed. Test a few balloons. Before the big release, do a test by releasing a few balloons to see which way they will be carried by the wind, so you can prevent them from getting stuck during the main event and know approximately where they will end up for cleanup. Pass out balloons. If you can, try to pass out the balloons to guests while indoors or a contained environment so you don't lose them to the wind. Don't release balloons tied in bunches. Do the release. Count down out loud with your group of guests so that everyone releases their balloons at the same moment. You can send up a cheer, a prayer, or observe a moment of silence, depending on what the situation calls for. Clean up thoroughly. Wait for the balloons to rise up high, burst, and fall back down to the ground. Then have your planners or all of the guests fan out to retrieve the fallen balloons to the best of their ability. Bear in mind that helium-filled latex balloons often travel for hundreds of miles. You can use the same trash bags or whatever you used to transport the balloons to collect the waste. Dispose of the trash properly when you're done. | Check with your city. Find a suitable location. Invite your guests. Determine your number of balloons. Visit a party supply store. Choose latex balloons. Blow up your balloons. Tie them off by hand. Store and transport the balloons. Test a few balloons. Pass out balloons. Do the release. Clean up thoroughly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Over-a-Dark-Hair-Dye | How to Dye Over a Dark Hair Dye | To dye over your dark hair, you'll first need to bleach it if you want to lighten your hair. Make sure you wear gloves when working with bleach to protect your skin. After you've bleached your hair, you can apply any color dye you want. When you choose a color, go for a dye that's 1 or 2 shades lighter than you want, since the real color often turns out darker than you expect. Alternatively, if you want to change the tone of your hair without bleaching it, apply a red hair dye directly to your dark hair to make your hair appear lighter. You can also highlight your hair to lighten it without dyeing it all. | Highlight your hair to avoid dyeing all of it. If you want to lighten your hair without having to spend the time and money to dye all of it, try highlighting certain strands to create a new look. You can highlight your hair at home or have the highlights done. Choose highlights that are only a shade or 2 lighter than your hair color to avoid too harsh of a contrast. Add red tones to your hair for a change of color. You can have your hair stylist add red tones to your hair, or you can use a red hair dye to do it yourself. There are even ways to naturally bring out the red tones in your hair , which can be done at home. Bringing out red tones will make your hair appear lighter while giving it more dimension. Use an airbrush spray designed for hair to add color. These are colored sprays that you spray directly onto your hair for a quick and easy lightening option. They usually come in colors such as yellow, pink, silver, green, and blue. Once you spray the product onto your hair, you can comb through your hair to blend it. The spray is temporary, so it washes out when you take a shower. These sprays work on even the darkest shade of hair. By spraying on several layers, you can build up the color, if desired. Try out hair makeup to alter the color of your hair easily. Hair makeup is similar to an airbrush spray, but is a bit more subtle. It's a cream or mascara that comes in several shades, such as rose gold, copper, bronze, and red. Just rub it right onto your hair, or use a comb to spread it evenly. The mascara is great for covering up your roots or gray hair. You can find hair makeup at some drug stores, beauty stores, or online. Hair makeup isn't permanent and washes out easily. Wash your hair using a clarifying shampoo. A clarifying shampoo will help reduce the intensity of the dark color, as it causes your hair to fade faster. Shampoo your hair with the clarifying shampoo at least twice in the shower for the best results. If your hair wasn't colored recently, this may not have a huge effect on lightening your hair. Apply heat to your shampooed hair for better results. If desired, you can get out of the shower and use a hair dryer to heat up the clarifying shampoo on your head before rinsing it out. This will help your hair cuticles open up to release even more color. Tie your hair up with a hair clip and put on a shower cap. Heat your shampooed hair with a hair dryer for about 1 minute. Be careful not to melt the plastic of the shower cap, and never use the hair dryer in the shower. Spray lemon juice or Sun-in on your hair to lighten the color. Use a bottle of Sun-in or a fresh lemon to spray lemon juice all over your hair. Use a brush to spread the liquid evenly throughout your hair, and use a hair dryer or the sun to create the desired effect. The more heat you apply to your hair while it has the spray in it, the lighter your hair will become. You can do this process multiple times, but don't be surprised if your hair doesn't lighten as much as you would like. Your hair may feel dry after using lemon juice. Condition your hair with a moisturizing conditioner to hydrate it. Lift the color with a color remover or lightener. Color removers will help strip your hair of the dye so that you can start to return to your natural color. Color removers can be a bit harsh on your hair, so try to use them sparingly and read the directions carefully to ensure you use the color remover properly. Condition your hair deeply after you've used a color remover. Try to wait a couple of months before using a color remover a second time to keep your hair from becoming damaged. However, some color removers are safe to use immediately after one use. Check the package to be sure, and consider the condition of your hair as well. These products can be found at many drug stores or beauty supply stores, as well as online. Deep condition your hair before bleaching it. Try using a deep conditioning mask on your hair a week or 2 before bleaching it, conditioning it several times. This will help strengthen and rejuvenate your hair, getting it ready for the bleaching process. Protect your work surfaces, clothing, and skin. Do the bleaching in a place that will be easy to clean up and wipe down, like a bathroom or kitchen. Wear clothing that you don't mind getting ruined and a towel around your shoulders. Wear gloves so that the bleach won't damage your hands. It's best to use a hairdresser's cape, if you have one. You can find them at local beauty stores or online. Alternatively, you can use a white towel or a towel you don't mind getting bleach on. Mix bleach with a developer to start bleaching your hair. Purchase a bleach kit for your hair, which will most likely also require a developer. Mix the bleach and developer together in a bowl, reading the instructions carefully to determine the exact measurements. A 20- or 30-volume developer will be best for your hair. Divide your hair into sections to make bleaching easier. Tie up the top layer of your hair using a hair tie or plastic clip so that you can easily reach the bottom layer. If you have really thick hair, you can separate the bottom layer of hair into 2 or 3 additional sections using plastic hair clips. Make sure that you only use plastic clips when you are bleaching your hair. Apply the bleach evenly to your hair, doing your roots last. Use an applicator brush to apply the mixed bleach to 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections of your hair, until the bleach is evenly distributed. The bleach kit should provide you with the best strategy for bleaching your hair, but make sure you apply bleach to your roots last. If you have very thick hair, then you may need to divide your hair into smaller sections. Your roots heat up the fastest, so if you bleach your roots first they will turn lighter than the rest of your hair. Wear gloves over your hands and a towel around your neck to keep the bleach from damaging your hands or clothing. Wrap your hair up and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Use a shower cap to keep the bleach settled on top of your hair, allowing the heat from your head to remain trapped in the cap. Most bleaches will stay on your hair for 20-30 minutes, but keep checking your hair to see how the color is turning out. You shouldn't leave bleach in your hair for more than 1 hour. Rinse the bleach out carefully after the allotted time is up. Once the 20-30 minutes are up, or if you decide you like the color of your hair before that time, rinse the bleach out with clean water. Shampoo and condition your hair afterwards. Wait 2-3 months before bleaching your hair again to avoid damage. Bleach can be very rough on your hair, especially if you're going from a dark color to a light one. To prevent your hair from breaking off or becoming brittle, wait 2-3 months before bleaching your hair again if it didn't get as light as desired the first time. You can also deep condition your hair again to help keep it healthy in between bleaching sessions. Pick out a hair color that will complement your skin tone. Choose a hair dye that will look good on you and your current hair color. Make sure you've gotten your hair light enough so that it will accept the new hair color. When choosing a new color, opt for a dye that's 1 or 2 shades lighter than what you're actually going for. When you dye your hair at home it often comes out darker than you anticipated. Mix your chosen hair color with a developer. Many times your hair dye kit will come with the developer, but if not, pick up a 20-volume developer from a drug store. Follow the instructions that come with your hair dye to mix the dye with the developer proportionally. You can also purchase developer at a big box store, beauty store, or online. Separate your hair into sections to make dyeing your hair easier. Pull together the top layer of your hair and secure it with a hair tie or clip. Divide the bottom layer into 2-4 sections for thicker hair. If your hair is thin, you can easily dye the bottom layer of your hair without sectioning it off. Use the applicator brush to apply the dye to your hair. Just like you did with the bleach, use the dye applicator brush to apply the dye to 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) sections of hair. Remember to do your roots last. Make sure your shoulders are covered to protect your clothing, and wear gloves to protect your hands from the dye. You can tie your hair up and put a shower cap on once your hair is covered in dye, if desired. Read the dye instructions to know how long to leave the dye in your hair. Each color and brand of hair dye will have different instructions, so read them carefully to determine how long you should leave the dye in your hair before rinsing it out. Use a timer to ensure you leave the dye in long enough to have the desired effect. Don't leave the dye in longer than the allotted time on the box — it may damage your hair or skin. Rinse the dye out after the allotted time is up. Once your timer has gone off or the time is up, rinse the dye out of your hair under cool running water. You can use a shampoo and conditioner appropriate for colored hair to get rid of any extra dye residue. Once the water runs clear, you'll know the hair dye has been washed out. | Highlight your hair to avoid dyeing all of it. Add red tones to your hair for a change of color. Use an airbrush spray designed for hair to add color. Try out hair makeup to alter the color of your hair easily. Wash your hair using a clarifying shampoo. Apply heat to your shampooed hair for better results. Spray lemon juice or Sun-in on your hair to lighten the color. Lift the color with a color remover or lightener. Deep condition your hair before bleaching it. Protect your work surfaces, clothing, and skin. Mix bleach with a developer to start bleaching your hair. Divide your hair into sections to make bleaching easier. Apply the bleach evenly to your hair, doing your roots last. Wrap your hair up and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Rinse the bleach out carefully after the allotted time is up. Wait 2-3 months before bleaching your hair again to avoid damage. Pick out a hair color that will complement your skin tone. Mix your chosen hair color with a developer. Separate your hair into sections to make dyeing your hair easier. Use the applicator brush to apply the dye to your hair. Read the dye instructions to know how long to leave the dye in your hair. Rinse the dye out after the allotted time is up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Wedding-Reception | How to Plan a Wedding Reception | When you're planning your wedding reception, there are a few main things you'll need to cover. Decide on a seating plan where your guests will be most likely to get along with each other. For food, choose between a buffet and traditionally served dishes and accommodate for everyone's dietary restrictions. Plan your toasts for during or between dinner courses and ask the speakers to keep their toasts relatively short. Cut your cake after the last toast, then move onto your first dance. After your first dance, play popular, upbeat songs your guests can dance to. | Set the date for your wedding before you actually start looking for locations for the reception. Keep in mind that many sites are booked a year or even two in advance, so you may need to fine tune the date decision dependent on the availability of your desired reception location, or be ready to change to a different reception venue. Set down your budget. This is the next big thing, since planning your wedding reception will bring forth the biggest expense. When you go to rent the reception hall, you'll have to give a rounded figure of approximately how many guests you're likely to have. Therefore, an important part of any planning of the wedding reception involves pruning down your reception list; this will also bring about an estimation of the costs per head, according to the size of the room and your requirements too. Decide whether your event will be indoors, outdoors, or both. If you want an outdoor event, you'll have to consider the possibility of rain and have an indoor alternative. The season is crucial, particularly if you're on a tight budget. Planning your wedding reception in winter, at the end of January for instance, will save money or earn you a discount. In some cases, planning your wedding reception requires you choose between Saturday and Sunday as the most convenient days of the week. Usually, Sunday is less expensive. Decide on the type of reception you'd like to have. Nowadays the two main types of reception are a buffet or a sit-down meal, but other variants such as picnics, a simple cake-cutting, or a beach reception might also appeal. Here are some things to consider in relation to different reception types: Buffet : Lots of food will be served, and people sometimes have a tendency to take too much food or there might be a lot of food left over. Sit-down : It's traditional, guests tend to really appreciate it and it works well for speeches. On the downside, it can feel stuffy and over-planned. It can also be the most expensive option. Cocktail reception : It's hip and modern, and it's also enjoyed a lot by guests. It may cost a lot less than a sit-down, but it can suffer from feeling a bit disorganized and hard to gain the attention of guests for cake cutting and toasts. Picnic : Great for nature-loving couples, and easy to arrange catering can be done using your local favorite sandwich place. Since it's outdoors, there can be a risk of rain and some people might find this too informal for a wedding. Simple cake cutting : For those leaving the registry office, a simple affair of cutting a cake in the