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https://www.wikihow.com/Spin-a-Pencil-Around-Your-Thumb
How to Spin a Pencil Around Your Thumb
If you want to spin a pencil around your finger, hold the pencil in your dominant hand so it's balanced between your index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Your index and middle fingers should be spaced apart by about the width of your thumb. Pull the pencil with your middle finger like you're pulling a trigger, which should cause your pencil to begin turning around your thumb. Roll your wrist to help get the pencil around your thumb, then catch the pencil against your middle finger and spin it again. Keep practicing until it feels natural.
Hold the pencil between your index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Grasp your pencil in your dominant hand - your index and middle finger should be spaced apart from each other by about the width of your thumb. In other words, if the pencil was not there, your thumb should be able to fit comfortably between your index and middle fingers. Opinions vary about which part of your pencil you should grip. Some prefer to grip the pencil in the middle, near its center of gravity, while others like to center their grip at the end of the pencil. It's up to you - experiment to see which you find easier. Pull with your middle finger like a trigger. In this trick, your middle finger provides most of the energy for spinning the pencil. Gripping the pencil between your thumb, index, and middle fingers as described above, pull or flick your middle finger inwards as if you were pulling the trigger of a gun. Ideally, this will cause your pencil to begin turning around your thumb. If you're having trouble getting the pencil around your thumb, re-examine your grip - if your middle finger and thumb are aligned too closely to each other, you may be pulling the pencil into your thumb, rather than around it. It's tricky to find the perfect amount of force with which to move your middle finger. Too much force will cause the pencil to go flying, but if you use too little force, the pencil won't make it all the way around your thumb. Practice makes perfect - with time, you'll develop a sense of how much force makes your pencil spin "just right". Roll your wrist to help get the pencil around your thumb. Beginners usually experience trouble spinning pencils at the outset. Often, they have difficulty getting the pencil to turn completely around the thumb. To make this easier, try rolling your wrist as you pull with your middle finger. Gently turn your wrist (as if you were turning a doorknob) away from your body as you make your "pull". This imparts added momentum on the pencil, and, as an added benefit, helps to keep your fingers out of the path of the spinning pencil. Move your fingers out of the way so they don't block the pencil's spin. When you're learning how to spin a pencil, it's important to be conscious of the positions of your fingers after the initial "pull" from your middle finger. One common mistake among beginners is to unknowingly obstruct the path of the spinning pencil with their index or middle finger. There are several techniques for keeping your fingers out of the way - two are listed below: After the initial "pull", tuck both your index and middle fingers in so that they are under the joint of your thumb. The pencil should spin around your thumb above your fingers. Simultaneously fold your middle finger in at the joint closest to your hand and extend your index finger as far as it goes. Your middle finger should end up resting with the inside of its last joint on the thumb. The spinning pencil should miss your extended index finger. Catch the pencil. The most impressive part of spinning a pencil isn't necessarily the spinning pencil itself - it's the fact that the person spinning the pencil is able to effortlessly catch the pencil and repeat the trick over and over. Once you've gotten the hang of spinning your pencil, work on "catching" the pencil without fumbling it. After one turn, angle the spin of your pencil into the side of your middle finger. As it makes contact with your middle finger, use your thumb and index finger to support the pencil from opposite sides. Practice, practice, practice. The act of spinning a pencil will undoubtedly feel awkward at first. However, like any feat of dexterity (such as riding a bike or performing a sleight-of-hand trick), with time, the motions involved in this trick will become so natural that it will be difficult to spin the pencil incorrectly. As you practice, experiment with different grips, techniques and angles until you find the perfect combination. For added practice, once you've mastered this trick in your dominant hand, try using your non-dominant one!
Hold the pencil between your index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Pull with your middle finger like a trigger. Roll your wrist to help get the pencil around your thumb. Move your fingers out of the way so they don't block the pencil's spin. Catch the pencil. Practice, practice, practice.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Vinyl-Fence
How to Clean a Vinyl Fence
Vinyl fences can become dirty somewhat quickly, but fortunately, you can easily clean yours with some dish detergent or vinegar. Before you clean your fence, fill a bucket with 2 gallons of water. Then, add in either 1 cup of vinegar or a few tablespoons of dish soap. Dip a rag in the cleaning solution and thoroughly wipe down your fence. If there are any extra dirty spots, use a bristled brush to scrub those clean. Once you're done wiping the fence, use a hose to rinse it with clean water. If you still have stains on your fence, you can use a commercial cleaner, like a vinyl fence solvent, to remove them.
Choose between vinegar and detergent. There are a wide variety of cleaning products you can use to help clean your vinyl fence. Two of the easiest to use, though, are vinegar and household dish detergent. Both are effective, cheap, and safe to use. Vinegar is a great natural product that you may already have at home. Mild dish detergents, like Dawn, will help cut through mildew, dirt, and more. Create your cleaning solution. After you've decided which cleaning agent you want to use, you'll need to mix it with water to create your cleaning solution. If you choose vinegar, take 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar and add it to 2 gallons (7.57 L) of water. If you choose dish detergent, take several tablespoons of detergent (depending on the brand) and add it to 2 gallons (7.57 L) of water. Wipe down your fence. Take a rag or other cloth and soak it in your solution. Use it to wipe down your fence. Make sure you wipe down your fence good and get as much dirt and grime off as possible. Go back and forth or in a swirl-like fashion to make sure you properly clean every portion of the fence. Make sure you have enough clean rags, so you can switch dirty ones out for clean ones as you need. You may want to use a bristled brush to scrub extra dirty sections of the fence. Consider using an extra bucket full of water to rinse your rag after you wipe down a section of the fence. Rinse your fence. Use a hose with a sprayer nozzle to rinse your fence. Start at the top and move horizontally across and allow the water to wash debris downward. Slowly move down the fence, continuing to move in a horizontal direction. Without rinsing your fence, your cleaning solution and other dirt will set and your fence won't appear clean. Use a specialized solvent. If you've cleaned your fence with vinegar or detergent and it still appears dirty, you may need to try a specialized cleaning solvent. Some solvents are formulated to help remove dirt and grime from vinyl fences. Visit your local home improvement store and look for products specially formulated to clean vinyl siding and vinyl fences. Specialized solvents may come in their own spray bottles or you may need to pour them into a garden sprayer or similar device. Spray a bleach solution on your fence. If you've used another method and still have trouble cleaning your vinyl fence, you may want to consider a bleach solution. Mix 1/3 cup (80 ml) of laundry detergent, 1 quart (.94 l) of bleach, and 1 gallon (3.78 l) of water. Pour the solution into a garden sprayer and spray down your fence. Avoid using this mixture on non-white vinyl. Try high pressure water. If other methods have failed, you may want to consider using a pressure washer to clean your vinyl fence. High pressure water will help dislodge gunk, debris, or stains. Rent or purchase a pressure cleaner at a local home improvement box store or hardware store. Try using high pressure water without chemicals first. If you need to use chemicals, the pressure cleaner may have a small tank where you can pour a chemical solution. The pressure cleaner will automatically mix the chemical with the water as you spray it. Use different methods and repeat as necessary. If you've tried one method to clean your vinyl and it still appears dirty, you may need to repeat or try another method of cleaning. Ultimately, vinyl fences exposed to the elements will collect a lot of dirt and may require substantial time to clean. Don't be afraid to try several methods. You may need to use one method a couple of times to get the desired effect. Rinse down the area. Rinse the area until there is no chemical smell. In addition, spray the area until you don't see any visible indications of chemicals, such as suds. If you use a well or are in area with a shallow aquifer, you should avoid using petrochemical cleaners. Read the directions of chemical products. Before using any chemical product, you need to read the directions carefully. This is important, as different products will require you to take different safety precautions. Different products will require you to dilute them to a certain level. Follow directions about specialized safety equipment. For example, if a product recommends you use safety goggles, you should do so. Avoid letting animals or small children play around the area. This is important, as animals or small children may unwittingly expose themselves to toxic cleaning agents. Keep dogs or other animals in the house or in a part of your yard that is separated from the fence for several hours. Don't allow small children to play near the fence until the ground has dried.
Choose between vinegar and detergent. Create your cleaning solution. Wipe down your fence. Rinse your fence. Use a specialized solvent. Spray a bleach solution on your fence. Try high pressure water. Use different methods and repeat as necessary. Rinse down the area. Read the directions of chemical products. Avoid letting animals or small children play around the area.
https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Feminism
How to Understand Feminism
To understand feminism, spend time learning about important terms in feminism so you'll understand what you're reading. For example, the term “patriarchy” refers to a society in which men are given more power than women, and “intersectionality” means that feminism often deals with overlapping issues, like race, LGBTQIA identities, religion, poverty, and more. Additionally, learn more about feminism by reading books by notable feminists like bell hooks or Judith Butler, and joining websites which host feminist discussions, including Everyday Feminism and Jezebel.
Start off with basic feminist literature. Feminists are a diverse group, from the accessible and personable bell hooks to the sharp-witted academic Judith Butler. Try checking out basic feminist books from the library or reading Feminism 101 articles. Much of feminist thought takes place at a college level. However, there are some websites written at plainer language if you are young or intellectually disabled and interested in feminism. Read from a variety of writers. You may find a writer or two whose works you hold particularly close to your heart. This is great. However, it's important to remember to step out of your comfort zone. In order to be a feminist, you must challenge yourself and listen to many different perspectives. Delve into the feminist community online. Feminists are gathering in bigger numbers on the internet, where it is (usually) safer and they can find others who aren't afraid to speak up. Websites such as Tumblr, Everyday Feminism, Jezebel, and others often host feminist discussions. Be careful of trolls and harassers. Feminism has a significant backlash, and prominent feminists may be targeted. Get a strong support system and call the police if threats are made against you or you feel unsafe. Internet feminist culture has had issues of ableism , bullying, and antisemitism. Be aware of these issues and don't be afraid to call someone out if they are doing something problematic. Learn some terminology. The feminist community, like all communities, has its unique vocabulary and norms. While it would be impractical to list all words right here, here are a few examples: Patriarchy —a society in which men are given more power than women, masculinity is seen superior to femininity, and rigid gender roles are enforced (to the detriment of everyone). Rape Culture —a culture in which rape is normalized or dismissed. Nice Guy (TM) —a man who acts nice in the hopes that a woman will reward him with sex, and may respond with anger or violence if she does not. Distinct from ordinary nice guys. Cisgender —a person who is not transgender; their gender identity matches their biological sex. Look into intersectional issues. Feminism is about helping all women (and all people), which includes women of color, LGBTQIA women, disabled women, large women, poor women, and women who belong to religious minorities. As you research, make sure to listen to the voices of women who lack privilege in areas besides gender. Men and nonbinary people may write articles about other axes of oppression. Don't feel like you need to limit yourself to only female writers! Be prepared to learn. Feminists are constantly challenging and critiquing ideas. In order to move past prejudice, one must be willing to put aside one's ego and not take criticism personally. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Listen when you are called out, understand why that particular action was wrong, apologize, and work to do better next time. If you can do this, then you're doing great. Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes. Learn from them, and move on. You did the best you could do at the time. Discard the stereotypes you've heard. Feminism is not a club of bra-burning, hairy, masculine lesbians with short hair. Feminism encompasses all sorts of women—from feminine homemakers to business executives to disabled writers to charming lesbians. Some feminists are fat, hairy, short-haired, masculine, and gay. According to feminism, these women are okay too. There is no wrong way to be a woman. Feminists did publicly throw bras into trash bins during the Second Wave, but bra-burning is a myth. Realize that feminism is not about the disempowerment of men. In fact, feminists have called for support for male rape victims, the breaking down of rigid gender roles that hurt men, an end to routine infant circumcision, and intersectional rights (race, disability, size, LGBTQIA status) that all affect men. Feminism does not seek to do to men what patriarchy has done to women. Many goals of feminism, like breaking gender roles and fighting bullying, will also help men. The only men who will be hurt by feminism are the men whose livelihoods depended on the oppression of women. If you're an ordinary good man, you'll have some learning to do, but nobody wants to ruin your life. Don't confuse feminism in general with basic white feminism. Feminism is not limited to white, middle-class and upper-class working women. Homemakers, sanitation workers, minimum-wage factory workers, secretaries, daycare workers, unemployed women, et cetera are all welcome in feminism. Feminism advocates respect of women of all walks of life, because women should be able to choose whatever path suits them and their priorities best. Do not tear down other women in the name of feminism. Feminism holds that all women deserve equal rights, not just the "correct" type of women. It is not about women distancing themselves from femininity to seem superior as individuals. In feminist belief systems, femininity and feminized things (e.g. feminized jobs) should not be seen as lesser. The phrase "I'm not like other girls" is a key example of what feminism is not, because it implies that "other girls" are inferior and less worthy of respect. Women should be able to like pink, manicures, pop music, etc. if they choose. There is nothing inherently inferior about this. Calling other women "sl*ts" and "b**ches" is not feminism. Insulting women who are less intelligent or less educated is not feminism. Throwing mentally ill women, fat women, lesbians, etc. under the bus is not feminism. Learn that feminism is not a monolith. It has different sects that hold different beliefs. (Even within sects, different feminists have different opinions.) Here are a few of the sects that are often mentioned: White Feminism —a sect that focuses on white women, ignoring or even speaking over women of color. (Not all white women who are feminists are White Feminists.) Sex Work Inclusive Feminism —a group that believes people who voluntarily perform sex acts for money should be respected and kept safe, and that sex work should be decriminalized. (They do not support sex trafficking, which is done against the victims' will.) Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism —a sect that believes transgender women are men who intend to invade women's safe spaces (among other things). Its adherents are often called TERFs. Sex Positive/Sex Critical —feminists who believe that female sexuality should be de-stigmatized and celebrated, versus those who voice concerns over male/female power dynamics in relationships. Recognize that feminism is not about hating men. Studies have shown that feminists actually feel less hostile towards men than non-feminist women do. Plenty of feminists are married to men, and/or could name several men they care about in their lives. Feminist values such as consent also apply to men. Some feminists believe that men can be feminists, while others are concerned that male feminists will try to take over the movement. Some men prefer to identify as "feminist allies" to be clear that they're only here to help. Men have male privilege. Having privilege is not equal to being evil or all-powerful. You may run across misandry jokes. These are humor attempts, in which feminists satirically say the same horrible things about men that society says about women. Satire means that they do not actually hold these beliefs. No reasonable person actually wants to "kill all men." "Not all men are/do X" is an obvious statement. When feminists say "I hate when men do ______," their intent is to spark discussion, and make men think about whether they do that thing. The men who do it can rethink their actions and do better, and the men who don't do it can nod intelligently and keep moving. Realize that feminism is more than "girl power" or "hey, it'd be cool to be equal to men. " Feminists seek to dismantle all systems of oppression—not just patriarchy like their name suggests, but also systematic racism, heterosexism, ableism, and more. It covers issues from rape culture to income inequality. In the eyes of a feminist, every human has human dignity, and deserves the same freedoms and opportunities in life. "Girl power" ignores the idea that women can do bad things too. Equality to men is an impractical idea—which men should women be equal to? White heterosexual men? Black autistic men? Fat transgender men? Not all men are equally privileged. Observe how feminism encompasses injustice of all forms and mutations. It supports everyone from the rape victim to the woman whose bottom is pinched by a coworker, from the teenage wife to the gamer who is frustrated at seeing characters of her gender seen like objects. The existence of larger problems does not invalidate the smaller problems. Recognize that feminism holds that all people deserve to be treated with basic human decency. They should not need to dress a certain way, lose a certain amount of pounds, hide signs of their religion or disability, or straighten their hair in order to be treated with basic respect. Basic respect means (among other things) freedom to walk around without stares of disgust or rude remarks, human rights such as effective healthcare, equal opportunity, and not fearing for their safety or lives because of their gender/race/gender identity/etc. Recognize the importance of consent in feminist beliefs. Feminists believe that no one's bodily autonomy should be violated. This is very clear in their stance on sex and sexual assault, but also in a number of things in everyday life. In feminism, consent has no exceptions. Most feminists are pro-choice because a fetus is using a pregnant person's body (causing things like vomiting and serious financial expense), and it thus it should be removed if the pregnant person no longer consents to its use of their body. Feminists usually oppose the draft and routine infant circumcision, because men did not consent to the draft, nor can infants consent to an unnecessary operation. Understand feminism's stance on the female body. Feminists believe that women's bodies are about more than sex and beauty. They dislike the treatment of women as sexy objects in advertising, movies, video games, and other areas. They are critical of the beauty industry that tells women that they need to meet a nearly impossible standard in order to feel happy and desirable. Some feminists rebel against toxic beauty culture by deliberately choosing not to follow it (e.g. not shaving, wearing little or no makeup, accepting body fat). Others prefer to dress up according to beauty norms. Neither preference makes a woman a bad feminist. Some women protest the idea that the female body (especially cis women's breasts) is inherently sexual. They believe that women should be able to breastfeed in public without people ascribing sexual meaning to it, and go topless in the heat like men can. Recognize that feminism is intersectional. It encompasses more than sexism—it also addresses issues of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, size, religion, and more. This is because feminism is for all women, not just the straight white able-bodied etc. women. The need for feminism will disappear when all forms of oppression no longer exist.
Start off with basic feminist literature. Read from a variety of writers. Delve into the feminist community online. Learn some terminology. Look into intersectional issues. Be prepared to learn. Discard the stereotypes you've heard. Realize that feminism is not about the disempowerment of men. Don't confuse feminism in general with basic white feminism. Do not tear down other women in the name of feminism. Learn that feminism is not a monolith. Recognize that feminism is not about hating men. Realize that feminism is more than "girl power" or "hey, it'd be cool to be equal to men. Observe how feminism encompasses injustice of all forms and mutations. Recognize that feminism holds that all people deserve to be treated with basic human decency. Recognize the importance of consent in feminist beliefs. Understand feminism's stance on the female body. Recognize that feminism is intersectional.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Back-in-Shape
How to Get Back in Shape
If you're ready to get back in shape, start slowly with brisk walking, jogging, and stretching. Next, add other activities like strength training, cycling, and swimming to your exercise routine, increasing your intensity levels gradually to prevent injury. Remember to warm up and cool down after every workout session! To stay motivated, set clear goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.
Walk briskly for 20 to 30 minutes per day. Walking is a good beginner's activity if you're just starting to get back into shape. Try walking at a lighter pace for about 5 minutes to increase your heart rate. Quicken your pace, try to walk briskly for 20 minutes, then cool down by walking for another 5 minutes at a light pace. Try to slowly increase your pace and distance with each session. Aim to walk for at least 20 or 30 minutes a day for 1 or 2 weeks, then start adding other activities to your routine. You could also add light to moderate weights to gradually increase intensity. While you walk, wear a backpack with weights, a weighted walk vest, or ankle and wrist weights, or hold a dumbbell in each hand. It's okay if you can't walk briskly for 20 or 30 minutes without stopping. If necessary, keep your pace light and walk for 10 minutes or so at a time. Try activities such as jogging, cycling, swimming, and hiking. Once you've started to get your body used to being active, try doing more varied, challenging activities. Jogging, riding your bike, using a treadmill or stationary bike, and swimming laps are all good forms of aerobic exercise and can add variety to your exercise plan. For any activity, remember to go easy at first and gradually increase your intensity. For instance, try cycling at about 10 mph (16 kph) for 5 minutes, increase your speed to 12 mph (19 kph) for 5 minutes, top off at 15 mph (24 kph) for 5 minutes, then cool down at 10 mph (16 kph) for 5 minutes. The next week, increase your speed at each interval by about 2 mph (3 kph) and cycle at faster speeds for 2 to 5 minutes longer. Then continue to increase your speed and time gradually each week. Add 1 to 2 days of strength training to your routine. For a basic upper body strength training workout, try doing 12 to 15 push-ups and pull-ups, and 2 to 3 reps of 30-second planks. Lower body exercises include squats, lunges , and hamstring curls. You can also try lifting free weights or using resistance machines at a gym. For each strength training exercise, just do 1 set of 12 to 15 reps at first, then try doing 2 sets of 8 to 10 reps. Each week, add 1 to 2 reps to each set. If you're lifting, increase your weights by no more than 5% every 1 to 2 weeks. Find ways to make routine tasks more active if your schedule is packed. If you're struggling to squeeze exercise into a busy schedule, there are plenty of solutions at your disposal. For instance, you could go for a walk on your lunch break, take the stairs at work or school, do squats while cooking dinner, and park far away from the entrance of the grocery store. Instead of driving, try to ride a bike or walk whenever possible. If, for instance, work is too far away to ride your bike or walk the whole way, you could also combine walking or cycling with public transportation. If you have kids, trade babysitting duties with another parent. They could watch the kids while you hit the gym, then you could return the favor later in the week. Fitting in the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day is tough if you're always busy. However, keep in mind you can break that up into smaller increments. Exercising for 10 minutes 3 times a day still counts! Build your flexibility with light stretching. It's best to do flexibility exercises when your muscles are warm, so stretch after a workout. Breathe while you stretch, use smooth motions instead of bouncing, and stop stretching if it's painful. Try basic stretches, such as: Calf stretch: Stand with your palms against a wall and step forward with your right foot. Keep your left leg extended, and bend your right knee until you feel a stretch in your left calf. Exhale as you hold the stretch for 30 seconds, and do 3 to 5 reps per leg. Thigh stretch: Using a chair for support, raise your left foot toward your rear end, and grasp it with your left hand. Gently pull until you feel a stretch in your left thigh, hold it for 30 seconds, then repeat 3 to 5 times per leg. Upper body stretch: Stand slightly farther than arm's length from a wall. Place your palms against the wall, then walk them upward until your arms are above your head and you feel a stretch your chest. Hold it for 30 seconds, then repeat 3 to 5 times. Exercise for gradually longer than 30 minutes per day. Getting the recommended minimum 30 minutes of daily exercise is a good initial goal. However, as you get back into shape, aim to push yourself beyond that minimum. Bit by bit, make your workouts longer and more challenging and push yourself to achieve new fitness goals. For instance, add 5 to 10 minutes to your walks, runs, and cycling sessions each week. Try to eventually get at least 300 minutes of exercise per week, or 45 to 60 minutes per day. Remember to talk to your doctor about increasing your activity level, especially if you have a history of medical issues. Write down your exercise plan and goals. Put your plans on paper and post them in a prominent place. List your workout days and the activities you plan on doing in your agenda, on a calendar, or on a poster. Writing your goals or pasting images that represent them on a vision board can also inspire you to stay committed. Identify exercises and activities that you enjoy most. You're more likely to stick with your fitness plan if you make exercise fun. Maintain a positive attitude and do activities that you enjoy. Try not to see exercise as a chore, duty, or source of stress. For instance, if you love fresh air and nature, go for hikes or take up rock climbing. If you love spending time with your dog, go for daily brisk walks or jogs together. If you're a music aficionado, play your favorite fast-paced tunes during your workouts. Exercise with a friend or join a class to hold yourself accountable. Find an exercise buddy and hit the gym, go for runs, or ride your bikes together. Make a pact to hold each other accountable, and offer each other encouragement when the going gets tough. You could also sign up for a team sport, like a local kickball league, or take a group class, such as a yoga , Pilates, or spin class. If you have a partner or kids, you could also get more active as a family. Go for walks, bike rides, and hikes together, or head to the park for weekend field days. Reward yourself for staying on track. Give yourself rewards for both major and minor accomplishments. Try to think of a variety of small and large rewards that will provide motivation. For instance, if you've stuck to your exercise routine for 2 weeks straight, you could treat yourself to a new article of clothing, accessory, or workout gear. Try not to choose counterproductive rewards. For instance, skipping workouts for a week wouldn't make a good reward since it would get in the way of your progress. Mix up your routine to keep things interesting. Establishing a routine can help you build healthy habits, but things can get boring if your schedule is too strict. Do a variety of activities instead of sticking to the same exact fitness plan week after week. If your results have stalled or things start feeling stale, take up a new fitness-related activity. For instance, you could switch things up and take a dance, rock climbing, or martial arts class. You could also mix things up by setting a new fitness goal, such as running in a long-distance race or climbing a difficult mountain. Don't let roadblocks or setbacks discourage you. No one's perfect, and sickness, vacations, and hectic weeks at work will happen. It's okay if you miss a workout or start to lose focus. However, don't be hard on yourself, do your best to stay positive, and remind yourself that your goals are important. If you're feeling down, you could also reach out to a supportive friend or relative for a pep talk. Additionally, don't allow obstacles to become excuses. For instance, if it's pouring outside and you can't go for a walk, head to a mall and walk laps indoors. Start and progress slowly if you're not used to being active. Even if you used to be in great shape but haven't been active in a few months, you can't just resume exercising at the same intensity level. To avoid injury, ease yourself in with flexibility training and walking for 1 to 2 weeks, then gradually add more strenuous exercises to your routine. Your strength and endurance can diminish by 50% or more after 4 months without exercise. However, don't feel discouraged! You'll get back into shape before you know it! Warm up and cool down before and after exercising. Before your workouts, walk at a steady pace for 5 to 10 minutes to increase blood flow to your muscles. After working out, walk for another 5 to 10 minutes to ease your body back into a resting state. Be sure to warm up before any form of exercise, including stretching. Working out or stretching cold muscles can lead to injury. Cooling down flushes wastes from your muscles produced during exercise, which helps prevent cramps. Include a recovery day between workouts. Your body needs time to rest, so avoid targeting the same muscle group 2 days in a row. For instance, go for a run on Monday, do upper body strength training on Tuesday, and ride your bike on Wednesday. Rest a muscle group after a moderate or high intensity workout, but don't feel like you can't go for a walk 2 days in a row. Listen to your body, and avoid exercising if you're in pain. Consult a fitness professional or physical therapist about proper form. If you're new to lifting, running, and other forms of strenuous exercise, it's wise to seek advice about correct technique from a physical therapist. Hiring a trainer, working with a gym instructor, or enrolling in a class could also help you learn proper form. When you're lifting or stretching, always use smooth, steady motions, and keep breathing while you complete a rep. Never use bouncing or jerking motions or try to extend past your natural range of motion. Additionally, ask your doctor about particular exercises you should do and which you should avoid given your condition. Don't rely on the advice of a personal trainer or other fitness professional instead of talking to your doctor.
Walk briskly for 20 to 30 minutes per day. Try activities such as jogging, cycling, swimming, and hiking. Add 1 to 2 days of strength training to your routine. Find ways to make routine tasks more active if your schedule is packed. Build your flexibility with light stretching. Exercise for gradually longer than 30 minutes per day. Write down your exercise plan and goals. Identify exercises and activities that you enjoy most. Exercise with a friend or join a class to hold yourself accountable. Reward yourself for staying on track. Mix up your routine to keep things interesting. Don't let roadblocks or setbacks discourage you. Start and progress slowly if you're not used to being active. Warm up and cool down before and after exercising. Include a recovery day between workouts. Consult a fitness professional or physical therapist about proper form.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Money-Tree
How to Make a Money Tree
To make a money tree for a wedding, place a tree branch into a sturdy base, like a clay pot, and fill the base with stones. Next, decorate the branch and add clips for the guests to attach their money envelopes. Then, add a poem or a verse near the base of the tree to make it clear what the tree is for. Finally, place the tree near other gifts, but make sure you don't make it the center of attention, since adding money to the tree is optional.
Fold in both sides of a dollar bill, leaving a small gap. Place a dollar bill face-up on a flat surface. Grab the left side of the bill and fold into the center, creasing it along the leftmost edge of the center portrait. Repeat the same process with the right side of your dollar bill. Try to keep both folds equal, so your money flower will look consistent and smooth. If possible, use fresh dollar bills for this project—old money will be wrinkly and more tricky to crease and fold. There should be about 1 to 1 ⁄ 2 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) of space between the edges of both folds. Fold all 4 corners into a triangle. Grab each corner and fold it forward into a smaller triangle. Note that each side of the dollar bill will now resemble a larger triangle and have a pointed edge. At this point, the portrait in the center of your dollar bill will still be visible. Crease the folded dollar in half lengthwise to make a trapezoid. Pinch both sides of the folded dollar bill together to make a long, horizontal fold. At this point, your dollar bill will look like a long trapezoid. Create 2 more folded dollar bills to serve as the flower petals. Repeat the folding process again until you have 3 folded trapezoids. Note that each dollar bill will create 2 petals, which will allow you to make a flower with 6 petals total. It's okay if the folds aren't perfect on your first go around! The more you fold, the better you'll get! Stack your folded bills and tie them together. Loop a thin, 8 in (20 cm) section of wire in half around the center of your folded money. Twist the wire around itself to hold the dollar bills together securely. The extra wire will help attach the flower to the tree. If you're planning on making multiple money flowers, cut several 8 in (20 cm) sections of wire with a pair of wire cutters. Expand the folds so they resemble open flower petals. Pinch and open all 6 folded ends of the dollar bill. Try to expand the petals as much as you can until the edges are touching. At this point, your dollar bill will look like a flower blossom with 6 petals. Create a fake “tree” with a branch, some plaster, and a tin can. Mix 2 cups (400 g) of plaster powder with 1  c (240 mL) of water until it forms a thick mixture, then pour the plaster into the empty can. Place the thickest end of a real or fake tree branch in the middle of the plaster and hold it in place. Wait a few minutes for the plaster to harden—at this point, feel free to let go of the stick and wait for the plaster to dry completely. For more specific guidance, double-check the label on your plaster container. Try to leave 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of empty space between the plaster and the rim of the can. Ideally, look for a branch that's at least 18 in (46 cm) and has a lot of offshoots, which you can use to hang up the money flowers. Cover the base of the fake tree with paper and chocolate coins. Pick up the plaster-filled can and transfer it to a colorful vase, bucket, planter, or other type of container. Crumple up some old packing paper and arrange it on top of the dried plaster, so it looks like your money tree is planted in real soil. As a finishing touch, layer chocolate coins in a thick layer on top of the crumpled paper. You can find chocolate coins at most candy or grocery stores. Glue your money flowers onto the branch offshoots. Flip your flower over so the bottom side faces up. Place a dot of hot glue on the point where all 3 dollar bills intersect, then press the blossom in place onto 1 of the branch's offshoots. Wait several seconds for the glue to dry, then let go of the flower. For extra security, twist the flower wire around the offshoot, which will provide extra support. Dig up a shiny spot of land on your island. Walk around your entire island and look for a small, glowing spot on the ground. Press the arrow buttons on your console to equip your shovel, then use this tool to dig at the site of the glowing spot. It may take you a few minutes to find the glowing spot. The game will spawn 1 glowing spot per day, which gives you a daily opportunity to grow a money tree. Bury up to 99,000 Bells in the glowing hole. Open up your inventory and select a bag of Bells. Select the “bury” option, and watch as your villager buries the Bells with shovel. At this point, a tiny sapling will appear in the ground! If you don't have any Bells in your bag, select the button in your inventory that displays how much in-game money you have. Once you do this, a menu will pop up that will let you transfer large amounts of Bells to your inventory. You can use your shovel to dig up the sapling and plant it elsewhere, if you'd like. The item will register in your inventory as a “nursery money tree.” Wait multiple in-game days for your money tree to grow. Keep in mind that Animal Crossing games are played in real time, so you'll have to wait at least 3 whole days before your money tree starts to grow. If you'd like to speed up the process, go to your console's “time and date” settings and change the time, which will trick your game into thinking several days have passed. Shake the tree once you see Bell bags appear in the branches. Check on your growing money tree each day and see how much it's grown. Within a week, you'll see 3 bags of Bells growing from the branches. The total Bell yield will depend on how many Bells you planted originally, so don't be disappointed if you don't get as much currency as you expected. You can plant a new money tree each day, so there are plenty of opportunities to try again! Use caution when inviting strangers over to your islands. Some players may be inconsiderate and try to steal the Bells off your money tree.
Fold in both sides of a dollar bill, leaving a small gap. Fold all 4 corners into a triangle. Crease the folded dollar in half lengthwise to make a trapezoid. Create 2 more folded dollar bills to serve as the flower petals. Stack your folded bills and tie them together. Expand the folds so they resemble open flower petals. Create a fake “tree” with a branch, some plaster, and a tin can. Cover the base of the fake tree with paper and chocolate coins. Glue your money flowers onto the branch offshoots. Dig up a shiny spot of land on your island. Bury up to 99,000 Bells in the glowing hole. Wait multiple in-game days for your money tree to grow. Shake the tree once you see Bell bags appear in the branches.
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Door-Frame
How to Paint a Door Frame
Before you paint a door frame, remove the door from its hinges and sand down the frame using a high grade sandpaper. Then, use a paintbrush to paint the frame with a latex-based paint, which will make the frame stand out against the walls. Begin painting in the upper inside corner of the frame and work downwards in long strokes. Next, move on to finish the jams and paint along the top. If you need to apply a second coat of paint, let the first coat dry before doing so.
Take the door off the hinges. Take hold of the door from either side and lift up on it forcefully to slide it free from the attached wall hinges. Set the door aside where it won't be at risk of being damaged or getting paint on it. If you plan on painting the door the same color as the frame, simply leave it where it is. Cover the door with a sheet of plastic if you can't remove it. Drape the plastic over the top of the door and smooth it out to eliminate all wrinkles and folds. Leave the door propped open all the way to expose as much of the frame as possible. Make sure the sheet you're using is long enough to reach all the way to the floor. It's usually okay to paint around doors that are particularly heavy or have complicated hinging systems, as long as you're careful. Put down a protective covering over the floor of your workspace. A plastic or canvas dropcloth will work best, as you'll be able to position it exactly where you need it. Arrange the covering so that it skirts either side of the door frame. No part of the underlying floor should be exposed. A few sheets of newspaper can also serve as a makeshift floor cover if you don't have anything more durable on hand. If you're worried about paint bleeding through, use a second dropcloth or slide a layer of thick cardboard beneath the one you already have in place. Line the area around the door with painter's tape. Be sure to apply the tape not just to the wall, but to all exposed hinges and latches, as well. Painter's tape will enable you to work freely without having to worry about paint ending up where it doesn't belong. Purchase a 3-4 inch (7.6-10.2 cm) roll of painter's tape if you're worried about making a mess. The wider the tape, the more room for error you'll have. Make any necessary repairs to the frame itself. Older door frames that have seen a lot of use may need a little restoration in order to look their best. Fill small chips and gouges with wood putty or spackling, and use a line of caulk to seal gaps between the frame and the wall. Consider replacing any sections that are loose or broken. Painting over a damaged door frame will only change its color, not its general condition. Clean the door frame with grease-cutting soap. Fill a small bucket with soapy water and use a sponge to scrub the frame from top to bottom. A thorough cleaning will help lift away any lingering dirt or stains that might show through or prevent the new coat of paint from taking hold. For best results, use a non-sudsy detergent like Dirtex or Spic & Span that won't leave behind a sticky residue. Rinse the frame with a damp cloth or sponge when you're finished cleaning to remove all traces of detergent. Pat the frame dry with a clean towel. Be sure to go over every part of the frame where you'll be applying paint. When you're done, perform a quick touch test to make sure you haven't missed any wet spots. The frame needs to be completely dry before you move on to sanding. A microfiber towel will be your best bet if you want to work quickly, as they absorb more moisture than regular cotton towels. Sand the entire frame with a high-grit sandpaper. Run the sandpaper lightly over the surface of the frame on all sides. There's no need to be too forceful—the idea is not to actually take off the existing paint, but just to scuff it up enough for the new color to stick. A frame that's already been painted should have a dull appearance by the time you're finished. Unpainted door frames won't typically require sanding. However, giving them a few light sweeps may help improve the paint's ability to adhere. Use 100-grit sandpaper or higher to avoid scraping up the wood underneath the paint. A sanding block with squared edges can come in handy for getting into cracks and crevices that are inaccessible with an ordinary square of sandpaper. Wipe the frame clean with a damp cloth. Go over the frame one more time to pick up any dust or debris generated by sanding. If left behind, it could interfere with the adhesion of the new paint. Once you've got the frame looking spotless, allow it to dry to the touch. You could also use a clean brush or shop vacuum to remove heavier dust deposits prior to the final wipedown. Pick out a semi-gloss paint in the desired shade. Select a latex-based interior paint designed specifically for use on trim. The slight sheen provided by a glossier paint will better showcase the updated frame by helping it stand out from the walls. If the door frame you're painting opens to the outside, go with an exterior trim paint instead. Latex-based paints are also easier to maintain than matte and eggshell paints. A quick wipedown with a damp cloth every 2-3 months will ordinarily be enough to keep them clean. Use a handheld brush. You'll be able to paint with greater precision and efficiency with a brush than with a roller, which is best reserved for broad, flat surfaces. Many home improvement experts recommend using a brush with an angled tip to make it easier to work the new color into tight spaces. In order to achieve the cleanest finish, a good rule of thumb is to use a brush no wider than the surface you're painting. Holding your brush by the metal band just beneath the bristles rather than lower down on the handle will give you even more control over your paint placement. Start painting in the upper inside corner of the frame. Angle the tip of your brush so that it's aligned with the corner and begin moving down the frame with long, sweeping strokes. Continue painting until you reach the bottom of the interior surface, then repeat on the opposite side. To prevent excess paint from globbing in the corners, work the paint in using the tip of your brush, then gently feather it back out again. Painting with a linear up-and-down motion makes it possible to cover more surface area and use less paint than brushing back and forth widthwise. Work your way to the outside of the frame. After coating the inside of the frame, move outward and paint the jambs, or the outer face that's visible when the door is closed. Once again, go from top to bottom, aiming for full coverage. Don't forget to do both sides. Overlap your strokes by 0.5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) to avoid leaving seams or thin patches. Keep an eye out for missed spots, as these may be noticeable to those passing through the door frame. Paint across the top of the frame. Drag your brush from one end of the frame to the other overhead. Be careful not to apply the paint too thick while painting the top of the frame, or it could drip down on you. When painting tall door frames with a high clearance, pull up a stepladder so you can work more comfortably and with a better eye for detail. Let the paint dry to the touch before applying a second coat. This may take anywhere from 1-4 hours, depending on the type of paint you're using. In the meantime, keep clear of the frame to avoid rubbing off the fresh base coat. Press the pad of your finger into the paint every few hours to see how it's coming along. If it feels slightly tacky, it most likely needs another couple hours. Brush on additional coats if necessary. Most interior frames will only need 1-2 coats to look their best. Exterior frames may benefit from an extra coat to protect them against exposure to the elements. Paint follow-up coats the same way you did the base coat, using long, smooth strokes and moving from the inside out. After applying your topcoat, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Like you did with the previous coats, perform a touch test so you'll know when it's okay to rehang the door. It can take up to 2 weeks for new paint to cure completely and become resistant to dirt, smudges, and scratches, but it will be okay to put your door back up after a full day of drying. Hang the door back up if you removed it. Once the paint is dry, replace the door by lining up the 2 sets of hinges and lowering it into place. Open and close the door a few times to make sure it tracks correctly. If it does, congratulate yourself on a job well done and enjoy the new and improved look of your door frame! Ask someone nearby to lend you hand if you're having trouble getting the door back on its hinges yourself. Avoid handling the painted sections of the door as much as possible until it has had a week or 2 to cure. Use only the knob or handle to open and close the door during this time.
Take the door off the hinges. Cover the door with a sheet of plastic if you can't remove it. Put down a protective covering over the floor of your workspace. Line the area around the door with painter's tape. Make any necessary repairs to the frame itself. Clean the door frame with grease-cutting soap. Pat the frame dry with a clean towel. Sand the entire frame with a high-grit sandpaper. Wipe the frame clean with a damp cloth. Pick out a semi-gloss paint in the desired shade. Use a handheld brush. Start painting in the upper inside corner of the frame. Work your way to the outside of the frame. Paint across the top of the frame. Let the paint dry to the touch before applying a second coat. Brush on additional coats if necessary. Hang the door back up if you removed it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Forget-the-Past,-Live-in-the-Present-and-Not-Think-About-the-Future
How to Forget the Past, Live in the Present and Not Think About the Future
To quit dwelling on the past, let yourself express any pent up emotions you have about past events and forgive people who have hurt you so you can let go. You can't change the past, but you can focus on happy things in the moment. Try imagining yourself in your favorite place, like your backyard, any time you start thinking about bad memories. If you have anxiety about the future, write a list of tasks or ideas that you can focus on right now, like the book you're reading.
Express your feelings about the past. Whatever past event you focus on, you may need to express the feelings you have associated with the event, whether good or bad, before you can move on. There may be experiences in your past that were hurtful, but there also may be good memories as well. Getting out your pent up emotions, whether good or bad, can help you let go of the past and focus on the present. Talk to a friend, family member, or counselor about your feelings. Try writing down your feelings about the past. You can journal or write a letter to someone that hurt you (just don't send it!). Even if you're dwelling on good memories, it can cause you to lose connection with the present. You may find yourself romanticizing the past or longing for things to be the way they were, instead of focusing on how to improve your present life. Forgive and forget. Focusing on who to blame for past hurts can spoil the present. Instead of dwelling on who has caused you pain, forgive them. Focus on present events and leave behind any blame or hurt you feel. If there is someone in your past that has hurt you, choose to forgive and forget. Festering in the pain doesn't harm the person who hurt you and it will cause you to stay in the past. If you have to, write the person a letter or talk to the person about how her past actions. You don't have to send the letter, but it will help you stop blaming her for the past and help you move toward the present and your happiness. Focus on happy things. If expressing your feelings about the past has not helped, focus on happy things. You can't change the past or worry about the future, so don't dwell on it. Think about happy things happening right now. If you find this hard, create a touchstone for yourself. For example, create a happy place that you can think that connects with your current life, such as your favorite reading place in your backyard. If you find yourself thinking too much about your past or worrying about the future, imagine the happy times you have there, or even picture yourself in that comforting place. Block your memories. If all attempts haven't worked, try blocking or pushing aside your memories. This can help you get over bad memories with enough time. Plus, pushing the bad memories far enough into the back of your mind will help them bother you less. Envision yourself pushing the worries behind a door and locking it. Giving yourself a mental image will help, especially if the memories or worries are strong. Studies show that suppression is a possible and learnable skill that can help you get away from memories or break from your past. The more you do it, the better at it you will get. Every time the bad memories come up, purposefully move them to the back of your mind. Train yourself to forget about the event and make a conscious effort to move your mind past it. Work through your anxiety about the future. Whenever you're having anxiety about the future, remind yourself you can only change what is in the present and focus on it. Put together a list of things that you can focus on instead that are rooted in the present. Think about the book you are in the middle of, what it must feel like to be in Hawaii this time of year, or any other scenario to keep your mind off the future. Focus on what is possible instead of things you can't change. If you're having a hard time, make yourself physical reminders of the things in the present that you love and can focus on. Keep a copy of the book you're reading with you. Print a picture of the place you most love to spend your time and look at it when you need to ground yourself. It may take some practice to come up with ideas and instances that don't trigger your worries about future events. Just keep at it and you'll get it right eventually. Get help. If these methods have not worked for you, you should seek help in order to get over your past, worry less about the future, and focus on the present. Look for a mental health professional in your area. You can ask for referrals from your doctor or ask your family and friends. You can see many different kinds of mental health professionals, such as counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. They are trained in suggesting coping skills to help people become more productive or constructive within their daily lives by focusing on the present. Never be embarrassed to ask for help. Your mental health is very important and you should not feel strange about seeking help. It is very common and these professionals are there to help. Recognize that trauma is different from painful memories. Trauma causes psychological and physiological effects similar to anxiety and intense fear in present time – as if the trauma never ended. Bad memories bring up painful emotions such as sadness and guilt, but they do not alter your perceptions the way that acute trauma does. Trauma must be dealt with in its own way and usually requires professional assistance. It can sometimes take years for the symptoms of trauma to surface. You may have nightmares, disturbing thoughts, depression, phobias, anxiety, or flashbacks because of a traumatic event. Healing from past trauma can be a slow process, and it may be difficult to stop thinking about it for a while. Just trust that if you keep working on it, things will get better. Seek help from a group or mental health professional. Look for a counselor or program that specializes in trauma. You are in charge of your recovery, and how and when it will take place. However you decide to pursue treatment, your program should offer these essential things: Empowerment: Your recovery is an opportunity for you to take back control. While guidance is important, you must be in charge of your healing. If your counselor suggests something that feels wrong or you're just not ready to do, you don't have to do it. Validation: Your experience may have been minimized or dismissed over the years. Your group or counselor can validate what happened to you and how the trauma has shaped your life. Connection: Experiencing trauma can be extremely isolating. Talking with others and sharing your story with people who understand can help you start feeling connected again. Confide in someone you trust. Talking about what happened to you is an important part of healing. Choose someone patient, kind, and someone who knows that what happened to you is serious. Someone who responds with things like, "Just don't think about it anymore," "Forgive and forget," or "That's not so bad," is not an appropriate person to talk to. You may need to talk about your trauma over and over – make sure the person you are talking to understands that this is important. Getting it off your chest one time is good, but you will need to keep re-visiting and talking about it. If there's no one in your life you feel close to or trust, reach out to someone in your life that you really like. Ask them to do something fun and, if that feels good, invite them to do something else in the future. Spending time with this person can help you begin to form a close relationship. Be aware that talking about trauma with someone can cause them vicarious trauma, in which they experience symptoms of trauma from listening to your story of trauma. Try not to be offended if your friend can not listen to your story everyday. Family and friends are a great place to start, but if you are needing more support, a trauma counselor is trained to avoid vicarious trauma. Make a list of ways you can take care of yourself. It can be hard to think of ways to comfort yourself when you're having a difficult time. Write a list of things that make you feel better and post it in a prominent place so you can reference it easily. Some possibilities include: Do something creative, like painting, drawing, woodworking, needlepoint, or other crafts. Get some exercise. It doesn't have to be intense – you could just go for a walk around the neighborhood. Or try running, swimming, playing a sport, dancing, hiking, or anything else that gets your body moving. Play with children in your family or a pet. This can have a very calming effect, which can make you feel better. Sing quietly or sing at the top of your lungs. Fill your lungs with fresh air and belt out your favorite tunes. Wear something that makes you feel good. Put on your favorite shirt or some jewelry that you enjoy wearing. Become aware of your surroundings. Stop rushing through life and letting your mind get stuck in the past. Instead, take in everything around you, whether it is feats of nature or man-made creations. Make a conscious effort to pay attention to each aspect of your present life. For example, take a walk and look at everything around you. If you are outside, look at the trees, the ground, and all the scenery. Feel the air on your skin. If you are inside, pay attention to the color of the walls, what sounds you hear from others in your area, or how the floor feels under your feet. This will help you stay focused on the present and be mindful of your current surroundings. Slow down. People often speed through life as they rush from one moment to another. Make yourself slow down and enjoy everything you do, even if it's boring. For example, pay attention to your actions when you get a snack. Grab a handful of grapes and consciously look at them. Notice their shape and size. Eat one and pay attention to the flavors. Enjoy the burst of sweetness on your tongue and the sustenance the fruit is giving you. It's okay not to be thrilled with everything that happens to you every day. If you are doing a project at work that you don't like or have an obligation you don't enjoy, that's okay. Instead of rushing past it, think about what you are doing each day and experience it. Change your routine. One way you can get stuck in the past without knowing it is to get stuck in a routine. Maybe you do the same thing the same way every day or at the same time every week. While routine can be comforting, it can make you feel stuck and forget about the present all together. Instead, change up your routine. Walk a different way to the bus stop or drive a different way to work. Even making subtle changes can help you break out. Change what you eat every day. Incorporate newly learned words into your vocabulary every day. Anything that can make you take notice of what you do on a daily basis will help you live in the now instead of the past or future. If you don't want to or can't change your routine, become more mindful of your actions during your routine. Take note of how the oatmeal you eat every morning tastes or what the trees look like out the window on the way to work. Pay attention to calm moments. There are points in almost every day where you might have to wait for something. You could be in line at the supermarket or waiting at a red light in your car. During these moments, resist the urge to look at your phone and instead notice things around you. Become mindful of your surroundings instead of wasting time grumbling about how you wish the line was shorter or the light would change. These are great moments to take in simple, small things in your present life. Avoid using your phone to pass the time. Instead, look around you at other people in line or in cars around you. Smile at someone or strike up a conversation with the person behind you in line. Keep trying things until you find the best way for you to stay in the present moment. Leave yourself a reminder. In order to keep thinking about being present, especially when you first start, you may need a reminder. Tie a string around your wrist, paint one nail a bright pink color, or wear your watch upside down. Let the object serve as a reminder. Every time you see the reminder object, take a few seconds to focus on the sounds, smells, and sights around you. Take stock of how you feel and what you are doing. This will help you stay focused on your current situation and not dwell on the past or future. Focus on the task at hand. Instead of mindlessly doing something, take the time to do something well. Let yourself be drawn into a writing assignment for school, a project at work, or your chores around the house. Engross yourself to the point where the thoughts of the past and the future fall away. This is easier if you don't multi-task. Multi-tasking can make you lose track of what you are doing and start thinking about other things, such as finishing the tasks or moving on to a different one. Try doing things slower. This will help you focus your attention on your actions in the present. Meditate. One of the best ways to focus on the now is to meditate. The goal of mediation is to push everything else aside, including fears about the past and future, and focus on the exact moment you are meditating. Start by taking deep breaths in and out, focusing on the action. Push everything else out of you head and focus on the sound of your breathing. Eventually, everything else will fade away. Complete mediation takes time and practice. Don't give up if you don't experience that "zen" moment immediately, or even after a few months. Keep practicing and you will eventually begin to reap the (major) benefits of meditation.
Express your feelings about the past. Forgive and forget. Focus on happy things. Block your memories. Work through your anxiety about the future. Get help. Recognize that trauma is different from painful memories. Seek help from a group or mental health professional. Confide in someone you trust. Make a list of ways you can take care of yourself. Become aware of your surroundings. Slow down. Change your routine. Pay attention to calm moments. Leave yourself a reminder. Focus on the task at hand. Meditate.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-War-(Card-Game)
How to Play War (Card Game)
To play the card game War, shuffle and deal the entire deck of cards to the 2 players. Make sure to keep the cards face-down. Next, count to 3, and have both players flip their top card. The player with the highest card wins the round and takes both cards. If you flip the same value card, then you go to war. Each player must now place 3 cards face-down on the table. Then, flip a fourth card, and whoever has the highest card wins all 10 cards for that round. Continue to play until 1 person wins the entire deck.
Know the object of the game. The goal of the game is to eventually win all of the cards. War is generally played between two people, but up to four people can play. The ranking for cards in War from highest to lowest is A K Q J T (10) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2. Nothing beats an Ace and a 2 beats nothing. Shuffle the cards. This should be a standard deck of 52 cards. Try to mix them up as much as possible, especially if it's a brand new deck. the cards. Deal Deal back and forth between you and your opponent until the two of you have the same number of cards. You should have 26 cards each. Neither player should look at his or her cards. If you are playing with three or four players, follow the same protocol. Deal each player an equal amount of cards. If you are playing with three, each player should have 17 cards. For four players, each player should have 13 cards. Place the cards face-down on the table. Players are not allowed to look at their cards. Your opponent should not be able to see your cards either. You can also hold them fanned out away from you. Count to three and then flip a card. Each player must count down and flip a card at the same time. You should only flip the top card of your stack of cards. Compare your cards to see which is higher. The player with the higher card wins the round and collects both cards to add to their hand. Go to 'War' when the cards you flip are the same card. However, it doesn't matter the suit of the card; its value of the card does matter. Two jacks can set up a War, or two or more tens can setup a war or even two aces can setup a war. For example, you both flip your cards and each of you flips over a '6'. Now is the time to go to war. To go to war, each player must place three more cards face-down on the table. Flip over a fourth card as you would flip a card when not at 'War'. Whoever has the higher fourth card is the person who takes all 10 cards from the round. If a player doesn't have enough cards to play the war, the player must turn his/her last card face-up. This will be the card used to play the war. If you're playing with three or four players: If two or more players are tie for the highest card, then each player to place by one card as face-down. Then everybody plays the next card face-up as they would during a non-War round. The player with the highest card will win. If there is another tie between these two or more players, the War needs to continue. Play until one person wins all the cards in the deck. This might take awhile, since War is a game of chance, but on lazy day, it's a great way to occupy your time. Add the two Joker cards. Use these as the two highest cards in the deck. They can beat anything and will give the player(s) who get dealt them a good hand. Play the Romanian way. Război is the Romanian version of War. In Război, the number of cards put face-down in a 'war' is determined by the number on the cards that started the 'war'. Example : If both players flip a 6, each player must put five cards face-down during the war and flip a sixth one. All face cards have a value of ten, thus each player must put down nine cards during a war and flip the tenth. Play with half a deck for a shorter variation of War. Take two of each card (so two Aces, two Kings, two 3's etc.) and place them apart from the other half of the deck. Shuffle and use only these 26 cards to play. The game will go much more quickly. Designate special rules for cards. For instance, at the beginning of the game, pick a wild card. Example : Designate the 2 of hearts and the 3 of diamonds to be unbeatable cards. Even an Ace cannot stand up to a wild card. Play 52-card war. Line up each of your 26 cards face-down directly across from your opponent's 26 cards. Go down the line and flip each card, as your opponent flips each card. Collect the pairs of cards that you win and repeat. Play until one player wins all of the cards.
Know the object of the game. Shuffle the cards. the cards. Place the cards face-down on the table. Count to three and then flip a card. Compare your cards to see which is higher. Go to 'War' when the cards you flip are the same card. Play until one person wins all the cards in the deck. Add the two Joker cards. Play the Romanian way. Play with half a deck for a shorter variation of War. Designate special rules for cards. Play 52-card war.
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Hedgehog
How to Take Care of a Hedgehog
To take care of a hedgehog, you'll need a cage that's at least 4 feet (122 cm) long and 2 feet (61 cm) wide. The bigger the cage the better. Line the bottom of the cage with paper bedding, like recycled newspaper, and place an enclosed shelter in it so your hedgehog has somewhere to hide and sleep in peace. You'll also need to add a litter box, a water bottle, and food bowls to the cage. To keep your hedgehog entertained, provide it with some toys, like balls, tunnels, and ramps to climb on. Place an exercise wheel in the cage to help your hedgehog stay active. Feed your hedgehog a pelleted hedgehog food every day, and supplement its diet with insects, fruits, and vegetables. Remember to clean up any waste and old food in the cage every day and replace the water. You should also clean your hedgehog's cage with warm, soapy water and replace the bedding once a week.
Check that hedgehog-keeping is legal in your area. The hedgehog is considered an exotic pet, and keeping one may be subject to certain laws in your state or county. In some places it is illegal, whereas in others you may be required to have a special permit. Check with your local state, city, and county ordinances to learn more about any laws or regulations on owning exotic pets in your town. If you need help finding out about your state's specific regulations, or you need to find a safe home for a hedgehog that you're not legally allowed to have, contact an animal welfare organization or one specifically dedicated to hedgehogs. Opt to buy your hedgehog from a licensed breeder. Hedgehogs bought from responsible breeders are more likely to be well socialized, and because the breeder is familiar with the hedgehogs parents, chances are better that you'll get a healthy pet. That said, it is important to find a good breeder. If you don't, you could end up with a grumpy or sick hedgehog. Be sure the breeder has quality, pedigree stock with no Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) or cancer in their lineage. See that the breeder is USDA licensed. In the US, hedgehog breeders are required to have a USDA license. The purchasing process involves paperwork, in which they will provide you with their license number. Be wary of breeders who post on Craigslist or other online classifieds. Ask the breeder if they offer any health guarantees. Policies may vary, but you are likely to feel more comfortable with your selection if the breeder offers some option to return or exchange the hog if unexpected health problems arise early on. This also alerts them to possible health problems in certain lineages, so concern in this area is a sign of a responsible breeder. Check that the hedgehog is healthy. There are several signs you can look for in a healthy hedgie before making your selection. Clear eyes: The hog should appear alert; the eyes should not be crusty, sunken, or swollen. Clean fur and quills: While some anointing is normal (see below), fecal matter around the anus may indicate diarrhea or other underlying health issues. Healthy skin: Crusty skin around the quills could indicate dry skin or mites - if it's the latter, you'll need to treat the hedgehog. Look for fleas, as well (small, pinhead-size brown points that jump quickly) - these also need treatment. No scabs or injuries: If there is a scab or injury, the breeder should be able to explain what happened, and it should be clear that the animal is healing well. While some hedgehogs can survive infant injuries (such as blindness, loss of a limb, etc.) and go on to lead healthy and happy lives, you'll need to consider the care this animal requires and whether you're realistically able to provide that. Alertness: A hedgehog should be alert and aware of its surroundings, not lethargic and non-responsive. Droppings: Check the cage to make sure there are no green droppings or diarrhea. If there are, it might be a sign that the hedgehog has some health issues. Moderate weight: A hedgie that's obese has fat "bags" around the armpit areas and cannot roll into a ball. One that's too thin has a concave belly and hollow sides. Both may be signs of health issues. Healthy feet: The toenails should be clipped short enough that they do not curl under. If they're too long, ask the breeder to show you how to clip them. Bring the hedgehog home appropriately. Before purchase, make sure you have everything you need set up and ready to go. Allow the hedgehog at least a month to become familiar with you, the new scents, and the new surroundings. It has just experienced a huge change in its life! Hold the hedgehog every day as you let it get used to you. This may be as simple as placing it in your lap and talking to it. Encourage trust by giving it treats by hand, and add an old t-shirt you've worn for a day to its enclosure so it gets accustomed to your smell. Be prepared for self-anointing, or anting. One of the most unusual behaviors of hedgehogs involves excessive salivation in the presence of a new food, scent, or salt. The hedgie twists into an S shape, turning its head to the rear, and spreads the saliva onto its quills. While no one is quite sure why this happens, it's postulated that this may help make the quills better weapons by coating them with an irritating substance. For this reason, you may notice some slight irritation when you first handle your hedgehog. Provide a good enclosure. Hedgehogs need a large cage to be comfortable in: they like to explore their living space, and their natural territory is 650 to 1000 ft (198 to 305 m) in diameter. There are other factors to consider, as well, when choosing a cage for your new friend. It needs to be large enough. The cage should be a minimum of 18 x 24 in (45.7 x 61 cm), but if you can afford a roomier space, so much the better. A 24 x 30 in (61 x 76 cm) cage is preferable, and 30 x 30 in (76 x 76 cm) is very generous. Sides of the cage should be about 16 in (40.6 cm) high. While some recommend smooth walls, others caution that ventilation of smooth-sided enclosures is more difficult. Do be aware that wired sides may create a problem if your hedgehog likes to climb! Hedgehogs are master escape artists. Ensure that the cage is secure with a closed top, or, if it doesn't have a top, that the hedgehog can't climb out. The house should have a solid floor, as their tiny legs can slip through wire floors, causing injury. Houses should not have more than one level as hedgehogs have poor eyesight and their legs are all too easy to break. Wire cages that they can climb can also be dangerous if you have a climber! Include space for food bowls, toys and a litter tray when considering buying or making a cage. Make sure the enclosure is well-ventilated. Air flow should be available all the time. The only time you should impede airflow is if the room rapidly drops in temperature (for example, during a power outage) and you need to wrap the cage with a blanket. Select good bedding material. Hedgehogs like wood shavings, but be sure to use aspen shavings rather than cedar: the latter has carcinogenic phenols (aromatic oils) that, when inhaled, can cause cancer. Alternatively, you can line the cage with a sturdy cloth (twill, corduroy, or fleece) cut to size. Carefresh is a commercial product resembling ground-up grey cardboard. While some recommend this, be aware that particle material can get lodged in male genitals or in between their quills. Also, be aware that Carefresh could harm your hedgehog because of a new formula of Carefresh Bedding. Furnish the enclosure. You'll need to add a few things to the enclosure to provide for your hedgehog's needs. A hiding spot: As a primarily nocturnal prey animal in the wild, hedgehogs need a safety zone for "time-out" from prying eyes, light, and general activity. An igloo or sleeping pouch will do well. Exercise wheel. Hedgehogs need lots of exercise, and the wheel is perfect for nocturnal running sprees. Wheels should have a solid floor - mesh or bar wheels tend to make hogs get stuck, ripping off toenails and even breaking legs. You must keep bedding out of the water at all times. Chemicals from the bedding can get into your hedgehog's water, which would sadly kill him. Provide a litter tray with no more than a 1/2 in (1.25 cm) lip to provide easy access and prevent broken legs. Be sure that you use only non-clumping kitty litter, if you decide to use litter, or you can use a paper towel. The litter pan must large enough for the hedgehog and you should clean it every day. You can use a cookie sheet or commercial plastic litter box. Most owners keep the litter tray under the wheel, since that is where hedgehogs do most of their business. Ensure a suitable temperature. Hedgehogs need a slightly warmer room temperature than most people keep their homes at, around 72ºF (22.2ºC) to 80ºF (26.6ºC). Anything cooler and the hedgehog will likely attempt "hibernation," which can be LETHAL (as it may lead to pneumonia), while at much hotter temperatures, heat stress occurs. Adjust the temperature if you see your hedgehog spread out in the cage as if it's hot. If it's lethargic, or the body temperature is cooler than normal, warm your hedgehog up immediately by putting it under your shirt and using your body heat to warm it. If the hedgehog is still cool after an hour, take it to a vet immediately. Feed your hedgehog a varied diet. Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, but will also taste other things like fruits, veggies, eggs, and meat. They tend towards plumpness, so care must be taken with the diet to prevent a hedgehog from putting on too much weight. An overweight hedgehog cannot roll up and may have "bags" of fat hanging down, which will impede its walking ability. Choose a quality diet. While a hedgehog's exact nutritional needs are somewhat mysterious, high-quality cat kibble is considered a good choice for a staple diet, which should be supplemented with other various foods, discussed below. The kibble you choose should be below 15% fat and around 32-35% protein; look for foods that are organic or holistic - avoid kibble that has by-products, corn and similar things listed. Provide about 1-2 tbsp of the dry cat food every day. Avoid low-quality hedgehog foods as they tend to have a lot of poor quality ingredients. Higher-quality foods may be acceptable, such as L'Avian, Old Mill, and 8-in-1. Leave kibble out if you are unavailable at mealtime. Many owners free-feed their hogs, giving just enough food for there to be some leftover. Feed a variety of treats to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Supplement the kibble diet with a small amount of other food - just 1 tsp every day or every other day. Some ideas: Cooked, unseasoned, skinless chicken, turkey, or salmon, chopped up Small bites of fruits and veggies, such as watermelon, cooked mashed peas or sweet potatoes, or applesauce Scrambled or hard boiled & chopped egg Mealworms, crickets and wax worms: These are also an important treat to the hedgehog's diet. As insectivores, they need mental stimulation that eating live prey provides, in addition to vital nutrition. Feed a few insects one to four times a week. Never feed your hedgie wild-caught insects (e.g., ones you catch in your yard), as they may have toxic pesticides in their systems, or parasites that will infect your hedgehog. Know what foods to avoid. While hedgehogs appreciate a wide variety of foods, there are some things you should never feed him: nuts/seeds, dried fruits, raw meat, hard uncooked vegetables, sticky/stringy/hard foods, avocado, grapes or raisins, milk or dairy products, alcohol, bread, celery, onion and onion powder, raw carrots, tomatoes, junk food (chips, candy, anything sugary, salty, etc.), anything very acidic, or honey. Adjust food amounts if your hedgehog gains weight. Reduce the amount of food you're giving your hedgehog if you notice she's getting a little plump, and increase exercise. Feed in the early evening. Hedgehogs have a crepuscular nature, so they are active around twilight. If possible, feed them once a day around this time. Provide a proper food bowl. The bowl should be wide enough for the hedgehog to access and heavy enough so that the hedgehog cannot tip it over (and start playing with it). Provide a water bottle with a drinking tube or a water bowl. Fresh water should be available at all times. If using a bowl, make sure it is heavy and shallow enough not to tip over. Wash it thoroughly every day and fill with fresh water. If using a bottle with a drinking tube, make certain your pet knows how to drink from it! It should have learned this from its mother, but it may need to be shown. Note that water in bottles also needs to be changed daily to prevent bacteria build-up. Keep the hedgehog in a quiet, peaceful space. Don't house the hedgehog under your stereo player or television. As a prey animal in the wild that depends largely on its sense of hearing, your hedgehog will find too much noise and activity very distressing. Ensure that noise, lighting and activity levels are low in its vicinity and move the cage if the noise levels increase for any reason. Hedgehogs can get used to noise if introduced gradually. Give the hedgie plenty of opportunity for exercise. Hedgehogs are prone to putting on weight, so exercise is a must for them. This means plenty of toys, along with its hedgehog wheel. Toys should be something they can chew, push, nuzzle and even tip over, as long as they cannot chew pieces off or swallow. Be sure their nails or feet can't get caught in any loose strings or small holes. Possible toys include: rubber balls, old kids' toys, rubber figures, baby teething rings, empty toilet paper tubes cut in half lengthwise, cat balls or bird toys with bells inside, etc. Let your hedgehog play in a larger playpen occasionally. You can purchase a large plastic tub or let it explore your bath (without water, of course). Watch your hog's behavior and food/water intake. Hedgehogs are notoriously good at hiding ailments, so it is extremely necessary to be aware of your hedgehog. Keep track of any changes and call your vet to see if there's something that needs to be checked out. If your hedgehog doesn't eat for one or two days, something is wrong and it needs veterinary attention. Hedgehogs that go for a few days without food are at risk of developing fatty liver disease, a life-threatening condition. Watch out for scaly, dry skin around the quills: this could be a sign of mites, which can be debilitating if left unchecked. Wheezing or crackly respiration as well as discharge on the face or wrists are signs of respiratory infection, a common and serious condition in hedgehogs. Soft stools for more than a day, or diarrhea combined with listlessness or lack of appetite can be signs of a parasite infection or other illness. Hibernation, though occurring in the wild, is not safe for hedgehogs living in captivity. As mentioned above, if your hedgie feels cool on the belly, try to warm him by putting him under your shirt next to your skin. If he does not warm within an hour, bring him immediately to the veterinarian's. Handle your hedgehog frequently. A hedgehog's familiarity with being held comes with being handled frequently. Always be confident when handling a hedgehog: they are not as fragile as they seem. The general rule is at least 30 minutes a day of handling. Approach your hedgie quietly and slowly. Pick it up by lifting it from underneath, then hold it cupped in both hands. Make time for play. As well as handling your hedgehog, don't be afraid to join in with play. Your hedgehog will accept your involvement in play if you join in regularly. Clean the hedgehog's home regularly. Clean the dishes and water bottle/bowl daily with hot water. Clean the wheel and spot-clean daily, changing bedding weekly or as needed. Bathe your hedgehog on an as-needed basis. Some hedgies are cleaner than others, so you may need to bathe it more or less frequently. Fill a sink with warm (not hot) water to the level of the hog's belly. Water should not get in their ears or nose. Add a mild oatmeal bath (such as Aveeno) or puppy bath to the water, and use a toothbrush to brush out their quills and feet. Rinse with warm water and snuggle in a clean, dry towel until your friend is dry. If she'll tolerate it, use a hair dryer on low - otherwise, stick with the towel. Never put a wet hedgie back in its cage. Be sure to check your hedgehog's nails regularly. If they get too long and curl around, they can get ripped off while running on their wheel. Clip your hog's nails with small manicure scissors, trimming off only the very tips. If bleeding occurs, dab a little cornstarch on the spot with a Q-tip. Don't use commercially available powders, which are apt to sting. Be prepared for quilling. Quilling is the hedgehog equivalent of our losing baby teeth or a snake shedding its skin. This begins to happen at six to eight weeks of age and can happen throughout their first year of life as the baby quills make way for adult quills. This is a normal process and not something to worry about unless there are signs of illness or discomfort present, or the quills are failing to grow back. Your hedgehog may be irritable during this process and less amenable to being held; you can try an oatmeal bath to ease their discomfort. It is only a phase.
Check that hedgehog-keeping is legal in your area. Opt to buy your hedgehog from a licensed breeder. Check that the hedgehog is healthy. Bring the hedgehog home appropriately. Be prepared for self-anointing, or anting. Provide a good enclosure. Select good bedding material. Furnish the enclosure. Ensure a suitable temperature. Feed your hedgehog a varied diet. Choose a quality diet. Leave kibble out if you are unavailable at mealtime. Feed a variety of treats to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Know what foods to avoid. Adjust food amounts if your hedgehog gains weight. Feed in the early evening. Provide a proper food bowl. Provide a water bottle with a drinking tube or a water bowl. Keep the hedgehog in a quiet, peaceful space. Give the hedgie plenty of opportunity for exercise. Watch your hog's behavior and food/water intake. Handle your hedgehog frequently. Clean the hedgehog's home regularly. Bathe your hedgehog on an as-needed basis. Be sure to check your hedgehog's nails regularly. Be prepared for quilling.
https://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Horse-in-the-Winter
How to Ride a Horse in the Winter
To ride a horse in the winter, choose a trail that's free of ice, mud, and hidden obstacles like holes and branches. You may also want to apply a de-icing agent, like salt or sawdust, to any slippery areas along the trail. Before tacking up, warm up your horse's bit and cover its back with a waterproof wool or fleece quarter sheet so it doesn't get too cold. When you're out riding, let your horse warm up slowly, and go for a shorter ride than normal since your horse will be working harder.
Pick a trail or pasture that doesn't have ice, mud, and other hazards. The biggest dangers for your horse during winter riding include slipping on ice, falling into unseen holes or dips, getting stuck in deep mud, and tripping over hidden obstacles. Make sure your trail is free of these risks before you take your horse out for a ride. It's best to stick to familiar trails for winter rides, as you'll know what to expect. You might walk the area if you're riding in your pasture or on a trail near your stables. If walking the area is not an option, talk to other riders to find out where they're riding, as well as the condition of the trails. Apply de-icing agents like salt or sawdust to icy or slippery areas. Ash, sand, and grit also make great de-icing agents. Use a wheel barrow or cart to carry the de-icing agent to your stable area, pasture, or trail to treat the ice. Sprinkle the agent over icy surfaces before your ride to help provide traction over the ice. Use your best judgement. If your area is very icy, only ride on the land you treated with a de-icing agent. As another option, you might carry de-icing agent in your saddle bags during your ride just in case you encounter an unexpected patch of ice. Don't just treat the path where you plan to ride your horse. Put your de-icing agent around the stable, doorway, and tacking area, as well. If your horse will walk there, make sure it's treated. Avoid areas that may have holes, roots, or branches hidden by snow. Deep snow is dangerous for your horse because it can hide hazards. Additionally, it's hard for your horse to walk through because it takes a lot of effort. Stick to areas that have a light layer of snow or are free of snow. A light layer of snow is usually safe to ride through. If you're not sure how deep the snow is, push a stick down into it to see how far it goes. Choose a trail you know well so it's easier for you to estimate how much snow is on the ground. Stick to trails that other riders have already passed over during the winter, since the snow in those areas will already be packed down and safer to ride on. Choose flat trails during icy and wet conditions. Riding up and down slopes that may be icy or wet is very dangerous, as they may become slippery, especially as the water freezes. Your horse may lose its footing and fall down, which can injure you or your horse. Keep in mind that riding up the slope is often much easier than coming back down. It's best just to avoid them altogether. Avoid areas with deep mud. Don't ride your horse over terrain that's very muddy, as your horse will sink into the mud. Your horse can become stuck and may struggle to walk with mud clumped around its hooves. A thin layer of mud is usually okay. Just pay attention to how your horse is walking to see if it's struggling with the mud. If deep mud is everywhere, you can ride early in the morning when the top layer is hardest. After the sun warms it up, however, riding can be dangerous. Ride in an arena if you have trouble finding safe trails. An arena offers you a safe, warm riding opportunity. This helps you keep your horse fit throughout the winter. It's a great option if you can rent time at a nearby arena. To make your rides more interesting, you can set up obstacles for your horse. For example, you might navigate your horse around barrels set up in the arena. Warm up your horse’s bit before you tack up for your ride. Take the bit out of the bridle and hold it under a stream of hot water. Remove it from the water once it feels warm to the touch. Then, put it back in the bridle and tack up. If you can, keep your horse's bit in your home during the winter. As another option, you can rub non-toxic hand warmer onto the bit or place the bit in your pocket against your skin. Cover your horse’s back with a waterproof wool or fleece quarter sheet. Your quarter sheet will go either between the saddle pad and saddle or over the saddle, depending on the type you have. This will keep your horse's back and hindquarters warm and dry. If your horse gets wet, it will become very cold because the wetness will freeze. Put on hoof boots to protect the hooves from the icy ground, if you have them. Choose boots that are made of neoprene or PVC, which protect your horse from moisture. Don't use fabric boots, as the wetness from ice and snow will soak into them and then freeze. As an alternative, you can put pads beneath the hooves for added protection. If you don't have boots or pads, apply a thin layer of nonstick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves to repel ice buildup. However, keep in mind that this won't protect your horse as well as boots and pads will. Allow your horse to warm up slowly. Walk it around for a few minutes before you mount. Then, start your trail at a very slow pace. This lets its muscles warm up before your horse starts working hard. To speed up the process, put on gloves and vigorously rub your horse's legs and back before you tack up. Shorten the length of your rides, since your horse is working harder. Cold weather makes your horse expend more energy, especially if it's walking through snow or mud. That means it will tire out more quickly, so don't ride for as long as you usually do. Use your best judgement when deciding how long to ride. It's best to stay close to the stables so you can stop if you notice your horse panting or huffing. Avoid brushing against snow-covered vegetation, which may cause chill. Snow can transfer from bushes, trees, shrubs, and other foliage onto your horse as you're traveling past it. This can cause your horse to develop a chill. Steer clear of these types of obstacles during your ride. This will also help you stay warm! Another good reason to avoid brushing snowy branches is that the falling snow might spook your horse. Go slowly so your horse sweats less, which limits the risk of chill. Even though it's cold, your horse may sweat during your ride because it's getting a lot of exercise. Unfortunately, this sweat can start to freeze, which may make your horse feel a chill. Slowing your pace can reduce how hard your horse is working, making it sweat less. Blanketing your horse can also help you prevent chill, even if your horse is sweating. Watch your horse for tiredness, as walking in winter requires more effort. Notice if your horse is panting, huffing, or struggling to get through the terrain. Even a fit horse will tire out more quickly during a winter ride. Don't overwork your horse. It's dangerous for both you and your horse if you push it too hard during a ride. You don't want to get stranded out on a trail. Cool down your horse for 10-15 minutes after your ride. Your horse still needs to cool down after a workout. Start the cool down by walking your horse slowly over the last few minutes of your ride. Then, dismount and loosen the girth without removing it, which would allow the cold air to chill the horse too quickly. Next, switch out the saddle for a wool or fleece breathable sheet or cooler, which will wick away the wetness and warm the horse. Wetness on your horse's coat will chill your horse, even after it's back in its stable. Use a hoof pick to remove ice and mud from the hooves, if necessary. Knock any built-up ice or mud off of your horse's hooves. Then, use the end of the pick to gently clean out any crevices, such as around the horse's shoes. Ice and mud that remain on the hooves can make it harder for your horse to walk. They can also undermine your horse's health by increasing your horse's risk of developing an infection. Brush your horse to remove ice, dirt, and mud from the coat. This also helps prevent dirt and debris from building up on the horse's skin. As your brush your horse, check for wetness so you can dry off your horse if necessary. You don't want it to catch a chill. Put warm, breathable blankets made from wool or fleece on your horse to keep it warm as you groom it. You might also apply leg wraps. Give your horse water heated to 50 °F (10 °C) to replenish lost fluids. Your horse may easily get dehydrated during the winter. It will still be working hard, plus it may be less likely to drink if the water freezes. Using a water heater will encourage your horse to drink. Warming the water also lowers the amount of calories your horse needs to eat. That's because your horse's body will need to warm up cold water to its body temperature, which takes energy. If you give your horse warm water, its body won't have to warm it. Provide your horse with fresh hay to meet its higher energy needs. Hay is the best feed for your horse. Feed it at least as much as you typically feed it during warmer months. However, you may need to provide additional hay to meet your horse's winter needs. Ask your equine vet for advice on how much extra hay your horse needs during winter. You can also provide grain-mix supplementation if you normally do. Ask your vet if your horse needs grains.
Pick a trail or pasture that doesn't have ice, mud, and other hazards. Apply de-icing agents like salt or sawdust to icy or slippery areas. Avoid areas that may have holes, roots, or branches hidden by snow. Choose flat trails during icy and wet conditions. Avoid areas with deep mud. Ride in an arena if you have trouble finding safe trails. Warm up your horse’s bit before you tack up for your ride. Cover your horse’s back with a waterproof wool or fleece quarter sheet. Put on hoof boots to protect the hooves from the icy ground, if you have them. Allow your horse to warm up slowly. Shorten the length of your rides, since your horse is working harder. Avoid brushing against snow-covered vegetation, which may cause chill. Go slowly so your horse sweats less, which limits the risk of chill. Watch your horse for tiredness, as walking in winter requires more effort. Cool down your horse for 10-15 minutes after your ride. Use a hoof pick to remove ice and mud from the hooves, if necessary. Brush your horse to remove ice, dirt, and mud from the coat. Give your horse water heated to 50 °F (10 °C) to replenish lost fluids. Provide your horse with fresh hay to meet its higher energy needs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Leg-Cramps
How to Prevent Leg Cramps
To prevent leg cramps, remember to stretch after exercising to cool down your muscles. If post-exercise stiffness is already starting to set in, you can try soaking in a warm bath. Cramps are often caused by pushing yourself too hard, so be sure to pace yourself during exercise and build up your endurance gradually. Increasing your intake of calcium and magnesium can also help to prevent leg cramps.
Stretch after workouts. Exercising, injury or overuse of muscles can often lead to leg cramps. People can get cramps within minutes or up to six hours after working out or any type of physical exertion. If nighttime cramps are an issue, be sure to stretch before bedtime, but make sure your muscles are warmed up. Stretching cold muscles can increase your risk of injury when exercising, and it is not recommended you stretch before you work out. Stretch after you finish your workout, when muscles are warmed up. Try stretches for the legs such as the calf stretch where you stand on a raised platform (like a step) and let your heels hang off the edge. The further you push your heels down, the more intensely you will feel the stretch in your calves. You can stretch your hamstrings as you do the calf stretch by hinging forward at the hips. Be careful not to round the spine as you bend forward, as this can aggravate and complicate problems when cramping is caused by impingement of the sciatic nerve. Quadriceps can be stretched by standing up straight, bending one leg backwards and grabbing your ankle. Push your hips forward to stretch your quads more. Repeat on the other side. Try soaking in warm water or using a heating pad. Bathing in warm water or the use of heating pads is often recommended to relieve the discomfort of leg cramps. Heat may help ease cramping by increasing blood flow to the area and relaxing the muscle. Try soaking in a warm bath and use a heating pad on muscles that feel stiff or tight. For some people, the application of cold can be effective in treating muscle cramps. Experiment with hot and cold and see which provides the most relief for you. Remember to always wrap ice or cold packs in a towel to protect your skin. Pay attention to the positioning of your legs. To reduce the chance of leg cramping, avoid standing on hard surfaces for a long period of time or sitting for a long time. Instead, make sure you allow the blood to circulate throughout your limbs by moving and stretching your legs frequently during the day. The position in which you sleep may contribute to leg cramps at night. Sleeping with your knees bent and your feet pointing downward may cause your legs to cramp. Try keeping your legs straight and placing a pillow under your calves to avoid leg cramps. If you are tall and have difficulty fitting on your mattress, try allowing your feet to hang over the edge instead of tucking your legs. Know your limits during workouts. Oftentimes, cramps are a result of pushing yourself harder than your body is used to. Avoid rapidly increasing the intensity or duration of a workout. Instead, train up to it gradually, and always pace yourself. Signs that you are overtraining your body include tightness in your muscles, joint stiffness, or aches and pains that persist for several days. Stay hydrated. Some studies have found that staying hydrated will prevent cramps (while other studies have found no correlation between the two). Researchers believe that the decreased fluid around a body's cells causes muscle twitches, which in turn causes cramps. Be sure to drink enough water daily and replenish after exercising. The Institute of Medicine suggests that men should drink roughly 13 cups (3.3 liters) of total beverages a day, while women should consume about 9 cups (2.2 liters) per day. The amount of fluids needed also depends on factors such as weight and activity level. Try an online calculator that will give you a more accurate estimation. Replenish sodium. Electrolytes are essential in maintaining the fluid balance in your body and can be lost when you sweat. Sodium in particular is lost through sweat more than other electrolytes. If you are sweating — especially if the weather is hot, if you are exercising, or you are an endurance athlete — the loss of sodium may lead to cramping and more dangerous condition called hyponatremia. Replace sodium by eating salty foods (like pretzels) or drinking sports products and drinks with electrolytes. Try eating a slice of sour pickle or drinking the juice from a pickle. This is known as a “grandma formula,” but even players on the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles have been known to drink 2 ounces of pickle juice before football games to prevent cramping. Unrefined sea salt is also suggested because it contains other minerals that are useful to the body. Increase your calcium intake. Many believe that muscle cramps are caused by a calcium deficiency. Increase your consumption of calcium naturally by eating a diet rich in dairy products such as milk, cheese, or yogurt. Additionally, you can try taking calcium supplements that can be purchased at your local pharmacy or online. The average recommended daily amount for adults ages 19 – 50 is 1,000 mg. If you don't care for dairy products, try white beans, kale, sardines, salmon, or dried figs. Look for calcium supplements that also contain betaine hydrochloride and vitamin D. These nutrients help to increase the amount of calcium that's digested into your body. Ensure you have enough magnesium in your blood. There are currently medical hypotheses that link leg cramps to low levels of magnesium in one's system. While the effect of magnesium on the general public is still being tested, it has proven an effective treatment for pregnant women. Try taking a magnesium supplement which can be found at your local pharmacy. Suggested magnesium levels vary from 360 mg/day to 420 mg/day based on age. Talk to your doctor about the dosage that's right for you. Avoid potassium depletion. Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates the flow of liquids in and out of the body's cells. It also helps to conduct nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Most adults need 4,700 mg of potassium each day. High potassium foods include wholegrain breads, peanut butter, bananas, spinach, and milk or yogurt. Diuretics (water pills) that are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, have been known to increase the risk of leg cramps because it increases the body's excretion of electrolytes like potassium. Try a topical treatment like dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO is a clear, slightly oily liquid that is applied to the skin to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. Mix a solution of one part water and two parts DMSO and rub into the skin at least three times a day. DMSO comes in both liquid and gel form. Opt for the 99.9% liquid to avoid itching and irritation. You may experience mild itching, irritation, and warmth to the affected area. These reactions are temporary and pose no cause for concern. Take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. There are a few OTC medications that claim to have homeopathic formulas that stimulate the body's natural healing processes in order to relieve symptoms of cramping. Caplets or tablets should be taken with water every four hours (or as needed), while the ointment can be used liberally and applied directly to the skin. Active ingredients in different OTC products vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always read the label carefully. Active ingredients include Cinchona officinalis , Gnaphalium polycephalum , and Magnesia phosphorica. Check your local pharmacy or online vendors for availability. Always consult your doctor before taking a new medication if you are pregnant, taking other medications (including OTC medications), have an existing health condition, nursing, or administering to someone under the age of 12. Get a prescription for quinine. Doctors have been prescribing quinine for leg cramps since the 1940s because there have been no other reliable medications developed. Prescribing of the drug remains high despite FDA safety warnings and little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Talk to your doctor about all treatment options before considering quinine. The brand name Qualaquin is the only drug containing quinine allowed by the FDA. Side effects include cardiac problems, rashes and allergic reactions, hearing problems, eye problems, kidney failure, and more. Talk to your physician about leg cramps that result from other medical conditions. Medical conditions such as diabetes, nerve disorders, liver disorders, or thyroid disorders can result in leg cramps. You can treat yourself with self-care measures such as leg stretches, staying hydrated, or medication. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor immediately.