foyer, or in a local cafe or even at home might be enough to finish up the occasion with friends who have attended it. This tends to be suitable for very small parties and for people who really didn't want to have any reception fuss at all. Have tea, coffee, and few cookies or cupcakes as well. Beach or yacht reception : Like a picnic, this is outdoors and risks a change of weather but it can be a lot of fun and make for beautiful photos. Again, it may be too informal for some and sand or water may definitely get everywhere! Consider whether or not you'll have a receiving line. On the positive side, this can provide an opportunity to greet all guests and allows everyone to feel they've had the chance to congratulate you. On the downside, it can take a lot of time and it can begin to feel tiring for those on it. Some guests may also detest the formality of this and having to wait in line. Having divorced parents can also make this an awkward decision for some. If you do have one, this is the order: Bride's mother or parents, groom's mother or parents, bride, groom, maid of honor, then bridesmaids. Consider whether you'd like to be announced as you enter the reception. This can be a lot of fun and can be done simply and easily by the DJ or bandleader, saying something like "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the newlyweds Bob and Billie (or Mr and Mrs)", and you can then take your places for dinner. Decide when to have the toasts and plan to keep them short. While these are both traditional and wonderful, they're a pain when they're too long, too maudlin, rude, or just plain dull. Make the toasts during or between dinner courses, with two or three people speaking each time. Ask all toasters to keep it short and have someone in the wedding party time keep - and be strict about it too. The bride and groom can speak just before cutting the cake. Decide when dancing will occur. Nowadays, most weddings tend to leave the dancing until all courses are finished rather than having dances between courses. Besides your wedding song, be sure to have songs people will really want to dance to, especially since three or four generations may be attending the reception. Does the bride wish to dance with her father and does the groom wish to dance with his mother? You could have a father and daughter as well as a mother and son dance sessions. Organize the photography of the reception. You will want reception photos as much as the ceremony photos. Organize pictures with family and friends, in special groups or at certain tables. Do you want guests to take photos too? They could each be asked to email digital photos of the evening that they've taken; give them a central wedding photo email set up just for this purpose. Consider whether you wish to have any other ceremonial aspects. For example, you might wish to have the garter removal tradition in front of the guests. And you might wish to throw the bouquet at your reception, as per tradition. Work out seating. If you're planning a sit-down dinner , seating can grow to be a bit of headache so it pays to focus on it early enough. The bride and groom can sit at the dais or raised platform at whatever goes for being the "front" of the room. The bridal party sits with them and they all face the rest of the room. This is not as popular as it once was, as placing the table amid the guests is beginning to take on a more acceptable and modern feel. Parents tend to be seated with other, or they can have respective family and friends at their tables. Elderly people shouldn't be seated too near anything that makes noise. Consider using place cards to help people know where they're going to sit. It's not essential but it can be very helpful. In doing this, take great pains to avoid seating people who don't get along next to one another! Choose the food. There will always be some people with dietary restrictions, so be prepared to provide vegetarian , gluten-free, and other variants as needed. It's a good idea to have asked guests in advance for advice concerning allergies. A cocktail reception will usually on have nibbles and finger foods but still have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. Decide how many courses you want for a sit-down dinner and be sure to check this against your budget. Sit-down dinners usually have menus printed up for them. Buffet style (help yourself) or serving at a table? There are also variants such as placing larger servings on the table for guests to help themselves from (family - or Russian service if the waiter holds the food), or plated (arrives at table already done), or French (waiters serve at the table), etc. Choose where the wedding cake will be placed during the reception. Decide when it will be cut. Do you want guests to share the cake as part of dessert or to take a piece home instead? Perhaps both? Ensure that the photographer is organized to take a photo of you cutting the cake. | Set the date for your wedding before you actually start looking for locations for the reception. Set down your budget. Decide whether your event will be indoors, outdoors, or both. Decide on the type of reception you'd like to have. Consider whether or not you'll have a receiving line. Consider whether you'd like to be announced as you enter the reception. Decide when to have the toasts and plan to keep them short. Decide when dancing will occur. Organize the photography of the reception. Consider whether you wish to have any other ceremonial aspects. Work out seating. Choose the food. Choose where the wedding cake will be placed during the reception. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Liver-Flush | How to Do a Liver Flush | To perform a liver flush, you'll need to make a solution that can help break down existing gallstones and prevent the formation of new ones. Start by combining 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, 1/4 cup of orange juice, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Then, divide the juice into 4 portions and drink 1 portion with 1/4 cup of olive oil an hour before you go to bed. Repeat this process every 15 minutes until bedtime. For the most effective results, consider making an appointment for a professional enema the morning after you drink these fluids. | Consider fasting before your liver flush. Do this only if you have experience with fasting. The liver flush itself can cause nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. If you're not used to fasting, these effects may be amplified. If you are an experienced faster, consider doing a three to seven day juice fast before the liver flush. Apple juice is rich in malic acid and liminoid, which can help break down gallstones. Make a mixture of citrus juices. You will drink a total of 1 cup of citrus juices. This mixture will be 50% grapefruit juice, 25% orange juice, and 25% lemon juice. Squeeze the grapefruits, oranges, and lemons separately and do not mix the juices at first. You will need 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice, 1/4 cup of orange juice, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Mix them together well, then split the mixture up into separate glasses, each filled with 1/4 cup of juice. You will also need 1 cup of olive oil separated into four doses of ¼ cup each. Take the citrus mixture and olive oil in 15-minute increments. Wait until about an hour before you plan to go to bed. Take 1/4 cup of the citrus mixture, followed by 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Repeat this process every 15 minutes, until it's time to go to bed. Go to sleep immediately. Lay on your right side when you go to sleep. Although there's no evidence for it, the traditional belief is that this allows the cleanse to progress more easily. Go for an enema in the morning. To get to most out of your cleanse, make an appointment to have an enema the morning after you drink these fluids. Enemas should always be performed by trained professionals. Do not attempt to give yourself an enema. Follow the same steps as the citrus and olive oil flush. Stop after the night of sleeping on your side, before you take the enema in the morning. You will replace the enema with another dietary treatment. Drink a saltwater mixture in the morning. Dissolve two teaspoons of un-iodized sea salt into 4 cups of warm water. If you don't have sea salt, you can use the juice from half a lemon instead. Drink this mixture first thing in the morning. Restrict your diet to vegetables and broth. For the rest of the day, eat only mild preparations of vegetables (no spices) and clear broth. You should eliminate the gallstones through your stool sometime during the day. Do not do an apple-based liver flush if you have certain medical conditions. This method will require you to drink large amounts of apple products. While apples are perfectly healthy in moderation, in excess they add a lot of sugar to your system. If you have cancer, a yeast infection, diabetes, hypoglycemia or a stomach ulcer, do not use this method. Go on a two-day apple juice fast. For centuries, scientists have researched ways to treat gallstones without surgery. A liver flush is a "chemical contact" treatment, in which you consume chemicals that break up the gallstone from within. Many chemical contact treatments doctors tried throughout history had long-term negative side-effects on patients. The malic acid and liminoid found in apples, though, have relatively benign side effects that last a short amount of time. Don't drink juices made from concentrate or that have added sugars. Look for natural apple products. Keep the juice at room temperature, and mix it with warm water to further raise the temperature when you drink it. Drink 16 oz. (2 cups) of organic apple juice or apple cider every 2 hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on both days Take an olive oil and citrus juice mix on the second day. At 8:30 p.m. on the second day, mix ½ cup of olive oil with ½ cup of lemon juice or ¾ cup of grapefruit juice. The juices should be freshly squeezed, not processed. You may feel nauseous after drinking this mixture, but try to relax and see your way through it. You'll feel better when the process is over! Go to bed immediately. It may feel too early to go to bed, but it's important to keep to the schedule for this liver flush. You've taken the olive oil and citrus juice mixture after about 36 hours of fasting, and now you need to go to bed. Remember to lay on your side to help the cleansing process. Drink a saltwater mixture in the morning of the third day. Dissolve two teaspoons of un-iodized sea salt into 4 cups of warm water. Again, you can substitute the juice from half a lemon if you don't have sea salt. Eat only vegetables and clear broths for the rest of the day. The nausea you felt the night before should pass once you get some food in your stomach, and you should pass your gallstones sometime during the third or fourth day. | Consider fasting before your liver flush. Make a mixture of citrus juices. Take the citrus mixture and olive oil in 15-minute increments. Go to sleep immediately. Go for an enema in the morning. Follow the same steps as the citrus and olive oil flush. Drink a saltwater mixture in the morning. Restrict your diet to vegetables and broth. Do not do an apple-based liver flush if you have certain medical conditions. Go on a two-day apple juice fast. Take an olive oil and citrus juice mix on the second day. Go to bed immediately. Drink a saltwater mixture in the morning of the third day. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Block-a-Call | How to Block a Call | You can block a specific number on your cell phone by going to “settings” and choosing either “phone” or “phone settings” and selecting either “calls” or “incoming calls.” Then select the option that says something like “blacklist” or “blocked callers” to stop these calls from ringing through. To block a specific number on a land line, first dial *60 at the dial tone, then put in the number you want blocked. If you have caller ID and want to block anonymous calls on your land line, dial *77 at the dial tone. | Block a specific number. Press the menu button on your phone, then go to "Settings." Go to "Phone" or "Phone Settings" and select "Calls" or "Incoming Calls." Press "Blocked Callers," "Blacklist," "Unwanted Calls," or another similarly named option menu. Your contact list or phone book will appear; choose the name you wish to block, or manually enter the phone number you wish to block. Hit "OK" or "Block" to confirm. Calls from this number will no longer appear and will not cause your cell phone to ring. The caller will either hear a busy signal or will be informed that you do not accept calls from his or her number. Download the Call Filter app on your Android. This is a free app that is available from your phone's Play Store and provides the option of blocking both anonymous and specific numbers. Go to your Play Store and search for "Call Filter." Download the app and then open it. Once open, you will have the option of checking a box that reads "Block Unknown Calls." This will prevent private numbers, pay phones, and unknown numbers from contacting you. You can also check a box next to "Control Specified Numbers," which will block numbers you have manually entered. Beneath the box is a gray, clickable icon that says "Call Filter" with a number in parentheses. Click this box to input numbers to be blocked. The number of blocked callers will now show in this gray box. Similarly, you can click "Add the last incoming number" to block the most recent number that has called you. Call blocking apps are not 100% effective and may still allow telemarketers to call you. If you do not have an Android phone, similar apps are available which offer nearly identical features. Block calls with Google Voice. Google Voice is a free phone service that offers a wide range of features. Visit the sign-up website: https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/. You will be prompted to enter your name and e-mail address. Since this service is through invitation only, you will be required to wait until Google Voice has sent you an invite before utilizing account features. Be patient; the site advertises a "short" wait but can take up to a few days to process. Follow the e-mail instructions for signing up for an account. Once you have created an account, log in to your Google Voice account. Find a call or voicemail from the caller whom you want to block and select a check box next to that call or voicemail. Click the "More" link underneath the call/voicemail. Select "Block Caller." This feature works on all phones as it is linked to a Google account and not a specific phone. Call your telephone service provider. Ask a customer service representative whether call blocking is an available feature. If call blocking is available, request that it be activated. There may be a monthly fee for using the call blocking feature. Most telephone service providers offer a variety of call blocking services, though blocking specific numbers may not be an option. Dial *60 on your phone. When you pick up a landline phone, wait until you hear the dial tone to dial these characters. This will activate the call blocking feature on your phone. Listen for a recorded voice to tell you whether your call blocking service is turned on or off and how many phone numbers are currently blocked from calling your phone line. Listen for instructions on how to turn the call blocking service on, if it is currently turned off. With most phone providers, you can activate call blocking by pressing 3. Add a phone number to be blocked. This number will remain in this directory until you manually remove it or disable the call blocking feature altogether. Follow the instructions of the automated message for adding phone numbers to the blocked call list for your phone. The specific instructions vary depending on your phone provider, but typically they involve pressing one keypad button to add a number. Enter the area code and phone number of the first number you wish to block from calling you and then pressing the # button. Repeat this step until you have entered all the phone numbers you wish to block. Some phone service providers limit the number of phone numbers you can block from calling you to 6 or 12. Remove a phone number from your block list. If you decide that you want to unblock a number, dial *60 again and follow the automated prompts. The exact instructions for deleting numbers vary depending on your phone service provider, but typically they involve pressing a specific number on your keypad and then entering the phone number that you wish to delete from your blocked call list. Review the numbers listed on your blocked call list by pressing the corresponding number on your telephone keypad as dictated by the automated instructions. Listen as the voice reads the phone numbers on the list. Removing numbers is necessary when the blocking directory is full. To add a new number to the directory, you must first delete an old one. Hang up the phone. When you have finished making changes to your blocked call list, end the automated call. Blocked numbers will now receive messages stating that the phone service provider is unable to complete their calls. Your phone will not ring when individuals attempt calls from these numbers. To disable the call blocking feature, dial *80 when you hear a dial tone. Dial *77 on your phone at the dial tone. This will activate anonymous call blocking on a landline telephone. Note that this service is only available if you have Caller ID. Listen for a confirmation tone or announcement indicating that the feature has been activated. Callers who block the display of their name and numbers will now hear an automated recording that you're not accepting blocked calls. They will be prompted to unblock their Caller ID and call you again. Note that only people who are listed as "Anonymous," "Private Name," or "Unknown" will be blocked from calling you. This feature does not extend to anonymous people who do not block their Caller ID. Press *87 at the dial tone to deactivate. If you wish to allow unknown names and numbers to call you again, dial this code to disable this feature. You will hear confirmation tone or announcement that the feature has been disabled. Anonymous or blocked names and numbers will now be able to contact you. Type www.donotcall.gov into your web browser. Hit enter, then click the icon that says "Register a Phone Number." The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission and is designed to stop most telemarketer calls. Instead of entering numbers you wish to be blocked, you instead type in your phone number so that telemarketers will be prohibited from contacting you. Don't be discouraged if you still receive calls a few days after registering. Your number must be on the list for 31 days before this registration takes effect. Enter the phone number you want to register. Also include a working e-mail address so that you can confirm your request. You can enter up to 3 numbers to be registered on the Do Not Call list. Double check the phone numbers you have entered. Make sure you have not transposed or omitted any numbers. Be sure that you have access to the e-mail address you've entered. You will receive a confirmation e-mail that you must click in order to finalize the registration. Confirm the registration. Open the e-mail account you entered on the registration form and search for an e-mail from the website. Be sure that you click the confirmation link in the e-mail within 72 hours of registration. The link will expire after 72 hours, after which you will have to resubmit the form in order to register. Remember that registering on this list only stops telemarketer calls, or those who solicit goods and services. You may still receive calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors, and companies from whom you have purchased products. If you wish to block these calls, simply request that you be put on that specific company's do not call list, which they must honor. If you still receive telemarketer calls after the 31 day period, you have the option of filing a complaint on the same website. The icon is located to the far right of "Register a Phone Number." | Block a specific number. Download the Call Filter app on your Android. Block calls with Google Voice. Call your telephone service provider. Dial *60 on your phone. Add a phone number to be blocked. Remove a phone number from your block list. Hang up the phone. Dial *77 on your phone at the dial tone. Press *87 at the dial tone to deactivate. Type www.donotcall.gov into your web browser. Enter the phone number you want to register. Confirm the registration. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Poison-Ivy-Naturally | How to Kill Poison Ivy Naturally | Poison ivy is easily identifiable by its leaves, made up of 3 smaller, pointy leaflets. To kill poison ivy naturally, make sure you wear thick clothing, eyewear, and work gloves to protect yourself. Place plastic shopping bags over the plants and pull them out of the ground. Once you've pulled out all of the plants, dig about 8 inches down around the plants and pull out any leftover roots. When you've gotten rid of all the roots, pour boiling water over the soil to kill any hidden roots. Then, spread a layer of mulch, like compost, wood chips, or straw, to prevent any new poison ivy shoots growing through. Remember to wash your clothes with hot water and detergent to get rid of any residue from the poison ivy. | Identify poison ivy by its signature 3 leaves and pointed tips. Poison ivy plants have a compound leaf, made up of 3 leaflets. The center leaflet is slightly taller than the 2 on the sides, and the leaves' color will change according to the season. The plant can grow as a vine or a bush, and may also have clusters of hard, white berry-like fruit. The leaves will turn reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall. Beyond those main characteristics, poison ivy plants can also vary slightly. For example, they may have smooth or jagged edges, and their texture can either look glossy or dull. When in doubt, avoid any plants that have the 3-leaf compound. Wear long sleeves and pants to keep your skin from touching the plant. Cover as much skin as possible by wearing full-coverage clothes as well as gloves with no holes. You may also want to duct tape the ends of your sleeves to your gloves and your pants to your socks, just in case. You should also carry a garbage bag with you to collect all the parts of the poison ivy plant. Wear thick work gloves while you handle the poison ivy. Choose a glove material like vinyl or leather for the best protection. You could also use a pair of cotton gardening gloves layered with plastic gloves for a disposable option. However, never wear latex gloves when working with poison ivy! Latex soaks up the plant oil, bringing it in contact with your skin. Wear protective eyewear and sturdy gloves while you work. The digging method tends to be the most effective, but it requires direct contact with the plant, so take extra care to protect yourself! Wear work gloves, clothing with full coverage, and protective eyewear in case any sap sprays. Pull up the plants by hand with plastic shopping bags. To prevent contact as much as possible, use a plastic shopping bag as another layer of protection. Place the shopping bag over a plant, then lift it up to pull the plant out of the ground. Lift slowly to pull out as many roots as possible. Lifting too quickly can tear the roots and leave them behind, leading to unwanted regrowth. To prevent the plant oils from spreading, use a new plastic bag for each plant. If you're struggling to remove larger plants, use a shovel to dig up their roots first and then pull them out. Bag all of the leaves and stalks in a garbage bag. Be as careful as possible and avoid touching the outside of the garbage bag with the plant. Place the poison ivy directly into the main garbage bag with the shopping bag still wrapped around it. Continue doing this until all the plants are gone. Dig about 8 in (20 cm) into the ground to remove any leftover roots. Use your shovel to dig up and remove any hidden root systems. Dig through the whole area where the plants were growing, all the way out to the edges. Be careful not to fling the dirt into any unaffected areas, since this could spread the problem. Place any leftover roots that you find in the garbage bag. Tie off the garbage bag and dispose of it. While you're still wearing your protective gear and full-coverage clothes, take your full garbage bag to a dump or a dumpster. Do not put it in your trash bins, burn it, or compost it, since these methods will only spread the plant's harmful oils. Clean up and wash any materials that came in contact with the plants. Wash your clothes and gloves with your normal laundry detergent and the hottest water possible. Throw away your gloves if they're disposable, or give them a good wash if they're not. Rinse your shovel off with mineral spirits, along with any other gardening tools you may have used to remove the plants. Wear gloves and eye protection when spraying. To prevent the spray from getting in your eyes, make sure to wear a pair of safety goggles or glasses while you work. You should also wear sturdy gloves in case your hands come in contact with a poison ivy plant. Mix up a water, salt, and dish soap solution in a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. Pour in 1 gallon (3.79 L) of water, and then use a plastic or wooden stirring stick to stir in 1 c (240 mL) of salt until it dissolves. Stir in 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of dish soap and stir until the solution is completely combined. Pour the mixture into a 32 fl oz (950 mL) spray bottle. Use a funnel or measuring cup to transfer the solution into a plastic spray bottle. Screw the top onto the bottle securely, then make sure the spray nozzle is in the “open” or “on” position. Refill the bottle as needed during the spraying process. Spray the solution liberally over the poison ivy plants. Coat all of the leaves and stalks with the solution. Keep in mind that this solution will kill whatever plant it comes in contact with, so be careful not to spray it on surrounding plants. Don't spray the solution on a rainy day, since the rain will just wash it away. Wait 2 weeks and spray again if necessary. The mixture will need to time absorb into the plant and kill the root system. You may need to repeat this process multiple times to fully eradicate the poison ivy. Dispose of the poison ivy plants in garbage bags. Never burn or compost the plants, which would only spread their inflammatory oils. To throw them away, always seal poison ivy up in closed garbage bags. Leave the bags out for garbage collection or drop them off at a dumpster. Avoid touching your face while working with poison ivy. Irritating residues can easily transfer and stay on your gloves and other protective clothing. If you've been handling poison ivy plants, don't touch your face, ears, nose, or mouth until you've had a chance to throw away your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Wash your clothes and tools immediately after contact with poison ivy. Make sure to launder any clothing that you wore while working on the poison ivy in the hottest water possible. Wash a second time to ensure that all of the poison ivy oils are removed. This may seem excessive, but it can save you a lot of discomfort and frustration later! Rinse your tools in mineral spirits to cleanse them properly. Wash your skin immediately if it comes into contact with poison ivy. The plant will transfer irritating oils to your skin on contact, leading to a lot of discomfort. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water, then scrub under your nails and wash any clothes that may have also come in contact with the plant. If you catch the contact quickly and wash within 1 hour, you can sometimes limit the rash. Calm the rash with medicated cream or a cold compress. If you do develop the stinging, itching red rash that comes with poison ivy oil, treat it immediately. Soothe the itching with a layer of calamine lotion, or make a cold compress by soaking a washcloth in cool water and wringing it out, then laying it over the affected skin. You can also apply non-prescription hydrocortisone to the area or take an antihistamine pill to help with itching and swelling. Although trying to resist the urge to scratch can feel like torture, it's important to avoid irritating the rash further. Scratching can cause an infection, so try to distract yourself and soothe the skin with a cool washcloth instead. Pour boiling water over the dug-up area to kill any hidden roots. Fill the largest pot you have with water and bring it to a boil. While it's still hot, pour the water over the entire area you dug up. To protect yourself and any other plants closeby, pour slowly and try not to splash the hot water. You may need to repeat the boiling water technique several times to kill all of the roots. Smother any new growth with a layer of sheet mulch. After you pull or spray the plants, spread a 1 foot (0.30 m) deep layer of compost, grass clippings, straw, or wood chips. Leave the sheet mulch on for a full season so it can function as a barrier, preventing any new poison ivy plants, while simultaneously rejuvenating the soil. To add an even stronger barrier, place cardboard underneath the sheet mulch or a layer of plywood over top of the sheet mulch. For example, you could cover the affected area with several layers of cardboard, then top it with about 1 foot (0.30 m) of mulch. Monitor the area during the next few weeks for any new offshoots. Check around the edges of the mulched area for any new growth. If you spot any offshoots, spray or dig them up immediately. Add more sheet mulch to the area to keep the plants from coming back. You'll know that the area is clear of poison ivy when you stop finding regrowth! | Identify poison ivy by its signature 3 leaves and pointed tips. Wear long sleeves and pants to keep your skin from touching the plant. Wear thick work gloves while you handle the poison ivy. Wear protective eyewear and sturdy gloves while you work. Pull up the plants by hand with plastic shopping bags. Bag all of the leaves and stalks in a garbage bag. Dig about 8 in (20 cm) into the ground to remove any leftover roots. Tie off the garbage bag and dispose of it. Clean up and wash any materials that came in contact with the plants. Wear gloves and eye protection when spraying. Mix up a water, salt, and dish soap solution in a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. Pour the mixture into a 32 fl oz (950 mL) spray bottle. Spray the solution liberally over the poison ivy plants. Wait 2 weeks and spray again if necessary. Dispose of the poison ivy plants in garbage bags. Avoid touching your face while working with poison ivy. Wash your clothes and tools immediately after contact with poison ivy. Wash your skin immediately if it comes into contact with poison ivy. Calm the rash with medicated cream or a cold compress. Pour boiling water over the dug-up area to kill any hidden roots. Smother any new growth with a layer of sheet mulch. Monitor the area during the next few weeks for any new offshoots. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Dry-Facial-Skin | How to Treat Dry Facial Skin | If you're struggling with dry facial skin, treat it by washing your face each morning with plain, warm water. At night, use a blend of gentle oils, like argan, jojoba, and almond, to wash your face, and exfoliate a few times a week to remove dry, dead skin. Moisturize your face each morning, but avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol, as these can actually make dryness worse, and apply a deep moisturizing mask about once a week. | Try washing with water only. One of the biggest skin care mistakes you can make is washing your face with harsh cleansers. If your skin is dry, it's under-producing oils that protect your skin from flaking off. Harsh cleansers wash away the oils you do produce, making the problem worse. Instead of washing with soap of any kind, try washing with just plain water, especially when you're not wearing makeup. Warm, not hot water should be used, since hot water can be drying. Wet a washcloth with warm water and gently run it over your face. Then pat your face dry with a clean soft towel. Even cleansers that are labeled as having moisturizing properties probably contain ingredients that are drying. Look at the label and read the ingredients: if you see sulfates, any type of alcohol, or salicylic acid, don't use it on your face. Consider the oil cleansing method. This is the best method for washing your face at night when plain water isn't going to cut it. The oil cleansing method removes makeup, dirt, sweat, and everything else without drying out your skin. It might sound counterintuitive to use oil to clean your skin, but adding oil actually attracts the oils that are there, acting as a gentle cleanser. You can tell your friends with acne to try it, too, since this method is healing for all skin types. Start by making an oil blend that suits your skin type. For very dry skin, jojoba oil, argan oil, and almond oil are all quite effective and nondrying. If you have oily spots, too, add some castor oil to your blend. Splash some warm water on your face, then use your fingers to rub the oil blend all over. This is an effective way to remove eye makeup, too, even the waterproof kind. Use a washcloth wet with warm water to gently remove the oil. Wipe it off using a circular motion, rinsing it out every so often. Continue until all the oil is gone. Repeat if you still have makeup on your face. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Exfoliate your face a few times a week. Dry skin is actually a layer of dead skin cells that build up and begin to slough off. Removing this layer of dead, dry skin a few times a week reveals the fresh, healthy skin underneath. Try one of the following methods for exfoliating your skin: Use a scrub. You can make a scrub by mixing a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of ground oatmeal. Simply rub it over the dry spots in a circular motion, then rinse it off. If you have more buildup than a scrub can handle, try using glycolic acid or another alpha-hydroxy acid. These acids are derived from fruit or sugar, and they exfoliate dead skin cells while strengthening the skin underneath. Don't scrub your skin with a brush or cloth or use a harsh body scrub. This damages and weakens the skin. Moisturize in the morning. The jury is out on whether it's a good idea to cover your face in cream at night. Some research seems to indicate that facial cell renewal happens at night, and if you cover your face with cream, it won't naturally renew itself with healthy cells. Moisturizing in the morning, however, is a great idea, since it protects your face from pollutants, dirt, dry air, hot air, and everything else you'll encounter throughout the day that could dry out your skin. After using a washcloth wet with warm water to cleanse your face, apply a moisturizer. Avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol. With so many moisturizers to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for your face. One easy way to distinguish the good from the bad is to check the ingredients for alcohol. This ingredient is drying, so there's no reason to use it on your face, especially when you have dry skin. If a moisturizer has a long list of ingredients containing lots of words ending in -ohol, avoid it. Look for a natural moisturizer made from a blend of oils and lanolin. These protect your skin and won't dry it out. On the days when your skin is really dry, try pure argan oil or coconut oil. Choose unrefined coconut oil, since that's better for your skin than refined coconut oil. Do a deep moisturizing treatment. Once a week or so, treat your face to a deeply moisturizing mask that will help your skin feel renewed. Mix up a mask from natural ingredients, smooth it over your face, then rinse it off with warm water after 15 minutes. Try the following combinations: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 smashed banana 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 smashed avocado 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon milk Moisturize on the go with coconut oil. Bring a little container of coconut oil with you wherever you go. When you see a patch of flaky skin, apply a little oil to hydrate it and make your skin look smoother and healthier. You can also use coconut oil to treat dry, flaky lips. Use a humidifier in your bedroom. If the air in your home is dry, it could be making your skin dry out, too. Set up a humidifier in your bedroom to keep your skin moist while you sleep. This is especially helpful during the winter when heating systems tend to make the air inside extremely dry. Examine your makeup routine. The ingredients in your makeup may be contributing to your dry skin problem. If you can go without makeup, that would be best, but if you don't want to stop wearing it, consider switching to oil-based makeup that doesn't contain alcohol and other harsh ingredients. Look for makeup composed of ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil, beeswax, and other all-natural items that won't dry out your skin - in fact they'll nourish it. Protect your face from the sun. The sun's rays can dry out your skin. Once the healthy glow fades, the skin begins to flake and fall off. A certain amount of sun is a good thing, but it's important to protect yourself from getting burned. As someone with dry skin, however, you need to watch what ingredients your sunscreen contains. Alcohols and other chemicals can dry out your skin, so look for all-natural sunscreens. Consider wearing a hat instead of sunscreen, or doubling up and wearing both. It's the old-fashioned way to protect your face from the sun, and it works. After sun exposure, moisturize your skin right away with aloe and other rich moisturizers. Be healthy from the inside out. The items you ingest have a big impact on the health of your skin. If you want your skin to look hydrated, healthy and glowing, adopt the following good habits. Not only will your facial skin look better, but your whole body will also feel healthier: Drink a lot of water. If you're dehydrated, it'll show up in your skin. Eat vitamin-rich foods, especially healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in fish, fish oil, avocados, and nuts. Don't smoke, drink too much alcohol or take drugs. Tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs have a big effect on your skin. They can dry it out and make it look older than your true age. Cut back on these products for healthier skin. | Try washing with water only. Consider the oil cleansing method. Exfoliate your face a few times a week. Moisturize in the morning. Avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol. Do a deep moisturizing treatment. Moisturize on the go with coconut oil. Use a humidifier in your bedroom. Examine your makeup routine. Protect your face from the sun. Be healthy from the inside out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Keno | How to Play Keno | To play keno, first get a keno card at a keno lounge in a casino or restaurant. Next, follow the instructions to select the amount of numbers between 1 and 80 allowed by the card or let a computer do it for you. Decide on how much you want to bet and how many games you want to play, then give your card to a keno worker to put your wager into the next game. Additionally, bet on the bonus to win anything from double to 20 times the normal rate. Finally, watch the machine and call over a worker if you win to cash in. | Acquire a keno card. These are generally found at keno lounges in casinos. The numbers on the card (1 through 80) match the numbers on balls in the aerated keno machine. Certain places or lotteries have different versions of their cards. Some have special bonus or jackpot cards, in addition to their regular cards. Ask if more than one type is available. Select numbers and mark them on your keno card or select them with a keno worker. Each number you select is called a keno spot and the keno card is arranged with 8 rows and 10 columns of numbers. The card will specify how many numbers you're allowed to choose. Some cards will allow you to choose anywhere from 1 to 10 numbers, while others will say anything up to 20 is okay. The more numbers you bet, the same the ticket costs, so you might as well bet more! Some will have a "quick pick" section where you can have the computer do it for you. The odds of winning remain the same. Determine the amount of money you want to put down on your selected numbers and how many keno games you want to play. Indicate your choices on your keno card. If you bet $1 on your selected numbers and want to play 7 games, that's $7. Obviously, the more money you bet, the more money you can win. You can wager as little as $1 on a single bet and usually up to $20, but it all depends on where you're playing. Players can wager on groups of numbers within the same game using a way bet. This tends to get complicated because you have to pick combinations from groups of numbers, making it difficult to keep track of your picks. We'll cover that in the next section. Give your keno card to a keno worker who will get your wager into the next game. An electronic ticket copy of your card will be issued back to you so you can follow along with the games as they are announced. Be sure that everything is correct before you hand it over! Watch the keno machine randomly selects 20 balls (or watch the screen). Most modern keno machines use computer software to generate winning numbers. The numbers are then displayed electronically on keno boards throughout the establishment. If you're playing a handful of games, you can wander around and not miss a thing. The number of the game you're playing will appear somewhere on your ticket and on the screen (usually in the bottom corner). Make sure they match up! See if the numbers you selected on your ticket match the numbers the keno machine pulled. If you have a match, you win. How much you win will depend on how many numbers you matched and how much you wagered. The payout depends on the number of keno tickets in each game. In some instances a single dollar can net a payoff of tens of thousands. Ask a keno worker for an explanation if you're unsure. Some keno parlors also utilize a special payoff for selecting a bonus number. Every house is different; there is no average. But payouts tend to range from below 70% to around 80%. For the record, that's not good. You want it to be as close to 100% as possible. Call over the keno worker to declare your winnings. You'll have to submit your electronic keno card for verification. It'll be pretty clear that you've won if your numbers are on the screen! This is also when you throw up your arms and start shouting -- that gets them to come to you right away. And then play the next game! It's probably about 4 minutes later. That's the best part about keno -- it's constantly going non-stop. Use a "way" ticket. This is where it starts to get a little complicated. It's where combinations enter the mix. Here's an example: You choose six numbers. You circle them in two groups of three. On the side of the ticket, you mark "2/3" and "1/6". This means you want to bet $3. $1 is on one group of three, $1 is on the second group of three, and $1 is on all six. Think of it like horse racing. Hitting the winner is good; hitting win, place, and show is better. Bet combinations. The numbers can overlap in combinations, too. Let's say you have a group of 2, a group of 3 and a group of 4. Well, that's three groups right there. But then you can also have a group of 5 (3 and 2), a group of six (2 and 4), a group of 7 (3 and 4), and a group of 9 (all the numbers). At $1, what would this cost? $7. Keeping it spicy! Remember to write on the side of your ticket what you want! Otherwise your keno writer might get a little confused. Play a "king" ticket. When a number is circled all by its lonesome, it is "king." It can then get inserted into combinations. Let's take that first example of 2/3 and 1/6 -- add the king on top to all combinations at it's 2/4 and 2/7. The king joined each group of three and is added to the total, equaling 7 numbers in final. Bet on the bonus. Many state lotteries or casinos have some type of bonus in all keno games. Sometimes it's called a bull's eye, sometimes a booster, sometimes just a bonus. But you'll know it when you see it. It's another number and if it comes up, you win big. It does cost a bit more to bet on, of course; this can be anywhere from $1 to double your wager. The bonus varies, too. It can be anywhere from double the winnings to 20x the normal rate. Ask the keno work at your station how it works. Play video keno. Some online keno games allow you to single bet up to 40 numbers. But you can also play it on screens at casinos and various other locations now. The payout tends to be a bit better, but you also play faster , so it sort of evens out. But with video keno, you play at your own pace. You select your numbers just by touching the screen -- it's super easy. And sometimes there are even keno video games at the nickel level. Make sure you know what your minimum bet is before you get started. Keep the progressive jackpot in mind. If there is one, of course. Many casinos offer a progressive jackpot -- if no one hits it big, it keeps growing and growing. It can even get high enough to where the payout is over 100%! But since everything is so random, it's hard to predict anything. However, if you see one, it can be a lot of fun to play! Try packaged keno. This is the same thing as "buying in bulk." The more games you buy, the cheaper they are. Some areas offer "packaged" keno, where you can buy, say, 60 games at a quarter a piece. The games you play can then be whenever you want, so long as you give your ticket to a keno retailer beforehand. Otherwise it'd be too good to be true! | Acquire a keno card. Select numbers and mark them on your keno card or select them with a keno worker. Determine the amount of money you want to put down on your selected numbers and how many keno games you want to play. Give your keno card to a keno worker who will get your wager into the next game. Watch the keno machine randomly selects 20 balls (or watch the screen). Call over the keno worker to declare your winnings. Use a "way" ticket. Bet combinations. Play a "king" ticket. Bet on the bonus. Play video keno. Keep the progressive jackpot in mind. Try packaged keno. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Your-Own-Style | How to Have Your Own Style | To have your own style, start by going through your wardrobe and separating it into clothes you like and clothes you don't like. Then, look at everything you like and see if there are any common styles or themes. For example, maybe you really like flannels, denim jackets, and ripped jeans. Once you know what you like, base your style around it and shop for similar items. You can also look up celebrities with similar fashion tastes online and model your style after theirs. | Review your wardrobe to find inspiration inside your own closet. Before you revamp your style, sort through your clothes and try on some items. To play with different looks, try pairing your favorite garments with other items you typically wouldn't try. Donate any items that no longer speak to you or don't make you feel confident. For example, perhaps you always wear T-shirts with blue jeans. Throw on a flannel or cardigan sweater over top, and accessorize with a beanie. Or, try pairing your shirts with funky skirts or leggings. Consider the last time you wore an item. If it's been many months to 1 year since you last wore an item, it may be time to rehome the garment and update your look. Take pictures of your favorite outfit combinations to reference later. When you create awesome looks that scream you , take a picture with your phone or camera to document the look. That way, you can simply review what previously made you feel confident and strive for a similar look. You don't have to go with the same exact look as your images. Use them as inspiration, and expand upon the outfit with other garments or accessories if you'd like. Maybe for a date night you wore an awesome black dress, patterned tights, boots, and a belt. Take a picture of this, and next time you get ready for a night out, consider wearing the same dress but with different tights or heels instead of boots. Research common styles and style icons online to find inspiration. Think of a few famous people whose style you admire, or consider different common style labels you want to incorporate, like bohemian or punk. Search for outfits on Google, and look for casual, dressy, and professional ensembles in neat patterns and attractive colors. This will help you find items you like and dislike so you'll have some ideas in mind. Style icons can be fashionistas, actors, celebrities, athletes, or public figures. Some examples include Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Twiggy, Madonna, and Oprah, to name a few. Make a “Style” board on Pinterest and save your favorite looks. Search generally with keywords like “style” or “fashion,” or get specific with search queries like “bohemian looks” or “punk fashion.” Then, make a Pinterest account , create a board called “Style,” and save pictures that inspire you to reference later. Save images of complete outfits, interesting accessories, cool shoes, and unique jackets. Before you go shopping, take a look at what you've saved so you can look for similar garments. Look for ready-to-wear collections in fashion magazines or websites. Styles and trends come and go as the seasons change. You can review current collections to find inspiration for your own look. Look for items you can wear all year long, regardless of the latest trends. For example, many websites have separate tabs or sections for “Outfit Inspiration,” “Streetwear,” or “Collections.” Click these tabs, and look through different outfits that you can make your own. Maybe you are inspired to wear sneakers with a skater dress, or maybe you want to try wearing hats instead of tying up your hair. Review couture styles for general mood inspirations for your outfits. While avant-garde looks may be over-the-top for daily looks (or maybe not!), they help you get the creative gears turning. Keep an eye out for neat color combinations, interesting textures, bold accessories, and overall look of the model. For example, maybe you find a dress with an asymmetrical hemline and a bold color in your favorite magazine. While you may not go for that exact dress, you can play with different collars in your own style, such as turtleneck sweaters or cowl neck tunics. Go shopping and see what items speak to you. Visit your local mall or favorite store, and browse selections at your favorite stores as well as stores you've never shopped from. Look for colors in your palette, and try on your favorites to ensure they fit great. Consider what you have in your closet already as you shop. If you know you need a new button-down to wear to job interviews, or a new pair of running shoes for the gym, start with items like these. Shop at thrift stores, vintage retailers, and consignment shops to find one-of-a-kind, unique garments. You can shop for new outfits at these locations without breaking your budget! Ask for advice from your friends, parents, or retail employees. If you are having trouble generating your own style ideas, reach out to a friend or parent and ask for suggestions. They may have helpful opinions about what colors or silhouettes flatter you or what looks really don't fit your personality. You can also ask the associates and stylists who work at retail stores for tips and opinions to update your style. Dress in slacks and button-down shirts for a professional style. An awesome professional wardrobe will show off your sense of style and show others you are qualified, capable, and experienced. Purchase career essentials to prepare you for your next interview! You can make your professional look your own by adding unique jewelry, scarves, and shoes. You can also go with khakis, polos, sweaters, blazers, blouses, pencil skirts, and dresses. When selecting accessories in the workplace, choose items appropriate for the workplace. For example, wear closed-toed pumps over your strappy stilettos! Wear vintage T-shirts, distressed jeans, and flannels for a hipster look. Hipster style is noted as a super cool, laid back, repurposed look. Go with purposely distressed garments, edgy combat boots, oversized scarves, and thick-rimmed glasses. You can shop at thrift stores and Goodwill locations to be a tried-and-true hipster. You can also purchase hipster clothing at stores like Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and Etsy. Tie up your hair and wear sports jerseys and shorts for a tomboy style. The sporty, tomboy look is all about comfort. Focus on dressing with T-shirts, denim, and hats. Consider playing a sport or starting a workout routine to complete your sporty look! You can wear oversized, boxy T-shirts, slouchy sweaters, baggy joggers, Converse sneakers, or running shoes. Go with simple prints or plain colored garments for a casual style. Casual style should be comfortable and effortless. You can wear things like solid colored T-shirts, jeans or denim culottes , and sneakers. Try throwing on a baseball cap or styling your hair in a ponytail. You'll be out the door in no time with a cool and casual daily look. You can also layer with sweaters, hoodies, and scarves. Consider using a small backpack instead of a purse. Dress to impress in nice clothing if you are styling for a night out. Go for a sophisticated, glamorous nightlife look by wearing things like button-down shirts, straight-legged pants, form-fitting blouses, and dresses. Wear dark colors and items with sequins or shine! You can add your own flair with accessories or by dressing for your body type. Some nightclubs have wardrobe requirements, such as baggy clothing, sneakers, cut-offs, hats, and jerseys. Some clubs allow jeans, as long as they are straight-legged and uniform in wash. Look at the club's website for wardrobe requirements, or call ahead and ask. If you show up wearing the wrong clothing, you may be turned away. Embrace your shape in flattering clothing that makes you feel confident. Wear items that highlight your assets and camouflage your insecurities. Pick your clothes based on your body type : Pear shaped bodies typically have a defined waist with hips wider than your shoulders. Wear straight-legged pants and jackets that accentuate your shoulders. Apple body shapes lack a defined waist and carry weight around the stomach. Wear V-neck shirts to create a vertical line, patterned garments, and well-fitting jackets. Rectangular bodies lack a defined waist and their hips and shoulders are similar in width. They are easy to dress, and you can wear clothes with medium to high necklines. Hourglass shaped bodies have a defined waist and wide hips and bust. Wear V-neck shirts and darker colors on top. Inverted triangle bodies have small hips and wide shoulders. Draw attention away from your torso by wearing open necklines, bold textures on the bottom, and eye-catching shoes. Choose your color palette based on your skin tone. You can choose signature colors to make your style unique and flatter your appearance. Maybe purple is your favorite hue, or maybe you get a lot of compliments wearing red. Determine your skin tone, and choose colors based on your complexion. Choose warm-toned colors like orange, red, amber, green, and red-purples if you have warm skin tones (olive or yellowish undertone). Wear colors like blue, emerald, deep purple, pink, and ruby for cooler skin tones (bluish and pink undertone). Go with light peach, light blue, and dark green colored clothes for neutral skin tones. Neutral skin tones have a mix of warm and cool undertones. Pair your wardrobe basics with unique accessories to elevate your look. If you tend to dress simply, like jeans and a T-shirt, try throwing on a scarf, sunglasses, or hat to make your look more interesting. Adding small elements can enhance your outfits and make you more confident! For example, go with neutral basics and add a pop of color or a cool pattern. You can also try a bold necklace or stacked rings. You can also throw on a cool hat or jacket. Splurge on a staple item to individualize your style. Pick 1-2 items to become part of your style identity, something you can wear daily that others will instantly relate to you. Wear your signature piece with many outfit combinations so people recognize it as your look. For example, Jackie O is known for her large sunglasses. Audrey Hepburn made cropped pants and ballet flats popular. Your staple can be something simple like a personal piece of jewelry or something bold like a fur coat. Try things like a bold red lipstick, a bright colored bag, or a customized jean jacket. Hire a tailor to make sizing adjustments and to add personal touches. A good tailor can transform a garment into a perfect, individualized must-have. They will hem long jeans, repair small rips, and update outdated garments. Find a local tailor by searching online, and stop into their shop to discuss your garments. For example, a tailor can sew vintage buttons onto a black cardigan you love but want to make unique. | Review your wardrobe to find inspiration inside your own closet. Take pictures of your favorite outfit combinations to reference later. Research common styles and style icons online to find inspiration. Make a “Style” board on Pinterest and save your favorite looks. Look for ready-to-wear collections in fashion magazines or websites. Review couture styles for general mood inspirations for your outfits. Go shopping and see what items speak to you. Ask for advice from your friends, parents, or retail employees. Dress in slacks and button-down shirts for a professional style. Wear vintage T-shirts, distressed jeans, and flannels for a hipster look. Tie up your hair and wear sports jerseys and shorts for a tomboy style. Go with simple prints or plain colored garments for a casual style. Dress to impress in nice clothing if you are styling for a night out. Embrace your shape in flattering clothing that makes you feel confident. Choose your color palette based on your skin tone. Pair your wardrobe basics with unique accessories to elevate your look. Splurge on a staple item to individualize your style. Hire a tailor to make sizing adjustments and to add personal touches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Wry-Neck-in-Rabbits | How to Diagnose Wry Neck in Rabbits | To diagnose wry neck in your rabbit, determine whether it can walk, since wry neck can cause disorientation or weakness in its back legs, making walking impossible. If your rabbit can walk, look to see whether its head tilts sideways as this is telltale sign of wry neck. Since inner ear disease is a common cause of wry neck, look to see whether your rabbit is wobbly or walking in circles. Another symptom to look out for in your rabbit is signs of facial paralysis including a drooping lip, drooling, and an inability to close its eyelids, since wry neck can affect the nerves controlling facial movement. If you notice signs of wry neck in your rabbit, take it to a vet to prevent the condition worsening. | Determine if your rabbit can walk. For some rabbits, wry neck's head tilt makes them so disoriented they cannot walk. Instead, they will lie on one side looking paralyzed. While attempting to get up and balance themselves, they may end up simply rolling around on the ground. Wry neck can cause weakness or paralysis in the back legs, making it difficult or impossible for a rabbit to walk. Observe your rabbit’s head position when he walks. The most telltale sign of wry neck is a sideways-tilting head. If your rabbit's head is tilting sideways as he walks, you can be confident he has wry neck. Wry neck has other symptoms, though, so you should look out of for those as well. The side of the head tilt indicates which side is affected. The head will be tilted down on that side. Detect a lack of coordination when your rabbit walks. Your rabbit, like humans and other animals, has a vestibular system within his central nervous system that controls balance, coordinates body movements, and helps keep body parts in their proper positions. Inner ear disease, if severe enough, could affect your rabbit's vestibular system and cause him to walk abnormally. For example, your rabbit may begin to walk in circles. Wry neck can also cause dizziness, so your rabbit may look wobbly or fall over when walking. Look at your rabbit’s eye movements. Occasionally, rabbits with wry neck have nystagmus, an eye condition during which the eye uncontrollably moves horizontally or vertically. Sometimes, the nature of the nystagmus (e.g., direction, speed) can provide clues about the cause of wry neck. The nystagmus will be present whether or not your rabbit is walking. Examine your rabbit’s face for signs of facial paralysis. Wry neck can affect nerves controlling facial movements. Signs of facial paralysis include a drooping lip, drooling, and an inability to close the eyelids. In addition, you may be able to see the third eyelid, a protective covering that is normally visible only when the eye needs to be protected. Observe any changes in appetite. If your rabbit has wry neck, he may feel nauseated, causing him to eat less and possibly develop anorexia. The nausea could also cause your rabbit to drool more and grind his teeth. A head tilt would make it difficult for your rabbit to get food into his mouth. Take your rabbit to your veterinarian. Wry neck requires veterinary care. If your rabbit has a head tilt, regardless of whether you see any other symptoms of wry neck, take him to your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. If your veterinarian does not have a lot of rabbit experience, ask him or her for recommendations on local veterinarians with rabbit expertise. You could also visit the website http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/ to find a veterinarian. Wry neck can get progressively worse. Take your rabbit to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Allow your veterinarian to examine your rabbit. Wry neck is commonly diagnosed on clinical signs, namely the head tilt. However, since wry neck can have many causes (e.g., middle/inner ear infection, trauma, stroke, parasites), your veterinarian will need to identify the exact cause in order to develop an effective treatment plan. Identifying the exact cause will involve ruling out as many causes as possible. Your veterinarian will first do a thorough physical examination of your rabbit. From there, he or she will decide which other diagnostic tests to run. Have your veterinarian perform additional diagnostic testing. Several other diagnostic tests can help your veterinarian determine the cause of your rabbit's wry neck. For example, skull x-rays could show an inner ear infection, indicated by a thickened