Stretch after workouts. Try soaking in warm water or using a heating pad. Pay attention to the positioning of your legs. Know your limits during workouts. Stay hydrated. Replenish sodium. Increase your calcium intake. Ensure you have enough magnesium in your blood. Avoid potassium depletion. Try a topical treatment like dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Get a prescription for quinine. Talk to your physician about leg cramps that result from other medical conditions.
https://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-a-Copy-of-Your-Birth-Certificate-in-Ohio
How to Obtain a Copy of Your Birth Certificate in Ohio
There are 3 ways to obtain a copy of your birth certificate in Ohio, in person, by mail, or online. If you want to go in person, visit the Columbus Office of Vital Statistics. Take proof of your ID, like your driver's license or passport, and fill in an application form for a birth certificate. To save time, print this off the Ohio Department of Health's website and fill it in at home. Alternatively, mail the form and copies of your ID to the Offices of Vital Statistics so you don't need to go in person. Just make sure you attach a check with the required fee. To apply for a birth certificate online, go to the Ohio Department of Health's website and fill in the online form. Like the other methods, you'll need your documentation and a credit card to pay the fee.
Have the proper documentation. In order to get a copy of your Ohio birth certificate in person, you need to make sure you have the proper documentation ready before you visit one of the Offices of Vital Statistics. Having this information ready will ensure that there aren't any delays in getting you the birth certificate. You need to have a completed application form for a certified copy of an Ohio birth certificate. If you are applying for a copy of your own birth certificate, you need to provide a copy of your official photo ID. For example, you can provide your driver's license, military ID, or a passport. If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate for another person, you need identification and usually other legal documentation. If you would like sealed adoption records, you can only get them at the Columbus office. Fill out the application form. In addition to your documentation, you need to submit the “Application for Certified Copies” of an Ohio birth certificate. For the application to be complete, you must fill it out to the best of your knowledge and sign it. The application is available online at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies If you have any questions on the application, you can call the Ohio Department of Health at (614) 466-3543 or the Office of Vital Statistics at (614) 466-2531. You can call either hotline between 8:00am and 5:00pm except state and federal holidays. Have payment ready. There is a fee of $21.50 for copies of birth certificates. You must pay this by personal check, money order, or credit card when you file your application. Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics. File your application at an Office of Vital Statistics. Once you've collected the required documentation, completed your application, and prepared the payment of your fees, you can file your application at the Ohio Office of Vital Statistics. You can choose to file the application in Columbus office or at the city or county health department in which the birth occurred. The Columbus office is located at 225 Neilston St., Columbus, OH 43215. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm except state and federal holidays. If you cannot get to Columbus and wish to use a city or county health department, the Ohio Department of Health offers a statewide directory at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/find-local-health-districts/find-local-health-districts Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. It can take a few minutes to a week to get the copy of the birth certificate for which you applied. If you have any questions about the process, you can contact one of the Office of Vital Statistics at the phone numbers listed above. The state tries to fill all walk-in orders within 20 minutes of the application. If you file your application after 4:30pm, it might not be available until the next day. You can choose to pick up your birth certificate on a different day. You can also choose to have the Office of Vital Statistics mail you the birth certificate copy. This will take approximately one week. If you are applying for the birth certificate of an adoptee at the Columbus office, the process may take one month. It may be faster to get a birth certificate copy at one of the smaller Department of Health offices in your local city or county. Have a copy of the proper documentation. If you are not in Ohio or don't have the time to apply for birth certificate copies in person, you can file the application by mail. You will need proper documentation to submit to one of the Offices of Vital Statistics or the city or county health department to ensure that there aren't any delays in getting you the birth certificate by mail. It will likely take approximately three weeks to get your birth certificate copies by mail. You need to have a completed application form for a copy of an Ohio birth certificate. If you are applying for a copy of your own birth certificate, you need to provide a copy of your official photo ID. For example, you can provide your driver's license, military ID, or a passport. If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate for another person, you need identification and usually other legal documentation. Fill out the application form. In addition to your documentation, you need to submit the “Application for Certified Copies” of an Ohio birth certificate. For the application to be complete, you must fill it out to the best of your knowledge and sign it. The application is available online at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies If you have any questions on the application, you can call the Ohio Department of Health at (614) 466-3543 or the Office of Vital Statistics at (614) 466-2531. You can call either hotline between 8:00am and 5:00pm except state and federal holidays. Have payment ready. There is a fee of $21.50 for copies of birth certificates. You must pay this by personal check, money order, or credit card when you file your application. Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics. Have payment ready. You must send the $21.50 fee for each copy of a birth certificate with your application materials. You must pay this by personal check or money order when you file your application. The Office of Vital Statistics does not take cash or credit cards for mail service. If you cannot get a check or money order, you can pay by credit card using the services the Ohio Department of Health's online request site or use the expedited services of VitalCheck. Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics. Send your application to the Office of Vital Statistics. Once you've collected all of your required documentation, send your application to the Offices of Vital Statistics in Columbus or the department of health in the city or county where the birth occurred. If you're sending your application to Columbus, the address is: Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098. If you're going to send your application to the health department of the city or county where the birth occurred, consult the Department of Health's statewide directory of offices at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies Consider sending the application materials by registered mail so that you can ensure that it arrives at the Office of Vital Statistics or Department of Health. Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. It takes approximately three weeks to get the copy of the birth certificate for which you applied by mail. If you have any questions about your application, follow up with of the Offices of Vital Statistics at the phone numbers listed above. Prepare your documentation. If you're planning to use the online service provided by the State of Ohio to apply for a birth certificate copy, have all of your documentation available as you fill out the online forms. This will ensure there are no delays in getting your copies. The Ohio Department of Health's online service does not offer expedited processing. You need the following information to file an online request: complete legal name of the child, complete date of birth, mother's maiden name, city or county of birth, a valid credit card. The Ohio Department of Health's online service accepts Visa and Mastercard. Access the Ohio Department of Health’s website to complete your request. In order to apply for a birth certificate copy online, access the Ohio Department of Health's website to begin and complete your application. The service has the advantage that you can use it any time you're ready. The Ohio Department of Health's site for birth certificates is https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx You can file your application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Follow online application prompts. The website will ask you questions about your application for birth certificate copies. Follow these questions and any prompts for additional information or documentation until your application is complete and you receive a confirmation email. If you have any questions about the process, you can contact the Ohio Department of Health by phone at 614-466-2531 or by email at [email protected]. Pay for your birth certificate copies. At the end of filing your request online, the Ohio Department of Health website will request your payment. The Ohio Department of Health only charges for the copy of the birth certificate, not any additional fees for using the website. The fee is $21.50 and additional copies cost $21.50. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard. Note any information about your order. After you've filed your application with the Ohio Department of Health's website and paid the relevant fees, note any information relevant to your request including a confirmation number. You should receive your birth certificate in approximately three weeks. Prepare your documentation. If you're planning to use the online service for expedited birth certificate copies provided by the state of Ohio, which is called Vitalchek, have all of your documentation available as you fill out the online forms. This will ensure there are no delays in getting your copies. Have copies of your social security card or number and a photo ID. If you are applying for a birth certificate for someone other than yourself, make sure you have proof of your relationship to that person. Know that you may not be able to apply for another person's birth certificate using Vitalchek. Vitalchek accepts credit cards as a form of payment for their services and for the application fees. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Access the VitalChek website to complete your request. In order to apply for a birth certificate copy online, access the VitalChek website to begin and complete your application. The service has the advantage that you can use it any time you're ready. VitalChek's website for Ohio birth certificates is https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth You can file your application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Follow online application prompts. The VitalChek website will ask you questions about your application for birth certificate copies. Follow these questions and any prompts for additional information or documentation until your application is complete and you receive a confirmation email. If you have any questions about the process, you can access VitalChek's online FAQ page at https://vitalchek-solutions.custhelp.com/app/home or call their hotline at 1-877-888-0248. Pay for your birth certificate copies and VitalChek’s service fees. At the end of filing your request online, the VitalChek website will request your payment. VitalChek charges not only for the copy of the birth certificate, but also for its expedited services. VitalChek accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. The fee to order a birth certificate from Ohio with VitalChek is $25.00 for the first copy. Additional copies cost $25.00 each. The fee for VitalChek's services is $7 for obtaining an Ohio birth certificate. In addition, VitalChek will charge you an additional fee for whatever shipping method you choose. The price for that will also vary depending on how quickly you want the birth certificate copy. Note your confirmation number and wait for your birth certificate copy. After you've filed your application with VitalChek and paid the relevant fees, you will receive a confirmation number by email. You should receive your birth certificate relatively quickly by using the online service. Make sure to note the confirmation number for the requested birth certificate in order to check up on the status or ask questions you may have. VitalChek offers fast turnaround on birth certificate requests. The will file your application within one business day to government office and you should expect your copy in about a week. You can also check on the status of your application at https://www.vitalchek.com/order_status_signon.aspx with the order and pin numbers that VitalChek provides you.
Have the proper documentation. Fill out the application form. Have payment ready. File your application at an Office of Vital Statistics. Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. Have a copy of the proper documentation. Fill out the application form. Have payment ready. Have payment ready. Send your application to the Office of Vital Statistics. Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. Prepare your documentation. Access the Ohio Department of Health’s website to complete your request. Follow online application prompts. Pay for your birth certificate copies. Note any information about your order. Prepare your documentation. Access the VitalChek website to complete your request. Follow online application prompts. Pay for your birth certificate copies and VitalChek’s service fees. Note your confirmation number and wait for your birth certificate copy.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Mums
How to Care for Mums
To care for mums, water them often, but make sure any excess water drains from the soil so that the plant isn't standing in water. When you water the flowers, use a 20-10-20 fertilizer if they aren't blooming, or a 10-20-10 fertilizer if they are. Be sure to keep the area clear from weeds, and keep the flowers away from artificial light sources at night, since mums need a period of darkness to flower. In late spring and early summer, pick off dead and fading flowers to encourage more growth. In the winter, cut your mums nearly to the ground to protect them from frost.
Divide your plants every three to five years. Dividing plants prevents overcrowding and promotes the maximum amount of blooms. Diving also cleans and rejuvenates old clumps. Dividing mums should be done in the spring when new growth first appears. Dig your plant up, making certain that you are not harming the roots. Lift the plant from the hole once you have cleared it of the dirt. Shake any excess dirt from its roots. Remove any diseased or dead parts of the plant. Divide the clump of roots by separating outer pieces from the center and then discarding the center of the plant. Some plants will be able to be separated with your fingers, others may need a knife--it depends on the size of your plant. Try not to damage the roots any more than necessary. Using a sharp garden knife will cause the least amount of damage to the roots, as it will be easier to cut them and there will be less hacking involved. Divide the plant further if you desire smaller plants. Replant the newly divided mums as soon as possible. They should be planted in well-drained, nutrient-rich, loose organic soil. Select a healthy plant. Mums are a popular plant in many areas so many stores may not know how to take care of them properly. Do not buy wilted plants or plants with yellowed leaves. To get the healthiest plants you may want to ask the retailer when they will be receiving their next delivery and return on that day. Repot your mums. Mums that you intend to keep in containers usually need to be repotted in a slightly larger container with the addition of new soil for best results. Gently break up the roots if the plant is rootbound. Water mums sufficiently but don't allow them to stand in water. Mums' root systems cannot handle too much moisture. Mums planted in containers will require more water than those planted in the ground, as mums in the ground can absorb natural water like rain and dew. Don't allow mums to wilt between waterings. If the lower leaves wilt or turn brown you need to water them more. Avoid splashing water onto the foliage as this could promote the growth of bacteria or cause your mum to become diseased. Keep mums away from street lights or artificial light during the nighttime hours. Mums are short-day plants, which means they need a long period of darkness to flower. Fertilize mums several times a year. You should use a balanced all-purpose fertilizer. Feed them especially during the vegetative growth period to prevent premature flowering. At each watering use a 20-10-20 or equivalent solution. When the blooming season begins, switch to a 10-20-20 fertilizer or equivalent. Treat fungus with fungicides. Treat pythium root and stem rot, fusarium wilt, bacterial leaf spot, botrytis blight, and chrysanthemum white rust with natural fungicides like garlic oil, neem oil or sulfur. Keep the plant area clean and clear of plant debris to prevent pests and diseases. Abolish common mum insects like aphids, mites, thrips, and leaf miners with insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils. Pinch the tips of young mum plants in late spring and early summer to make them bushy and compact. This ensures you will have domes of brightly-colored blossoms come autumn. Pick off dead or fading flowers to encourage more blooms. This is known as "deadheading". Cut your mums back to the ground. Do this after they have been killed back by hard frost. Provide an airy, light mulch for your mums. Insulated your plants' roots with mulch will help them face the frost winter brings. Evergreen branches or similar material are good mulch for mums. Mound the dirt up around your plants. Mounding the dirt will help to keep your plants from dying, even in the face of frost heaving (a constant freezing and thawing that can happen to plants in the winter.) Prepare your potted plants for winter. If you have potted mums, move them to a well-lit but cool location. Remove any covering your might have put on the pot. Do not over water your potted plants, as this can lead to bacterial growth. Wait to water the plants until the soil has dried two to three inches deep. When you water your plants, fill the pots so that they overflow and water runs out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. Plant or place mums in full sun. If you don't have an area that gets a full 8 hours of sunlight everyday, put them in a place where the mums will get at least 5 hours. If you have an option to choose between morning or afternoon sun, opt for morning sun. Use a fertile soil that drains easily when planting your mums in containers. Mums don't do well with 'wet feet' so try to avoid soil that retains a lot of water. For in-ground planting, choose an area of the yard that doesn't accumulate too much water. Plant mums in an area where they will receive plenty of air circulation. Placing them against walls or other structures, or placing them too close to other mum plants could hamper their growth or cause root competition. Mums should be planted 18 to 30 inches (45.7 to 76.2 cm) apart so that they have room to grow. Move them to a new location every three years. Moving your plants helps to prevent pest problems and reduces the risk of disease. (See the Dividing and Transplanting section for more instructions.)
Divide your plants every three to five years. Dig your plant up, making certain that you are not harming the roots. Divide the clump of roots by separating outer pieces from the center and then discarding the center of the plant. Replant the newly divided mums as soon as possible. Select a healthy plant. Repot your mums. Water mums sufficiently but don't allow them to stand in water. Keep mums away from street lights or artificial light during the nighttime hours. Fertilize mums several times a year. Treat fungus with fungicides. Keep the plant area clean and clear of plant debris to prevent pests and diseases. Pinch the tips of young mum plants in late spring and early summer to make them bushy and compact. Cut your mums back to the ground. Mound the dirt up around your plants. Prepare your potted plants for winter. Plant or place mums in full sun. Use a fertile soil that drains easily when planting your mums in containers. Plant mums in an area where they will receive plenty of air circulation. Move them to a new location every three years.
https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-a-Healthy-Bunny
How to Raise a Healthy Bunny
To raise a healthy bunny, feed it lots of grass-based hay, like oat or wheat, to help it eliminate hairballs and keep its teeth at a healthy length. Make sure to avoid giving it nuts, seeds, corn, or chocolate, which can be fatal to rabbits. Additionally, house your bunny in a cage large enough for it to stretch out fully and stand on its hind legs without hitting the top of the cage. You should also give it plenty of things to chew on, such as paper towel rolls and pieces of cardboard, to keep it amused and occupied.
Give your rabbit unlimited quantities of hay. Hay forms the foundation of a rabbit's diet. Not only is this important for nutrients, but fiber as well. Since rabbits clean themselves, they often swallow a lot of hair. Without adequate fiber, these hairballs can block the GI tract and can be fatal. Chewing hay also keeps the rabbit's teeth at a healthy length by wearing them down and preventing them from overgrowing. Feed your rabbit grass-based hays like timothy, oat, or wheat. Other hays like alfalfa may be too rich in calcium or protein for your rabbit to handle. To choose a good quality hay, look for a tinge of green and a sweet smell. Poor quality hay is completely yellow and may smell musty. Do not feed your rabbit a poor quality hay. If you cannot find a good hay at a local pet store, there are mail order companies that can ship you the right hay. Rabbits can be fed hay from birth. Provide your rabbit with plenty of water. Like with most animals, water is essential for health and well-being. Without adequate water, a rabbit can become dehydrated, go into organ failure, and die. Your rabbit should have fresh drinking water at all times. A water bottle or ceramic/stainless steel bowl is sufficient to give your rabbit water. Keep in mind that your rabbit may drink more from a bowl than a bottle, which is good for the rabbit's health. You can start with both to see what your rabbit prefers. Whatever method of providing water you choose, be sure to use lead-free products. Replace old water with clean water every day. Also be sure to clean water bottles and bowls with hot water and soap daily to prevent bacteria growth. Rinse these thoroughly to make sure all soap residue is washed away. Add fresh vegetables to your rabbit's diet. The best vegetables for your rabbit are romaine lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cilantro, spinach, and celery. Make sure any vegetables you feed to your rabbit are fresh. Vegetables even a few days old can make your rabbit sick. Serve vegetables wet to increase your rabbit's fluid intake and help the food flow more easily through the GI tract. Switch up the vegetables you give your rabbit every day. Some rabbits, when fed only one type of vegetable, can develop sludge in the bladder which may then form into bladder stones. A typical example is carrots which are high in oxalate. Feeding carrots every day can predispose a rabbit to bladder problems. To avoid this, never give the same food two days in a row. If your rabbit eats carrot one day, offer broccoli next so you're constantly mixing things up. Feed your rabbit fruit as a treat. Fruits should be considered a treat and should not form the base of your rabbit's diet. Generally you should limit fruit servings to no more than two tablespoons per day. All fruits are considered safe for feeding to rabbits, as long as they are in controlled quantities. Mix up your rabbit's fruit intake daily, the same as you would with vegetables. Provide rabbit pellets in limited quantities. Commercial rabbit pellets are generally not considered essential for a rabbit's diet- they don't provide the fiber or the tooth exercise that hay provides. They are also high in calories and can cause obesity if your rabbit eats too much of them. In limited quantities, however, pellets can provide vitamins and minerals that your rabbit needs. Remember that pellets should only be a supplement to other foods, and not form the foundation of your rabbit's diet. Pick pellets that are timothy-based rather than alfalfa-based. Alfalfa pellets tend to be higher in calories and can cause obesity. Pellets come in two forms: muesli and extruded. Muesli types have individual nutrients in each pellet, while extruded types have all nutrients mixed into each pellet. Use extruded types to give your rabbit all the essential nutrients he requires. With muesli types, your rabbit may pick out tasty pellets and neglect others, leading to deficiencies. Talk to your vet for the ideal portion size for your rabbit. Some recommended servings for adult rabbits are as low as 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) daily. If your rabbit starts neglecting his hay, cut back on pellets. A lack of fiber from hay can cause a fatal blockage in your rabbit's GI tract, so you'll want to make sure it is the primary food in the rabbit's diet. Avoid feeding rabbits anything not included on this list. Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems and you shouldn't feed them anything unfamiliar. Specifically avoid nuts, seeds, corn, or any dessert foods like chocolate. Your rabbit won't be able to digest these foods and consumption of these could be fatal. Also avoid any gourmet rabbit treats. These can be harmful. Always check with your vet before feeding something new to your rabbit. Decide whether your rabbit will be an indoor or outdoor pet. There are unique advantages and drawbacks to each, so weigh each option before making a final decision. If you will house your rabbit outdoors, make sure he has a secure living space that will protect him from predators and the elements. Even urban areas have threats like raccoons and cats that can harm or kill your rabbit, so you'll need to make sure he is protected. Also be sure to provide your rabbit with plenty of company and social interaction. It would also be helpful to give your rabbit an outdoor pen to play in during the day. If your rabbit will be an indoor pet, remember that rabbits like to chew. You'll need to sufficiently protect your furniture and valuables from getting damaged. He will also need daily exposure to sunlight to help with vitamin D production, so bring him outside regularly to ensure he stays healthy. Designate the area that your rabbit will be allowed in. Will your rabbit be allowed to roam the whole house, or is there a specific room you want to keep him in? Your rabbit will need several hours of exercise outside his cage every day. When choosing an area, remember that he needs enough room to explore and roam to make sure he gets enough exercise. At the minimum a full room should do. Keep in mind that the bigger area you allow your rabbit to roam in, the more bunny-proofing you'll have to do. Bunny-proof your rabbit's area. Rabbits love to chew, which can not only damage your home and furniture, but can be fatal for your rabbit. You need to remove or protect certain items within the rabbit's area. Either remove electrical wires from the rabbit's reach or wrap them to prevent your rabbit from chewing through them. To wrap them, get plastic tubes from the hardware store. Using scissors or a utility knife, carefully cut the tube lengthwise and push the wire inside. Cover open outlets with child-proof plugs. Remove any plants from the area. Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems and eating unfamiliar plants can make them sick. Continue supervising your rabbit if he is roaming the house. Even if you think you've taken everything out of his reach, rabbits can easily sneak through small openings and reach areas they aren't supposed to. This is especially true for younger rabbits. Rabbits are generally fine around other house pets like dogs and cats, so long as they are well-mannered. Puppies especially should be well-trained before you let them interact with your rabbit, as they may hurt him trying to play. Get your rabbit a cage. Your rabbit will need a place to sleep, eat, drink, and rest. Choosing the right cage is very important for keeping your rabbit healthy and happy. As a general rule, your rabbit should be able to stretch out fully and stand on his hind legs without hitting the top of the cage. For a more concrete measurement, the minimum recommended size is 24" x 36" x 24". If you have a wire-bottom cage, lay a piece of wood or plastic over part of the floor, to make sure your rabbit stays comfortable. You can also substitute a dog or cat cage for a specialized rabbit cage, so long as it is big enough. Include a small rug or mat and some hay for your rabbit to lay on. If your rabbit goes back into his cage, let him stay there and don't force him out. Rabbits often use their cages as a safe area where they can rest and relax. Make sure the rabbit has a place to hide within the cage. Rabbits are burrowing animals and need the security of a small dark space. A simple shoe box will do as a hide, but be prepared to replace it regularly because he will probably chew on it. House-train your rabbit. Like cats, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box. First see which corner of the cage your rabbit chooses as his bathroom. Then place a litter box there. When he consistently uses the litter box in his cage, you can allow him to roam more outside his cage. Place more litter boxes around his area to encourage him to use them. Always use positive reinforcement when house-training your rabbit, never punishments. Rewards include things like offering your rabbit's favorite treat. If the rabbit is well-socialized and loves people, reward him with praise or being groomed. Avoid using clumping litters, as your rabbit may eat clumps and cause an intestinal blockage. Use litters made from wood pulp, paper, or citrus. You could also use newspaper as an alternative, though this may not be as absorbent. Spay or neuter your rabbit. Go to your vet and have your rabbit fixed. There are a number of health benefits to spaying or neutering your rabbit regardless of its gender. Fixed rabbits are less likely to leave litter around the house because fixing reduces the urge to mark territory. Your rabbit will be much less aggressive. Rabbits' reproductive organs are susceptible to cancer as they age. Removing these eliminates this risk. Skip this step if you intend to breed your rabbits. This is safe as long as you have enough space for multiple rabbits and are well-educated on safe breeding methods. If this is the case, be sure to visit the vet regularly to check for problems with your rabbit's reproductive health. Provide plenty of toys for your rabbit. Rabbits naturally chew, so giving them toys ensures that it's not your furniture that gets chewed up. You don't need expensive rabbit toys- pieces of cardboard, paper towel rolls, and untreated, chemical-free wood will keep your bunny amused and entertained. Avoid rubber toys. If a rabbit swallows a piece of rubber it could block the GI tract. Play with your rabbit. Rabbits are active creatures and love to play. There are some great games you can play with your rabbit to amuse the two of you and keep him in good shape. Set up some small toy bowling pins and let your rabbit go knock them over. Active bunnies will love this game. Some bunnies like to flick toys around and have you return them, like a reverse game of fetch. Build an obstacle course for your rabbit. Rabbits love to explore, so appeal to this tendency with an obstacle course. Make sure to use materials like newspaper or cardboard so your rabbit won't get hurt. Always allow your bunny to rest if he wants to. When he's losing interest in a game, don't force him to continue. Handle your rabbit gently. Rabbits have fragile bones that can easily break if they are handled roughly. You should always be gentle with your rabbit to prevent harm. If your rabbit struggles when you try to pick him up, don't force it. Struggling rabbits can break their own bones or pull muscles, and you can also drop him as he struggles. Leave your rabbit alone if he doesn't want to be picked up. Introduce him to being picked up slowly. Rabbits are ground-dwelling animals and get easily spooked by going high into the air. Get him used to being stroked first. As he becomes more used to human company, try raising his front feet an inch off the ground. Then stay sitting when you pick him up for the first few times and hold him in your lap. Finally, advance to picking him up and standing. To properly pick up your rabbit, place one hand under his chest and one under his backside. For more details on picking up your rabbit safely, see Pick up a Rabbit. If you are worried the rabbit may scratch you, use a towel to pick him up. You could accidentally drop him if you get scratched. Make sure all pets are properly trained before they interact with the rabbit. Make sure all young children in the house know the rules when playing with the rabbit. Supervise them while they interact with the rabbit and stop them if they do anything that could harm him. Groom your rabbit regularly. Rabbits are hairy creatures that like to clean themselves. Unfortunately, ingesting too much hair can cause a serious intestinal blockage. You'll have to groom your rabbit regularly to prevent this. Brush your rabbit at least once a week. Using a fine-toothed comb, like a flea comb, thoroughly brush your rabbit. This will remove loose hair that your rabbit might otherwise swallow while grooming himself. Rabbits are typically sensitive to water, and can easily get hypothermia or fall into shock if submerged. If necessary you can spot clean your rabbit with a damp towel, but never submerge him. For more details on cleaning and grooming your rabbit safely, see Bathe Your Pet Rabbit. Clip your rabbit's nails every few weeks. Look at your rabbit's nails and find where the blood vessel inside it ends. This should be visible even if your rabbit has dark-colored nails. Using a nail clipper, clip right after the blood vessel ends. If you're afraid of hurting your rabbit, the vet can do this during check-ups. If you see dry or flaky skin while brushing your rabbit, contact your vet. This could be a sign of mites or fleas. Take your rabbit to the vet annually. Like all pets, your rabbit requires regular medical care to stay healthy. Stick with annual checkups and don't hesitate to schedule an appointment if you think something might be wrong with your rabbit. Look for a vet who has experience with rabbits. These are sometimes considered exotic veterinarians who specialize in non-traditional pets. Watch for signs of distress or illness in your rabbit. Since rabbits are sensitive creatures, they are susceptible to a number of ailments that range from minor to fatal. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your vet immediately. Sudden loss of appetite paired with abdominal gurgling. Labored breathing. A head tilt. Incontinence. Lumps or abscesses anywhere on your rabbit's body.
Give your rabbit unlimited quantities of hay. Provide your rabbit with plenty of water. Add fresh vegetables to your rabbit's diet. Feed your rabbit fruit as a treat. Provide rabbit pellets in limited quantities. Avoid feeding rabbits anything not included on this list. Decide whether your rabbit will be an indoor or outdoor pet. Designate the area that your rabbit will be allowed in. Bunny-proof your rabbit's area. Get your rabbit a cage. House-train your rabbit. Spay or neuter your rabbit. Provide plenty of toys for your rabbit. Play with your rabbit. Handle your rabbit gently. Groom your rabbit regularly. Take your rabbit to the vet annually. Watch for signs of distress or illness in your rabbit.
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-a-Caique-Parrot
How to Feed a Caique Parrot
To properly feed a caique parrot, make sure you're giving it high-quality organic bird pellets made specifically for parrots or cockatiels. You should also supplement your parrot's diet with fresh veggies and fruits, such as peas, corn, and apples, which will provide more of the phytonutrients that your bird needs. Avoid feeding your parrot foods that could upset its stomach or poison it, like mangoes, onions, avocadoes, and coffee beans. In terms of quantity, feed your parrot twice daily and start with half a cup of produce to see how your bird responds to it before giving it more.
Provide high-quality organic pellets. The base of your caique's diet should be specially formulated bird pellets. Look for a product made specifically for parrots, or use a cockatiel blend. Try to find pellets that don't have artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives in them. Follow the instructions on the product you choose, and provide one serving of pellets to your bird each day, generally in the morning. Uneaten pellets do not need to be removed from the cage, but if your parrot is consistently leaving leftovers you may scale back serving sizes. Bird seed is another option; however, pellets provide a more complete dietary base. If you would rather use bird seed as a base, be sure to provide lots of fruit, veggies, and calcium supplements. Consult your vet to outline a specific seed-based diet. Offer fresh veggies. Although bird pellets will provide an excellent base for your bird's diet, they will not provide all of the phytonutrients your bird needs. Offer a serving of fresh veggies each day (usually in the morning). Use organic produce whenever possible. Remove any uneaten produce after 24 hours. Some veggie options include: Peas Dandelion greens Corn Beet greens Carrots Broccoli Lettuce Spinach Sweet potatoes Feed your caique fresh fruit. Just like veggies, fruit can add necessary vitamins and phytonutrients to your caique's diet. Offer a serving of fresh fruit each day (usually in the afternoon). Make sure you take the pits out from the fruit before you feed your caique. Purchase organic fruit (whenever possible), and remove any uneaten fruit after 24 hours. Some good choices include: Apples Peaches Apricots Bananas Blueberries Pears Plums Avoid toxic foods. There are a number of foods that may upset your parrot's digestive system, and some of these can even be poisonous. If you are not sure about a particular food, ask your vet before offering it to your caique. Some foods to avoid include: Avocado Coffee beans Alcoholic beverages Alliums (such as onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives) Chocolate Grapefruit Mango Feed your parrot twice a day. In the wild, parrots will search for their first meal at daybreak, and their second meal in the late afternoon. To work with your parrot's natural rhythm, follow a two-meal-per-day pattern. Offer your parrot food in the morning, and again in the late afternoon. Choose the best feeding times that work for your schedule, and then try to be consistent. Experiment with food quantities. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about how much you feed your caique parrot at each meal. This will vary based on the size, activity-level, and appetite of your bird. Start by offering 1/2 cup (118 ml) of produce at each feeding. If your bird is leaving leftover food behind, gradually scale back the amount you serve them. If your parrot is quickly consuming everything you provide, you might try offering a bit more. At the morning feeding, you should also offer a serving of bird pellets (follow serving instructions on your product of choice). Keep an eye on your parrot's weight. If they are noticeably gaining or losing, you may want to adjust their serving sizes. Give your caique walnuts as a treat. Caique parrots are very fond of walnuts. Although these high-fat nuts should not be given on a daily basis, they are an excellent option for an occasional treat. Walnuts can be used very effectively as a treat during training. Supplement your caique’s diet with extra calcium. Caique parrot's can benefit from a little extra calcium in their diet. You might ask your vet if they think supplementing calcium is a good idea for your bird. Some supplemental calcium options include: Vitamin drops added to water. Cuttlebone, a calcium block, gravel with oyster shell added to the cage for your bird to nibble on. Provide fresh water. Your parrot will need to drink fresh water daily. You can offer water in a small dish, or use a fountain-style water dispenser. Refill the container each day. Caique parrots enjoy bathing in water. It is a good idea to provide a large (large enough for your bird to climb in, but shallow) water dish for bathing. Provide another small dish (too small for your bird to climb in) for drinking. Wash food and water dishes daily. To help keep your caique parrot healthy, it is important to keep their cage clean and sanitary. This includes washing their food and water dishes daily. Each day, simply remove the dishes, wash them with warm water and dish soap, and return them to the cage.
Provide high-quality organic pellets. Offer fresh veggies. Feed your caique fresh fruit. Avoid toxic foods. Feed your parrot twice a day. Experiment with food quantities. Give your caique walnuts as a treat. Supplement your caique’s diet with extra calcium. Provide fresh water. Wash food and water dishes daily.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-an-American-Bobtail-Cat
How to Care for an American Bobtail Cat
To keep your American Bobtail cat healthy, feed it quality food high in protein and nutrients. Look for food with beef, chicken, or fish listed in the top three ingredients, followed by taurine, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Cats love routine, so give your cat the same daily portion of food at a regular mealtime. The American Bobtail breed is very active, so take your cat for walks regularly if you can, and give it plenty of room in your home to run around and surfaces to jump from. Brush it twice per week to remove dead hair and keep the coat looking shiny. To keep its ears clean, wipe them out with a soft cloth moistened with half cider vinegar and half warm water once per week.
Keep an eye on its weight. You need to feed the American Bobtail cat so that it doesn't get overweight. An American Bobtail cat generally weighs between eight and thirteen pounds. Weight is also correlated with gender: Males typically weigh between twelve and sixteen pounds. Females typically weigh between seven and eleven pounds. Gently feel your cat's ribs under its fur. If it is at a healthy weight, you should be able to feel the ribs without a layer of fat in between your fingers. Give your cat a consistent amount of food. Cats love routine, so you should give your cat the same daily portion of food at a regular mealtime. The specific amount of food should be based on your veterinarian's advice. Your cat's nutritional needs will evolve as it ages. In consultation with your veterinarian, tailor your cat's diet according to age: Kittens need a lot of protein and healthy fats to grow and mature properly. Adult cats need a lower-calorie diet to maintain a healthy weight. Senior cats need a lower protein diet with high digestibility. Shop for quality cat food. When you buy cat food, look for quality ingredients. Near the top of the listed ingredients, you should see the protein source (e.g., beef, chicken, fish), followed shortly by taurine (essential amino acid), vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and water. Fillers such as corn or wheat and then artificial ingredients will come next, but better brands will have fewer of these filler and artificial ingredients. Take your cat for a walk. This breed is very active, so it will benefit from short walks around the block. Use a cat leash and collar to walk them around the block. If you live in a rural area, you could also just let the cat outside to explore for periods of the day. However, if you like to let your cat outside, you should consider the impact of your cat on local wildlife, as well as risks such as traffic and predation. Try training your cat to walk on a leash as a kitten, since they are more open to new experiences at a young age. That said, you can train a cat to walk on a leash at any age. Give it puzzles and toys to play with inside. The American Bobtail cat is very smart. If you leave the cat inside during the day, you need to give it something to keep its mind occupied. Puzzle toys such as food mazes, prize games, treat ball games and massagers are all good options. Line toys are another great option, such as wands and teasers with furry animals on the end. Get a scratching post or toy. If your Bobtail cat were in the wild, you might find them exercising their muscles on trees. In the comfort of your home, they may want to scratch your expensive furniture. Instead of your furniture, find a scratching toy that your cat will enjoy. Consider the height, material, surfaces and sturdiness of the scratching toy. Scratching posts, for instance, should have a very sturdy base, a variety of surfaces to scratch and be made from sisal fabric or another attractive material. The sturdiness of the post is especially important, since you don't want your cat to get injured climbing a poorly made post. Give your cat room to climb and jump. American Bobtails love to climb. Make sure you have a cat condo or other high platforms for your cat to leap and climb on. Many of these cat condos also come with scratching posts, which will reduce your cat's urge to scratch your furniture. Brush your cat twice a week. The American Bobtail sheds a lot in the spring and fall months, so you will need to brush your cat more during those seasons. Generally, brush your cat a couple times a week to remove dead hair and keep the coat looking shiny. Use a slick brush such as a rubber curry. Trim the nails. It is important to stay on top of nail trimming for this breed, especially if you value your furniture and skin. Ask a friend to hold your cat firmly in their lap. While they are holding your cat, grab one of your cat's paws. Gently press down on the top and bottom of the paw to extend your cat's claws. While they are extended, clip off the pointy part of the claw. Don't cut too close to the pink part of the claw where all the nerve endings are located. Monitor your cat’s ears. It is important to keep an eye on your cat's ears, including occasional cleaning and watching out for infection. Every week, you should wipe out your cat's ears with a soft damp cloth. Moisten the cloth with half cider vinegar and half warm water, then clean out their ears. Cotton balls should be avoided because they may damage your cat's ears. If you observe any loss of balance, pawing or sensitivity of the ears, you should get your cat checked out at the vet. Remove any discharge from their eyes. To get rid of angel dust or any discharge, you should use a damp napkin to wipe any debris out from the corner of their eyes. Brush their teeth. Since this breed can be vulnerable to teeth problems, you should regularly brush their teeth. It is best to brush their teeth three times per week. Holding your cat firmly but gently in your lap, brush their teeth with feline toothpaste and a cat toothbrush. Always brush away from the gum line. At the end of the session, you don't need to rinse their mouth because feline toothpaste is meant to be eaten. Keep a clean litter box. This breed is sensitive about bathroom cleanliness, so you should make sure you regularly clean out their litter box. You should clean the litter box once or twice per day. Spay or neuter your cat. Spaying or neutering your Bobtail will reduce the unwanted cat population while improving the health of your cat. Female cats won't go into heat, and spayed females may live longer. Male cats may be less aggressive. You can spay or neuter your cat at eight weeks of age. Microchip your cat. A microchip can be inserted under your cat's skin. If your cat becomes lost, a shelter or vet can scan the chip and return the cat to you. Microchipping can be done at a vet or shelter. It is a good idea to do it as soon as you adopt your American Bobtail. Vaccinate your cat. Cats need vaccinations every year or two to prevent common diseases. It should get its first vaccination as young as six or seven weeks of age, but it is never too late to vaccinate. Common vaccines include: Panleukopenia Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Rabies Feline Leukemia Take the cat to the vet every year for an exam. Even if the cat is perfectly healthy and up to date on its shots, you should still have it examined at least once a year to make sure that there is nothing wrong. At the annual exam, the vet will check for signs of parasites, such as intestinal parasites, fleas, mites, or heartworm.
Keep an eye on its weight. Give your cat a consistent amount of food. Shop for quality cat food. Take your cat for a walk. Give it puzzles and toys to play with inside. Get a scratching post or toy. Give your cat room to climb and jump. Brush your cat twice a week. Trim the nails. Monitor your cat’s ears. Remove any discharge from their eyes. Brush their teeth. Keep a clean litter box. Spay or neuter your cat. Microchip your cat. Vaccinate your cat. Take the cat to the vet every year for an exam.
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Younger-Brother
How to Deal With a Younger Brother
A younger brother can be tricky to deal with, but by treating him kindly and learning to resolve conflict in a mature way, you two can have a better relationship. Always try to treat your younger brother how you would like to be treated to set a good example. Don't yell at him, annoy him on purpose, or use his things without asking. When he starts to get annoying, stay as calm as possible. Avoid slamming doors or showing that you feel annoyed because this will only provoke him further. It can also help if you ask your younger brother to do something for you if he's getting annoying. A distraction such as drawing a picture or writing a story will take your little brother's mind off provoking you and it will make him feel like he's doing something special for you.
Think about how you treat your brother throughout the day. Do you push him when you pass him in the hall? Do you lock him out of the bathroom just to annoy him? Do you take his things without asking? It can be easy to pick on a little brother without even thinking about it, especially since he's littler than you and can't really do anything about it. Start noticing how you treat him throughout the day. In some cases, it can feel like it is your brother's fault that you pick on him. He annoys you, so you pick on him, so he annoys you more-- it's a cycle that won't stop until you try something different. Think about how he must be feeling. It can be hard to be a younger brother. He probably thinks you are cool and wants to be with you, but isn't mature enough to play the kind of games you like or hang out with you like your friends do. He might be starting fights or bothering you because he wants attention. When you imagine how someone else is feeling, it is called empathy. Empathy helps you decide how to act toward someone by imagining how they feel, and then responding with what would feel most helpful or reassuring to you if you were in their place. Treat him how you would like to be treated. You've probably heard this saying, called the "Golden Rule," and it is a great way to treat your brother. Just because he's your younger brother doesn't mean he doesn't deserve regular respect! Treat him how you want him to treat you. Don't yell at him, take his things without asking, or tattle on him. He may not treat you the same, but if you're respectful and kind to him, you can't be blamed for him starting a fight. Approach him in a kind tone. Never start a conversation screaming. It hurts his feelings when you snap at him, and will make him snap right back. Try saying "Good morning!" in a cheery voice every day. It sets the right tone for the rest of the day. Sit him down and have a heart-to-heart talk. If you and your brother have been fighting a lot lately, or if he has been doing things that annoy you, you should have a conversation with him to let him know how you feel. Make sure that you don't make him cry. Try not to talk down to him in a bossy way, or tell him what to do. Let him participate in the conversation and tell you how he's feeling as well. Try using "I-statements" to explain how you feel. Instead of blaming him by saying things like "You are always so nosy and rude!" you might say, "I feel frustrated when you come in my room without knocking. It makes me think you don't respect my privacy." Apologize for times you have been mean to him. You have probably picked on your brother or yelled at him when he was annoying you. Tell him you are sorry for those times and that you want to have a better friendship with him. Try saying, "I'm sorry that I've been mean to you and yelled at you. I don't know why I do that sometimes, but I want to try to be nicer to you." Make a list of things you both can change. You both are probably guilty of annoying and being mean to each other. Write down what you wish your brother wouldn't do, and ask him which things he doesn't want you to do. Keep the list short and focused on the most important things-- try for two or three things each. You might ask him to not interrupt when you have friends over, knock before coming into your room, and not borrow your toys without asking. Agree with him that you will both work on not doing the things that annoy each other. Stay calm even when he acts immature. It can be hard to have a serious conversation with a little brother. If he is making rude noises or making faces while you talk, simply stand up and say quietly, 'I tried to talk but...', and walk away. If he calls you back look at him (without saying anything) and wait until he speaks. When he does, sit down beside him and finish your conversation. Listen to every word he says and show that you care what he thinks. When he is done talking, hug him and remind him that you love him, even if you two fight sometimes. Know how to react when you two fight. Even if you sit down with your brother and agree to get along better, you will still have some fights in the future. If you think you will start yelling at him say: "I'm not going to fight with you." If you do start arguing, let him win sometimes. That can surprise him and cut the fight short. Say, "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm going to go in my room and read for a while." If you're really mad at him just walk away and tell him that you don't want to be mean so you want to get away from him. Tell him you don't want it to end with you two fighting. Try to play his favorite game with him or read his favorite book. Spending time with your brother doing the things that he likes means he's less likely to bug you for attention when your friends are over or you're trying to do homework. Try to schedule regular time together to play, go to the park, or just color pictures together. Get your siblings to play together. If you have multiple younger siblings, set them up to play a game with each other. That way, they will be preoccupied with each other instead of you. If they start arguing, politely step in and remind them that they are siblings, not enemies. Play with them for a few minutes until they seem like they are friends again, then go do whatever you were going to do. You might set up a game of veterinarian with the stuffed animals, or set up a simple board game like Hi Ho Cherry-O or Shoots and Ladders. Give him something to do when he is annoying you. If you are trying to do something and he won't stop bothering you, ask him to draw you a picture or color a page for you in a coloring book. Make a big deal out of how much you want him to make you something, and he'll feel special while he makes it. Be sure to thank him and hang the picture up on the wall in your room, so he knows you really do appreciate it. Let your brother know you love him. Make sure you tell him you love him regularly. It might seem cheesy, but he needs to know that you are there for him and care about him. Try saying "Love you!" in the morning when your brother leaves for school or at night when you go into your rooms to sleep.
Think about how you treat your brother throughout the day. Think about how he must be feeling. Treat him how you would like to be treated. Approach him in a kind tone. Sit him down and have a heart-to-heart talk. Apologize for times you have been mean to him. Make a list of things you both can change. Stay calm even when he acts immature. Listen to every word he says and show that you care what he thinks. Know how to react when you two fight. Try to play his favorite game with him or read his favorite book. Get your siblings to play together. Give him something to do when he is annoying you. Let your brother know you love him.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Conjunctivitis-on-Guinea-Pigs
How to Treat Conjunctivitis on Guinea Pigs
If your guinea pig's eyelids look pink or red around the edges or you see discharge coming out from its eyes, it probably has conjunctivitis, which is a bacterial infection. Take your guinea pig to the vet so they can determine the cause of the infection. Your vet will prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drop for you to administer at home. To give it the treatment, wrap your guinea pig up in a clean towel to secure it and apply the drops or ointment as instructed. Make sure to carry the treatment all the way through, even if your guinea pig's eyes start to look better.
Recognize the clinical signs of conjunctivitis. If your guinea pig's eyelids look pink or red around the edges, you can be pretty sure that he has conjunctivitis. You may also see different types of discharge coming from the eye: thick and yellow (indicates infection) or clear and watery. The entirety of the infected eye will look swollen and inflamed. Because of the irritation, your guinea pig will scratch his eyes, which makes conjunctivitis worse. Your guinea pig's eyelids might also be sticky due to the buildup of dried discharge. You may notice hair missing under your guinea pig's lower eyelids. If something got in your guinea pig's eyes and blocked the tear ducts, the tear fluid would end up constantly spilling onto the lower eyelid. The hair would fall out because of the constant wetness. Since guinea pigs like to root around in their bedding, your guinea pig may have gotten some bedding stuck in his eye that has caused inflammation and irritation. It probably wouldn't be too hard to see bedding in his eye. Take your guinea pig to the veterinarian. You may be tempted to go to your local pet store, find some eye drops or eye ointment, and treat your guinea pig yourself. This is not a good idea, though—guinea pigs can be very sensitive to eye medications and develop allergic reactions to them. Go see your veterinarian first before doing any at-home treatments. If your guinea pig has something stuck in his eye, do not remove it! This will do more harm than good. Your veterinarian will be able to remove the object safely. Conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by a bacteria (e.g., Bordatella, Streptococcus, Chlamydia ). Only your veterinarian will be able to identify which bacteria is causing the conjunctivitis. Your veterinarian will diagnose conjunctivitis by looking at the eyes and taking a sample of the discharge to identify which bacteria are causing the condition. Follow treatment instructions. When your veterinarian has diagnosed conjunctivitis, he or she will prescribe an antibiotic eye ointment or eye drop. Your guinea pig will also need an antiseptic eyewash for cleaning the eyes. To treat your guinea pig's eyes, wrap him snugly in a towel to restrain him and give him the medications as instructed by your veterinarian. Have a soft, clean towel nearby to gently dry your guinea pig's eyes after you clean and treat them. Even if your guinea pig's eyes start to look better, continue to treat them according to your veterinarian's instructions. Stopping the treatment too soon may not kill all of the bacteria, leaving your guinea pig susceptible to getting sick again. If you are unsure about how to treat your guinea pig's eyes, have your veterinarian demonstrate the proper technique before you leave the veterinary office. You may need to treat your guinea pig's conjunctivitis for up to a few weeks. Schedule follow-up appointments. Your veterinarian will want to see your guinea pig at least once after the initial treatment to check his eyes. If your guinea pig's eyes still look irritated, or there is still discharge coming from the eyes, your veterinarian will probably want you to keep treating the eyes at home. You may need to schedule several follow-up appointments to ensure your guinea pig's conjunctivitis has been completely treated. Select dust-free bedding. Because guinea pigs like to root around in their bedding, they can get pieces of bedding or specks of dust in their eyes, both of which can irritate. Examples of dust-free bedding are Carefresh, newspaper, and shredded paper. Newspaper and shredded paper are not very absorbent and do not control odor. If you want to use paper bedding, you will need to use it along with more absorbent bedding that also controls odor. Polar fleece is also dust-free and is becoming more popular as a bedding choice. Although it is good at wicking away urine, it should be used along with more absorbent bedding, such as towels. Fleece bedding needs to be washed several times before use. Do not use sawdust since it is very dusty. Some wood shavings are low in dust, but the wood specks could get stuck in your guinea pig's eyes. Keep your house clean. The cleaner your house, the lower the levels of bacteria in your home that could cause your guinea pig to develop conjunctivitis. Also, regularly dusting your home could lessen the chances of dust getting in your guinea pig's eyes. It may help to have a regular schedule of cleaning to make you don't miss anything. Reduce your guinea pig’s stress levels. In general, stress can weaken your guinea pig's immune system and increase his risk of getting sick. Sudden changes to his routine, such as diet and playtime, can make your guinea pig feel stressed. Also, if you don't hold him as much as you used to, or don't hold him at the same time every day, he might feel stressed. Other than illness, signs of stress include depression, decreased activity, and possibly aggression. If you notice that sudden changes to his daily routine are stressing out your guinea pig, make the changes more slowly. Whatever the cause of stress, try to identify it and remove and/or change it.
Recognize the clinical signs of conjunctivitis. Take your guinea pig to the veterinarian. Follow treatment instructions. Schedule follow-up appointments. Select dust-free bedding. Keep your house clean. Reduce your guinea pig’s stress levels.
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-Attachments-in-Gmail-on-iPhone-or-iPad
How to Open Attachments in Gmail on iPhone or iPad
Find the attachment at the bottom of the email, and tap on it.
Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or iPad. The Gmail icon looks like a white envelope with a red lining around it. You can find it on your home screen, or in an app folder. Tap the email with the attachment. Find the email you want to open in your mailbox, and tap on it. This will open the selected email's contents on a new page. Tap the attachment you want to open at the bottom of the email. Attachments are listed at the bottom of the email's body. Tap on the attachment you want to view. Tapping will allow you to view the attached file in full-screen. This can be an image, audio, or a document file.
Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the email with the attachment. Tap the attachment you want to open at the bottom of the email.
https://www.wikihow.com/Organize-Your-Life
How to Organize Your Life
If you're trying to organize your life, start by using a calendar or planner to keep track of things, like appointments and events, and make notes about important tasks. Then, create daily to-do lists that break those tasks into more easily manageable pieces. For example, for the task of cleaning your kitchen you might list things such as wash the dishes, wipe the counters, and mop the floor. It may also help to add check boxes to your to-do list and tick them off as you get things done, so you can see how being organized helps you accomplish your goals.
Determine the cause of your lack of organization. Why do you feel cluttered? For some people, busy schedules get in the way, making organization difficult. For others, simply lack of motivation or know-how is the culprit. To start organizing your life, you need to acknowledge the cause and make a decision to change it. Consider what needs to be organized. Although it's easy to say “everything,” chances are there are specific areas in your life that have more clutter than others. Where are you the most disorganized? Your bedroom? At work? Consider your skills in making plans, cleaning house, or running errands. Which of these is the most stressful for you to accomplish? Remember to consider your work life, friendships, and general thought processes as well. If you do think that everything in your life needs to be organized choose one thing to focus on. Then move on to another thing. Fill out a calendar. If you have a busy schedule (or even if you don't!) purchase or make a solid calendar and place it somewhere you will see it on a regular basis. This could be near your keys, on the fridge or in your home office. Take a few minutes to fill out the entire calendar with important dates and events coming up. Avoid filling out common activities that will clutter your calendar, but things that you have firm plans to actually do. This could include classes, your work schedule, doctors appointments, and major events such as weddings and funerals. Review your filled-out calendar and look at your typical weekly schedule. When are your breaks? Do you have short periods of time between events that you can use to your benefit? When are you busiest? Get a good planner. The step up from the calendar is the handheld planner; an ultra organised list of daily activities. Although the thought of a planner may seem silly, it is consistently used by organised people. Whenever you create plans for an event, are assigned a project for work or school, or need to keep track of tasks and errands, mark them in your planner. Try color-coding your planner to organize it even further. Use a single color to mark like events (such as homework or trips to the store) and some colors to mark important events (like using red to show something that must be done on time). Carry your planner with you everywhere. It does you no good to have a planner but then leave it at home or laying under a pile of things. In order to stay organised, keep it in your purse, your car, on your desk, somewhere that you will remember to grab it. Create a to-do list. Sure, a to-do list sounds oddly similar to using a planner to schedule your days. However, think of your to-do list as breaking down your day into even smaller, more manageable pieces. Don't list major, vague projects (such as clean the house or workout more). Give yourself some clear direction with short, easy tasks (like clean the kitchen, scrub the toilets, and run one mile). Add little check boxes next to each task, even if it seems silly. Ticking off the boxes as you work through your day will give you a visual reminder of your hard work, and leave you feeling fulfilled and proud of your work. Keep your to-do list someplace you will see it often, to remind you of the tasks you have to accomplish. You may even consider keeping it in your planner. Finish the biggest projects on your to do list before getting to smaller ones. For example, finish “scrub the fridge” before “sort the mail” to give you momentum and make yourself more productive. Stop procrastinating. Possibly the toughest item on the list, procrastinating is a major detriment to organizing your life. Instead of putting things off, get them done immediately. Force yourself to get things done without waiting to finish them. If it can be done in two minutes or less, always do it right away while breaking down larger tasks into smaller pieces to make them manageable. Set a timer for fifteen minutes and work like crazy during that time. Don't get distracted, take any breaks, or stop for any reason but an emergency during the time your timer is going. Then, allow yourself to stop working on your tasks when the timer goes off. Likely though, you will continue working because you finally managed to make headway on a project you've been avoiding. Remove your distractions, whatever they are. Often it is the internet, your phone, sleep, or even a good book. No matter what distracts you, set a period of time where you work on projects without them. Start your day out right. When you wake up, eat a good breakfast, shower or wash your face, get dressed, and put on your shoes. Do all the things you would do, every single day, as if you were going in to work at the office. This will change your mental perspective; by getting ready and making yourself presentable to the world, you have set yourself up for success. You'll have more confidence because you'll know that you are prepared for anything, and you will therefore be more direct about getting work accomplished and being organised about it. Write everything down. Whenever you have an important thought, remember something you don't want to forget, or are reminded of something to do, write it down. This can be done in your planner or in another generalized notebook that you keep with you. Writing down your errant thoughts will not only remove them from your mind (and thus declutter your conscience), but also place them in a place that you can return back to later without forgetting. Don’t overwhelm yourself. If you find that your time is short and schedule is full, consider dropping less important things from your daily plans. Is that coffee date with your friend really necessary today? How about your plans to work on your work assignment outside of your work hours? If you are doing too many things at once, you will feel unorganized and anxiety-prone. Cancel plans when necessary to give your head a little more thinking space. Learn to delegate projects to others. If you know you have to go grocery shopping but are much too busy to consider the idea, ask a family member or close friend to run the errand for you. As long as you aren't putting off major tasks or giving things that are important for you personally to do to others, delegating can be healthy. Don't agree to everything you are asked to do if you know you don't have time for it. Your friends won't hate you, your boss won't think you slack, and your significant other will understand if you need your free time to get some personal work and organisation done. Don’t be a perfectionist. If you only feel that you've completed a task when it is “perfect,” you will be leaving a lot of tasks unfinished to clutter up your life. On a similar note, if you wait to start tasks until you're in the “perfect” decluttering mindset, you will be waiting a very long time. Don't put off projects any longer, and know when a project is adequately finished and can be left alone. When you reach a point where it is “good enough,” settle for less and move on to your next item. If you have certain projects that you can't seem to perfect, try taking a break from them and come back after you've finished a few other smaller tasks. You will accomplish more in the same amount of time, rather than getting bored and wasting time on a single unperfected task. Find a place for everything. If your house is unorganized, you probably don't have designated places for all your things. Instead of resigning items to a certain room or area, keep track of a very specific location for everything in your home. Don't simply leave something on your nightstand, create a space specifically for that item. Do the same for everything in your home so that things aren't left lying around without a place to live. Keep something like a basket or small stand near the front door where you can place things you need to deal with when you have more time. This might include your mail, items from the store, or things from school and work. Declutter space by space. Choose a day during the week on which you have most (or all) of your time free. Then, choose a single area in your life that is unorganized and needs to be cleaned up. This could be rooms in your house, your car, or your office at work. Then work only on throwing out unnecessary items that are taking up space in that section of your life. Get organizational storage containers, folders, and boxes to help your place stay organised. You can buy items designated for organized storage from many department and furniture stores, or you can make your own using things like cups, shoe boxes, and dishes. Make these organizational pieces a bit more attractive with a coat of paint or a covering of fabric. Consider the last time you used the items you are sorting through. If it has been many months or years since you last needed it, consider throwing it out. Get rid of things you don’t need. Although you might assume that you “need” everything you own, an disorganized house is probably likely to have some items you don't. Sort through the things that constantly give you clutter and determine how useful it is to you. If you haven't used it in a long time, don't use it frequently, don't like it anymore, or don't need it, get rid of it. Keep your emotions separate from the items you are sorting. Sure, your great aunt may have given you that porcelain knickknack, but do you truly want or need it? Make steps to throw these things out, and don't feel like a bad person for doing so. Separate things you get rid of into piles such as trash, donations, and things to sell. Then, process each pile accordingly. Hold a garage or yard sale to make some money on the things you are throwing out. Large items, such as furniture or electronics, can be listed on online selling sites like eBay or Craigslist so that you don't have to host a large event in order to make your money. Don’t bring in more unnecessary items. Don't defeat the process of organising your life by bringing in new things that you don't need. One major reason you might do this is bargain shopping. Avoid big sales or bargains, as these will lead to you buy things that you don't really need or want simply because you don't want to pass up the good deal. When you're shopping, ask yourself where in your home that piece will go. Do you have a specific location for it, where it can stay permanently? When you go to the store, keep a list of the things you are looking for. Then, as you search for items do not stray from your list. You will come back with only what you need, rather than what you thought you needed. Consider the money you save by avoiding that sale. Although you may be making a bargain purchase, you are still spending money on something you might not need. Put things back right away. Everyone does it - takes out a pen from the drawer, writes a note, and then leaves it on the counter. Instead of placing things where it's most convenient, take an extra moment to return them to their correct places. If the task you are considering takes less than two minutes, just do it right away. Getting it done will leave your house organised and give you less to do later. If there are several things laying around in the same area, take a few minutes to put them all back. This will keep the unruly pile from growing larger and more difficult to deal with. Divvy up your chores. How many times has your house become unorganised because you put off cleaning it up? Although this is tied to procrastination, you can make your list of things to clean and organise more manageable by presenting yourself with smaller tasks. Choose a single item - such as dusting - and give yourself a specific time and day to do it. If you do this with all your chores, your space will always be clean without you having to spend several consecutive hours working on it. Label everything. Do you have boxes or drawers full of mystery items, long lost from your memory? Well get out your handy label maker (or use a classic marker) and label everything you have. Keep like things in the same place, in order to make the labeling process go a bit smoother. Prioritise your life. Think of 5 things that you want to be big things in your life, such as studying, exercise, healthy eating, relaxation, working, sleep etc.. Make a chart. List all the days in the month ahead down the page and across the top put the 5 things that you want your days to be split up into. Decide what your aims are. Whether you aim to do 30 minutes of exercise every day or a whole hour. Put that above each one. Tick them off. Reward yourself with the pleasure of ticking something when you achieved your goal. Reward yourself. Say to yourself something like, "If I get 100 boxes ticked, then I will go out to the cinema", or go on a vacation with all my friends".
Determine the cause of your lack of organization. Consider what needs to be organized. Fill out a calendar. Get a good planner. Create a to-do list. Stop procrastinating. Start your day out right. Write everything down. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Don’t be a perfectionist. Find a place for everything. Declutter space by space. Get rid of things you don’t need. Don’t bring in more unnecessary items. Put things back right away. Divvy up your chores. Label everything. Prioritise your life. Make a chart. Decide what your aims are. Tick them off. Reward yourself.
https://www.wikihow.com/Figure-Out-Whether-or-Not-It%27s-a-Date
How to Figure Out Whether or Not It's a Date
If someone invites you to hang out, sometimes it can be hard to figure out whether it's a date or not, but there are some hints you can look for. If they've been flirting with you or seemed a little nervous when they asked you, it's more likely to be a date. Maybe they mentioned getting to know you better, which is a strong suggestion that it's a date. Consider what you'll be doing when you hang out. If they're taking you to dinner or for drinks, it's probably a date. If they just invited you over to their place after work, it's probably something more casual. The length of notice they gave you can also be an indication. If they asked you a few days or a week in advance, there's a higher chance it's a date than if they asked you to hang out tonight or tomorrow.
Ask yourself if you want it to be a date. The answer to this question may influence your approach to how you ask the person whether or not they are asking you on a date. Are you interested in this person, or are you worried that they have romantic feelings for you when you don't feel that way about them? Try writing in a journal, talking to a trusted friend, or just spending some time thinking about how you truly feel about this person and what you'd like your relationship to be. Work up the nerve to ask. You may feel uncomfortable asking the person outright, as it is a slightly awkward situation, so it may be necessary to build up your courage beforehand. Being courageous means you acknowledge your fear (fear that they will say no, that you will feel uncomfortable, that someone will get their feelings hurt) and press forward despite that fear. Try faking it. Pretending that you feel confident and courageous can trick your brain and help you actually feel confident. Practice how you will ask and how you will respond in different scenarios. What will you say if they say yes? If they say no? If they say they're not sure? You may want to write out your responses or practice aloud. Remind yourself that, while it may seem daunting, you are saving yourself a lot of time and potential heartache and anguish by being direct. If you are interested in the person and they say it's not a date, you can take some time to deal with your disappointment and then move on. If you don't ask, you may waste days, weeks, or months trying to figure it out and possibly missing out on meeting people who do want to date you. Think about the best time and way to ask. Is this a friend or someone you don't know very well? If it's a friend, asking over a text message may be too casual. Ask to speak with them in person or over the phone so you can use body language and tone to your advantage. Text messages are too easy to misinterpret, and may make it seem like you don't really care or take it seriously. If it's someone you don't know that well, a text might be okay, but consider talking on the phone to minimize any mixed signals. The best time to ask whether it's a date is when the person initially invites you out. However, if the moment passes, you can still ask beforehand, so you'll both be on the same page once you meet up. You can also ask during the date, but think about how the other person might feel. Maybe they've spent half the date thinking they are out with their dream partner, only to have you ask half-way through dinner "Wait, do you think this is a date?" Talking about it beforehand gives both of you the chance to back out of the date if you want to. You may also be questioning what your hangout meant afterwards when you didn't have any questions before. For example, maybe you thought it was a date, but the other person didn't try to kiss you or send any "date" vibes. Was it a date or were they just nervous? It's okay to ask afterwards, saying something like, "I had a really great time last night, but I'm feeling a little confused about where we stand. Was that a date?" Ask if it’s a date. Be kind, sincere, and honest when you ask the person if they are asking you are on a date or not. Don't laugh or act surprised when you ask, such as saying, "Oh my God, did you think this was a date?!" It's okay to acknowledge that it is an awkward or uncomfortable situation — just keep the other person's feelings in mind. Say something like, “I feel weird asking this. I honestly was not sure what you meant when you asked to see me tonight. Are we just hanging out as friends or is it a date?” Or you could say, “I know this is kind of awkward to say, but I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page before we go out this weekend. Is this a date or something more casual?” Be prepared for the answer. Asking cuts right to the chase, and you need to remember that the answer might not be what you want to hear. Know that you may be disappointed by their response, or you may have to let them down if they think it's a date and you're not interested. Run through these scenarios before you ask so you'll be prepared to handle any response. Rejection hurts , whether you're the one being rejected or you have to do the rejecting. It's okay to feel disappointed or sad if things don't turn out the way you hoped. If the person says no and you were hoping for a yes, it's okay to say something like, "Oh, that's kind of disappointing. I really like you and it really seemed like you might be asking me out." You can follow up with, "I really like spending time with you, but I don't think I can do it as just friends, so I'm going to have to cancel" if you would prefer not to hang out after all. If the person says yes and you were hoping for a no, try something like, "I think you're an amazing person, but I don't have romantic feelings for you. I'd really love to still hang out, but if you're not up to it anymore, that's totally fine." If you and the other person agree that it is or isn't a date, you can laugh off the temporary awkwardness and you can enjoy your time together without worrying about what it "is." Think about how they act around you. If they have ever seemed interested in you, then it might be a date. Being flirtatious (giggling and teasing, holding eye contact, etc.); joking around with you; and being touchy with you are signs they might like you. A long history of hanging out as just friends, however, may mean this is not a date. If they seemed nervous or excited when the plans were established to see each other, it might be a date. If the person is usually calm and cool and could barely get the question out or look you in the eye when they asked, it's a sign they're probably interested in you. Figure out how you are meeting. If they pick you up or want you to pick them up, it is a good sign that it is a date. They might want to pick you up because they have something planned or don't want you to flake. If they invite you to come over, it might be more casual of an event. Notice if the person opens the car door for you. This can be standard for older people regardless of their feelings for the other person, or it may be something the person always does. If it's not their usual behavior, however, and they open the door for you, it indicates the person may care about you as more than a friend. Ask if there is a plan. If they have suggestions or a plan, it might be a date. Especially if the plan is dinner, a movie, a hike, or something else that is traditionally done on a date. It is a very good indication it is a date if they make a reservation. It is less likely to be a date if they do not seem to care what you do, invite you over to just hang out, or suggest you play it by ear. Finding out if they have a plan can be as simple as asking what they want to do. Say something like, “Hey! What did you want to do on Friday?” Think about when they want to see you. Has this been planned for a week or did your “date” invite you over last minute? If they gave you plenty of notice, it is more likely to be a date than if they suggested you come over last minute. Wanting to see you at odd times, like in the middle of the night or in the middle of work times, could also mean it is not a date. Pay attention to what they refer to it as. It's unlikely the person referred to it as a "date," even if that's what they are. To minimize the chance of rejection, a person may ask you to "hang out" when they really want a date. Or, the person may see it as a totally casual thing, and just "hanging out" is exactly what they have in mind. If the person suggests hanging out, don't make any assumptions about whether or not it is a date. If the person says they'd like to get to know you, see you, or spend time with you, it is more likely they are asking you on a date. If they asked you by saying: “I would love to see you Friday night to get to know you better,” it might be a date. Find out if you are going to be alone or at a group event. If they invite you to hang out with a bunch of their friends or go to a party with them, then it is probably not a date. If they want to see you one on one, it is more likely that it is a date. You can subtly find out if it is going to be a group thing ahead of time by asking. If you want it to be a date, try saying, “Hey! What are you and I doing on Saturday?” If you emphasize that you just want it to be “you and I” when you ask, they will hopefully get the hint. Evaluate their outfit. It might be a date if they show up in a dress, heels, or slacks, or it just appears in general that they put in an extra effort to see you. If your “date” is wearing an unwashed sweatshirt and it looks (or smells) like they didn't even bother to shower, then it is probably not a date. Watch how they interact with you. If they ask you questions about yourself, pay attention to you, look at you often, listen to you, and generally seem like they care about you, then it is likely to be a date. It might not be a date if they are barely paying attention to you and are not trying to make conversation. See if they talk about their love life. If it was a date, you would be their current love life, not whatever they are talking about. It is not a date if they are going on about another person they are interested in, asking for relationship advice, or hitting on other people during the date. Read their body language. You can tell a lot about a situation based on someone's body language. If they lean toward you, put their arm around you, try to hold your hand, or turn their body toward you, they might be interested in you. Whereas, if they are leaned over in the opposite direction, barely even noticing you're on the other side of the couch, then it is not a date. If they seem a little too comfortable and relaxed, you might be hanging out as just friends. If they are nervous or fidgety it might be because it is a date. Watch if they try to pay or want to split the check. If they offer to pay for you, it is likely a date. If you offer to pay and they decline, pay attention to how they decline. If they seem weirded out you offered to pay at all, then it might not be a date. If they seem flattered but insist on paying for themselves, it might be a date. Notice how they say goodbye. If they kiss you goodbye, then you can probably assume it was a date. Giving you a hive-five or handshake or simply just saying goodbye are not signals you just went on a date. It might not have been a date if they seem really offhand and casual about the goodbye (“See you later. Bye”). If they say a thoughtful goodbye, it is more likely it was a date. (“I had a great time tonight. I hope I see you again soon.”) See if they call or text you after the date. If they contact you after the “date,” whether it is the next day or even a few days later, it is a good sign that it was actually a date. Saying something like “I had a great time the other night,” or asking to see you again are good signs it was a date. Check their social media posts. You can check their social media to help you figure out if it was a date. If they post something about the “date,” then it was probably a date. A picture of the two of you on their Instagram captioned “Had a great time last night!” means it was probably a date. If their social media is full of pictures with other girls or guys they seem interested in or they seem like they might be in a relationship, then it might not have been a date. See if they want to hang out again. If they ask you out again, it was probably a first date and they want to go on another. Even if you are pretty certain it was not a date, it might have been a precursor to a real date. They could ask you out still. They might have wanted to hang out as friends and get to know you before they asked you on a real date. Deal with rejection in a healthy way. If things didn't go as you planned, such as if you thought it was a date but walked away realizing the person clearly isn't interested in you romantically, take some time to deal with your feelings. It's okay to cry, vent in your journal, punch a pillow, eat a bowl of ice cream, and grieve for a little while. Remind yourself that most of the time, rejection doesn't actually have a lot to do with you. Though it might be hard, try not to take it personally. Sometimes people aren't in a place where they're ready to date. Think about other people you have loved, valued, and cared about, but have not wanted to date. Now picture that this is how the other person sees you. It doesn't mean there is something wrong with you — you can still be a wonderful, valuable, worthwhile person if this person doesn't want to date you. Spend time with friends and people who care about you. Do something fun to distract yourself. Let it go. If the person says they aren't interested in dating you, don't see that as a challenge to change their mind. Respect their decision and their feelings.
Ask yourself if you want it to be a date. Work up the nerve to ask. Think about the best time and way to ask. Ask if it’s a date. Be prepared for the answer. Think about how they act around you. Figure out how you are meeting. Ask if there is a plan. Think about when they want to see you. Pay attention to what they refer to it as. Find out if you are going to be alone or at a group event. Evaluate their outfit. Watch how they interact with you. See if they talk about their love life. Read their body language. Watch if they try to pay or want to split the check. Notice how they say goodbye. See if they call or text you after the date. Check their social media posts. See if they want to hang out again. Deal with rejection in a healthy way.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Lash-Curler
How to Use a Lash Curler
To use a lash curler, hold the curler up to your eye, open the eyelash clamps, and put your lashes between them. Once you've got as much of your eyelash in the clamps as you can, hold the clamps for 3 seconds before releasing them. You should curl your lashes in 3 sections, starting at the base, then in the middle, and finally at the tip, to make them look as full and thick as possible. For best results, use an eyelash curler that's made out of metal from Shiseido or Shu Uemura.
Get a high quality eyelash curler. There are many brands, but some are better quality than others. Use a metal curler rather than a plastic or rubber one. A high quality curler will be made of sturdy metal with rubber pads on the clamps. Plastic or rubber curlers don't get a good enough grip to curl eyelashes well. These also break more easily. Even some metal curlers can be flimsy. Cheaper products won't last as long. Good brands of curlers include Shiseido, Shu Uemura, or Tarte. Whatever brand you choose, make sure your eyelash curler is clean before use. Hold the eyelash curler up to your eye. It might feel cold at first, but you will get used to it. Some people recommend heating the curler with a hair dryer ahead of time. However, you should avoid doing this. A hot eyelash curler can sting or burn sensitive skin around the eyes. There really isn't much benefit to heating the curler. You can get the same effects without doing so. Open the eyelash clamps. You will want to put your lashes between them. Get as much of the lashes as you can between the clamps, getting down to the base of each eyelash. Don't get to close to your skin or you will pinch yourself. If you have lots of eyelashes already, you might have to do this in sections. Close the clamp on the eyelashes. Hold it down for 3 seconds. Hold the curler shut for 20-30 seconds. If your lashes are really straight, aim for 45 seconds to a minute. Take care not to squeeze your skin. Make sure you are getting the clamp as close to the base of the lashes as possible. Curl your lashes in 3 sections. This will make sure you get all of them and that they will look as full and thick as possible. Start with the base of the lashes, taking care not to pinch the skin. Repeat this with the middle portion of the lashes. Curl the lashes one last time at the tips to put the final curl on them. Curl your lashes following the first method. You don't have to put any make-up on them for a natural look. With this look, your lashes will look very natural but slightly thicker and fuller than normal. This can help you achieve a fuller, thicker lash line without using makeup. This can be especially helpful if you have an allergy or sensitivity to eye makeup. Apply vaseline to your eyelashes. This will create a dewy look. Clean your eyelid and lashes, making sure they are free of any debris or dead skin. Apply a thin coat of vaseline to your lashline along the eyelid using a q-tip. You can also put some vaseline between your thumb and forefinger and apply it to the ends of your lashes. Use your eyelash curler as directed to curl the lashes. Both the curler and the vaseline will help your lashes look longer and thicker. You can also use lash primer on your lashes. It will help lift and curl your lashes, even if you aren't using an eyelash curler. Apply mascara before and after curling. Start at the base of your lashes and swipe the brush up to the ends of your lashes. Let this coat of mascara dry for several seconds. Curl your eyelashes as directed using an eyelash curler, then apply 1 to 2 more coats of mascara after curling. This will give your lashes a very dramatic, full look. Do the bottom lashes. Try holding a spoon under your eye lashes to prevent mascara from getting on your skin. To get a fuller look, dust some baby powder over your eyelashes between coats of mascara. Try using a glittery mascara after curling for a dramatic effect. You apply these on top of black mascara. First, curl your eyelashes. Start at the base of your lashes and curl in three sections: the middle and both sides of the eye. Apply a coat of black mascara. Let this dry. Apply a coat of glitter mascara, such as E.L.F. glitter mascara. You can use two coats of the glitter mascara for a subtle look, but up to 4-5 coats can be used for bright flashy eyelashes. Finished.
Get a high quality eyelash curler. Hold the eyelash curler up to your eye. Open the eyelash clamps. Close the clamp on the eyelashes. Curl your lashes in 3 sections. Curl your lashes following the first method. Apply vaseline to your eyelashes. Apply mascara before and after curling. Try using a glittery mascara after curling for a dramatic effect. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Americano
How to Make an Americano
To make an Americano, heat fresh water in a kettle until it boils. Fill your serving cup with some of the hot water, then pour espresso over the hot water. Usually, an Americano is 2 parts water to 1 part espresso, but you can adjust this based on your taste. If you like, add cream or milk and sugar to taste.
Grind and measure the espresso beans. You'll get the best flavor from your beans if you grind them at home. Use a very fine setting specifically for espresso. The espresso grounds should be much finer than the grounds for drip coffee. Measure out 18 to 21 grams (0.63 to 0.74 oz) (3 to 4 tablespoons) for a double shot of espresso. Pack the espresso into the portafilter and tamp it. Put the espresso grounds into a clean portafilter basket. Use the tamper to evenly press down on the espresso. This will pack it firmly into the portafilter. If the espresso grounds are too loose, the espresso will run out of the machine too quickly and the flavors won't develop. Try to press down with about 30 to 40 pounds (13 to 18 kg) of pressure. Ensure that the espresso is even across the surface of the portafilter basket. Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine. Quickly turn the espresso machine's group head on and off so hot water drips right out of the machine. Do this before you put the group head with the espresso into it. This will ensure that the machine is clean and ready to go. Insert the portafilter into the group head and twist it firmly into place. Start the double shot of espresso. As soon as you've put the espresso grounds into the machine, start the shot or the grounds may burn. Set a small cup or pitcher underneath the portafilter. It should take several seconds before any espresso begins to drip out of the spout. After a few more seconds it will really begin running out of the portafilter. Stop the espresso after 23 to 28 seconds. You'll notice that the espresso will begin to look thin or lighter in color. At this point, you can stop pulling the espresso. The entire process should take about 23 to 28 seconds for a double shot. You can now use the espresso in your Americano. Grind and measure the espresso beans. For the best flavor, try to use whole coffee beans that you can grind at home. Grind the coffee beans on a very fine setting so you get espresso grounds that are like a sandy powder. You'll need to measure out 15 to 20 grams for a double shot of espresso. Remember that you can use any type or roast of coffee bean to make espresso. It just needs to be ground for espresso. Rinse the aeropress filter and boil water. Pour fresh water into a kettle and bring it to a boil. Take a fresh paper filter and place it in the bottom of your aeropress. Pour a bit of the hot water in it to wet the filter. Discard the water that might drip through the filter into the cup. Place the espresso ground into the aeropress and pour in hot water. Set the aeropress over a mug and dump the espresso grounds into the aeropress. Pour hot water over the espresso grounds so the comes just above the number 2 line on the side of the aeropress. Steep and plunge the espresso. Stir the water in the aeropress and let it steep for 5 seconds. Put the plunger on the aeropress and slowly plunge down until it reaches the bottom. It should take about 30 seconds to press down completely on the plunger. Lift off the aeropress and you can use the espresso in your Americano. For a speedy Americano, just pour hot water directly over the espresso in your cup. Boil the water. Pour fresh water into a kettle and heat the water until it boils. Try to use filtered water so that none of the impurities flavor the Americano. You can heat the water in a kettle on the stove or use an electric kettle. If you're using a kettle on the stove, give yourself enough time to bring the water to a boil since it's not as fast as the electric kettle. Fill the serving cup with hot water. Fill your serving cup with as much water as you'd like. Generally, this is around 2 parts of water to 1 parts of espresso. Keep in mind that the more water you use, the weaker the Americano will be, especially if you plan on adding milk or cream. If you're serving an Americano to someone, ask if they'd like you to leave room for cream or sugar. If so, ensure that you leave space in the cup. Pour the espresso over the hot water. While you could pour the espresso into the bottom of the cup before you add the water, this will destroy the rich crema of the espresso. Instead, slowly pour the espresso directly over the hot water in your serving cup. Serve the Americano immediately. To keep all of the crema intact, you can place the serving cup with hot water directly under the espresso as it drips out of the machine. You can also add syrups or flavors to the Americano. For a sweet Americano, you can even top it with whipped cream. Consider making an iced Americano. For a seasonal switch, try an iced Americano. You won't need any hot water. Just fill a glass with ice and pour cold water over it. Slowly pour the espresso over the ice water and enjoy it. For an even stronger coffee flavor, consider making ice cubes using leftover coffee. The iced Americano won't become diluted as these coffee ice cubes melt.
Grind and measure the espresso beans. Pack the espresso into the portafilter and tamp it. Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine. Start the double shot of espresso. Stop the espresso after 23 to 28 seconds. Grind and measure the espresso beans. Rinse the aeropress filter and boil water. Place the espresso ground into the aeropress and pour in hot water. Steep and plunge the espresso. Boil the water. Fill the serving cup with hot water. Pour the espresso over the hot water. Consider making an iced Americano.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-to-Relieve-Sore-Muscles
How to Stretch to Relieve Sore Muscles
To stretch to relieve sore muscles, first start by doing dynamic stretches, like arm and leg circles, for 5 minutes so you can warm up your joints and make it safer for your body to move into static stretches. Then, if your calf muscles are sore, try stretching them by putting one leg behind you, digging that heel into the ground, and leaning forward. If you have sore thigh muscles, stand on one leg and hold the other leg by your foot behind you so that it's by your butt. When stretching, hold each position for 20 to 60 seconds at a time. Remember to listen to your muscles so you don't overdo the stretching.
Warm up with dynamic stretches for 5 minutes. Dynamic stretches move your joints through their full range of motion. These activities can help lubricate your joints and make your static stretches safer. Try arm and leg circles, squats, and knee to chest stretches. Use static stretches that focus specifically on the sore muscles. Static stretches are where you lengthen a muscle and hold the stretch for 20-60 seconds (10-15 for children). You should always start a workout with dynamic stretching and finish with static stretching. Always hold static stretches for 20-60 seconds. Alternatively, time your stretches to last at least 3 or more deep breaths, making sure that you exhale slowly. When your muscles are stiff, you need to work on stretching them out. Be careful not to overdo it, but make sure you pay special attention to the muscles that are giving you discomfort. Stretch your calf muscles. If your calves are sore, try some calf stretches. Sore calf muscles can be very uncomfortable. You have to use your calves a lot for walking, so it's more difficult to give your calves the break they need when they are sore. A standing stretch is a great way to stretch your calf muscles. Step 1 leg behind you, digging your heel into the ground. Lean forward to stretch the muscles. Another way to do this is to step forward instead of backwards, with your toes propped up and pressing against a wall. Lean forward to stretch the muscles. Hold the stretch for 20-60 seconds. Stretch your thigh muscles. These muscles are very important ones that you use all the time in your everyday movement. These stretches can help relieve tightness in the front of your thigh. Stand up straight and tall. Push the hip on the side you are stretching forward. Take your right leg and use your hand to hold your foot at your butt. Hold this for 20-60 seconds and repeat with your left leg. Stretch tight hamstrings. The hamstrings are muscles between your hips and knees. To stretch these muscles, stand with your feet together and bend over at the waist. Focus on rolling your spine forward as you reach toward the floor. Let your head and arms hang while your leg muscles stretch. If you have soreness in your back, try lying with your back flat on the ground. Grasp the ends of a towel, and place one foot in the towel with the knee slightly bent. Pull the towel towards your torso to stretch your leg. Hold it 20-60 seconds. Stretch your sore shoulder muscles. Sore shoulder muscles need extra love and care to speed up the recovery process. Attempt to stretch out your shoulder muscles to help reduce the discomfort of soreness One good stretch is to cup one elbow with the opposite hand. Then lift your elbow and pull it across your chest, making sure to keep your body stationary. Hold this pose for thirty seconds and then release. Repeat these steps on the other arm. Another good stretch is the goalpost stretch. Grasp a resistance band, belt, or jump rope between 2 hands. Inhale and stretch your arms straight up above your head. As you exhale, bend your bends while spreading your arms apart like goalposts. Lower the belt and your shoulder blades. Repeat as you inhale. Try a standing side bend. This move can be really beneficial if your upper body and lower back are sore. It will temporarily ease the stiffness in your body. Stand with your feet together and hold your arms above your head with your palms together. Keep your arms straight while you lean to the left and then to the right, taking your time to stretch out the muscles on each side. Take it easy for a few days. When your muscles are sore, it means they are adapting to the new activity/movement and becoming stronger. However, for them to get stronger, you need to give them time to recover from the additional strain. Cut back on the exercise for a few days when your muscles are sore. Or try some lower impact exercise activities like walking or swimming while you recuperate. Stretch sore ab muscles. Having strong core muscle strength is essential to overall health. It can also help you breathe better by stretching your diaphragm and intercostals. Try lying with your back flat on the ground. Keep your spine in a neutral position as your raise your arms straight up above your body. Hold for 20-60 seconds. Stretch your sore glutes. Sore glute muscles can be a pain since you use them so much in your everyday life. They are key to most of your motion, especially if you are an active person or a runner. Try the pigeon pose. Sit down on a yoga mat on the ground. Bring one knee forward to the edge of the mat and stretch the other leg behind you. Align the foot of the bent leg with your knee so that they are perpendicular to the leg stretched behind you. Lean forward if you're able to. Stretch for general muscle soreness. There are other ways to relieve muscle soreness that involve objects or other people. Two of the most common stretches are foam rolling and assisted stretches. Foam rolling – This process is sometimes called “self-myofascial release.” Basically, it means that you use a foam roller or a lacrosse ball to apply pressure to specific points on your body to massage out the muscle soreness. Assisted stretches – These stretches involve another person (hopefully a certified professional) who guides you through a stretching routine based on your specific flexibility needs. Sometimes they will use the pressure of their own body to help you safely achieve a deeper stretch. Drink more water. Muscles recover from soreness more quickly when you are properly hydrated. Drink plenty of water when you are feeling muscle soreness to help speed up your recovery time. An adult man should be drinking about 3 liters of water every day and an adult woman should be drinking about 2.2 liters of water every day. So, you'll need to drink more than that (at least one liter more per day) to help counteract the soreness in your muscles. Avoid things like alcohol and caffeinated soda that will work to dehydrate you even more. Put an ice pack on your sore muscle. Put a few ice cubes in a ziplock bag or cloth and hold it against where you hurt. Do this for 10-15 minutes. A cool bath or shower also helps. Use heat on your sore muscles. After using the ice, (not immediately, wait about three hours) put hot water in a hot water bottle and place it on your sore muscles. Leave it there for fifteen minutes. Try legal non-prescription pain relievers. Use Advil, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Try to use these as a last resort. Always be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and do not abuse the drugs. Warm up with dynamic stretching before a workout. Static stretching, where you hold a stretch in 1 position for several seconds, can lead to injuries and more soreness if done before a workout. To prevent injury, make sure you do dynamic stretching, where you move your muscles and joints instead of holding them. Lunges, high kicks, and jump squats are all great ways to warm up before exercise. Walking, cycling, and jogging are also great warm-ups that get your joints moving. Perform static stretches after a workout. Once you have finished exercising, you can try static stretches like calf and shoulder stretches. This may help improve flexibility once your session is over. Take it slow if you are a beginner. Muscle soreness initially develops from pushing your muscles beyond their current capability. If you are just starting a workout regimen or a more active lifestyle, it is important to start out slowly and progress gradually. Doing too much too fast might do more damage than good. Don’t increase the volume of your workout too quickly. Muscle soreness can develop from adding too much too fast to your workout regimen. A good rule of thumb is to not increase the volume of your workout by more than 10% from one workout to the next. This will help your muscles adjust slowly over time instead of being overwhelmed all at once.
Warm up with dynamic stretches for 5 minutes. Use static stretches that focus specifically on the sore muscles. Stretch your calf muscles. Stretch your thigh muscles. Stretch tight hamstrings. Stretch your sore shoulder muscles. Try a standing side bend. Take it easy for a few days. Stretch sore ab muscles. Stretch your sore glutes. Stretch for general muscle soreness. Drink more water. Put an ice pack on your sore muscle. Use heat on your sore muscles. Try legal non-prescription pain relievers. Warm up with dynamic stretching before a workout. Perform static stretches after a workout. Take it slow if you are a beginner. Don’t increase the volume of your workout too quickly.
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Number-of-Divisors-of-an-Integer
How to Determine the Number of Divisors of an Integer
If you need to determine the number of divisors of an integer, factor that integer and write the equation for the prime factorization of the number. Plug in the value of each exponent into the formula for determining the number of divisors, or factors, in a number. Once you've put the values into the formula, add the values in parentheses, then multiply all of the values in the parentheses. The product will equal the number of divisors in the integer.
Write the integer at the top of the page. You need to leave enough room so that you can set up a factor tree below it. You can use other methods to factor a number. Read Factor a Number for more instructions. For example, if you want to know many divisors, or factors, the number 24 has, write 24 {\displaystyle 24} at the top of the page. Find two numbers you can multiply together to get the number, not including 1. These are two divisors, or factors, of the number. Draw a split branch coming down from the original number, and write the two factors below it. For example, 12 and 2 are factors of 24, so draw a split branch coming down from 24 {\displaystyle 24} , and write the numbers 12 {\displaystyle 12} and 2 {\displaystyle 2} below it. Look for prime factors. A prime factor is a number that is only evenly divisible by 1 and itself. For example, 7 is a prime number, because the only numbers that evenly divide into 7 are 1 and 7. Circle any prime factors so that you can keep track of them. For example, 2 is a prime number, so you would circle the 2 {\displaystyle 2} on your factor tree. Continue to factor non-prime numbers. Keep drawing branches down from the non-prime factors until all of your factors are prime. Circle the prime numbers to keep track of them. For example, 12 can be factored into 6 {\displaystyle 6} and 2 {\displaystyle 2}. Since 2 {\displaystyle 2} is a prime number, you would circle it. Next, 6 {\displaystyle 6} can be factored into 3 {\displaystyle 3} and 2 {\displaystyle 2}. Since 3 {\displaystyle 3} and 2 {\displaystyle 2} are prime numbers, you would circle them. Write an exponential expression for each prime factor. To do this, look for multiples of each prime factor in your factor tree. The number of times the factor appears equals the exponent of the factor in your exponential expression. For example, the prime factor 2 {\displaystyle 2} appears three times in your factor tree, so the exponential expression is 2 3 {\displaystyle 2^{3}}. The prime factor 3 {\displaystyle 3} appears 1 time in your factor tree, so the exponential expression is 3 1 {\displaystyle 3^{1}}. Write the equation for the prime factorization of the number. The original number you are working with is equal to the product of the exponential expressions. For example 24 = 2 3 × 3 1 {\displaystyle 24=2^{3}\times 3^{1}}. Set up the equation for determining the number of divisors, or factors, in a number. The equation is d ( n ) = ( a + 1 ) ( b + 1 ) ( c + 1 ) {\displaystyle d(n)=(a+1)(b+1)(c+1)} , where d ( n ) {\displaystyle d(n)} is equal to the number of divisors in the number n {\displaystyle n} , and a {\displaystyle a} , b {\displaystyle b} , and c {\displaystyle c} are the exponents in the prime factorization equation for the number. You might have less than three or more than three exponents. The formula simply states to multiply together whatever number of exponents you are working with. Plug in the value of each exponent into the formula. Be careful to use the exponents, not the prime factors. For example, since 24 = 2 3 × 3 1 {\displaystyle 24=2^{3}\times 3^{1}} , you would plug in the exponents 3 {\displaystyle 3} and 1 {\displaystyle 1} into the equation. Thus the equation will look like this: d ( 24 ) = ( 3 + 1 ) ( 1 + 1 ) {\displaystyle d(24)=(3+1)(1+1)}. Add the values in parentheses. You are simply adding 1 to each exponent. For example: d ( 24 ) = ( 3 + 1 ) ( 1 + 1 ) {\displaystyle d(24)=(3+1)(1+1)} d ( 24 ) = ( 4 ) ( 2 ) {\displaystyle d(24)=(4)(2)} Multiply the values in parentheses. The product will equal the number of divisors, or factors, in the number n {\displaystyle n}. For example: d ( 24 ) = ( 4 ) ( 2 ) {\displaystyle d(24)=(4)(2)} d ( 24 ) = 8 {\displaystyle d(24)=8} So, the number of divisors, or factors, in the number 24 is 8.
Write the integer at the top of the page. Find two numbers you can multiply together to get the number, not including 1. Look for prime factors. Continue to factor non-prime numbers. Write an exponential expression for each prime factor. Write the equation for the prime factorization of the number. Set up the equation for determining the number of divisors, or factors, in a number. Plug in the value of each exponent into the formula. Add the values in parentheses. Multiply the values in parentheses.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-You-Love-Him-or-Her
How to Know when You Love Him or Her
To know when you love someone, think about how easy it feels to be yourself around them. Also, notice how much you miss them when they're not around, since wanting to spend time together shows you truly love them. To test your compatibility, try to imagine your shared future, including each other's goals, to be certain love will last. Moreover, it's important to acknowledge whether you're willing to make sacrifices to share your life, like moving interstate. And since outsiders often see objectively what you cannot, ask your family and close friends for their thoughts.
Ask your friends for feedback. When you love someone, immediately you want to introduce them to your friends. When you do introduce them, ask your friends for their honest opinions about your love interest. Your friends might be able to be more objective than you and help you identify whether you seem in love or merely infatuated. It's important before embarking on a new relationship to have at least some approval from your friends. Your friends know you and care about you, and it's a red flag if everyone but you is skeptical of your new love. Be sure your family likes them. As with your friends, your family can help you discern whether your crush is a good fit for you and whether what you're experiencing is love. Love builds you up and is long-lasting. Lust or a passing crush fades, and your family can help you tell the difference. Ask your parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles how they knew that they found the right person. Their unique stories might help you get a better understanding of whether your own situation is love or something else. Be a better person because of them. When being around this person makes you want to be the best person you can be, it is a sign of love. For example, if this person makes you want to better yourself by working out or taking up a mutual hobby that interests both of you, it's a sign that you love them. Wanting to improve yourself for someone often means that you love them. Note that this is not the same as loving someone who is trying to change you into someone you're not. It's healthy to want to better yourself to be the best possible partner for someone you love. It's a red flag if someone you love is trying to force you to change instead of loving you for you. Apologize and mean it. When you accidentally hurt someone you love, you will apologize and mean it. If you don't really love the person, your apology might feel half-hearted. Truly wanting forgiveness and meaning it when you apologize is a sign that this person means a lot to you and you're in love. Be yourself around them. Once you're past the initial “crush” phase, if you find that you can be yourself around this person, that's a good sign that you're in love. When you can let down your guard and that person still accepts you as you are, you can be confident that you're in love. If you feel comfortable enough to leave your makeup at home or wear pajamas for a movie night, for example, that's a sign that you're comfortable being yourself in the relationship and secure with your love. Choose to do things for them. Performing acts of service is a clear way to demonstrate love for someone. If you find yourself wanting to do things for your partner just for the purpose of making them happy, that's a good indicator that you're in love with them. For example, if you know that your crush hates to do the dishes, so you opt to do the dishes simply so they won't have to do a chore that they hate, you probably love the person. Think of them first. True love isn't selfish. If you find yourself in a relationship where you ask yourself what you'll get out of it, then you're probably not in love with the person. However, if you find yourself thinking of the other person's wants and needs before your own, that's a sign that you're in love. Going shopping or attending sporting events with your crush, even when they're not your favorite things to do, are signs that you love them. Going the extra mile for our partner is something we do when we're truly in love. Envision long-term plans with them. When you have a passing attraction to someone, it's really hard to picture your future with that person. When you love someone, though, it's easy to imagine them as a part of your future plans. In fact, it's often hard to picture your future without them in it! Consider whether you have similar life goals. For example, do you want children with this person? Can you envision taking care of this person in old age? If you think of long term questions like these and find that you want your partner to be a permanent part of your life, then that means you're likely in love with them. Have an attraction to them. Of course, physical attraction can't be the only factor to decide whether you love someone, but overall attraction is an important consideration. If you find yourself attracted to someone physically, mentally, and emotionally, that's a good sign that you're in love with them. Avoid hateful fighting. All couples have disputes, but if you love your partner, then you will fight fair and avoid purposely hurting them. You might be more careless with friends, family, or even a temporary fling, but if you're in love with someone, you'll take their feelings into account, even during fights. Spend time with them. When you love someone, you want to spend as much time as possible with them. You hate to see them leave, even if only for a little while. Miss them during the day. Even small things like trips to the grocery store together or gardening side by side seem fun when you're in love. Pay attention to whether you love spending time with them or if you feel relief when they leave. If it's really love, you'll be sad to see them go. Feel a little jealous. When you love someone, you'll feel slight jealousy. You don't want them to be with anyone else, so this is a natural emotion. Slight jealousy is completely normal and shows that you love them and want that feeling to be mutual. Possessiveness and suspicion are not the same as feeling little twinges of jealousy when your crush spends time away from you. These are indicative of insecurity and are never good for a relationship. Become best friends. When you like someone, you probably like hanging out with them, but when you truly love someone, you develop a “best friends” kind of connection with them. You don't get tired of their company. You connect with them on a deeper level and share personal, intimate details of your life that you don't share with everyone. A close, personal friendship with your partner is an indicator that you are in love with them. If you support each other and still challenge each other to grow spiritually and mentally, that's a sign of deep love. A solid foundation where you care about each other's hopes, dreams, and goals is a sign of a strong relationship. Don't always be on the hunt for love. Avoid constantly looking for someone to love. You'll know when you find someone you truly love, and it'll feel natural. You can't rush or force love. Don't feel like you have to find romantic love to be happy, and avoid clinging to someone who doesn't reciprocate your love.
Ask your friends for feedback. Be sure your family likes them. Be a better person because of them. Apologize and mean it. Be yourself around them. Choose to do things for them. Think of them first. Envision long-term plans with them. Have an attraction to them. Avoid hateful fighting. Spend time with them. Miss them during the day. Feel a little jealous. Become best friends. Don't always be on the hunt for love.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Board-Game
How to Make Your Own Board Game
To make your own board game, write down your ideas for the game and come up with a theme or genre, like war or fantasy. Next, decide how many players your game will have, what the age range of the game will be, and what the players can do during each turn. Sketch an outline of your game board, which could be a path or playing field, and use counters as pieces to test the game. Finally, print your game pieces on cardstock and mount them on plastic game card stands or sculpt the figures from clay.
Write down your ideas. You never know when the perfect inspiration is going to hit. You may find that combining two different ideas makes a neat new game concept. Keep a log of ideas in a notebook, on your computer, or in a note taking app on your phone. It might be particularly useful for you to keep your note-taking tools handy when you're at game night. Playing games might spark the perfect idea for your own game. When using store-bought games for inspiration, ask yourself, “What would I do to improve this game?” This question can often lead you to interesting innovations. Develop your game with a theme. Themes are the “feel” of a game and can also be referred to as the game's “genre.” Games like Sorry! have a simple "race to the end" theme. Complex wargames have conflicts, player politics, and game piece placement strategy. You might find inspiration for the theme of your game in your favorite novel, comic book, or TV series. Mythology and legends are often used when developing themes. Common elements include vampires, witches, wizards, dragons, angels, demons, gnomes, and more. Use mechanics to develop your game, alternatively. Mechanics are the ways players interact with the game and each other. In Monopoly, the mechanics are centered around dice-rolling, buying/selling property, and making money. The mechanics of Axis & Allies involve moving pieces across a large board and resolving player conflicts with dice rolls. Some people come up with a mechanic and then create a theme around it, while others come up with a great theme and then tailor the mechanics to match that theme. Experiment to find what works best for you. Common mechanics you might be interested in using include turns, dice rolling, movement, card drawing, tile laying, auctioning, and more. Determine the age range of your players. The age range of your players will influence the complexity of your game board and its rules. If you are designing the game for children, it's better for your game to be simple, easy-to-understand, and fun. For adults, you could create something more competitive, exciting, and complex. Keep your theme in mind when you're deciding the age range. A zombie hunting game won't be suitable for children, but it might be perfect for adult fans of zombie TV shows. Set player, time, and size limits for your game. Some games are limited by the size of the board, the number of player tokens, or the number of cards. Game board size and the number of cards will also influence how long it takes for players to complete your game. When setting these limits, think about: The number of players your game will support. Will the game be fun with just two players? How about with the max number? Will there be enough cards/tokens? The average length of your game. Additionally, the first playthrough generally takes longest. Players will need time to learn the rules. The size of your game. Large game boards and decks will usually add complexity and lengthen the game time, but this will also make your game less portable. Decide how players will win. Once you have the basic ideas behind your game written down, ask yourself, “What are the winning conditions of this game?” Consider the different ways that the player could win, and keep these in mind as you work on the game. Race games have players hurry to the end of the board. In these games, the first player to reach the final square wins. Point-gain games require players to accumulate awards, like victory points or special cards. At the end of the game, the player with the most awards wins. Cooperative games involve players working together toward a common goal, like repairing a gnomish submarine or stopping a virus outbreak. Deck-building games rely on cards to move gameplay along. Players earn, steal, or trade cards to strengthen their hand to accomplish the game's goals. Write out the basic rules. These will undoubtedly change as you continue to develop your game, but a basic set of rules will allow you to begin testing quickly. When writing your rules, keep the following in mind: The starting player. Many games choose the first player by having players roll dice or draw cards. The highest roll or card goes first. The player phase. What can players do during their turn? To balance turn time, most games only allow one or two player actions per turn. Player interaction. How will players influence each other? For example, players on the same square might “duel” by rolling for the highest number. The non-player phase. If there are enemies or board effects (like fires or floods), you'll need to establish when these operate during gameplay. Outcome resolution. Outcomes might be decided with a simple roll of the dice. Special events might require specific cards or rolls (like doubles). Use prototypes to evaluate your game. Before you begin work on the finished product, create a rough prototype (test game) so that you can play around with it. It doesn't have to be pretty, but a hands-on experience will help you to see if the basics work the way you planned. A prototype is a vital part of the game creation process, as it gets ideas out of your head and into the real world where you can evaluate them with other players. Hold off on adding artistic details until you begin assembling the final product. Simple, pencil-drawn game boards and cards will allow you to erase and make adjustments as necessary. Sketch a rough draft of your board design. This will give you a sense of whether your board is too large or small. Depending on the theme and mechanics of your game, your board may or may not include the following elements: A path. Simple games may have a single path that leads to a finish line, more complex path games may have splits or loops in the path. A playing field. Games that have a playing field do not have a set path. Instead, players move as they see fit through areas that are usually divided into squares or hexes. Landing positions. These can be depicted with shapes or images. Landing positions can have special effects, like allowing you to advance a square or draw a card. Assemble prototype game pieces. Buttons, checkers, poker chips, chess pieces, and knickknacks work well as prototype game pieces. Avoid using game pieces that are too large for your prototype, since these can make it difficult to read information written on the board. Game pieces can change considerably over the course of your game's development. Keep prototype game pieces simple so you don't invest a lot of time designing something that ends up getting changed. Use game cards to add variation. Randomly shuffled game cards will affect players in unexpected ways. A card often tells a quick story about an event that befalls a player and then changes their score/position/inventory accordingly. Decks have about 15 to 20 card types (like trap cards and tool cards). These types are limited to about 10 cards to a deck to create a balanced mix. Cards can have out-of-game requirements, like one that challenges a player to talk like a pirate for five minutes for a prize. Failed challenges may have a penalty. Test your prototype by yourself. Once you have all of the basics assembled for your prototype, you can start testing the game to see how it plays. Before trying it out on a group, play it by yourself. Play through the game as each player and record any positives or negatives you notice as you play. Solo test your game several times. Adjust the number of “players” as you do to determine whether or not your game actually supports the minimum and maximum number of players. Find flaws in your game by trying to break it while solo testing. See if it's possible for players to always win with a specific strategy, or if there are loopholes in the rules that create an unfair advantage. Play test your game with friends and family. After you've solo played your game enough to work out most of the kinks, it's time to playtest. Gather some friends or family and explain that you'd like them to test your game. Let them know that it's a work in progress and that you'd appreciate any feedback. During playtesting, avoid adding any additional explanations. You won't always be able to clarify the rules. Take notes while the game is being played. Be alert for times people don't seem to be having fun or the rules get confusing. You'll likely need to improve these areas. Pay attention to players' ending position. If one player is consistently ahead of the other players, there's probably an unfair advantage. Switch up the test players for a better perspective of your game. Everyone approaches games differently, and some might see things missing that you wouldn't have realized on your own. The more people you get to test your game, the more opportunities you'll have to find flaws or weak points and fix them. Local hobby and game shops often have community games nights. These events are the perfect place to try out your game and get the opinions of veteran board gamers. A player's age will likely impact how they approach your game. Try out the game with your younger siblings and grandparents to test its age appropriateness. Refine your prototype throughout testing. As you finish each playtest, make necessary changes or adjustments to your game board, rules, and/or other components. As you continue to test, keep track of the features that you've changed. Some “improvements” may end up hurting more than helping. Make a list of needed materials. Once testing is complete and you're happy with your game, you can get started on the final version. Each game will have unique needs, so your materials may vary. Make a list of all the parts your finished game will require so you don't forget anything. Board games are traditionally mounted on chipboard or binder board. These provide a durable backing that has a professional feel. You can use an old game board as the base if you'd rather not purchase anything. Glue paper over it or paint it to hide the old game's layout. Durable cardstock is useful both for covering game boards and making game cards. Blank playing cards can be bought at most hobby shops. Simple tokens and counters can be made by cutting or punching circles out of cardstock. Illustrate your board. Your game board is the centerpiece of your board game, so feel free to get creative with the design. Make sure that the path or playing field is clearly marked and that all the instructions on the board are easy to read. Your imagination is the limit when decorating your board. Ready-made printouts, patterned paper, paint, markers, magazine cutouts, and more can be used to jazz up your board. A vibrant, colorful design will be more eye-catching to players. Color is also a great way of setting a mood. A vampire-themed game, for example, would probably be dark and spooky. Game boards are handled frequently and may become worn over time. Protect your hard work by laminating your board when possible. Create the game pieces. The simplest way of doing this is by drawing or printing images on paper and then taping or gluing them to a sturdy backing, like cardstock. If you are making a game for family or friends, you can even use real photos of players. If you want more polished looking game pieces, take your designs to a professional printer and have them printed on thick, high-quality stock. Fit your paper game pieces into plastic game card stands to give them a base. Plastic game card stands can be bought at most hobby stores and general retailers. Try using homemade chess pieces , figurines sculpted from polymer clay , or origami animals for game pieces. Repurpose old dice and spinners or create your own. If your game involves the use of dice or a spinner, you can use ones from store-bought games. Create your own spinner with cardboard, a pushpin, and markers. Stick the pin through the base of a cardboard arrow and attach it to the center of a circular piece of cardboard, then draw the spinner options on the cardboard circle. There are many different kinds of dice you can choose from. Dice with more sides will decrease the odds of repeated numbers. Spinners often use colors to determine player moves. For example, if you spin the arrow and it lands on yellow, your piece would advance to the next yellow square. Spinners are great for prize rounds. If a player draws a prize card or lands on a special square, they could use a spinner to determine their reward. Write out your game cards, when necessary. Plain cards won't likely capture the interest of players. Use graphics, creative descriptions, and witty one-liners to add some flavor to your deck. For example, a card that skips a player might be accompanied by the image of a jump rope and the text, “Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou…” Create your game's cards using blank playing cards bought at a hobby shop to give your game a high-quality appearance. Homemade game cards can be made from cardstock. Use a normal playing card as a template when cutting so your cards are the same shape. Look into 3D printing to add wow factor. If you really want to make your game stand out, you can look into getting 3D pieces, tokens, and/or boards printed. You will need to submit a 3D model to a company that specializes in this, but the result will be custom models that look like they came from a store-bought game.
Write down your ideas. Develop your game with a theme. Use mechanics to develop your game, alternatively. Determine the age range of your players. Set player, time, and size limits for your game. Decide how players will win. Write out the basic rules. Use prototypes to evaluate your game. Sketch a rough draft of your board design. Assemble prototype game pieces. Use game cards to add variation. Test your prototype by yourself. Play test your game with friends and family. Switch up the test players for a better perspective of your game. Refine your prototype throughout testing. Make a list of needed materials. Illustrate your board. Create the game pieces. Repurpose old dice and spinners or create your own. Write out your game cards, when necessary. Look into 3D printing to add wow factor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Energy-Drink
How to Make an Energy Drink
To make an energy drink, start by combining 1 cup each of freshly squeezed lemon juice and lime juice with 2 tablespoons of sugar and ¾ teaspoons of salt in a pitcher. Then, let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to give the sugar and salt time to dissolve. Then, pour 6 ½ cups of cold water into the pitcher, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Finally, pour your sports drink into an ice-filled cup to serve, or keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Zest the lemons. Rinse the lemons under running water and scrub the peel with a vegetable brush or cloth. Pat the lemons dry. Use a vegetable or citrus peeler to remove the yellow zest. Avoid removing the white pith, as this is very bitter. Transfer the zest to a small ceramic or metal bowl. You can also use a sharp knife to zest the lemons if you don't have a vegetable peeler. You can use any type or combination of citrus zest in place of the lemon, such as a combination of orange and grapefruit. Combine the sugar and lemon zest. Pour the sugar into the bowl with the lemon zest and stir the mixture to coat the zest with sugar. Pound the zest gently with a pestle or muddler for about five minutes. This will help the citrus to release its oils. After five minutes of muddling, set the bowl aside and let the zest marinate in the sugar for an hour. The citrus oil and sugar mixture liquid this will produce is called oleo-saccharum, which was often used in cocktails in the nineteenth century. Wash and zest the orange. Rinse the orange under running water and use a vegetable brush or cloth to scrub the peel. Pat the orange dry. Use the vegetable peeler or a knife to remove the outer orange zest from the fruit. Transfer the zest to a large heat-proof bowl. Make the herb and orange energy tea. Add the ginseng, caffeine, taurine, and ginko biloba to the bowl with the orange zest. Cover the mixture with boiling water and cover the bowl with a clean tea towel. Let the tea steep for about 10 minutes. Instead of dried ginseng root, you can also use ginseng tea bags. It's important to add the caffeine and taurine powder to the tea now, because you want them to dissolve in the boiling water. Strain the tea and add the oleo-saccharum. When the tea has had time to steep, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer and transfer it to a clean bowl. Pour the oleo-saccharum through the strainer as well, allowing the syrup to drain into the bowl with the strained tea mixture. Set the tea aside to cool. Leave the tea to cool to room temperature for about an hour. To speed up the process, allow the tea to cool to the touch, and then transfer the bowl to the refrigerator. Make sure the bowl is cool before putting the tea in the refrigerator, otherwise the bowl could crack. Mix the tea with pear cider before serving. When the tea has cooled, divide it into four equal half-cup (118-ml) servings. When you're ready to drink your energy drink, combine each serving with equal parts pear cider and ice before drinking. Instead of pear cider, you can also use plain carbonated water to mix the tea. When divided into four servings, each one-cup (250-ml) serving of caffeinated energy drink contains 80 mg of caffeine and 1 g of taurine, just like the commercial version. Juice the lemons and limes. Cut the lemons and limes in half. Use a citrus reamer or juicer to remove the juice from all the citrus halves. Transfer the juice to a large plastic or glass drink pitcher. Each lemon or lime contains about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of juice, so you'll need roughly eight lemons and eight limes to produce a cup (235 ml) each of juice. Instead of fresh juice, you can also use drink crystals to flavor the sports drink. Dissolve the sugar and salt in the citrus juice. Pour the sugar and salt into the pitcher with the freshly squeezed citrus juice. Stir the mixture to combine the ingredients, and set the liquid aside for about 10 minutes. This will give the acid in the juice time to dissolve the sugar and salt. Most commercial sports drinks contain about 6 percent carbohydrates, which is why you need this specific quantity of sugar per 2 liters (2.1 quarts) of liquid. This concentration helps your body absorb the water faster. Combine the citrus mixture with water. Pour the cold water into the pitcher to dilute the citrus and sugar mixture. You can use any type of water you like, including tap, mineral, spring, or even coconut water. Stir the mixture to combine all the ingredients. Serve chilled or on ice. Fill a tall glass with ice and add a 1-cup (235-ml) serving of the sports drink. Stir and enjoy! Transfer the leftover sports drink to the refrigerator and keep it chilled until you're ready for more. Brew and chill the tea. In a tea pot, combine the green tea leaves and a cup (235 ml) of boiling water. Allow the leaves to steep for three minutes. Strain out the leaves to prevent the tea from becoming bitter. Set the tea aside to cool to the touch, and then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. Each cup of green tea contains about 25 mg of caffeine, which is enough to give you a small energy boost. Juice the lemon. Cut the lemon in half. With a citrus reamer or juicer, remove the juice from the lemon. Transfer the lemon juice to a pitcher. Pick out any seeds that happen to fall into the pitcher with the juice. Combine all the liquids. Once the tea has chilled in the refrigerator, pour it into the pitcher with the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add the cherry juice, coconut water, and agave. Stir the mixture to combine all the liquids. Finally, pour in the soda water and stir gently to combine. In this energy drink, the cherry juice provides vitamins and minerals, and the coconut water provides electrolytes that your body needs to function. You can use any liquid sweetener you like in place of the agave, including maple syrup or simple syrup. Serve over ice. Fill two tall glasses with ice. Divide the energy drink between the two glasses. You can garnish the glass with a lemon wedge or twist before serving. Store any leftover energy drink in the refrigerator until you're ready to drink it.
Zest the lemons. Combine the sugar and lemon zest. Wash and zest the orange. Make the herb and orange energy tea. Strain the tea and add the oleo-saccharum. Set the tea aside to cool. Mix the tea with pear cider before serving. Juice the lemons and limes. Dissolve the sugar and salt in the citrus juice. Combine the citrus mixture with water. Serve chilled or on ice. Brew and chill the tea. Juice the lemon. Combine all the liquids. Serve over ice.
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-in-College
How to Save Money in College
It can be really hard to save money if you're in college, but if you make an effort to live frugally, you can do it! Avoid expensive habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and shopping, and try to cook at home or eat in the dining hall instead of eating out whenever you can. When do you want to go out, try to find free events, or visit places that offer a student discount.
Keep your habits in check. Habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and shopping are all behaviors that can burn a hole into your wallet if you don't monitor your spending. If you're serious about saving, cut down on store-bought coffee too – limit it to say, once a week. It is said that the habits you form in college set the tone for the rest of your life. Cigarettes and alcoholic drinks are expensive. If you can manage to cut these lifestyle choices, you will find saving much easier. To do this, you may have to surround yourself with like-minded friends. Remember – your friends influence how you behave, and vice versa. If you want to form healthy habits, apart from having a strong will of your own, you'll also need good friends to encourage you along the way. Try to carry higher-denomination bills. Whenever you have several bills of small denominations, try to exchange them for one larger one – for instance trade out twenty one-dollar bills for one twenty-dollar bill. This may help remind you that you're spending real, significant money. Many people are happy to hand off dollar notes, but think twice before coughing up a twenty. Thus, dealing in larger notes can help you be aware of your spending. Make meals at home, and avoid eating out. Learn to cook. Try to buy food in bulk – grains and vegetables are great staples. Eating out can quickly eat up your savings, even if you're just living off of fast food. Do what's best for your health and your wealth. Consider preparing the week's meals in advance. Set a "food prep" day—say, every Sunday—on which you make a large amount of something that will keep well throughout the week. Soups, rice dishes, and breads are good for this. If you cook it and store in a fridge, it will last longer than it does fresh. Groceries, especially fresh fruit and vegetables, are sometimes sold at lower prices at certain times: stores try to get rid of food that is not fresh enough to sell, but still has a few days in it. Learn when those times are, and stock up on good, healthy stuff. Dine out as an occasional treat, not as a matter of course. Spend your money on a truly worthwhile dinner every now and then, rather than fast food every night. Fill up on free samples when you go to the grocery store. Learn which stores (Costco, for instance) have daily samples, and take this opportunity to treat yourself to a free meal while you shop. Make gifts instead of buying them. It can be expensive to buy gifts for all of your friends and family on birthdays and holidays. If you're in a relationship, you may be expected to give even more gifts. Save some cash by getting creative and making gifts, instead of buying them. Buy used textbooks. Check they are not damaged or unsuitable for open book exams, and make sure that each textbook is the version that the rest of the class is using. Your school bookstore might sell used textbooks, or you can browse used textbook retailers online. Try checking Craiglist for textbooks deals in your area. Sell back your textbooks when you're done with them. Consider simply borrowing textbooks. Share with a friend or use a library copy. You won't have the same unrestricted access that you would if you bought the book, but it will be much cheaper! Some textbook shops have membership discounts. Get those if they appear cost effective, i.e. $10 lifetime membership for 10% of all textbooks, and your first textbook is $100 or more, membership has paid for itself. Look for cheap or free entertainment. This is not to say that you shouldn't splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime show – but most college towns are full of interesting events, shows, and gatherings that won't cost you a cent. Look for coupons, Groupons, and discounts. Read bulletins about local bands and shows. Join student clubs that offer opportunities to explore your interests on a budget. Many campus events offer free food. Find a cheap way to get around. If you live very far from your college, and you need to commute, consider whether you can carpool or take public transportation. Consider buying a bicycle (you can often get them used for much cheaper!) or walking to class. Some colleges include a local bus pass as part of the price of admission. Find out whether your school offers any transportation subsidies, and use them to your advantage. If you have a friend who goes to school at the same time as you, try to set up a ride-share situation. Split gas and burn less fuel. You can also use a number of carpool websites to find fellow commuters online. Consider which of these options will be most sustainable in the long term. Draw your cues from how other people get around your college. If the area is very bicycle friendly, you may want to buy a bike. Plan your spending. Review every cost you have, and see if there is a way to do it for cheaper. Make a list of everything you spend over a month, and then look over it at the end of the month to see where you can save money. Balance your "fixed expenses"—recurring necessities like bills, books, rent, food—with the "fluctuating expenses" that make your life more enjoyable. Consider putting at least half of your money (after food, bills, and other immediate necessities) into a savings account. This can be an account for fun things, for future security, or for saving up to buy something you'd like to own. Always plan ahead and have a contingency fund. This might seem hard for a student who is mostly cash-strapped, but a small effort might go a long way to help. You might have to budget and deal with unexpected expenses – like repairing a broken phone, or weathering a reduction in the student discount on transit passes. Whatever the surprise may be, that extra cash will save you some misery. The other reason to do this is to give yourself a financial buffer to focus on schoolwork. If school gets especially busy, you might want to take some time off of work to catch up. In this situation, the current month's paycheck may not be as juicy as the months prior – but since you have some extra, you can manage to pull through. Weigh the pros and cons of a meal plan. Many colleges offer meal plans so that students can eat reasonably-priced meals at campus dining commons or affiliated restaurants. This can be an exercise in frugality: if you get a meal plan, you'll need to carefully budget how much you eat, and when. Consider whether you have a kitchen to cook your own food, or whether there are any other factors that make a meal plan irrelevant. Meal plans usually come in two forms: "Meal credit" plans: You may get a certain number of "meals" per semester, meaning you can enter the dining hall a pre-set number of times and eat to your heart's content. This can be a cost-effective option if you can eat large, nutritious meals when you do visit the dining commons – and maybe even sneak some food out to your dorm room. "Debit" plans: Some schools offer something similar to a debit account, where you pay for each individual item that you purchase. Each time you eat, your account is charged until your balance reaches zero. Loading your card up with a pre-set food budget may help you learn how to allocate your spending. Your school may also offer a combination plan with some debit and some meal credits. Get a job. If you can set up a steady flow of independent cash, you won't have to worry as much about saving money. Not only does it teach you how to interact with people who are working full-time, it also adds experience to your resume. Make sure that your job isn't a hindrance to your academic studies. You are, after all, a college student. Academics comes first. The jobs are just a way to facilitate your main responsibility of learning. Get a job at your college. Anything from working in the library, the IT department, the bookstore, campus dining is good experience. These jobs may not pay as much as some off-campus jobs, but they have the benefit of convenience and job security. Many campus jobs are part-time, and allow you to choose the hours that fit best with your class schedule. Get a job outside of college. Babysitting, modeling, freelance writing, secretarial work, and tutoring are all great choices. Wait tables in a restaurant or pour coffee in a cafe. Consider all of the options available to you. You might be able to make more money working off-campus, but you also might need to commute, and your employer might not always make your education the first priority. If you do get a job, try to save at least 20 percent of your income. Get an internship over the summer. Internships are a great way to get working experience and save money. Ideally, look for internships that pay. Banks, law firms and big corporations generally pay students well for summer internships. If corporate life is not your thing, go for a humanities-focused internship: a building project, a curator program, or a magazine. Consider that internships often don't pay as much as full-time summer jobs, but they may give you the opportunity to do something more relevant to your goals. If you're pressed for cash, you might need to take a full-time job in construction, service, etc. Weigh the costs and benefits of taking an internship. If the internship doesn't pay, see if you can get a stipend from your school or a scholarship/grant from your home country. Alternatively, look for student grants from big NGOs and corporations. These grants help out students who do meaningful volunteer work or arts-focused internships. Open a bank account, if you haven't already. Try to establish a good relationship with one of the bankers. Check for annual fees and processing fees – banks will usually waive these fees for college students. Make sure that you understand all of the required fees before you open an account with a bank. Aim for zero fees so that your bank account doesn't work against you. Ask the banker which wealth growing strategies are available for college students. For instance, a popular choice is to periodically put money into a time-deposit and earn interest throughout the year. This also encourages a saving habit. If you get a credit card, make sure there is no annual fee. If there is, get it waived by your banker. Check your bank account periodically. Keep track of what you're spending money on, and make sure that there's always a bit of money in your account. Make sure that checks don't bounce, as invalid checks incur processing fees. Consider setting up a low-balance notification. Some banks will send you text or email alerts when your balance falls below a set point: for instance, $50. This way, you'll know when you're running low, and you can plan your spending accordingly. Evaluate your options for loans and financial aid. Many colleges work with banks to help you take out student loans; some colleges even offer financial aid to students that have trouble affording the price of admission. Visit your university's website and understand which choices are available to you. Understand that if you take out loans, you are putting yourself (often tens of thousands of dollars) into debt. Consider whether you want this money hanging over your head for years after you graduate – or whether you have any options. Financial aid programs usually require that you prove a low-income background. You may need to keep up a minimum GPA requirement in order to keep the money flowing, and you may need to meet other requirements; say, living on campus, or participating in certain organizations. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the most common place to start applying for financial aid. Apply for student loans through the Department of Education , or speak directly with a representative at your bank. Ask your parents, your teachers, and your counselors for advice before you take out loans. Always be aware of the consequences. Consider getting a credit card. Save it for emergencies, if you can afford to do so, and try to build a solid credit history. You can also use them for the needs and most guaranteed expenses on your budget. For instance, if you live alone and in a distant place from home, groceries might be an important part of the budget. With that in mind, you can set aside cash for groceries, then use your credit card to make those food purchases. At the end of the month, when the bill comes in, you'll have the money sitting in your account to pay off the entire bill. Do not pay the minimum pay on your credit card. Clear your card charges monthly, and pay in full. Credit card charges are ridiculously high – often upwards of 30%. If you ever find yourself starting to incur credit card interest charges, you will quickly find yourself deep in debt. Avoid the mistake from the start, and clear your monthly credit card bills in a timely manner. Save first, spend last. If you're tempted to incur credit card debt, do not get a credit card and spend cash only. Do not spend what you do not have.
Keep your habits in check. Try to carry higher-denomination bills. Make meals at home, and avoid eating out. Make gifts instead of buying them. Buy used textbooks. Look for cheap or free entertainment. Find a cheap way to get around. Plan your spending. Always plan ahead and have a contingency fund. Weigh the pros and cons of a meal plan. Get a job. Get an internship over the summer. Open a bank account, if you haven't already. Check your bank account periodically. Evaluate your options for loans and financial aid. Consider getting a credit card. Do not pay the minimum pay on your credit card.
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Forearm-Muscles
How to Build Forearm Muscles
To build forearm muscles, try doing wrist roller and body weight exercises, performing loaded carries, and doing barbell exercises like wrist curls. Try to do 12 to 15 repetitions of each exercise and slowly work your way up to more as you gain forearm strength. Perform the exercises regularly to see results!
Get or make a wrist roller. This is simply a bar or rod with a rope tied around its midpoint. The other end of the rope is attached to a weight. This simple piece of equipment is one of the most effective ways to build forearm muscle and train grip strength. Start with a very light weight, and increase the weight gradually. Most people cannot lift nearly as much with their wrist as they can with their full arm. Find the weight where a set is challenging, but not painful or extremely difficult. Hold the rod in front of you. Grip the rod in both hands and hold it in front of you at around waist level. Since this position is not difficult to maintain, your wrists will be the limiting factor of the exercise. This lets you repeat the wrist roller exercise as long as your wrists are holding up. You can extend your arms straight in front of you instead to work your lower arms and shoulders as well, but this will likely limit the number of repetitions you can perform. Rotate the rod. Maintain your grip with one hand and turn the rod with the other to wind the rope around the rod. Alternate the turning and gripping hands until the rope is fully wound and the weight reaches the rod. Try to keep the rod in position as you rotate it, without much tilting back and forth. Rotate the weight back down. Rotate the rod the other way until the rope is fully extended. Do this slowly and evenly. If the rod keeps slipping out of your grip, wrap a grip around the rod to reduce friction, or just focus on the upward motion. Try 3 sets of 10 reps. Lift a heavy dumbbell or kettle bell in each hand. This exercise is geared toward working your forearm muscle endurance by maximizing the time under tension. Start by lifting the dumbbells or kettle bells of your preference. Since “heavy” is relative to your routine, try a weight heavier than you would try to curl but not so heavy that you have to strain. You can always add more or less as needed. If you really want to maximize this workout, instead of barbells or kettle bells, lift two weight plates pinched together in each hand instead. You will have to work your grip—and therefore forearms—extra hard to keep the plates pinched together so they don't fall. If you want to try loading even more weight into this exercise, try using a trap bar instead. With a trap bar, you can stand in the middle and lift the weight with both arms, which allows you to carry much more than your arms working individually. Stand up straight. In order to put the brunt of the weight on the correct muscle groups, you want to brace your abs, keep your chest up, and keep your shoulders back. If you hunch, you'll divert too much of the strain to your upper arms or back. Start walking. The natural movement and inertia from walking will work your forearms much more than simply standing in place holding the weights, so start walking. Try this workout in sets of twenty yards to start with, or whatever you find comfortable. Increase the length of time gradually. Walking for a long time or using heavy weights before you are ready can cause a shoulder injury. Sit at the edge of your workout bench. This exercise requires you to be in a sitting stationary position, so take a seat at the edge of your workout bench. You also want to have your feet flat and your knees shoulder-width apart. Lift an appropriate dumbbell or kettle bell in each hand. Since this is specifically targeting your wrists and forearms, you will want to start with less weight than you typically use for full-arm curls. You can start with as little as five-pound weights in each hand and increase them incrementally if they prove far too easy. If you prefer, you can always work just one forearm at a time, which means you can pick up just one weight. Make sure you do the same number of sets and repetitions with each forearm to ensure an equal workout. Rest your elbow on your thigh with your arm flat. By resting your arm on your leg, you put the majority of the weight on your forearm instead of your bicep. This position also braces your arm, which allows you to perform the curls with less risk of injury. Curl the weight by moving only your wrist up and toward you. Each rep of this workout requires curling the weight up and toward you and then back down. You additionally want to ensure that you breathe out while curling the weight and that you inhale while lowering it. To get the most out of this exercise, try performing sets of both upward and downward wrist curls. Upward means your palm is facing up, so the weight rests against it. Downward means your palm is facing down, so the weight rests mostly against your fingers. Each direction will work different forearm muscle groups. Repeat for 12-15 repetitions. If you have chosen the ideal amount of weight for this exercise, then you should be able to do a set of twelve-to-fifteen repetitions and just barely be able to perform the final one. Sit with your forearms down on a flat bench. For this exercise, you want to place your forearms flat with your hands and wrists protruding off the edge of the bench. If you use a standard workout bench, you can simply kneel to the side of it in order to rest your forearms on the bench—just make sure to put something down to cushion your knees. Lift up the barbell with both hands. In order to balance the weight, you want your hands roughly shoulder-width apart to form your grip on the barbell. To start, use a standard grip with your palms facing upward. Again, the ideal amount of weight is going to vary by person. You should aim for an amount that allows you to do twelve-to-fifteen repetitions before tiring out. Lower your wrists. The starting position is going to be with your wrists lowered so that the barbell is hanging low in your grip. Curl the barbell up and toward you. With a slow, controlled motion, you want to curl the barbell up and toward you. By moving the barbell slowly, you maximize the gain on each repetition. You want to curl your wrists all the way, bringing the barbell as close to you while only using your wrists as possible, before letting it back down. At the apex of this motion, you will feel the hard squeeze in your forearms. Do 12-15 repetitions. As with the individual wrists routine, you want to do twelve-to-fifteen reps in your set before stopping. If you cannot do this many, try curling less weight. Flip your arms over and do the curls downward. This is another workout that you can do with either upward or downward curls. To work a different forearm muscle group, turn your arms over on the bench so your palms face downward. Then lift the barbell back up and do the curls so you can see the backs of your hands. Increase the girth of your grip. You can additionally increase the workout on each forearm by enlarging the grip on your barbells and dumbbells. You can purchase a fitness product tailored to go over the bar or simply wrap a towel around it. The larger grip area forces you to squeeze harder to maintain your hold, which in turn works your forearms even more. Use a hammer grip whenever possible. Utilizing a hammer grip for other exercises will also increase the workout on your forearms. A hammer grip is when the palm faces inward rather than up. You can use a hammer grip with dumbbells or even two-handed workouts such as chin-ups. By using a hammer grip, less weight rests on your palms, which forces you to grip more tightly. Use handgrips while away from the gym. A good old-fashioned pair of hand grips with the metal tension coil at the top are an easy way to work forearm muscles while multitasking. Alternatively, you can squeeze a spare tennis ball or racquetball that you have around as well. Anything dealing with isolating and working your hand grip will work your forearm muscles. Do dead hangs. Some people may prefer using their own bodyweight as the main resistance while building muscle since bodyweight workouts are easier to do at home and don't require gym equipment. Dead hangs are simply holding onto something above you and supporting your bodyweight with your grip alone. Since the tension is on your grip, you squeeze harder the longer you hang and work forearm muscles. The larger the surface you choose to grip, the harder you will have to squeeze, so something wider than a typical chin-up bar will work your forearms harder. Do dead hangs into chin-ups. For a harder, advanced workout, you can do a dead hang of several seconds at the bottom of every chin-up. The pause will ensure that you're not using any body swing or inertia to start the next chin-up as well. Do finger and wrist push backs. You can do this exercise either leaning against a bar or a table, or you can do it on the ground in a push-up position (which will be harder). Lean your weight against the surface, and use your wrists and fingers to push your weight back off the surface. In a push-up position, for instance, you will not bend at the elbows to lower yourself; instead, keep your elbows straight and use your wrists and fingers to push off the ground and lift yourself even higher. You can add this extra movement onto each normal push-up to get more out of every repetition as well.
Get or make a wrist roller. Start with a very light weight, and increase the weight gradually. Hold the rod in front of you. Rotate the rod. Rotate the weight back down. Lift a heavy dumbbell or kettle bell in each hand. Stand up straight. Start walking. Sit at the edge of your workout bench. Lift an appropriate dumbbell or kettle bell in each hand. Rest your elbow on your thigh with your arm flat. Curl the weight by moving only your wrist up and toward you. Repeat for 12-15 repetitions. Sit with your forearms down on a flat bench. Lift up the barbell with both hands. Lower your wrists. Curl the barbell up and toward you. Do 12-15 repetitions. Flip your arms over and do the curls downward. Increase the girth of your grip. Use a hammer grip whenever possible. Use handgrips while away from the gym. Do dead hangs. Do dead hangs into chin-ups. Do finger and wrist push backs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Sex-of-a-Kitten
How to Determine the Sex of a Kitten
Before you try to determine the sex of a kitten, make sure you're in a warm, indoor area and that you won't be separating the kitten from its mother for longer than 5-10 minutes. When you're ready to get started, place the kitten on a soft, clean towel and position it so it's standing with its head facing away from you. Then, gently lift up the kitten's tail so you can see its genitals. If the genital opening looks like a small, vertical slit, it's a female kitten. If the opening looks like a tiny, circular hole, it's a male kitten.
Make sure the kitten is in a warm, safe environment. Though it may not be obvious, young kittens are very vulnerable to the cold. Until they're able to warm themselves on their own, they rely on the mother's body heat for warmth. Separating a kitten from its mother can damage its health. To avoid adversely affecting the kitten or its health, follow these guidelines when handling the kitten and trying to determine its sex: Handle the kittens in a warm, indoor area Don't separate young kittens from their mother for more than 5-10 minutes Don't lay kittens on "heat-sucking" surfaces like marble countertops and hardwood floors that will draw warmth out of their bodies Gently lift the kitten's tail. Checking the kitten's genitals is the most direct way to determine its sex. A kitten may be (understandably) reluctant to let you lift its tail and expose its genitals. Always be gentle. Handling a kitten roughly or using forceful motions can cause pain and may cause the kitten to lash out in self-defense. Avoid holding the kitten by its tail, which is very fragile. Calmly pet the kitten for a few minutes before laying it gently on a soft, clean towel and lifting its tail. Be willing to back off and return it to its mother if it shows resistance. Position the kitten in a standing position with its head directed away from you. Lift--don't tug or pull--the tail. If the kitten is reluctant to let you inspect beneath its tail, try getting a partner to help. The partner can gently hold the kitten in their arms while you gently lift the tail. You can also try to get the kitten to voluntarily lift its tail by scratching where the back meets the tail. The kitten should have two openings. The top opening is the anus, while the bottom opening is the male or female genitalia. Check the shape of the lower opening. If you have more than one kitten, you might compare the two side-by-side. It can be easier to distinguish males from females by comparing them directly. A female kitten's genital opening will look like a small vertical slit. Together, the anus and genital openings on a female kitten will look like a lowercase “i.” A male kitten's genital opening will look like a tiny circular hole. Together, the anus and genital openings on a male kitten will look like a colon ( : ). Check the distance between the openings. Female kittens have a lesser anogenital distance than do males, so you can use the distance to distinguish the sexes. A female kitten's genital opening is placed higher up and closer to the anus. A male kitten's genital opening is further below the anus. Check for testicles. Testicles on young males are not always obvious but can still be detected. But don't ever forcibly manipulate the genitals. Penises can be especially delicate — attempting to forcefully extend a male cat's penis (which is normally withdrawn) can lead to lasting damage. Look carefully at the space between the genital opening and the anus. If you see a small bulge or pouch, it's likely the scrotum, and thus the kitten is male. If you can't visually detect a scrotum, you can feel for them in kittens that are at least a month or two old. To feel for testicles, gently pinch the area between the anus and genital opening. You may feel one or two small pea-sized lumps. Be aware that very young male kittens--younger than a month or two old--may have testicles that have retreated into the inguinal canal and cannot yet be felt. Look for sex-specific coat colors. The color of a kitten's fur can give clues to its sex. Certain colors, like calico (large patches of black, white, and orange) and tortoiseshell (marbled black, orange/brown, and sometimes white), are carried on the X chromosome and require two X chromosomes to appear. Thus, because females have two X chromosomes while male cats have only one, males cannot have these colors except in the case of a rare genetic disorder. Orange tabby (striped) cats are more likely to be male. Look for signs of a heat cycle (estrus). After about 6-10 months (and for some breeds as early as 4), most unspayed female kittens will begin to show signs of being “in heat” (scientifically referred to as being “in estrus”). A female cat may be in heat for between 2-19 days. The average cycle for a female cat that does not mate is about 8 days, but the cycle is often shorter for cats that do mate, as mating induces ovulation. A cat in heat will display certain telling behaviors, which, if they occur, may indicate the cat is female. These include: Beginning to meow more loudly, harshly, and frequently. It will grow in intensity over time and may begin to sound like howling. Showing a strong urge to go outdoors Becoming extremely affectionate, even with inanimate objects Showing “presenting” behavior, wherein a female cat rests on its front legs while hyper-extending the back and lifting its tail and rear end in the air. Spraying urine Check for strong-smelling urine. When an unneutered male (tom) cat becomes sexually mature, he'll often develop a habit of spraying strong-smelling urine. A male cat may begin to spray outside the litter box, even if he's normally well-trained. The urine will have a strong, unmistakable smell that most find unpleasant. Evaluate the kitten's build and facial features. You likely won't be able to distinguish noticeable differences in physical features until a cat is sexually mature. Once the cat is mature enough, though, there are particular features you can look for. An unneutered male will tend to be lean and muscular, with thicker bones in the skull and jaw. Unneutered males also commonly have what's called a “stud tail.” A set of glands at the base of the tail secretes an excessive amount of an oily substance called sebum. This secretion can have telling effects on the area near the base of the tail, including greasy or matted hair; absent, thin, or patchy hair; blackheads; a rash or skin infection; and/or a foul smell.
Make sure the kitten is in a warm, safe environment. Gently lift the kitten's tail. Check the shape of the lower opening. Check the distance between the openings. Check for testicles. Look for sex-specific coat colors. Look for signs of a heat cycle (estrus). Check for strong-smelling urine. Evaluate the kitten's build and facial features.
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Good-House-Party
How to Have a Good House Party
To have a good house party, make a killer playlist in advance so you can play great music all night without having to think of good songs on the spot. You should also come up with a few games or activities to play, like cards, karaoke, or beer pong if you're old enough, so your guests don't get bored. Additionally, set up a drink-making station with a variety of drinks, mixers, and cups so your guests can easily serve themselves drinks throughout the night. In addition to drinks, make sure you have some snacks on hand for everyone. For example, you could serve chips and dip, pigs in a blanket, and mini cupcakes.
Have a themed party. An easy way to throw a great party is to have a themed party. By creating a theme for your party, you can easily make the decorations, food, music, and activities match each other making the party cohesive. Themes can be anything from a certain time period like the fifties to colors like a red and black party. You can also theme a party on a certain holiday like Valentine's Day or The 4th of July. Invite friends over for a specific event. Another great type of house party is a party focused on a specific event. Invite your friends over to watch a television event, or throw a house party for someone's birthday or a holiday. When you throw a house party focused on a specific event it's easy to base the theme off of this as well. Have a Superbowl party for everyone to watch this year's Superbowl game. Theme your decorations and food on football or the teams playing in the Superbowl. Throw a house party for a friend's birthday or for a holiday like New Year's Eve. Invite a group of friends over to watch an award show like the Oscars. Create an elegant feel by using the colors black, white, and gold for your party. Throw a party focused on an activity. You can throw a house party that's based on a specific activity to let all of your guests have fun as a group. Activities like karaoke and dancing are great to focus a party on. Another fun activity focused party is a murder mystery party where each guest is given a role to play and gets to try and figure out the answer to a mystery. Decide on how many people to invite. The amount of people you have at your party will determine the feel of your party. If you only have a few guests the party will be much more intimate and lend itself to more in depth conversations. However, if you have lots of guests the party will have a different vibe. A party with a lot of people is a great way for people to make new friends and tends to have lighter conversations. The amount of space you have in your home will also determine how many guests to invite. You don't want a house that is so crowded that people can't move around easily. You need about 8-12 square feet per person for a comfortable cocktail party, and about 5-8 square feet per person for a comfortable larger party. To figure out how many people you should invite, divide the number of square feet in the part of your house the party will take place by the number of square feet per person you want to use. Pick how you will send the invitation. There are several different ways to invite people to a house party. You can send out invitations in the mail, email an invitation, or invite your friends over social media. You should send your invitation out several weeks in advance so your friends can plan to attend the party. There are many different online companies that let you pick an invitation and send it to your friends' email addresses. Many of these invitations are designed to look just like paper invitations so they can match your theme. They also let you track your invitation and give guests an easy way to R.S.V.P. Include important information on the invitation. You should include the date, time, and address of the party on your invitation to let guests know when and where your party is taking place. You should also include other important details like your contact information for people to R.S.V.P. or get in touch with you if they have a question. Anything that you want your guest to bring should also be included on the invitation. If you want your guests to leave at a certain time, you should include an end time on the invitation. Another important detail to include is if there is a dress code. If you want your guests to dress in a certain attire make sure you indicate this on the invitation. An example of this would be if you want your guests to dress in a costume matching the theme of your party. Use the right lighting to set the mood. The lights you use can create a certain ambiance at a party, so choosing the right lighting is very important. You should have adequate lighting in the entrance to welcome guests as they arrive. The main area the guests will be in should have lower lighting to create an intimate environment. A space where party guests will be dancing should have very low lighting or lit with party lights like black lights and glow sticks. Different kinds of lights can create a different vibe so think about the type of party you want when picking your lighting. Candles and fancy lamps can create an intimate, upscale feel. Tiki torches and christmas lights create a festive environment for a party. Set up decorations. Consider making a few friends the V.I.P. of the party and invite them to come over early to help set everything up. Set up your lighting in all of the rooms the party will be happening in. Put tablecloths down where the food will be served. Try hanging balloons or streamers that match the colors of your theme. You can hang posters and banners to decorate for the party. Have centerpieces on all of your tables the reflect the parties theme or vibe. Use items you already have as decorations. For example, for a woodland themed party, you can fill a vase with pinecones to use as a centerpiece. Create a nice flow within your house. It's important to create a flow within your house to get guests to naturally go where you want them to. You should have the lights off and doors closed in rooms you don't want the guests being in. There should be a natural pathway from the entrance to the room with the food and the room you want your guests to be in. You should keep the bar, food, and music in separate areas with space in between them. There should also be separate spaces for guests to have intimate conversations or dance in. Make a playlist or CD. You want enough music to have music playing during your entire party so it's important to think about the length of the party when you make a playlist. The music should start with mellow songs that give a relaxed feel as guests arrive. As the night goes on, the music should start to pick up with faster music to encourage dancing. You can end the night with music that's a bit slower and more calming. Try using an online radio to create your own station and play music all night long. You can also tell your guests to create their own playlist and take turns playing them at the party. Play music for the type of party your want. It's important to think about the type of party you're having when you consider what music to play. If you want people to be dancing, you should play fun, upbeat music and include songs that have their own dance like the Silento's “Watch Me”. For a smaller more intimate party, have the music playing softly in the background. Consider hiring a DJ or having a live band. When you're having a larger house party, it's a good idea to hire a DJ or have a live band perform. A DJ will play continuous music to keep the fun going during your party. A live band is a great addition to a house party and makes guests feel like they're at a private concert. This will help achieve a lively party vibe where everyone is having fun. Have guests play party games. You can add fun to your house party by having party games for your guests to play. Lawn games like cornhole, croquet, and volleyball are great games to have available for party guests to play. Having a ping pong, foosball, or pool table are also great additions to a house party. There are many party card games you can buy as well to have out for your guests to enjoy playing. Set up a karaoke machine for a night of karaoke fun. A great activity to have at your house party is karaoke. Party guests will have fun singing songs and dancing to the music. The great thing about karaoke is it provides music as well as fun! You can rent a karaoke machine at a party rental company or you can use an app on your phone for karaoke. Set aside different areas for different activities. If you're going to have multiple activities you need to make sure there is a separate space for each. You want enough space for your guests to easily participate in the activity. You can have some activities outside on a porch or in a yard, and others can be inside in the living room or a basement. Set up a DIY drink making station. An easy way to have drinks available for your guests and not have to be the bartender is to set up a drink station. You can use a side table or drink cart to place alcohol, mixers, ice, glasses, and stirrers on for guests to create their own fun party drinks. It's a good idea to have a small recipe books of drink ideas for your guests. They can flip through the book to find their favorite drink and then be their own bartender mixing it to perfection. Make sure you have all of the necessary ingredients for every drink in your book. Have finger foods out for guests to snack on. Having appetizers or finger foods set out for your guests to eat at leisure is a great way to serve food at a house party. Guests will be able to eat as they get hungry throughout the night, so they will stay happy. Make the appetizers ahead of time so that you don't spend the whole night in the kitchen cooking. Cook enough food so that you can replenish items that get eaten quickly. Make sure you have plenty of finger foods that are like main dishes in addition to snack foods. You want to make sure your party guests stay satiated. Appetizers like meatballs, pigs in a blanket, bean dip, or chicken wings are a good idea to serve. You can make the finger food fun by serving it in a unique way. For example, serve cupcakes in plastic martini glasses or use mini pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks for appetizers. Consider having the party catered or hiring a bartender. If you don't want to worry about the food so you can enjoy your own party, you can hire a caterer to prepare and serve the food. Although this is a costly option, it will allow you to be able to join in the fun more. Another great idea is to hire a bartender to mix and serve your drinks. Having a professional bartender to serve your guests will make them feel special and allow them the opportunity to order whatever drinks they desire. Match your food and drinks to the type of party you’re having. If you're having a themed party, you can match the food and drinks to the theme. You can use specific colors for your theme and only serve food and drinks that match those colors. If you're having a time period party, consider serving food and drinks that were available and popular during that time period.
Have a themed party. Invite friends over for a specific event. Throw a party focused on an activity. Decide on how many people to invite. Pick how you will send the invitation. Include important information on the invitation. Use the right lighting to set the mood. Set up decorations. Create a nice flow within your house. Make a playlist or CD. Play music for the type of party your want. Consider hiring a DJ or having a live band. Have guests play party games. Set up a karaoke machine for a night of karaoke fun. Set aside different areas for different activities. Set up a DIY drink making station. Have finger foods out for guests to snack on. Consider having the party catered or hiring a bartender. Match your food and drinks to the type of party you’re having.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Guinea-Pig%27s-Fleece-Bedding
How to Clean a Guinea Pig's Fleece Bedding
To clean a guinea pig's fleece bedding, start by picking up any loose hay and droppings on it. Then, shake the bedding over a sink or trash can to dislodge any debris stuck in the fabric. Next, machine wash the bedding on high heat with detergent and white vinegar. Finally, toss the fleece bedding in the dryer on low or medium heat.
Remove feces and food debris. At the end of each day, remove any loose stools or food you see on the bedding. You can use a plastic scoop, a small vacuum, or a small broom and dust pan. Pick up anything off the bedding that you can easily see. Place loose hay in a single corner. Hay often because strewn all over the floor of a guinea pig's cage. Hay can sometimes get onto fleece bedding. If you notice any hay on the bedding, pick it up and set it in a single corner. Use a curry comb to remove loose hair. Curry combs are small rubber combs used to groom horses. Curry combs are also excellent tools for removing hair from fleece bedding. You can purchase a curry comb online. Simply run it over the bedding a few times after removing hay, pieces of food, and feces from the bedding. This should dislodge a lot of the trapped hair. Shake out the fleece to remove remaining debris. Remove the fleece bedding from the cage. Give it a few good shakes. This will get rid of any lingering dust or debris you missed. Shake the bedding over a sink or outside to avoid getting your home dirty. Offer your guinea pig a litter pan filled with straw where they can use the bathroom. Change the straw daily. This will encourage your pet to avoid soiling the fleece. Do some prep work. Do not simply throw fleece bedding into the washing machine. Do your routine cleaning by picking up loose dirt and hay, running a curry comb over the bedding, and then shaking out the bedding. The bedding will come clean easier in the wash if you remove obvious messes first. Place the bedding in a washing machine. Remove the bedding from a cage. Transfer it to a washing machine. Add your regular laundry detergent to the machine. If you have other laundry to do, you can throw in items of similar color and texture into the machine while washing fleece bedding. Add vinegar. Pour about half a cup of white vinegar into the washing machine. White vinegar helps kill bacteria and also reduces odor. Wash on high heat. Turn the machine on and run it for a cycle. Run it on high heat, as fleece bedding should be cleaned in warm water. Dry the bedding. It's safe to dry fleece bedding at low or medium heat in your dryer. You can dry it with any other items you need to dry that day. You can also hang the bedding to let it air dry, but this will take longer. You do not want to delay returning the bedding to your guinea pig for longer than necessary. Avoid dangerous, messy beddings. Certain types of beddings spread easily and stick to fleece bedding. They are also generally unsafe for guinea pigs as they may cause respiratory and other health problems. Avoid the following: Cedar bedding Clay-based bedding Sawdust Newspaper Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are not safe to use for materials meant for guinea pigs. Strong smells can be irritating for guinea pigs and may cause poor reactions. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets when cleaning fleece bedding. Clean the bedding on a schedule. It's important to stick to a schedule when cleaning fleece bedding. Simply cleaning it occasionally will not control odor from your guinea pig's cage. Make a habit of doing a light cleaning each day. Every five to seven days, wash your fleece bedding in a machine.
Remove feces and food debris. Place loose hay in a single corner. Use a curry comb to remove loose hair. Shake out the fleece to remove remaining debris. Do some prep work. Place the bedding in a washing machine. Add vinegar. Wash on high heat. Dry the bedding. Avoid dangerous, messy beddings. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Clean the bedding on a schedule.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cheap-Terrarium
How to Make a Cheap Terrarium
You can easily make a cheap terrarium by reusing an old fishbowl, a large glass jar, or even a clear coffee pot as an enclosure. Before you put anything in your enclosure, wash it with antibacterial soap and dry it thoroughly so it is nice and clean for your plants. Once the glass is clean, layer the bottom with a ½ inch of gravel from your driveway or sand from a beach to allow excess water to drain and prevent your plants' roots from rotting. Once you're happy with your bottom layer, add a ¼ inch of crushed gardening charcoal to dampen any smells and reduce mold. Make sure to avoid using charcoal that's meant for barbecues, since that has added chemicals which can harm your plants. Finally, add 4 to 5 inches of soil and a few of your favorite plants.
Reuse a glass jar, bowl, or other clear container for the enclosure. For a cheap terrarium, you can use an old glass jar, an old fishbowl, or even a clear coffee pot! Any glass container can work as a terrarium. For a closed terrarium, you'll want to use a container with a sealable lid. An old mason jar is a great container to use if you're making your first terrarium. For a miniature terrarium, you could use a small jelly jar. Wash the container with anti-bacterial soap. After selecting your clear container, you'll want to make sure it's clean. Wash it with an anti-bacterial soap, and then rinse and dry the container thoroughly. Layer the container’s bottom with gravel from your driveway. Now that your terrarium container is nice and clean, you'll want to fill its bottom with gravel. You can collect this gravel from your driveway or somewhere else outside for free. Make this bottom layer about ⁄ 2 inch (13 mm) deep. You can substitute sand from the beach for gravel in this step. This bottom level of gravel or sand will let water drain away from your plants, which will prevent their roots from rotting. Add a thin layer of crushed gardening charcoal. Once you're happy with your bottom layer of gravel or sand, you'll want to add a thin layer of crushed gardening charcoal. You'll want to make this second layer about ⁄ 4 inch (6.4 mm) deep. This layer of charcoal will help dampen any unpleasant smells and limit mold. Don't use charcoal that is meant for your barbeque. This charcoal has added chemicals and is not recommended for use in gardens. Add good quality soil to the top of your charcoal base. Now that you have your base, you can add your soil. You can use soil from your garden or from a dead potted plant. Layer the top of the charcoal with 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) of soil. If you're using a smaller container and have plants with shorter roots, you should make your soil layer less deep. If there's enough soil to cover your plants' roots, you should be fine. Choose cheap and attractive plants of your choice. You can try planting just about anything in your terrarium, as long as it's small and won't grow too much. Wild strawberries, violets, small ferns, and other plants that grow well in forest shade are popular options. For a closed terrarium, you'll want to choose plants that do well in a humid, moist environment, like fern, moss, and orchids. You should choose plants that require drier conditions for an open terrarium, like succulents and cacti. Decide where you want to put your plants. In the soil, mark where you want each of your plants to be. Then, gently carve a valley where you plan to put each plant. Make sure you leave space between plants so that they have enough room to grow. Gently remove plants from their containers. Gently take your plants out of their original pots. Try to remove as much of the potting soil from the plant as possible. Leave just the soil that is directly touching the roots. Be careful not to damage the roots as you take out your plants. Position 1 plant in each hole. Next, you'll want to put your plants in the valleys you dug in the layer of soil. Cover the roots with soil, and pack soil around the plants. You'll want to make sure your plants are stable and can stand up on their own. Look outside for interesting stones to add to your terrarium. Now that you've finished putting in your plants, it is time to add the landscaping. Small stones are a classic aspect used in most terrarium landscapes, and you can find them for free just about anywhere. The shore of a lake, river, or another body of water is an excellent place to find stones in a variety of shapes and colors. Take moss from a nearby rock or tree and add it to your terrarium. Many terrarium builders use moss to dress the surface of their closed terrariums. Most gardening stores sell moss, but if you'd like to spend even less money on your moss-covered terrarium, why not just head outside and get some for free? You can use a trowel to scrape some off a tree, rock, or the ground. Go into your backyard or local park and collect twigs. Your backyard or local park is a perfect place to find natural goodies to decorate your terrarium. You'll be surprised how much variety there is just outside your door. Pinecones, acorns, and bark are other materials you might consider adding to your terrarium's landscape. If you live near an ocean, you could head to the beach and collect shells to use for decoration. Add any miniature figurines and other trinkets you have lying around. Adding a figurine or trinket to the inside of your terrarium will give it a unique character. You can choose just about anything to put in your terrarium. Add a small animal figurine, miniature statue, colorful marbles, or anything else that catches your eye would work well. Care for your terrarium with water and indirect sunlight. Terrariums are very low maintenance. Add a little water and place your terrarium in a location will it will receive indirect sunlight. A closed terrarium should flourish without watering, but you may need to help out your plants with an occasional misting. Be careful not to overwater your open terrarium. You'll need to add water only when the soil gets dry.
Reuse a glass jar, bowl, or other clear container for the enclosure. Wash the container with anti-bacterial soap. Layer the container’s bottom with gravel from your driveway. Add a thin layer of crushed gardening charcoal. Add good quality soil to the top of your charcoal base. Choose cheap and attractive plants of your choice. Decide where you want to put your plants. Gently remove plants from their containers. Position 1 plant in each hole. Look outside for interesting stones to add to your terrarium. Take moss from a nearby rock or tree and add it to your terrarium. Go into your backyard or local park and collect twigs. Add any miniature figurines and other trinkets you have lying around. Care for your terrarium with water and indirect sunlight.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Nose-Bleed
How to Stop a Nose Bleed
To stop a nose bleed, start by tilting your head forward so the blood drains out your nostril and not down your throat. Then, pinch the lower fleshy end of your nose between your index finger and thumb and hold it like that for 10 minutes. If your nose is still bleeding after that, keep pinching it for an additional 10 minutes. You can also try sucking on an ice cube, which will lower your body temperature and reduce the blood flow to your nose.
Position your body. If you do not have a serious issue that led to your nose bleed, you can perform some first aid at home during a nose bleed to help stop it. To begin, sit down, since it is more comfortable than standing. Tilt head forward so that the blood drains through the nostrils. A towel can be held under your nose to collect the blood. Do not lie down as this can cause blood to pass down the throat. Compress the nose. With a finger and thumb, pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose, completely blocking the nostrils. Pinching at this point directly applies pressure at the region where the blood vessels are damaged. This makes the move more effective since it will help stop the flow of blood. Keep pinching the nose for 10 minutes, then release. If bleeding continues, reapply pressure for another 10 minutes. While you do this, breathe through the mouth. Cool yourself down. Lowering your body temperature can help reduce the blood flow to your nose. To do this, place ice cubes in your mouth. This helps achieve a lower temperature sooner than cooling the external part of the nose. It also will help you retain the lower temperature for longer. This is more effective than placing a cold compress over the nose. Cold compresses placed over the nose are not very effective according to a recent clinical study. You can also suck on a popsicle to achieve the same result. Use oxymetazoline nasal sprays. While you have a nose bleed but not on a regular basis, you can try a medicated nose spray if you do not have high blood pressure issues. This medication causes constriction of the blood vessels in your nose. To use, take a small clean cotton ball or gauze piece, add 1-2 drops of the spray to it, insert them into the nostrils, continue pinching the nostrils, and check for bleeding after 10 minutes. If bleeding has stopped, do not remove the cotton or gauze for about an hour, because bleeding can reoccur. Frequent use of this drug, which is more than 3-4 days at a time, can cause addiction and nasal congestion. These sprays are used only if bleeding does not stop on pinching the nose after the first 10 minutes. Wash your nose and rest. After bleeding has stopped, you can clean the area around your nose with warm water. After you have cleaned your face, you should rest for a while. This is to help to prevent further bleeding. You can lie down while resting. Be gentle on your nose. Since nose bleeds can be caused by personal actions, there are some preventative methods that will help you prevent nose bleeds in the future. You should avoid picking your nose. Picking can cause an injury to the inner sensitive blood vessels of the nose. It can also detach the blood clots covering previously injured blood vessels and cause further bleeding. You should also keep your mouth open while sneezing to prevent the expulsion of air through the nose. You should keep the inner lining of your nose moist by gently applying a coating of petroleum jelly or nasal gel inside your nose with a cotton swab twice a day. Always blow your nose gently and do it one side at a time. You should also clip the fingernails of children to avoid further injury. Buy a humidifier. To increase the humidity in your environment, you should buy a humidifier. You can use a humidifier at home or work to prevent excessive dryness, especially in the wintertime. If you do not have a humidifier, a metal container with water can be placed on top of heating radiators to humidify the air. Increase your fiber intake. Constipation can lead to bearing down to pass hard stool, which causes an increase in nose bleeds because it strains your blood vessels. This can increase arterial pressure momentarily and dislodge blood clots covering previously injured blood vessels, which can eventually result in further nose bleeds. Constipation can be prevented by eating foods high in fiber and increasing your fluid intake. Eat fiber to keep stools soft. Do not bear down during bowel movements, since this increases the intra-cerebral arterial pressure thereby increasing the chance of small sensitive blood vessel rupture in the nose Eating 6 to 12 prunes a day are more effective than dietary fibers and can be used to prevent constipation. You should also avoid hot and spicy foods. Heat can dilate blood vessels and precipitate bleeding. Use saline nasal sprays. Saline nose sprays can be used several times each day to keep the nose moist. These nasal sprays are not as addictive as they only contain salt. If you don't want to buy them, you can make your own. To make your own, take a clean container. Mix 3 heaping teaspoons of iodide-free salt and 1 rounded teaspoon of baking soda. Mix both the powders together. Then take 1 teaspoon of the powdered mixture and add it to 8 ounces of lukewarm distilled or boiled water. Mix well. Eat more flavonoids. Flavonoids, which are a group of natural chemical compounds present in citrus fruits, can improve fragility of blood capillaries. Because of this, you should consider increasing your consumption of citrus fruits. Other foods with a high flavonoid content include parsley, onions, blueberries and other berries, black tea, green tea and oolong tea, bananas, all citrus fruits, Ginkgo biloba, red wine, sea-buckthorns, and dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or greater). You should not take flavonoid supplements, such as ginkgo pills, quercetin tablets, grape seed extract, and flaxseed, because they result in a higher flavonoid content and eventual toxicity. Learn the types of nose bleeds. The types of nose bleeds rely on which part of the nose the bleeding comes from. In anterior nose bleeds, bleeding arises in the front part of the nose. You can also have a posterior nose bleeds, where bleeding originates in the inner part of the nose. Nose bleeds can also be spontaneous with an unidentifiable cause. Know the causes. There are many causes for nose bleeds. When you get one, you should assess which of the causes is most likely the reason you got your nose bleed and avoid the situation if at all possible in the future. You can get a nose bleed because of self-induced trauma, mostly as a result of nasal picking. This is the most common cause in young children. Other causes include substance abuse of drugs such as cocaine, blood vessel disorders, blood clotting disorders, and trauma to the head or face. Environmental factors such as low humidity, which is common during the winter, can induce mucosal irritation and bleeding. The incidence of nasal bleeding increases in colder weather. Infections of the nose and sinuses can cause a nose bleed. Allergies can also cause mucosal inflammation, which leads to nose bleeds. In some special cases, migraine headaches in children have also been proposed as a causative. Trauma to the face can also cause a nose bleed to occur. Avoid certain situations. If you get a nose bleed, you should avoid certain situations and actions which may make it worse. Do not lean backwards. This may cause blood to run down your throat, which could induce vomiting. You should also avoid speaking and coughing. This can irritate the nasal mucosa and re-bleeding can occur. If you have to sneeze while your nose is bleeding, you should try to expel the air through your mouth so you don't further hurt your nose or cause more bleeding. Do not blow or pick the nose, especially if the bleeding is decreasing. You can dislodge formed blood clots and bleeding can reoccur. Visit the doctor. There are certain situations when you need to visit a doctor. If the bleeding is severe, more than a few drops, lasts more than 30 minutes, and reoccurs frequently, you should see a doctor. You also need to seek medical attention if you become extremely pale, fatigued, or disoriented. This can occur as a result of significant blood loss. If you have difficulty breathing, especially if blood passes down your throat, you need to see a doctor. This can lead to irritation and coughing. There is a chance of infection as a result, which can eventually cause breathing issues. You should always see a doctor if the nose bleed began as a result of severe injury to the nose. You should also see a doctor if you have a nose bleed while you are taking medicine that prevents blood clotting, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or a daily aspirin.
Position your body. Compress the nose. Cool yourself down. Use oxymetazoline nasal sprays. Wash your nose and rest. Be gentle on your nose. Buy a humidifier. Increase your fiber intake. Eat fiber to keep stools soft. Use saline nasal sprays. Eat more flavonoids. Learn the types of nose bleeds. Know the causes. Avoid certain situations. Visit the doctor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Quadriceps-Tendonitis
How to Treat Quadriceps Tendonitis
To treat quadricep tendonitis, focus on reducing the pain in your leg and building up your strength and flexibility. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen immediately after your injury to reduce the pain. Ice your knee for 20 minutes every few hours during the first 2 to 3 days, and try to rest your leg as much as possible. If the pain persists after several days, see your doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis. Otherwise, start applying heat to your knee after 3 to 4 days, like taking a hot bath, which will encourage healing. When you feel ready to start exercising again, start off slowly, since going too hard can worsen your injury. Always warm-up before you start exercising to improve muscle flexibility.
Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Immediately after injury and for the first few days afterward, an anti-inflammatory such as Aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation in your tendon. If you can't take anti-inflammatories, try acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help reduce pain. If you continue to have pain and inflammation after several days of taking these medications, see a doctor as soon as possible. You may have a more serious injury that requires different treatment. Tape or brace your kneecap while exercising. Compression tape or knee braces, available at sporting goods stores or pharmacies, may keep your kneecap in better alignment so you don't have pain while exercising. The brace used here is a softer brace that you slide up your leg and over your knee. They typically have a hole in the front for your kneecap to stick out. This sort of treatment is more appropriate if you only have pain when using your knee. If you also experience pain while resting, it's a better idea to take a break from activity for a few days. Follow the RICE protocol. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Wrap a compression bandage around your knee to reduce swelling and place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on top of it. Then lay on a comfortable flat surface, such as a bed or couch, with your leg and knee raised. Ice your knee for 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours in the first 2 or 3 days after the injury. Using ice for more than 20 minutes at a time can burn your skin or result in nerve damage. Never fall asleep with an ice pack on. This treatment is beneficial for the treatment of quadriceps tendonitis within the first 48 to 72 hours following the injury or initial onset of pain. If you still have pain and inflammation, talk to a doctor or physiotherapist. Apply heat after inflammation has subsided. After 3 or 4 days of RICE therapy, the inflammation in your knee should be reduced to a significant degree. Switch from ice to heat to promote circulation in your knee and encourage the continued healing process. As with ice, don't apply heat for more than 20 minutes at a time. Warmth can be applied for longer, but use your best judgment. If your skin starts to redden or feels painful to the touch, remove the heat source. Soaking in a warm bath is a good way to provide healing warmth to your knee. Moist warmth works better than dry warmth because you don't risk dehydrating your skin. Adjust your training schedule to prevent overuse. Particularly if you're training for a specific event, you may be inclined to return to the same level of activity once your knee starts to feel better. However, not allowing adequate time for recovery can worsen the injury. If you have to take a break from training or exercise, get back into it slowly and gradually. You could further damage your knee by returning to activity at the same level you were at before the injury. If you have a coach or trainer, work with them to develop a training regimen that will get you ready for upcoming events without risking further injury to your quadriceps tendon, or to surrounding muscles and tendons. Avoid activities that place stress on the quadriceps tendon. What you do while recovering from quadriceps tendonitis is just as important as how long and how often you do it. Activities such as running and jumping can further aggravate your condition. If these activities are an unavoidable part of your training, start slow under controlled conditions. For example, if you are a soccer player recovering from quadriceps tendonitis, return to training by running on a padded treadmill rather than on the uneven terrain of the soccer pitch. If you feel pain with any of these activities, stop and provide RICE therapy to your knee. You may also want to switch to other training or conditioning exercises that don't put undue strain on your knee or your quadriceps tendon. Evaluate your choice of footwear. If your shoes don't fit properly or are inappropriate for the surface where you're exercising, they can put undue stress on your joints and tendons. Make sure you're wearing the right shoes for your activity, and that they fit well and are in good repair. If the tread of your shoes is worn, it may be time to get new ones. Most shoes are only "good" for a particular distance or amount of time. After that, any support and benefits you got when the shoes were newer will disappear. If it suits your budget, go to a specialty store and get specially fitted for shoes that will best support your feet while performing your chosen activity. Schedule a physical exam to get a diagnosis. To truly treat quadriceps tendonitis, you need a diagnosis and treatment plan from a qualified doctor or physiotherapist. Quadriceps tendonitis is not a condition that typically just gets better on its own. The doctor will ask you questions to get a complete understanding of your knee problems, including a history of your knee pain, any prior injuries, and when you first started experiencing issues. Most times, quadriceps tendonitis is diagnosed based on your history and a physical exam. If necessary, the doctor may have X-rays or MRIs done on your knee to further assess your condition before making a final diagnosis. Undergo physical therapy for 4 to 6 weeks. Recurrence of quadriceps tendonitis occurs more frequently when athletes don't allow enough time for recovery and rehabilitation before resuming their previous level of activity. Your tendon needs at least a month of physical therapy to fully heal. A physical therapist will prescribe exercises designed specifically for your injury, your normal activity level, and the activities to which you want to return. If you're a more serious athlete who regularly works with a trainer or coach, your physical therapist may work with them to develop your rehabilitation plan. Try a single-leg bridge to identify muscle imbalances. Lay on your back. Keep one leg straight, and bend the other so that your foot is flat on the floor. Activate your core and lift your torso until your body forms a straight line from your knee down to your shoulders. Hold the position for 10 seconds and think about which muscles you feel working the most. The muscles you should feel working the hardest are your glutes. If you feel the exercise more in your back, hamstrings, or quads, this means one of two things: either you are compensating for a muscle imbalance, or you're not doing the exercise with correct form. Check and correct your form as necessary, and do the exercise a few more times to see if you get the same result. If you still feel the exercise somewhere other than in your glutes, try some exercises to strengthen your glutes. Retrain your gait. Muscle imbalances can cause an uneven gait that redistributes your body weight, placing more strain on the joints of one side of your body. If you're working with a physical therapist, they will assess your gait and see if you need assistance in this area. Retraining your gait is not a short-term project. Particularly if you've gotten used to walking a certain way over the course of several years, it can take a long time to fix problems. In addition to gait retraining, you'll also have to strengthen opposing muscles to correct the imbalance. Warm up before any activity. Especially if you are recovering from tendonitis, warm up is essential to prevent further strain or injury. Even if you're just walking, engage in a little warm-up to get blood flowing to your muscles and get your body ready for activity. Your warm-up should directly cater to the activity you're going to be doing. if you're running, your warm-up will be different than if you're lifting weights. Start with wall sits. Stand with your feet about thigh-length in front of a wall, pressing your back into the wall. Keep your shoulders rolled back so that your shoulder blades are tucked in along your spine. Lower your torso so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor. Your knees should be at right angles. Hold the "sitting" position for 10 to 20 seconds, or as long as you can do so without knee pain. Raise back up and repeat 5 to 10 times, or as many as you can do comfortably. This static exercise will gradually build strength in your quadriceps muscle, and is safe to do in most cases even while recovering from quadriceps tendonitis. Do static quadriceps contractions. Sit on a flat, sturdy surface with your affected leg extended in front of you. Place a hand on your thigh above your knee so you can feel the contraction. Then contract your quadriceps muscle and hold the contraction for about 10 seconds. Release and repeat 5 to 10 times if you can do so without pain or discomfort. You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day. Static quadriceps contractions are good for increasing strength in your quadriceps if your tendon is too injured to bear weight. Stretch your quadriceps with the "runner's stretch. " Stand behind a chair, table, or another stable surface you can grip for balance. Lift the foot of your affected leg and grasp the top of your foot behind your buttock (or as far as you can comfortably go). Press your foot towards your buttock while breathing deeply. Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds, then release. Make sure to do the other side, even though it isn't injured. You don't want to create an imbalance. You can do this stretch 2 or 3 times a day, or whenever your leg feels tight or your knee feels stiff. Don't press your foot further than you can without pain or discomfort. Go swimming instead of running. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that you can do even while recovering from quadriceps tendonitis. It builds strength in your quads as well as the surrounding muscles to help you avoid quadriceps tendonitis in the future. Swimming works your entire lower body, so can help correct muscle imbalances you may have developed. Try a yoga class. Yoga is beneficial for all joints, and can also strengthen your knees and leg muscles. A gentle yoga class will gradually strengthen your leg muscles and core while also increasing flexibility and range of motion in your joints. When you hold a yoga pose, your body sends blood and oxygen to the areas working the hardest. This can reduce inflammation and promote the healing process. Make sure you choose a class that emphasizes form and proper alignment and provides accommodations if you can't get into the full pose right away.
Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Tape or brace your kneecap while exercising. Follow the RICE protocol. Apply heat after inflammation has subsided. Adjust your training schedule to prevent overuse. Avoid activities that place stress on the quadriceps tendon. Evaluate your choice of footwear. Schedule a physical exam to get a diagnosis. Undergo physical therapy for 4 to 6 weeks. Try a single-leg bridge to identify muscle imbalances. Retrain your gait. Warm up before any activity. Start with wall sits. Do static quadriceps contractions. Stretch your quadriceps with the "runner's stretch. Go swimming instead of running. Try a yoga class.
https://www.wikihow.com/Painlessly-Pop-a-Pimple
How to Painlessly Pop a Pimple
To painlessly pop a pimple, start by cleaning your hands and face to prevent yourself from infecting your skin. If a pimple is close to the surface and you can see a white head, it's ready to be popped. Take a pin or needle and disinfect it by passing it through the flame of a lighter. Then, carefully poke the head of the pimple to puncture it. Once it's punctured, gently press on the area around the pimple with a damp washcloth to help drain it. After the pimple is drained, take a clean washcloth, dampen it with cold water, and hold it against the spot for 10 minutes to prevent swelling and pain.
Wait until the pimple is close to the surface. If your pimple is deep under the surface, trying to pop it will do more harm than good. Wait until you see a visible white or yellow head, which means that the infection is close to the surface of your skin. Blackheads, which form when pores or hair follicles are clogged with hardened oil, can also sometimes be gently squeezed out with a warm compress. Wash your hands to get rid of dirt and germs. Before trying to pop the pimple, wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. This will help prevent you from contaminating the area and creating a worse infection. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, and make sure to wash every surface of your hands, including under your fingernails. Rinse your hands carefully and dry them on a clean towel when you're done. Clean your face with cleanser and warm water. After washing your hands, wash your face with warm water and the facial cleanser of your choice. Ideally, use a cleanser that is designed for oily skin so you can get rid of extra oil and grease as well as dirt and bacteria on your skin. Look for cleansers that are formulated without dyes or perfumes, since these can irritate your skin and make acne worse. Press a warm washcloth against the pimple to drain it. Once your skin is clean, soak a washcloth in warm water. Gently press it against the pimple to soften your skin and open your pores. If the pimple is ready to drain, the warm compress should encourage it to do so. If the pimple doesn't drain easily when you apply the washcloth, you may need to wait another day or 2 and try again. However, some dermatologists recommend using a warm compress for 15 minutes a day, 3-4 times daily until the pimple drains. If you feel pain when you apply the compress, stop and call your doctor. This may be a sign that you have a deeper infection that needs professional treatment. Puncture the pimple with a needle if a compress doesn’t work. If you're sure a pimple is ready to pop but you aren't having much luck with the washcloth method, you can also try gently lancing the pimple. After washing your hands and face, take a pin or needle and disinfect it by passing it through the flame of a lighter. Carefully poke the head of the pimple to puncture it. Try gently pressing on the area around the pimple with a damp washcloth after puncturing it to help it drain completely. If the pimple is close enough to the surface, this method shouldn't hurt. Don't keep trying this method if the pimple doesn't open and start draining immediately when you puncture it. Put a cold compress on the pimple after it drains. Take a clean washcloth and dampen it with cold water. Once you're pretty sure the pimple is empty, gently wipe the area clean. Hold the cold washcloth against the spot for 5-10 minutes to help prevent swelling and pain. A good rule of thumb is to put the cold washcloth on as soon as you start to see any blood coming out of the pimple. Disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol. After keeping the cold washcloth on for a few minutes, take a cotton swab or piece of clean gauze and use it to apply a little rubbing alcohol to the pimple. This will kill any lingering germs and help dry out the pimple, which should encourage faster healing. You can also use a first aid alcohol wipe or prep pad if you have one. Treat the drained pimple with a salicylic acid spot treatment. Finish up by applying an acne spot treatment, such as Murad Blemish Control Rapid Relief or Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. These treatments can help prevent inflammation and keep the pimple from returning. For best results, continue to apply the spot treatment over the next few days until the blemish heals up. Follow the directions on the package to determine how much to apply and how often. Use a hydrocolloid dressing to reduce swelling overnight. If your pimple is red and inflamed but not ready to pop, a hydrocolloid dressing can help calm it quickly. Put the hydrocolloid bandage on your pimple overnight to minimize inflammation and help absorb excess oil and pus. Hydrocolloid dressings are the same type of rubbery bandage that are sometimes used to treat blisters. You can find them in your local pharmacy or online. This treatment won't heal your pimple overnight, but it will make it a little less obvious. Use the treatment for a few days to help your pimple heal up completely. Try a spot treatment to dry out your pimple. Acne spot treatments can help dry out pimples and reduce inflammation to promote faster healing. They are also formulated with medications that help kill the germs that cause pimples to form. While these treatments won't heal a pimple instantly, they can help reduce its appearance and encourage it to heal up more quickly. Look for acne spot treatments containing ingredients such as: Benzoyl peroxide Salicylic acid Sulfur Hide obvious pimples with concealer. While it won't actually get rid of your pimple, a little concealer or coverup can make a pimple a lot less noticeable. Dab the concealer on the spot and gently pat it to blend it in with the surrounding skin. A concealer with a green tint can help offset the redness of the pimple. Before applying the concealer, wash the affected area to remove grease, dirt, and germs. You can also make the concealer more effective by combining it with other treatments. For example, use a hydrocolloid patch overnight to reduce inflammation, then put on the concealer in the morning. See a doctor for a cortisone injection if you need a quick fix. It can take weeks for a pimple to surface and become ready to drain. If you just can't wait that long, a cortisone injection can help it heal up in a matter of hours to a couple days. Talk to your doctor about getting a cortisone treatment, or ask for a referral to a dermatologist who can do it. A dermatologist can also recommend treatments to prevent future outbreaks. Wash your face to remove germs and grime. Any buildup of dirt and grease on your face can make your acne worse. Before applying any kind of treatment to a pimple, wash your face with warm water and a gentle facial cleanser. Don't scrub the area, since this could cause inflammation and make the pimple worse. Put an ice pack on the pimple to reduce swelling. As soon as you notice a pimple starting to form, take an ice pack or an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel and apply it to the area for 10 minutes. Take a 10-minute break, then apply the ice again for another 10 minutes. Keep ice on the spot for a total of 30 minutes. Icing the area will help calm inflammation and reduce pain. Repeat this treatment occasionally over the next few days, or until the pimple comes to the surface. Apply a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to kill acne germs. While you're waiting for the pimple to surface, apply a 2% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to the area 1-2 times daily. Use a very thin layer to prevent irritation to the skin. This treatment will help kill acne-causing bacteria and encourage the pimple to heal. Benzoyl peroxide can stain fabric, so avoid letting it come into contact with your clothing. Keep applying this treatment until the pimple heals up on its own or a whitehead forms on the surface.
Wait until the pimple is close to the surface. Wash your hands to get rid of dirt and germs. Clean your face with cleanser and warm water. Press a warm washcloth against the pimple to drain it. Puncture the pimple with a needle if a compress doesn’t work. Put a cold compress on the pimple after it drains. Disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol. Treat the drained pimple with a salicylic acid spot treatment. Use a hydrocolloid dressing to reduce swelling overnight. Try a spot treatment to dry out your pimple. Hide obvious pimples with concealer. See a doctor for a cortisone injection if you need a quick fix. Wash your face to remove germs and grime. Put an ice pack on the pimple to reduce swelling. Apply a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to kill acne germs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Fish-to-a-Garden-Pond
How to Add Fish to a Garden Pond
To add fish to a garden pond, start by setting up a filtration system and adding oxygenating plants, such as anacharis and water sprites, to help keep your fish healthy. Additionally, check the pH level of the water is between 7.2 and 78 before adding your fish. If you're not sure what kind of fish to add, try koi or goldfish if you want a hearty, low-maintenance variety. Alternatively, try varieties, like golden orfe or mosquito fish, if you're prepared to spend more time and money.
Check the dimensions of your pond. In order to stock your garden pond with fish, you will need to make sure the pond is large enough to support the fish you intend to introduce. Fish need a certain amount of space, as well as variation in depth. Your pond should have a minimum 12-15 square feet of surface area in order to add fish. The pond will need one area that is greater than two feet deep for hibernating amphibians if you intend to have any frogs. The pond will also need a number of areas that are under one foot in depth to support different species of aquatic plant life. Ensure the pond liner is appropriate and intact. If your garden pond is manmade, it likely has a liner to hold the water in. The material of the liner is made of isn't the only thing to look out for. The slope the liner creates in the pond is also important depending on the types of plant life and animals you intend to keep in the pond. Pond linings are usually made from clay, concrete or pre-formed plastic. Plastic linings may create too steep a slope to the pond to maintain amphibians in your garden pond. Make sure the lining is intact and holds water, or that the pond is filled from a continuous source to be certain the pond won't drain once you stock it with fish. Add filtration to your garden pond. While there are some kinds of fish you can keep in a garden pond without any form of filtration, your options can be significantly increased if you choose to add a mechanical or biological filter. Either filter system can be purchased in specialty stores or even large hardware stores. Mechanical filters require more frequent cleaning, as they rely on sponges or other filters to capture particles as they flow through the water. Biological filters can simply be placed in the pond, but may require that you ensure the water quality remains within acceptable parameters for the bacteria in the filter. Goldfish and Koi fish can both be kept without a filtration system. Add oxygenating plants. Keep your fish happy and healthy by maintaining a high oxygen level in the water of your garden pond. There are plants you can purchase that will naturally add oxygen to the water of your pond without any additional equipment. Anacharis is considered the best plant for oxygenating purposes. It is commonly recommended that you add one bunch of anacharis for each square foot of your garden pond to keep the water oxygen levels optimal for fish. Water sprites also serve as capable oxygenators but are not quite as effective. Be certain the pond is settled before adding fish. You need to be certain that the water quality is high enough to maintain a population of fish and that the plants and filtration devices are settled and established before introducing fish to your garden pond. Do this by completing the following: Be sure plant roots are covered with soil and gravel to prevent fish from accidentally uprooting and killing them as they swim. Use a water tester to check the PH levels of the water. Ideally, your pond should be between a 7.2 and 7.8 PH level. Wait for your plants to begin growing in your pond to ensure they will survive being transplanted. Add goldfish to your garden pond. Goldfish are the most common and most popular choice of fish for garden ponds. Goldfish are hardy fish that require very little supervision and often do not even require a filtration system for your pond. Goldfish can live for years in well maintained garden ponds. There are a number of colors and patterns goldfish can be found in. Goldfish are also available in a series of different body types thanks to selective breeding. Goldfish options are really quite varied. Choose Koi fish for your garden pond. Koi fish are the second most common type of fish to be found in garden ponds. They are a resilient breed of fish but may require filtration systems to be kept healthy. Koi fish can survive for years in well maintained ponds. Koi fish can grow to be up to 2-3 feet and even weigh as much as 35 pounds in large enough garden ponds. Koi fish regularly live to be fifty years old in well maintained garden ponds. Ponds with less than a thousand-gallon capacity may not be well suited for koi fish because of their ability to grow so large in size. Introduce golden orfe fish to your garden pond. Golden orfe fish are quick moving fish that prefer to live in schools. They tend to be yellowish orange and can be considered high maintenance fish for garden ponds and similar situations. Golden orfe fish require water quality that is significantly higher than that of goldfish or koi fish, which makes them less popular for garden ponds. Never introduce fewer than three golden orfes to a pond, as they may not survive when not in numbers. Add Plecostomus or mosquito fish to your garden pond. These last two types of garden pond fish are less common than others because they may require additional care or considerations as compared to the other more common types of pond fish. Plecostomus fish start very small but can grow up to two feet in length and cannot survive colder months in a garden pond. Some owners with large fish tanks take their Plecostomus fish indoors for the winter. Mosquito fish do not grow to be very large and tend to look like guppies. They are commonly introduced to ponds to eat mosquito larvae before they have a chance to hatch, but goldfish and koi fish will both serve the same purpose. Combat algae overgrowth. Algae can become a serious issue to maintaining appropriate oxygen levels in your garden pond. Algae absorbs oxygen and its growth prevents sunlight from reaching plants beneath the surface. Remove things that are shading your garden pond, as algae will grow in the shade. Make sure to remove overgrown oxygenator plants or water lilies. Adding store bought algaecide will keep algae from becoming an issue in your pond. Maintain water levels. Making sure your fish survive in the garden pond will require that you maintain a fairly even water level and quality. In order to do so, you will need to check the level of water in your garden pond regularly and add chemicals if necessary to restore the PH balance. Top off the water level on hot days as you lose water to evaporation. Check the PH balance when water levels change to ensure it remains within acceptable standards for your fish. Treat the water as necessary to retain PH balance as you add water. Keep your garden pond free of contaminates. You will need to keep your garden pond clean from floating materials that could injure your fish or affect the water quality. Doing so is fairly easy with basic pool cleaning equipment. Use a pool skimmer to remove fallen leaves and other things floating in the water. Use a net to remove larger objects or dead wildlife from your pond to ensure you keep the other wildlife healthy. Feed your fish. While your pond will probably provide plenty of food for your fish naturally through insects and plants, it's important to add high quality fish food to make sure your fish receive all the nutrients they need to live a long, healthy life. Go to a pet store to find the right kind of food for the fish you choose to add to your garden pond. You can purchase feeding stations that will distribute food for you if you are unable to get to your garden regularly.
Check the dimensions of your pond. Ensure the pond liner is appropriate and intact. Add filtration to your garden pond. Add oxygenating plants. Be certain the pond is settled before adding fish. Add goldfish to your garden pond. Choose Koi fish for your garden pond. Introduce golden orfe fish to your garden pond. Add Plecostomus or mosquito fish to your garden pond. Combat algae overgrowth. Maintain water levels. Keep your garden pond free of contaminates. Feed your fish.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lemonade
How to Make Lemonade
To make classic lemonade, first cut about 6 lemons in half and juice them using a simple hand juicer. If you don't have a juicer or lemons, you can use 1 and three quarters cups of bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons. Set the lemon juice aside and mix 2 and a half cups of sugar with a cup of water in a large pot. Heat the mixture on the stove over medium heat for 4 minutes, or until the sugar completely dissolves into a clear, thick syrup. Once the sugar is dissolved, turn off the burner and mix in the lemon juice and another 1 and three quarters cups of water. Finally, pour the mixture into a heat-proof pitcher and refrigerate it for at least an hour. When you're ready to serve your lemonade, pour it over ice for a classic, refreshing drink.
Juice 8 lemons to get about 1 cup (240 mL) of lemon juice. Roll your lemons on the countertop to make them easier to juice. Next, cut your lemons in half and press them onto a lemon press over a pitcher or measuring cup. Twist the lemon halves over the press to get as much juice out as possible. Microwave your lemons for 10-20 seconds to soften the pulp and get more juice. If you don't have a lemon press, squeeze the lemon to get most of the juice out. Then, press a fork or mixer beater into the lemon pulp and twist it to release the rest of the juice. You can get a lemon press at your local grocery or department store or online. Transfer the lemon juice into a large pitcher. If you like pulp in your lemon juice, pour the squeezed lemon juice directly into the pitcher. If you don't like pulp, hold a strainer over the pitcher and pour the lemon juice over the strainer to catch the pulp. Then, empty the strainer into your compost or trash. Make sure your pitcher can hold at least 8 cups (1.9 L) of fluids. Pour 1 cup (225 g) of sugar into the lemon juice and stir to dissolve it. Since lemon juice is acidic, it can dissolve your sugar for you, which saves you a lot of work! Add the sugar directly into your lemon juice, then stir until the sugar dissolves. This should take about 3-4 minutes. If you don't want your lemonade to be as sweet, you can add less sugar. Try adding just 1/2 or 3/4 cup (112-165 g) of sugar. Don't add your water until the sugar dissolves so that the lemon juice isn't diluted. It will take the sugar longer to dissolve in diluted lemon juice. Add 6 cups (1.4 L) of cool water to your pitcher. Measure out your water using a large measuring cup. Then, slowly pour your water into the pitcher. It's best to use cool water so that your lemonade will chill faster. If you made simple syrup, just add 5 cups (1.2 L) of water. Stir the lemonade with a large spoon to combine your ingredients. Use a large plastic or wooden spoon to mix your lemonade. Continue to stir until the color is uniform and you don't see more than a light dusting of sugar settled at the bottom of the pitcher. You may see some sugar at the bottom of the pitcher, and that's okay. However, you shouldn't see a cloud of sugar. Taste your lemonade to make sure you like it. Use a spoon to scoop out a sip of lemonade. Then, taste the lemonade to see if it tastes good to you. If your lemonade doesn't taste right, try adding one of the following: If the lemonade is too sour, add a few tablespoons of sugar. If the lemonade is too sweet, add the juice of half a lemon. Serve your lemonade over ice so it’s chilled. If you want to serve your lemonade immediately, it'll taste best over ice. Place a couple of ice cubes in your glass, then pour your lemonade over it. Drink it immediately so the ice doesn't melt and dilute your lemonade. After your lemonade is cold, it's up to you if you want to use ice. If you don't like ice, it's okay to skip it. Store your lemonade in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover your pitcher with a lid or a sheet of plastic wrap. Then, put it into the refrigerator. It'll keep for about 4-5 days. Stir your lemonade before you serve it so that the ingredients will be mixed well. It's normal for them to separate while the lemonade sits in the refrigerator. Make sugar-free lemonade using a sugar substitute. If you're watching your sugar intake, classic homemade lemonade might not be on your menu. However, you don't have to miss out on this refreshing treat! Simply replace the sugar in the recipe with your favorite sugar substitute. For instance, try 1 of the following: Use 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of liquid stevia. Try 6 tbsp (18 g) of granulated monk fruit sweetener or 8 teaspoons (39 mL) of liquid monk fruit sweetener. Use sparkling water to create fizzy lemonade. Instead of using regular water, use chilled club soda to make your lemonade fizzy. Pour the carbonated water slowly so it won't bubble over. Then, stir your ingredients to combine them. Try plain sparkling water or use flavored sparkling water to create a unique blend. For instance, strawberry sparkling water could make strawberry-lemonade, peach seltzer will make peach-lemonade, and lemon-flavored sparkling water will enhance the flavor of your lemonade. If you're making simple syrup, use regular water to make it. Then, replace the rest of your water with sparkling water. Add 1 tbsp (6 g) of dried lavender to make lavender lemonade. To make lavender lemonade, you'll need to make simple syrup. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of your water to a saucepan. Then, add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (6 g) of dried lavender flowers and 1 cup (225 g) of sugar to the water. Heat your ingredients over medium heat for 4 minutes to make your syrup. Then, strain the water over your pitcher to remove the lavender. The lavender-infused lemonade will not be purple. If you want to create a lavender color, add 1-2 drops of purple food coloring and stir. If you do not have purple food coloring, add 1 drop of red food coloring and 1 drop of blue food coloring. Be sure to stir the lemonade well to blend all of the colors. Mix in 1-2 cups (200-400 g) of pureed strawberries for berry lemonade. There are 2 ways to add strawberries to your lemonade. If you're making simple syrup, use 1 cup (200 g) of strawberry puree in place of water when you make your simple syrup. Alternatively, mix 2 cups (400 g) of pureed strawberries into your lemonade after you mix it. Stir until the strawberries are well-blended. If you're adding strawberries to your lemonade after you mix it, you don't need to replace any of the water. Just add the strawberries to the prepared lemonade. Let your strawberry lemonade sit for a few minutes before you serve it to give the strawberry juices time to mix with the lemonade. Add 1  fl oz (30 mL) of vodka, rum, tequila, or bourbon for adult lemonade. You can make homemade hard lemonade by adding your favorite liquor. Pour vodka, rum, tequila, or bourbon into a shot glass or measuring cup. Then, add it to a glass of lemonade. Stir the lemonade to combine them into a refreshing adult drink. Play around with different types of liquor to see which you like the best. Garnish your glass with fresh herbs or fruit slices. If you're having a party or just want to feel fancy, garnishing your glass can make your lemonade look fancier. Choose a special glass, add sprigs of herbs, or use fruit slices. Here are some ideas: Slip a short sprig of lavender, rosemary, or thyme into each glass. Drop 2-3 fresh mint or basil leaves into the lemonade. Cut a slit into lemon or lime slices, then slide 1 onto each glass. Slice the bottom of a strawberry and push it down onto the rim of the glass. Serve the lemonade in mason jars and add a colorful paper straw for a rustic touch. Serve the lemonade in a tall glass with a paper umbrella and a maraschino cherry for a tropical refreshment.
Juice 8 lemons to get about 1 cup (240 mL) of lemon juice. Transfer the lemon juice into a large pitcher. Pour 1 cup (225 g) of sugar into the lemon juice and stir to dissolve it. Add 6 cups (1.4 L) of cool water to your pitcher. Stir the lemonade with a large spoon to combine your ingredients. Taste your lemonade to make sure you like it. Serve your lemonade over ice so it’s chilled. Store your lemonade in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sugar-free lemonade using a sugar substitute. Use sparkling water to create fizzy lemonade. Add 1 tbsp (6 g) of dried lavender to make lavender lemonade. Mix in 1-2 cups (200-400 g) of pureed strawberries for berry lemonade. Add 1  fl oz (30 mL) of vodka, rum, tequila, or bourbon for adult lemonade. Garnish your glass with fresh herbs or fruit slices.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Suicide
How to Prevent a Suicide
When you know someone who may be considering suicide, you might feel helpless or scared. If you can recognize the warning signs and take action, you might be able to help support them through this difficult time. Some of the risk factors to watch for are if the person has tried to commit suicide in the past, if they've recently been fired or suffered a difficult breakup, or if they have a serious illness. Often, a person considering suicide will also give verbal warnings, like telling people “Everyone is better off without me,” or “What's the use.” If you fear that the person is considering suicide, talk to them and let them know that you care. You might want to tell them something like “You aren't alone. I'm here to listen and help.” If they won't consider help and you're concerned for them, call a crisis hotline, like 1-800-273-8255 or your national emergency number. You can also text 741741 to get in touch with a trained counselor at the Crisis Text Line.
Pay attention to risk factors. There are some life events that make a person more likely to attempt suicide. If you know what to look for, you will have a better chance at preventing it from happening. Pay attention to the stressors going on in the person's life and consider whether they might be placing the person at risk for suicide. Make a mental note of whether the person has attempted suicide in the past. You may have to just ask, “Have you ever considered suicide?” Be aware if anyone the person knows has recently died, especially from suicide. The death of someone close to them can cause some people to consider suicide. This is especially true for teenagers. Find out if there is history of suicide in their family. You may have to ask them directly or ask one of their family members. Pay attention if the person is or has been a victim of violence, bullying, humiliation, or abuse. These situations can lead a person to view suicide as an option. Notice if the person has suffered a loss such as being laid off from work, a divorce or break-up, or even if their reputation has been severely damaged. Be alert if the person has a serious illness such as chronic pain or exhaustion with no end in sight. Sometimes people view suicide as a way to end their pain. Listen for verbal warnings. Often a person considering suicide will give verbal clues about what they are planning. Knowing what phrases to listen for can help you recognize when the person is suicidal and help them before they go through with it. Be alert for phrases that suggest the person feels they are a burden on people like, "Everyone is better off without me" or "They won't have to deal with me". Listen for signs that they feel no one cares about them or understands such as: "No one cares what happens to me"; "Nobody gets me"; or "You just don't understand!" Pay attention if the person indicates that they don't see any point in living by saying things like, "I have nothing to live for", "I'm just so tired of life". Notice if they say something hopeless such as: "It's too late now. I can't go on"; "There is nothing left to do"; "What's the use"; or, "I just want the pain to stop." Notice their emotions. You can help prevent a suicide by paying attention to how the person feels and is acting emotionally. There are some emotional warning signs that the person might be contemplating suicide. If they aren't expressing their feelings, then ask them. You might say, “How are you doing emotionally? How do you feel?” Have they expressed a sense of personal failure, hopelessness, or guilt? Do they seem depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Notice if they are crying a lot or are upset all the time. Make a note of whether they are moody or irritable. Do they get angry at things that didn't bother them before? Sometimes people may even seem calmer and happier than they have been in a while. They may be looking forward to an end to their pain and suffering. Pay special attention to this sign, especially if they have been feeling down for a long time. Look for changes in behavior. People that are thinking about suicide may show behavioral warning signs. Paying attention to how the person is acting can help you prevent their suicide. Pay special attention if the person is talking, reading, or writing about death/suicide. Notice if they seem disinterested in things they used to enjoy. Have they stopped participating in regular activities? Giving away personal possessions, especially items of value, for no reason is a sign someone might be considering suicide. Buying weapons or pills and visiting places like bridges, overpasses, rooftops, etc. may be signs a person may be planning suicide. Assess their intent. Find out how serious the person is about taking their life. Get all the information you can. This way you can take appropriate action to prevent their suicide. Ask the person, “Are you considering suicide right now? In the next few hours, days, or weeks? Find out if they have a plan and the means to do it by asking, “Do you have a plan for how to do it? Do you already have the weapon?” Keep in mind that they may not be honest about their intent. Consider their warning signs and risk factors, as well as what they tell you. Use your 'CLUES'. This acronym stands for Connect, Listen, Understand, Express concern, and Seek help. Using the steps of 'CLUES' will help you remember what to do to prevent a suicide or help someone else in trouble. Connect with the person. One of the worst things for a person contemplating suicide is feeling that no one understands or cares. The key is to help this person stop feeling invisible. Talking to them builds a connection and lets them know that you care. Actively show that you hear what is being said and understand that their pain is real. Telling them things like, “It's not that bad” or “Things will get better” doesn't help and may make the person feel like you don't understand or aren't listening to them. Instead, say things like, “You aren't alone. I'm here to listen and help” or “I may not understand exactly how you feel, but I know I want to help you in any way I can.” Listen to them. If the person is upset, admits they are considering suicide, and/or shows a lot of the warning signs for suicide, don't leave them alone. Stay with them, talk with them, and listen to what they have to say. You don't have to say a lot, or even anything. Just being present with them and listening to them talk about how they feel can prevent a suicide. If you can't stay, then contact someone else that you and the person trust to come stay. Don't leave until the other person arrives. Remove any distractions (cut off the TV, log-off the computer) so that you can focus on the person, but keep your phone nearby so you can call for help. Understand how they feel. Although you may have never considered suicide, try to sympathize with how the person is feeling. Don't tell them how they should feel or what they should do. Just express your desire to support them and understand what they are feeling. Reflect what is said back to the person to show that you understand how they feel. For example, if they say "I've tried everything, but don't know what else to do." You can reply, "I understand. It's frustrating when you've tried so many things but there's no relief.” Express your concern. Let the person know that you are worried and want to help. Just knowing that you care about them, how they are feeling, what they are going through, and their life may help prevent a suicide. Be yourself and be honest when you talk to them and express your concern. Say something like, “I don't know how to solve your problems, but I do know that I am worried about the effect they are having on you. I don't want you to die.” Seek help. The person's safety is the number one priority, and you might not be able to handle it on your own. Talking to a professional about the person that is contemplating suicide can get them the help that they need. This is especially true when the person won't seek help on their own. Call a crisis hotline like 1-800-273-8255 or your national emergency number if you think the person is seriously ready to attempt suicide. You can also text 741741 to get in touch with a trained counselor at the Crisis Text Line if you're more comfortable sending a message. Contact a crisis counselor, religious leader, therapist, doctor, psychologist or other professional that has the training needed to prevent a suicide. Tell them, “I am with someone that is suicidal”. The person may get upset when you call for help, but you are doing the right thing to prevent a suicide. Explain to the person that you are only trying to help them and that is why you are contacting a professional. You might say, “I'm not trying to upset you. I just want to help and this is the best way for me to do that.” Let someone close to them know. Lots of times someone that is suicidal will ask you not to tell anyone else about what is going on. You don't need to tag their friends in a Facebook post saying the person is suicidal, but you should let someone close to them know what is going on. This way, the person has a support team looking out for them and trying to prevent the suicide. The stress of this won't be only on your shoulders. If the person is under 18, then tell an adult you trust. You can tell the person, “I don't want to make you mad, but we need help with this. I'll call Coach.” You could explain to the person that you aren't going to mention suicide. This can help you and the person feel better about you asking for help. For example, “I'm not going to mention suicide. I'm just going to say we have some emotional stuff we need help with.” If the person is being abused by someone, you should avoid telling the abuser. Instead, you should talk to a teacher, coach, or supervisor about your concerns. Take the source of their issues into account when deciding who to talk to. For example, if the source of the problem is a teacher, then don't go to that teacher with your concerns. Set up a safety plan. You can prevent a suicide by setting up a plan in advance for handling suicide attempts or signs that a person is planning suicide. This way everyone on the support team will know what to do. You can download a Suicide Prevention Safety Plan from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. Include a list of people that will check on the suicidal person, important phone numbers, etc. Include the person when you are making the plan and if possible, have a professional help make it. Also, encourage them to see a therapist so that they can work on their issues and help them to identify a support system, such as friends and family. Check-in frequently. Don't stop checking on the person immediately after the suicide crisis is over. Regular check-ins allow you to recognize any warning signs or new risk factors for suicide. They also let the person know that you still care about them and how they are doing. Make sure other people on the support team are checking in with the person as well. Checking on the person doesn't have to be a serious thing. It can be meeting up for ice cream and a chat about how the week is going. You don't have to ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” every time you get together, but do be on the lookout for warning signs. Encourage healthy living. One way to prevent a suicide is to encourage the person to do things that will help keep them healthy in general. Encourage them to eat well, get enough sleep, get physical activity, and socialize. Work with them to develop a bedtime routine to make sure they are getting enough rest. Suggest activities that you can do together like hiking, playing a sport, or swimming that will also get the person physically active. Buy the person a journal so that they can express their feelings instead of holding them in. Take care of yourself. Trying to prevent a suicide can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining on you. Make sure you are doing the things you need to do to take care of yourself, just like you are doing for the person considering suicide. Get enough sleep and eat healthy meals. Spend time with your friends and family doing things you enjoy. Go to see a funny movie, take a bike ride, or have a picnic. Start practicing meditation or using other stress-reduction and coping strategies. Even just taking a few deep breaths can help calm you from the stress of trying to prevent a suicide. Recognize emotional abuse. If someone threatens suicide as a way to get you to do what they want (whether you believe them or not), it's emotional abuse. You aren't responsible for someone choosing suicide. And you shouldn't feel pressured to do something you aren't comfortable doing because someone is threatening suicide. If you know someone that threatens suicide when you don't do what they want, you should tell someone you trust. For example, if your boyfriend says he will kill himself every time you say you want to leave him, you should tell a close friend, your parents, or someone else you trust. You can also call the crisis hotline at 1-800-273-8255, text the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or dial your national emergency number. They can help the person threatening suicide and you. Calling for help will also let the person know that even though you aren't giving into what they want, you do take their suicide threat seriously.
Pay attention to risk factors. Listen for verbal warnings. Notice their emotions. Look for changes in behavior. Assess their intent. Use your 'CLUES'. Connect with the person. Listen to them. Understand how they feel. Express your concern. Seek help. Let someone close to them know. Set up a safety plan. Check-in frequently. Encourage healthy living. Take care of yourself. Recognize emotional abuse.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Wine
How to Make Wine
To make wine, start by purchasing wine-making grapes such as merlot grapes for red wines or pinot grigio grapes for white wines. If buying wine-making grapes isn't an option, you can purchase concentrated grape juice specifically made for winemaking. Before using your grapes, wash them thoroughly and remove all of the stems if you don't want a drier wine with tannins. Then, crush your grapes with a honeycomb crushing tool until there aren't any full pieces left. Add sugar and water to the crushed grapes until your mixture reaches the right gravity, then add sodium metabisulphite to prevent wild microorganisms from growing. When you're ready to ferment your wine, add wine yeast to the mixture and allow it to sit for 1 week before siphoning off the juice for a second fermentation.
Obtain about 70 to 80 pounds (32 to 36 kg) of wine-making grapes for every 1 carboy of wine. Contact a local vineyard and ask about grape availability. Research local grape suppliers and arrange for them to sell you grapes. Keep in mind that no vineyard can promise you a due date—grapes are ripe when they are ripe, which means you need to be ready to make your wine at any moment. Determine how many wine bottles you want to make before you purchase any grapes. Remember that each carboy holds 6 gallons (23 L) of must, which is the mass of pulp and juice turned into wine. This amount makes about 30 bottles of wine. Try merlot grapes if you like red wines and pinot grigio for white wines. Do not substitute grocery store or table grapes for wine grapes. Order concentrated grape juice online explicitly made for winemaking to skip this step. Wash your grapes thoroughly. Place your grapes into a strainer and run them under cold water. Turn them around so that you clean their entire surface. Remove any rotten or bruised grapes. If you don't want tannins in your wine, remove the stems as well. Keep stems if you want to add tannins to your wine, which gives it a dry taste. Smash your grapes using a honeycomb crushing tool. Place your grapes into a 1 gallon (3.8 L) carboy and crush them using a honeycomb crushing tool. Hold the tool vertically and press down on the grapes. Twist the tool to the left and right as you press down on them. Continue crushing the grapes until there are no more full pieces visible to ensure you have released all their juice and created a must. If you have a large container, feel free to go old-school and stomp on the grapes to crush them. Adjust the specific gravity of the must by adding sugar and water. Place a sieve into a large measuring cup. Pour a sample of about 5.07 ounces (150 mL) of juice into the measuring cup and then transfer it into a 3.38 ounce (100 mL) graduated cylinder. Place a hydrometer into it and read the potential gravity where the surface of the juice intersects the scale. Adjust the specific gravity of your must with sugar and water until it is between 1.080 and 1.097. Add about 0.35 ounces (9.9 g) of sugar at a time to increase specific gravity. If you want to dilute your solution and decrease its density, add more water. Measure the specific gravity of your must after each addition of water or sugar. Continue this adjustment until it's within the desired range. Keep your samples at 60 °F (16 °C) for optimal accuracy. Add 1 tablet of sodium metabisulphite for every 1 gallon (3.8 L) of wine. In this case, you will need 5 tablets. Place the tablets into a mortar. Hold the pestle vertically over the tablet and begin pressing down onto the tablets. Afterward, dump the powder into the 1 gallon (3.8 L) carboy of must. Metabisulphite will form sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) in the must and prevent most wild microorganisms from growing. Skip this step if you are allergic to sulfites. However, you run a higher risk of contaminated wine. Insert a liquid thermometer into the must to determine the temperature. The temperature should read between 72 to 75 °F (22 to 24 °C). If it is too warm, add a sterilized and sealed bag of ice into the 1 gallon (3.8 L) carboy to the middle, stir it, and check again. If it gets too cool, place a sterilized warm water bottle in the middle. Wait about 5 minutes, stir it, and check again. If you have a large freezer or fridge, you can use it for decreasing temperature. Add 1 package of wine yeast to your must. Once the temperature is between 72 to 75 °F (22 to 24 °C) and stable, add 1 package of yeast (0.18 ounces (5.1 g)). Pour it onto the surface of your grape juice and make sure it's evenly coated. Don't mix it in—the yeast will metabolize the natural sugar found in the grapes into ethanol (alcohol). The amount of yeast needed is typically 1 package per 6 gallon (23 L) carboy or 70 pounds (32 kg) of grapes. Do not attempt to substitute wine yeast with common bread yeast. Store your must in an airlocked 6 US gal (23 L) plastic fermenter for 5 to 7 days. The ambient temperature of the room should be 72 to 75 °F (22 to 24 °C). Stir the wine 1 to 2 times daily and look for bubbles or foam on the surface of the liquid, which are signs of fermentation. Keep in mind that the fermentation process releases heat, so be sure to keep the wine in a cool place. Otherwise, your yeast may prematurely die. The longer you let your wine ferment, the darker it will be and the more tannins it will have. Do not ferment for longer than a week. Siphon the juice from the fermenter into a clean 6 gallon (23 L) carboy. Place the fermentation container onto a counter and the carboy onto the floor. Place the siphon into the fermenter and the inner tube into the opening of the carboy. Raise the pressure by quickly moving the inner tube in and out of the siphon 3 to 4 times. Afterward, wait for the juice to fill the carboy. Fill the carboy to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) from the top. Remove the inner tube from the siphon to stop the siphoning process. Leave the thickest sediment behind at the bottom of the fermentation container. Cap the carboy with a bung and airlock and wait about 10 days. After securing the carboy with a bung and airlock, the second fermentation process begins. After about 10 days, the little cap in the airlock should stop popping up and down. This is the end of the fermentation process. The airlock is filled with water to allow the wine gases to escape but prevent airborne contaminants from entering the fermenter. Red wines should be fermented at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F (21 to 27 °C), while white wines should be fermented between 45 to 60 °F (7 to 16 °C). If the cap in the airlock doesn't stop moving up and down after 10 days, wait as long as 14 days. Measure the specific gravity of a sample using your hydrometer. Pour another sample of 5.07 fluid ounces (150 mL) of juice into the measuring cup. Transfer it into a 3.30 fluid ounces (98 mL) graduated cylinder and take another specific gravity reading. If the specific gravity has reached 0.996 or lower (indicating increased alcohol levels), proceed to the next step. If your specific gravity is above 0.996, allow your wine to ferment a few more days and check again. Add a mixture of potassium metabisulphite and potassium sorbate. Dissolve 0.14 ounces (4.0 g) of potassium metabisulphite and 0.194 ounces (5.5 g) of potassium sorbate into a ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of cool water. Pour the mixture into the carboy and then stir it vigorously for 2 minutes. Place a funnel into the top of the carboy if your measuring cup doesn't have a spout. Purchase a wine whip from online suppliers and attach it to a ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) drill for easier stirring. Add bentonite to the wine and wait 24 hours. Add 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of bentonite to 2 cups (470 ml) of boiling water. Afterward, add 5 to 7 tablespoons (74 to 104 ml) of this mixture to each carboy of wine. The addition of bentonite prevents further fermentation and settles dead yeast to the bottom of the carboy to reduce the amount you transfer to the secondary fermenter. Wine making kits typically have a prepackaged bentonite solution. Be sure to shake it prior to pouring it into the carboy. Top up the carboy with cool water, reattach the airlock, and let it sit for 14 days. Pour the cool water to within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the bottom of the bung. Afterward, reattach the airlock and let it sit for another 14 days. After this time, check the wine for clarity. If it isn't completely clear, let it sit for another 7 days. Always let wine sit for 14 to 21 days prior to tasting it. At this stage, you can start drinking it if it tastes to your liking or let the wine age until you're happy with the flavor. Create a metabisulphite solution to clean your bottles. Find a clean 1 gallon (3.8 L) bucket and fill it with water. Dissolve 13.1 ounces (370 g) of metabisulphite crystals into the bucket. Sterilize your wine bottles in the metabisulphite solution. Place all your wine bottles into the solution until they are full. Take them out and scrub the insides over a sink using a bottle brush. Afterward, fill them with warm water and dump them out. Repeat this 2 to 3 more times to rinse out the cleaning solution. Always use green bottles for red wine, as red wine is light sensitive. Use sterilized tongs or gloves to handle all equipment after sterilization. Bottle the wine using a siphon. Place the fermented wine onto a clean, flat surface. Lay the wine bottles onto the floor in front of the wine. Place the siphon into the wine and the plastic tube into the wine bottles. Move the inner tube in and out of the siphon 3 to 4 times and wait for the wine to fill the bottles. Remove the inner tube from the siphon to stop the wine flow. Insert a cork into the openings of your wine bottles to seal them. Slide the corker open by pressing the outside handles upward. Place a new cork into the slot in the middle of the tool. Bring down the handles halfway and place the head of the corker over the tip of the wine bottle so it's flush with the rim. Continue pressing the handles down slowly and the cork should fit snugly into the bottle's opening. Purchase corkers from online suppliers or rent one from a local wine shop. Store your wine within 45 to 65 °F (7 to 18 °C). Although this range is fine, the ideal temperature is 55 °F (13 °C). A cool storage is ideal. Refrigerators will do for up to 2 months, but they are not ideal long-term solutions since temperatures will likely fall below 45 °F (7 °C). Purchase a wine cooler from a local wine store or online supplier for an ideal storage. Don't keep your wine in places where it could freeze, such as in the freezer or an unheated garage during the winter. Avoid regions of extreme temperature fluctuations. Age your wine based on the type. Red wines like merlot, zinfandel, and pinot noir, age best after 3 to 5 years. White wines like riesling can also be aged for 3 to 5 years, while chardonnay is best after 2 to 3 years. Rosé's are best after 1 to 2 years. If you enjoy the taste of your wine prior to aging, don't feel obligated to wait. Aging simply makes it taste different—usually from the breakdown of organic tannins—which is not necessarily better. Enjoy your hard work! Sniff the wine after opening a bottle. Pour it into a glass and look at the colors on the edges. Taste it and take note of the flavors. If you added tannins, take note of the dry flavor. If you want it drier, add more stems next time. Save your unopened bottles in a cool, dry place for your next dinner party.
Obtain about 70 to 80 pounds (32 to 36 kg) of wine-making grapes for every 1 carboy of wine. Wash your grapes thoroughly. Smash your grapes using a honeycomb crushing tool. Adjust the specific gravity of the must by adding sugar and water. Add 1 tablet of sodium metabisulphite for every 1 gallon (3.8 L) of wine. Insert a liquid thermometer into the must to determine the temperature. Add 1 package of wine yeast to your must. Store your must in an airlocked 6 US gal (23 L) plastic fermenter for 5 to 7 days. Siphon the juice from the fermenter into a clean 6 gallon (23 L) carboy. Cap the carboy with a bung and airlock and wait about 10 days. Measure the specific gravity of a sample using your hydrometer. Add a mixture of potassium metabisulphite and potassium sorbate. Add bentonite to the wine and wait 24 hours. Top up the carboy with cool water, reattach the airlock, and let it sit for 14 days. Create a metabisulphite solution to clean your bottles. Sterilize your wine bottles in the metabisulphite solution. Bottle the wine using a siphon. Insert a cork into the openings of your wine bottles to seal them. Store your wine within 45 to 65 °F (7 to 18 °C). Age your wine based on the type. Enjoy your hard work!
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-For-Cast-Iron
How to Care For Cast Iron
To care for cast iron, clean it as soon as possible after using it. Wipe it down with hot water and a cloth. If there's still food stuck on it, try scrubbing it off with some salt. After you clean cast iron, make sure you dry it completely so it doesn't get rusty. If rust does form, scrub it off with white vinegar and a sponge. In addition to cleaning, you should re-season cast iron after each use. Coat the cast iron with a layer of vegetable oil, which will help prevent food from sticking to it the next time you use it.
Preheat your oven. Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and let it heat up. The process of seasoning cast iron involves coating it with a layer of oil and baking it. Seasoning, or curing, the pan will cover it with a non-stick surface, make the pan easier to clean, and protect it from rust. Most new cast iron pans come pre-seasoned, but you'll have to season any that haven't been cured by the manufacturer. You can still season a new pan if it comes pre-seasoned, and you should definitely season an old or second-hand cast iron pan before using it. Wash and dry the skillet. Fill a sink with a small amount of hot, soapy water. Immerse a clean sponge in the soapy water, then wash the cast iron pan. Rinse the pan under hot water and dry it completely with a clean towel. You can also use a dish brush with stiff bristles to clean the pan. Most people recommend not washing cast iron with soap once it has been seasoned, because the soap can slowly remove the seasoning. However, because you're about to season the pan, use soap now to make sure the pan is clean. Coat the skillet with shortening. Dip a clean cloth or paper towel into some vegetable shortening. Rub the shortening over the inside and outside of the skillet to coat the pan with a thin and even layer. It's best to use a small amount of solid shortening for seasoning, because too much shortening or using liquid oil can leave a sticky residue on the pan. Bake the skillet. Place a cookie sheet or piece of foil on the bottom rack of the oven. Then place the skillet upside down on the middle rack. Bake the empty skillet for an hour. The baking sheet is important because it will catch any shortening that melts and drips off the pan. Cool and clean the skillet. After an hour, turn off the oven. Leave the skillet in the oven as it cools, about one to two hours. Remove the pan from the oven once it's cool. Buff the pan by rubbing it with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove excess shortening. When you're finished, the pan should be a smooth and shiny black. Repeat as necessary. Over time, this non-stick layer may wear away, especially if you use the pan to cook non-fatty foods. Repeat the seasoning process every few months, or when: The pan loses its luster and becomes dull The color changes from black to dark gray Food starts sticking to the pan Rinse the pan with hot water. Clean your pan as soon as possible after cooking with it. The longer food cools in the pan, the harder it will be to clean. After cooking with your cast iron pan, hold it under hot running water. While the water is running, wipe the pan out with a clean cloth to remove food particles. For mildly soiled and well-seasoned pans, this may be all you need to clean your cast iron. If you're worried about bacteria because you aren't using soap, just make sure to preheat your cast iron before adding food. Cast iron heats up very quickly, and even over medium heat the pan will quickly reach temperatures high enough to kill any bacteria. Scour with salt if necessary. For food that's still stuck on your pan or baked-on leftovers, sprinkle the inside of a warm pan with a generous layer of coarse salt. Scrub the surface of the pan with a damp dish cloth to remove the stuck-on food. When the food has been removed, discard the salt and scraps and rinse the pan out with hot water. Dry the pan immediately. Remove excess water from the pan by drying it with a towel immediately after cleaning it. Return the pan to the stove and warm it over low heat until all the water has evaporated, about two minutes. Never let cast iron cookware air dry, as this will cause the iron to rust. Oil the pan. With the pan still on low heat, coat it with an additional layer of vegetable shortening, using a cloth or paper towel to spread the shortening evenly over the pan. Leave the pan on the heat for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool. Before putting it away, wipe out any excess shortening with a cloth or paper towel. Fully seasoning a pan is a process that happens over time. As you add more oil to the pan and cook fatty foods in the cast iron, the surface will become more protected and more non-stick. Remove rust. Iron is highly susceptible to rust, which can be caused when the metal is exposed to air and water. Seasoning your cast iron pan regularly will help prevent it from rusting. It's important to remove rust spots immediately if they do begin to form, otherwise they will quickly spread. Wet a mildly abrasive sponge or scrub pad with soapy water and scrub the rusted spots on the pan. To remove tough rust spots, try a bit of vinegar on the sponge. Rinse the pan under hot water. Re-season the pan by coating it in vegetable shortening and baking it in the oven for an hour. Prevent rust from forming. There are a few things you can do to a cast iron pan that will virtually guarantee rust. To prevent rust from forming, avoid exposing the metal to moisture as much as possible: Never immerse cast iron directly in water. Clean the pan by running water over, rather than submerging it in a full sink. Always dry cast iron cookware fully after using and washing. Store the pans in cupboards or from hooks with the lids off. Lids can trap air and moisture against the surface of the pan, and this will cause the metal to rust. Avoid long-simmering acidic foods. The seasoning layer will protect your cast iron from small amounts of acid, so it's ok to cook mildly acidic foods in your pan for short periods of time. But acidic foods that require long simmering times, such as tomato sauce, should be cooked in other cookware. With a long-simmering acidic food, the acid can find weak spots in the seasoning layer, and this can eat away at the seasoning and start to corrode the metal. Be sure to remove acidic foods from your cast iron as soon as they're cooked, and wash the pan immediately. Avoid cleaning methods that can cause damage. Always wash your cast iron by hand, and never put it in the dishwasher. The dishwasher will expose the pan to too much moisture, and this can lead to rust. You should also avoid metal scouring pads on the cast iron, as these can damage the seasoning layer. Harsh soaps and detergents can also remove the seasoning, so avoid them unless you plan to re-season the pan right away. Use hot water to clean hot pans. Never pour cold water into a hot cast iron pan, as this can lead to cracking and warping. If your pan is still hot from cooking, only use hot water to clean it.
Preheat your oven. Wash and dry the skillet. Coat the skillet with shortening. Bake the skillet. Cool and clean the skillet. Repeat as necessary. Rinse the pan with hot water. Scour with salt if necessary. Dry the pan immediately. Oil the pan. Remove rust. Prevent rust from forming. Avoid long-simmering acidic foods. Avoid cleaning methods that can cause damage. Use hot water to clean hot pans.
https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-Middle-School-(for-Girls)
How to Survive Middle School (for Girls)
If you're worried about how to survive middle school as a girl, try to organize your day so you stay on top of everything and be open to making new friends so you can have fun too. You should write down all of your homework in a planner, which will help you keep track of everything you're doing. When you have homework, start it right away after getting home from school so you have enough time to finish it. While your school work is important, make time for new friends as well, since you'll be around a lot of new people. Be kind and friendly towards them so you can get to know a good group of friends who will support you. If you're finding it hard to make friends, try joining an after school club or activity you're interested in so you can meet people who like the same things as you. Don't forget to take some time to relax alone as well, such as reading a book before bed.
Go to the school's Orientation Day if possible. Often, you will receive a schedule before school starts. Don't be worried about the first day of school. The teachers will most likely be more gentle and less strict than the rest of the year. If you can never find your way to class, take a map. Some schools provide these at the orientation. Buy your gym outfit, if needed. Your school may require that you have a specific kit for the activities undertaken. Check with your school if you're not sure is indeed a requirement. Make a good impression when you meet your teachers for the first time. Know where your classes are. Try to find what floor, class, hallway, or side of the school your classes are in. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-2.jpg\/aid600756-v4-728px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Don't worry if you get a strict teacher. If that is what happens, then calm down. Just make sure you do not get on the teacher's bad side. If you do well in their class they will most likely like you! Go through a checklist the day before school starts: Is everything in your backpack? (Books, Folders, Pencils, etc) Do you have your schedule? Gym clothes? Is your back-to-school outfit on your dresser, hanging on closet/door? Learn your locker combination. Know if your combination is 21, 17, 23 or 23, 17, 21. Try making a math equation, such as 23-21=17. It may be incorrect, but if someone is trying to find your combination, it's better to be "The girl who can't subtract" than "The girl who got her stuff stolen." If you always forget your locker combo, try this trick. On the inside cover of a notebook, write your locker combo like a math problem. Example: 24+16=42. So then your locker combo is 24,16,42; even though the equation was wrong. Plus, nobody knows that it is your combo. Keep your locker organized. It will be easier to find the things that you need. Don't worry if you forget your locker combination. Someone in the office can help you. Use reusable materials, when possible. If you are bringing lunch, use a lunch box instead of a brown paper bag, just so you don't waste. Get a binder with a strap or a drawstring bag. Many schools don't allow kids to carry their backpacks because it takes up a lot of room. And besides, a heavy backpack can be bad for you, so it's best to avoid them. Take an emergency kit with you either in your locker or your bag. You might need it. Keep a schedule with you. It will keep you organized for the day, or you could make your own. Tell yourself what you are going to do for the day. Eat a healthy breakfast. Something as simple as being well nourished in the mornings can make a big difference on your happiness and overall success in school. Tackle your first day. There are lots of things you can do to make the first day an easier one. Try your best to get to your classes on time. If you're late for one or two classes on the first day, it's understandable. Don't stop and chat unless you're completely sure you can get to class on time. Get your books and head to class. Stop at your locker for a minute if you need to. Depending on your school depends on the time you have between classes. So don't stay in the hall for too long, or else you might get in trouble. Get a pass from your teacher to stop by your locker. This way, you can get your stuff and not be in trouble for being late. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-9.jpg\/aid600756-v4-728px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-9.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>"} Find shortcuts to get to class. Maybe if you go through the middle staircase, you can get to the second period quicker! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-10.jpg\/aid600756-v4-728px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Don't stop and talk! This is no excuse to be late. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-12.jpg\/aid600756-v4-728px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Don't let slow people make you late for class. If people are being slow, say, "Excuse me." Don't push or hurt them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-11.jpg\/aid600756-v4-728px-Survive-Middle-School-%28Girl-Guide%29-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Be open to making new friends. Be kind, friendly, and patient. Many people want to be your friend based on who you are, not what you look like. Stay on your teachers' good sides. Don't get your teacher angry. Some teachers mean what they say, and play no games. Be alert. Taking your time, talking, or being unprepared can give you supervisions. Supervisions are detentions! You don't want detention on your first year. Don't procrastinate. Procrastination leads to stress and poor grades, so it's a better idea to start your homework 30 minutes or so after you get home. Avoid being around distractions like TV, your computer, or your cell phone while you're doing homework. Feel free to take short breaks while you're working, but be diligent about getting back to work once the break is over. It is always a good idea to do extra credit work and even if the teacher didn't ask for any. Some schools provide student planners or agendas. Make use of this and write down homework, important dates, and anything else you need to remember. They will help you to be prepared. Read before bed. While it's tempting to spend time on the computer before bed, you will sleep less if you do this. Instead, find a good book and wind down by reading. Keep a good relationship with your family. Give your parents details about your day when they ask (or even if they don't!). Help out around the house—offer to do dishes, set the table, or take your dog for a walk. The good behavior will pay off when you ask to do things with friends. Tell your parents how your day went. Was it good? Okay? Perfect? Terrible? Talk to your parents. They will listen. Get into the habit of this every day; it's a great way to stay connected and not have them pry it out of you. If you have an older sibling try to ask them about middle school (it's even better if you're going to the same school as them). Avoid getting caught up in silly drama. Remember that the number of boys you date or the amount of makeup you wear won't make you popular (try avoiding dating at this age), and more importantly, it won't help you do well in school. And try not to cause drama either. It will make you look like a bad friend. Avoid gossip as well. Nobody likes to be friends with the girl who's in everyone's business, and in every conversation. And not in a good way. Don't get into other people's business. It's not your business! Don't get frustrated too quickly. Try to keep cool and keep your anger in check. Don't focus on boys. Focus on your grades and classes. This will help you in the long run, more specifically high school, college, and beyond, as you will have a clear view of your academic goals as a priority. Find friends who are your equals. If you constantly feel as though you're your friend's shadow or vice versa, work to even the playing field or find a new group of friends.Try to keep a small group of best friends, maybe 2-4 will be good! Have more friends than just your best friend, just in case something happens between you guys. Always be open to new friends. Don't forget about "me" time. Take a little time each day to relax by yourself. Get to know yourself—middle school is a time when everyone is changing, and you're more likely to love those changes if you are working to know yourself. Don't change yourself for someone else or because they're not satisfied with who you are. Be yourself and not a second class version of someone else. Stay true to yourself. Some girls are going to try to get you to change for their needs. Don't forget, that your true friends will accept you for who you are and vice versa. So don't try to change for other people, because if you mess up and get people mad at you, it may affect the rest of your middle school year. Aim to be fulfilled by what you're learning. Most of all, learn to appreciate living in the present while being focused on your future. This is a skill worth cultivating. Start showering every day. You don't have to wash your hair that often, but washing your body will help mitigate acne and body odor. "Clean and Clear In-Shower Facial" is a great product to use to wash your face. Apply makeup if you're allowed. Don't overdo it—you want your makeup to look natural. All you need is some mascara, maybe some natural color eyeshadow, and blush. It will look beautiful and natural. But don't forget to wash it all off before bedtime because makeup can create pimples and zits from getting into your pores. Feel free to skip makeup altogether if you like. Do it only if you feel like it. Brush your teeth twice a day. This sounds like a no-brainer, but bad breath can hinder any semblance of a social life.
Go to the school's Orientation Day if possible. Buy your gym outfit, if needed. Make a good impression when you meet your teachers for the first time. Don't worry if you get a strict teacher. Go through a checklist the day before school starts: Learn your locker combination. Use reusable materials, when possible. Get a binder with a strap or a drawstring bag. Eat a healthy breakfast. Tackle your first day. Try your best to get to your classes on time. Be open to making new friends. Stay on your teachers' good sides. Be alert. Don't procrastinate. Read before bed. Keep a good relationship with your family. Avoid getting caught up in silly drama. Find friends who are your equals. Don't forget about "me" time. Stay true to yourself. Aim to be fulfilled by what you're learning. Start showering every day. Apply makeup if you're allowed. Brush your teeth twice a day.
https://www.wikihow.life/Freeze-Dry
How to Freeze Dry
To freeze dry food, start by spreading it out on a plate or tray so that none of it is touching. Then, put the food in an empty freezer set to the lowest possible temperature. Leave the food in the freezer for at least a week. After a week, test if the food is freeze-dried by removing a piece and letting it thaw. If the food turns black or brown, it's not freeze-dried yet.
Choose the types of food you want to freeze dry. Foods that contain high amounts of water work best for freeze drying. Their structure remains intact after the process. These foods hold up particularly well: Fruits like apples, bananas, berries, persimmons and pears. Vegetables like potatoes, peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes and parsnips. After you're familiar with the process, try freeze-drying chicken breasts, cheese, and even entire meals, like spaghetti and meatballs. Any food that contains moisture can be preserved using the freeze-drying process. If you have a vacuum chamber freeze dryer, you can even freeze dry ice cream for a fun treat that doesn't need rehydrating and melts in your mouth! Choose the freshest food possible. Freeze drying food at the peak of its ripeness or freshness helps make sure it will taste good when it's reconstituted. Fruits and vegetables should be freeze dried when they are in season and fully ripe. Meat should be freeze dried right after it has been cooked and cooled. Full meals should be freeze dried as soon as they have been cooked and cooled. Don't freeze dry them after storing them in the refrigerator for a few days, or they'll taste like leftovers when you reconstitute them. Avoid freeze drying foods that won't taste good reconstituted. Berries and apples don't need to be reconstituted - the freeze-dried version of these fruits tastes good as it is. Freeze dried meat or spaghetti, on the other hand, will need to be reconstituted with moisture in order to be edible. Don't freeze dry foods for which this won't be possible. Bread is not a good choice for freeze drying since its texture is so dependent on freshness. Cake, cookies and other yeast-based foods are not good candidates for freeze drying. Process the food for freeze drying. Get the food ready to be preserved by doing the following: If applicable, wash and dry the food thoroughly. Slice the food into small pieces. Cut apples, peppers, potatoes and other fruit and vegetables into small chunks, so that the moisture is easily removed. Place the food on a plate or tray. Spread it out so that the pieces of food are not clumped together. Place the tray in the freezer. If possible, make sure the freezer is empty of other items. Don't open the freezer much while the food is freezing. This will slow the freezing process, and cause ice crystals to develop on the food. If you have a deep freezer, use it. The food should be frozen at the lowest temperature possible. Keep the food in the freezer until it has freeze dried. Over the course of several weeks, the process of sublimation will take place, and all of the moisture will be removed from the food. Test to make sure the food is completely freeze dried by removing a piece and allowing it to thaw. If it turns black, the food is not freeze dried yet. Store the food. Once the food has completely freeze dried, place it in freezer storage bags. Push out the air, seal the bags, and store them either in the freezer, in your pantry, or in your emergency preparedness kit. Place the food in freezer bags. Lay the bags out flat, so the food doesn't bunch up in one corner. Push out the air before sealing the bags. Make sure the bags are sealed airtight. Place the freezer bags in a large cooler. Cover the food with dry ice. Wear gloves and long sleeves while handling dry ice. If you have a lot of bags of food, alternate food bags and dry ice until the cooler is full. Place the cooler in the freezer. After 6 hours, loosely cover the cooler with a lid. After 24 hours, check inside the cooler to see if the dry ice is still there. If it's gone, the food is ready for storage. While you can loosely cover the cooler, it's important to avoid sealing it tightly since the gas from the dry ice can build up in a sealed container and cause an explosion. Remove the bags of food from the cooler. Store them either in the freezer, in your pantry, or in your emergency preparedness kit. Place the food on a plate or tray. Spread it out so that the pieces of food are not clumped together. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze until solid. If possible, make sure the freezer is empty of other items. Don't open the freezer much while the food is freezing. This will slow the freezing process, and cause ice crystals to develop on the food. If you have a deep freezer, use it. The food should be frozen at the lowest temperature possible. Place the frozen food in the vacuum chamber pulled to about 120 m Torr. Set the temperature to 10 °C (50 °F). The sublimation process should be complete within a week depending on the set parameters. Check one of the slices after waiting the proper time to make sure the freeze-drying is complete. Place the food in air-tight containers for storage. Store these containers in your pantry or emergency preparedness kit. Remove the food from the package. Place it in a bowl or pot. Boil a few cups of water on the stove. When the water has reached a boil, remove it from heat. Pour a little of the boiling water over the freeze-dried food. It will begin to fill out as it absorbs moisture. If it seems to need more water, pour a little more over the food. Repeat until the food is fully reconstituted.
Choose the types of food you want to freeze dry. Choose the freshest food possible. Avoid freeze drying foods that won't taste good reconstituted. Process the food for freeze drying. Place the food on a plate or tray. Place the tray in the freezer. Keep the food in the freezer until it has freeze dried. Store the food. Place the food in freezer bags. Place the freezer bags in a large cooler. Place the cooler in the freezer. Remove the bags of food from the cooler. Place the food on a plate or tray. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze until solid. Place the frozen food in the vacuum chamber pulled to about 120 m Torr. Place the food in air-tight containers for storage. Remove the food from the package. Boil a few cups of water on the stove. Pour a little of the boiling water over the freeze-dried food.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Podcasts-with-Alexa
How to Play Podcasts with Alexa
* "Alexa, play RadioLab." Plays the latest Radiolab podcast episode.
Say "Alexa". Say the wake command to wake Alexa and she will begin listening for your next command. The default wake command is "Alexa," but if you've changed it to "Echo," "Amazon," or some other command, then use the wake command you previously set. Ask Alexa to play a podcast. For instance, "Alexa play RadioLab," or "Alexa, play Rationally Speaking," will play the latest episode of each podcast respectively. Alexa will immediately begin playing the latest episode. Alexa plays podcasts from tunein.com, so if you aren't able to play the podcast you want, it's probably because tunein doesn't have it. Play a previous episode. Say, "Alexa, play the previous episode," and Alexa will skip to the previous episode. You can repeat this command as many times as you like to go back to further episodes, but currently, there is no command to play specific episode numbers. Control the playback with voice commands. You can use Alexa's standard playback control to pause, play, fast-forward, rewind, or change the volume just as you would when playing music. For example, "Alexa, pause," or "Alexa, volume 7," with pause the podcast and turn the volume to 7 (out of 10), respectively. If you ask Alexa to perform another task that is not a playback command during the podcast, you'll lose your place in the podcast. So if you ask Alexa to set a timer in the middle of a podcast, when you return to that podcast it will play from the beginning. Use the Alexa app to find podcasts and select episodes. On your Android or iPhone, open the Alexa app with the light-blue icon with an outline of a white speech bubble. Tap ☰. It's in the upper left corner. Tap Music, Video, & Books. It's the first option under your Amazon account. Scroll down and tap tunein. It's under the Music heading. Search for a podcast in the search bar. Tap on the podcast. Tap an episode. It will play on your Alexa device. Search the Skill store for podcast apps. Your favorite podcast might have its own Alexa skill. For example, the popular podcast Hardcore History with Dan Carlin can only be played by enabling the podcast's skill. You can search for the skill on the Amazon.com website, or to search for skills on the Alexa app: Tap ☰. It's in the upper left corner. Tap Skills. It's in the second section of options. Tap the search bar. It's at the top-right of the screen. Type a podcast's name. If it has it's own skill it will appear below. Tap the skill. Tap the image or the title. Tap Enable. It's the blue button at the top of the page. Read the skill's page to learn the voice commands.
Say "Alexa". Ask Alexa to play a podcast. Play a previous episode. Control the playback with voice commands. Use the Alexa app to find podcasts and select episodes. Search the Skill store for podcast apps.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-An-International-Lawyer
How to Be An International Lawyer
To become an international lawyer, start by making sure you are prepared to work in a highly competitive field, and that you are willing to work extremely hard without the promise of job security. If you think international law is a good fit for you, pursue a bachelor's degree in a foreign language, politics, or international relations. Additionally, focus on becoming fluent in as many foreign languages as possible, which will put you in higher demand for jobs later on. Then, apply for highly-ranked law schools, since international law firms are very selective.
Obtain a bachelor's degree. In order to get into law school, you first need a bachelor's degree (4-year degree) from an accredited college or university. It does not matter what kind of bachelor's degree you get. However, if you want to practice law internationally, then you may want to consider majoring in a foreign language, politics, or international relations. Make sure the school you choose is accredited. To ensure that the school you choose is accredited, check the U.S. Department of Education's (“DOE”) Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs for a listing. You do not need to major in “criminal justice” as an undergraduate. In fact, criminal justice majors are admitted to law schools are admitted at a lower rate than those who majored in journalism, philosophy, or economics. Although you will not be penalized for majoring in criminal justice, there is no automatic benefit in law school admissions for having done so. Participate in Model United Nations (UN). If you hope to work for an international organization, such as the UN, you might want to get involved in a Model UN team. The Model UN program provides students with a forum for addressing global concerns. Student teams participate in conferences where they form a simulated general assembly to draft resolutions, negotiate treaties, and resolve conflicts. This website offers a guide to comparing the best UN programs at colleges and universities. Build your foreign language skills. You should start as soon as possible developing your foreign language skills. The more languages you are fluent in, the more likely you are to be hired by an international organization. If you want to work for the United Nations, then you will need fluency in two or more of the official languages. The six official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. You should aim for fluency in speech but also in writing and reading. Study abroad. International organizations look to a variety of factors when hiring someone, and experience working and living abroad is one of the most important. Accordingly, you will make yourself a more attractive candidate if you get as much international experience as you can while in college. Studying abroad will also help you increase your fluency in foreign languages, which is also an important characteristic employers look for in international lawyers. Keep your grades up. Not everyone gets into law school. To increase your chances of getting in, keep your grades up. You want to graduate with at least a 3.0, but of course, a 3.5 or 4.0 would be even better. Admissions committees view a high GPA as an indicator that you are a hard worker who is self-motivated. The higher your undergraduate GPA, the more selective you can be about what schools to apply to. Even if you do not care about the rank of the law school you attend, a higher GPA makes scholarships easier to get. Build relationships with professors. When you apply to law school, you will need to submit letters of recommendation. Make the most of your four years in college by building relationships with professors who can write you strong recommendations. A great way to build relationships with faculty is to work as a research or teaching assistant. Study for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT is by far the most important part of your application, and you will need a score around the 50 percentile in order to get into an accredited law school. Because of the recent decline in law school applicants, law schools are giving away more scholarships than ever before. A high LSAT will help you qualify for free money from your law school of choice. Register for the test. The LSAT is offered four times a year, in June, September, December, and February. It is offered on Saturdays, but there are special sessions for those who observe a Saturday Sabbath. Create a free account at the Law School Admission Counsel's (“LSAC”) website. Find a test date and location. To do this, start on LSAC's Law School Admission Counsel's website Dates and Deadlines page. Study for the test. The LSAT may be the most important factor in your law school application, so take it seriously. It tests reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. Test prep companies offer tutoring, but you can also study on your own. Your local library or bookstore should have copies of old LSAT exams. Find the most recent to take as practice exams. Take the test. The LSAT has five multiple choice sections and one unscored essay. Four of the five multiple choice sections count toward your score. The fifth is experimental and does not count toward your score. Unfortunately, you will not know in advance which section is experimental. Follow the rules for test day very carefully. If you fail to follow any of the test day rules, you may not be allowed to take the test. Retake if your score is low. Applicants are allowed to take the exam more than once. Schools may choose to accept your higher score, or they may choose to average the two. If you take the LSAT twice but your score doesn't improve, you should reconsider before taking it a third time. On average, test takers are able to increase their score only two to three points on a re-take. Decide if being an international law attorney is really for you. International law is a highly-competitive field. Attorneys who practice in this area often work for international organizations, such as the United Nations or the World Bank. Alternately, international lawyers can work for large firms on cross-border deals involving corporations in different countries. These kind of jobs are difficult to get. Even if you graduate law school and pass the bar, you very well might not be able to get one of these jobs. Competition to get a job with an international non-governmental organization (NGO) will be fierce. There are very few international human rights jobs, period. In fact, breaking into this field is extremely challenging. Furthermore, most cross-border deals are done by large law firms, which are the most selective. You are expected to be near the top of your class and to have graduated from a selective law school in order to be hired at international law firms. Against your job prospects you also should weigh how you will finance your legal education. The cost of a legal education has exploded in the past decade. Students routinely pay over $30,000 a year in tuition alone, which does not include additional costs for living expenses. If you are not careful, you could graduate law school $200,000 in debt. Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). CAS is used by all law schools. You send them your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and evaluation; they create a packet and send it to the law school. The service requires a fee. Register early and make sure to get your transcripts to CAS in a timely manner. Solicit letters of recommendation. Now is the time to draw on the relationships you have built up with faculty during your undergraduate career. Ask your professors if they can write you a strong letter of recommendation. Only follow through if that professor says “yes.” If you didn't build strong relationships with faculty, don't despair. You can also ask for recommendations from present and past employers, as well as from people associated with church or volunteer organizations. Some recommenders may need to be prompted to complete the letter. Send a friendly email reminder, or stop in to chat. Draft a personal statement. Law schools require that you write a short statement, typically on a topic of your choosing. The statement is usually only 500 words. Follow the directions. If the school wants you to write on a specific topic, write on that topic. Also, if they give you a word limit, stick to the limit. Going over, by even a few words, can harm your chances of admission. Feel free to write about your interest in international law. You may want to write about your experience studying abroad. Whatever you write about, make sure that it is fresh, engaging, and memorable. You also should feel free to write about any subject that you want. You do not have to explain why you want to be a lawyer (unless the prompt specifies that you should write about that subject). Think about writing an addendum. An addendum can be a great way to explain something that looks bad in your application. A solid addendum will provide context for any information that might raise “red flags.” Red flags include criminal convictions, punishment for cheating or plagiarism, or semesters with very low grades. An addendum might also clarify why one LSAT score is much higher than another. Remember to explain in your addendum, not make excuses. Aim for the highest-ranked schools that you can. Because international law jobs are scarce, you need to be admitted into the highest-ranked law school that you can. Get the most recent rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The rankings will include the median LSAT and GPA of the first-year student body. If you can't distinguish the differences in schools, then you should meet with your school's pre-law advisor who can help you distinguish between law schools with national (and international) reach and those schools with more regional name recognition. To get international law jobs, you should strive to attend a school with a national reputation. Compare costs. As you compare law schools, you should always have costs in the forefront of your mind. You might assume that public schools are always cheaper than private schools, but that is not always the case. The tuition for out-of-state law students is often comparable to the tuition of a private school. If you want to move to a state and hope to qualify as an in-state resident, contact the law school's admissions office for information. Research clinical opportunities. Some law schools have international human rights clinics or their equivalent. In these clinics, students work under the supervision of a faculty member to provide legal services to foreign nationals or to those persecuted in foreign nations. Also, students can do research and work on policy proposals affecting international relations. At Northwestern University Law School's Center for International Human Rights, students have visited foreign countries such as Malawi, Rwanda, and Uganda to interview prisoners and work on freeing them. Also, students participate in briefing cases brought under the Alien Tort Statute or in international criminal courts. Study schools. As you narrow your list of schools, you should compare them according to relevant criteria: Curriculum. The basic curriculum for first year students is pretty much the same at any law school, but after the first year, the classes available might be very different. Look for a curriculum with electives in international comparative law and in human rights law. Joint degrees with foreign universities. Some schools offer joint degrees with foreign universities. For example, Columbia University offers a four-year J.D./Master in French Law program with the University of Paris. Students in the program complete foundation courses at Columbia and then take French civil and European law while in Paris. Job placement with international organizations. Given how difficult it is to get a job in international law, you need to make sure that the law school you attend actually places graduates with international organizations or large firms that do cross-border work. Accordingly, you should contact law schools and ask for detailed information on their job placement. Use your GPA and LSAT score to find appropriate schools. These are the two most important factors in law school admissions, and schools will rely on them heavily. Because application fees can be expensive (sometimes close to $100), you will want to be selective about which schools you apply to. Look for schools where your GPA and LSAT fall near the school's medians. You can gauge your likelihood of gaining admission to specific schools by using the LSAC calculator. Enter your undergraduate GPA and LSAC score to see your chances. If you have a 4.0 GPA and a 170 LSAT, then you have a 75% chance of getting into Georgetown and a 45% chance of getting into Harvard. If you have a 3.6 GPA and a 160 LSAT, then you have a 10% chance of getting into Georgetown and an 85% chance of getting into the University of Maryland. Apply to multiple law schools. Applying to more than one school increases your chances of being accepted. If you don't get into any school, then you will have to wait a year before applying. For some great tips on completing law school applications see the University of New Mexico's Tips on How to Make your Application as Competitive as Possible. Take required courses. Law schools generally require 90 credits or so, spread out over 3 years. Your first year will consist mostly of basic courses: torts, contracts, property, civil procedure, criminal law, and constitutional law. You should strive to finish near the top of your class. Grades are important in the legal profession, especially when you are starting out on your career. If you finish too low in your class you could take yourself out of the running for job opportunities with international organizations or with large law firms. Visit your career services office and ask what firms come onto your campus to interview. Career Services should also have information on the GPA required to be hired by these larger firms. Gathering this information can give you some idea of how well you need to do in your studies. Join a study group. Law school is stressful and isolating, and a study group is a great way to meet people. Study groups help with exam preparation, sharing notes and outlines, as well as just blowing off some steam. If you join a study group, stick with it. No one likes people who join a group only to drop out after a month. Take exams seriously. Before you can become a lawyer, you have to pass law school. Your grades will also follow you around your entire career. Though the importance of grades decreases over time, poor grades could keep you locked out of jobs, at least initially. Take appropriate electives. Many law schools allow students to begin taking electives beginning with their second semester. As a future international lawyer, you should seek out courses in international comparative law, as well as human rights law. Look for internships. Government agencies and NGOs often offer internships. Visit the website for International Organization Careers for information on internship opportunities. Many internships may be appropriate only for the summer, especially if you attend law school outside New York City, Washington, D.C., or another very-large city. However, you should begin researching internship opportunities as soon as possible, so you can learn about what credentials the organizations are looking for. Work as a summer associate for an international organization. During law school, you will have two summers to work legal jobs, after your 1L year and after your 2L year. You can plan on working for an international organization during one or both of your summers. Some students also try to work for a law firm during their 2L summer. If you want to work at a large law firm after graduation, then it is standard to work for the firm during your 2L summer. If the firm likes you, they will extend an offer before the start of your 3L year. Join the International Law Students Association (ILSA). The ILSA is an umbrella organization for student associations at various law schools around the country. It helps to educate students on international law and employment opportunities. Although many schools have individual chapters, students can join as individual members if their school has no chapter. The ILSA also runs the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Law schools field teams that compete against each other in an appellate advocacy competition where teams draft and argue briefs concerning an issue of public international law. Jessup is open to law schools all over the world. Pass the MPRE. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination is required to practice in all but three jurisdictions in the United States. The exam has 60 questions and tests your knowledge of legal ethics. You will take the exam in your third year of law school. Apply for admittance to a state bar. Each state admits its own lawyers and administers its own bar exam, so check with the bar of the state where you wish to practice. They will provide you with a list of the necessary steps to take. Register for the bar exam. Nearly every state requires that you pass a written exam. The exam typically includes an essay portion as well as a multiple choice test. The bar exam is typically offered twice a year—once during the summer (June or July) and once the winter (usually February). If you have to take the bar exam over, you have to pay each time you take it. Prepare for the bar exam. Prep courses abound. They typically last several months and prepare you for both the essay and multiple choice portions of the bar exam. Costs can run up to several thousand dollars. If costs are a concern, then you can seek out old study guides published by bar prep companies. Many people sell old guides on eBay and other online retailers. Fill out the background survey. In addition to passing the bar exam, you also need to pass a character and fitness review. This requires filling out a detailed survey on your background. Common problems with character and fitness include criminal convictions, financial irresponsibility (such as bankruptcy), and accusations of plagiarism. These may not completely block you from admission, but be prepared to discuss them with the character and fitness committee. Always be honest when filling out the background survey. Often the attempt to hide something is worse than the offense in the first place. Take the bar examination. The bar exam is typically held over the course of 2 days. The first day consists of a multiple-choice exam covering topics such as contracts, constitutional law, criminal law, evidence, and torts. The second day, consisting of essays, is often state-specific. Expect to wait several months to receive your score. In Illinois, for example, those who take the exam in July will not receive their results until the first two weeks of October. Participate in On Campus Interviews (OCI). The largest law firms that hire graduates from your law school will likely come onto campus to interview for summer associates. If you want to work for a large firm, then you should register for OCI, which will take place just before the start of your 2L year (or in the early fall). If you are offered a job, you will work as a summer associate during your 2L summer. Your career services office will send out detailed requirements for participating in OCI, such as preparing a resume and ordering copies of your transcript. Be sure to follow all policies to the letter, otherwise you could be prohibited from participating in interviews. Apply for a fellowship. You can begin your career by applying for a post-graduate fellowship. Fellowships provide a stipend for one or two years of employment with various organizations. Apply for an entry-level job with an NGO. Entry-level recruitment is competitive and not widely advertised. You should ask your Career Services office for information on how to find these jobs and how to approach NGOs that interest you about potential job opportunities. The UN Volunteer program hires new attorneys and pays them a stipend. Employees assist with peacekeeping missions in developing countries. The UN Secretariat occasionally hires Americans for its Legal Affairs and Human Rights divisions. You have to sit for the Competitive Recruitment Exam. Get a first job. Even if international law is your dream, you might need to take another legal job simply to pay the bills. In your spare time, you can work on international law issues by volunteering with an international organization or doing pro bono immigration work. Pro bono immigration work can help put your foreign-language skills to use and allow you help non-Americans build the lives that they want. Stay connected to the legal community. As your career advances, be sure to continue to raise your profile by offering continuing legal education courses and joining bar association committees. Some states also run separate International Law sections, which you can join to help with networking.