tympanic bulla (bony structure in the ear). However, these x-rays may be non-diagnostic, meaning they wouldn't be helpful in diagnosing the wry neck. If an infection is the suspected cause, your veterinarian would conduct various tests. For bacteria, an analysis of pus inside the ear (if present) would help. For E. cuniculi, a parasite that can cause wry neck, diagnostic tests include blood tests and an analysis of the urine. Blood tests for E. cuniculi look for antibodies that form in response to the parasite entering the body. Diagnostic testing could be expensive, depending on how long it takes your veterinarian to identify the cause of your rabbit's wry neck. | Determine if your rabbit can walk. Observe your rabbit’s head position when he walks. Detect a lack of coordination when your rabbit walks. Look at your rabbit’s eye movements. Examine your rabbit’s face for signs of facial paralysis. Observe any changes in appetite. Take your rabbit to your veterinarian. Allow your veterinarian to examine your rabbit. Have your veterinarian perform additional diagnostic testing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Clothes-Line | How to Make a Clothes Line | To make a clothesline, start by making two 8-foot wooden posts with a crossbeam on top of each one. Then, install eye hooks into the crossbeams, which you'll use to hang up your clothesline. Next, dig a 2-foot-deep hole for each post and drop the posts into them, making sure the posts are level. Once the posts are in the holes, fill the holes in with concrete and let it set for 24-72 hours. Finally, attach tighteners and a clothesline to the eye hooks on the crossbeams and then you're finished! | Find out if you can have a clothesline. Not all neighborhoods, subdivisions, and cities allow clotheslines. Some people believe that they look bad in yards or neighborhoods. Check with your Home Owner's Association or city ordinances. Mark an area where you will place the clothesline. Most loads of clothes use 35 feet of line. The length of line needs to accommodate at least one load. The area you place the clothesline in shouldn't be a high traffic area. Make sure it's not in an area where people or dogs frequently walk. You also don't want the clothesline to hang over anything, like flowers, a pool, or shrubbery. Don't make the line any longer than that. The longer the line, the more sag the line will have. Avoid placing your clothesline under trees that drip sap, leaves, or other material. You also want to avoid placing your clothesline under trees with a lot of birds. If you want to dry colored clothes, make sure there is a spot in the shade so the colors don't fade. You can spread clotheslines between multiple posts or multiple trees if you plan on drying many loads at one time. Determine how high the poles should be. When building your clothesline, you want to make sure that it is the proper height. You don't want the clothesline to be too tall so that you can't easily hang your clothes. On the other hand, you don't want the line to be too low so that larger items, such as blankets and sheets, touch the ground. The wood for your posts need to be taller than how high you want the poles. Part of the pole will be in ground. For a 6 ft. clothesline, you will need at least wood that is 8 ft. tall. Purchase the materials. To make a proper clothesline, you need to purchase the right materials. You will need: 2- 4 x 4 x 10′ treated wood posts 2- 2 x 2 x 8′ treated wood posts 8 - 1/4″ x 6″ hot dip galvanized lag screws (and washers) 2 - 1/4” x 8” galvanized lag bolts 8 – eye hooks 2 – clothesline tighteners 2 – quick links 100 ft clothesline 2 bags Quikrete Gather the tools. To make a clothesline, you will have to saw wood, drill holes for bolts, and dig a hole into the ground. To accomplish this, you need the following tools: Miter saw Drill and bits Clamps Post level Post hole diggers Bucket (optional) Measure the posts. Most clotheslines are approximately 6 ft. tall. Two 10 ft. posts work well for this, because it gives you the height and allows 3-4 ft. of the post to be buried underground. You can also use a 8-8 1/2 ft. post instead. If the posts are too long, you need to cut them. However, these two posts may not need to be cut at all. If you live in a climate that experiences a deep freeze in the winter, make sure to put your posts below the freeze line so they don't shift. Decide if that is 3 or 4 ft. or more. You may also need to bury the post deeper in the ground if you live in an area with sandy or unstable soil. Cut the angles in your crossbeams. Take the two 8 ft. posts and cut them in half. This will give you four 4 ft. posts. Then take two of the 4 ft. beams and cut them in half so you have four 2 ft. beams. These will be used for the cross braces. That should give you one 4 ft. crossbeam and two 2 ft. braces for each clothesline post. Cut 45 degree angles into the ends of the 2 ft. beams. To do this, adjust your miter saw to the 45 angle. These beams will be the braces. Make sure you double check your angles before cutting the wood. Messing up the angle means you will have to get another piece of wood. The crosspiece can be around 3 ft. long if you want. You can also cut the ends of the crosspiece at an angle if you don't want flat edges. Drill the holes. Measure and mark the center of the crossbeam and the center of the top of the post. The center mark will be on the edge of the crossbeam at the top that faces the sky. The center mark on the post will be on the top, which is the edge that the brace sits on. Drill a hole that is a little narrower than the lag bolt in the center where you made your mark. Connect the crossbeam to the post with the lag bolt. When complete, the crossbeam will sit on top of the post, in the shape of a T. Screw the braces to the posts. Fit the braces against the post and crossbeam. You want to drill the holes near the bottom at an angle so it will connect to the post, and then through the top so it will connect to the crossbeam and brace. Drill holes into these areas, making sure the hole is centered on the wood. The braces will fit snugly against the beam and post because of the angle you cut into each end. Clamp the wooden braces in place to stabilize them. Drill the holes into the beams and screw in the bolts. Install the eye hooks. Measure the spaces for your eye hooks evenly along the crossbeam. Make sure not to start at the very edge. Try starting around 6 inches from the edge. For 4 hooks, you want to space them 10-12 inches apart. Pre-drill the holes, and then twist the eye hooks into the holes. You can use the handle of your screwdriver to twist the hooks into the wood. You may want to install 3 eye hooks instead of 4 depending on the length of your crossbeam. Dig the holes. Use post hole diggers to dig the holes where you marked them earlier. The holes need to be about 1-2 ft. deep if you live in a warmer climate, and 3-4 ft. deep if you live in an area that is prone to deep freezes or a sandy area. The holes need to be 12 in. wide. Before you dig any holes in your yard, double check to make sure there are no gas, water, cable, or telephone lines in the area where you are digging. Level the posts. Drop the clothesline posts into the holes. Place a post level onto the post. Make sure to get the posts level before pouring any concrete. Get someone to help you, or try adding dirt and packing it into the hole to help hold it while you adjust. Pour concrete. Pour 1 bag of dry concrete mix into each hole. Add water from the garden hose. Mix the concrete with a mixing stick to combine the concrete until it is a uniform consistency. Use the level again to make sure the posts are level before the concrete has a chance to set. Let the concrete set for 24-72 hours. You may want to pour the bag out in stages. This may make it easier to mix and keep the post level. As you add the concrete, continue to tamp it down with each new section of concrete so that everything is as compact as possible. You can also mix the concrete in buckets before you pour it into the holes. Use rope or heavy string to keep the post straight while the concrete dries. Replace the dirt. Once the concrete has completely dried, shovel the dirt back on top to cover the concrete. Pack the dirt down to make sure the hole is secure. Attach tighteners. Connect two clothesline tighteners to outside eye hooks on one post. You can buy these at home improvement stores. The tighteners allow you to make sure that your line is taut without sag, and also allows you to tighten the line if it starts to sag over the years from weather and use. Attach clothesline. Buy a 100 ft. cloth clothesline from a home improvement store. Cut the clothesline in half. Tie one end of the rope to the inside eye hook beside the tightener. If your posts are too far apart, you might have to buy two packs 100 ft. cloth clothesline and string one through each side. Cut off the excess when you're finished. If you want to prevent frayed ends, tape the ends of the rope or burn them with a cigarette lighter. Stretch the clothesline between the poles. Pull the rope to the opposite post, and loop it through the matching inside eye hook. Pull it across and through the outside eye hook. Stretch the rope back across to the original post, where it should meet up with the tightener. Pull the rope through the tightener. Tighten the rope. Trim any excess rope. Each rope should go through 4 eye hooks in all: one on the inside and one on the outside on each post. Install pulleys instead. Another option is to attach pulleys to the eye hooks instead of tying the rope directly to the hooks and looping around. Pulleys can be purchased at home improvement stores. Attach them to all eye hooks. Wrap the clothesline around both pulleys on either post. Tie one end of the rope to the hook on the end of a tightener, and pull the other end of the rope through the tightener. You will have a movable, tight loop of rope threaded through each pulley. Make sure to knot both ends securely, and cut off any excess rope. | Find out if you can have a clothesline. Mark an area where you will place the clothesline. Determine how high the poles should be. Purchase the materials. Gather the tools. Measure the posts. Cut the angles in your crossbeams. Drill the holes. Screw the braces to the posts. Install the eye hooks. Dig the holes. Level the posts. Pour concrete. Replace the dirt. Attach tighteners. Attach clothesline. Stretch the clothesline between the poles. Install pulleys instead. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-an-Exotic-Shorthair-Cat | How to Take Care of an Exotic Shorthair Cat | To take care of your exotic shorthair, you'll need to comb it regularly with a metal long-toothed comb, which will keep its coat healthy. You should also clean its eye area regularly with a wet washcloth to clear away discharge that can easily build up and cause an infection. In addition to grooming your cat, make sure to feed it a quality cat food that's high in protein so it gets the nutrition it needs. Additionally, since cats can easily get dehydrated, you may consider getting your shorthair wet cat food or a semi-moist food formula. | Clean your cat's eye area. An exotic's eye area can get crusty and gooey because its flat face doesn't allow for good drainage. Take a paper towel or washcloth and wet it with warm water. Then wipe around the cat's eyes. Be sure to thoroughly dry the area after wiping. If you don't do this, the discharge can stain your cat's coat and also lead to infections if the cat's eye ducts to become blocked. You may wish to ask your veterinarian to prescribe medicated wipes, as these cats are prone to developing yeast or bacterial infections due to moisture in the skin folds on their face. A medicated wipe will help prevent this. While cleaning around your cat's eyes, it is a good time to inspect their eyeballs. Exotics can be prone to problems with their corneas, such as scratches or ulcers, so look at their eyes regularly to make sure that the surfaces of their eyes are smooth and there is no redness, cloudiness, or abnormal discharge that may indicate a problem. Comb your cat. Even though an exotic shorthair has shorter fur than a Persian, they still need occasional combing to keep their coats in good shape. Combing your cat while it is in a shedding cycle will help to get rid of excess hair before it is all over your house and to keep the cat from ingesting too much, which can lead to hairballs. Use a metal long-toothed comb to comb your cat. These combs are sold at most pet supply stores. If your cat likes to be combed or brushed, you should do it regularly. Just because the coat doesn't require it, that doesn't mean that its not a great bonding activity and you can decrease the amount of fur that is left around your house. Trim your cat's nails. It is important for you to trim your cat's nails regularly so that they do not get too long. Nails that are too long can be uncomfortable to walk on, can snag furniture, and the snagging can cause the nails to be ripped off. To trim your cat's nails, hold the cat's paw in one hand and the nail trimmer in your other hand. Only trim the tip of the nail. Not cutting back a lot will help you avoid cutting into the vein in the nail. The vein is easy to spot; it will appear as a pink, triangular area in the center of the nail. Take note of where it is before you trim your cat's nails so that you can avoid cutting them too short. If you are nervous about trimming your cat's nails, you can have a professional do it. Take your cat to a groomer that is experienced at working with cats or ask for someone at your veterinary office to do it when you take your cat in for an appointment. Give your cat quality food. Just as with all cat breeds, giving your exotic shorthair quality cat food will make it healthier and will potentially help it to live a long life. A quality cat food consists of mostly animal tissue, as cats are strictly carnivores. Look at the ingredient list and make sure the food you choose has animal tissues, such as seafood or meat byproducts, as the first couple of ingredients. This will help assure that you are feeding your cat mostly animal tissue. In addition to the ingredients list, make sure that the food you choose is made for your cat's age. Food that is made for kittens, adults, and senior cats is formulated for the specific nutritional needs of those periods of life. In addition to animal tissue, commercial foods may have added vitamins and minerals to give the cat proper nutrition. Choosing between dry, semi-moist, and wet cat food is largely based on what your cat likes. However, wet cat food can be a great source of water for a cat that does not drink a lot of water. Make sure the cat has access to water. Cats should have constant access to cool, clean water. They may not drink it constantly but they should have access to it in case they need it. Many cats are enticed to drink running water. Giving your cat a drinking fountain, which are specialty cat products that recycle a stream of water constantly, may help it to stay hydrated. If your cat is dehydrated and does not want to drink water, consider feeding it wet food. This can give it some vital water. Get the cat annual veterinary care. Once you bring home an exotic shorthair cat you should get it checked out by a veterinarian right away. After that, take your cat in for an annual exam. Also, if it has a medical emergency or seems ill, take it in to be checked out by a veterinarian immediately. Having an annual exam will allow your veterinarian to spot any potential health problems that may be arising. It will also assure that you are staying up to date on preventative veterinary care, such as vaccinations, that need to be given on a regular basis. Have your cat assessed for common health problems. There are some health