Obtain a bachelor's degree. Participate in Model United Nations (UN). Build your foreign language skills. Study abroad. Keep your grades up. Build relationships with professors. Study for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Register for the test. Study for the test. Take the test. Retake if your score is low. Decide if being an international law attorney is really for you. Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Solicit letters of recommendation. Draft a personal statement. Think about writing an addendum. Aim for the highest-ranked schools that you can. Compare costs. Research clinical opportunities. Study schools. Use your GPA and LSAT score to find appropriate schools. Apply to multiple law schools. Take required courses. Join a study group. Take exams seriously. Take appropriate electives. Look for internships. Work as a summer associate for an international organization. Join the International Law Students Association (ILSA). Pass the MPRE. Apply for admittance to a state bar. Register for the bar exam. Prepare for the bar exam. Fill out the background survey. Take the bar examination. Participate in On Campus Interviews (OCI). Apply for a fellowship. Apply for an entry-level job with an NGO. Get a first job. Stay connected to the legal community.
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-Emissions
How to Pass Emissions
To pass emissions, find a testing location in your area and schedule an appointment. Drive your vehicle for at least 20 minutes before arriving at the testing station. When you get there, they will check your vehicle and tell you whether you're up to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. If you aren't, they'll help you get up to code. To help your car maintain emissions standards, check your engine fluids and change the filters regularly.
Check the emissions standards and procedures in your state. Many states require periodic emissions tests to be performed to ensure that your car is running as clean as possible and not contributing to excessive air pollution. There are a lot of complicated numbers associated with the process that are probably not of interest to the average driver and vehicle owner, but you can research the Environmental Protection Agency standards for all vehicles here. You don't need to know the standards to have your vehicle tested. All you need to do is find a testing location in your area and schedule an appointment. They'll tell you if your vehicle is up to the standards, and help you get it to code if it isn't. You can help avoid problems by keeping up on the maintenance of your engine fluids and filters. You should have your exhaust system checked periodically for any issues that may cause a future failure. If your check engine light comes on, have it serviced quickly to prevent further problems. Find your particular vehicle group. Emissions testing is different for different types of vehicles, and is required for a vehicle to be street-legal in some states, while in others there's no requirement at all. Motorcycles are required to be tested in some areas, but not in others. Check with your local bureau of motor vehicles to make sure your vehicle needs to be tested. The most common exclusions are: Vehicles manufactured pre-1975 Diesel vehicles manufactured pre-1997 Electric vehicles and hybrids Trailers Learn the common causes of emission issues. Failing the emission test is likely the result of some common performance issues in your vehicle. Learning to anticipate and correct these issues can help you pass the emissions test, once you've got it scheduled. The most common system failures are: Out-of-spec fuel metering : This could be the result of the CPU, if your vehicle has one, or the fuel injection and carburetor unit. Worn-out spark plugs : These can cause hydrocarbons to spike during the examination. Just basic maintenance on the engine can sometimes cause emissions to spike. Vacuum leaks : These can occur because the MAP sensor is dysfunctional, or the hoses are faulty. Your MAF sensor may also have issues with a vacuum leak and turn on the check engine light. Air-injection and EVAP malfunction : If the air-injection system in the engine malfunctions, it won't be able to control the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions properly. The EVAP system may be venting fuel vapors into the engine when it is not supposed to, causing high hydrocarbons. Schedule a vehicle inspection. Get your car checked out by an emissions technician in your area to catch anything that you might have missed or overlooked. Typically, in states that require vehicles be emission-tested, these are as common as oil-change stations and Jiffy-Lubes. Look one up in your area and schedule a test. Just because your car is running fine and shows no signs of "problems" doesn't mean that it'll pass emissions. Many vehicles can continue operating well even though they've dipped under the local government regulations. This can happen when you don't keep up with scheduled maintenance. Make sure the check engine light is off before your appointment. If your check engine light is on, you will fail the emissions test automatically. If you don't know what the problem is, an emissions repair shop can run a diagnostics test and fix the problem for you. The car must be tested as-is, which means that even if the technician spots an issue that will obviously result in a failure of the test, the vehicle must be failed. If you know, for example, that you've got a leaky vacuum hose, or that your check engine light is on, you need to have those issues corrected at the shop or fix them yourself, before having the test performed. Warm up your vehicle before testing. Drive your vehicle for at least 20 minutes before arriving at the emissions testing station. This will give your vehicle enough time to reach optimal temperatures for your coolant and oils as well as optimal temperature for your catalytic converter, ensuring that you'll get an accurate reading. If you cannot drive your vehicle before the test then just run your engine in park or neutral at 1500 to 2000 RPM's for at least five minutes to ensure your engine and exhaust are warmed up. In colder weather this may take a few minutes longer. Keep your tires inflated properly. Proper tire pressure will put less strain on your car engine, which will improve your chances of passing the test. Equally-distributing the weight of the vehicle as it is driven during the test by the inspector will result in a higher likelihood that you'll pass. It's a good idea to fill up the tires to the proper specs before you take it in. Pick a dry day for the test. Because a dynamometer will be involved in the test, driving on slippery roads in which you might lose some traction can affect the efficiency of your engine, possibly enough to skew the test. To give yourself the best possibility of passing with flying colors, schedule the test for a sunny day with nice weather and good driving conditions. . Change your engine oil regularly If you haven't changed your oil in over 5,000 miles (8,000 km), this is almost a necessity. If you have changed your oil in the past 5,000 miles (8,000 km), it may still be a good idea to get it changed again before having your car tested. Schedule an oil change, or do it yourself. Dirty oils can cause the emission levels to be higher than normal. Replace your filters regularly. Fuel and air filters need to be changed periodically to keep your engine as efficient as possible, and your emissions as low-impact as possible. Consult your owner's manual for specific guidelines regarding mileage, and keep a steady schedule of replacements. Check your air filter and, if it is dirty, change it before your emission test, since a dirty air filter can cause high hydrocarbons. Use fuel additives if they're appropriate for your vehicle. Check your owner's manual to determine whether or not using Premium fuel is appropriate for your model. Other additives, like Clean Sky Clean Air can be added during refueling to purge carbon deposits from the engine during normal operations. Be aware that some additives could alter your emissions test and could be a cause of a failure. Be sure to tell your mechanic what additives you are using if you have failed. The additive could have been the cause. Adjust your carburetor for the proper air-fuel mixture. Running too rich can have a long-term affect on your engine's ability to process hydrocarbons and CO emissions. It's a good idea to periodically check how lean or rich your engine is running to make sure you're within the proper specifications and keep your engine functioning properly.
Check the emissions standards and procedures in your state. Find your particular vehicle group. Learn the common causes of emission issues. Schedule a vehicle inspection. Make sure the check engine light is off before your appointment. Warm up your vehicle before testing. Keep your tires inflated properly. Pick a dry day for the test. . Replace your filters regularly. Use fuel additives if they're appropriate for your vehicle. Adjust your carburetor for the proper air-fuel mixture.
https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Dreads
How to Dye Dreads
It's simple and easy to dye your dreads at home, as you only need moisturizer and a hair dye kit. First, moisturize your hair 1 - 2 days before you want to dye your dreads. Use grape seed, hemp, or coconut oil for your dreads. This helps your hair to take the color well. Apply the hair dye next according to the instructions on the package. Make sure that the outside of each dreadlock is evenly coated in the dye and don't worry about the inside of each lock as you won't see it. Once you've applied the dye, leave the color in for the specified amount of time and add on an extra 10 - 15 minutes to let it soak into the dreadlocks. After the set amount of time, rinse the dye out of your hair until the water runs clear.
Moisturize your hair 1-2 days before you want to dye it. Moisture will influence how well your hair will take color, so in the days leading up to dyeing your dreads, wash and moisturize your hair thoroughly. Different types of oil make great moisturizers for dreadlocks, including jojoba oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, and hemp oil. Buy the oil of your choice at a local supermarket or online, and use after showering. Buy two color kits for ample coloring supplies. One color kit can be enough for a lighter head of hair, but depending on the thickness and length of your dreads, you might need two. There's nothing worse than running out of color mid-way through dyeing, so if you have thick and coarse or long hair, go ahead and buy two kits. Dye-proof your bathroom and body with towels, old t-shirts, and gloves. Set up a towel on the floor, put on clothes you don't mind ruining, and set plastic gloves nearby for when you start working with bleach or dye. Set out supplies you will need before you begin the process. For best possible results, make sure you have a hair coloring kit, a plastic hair cap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizing oil, and hair ties. Bleach your hair if you’re ok with a little hair damage. If you have dark hair and are trying to dye the dreads a lighter color, bleach might be necessary for the color to properly “pop.” However, know that bleach will damage your hair and make it difficult to return it to its natural color. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for that platinum blonde or candy pink look! There are natural alternatives to bleaching if you want to lighten your hair before dyeing it. You could apply lemon juice to your hair and lie out in the sun, pour chamomile tea on your hair and let it dry out in the sun, or wash your hair with water and baking soda. All of these classic pantry items have lightening properties and can lighten your hair without the damage of bleach. Deep-condition your hair three days before bleaching. This is probably the best way to protect your hair from the potential damage of bleach. Soak your dreads in coconut oil or use a deep conditioning mask on them the night before for extra protection. Buy a hair specific bleaching product. You can find hair bleaching products at most drug stores, an example being L'oreal Blondissima “super” strength. Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color in Lightest Platinum has very clear directions to follow to make the process as safe for your hair as possible. Apply the bleach while wearing gloves. Follow the directions for the bleach you are using and squeeze your dreadlocks once you apply the bleach to soak them through. Cover the bleached dreadlocks with plastic wrap to allow the bleach to soak in as best as possible, and leave them for the allotted time. Do not go over on the time, as you might cause extra damage. Wash your dreads thoroughly and towel dry them. Put your dreads under a steady stream of warm water in the shower and wash out all of the bleach. Squeeze each dread from top to bottom to make sure the bleach is removed from the inside of the locks as well. Towel dry your hair, and wait a few hours for it to dry completely. Apply a natural dreadlock wax or conditioner once your hair is dry. This will prevent your locks from getting so dry that they crackle and feel gross. You can also do this after putting the color in if you want to proceed directly to dyeing the locks. Bleach can actually help dreadlocks “lock up” because it dries them out further, but you don't want them getting brittle, which is why conditioning before and after is crucial. Partition your hair and protect your hairline with protective balm. With already dry locks, partition your hair into four sections, held together by hair ties. Coat your hairline and ears with protective balm (provided in the kit), vaseline, or lip balm to protect from spilled dye. Mix the hair dye together in a bowl. Put on your plastic gloves on your gloves, and mix together the color, following instructions from the color kit. Mix the color over a towel to avoid a mess. Cover the outside of your locks in color. You can use a tint brush to apply color evenly along the locks, or you can dip your locks into the color mixture, scrunching the locks with your gloved hands to soak them with the color. You don't need to worry about getting the inside of the dreads colored, just focus on thoroughly covering the outside of each lock. Leave color in for the set time plus a dreadlock buffer. Put the dreads up into a hair cap while the color is setting to avoid drippage and stains. Follow the instructions on the color kit carefully to ensure that the color sets, typically adding 10-15 minutes of setting time for dreaded hair. Taking the color out too early can lead to poor outcomes, but leaving it in too long can damage your hair. Wash the color out of your hair until the water runs clear. Typically this takes 1 or 2 washes for dyed dreads. You can use a neutralizing shampoo to repair any damage that might have been done by the color, or simply shampoo, condition, and moisturize with your favorite moisturizing oil. Once the locks are clean, retwist the dreads to your liking. Wash your dreads less, but still keep them clean. The less you wash color-treated hair, the longer the color will stay. Try washing with lukewarm water, which will be easier on the dye, and using special, color friendly shampoo and conditioner, like Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo. Clean hair will make the color shine more, so even though you're washing them less, you shouldn't let them get extremely dirty. Moisturize your locks daily. Now that your dreads are colored they will need extra moisturizing maintenance. Use a moisturizing oil or a protein conditioner to take care of newly colored hair, preventing dryness and breaking. Dr. Locs YaYa Oil or Jinan Leave in Conditioner are good moisturizers for colored hair. Apply hot oil treatments or hydrating mists for extra protection. If you feel your hair becoming dry or brittle despite normal moisturizing treatments, you may consider making a hot oil treatment to apply to the locks monthly. To add a hydrating mix to your routine, mix together glycerin and rose water and mist onto hair for extra hydration in the morning or evening. Moisturize and treat before styling your dreadlocks for the best results. Protect your dreads with wraps when you sleep. Dreads that have been dyed are more prone to damage, so it is extra important that you protect your dreads with a scarf or silk wrap at night. You can also replace common pillowcases with silk or satin pillowcases to avoid needing a wrap.
Moisturize your hair 1-2 days before you want to dye it. Buy two color kits for ample coloring supplies. Dye-proof your bathroom and body with towels, old t-shirts, and gloves. Bleach your hair if you’re ok with a little hair damage. Deep-condition your hair three days before bleaching. Buy a hair specific bleaching product. Apply the bleach while wearing gloves. Wash your dreads thoroughly and towel dry them. Apply a natural dreadlock wax or conditioner once your hair is dry. Partition your hair and protect your hairline with protective balm. Mix the hair dye together in a bowl. Cover the outside of your locks in color. Leave color in for the set time plus a dreadlock buffer. Wash the color out of your hair until the water runs clear. Wash your dreads less, but still keep them clean. Moisturize your locks daily. Apply hot oil treatments or hydrating mists for extra protection. Protect your dreads with wraps when you sleep.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Comparing-Yourself-to-Others
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Although it can be hard to stop comparing yourself to others, try to resist this outlook and appreciate what you have, instead. To foster a better mindset, jot down some positive memories in a gratitude journal twice a week. Use it as a way to remind yourself of all the things you enjoy and shouldn't take for granted, such as your friends and family. You could also try to replace your comparative thoughts with positive ones that boost your self-confidence by focusing on what you can do. For example, if you are feeling intimidated by someone who is great at writing, remind yourself that you are great at other things. Additionally, keep in mind that you can always improve your writing if you really want to get better at it.
Pay attention to how you view yourself. The first step in the process of changing how you view yourself is to become aware of your thoughts about yourself. Without this awareness, you may not be able to realize the underlying problem. After having made the decision to carryout a rather difficult task of breaking the pattern, it helps to have someone to support you go through this; however, once you are consciously aware of a behavior that you're looking to change, it becomes easier to break it down into attainable goals. Assess your self-esteem. Self-esteem can be described as your positive or negative evaluations about yourself. We all have good and bad days, and how we feel about ourselves often changes daily to reflect events. Self-esteem can also be thought of as a stable personality trait that develops over your lifetime. Do you have a pretty good opinion about yourself? Do you allow others to control the way you feel about yourself? If you find yourself looking to others to determine your self-esteem, this is a sign that you could work on your happiness. Identify your comparative behaviors. Comparative behavior happens when you compare yourself with other people, whether they are in superior or inferior positions to you. Usually, you compare positive or negative characteristics with your own. Sometimes, social comparisons can be helpful, but negative comparative behaviors can damage your own self-esteem. An example of positive behavior is when you compare yourself to someone with qualities you admire. Rather than just envy this person for his good quality (he is a caring person, for example), you strive to make yourself more caring. An example of negative behavior is when you compare yourself with someone who has something you want. For example, you are jealous of this person's new car. Write down comparative thoughts or feelings. Write down the attitudes that are a direct result of comparing yourself to someone else. If you can, write it down immediately after having the thought or recalling the memory. This way, it's fresh in your mind, and you're more likely to be descriptive. Think about how this comparison made you feel. Write down all the thoughts and feelings that come to mind. For example, you feel depressed because you are jealous of someone's new car, and you still drive a 20-year-old car. Try to locate how your comparative behavior began. Attempt to write about a time in your life when you can remember not comparing yourself to others and begin journaling from there. Eventually, you may remember where your comparative thoughts originated. For example, you may think back to your childhood before you started comparing yourself to a sibling. You may then realize that you began comparing yourself to a sibling because you felt neglected. You can now start exploring the cause of your comparative behavior. One of the hardest things about comparative behavior is realizing that it's having a negative impact on you. By tracking and acknowledging the way comparing yourself makes you feel, you'll be more likely to change the negative behavior. Focus on what you have. Once you realize that comparing yourself to others doesn't work in your favor, you'll look for additional measures of your success. If you start to feel and express gratitude for the gifts that you do have, you will shift your focus from others to yourself. Spend more of your time focusing on the positive and good in your life. You may find that you start noticing more of it when you're not busy comparing yourself to others. Keep a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a way to remind yourself of what you have. This will help you look at things that you may have taken for granted. Then, you can give appreciation to them. Think about several of your best memories. They can be things you did, places you went, friends, you spent time with, whatever makes you most happy. Focus on being grateful for those things. By keeping a gratitude journal you can increase your chances of success. However, just going through the motions without motivation will work against you. You need to force yourself to look at things you may have taken for granted and give appreciation to them. Make the decision to acknowledge the depth of your gratitude and enhance your life. Write in depth. Instead of just making a laundry list of things, give a thorough explanation of a few things that make you feel grateful. Write about surprises or unexpected events. This will give you a chance to savor the good feelings that you experienced. You don't need to write every day. In fact, writing a couple of times a week might be more beneficial than writing every day. Be kind to yourself. By being kinder and less harsh with yourself, you will encourage yourself to go the extra mile and to try harder. Understand that you are in control of your life. It is tough to resist comparing yourself to others. But you are ultimately in control of your life. You make choices to lead your life in a particular way. You make decisions that are best for you, not for anybody else. It doesn't matter what other people do or have. You are the one that matters in the course of your life. Understand the process of changing your behaviors and thoughts. The Transtheoretical Model of change says that we go through stages leading up to our awareness of a situation. The individual goes through a process that finally ends by accepting the new behavior. These stages include: Pre-contemplation : During this stage, the individual is not ready to change. Often, this is due to being uninformed or under-informed on the issue at hand. Contemplation : This stage involves considering making a change. The individual begins to weigh the positive angles of change, although he is aware of the negative sides of changing. Preparation : During this stage, the individual has made a decision to change, and has started making plans to institute the change. Action : During this stage, the person is making efforts to change the behavior. This may involve a reduction in certain activities, or an increase in other activities, for example. Maintenance : This stage involves maintaining a level of activity to ensure that the behavior has changed and remains changed. Termination : During this stage, the behavior has changed so that the individual does not experience relapse, even under stress, depression, anxiety or other emotional states. Realize that idealizing someone is unrealistic. We only focus on certain aspects of the person we idealize, and they become a grandiose fantasy that we create. We choose only to look at those features we idealize while we reject other characteristics that were not appealing to us. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. When you compare yourself with others, you may view yourself negatively. If you have negative thoughts about yourself, tell yourself to change those thoughts into something about yourself that you are proud of. For example, if you know someone else who can write well, instead of envying her talents, think about your talents. Tell yourself, “I may not be the best writer, but I can draw very well. Besides, if I want to improve in writing, I can work towards this goal for myself instead of envying others for their talent." State your goal. Achieving your goals will help you establish your life and set of experiences separate from others' expectations. Begin by stating your goal. If you want to run a marathon, state this as your goal. You can assess where you're at (for example, get a sense of how much distance you can run before any training begins). Mark your progress. When you set a goal for yourself, track your progress so that you can see how you are moving toward that goal. This will help you focus on yourself and not on other people. Go at your pace. Take your unique situation into account when you track your progress. For example, if you are taking longer to get a graduate degree than some of your friends, you can think about how you are also working full-time, or you are raising a family, or you are caring for your elderly parents. Everyone faces a unique situation that enables or restricts progress. Think about your circumstances as you track your progress. If you are training for a marathon, you can track how much improvement you see every week. Run for a longer distance each week until you hit the 26-mile mark. At the same time you are gaining distance, you are also increasing your speed. By charting your progress, you can see how far you've come and how much further you have to go. Work on improving your abilities. If you see areas that you would like to improve, take classes, workshops or lessons to hone your skills and techniques. This will add to your self-confidence and help you find your place and value. It's important to recognize that perfection is an unproductive thought pattern where one holds an unrealistic ideal as a standard of achievement. Recognize that everyone's circumstances are entirely unique. You can work on improving your abilities to make yourself happy. Compete against yourself. Many high achieving athletes and actors have said that they compete against themselves. They constantly try to improve their own personal best. That is a good way to elevate your esteem as you see yourself reaching higher and higher goals. When an athlete aims to be the best in his sport, he may be encouraged to set goals for himself and push himself to run faster and sharpen his skills. Judge you by your standards. When you learn to use your standards to assess yourself, you will stop comparing yourself to others. This practice takes away the competition you may be feeling because other people's expectations are not yours. If you acknowledge your ability to create the life you desire for yourself, you have control over the outcome. Judge yourself by your standards, and not by anyone else's standards. Appreciate others instead of envying them. Consider the advantage that others can bring you. If you have friends who are highly achieving people, you might consider that their networks are full of people who might be able to help you become more successful in your life. Instead of envying their success, use their success to your advantage. For example, you might look at pictures of athletes to admire their fitness. Instead of feeling inferior and jealous, you can use these as motivation to make changes in your life. You might decide to change your eating habits and get more exercise. Then, you are using the pictures productively instead of negatively. Take occasional risks. Once you learn to judge yourself by your standards, you will feel freer to start with small, incremental risks. These risks will enable you to raise the bar even higher for yourself. Often what prevents people from reaching their personal best is that they're afraid to take risks. They become bound up in fears that keep them from achieving beyond others' expectations. Start with small steps. This will help build your self-confidence in your abilities. Build your support network. When you surround yourself with supportive people, you will find that you improve your perception of yourself. Be your coach. Good coaching comes in many forms. There are those coaches who scream and humiliate their players. There are those who insist on excellence, push their athletes to run faster, jump higher, or swim more laps, but follow up with love and support. The coach who teaches with love is the one that will help produce the most balanced overall human being. Think of yourself as your coach, pushing you toward excellence. Give love and appreciation for your efforts. Then you will reach goals that you set for yourself by raising your esteem, instead of destroying it. Decrease your exposure to media and social media outlets. If you find that idealistic representations in the media are having a negative effect on your self-esteem, it may be a good idea to decrease your exposure to media and social media outlets. Limit your time spent on social media websites, or eliminate it altogether. Delete or disable your social media pages. If you don't want to completely disable or delete your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account, then limit the time you spend each day, or each week, checking up on your accounts. For example, keep it to 10 minutes a day or 30 minutes a week, but use caution since even small amounts of exposure can lead to negative comparative thinking. Avoid media that show ideal images. Limit your exposure by avoiding fashion magazines, reality television shows, certain movies, and music, etc. If you found yourself frequently comparing you to a certain model or athlete, avoid magazines, shows, or games that feature them. Even temporary exposure to media depicting ideal images has been shown to impact self-esteem and self-image negatively. This can even put you at risk for rumination and depression symptoms. Start thinking realistically. Idealistic images in the media cannot always be avoided, so be aware if you're comparing yourself to them. Think about the realities of those seemingly perfect people or things. For example, if you envy the perfect relationship that a friend has with her spouse, remember how difficult it was for her to find that partner and the challenges she may have faced. Empathy will replace jealousy. If you see someone with the body, car, or life you want, try to think of actions you can take to get yourself closer to these goals and write them down. Use social media in a positive way. Find ways to use them that will enrich your life. Follow educational, informative, or inspirational pages. If you want success, follow entrepreneurial accounts. If you want to achieve a better physical condition, follow fitness and healthy eating pages. If you want to improve your mind and personality, try following brain and psychology-related accounts.
Pay attention to how you view yourself. Assess your self-esteem. Identify your comparative behaviors. Write down comparative thoughts or feelings. Try to locate how your comparative behavior began. Focus on what you have. Keep a gratitude journal. Be kind to yourself. Understand that you are in control of your life. Understand the process of changing your behaviors and thoughts. Realize that idealizing someone is unrealistic. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. State your goal. Mark your progress. Work on improving your abilities. Compete against yourself. Judge you by your standards. Appreciate others instead of envying them. Take occasional risks. Build your support network. Be your coach. Decrease your exposure to media and social media outlets. Avoid media that show ideal images. Start thinking realistically. Use social media in a positive way.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-to-Stop-Breeding-a-Female-Dog
How to Know when to Stop Breeding a Female Dog
To know when to stop breeding a female dog, follow the general rule that a dog over the age of 8 should not be bred. Additionally, if you're planning to breed a dog that's older than 5, consult a vet for a health check. You should also consider ending breeding after a dog has produced 4 litters. If your dog has demonstrated inheritable conditions, such as blindness or heart problems, stop breeding to avoid perpetuating these issues.
Factor in the age of the dog. There are a variety of opinions and standards as to when dogs should be retired from breeding. However, you should follow standards you are most comfortable with to protect the health of your dog. Many kennel clubs require a dog to be 8 years or younger to register litters. Many vets suggest that dogs of normal health should be retired from breeding around 8 years old. The strictest standard to retire a dog from breeding is 5 years of age. Consult your vet when considering breeding a dog older than 5 years old. The age of your dog needs to be evaluated with other factors including size and breed. Consider the breed of the dog. Certain breeds of dogs should be retired from breeding earlier than others. This is because some breeds have physiological issues and other related problems that could cause complications with pregnancy. Chihuahuas and other toy dogs should be retired from breeding around 5 years old. Large breed dogs like standard poodles should be retired from breeding around 5 or 6 years old. Medium sized dogs may be bred longer than small or large breed dogs, depending on specific medical conditions and the opinion of your veterinarian. Think about the number of litters the dog has produced. Many responsible breeders, vets, and kennel clubs suggest that people stop breeding dogs after a certain number of pregnancies. Consider: Some kennel clubs will stop registering litters after a dog has whelped 4 or 6 litters. Many veterinarians advise to retire a dog from breeding after 4 litters. The higher number of pregnancies, the lower the genetic diversity within a certain breed. Many irresponsible breeders, known as puppy mills, produce large numbers of dogs regardless of the health and well-being of the dogs themselves. Determine if the dog has demonstrated any inheritable conditions. You should stop breeding a female dog if she or her offspring has developed some sort of medical condition that is inheritable. Such dogs are bad breeding stock and will perpetuate health problems and the decline of the breed. Some conditions include: Blindness. Heart problems. Hip dysplasia. Thyroid disease. Observe if the dog is healthy enough to continue breeding. Discontinue breeding if your dog has developed medical problems that threaten their health or wellbeing. In addition, don't breed the dog if it has a medical condition that can be exacerbated by pregnancy. Some problems include: Diabetes. Hip problems, like hip dysplasia. Reproductive issues like prolapsed or distended uterus. Consider if the dog has had any complicated pregnancies. Most vets and breeders agree that dogs who have had complicated pregnancies should not be bred again. This is because complications are a good indication of problems in the future. Such complications include: An unplanned C-section. Miscarriage. Stalled labor and delivery. Reflect on whether the dog meets breed standards. One of the major mottos of responsible breeders is “breed to improve.” Thus, you should stop breeding your female dog if you think her offspring does not represent a breed standard or improve the health of the breed. Consider if: The puppies are good representatives of the overall breed. For example, a desirable boxer dog is flashy fawn (brown with a white chest) and white feet (“socks”). The offspring possess characteristics that are undesirable. Such characteristics include albinism, blindness, or birth defects. Consult a kennel club for more information about breed standards. Understand the heat cycle. The heat cycle is the cycle, like human menstruation, that regulates the reproductive system of female dogs. Before thinking about breeding, you need to be familiar with the of the heat cycle. Female dogs go into heat starting around 4 months old. This depends on size though, as small dogs may begin around 4 months and larger dogs may not begin until 24 months. Heat lasts approximately 2 to 4 weeks. Many dogs are most fertile about 9 or 10 days after heat has begun. This period is about 5 days long. After reaching maturity, dogs will go into heat regularly. For most dogs, this is about every 6 months. Smaller dogs may go into heat every 3 or 4 months, and larger dogs may only go into heat every 12 to 18 months. Learn about health complications associated with pregnancy. As a demanding physical condition, pregnancy puts serious stress on a dog's body. In addition, there are a variety of complications that could threaten the dog's health. Some problems include: Uterine infection. Inflammation of the mammary glands. Eclampsia, which is a condition associated with blood calcium depletion in nursing dogs. Prolapsed or distended uterus. Talk to experienced breeders. Experienced breeders in your community, or around your region, are a great resource for you when it comes to learning about breeding. As people who have bred dogs for many years, they know the intricacies of breeding. Contact a kennel club, like the American Kennel Club, for information on experienced breeders near you. In addition, a kennel club might have information on breeding or a contact person for breeders. Find a mentor in your community. You might be able to find a mentor through a veterinarian.
Factor in the age of the dog. Consider the breed of the dog. Think about the number of litters the dog has produced. Determine if the dog has demonstrated any inheritable conditions. Observe if the dog is healthy enough to continue breeding. Consider if the dog has had any complicated pregnancies. Reflect on whether the dog meets breed standards. Understand the heat cycle. Learn about health complications associated with pregnancy. Talk to experienced breeders.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ausuki-(Lithuanian-Christmas-or-Easter-Cookies)
How to Make Ausuki (Lithuanian Christmas or Easter Cookies)
To make ausuki, also known as Lithuanian Christmas cookies, make a dough from 5 egg yolks, 2 whole eggs, lemon extract, sour cream, sifted flour, and butter. Refrigerate the dough for an hour, then turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out until it's so thin you can see the design on your counter, then cut out small diamond shapes. Cut a lengthwise strip in the middle of each diamond, then loop one end through the slit to form a knot. Fry the cookies for 1-2 minutes in hot oil, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve!
Beat yolks and egg together until thick and the color of lemon. Add extract. Sift the flour with a pinch of salt. Whisk the flour, butter, and the sour cream into the egg mixture. Make the dough into a ball and cover with a little flour and place in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for an hour to chill or until the next day. Flour the kneading surface and your hands. Roll out 1/4 of the dough on a floured surface until it's very thin. You may need to add flour to keep the dough from sticking as it gets thinner and thinner. Roll out the dough until it is so thin you can see the design of the cutting board or kitchen counter, through it. The ausukis pictured here are too thick. Cut the dough into small diamond strips, about 4" x 2". Cut a lengthwise slit in the middle of each strip. Pull the other end through the slit. It's not an Ausuki unless you tie this knot! The ausukis pictured here are too thick. It is best to use an electric frying pan so the temperature stays around 380 degrees. Brush off any extra flour from the ausuki before it goes in the oil. Test the oil by dropping a scrap of dough, it should sink to the bottom and immediately float to the top. When this happens the oil is ready. Fry for about 1-2 minutes, only a maximum of six at a time, so that the oil stays hot. When the ausuki appear light, light golden on the edges, flip them, fry for about 20 seconds more. They should puff up. Do not brown! Use a metal prongs to remove them and hold them over the oil to drain before placing on a paper towel to drain more. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the powdered sugar just before you serve them(the part kids really enjoy! ). Finished.
Beat yolks and egg together until thick and the color of lemon. Flour the kneading surface and your hands. The ausukis pictured here are too thick. The ausukis pictured here are too thick. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the powdered sugar just before you serve them(the part kids really enjoy! Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Strings-on-an-Acoustic-Guitar
How to Change Strings on an Acoustic Guitar
To change strings on an acoustic guitar, start by turning the pegs for each string clockwise to loosen them. Then, loosen and remove the pins at the end of the bridge. When you're ready to put the new strings on, bend the string near the doughnut-shaped end and feed it into the first hole on the bridge. Continue to thread the string through the hole until you can crimp it around the peg. Once you finish replacing the first string, repeat the process for the other 5 strings.
Change strings that fall out of tune quickly or feel gummy and slow. You should change strings before big shows, or if they start to sound dull or flat. Serious guitarists might change weekly or monthly, while anyone else should aim for new stings every 2-3 months. Note the position of each string as you remove it. Take a picture of the strings when they're still on, or simply look up a picture of your guitar online. Note the path of the string from top to bottom. While it isn't too difficult, you want a good sense of how the guitar is strung before you get started. Loosen the old strings by down-tuning, usually turning clockwise. Turn the tuning or peg to loosen each string, just enough that you can unwind the rest by hand. You'll know you're loosening if, when plucked, the string sounds deeper. While you can also cut your strings off, this method eases tension gradually and allows you to reuse an old string if one breaks while restringing. You should just work on one string at a time to begin. Remove one, replace it, then move on -- this protects your neck from wild changes in tension. Remove the strings from the bridge. Once the string is removed from the peg, follow it down to the bridge (right below the acoustic hole). It should be pinned down by a bridge pin. Push the string slightly towards the pin to loosen it, then pull the pin straight out. This should bring the end of the string with it. Do not yank the strings or pins out violently. Some acoustics are simply threaded through the bridge, and can be pulled out of the opening with ease. Clean the unstrung guitar with a lint-free cloth, focusing on the now-exposed neck. Remove all of the dust, grime, and dirt from the neck of your guitar with care. This protects new strings, and will make your guitar feel a little faster. For deeper cleaning, purchase a bottle of fret-cleaner from your local music shop and spray that on according to the manufacturer's instructions. Purchase the correct strings for your guitar. You should get the "regular" or "lite" strings if you have any doubts or are unsure what to buy. While some guitarists use heavier gauges or odd string configurations to get specific sounds, you can't simply grab a set of strings if your guitar is not made for it. Strings that are too heavy for your guitar will warp or bend the neck without proper adjustments. Just get the regulars or lites until you know more. In general, you want your high E to be a ".008-.0011" thickness. This is for medium, lite, and extra lite strings. If you use drop tunings frequently, like a drop D, you might want heavier strings. Talk to the staff at your music store for specific questions and recommendations. Lay the guitar on a flat, soft surface at a comfortable height. Give yourself plenty of room to work, laying the guitar down on a table so that you can adjust it comfortably. You should let the head hang off the edge of the table so that it is easy to turn the pegs. Place a towel or blanket between the guitar and table to prevent scuffing or scratching. Turn the hole of the tuning post so that it is parallel with to the frets on the guitar. This hole should point away from the string so that it is parallel to one of the frets. If you were playing the guitar, the hole would be pointing towards your face. Open up your first string. In general, most guitarists will begin with their heaviest string, the top E. It will often me marked as "6th string," or by the highest gauge number (usually around.050). Remember, it is often easiest to work one string at a time, so just take care of this one for now. While you can start with any string, the thickest one is the most resistant to snapping, so it is the best one to start practicing with. Bend the last 1/2" of the string near the doughnut-shaped end and feed it into the first hole on the bridge. Simply curl the end of the string around your finger and place it in the bridge, whole. Then re-insert the peg that holds the string in place and pull on the string -- this while lock it into the bridge and secure the bridge pin. Thread the string through the hole in the tuning peg, pulling the end away from the guitar. Slide it in the opposite way you took the other strings out, then run it through the hole in the tuning peg, pulling the string away from the guitar. Make sure you leave 2-3 inches of slack as well -- you don't want the string to be completely taut before you start tightening. The tuning pegs aren't marked, but you should just replace the strings in the same order you took them out. The first string will go into the bottom left peg, if you're looking straight at the guitar. Grab the string on both sides of the peg and crimp it into place. Grab a hold of both ends of the string, then crimp them around the tuning peg by pulling down on the right hand (the end of the string by the neck) and up on the left hand (the very end of the new string). Your right hand will be coming towards your body, away from the headstock. Your left hand will be pushing up, in towards the other tuning pegs on the head. Loop the end of the string back under half towards the fret board. Grab the end of the string and loop it underneath the main body of the string, then wrap it up and over, pulling it down towards the top of the guitar. Think of it as snaking the end of the string around the point where the string meets the peg -- like a DNA double-helix. Hold down the body of the string as you tighten it. Place your index finger down on the string an inch or two before it before it meets the tuning peg. Hold the string down onto the head of the guitar. From here, turn the tuner counter-clockwise to tighten it. Make sure that your string is winding around the peg in a uniform manner as it wraps around. Use a tuner to slowly get yourself up to the proper tension. Once you've got most of the slack out, turn the tuner out and check the string as you tighten. Repeat the process on the rest of the strings, reversing the directions for the second set of three. Once you've got the first string on, keep going on the rest of the strings, working through the entire packet. Most acoustics are strung with a 3x3 pattern, where the head has two sets of three tuning pegs. For the second set, simply reverse the instructions, replacing right hand with left and up with down. Cut the ends of the string off, leaving a little room at the end. Use wire cutters to snip away the excess string. You may want to leave a 1/2" to allow deeper tunings, though it is not strictly necessary. Tune your guitar frequently once the new strings are on. Strings stretch out as they get used to the tension. It will stop after a day or two, but you can speed the process up with regular tuning to get the string into the right length..
Change strings that fall out of tune quickly or feel gummy and slow. Note the position of each string as you remove it. Loosen the old strings by down-tuning, usually turning clockwise. Remove the strings from the bridge. Clean the unstrung guitar with a lint-free cloth, focusing on the now-exposed neck. Purchase the correct strings for your guitar. Lay the guitar on a flat, soft surface at a comfortable height. Turn the hole of the tuning post so that it is parallel with to the frets on the guitar. Open up your first string. Bend the last 1/2" of the string near the doughnut-shaped end and feed it into the first hole on the bridge. Thread the string through the hole in the tuning peg, pulling the end away from the guitar. Grab the string on both sides of the peg and crimp it into place. Loop the end of the string back under half towards the fret board. Hold down the body of the string as you tighten it. Repeat the process on the rest of the strings, reversing the directions for the second set of three. Cut the ends of the string off, leaving a little room at the end. Tune your guitar frequently once the new strings are on.
https://www.wikihow.com/Sterilize-a-Needle
How to Sterilize a Needle
To sterilize a needle, drop it in boiling water and leave it there for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap the needle in a cloth and bake it in the oven for 1 hour at 340 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, you can place the needle in a steaming pot over boiling water, cover the pot with a lid, and let it steam for 20 minutes to sterilize it. You can also soak the needle in 5% bleach, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 6% hydrogen peroxide for 20 minutes.
Wear gloves. Before you handle any needles, you need to wear gloves. If you don't have gloves, make sure you wash your hands (and wrists) thoroughly. Gather sterilized equipment. When you are sterilizing needles, you need to make sure that you don't contaminate the needle after you sterilize it. Use sterilized tongs or spoons to pick the needle out of whatever device you place it in. Don't touch the newly sterilized needle with your hands or gloves. You could have contaminants on them. Place the needle in a sterilized container if you are storing it. Wash the needle. Before you sterilize the needle, make sure to wash it. This removes any dirt, grime, or blood left on the needle. This is extremely important if you have used the needle before. Make sure to clean inside the needle if it is hollow. Use a clean or sterilized syringe to run water and soap through the inside. Rinse the needles. After washing the needles with soap or disinfectant, you need to rinse them with sterile water. Make sure to use sterile water instead of distilled water. Distilled water can still contain bacteria. You need to rinse the needles to make sure there are no deposits from the washing left behind. Use steam. Steam is one of the most widely used and effective methods for sterilizing needles. No living thing can survive direct exposure to saturated steam at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) for longer than 15 minutes. Use a steaming pot to do this. Put water in the bottom pot. When it starts to boil, place the needle in the pot with the holes over the boiling pot, then cover it with a lid. Let it steam for at least 20 minutes. An autoclave is a tool specifically made for sterilizing needles and other tools by steam. If you need to sterilize needles often and precisely, you may want to invest in one. Bake the needle. Wrap the needle in multiple layers of clean cloth. Bake the needle for 1 hour at 340 degrees Fahrenheit. This is one way to completely sterilize the needle by killing all the microorganisms. Make sure you leave it in the oven long enough. This method can be used to sterilize needles used for acupuncture, medical use, and piercings and tattoos. Dry heat can cause the needle to become brittle. Use fire. Use a gas-fueled fire because they leave less residue behind. Place the needle tip in the flame until it glows red. Sterilizing a needle in a flame is good for home use, but doesn't get completely sterile because the needle can pick up contaminants in the air afterward. If there are any soot or carbon deposits on the needle, wipe it with a sterile gauze pad. This method is effective for removing a splinter, but is not the most sterile. Therefore, it is not recommended for piercing, tattooing, or medical uses. Boil the needle in water. One way to sterilize a needle is to drop it in boiling water. After you wash and rinse your tools, cover them with water and boil them for 20 minutes. Start counting the 20 minutes after the water has reached a boil. Use chemicals. You can sterilize a needle by using chemicals. You can soak a needle in medical ethanol, bleach, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 6% hydrogen peroxide. Make sure they stay submerged for at least 20 minutes before taking them out. If you use drinking alcohol, choose the strongest alcohol you can, such as gin, and allow it to soak for 1 day. Clean the needles thoroughly before sterilizing them since even the slightest contamination can prevent the chemicals from working. Do not use chemicals to sterilize needles that you'd use inside the womb.
Wear gloves. Gather sterilized equipment. Wash the needle. Rinse the needles. Use steam. Bake the needle. Use fire. Boil the needle in water. Use chemicals.
https://www.wikihow.com/Empty-a-Waterbed
How to Empty a Waterbed
Before you empty a waterbed, remove all the bedding and place towels around the bed to catch any water that spills. Next, unplug the bed, remove the fill-and-drain valve cap, and use a broom to push out as much air as you can from the mattress. Afterwards, replace the valve cap, then connect one end of a garden hose to the bed using the waterbed hose adapter, and connect the other end to a spigot outside the window. Then, disconnect the hose from the spigot so the water from the bed drains into the hose and onto the ground outside.
Strip your bed. Start by removing all bedding from the waterbed. This includes removing mattress pads, sheets, comforters, pillows, and everything else. Ultimately, you won't be able to drain the bed without stripping it. Place towels at the foot of your bed. After stripping your bed, take a few towels and place them around the waterbed. You may also want to position a few around the ends of the waterbed mattress so they can catch any water that spills. Keep extra towels around in case you have a spill larger than you anticipated. Unplug the waterbed. Go behind the bed and unplug the waterbed heater and any other plugs that might power some aspect of the bed. Without unplugging the waterbed, you could damage it or put yourself in danger. Find the fill-and-drain valve. The fill-and-drain valve is the valve you use to fill or empty your waterbed. This valve is very often located toward the foot of the bed. It may be in the center, or it may be toward one side. After you find the valve, remove the cap from it. Empty extra air from the mattress. Push out as much air as you can from the mattress. Take a light broom and sweep from the top end of the mattress toward the valve. Remove as much air as you can, as air will slow down and complicate draining the bed. Place the cap back on the valve. By placing the cap back on the valve, you'll stop air from getting back into the mattress. Make sure you tighten the cap so water doesn't get out, either. Run a garden hose from the waterbed out of a nearby window. Take the garden hose and place the spigot head out of a window near a spigot on the side of your home. Take the other end and lay it near the fill-and-drain valve of the waterbed. The draining end of the hose should be lower than the waterbed. If it is not, the bed will not drain. You can choose to empty your waterbed into a sink or a tub, instead of outside. However, if you choose to use this method, make sure that the sink or tub drain quickly and properly. If not, you could wind up flooding your home. Place a bucket under the inside end of the hose. Put your bucket next to your waterbed and place the end of the hose inside the bucket. The bucket will catch any water that comes out of the hose before you begin the draining process. Attach the garden hose to the outside spigot and turn on the hose. Allow the hose to run until a steady stream of water spills out into the bucket next to the bed. Running water through the hose will eliminate any remaining air from the hose. This will aid in the draining process. You might need a second person to be waiting outside by the spigot. Leave the hose connected to the spigot. Connect the hose, waterbed hose adapter, and the waterbed valve. Take the cap off the waterbed and attach the waterbed hose adapter to the waterbed. Then, connect the hose to the adapter. Make sure all three parts are tight so that no water can leak out. Disconnect the hose from the spigot. Once you disconnect the hose from the spigot, water will begin to flow out of the waterbed, into the hose, and onto the ground outside your home. You can also drain the water into a sink or a tub. Attach a siphon pump, if you have one. If you want to use a siphon pump to speed up the process of draining the bed, you need to hook it up it up to the end of the hose that is outside. This should be done immediately after you disconnect the hose from the spigot. After you connect the pump, quickly power it on. Place heavy objects around the valve. By placing heavy objects, like books, around the valve, you'll depress the valve and lower it in comparison to the rest of the waterbed. This will aid in draining the bed. Roll the mattress toward the valve. As the mattress empties, you will need to start rolling the mattress from the head of the bed toward the valve. Do so slowly and methodically. Make sure you force water out of the part of the mattress that you are rolling. The mattress will probably need to be about 75% empty before you start rolling it. Be careful as to not put too much pressure on the valve. Carry the mattress outside and empty it completely. After you've emptied the clear majority of the mattress – over 90% -- you may need to carry it outside to help drain more. When you do this, place the mattress on a soft, non-abrasive surface, upside down. Hold the end opposite the valve up and shake any remaining water out of the mattress.
Strip your bed. Place towels at the foot of your bed. Unplug the waterbed. Find the fill-and-drain valve. Empty extra air from the mattress. Place the cap back on the valve. Run a garden hose from the waterbed out of a nearby window. Place a bucket under the inside end of the hose. Attach the garden hose to the outside spigot and turn on the hose. Connect the hose, waterbed hose adapter, and the waterbed valve. Disconnect the hose from the spigot. Attach a siphon pump, if you have one. Place heavy objects around the valve. Roll the mattress toward the valve. Carry the mattress outside and empty it completely.
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-a-Gi
How to Wash a Gi
A gi can easily retain sweat, oil, and other debris, but you can easily machine wash one to keep it looking clean and new. Wash your gi in the washing machine with a small amount of laundry detergent. Use cold water and a delicate cycle to protect the fabric. Then, hang it up to air dry. Avoid tumble-drying it since it could damage the fabric. If your gi is stained, apply a little laundry detergent or stain remover to the affected areas and soak it in a large bucket or bathtub full of water. Then, machine wash it like normal.
Air out your gi. If you cannot wash your gi directly after using it, don't leave it in your gym bag. The bag will trap in moisture and make odors harder to wash out later. Pretreat any visible stains by applying a stain-remover right away. You can use laundry detergent or a commercial laundry stain remover. Look at the product label to make sure you're using the right kind of stain remover for the type of stain you're treating. Follow the stain remover instructions to figure out how much to use and how long to leave it on the stain. If the stain remains after the first pretreatment, try brushing more of the stain remover directly into the stain. Turn your gi inside out before presoaking or washing. Washing inside-out will protect any sewn-on patches, decals, or stitching. It will also help prevent any colors on the gi from fading. Presoak your gi to loosen stains. If you have particularly stubborn stains, you can try soaking them before running your gi through the regular wash cycle. The water temperature you use for presoaking depends on the type of stain. Generally, protein-based stains such as blood or water-based paint should be soaked in cold water. Dirt, mud, and grass stains tend to respond better to warm or hot water. Depending on the type of stain, you may choose to add a stain treatment such as non-chlorine bleach to the water before you place your gi in the water to soak. Check the label of the product to make sure you've got the right kind of stain fighter, and always follow the instructions on the product label. Your washing machine may have a “soak” cycle you can use for presoaking your gi. Many washers, especially front-loaders, don't have a “soak” cycle. If your machine does not have a “soak” cycle, try letting the machine fill up with water and then stop the cycle temporarily. You can also use a large plastic bucket or even a bathtub to presoak your gi. Select the cold water setting on your washing machine. Hot or warm water could cause your gi to shrink. If there is no cold water setting on your washer, choose the coolest water temperature available. The jacket of your gi may have a stiff collar with rubber inside. Hot water might cause the rubber inside the collar to become misshapen. Add any odor-neutralizing agents to the water. If odor is a problem, you can try adding a mild odor neutralizer, such as non-chlorine bleach (peroxide-based), white distilled vinegar, or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the bleach dispenser in your washing machine. Even if your gi is white, chlorine bleach can remove color from any embroidered patches on your uniform. If your white gi is a cotton-polyester blend, chlorine bleach may cause yellowing with repeated washings. Cold wash your gi on a delicate or handwash cycle. Use a minimum amount of detergent. Using too much and not rinsing it out completely can encourage mold growth on the garment. Avoid fabric softener, which is added after the rinse cycle and can cause an undesirable residue to remain in the material of your gi. This residue can make clothing less absorbent and prevent it from wicking away moisture. It can also extend the drying time for your gi. Hang the gi up to dry. Hang your gi on a clothes line or freestanding indoor drying rack, if possible. You could also use an airing cupboard (also called a “boiler cupboard” or “hot press”) or a drying cabinet. Avoid drying your clothes in a damp area. Although air-drying is gentler on your gi than tumble-drying, persistent dampness can encourage the growth of mildew on your gi. If you use a drying cabinet, select the lowest heat setting possible. Do not tumble-dry your gi. The tumble action of a mechanical dryer will wear out the fabric of your gi more quickly than air-drying. Tumble-drying can also make the fabric more prone to tearing. Use a small electric fan or a dehumidifier to speed up the air-drying process without adding damaging heat. The fan will keep the air circulating, which will get dry air moving around your damp gi and help to evaporate the moisture from the garment. A dehumidifier will pull moisture out of the gi and the air around it. Check your gi periodically while it is air-drying. If part of it seems to be taking longer than the rest to dry, rotate it on the clothesline or drying rack (or in the airing cupboard or drying cabinet) so that the damp parts can get better air circulation.
Air out your gi. Pretreat any visible stains by applying a stain-remover right away. Turn your gi inside out before presoaking or washing. Presoak your gi to loosen stains. Select the cold water setting on your washing machine. Add any odor-neutralizing agents to the water. Cold wash your gi on a delicate or handwash cycle. Hang the gi up to dry. Use a small electric fan or a dehumidifier to speed up the air-drying process without adding damaging heat. Check your gi periodically while it is air-drying.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Separation-Anxiety-in-Cats
How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Cats
To treat separation anxiety in your cat, start by taking it to the vet for an examination, since many symptoms, like defecating outside the litter box and spraying on the furniture, can also be linked to a disease. If medical problems are ruled out, try leaving a radio or television on when you leave home, which may help your cat feel less alone. You should also try to ignore your cat as you leave, since showing it too much attention will only worsen its anxiety. Additionally, spray a cat pheromone throughout your home to calm your cat. For a long-term approach, perform your routine of leaving the house, like picking up your keys and opening the door, throughout the day without actually leaving, since this will help desensitize your cat.
Take your cat to the vet. Cats with separation anxiety will act out in various ways, including defecating outside of the litter box, spraying urine on the furniture, and grooming excessively. These actions could indicate separation anxiety or indicate a medical problem. If your cat is showing these symptoms, take it to your vet for an examination. It is important to rule out health problems before treating a cat for separation anxiety. Possible health problems include: Urinary tract infection Intestinal disease Hormonal disorders, such as hyperthyroidism Skin disease (mites, fleas) Have your vet examine your cat. After you tell your vet about your cat's symptoms, allow your vet to perform a physical examination and other diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests, such as blood work, urinalysis, and skin scrapes (thin scraping of the skin with a scalpel blade) will help your vet determine if your cat has a health problem. If an illness is present, your vet will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Treating the illness should resolve the symptoms. If your cat is healthy, separation anxiety is the likely cause of the symptoms. Discuss treatment options for separation anxiety. If your cat has separation anxiety, you and your vet can discuss ways to help your cat feel less anxious. Treatment for separation anxiety typically involves environmental enrichment and, if necessary, medication to relieve anxiety. Your vet will likely advise you to try environmental enrichment first before putting your cat on medication. Environmental enrichment is a way to make a pet's environment more interesting and enjoyable. Place a perch by a window. If your cat has separation anxiety, you can lessen its anxiety by enriching its environment. With plenty of things to do and focus on, your cat won't feel so distressed when you're not around. A window perch will let your cat look outside. If you have a front or back porch, consider placing a bird feeder on the porch where your cat could see it. Perches are available at your local pet store. Consider moving the perch to different windows so your cat can experience different outdoor views. Provide your cat with scratching posts. Scratching posts benefit cats in several ways. They allow cats to stretch their muscles, mark their territory, and simply do something fun. Putting several scratching posts throughout your home will give your cat a great way to keep itself entertained while you're away. Pick a vertical scratching post that's about 2 feet tall. Horizontal scratching posts are available, but cats tend to prefer scratching on a vertical post. Place the post in an area where your cat spends a lot of time, such as its bed or a window perch. Give your cat a variety of toys. The more toys your cat has to play with, the better! They will keep your cat physically and mentally busy, which will lessen the separation anxiety. Rotate the toys regularly so your cat doesn't get bored with the same set of toys. One great toy for cats is a food dispenser toy. Other great toys for cats include: Toys that make noise or vibrate Ping pong balls Old cotton socks stuffed with cotton balls or some catnip (make a knot at the open end of the sock) Crumpled up paper balls Hide treats throughout your home. Before you leave home, take a few of your cat's treats and hide them in different places (e.g., under a piece of furniture, in the corner of a room). Your cat will have fun using her nose to find the food, rather than going straight to her food bowl. Place the treats in different places each day so your cat has a new daily challenge to find the treats. Because treats can be high in fat and cause weight gain, consider hiding small amounts of your cat's regular food instead. At the end of the day, pick up any food your cat didn't find. You could also put your cat's daily food ration in a puzzle feeder. Turn on a radio or TV. A silent home may worsen your cat's separation anxiety when you're not home. The sound of a radio or TV could put your cat at ease. Put the radio on a station that plays soothing music, such as a jazz or classical music station. Find a TV station that plays nature shows. This would give your cat a chance to watch something interesting on the TV screen. DVDs are available that are created specifically for cats. Play these DVDs for your cat. Spray a cat pheromone product in your home. Animals produce substances called pheromones. They release the pheromones to communicate with each other and affect the behavior of other animals. Synthetic cat pheromone products, such as Feliway®, help cats feel less anxious in their environment. Spray Feliway® in your home to help relieve your cat's separation anxiety. Follow product label instructions when using Feliway®. Schedule daily play sessions with your cat. Spending quality time with your cat is an important part of treating separation anxiety. Playing with your cat, especially before you leave home, will tire out your cat and leave it feeling comfortable and satisfied. Having multiple play sessions with your cat each day will give it plenty of time to interact with you and get some much needed physical and mental exercise. Play with your cat for least 10 minutes per day. With multiple play sessions, you will likely play with your cat for more than 10 minutes each day. Use interactive cat toys during playtime. Your cat will enjoy playing with interactive toys. Wands or plastic sticks with toys (e.g., little toy mouse) attached to the end are great interactive toys for cats. Laser toys are also good for playtime. Move the laser beam around on the floor and watch your cat try to 'catch' the beam. Make sure you don't flash the laser directly in your cat's eyes. Teach your cat tricks. Surprisingly, cats are quite good at learning tricks. Teaching your cat tricks will help keep it physically and mentally active. Keep the training sessions short (about 5 minutes). When your cat masters the new trick, reward it with a scrumptious treat, like tuna. Rolling over is a fun trick to teach your cat. Reward your cat’s independence. A cat that gets rewarded for needy behavior, such as following its owner all the time, is likely to develop separation anxiety when its owner isn't home. If your cat has separation anxiety, reward it when it's showing independent behavior, like lying quietly on a perch or entertaining itself with its toys. By rewarding independence, your cat will feel motivated to be independent, rather than clingy. When your cat is more independent, it won't be so anxious when you leave. Desensitize your cat to your departure routine. Your cat probably becomes anxious when you start getting ready to leave (e.g., picking up your keys, putting on your coat). To make your cat feel less anxious, it will need to see your departure routine as no big deal. To do this, repeat the departure activities numerous times without actually leaving. Here are some examples: Pick up your keys and set them back down Open and close the door Walk out of the door and come back in, gradually increasing the amount of time you stay outside Eventually, your cat will see those activities as normal and not react with anxiety. Don’t interact with your cat as you leave. Giving your cat extra attention and love when you leave will only worsen its separation anxiety—you're actually telling your cat that your departure is a big deal. Instead, leave your home without speaking to your cat. When you come back home, wait a few minutes before interacting with your cat.
Take your cat to the vet. Have your vet examine your cat. Discuss treatment options for separation anxiety. Place a perch by a window. Provide your cat with scratching posts. Give your cat a variety of toys. Hide treats throughout your home. Turn on a radio or TV. Spray a cat pheromone product in your home. Schedule daily play sessions with your cat. Use interactive cat toys during playtime. Teach your cat tricks. Reward your cat’s independence. Desensitize your cat to your departure routine. Don’t interact with your cat as you leave.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cone-Hat-for-a-Cat
How to Make a Cone Hat for a Cat
To make a cone hat for your cat, first cut a piece of construction paper into a large, wide triangle. Next, curl the paper to form a cone shape and hot glue the ends together. After the glue has dried, use a hole puncher to punch a hole on either side of the hat. Then, tie a piece of elastic to each hole to form a chin strap. Now you can decorate your hat! For example, try hot gluing a pom pom to the top of the hat or writing something like “Birthday Boy” on the front.
Gather your supplies. To start, you will need the proper supplies to make a hat for your cat. You can get most supplies at a local craft store, although you may have some of them lying around your house. You will need the following: A pen or pencil A ruler Scissors A glue stick Plain or patterned paper - the type of paper is up to you, but sturdier craft paper you find at a craft store may be the most moldable. You can also try construction paper. Avoid flimsy papers, like tissue paper or wrapping paper. Cut your paper in a triangular shape. Start at the corner of the paper, as you'll be using the corner as the sides of your triangle. You will be cutting out a triangle with two sides of three inches, so your paper should be at least a 3 inch by 3 inch square. Take your ruler and measure three inches on each sides of the corner. You will want two out of three of the triangle's sides to be three inches long. The third side of your triangle should not be a straight line. You want to cut it into a curved shape, like a side of a circle. Your curve does not need to be perfect. You will be trimming down the curve later after assembling the hat. Curl your paper. Hold the bottom of the paper with one hand. With your other hand, take your pen. Place the pen towards the bottom of the paper, where your other hand is holding the paper. Place your thumb on top of the piece of paper, and press the pen into the paper with your other fingers. Run the pen swiftly across the paper, with your thumb firmly pressing the pen and paper together. Use enough force to create a curl, but not so much force that you inadvertently damage the paper. When you're done, the triangle should already be forming a cone-like shape. Glue the paper into a cone. Dab some glue along either edge of the paper that is slightly rolled into a cone shape. Press the two edges together to create a cone. You should now have what looks like a small birthday hat. You can secure the cone together with paper clips while waiting for the glue to dry. Be sure to leave a small opening on the top of the cone. Later, when you embellish the cone by adding ruffles or a puff at the top of the cone, you will need a small hole. Trim the base of your cone. Use your scissors to trim around the base of your hat. You want to trim to the point you can set the hat down on a table and it will stand more or less flat. This makes the hat more comfortable for your cat. Do not worry if the hat does not lie perfectly flat. As long as it does not lean too far in one direction, it should be okay to place on your cat's head. String elastic thread through the hat to tie the hat in place. Use a hole puncher to punch two holes on either side of the hat. Take some elastic thread, which you can buy at a craft store, and tie one piece of thread in either hole. When you put your hat on your cat, you can tie these two threads together to secure the hat in place. Make sure your threads are long enough. It's a good idea to use slightly more thread than you think you need. That way, the threads will not be too tight when you put the hat on your cat. If you have too much thread, you can always trim it down later. If you can't find elastic thread, ribbon or regular string can work in a pinch. However, elastic string works best as it will cling to your cat's face, keeping the hat on his head. Add some fringes to the top of the cone hat. A plain cone hat is a little boring. You can add some curly fringes stemming from the top of the hat with some construction paper. Take some colorful construction paper and cut out a 3 inch by 2 inch rectangle. Make a series of small cuts running across one of the longer sides of the rectangle. When you're cutting, stop about half an inch from the other side of the rectangle. Curl all the small fringes of construction paper with your pen or pencil. Roll the rectangle up as tight as you can. You should now have a piece that looks something like an umbrella, but with curly fringes on top. You should be able to fit the non-fringed end of the rectangle into the small hole on top of your cat's hat. Use some glue to hold the rectangle in place. You should now have a hat for your cat with fun fringes coming off the top. Place a puff ball on top of the hat. If fringes seem a little too flashy, you can simply add a puff ball to the top of your cat's hat. You can add a puff ball in any color you want and secure it to the hat with a little glue. You can buy puff balls at a craft store. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. You can even get sparkly or glittery puff balls. Make sure you wait for the glue to dry completely before putting the hat on your cat. Cats may be eager to play with puff balls that fall off the hat. Write on the hat. It can be fun to use a marker or pen to write on your cat's hat. If you're struggling to write on the cone itself, you can write something on a small piece of construction paper, cut it out, and glue it to the hat. You can write whatever you want on the hat. If it's your cat's birthday, something like, "Birthday Boy!" can be fun. If it's New Years, try writing the year on the hat. This can be a fun, cute New Years Eve costume for your cat. Check for possible hazards. You do not want your cat to end up swallowing a part of the hat and becoming sick. Do not use any small parts on your hat. Your cat may break these parts off, chew on them, and potentially swallow a hazardous item. When decorating the hat, go for bigger items. A puff ball is big enough to be safely placed on a hat, as it probably will not pose a choking hazard. Something like googly eyes, however, may be tempting for your cat to chew and swallow. Read product labels. Do not use anything on your hat that has warnings about being toxic to children or pets. Do not leave your cat alone with the hat in place. This is especially important if you put thread on the hat to hold it in place. Threads could get twisted on other objects in your home, trapping and potentially choking your cat. Watch your cat closely when he is wearing the hat. Do not let him out of your site as long as the hat is on. Do not let him crawl under a bed or in a drawer when he's wearing the hat. Do not leave your home when your cat is still wearing his hat. Remove the hat before going out. Avoid forcing your cat to wear the hat. Costumes can be fun, but most pets are happiest without clothing of any kind. If your cat is resistant to wearing the hat, do not force it. You want your cat to live in a stress free home, and forcing costumes can cause anxiety. If your cat squirms or cries when you put the hat on, stop and let your cat go. It's best not to force your cat to wear a costume against his will. You should also not force your cat to wear the hat if it restricts his vision or movement.
Gather your supplies. Cut your paper in a triangular shape. Curl your paper. Glue the paper into a cone. Trim the base of your cone. String elastic thread through the hat to tie the hat in place. Add some fringes to the top of the cone hat. Place a puff ball on top of the hat. Write on the hat. Check for possible hazards. Do not leave your cat alone with the hat in place. Avoid forcing your cat to wear the hat.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Rottweiler-Puppy
How to Care for a Rottweiler Puppy
To care for a Rottweiler puppy, make sure it gets plenty of exercise by taking it for a minimum of 2 30-minute walks per day. You should also feed your puppy after it has exercised with a high quality commercial feed that contains plenty of meat. Additionally, give it toys stuffed with food or treats to keep its mind stimulated, which can help prevent your puppy from getting into mischief. Early on, you'll also want to create a routine for taking your puppy outside to the toilet, such as after breakfast and before bed, to house train it.
Consider whether a Rottweiler is a good choice. Since there are many differences between dog breeds, it's important to determine if a Rottweiler is right for you. As with any breed, Rottweilers have their own distinct personality traits and breed-specific characteristics. The better you understand Rottweilers, the more aware you will be about the potential challenges related to raising a Rottweiler and how to react appropriately. These puppies become large dogs (around 110 pounds as adults) that are fiercely loyal to their owners and initially wary of strangers. Rottweilers need firm guidance from someone who understand dog psychology and behavior, so it helps to be an experienced dog owner with a history of raising good-natured dogs. The potential owner needs to be honest about whether she possesses these skills. Because of a Rottweiler's physical size, a cross Rottweiler who won't get off the sofa when you ask, is a dangerous Rottweiler. To learn more about Rottweilers, go to local dog shows and talk to breeders and other Rottweiler owners. Don't forget to check your homeowner's insurance policy. Some insurance policies are void if you get a Rottweiler or any other breed they have labeled as potentially dangerous, even if this labelling is erroneous. If you rent your home, you will need to contact your landlord before adopting a Rottweiler (or any other animal for that manner) to make sure he is welcome. Choose a reputable breeder. Since there are many Rottweiler breeders, you'll need to take your time to select a quality breeder. Never choose the first breeder you find. Instead, look for a breeder who does all the appropriate health-screenings like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals screenings for hip, heart, and eye health. To be sure of what you're getting, check for both conformation (show lines) and working ability (Schutzhund or tracking for example) since these show that the puppies look and act like Rottweilers. Ask any potential breeder plenty of questions, especially about early socialization with the mother and litter mates. It is crucial that the puppy is well socialized and exposed to other people, places, and noises before coming home as these early experiences will help them to be confident well-adjusted adults. Be prepared for the breeder to ask you questions about what you're looking for. Select your puppy. Give yourself plenty of time to make a decision about which puppy to take home. You should immediately make sure the puppies and mother are healthy. Then, spend time watching for individual personalities. You won't want to choose a Rottweiler that's timid (since he could become a fearful biter) nor overly aggressive. Look for a puppy that is friendly, approachable, and plays well with his litter mates. Get your puppy vaccinated and de-wormed. Before you bring your puppy home or expose him to other dogs, make sure he's up to date with his vaccinations and de-worming treatments. Distemper shots should start at 6 weeks old with a booster shot about 2 weeks later. After these initial life-saving vaccines are given, you can begin socializing your puppy outside the immediate household. Just remember to take your puppy to the vet for vaccine boosters every year. Rottweilers are more susceptible to the parvovirus, a potentially life-threatening illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Check local laws to determine a rabies vaccine requirement. Most rabies vaccines are started at 12 weeks old and Lyme disease vaccines begin at 9 weeks followed by a booster 3 to 4 weeks later. Consider microchipping and spaying or neutering your puppy. Local humane societies or your veterinarian can insert a microchip below your Rottweiler's skin. This can help someone return your puppy to you or an animal shelter if he runs off. You should also put an identifying collar around your puppy's neck. It should include your contact information. Talk with your vet about spaying or neutering your puppy, which will prevent unwanted litters and which can offer health benefits. Spaying female puppies can reduce stress and discomfort usually experienced when she's in heat, eliminate the risk of mammary and uterine cancer, and prevents unwanted litters. Neutering male puppies can reduce the chances of roaming, fighting, and testicular cancer. Get your puppy lots of exercise. Take your Rottweiler for at least two 30 minute walks every day. These large breed dogs need a lot of exercise to release energy and stay healthy. If your puppy is under six months old, make sure he has four or five play or exercise periods each day. As your puppy gets older, you can start going on longer walks or hikes. Give your Rottweiler toys that stimulate him and keep his mind active. Preventing boredom can also keep your Rottweiler from getting into mischief. Try giving him toys that can be stuffed with food or treats. Groom your Rottweiler. Luckily, Rottweilers have short hair that makes grooming simple. Brush your puppy once a week using a soft bristled brush. This will keep his coat healthy and sleek. At this time, you should also check his paws to make sure his nails are short and the pads aren't damaged. Check between each toe for raw or red spots and look over his skin for lumps or bumps. If you find anything out of the ordinary, talk to your vet. Keep bathing to a minimum. Washing with shampoo can break down the protective oil in your puppy's skin. When you do occasionally bathe your puppy, use a dog shampoo. It's not as drying as human shampoo or dish soap. Feed your puppy a nutritious diet. Ask your vet to recommend a high-quality food for your Rottweiler. When choosing a commercial dog food, look for one that lists meat (not meat by-products) as one of the first ingredients listed. Meat by-products are fine to feed but they should be lower down the list. Choose a food especially formulated for large breed puppies. These have the proper ratio of nutrients to build the strong skeletal system these large dogs need. Take care to only feed your puppy after he's exercised. If you feed him before, your Rottweiler is at risk of gastric bloat and intestinal twisting. These are serious conditions that can kill your puppy. Instead, wait at least 60 minutes after exercising or four hours before exercising to feed your puppy. Housetrain your puppy right away. You may want to begin by crate training to prevent accidents in the house. Buy a crate that's sized for a large breed dog and place your puppy's blanket or bed inside the crate, along with a few treats. Leave the door open throughout the day so your puppy can explore it. Start feeding your puppy his food inside the crate and close the door when he is eating. When he is finished, he may whine or cry to get out but do not let him until he quiets down so that he begins to associate the crate with quiet time. Never leave your puppy in the crate for more than an hour or two. The crate shouldn't become seen as a punishment. Never leave an adult dog in the crate for more than four to six hours. Create a routine and be patient. Make a structured routine of times to take your puppy outside to potty. For example, you might take him outside to potty first thing in the morning, after meals or play time, and right before bedtime. Always praise your puppy so he will associate going potty outside and good behavior with pleasing you. You should also watch for signs that your puppy needs to potty and immediately take him outside. Puppies will often sniff, pace, pant, bark or run around the urge strikes. Avoid punishing your puppy for accidents inside the house. Just ignore it, clean it up, and try again next time. Never rub your Rottweiler's nose in his mess. It's cruel and may cause your puppy to hide future accidents. Start socializing your puppy at an early age. Puppies benefit from early interaction with new life situations, other dogs, and humans. From birth until about 3 ½ weeks, your puppy needs to be around other puppies and his mother in order to learn normal dog socialization. From the age of three weeks to twelve weeks your puppy is accepting of new experiences so it's a good time to expose your puppy to as many new (but safe) situations as possible: car rides, the outdoors, other pets and animals, humans of various ages and sizes, etc. If your puppy was taken away from his mother and littermates at birth and raised alone, he may adapt poorly and have a high chance of aggression towards other dogs. Make sure your Rottweiler puppy is comfortable. Watch your puppy to make sure he's comfortable with socializing. Certain experiences can overwhelm a puppy and make him frightened. If a situation causes a fearful reaction, gradually introduce him to this experience to give him time to adapt to it. Use your judgement and never force your puppy to remain in a situation or near someone that frightens him. Instead, immediately remove and distract him with a toy or treat. Once your puppy is 12 to 18 weeks old, he'll become more cautious in new situations. This is a normal development that helps your puppy learn to be cautious when on his own. Enroll your puppy in socialization classes. One of the best ways for your puppy to interact with others is through puppy socialization class. At class, your puppy will be exposed to other puppies, people, dogs and a variety of sights, sounds, smells, and equipment. It will also give you a chance to learn training and socialization skills while giving you an opportunity to bond with your Rottweiler. Ask your veterinarian to recommend classes or sign up with community education centers or large pet stores. It's normal to feel overwhelmed by puppy parenthood which will take time, patience, and effort. Things will soon settle into a routine and it may be helpful to talk with others going through the same challenges. Supervise interactions with other dogs. Since you never know how your puppy will react to other puppies or dogs, always monitor him in social situations. If it looks like your puppy is no longer playing, but is defensive, step in and stop the behavior before he starts fighting. For example, if one puppy is biting another, you should step in especially if the biting puppy is shaking his head and pinning the other to the ground. Make sure both puppies are calm. Then, you can reward them and let them keep playing. Be prepared to quickly step in and stop fighting. It may help to have toys to distract, keep your puppy on a leash, or blast an air horn. Start basic training from an early age, but make it fun. It is crucial that your Rottweiler is properly trained.
Consider whether a Rottweiler is a good choice. Choose a reputable breeder. Select your puppy. Get your puppy vaccinated and de-wormed. Consider microchipping and spaying or neutering your puppy. Get your puppy lots of exercise. Groom your Rottweiler. Feed your puppy a nutritious diet. Housetrain your puppy right away. Create a routine and be patient. Start socializing your puppy at an early age. Make sure your Rottweiler puppy is comfortable. Enroll your puppy in socialization classes. Supervise interactions with other dogs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Ease-a-Toothache
How to Ease a Toothache
To ease a toothache, try swishing warm water around in your mouth, which can help dislodge any bits of food that are making your toothache worse. You can also add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water before swishing with it to help kill any bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, try applying a cool compress to the outside of your mouth over the area that's hurting to temporarily numb the pain. If the pain is still bothering you, consider taking over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Just make sure you see a dentist if the pain is severe.
Rinse your mouth with warm water. One of the first things you want to do is make sure that your mouth is clean and that there isn't bits of food bothering the painful spot. Water that is too cold or too hot can hurt your mouth, so definitely go for lukewarm to warm water. Floss gently between your teeth. Flossing gets rid of the food and bacteria still lingering in your mouth, and increases the gum protection against harmful species that can insert in the gum sulcus. Avoid flossing too roughly around the affected area because this could cause it to hurt more and to bleed. Use over the counter pain medication. Sometimes the best way to deal with the pain is to mask it with pain medication until you can see a dentist. Most over the counter medication will work fine for your toothache and if it's so severe that the medication doesn't work, you should see someone right away. Aspirin is especially helpful for problems in the joint of the jaw in adults. Acetaminophen (not aspirin) should be used for children and teenagers. Apply a cool compress to outside of mouth or cheek. This can help to ease the toothache by numbing the pain. Using this in conjunction with over the counter medication can help ease your pain until the painkiller can kick in. Rinse your mouth with saltwater. Saltwater can kill bacteria and make your toothache feel better. It can also ease it so that it doesn't get infected. Mix 1 tsp (5 g) of salt in a medium-sized glass [8 fl oz (240 mL)] of warm water. Swirl it around in your mouth for a maximum of five minutes and spit it out. Make sure that you don't swallow! Swab the area with garlic clove oil and olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of a few drops of garlic clove oil and a small amount of olive oil, and apply the cotton ball to the area of pain. Apply a warm teabag to the area. The natural tannins already in the tea can help to numb the pain. This is particularly good for the swelling or irritation of your gums. Make sure that the teabag isn't too hot otherwise you'll simply hurt the area more. Constant exposure can stain teeth so use sparingly. Use a peroxide rinse. As with salt water, a peroxide rinse helps remove contaminants and limits the growth of bacteria. It's particularly good for impacted teeth or infections in your mouth and you can use it periodically throughout the day until you can see an emergency dentist. This should not replace your regular brushing and flossing. Do not sue a peroxide rinse more than three times in a day for more than five days in a row, otherwise your teeth may get very sensitive. Apply one type of vegetable. There are several types of vegetables that you can cut up and place on the injured area. These can help ease the pain and the chance of infection, but they shouldn't replace actually visiting the dentist if your pain persists. Place a slice of cool cucumber over the sore area. Cut up a piece of raw, fresh potato and hold in place on the sore spot in your mouth. Make sure that you've peeled it too. Hold a slice of freshly cut onion inside your mouth against the injured area. It needs to be freshly cut so that there's a bit of juice. Chew mint leaves. You can either chew on fresh mint leaves, or hold some dry mint leaves in place over the sore area. If your tooth hurts too much to chew, then you should place some mashed or dry mint leaves over the infected area. Clean your teeth regularly. This is really the most important step to keeping your teeth healthy and pain-free. If you don't clean your teeth every day, and floss, the plaque and bacteria will build up and cause problems like cavities and infections. The saying goes "only floss the teeth you want to keep." Flossing really does work to keep your teeth healthy and free of bacteria-causing factors. Make sure that you floss at least once a day. Brush at least twice a day, 30 minutes before or after meals. Too soon before or after a meal and you can damage the enamel on your teeth as you will brush with the acids formed immediately after the meal, which will cause abrasion of the enamel. Prevent tooth decay with fluoride. You can find fluoride in lots of natural things, like water sources or certain vegetables. Check and see if your tap water is fluoridated. If not, talk to your dentist about options for getting more fluoride. Since a high concentration of fluoride can be toxic, the best way to use fluoride is to apply fluoride gels on your teeth for three minutes and then rinse with water. Most toothpaste has fluoride as the active ingredient, but check the ingredients on the label just to make sure that you're using fluoridated toothpaste. Eat a healthy diet. What you eat makes a huge difference in how healthy your teeth are. Not only that, but certain foods are harder to get off of or out of the areas between your teeth. Pay attention to what you eat so that your teeth will be happier. Avoid sugars and starches as much as possible. These two substances feed bacteria, especially sugar. If you're going to eat food that gets stuck between your teeth make sure that you have floss or a toothpick on hand. End your meals with a salad or an apple because these can act as a natural toothbrush. Get your teeth checked twice a year by a dentist. This is actually really important and a lot of people skip out on getting checked over. A dentist will catch early cavities and problems with your teeth so they don't develop into bigger issues. See the doctor if you have extreme pain. When the over the counter medication doesn't eliminate your pain (or even if it does) you should definitely see your dentist or doctor, because this could be an emergency. This is especially true if you have extreme pain and swelling. Fever along with submandibular lymph nodes swelling is an important sign of infection in dental disease. Basic tooth decay doesn't cause a fever. Go in if you have pain after a tooth is pulled. If it's on the second or third day after you get a tooth pulled then you need to see a dentist within 24 hours. This is called "dry socket syndrome" and happens sometimes when the tooth socket is being exposed to the air causing an intense pain that is hard to calm down even with medication. Seek medical attention if broken teeth accompany the pain. This could be due to a traumatic injury, in which case you should be seeking medical help as quickly as possible. Things like swallowed teeth and permanent tooth loss are considered dental emergencies
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use over the counter pain medication. Apply a cool compress to outside of mouth or cheek. Rinse your mouth with saltwater. Swab the area with garlic clove oil and olive oil. Apply a warm teabag to the area. Use a peroxide rinse. Apply one type of vegetable. Chew mint leaves. Clean your teeth regularly. Prevent tooth decay with fluoride. Eat a healthy diet. Get your teeth checked twice a year by a dentist. See the doctor if you have extreme pain. Go in if you have pain after a tooth is pulled. Seek medical attention if broken teeth accompany the pain.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Hand-and-Foot
How to Play Hand and Foot
To play Hand and Foot, gather a full deck of cards for each player. Shuffle all of the cards together, then have each player grab a stack of cards. If anyone grabs 22 cards on the first try, they get 300 points immediately; otherwise, they should add or discard cards until they have 22. Each player should then divide their cards into 2 stacks of 11 cards each. Pick up one of the stacks, known as the Head, and leave the other pile, known as the Foot, on the table. On each turn, draw 2 cards and discard 1, aiming to create melds from a combination of natural cards and wildcards, which are jokers, aces, and 2s. The goal is to discard first your Hand pile, then your Foot pile.