problems that exotics commonly have. These include problems with their eyes, respiratory system, kidneys, and the heart. Have your cat screened for these specific problems: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) Respiratory problems Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Spay or neuter your cat. In an effort to limit pet populations and to keep your cat healthy, it is important to get it spayed or neutered. Desexing your cat can stop a lot of unwanted behavior, such as spraying or roaming. In female cats it can also reduce their chance of developing mammary cancer later in life. Discuss when your cat should be spayed or neutered with your veterinarian. In general, it should be done at between three months and six months of age. Keep your cat indoors. There are a wide variety of dangers outside that can be hazardous to your cat's health. These include cars, diseases, parasites, toxins, and other animals. To avoid these hazards, it's best to just keep your cat inside. Not only does keeping the cat indoors increase its life expectancy, it is good to keep cats inside to protect wildlife, namely native birds. Because exotics are not very active cats, most do not mind staying inside. However, you will need to provide enrichment for them, such as toys and viewing platforms that stimulate their minds. Clean the cat's litter box regularly. Keeping your cat happy and healthy will require that you give it a clean and tidy place to go to the bathroom. This means that you should clean the cat's litterbox daily and use a type of litter box and litter that the cat likes. If you do not supply a clean and appealing litter box, your cat may choose to go to the bathroom in other places in your home. Spend time with your cat. In order to take proper care of your cat, you will need to give it love and attention. Spend time with it when it comes to you for affection or attention. With an exotic shorthair, you will likely know they want attention when they walk up to you and request it. The time you spend with them can be spent petting them or playing games with them. Exotic shorthair cats can be playful and active at times but they are not this way all of the time. Much of their time is spent on their own and most exotic shorthairs will not shadow you constantly like some other breeds. Give the cat a scratching surface. It is natural for cats to want to scratch. The key is to give them proper surfaces to do it on. Having a scratching post or scratching pad in each room that the cat spends time in will help to keep it from scratching inappropriate surfaces, such as your furniture. You may need to protect your furniture from scratching if your cat has decided it doesn't want to use its scratching post. There are a variety of products that can help you do this, such as sprays that can be applied to furniture that are repellent to cats. Keeping your cat's nails trimmed will also help prevent damage due to scratching. Give the cat enrichment toys and equipment. While an exotic shorthair cat does not usually need constant entertainment, it is important to provide them with mental stimulation. Give your cat a variety of toys it can chase and play with. These could include bell balls, fabric mice, laser toys, or strings or puff balls. Additionally, make sure it has access to a window where it can look outside. This will allow the cat to get stimulation from looking at everything going on outside. If your cat seems bored with its toys, rotate through them. Put a few away for a month or so then switch the toys out. | Clean your cat's eye area. Comb your cat. Trim your cat's nails. Give your cat quality food. Make sure the cat has access to water. Get the cat annual veterinary care. Have your cat assessed for common health problems. Spay or neuter your cat. Keep your cat indoors. Clean the cat's litter box regularly. Spend time with your cat. Give the cat a scratching surface. Give the cat enrichment toys and equipment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Your-Soulmate | How to Find Your Soulmate | To find your soulmate, try expanding your social network by joining a meetup group, volunteering, or hosting a dinner party, which will help you find more potential dates. You should also make a list of traits you're looking for in a partner, so you can spot people you want to date. When you meet new acquaintances, make sure to smile and laugh, since open body language helps draw people in. Once you start dating someone, consider whether or not they would make a good lifelong partner. Just make sure to keep an open mind, since sometimes it's hard to tell what traits you'll find attractive and which ones you won't. Remember that there's probably not just one person out there for you, so don't stress too much about finding the perfect person. | Enjoy being single. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is important that you are happy and confident as a single person before you are ready to find your soulmate. Relationships will last longer if both partners are healthy, stable, and confident in themselves. If you want to find your soulmate--and if you want your ideal partner to be equally attracted to you--you have to know who you are, what you want, and like yourself. Some ways for you to enjoy spending time with yourself include: Finding interesting hobbies to pursue Valuing your friendships and family Pursuing an interesting, stable career Practicing being confident and strong Keeping a diary to help keep you focused and to remind you of how far you've come Cultivate desirable traits in yourself. Make a list of traits you enjoy in a partner. Perhaps you are attracted to a good sense of humor or to a nice smile. Maybe you like someone who is athletic and participates in sports, or maybe you are attracted to someone who enjoys reading novels. No matter what the trait is, consider how you might be able to embody that trait yourself. If you work on yourself in this way, you might find that you end up meeting somebody who shares your interests and desires. Moreover, if you do not end up meeting your soulmate in this way, you will still have improved yourself and learned new skills. Keep an open mind. Studies show that people are not always able to predict the traits to which they are most attracted. If you make a list of desirable traits, it is quite likely that you will be attracted to a person in real life who exhibits quite different traits. It is fine to have a few relationship dealbreakers as you attempt to find your ideal partner: however, let your instincts guide you more than a list of pros and cons. You might be surprised by the wonderful person you meet. It is especially important to avoid certain internal biases and prejudices. Do not judge a person based on his/her skin color, religion, ethnicity, or age. Take some time to get to know the person before you decide whether or not a relationship is worth pursuing. Steer clear of attached persons. If you meet a wonderful person who is in a relationship with somebody else, resist the urge to have an affair with him or her. Most relationships that began with an act of infidelity do not last. They are rooted in scarcity and in wanting what you cannot have more than in true affection. Wait until your ideal partner is single for a while before pursuing him or her in order to make sure that your relationship has a fighting chance. Develop your social network. The more interesting friends you have, the more interesting strangers you will meet through them. Expand your social network to expand your dating pool. Pursue friendships and close acquaintanceships if you want to meet new, promising people to date. Some great ways to meet likeminded people include: Joining a meetup group Participating in a hobby Volunteering for a cause you care about Joining an alumni organization Cultivating the friendships and acquaintanceships you have: invite friends out to dinner, host a few parties, or schedule a happy hour Be friendly. Smiling and laughing will help make new acquaintances feel more comfortable around you. If you want to encourage somebody to open up, keep your body language open and act in a friendly manner. Some light flirting with someone you're attracted to is also a great way to determine if they are attracted to you as well. Say yes to blind dates. Your friends know who you are and what you like. Let their instincts guide you if they think you might be a good match for someone they know. Not all blind dates are successful, but some certainly are. Don't close yourself off to opportunities to meet new, interesting people. Know how people flirt. There are numerous styles of flirting. However, in general, the most successful flirters tend to be respectful, complimentary, expressive, and use friendly body language. People who use closed-off body language, teasing, or self-deprecation in flirting tend not to be as successful. Pay attention to the following traits if you want to flirt or be able to recognize flirting in others: Smiling and laughing Affirming through nods or verbal agreements Continuing the conversation Using open body language (open arms, legs, and palms) Sharing personal details Making eye contact Asking questions Keep your online dating profile honest but mysterious. Many people find their soulmates through online dating. However, it can be a tough world to navigate. Users report having more success when they keep their dating profiles honest but brief. Let there be a bit of mystery when other users read your profile: don't show your hand right away. Use dates to get to know each other: don't let the profile do all the work for you. Meet people in heart-pounding places. People are more likely to feel attracted to someone else when they are in a situation of arousal. Having a fast heartbeat, sweating, and experiencing extreme feelings can make someone more susceptible to feelings of sexual attraction and liking. Some good, physically arousing places where you might find a potential soulmate include: The gym High places Horror films Tell yourself there is not one single person out there for you. If there were only one person meant to fall in love with one other person, then only 1 out of every 10,000 people would find true love during their lifetimes. We all know that this isn't true: people fall in love and have beautiful relationships all the time. Do not become obsessed with finding the single best person for you: instead, make it your goal to develop close, sustaining, healthy, and loving relationships. See if your soulmate might blossom in front of you instead of depending upon random chance to give you the one perfect person. Many of the most satisfying kinds of love happen over a long period of time, which indicates that soulmates become so over many years of getting to know one another. Be skeptical of the term "soulmate. " Soulmate often implies that two people were made for one another and can exist in perfect harmony. However, all strong, close, lasting relationships will involve conflicts and disagreements. Studies show that couples tend to be more satisfied with their partners when they think of their love as a journey or pathway. Try to frame your own search for a soulmate in these terms: you're not looking for a perfect, harmonious match. Instead, you're looking for a partner to walk the journey of life with, including the positives and negatives. Another way to phrase this is that you should be looking for somebody to grow with, not just somebody who was destined to meet you. Framing your love as destiny instead of as a journey is especially harmful during conflicts or arguments. During happy periods, there is not as much of a distinction. Listen to your instincts. Studies show that instinctive reactions to another person are important predictors of overall relationship success. Don't try to talk yourself out of your initial instincts about a person. If you have a good feeling about him or her, pursue the relationship. If you feel uncomfortable or anxious about the relationship--even if everything looks good on paper--you might want to consider finding somebody else. Don't let the perfect get in the way of the good. Perfection in a lover often doesn't happen right away: it takes time. If someone seems like a good fit but has some slight imperfections, try to look at the bigger picture. A perfect love can happen between two imperfect people. This advice does not apply to "imperfections" that are in fact abusive or controlling. If your partner tries to hurt, insult, or isolate you from others, that is a relationship dealbreaker. Form a strong friendship bond. When you find a potential partner, concentrate on building a strong friendship with him or her. Do fun activities together, talk to one another about your life goals, learn about each other's interests, and support one another. Couples who value each other's friendship are more successful, romantic, and loving over the long term. Those who form friendship bonds will find that they are also more romantic with one another (even the sex is better!). Put work into the relationship. Even if you meet somebody who seems ideal to you, you both will have to work hard in order to strengthen and grow your relationship so that it lasts. This means that you might have to solve disagreements, put up with one another's annoying habits, and be forgiving of one another. Some of the most important steps to take in order to remain with your soulmate include: Listening actively to your soulmate Forgiving your soulmate for minor mistakes Supporting your soulmate's hobbies and interests Refraining from entering into relationships with other people (if you choose to be in a monogamous relationship) Expressing gratitude to your soulmate Go on a double-date. Going on a double-date with another couple can help keep your own relationship passionate and loving. This effect is especially strong when you and your partner talk about intimate topics with the other couple. Invite two close friends out to dinner or join a meet-up group designed for couples to get acquainted with one another. Let your social network help you and your partner become true soulmates. Spoon after sex. Relationships are happier and more fulfilling when couples take the time to be physically affectionate with one another after sex. If you think you have found your soulmate, be sure that you make time to cuddle, spoon, and have some pillow-talk after sex. This will create a positive feedback loop that will allow your relationship to thrive. Have life goals in mind. It is true that two soulmates can help shape one another's lives and goals. However, it is also important for you to remain true to yourself in life and love. Consider what you desire most in life and whether your potential soulmate can help you achieve these goals. There are some cases when affection is not enough to sustain a relationship or a life: you have to value and share one another's dreams too. Some questions to keep in mind include: How important is my career, and can my partner foster that career? Do I want to have children some day? Does my partner? Where do I see myself in 5 years? 10? 