Gather a full deck of 52 cards for each player. The total amount of cards used in a typical Hand and Foot game can exceed 150. A general rule of thumb is to have as many decks as there are players in the game. Once you have all the decks, place them in a pile in the middle in the middle of the table. This central pile of cards is now referred to as the 'stack.' Hand and Foot works best with 2-6 players. Anything beyond 6 players can become unwieldy. Shuffle the stack. Separate the stack of cards in the middle of the table and give a stack to each player. Each player should shuffle that stack as thoroughly as they can. Once every player has shuffled their stack, place the cards back into the stack in a random order. Perform a riffle shuffle on the stack if a player knows how to do or learn how to do it Take a group of cards from the deck, aiming for 22. Each player in turn should grab a pile of cards from the central stack, aiming for 22 cards total. If they manage to grab precisely 22 cards, they immediately receive 300 points. If the player did not get 22 cards, add or discard as many cards from the selected pile into the central stack until you reach 22. Deal the Hand and Foot decks, 11 cards in each. With the pile of 22 cards that each player now has, they should deal them face-down into 2 piles of 11 cards. Still face-down, the player should then assign 1 of the decks as a 'Hand' deck and the other their 'Foot' deck. Once you have your Hand and Foot decks, you're now ready to begin the game. Understand that the aim of the game is to get rid of your cards. Now that you have your Hand and Foot decks (each totaling 11 cards), pick up your Hand deck and look through the cards. Your goal is to get rid of the Hand deck, then the Foot Deck, using a technique called 'Melding.' Learn the card values. Each card in Hand and Foot has a different point value. The following cards are 'Wild cards.' Jokers are worth 50 points. Aces and 2's are worth 20 points. The rest of the cards are 'Natural cards.' 8's through Kings are worth 10 points. 4's through 7's are worth 5 points. A black 3 is worth -5 points. A red 3 is worth -300 points. Look through your Hand deck for any 'Clean' melds. A meld is a group of cards as few as 3 or as many as 7 total. A 'Clean meld' is a meld that is made up of only natural cards, regardless of suit, as long as it meets a minimum point threshold (this is explained in a later step). If you have 3 to 7 natural cards in your hand and can meet the minimum point threshold, you can play a 'Clean meld.' At the end of the game, natural melds are worth more points. A completed natural meld make up 'Red Piles.' A clean meld is only legal when it meets a minimum point threshold. Each round in a game of Hand and Foot has an increasing point threshold to meet. Clean melds are easier to play at the start of a game of Hand and Foot. Search through your Hand deck for any 'Dirty' melds. A dirty meld is a group of 3 to 7 cards that contains both natural and wild cards and meets the minimum point threshold for the round. It doesn't matter what suits the cards are in. For example, if you have 2 natural cards in your hand and 1 wild card, you can construct a 3 card dirty meld. At the end of the game, dirty melds are worth less points than clean melds. A completed dirty meld makes up 'Black Piles.' Because dirty melds are easier to play, usually it's wise to save these plays for later in the game. Learn the minimum point thresholds for a play. To play a meld in a round of Hand and Foot, the cards that make up the meld must exceed a certain point value. A traditional game of Hand and Foot is made up of 4 rounds. In round 1, the point value must exceed 50. In round 2, the point value must exceed 90. In round 3, the point value must exceed 120. In round 4, the point value must exceed 150. Draw and discard cards at the start of the turn. The person to the left of the dealer begins the game. With their Hand deck, they must draw 2 cards from the stack and add it to their Hand deck. Then, they get to discard 1 card from the Hand deck into a discard pile. Remember, the aim of the game is to get rid of all your cards. Try to construct a meld every turn you can so that your hand is shrinking as a round goes on. Begin constructing melds for points from the Hand. Look through your hand for clean or dirty melds using a total of 3 to 7 cards total. Remember that in round 1 the total point value of a meld must exceed 50 points. Place your meld face up on the table to play it. If possible, you can use multiple melds in a single turn to meet the minimum point threshold. Keep the melds on the table as you'll need to assign point values to them later. Once you have made your play the player to the left of you begins. Move on to the Foot deck by getting rid of the Hand deck. As the round continues, try to get rid of all the cards in your Hand deck by using a combination of melds and the discards. Once you get rid of your Hand deck, you can pick up your Foot deck. End the round if you're ahead by constructing melds and discarding. Generally, if you can end the round the fastest you should do so. With your Foot deck in hand, continue to use melds and discards to get to the end of the round. The round ends when a single player has no cards left. Tally up the scores at the end of the round. Once a single player gets rid of all their cards, the round ends. Place a red token on any clean melds and a black token on any dirty melds (red and black poker chips, pieces of paper, card, or anything that is red or black can be used as tokens). Now, begin to tally up the score of the melds and the cards played in the melds. Each red pile is worth 500 points. Each black pile is worth 300 points. Tally up the individual card values that constructed the melds as well. Once you have your total score, keep it to the side and continue into round 2. Put all the cards back into the central stack and reshuffle. Play 3 more rounds and tally your score. The game plays similarly round to round, the only difference being the minimum point threshold required to play a meld in each round. Once you have finished 4 full rounds, count up the total score of each round. Whoever has the highest score overall, wins the game.
Gather a full deck of 52 cards for each player. Shuffle the stack. Take a group of cards from the deck, aiming for 22. Deal the Hand and Foot decks, 11 cards in each. Understand that the aim of the game is to get rid of your cards. Learn the card values. Look through your Hand deck for any 'Clean' melds. Search through your Hand deck for any 'Dirty' melds. Learn the minimum point thresholds for a play. Draw and discard cards at the start of the turn. Begin constructing melds for points from the Hand. Move on to the Foot deck by getting rid of the Hand deck. End the round if you're ahead by constructing melds and discarding. Tally up the scores at the end of the round. Play 3 more rounds and tally your score.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Baby
How to Care for a Baby
To care for a baby, start by creating a set feeding schedule for your little one. Next, change your baby's diaper as soon as you realize it's soiled and bathe the baby a couple of times per week. It's also important to trim or file your baby's nails 1-2 times weekly, since they grow quickly. Additionally, fix a regular bedtime for your baby and create a routine around it that promotes relaxation and bonding. If you have a newborn, remember to monitor the umbilical cord area and keep what's left of the stump clean until it falls off on its own!
Feed your little one. Nutrition is one of the key parts of having a happy and thriving baby. Feed your little one according to a set schedule and their age, which can help them grow and keep them active and happy. Choose to breast or bottle feed newborns and infants. Breastfeeding is recommended because it offers the most benefits for your baby. Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings per day. After five to six months, most babies can have breast milk or formula and begin to eat cereal or mashed foods, which are sometimes called semi-solid foods. Burp your baby after feeding for a few minutes to help dissipate gas in her system. Figure out if your baby is getting enough to eat by making sure she produces at least six wet diapers and several bowel movements daily. Your baby should also be gaining about five to seven ounces every week for the first six months of life. Between six to 12 months, your baby should gain about three to five ounces per week. Ask your pediatrician questions about when it is best to begin semi-solids and solids, as well as drinking water. Change your baby’s diapers as necessary. It's important to make sure that your baby has clean diapers, which promotes her health, can keep her happy, and help you when it comes time to potty train her. Whether you are using cloth or disposable diapers, change your baby's diaper as soon as you realize it is soiled. Lay your baby flat on her back to change the diaper. Make sure to watch her and not leave her so that she doesn't fall. Remove the soiled diaper and gently wipe your baby's genital area clean with wipes or a pre-moistened washcloth. Wipe baby girls from front to back to minimize the risk of urinary tract infections. Be aware that removing a diaper too quickly from a baby boy may cause him to urinate. Place a new diaper under your baby and apply an ointment made for the diaper area before fastening up the diaper. Your doctor can give you suggestions about ointments to use. These ointments often feature zinc oxide as the main ingredient. Applying an ointment can help to prevent diaper rash. Wash your hands after changing the diaper. Bathe your baby regularly. Give your baby a bath a couple of times a week or if she has a diaper blowout that wipes cannot clean. This can ensure that her skin stays clean without drying out. Allow your baby's stomach to calm for a bit if you want to bathe her after a feeding. Have a washcloth, towel with a hood, mild, unscented baby shampoo and soap, baby wipes, a clean diaper, and clean clothes ready before her bath. This can help you focus solely on the baby and not gathering items once you've started. Consider a sponge bath if you don't want to use a tub every time. Fill the tub with 2-3 inches (5-8 centimeters) of warm water. Pour the warm water on your baby throughout the bath to keep her warm. The water should be around 100F (38 degrees Celsius) and lower than 120F (49C) to prevent scalding. Support your baby, including her head, throughout the bath so that she doesn't slip and hurt herself. Focus on washing inside skin folds, especially on the face, neck, and diaper area. Wrap your baby in a towel with a hood when you're finished to keep her warm and cozy. Massage baby with hypoallergenic lotion if you like. This can calm her and give you a nice bonding experience. Clip your baby’s nails. Babies need short nails to minimize the risk of scratching or cutting their delicate skin. Because babies' nails grow quickly, trim or file your baby's nails once or twice a week, or more often if necessary. Use baby nail scissors or a small emery board. These are gentler and safer to use on a fidgety or squirming baby. Consider asking your partner, a friend, or a family member to help you trim your baby's nails. This may minimize the risk of cutting her. Apply pressure to your baby's finger if you accidentally cut it and draw blood. This is normal and you shouldn't worry. Don't use a bandage, which a baby may choke on if it gets into her mouth. Monitor your baby's umbilical cord stump. The umbilical cord is essential while your baby is in the womb, but after birth it is not necessary. Your baby's doctor will clamp what is left of the cord and it will fall off on its own in about two weeks. You should keep the umbilical cord area clean and dry until it falls off, but you do not need to clean it unless it looks crusty or sticky. If you notice a crusty or sticky discharge around the umbilical cord stump, then clean it with a bit of warm water and pat dry with a clean, dry towel. Do not try to pull off the stump! Allow it to fall off on its own. Care for your baby boy's circumcision site. If you have a newborn son and you decide to have him circumcised, then you will need to monitor and clean the circumcision site while it heals. It takes about seven to 10 days for a circumcision wound to heal and during this time the wound is susceptible to infection. Check the area each time you change your baby's diaper. Clean off any stool or urine that gets on your baby's penis with some mild, unscented soap and warm water. If you notice swelling, redness, or a cloudy, crusty fluid, then call your doctor. Your baby's circumcision wound may be infected. Learn your baby’s sleep requirements. Sleep is integral to a baby's health and well-being. Learning how much she needs can keep her happy and healthy. The recommended daily sleep needs for babies are: Infants 0-2 months need 10.5-18 hours every day. Babies 2-12 months need 14-15 hours every day. Follow a regular bedtime. Fix a regular bedtime for your baby that includes a routine. This can promote and regulate sleep and help her relax her. Keep in mind that most babies don't have a specific bedtime in the first two to three months of life because they are still feeding every few hours. Take naps, feedings, baths, and your baby's age when figuring out her bedtime. Adjust your schedule for activities or other factors like illness. Get your baby to relax before bed. Babies usually need time to switch into bedtime mode. Help your little one relax with a bedtime routine and cozy environment. Start switching into bedtime mode at least two hours before bedtime. Dampen any noise. Dim the lights in any spaces your baby might be. This signals her that it's time to sleep. Gently talk to your baby and rub her back to relax. This can also help soothe her if she is fussy. Establish a bedtime routine. Set up a nightly ritual at bedtime. Taking a bath, nursing or feeding, reading a story, singing, or listening to soothing music can signal your baby that it's time to sleep. Reading or singing can help calm your baby. Give her a warm bath to stimulate sleepiness. A gentle massage may enhance her becoming sleepy. Create a cozy sleeping environment. Create a room for your baby that helps her to sleep. Factors such as temperature, white noise, and shutting out light can put her on the road to a full night's rest. A room temperature between 60 and 75 degrees is optimal for promoting sleep. Remove electronics or anything else that might stimulate your baby. Use soft bulbs and curtains or blinds to control light. A night light in a non-stimulating color like red can reassure a baby. White noise machine can dampen noises and help her sleep. Remove blankets and soft items from the crib or bassinet to minimize the risk of suffocation. Put your baby down while awake. Put your baby in her bed when she is drowsy but still awake. This helps her associate the crib or bassinet with sleep. In addition, it may also reduce the amount of nighttime care you provide. Lay your baby on her back in her bed. Let your baby to adjust and see if she falls back asleep if she rouses when you put her in the bed. If she doesn't, hold her until she is drowsy. Promote bonding with your baby. Establishing a bond with your baby as a newborn and throughout infancy is an important part of promoting her health and development. From soothing, cradling, and eventually playing with your baby, do activities that promote a bond between you and your child. You can bond with and stimulate your baby through a variety of activities including: Massage or gentle stroking Vocal stimulation such as talking, singing, reading, or cooing. Maintaining eye to eye contact at close range. Playing with age-appropriate toys. Soothe a cranky baby. Most babies will invariably get cranky at times. Soothing her as she cries can help her to calm down and promote your bonding. Avoid sudden movements, bright lights, and loud noises so that you don't startle your baby. Pick your baby up if she cannot calm down from crying. Stroke her skin and speak to her in a soft voice to help her calm down. Swaddling newborns and babies under two months can help soothe them. Secure your baby in carriers. No matter if you are using a carrier, car seat, or stroller, make sure that your baby is securely fastened into the unit. This can prevent injuries or even death. Learn how to properly secure your baby in carriers, strollers, and car seats. Most hospital will not allow you to leave without an appropriate car seat that you can properly use. Ask questions about using carriers, strollers, and car seats as you need. You can also read packaging instructions. Limit activities that are too rough or bouncy, which can be dangerous for a baby. Ask for help. Many people feel overwhelmed when caring for a baby. Ask your partner, friends, or family members to help you care for your baby on occasion or when you need it. You may want to consider hiring a reputable babysitter you trust to give you some me time, too. Know that it's okay to ask for help and that many people are willing to help out with babies. If you don't have any close friends or family to help you, your doctor or local hospital may help you find someone to help you. Visit your pediatrician. Schedule regular doctor's visits for your baby. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns, contact the pediatrician's office. It's better to be safe and ask questions than have something turn into a problem. Talk to your doctor right away if you think your baby has a fever or seems ill or is injured in any way. Schedule regular doctor's visits for your baby. Your pediatrician will check that she is thriving and developing according to schedule. In addition, she will make sure your child is vaccinated against diseases. Your baby should see her doctor at regular intervals including: at birth, three to five days old, two to four weeks, two months, four months, six months, nine months, one year, 15 months, and 18 months. Note what each visit will entail so that nothing comes as a surprise. For example, at three to five days your doctor will check your baby's weight, length and head circumference and ask questions about feedings, sleeping habits, and defecation. At two months, your baby will receive his first round of vaccines. At nine months, your doctor will check your baby's size and developmental issues such as speaking, standing, and playing peek-a-boo.
Feed your little one. Change your baby’s diapers as necessary. Bathe your baby regularly. Clip your baby’s nails. Monitor your baby's umbilical cord stump. Care for your baby boy's circumcision site. Learn your baby’s sleep requirements. Follow a regular bedtime. Get your baby to relax before bed. Establish a bedtime routine. Create a cozy sleeping environment. Put your baby down while awake. Promote bonding with your baby. Soothe a cranky baby. Secure your baby in carriers. Ask for help. Visit your pediatrician.
https://www.wikihow.com/Download-Sims-3
How to Download Sims 3
To download Sims 3 using Origin, start by making sure your computer can run it. For Windows users, you'll need Windows XP. If you're a Mac user, you'll want OS X or higher. Next, create an account with Origin on their website, click on the “Store” tab, and type “Sims 3” in the Search bar. After you purchase the game, click the Sims 3 icon and the Download button. Once download and installation are complete, you are ready to play!
Check your system specs. Before you purchase The Sims 3, you should ensure that your computer can run it. Sims 3 is getting older, so most modern computers should be able to run it with minimal effort. Still, if you're trying to run it on an older or budget computer, it's good to know what you'll need to get the best experience. Windows - Windows XP or newer, 6 GB hard disk space, 1 GB RAM, 128 MB video card. You can see your current system specs by pressing ⊞ Win + Pause. Mac OS X - OS X 10.5.7 or higher, 6 GB hard disk space, 2 GB RAM, 128 MB video card. You can see your current system specs by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac. Download the Origin client. Origin is the storefront and game launcher for all EA games, including The Sims 3. The Origin client is free and can be downloaded from the EA Origin website. Create an account. In order to use Origin and purchase the game, you will need to create an account. You can either do this the first time you start up Origin, or you can create your account on the Origin website while the client is installing. You will need a valid address and credit card in order to purchase games on Origin. Log in with your account to start using Origin. Purchase the game. Click the "Store" tab at the top of the Origin window. Type "Sims 3" into the Search bar. Results will appear automatically underneath the search bar as you type, or you can click the magnifying glass icon to see all the results. There will be many results due to the number of expansions available. Use the "Refine Results" menu on the left side of the results list and expand the "Game Type" option. Select "Base Games". You can choose between The Sims 3 or The Sims 3 Starter Pack which includes a couple expansions. If you buy the game on Amazon as a PC or Mac Download, it will install the Origin client if it has not been installed already. Start the download. After you purchase the game, it will be added to your "My Games" list. This is the list of all your Origin games. Click The Sims 3 icon and then click the Download button. Choose whether or not you want desktop or Start menu shortcuts in the window that appears. Click the Download Now button to begin the installation. You will be shown the disk space required as well as the disk space available. You can monitor the download from your "My Games" list. The download could take a significant amount of time depending on the speed of your connection. Play the game. Once the download and installation has finished, the game will be ready to play. Click the Sims 3 icon in the "My Games" list and click the Play button to start the game. Check your system specs. Before you purchase The Sims 3, you should ensure that your computer can run it. Sims 3 is getting older, so most modern computers should be able to run it with minimal effort. Still, if you're trying to run it on an older or budget computer, it's good to know what you'll need to get the best experience. Windows - Windows XP or newer, 6 GB hard disk space, 1 GB RAM, 128 MB video card. You can see your current system specs by pressing ⊞ Win + Pause. Mac OS X - OS X 10.5.7 or higher, 6 GB hard disk space, 2 GB RAM, 128 MB video card. You can see your current system specs by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac. Install the Steam client. Steam is a game storefront and launcher for a variety of different games, including The Sims 3. It is available for free from the Steam-powered website. Create an account. In order to use Steam and purchase The Sims 3, you will need to have a free Steam account. You can create an account through the client after you install it, or you can create one on the Steam website while the client installs. You will need a valid address and credit card in order to purchase games on Steam. Purchase the game. Open the Steam client and log in if you haven't. Click the "STORE" link at the top of the window. At the top of the Store page, you will find a Search bar. Type "Sims 3" into the search bar and either select The Sims 3 from the automated results or from the search list if you click the magnifying glass button. Once you confirm your purchase, you will be given the option to install the game immediately or later. Install the game. You can click the "Install" button that appears after purchasing, or you can click the "LIBRARY" link at the top of the Steam window. This will open a list of all your Steam games. Right-click on the game in the list and select "Install game". You will be shown the disk space required as well as the disk space available. The progress of the download and installation will be displayed in your games list. The download speed and the completion percentage will be displayed next to the game title. Play the game. Once the download and installation has finished, the game will be ready to play. Double-click Sim 3 in your Library list, or click it once and then click the "Play" button that appear in the game details frame. Download a torrent client. Torrents are a way to share files between computers. You can download all kinds of programs and media using torrents. Downloading Sims 3 if you do not own it is illegal, and this method should only be followed if your discs have been lost or damaged. The most popular torrent clients are uTorrent , Vuze, and BitTorrent. Find the torrent for The Sims 3. In order to download torrents, you will need to find a torrent tracker. Public trackers will have most popular games, so you shouldn't have difficulties Googling one. Simply enter "sims 3 torrent" into the Google search. When you are looking at a torrent tracker page, you will see a Seeders (S) and Leechers (L) column. The more seeders there are, the stronger your connection will be and the faster you will get the file. If there are significantly more leechers than seeders, the file may take a while to download. Read the comments for the torrent. This will help you determine if it contains any viruses, as torrents are a popular way to spread them. Wait for the torrent to download. After you find the torrent you want, click the download link to load it in your torrent client. After it connects to other people, the download will begin. Depending on the speed of your connection and the strength of the torrent, the download could take a significant amount of time. The Sims 3 download is about 5 GB. Install the game. Games downloaded through torrents often install slightly differently than games purchased legitimately. Read the README file that should accompany most torrents for exact instructions for installing the game and applying the crack. The crack will allow you to play the game without entering your CD key. This is useful if you've forgotten or lost your key, but is illegal if you do not own the game. Many games will come in ISO format, which is a disc image. It will need to either be mounted or burned in order to use it.
Check your system specs. Download the Origin client. Create an account. Purchase the game. Start the download. Play the game. Check your system specs. Install the Steam client. Create an account. Purchase the game. Install the game. Play the game. Download a torrent client. Find the torrent for The Sims 3. Wait for the torrent to download. Install the game.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-a-Whole-Chicken-in-the-Oven
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Oven
To cook a whole chicken in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, remove the neck and giblets from the cavity and decide what kind of seasoning you'd like for your chicken. For example, you could do a lemon pepper rub or a Mexican spiced chicken. No matter how you season your chicken, once it's ready, place the roasting pan in the oven. After 20 minutes, turn the oven down to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and continue to cook the chicken for 60-90 minutes.
Defrost your whole chicken. Depending upon the size of the bird, it can take between 1 and 3 days to defrost in the refrigerator. It is recommended that you cook soon after defrosting to avoid food borne illness. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Place a rack in the middle to low middle of the oven, depending upon the size of the whole chicken. Clear a space in your kitchen near the sink. Remove other kitchen appliances, dishes and silverware to reduce cross contamination. Ready your roasting pan or Dutch oven nearby for easy transfer. Remove the chicken from its packaging. Place the packaging directly in the trash. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity. Throw them away if you do not want to use them for a gravy. Place your hand near the opening of the cavity, with the breast upward. Stick your fingers between the breast and the skin. Move your hands underneath the skin to loosen it for seasoning. Wash your hands for 30 seconds before handling any other ingredients or dishes. Decide upon what seasonings you would like to use. Roast chicken is versatile, and it can be flavored according to the regional aromatics, fruits and vegetables you prefer. Try lemon pepper or lemon garlic chicken. Lemon, onions and garlic are the staples of the aromatics that help to flavor the whole chicken. Pepper or garlic can be used to season the surface of the chicken as well as the inside cavity. Consider herb seasonings, such as a combination of rosemary, sage and thyme. You can use a generic poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning if you do not have access to fresh herbs. Spanish or Mexican flavors, such as chili pepper, paprika, garlic or cayenne will make the chicken's surface spicy. Use the pre-seasoned extra meat for tacos and enchiladas. Adobo seasoning is a combination of paprika, oregano, garlic and pepper that comes pre-packaged at specialty stores and supermarkets. Slice your aromatics. Slice 1 to 2 lemons in half to place inside the chicken cavity. Cut up onions or shallots into quarters. Peel garlic cloves. You will want to place anywhere from 2 to 10 garlic cloves, depending upon preference. Mix your chicken rub. Combine 2 tbsp. (30ml) of unsalted melted butter with 1/2 tsp. (0.9g) salt, 1/2 tsp. (0.9g) of pepper and 1/2 tsp. (0.9g) to 1 tbsp. (30g) of dried or fresh herbs. You can use a ratio of 1 to 3 with measuring dried or fresh herbs, since dried herbs are more potent. You can also substitute canola oil or olive oil for the butter. The fat will help to brown the surface of the bird. Rub the chicken with your butter and herbs or spices. Place them underneath the skin on the surface of the chicken meat. Toss the lemons, onions and garlic with salt and pepper. Place them inside the cavity of the chicken. Make sure there aren't any ingredients falling out; however, it can be tightly packed. Place the chicken on the roasting rack, if you have not done so already. The breasts should face upward on the rack. Slice apples, potatoes, onions and other vegetables into large pieces. Place them below the roasting rack. If you are using a Dutch oven, place the root vegetables on the bottom of the pan, then place the chicken on top. This will help the juices drip down into the pan as they cook. If you want smaller vegetable slices, wait 20 to 30 minutes, to place them underneath the roasting rack. This will prevent overdone vegetables. Truss the chicken, if you choose. This means you wrap the drumsticks with twine and tuck in the wings to keep the cavity closed. Trussing the chicken is not necessary. It can increase the cooking time, because the heat does not reach the dark meat as easily. Place the roasting pan inside the oven. Allow it to roast at 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes. This will brown the bird and seal in juices. Turn the oven down to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Let it roast for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending upon the size of the bird, the evenness of the oven and the altitude. Insert a roasting thermometer into the thigh. It should read at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius). If it does not, allow it to roast for 20 to 30 more minutes before checking again. Remove the pan from the oven. Place the chicken on an unheated surface or a cooling rack. Place aluminum foil over the chicken to keep the heat in. Allow it to rest with the breast up for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn the chicken over and allow it to rest for 10 more minutes. Carve and serve. You will need to return to the bird to take the rest of the meat off the bones for use in future recipes. Throw away the chicken carcass or place it in a pot to make homemade chicken stock. Finished.
Defrost your whole chicken. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Clear a space in your kitchen near the sink. Remove the chicken from its packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity. Place your hand near the opening of the cavity, with the breast upward. Wash your hands for 30 seconds before handling any other ingredients or dishes. Decide upon what seasonings you would like to use. Slice your aromatics. Mix your chicken rub. Rub the chicken with your butter and herbs or spices. Toss the lemons, onions and garlic with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the roasting rack, if you have not done so already. Slice apples, potatoes, onions and other vegetables into large pieces. Truss the chicken, if you choose. Place the roasting pan inside the oven. Turn the oven down to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Insert a roasting thermometer into the thigh. Remove the pan from the oven. Place aluminum foil over the chicken to keep the heat in. Allow it to rest with the breast up for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn the chicken over and allow it to rest for 10 more minutes. Carve and serve. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Your-Life-Around
How to Turn Your Life Around
To turn your life around, start by identifying things you'd like to change, such as your job, bad habits, or your friendships, so you know what to do differently. Once you have a list of things you want to improve, write down a few goals to help you set the change in motion. For example, if you want to start your own business, set yourself the goal of reading a few books on entrepreneurship. To make room for your new lifestyle, try to cut out your bad habits, such as smoking or binge watching TV shows when you should be working. A healthy mindset needs a healthy body, so try to exercise regularly, sleep well, and eat a healthy diet to keep you in shape.
Pinpoint the issues. Regardless of what's going on in your world, you probably know why your life is stuck. Is it your job? Friends? Relationship? Bad habits? Your general outlook? All five of these and then some? Are you afraid to admit what's actually the issue? You have to figure out what's wrong before you can fix anything. Thankfully, you have all the answers. It's possible your answer is "everything." All too often one facet of our lives bleeds into the other. Don't be daunted by this. At the end of the day, you create your life. Whether one thing needs to be fixed or everything needs to be fixed, it's all doable. It'll just be a little more work. You'll need some mental resetting, but it's all doable. Identify your mental blocks. Being stuck in a miserable job isn't the problem—it's a symptom of the problem. Being too scared to apply for a new job or being too lazy in your current comfortable, easy routine. You know that phrase "you are your own worst enemy?" That applies here. You are not to blame for the hand you've been dealt, but you are responsible for how you played it. What patterns of thinking have been keeping you from playing it better? Being self-aware is the only way you can really change your thinking. Changing your thinking changes your behavior. Changing your behavior changes what happens to you. If you want a problem to stop, you gotta cut it off at the root. So while this may all seem like a long-winded, unnecessary approach to turning things around, it's not (at least the unnecessary part). This (your thinking, your mental blocks) must be tackled before any change can really be had. Question the thoughts and beliefs that are making you unhappy. Ready to have your mind blown? You live in a world of your thoughts. Think about that. Sit back in your chair right now and wrap your mind around that. Everything right now is a construction of you, of your thinking, of your mind. This should lead you to a couple of conclusions: Awesome. You have the power to live however you want. If you wanted to believe you were the Queen of England, you could. If you wanted to believe you were happy, you would be. You are the only person that holds the power when it comes to turning your life around. Those things that are making you unhappy? Some of them are imaginary. True, you might have a crappy job and that's undeniable. You might be in a dead-end relationship, you might be unemployed, you might be addicted to hard drugs, you might be suicidal, you might be going nowhere. But how you view your situation can put a spin on things that will make them better. Will make them easier. Easy to know, sure; less easy to do. But knowing this is a fact of life, is half the battle won. Put your attitude to work. In order for good things to happen to you, you have to be in the mindset of expecting success. Have you ever tried to walk up to that cute boy or girl with the belief that you'll fail? Exactly. Either you just plain don't or you do manage to walk up, nervous, scared and visibly insecure. All of life isn't that different—to get success, you kind of have to expect it. So if you're working with a negative attitude, that's gotta change. Start working on positive thinking. It can be quite the chore, so just start with 15 minutes a day. When a negative thought creeps up, take the time to reframe it. It won't come naturally at first, but you'll get better at it. For that 15 minutes, "My life is terrible" becomes, "I'm not happy with life right now and am going to do something about it." Work on this until you don't allow the negative thoughts at all. It'll be so much easier to get out of bed and take action when your mind is ready and raring to go. Allow yourself the power. Newsflash: happiness doesn't come from removing your problems. There are impoverished, hungry children in this world who smile and laugh every day. There are people who are in similar situations to you who consider themselves lucky to be alive. So allow yourself the power to make yourself happy, to view yourself worthy of success. Allow yourself control over your life instead of pretending you're an innocent bystander. Take the reins. You got this. You're on this page, so clearly you have some motivation to do something. That's all you need and you have it! You need to make the decision to do something. When you do, things will change. They have to. They can't not. Latch onto this motivation and let it fester. Let it grow until it explodes. Get power-hungry. Things are about to happen. Find a passion you can work towards. It's hard to turn your life around if you don't know what direction to face, you know? Having a passion, some goal or dream to strive for gives you a path to tread—instead of foraging about for a needle in a haystack that may or may not be there. So what's yours? Where would you like to be in six months? A year? Do you see yourself living in the same town? Maybe a different job? Working on a new project or business? In school? Significantly more fit? There's no wrong answer here. And you can have more than one, too! Devise a plan of action. With a clearer trajectory now, it's time for a very loose plan of action to form. Come up with half a dozen things you can feasibly do to start down the path you see the future you on. You don't have to start today, you don't have to start tomorrow, but you do have to know where you're going and what you want to do. We've sorted out the end goal (going back to school, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.), now how do you get there? That's what this is for. What steps—small ones, big ones, whatever—can get the ball rolling? So when the time comes, when you're ready, you'll know what the future has in store. Remove dead weight. Whether it's quitting smoking, dumping your lame boyfriend or moving out of your mob-running roommate's apartment, it's gotta be done. These things are holding you back. They're facilitating this negative mindset and turning an obstacle into a veritable mountain to climb over. It may be a pain in the rear end, but you know you can do it. Dumping your toxic best friend sucks. Having to live on your own in a crappy studio sucks. Going through withdrawal sucks. But they're all things that you're capable of and that you'll be better for in the end and, quite frankly, you probably know it. Things like "quitting your job" sort of fall into a different category. In today's day and age, you need money to survive. But realistically, you could quit and move in with someone temporarily if you absolutely had to. You could spend your weekends looking for a new one. No one said this was going to be pretty. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. You have to be willing to put in the work. Find a mentor. Why? Because we all need someone who's been there- for their advice, for their shoulder, for the heads up. And if you think there's no one in your life who's hit rock bottom, you're probably wrong. Part of being human is about fighting battles—all you need to do is ask. The odds of you knowing the sordid history of everyone in your circle is slim to none. However, what's more likely is that when you read the phrase "find a mentor," one or two names pop into your head. Generally, this is a more natural process than anything. If you have to ask someone to be your mentor, they're probably not. This is just a role that's fulfilled by someone who's been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. You just need to take advantage of their presence in your life by opening up to them and asking for assistance when you need it. Quit being fake. Don't get offended—we all are. We all say "yes" to invitations we don't want to say yes to, we all smile and nod when inside we're sending daggers with our eyes. We all do things that society has told us are okay and left it at that, no questions asked. Well start asking questions. Make it a point to say "no thanks" when you don't feel like it. Right now is about being selfish and improving you. It's not an excuse to be rude—it's an excuse to do what you want. This will not hurt others' feelings if you're just being yourself. Declining an offer with a, "No thanks. I'm not feeling up to it," isn't offensive. People may ask further questions, but they don't need an explanation if you don't want to give one. You're just doing you right now. If they have a problem with it, it's theirs to have. Exercise, sleep well and eat right. Your mind and body are interconnected—if your body feels good, it's a lot easier for your mind to feel good. The three tenets of having a body that's ready to take on the world? Exercising, getting enough quality sleep and eating healthily. If you don't have time for these, make time. You owe it to yourself. As for exercise, try to get in a "session" 3 or 4 times a week. Whether that's hitting up kickboxing class or going for a walk with your dog, it's all good. Just get out there and stick with it. Skeptical as to how this matters? Research says exercise can actually make you happier. Get enough sleep—your decision-making skills hinge on it. Seriously. When our bodies and minds are tired, we don't have the energy to weigh out what's actually good for us. Need an example? That late night chalupa you decided to eat was a good idea. Only when it comes to your life, it actually matters. So get in your 7-9 hours of sleep a night. It affects the other 15-17 hours more than we'd like to admit. Your diet can also affect your mood. Loading up on whole grains, fruits, and veggies and sticking to lean meats and low-fat dairy can give you that edge that you were previously lacking. Motivate yourself. Little things can actually make the biggest of differences. Jumping out of bed in the morning instead of hitting the snooze button can make you feel much more energized, despite logic to the contrary. Listening to uplifting music, leaving yourself positive little notes, rewarding yourself for strides made—it all builds up and can keep you on track. Change your alarm to something awesome. If you're anything like the rest of us, you wake up in the morning and all you can think of is, "...No." Starting out the day negatively can seriously hinder the rest of it. So start out as positively as possible. Change your alarm to something that invigorates you (whether it's The Circle of Life or The Ride of the Valkyries is up to you). "No" can turn into "Hell yes!" easier than you thought. Develop a routine. Studies have shown that people who are successful and content generally have a routine they stick to. The routine they stick to probably isn't staying in bed all day and consuming buckets of fried chicken, sure. But what's more important is that their routine allows them to conserve energy. When you have a daily routine, going onto autopilot allows you to expend mental focus on deflating and getting rid of problems that arise. You can only make so many decisions in a day and this routine allows you to save energy for the important stuff. Your routine should involve those three things mentioned above (eating, exercising and sleeping right) and whatever else makes you happy. A little bit of work, a little bit of play and some self-improvement time, whatever form that takes (meditation/job searching/going back to school, etc.) Make your most important decisions on anything in the morning. Why? You are less likely to be emotionally and physically exhausted. Decision fatigue is definitely a thing—like that poorly thought-out late night chalupa. At night, we've done so much work all day, we throw caution to the wind and let our present selves make poor decisions for our future selves. Don't do it! So if something big presents itself, sleep on it. You want as much energy as possible to decide what the best course of action is. It's a figure of speech for a reason! Do random acts of kindness. One of the easiest ways to get in the being-great-at-life zone is to focus on others. It's easy on you and it feels good—in addition to making the world a better place. And for just a second you get to forget about your problems and focus on someone else's. What's not to like? Helping others gives us a buzz unlike anything else. And doing so can get us out of a rut when we don't have enough energy to help ourselves. So whether it's donating some things to a thrift store or volunteering your time at the local homeless shelter, try it out. Might as well build some good karma to be safe! Get yourself in line. No one can go from 0 to 60 in 3.5, and you shouldn't expect this of yourself either. We all need assistance and a shove in the right direction. No Olympian would start the race in a sitting position, you know? So whatever you need to do, do it. So sign up for that class. Find a therapist. Get serious about your job search. Succumb to online dating. Join Alcoholics Anonymous. Call your mom and make amends. Join the gym you've been driving by every day on the way home from work. The first step will be the hardest and it will all be downhill from there. Do what you've been wanting to do. You've got your mind right, you've got your body right, and now it's time to do that thing you've been wanting to do. That thing you've been too afraid to do. You've gotta bite that bullet. One foot at a time, regardless of how long your path to a turned-around life is. That class you've signed up for? Go. Your therapist? Make an appointment. Submit job resumes. Go on dates. Attend meetings. Initiate a family lunch. Get on that treadmill. Being amazed at yourself and the things you can create will be such a good feeling it'll be hard to stop. Periodically reevaluate. Consider this a diet for your soul. Any diet that isn't working needs to be dropped, so routine evaluation is necessary. Are you beginning to feel better? Are things slowly but surely falling into line? Could you up the efforts you're making? Just like you need to increase the intensity of your workouts as you progress, you need to keep pushing your mind, too. What works for you right now may not be enough in a few weeks' time. Once you get a grip on the efforts you've started out with, add more and more. There are very few things in life you can go cold turkey on, and this isn't one of them. To a similar end, what you think will work might not. If that's the case, talk to your mentor and get advice on what you should do. Is it something you need to push through, abandon completely or is there a different tactic you should take? Refuse to give up. You're in a very precarious position right now: a wrong footing and it'll be too easy to fall back to where you were. So right now, focus on staying motivated. Focus on positive thinking. Focus on breathing. Focus on doing you. If you refuse to give up, guess what? You won't. Obstacles happen. They crop up without warning and sometimes unyieldingly so. The car breaks down, the relationship falters, the cravings get worse and worse. Knowing these will happen is important—that way, you're a little prepared and don't blame yourself. They happen to everyone and they're a part of life. You just gotta roll with the punches.
Pinpoint the issues. Identify your mental blocks. Question the thoughts and beliefs that are making you unhappy. Put your attitude to work. Allow yourself the power. Find a passion you can work towards. Devise a plan of action. Remove dead weight. Find a mentor. Quit being fake. Exercise, sleep well and eat right. Motivate yourself. Develop a routine. Make your most important decisions on anything in the morning. Do random acts of kindness. Get yourself in line. Do what you've been wanting to do. Periodically reevaluate. Refuse to give up.
https://www.wikihow.com/Lighten-Your-Hair-With-Cinnamon
How to Lighten Your Hair With Cinnamon
To lighten your hair with cinnamon, start by mixing together honey, conditioner, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a bowl and letting it sit for half an hour to activate the hydrogen peroxide in the honey. Next, apply the mixture to your damp, combed hair and make sure that all the strands are coated from root to tip. Once all your hair is covered, let the mixture sit for 3 hours or overnight. Then, rinse the mixture out with water before shampooing your hair thoroughly. If you want your hair even lighter, repeat the process until your hair is the desired color.
Assemble your ingredients. Check your kitchen cupboards before going out and buying things. You may already have everything you need for this at-home hair lightener. Cinnamon. Buy sticks or ground cinnamon. Be sure to buy a lot because you will need multiple tablespoons per use. Honey. Raw honey works the best. If you can't get raw honey, use pure honey. Conditioner. Any moisturizing conditioner will work. It will help your hair take in the chemicals. Lemon juice. If preferred, buy a lemon and juice it at home for the mixture. Shower cap. If you don't want to buy a shower cap, you can use plastic wrap or a plastic grocery bag but be careful with this around your face. Create the mixture. Put the ingredients together in a bowl and mix well. 1 cup honey 1 cup deep conditioner 1 tsp. lemon juice 2 tbsp. cinnamon Leave it for at least half an hour. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide. When the cinnamon is mixed in, it activates the hydrogen peroxide. By letting the mixture sit, the hydrogen peroxide will develop and this is what will lighten your hair. Brush your hair. While you wait for the mixture to develop, comb your hair very well. Ensure all of the tangles are out of your hair. This way the mixture can take evenly to every strand. You can use this mixture with clean or dirty hair. Know what results you’re aiming for. Lightening your hair with this cinnamon mixture is different than using straight hydrogen peroxide. Blondes: strawberry blond, some brown highlights Black: lighter brown, red tints (after several times) Red : red highlights, brown tints Light brown: lighter shades and red tints Dark brown: light brown and red Dampen your hair. You'll need your hair to be wet, but not soaked, for this process. Use a spray bottle. If you don't want to step into the shower, use a small spray bottle to dampen your hair. Wet your brush. Run the wet brush through your hair. This will help the mixture grab onto each strand. Test the mixture. Before you apply the mixture to your hair, be sure to test some of it on your hand. If your skin has a reaction, don't apply the mixture. There is such a thing as a cinnamon allergy. Rub some of the cinnamon paste onto the back of your hand and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to make sure you don't react. Cinnamon creates a warm tingle but shouldn't burn; if you have a sensitive scalp, this treatment is not recommended. If it does burn, rinse immediately! Apply the mixture. This will be messy! Have a friend help you if you can. As an alternative, use an applicator brush instead of your hands, which will cut down on the mess. Rub the mixture all over your hands. Apply thoroughly from root to tip. Be sure to use generous amounts of the mixture throughout your hair. If the mixture is too thick, add ¼ cup of water to it. If you have thick hair, split it into sections before you apply the mixture. Use hair clips to hold your hair out of the way until you're ready to apply the mixture to it. Be careful to keep the mixture off your neck, as it may irritate the skin there. Let it sit. Give the mixture time to lighten your hair while you sit back and relax. Put your hair in a bun and cover it. You can use a shower cap to easily cover your hair. Leave the mixture in your hair for at least 2-4 hours. If possible, leave it overnight. Put a towel over your pillow. Even if you have a shower cap on, the mixture could make a big mess if you move in your sleep. Put a towel over your pillow to protect it. Clean your hair. Be patient. Even though the honey is sticky, it's the cinnamon that will give you the most difficulty when you're cleaning the mixture from your hair. Rinse your hair. Before trying to wash your hair, do your best to rinse the mixture out of it. Shampoo your hair. Once you've rinsed all that you can out of your hair, shampoo thoroughly. You may need to shampoo twice to get all of the cinnamon out. Repeat as necessary. Unlike bleach, this mixture won't create a drastic change. Since the mixture is good for your hair, you can repeat it as many times as you'd like without damage. Do this until you get your desired shade. Lightening your hair with cinnamon is a gradual process. It will only subtly change the color of your hair with each use. It may take three to four applications before your hair becomes noticeably lighter. Try olive oil instead of conditioner. If you're looking to use a completely natural mixture, olive oil can replace the conditioner. Olive oil is a great moisturizer, but don't use it if your hair is naturally greasy. The olive oil will be tougher to rinse out than conditioner. This natural conditioner is great for curly hair. If you have dry curls, the olive oil will soak right into your hair and moisturize them. Use cardamom. Cardamom is a spice that is a peroxide booster. Therefore, it has similar lightening powers to cinnamon. This spice can be used in place of cinnamon for similar results. Try this if you have an allergic reaction to the cinnamon. Add vitamin C. This is an easy way to add nutrients to your mixture. Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair. Crush up a couple vitamin C tablets and add them to the mixture. The vitamin C will help lighten your hair and keep it healthy.
Assemble your ingredients. Create the mixture. Brush your hair. Know what results you’re aiming for. Dampen your hair. Test the mixture. Apply the mixture. Let it sit. Clean your hair. Repeat as necessary. Try olive oil instead of conditioner. Use cardamom. Add vitamin C.
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How to Prevent Puffy Hair in Humid Weather
Humidity can wreak havoc on your hair, but you can tame puffy hair with a few small changes in your hair care routine. While shampoo is great for cleaning dirt and grime, it also strips your hair of natural oils, which can make it puff and frizz. To avoid this untamed look, shampoo, at most, every other day. You can also use shampoos that are moisturizing, smoothing, or hydrating to reduce frizzy hair. For conditioners, look for something with amino silicones or cationic surfactants, which prevent damage and static electricity. After washing and conditioning, dry your hair gently by blotting it with a towel. Once your hair is clean, you can use a leave-in oil, like Argan or Moroccan oil, to tame any puffiness. Another way to handle puffy hair is to put it in a bun or pony tail. On a truly bad hair day, opt for a head scarf or hat.
Get the right cut. If you live in an area that is known for humid weather, consider getting a haircut that caters to your hair type. Long hair and straight cuts add the weight needed to pull down hair that would otherwise puff out. An angled or slightly layered cut will remove some of the bulk. A layered cut will emphasize curls, but could result in puffier hair. Shampoo at most every other day. Shampoo is great for cleaning dirt and grime away from hair, but it's not so great at taming puffy hair. That's because shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils, which make your hair silken and combat frizz. Some people go for as long as a week in between shampooing. The exact amount of time is up to you, but the consensus is that waiting a couple days between washes produces healthier, less puffy hair. When conditioning after shampoo, wash off conditioner using cold water. There's some debate about how effective this is, but the idea is pretty simple: cold water causes the cuticles of the hair to contract, simultaneously adding shine and taming frizz. Some scientists, however, doubt the effectiveness of cold water on the scalp, saying that since hair cuticles aren't living cells, they shouldn't contract. The debate aside, this advice shouldn't cause puffy hair, so try it out and see if it works. As discussed below, certain specially-designed leave-in conditioners can help fight puffy hair. Dry hair gently. If your hair is prone to fly-aways and frizzes, carefully blot your hair dry with the towel instead of rubbing. Allow hair to air-dry as much as possible to reduce the amount of puffiness in your hair. If you blow your hair dry, avoid a lot of movement with the blow dryer. Blow your hair dry slowly and in small sections on the lowest heat setting. Remember to blow down the shaft of hair instead of across it, which separates hair sections, or upward, which provides volume and lift but also adds puffiness to frizzy hair. Keep in mind that blow drying removes moisture from the hair strands, which increases frizz. Avoid over-combing your hair. It can be tempting to smooth out your hair with plenty of brushstrokes after stepping out of the shower. But brushing or combing your hair causes friction, which causes heat and breakage to the hair cuticle. This leads to puffy or frizzy hair. Instead of combing your hair like you've entered a contest, use a wide-toothed comb or a paddle brush with ball-tipped ends. Finish off with a light pass using your fingers as a comb. Decide on a style for the day that works with your natural hair type. In humid weather, you hair will tend to do what it naturally wants to do. Fighting your hair type will probably cause you a lot of frustration; chances are you'll end up losing every time. If your hair is straight, avoid the urge to put it in curlers on humid days. If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, work with the waves instead of opting for a straight style. Try tying your hair up in a bun or ponytail and finish off by applying some anti-frizz gel. If you're having a truly tremendous hair day, never underestimate the help a hat or well-tied scarf can do for your hair. Choose a shampoo designed to fight frizz or puffiness. Shampoos are made to cater to hair types. You may come across some brands on the shelf that declare right on the face of the bottle that the product will reduce frizzy hair. Otherwise, look for the words "moisturizing," "smoothing" or "hydrating" on the bottle of your favorite brand. Choose the right kind of conditioner. Normal or leave-in — it all depends on what's in the conditioner. When searching for a conditioner, look for conditioners that have one or both of the following ingredients: amino silicones and cationic surfactants. These two ingredients help fight the two main causes of puffiness: damage in the hair shaft and static electricity. Amino silicones help the silicones in conditioner to grab onto damaged hair shafts, providing more lasting conditioning. Cationic surfactants help cut down on puffiness causes by static electricity by carrying a positive charge. Use a smoothing hair product. Smoothing serums coat the hair shaft, helping to reduce frizz much like conditioners will. Some of these products, however, are heavy and can weigh your hair down too much. Use sparingly until you discover the right amount of the product to use for your hair. Apply a styling product. While serums are great for smoothing the hair sections, they do not offer a holding agent to prevent the sections from separating. Use a smoothing gel or a lightweight gel to hold the hair in place. Try a deep-treatment of olive or coconut oil. Occasional deep treatments help keep frizz and puffiness under control by maintaining healthy hair. Apply a healthy spoonful or two of warm olive or coconut oil to your ends. Wrap the hair up in plastic or a shower cap and wait anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Shampoo and condition as normal to remove any excess oil. Be careful about where you apply the oil. Shoot for the ends of your hair, or mid-shaft. Applying oil to the roots can clog pores and result in breakouts on your scalp. Make use of leave-in oils on your hair. Leave-in oil treatments such as Argan oil (also known as Moroccan oil) and baby oil might be able to help tame your mane. Put less than you think you'll need into the palm of your hand, cover gently, and apply to your hair. Make use of other oil-rich foods such as mayonnaise or avocado. Oil-rich foods like mayonnaise or crushed avocado may be another way to strengthen your hair and prevent puffy hair, although they are both messy to apply. Mix a tablespoon of mayo into your conditioner if you want to give it a try; or crush up avocado like you're making guacamole, apply to hair and cover for 10 minutes, then wash out under warm water until your hair feels smooth.
Get the right cut. Shampoo at most every other day. When conditioning after shampoo, wash off conditioner using cold water. Dry hair gently. Avoid over-combing your hair. Decide on a style for the day that works with your natural hair type. Choose a shampoo designed to fight frizz or puffiness. Choose the right kind of conditioner. Use a smoothing hair product. Apply a styling product. Try a deep-treatment of olive or coconut oil. Make use of leave-in oils on your hair. Make use of other oil-rich foods such as mayonnaise or avocado.
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How to Take Care of Your Lawn
To take care of your lawn, water the grass deeply but infrequently during the growing season for the best results. Watch out for grass that wilts or changes color, which indicates drying, and be sure to water the lawn once the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. Also, try to mow your grass when the lawn is cool and dry, and never cut your grass less than 2 inches high. Finally, be sure to fertilize your lawn at least once per year to keep it healthy and lush!
Water in late evening or early morning. Cool, humid, low-wind conditions distribute water evenly and reduce loss to evaporation. Ideal conditions usually occur between 10pm and midnight, or between 8am and 9am. Some local water departments forbid night watering to prevent waste from sprinklers left on all night. Check your lawn's water needs. Your watering schedule should be based on grass species, lawn health, heat, and soil conditions. Cool season grasses (bluegrass, ryegrass, fescues) generally need 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8cm) per week, rising to 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in hot, dry weather. Drought-resistant warm season grasses (buffalo grass, blue grama) can last for weeks without watering, even in the summer. Once you have a good guess for how much water your lawn needs each week, read the next step to find out how to divide it among watering sessions. A local university extension website can teach you how much watering your grass species needs in local weather conditions. To track the amount of water you're using, leave cans or other open containers on your lawn. Shaded grass usually needs less water, but this may not be true if it's competing with tree and shrub roots. Water deeply and infrequently. This approach encourages root growth, which increases resistance to drought and disease. Each watering session should moisten the soil down to the depth of the lowest existing roots, which tend to be at least six inches (15cm) for a healthy lawn. The drainage rate varies greatly based on soil. Check the depth of moisture 30–60 minutes after watering, or follow this rough guide: Sandy soil drains fast, and may only need 0.5 in. (1.25cm) of water to reach a 6 inch (15cm) depth. The lawn has less time to absorb this water, so water more frequently to make up for it. Loamy soil takes roughly 0.75 inch (1.9cm) of water to reach a 6 inch (15cm) depth. Dense clay soil drains slowly, and may need 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8cm) water to reach 6 inch (15cm) depth. Look for signs of drying. Don't wait until your lawn is brown before you give it more water. Check for wilting, a change in color (becoming more grey, purple, or blue), and for footprints that stay visible for an hour or more. Letting your lawn reach this state actually increases long term health, but water shortly afterward, before the grass turns brown. You can also dig into the soil to see how dry it is. Never water before the top two inches (5cm) of soil have dried out. If the lawn dries in a few spots, just water those areas extra. Let cool season grass stay dormant. Cool seasons grasses typically go dormant in hot weather, turning brown but ready to revive when cool weather returns. It is possible to prevent this with heavy watering, but once it goes dormant, do not try to revive it until hot weather passes. The grass spends a lot of energy on revival, leaving it vulnerable and weak if it revives and goes dormant more than once a year. While the grass is dormant in hot water, give it 0.25–0.5 inches (6–12mm) water per week. Water rarely outside the growing season. Your grass does not need nearly as much water while it is not actively growing, typically late fall to early spring. If weather is dry, you may still need to water once every 4–6 weeks. Do not water while the ground is frozen. Areas of shallow soil and exposed slopes are more likely to dry. Check south and west facing slopes especially (north and east facing in the southern hemisphere). Cut grass high. Tall grass makes for a much healthier lawn. Never cut your lawn below two inches (5cm), and keep it at 2.5–3.5 inches (6.4–8.9cm) if you can stand it. Older lawn care guides may recommend different heights for different seasons. Most modern experts agree that grass should be left tall year-round. Remove no more than ⅓ of the grass blade. Cutting away more than ⅓ of the grass height seriously damages your grass. If you miss a mowing session and the grass is far too tall, remove ⅓ of the grass, then wait a few days before cutting it down to the desired height. You may need to cut fast-growing species every three or four days during ideal spring conditions. For example, if the goal height is 2 inches (5cm), don't let the grass grow taller than 3 in. (7.5cm) before mowing. If the goal is 3 inches (7.6cm), don't let it get above 4.5 in (11.4cm). Mow when the lawn is cool and dry. Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day, when grass is vulnerable. Also avoid mowing while the grass is wet. Wet clippings clump on the lawn instead of getting evenly distributed, some mowers are less efficient, and the slippery grass can be dangerous for the mower operator. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Grass clippings decompose quickly and provide nutrients for the lawn. You may use them elsewhere in your garden instead, but grass treated with herbicides and pesticides should not be used on flowers or vegetables. Grass clippings do not contribute to thatch, as is commonly believed. Sharpen mower blades regularly. Dull mower blades shred the grass blades, leaving them ragged and vulnerable to further damage. An annual sharpening is usually fine for a home lawn, but sharpening several times a season is best if the mower is heavily used. Cut the grass short at the end of the growing season. Once your lawn stops growing, remove an extra 0.5–1 inch (1.25–2.5 cm) on the final mow. This helps prevent matted grass and snow mold over the winter. Choose a mixed slow release / fast release fertilizer. Choose a product with about 30–50% slow release fertilizer. If you can't find a mix, go with a slow-release fertilizer for your home lawn. This has a less dramatic effect, but has less risk of burning your lawn or causing excessive growth. Slow release fertilizers are also called timed release or insoluble fertilizers. They include urea foam, IBDU, and WIN. Fast release fertilizers include urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Find a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient you can add to your lawn. The first of the three numbers on the fertilizer tell you the percentage of nitrogen it contains. This should be the highest number, with the ideal ratio around 3:1:2 or 4:1:2. For example, a 9-3-6 fertilizer has a ratio of 3:1:2. Choose an organic fertilizer if possible. Fertilizer made from animal or plant products decompose into proteins and carbohydrates that feed earthworms and microbes on your lawn. Keeping these populations healthy ensures well-aerated soil and fast decomposition of grass clippings. Organic fertilizers are also less likely to damage your lawn than synthetic products. Decide on a fertilizer plan. All lawns need at least one fertilization a year to prevent water runoff and improve health. Past that, it's up to your how much effort you want to put in. Here are three approaches, from the easiest to the most effective: Fertilize once a year, applying 1 lb nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (0.5 kg / 100 m ). Late fall is ideal, but never during frost, snowy or soaked ground, or a heat wave following a frost. Fertilize every 8–10 weeks from spring to fall, using 0.5–1 lb nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (0.25–0.5 kg / 100 m ) each time. Skip one of these if you leave grass clippings on your lawn after each mow. Look at a local university agriculture extension website for a guide that matches your grass species and climate. Measure how much fertilizer to use. The easy approach is to adjust your fertilizer spreader, which should come with instructions. Use the setting listed for 1lb nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (0.5 kg / 100 m ). For a more accurate measure, use this calculation instead: Find the nitrogen percentage on your fertilizer packaging and convert to decimals. (For example, a 24-8-16 fertilizer is 24% nitrogen → 0.24.) Multiply this by the number of pounds of fertilizer per bag to get the pounds of nitrogen per bag. (0.24 nitrogen x 20 lb bag = 4.8 lb nitrogen per bag) Divide your lawn size by (1,000 x your answer). (2,880 sq ft lawn ÷ 4,800 = 0.6 bags will fertilize your lawn). Pour that amount of fertilizer in your spreader and set it to a light setting. Walk around your lawn evenly until it runs out. Operate the fertilizer spreader. The main goals are applying fertilizer evenly to avoid uneven color, and preventing spread outside the lawn. Accidentally fertilizing flowerbeds and vegetable beds may damage the plants, and letting fertilizer run off to storm drains and water sources causes environmental damage. Here's are guides for the two main types of spreader: Drop spreaders are more precise, spreading less fertilizer outside the lawn. Minimize "striping" by setting to half strength and crossing the lawn in two paths, at 90º angles. Broadcast (rotary) spreaders are more efficient for large lawns, but must be kept at least 10 ft (3m) from water sources and lawn edges. To apply evenly, space applications so 30% of the spreader range overlaps. Aerate your yard once or twice a year. A lawn aerator, available from tool rental companies, removes plugs of soil from your lawn to improve aeration and drainage. For a home lawn, one aeration each fall is usually enough. Aerate when the ground is soft enough to penetrate, but a little on the dry side to prevent compaction. Ideally, the machine should remove plugs about 2–3 inches (5–7.5cm) long, 0.5–0.75 in (1.25–1.9cm) in diameter. Pass over the lawn once or twice, or until there are eight or nine plugs per square foot (88-99 per m ). Leave the plugs on the lawn to decompose. If they're taking too long, break them up by dragging metal objects over the grass, or collect them to compost. Remove excessive thatch. Thatch is the spongy mat of roots and stems that build up on the lawn surface. Once it reaches 0.5 in (1.25 cm) thick, it will grow rapidly and prevent drainage and aeration. There are several ways to remove existing thatch: The best way to remove thatch is additional core aeration, described above. Rent a dethatching machine to remove thatch less than 0.5 in (1.25 cm) thick. Do this only in early fall or late spring, when weather is cool and there are several weeks of growth left. Run a power rake over the lawn, frequently and shallowly. Deep power raking can cause damage. Prevent future thatch buildup. If thatch grows rapidly, try these fixes right after removing the existing thatch: Topdress the lawn with a ⅛ in (3mm) sprinkle of soil, using the same soil as the lawn. Conduct a soil test and adjust pH until it is between 6.0 and 7.0, or as recommended for your grass species. Add calcium carbonate lime to raise lawn pH, or sulfur to lower it. Reduce use of pesticides, which may be killing earthworms that break down thatch. Prevent surface runoff. If water floods your lawn or runs off into surrounding areas, give the lawn half as much water as you currently use per session. Let the water drain for one hour, then give the lawn the rest of the water. This is usually a problem for dense clay soil and slopes. Commercial wetting agents added to the water will reduce runoff, but won't fix a serious problem. If your lawn is seriously compacted or has a thick layer of thatch, aerate the yard as described above. Shake water droplets from grass surface. Dew will not harm your grass, but "guttation" will. This is the formation of sugary water droplets along the blade edge, which attract disease and pests. To get rid of these, drag a hose or whipping pole over the surface, or hose them off with a brief spray. Improve poor grass in shady areas. If your grass does poorly in shade make these adjustments to shaded areas: Water less frequently but very deeply. Fertilize ⅓ or ½ as much as the sunny areas. Mow to 3 inches (7.5 cm) or higher. Reduce foot traffic. Care for lawns in winter. Minimize lawn use during frosts, when the lawn is vulnerable. If you need to break up ice, use as little salt as possible. Calcium chloride products are safer than sodium chloride or salt-laden snow. Never use fertilizers to break up ice, as they will run off along with snowmelt and pollute water sources. Stick to light use in early spring until the grass dries out and revives. If there are bare spots, seed them early before weeds take hold.
Water in late evening or early morning. Check your lawn's water needs. Water deeply and infrequently. Look for signs of drying. Let cool season grass stay dormant. Water rarely outside the growing season. Cut grass high. Remove no more than ⅓ of the grass blade. Mow when the lawn is cool and dry. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Sharpen mower blades regularly. Cut the grass short at the end of the growing season. Choose a mixed slow release / fast release fertilizer. Find a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. Choose an organic fertilizer if possible. Decide on a fertilizer plan. Measure how much fertilizer to use. Operate the fertilizer spreader. Aerate your yard once or twice a year. Remove excessive thatch. Prevent future thatch buildup. Prevent surface runoff. Shake water droplets from grass surface. Improve poor grass in shady areas. Care for lawns in winter.
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How to Deal with an Existential Crisis
To deal with an existential crisis, start by socializing with others to fight off feelings of loneliness. Try going to the movies or dinner with friends and see if it helps you mood. If you're still feeling upset, reach out to a friend or family member and tell them you could use a good listener. You can also use an existential crisis to re-evaluate areas of your life that you may be dissatisfied with. If, for example, your crisis is triggered by feeling unsatisfied at your job, then consider realistic goals to slowly transition to a new position.
Identify your crisis triggers by examining your recent actions and thoughts. It's very likely that a particular moment or event prompted you to feel as if you are in crisis. For some people, this can be a meeting at your work that doesn't go the way you planned. Or, you may have had a lovely couples' dinner that reminded you how much you want a partner. Knowing your triggers lets you plan to avoid or counter situations that may push you into crisis. For example, you might plan group gatherings instead of dinners where you'll feel like a third-wheel. Triggers can include major life events, such as the death of a loved one, losing your job, or getting a divorce. Know when to just leave your crisis moment alone. You might be the type of person who has a series of existential crises and actually thrives off of them. Or, at the very least, they may pass without really upsetting your mental state for very long. See if you can discern a pattern to your crisis moments and experiment with what happens if you just ignore it and move on. If you feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts, then you may need to take action. Talking with a therapist might be a good start. Create a mental catalog of the people who love you. Sit down and think about all of the people you've had contact with over your life. Identify those people who you'd consider to be friends and family. Out of that category, separate out those people who you know truly love you. Do this exercise often and you'll see how extended your support network actually is. Don't assess the final category based on how many people end up there. Instead, focus on the quality of these positive feelings. Imagine one of your idols giving you advice. Think about someone who you admire, even if you've never met them. Then, envision telling them how you are feeling and what they'd say in response. This is a great way to give yourself advice, but in a more detached sense. For example, you might express your concerns to imaginary Oprah Winfrey and guess what she'd tell you to do. Dig deeper beyond the surface of the problem. This is when talking things out with another person can really help. You may think that you are depressed about a particular incident that took place that day, but it's likely a much larger issue. Keep asking yourself, “What else is bothering me?” For example, as a parent, you might not just get frustrated at the constant stream of laundry at home, but also the inability to spend time with your friends as easily as you did before having children. Force yourself to go out and spend time with other people. When you are experiencing a crisis, the last thing you'll want to do is socialize with others. But, that is exactly what you need to do. Perhaps start off small by going to see a movie, then build up to a social gathering. Being around other people will help you to keep yourself busy and fight off the feelings of loneliness. Avoid comparing yourself with others when you go out. This can make you feel worse. Use the crisis to learn what you want to improve in your life. An existential crisis may indicate that you are dissatisfied or frustrated with a certain part of your life. Try thinking about what the cause of your crisis was, and see if you can find ways to improve that element of your life. For example, if you feel stuck in a dead-end job, it could be a sign that you need to get a new job. Set manageable goals for yourself, like teaching yourself a new skill or applying for a certain number of jobs each week. If you're uncertain about what to do, considering talking to a friend or a mental health professional. Remove the focus from yourself and place it on others. When you are in the midst of an existential crisis, it can feel as if you are all alone in the world with your problems. To take yourself out of this mindset, go out and pay attention to other people. Try to see if you can identify a problem they are having and how you might help. In addition to putting your problems in perspective, helping others will make you feel happy. For example, if you see someone accidentally drop some items on the floor at a store, you might rush over and help them pick them up. Stop comparing yourself to others. This is a road that will only lead to negativity and crises, because someone else will always appear to have it better than you. If you find yourself thinking enviously about that celebrity or coworker, tell yourself “no.” Then, force yourself to think about what you actually have in common with that person. For example, instead of being jealous that a coworker gets to take a ski vacation, focus on the fact that they enjoy being outdoors like you do. Clean up your room and surroundings. A chaotic or dirty environment can help to spawn angry, negative feelings. Take charge of your space by organizing, mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning it. You might even go out and buy a new piece of furniture for the space. Invite other people over to help you organize. This will reduce the possibility of loneliness, too. Talk it out with a friend or family member. Reach out to someone who you trust and who will keep whatever you say confidential. Then, meet with them in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Tell them how you are feeling, being as descriptive and detailed as you can. Remind them that you are not looking for advice necessarily, just someone to listen. For example, you might say, “I've not felt comfortable with my career life for the past 6 months or so.” Reach out to a therapist. A severe existential crisis can sometimes spiral into feelings of anxiety or depression. If you are worried that this might be your situation, then reach out to your primary care physician for a therapy referral. Many therapists offer a free first visit or reduced rates to counter the expense. This is an especially good option if you feel as if you have no one in your life to air your thoughts out with. Attend a support group. A therapist might also be able to recommend a support group aimed at targeting whatever seems to be prompting your feelings of crisis. The group might meet on a weekly or even monthly basis. Most groups gather in a central, accessible location, such as a hospital or community center. For example, if your crises seem to stem from the loss of loved ones, then a grief support group could be helpful. Call a hotline or emergency services if you have thoughts of self-harm. If your crisis deepens to the point at which you feel hopeless or if you even contemplate harming yourself, go ahead and call a suicide prevention hotline. This will give you a chance to talk through your emotions with a trained professional. Alternatively, you can also reach out to directly to emergency services in your area for assistance. For example, in the United States, you could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Identify your crisis triggers by examining your recent actions and thoughts. Know when to just leave your crisis moment alone. Create a mental catalog of the people who love you. Imagine one of your idols giving you advice. Dig deeper beyond the surface of the problem. Force yourself to go out and spend time with other people. Use the crisis to learn what you want to improve in your life. Remove the focus from yourself and place it on others. Stop comparing yourself to others. Clean up your room and surroundings. Talk it out with a friend or family member. Reach out to a therapist. Attend a support group. Call a hotline or emergency services if you have thoughts of self-harm.
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-with-Dentures
How to Eat with Dentures
Eating with dentures can feel awkward at first, but you can make it easier by working your way up to hard foods and avoiding foods that can break or displace your dentures When you first get your dentures, stick to a liquid diet and gradually transition to soft foods, like eggs, pasta, and boiled rice. As you work your way back to harder foods, focus on chewing on both sides of your mouth so your dentures are more likely to stay in place. Avoid chewing with your front teeth, which could displace your dentures. Instead, bite your food using your side teeth. While having dentures shouldn't alter your diet too much, there are certain foods that you should avoid, like nuts, caramel, toffee, gum, and berries with small seeds.
Chew on both sides of your mouth. The food should be in the back on both sides of your mouth or in the front corners. Chew slowly on both sides at the same time. This way, your dentures will more likely stay in place and will evenly distribute the chewing pressure. Avoid chewing with your front teeth. If you try to bite food with your front teeth you risk displacing your dentures. Instead, bite the food using the side teeth and use your tongue to bring food to the back of your mouth. Chew thoroughly and slowly before you swallow. Break your dentures in with a liquid diet. For people who have never worn dentures before, it may be very difficult to eat any sort of solid food. Drink nutrient-dense liquids like juiced fruits and vegetables or milk (animal- or plant-based). Then, work your way up to puréed fruits and vegetables, such as applesauce or compote. Other good choices include: Tea or coffee sweetened with honey Soups, broths, or bisques without chunks of other foods Transition to a soft diet. These foods are easy to chew and swallow. Cut or mash your food before eating, if necessary. In addition to the foods you could eat on your liquid diet, you can also eat: Soft cheese, eggs, mashed potatoes, ground meat, cooked legumes Soft fruits, boiled rice, and pasta Breads and cereals softened with milk or water Use denture adhesive. Adhesive protects against food particles getting stuck between your dentures and gums. Make sure your denture is clean and dry, then squeeze the adhesive in short strips in the dentures beds. To prevent the adhesive from oozing out of your dentures, avoid getting the adhesive close to the edges. Start with a small amount and gradually add more if you need it. This is especially necessary for your lower denture, which has less surface area contacting your mouth surfaces. Ask your dentist for specific recommendations based on dentures and your diet. Rinse and brush your dentures each night to remove food particles and plaque, and keep them in warm water or denture solution when you're not wearing them to keep them from warping. Cut tough foods into smaller pieces. Slice your apple or raw carrot into manageable pieces instead of biting into the whole thing. Remove corn from the cob with a sharp knife. Tear the crust away from your pizza or garlic bread. If you adjust your eating technique for a particular food. you don't have to give up that food. Steam your vegetables. This will maintain their flavor while giving them a softer, yet somewhat crispy, texture. Pour about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water into a large pot. Place it on a burner set to high and let it come to a rolling boil. Place a steaming basket into the pot above the water and add your fresh vegetables. Cover the pot and allow the veggies to soften for about 10 minutes. Abstain from solid hard foods. Dentures can easily break if you put excessive pressure on them. Stay away from foods that require added force to chew them properly. Some of these foods include croutons, crispy granola bars, and nuts. You could substitute nuts with pitted olives, which are also a good source of healthy fats. Avoid sticky foods. They can get trapped and stick in between your dentures and gums. Sticky foods can also dislodge your dentures and cause pain and discomfort. Steer clear of chewing gum, taffy, chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter. Hummus is a good alternative to peanut butter. It's spreadable and provides protein without the sticky texture. Don't eat foods with small particles. Fruits with seeds could easily get caught between your dentures and gums. Avoid strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and seeded grapes. You should also stay away from baked goods with seeds on the crust. This includes poppy seed muffins, sesame seed buns, and kaiser rolls. Substitute seedy fruits with blueberries and seedless grapes. If you must have seedy baked goods, opt for breads, buns, muffins, etc. with baked-in seeds or grains that have been ground.
Chew on both sides of your mouth. Avoid chewing with your front teeth. Break your dentures in with a liquid diet. Transition to a soft diet. Use denture adhesive. Cut tough foods into smaller pieces. Steam your vegetables. Abstain from solid hard foods. Avoid sticky foods. Don't eat foods with small particles.
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Yellow-Sapphire
How to Check Yellow Sapphire
Yellow sapphire is a beautiful precious gem, but before buying one make sure it's real, natural, and relatively flawless. Most fake sapphires are made of glass, which gives it a large, too colorful appearance with smooth, rounded edges. If you see tiny bubbles or scratches, this is another sign that you're looking at a fake. In addition to glass, some gems are replaced with synthetic materials, so beware of “X” cuts on the facets of the stone, which typically indicates it isn't a real gem. Since a true yellow sapphire is a pure yellow, watch for similar but less precious imitations, which often have a different hue, like a green or orange tint.
Compare the yellow sapphire with a piece of yellow glass. Most fake sapphires are made from glass. While yellow glass may look similar to yellow sapphire at a glance, the two are drastically different when compared with one another. In general, yellow glass is too big and too colorful to be real. Look for tiny bubbles. Sapphires can have several interior inclusions, but yellow sapphires of high quality will not have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Fake sapphires, on the other hand, often have tiny bubbles inside. Check for scratches. Sapphire of any color is extremely hard. Diamond is the hardest gemstone, ranking a 10 on the Moh's scale of mineral hardness, and sapphire ranks at 9.0 on the same scale. As such, very few materials can scratch a sapphire. Glass, on the other hand, ranks between 5.5 and 6.0 and is scratched much more easily. A glass imitation of yellow sapphire often has lots of surface scratches, while real sapphire has very few, if any. Note the facets. Since glass is not as hard as sapphire, it is cut much more easily. Yellow glass stones are cut quite simply and usually have smooth, rounded edges. On the other hand, yellow sapphires have more complex cuts that are sharp and crisp. Take note of the cut. On a small scale, natural yellow sapphires can be cut into nearly any style. Once stones get larger than one carat, however, many jewelers tend to prefer cutting sapphires into oval or cushion mixed cut. Since round and emerald cuts are more popular, however, jewelers often cut synthetic stones into round and emerald shapes. Natural sapphires can, in theory, be cut into the same shapes, but it is much less likely. Stay away from "X" cuts. Manufacturers of synthetic stones often place an "X" cut, also called a scissors cut, on the facets of a stone. Avoid "grooves. " Occasionally, the facets of synthetic stones do not come out as crisp as the facets of a natural sapphire would. This flaw looks very similar to the grooves one might expect to see on a vinyl record, but they can usually be seen only under magnification of a 10x loupe. Check the stone under magnification. A good synthetic may have flaws that are only visible under 10x to 30x magnification. Low, 10x magnification can usually identify the curved, grooved banding found in synthetic sapphires, especially when the examiner places a piece of translucent glass in between the stone and the light source. Higher 30x magnification can identify gas bubbles and masses of powder that has not melted. Watch out for fillings. Like any stone, yellow sapphire occasionally contains inclusions and negative space inside the stone. When a gem-cutter slices into one of these imperfections, a small hole can develop. Most jewelers prefer to keep the hole in the gem rather than cut it away, but untrustworthy jewelers sometimes fill the stone with glass or borax paste to add weight and make the stone appear higher quality. Examine the stone by shining a light on it. Patches of unevenness are usually a good indication of this practice. Be aware of foil backed stones. Foil backing reflects more light, making the color of the yellow sapphire look more vibrant and the luster of the gem look brighter. The backing can be hard to see if the stone is already fitted into a setting, but careful examination of the base of the stone under magnification can often reveal a foil backing. Moreover, this potential falsification is more commonly found in antique jewelry, meaning that you may not need to worry about it quite as much if purchasing a new piece. Keep setting in mind. If you have any doubts about the seller you plan to buy from, consider buying loose stones or stones with settings that give you a look at the bottom of the stone. Claw, tension, and channel settings are good examples. On the other hand, closed settings, like the bezel mounting, are often used by scammers to hide flaws and evidence of fraudulence. Note the color. True yellow sapphire is a pure yellow, but similar, less precious imitations often have slightly different hues. Citrine has a slight green tint, golden topaz has strong traces of orange, and yellow tourmaline has a brighter, lemon-like hue. Look for a certificate. While a certificate does not give you the same assurance that physically checking the stone might, it does provide you with the satisfaction of knowing that the stone was checked and approved by an official, trusted organization. Look for certificates from national gem societies like the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society.
Compare the yellow sapphire with a piece of yellow glass. Look for tiny bubbles. Check for scratches. Note the facets. Take note of the cut. Stay away from "X" cuts. Avoid "grooves. Check the stone under magnification. Watch out for fillings. Be aware of foil backed stones. Keep setting in mind. Note the color. Look for a certificate.
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Green-Onions-Fresh
How to Keep Green Onions Fresh
To keep green onions fresh, fill a tall glass or container with 2 inches of water and place the roots of the onions in it. Then, cover the jar with a plastic bag and hold the bag in place with an elastic band. Place the jar in your refrigerator, but remember to change the water every few days. Alternatively, fill a container with water, place the roots of the onions in the water, and position your container on a window sill or in another sunny spot so they can continue growing.
Fill a glass or tall jar with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water. Use a glass or jar that is heavy on the bottom so that it easily stays upright. The water should be cold or room temperature, but not warm. The glass or jar should be tall enough so that it can keep the green onions upright. For example, a pint glass or a large canning jar works well. Put the root end of the onions in the water. Since green onions are typically sold with roots still attached, these roots can be used to help keep the onions fresh. By submerging the roots in water, you allow the onions to keep taking in water, which helps the onions stay firm and fresh. Even if the roots themselves have been trimmed off your green onions, but the root end remains, the plant will grow new roots in water. Cover the onions and the top of the container in a plastic bag. In order to keep the right level of humidity around your green onions in a refrigerator, you need to tent them with a plastic bag. This can be a produce bag or a zip-lock bag, whatever you have available. It may be easiest to use the produce bag that you brought the green onions home in. Cinch the plastic bag around the top of the container. If you have tented your green onions with a produce bag, then you can use a rubber band or string to cinch the plastic bag around the container. If you have used a zip-lock bag, you can simply close the zip-lock edge as much as possible toward the sides of the container. The plastic bag does not need to be totally sealed so that it is airtight. You simply want to keep some of the humidity from the water around the onions. If the plastic bag was not there, the refrigerator would remove all of it. Put the glass in your refrigerator. Place the glass with the onions in it on a tall shelf of your refrigerator. Put it in a spot where it won't get bumped a lot and where it will be stable so that it doesn't fall over and spill water all over the fridge. When you want to use your onions, just take the container out, remove the bag, remove an onion, place the plastic bag back on, and put it back in the fridge. Change the water every few days. To keep the onions fresh, you will need to refresh the water regularly. If you don't, mold can accumulate on the surface of the water and can begin to decay the onions. When you change out the water, you can also rinse off the green onion root sections. This will help to remove any bacteria or mold that might be starting to grow on them. Pick out a container. Green onions can be kept in water or soil at room temperature and they will continue to grow. If you want to keep them in water, you will need to find a glass or jar that is tall enough and heavy enough to keep them upright. If you want to keep the onions in soil, you will need a flower pot that will fit on your windowsill and that is at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep. Green onions will last a long time stored in either water or soil on your windowsill. Deciding between the two is based mostly on personal preference. Prepare your container. If you are using a glass, put 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water in it. Like the refrigerator method, this allows the roots of the green onions to absorb water up into the plant. If you are using a pot, put at least 5 inches (13 cm) of potting soil in it. This will allow the green onions to be planted deep enough to stand up on their own. Place your onions in the water or soil. Stick the root end of your green onions into your container of water. If you are keeping your onions in soil, stick the root end into the soil and then press the soil down around them to help the onions stand up. Green onions should be placed 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart when planted in soil. Place the container on your windowsill or in another sunny spot. In order for your green onions to continue growing, they need to be exposed to sunlight. Place the container or pot in a sunny spot that gets 6 to 7 hours of light every day. Having your green onions continue growing is a perk of storing them in the sunlight, as opposed to in the fridge. Green onions stored in the fridge will not continue growing. Typically, a sunny windowsill in your kitchen is a great place to store green onions or scallions. This makes it easy for you to remember to use them when you are cooking a meal. Change out the water in the glass or water the soil every few days. The green onions that you store outside of the refrigerator will need a bit of care. For green onions stored in water, be sure to switch out the water every few days. This will ensure that mold doesn't accumulate on the surface of the water. If your green onions are stored in soil, you should be sure to water the soil when it begins to dry out. Green onions should be kept in moist, but not overly wet, soil. Use the green onion tops and but keep the roots intact. Green onions that are stored outside of the refrigerator will continue growing. Clip off the new growth with scissors and keep the white root section intact. If you do this, the onions will continue to regrow indefinitely. If there are sections of the green part of the onion that go brown and shrivel, simply trim those off or leave them. Once you trim the greens the tips tend to brown and the onion will grow a whole new green sprout. Remove any packaging from the green onions. Green onions often come in plastic bags or are held together in bundles with rubber bands. Take all of the packaging off of the onions so that they are loose. Removing the packaging will allow the green onions to be removed from the bundle more easily and will minimize the chance of the onions being damaged by the rubber bands. Wrap the onions in a damp paper towel. In order to keep the green onions firm, they need to be kept in humid conditions. Wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel will provide the humidity they need without adding so much moisture that they begin to rot. To make sure that the paper towel is not too wet, you can wrap the onions in a dry paper towel and then sprinkle a bit of water over the top of the towel. Place the towel-wrapped onions in a plastic bag. To keep the moisture around the green onions, the bundle should be placed in a plastic bag. This will ensure that the humidity created by the damp paper towel is not removed by the refrigerator. The plastic bag can be placed loosely around the bundle of onions. It does not need to be completely airtight. Put the bag in your refrigerator. The vegetable bin is a good place to keep your green onions. However, because the green onions are in a plastic bag, they can be kept anywhere in your refrigerator. When you use some of your green onions, be sure to re-moisten the paper towel if it has dried out. Then place the bundle back in its plastic bag and put it all back in the fridge.
Fill a glass or tall jar with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water. Put the root end of the onions in the water. Cover the onions and the top of the container in a plastic bag. Cinch the plastic bag around the top of the container. Put the glass in your refrigerator. Change the water every few days. Pick out a container. Prepare your container. Place your onions in the water or soil. Place the container on your windowsill or in another sunny spot. Change out the water in the glass or water the soil every few days. Use the green onion tops and but keep the roots intact. Remove any packaging from the green onions. Wrap the onions in a damp paper towel. Place the towel-wrapped onions in a plastic bag. Put the bag in your refrigerator.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Service-Quality
How to Measure Service Quality
To measure service quality, start by administering multiple-choice surveys to your customers at the end of their experience with your business to gain valuable feedback. Another option is to offer usability tests, which involve customers using your products or services in a controlled environment while observers watch and take notes. Your social media presence can also be a valuable tool for gauging service quality, since customers are able to make comments and rate your business based on their experiences.
Use surveys. Perhaps the most simple, direct way to get feedback from your customers is simply to ask for it. One easy way to do this is with a survey — a list of questions about their experience. Surveys with multiple-choice questions are especially useful for businesses because answers to these sorts of questions can easily be quantified, so it's easy to express conclusions from the data in the form of graphs, scatter plots, etc. Usually, surveys are given at the end of the consumer's experience (such as after dinner or as they are checking out of a hotel). You may want to include a survey with the documentation that completes the transaction, like the bill after a meal, the receipt for a store purchase, and so on. Keep things short and sweet — almost no one likes filling out long, detailed surveys. The more simple and to-the-point your survey is, the more likely people are to fill it out. Follow up with customers after service. Another common way that businesses get feedback from their customers is by contacting them after the service has been completed. This is usually done by using the contact info provided by the customer as part of receiving their service — you may have participated in this form of feedback if you've ever gotten a follow-up call from your cable company after having a receiver installed, for instance. This form of feedback has the advantage of giving customers some time to use your business's service before asking for their opinion. Unfortunately, one disadvantage of this type of feedback is that it can be seed as rude or cloying. For instance, if a family receives a follow-up call during their nightly dinner, this may negatively affect their view of your business. One way to offset this somewhat is to use less obtrusive ways of contacting your customers, like email, social media, and other electronic modes of communication. Note, however, that electronic methods have been shown to favor data from different demographic groups than phone surveys. Offer usability tests. The two customer feedback examples above have both involved gathering service quality data from customers after they've used your business. Usability tests, on the other hand, offer the ability to get feedback from your customers during their use of your product or services. Typically, in a usability test, a few participants are given samples of your product or service while observers watch and take notes. The participants are usually asked to complete specific tasks or problems with the product or service — if they can't complete them, this can be a sign that the product or service has design issues. Usability tests can give extremely valuable data about how to improve a product or service. For instance, if you're testing the quality of your new cloud-based writing platform and you notice that most of your participants have a hard time changing the font size, you'll know that this option should be made more intuitive during the final release. To keep the cost of usability tests low, make the most of the resources at your disposal — conduct the tests in your offices, during your business hours, and, if possible, use your business's own recording equipment. Renting these things can become very expensive. Monitor your social media presence. Today, "word of mouth" doesn't refer only to the conversations people have with each other in person — the rise of social media in the past decade has made it easy for people to discuss their likes and dislikes online. Take the comments made about your business on social media seriously — though the standards for online communication aren't particularly high, people are somewhat more likely to be honest online, where they have a degree of anonymity, than they are in person. If your business doesn't already have an account on at least one major social media site (like Facebook, Yelp, or Twitter), get to work on making one right away. Not only is this a way to start monitoring your social media "footprint", but also to promote your business and notify your customer base of upcoming events. One site in particular that you'll want to have a presence on is Yelp. Since Yelp is a very widely-used repository of reviews and testimonials, it can have a major effect on a business — in one recent study, small businesses reported that a strong Yelp presence helped them achieve an additional $8,000 in revenue per year. Incentivize the feedback process. Customers are human beings with plenty of their own commitments, so their time and effort are valuable. Thus, you're much more likely to get feedback from customers if you make it worth their while. One way to do this is simply to pay customers to give you detailed feedback or participate in tests. If you can't spare the cash for this, you can still incentivize your customers to give you good feedback if you're willing to get creative. Below are just a few sample ideas: Offer discounts or preferred status to participating customers Enroll participating customers in a drawing or contest for a prize Give gift cards or store credit Give out free merchandise Use analytics data for online business. If your business does some or all of its operations online, you can use the power of web analytics to draw conclusions about the quality of service on your website. By monitoring which pages your customers view, how long they stay on each page, and other browsing habits, it's possible to draw valuable conclusions about the quality of your online service. For example, let's say that you operate a company that lets users pay to watch DIY car repair videos made by expert mechanics. Using an analytics tool that lets you monitor the traffic to each page, you discover that 90% of visitors make it to the pricing information page but only 5% go on to select one of the service options. This may be a sign that your pricing scheme isn't competitive — perhaps lowering your prices may get you a more favorable sales rate. Just a few popular web analytics tools include: Google Analytics (free), Open Web Analytics (free), Clicky (requires registration), Mint (paid), and Click Tale (paid). Outsource your feedback needs to a competent third party. If your business is really struggling with measuring its service quality, it's important to remember that it doesn't have to handle this task on its own. If you simply don't have the time or resources to effectively gather customer feedback, try enlisting the services of a high-quality customer service firm. The best firms will take your business's unique mission into account while handling your customer feedback needs and keeping you up-to-speed on any problems. For businesses with room in their budget for outsourcing, third party solutions can be huge time-savers and efficiency-boosters. Note, however, that using a third party to handle your customer service can sometimes make it appear as if your business doesn't consider customers' opinions important enough to deal with directly. Because of this, when outsourcing your customer service needs, it's extra important to present an empathetic, "human" image to consumers. Show customers that their feedback matters. Ask yourself this question: if you were an average consumer, who would you be more likely to spend time sending a detailed, well-written service quality review to: a massive, faceless organization to whom you don't matter, or a business run by human beings that takes the time to respond to its customer's needs? The answer should be obvious. If your business has a reputation for taking its customers' problems seriously, you'll find that you get more (and better) feedback without having to make any other changes. All that's necessary is to take the extra time and effort to reach out to customers that contact you with comments about your service quality. One easy way for small and large businesses alike to do this is to respond to your customers' comments and concerns on social media, where they're most visible to other customers. You may not be able to prevent every customer from leaving your business unsatisfied, but if you respond to an angry review on social media graciously and professionally, for instance, you can make the best of a bad situation and maybe even win the customer's business back. Measure the quality of the customer’s point of contact. When you're designing a survey or another method of measuring your business's service quality, it's important to focus on the very most important metrics (since customers are less likely to complete longer, more complicated surveys). One of the most important details of all to focus on is the quality of the customer's point of contact. By examining the interaction between customers and your representatives, you can determine whether your business's interactions with your customers are satisfactory. In addition, this line of questioning can help you "weed out" problem employees with bad attitudes. Try to ask questions like the following: Which employee(s) provided your service? Did the employee(s) providing the service appear to be knowledgeable? Were they courteous to customers as well as other staff? Did they convey a sense of confidence and trust? Measure the empathy of the company as a whole. If your business deals directly with consumers (as opposed to other businesses), it's vital to convey the idea that your business cares about its customers. There isn't one single way to do this — the solution to this problem is part marketing, part branding, and (especially) part service quality. To measure this quality in surveys and so on, focus on asking questions like the following: Did the consumer feel the company and/or employee(s) cared about the people they were working with? Did the customer feel they received individualized attention? Did the company project a friendly, welcoming atmosphere? Measure the reliability of the company. High service quality in the short-term doesn't mean much if it can't be sustained in the long-term. Consistency is a hugely important aspect of high-quality service — in fact, research has shown that reliability is generally considered the most important aspect of good service by customers. Reliability is the reason that huge-multinationals like McDonalds are able to attract customers everywhere. Customers like getting the same satisfactory result every time they use a business's products or services. Thus, to judge the consistency of your service, ask questions like the following: Did the employee or company perform the service accurately? Did the customer feel the company or employee would be able to dependably continue to perform the service in the future? Would the customer use the company's services again in the future? If this is not the customer's first time using the company's services, how did their most recent experience compare to past ones? Measure the responsiveness of the company. Though it's probably obvious, it definitely bears mentioning that customers nearly everywhere prefer interacting with companies that are kind, polite, prompt, and willing to satisfy them. Measuring your company's responsiveness can help you determine whether to devote more resources to creating a positive experience for your customer by training your employees to be more effective, hiring new personnel, and/or using different strategies for dealing with customers. Try focusing on questions like the following: How willing and able was the employee able to respond to the customer's needs? How quickly was service provided? Did the employee seem happy to offer additional service? Measure the tangible aspects of the customer's experience. Even the happiest, promptest, most accommodating employees can't give high-quality service if they don't have the equipment to do their job or the actual physical environment of the business is unsatisfactory. Keeping the physical, tangible aspects of your business in good order is an important aspect of providing high-quality service. Pinpoint flaws in your business's operations by asking questions like the following: Was all equipment functioning properly? Was the appearance of the product or business clean and satisfactory? Was the appearance of the employee(s) professional? Were all communications clear and professional? Give your employees defined standards for service. Employees' work can be hindered if they're given countless pointless rules to follow, but some amount of direction is vital for sensitive areas like customer service. Employees should know exactly what's expected of them when they interact with customers and deliver your business's services. For most businesses, this will include a friendly, helpful attitude, a willingness to please the customer, and quick, professional service. Additional requirements may vary, so it's up to you and your business's management to clearly communicate your goals to your employees. Often, the simplest service rules are the most effective ones. For example, Little Caesars, a large US fast food pizza chain, gives its employees the simple goal of providing every customer with "a perfect pizza and a smile in 30 seconds or less." This simple directive outlines the most important qualities of the business's service (quality, friendliness, and quickness) and makes it very clear what type of service is expected. Compete for employee talent. Perhaps the most important resource a company can have is its employees. Without skilled, motivated employees, it's nearly impossible to consistently deliver good-quality service; with them, good service is the norm. If you want the absolute best employees for your business, don't wait for them to come for you — instead, hunt them down and be willing to make them persuasive offers when you find them. Advertise job openings in online and print classified ads. Represent your company at career fairs. Keep in touch with your network of business contacts and notify them when you're looking to hire. Most importantly, be willing to offer better compensation than your competitors. One sound policy for attracting good employees (and improving the loyalty of existing employees) is to offer the members of your staff a “career”, rather than a job. This means a reasonable, consistent level of pay with competitive benefits and (most importantly) the possibility for promotion with hard work. Employees who can see the benefit of long-term employment at their current job are likely to put in the extra time and effort to give your customers exceptional service. Offer your employees incentives for good service. What's one great way of getting excellent service quality out of your employees? Making it worth their while. Incentive good service means offering employees tangible rewards for meeting or exceeding the level of service that you want. Often, these rewards are in the form of money, but in some cases, other benefits, like vacation time, promotion, awards, and so on can work well. With a smart reward-based system set up, it's becomes the employee's best interest to provide good service because this will give them the greatest reward. For example, most car dealerships pay their salesmen on a commission-based model — that is, car salesmen keep a percentage of the profits from the sale of car. This model works out well for both the salesmen and the dealership: salesmen will naturally work hard to make sales so that they can earn as much money as possible, increasing the number of cars the dealership sells. Make tracking your service an ongoing part of your business plan. Measuring your business's service quality shouldn't be a one-time task. If you want to keep your service quality high as new problems arise, it should be a major, continuous part of your business operations. Consider adopting a few of the following strategies the next time you're setting your business's upcoming schedule: Hold semi-regular service quality meetings with your management staff Conduct regular employee reviews with an eye for improving service Occasionally review your business's training regimen for new employees If necessary, consider dedicating resources to the task of monitoring your company's online "profile" (or even hiring new staff or interns to do this) Make it easy for customers to complain and receive responses. Businesses that want to improve their service quality can't be afraid to "face the music". Smart businesses make it easy for their customers to tell them what they're doing wrong — after all, the best judge of customer service is (obviously) the customer. Make a point to constantly solicit feedback from your customers. This can be as simple as keeping comment cards next to your cash register or as complicated as developing an online database to organize and store all customer service requests — it's up to you to decide what's reasonable for your business. Whatever you do to get feedback from your customers, make an effort to respond to as much of it as possible. Doing this isn't just polite — it also creates a sense of community with your customers and makes it clear to them that their opinions matter. You'll definitely want to respond to reasonable complaints on social media and popular review sites like Yelp since reviews in these places can potentially be read by millions.
Use surveys. Follow up with customers after service. Offer usability tests. Monitor your social media presence. Incentivize the feedback process. Use analytics data for online business. Outsource your feedback needs to a competent third party. Show customers that their feedback matters. Measure the quality of the customer’s point of contact. Measure the empathy of the company as a whole. Measure the reliability of the company. Measure the responsiveness of the company. Measure the tangible aspects of the customer's experience. Give your employees defined standards for service. Compete for employee talent. Offer your employees incentives for good service. Make tracking your service an ongoing part of your business plan. Make it easy for customers to complain and receive responses.
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Ceiling
How to Paint a Ceiling
To paint a ceiling, first move as much furniture out of the room as possible. Use a wet mop to wipe down the ceiling and remove any dust and grime. Then, take down any ceiling fixtures so they don't get in the way while you're painting. You should also cover the floor and any leftover furniture with drop cloths to protect them from paint. Apply painter's tape to the tops of the walls so they don't get paint on them. With everything prepped, apply interior latex drywall primer to the ceiling using a roller and an extension pole. Let the primer dry completely, around 1 hour. Then, use a paintbrush to paint the edges where the ceiling meets the wall since they'll be hard to reach with a roller. Use ceiling paint for an easy, low-maintenance option, or use flat latex paint if you want to use the same paint for the walls. Use a roller to paint the ceiling in 3-5 square foot (¼-½ square meter) sections. Let the first coat of paint dry for 1-2 hours or until it's completely dry to the touch, then apply a second coat if needed. Finally, remove the painter's tape, reinstall the ceiling fixtures, and clean up all of your supplies.
Purchase a lambswool roller and extension pole. The best tool to use when painting your ceiling is a thick-nap roller with an extension pole. You can find all of the supplies that you'll need at a local paint-supply store. Most large hardware stores will also sell paint and painting supplies. While you could use a paint brush, it'd make for a messy job. High-quality lambswool paint rollers will ensure a smooth layer of paint without bumps or bubbles. The length of extension pole that you'll need depends on the height of your ceiling. If your ceiling is a standard 8 feet (2.4 m), you'll only need a 2 ft (0.61 m) pole. If you have a higher, 12 ft (3.7 m) ceiling, opt for a 6 ft (1.8 m) pole. Choose a flat paint formulated for use on ceilings. This style of paint is different than standard wall paint. Flat paint is the best type of paint for ceilings because of its smooth viscosity. Flat paint will also hide any imperfections in the ceiling. You will also need to choose a color of paint for your ceiling. Most ceilings are painted white because the color makes a room seem bright and large. When selecting a tone of white, consider which particular shade of white will go best with the color of your walls. Move your furniture out from under the ceiling. Relocate the majority of your furniture out from under the ceiling and into a different room in your apartment, since paint may drip on un-moved furniture. For example, if you're painting the ceiling in your living room, move sofas, chairs, and tables into your kitchen or bedroom. Moving your furniture may not be possible if you live in a small apartment or have extremely heavy pieces of furniture. If you find yourself in that scenario, drape drop cloths over furniture to protect the upholstery from dripping paint. Cover your floor with a drop cloth. Lay a thick drop cloth evenly across your floor once you've moved your furniture out of the way. This will protect the floor and prevent ceiling paint from staining your carpet or tile. Also cover your windows and windowsills with drop clothes if you're concerned that paint may drip on them. Do not use a plastic sheet on your floor, as it will bunch, crinkle, and shift. Plus, thin plastic will hardly protect the floor from paint. Sand and wipe down your ceiling before painting. Purchase a 180-grit sandpaper sponge from your local hardware store. Run the sandpaper sponge lightly across your entire ceiling using a circular motion. This will remove any dust and grime that has built up naturally over time. Then, dampen a rag and run the damp rag across the surface of the ceiling to clean up the dust from sanding. If you do not wipe off the sanding dust before you begin to paint, you'll apply paint to this dust instead of to the ceiling itself. Do not sand a textured ceiling. Mask the area around the trim with painter’s tape. Stick the adhesive side of the painter's tape firmly against the edge of the trim where it meets the ceiling. If your wall has no trim, butt the edge of the tape directly up against the corner where the wall meets the ceiling. Applying a layer of painter's tape to the wall beneath the trim will prevent you from accidentally applying paint to the top of your wall. If you're going to paint your walls after you paint your ceiling, you should still mask the trim. This will preserve an even finish to the ceiling paint. Wrap painter’s tape around light fixtures before painting near them. Press the adhesive side of a strip of painter's tape tightly against the metal sides of the light fixtures. Make sure that the upper edge of the tape is pressed against the ceiling, or paint may leak through and stick to the light fixture. When painting in these areas, use an angled brush to paint as close as possible to the fixture itself so that there won't be any un-painted gaps beside the fixture once you remove the tape. If you decide to remove the light fixtures before you paint, be sure to turn off the power at the breaker. Apply a coat of stain-blocking primer to the ceiling before you paint. Use a primer with stain-blocker for best results. Pour the primer into a paint tray and glide the roller across the top until it's covered in primer. Then apply a single, even coat to the ceiling by rolling the primer on in straight lines. Allow 30 minutes for the stain-blocking primer to dry before you proceed to painting the ceiling. Priming ensures that you'll only have to give the ceiling one coat of paint. A primer will help stick to the ceiling and absorb the coat of paint. Stain-blockers cover up unsightly stains on a ceiling, such as watermarks, smoke, and nicotine, and keep them from bleeding through into the paint after the primer has been applied. Cut in along the corners with an angled brush if you’re not using tape. If you're not covering the top edges of the wall with painter's tape, you'll want to use an angled brush to cut in along the edges of the ceiling, where the trim meets the wall. This brush will allow you to paint more precisely so you won't risk getting paint on the wall with your paint roller. Pour the paint into a tray and dip your roller in. Begin by only pouring about 2 cups (470 mL) of paint into a paint tray. Do not submerge the entire roller head, or it will become saturated with paint. Instead, lightly graze the roller across the surface of the paint 3-4 times until the roller is coated. Set up a stepladder if you have a ceiling higher than 8 ft (2.4 m). If you can't reach every part of your ceiling when standing on the floor, you'll need to stand on a stepladder. Set up the stepladder under the first section of ceiling you plan to paint. Then, once you've covered the roller in paint, stand on the second or third step of the ladder to reach the ceiling. Purchase a stepladder at your local hardware store. Paint-supply stores may also sell stepladders. Paint the ceiling in zigzag lines with your roller. Dip your roller into the paint tray and coat evenly, making sure that excess paint has been driven from the roller. Cover the ceiling with a layer of paint. Do this by creating "W" or "V" shapes without ever removing the roller from the surface of the ceiling. Maintain even pressure on your roller as you move it across the ceiling. Uneven pressure may cause uneven textures to blot along your ceiling. Make sure you paint the ceiling before the cut-in line dries. Paint while the cut in line is still wet to prevent a clear line from forming between the edge and the center of the ceiling. Paint in sections until the entire ceiling is covered with zigzags. When you're done with painting zigzags across 1 section of the ceiling, move on and paint another section. Overlap with the previous section to blend the new part with the paint you've already applied. Don't worry too much about creating a uniform look just yet. Just make sure that you've covered the entire ceiling with zigzags of paint. Paint over the zigzags with straight lines of paint. For this layer, move your roller across the ceiling in straight lines. The lines should overlap by about 1 inch (2.5 cm) so there aren't visible gaps between broad lines when the paint dries. This will help even out the paint and give your ceiling a uniform color and texture. Once the ceiling is covered, let the paint dry overnight. If you've applied a primer coat, you shouldn't need to apply a second coat of paint. If you do need more coverage, be sure to let the paint dry completely between coats. Clean up and wash your supplies once you’ve finished the paint job. Tear down the painter's tape from the walls and light fixtures, and throw away any drop cloths that you put down on the floor. Wash the paint roller in hot, soapy water. Also remove drop cloths from your furniture in the room. Repair damaged drywall before painting. If you have a drywall ceiling that's in need of repair, it must be touched up before you paint over the ceiling. If you want to handle the task on your own, pick up supplies at a home-improvement store and repair drywall yourself. Or, if you're not comfortable handling the patch-up on your own, hire a drywall contractor to repair the damaged drywall. Ask the drywall contractor to do a skim coat to smooth out the ceiling once it's repaired. Applying a skim coat to the drywall before you paint will make the ceiling glisten after the coat of paint has been applied. Roll on a single light coat of paint for textured ceilings. If your ceiling is textured, gently paint a single layer by making straight top-to-bottom strokes with your roller brush. Overlap the strokes by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Do this delicately so that you don't end up knocking the textured material off of your ceiling. Applying a skim coat to the drywall before you paint will make the ceiling glisten after the coat of paint has been applied. If you try to paint the textured ceiling on your own and the job goes poorly, call a contractor to repair the paint job. Find a contractor in your area by searching online. For example, search for “professional painter business near me.” Paint a vaulted ceiling from top to bottom. Start in an upper corner of the ceiling and work your way down to the wall in straight lines. Each consecutive line must slightly overlap the previous stroke by at least ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm). Be smooth and consistent with all of your strokes so there are no curving roller marks on the wall. Essentially, you'll paint your vaulted ceiling as if it were a wall.
Purchase a lambswool roller and extension pole. Choose a flat paint formulated for use on ceilings. Move your furniture out from under the ceiling. Cover your floor with a drop cloth. Sand and wipe down your ceiling before painting. Mask the area around the trim with painter’s tape. Wrap painter’s tape around light fixtures before painting near them. Apply a coat of stain-blocking primer to the ceiling before you paint. Cut in along the corners with an angled brush if you’re not using tape. Pour the paint into a tray and dip your roller in. Set up a stepladder if you have a ceiling higher than 8 ft (2.4 m). Paint the ceiling in zigzag lines with your roller. Paint in sections until the entire ceiling is covered with zigzags. Paint over the zigzags with straight lines of paint. Clean up and wash your supplies once you’ve finished the paint job. Repair damaged drywall before painting. Roll on a single light coat of paint for textured ceilings. Paint a vaulted ceiling from top to bottom.
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How to Keep Birds Out of Trees
To keep birds out of your trees, tie strings around CD-roms, and hang them from the tree branches, since birds dislike reflective surfaces. Alternatively, tie shiny balloons or ribbons in your trees to deter the birds. You can also put plastic hawks or owls in your trees to scare the birds away, but make sure to move them every few days so they seem real. If the birds persist, you may need to consider a more extreme approach, like draping your trees with plastic netting or chicken wire.
Hang CD-roms from string in the trees. Birds do not like reflective surfaces and will be scared away by the CD-roms, especially when they reflect bright sunlight. Tie string around the CD-roms and attach one per tree branch. Hang them 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) down from the branches. If you are trying to deter birds from fruit-bearing trees, harvest the fruit and then remove the CD-roms. You can put them back up next year as the trees start to bear fruit to keep birds away. You can also use pie plates instead of CD-roms, as they are also reflective. Poke holes through the pie plates and tie string to them. Then, attach one pie plate per branch. Tie shiny ribbons to the branches. Shiny ribbons will also deter birds from hanging out in your trees. Get ribbons made of shiny material in bright colors like red, yellow, or orange. Make sure you replace the shiny ribbons after a storm or bad weather so they are effective. Use shiny, scary looking balloons in the trees. Get balloons with scary faces that are made of shiny material. Balloons with menacing bird faces are ideal, as they will fool the birds into thinking there are predators in the trees. Tie them onto the tree branches with string. You will need to move the balloons around the trees once a week so the birds think they are alive. Place a scarecrow at the base of the trees. Make a scarecrow out of straw and wood that is half the size of the trees. Dress the scarecrow in a hat or a shirt. The birds will think it is human and stay away. You will need to change the position of the scarecrow once a week so the birds think it is a real person. You should also change the scarecrow's appearance by putting a hat on it or an item of clothing. Try a decoy hawk or owl. You can buy decoy hawks made out of plastic at your local hardware store or online. Birds are scared of hawks and owls and will assume the decoy is real. You will need to move the hawk or owl around to a different spot in the trees every few days so the birds think it is alive. Use a moving device. A moving device like a spider that wiggles or a hawk that makes screeching noises can scare the birds away. Look for moving devices at your local hardware store or online. Hang them from the trees so they can deter the birds. Most moving devices run on batteries. You will need to swap out the batteries regularly so the devices keep working. Sometimes moving devices can be annoying to people because they will release high pitched sounds regularly. Get a bird sound deterrent for the trees. Look for a bird sound deterrent at your local hardware store or online. These devices send out bird distress calls to keep birds away. Hang them in your trees. These deterrents use batteries so you will need to replace them regularly. Most sound deterrents use sound waves that cannot be detected by humans, only by birds. You should not be bothered by these devices. Drape the trees with plastic netting. Netting is a great way to deter birds and protect fruit bearing trees. Use bamboo poles, fence posts, or tall stakes to create a frame around the tree. Then, drape the netting over the frame so it reaches the ground. Use wire to anchor the netting to the ground so it does not move. Netting that has been well anchored will usually stay in place despite wind or rough weather. Keep in mind that barriers like plastic netting may not look the most attractive on your trees, but they will help keep birds away. Put chicken wire over the trees. Make a net out of chicken wire and drape it over the trees. Use bricks or wood to secure the bottom of the chicken wire so it does not blow away or move. Use reflective tape. You can also put a layer of reflective tape over the tree branches to keep birds out. Use flash tape that makes a crinkling sound, as the sound will also deter the birds. Make sure you secure the tape by tying it to a piece of wire in the ground. Cut off overgrown branches. Use a clean pair of garden shears to prune branches that are overgrown or damaged. Remove branches that cross each other or that are growing inward, towards the tree trunk. Cut the branches at a 45 degree angle, pruning them just above the tree trunk. Removing branches on the tree will give the birds less of a surface area for perching. This can deter them from spending too much time in the trees. It will also encourage the tree to grow well. Trim the trees regularly. Prune the trees in late fall or winter so it has time to recover and grow in. Trim the trees so they maintain their shape and do not become overgrown. Only trim 25 percent or less of the tree at one time. Over trimming the tree can actually cause it to become more overgrown and out of control.. If you have fruit bearing trees, make sure you harvest the fruit once it is ready to be picked so birds stay away. Hire an arborist to cut the trees for you. If you are unsure how to prune your trees properly, look for a local arborist who can do this for you. Search online for a reputable arborist who has experience cutting your tree type. Once they inspect your trees, you can then ask them how to maintain the trees so birds stay away.
Hang CD-roms from string in the trees. Tie shiny ribbons to the branches. Use shiny, scary looking balloons in the trees. Place a scarecrow at the base of the trees. Try a decoy hawk or owl. Use a moving device. Get a bird sound deterrent for the trees. Drape the trees with plastic netting. Put chicken wire over the trees. Use reflective tape. Cut off overgrown branches. Trim the trees regularly. Hire an arborist to cut the trees for you.
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How to Postpone a Court Date
If you need to postpone a court date, call or visit the clerk's office of the court handling your case as soon as possible and explain why you can't attend the scheduled date. If the clerk considers your grounds reasonable, they will tell you which forms or motions you need to file with the court. Once you've filed the necessary paperwork, make sure you call the court's office again before your original court date to confirm its postponement. Alternatively, contact the opposing parties' attorney and try coming to an agreement to delay your court proceedings. If everyone agrees to postpone the date, have one of your attorneys contact the court. Again, make sure you call the court to confirm the postponement.
Contact the court. Call or visit the clerk's office of the court that is handling your case and explain why you cannot attend the scheduled date. The clerk will inform you how continuances are handled in that state, county, or city. In most cases, obtaining a continuance will need to be handled a certain number of days in advance of the court date. Contact the court as soon as you are aware you cannot attend to give yourself ample time. When communicating with the clerk have your court date, case number, and any other relevant information available. Take the directed action. If the reason you cannot attend is an appropriate basis for a continuance, the court will inform you what forms or motions must be filed with the court. The exact forms or motions that need to be filed will vary based on the state or local rules or even the rules that the judge has set for her own courtroom. For instance, in most civil cases in Illinois, to change a court date, you will be required to file a motion to continue. Some common reasons that form the basis of that motion are because you cannot be present because you will be out of town, in the hospital, or incarcerated. You may also file a motion to continue because you need to hire an attorney or because a key witness or piece of evidence will not be available on the scheduled day. Confirm the continuance. After you take the necessary action, contact the court's office again to ensure that the continuance was approved and the date was rescheduled. Do not skip the original date until you receive confirmation of cancellation of the original date and a rescheduled date. Contact the opposing counsel. Documents that you receive from the court about the court date will most likely include the contact information of the opposing parties' attorney. If that information is not readily identifiable, the court clerk's office can provide that information to you. Come to an agreement. Despite the adversarial nature of litigation proceedings, most of the time opposing counsel are reasonable people who might be might be agreeable to postponing the date if you simply ask. The opposing counsel will also be knowledgeable about how to go about continuing the date and whether it is possible given the circumstances. Be sure to put any agreement to postpone in writing. Ensure that the postponement has been approved. In the case that you are able to come to an agreement to postpone the date, the court still needs to approve that continuance. Contact the court in advance of the date and confirm that the date has been changed. Do not simply rely on the word of the opposing counsel, as it is still an adversarial process and only you or your own lawyer can protect your rights. In many cases, the court will be more likely to grant the continuance if the both parties are in agreement about the postponement. Try to maintain a civil and businesslike relationship with the opposing counsel when discussing scheduling and the case in general. Attend the court date. If you desire a postponement of the date because you simply need more time, you can opt to attend and ask the judge for more time on that date. Check in with the judge's clerk when you arrive. Tell them what case you are there for and that you would like to ask the judge for a continuance. It is always good advice to be punctual, dressed for court, and polite to the judge and all the court employees when attending a court date. Be sure to bring all documentation that is relevant to both your court date and the reason or reasons for the postponement. Ask for more time. When the judge calls your case, approach the bench, and explain to the judge why you need more time to prepare your case. Obtain confirmation. If the judge allows the continuance, the judge or clerk will give you confirmation, most likely in the form of a court order, of the postponement and the new date.
Contact the court. Take the directed action. Confirm the continuance. Contact the opposing counsel. Come to an agreement. Ensure that the postponement has been approved. Attend the court date. Ask for more time. Obtain confirmation.
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How to Make Small Breasts Look Bigger
If you think your breasts are too small, you can make them look bigger by simply choosing the right bra. For example, instead of using a contour bra that can make your breasts seem smaller than they are, opt to wear a soft-seamed bra that will give your breasts a more natural size and shape. Alternatively, if you want a little more lift, consider an underwire bra for extra support or wear a push-up bra, which uses padding to make your cleavage appear more defined. In addition to wearing the right bra, make sure to wear clothes that accentuate your body shape, like fitted tops, shirts with horizontal stripes, or jewelry that draws attention to your chest.
Take body measurements to pick the right bra for your size. A snug bra can make your chest appear larger than it would be in ill-fitting counterparts. Measure directly under your bust, following the circumference of your ribcage, for your bra band size. To find your bust size, measure around the fullest part of your chest. When you're ready to find your cup size, subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement and consult your country's bra sizing chart. Opt for soft-seamed bras over contour bras for everyday use. Firm contour bras can make breasts settle at the bottom of the cup and appear small. Choose a seamed bra to give your breasts a natural, more secure size and shape. Contour bras keep their shape even when not worn, whereas seamed bras are made of floppy fabric that molds to your breast shape. If you do choose a contour bra, make sure it is the right size to avoid minimizing your breast size. Wear an underwire bra for a larger, more flattering shape. Underwire bras can offer a subtle lift while working with your bust size. The support they offer keeps your chest comfortable while offering a natural shape. Types of underwire bras include demi-bras, strapless bras, and low plunge bras. Underwire bras may not be as comfortable for pear-shaped bodies or people with prominent ribs, as the wires can splay out and poke the skin. If underwire bras cause you pain to wear, try wearing a seamed or push-up bra. Find a push-up bra with crescent-shaped padding. The crescent-shape can push your breast tissue towards the center to make a more defined cleavage line. Look for a push-up bra with stretch-to-fit cups, which may better mold to your chest. Padded sports bras and bikini tops are available for a larger shape when swimming or working out. Check your bra for wear every 3-4 months. Old, worn bras will not hold your chest up as well. Spandex, in particular, tends to break down when worn frequently over time. Put on your bra and look at your side profile in the mirror. If your nipples are not lifted but instead are pointing downward, it's time to buy a new bra. Pick fitted clothes for a more prominent hourglass shape. Making your waist appear smaller can create an hourglass shape and make your breasts appear larger. Choose a cinched or high-waisted clothing item to give your body a more fitted shape. Add a belt to your outfit for an increased fitted style. Loose, flowy tops can make your bust appear smaller. Wear clothes with horizontal stripes. Horizontal lines can make your chest appear wider and help your breasts look larger. Thicker lines will have a stronger effect than thin horizontal lines. Offset your shirt with a solid-colored skirt or pair of pants to best accentuate your bust area. Some people might find horizontal stripes less flattering to their body type. Ruffled tops can also add some weight to your chest area without making your upper body look larger as a whole. Choose an accessory worn over your chest. Making your chest area the focal point of your outfit can make your breasts seem bigger. Wear a necklace, chest brooch, or pendant to draw attention to your bust. Short necklaces with a large medallion can heighten the illusion of a larger chest. Try shapewear to enhance your chest. Shapewear can make your chest appear larger while working with your natural body shape. Shaping tops with a built-in bra are ideal for increasing the size of your chest. Buy shapewear in-person to make sure you buy the right size. Avoid buying shapewear that is too large. Baggy shapewear can cause unsightly wrinkles underneath your clothes. Wearing two seamless, smooth-cupped bras is also an option that can make your chest look bigger. Keep your back straight to make your breasts appear larger. Hunching over can make your chest appear much smaller than it actually is. If you tend to lean or roll your shoulders over while sitting or standing, try to keep your shoulders straight and upright. Practice posture exercises to straighten your back and make your chest look larger. Do push ups to strengthen your chest area. Contrary to popular belief, larger chest muscles will not shrink your bust size but enhance it. Do push ups to work your chest muscles on a daily basis. Place your palms flat on the floor, with your arms and feet about shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows, then push your arms up again. Repeat until you are satisfied with your workout. Start out by doing 5-10 push ups at a time, and increase this number over time. If you're unable to do push ups on your toes, try kneeling while following the same technique. Try wall push-ups by following the same technique against a wall instead of the floor. Use a medicine ball to enlarge your chest muscles. Lie faceup on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat. Hold a medicine ball over your chest, then throw the ball straight up as high as possible. Catch the ball with your arms straight, then lower your arms back down and repeat. Bench press with dumbbells or barbells. Weight exercises focusing on your chest can make your bust look larger over time. Begin with barbell exercises, which are more accessible for beginners. Then, move onto dumbbell presses as you become more experienced with weight training. Exercise for at least 1 month before measuring your results. Gaining muscle takes time, and you may have to exercise for 4-6 weeks before you notice any changes to your figure. If you do not see results after this time, increase the length or intensity of your workout. Vary your workout every 6-12 weeks to keep your body constantly adapting to the workout and changing over time. Find a blush or contour brush. Medium-sized, flat brushes are ideal for contouring. Fluffier powder brushes will not blend your contour as well and give you less control over its shape. Smaller, eyeshadow brushes are also not ideal because of their streakier finish. Choose a matte bronzer. Contouring creates the appearance of shadows on your chest to make your bust look bigger. Look for a bronzer one or two shades darker than your skin tone. This will help your contour look more natural and give you control over the shape. Test the bronzer out on your hand before applying it to your breasts to make sure you got the right color. Pair the bronzer with a highlighter powder with a slight sheen. Contour over the top parts of your breasts. Apply bronzer to your chest in a v-shape over and to the center of your cleavage. Then, brush your highlighter over the tops of your breasts and around the v-shape. This will give your breasts the illusion of appearing larger and fuller. Blend the bronzer with your brush. Use your brush to dust over the bronzer and highlighter, blending them together into a smoother contour. Step back and examine your contour in the mirror to make sure you don't have any noticeable bronzer streaks. Check your reflection in an area with natural light to accurately gauge how your contour looks.
Take body measurements to pick the right bra for your size. Opt for soft-seamed bras over contour bras for everyday use. Wear an underwire bra for a larger, more flattering shape. Find a push-up bra with crescent-shaped padding. Check your bra for wear every 3-4 months. Pick fitted clothes for a more prominent hourglass shape. Wear clothes with horizontal stripes. Choose an accessory worn over your chest. Try shapewear to enhance your chest. Keep your back straight to make your breasts appear larger. Do push ups to strengthen your chest area. Use a medicine ball to enlarge your chest muscles. Bench press with dumbbells or barbells. Exercise for at least 1 month before measuring your results. Find a blush or contour brush. Choose a matte bronzer. Contour over the top parts of your breasts. Blend the bronzer with your brush.
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How to Cheer Up After a Crummy Test
If you're struggling to cheer up after a crummy test, try distracting yourself by grabbing a bite to eat with a friend or getting a nice massage. Also, while it may seem difficult, try to find a reason to laugh, like through a funny TV show or a book, since this is a great way to calm down and refocus your energy. Alternatively, you could just put on your headphones and listen to some music, as research shows music helps reduce anxiety and put you in a better mood.
Treat yourself to a pick-me-up. Give yourself a manicure or a fantastic massage. Take some time to play your favorite game, or go for a long walk in an area you like. Buy yourself an ice cream or grab a burger with a friend. Just treat yourself to something that will help distract you for a little while after your exam. Do something that makes you laugh. Whether it be hanging out with your friends, watching a funny TV show or reading a comedic book, find something that can help you laugh. You may not feel like it at first, but once you get into it, you may start to feel better. It's perfectly okay if you find it hard to laugh right away. Take some more time to treat yourself, de-stress, and calm down. Then, try humor again. Laughter can be therapeutic on top of being distracting. Listen to music. Find a song or playlist that will help you take your mind off the test for a little while. This is an especially useful distraction right after you've finished the exam. Just put your earphones on and zone out for a little while.. Some research suggests that listening to music may help reduce anxiety, enhance performance, and put you in a better mood. Exercise. Exercise can give you a boost not only in health and energy but also in happiness. It is a great way to work through your anxiety and calm yourself after the stress of the test. Even a long walk can help you clear your head if you don't feel like hitting the gym. Talk to friends. Tell a friend about how you feel.If you can, talk to someone in that class with you. They can offer a perspective on what they found difficult, and how they prepared for the exam. Their understanding and support can go a long way to making you feel better, and you may even get a study tip or two. Put the test into perspective. Remember that even if you did terrible on this test, it may be only one of several assignments that contribute to your final grade. Take a look at your course syllabus and see how much of your final grade was determined by that test. If you have other marks that can help you balance out that test score, take a breath and relax. If the test was a substantial part of your final grade, you may want to talk to your professor or teacher as soon as possible about a re-test or extra credit assignments. Promise yourself you will do better on the next test. A crummy test can motivate you to change your study habits. Make a list of the things you can do to improve on the next test. Then, put that list into action. If you have the chance to make up for your grade in other assignments, promise yourself that you will make an effort to do better, then put your promise into action. If, for example, you didn't study before this test, make a pledge that you will spend 20 minutes a day studying for the next test. Then, when you get home, start reading. Talk to your teacher or professor. Ask if there are other ways of improving your grade or resources available to you that you may not know about. Demonstrate that you care about the material and take the time to discuss difficult concepts with your teacher during their office hours. If this test was a major part of your final grade, talk to your teacher about the possibility of a re-test or doing some extra credit work. You may also choose to make a standing appointment with your teacher or professor outside of class hours to talk about concepts with which you struggle. Having even 15 minutes of one-on-one time with them every week can help. Figure out your in-class learning style. Not every student learns the same way. For some, taking and reviewing notes works best. For others, answering questions or doing practice problems better reinforces the materials. Other still may do better seeing a video of the material or drawing out a comic to help them learn. Find the style that works best for you and stick with it. Study 7-8 bits of information at a time. This is the amount of information your brain can take in at a time. Follow your assigned text or study guide's format: the information you need to learn has already been separated into small chunks. After you finish re-reading or reviewing the main points for each section, take a minute to let your mind process the information before moving on. Test yourself a little after each section. Ask yourself 2-3 directed questions, or go over a few flashcards. Breaks in between sections of material are a good time to grab a snack, check your email, or run to the bathroom. Give yourself 5-10 minutes between sections to recharge. Turn each section into a question and quiz yourself. Testing yourself is a smart way of simulating the test-taking experience and making your brain retrieve information. By testing yourself, you'll quickly learn what you've already memorized and what you need to keep studying. A great way to test yourself is by turning each section heading into a question and then answering the questions you wrote without consulting your texts. Test yourself cumulatively as you go. Don't only reflect on the section you just covered. Instead, ask a question or two from each section you're studying. This will help keep older material fresh in your mind. Copy problems and race a friend to solve them. This will simulate speedy test-taking conditions and help your brain retrieve information more quickly when test day rolls around. Make sure you and your friend are on a similar level so that both of you benefit from this activity. Do this for 20-30 minutes at least three times on different days before the test. Engage in positive self-talk right before the test. Anxiety can hamper your performance. Before your test, take a few deep breaths in and out. Then, try telling yourself, “I'm ready for this test. I have studied hard, and I know this information!” This will help calm your nerves and reduce your stress, which in turn can affect your performance.
Treat yourself to a pick-me-up. Do something that makes you laugh. Listen to music. Exercise. Talk to friends. Put the test into perspective. Promise yourself you will do better on the next test. Talk to your teacher or professor. Figure out your in-class learning style. Study 7-8 bits of information at a time. Turn each section into a question and quiz yourself. Copy problems and race a friend to solve them. Engage in positive self-talk right before the test.
https://www.wikihow.com/Bake-Chicken-Legs
How to Bake Chicken Legs
To make honey baked chicken legs, start by combining the salt, garlic powder, pepper, and flower in a bag. Add the chicken to the bag, hold it closed, and shake it so the legs are covered by the seasoning. Next, heat the oil and butter in the oven before adding the seasoned chicken and baking at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. As the chicken bakes, combine the honey, sugar, and lemon in a pot. Finish by removing the chicken from the oven and covering it with the honey sauce.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make sure that your oven is hot and ready to bake the chicken, start preheating it when you are ready to start seasoning the chicken. Wash the chicken legs. Remove the legs from the package and wash them thoroughly under cool, running water. Remove dangling pieces of fat or skin. After you have washed the meat, dry the meat with paper towels. This will help the flavors cling to the meat, and allow the skin to get crispy when cooked. Set the meat on a plate until you are ready to move on to the next step. Season the chicken. Combine the salt, garlic powder, flour and pepper in a large storage bag. Add the chicken to the bag and seal it. Shake the bag to toss the chicken legs until the pieces are evenly coated. Heat the butter and olive oil in the pan. Put the butter and olive oil in a metal or glass baking pan, and place the pan in the oven. Remove the pan when the butter is melted. This should only take a few minutes. Remember to use oven mitts to protect your hands when you remove the pan from the oven. Place the hot pan on a potholder or trivet. Bake the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the pan with the hot butter and oil. Use tongs to coat them in the mixture. Bake the chicken for 30 minutes. Remember to use oven mitts to protect your hands when you remove the pan from the oven. Place the hot pan on a potholder or trivet. Remove the hot pan with care - don't let it tilt. Make the honey mixture. While the chicken bakes, place a saucepan over medium heat and add the honey, brown sugar, and lemon. Stir the mixture until the sugar is dissolved and then remove the pan from the heat. Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the honey mixture over the pieces. Put the chicken back into the oven and bake for another 35 minutes, or until the chicken skin looks crisp and brown. Chicken is done when it has reached an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Serve the chicken. Serve the chicken with vegetables, rice, or sides of your choice. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To make sure that your oven is hot and ready to bake the chicken, start preheating it when you are ready to start seasoning the chicken. Wash the chicken legs. Remove the legs from the package and wash them thoroughly under cool, running water. Remove dangling pieces of fat or skin. After you have washed the meat, dry the meat with paper towels. This will help the flavors cling to the meat, and allow the skin to get crispy when cooked. Set the meat on a plate until you are ready to move on to the next step. Melt butter in a saucepan. Place butter in a saucepan over medium heat. After the butter has melted, add the cayenne, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Remove the mixture from heat. Coat the chicken in the butter mixture. Using a pair of tongs, place each piece of chicken in the butter mixture one at a time. Swirl each piece around until it's fully coated. Place the chicken pieces in a metal or glass baking pan. Bake the chicken. Put the chicken in the oven and set a timer for 30 minutes. Check the chicken after 30 minutes. It should be ready when the skin is crispy and golden brown, or when the internal temperature has reached 180 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Serve the chicken. Serve with mashed potatoes and a salad, or the side dishes of your choice. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make sure that your oven is hot and ready to bake the chicken, start preheating it when you are ready to start seasoning the chicken. Wash the chicken legs. Remove the legs from the package and wash them thoroughly under cool, running water. Remove dangling pieces of fat or skin. After you have washed the meat, dry the meat with paper towels. This will help the flavors cling to the meat, and allow the skin to get crispy when cooked. Set the meat on a plate until you are ready to move on to the next step. Assemble the coating ingredients. Place the flour in a shallow pan. Combine the eggs and milk in a separate pan. Combine the rosemary, garlic, breadcrumbs, and salt and pepper in a third shallow pan. Coat the chicken. Using a pair of tongs, coat each piece of chicken, one at a time. First coat each piece in the flour, then the egg mixture, and then the rosemary garlic mixture. Place the coated pieces of chicken in a glass or metal baking pan coated in olive oil. Bake the chicken for 30 minutes. The chicken is finished when it's sizzling and crispy, or when its internal temperature reaches 180 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Serve the chicken. Serve with french green beans and wild rice, or the side dishes of your choice.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the chicken legs. Season the chicken. Heat the butter and olive oil in the pan. Bake the chicken. Make the honey mixture. Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the honey mixture over the pieces. Serve the chicken. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash the chicken legs. Melt butter in a saucepan. Coat the chicken in the butter mixture. Bake the chicken. Serve the chicken. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the chicken legs. Assemble the coating ingredients. Coat the chicken. Bake the chicken for 30 minutes. Serve the chicken.
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Hair-Wax
How to Apply Hair Wax
To style your hair with hair wax, scoop out a pea-sized amount onto your middle 3 fingers. Rub it between the tips of your fingers until it's smooth and clump-free, then spread the wax evenly through your hair in whatever style you want. For a messy look, tousle your hair and twirl the ends, or emphasize natural curls by working the wax in to the ends. Make the look last with holding spray, and wash it out thoroughly with shampoo before you go to bed.
Style your bangs. Run your fingers through your bangs to separate the hairs. Sandwich your bangs between your fingers, then wipe all of the wax on to your bangs. Manipulate your bangs: swoop them, straighten them, spike them, etc. The wax will hold your bangs in the position that you shape them. Emphasize layered haircuts. Twirl the ends of your hair between your wax-covered fingertips. Curl or clump the tips of your hair however you like. This will give your hair a lively, fringed look. Create an "undone" look. Spread styling wax throughout your hair, then tousle it for an "undone" look. Try emphasizing strands of hair by twirling certain strands between your waxed fingers. Create flexible, long-lasting curls. Natural and styled curls alike tend to be springier and hold the style longer after you structure them with styling wax. Work the wax into the ends of your curled hair. Try to follow the natural shape of the curls. Give volume to thin hair. Work small amounts of wax into the roots of your hair. Be thorough, and be sure to cover your entire head. When you are done with the wax, style your hair using a blow-dryer with a diffuser attachment. Consider finishing your look with a bit of holding spray to keep your hair from becoming flat throughout the day. This especially useful for thin hair that does not hold volume well. Give your hair a blown-back look. Slide your waxed fingers from your scalp up through your hair. This will give it a blown-back look. Keep shaping your hair until everything is right. Groom unruly eyebrows with wax. Comb your eyebrows so that the hairs run in the same direction, then spread a tiny amount of wax along each eyebrow with the tip of your finger. Waxing is ideal for naturally dark or bushy brows that grow back quickly after shaving. Style your mustache with wax. You can use standard hair wax, but you may also use a dedicated mustache wax product. These are often harder and less goopy than standard wax products. Rub the wax between your fingers until it is warm, smooth, and clump-free. For a more natural look, work a moderate amount of wax into your mustache and do not twist the ends. Try using a mustache comb to work it in. Blow-dry the wax on a high-heat, low speed to blend it in. For a more ostentatious look—say, a handlebar mustache—apply more product and twist the tips of your mustache into points. If you have a particularly long or bushy mustache, consider grabbing the hairs at the base of your mustache as you twist so that you don't rip any out. When the mustache is thoroughly waxed, work the tips into curls until they hold. Purchase hair wax. Read reviews of a wax product before you buy it. Some waxes are better for short hair; some are explicitly water-soluble; some are designed to be used on mustaches. Many commercial waxes are petroleum-based, although you can use natural products like beeswax, carnauba wax, and vegetable wax. Decide what you need from your hair wax and find an appropriate product. Many hair wax products leave behind a sticky, hard-to-remove residue. Many low-residue products, however, do not hold your hair in place as well as the stickier products. Look for a wax with a good balance of hair-molding capability and low-residue depositing. You can find hair wax in pharmacies, salons, and anywhere that sells hair-care products. You can usually order these products online. Make sure to compare prices and read the reviews before you make your purchase. Consider using a "natural" wax. Carnauba wax is extracted from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree, and beeswax taken from the hives of honey bees. Japan wax—also known as vegetable wax—is extracted from the berries of a type of sumac bush. In contrast, waxes derived from petroleum are called "mineral waxes" or "cerosin waxes", and they tend to be colorless and odorless. Apply hair wax to dry or slightly-damp hair. Wet your hair and towel it dry. As you dry your hair, try to shape it into an approximation of the hairstyle that you want. This will give you a base style that you can emphasize with the wax. When your hair is dry, you are ready to apply the wax. Depending on the texture and length of your hair, putting wax on wet hair can cause the outline, form, and flow of the hair to change when it dries. If you apply wax when your roots are wet, you may lose hair volume. Hair wax is drier than many other hair-styling products, and it may hold better when you apply it to slightly damp hair. If you do dampen your hair, it should be almost completely dry when you spread the wax. Make sure that you are fully-clothed when you apply the wax. If you try to dress yourself after spreading wax through your hair, you risk rubbing your hair against a shirt or dress and ruining your hairstyle. Furthermore, you might rub wax off onto your clothing. If you must dress yourself after applying the wax, be exceedingly careful not to brush your hair against anything. Scoop out a bit of wax with your index, middle, and ring finger. You don't need much: a pea-sized amount of wax—about as large as the nail on your little finger—is usually enough for medium-length hair. If you apply too much wax at once, the wax will spread unevenly, making it hard for the wax to bond well with all of your hair. If you find that you need more wax, you can always scoop more. You can apply wax with one hand, or two. You may find it useful to keep one hand clean and wax-free, but you be able to cover more hair more quickly if you deploy wax with both hands. The wax may stick to your fingers more easily if you wet them beforehand. You should, however, avoid dripping too much water into the wax tin. Rub the wax between the tips of your fingers. Knead the wax until it emulsifies: the wax should be warmed and melted by the heat of your fingers, and there should be no remaining clumps. When the wax is smooth and clump-free, it is ready to spread into your hair. Restyle your wax when necessary. As the wax dries out, it may lose its hold on your hair. If your hair falls out of place during the day, simply wet your fingers and restyle it. Do not wash the wax out of your hair; simply moisturize the wax to the point that you can re-shape it. If the problem recurs, consider carrying a small tin of wax with you for quick retouching sessions. You can fit portable wax tins into your purse, bag, or pocket, and you can restyle your hair anywhere with a mirror and a sink. Wash the wax out of your hair. You cannot brush styling wax out of your hair; you need to wash it out thoroughly with shampoo. If you've been walking around with wax in your hair all day, wash your hair before you go to bed. You don't want to sleep with clumps of wax in your hair. Furthermore, wax may clump and flake onto your pillow throughout the night.
Style your bangs. Emphasize layered haircuts. Create an "undone" look. Create flexible, long-lasting curls. Give volume to thin hair. Give your hair a blown-back look. Groom unruly eyebrows with wax. Style your mustache with wax. Purchase hair wax. Apply hair wax to dry or slightly-damp hair. Make sure that you are fully-clothed when you apply the wax. Scoop out a bit of wax with your index, middle, and ring finger. Rub the wax between the tips of your fingers. Restyle your wax when necessary. Wash the wax out of your hair.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Foreign-Objects-from-the-Eye
How to Remove Foreign Objects from the Eye
Before removing a foreign object from your eye, start by determining if the object is larger than an eyelash. If so, seek medical attention right away to prevent further injury. For more minor incidents, start by washing your hands to avoid getting dirt or bacteria in your eye. Then, see if you can locate the object by moving your eye around or pulling your eyelids away from your eyes while looking in a mirror. When you're ready to remove the object, try getting in the shower and allowing the water to stream over your face to flush the it out. Alternatively, if you have eye wash solution, use a steady stream over your eye to remove the object. After removing the object, see your doctor right away if you experience nausea, headaches, double vision, or pain.
Determine if you need immediate medical attention. If you have an object lodged in your eye, then you may want to seek immediate medical attention before trying anything else. You may cause further harm by trying to remove the object from your eye on your own. Seek immediate medical attention if the object is larger than an eyelash or you experience any of the following: Nausea or vomiting Headaches or lightheadedness Double vision or impaired vision Dizziness or loss of consciousness Rashes or fever Inability to remove the object from your eye Pain, redness, or discomfort continues after the item has been removed from the eye Wash your hands. Hand washing helps eliminate pathogens such as dirt, debris, or bacteria from contaminating eyes. Use antibacterial soap with warm water and wash for two minutes. Wash under nails and in between your fingers as well. These precautions should be taken to ensure that bacteria, other contaminants, or irritants are not introduced into the eyes, which are quite vulnerable to damage and infection. Check to see if you can see the object. Location of the foreign object can help you to determine whether the object has caused any damage to the eye. It is important to locate the object and not to attempt to put any instruments in the eye. Using other tools can harm your eye and may contaminate it as well. Move your eye around to help you locate the object. Move your eye back and forth in an effort to locate where the object is. Move your eye from left to right, as well as from top to bottom. It might be difficult to observe your eye while doing this. After you've moved your eye around, take a look at it in the mirror and see if you can locate where the foreign object is. Turn your head left and right and tip it up and down to move your eye while looking at it in a mirror. Use your fingers to pull your own eyelid down and then look up slowly. Repeat the process, except this time pulling your eyelid up and looking down. If it is difficult for you to see anything, then have someone else do the inspection for you. Know what to avoid. Before you attempt to remove a foreign object from your eyes, it is important to know what to avoid. Keep the following information in mind as you attempt to remove an object from your eye: Never remove any piece of metal, large or small, that has lodged itself in the eye. Never put any pressure on the eye itself in an effort to dislodge the object. Never use tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard items to remove an object from your eye. Use an eye wash solution to flush out the object. Using a sterile eye wash solution to flush out your eyes is the best way to remove a foreign object or chemical irritant from your eyes. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends flushing your eyes with water for at least fifteen minutes. Use a sterile eye wash solution to rinse eyes using a continuous stream of fluid. Keep in mind that eye wash solution does not neutralize many chemicals. It just dilutes them and washes them away. For this reason, you will need a large quantity of eye wash solution. Get into the shower and allow the water to run down over your open eyes. If you are at home and you have a small foreign object in your eye such as an eyelash or piece of dirt, then you can try to flush it with gentle running water in the shower. Do not aim the water right at your eye. Instead, allow the water to hit your forehead and run down your face over your eyes. Hold the affected eye open with your fingers to allow water to run over it. Allow the water to run over your eye for a couple of minutes to see if it removes the foreign object from your eye. Observe rinsing times for different chemicals. The amount of time that you will need to rinse your eyes will vary based on the type of irritant or chemical that is in your eye. If you have a piece of something stuck in your eye, then you will need to wash until you feel it come out. If you have a chemical irritant in your eye as well, then you will need to rinse for a certain amount of time depending on the chemical. For mildly irritating chemicals, rinse for five minutes. For moderate-to-severe irritants, rinse for at least 20 minutes. For non-penetrating corrosives such as acids, rinse for 20 minutes. For penetrating corrosives such as alkalis, rinse for at least 60 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention if you need to rinse for more than a few minutes. If the foreign object does not come out of your eye after a few minutes of rinsing or if you have gotten a severe irritant in your eye as well, then tell another person right away. Have someone call poison control and seek medical attention immediately. Know which injuries warrant immediate eye flushing. In some cases, like if you've introduced a serious irritant or contaminant to your eye, you shouldn't bother with sterile eye washes. Instead, your focus should be on immediately and thoroughly washing your eyes, then getting medical help. For example, if you accidentally splash your eyes with a chemical that is an acid, an alkaline (base), a corrosive, or some other kind of irritant, then stop what you're doing and flush your eyes with water right away. Keep in mind that some chemicals react adversely with water. For example, most of the alkali metals (the furthest-left column in the periodic table) react violently with water. Don't flush these chemicals with water. Use an eyewash station if one is available. Most places where you can may splash dangerous chemicals in your eye will come equipped with special eye wash stations. If you get a foreign object or chemical in your eye(s), go to the eye wash station right away and then: Depress the lever. The lever should be brightly marked and easy to find. Place your face in front of the water spouts. These spouts will spray water in your eyes at a low pressure. Keep your eyes as wide-open as possible. Use your fingers to keep your eyes open as you rinse them. Rinse your eyes with running water from a sink. If you can't immediately find an eye wash station or you're somewhere where there are no eye wash stations (like at home), you can use the running water from your sink instead. Tap water isn't ideal for eye washing, as it's not as sterile as the purified water used in many laboratories. But it is far more important to rinse the chemicals from your eyes than it is to worry about possible infections. To wash out your eyes using the sink: Go to the nearest sink and turn the cold water on. If it is very cold, then you may want to adjust it until the temperature is lukewarm. Then, lean over the sink and splash water into your open eyes. If your sink has an adjustable faucet, point it directly into your eye at a low pressure and hold your eyes open with your fingers. Rinse your eyes for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Call Poison Control for advice about chemical irritants. After you have washed out your eyes, you should call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 for advice. If possible, have someone call for you while you are rinsing out your eyes. Then, seek medical attention immediately. If you've introduced a dangerous chemical into your eyes, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you've already rinsed your eyes.
Determine if you need immediate medical attention. Wash your hands. Check to see if you can see the object. Move your eye around to help you locate the object. Know what to avoid. Use an eye wash solution to flush out the object. Get into the shower and allow the water to run down over your open eyes. Observe rinsing times for different chemicals. Seek immediate medical attention if you need to rinse for more than a few minutes. Know which injuries warrant immediate eye flushing. Use an eyewash station if one is available. Rinse your eyes with running water from a sink. Call Poison Control for advice about chemical irritants.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Skinny-Legs-Bigger
How to Make Skinny Legs Bigger
If you want bigger legs, try an exercise regimen designed to target your lower body. Each day, perform 3 sets of 10-12 squats per day to build up your thighs, and do 3 sets of 15 forward lunges for bigger quads and glutes. You can intensify both of these exercises by adding dumbbells to the workout. Box jumps will help you build up your calves, but don't use dumbbells during this exercise in case you trip.
Do squats with dumbbells. If skinny thighs are your problem, this exercise is for you. Doing squats is a good way to pump up your thighs, and adding dumbbells (or a barbell, if you're down with that) makes the exercise even more effective. Start with dumbbells you can lift 10 times without needing to put them down. For beginners, 10-20 pounds is a good starting weight. Bodybuilders should lift more weight for bigger legs. Now squat using the following form: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands grasping the dumbbells at your sides (If you're using a barbell, hold it behind your head or at your chest). Bend your knees and lower your butt towards the floor in a squatting position. Keep your back straight and keep squatting down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Your knees should always remain straight above your feet; do not let the knees go forward past the toes. Push back up to your starting position. Repeat for 3 sets of 10-12 squats. Do dumbbell lunges. This exercise works your glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings, giving you a full-leg muscle workout. You can do it without weights, but when you're trying to build bigger muscles it's important to step up the intensity. Stand with your feet shoulder-length apart, and hold your dumbbells at your sides. If you want, you can hold them at your shoulders instead. Take a big step forward with one foot, dropping your opposite knee toward the floor. So if you're stepping with your right foot, drop your left knee toward the ground. Keep your torso vertical to the ground with your knees aligned over your feet. Do not move the knee beyond your toes. Rise back to starting position and immediately step forward with the opposite foot. Aim to do three sets of fifteen reps. Once you have mastered this exercise, you might try increasing this to four or five sets of ten to twelve reps with heavier weights. Do box jumps. This one works your calves, and you can do it with minimal equipment. You'll need a sturdy box or exercise step that won't slip when you jump on it. The taller the box, the more difficult the exercise will be. Don't use dumbbells when you're doing this exercise, since you might need your hands to catch you if you trip. Stand in front of the box with your toes pointed toward it. Jump explosively upward and land on the balls of your feet on the box. Jump back down to starting position. Work your way up until you are able to do three sets of fifteen. Eventually, you may be able to do four or five sets of ten to twelve reps. Do stiff-legged deadlifts. This one works out your hamstrings, putting you on the path to bigger, sculpted legs. Load a barbell with the amount of weight you can lift for 10 reps without stopping to rest. If you don't have a barbell, you can use two dumbbells. Then, to safely pick up the barbell or dumbbells, bend your knees while keeping your back straight, and engage your abdominal muscles. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place the barbell or dumbbells in front of you. Once you have picked up the weights, stand while hinging your hips forward. Your back must be straight and your abs contracted as you stand. Once you have risen, the weights should be at thigh-height. Bend again to lower the weight back to the floor. Repeat 10-12 times for a total of 3 sets. Use leg exercise machines. If you're serious about getting bigger legs, you might want to join a gym and start using the wide array of exercise machines available. Using exercise machines allows you to gradually add more weight, increasing the intensity of your workouts and promoting muscle growth. For each exercise, start with the amount of weight you can lift with your legs 8-10 times before you need to stop. Work with a trainer to determine the right weight for you. Here are a few exercises you can do at the gym: Leg extensions. Find the leg extension machine. Start with a lighter weight than you would normally handle. Sit on the machine with your knees bent and your feet under the lower bar. To lift the weight, straighten your legs, but keep a slight bend in the knee. Hold until you feel the burn. Bend your knees to lower the weight back to starting position. Repeat 10-12 times for 3 sets. Standing leg curls. Find the leg curl machine, which allows you to lift weights by attaching a cable to your ankles. Load the machine with the amount of weight you can lift for about 10 reps before you need to stop. Attach the cable to your ankle and hold the support bar with your hands. Bend your knee toward your butt to lift the weight, then straighten it back to starting position. Repeat 10-12 times for 3 sets. Repeat with the other leg. Do cardio. While some may be concerned that cardio will reduce the size of their legs, the right cardio will not only help you build leg muscle but also contribute to your overall fitness and health. Uphill cardio, such as cycling uphill or hiking, are great ways to increase your lower body strength. Work out hard. When you go about your ordinary day, your leg muscles get a workout carrying you everywhere you go. They're already used to being worked out all the time, so in order to encourage muscle growth you need to do high-intensity workouts that focus on the legs. During each workout, do two to three sets of eight to twelve reps. Use as much weight as you can while still being able to keep correct posture so that you feel the “burn.” Add more weight after the first few weeks of exercising to increase the intensity. Don't overdo it; make sure you know the difference between pain and injury. Work with a trainer if you haven't spent time lifting weights before. Train more quickly. You might have been taught before that you should move through weightlifting exercises slowly. However, making explosive movements builds different muscle fibers than slower movements do. These fibers may not be as developed as other muscles in your legs. Exercise different muscle groups on different days. If you work out all of your leg muscles every day, they won't have a chance to recover and grow larger. You also stand the chance of hurting yourself. Instead, focus on one group of muscles one day, then rotate to another the next day. The resting period is an important part of getting bigger legs. Get your calories from the right sources. This doesn't mean you should start gorging yourself at every meal; rather, make sure you're getting plenty of calories from healthy food sources. When you're working on building muscles you need a lot of calories to sustain yourself. Eat plenty of the following foods to keep your muscles growing: Limit your intake of processed foods, sugar and white flour, fast food, and snack foods. These will leave you feeling tired instead of energetic and ready to work out. Eat plenty of protein. You need protein to build bigger muscles, so make sure you're taking it in at every meal. Eat beef, pork, chicken, fish, and other lean meat sources. Eat tofu, beans, quinoa, barley, and eggs if you're not a carnivore. Try supplements, but don’t rely on them. Some people find that taking certain supplements can give their muscles an extra boost. Supplements should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and plenty of water intake. Creatine is a substance naturally produced by the body to aid muscle growth. It is considered to be safe to use in doses of 5 grams (0.18 oz) per day over a certain period of time. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Wear baggy pants. This the quickest way to add a little bulk to your leg line. Choose pants that are tailored well but hang a little loose around your legs. There are plenty of styles to choose from that make your legs look strong without making you look like you're drowning in fabric. Boot-cut pants are another good choice. They hug the thighs and flare at the knee, making the legs look a little bigger. Avoid shorts that are too baggy. Shorts, on the other hand, should be tailored and close-fitting if you want your legs to look bigger. Baggy shorts emphasize the small circumference of your legs. Wear pants over boots. This look is always in style and it can add several inches to your legs. Choose boots that rise midway up your calves and wear a pair of boot-cut jeans over them. Choose the right print and color. Look for bottoms that have wide horizontal stripes or bold patterns, as these can make your legs look bigger. Pastel colors--such as lavender, mint, powder blue, or light pink-- can also help.
Do squats with dumbbells. Do dumbbell lunges. Do box jumps. Do stiff-legged deadlifts. Use leg exercise machines. Do cardio. Work out hard. Train more quickly. Exercise different muscle groups on different days. Get your calories from the right sources. Eat plenty of protein. Try supplements, but don’t rely on them. Wear baggy pants. Avoid shorts that are too baggy. Wear pants over boots. Choose the right print and color.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Subway-Sandwiches-at-Home
How to Make Subway Sandwiches at Home
To make Subway sandwiches at home, start by slicing a sub roll in half lengthwise with a knife. Then, lay some sliced meat, like turkey, bacon, or salami, on the top half of the bread. Next, lay some cheese, like cheddar, provolone, or swiss, on top of the meat. Once you've added the meat and cheese, add some vegetables, like lettuce, tomatoes, or peppers, to the bottom half of the bread. Finally, top the vegetables with a sauce, like mustard or ranch, before closing your sub and cutting it in half.
Gather your selection of breads. Subway offers five staple selections of bread (as well as some limited-time only choices). In order to create your own Subway sandwich making station, you'll need to purchase some great. The five main breads offer at Subway include : 9-grain wheat 9-grain honey oat Italian Italian herbs and cheese Flatbread Get cheesy. Cheese is arguably one of the best parts of any sandwich. Don't skimp on your selection while making your subs. Of course, if you come across a cheese you want to have more than the ones offered at Subway, get it! Subway's selection varies from store to store, but depending on where you are, you might come across: American Monterey cheddar. Feta Mozzarella Natural Cheddar Natural Pepper Jack Natural Provolone Natural Swiss. Satiate your hankering for meat. Of course, the main staple of a sub (apart from the vegetarians varieties) is the meat. There are a lot of different kinds of cold cuts (and some hot ones) to choose from. Aside from the hot selections that include meatballs, steak , chicken teriyaki , and buffalo chicken, the cold cuts you should lay out for your own subs include: Turkey Black Forest ham Salami Roast beef Bologna Pepperoni Tuna salad Bacon Don’t forget the toppings. Of course, no sandwich would be as interesting if it didn't have some delicious toppings. Fresh vegetables are a must so head to your local farmers market to get your supplies for your sandwiches. Items you should look for include : Cucumbers Lettuce Tomatoes Red onions Green Bell Peppers Spinach Banana Peppers Jalapenos Olives Pickles Lay out the finishing touches. To complete your awesome Subway sandwich, you'll need some really great sauces. Stick to just one, or try a combination of many--the choice is up to you. Don't forget salt and pepper along with the sauce of your choice. Among the sauce selections are: Oil Vinegar Regular or light mayonnaise Mustard Honey mustard Sweet Onion Ranch Chipotle Southwest Lay down a large piece of wax paper. This will accommodate the length of the bread and will keep any dropped topping from getting on the table (so you can just stick them back on the sub). Lay your bread down on the paper and slice it in half lengthwise so that it opens up like a mouth (to gobble up all of those tasty ingredients). Lay the meat out on the bread’s ‘top’. Once you have opened up your bread, flatten it down so that it stays open. Place your slices of meat on the half of the bread that has the top. The amount of meat you put on is up to you (since you're making it at home and there's no limit to how much you can put on!). Spread the meat out so that it covers the top. Put the cheese on top of the layer of meat. At Subway, their cheese is cut into triangles. If you are going for really authentic, then cut your cheese into triangles. Whether you do this or not, lay the cheese out over the meat slices. If you did cut them into triangles, tessellate the cheese. This means to alternate the slices so that they don't overlap. Toast your partially done sandwich if desired. If you like your cheese melted, turn on your oven and place your sandwich on a baking sheet. Stick it in the broiler or toaster oven for a couple of minutes (until the cheese melts and the bread starts to toast). If you prefer your sandwiches less toasty, skip this step. Lay your veggies out on the bottom half of the bread. Make sure they are spread out. Again, since you are making your sandwich at home, there is no particular order you have to put your veggies on your sandwich in (plus everyone wants different things on their sub). In general, you might consider starting lettuce on first and then working your way through the larger vegetables and on to the olives/pickles/smaller things you might want.. Finish your sandwich with some delicious sauce. Again, the amount of sauce you put on your sandwich depends on your personal preference. Don't hopelessly drown your sandwich though or your might end up with some really soggy bread. Put your sauce on top of the meat and cheese side and close that baby on up. It's time to eat. You might want to consider cutting your sandwich in half to make it more manageable. Try an Italian BMT. Choose the sort of bread you want (Italian or Italian herb and cheese are popular choices for this sandwich) and then layer slices of spicy pepperoni, Genoa salami, and Black Forest ham. Make it with cheese, or choose to skip the formaggio (cheese in Italian) and go straight for the veggies. Top it all off with some oil and vinegar. Give the Subway Melt a try. This sandwich is packed with delicious meats and gooey cheese. Try out the 9-grain wheat and lay down some slices of ham, turkey, and bacon. Next, layer some slices of your favorite cheese on top and pop the whole thing into the oven for a couple of minutes. When the the sandwich comes out all melted and toasty, throw on some veggies and your favorite sauce for the final, delicious touches. Get into some finger-lickin’ fun with the Meatball Marinara sub. Whip up some fantastic meatballs and pour some marinara on top. Next, add your favorite cheese (mozzarella is always a good way to go) and stick it in the oven until the cheese melts. Delicious!
Gather your selection of breads. Get cheesy. Satiate your hankering for meat. Don’t forget the toppings. Lay out the finishing touches. Lay down a large piece of wax paper. Lay the meat out on the bread’s ‘top’. Put the cheese on top of the layer of meat. Toast your partially done sandwich if desired. Lay your veggies out on the bottom half of the bread. Finish your sandwich with some delicious sauce. Try an Italian BMT. Give the Subway Melt a try. Get into some finger-lickin’ fun with the Meatball Marinara sub.
https://www.wikihow.com/Live-a-Stress-Free-Lifestyle
How to Live a Stress Free Lifestyle
To feel less stressed in your life, pause for a moment and take a few deep breaths, inhaling for 5 seconds and exhaling for 5 seconds. If you have a little more time to spare, sit down somewhere quiet and try meditating for a few minutes, which can help you calm down and focus on the present. For a longer-term strategy, try to set aside an hour every day to do relaxing things, like reading a good book, playing with your pets, or doing some yoga.
Monitor your stress level. You need to take stock of your stress in order to make changes in your life that lower it and can help you to handle it more effectively. Spend some time monitoring your stress levels and note down how often you feel yourself becoming stressed over a week. Of course the amount of stress you experience will fluctuate depending on what is happening in your life, but monitoring your stress over an initial set period is a good way to get you started thinking about it. Signs of stress include raised heart rate and sweating, as well as tightness in muscles, headaches, fatigue and shortness of breath. If you feel these signs think about what has caused this reaction. Identify stress triggers. Once you have begun to monitor and pay attention to your stress levels you need to try to identify specific stress triggers. Stress can come from many places. What triggers your stress? Your job? Your relationships? Your finances? Your children? Pinpointing where your stress is coming from is the first step toward dealing with it. As well as the obvious negative events, positive things in your life like getting married or buying a house can trigger stress. Once you have identified these, map them out on paper so you can visualize your stress points. You might like to separate them out into short-term and long-term factors. Work on strategies to tackle stress triggers. Once you've identified the sources of your stress, you can start trying to deal with the problems. Begin by identifying what aspect of the event or trigger you can control and focus in on what you can affect. A common cause of stress is simply piling up obligations and tasks that leave you with little time to relax or get some relief. You can tackle this by cutting down on your commitments and deciding which you really want to give time to. You can rank them according to importance. Look through your schedule and mark ones that you can step back from in order to give yourself more time to relax and have fun. Develop good time management. As you scale back your commitments, take this opportunity to organize your time more and book in gaps where you don't have to be somewhere or do something. Here you will get a clearer picture of what exactly you want to spend your time doing, which will be beneficial to you more broadly. Don't be afraid to delegate or defer tasks. Plan out your time, but keep some flexibility. Having a time plan that is too rigid can heighten your stress. Leaving empty spaces in your schedule will give an opportunity to relax. Even half an hour or your own in the evening can help. Don’t think you have to do it all alone. If you are suffering from stress and anxiety don't think you have to endure it on your own and just battle through. Try talking to a trusted friend or family member about how you are feeling. Communication is very important and it can help you release tension. You don't have to sit down for a serious conversation and spill your innermost secrets. Just venting about things that are stressful can ease the pressure. If you think it could be helpful to talk to a professional, consider contacting a qualified counsellor or therapist. Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger. Understand that there is no silver bullet. Monitoring your stress levels, finding your stress triggers and beginning to take action tackle them can all help you to lower your stress over time. There are, however, no immediate perfect remedies to a stressful lifestyle. Try to incorporate these practices while keeping a sense of humour about the trials and tribulations of modern life. Seeing the funny side can be a big help that makes you more resilient to the inevitable setbacks. Enjoy regular exercise. Scientists argue that physical activity helps people to cope with stress, mild depression and anxiety by causing chemical changes in the brain which can help to positively alter mood. Taking regular exercise can also improve wellbeing by raising self-esteem and self-control. Adults should try to include 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week into their schedule. After a long day of work, just a short walk can help you to feel better and put the stress of the day behind you. Be creative about the activity you do. You don't have to just run around in circles or swim laps. Often getting involved in team sports can be a more fun way to exercise. Make time to do the things you like. As well as getting regular exercise you should also make sure you give yourself the chance to do other things you enjoy. For example, this could be going to the movies, going for a coffee with a friend, or playing with your dog. Doing fun activities will take you away from stressful environments and allow you to let your hair down for a while. If you can achieve a good balance in your lifestyle you could find your stress levels dropping. Having a good work-life balance is very important for lowering your stress and achieving your best. Neglecting friendships will only make you more stressed in the long-term. Take up yoga. As well as doing the activities that you enjoy, be on the look-out for new potential hobbies and activities. Yoga is a great option that combines physical activity, relaxation techniques, and a quiet and peaceful environment. It has been shown to work well in the reduction of stress and anxiety in scientific experiments. There are a wide-range of possibilities to suit all ages and all fitness conditions, so don't think it is only for the young and athletic. Look up a course near you and speak to the instructor about the different options before signing up. Eat healthily. As well as regular exercise, eating a healthy balanced diet can make a significant contribution to a less stressful lifestyle. By making healthy positive choices with your diet you can make yourself both physically and emotionally stronger. Taking active care of yourself will boost your self-esteem as well as giving you more energy and more control over your body. Having a good diet will help your body function more efficiently. Have a balanced diet that includes the food groups from the FDA food plate. Taking the time to cook a delicious healthy meal in the evening can be a good way to de-stress at the end of a tough day. Get enough sleep. The average adult requires between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Not only can a lack of sleep lead to increased stress, but chronic sleep deprivation can impair your judgment, reasoning ability, appearance, libido, and your performance at work or school. Increase the amount of sleep you get by doing the following: Establishing and sticking to a daily sleep schedule. Doing something relaxing before bed, such as reading or breathing exercises. Turning off your electronic devices. Sleeping in a comfortable environment. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can disrupt sleep. Limit your alcohol intake. Avoiding drinking above the recommended amounts of alcohol can help you to be more emotionally healthy. Men are recommended not to regularly drink more than three or four units a day. For a woman the equivalent is two or three units a day. Drinking can be attractive when you are particularly stressed, but it can exaggerate those feelings, making you angry and aggressive. One unit of alcohol equals approximately a 25 milliliters (0.85  fl oz) measure of spirits (ABV 40%), a third of a pint of beer (ABV 5 to 6%), or half a standard (175ml) glass of wine (ABV 12%). You can download digital tools to help you keep track of how many units you consume. If you feel like alcohol is becoming a problem you should speak to your doctor. Be smoke free. If you are a smoker, cutting down or quitting helps to relieve your stress and anxiety, as well as giving you a more positive outlook on life. Together with the well-known benefits to your physical health being smoke free brings, there are proven benefits for your mental health too. Despite the myth that smoking relaxes you, in fact it increases anxiety and tension. Smokers are more likely to develop depression or anxiety disorder over time. Cutting down will improve your mood in the long-term. It will also save you a lot of money which can help lower financial stresses. If you stop smoking ten cigarettes a day you will save around £1000 a year. Try out some meditation. As well as making improvements to your general lifestyle and cutting back on your commitments to secure some time for yourself, you can try some specific relaxation techniques to help you unwind. Meditation is an ancient practice that is aimed at calming your mind and helping you become at peace with yourself. Try just sitting quietly while being aware of your breathing. As thoughts pop into you head, try to return your mind's focus to your steady breathing. Alternatively, focus on an object you have placed in front of you, or you could try to visualise something calming, like a gentle sea. You might find it hard at first but you will improve the more you practice meditation. Do some relaxed deep breathing. If you find it hard to stick with the meditation you could practice some relaxed deep breathing. Sit in a comfortable chair which supports your head, or lie down flat with your palms up and your legs a little apart. Fill up your lungs without forcing them, breathing in through your nose. Count to five as you breathe in. Breathe out through your mouth, slowly counting to five again. Repeat this with a regular and controlled rhythm. Breathe without pausing or holding your breathe, and keep doing this until you feel calm and relaxed. Try to do this for three to five minutes, two or three times daily. Attempt deep muscle relaxation. If you have some more time then you can try practicing a deep muscle relaxation session. This will take around twenty minutes and it stretches and relaxes different muscles which releases tension from your body and mind. Once you have a warm and quiet place, sit or lie down and concentrate on steady breathing. Going through each in turn you will release the tension from your face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, legs, wrists and hands. Repeat each exercise a couple of times before moving on. Begin by pushing together your eyebrows, as if you were frowning, hold for a few seconds and then release. Next move onto the neck by gently tilting the head forward, with your chin down towards your chest, holding for a few seconds, before lifting your head back up. Pull your shoulders up towards your ears, hold there, then relax them. For your chest, breathe slowly and deeply into your diaphragm then breathe out slowly. Allow your belly to deflate as the air is exhaled. Then stretch your arms away from your body, reaching forward and holding, before relaxing. With your legs stretched out, push your toes away from your body, pull them back towards your body, and then relax. Finally stretch your wrists by pulling your hand up towards you, stretching the fingers and thumbs and holding before relaxing.
Monitor your stress level. Identify stress triggers. Work on strategies to tackle stress triggers. Develop good time management. Don’t think you have to do it all alone. Understand that there is no silver bullet. Enjoy regular exercise. Make time to do the things you like. Take up yoga. Eat healthily. Get enough sleep. Limit your alcohol intake. Be smoke free. Try out some meditation. Do some relaxed deep breathing. Attempt deep muscle relaxation.
https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Cardboard-Boxes-in-New-York-City
How to Recycle Cardboard Boxes in New York City
Recycling your cardboard boxes in New York City is fairly easy, and you can do it with a curbside program or through your apartment building. Your landlord is required to provide you with access to a recycling bin, so if you don't know where yours is, just ask them. Take your cardboard boxes to the recycling bin, break them down, and put them in the bin marked paper and cardboard. If you're not sure if you can recycle something, look at the recycling guide on the nyc.gov website. If you don't live in an apartment, you can use the curbside recycling program. Take a look at the city's sanitation website to find when recycling is picked up on your block. Then, you'll need to separate your recyclables into 2 different bins; one for paper products and cardboard, and one for plastic and glass.
Find your scheduled recycling collection day on NYC’s sanitation page. Type in the street address for your home, school, or business to find your collection day. Generally, recycling is picked up once a week for homes, businesses, and agencies. Schools may have several days of collection during the week. Find collection days by location at http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/collectionSchedule. You can also download the DSNY app and check your local schedule and get reminders before each collection day. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can also dial 311 to call the Sanitation Department and get more details. Separate your recyclables into 2 categories. Mixed paper and cardboard go together in one category, which includes egg cartons, pizza boxes, smooth cardboard (such as food and shoes boxes, tubes, file folders, and cardboard from product packaging), and corrugated cardboard boxes (like moving boxes). The second category includes glass, metal, and plastic. Mixed paper also includes newspapers, magazines, catalogues, and paper bags. You can include paper with staples or window envelopes in the mixed paper as well. Don’t recycle boxes with food or soiled paper products inside. Check your take-out boxes and pizza boxes for any leftover food, soft or spoiled paper, wax paper, or plastic-coated paper products. Remove and dispose of all of these products before collapsing and recycling the cardboard boxes. For example, to recycle a pizza box correctly, remove the soiled liner and recycle the plastic supporter with rigid plastics. Flatten and bundle or break up large pieces of corrugated cardboard. Collapse and fold any big boxes or sheets of corrugated cardboard, then tie it up with sturdy twine. If you don't have twine, you can also tear or cut the cardboard into small pieces that can fit in bins and bags. Bundles of flattened cardboard, newspapers, and magazines should be no more than 18 in (46 cm) high. Always use twine, not tape, to secure the cardboard bundles. Twine is more easily recyclable and eco-friendly than tape. Use clear bags or bins labeled with decals to put out your recycling. Clear bags let sanitation workers easily identify the contents as cardboard and mixed paper. Outdoor bins must have decals on both sides and the lid so they can be clearly identified as well. Use green stickers for cardboard and mixed paper, and blue stickers for metal, glass, and plastic. Sanitation provides these decals for free, which you can order through their website. If you use bins, they must be leak-proof and durable, with tightly fitting lids. Put your recycling on the curb the night before your collection day. NYC's required time period for taking out recycling is between 4 pm and midnight on the night before collection. Take your cardboard bundles, labeled bags, and bins out to the curb in front of the building and make 2 distinct piles: cardboard and mixed paper in one, and metal, glass, and plastic in another. Make sure to set all of your recycling materials on the curb, not the street. There's no limit to the amount of recyclables you can put out for collection, so stack your recycling materials as high as you need to. Putting your recycling out days ahead of time can block the street and come across as rude, so only put it outside the night before. Ask your landlord about recycling rules and accessibility. By law, your landlord is required to provide all tenants with clear recycling instructions and an accessible central recycling area. Upon moving into the building or with each lease renewal, communicate with your landlord about updated recycling information. Your landlord should have flyers, brochures, checklists, information packets, or signs that show you what and where to recycle. Landlords can order recycling materials through New York City's official website: https://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1236/residential-recycling-stickers-signs-and-literature. Collect all your cardboard in a clear bag, paper bag, or cardboard box. Keep it in a central location, such as the kitchen or next to the front door. Use it to store all the paper and cardboard or mixed paper recycling you collect. Bring your recycling to your building’s central recycling area and sort it. Once you've brought your recycling to the building's central recycling area, make sure to put your cardboard in the right bin. Follow any signage and instructions posted in the area before dropping your bag or box of recycling materials into the directed bin. Generally, recycling areas will be located with the trash disposal area. If it's not, the landlord needs to post signs in the trash disposal area directing tenants to the recycling area.
Find your scheduled recycling collection day on NYC’s sanitation page. Separate your recyclables into 2 categories. Don’t recycle boxes with food or soiled paper products inside. Flatten and bundle or break up large pieces of corrugated cardboard. Use clear bags or bins labeled with decals to put out your recycling. Put your recycling on the curb the night before your collection day. Ask your landlord about recycling rules and accessibility. Collect all your cardboard in a clear bag, paper bag, or cardboard box. Bring your recycling to your building’s central recycling area and sort it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Money-Clip
How to Use a Money Clip
To use a money clip, start by gathering all of your paper bills, folding them in half, and pushing them folded side first into the clip. Before clipping your money, stack your bills in order so you have a sense of where to find things. If you want to add credit cards or identification to your clip, slip them into your folded cash before you clip everything together. Once you get used to your clip, you should be able to slide individual bills out while leaving the money clip in your pocket.