20? Can I envision my partner alongside me? Are my partner and I happy living in the same kinds of cities/towns/regions? If your partner is miserable in the city but you can only live in a bustling metropolis, you might want to rethink things. Avoid relationship cycling. Relationship cycling refers to an ongoing break-up/make-up cycle between partners. These relationships can be very enticing since they are rooted in a combination of familiarity and excitement. However, this excitement--while thrilling--is usually of the negative sort. And studies show that couples who get into a break-up/make-up cycle often have poor results over the long term. Remember that relationship cycling not only wastes valuable time and emotional energy, but it might prevent you from meeting somebody who is a much better fit for you. Pay attention to feelings of calm and comfort. If you have found a soulmate, you will feel peaceful, joyful, and will believe that your relationship is a strong and healthy one. Your soulmate should support you, and you should support your soulmate. If you feel anxious, nervous, or queasy because of your relationship, you might not be in the right relationship for you. Remember that calmness, comfort, and relationship health are more important than drama, nerves, or adrenaline rushes. | Enjoy being single. Cultivate desirable traits in yourself. Keep an open mind. Steer clear of attached persons. Develop your social network. Be friendly. Say yes to blind dates. Know how people flirt. Keep your online dating profile honest but mysterious. Meet people in heart-pounding places. Tell yourself there is not one single person out there for you. Be skeptical of the term "soulmate. Listen to your instincts. Don't let the perfect get in the way of the good. Form a strong friendship bond. Put work into the relationship. Go on a double-date. Spoon after sex. Have life goals in mind. Avoid relationship cycling. Pay attention to feelings of calm and comfort. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Camouflage-Paint | How to Camouflage Paint | To camouflage paint, choose 4-5 matte spray paint colors that match the environment you want to mimic. Next, prime the surface, spray on a base coat of the lightest color, and let it dry. Then, create stencils by tracing irregular blobs on cardboard using shapes and sizes that match the environment. Finally, hold a stencil against the surface and spray paint it with the second lightest color. Continue layering shapes, working from lightest to darkest and letting the paint dry in between each new color. | Choose 4-5 colors that match the surroundings you want to blend into. Consider the environment where you plan on using your camouflage. Pick 4-5 paints that match the color scheme for the area you want to blend in with. If you don't need the camouflage to blend into your surroundings, you can choose any color scheme you want, such as 4-5 shades of pinks or blues. Pick a spray paint meant for the surface you’re painting. Spray paint allows you to use a light coat on your material with a soft edge so it looks more natural. Visit your local paint supply or hardware store for your paints. If you can't use spray paint, acrylic paints with a sponge applicator work fine, but it may give you harder edges. Choose a matte paint if you don’t want a glossy finish. If you plan on painting camouflage for hunting and blending in, avoid using high gloss paints since they'll be more noticeable in the environment. Some brands of spray paint offer specific colors made for camouflaging. If you're only using camouflage as a decoration, you can use a glossy paint if you want. Lay a drop cloth underneath your painting area. Work in a well-ventilated space. Set a painter's drop cloth on the floor so you don't accidentally get paint on a different surface. Make sure the cloth is completely flat so it doesn't create a tripping hazard. Drop cloths can be purchased from your local hardware store. If you don't have a drop cloth, an old bed sheet works as well. Move any objects that you can out of the space so paint doesn't get on them by accident. Cover any areas you don’t want camouflaged with tape. Use masking tape or blue painter's tape to cover any areas you want to preserve. Cut the tape to match the shape of the area if you need to. Overlap each of the pieces of tape by half so paint can't get through the gaps. If you're covering a large area, such as a car windshield, use plastic sheeting and secure the edges with tape. Sand and clean your painting surface. Use a 400-grit sandpaper to scuff your painting surface so the spray paint adheres to the material. Work the sandpaper in small, concentric circles until your entire surface is smooth. When you're finished sanding, use a dry cloth to wipe the surface free of debris. Use a scuff pad instead of sandpaper if you have a softer or more delicate work surface such as thin metal or plastics. You only need to sand plastic if it was previously painted. If you're painting metal, make sure to completely remove any rust. Paint a layer of primer onto your surface and let it dry. Pick an all-purpose primer safe for interior and exterior use. Hold the can of spray bonding primer 12 inches (30 cm) from your painting surface and press the button on top. Move in quick back and forth motions across the surface to coat it in a thin layer. Coat the entire surface you want to camouflage with the primer and let it dry for at least 1 hour. Use spray paint outdoors or work in a well-ventilated area. Apply a base coat of the lightest color you have. Hold the can 12 inches (30 cm) from your paint surface. Work in short back and forth strokes across your work surface. Overlap each stroke by at least half so primer doesn't show through. Continue working across your work surface until it's entirely painted. Let the first coat dry for 1 hour before applying a second coat. Give the base coat of paint at least 1 hour to dry so as not to smear the paint. When adding the second coat, switch the direction in which you apply the paint. For example, if you painted horizontally during your first coat, paint vertically for the second. Let the second coat dry for at least 30 minutes before painting. Trace irregular blob shapes on cardboard or cardstock. Draw a series of amorphous shapes that are about 3–8 in (7.6–20.3 cm) long and 2–5 in (5.1–12.7 cm) wide. Vary the types of shapes and the sizes of each of your stencils. Leave at least 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) between each of your shapes. You can find traceable camo patterns here: https://www.krylon.com/pdf/camouflagestencils.pdf. Use shapes and sizes that match the natural environment that you're trying to blend in with. For example, don't use leaf-shaped patterns if you're making desert camouflage. The size of your shapes depends on the size of your work surface. For example, if you're painting a toy car, make shapes that are about ⁄ 4 – ⁄ 2 in (0.64–1.27 cm) long. Cut the shapes out with a craft knife. Work slowly and carefully around the shapes you drew on the cardboard or cardstock. As you cut out the pieces, save all of the pieces so you can use them later on. Set a cutting board underneath your stencils or use a workbench, or else you'll scratch your table. You can throw out the pieces you cut out since you'll be using the cardboard as a stencil Hold the stencil against your surface to paint the shape. Use the piece of cardboard or cardstock that you cut the shapes from. Hold it or use blue painter's tape to secure it to your work surface. Paint your shapes with the second lightest color so they're about 6 in (15 cm) apart from one another. Rotate your stencils each time you apply them to give your work surface a randomized look. Make sure you only mist a thin layer of paint or else it won't dry as smooth. The distance between shapes will change depending on the size of your work surface. Wait 20 minutes between coats. It's important to let the paint dry between colors or it could smear or end up drippy. After each color, wait at least 20 minutes before moving on to the next one. Continue layering shapes from lightest to darkest color. Switch to the next darkest color and hold your stencil against your work surface. Slightly overlap the stencil over your existing pattern and paint a thin layer on top. Let the paint dry for 20 minutes in between each color so it doesn't smear. Continue painting layers of patterns, working from your lighter to darker colors. Use leaves and branches as stencils to add a more natural look. Pick a few small branches and leaves from plants around your home and wrap them in a bundle with string. Hold the foliage against your work surface and hold your spray paint can 12 inches (30 cm) away. Use your spray paint on the tips of your branches and leaves. When you pull the greenery away from your work surface, there will be negative space resembling the shape of the bundle. Use a variety of plants, such as broad maple leaves or pine needles, to create different textures. It doesn't matter what kinds of leaves or branches you use since camouflage is mostly used to hide the object's original shape. You can use leaves and branches for any color camouflage. Let the paint dry for 1 hour when you’re finished. Once you've finished painting all of your colors, let the final color dry for at least 1 hour before using or moving the object. Once the paint is dry, slowly remove the tape around the unpainted areas. | Choose 4-5 colors that match the surroundings you want to blend into. Pick a spray paint meant for the surface you’re painting. Choose a matte paint if you don’t want a glossy finish. Lay a drop cloth underneath your painting area. Cover any areas you don’t want camouflaged with tape. Sand and clean your painting surface. Paint a layer of primer onto your surface and let it dry. Apply a base coat of the lightest color you have. Let the first coat dry for 1 hour before applying a second coat. Trace irregular blob shapes on cardboard or cardstock. Cut the shapes out with a craft knife. Hold the stencil against your surface to paint the shape. Wait 20 minutes between coats. Continue layering shapes from lightest to darkest color. Use leaves and branches as stencils to add a more natural look. Let the paint dry for 1 hour when you’re finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Massage-a-Horse | How to Massage a Horse | If your horse flinches when saddled, avoids cantering more than usual, or seems to be struggling to coordinate its movements, it may be suffering from a stiff back or sore muscles and could benefit from a massage. To massage your horse, press your palms softly, but firmly, on the muscles along its neck, working your way down to its chest. Since horses instinctually move away from pain, you'll know you've found a tight muscle that needs work if you notice your horse moving away from you when you massage it in a certain spot. You can also try using the effleurage technique, where you stroke your horse's back with your open palm while providing even pressure along its spine. | Calm yourself and your horse. This may not make sense at first but horses are very perceptive when it comes to human emotions. So a calm you equals a calm horse. If you feel agitated, wait to perform the massage at another time. Before you begin to brush your horse, gently rub under his eyes with your index and middle fingers in circular motions. This will gain trust and keep him calm. Palpate for tightness. This is a good move to help loosen up the muscles in the horse's back/spine region. Make sure you position your horse so that the hind foot on the side you are working on is slightly behind the foot on the other side; this will position the muscles properly. Use your palm directly on the muscle, pushing in gently and releasing. Your touch should be soft, but firm. Work your way down the muscles. If the muscle does not give under the pressure of your touch, then it is tight and needs working on. If your horse moves away from you, this probably means that the method is working because horses instinctually move away from pain. So if the muscle is tight and you put pressure on it, this will probably be a little uncomfortable for your horse. Perform compressions to relieve muscle pain. This method is beneficial for spreading out condensed muscle fibers and increasing blood flow in the muscle tissue. Begin in the middle of the horse's back, just behind the withers. Use the open palm of your hand to apply moderate pressure compressions in a rhythmic pumping action. Continue this pattern as you gradually work your way down the length of the muscle towards the back of the horse. Use the effleurage technique. This is a type of gliding stroke typically used down a horse's spine to help massage stiff and sore muscles. Make sure you stand behind the stroke so that you can use your weight to lean into the horse. Take the open palm of your hand (you can use one or both hands at a time) and stroke down the horse's back in a gliding motion. Make sure you lighten the pressure if you go over any bony areas. Add leg massages to your grooming routine. Use a rubber mitt to rhythmically rub the horse's legs, one at a time, while grooming. Move the mitt in a circular motion so that you are really able to get a good massage into the muscles. Make sure you go slowly enough that the massage is effective. If you work too quickly, the end result will just be a superficial rubdown and not a massage that affects the deep tissues of the muscles. If you want to get a deeper massage into a particularly tense area, you can go back over this trouble area using your fingers instead of the rubber mitt. Watch for signs that the horse is uncomfortable (like pulling away from your touch, wide eyes, etc.) as this is probably an indication that the massage is doing its job. Use essential oils. If the massage techniques alone don't seem to be working sufficiently, rub essential oils in sore or stiff spots as well. Use your fingers to gently massage the essential oils into your horse's legs, focusing specifically on the sore spots. Lavender is a good oil to choose for its additional soothing qualities. Repeat regular grooming every day. Maintaining a regular grooming routine will help prevent muscle soreness, especially in the legs. It will also help your horse stay more calm and focused during massage sessions. Don't press too lightly, as horses have much thicker skin than humans. A light brush over will not be as thorough as a vigorous grooming session. Watch for physical symptoms. There are many telltale symptoms of muscle pain in horses. These physical signs include flinching away when you attempt to saddle them, traveling with their head elevated, or trailing their hind end instead of stepping under themselves. These symptoms usually indicate that your horse has some muscle pain and would benefit from a massage. Notice changes in performance. A clear sign that your horse is in need of a massage is when they seem to be performing at a lower level than normal. This can include things like resisting lateral work, cantering less often than usual, or a decrease in coordination. When humans experience a stiff back or sore muscles, they have trouble performing their daily tasks in the same way. Horses are no different. Look for personality alterations. If a horse is in pain, they will usually act differently. Watch for signs in their behavior like resisting being saddled, decreased interest in treats, or lessened interest in activities they normally enjoy. If your horse seems depressed or less interested in things than usual, you should check with a vet to make sure they aren't sick. But also consider that they might need a massage. Get professional help. If you are having trouble giving your horse a massage, you could consider looking into hiring a professional horse masseuse or being trained by one yourself. There are plenty of workshops hosted by professionals in the field to help you get the training you want. These kinds of training seminars are great if you have a horse that is resistant to your basic massage techniques or who seems to flinch away in pain when you attempt to massage it. | Calm yourself and your horse. Palpate for tightness. Perform compressions to relieve muscle pain. Use the effleurage technique. Add leg massages to your grooming routine. Use essential oils. Repeat regular grooming every day. Watch for physical symptoms. Notice changes in performance. Look for personality alterations. Get professional help. |
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