Learn the basics of using a money clip. Once you know how to use them, money clips offer an easy, convenient way to handle your money. If you've never used a money clip before, use the instructions below. In broad strokes, the process of using a money clip goes like this: Gather your paper bills and credit cards. Fold the bills in half. Push the bills (folded side first) into the clip. The prongs should hold them there. Slide the credit cards under the prong. Some money clips will also have a pocket or band to hold these. Put the money clip in your pocket. Some will let you attach the clip to the material of the pocket for easy access. When you want to use your money, you can either reach in and grab a bill or pull the whole clip out and go through it. Stack your bills in order. In the rest of this section, you'll learn how to use your money clip like a pro. Start by grabbing your paper bills and making a small, neat stack from them. There are two schools of thought in terms of how to order them: For convenience , put the bigger bills on the bottom and the smaller bills on the top. This way, when you fold the bills over, it's easy to pull small bills out of the clip from the middle when you need to make everyday purchases. For security , put the smaller bills on the bottom of the stack. This way, you're advertising your smallest bills — a good idea for discouraging pickpockets. Slide your cash and cards into your money clip. Slide the folded stack of cash (fold first) into the clip. The pressure from the prongs should keep it in place. If you're using a plain money clip, slip your cards (ID, credit, and debit card) into the center of your folded cash first. Then, secure the clip around the entire mass (cash and cards). If you're using a money clip with an attached card holder, slip your cards (ID, credit, and debit card) into the card holder. Then, slide your cash into the money clip and fit it securely. If you're using a magnetic money clip, hold your credit cards somewhere else. The magnet can de-magnetize the cards' magnetic strips over time, ruining them. Slip the money clip into a pocket. Your money clip is ready to use. Now, you just need to decide where to carry it. You have a few options here: The front pocket of your pants provides easy access, but takes up space you might use for your phone, keys, and so on. The rear pocket of your pants can also be convenient, but it makes your clip a little more vulnerable to pick-pockets. Some people experience back pain from carrying things in their rear pockets (though this is worst with bulky wallets). The breast pocket of a coat or jacket provides a bit more security, as long as you can remember not to leave the jacket behind. Pull money from the clip as needed. With a little practice, it shouldn't take long to learn how to slide individual bills from the clip. You can even do this without taking your clip out of your pocket if you remember the order you stacked your bills in. It's also fine to take out the clip, remove the folded wad of cash, and go through it to find the bills or cards you need. Try a basic two-prong model. Most money clips are based off this simple, functional design. These hold your money by squeezing it in between two metal or plastic prongs. They usually look a little like clothespins, big, fancy paper clips, or folded pieces of metal. These are the simplest but most elegant money clips. They don't offer as much storage space as other types, but their "classic" design can be quite attractive. High-end models may be made from precious metals or use materials like leather. Try a money clip with a card holder. This is basically a small, square attached pocket where you can hold your credit cards. Storage size varies from model to model. These give you a little more storage than other clips, which is nice if you have more than one or two cards you need to carry around. However, these are also a little bulkier. Try a money clip with a money band. This is a small band of elastic or fabric that wraps around extra money or cards. This feature is often (but not always) offered in addition to a card holder. These are great for holding odd-shaped items. Again, however, this feature makes the clip a little more bulky. Try a double-sided money clip. Some money clips have an extra prong on the back side, giving you a second place to hold your money. The extra clip almost always works the same way as the first. These offer more storage space and only make the clip a little bulkier. However, carrying money or cards on both sides means you'll have to let the clip sit in your pocket unless you can slide your clothing fabric between the items and the prong. Try a magnetic money clip. These types of clips usually use two small magnets connected by a strap of leather or fabric. The magnets attract each other through the clip's contents to keep it shut. The main downside here is that these aren't good for credit cards. The magnets can damage the card's magnetic strip and render it unusable over time. Narrow your wallet's contents down to the bare essentials. Money clips hold much less than a standard wallet, so you'll want to get rid of anything you don't need to have on you. As a general rule, you'll want to carry paper bills and a few important cards in your clip. You won't usually have room for much else. Be ruthless about what you carry over from your wallet. Throw away whatever you have no use for. Remember, the great thing about a money clip is that it's so slim. Stuffing it full of unnecessary things will negate this. Choose which cards to carry in your money clip. Even money clips with card holders may have less space for cards than your old wallet did. A few essentials you may want to have with you include the following: Your ID card/driver's license. Your ID is necessary for many situations from traffic stops to alcohol purchases, and should always be on your person. A debit card. Though you may have more than one, choose the debit card you'll use most often. A credit card. As with debit cards, you may have more than one. Choose the one you use most often. You can always rotate out credit cards on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Find better locations for things that were once in your wallet. Seldom-used items that are still important to have (like your library card and items like pictures or mementos) should be kept somewhere besides your money clip. Find new homes for these things in sensible, convenient places. For example, your automobile club membership can stay in the glove compartment of your car. Your gym card can stay in your gym bag, and your work access card can stay in your briefcase or bag. Don't forget where you're storing these items! You may want to carry a single folded-up note to yourself in your money clip until you get the hang of your new arrangement. Transfer a variety of bills to your clip. The exact amount you decide to carry is up to you, but you should carry a good mixture of bills. By carrying a few bills of each denomination, you can pay for most purchases without adding too much change to your clip. For example, the following combination will let you cover any expense up to $89 without getting more than $1 in change: Four $1 bills One $5 bill One $10 bill One $20 bill One $50 bill Feel free to increase the number of $10, $20, and $50 bills as needed. You probably won't want to increase the number of $1 or $5 bills — you'll receive change in these denominations all the time.
Learn the basics of using a money clip. Stack your bills in order. Slide your cash and cards into your money clip. Slip the money clip into a pocket. Pull money from the clip as needed. Try a basic two-prong model. Try a money clip with a card holder. Try a money clip with a money band. Try a double-sided money clip. Try a magnetic money clip. Narrow your wallet's contents down to the bare essentials. Choose which cards to carry in your money clip. Find better locations for things that were once in your wallet. Transfer a variety of bills to your clip.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Wrinkles-Naturally
How to Get Rid of Wrinkles Naturally
To treat wrinkles naturally, use a natural moisturizer such as olive oil or coconut oil on your skin twice per day. If you have naturally oily skin, choose a lighter oil such as argan oil or hemp oil to treat wrinkles. You can make a natural face mask with 1 tablespoon of warm water, 1 apricot and ½ of a banana to moisturize your skin. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water and patting your skin dry.
Drink plenty of water. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. This can flush your body of toxins and promote healthy, glowing skin. The moisture can also plump up your skin and temporarily fill wrinkled areas. Count beverages such as fruit juice, tea, coffee, or flavored waters as part of your daily total. Add a slice of lemon to your water to brighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Slather on a natural moisturizer. Apply a few drops of a natural product or oil, such as olive or coconut oil, to your body or facial skin twice a day. This can help maintain moisture and plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Some natural moisturizers include: Olive oil Hemp oil (found in your local beauty store) Rose oil Castor oil Coconut oil Shea butter Aloe vera Use essential oils that can provide additional antioxidants. You can add a few drops of the essential oils into your moisturizing oil to take advantage of their nutrients. Several oils have a high concentration of antioxidants that can help your skin fight free radicals, which slows the signs of aging. However, you should always dilute the oils with a carrier oil. These essential oils provide the most benefits: Lavender Thyme Clove Eucalyptus Cinnamon Juniper Basil Chamomile Coriander Cumin Select different oils for oily and combination skin. Even people with oily and combination skin need moisturizer for their skin. This can help you get rid of wrinkles and may even reduce redness and shine. Choose lighter natural oils to moisturize oily skin, such as: Argan oil Jojoba oil Grapeseed oil Hemp seed oil Choose a face mask to pamper your skin. Whip up a face mask with foods you probably have around the house. Infuse your skin with vitamins and nutrients in eggs, avocados, and cucumbers. They may erase or reduce any wrinkles you have. Adding a few splashes of lemon juice to your mask may further plump your skin and make it glow. Mix together any of the following masks and leave on your selection for 15 minutes before rinsing them off with warm water: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey with 1 tablespoon (about 7 g) of ground flax meal and.5 cups (120 ml) of plain Greek yogurt 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of lemon and half a cup (45 g) of uncooked rolled oats 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lukewarm water, 1 apricot, and ½ of a banana 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oat- or wheat grass juice, ½ an avocado, and.5 cups (120 ml) yogurt 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of fresh lemon juice, and.5 teaspoons (2.5 ml) of honey Work the muscles around your eyeballs. Place your index fingers on the outside of your eyes and the middle fingers in the centers of your eyebrows. Push up gently and look down. Squeeze your eyes tightly shut and release by opening them again. Repeat this exercises once or twice per day, which may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent them in the future. Exercise your lower eyelids. Put your index fingers on the outside corners of your eyes. Then place your middle fingers on the inside corners. Press gently, keeping your fingers in place, and close your eyes while looking up. Open your eyes and repeat the movement. Do this once or twice a day. Strengthen the muscles around your lips. Make a V-shape with your thumb and fingers at the upper corners of your mouth. Make the same shape with your other hand and place it above the first hand. Gently press in your fingers and try to force a smile against them. Repeat once or twice per day. This can temporarily reduce wrinkles and prevent them in the future. Increase neck and head strength and flexibility. Place one hand below your neck. Keep your thumb spread far from the other fingers. Then place your other hand on top of the first and point your chin toward the ceiling. Gently pull down your chest and smile with your mouth closed. This can reduce wrinkling around your neck while strengthening the muscles. It may also prevent more wrinkling in the future. Enjoy a massage. Stimulate your circulation and relax yourself with a professional massage or one you do yourself. This can boost nutrients to the skin and relieve stress, both of which may not only get rid of wrinkles, but prevent them in the future. Locate a qualified massage therapist online or ask your doctor for a recommendation. Rub on a small bit of your favorite lotion with firm but gentle pressure. Focus on areas especially prone to wrinkles, such as your neck, under your eyes, or your forehead. Consume foods high in vitamin C. Incorporate different foods into your diet every day that contain high amounts of vitamin C. These can build collagen, which makes your skin look firmer. They can also protect your skin from UV damage that causes wrinkling. Some examples of foods high in vitamin C include: Tomatoes Chili peppers Mango Strawberries Broccoli Pineapple Eat plenty of berries. Use a wide selection of colorful berries at most meals. These contains polyphenols and antioxidants that promote cell regeneration that may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent them in the future. Choose any of the following berries to reap their wrinkle-busting potential: Blueberries Raspberries Strawberries Blackberries Currants Pomegranate Boost your vitamin E intake with nuts. Eat a handful of nuts as a snack or instead of something like chips. These contain healthy fats and vitamin E, which can help your skin retain moisture. It can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and protect you from harmful UV rays. Select any of the following foods to get plenty of vitamin E: Walnuts Almonds Hazelnuts Peanuts Pistachios Drink green or ginger tea. Both green tea and ginger tea are full of antioxidants that can slow the signs of aging. Drinking a cup of tea every day can be a great way to keep your skin looking beautiful while also getting some relaxation. You can mix honey into your ginger tea to add more anti-aging benefits, as well as a bit of sweetness. You can also create a face mask using green tea. Simply mix green tea powder into brewed white tea until it becomes a paste. Apply the paste to your skin, then rinse in 15 minutes. Use different facial gestures. Mix up your facial gestures throughout your day. Certain movements and expressions, such as squinting your eyes or tilting your head, can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. They also decrease flexibility in the muscles, which can make it difficult for skin to spring back to its original position. Wear preventative glasses. Exposure to bright lights or reading small text can cause you to squint your eyes. Invest in and wear reading glasses if you have to squint when you read. Put on sunglasses if you're out in the sun. This can keep you from squinting and developing fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. Limit sun exposure. Reduce how much exposure you have to ultraviolet light. UV light breaks down the supportive tissue in your skin and inhibits strength and flexibility. Cover yourself with sunscreen, UV-resistant clothing, or hats when you're in the sun. Limit the amount of time you spend at the beach or pool, walk on the shady side of a street, or sit under trees while you're outside. Wear a broad spectrum, high SPF sunscreen when you're running errands or doing other outdoor activities. Quit smoking. Smoking also speeds up the natural aging process by reducing the circulation of blood to your skin. This can contribute to wrinkles. Quitting smoking or even decreasing how much you smoke a day may slow down the aging process and prevent further wrinkles. See your doctor if you have trouble kicking the habit. They can help you figure out an optimal way to stop or limit how much you smoke. See a dermatologist if you’re worried about your skin. If you're bothered by your wrinkles or have any other concerns about the state of your skin, make an appointment with a dermatologist (skin specialist). They can examine your skin and help you develop the best possible skin care routine for your individual needs. If you don't have a dermatologist, ask your regular doctor to recommend someone. Talk to your doctor about other treatments if natural remedies don’t work. Natural and over-the-counter remedies can be somewhat helpful for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. However, if you're not getting the results you want, your doctor or dermatologist may be able to recommend more effective medical treatments. Ask them about options such as: Prescription anti-wrinkle medications, such as topical retinoid creams Laser treatments Chemical peels Microdermabrasion Botox injections Fillers Skin tightening procedures or facelifts Get medical help if you have a severe reaction to a skincare product. Even natural products, like essential oils, can sometimes cause side effects or allergic reactions. If you experience symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, or rashes after using any skin care product, stop using it right away. Call your doctor if your rash doesn't go away in 3 weeks or if it's extremely painful, widespread, or affects your face or genitals. Get emergency medical care if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, swelling of your face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, or lightheadedness. Some skincare products can interact badly with other medications, so always talk to your doctor before trying a new natural remedy or over-the-counter treatment.
Drink plenty of water. Slather on a natural moisturizer. Use essential oils that can provide additional antioxidants. Select different oils for oily and combination skin. Choose a face mask to pamper your skin. Work the muscles around your eyeballs. Exercise your lower eyelids. Strengthen the muscles around your lips. Increase neck and head strength and flexibility. Enjoy a massage. Consume foods high in vitamin C. Eat plenty of berries. Boost your vitamin E intake with nuts. Drink green or ginger tea. Use different facial gestures. Wear preventative glasses. Limit sun exposure. Quit smoking. See a dermatologist if you’re worried about your skin. Talk to your doctor about other treatments if natural remedies don’t work. Get medical help if you have a severe reaction to a skincare product.
https://www.wikihow.tech/Increase-Data-Speed-on-Android
How to Increase Data Speed on Android
If you're getting laggy data, you can try clearing cached data in Storage , disabling animations from Settings, and enabling Data Saver in Chrome.
Open the Settings app on your Android. Find and tap {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/ed\/Android7settingsapp.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Android7settingsapp.png\/30px-Android7settingsapp.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>"} on your Apps menu, or pull down the notification bar from the top, and tap {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/6\/68\/Android7settings.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Android7settings.png\/30px-Android7settings.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>"}. Scroll down and tap Storage. Tap Cached data. This will clear your cached data, and open up some extra space on your Android. Your apps will cache data over time to speed up phone performance. However, if you're running low on usable cache storage, this can lower data speed. Tap OK to confirm. This will confirm your action, and clear your cached data. Open the Settings app on your Android. Find and tap {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/ed\/Android7settingsapp.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Android7settingsapp.png\/30px-Android7settingsapp.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>"} on your Apps menu, or pull down the notification bar from the top, and tap {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/6\/68\/Android7settings.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Android7settings.png\/30px-Android7settings.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>"}. Scroll down and tap Developer options. If you don't see it on the menu here, you may have to enable developer options first. To enable developer options, Go to About Phone in Settings, and tap 7 times on the Build number box. Slide the Developer options switch to . You can find it at the top of the Developer options page. Scroll down and turn off all animation options. Turning animations off may help use more processing power for data speed. Tap Window animation scale and turn it off. Tap Transition animation scale and turn it off. Tap Animator duration scale and turn it off. Open Chrome on your Android. Find and tap the {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/c\/cd\/Android7chrome.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Android7chrome.png\/30px-Android7chrome.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} icon on your Apps menu to open it. Tap the ⋮ icon. It's in the top-right corner of your screen. Tap Settings on the menu. This will open your browser settings on a new page. Scroll down and tap Data Saver. You can find it under the "Advanced" heading on the Settings menu. Slide the Data Saver switch to . When it's enabled, Chrome will compress all the pages you're viewing, meaning less data usage and faster browsing.
Open the Settings app on your Android. Scroll down and tap Storage. Tap Cached data. Tap OK to confirm. Open the Settings app on your Android. Scroll down and tap Developer options. Slide the Developer options switch to . Scroll down and turn off all animation options. Open Chrome on your Android. Tap the ⋮ icon. Tap Settings on the menu. Scroll down and tap Data Saver. Slide the Data Saver switch to .
https://www.wikihow.com/Harvest-Rain-Water-in-a-Household-Setting
How to Harvest Rain Water in a Household Setting
To harvest rainwater in your household, you'll need a way to channel the runoff, a container to hold it, and a way to move it to where it's needed most. For a simple, inexpensive system, designate a downspout directly beneath a steep part of your roof where water tends to accumulate. Set out 1 or more high-capacity containers to collect the water, like a plastic rain barrel. Some specially-designed barrels feature built-in filtration screens and spigots to make your collection even easier. If you need to filter the water yourself, cut a sheet of fine mesh screening to fit over the opening of the container to help strain bacteria, heavy metals, and other substances.
Designate a section of your roof. If you're looking for a simple water collection solution that will allow you to begin harvesting right away without making any costly updates to your home, just look up. The roof is the most commonly used catchment area. It's also the most easily adapted, thanks to the expediency of gutters and other fixtures. For best results, designate a downspout directly beneath a steep part of the roof where water tends to accumulate. Pick an area behind or off to one side of your home to keep your water collection system hidden from view. Look for places where water collects naturally. Since rainwater can collect at the base of any sloped surface, you're not limited to using your gutters. Following a heavy downpour, survey your property for areas where shallow pools, streams, and overflow begin to form. Any of these spots can serve as an effective catchment area. Remember: water settles at low elevation. If you live on a hill, you may need to scope out the perimeter of your property to find a suitable open-air collection site. Pave open reservoirs to create a cistern. To minimize the amount of water lost through seepage, spread a thin layer of concrete or a mixture of tightly-packed gravel and sand over the bottom of an open-air pool or stream. Lining ground-level catchment areas will also keep mud from leaching into the fresh water and prevent it from being tainted by other surface contaminants. Some cities have ordinances that heavily regulate the use of cisterns and other water collection systems. For this reason, this option may be better suited to those who live in rural areas. In hot, dry climates, there's a chance that much of the water could be lost through evaporation before you've had the chance to make use of it. Use your home’s gutters. Most residences are already equipped with a means of channeling excess runoff—the gutters. This is the simplest way to set about harvesting rainwater, as all it requires you to do is set out a few containers to catch what drains off of the roof. Standard 5” gutters with 3” downspouts will be large enough for most average-sized homes. For roofs with significantly more surface area, you may need to replace smaller gutters with slightly larger 6” gutters with 4” downspouts to control the flow of water. In general, sheet metal roofing make the best surfaces for collecting rainwater. Wood shakes, asphalt shingles, and clay tiles are also acceptable, though these materials tend to be more hospitable to mold, moss, and algae. Direct the water through a secondary conveyance system. If you've chosen someplace other than your roof to serve as your catchment area, you'll need a way to reroute the runoff to where it will eventually be stored. You can accomplish this by digging a shallow channel at the water's source (for instance, the edge of a natural basin or along the stream). Then, lay a series of pipes within the recess. You can configure the pipes as needed to create a makeshift irrigation system and carry the water where it will be most useful. Durable materials like copper or aluminum pipes or PVC tubing make for long-lasting channels that won't introduce any other harmful compounds to the runoff water. Keep in mind that the channel must have enough slope to keep the water moving. This may help determine the location you ultimately decide on. Keep the water close to its intended destination. If you're planning on using your reserves to water flowers or grow fruits and vegetables, for example, set up your conveyance system so that it delivers the water to the side of the house nearest the garden. That way, you'll always have a convenient supply on hand. Consider the placement of your storage system carefully. Once the water has filled the containers, it can be difficult to transport it elsewhere. Set out one or more high-capacity containers. Plastic rain barrels are the most common method of harvesting rainwater. A single rain barrel is spacious enough to hold 50 gallons (190 L) of water or more. Specially-designed barrels feature built-in filtration screens and spigots for ease of application, and can be purchased at most gardening centers. If you're unable to find premade rain barrels, a wooden barrel, or even a lidded plastic trash can will do. Connect multiple barrels with a short length of hose so that they'll fill and drain at the same rate. No matter what type of container you choose for your collection system, make sure the materials it's made from are opaque. Blocking out the sunlight will prevent mold and algae from growing inside the barrels. Elevate the barrels for better water pressure. Dig a shallow trough at your designated catchment area and fill it with tightly-packed gravel. Cover the gravel with cinder blocks or stacked wooden pallets and set the barrels on top. The added height will allow the water to flow from the spigot more easily. The gravel is there to absorb overflow and keep it from saturating the foundation of the house. Raising your storage containers makes it easier to position a bucket or watering can beneath the spigot. Install a dedicated cistern. If you're serious about your conservation efforts, you might consider investing in a much larger above or below-ground storage system. This will make the project much involved, as you'll have to find a suitable location for the tank or even excavate your yard to make room underground. Once it's finished, however, you'll be able to collected far greater quantities of water than is possible using conventional systems. Below-ground systems can get very expensive. These are recommended primarily for people who intend to use rainwater to replace running water for the majority of their daily needs. Filter the harvested water. As a basic filtration system, you can use a sheet of fine mesh screening cut to fit over the opening of the container. In-tank chemical filtration devices, first-flush diverters, and substances like activated charcoal are another option. These will help strain bacteria, heavy metals, and other undesirable substances from natural rainwater. To deter mosquitos and limit the water's exposure to bacteria and other pollutants, be sure to keep the container covered at all times. Aim to drain and clean your storage containers every 3-5 years to keep them sanitary.
Designate a section of your roof. Look for places where water collects naturally. Pave open reservoirs to create a cistern. Use your home’s gutters. Direct the water through a secondary conveyance system. Keep the water close to its intended destination. Set out one or more high-capacity containers. Elevate the barrels for better water pressure. Install a dedicated cistern. Filter the harvested water.
https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Catwoman-Costume
How to Create a Catwoman Costume
To create a Catwoman costume, wear an all-black jumpsuit or create an all-black outfit of leggings and a black shirt. For a more distressed look, you can cut the leggings or jumpsuit strategically for a ripped look. To create the iconic cat woman headpiece, buy a plain black mask and headband, then make the ears by cutting two triangles out of cardstock and covering them with black felt. Wear black, open-toed shoes, a black belt around your waist to look like catwoman's utility belt, and a pair of long black gloves.
Get your hands on a black PVC jumpsuit. A shiny black PVC jumpsuit is the basis of of many a Catwoman costume, and Michelle Pfeiffer's look is no different. Try to get a jumpsuit that zips up the front, with a high neckline and long sleeves. These type of jumpsuits are readily available at most costume or Halloween stores, or can be found online and purchased off eBay. If you don't have the time or money to buy a PVC jumpsuit, you can piece together a similar look using items already in your wardrobe. Tight leather pants, leather or wet look leggings, or even a tight pair of black jeans can be used for the pants. A tight black turtleneck sweater will form the top. Stitch jagged white lines into the material. Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman jumpsuit had white stitching detail all over, so that's the look your are trying to recreate. First grab some white chalk and draw the outline of the jagged lines you want to create. Place them at random all over the the PVC suit (or top and trousers), using a picture of the Catwoman costume from the movie for reference. Then take a needle and length of white thread and start stitching over the white lines. If you're tight for time, you can simply use the white chalk to create the stitched effect, or paint over the chalk with some white-out. Buy or make a Catwoman headpiece. Possibly the most important part of Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman costume was her headpiece -- a black PVC half-mask with cat ears. In order to achieve an authentic-looking headpiece, it may be best to buy a replica mask off Amazon or eBay. These sites often sets which include a headpieces, gloves and claws. However, if you are on a budget, you can make your own Catwoman headpiece at home. Here's how: Take an old pair of black cotton sweatpants. Make sure that there is some stretch in the material and that you can fit the leg of the pants over your head. Cut off the bottom of the sweatpants -- the piece you cut off should be long enough to cover half your face, reaching just above the tip of your nose. There should also be several inches of material above the top of your head, to make the ears. Take a piece of white chalk and draw a white semi-circle on the cut side of the material. This is the line you will cut out to form pointy ears on both sides of the mask. Also draw two large eyes on the mask, using a picture from the movie for reference. Take a sharp scissors and cut out the semi-circle along the chalk line. Also cut out the two eye holes. Take a needle and some black thread and sew the top of the mask closed - there should now be pointy ears on top of the head. Try the mask on -- if it feels too loose along the sides, add a couple of stitches to tighten it. You can wear the mask as it is, or you can add the same white jagged stitching you did on the jumpsuit. Again, use a picture of Michelle Pfeiffer's headpiece from the movie as reference. Make some clawed gloves. To achieve Catwoman-worthy talons, all you need to do is find a pair of elbow-length, black gloves - if you can find them in a shiny material, that's great, otherwise any kind of material will do. Take a sharp scissors and cut slits in the tip of each finger. Find a packet of black fake nails - the longer and pointier the better. Apply them to your own fingernails, then slip on the gloves - the pointy ends of the fake nails should poke right through the slits. Tah-dah! Of course it is also possible to buy Catwoman gloves online with the nails already attached - but this method gives you the option of taking the gloves off and still having cat-like claws! Wear knee-high black boots. To complete the look, you will need some knee-high black boots with a killer heel. Give them a good polish before you wear - Catwoman wouldn't dare leave the house in scuffed shoes! Get some black PVC pants or leggings. Halle Berry's Catwoman sported a slightly different look to her other incarnations, so no need for a jumpsuit this time. For the pants you will need leather or wet-look pants -- you should be able to find a suitable pair at a Halloween or costume store. Although the pants should be tight at the top, the legs should widen slightly at the bottom -- in the movie, Halle Berry's pants are bootcut rather than skinny. Take some white chalk and draw jagged lightening bolt shapes all over the legs of the pants -- front and back. Then take a sharp scissors and cut along the lines to a achieve a ripped effect. Don't worry about cutting neatly -- you want to look as though you were attacked by a horde of angry cats! Get a leather-look bra or cropped bustier. You need to be prepared to flash some flesh with this costume! If possible, find a PVC or leather-look bra or cropped bustier to mimic Halle Berry's hardcore lingerie from the movie. If you can't find anything suitable in those materials, silk is your next best option. And hey, if you have time before you actually need to wear the costume, why not work on achieving a flat stomach -- the best accessory this costume could have! If you are not comfortable revealing that much flesh, or you plan on being outdoors, a good alternative is to wear a black, strappy bodysuit instead. Just make sure you put some rips and tears in it as well, to achieve the claw-ravaged look! Wrap two black belts around your waist. Halle Berry's wore a complicated, criss-crossed belt contraption that connected her bra straps to her pants. An exact replica of this would be hard to achieve, but you can create a similar effect simply by wrapping two belts around your waist, crossing them over to form an "X" shape. Ideally the belts would be made from canvas, in black or dark khaki green, but any kind of belts will do the job. Buy or make a Catwoman headpiece. Like Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, Halle Berry's interpretation of the feline anti-heroine includes a black half-mask with cat ear detail. This Catwoman is matte black, without any white-stitching detail. You best bet is probably to buy an exact replica online, however you can also make your own mask using the method outlined in Step 3 of the previous section. Wear open-toed black shoes. If you want to stay really true to the movie, you should wear some open-toed black shoes or boots, with an average-sized heel. However, any kind of shoes or boots will do, as long as the legs of the pants are worn over them, rather than tucked in. Get a whip and gloves. The finishing touches to this Catwoman look are a pair of black leather gloves -- over the elbow, if possible --- and a black leather whip You can find costume whips in Halloween stores or online, or you can do a makeshift version by painting a jump rope black. Get a black jumpsuit. The most recent incarnation of Catwoman was portrayed by Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises. This is perhaps the simplest version of the Catwoman costumes, but that doesn't diminish it's sexiness! The basis of the costume is a black jumpsuit, with long sleeves and a zip up the front. If possible, try to get a jumpsuit in a matte black color, though shiny PVC will work if not. If you can't get your hands on a jumpsuit, some tight black pants or leggings and a black zip-up or turtleneck sweater will do the trick. Wear a wide black belt around the waist. A wide black belt should be worn around the waist to imitate Catwoman's utility belt. However, if you could get your hands on a real gun holster, that would be even better! Buy or make a black mask and cat ears. Anne Hathaway's Catwoman, unlike the others, does not wear a headpiece, but wears a simple black mask and headpiece, with her hair worn loose down her back. In this respect, she is similar to the version of Catwoman portrayed by Julie Newmar in the 1960s series Batman. Any plain black mask (that just covers the eyes) will work for this outfit, along with a headband or clips with cat ears attached. You can make your own mask using black felt (an embossed black works really well for this particular costume). Simply draw the outline of the mask onto the piece of felt, cut it out neatly, and attach a length of black elastic to either side to form a mask. To make your own cat ears: cut out two triangular-shaped pieces from some black cardstock, glue black PVC or felt fabric to both sides of the cardstock, then attach each ear to a black alligator clip. Wear black gloves. Any kind of long black gloves will work for this costume, just try to get ones which reach above your elbow. Get some thigh-high boots. Perhaps the most attention-grabbing aspect of this Catwoman's outfit are her thigh-high, black leather boots. If you have some in your wardrobe already - great! If not, you may need to trawl through some shoes stores or websites to find the perfect pair. The heels should be 4 or 5 inches (10.2 or 12.7 cm) high. Of course, knee-high black boots will do in pinch - it all depends on how true to the movie you want your costume to be. Carry a fake gun. Rather than carrying a whip, Anne Hathaway's Catwoman has a gun -- she means serious business. Find a fake black gun in any costume store. If you managed to find a gun holster belt, you can store it there! Wear hair straight and voluminous. Unlike the other costumes, where hair is tied back or tucked underneath the mask, this look allows hair to be left loose. Anne Hathaway's hair was straight, but had plenty of volume. To achieve a similar effect, apply mousse to wet hair then blow dry hair straight, holding your head upside down. Pull the hair back from the face using the cat-ear headband or clips. Get the right foundation. To begin, apply your favorite foundation -- but mix it with a little white face paint first, as Catwoman is usually pale. Blend it well, using a stippling brush to create a flawless finish. Set the foundation with a loose translucent powder. Don't use concealer beneath your eyes -- you want to have slight dark circles. Focus on the eyes. Apply a matte taupe eyeshadow all over your lids; this will create depth and shadows. Bring the taupe shadow down towards the sides of your nose. Next, apply a dark brown eyeshadow around the creases of your eyelids, then apply a dark black eyeshadow to the center of your lids, blending it outwards. Apply the black eyeshadow to your lower lash line with a small, angled brush, bringing it right into the corner of the eye. It should look a little messy. Use a cotton swab to blend the shadow on your lower lash line to give a hazy, smoky effect. Line the inner rim of your bottom lashes using a black eyeliner. Curl your eyelashes, then apply a black mascara generously to upper and lower lashes. Pencil your eyebrows. Define your eyebrows with a brow pencil – give them an elaborate arch. Apply white eyeliner beneath the arch of the eyebrow to give it more depth and apply a matte white eyeshadow to the brow bone to highlight. Set your eyebrows with brow gel. Apply red lipstick. Line your lips with a red lip liner, then fill in the lines with your favorite red lipstick. Use a brush to make a precise shape, referring to a specific Catwoman picture for reference. Use concealer to add extra definition to the outside of your lips. Apply a red lip gloss to the center of your lips, on top of the lipstick. Your lips should look playful and devious.
Get your hands on a black PVC jumpsuit. Stitch jagged white lines into the material. Buy or make a Catwoman headpiece. Make some clawed gloves. Wear knee-high black boots. Get some black PVC pants or leggings. Get a leather-look bra or cropped bustier. Wrap two black belts around your waist. Buy or make a Catwoman headpiece. Wear open-toed black shoes. Get a whip and gloves. Get a black jumpsuit. Wear a wide black belt around the waist. Buy or make a black mask and cat ears. Wear black gloves. Get some thigh-high boots. Carry a fake gun. Wear hair straight and voluminous. Get the right foundation. Focus on the eyes. Pencil your eyebrows. Apply red lipstick.
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Melanoma
How to Prevent Melanoma
The easiest way to prevent melanoma is to limit your exposure to the sun by staying in the shade and wearing dark clothes that cover as much of your body as possible. A wide-brimmed hat will also protect your scalp while providing extra shade for your face. If you plan on being in direct sunlight, like at the beach, cover your skin with a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 35 or above. Make sure to apply sunscreen on cloudy days too because ultraviolet rays can penetrate through clouds.
Limit your exposure to the sun. Melanoma begins in your body's melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing your body's pigment or color). Ultraviolet rays from the sun interact with these melanocytes, causing them to produce a dark protective pigment. If your melanocytes are overexposed to ultraviolet rays, melanoma can begin to form. Malignant tumors are a result of cumulative cellular effects of UV light and inability of skin to mount a defense to it. Melanomas have ability to metastasize to any organ, including brain. While you may think your dark tan looks healthy, you're actually damaging your skin. When you are outside, look for shade. By staying in the shade, you prevent your skin from taking the full force of the ultraviolet rays produced by the sun. It only takes ten minutes of direct sun exposure for your body to get the recommended amount of vitamin D. Just one peeling sunburn can double your risk of getting melanoma in the future. The sun's ultraviolet rays are usually at their strongest from ten in the morning to four in the afternoon. Try not to plan your outdoor activities between those time. Use sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone generously apply a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply about an ounce of sunscreen and spread it over any parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun. You should still wear sunscreen on cloudy days. Ultraviolet rays can actually penetrate your skin through the clouds. Buy broad spectrum protection sunscreen. All sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays (short wave ultraviolet rays) but it may not protect your skin from UVA rays (long wave ultraviolet rays). Make sure the bottle says your sunscreen is effective against both. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating profusely. Cover yourself up. While you're out in the sun, wear clothes that cover as much of your body as possible. Long sleeve shirts, pants that cover your legs and long skirts can help protect you from the sun. Thick knit clothing will provide better protection than clothes made of thin material. Wide- or long-brimmed hats keep your scalp safe and provide shade. They provide more protection than baseball caps or visors. Sunglasses will keep the sun away from your eyes and the skin around them. Choose polarized sunglasses to decrease the risk of developing cataracts. Look into clothing and swimwear that is made with special fabrics that protect you from the sun. Dark colors are more effective against the sun than light ones. A white t-shirt only offers a mere SPF boost of about four. Avoid artificial tanning. Tanning beds and lamps can drastically increase your risk of getting melanoma. They directly expose your body to intense ultraviolet radiation with little to no protection. In a tanning bed, you'll receive five times the amount of damaging UVA rays that you would be exposed to with natural sunlight. There is a significant scientific evidence that indoor tanning before age 30 is linked to increased risk of developing the disease. You may think that after getting a “base tan” from a tanning bed, you'll be less likely to get melanoma because you won't get sunburns; however, people who don't burn in the sun are at a higher risk for getting melanoma because they typically don't take measures to protect themselves. UVA rays penetrate your skin deeper than UVB rays and can cause your skin to age and wrinkle faster than normal. Tanning beds can also be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria if they are not properly maintained. Remember that tan is an evidence of injury to the skin. The thinner skin of children and teens is particularly vulnerable to damage from UV radiation. Examine your body. At least once a month, search your entire body for signs that melanoma may be forming. Look at your body from head to toe. Use a mirror to inspect the parts of your body you can't see like your face, back, neck and the backs of your legs. Get your partner to examine some of the hard-to-see areas, like the top of your head. Remember to look at the places where the sun doesn't shine, like the soles of your feet, behind your knees or your buttocks (this is especially true for people of color, as skin cancer in people of color is often found on areas of the body that aren't typically exposed to the sun). Insignificant freckles or spots on your skin usually aren't cause for alarm but you should watch out for abnormal moles or marks that may be growing or changing shapes. You can use ABCDE mnemonic to remember signs of cancerous moles. A is for asymmetry. Your mole is asymmetrical. Both halves of it look different. B is for border. The border of your mole is uneven with notched instead of round edges. C is for color. The color is changing or the mole consists of multiple colors. Your mole may be darker than a normal mole on your body or parts of it may turn red or purple. D is for diameter. Your mole is larger than 6 millimeters (the size of the pencil eraser). E is for evolution or change. If your mole is changing, it might be a time to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. If your mole changes between self exams, then melanoma may be growing. Go for a checkup. Periodically, you should have your physician take a look at your skin to make sure melanoma is not growing. Early detection of melanoma plus regular skin exams are extremely important. During a general checkup, the doctor won't have time to inspect your entire body so be prepared before you go in. Direct your doctor to take a look at any specific areas that you may be concerned about. People under the age of forty should see a physician at least once every three years. People older than forty should see a physician at least once a year. Visit a dermatologist. If you or your doctor come across any areas of your skin that you are particularly concerned about, it might be a good idea to seek out the expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist specializes in treating a person's skin and will have the training and equipment to accurately evaluate whether or not you have melanoma. A dermatologist will be able to do a total body exam and record and measure all of your moles which may provide a good baseline for the future visits. A dermatologist will be able to examine the deeper pigment of your skin with the use of an ultraviolet lamp. A dermatologist will have the experience to identify melanoma with more certainty than a normal doctor. A dermatologist may perform an excision biopsy on any suspicious mole. Have a biopsy done on your mole. To perform a biopsy, your dermatologist will cut off a tiny piece of a mole in order to test it in a lab. The detached tissue can be examined closely under a microscope and tested to see if it is in fact melanoma. If the dermatologist fears that the melanoma could have spread to other parts of your body, she might ask to do a biopsy of lymph nodes near the area as well. A biopsy is nothing to be afraid of. It's a very minor procedure and the doctor will use anesthesia so you shouldn't experience any pain. Biopsies allow doctors to look at tissue more closely than other methods like x-rays. Be careful at work. People who have jobs that force them to be outdoors constantly have a higher risk of getting melanoma than people who work inside. If you work outside or are exposed to intense sunlight at your job, be sure to take every precaution you can to protect yourself from the sun. Some examples jobs that could put you at risk include: Lifeguard Pilot Farmer Construction worker Sailor/Sailing instructor Garbage collector Keep your hobbies safe. Even if you don't work outside for most of the week, you should still protect yourself on the weekends. Bursts of ultraviolet rays can increase your chance of getting melanoma, especially if you spend most of your time indoors. If you enjoy being outdoorsy on your days off, take good care of your skin. Office workers have a higher risk of getting melanoma than most careers. This is because they're skin isn't used to being in the sun. When they do go out in their free time, the sun wreaks extra havoc on them. Always use copious amounts of sunscreen if you play outside sports like sand volleyball or golf. Research your family history. If people in your family have had melanoma, then you may have a greater risk of getting it yourself. Gene mutations can be passed down from one generation to the next. It's possible that your family's genes are more susceptible to melanoma than those of other people. You can have your DNA tested by a geneticist to get a complete understanding of all the conditions you might be prone to. Take extra care if you have a light skin tone. It's easier for people with lighter skin to get melanoma. The dark pigment in people's skin serves to protect them from ultraviolet rays. Lighter skinned people also burn much easier than darker skinned people. If you have light skin tone, you should be very cautious about spending time in the sun. People with blond hair and blue eyes also have a higher risk of getting melanoma. Stay well overall. Take care of your overall heath by eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising. Keeping your body and immune system in top form may help your body battle cancerous cells. Eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as legumes, kale, green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish (especially salmon), fruits, whole grains, and flax seed. Take recommended daily doses of antioxidant supplements, including beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E and fish oils. Drink one to two glasses of red wine a day. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in the skins of grapes, has a potent anti-cancer properties and becomes concentrated in red wine during the fermentation process. Avoid other forms of alcohol other than red wine, as alcohol in general is detrimental to a person's health in many ways and suppresses the immune system.
Limit your exposure to the sun. Use sunscreen. Cover yourself up. Avoid artificial tanning. Examine your body. Go for a checkup. Visit a dermatologist. Have a biopsy done on your mole. Be careful at work. Keep your hobbies safe. Research your family history. Take extra care if you have a light skin tone. Stay well overall.
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How to Make a Scented Candle in a Glass
To make a scented candle in a glass, start by melting some wax in the microwave. Then, pour a drop of hot wax into the bottom of the glass and quickly place a wick in it. After you put the wick in, lay a pencil or toothpick over the rim of the glass and tape the wick to it so it doesn't fall over. Next, mix some essential oils into the melted wax to give it a scent. Finally, pour the scented wax into the glass and let it harden.
Wash out the jars you want to use. Glass jars that are heat resistant work best because you will be pouring hot wax into them. If you're recycling old mugs, plant holders, or other containers, inspect them for cracks so that the wax won't aggravate the infrastructure. Dry your jars completely by preheating them. Set the jars on a baking tray and place them in the oven on the "keep warm" setting or a low heat while you prepare the wax. Leave them in the oven for a few minutes to make them warmer than room temperature. Assemble the candle wicks. You can buy pre-made candle wicks from a craft store with the metal collar attached at the end or put together your own. Buy the metal collars and uncut wicks separately, thread the wick through the collar, and use pliers to squeeze it tightly shut. It's best not to place a wick in a candle without a collar. The metal prevents the flame from heating the bottom of the glass jar to the point of breaking. If you use uncut wicks then you won't be limited to candle size or height. For best results, buy pre-waxed wicks. Take the jars out of the oven and attach the wicks. Be careful as they may still be hot. Melt a few wax flakes in the microwave and place a few in the bottom of each jar. Before the wax cools, place the metal end or bare end of your wick in the wax and let it set. Secure each wick in place. Lay a pencil or chopstick across the top of your jar and wrap or tape the wick to it. You want to make sure the wick remains upright so that when you pour the wax in, the wick won't fall down into the candle. Measure out your wax flakes. You want to have two times the amount of wax flakes than your jars' ounces. For example, an 8 oz jar will need 16 oz. of wax flakes. Use a heat-resistant glass measuring cup with a handle, such as a Pyrex cup, to measure and then later melt the flakes. When choosing wax flakes, soy based wax burns longer than paraffin and some people prefer it as a natural ingredient. Make sure that you buy wicks that are meant for soy candles if you choose to use soy instead of paraffin wax. Make a double boiler to melt the wax. All you will need is a medium sized pot or saucepan and a stovetop range. Place the measuring cup on the side of the pot and fill the pot with water. You want a lower level of water so that the water doesn't splash into the wax as it boils. Turn the stove to a low to medium heat. You don't want a full rolling boil because that may cause the wax to overheat. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon as it melts so that all of the flakes are equally liquefied. Test the temperature of the wax. You want to keep the temperature of the wax between 150°-180° F or 65°-80° C. Do not leave the wax unattended. This is so that it doesn't overheat but is mostly for safety. At these temperatures wax can burn skin easily. Add color to your candle. Break off small pieces of non-toxic wax crayon pieces to add a hue to the wax. A little bit goes a long way, so add the crayon in increments of a ⁄ 4 inch (0.6 cm) piece at a time. You can test out the color intensity as you go by dropping a little wax onto some parchment paper and letting it cool as the wax finishes melting. Take the wax off the stove. Once it reaches these temperatures and is fully melted, set the measuring cup aside. Let the wax cool down to 125° F or 50° C. You cannot add the essential oils or scents at a higher temperature because the scent can evaporate away. Add the essential oils. For every 16 oz. of wax flakes, use ten drops of essential oils. You can mix and match scents and oils for a unique candle. For scent ideas, reference your own favorite candle scents or smell different oil combinations to determine what meshes and what clashes. Place a tray or newspaper under your jars. In case the wax spills while pouring, protect your surface so that clean up is simple and easy. Dried wax is easier to clean up since the large pieces can be picked off and the residue spot-cleaned. Pour the wax into your jars slowly. Going slow and steady will prevent the wax from cracking when it settles and avoids creating air pockets within the jar. Leave space at the top of the candle as you pour. When the candle burns, the top layer of wax will melt and pool around the wick. You don't want the wax to overflow when you first start burning your candle. Top off the candle with a little more wax. There can often be a sinkhole of wax that forms around the wick as it begins to set. Simply pour a little more wax into the sunken area and give the jar a light shake to settle the wax evenly. Trim the wick before burning. Leave about a quarter of an inch of wick above the top of the candle. If the wick is too long, it will flop over and burn incorrectly. If it is too short, you will have trouble getting it to light and it may drown in the melted top layer of wax.
Wash out the jars you want to use. Dry your jars completely by preheating them. Assemble the candle wicks. Take the jars out of the oven and attach the wicks. Secure each wick in place. Measure out your wax flakes. Make a double boiler to melt the wax. Turn the stove to a low to medium heat. Test the temperature of the wax. Add color to your candle. Take the wax off the stove. Add the essential oils. Place a tray or newspaper under your jars. Pour the wax into your jars slowly. Leave space at the top of the candle as you pour. Top off the candle with a little more wax. Trim the wick before burning.
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How to Do Tile Painting
Before doing tile painting, buy ceramic or enamel paint, and avoid acrylic or spray paint because they won't work. Then, clean the tiles you plan to paint with tile cleaner and sand them down if they're already glazed so the paint has a rough surface to adhere to. Next, apply 2-3 coats of paint in thin layers across the tiles and grout. Finally, wait 24 hours for the paint to dry before coating the tiles with clear urethane to seal the paint.
Purchase ceramic, epoxy, enamel, or latex paint. Using the right paint is very important. Water-based paint like acrylic, watercolors, or spray paint will not work at all, especially if you're painting bathroom or kitchen tile. You can use commercial tile or ceramic paint, oil-based paint, colored epoxy, enamel, or latex paint. Choose the best brushes for your project. If you are painting an intricate scene or design on your tile, you'll most likely need several different sizes of brushes. If you are painting a large bathroom wall, for example, you can use a larger brush. Set up your supplies and protect your work area. Lay out cleaning supplies, sandpaper, and protective gear. You'll need to take a few precautions to prevent injury or paint spills in your work area. Lay a tarp down on the floor to prevent paint from dripping on it. Line the edges of your work area with painter's tape. Keep damp rags nearby in case you need to fix any mistakes. Open windows or bring a fan into the room for ventilation. Wear a painter's mask to avoid inhaling fumes. If you're working in the kitchen, move food to another area to prevent contamination. Clean the tile with degreaser and tile cleaner. If your tile is brand new, you can just wipe off the surface. Older tile, especially flooring or bathroom tile, will need to be cleaned thoroughly. Start by using a degreaser, then wash the tile with tile cleaner or soap and water. It's very important that your tile is perfectly clean, so don't skip this step! Use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to remove any mold. Vinegar works well for removing soap scum and shower residue. Sand your tile with 1800-grit paper until it's no longer smooth. You won't need to sand unglazed tile, but any ceramic that has already been glazed will need to be sanded to provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Use 1800-grit sandpaper to smooth the tile and remove uneven gloss. Wipe off the dust with a damp rag. Sanding creates a lot of dust, and it will affect the look of your paint. Make sure all of the dust from sanding is gone by wiping the entire surface with a damp cloth. You can also vacuum away any accumulated dust. Apply an oil-based high adhesion primer to home surfaces. Oil primers are efficient at preventing stains and holding on to ceramic and/or oil-based paint, but you won't need to use them for decorative art tiles that won't be walked on or used. If you're planning to paint in a high-traffic area, like the shower or the hallway floor, use two coats. Wait at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. Check the primer's label for a precise drying time. If you're working in an area with a lot of moisture, like the bathroom, you may want to wait 48 hours. Decide on your colors or design. If you are painting existing tile in your home, make sure that the colors you choose complement the rest of your design scheme. It is usually best to choose light colors when painting your tile, as dark or bright colors can overwhelm a room. If you're painting a design, choose one that will be easy for you to do and will look good in your home. Create a painted design (optional). If you want to paint a design, try searching for inspiration in Spanish, Portuguese, or Chinese tile paintings. You could also try a geometric design, like a chevron pattern or checks. Transfer your design to the tile with a pencil. If you have an intricate design, draw it on the tile with pencil first. Be sure to press the pencil very lightly so that it is easy to hide with paint and/or erase if necessary. You can also practice on paper beforehand. Paint your tile. If you are painting a design, start with the lightest color first to avoid smudges, and let each color dry before starting a new one. If you're painting a home surface in a solid color, apply the paint in multiple thin layers. It's usually necessary to do at least 3 layers, especially if your paint color is lighter than the original color. Painting over the grout is much easier than trying to avoid it, and it isn't noticeable if you choose a light color. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours. For small art projects, 24 hours will be enough, but for larger home surfaces, wait for at least 48 hours. This is especially important for high-traffic areas like the bathroom or kitchen counter. If you've painted a ceramic bathtub, wait for several days before filling it with warm water. Coat with clear urethane to seal in the paint. You can buy urethane from any home supply store. It's important to use a sealant like urethane that is made for ceramics, especially if you're painting kitchen or bathroom tiles that get a lot of use and come into contact with moisture. Apply according to the package directions and let it dry thoroughly before touching your tile.
Purchase ceramic, epoxy, enamel, or latex paint. Choose the best brushes for your project. Set up your supplies and protect your work area. Clean the tile with degreaser and tile cleaner. Sand your tile with 1800-grit paper until it's no longer smooth. Wipe off the dust with a damp rag. Apply an oil-based high adhesion primer to home surfaces. Wait at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. Decide on your colors or design. Create a painted design (optional). Transfer your design to the tile with a pencil. Paint your tile. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours. Coat with clear urethane to seal in the paint.
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How to Get Rid of Tapeworms in Humans
If you need to get rid of tapeworms in a person, visit a doctor for a prescription right away. The medication will remove adult tapeworms, but it will not affect the eggs, so you'll need to take precautions to prevent re-infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water several times a day, especially before you cook or after you use the bathroom. Also, do not eat raw meat, since that can be a source of tapeworms.
Evaluate your surroundings, as well as any recent travel. Tapeworms exist worldwide, but infection rates vary widely between countries. While more than 10 million people are infected each year, less than 1,000 cases are estimated to occur annually in the United States. Different species of tapeworms reside in different species of animals. Pork and beef tapeworms are most commonly found in developing areas of the world such as Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, and especially where free-ranging pigs are common. Beef tapeworms are also more common in areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, Eastern Africa, and Latin America where raw beef is sometimes consumed. Fish tapeworms are more common in areas where people eat raw fish, including Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan. Dwarf tapeworms are transmitted between humans, especially among children, in regions where sanitation is poor, or where humans are living in dense conditions. Dog tapeworms occasionally find human hosts. Review your recent diet. Infections typically occur following consumption of raw or undercooked meat from an infected animal. Tapeworms can also be transmitted through meat that has been prepared by an infected individual. Have you consumed any raw or undercooked meat? Have you been to an area where food is being prepared in unsanitary conditions? Examine your feces. Excreted tapeworm segments are the most noticeable indicator of a tapeworm infection. These segments look like small grains of white rice. You may see excreted sections on toilet paper or in your underwear. Tapeworm segments will not begin to appear in the stool until two to three months after an adult tapeworm has established itself in your body. Stool samples may have to be examined on more than one occasion to find tapeworm segments. Evaluate whether you have additional symptoms of tapeworm infection. Common symptoms include digestive problems such as abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, and nausea. However, these symptoms can indicate many other possible conditions. Remember, too, that a tapeworm infection may not cause any symptoms. While uncommon, tapeworm infection can also cause the following serious symptoms: fever; cystic masses or lumps; allergic reactions to tapeworm larvae; bacterial infections; or neurological signs and symptoms, including seizures. These symptoms sometimes develop when infections are left untreated, so it's important to seek treatment even for less serious symptoms. Visit your physician. In order to properly diagnose a tapeworm infection, your doctor will need to administer a stool sample analysis. This will help to rule out or determine the type of tapeworm and will determine the proper medicine(s). In addition to determining if you have a tapeworm, stool analysis can identify a variety of digestive problems, including infection, nutritional deficiencies, and cancer. A blood test may also be able to identify antibodies in the blood of a person who has been infected by a tapeworm. Receive a prescription from your physician. After your doctor or physician has diagnosed you with a tapeworm infection, he or she will prescribe an oral medication. Tapeworms are treated with three common prescriptions: praziquantel, albendazole, and nitazoxanide. The variety your doctor prescribes will depend upon the type of infection you have contracted. Follow the prescribed regimen. In addition to properly taking your medication, it is important to avoid reinfecting yourself (or infecting others). Tapeworm medications do not affect the parasites' eggs, so you can reintroduce the infection if you neglect good bathroom and kitchen hygiene. If more serious infection such as cysticercosis is involved, your doctor may recommend a longer and more involved treatment regimen. Treatment may include prescription drugs, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epileptic therapy, or surgery. Confirm that the infection is gone. Your physician will want to re-evaluate you after you have been taking your medication for some time. Depending on the severity of the infection, this can be anywhere from one to three months after you begin treatment. Prescription medication is 85 to 100 percent effective. Effectiveness depends on the type of tapeworm and the location of the infection. Avoid raw meat. Many different species that humans eat carry tapeworms, including cattle, pigs, fish, sheep, goats, and rabbits. Eliminating raw or undercooked meat from your diet is the easiest way to avoid infection. Note that poultry tapeworms do exist, but are not common in modern farming facilities because they require an intermediate insect host such as an earthworm or beetle. Cook meat properly. When cooking whole cuts of meat such as steaks or chops, be sure that the internal temperature of the meat reaches at least 145 °F (63 °C). Ground meat should be cooked to an internal temperatures of 160 °F (71 °C). Freezing meat and fish at a temperature below 14 °F ( -10 °C) for at least 48 hours will also kill tapeworm eggs and larvae. Disinfect fruit and vegetables when traveling in areas where tapeworms are more common. Chemical solutions can be purchased to sanitize fruit and vegetables, or you can simply wash them thoroughly with safe (boiled) water. Wash your hands properly before preparing and eating food, and after handling raw meat or fish. This will make sure that any eggs or larvae on your hands are not transferred into your food or digestive system. You'll also avoid infecting other people. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Try humming either the alphabet song or "Happy Birthday to You" twice to ensure you're washing for an adequate length of time.
Evaluate your surroundings, as well as any recent travel. Review your recent diet. Examine your feces. Evaluate whether you have additional symptoms of tapeworm infection. Visit your physician. Receive a prescription from your physician. Follow the prescribed regimen. Confirm that the infection is gone. Avoid raw meat. Cook meat properly. Disinfect fruit and vegetables when traveling in areas where tapeworms are more common. Wash your hands properly before preparing and eating food, and after handling raw meat or fish.
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How to Dress for Hot Weather
To dress for hot weather, start by choosing clothes made from breathable fabrics, like linen or jersey. Stick to light colors, like white or pastel shades, which will absorb less sun than darker colors. For clothing fits, opt for looser cuts to create a layer of air between you and your clothes, like T-shirts or A-line dresses. When possible, wear short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts, which can hide sweat lines. Otherwise, try long-sleeved button up in a lightweight material like chambray.
Go for clothing made of cotton, linen, or jersey. Opt for clothing made of breathable materials, such as cotton, linen, or jersey. These fabrics will not constrain your body or cause you to sweat in the heat. They are also great for staying cool and put together, even on a hot weather day. You may look for dresses, tops, and skirts made of cotton or linen. Or you may opt for a jersey dress in a simple cut that you can wear on a hot day. Shorts made of cotton or linen are also good options for staying cool on a hot day. T-shirts and collared shirts made of linen or jersey are also ideal. Avoid clothing made of polyester, nylon, or silk. Fabrics like polyester, nylon, and silk may look nice on but they are not breathable materials. They will cause you to sweat and will retain body odors, making your hot weather day that much more uncomfortable. You should also avoid clothing made of rayon or wool, as they are not breathable and will cause you to sweat more than you already are in hot weather. Silk is also a fabric that repels water, which will create a rippling effect on the fabric when you wear it on a hot, sweaty day. However, if you need to dress up for an event, you may opt for silk over more constricting fabrics like polyester or nylon. Stick to light colored fabrics. When you are choosing clothing for a hot day, you should go for fabrics that are light in color. Pastels and colors on the lighter end of the spectrum, such as white, beige, and gray, are all good options as they will absorb less sun than darker colors. Avoid clothing in dark colors or jewel tones, like emerald, purple, or blue. You should also avoid black clothing, as it will trap light and make you feel more hot in hot weather. Consider work out clothing as an option. If you work outside often or are walking around outside on a daily basis in hot weather, you may opt for the comfort and breathability of work out clothing. A lot of work out clothing is made of materials that absorb sweat and keep you cool as you sweat. Often, work out clothing is also made to be comfortable and easy to move in as you go about your day. If you work in an office setting or another professional setting, work out clothing may not be appropriate. But if you are running errands throughout the day or having a casual day out, you may be able to get away with wearing your work out clothing. Sportswear has become more fashionable with the rise of “athleisure” clothing, where you wear stylish work out clothing as part of an outfit. Go for looser cuts and styles. Avoid skin tight clothing and clothing that will constrain your body as you move around on a hot day. In general rule, looser is cooler in hot weather. This will help to create a layer of air between your skin and your clothing. Look for dresses that are A-line cut, with a loose fit on your arms, chest and waist. Choose tops that are cropped so they do not hug your stomach or torso. Go for skirts and shorts that have a loose fit around your waist and legs. Opt for shorts or skirts over pants. Go for bottoms that will not cover up your legs with material, especially if you want to feel cool on a hot day. Look for shorts or skirts in breathable fabrics and cuts that do not constrain your legs. You should avoid wearing pants, unless you have to wear them due to a professional dress code or a formal dress code. If you do have to wear pants, opt for pants made out of cotton or linen in a loose cut. You may also wear pants that you can roll at the hem so they do not squeeze or constrain your legs. Wear short sleeve or sleeveless tops. You should also look for tops that have short sleeves or that are sleeveless. If you tend to have sweat lines, you may opt for sleeveless tops so your sweat lines do not show. Make sure the tops are made of breathable material like linen or cotton so you can stay cool and show off your killer arms. Men may not have the option of going sleeveless in the office. Instead, you can opt to wear long sleeve button up shirts in a breathable material like chambray, a lightweight alternative to denim. Do not layer your clothing. If you are trying to dress modestly but still stay cool in the heat, you may be tempted to layer your clothing and shed each layer when you get hot. However, layering will only create more clothing for you to deal with as you go about your day and likely will not keep you cool. Instead, you should choose clothing items that do not require you to layer. This way, you do not have to worry about shedding clothing throughout the day. A good hot weather item is a maxi dress, which allows you to cover up your legs without having to worry about shedding a layer. Maxi dresses are also good for formal events when paired with heels or dress sandals, as they keep your legs covered but still feel summery and appropriate for hot weather. Also, you can wear mini or midi dresses if you are looking for something more casual and more 'young-looking' so you can keep cool easier and not get tripped on, because who wants to go through a load of unnecessary embarrassment? You could also wear a long sleeve shirt with shorts to remain modest and still cool in the heat. Or, pair a cotton cardigan with a long cotton dress. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun. Hot weather accessories can also be a great way to look fashionable while you beat the heat. Go for sunglasses that have UV protection and glare protection. Look for sunglasses in brightly colored frames, such as peach, bright blue, or pink. This can add another level of summer to your look. Go for a hat with a brim. Brimmed hats are great for staying cool in hot weather, as they protect your face from the sun and keep your body cool in the heat. Look for hats made of cotton or woven materials. Hats with a wide brim all the way around, sun hat style, or baseball hats are ideal for staying cool in hot weather. Choose comfortable, breathable shoes. Many people suffer from swollen, sweaty feet in hot weather. You can prevent this by wearing shoes that are comfortable and not constraining. Look for shoes with comfortable soles made of breathable materials like canvas or cotton. Avoid shoes that are made of non-breathable material like leather, rubber, or other man-made materials. You should also make sure your shoes fit your feet properly so they do not get irritated by your shoes. Feet often swell in heat so you may opt for open toe styles like sandals to ensure your feel have room to breath. If you are wearing closed toe shoes, you should wear socks so there is no rubbing or chaffing of your feet in your shoes. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen to protect your skin. Perhaps one of the most important accessories in hot weather is sunscreen. You should apply sunscreen to any bare skin that will be exposed to the sun before you go outside. This will protect you from harmful UV rays and ensure you are not at risk of skin cancer or other skin related issues. For a very sweaty, hot day, you may opt for sunscreen that is waterproof and long lasting so it will stay on your skin. You may also need to reapply sunscreen periodically so your skin is always protected when you step outside.
Go for clothing made of cotton, linen, or jersey. Avoid clothing made of polyester, nylon, or silk. Stick to light colored fabrics. Consider work out clothing as an option. Go for looser cuts and styles. Opt for shorts or skirts over pants. Wear short sleeve or sleeveless tops. Do not layer your clothing. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun. Go for a hat with a brim. Choose comfortable, breathable shoes. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen to protect your skin.
https://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-a-Baseball-Cap
How to Break in a Baseball Cap
If you have a new baseball cap and you want to break it in, you have a few different options. The easiest option is just to wear your hat as much as possible, especially when you're playing sports since sweat will actually help break in the material. Another option is to use hot water. Just soak your hat in hot water for 30 minutes to an hour. Let it dry until it's just damp, then put it on so it dries to the shape of your head. You can also wash your baseball cap in the washing machine to break it in. Just don't put it in the dryer since this could damage the hat.
Wear your baseball cap every day. The best way to break in a new hat is to wear it as often as possible. Whether you're running errands, cleaning the house, hanging out with friends, or even at work (if your boss will allow it), keep your new baseball cap on your head at all times. This will allow your hat to form to the shape of your head and experience some casual wear and tear. Work out in your new baseball cap. Working out in your baseball cap may seem like a strange idea, but it's a great way to break in a new hat! Keep on your new cap when you hit the gym, and try to get as sweaty as possible. Applying heat and moisture to a new hat is the easiest and fastest way to break it in, which is why sweating in your hat is perfect. Keep the hat on after you've finished your workout to allow it to morph to the shape of your head. Play sports in your new baseball cap. Wear your new cap while playing sports on your league or with a group of friends. This will cause you to sweat in your hat, but will also put the hat through some physical wear and tear (especially if you're playing sports like tackle football). It's called a baseball cap for a reason, so put it to good use! Distress your hat's fabric. Distressing the fabric and fading the color of your new cap can help to make it look more worn. Wearing the cap every day will help to naturally wear down the hat, but there are other things you can do to speed up the process. Get your hat dirty. You can step on your hat, leave it laying on the ground, and wear it in the sun. All of these things are great ways to speed up the wear and tear on your hat. Soak your hat in hot water. If you want to break in the entire hat, then soak the entire hat in a bowl of hot water. If you want to keep the bill of the hat firm, only soak the crown of the hat in the bowl. Soak the cap for 30 minutes to 1 hour, and then remove it from the water. Lay it out on a towel to dry until it goes from soaking wet to damp. When the hat is damp, place it on your head, and allow it to finish drying while conforming to your head. There is a possibility that soaking your hat in hot water can cause its color to slightly fade. This will help your hat to look more worn. If you don't want the color to fade, soak your hat in cold water instead. If you soak your hat in cold water, soak it for 2-3 hours. Take showers in your baseball cap. This may seem like the most unconventional method yet, but showering in your new cap is a great way to break it in. Water alone is a great way to break in a hat, but keeping the hat shaped to your head while you wet it takes this one step further. Once you've finished showering, keep the hat on your head and allow it to air-dry. Be sure to take off your hat at some point during the shower to wash your hair, then put the hat back on for the remainder of your shower. Wash your baseball cap in a washing machine. Use warm water and liquid laundry detergent to wash your hat. It's easiest to wash your hat on laundry day and simply throw it in the washer with your load of clothes. You can wash the hat over and over again, with multiple loads, but do not put the hat in the dryer. Putting your hat in the dryer could cause it to shrink. Instead, let the hat air-dry or wear it on your head until it is finished drying. If you have a wool or cotton cap, you can shrink it in the dryer to fit your head. You'll need to get a hat that is slightly too big or you, and then put in in the dryer to shrink it after washing it. If the hat shrinks too much, wash it again, and let it air dry on your head to stretch it out to the perfect size. Stick the bill of your baseball cap in a coffee mug overnight. This is a great way to give your bill a permanent curve, as it is very effective and easy to do. Curve the bill inward so that the ends are touching, and slide it into a coffee mug. The curved bill should fit into the coffee mug with no problem. Allow the cap to sit in the mug overnight, and it will be perfectly curved when you remove it in the morning. Wrap the bill of your baseball cap around a can or glass overnight. You'll need a can (soda can, beer can, soup can, etc.) and a rubber band to secure it in place. Leave your hat wrapped like this overnight, and you'll have a nice, subtle curve in the bill of your baseball cap. You can also use a baseball instead of a can or glass. This will be a bit harder to hold in place with a rubber band, but is doable and will get you similar results. Curve the bill of your hat into the back opening of your hat. Turn your hat upside down so that the inside is facing upwards. Curve the bill so that the ends of it are touching. Then, fold the bill towards the back opening of the hat, and slide the curved bill into the hat's opening. The opening will hold the bill in place. Leave the hat in this position overnight. This method will give you a less intense curve in the bill of your baseball cap.
Wear your baseball cap every day. Work out in your new baseball cap. Play sports in your new baseball cap. Distress your hat's fabric. Soak your hat in hot water. Take showers in your baseball cap. Wash your baseball cap in a washing machine. Stick the bill of your baseball cap in a coffee mug overnight. Wrap the bill of your baseball cap around a can or glass overnight. Curve the bill of your hat into the back opening of your hat.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Oatmeal-Soap
How to Make Oatmeal Soap
Oatmeal soap is a great, homemade option for soothing dry, rough skin. For the base of your soap, you can use goat's milk, shea butter, or olive oil, which are all good for sensitive skin. Melt your chosen base in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Pour the melted soap into a large, heat resistant bowl, and mix in finely ground oats. You can also add in other ingredients like honey, almond oil, vitamin E-oil, and essential oils. After stirring everything together, pour the soap into molds or a regular baking dish. After about 2 hours, or when the soap is cool and hardened, you can take the soap out and use it.
Gather your materials. This is a much simpler recipe than making your soap from scratch. It involves melting a pre-made soap base down and then modifying it with your own ingredients. Here's what you'll need: 1 lb Soap base of your choosing (suspension-friendly) 4 oz rolled oats (can add more or less to suit your tastes) 1.5 tsp almond oil (optional) 2 oz roasted almonds (optional) 1 to 2 tbsp honey (optional) Pot and/or heat-proof container for melting soap Large bowl or measuring cup for mixing Whisk or spoon for mixing Soap mould or pan measuring roughly 9 x 4 inches Wax paper or parchment paper (optional) Choose a soap base. Craft shops have many different soap base options: goat's milk, shea butter, and olive oil are popular choices. Most importantly, choose a suspension formula to ensure that your oats won't sink to the bottom of the soap during the cooling process. Soap bases are often called “melt-and-pour” soap bases by crafters, since all you need to do is melt down the base, add your ingredients, pour it into a mould, and then let it cool. If a soap base isn't easy for you to obtain, you can also purchase a regular bar of soap and just melt it down, add the oats, and let it cool. Any soap bar will do, although one with higher-quality ingredients will make your skin feel nicer. Prepare your mould. You can use whatever moulds you like for this recipe. If you're making regular bar soap, you can get away with using a 9 x 4 inch baking pan. You can really use whatever shape you want though. If you use metal or plastic containers that aren't specifically made for soap, be sure to line them with wax paper or parchment paper before pouring your soap into them. This will make it much easier for you to remove the soap once it's cooled. Some soap-makers even line their professional soap moulds. This helps prevent the soap from getting stuck in the corners of rectangular and square moulds. If you're using moulds with more detailed shapes, you won't want to line them as this will obscure the design. Grind your oats. Add your oats to a coffee grinder or food processor, or crush them using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin. You want to make an even, fine powder from the oats. This is called colloidal oatmeal and is great for soothing your skin. If you're using a food processor, it will likely take between 5 and 10 minutes to get the oats down into a fine powder. Add almonds to the oat mixture (optional). Add almonds to the ground oats and grind together until they are both ground down into a fine powder. Be careful not to overdo it with the almonds, otherwise you'll end up with almond butter. If you're using a food processor it will likely take another 5 to 10 minutes to get the almonds ground down into a fine powder. Melt the soap base down. You can do this by placing it directly in a saucepan over low heat. Another option is to place it in a large heat-proof bowl and place that bowl in a saucepan full of a few inches of simmering water (i.e. a double-boiler). You can also melt the soap base down in the microwave. For this option, you'd put it in a heat-proof container (ceramic or glass) and then microwave in short intervals (probably a minute at first, then 15 to 30 seconds at a time) until it's completely melted. For all three options, be sure to stir the soap constantly to make sure it's fully melted and doesn't get scorched. If using the microwave, take the soap out and stir it in between intervals. Pour the melted soap into a large container. This will likely be a large, heat-resistant mixing bowl or measuring cup. Stir in your oats and other optional ingredients. Pour your oats (or almond-oat mixture) into the melted soap mixture while stirring it, ensuring that it's well-mixed and that there are no clumps. If you're also adding honey and almond oil to the mixture, add these wet ingredients to the melted soap before you add the oats/oat-almond mixture. This will ensure the liquids are evenly distributed. This is the point at which you can add any other ingredients you'd like to add to the mixture. Common ingredients that soap-makers like to add to their bars include vitamin E oil, essential oils (lavender and orange blossom are popular scents), and poppy seeds (alone, not with oats). Pour the soap into its mould. If you're using a baking pan, plastic container, cardboard box, or other rectangular-shaped mould, don't forget to line it to make soap removal easier. Allow the soap to cool. The soap should cool and harden within 2 hours at room temperature. You can also place it in the fridge to speed up the cooling process if you like. Remove soap from the mould. Carefully remove the soap from its mould/pan/container. If applicable, cut the soap into bars. Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts. You might even score the block of soap before cutting it, just to ensure the blocks are fairly even. If you have a metal ruler, you can use this to help you draw lines on the soap block with your knife. Enjoy! Your soap is now ready to use. In general, you'll want to use homemade soaps within 1 year of making them. If you live in a hotter climate, this time might shorten to 6 months. If you're giving the soap away as a gift, make it look extra fancy by wrapping it in parchment paper and tying it with twine. Gather your ingredients. Because you're making this soap from scratch, you'll be using lye (aka sodium hydroxide), which you can purchase from most hardware stores. Here's what you'll need: 6 oz distilled water 2.25 oz pure lye (aka sodium hydroxide) 10 oz olive oil 6 oz coconut oil 0.45 oz (1 tbsp) castor oil Oats Gather your tools. Note that lye will interact with non-stick, aluminum, cast iron, tin, and wood. Avoid using pots, pans, containers, or utensils in these materials. Here's what you'll need: Safety goggles Thick, long rubber gloves Face mask Scale that can weigh items down to 0.25 oz Digital food thermometer 2 Heat-proof 32 oz (4 cup) glass measuring cups Plastic, ceramic, or glass bowl Plastic or silicon stirring spoon Container or mould for soap (lined cardboard box will do) Plastic bag, cling wrap, or wax or parchment paper (for lining the mould) Knife Prepare your mould. This recipe makes roughly 2 pounds of soap. How many bars that is will depend on the size of your mould. If you don't have a mould, use a small cardboard box or plastic container. Regardless of whether you're using a proper mould, a plastic container, or a box, line it with some cling wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper to make the soap easier to remove once it's cooled. Protect yourself. Put on your protective goggles, rubber gloves, and face mask. You should also wear skin-covering clothes in addition to the protective gear, as lye will burn your skin. Do not take this advice lightly: lye burns can cause serious, permanent damage. If lye gets on your skin, brush off any solid material and flush with water or saline for 15 to 30 minutes, remembering to protect your eyes. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with lots of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Inhaling lye can cause breathing difficulties. Many soap makers only use gloves and goggles, but really you should be wearing a mask, too. Weigh and pour 2.25 oz of lye into bowl. Use a plastic, ceramic, or glass bowl. As you pour the lye into the bowl, be careful that you do not inhale any of the powder, or that it does not get on your skin. Weigh and pour 6 oz distilled water into a glass measuring cup. You should be able to find distilled water at either your local grocery store, health food store, or drugstore. You can also make your own distilled water by boiling tap water in an enclosed container that is connected to another container. The steam rises from one container and condenses into the other one, forming distilled water. Pour the lye into the water slowly and stir. Adding the lye to the water will generate heat and fumes, so be very careful while doing this. Once the lye is all in the water, stir it until it dissolves. You should NEVER add water to lye. Adding water to lye will cause a strong reaction, with the solution erupting up out of the container, possibly causing injury to you. If you want to reduce the cooling time of the water-lye solution (remember, it'll generate heat!), you can start with cold distilled water. Weigh your oils and melt them together. Add your coconut oil (6 oz), olive oil (10 oz), and castor oil (0.45 oz) to a heat-resistant glass measuring cup. Place the cup in a saucer of simmering hot water, or microwave it in 30-second intervals until the oils have all melted together. Only heat the oils to the point of melting. You want to avoid them being too hot, otherwise it'll slow your process down as you want the oils and your lye water to be the same temperature when you mix them. Mix the lye water and oils when they reach similar temperatures. The lye water and oils should be within 20 degrees Fahrenheit of one another when you mix them. They will likely be somewhere between 90 and 110 degrees at this point. Use the digital thermometer to ensure that this is the case before mixing them together. Make sure that you mix the oils and lye water while they're still warm, otherwise they won't mix together as well. Closer to 110 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable. Pour the lye water into the oil mixture. Do this slowly while continuing to stir. Measure the mixture's temperature at this time to see where it's at. Stir the mixture rapidly. You can do this with a stainless steel whisk or a hand mixer. A hand mixer will take much less time than a whisk, but both are okay. You'll know the mixture is ready when it becomes thick and cloudy-looking. You should be able to lift the hand mixer or whisk out of the mixture, and the drippings should appear on the surface of the mixture rather than disappearing right into it. You can also check the mixture's temperature to make sure it's ready to go. If it has risen a couple of degrees Fahrenheit from when you last checked it (i.e. when you combined the oils and lye water), you're doing well. Add your oats. Once the lye water and oils have been thoroughly combined, you can add additional things to the soap. In this case, you'll be adding oats. You can add as little or as much as you like, depending on your own tastes. For the best skin-soothing results, use colloidal oatmeal, which is simply oatmeal that has been ground into a fine powder. You can make it yourself simply by grinding regular porridge oats into an even, fine powder using a coffee grinder. If you don't have a coffee grinder, you can also grind the oats up manually using a mortar and pestle, or by crushing them with a rolling pin. Pour the soap mixture into your mould and store. Once it's all in there, cover it up with plastic wrap and then store it in a cool, dry place for a couple of days. Check your soap. After 2 days, put on your gloves, goggles, and face mask, and check on your soap. It should look solid and fairly smooth. At this time you can take it out of the container and cut it up. Be sure to wear your protective gear because the lye will not have completely neutralized at this point, and can still cause you harm. If your soap looks crumbly, crusty, or has liquid or powder floating on top of it, you'll need to throw it out and start again. If you've followed this recipe exactly, though, this shouldn't be a problem. Cure your soap. After cutting it up, let the soap sit and dry for at least 3 or 4 weeks. Some experts recommend curing your soap longer, up to 6 weeks. You'll need to turn your soap bars once a day just to ensure that they dry evenly on each side. Allowing the soap to “cure” will give it time to harden, dry out, and become more gentle as the pH of the soap lowers over time. A bar of soap that hasn't been properly cured will feel softer, slimier, and stronger than a well-cured one. Enjoy! Your soap is ready for use now. It's best used within one year of making. If you live somewhere hot, you should probably use the soap even sooner, within 6 months of making it.
Gather your materials. Choose a soap base. Prepare your mould. Grind your oats. Add almonds to the oat mixture (optional). Melt the soap base down. Pour the melted soap into a large container. Stir in your oats and other optional ingredients. Pour the soap into its mould. Allow the soap to cool. Remove soap from the mould. Enjoy! Gather your ingredients. Gather your tools. Prepare your mould. Protect yourself. Weigh and pour 2.25 oz of lye into bowl. Weigh and pour 6 oz distilled water into a glass measuring cup. Pour the lye into the water slowly and stir. Weigh your oils and melt them together. Mix the lye water and oils when they reach similar temperatures. Pour the lye water into the oil mixture. Stir the mixture rapidly. Add your oats. Pour the soap mixture into your mould and store. Check your soap. Cure your soap. Enjoy!
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Ants-in-the-Kitchen
How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen
To get rid of ants in your kitchen, wipe down all of the surfaces in your kitchen with diluted lemon juice, which will repel the ants. You can also sprinkle cinnamon, pepper, or garlic on the areas where you commonly see ants since ants don't like the smell of spices and herbs. If you discover the entryway the ants are using to get inside, seal it with some caulk so the ants aren't able to get into your kitchen anymore.
Identify the ants. Correctly identifying the ants roaming around your kitchen is an extremely important first step in rectifying your ant problem. That is because there are many different ant species that all have different habits and behaviors which can affect the treatment needed to get rid of them. Look at the ants in your kitchen and note their characteristics. Some characteristics to look for are their size and color. Ants in your kitchen are most likely either pharaoh ants or pavement ants, but it is possible they are a different species. Once you know some identifying characteristics about the ants, do some online research to correctly determine the species of ants in your kitchen, and some of the best methods recommended for eliminating that species. Find the ants’ entry points. Follow the ants that are already in your house for a few minutes, and try and find the spots where they are entering your home. Look inside the house around windows, doorways, and cracks in the floor, but also outside the house around doorways, windows, siding, and accent lights. If any ants are coming in and out through these points, focus on these areas in your cleaning efforts to ensure the ants don't enter through these points. Find the ant nest. Once you have identified a trail and entry points from which the ants are entering your house, try and notice the trail that the ants follow out of your house. You will see that they all follow the same trail. That is because when they enter your home, they leave a scented trail behind them for the rest of the colony to follow. It won't always be easy to find an ant nest, but if you do identify its location, you can spray the ant hill with a poison spray, or attack the ant problem at the source by baiting the ants in your house to take poison back to the nest, and kill the colony. Erase the ant trail. Even if you see a single ant in your house, you are more than likely to see more. That is because ants leave trails behind wherever they travel that other ants can smell, and follow. If you just mop or sweep your floor, that's not enough to eliminate the ant trail. The trail is a pheromone trail, it can't just be swept away; it needs to be cleared away with some disinfecting cleanser. Instead, mix ½ vinegar and ½ water in a spray bottle, and cover all of your kitchen surfaces with the spray mixture. Make sure to target the areas where you have witnessed ants crawling around before. Keep in mind that this spray mixture will not kill the ants that are already in your house. This simply erases the trail from those ants, so new, outside ants can't follow their pheromone trail inside. You can also substitute bleach for vinegar for the spray solution. The most important part of the spray solution is a sterile cleanser to erase the ant trail. Repel the ants with soapy water. Fill a plastic spray bottle with 1 capful of liquid hand soap and water. Shake the bottle to let the soap and water mix together. Then spray the mixture on ants whenever you see them in your kitchen. Wait about 5 minutes to wipe up, because ants are a lot easier to clean off your counters once they stop moving. You can also use bar soap for your soap additive: Shave off a few ounces of the bar soap, and add it to about a litre of water. Then microwave the water and soap flakes to melt the soap, and add it to a spray bottle. This method is safe for children and pets since it doesn't contain insecticides, and can be used in your garden to repel bugs from your plants. Repel the ants with lemons. Blend together 1 cup of lemon juice with 4 cups of warm water in a big container. Then dip a cleaning cloth into the mixture, and wipe down your counters, the inside of your cabinets and cupboards, the top of your refrigerator, around kitchen windows, and any other surfaces ants might crawl around in your kitchen. The citrus scent repels ants. Orange peels and cucumber rinds have been known to have the same repelling effect. You can also mop the floor with this solution, but be sure to specifically mop the areas on the ground, where ants are most likely entering your home. Repel the ants with spices and herbs. Scatter some ground cinnamon around possible areas where ants may enter (windows, doorways, etc.), but also around edges of your counter, and areas where you have seen ants in general. The smell from the cinnamon is an ant repellant, but it will also give your kitchen a spicy fragrance. You can also sprinkle these other spices and herbs to deter the ants: Black pepper Cayenne pepper Chili pepper Cloves Bay leaves Mint leaves Basil leaves Expel ants with dry diatomaceous earth. Observe the areas around your kitchen where you have seen the most ants. IF you have mostly seen ants in small, nooky, areas like edges of the kitchen, tiny cracks in the walls, edges of the floor and baseboards, or along windows, apply dry diatomaceous earth to these areas. Once you apply the DE, see if the ants have stopped entering your house, or have just found substitute routes to take. If you have to, apply more DE to their new routes. After about a month has passed, clean the areas where you originally applied the DE, and add more if the ants still are not gone. Expel ants with wet diatomaceous earth. Take note if the ants are moving across bigger, flat areas rather than moving around the edges and cracks of your kitchen. If they have been wandering along your walls, you should use a wet application of DE. Follow the instructions listed on the spray bottle for application, and use the spray bottle to target the larger areas such as walls, where you have seen the ants traveling. Again, try to keep track and see if the ants have stopped coming into the house all together, or have found alternative paths to take. If, after a month of the initial application of the wet DE, you still see ants, apply another spraying round of wet DE. The DE doesn't do it's work while it's wet; it works when the water in the solution dries and evaporates, leaving behind a finely ground powder that terminates the ants. Repel the ants with other natural ingredients. Coffee grounds, cornmeal, rice, cucumber peels, chalk, and baby powder have all been known to repel ants. Try sprinkling these items around areas where ants gather, and test to see which methods work for your house and your ants. Repelling ants in this manner (using random spices and foods), is very much a trial and error process. What might work for one household with one type of ant, might not work for another. Many of the smells and ingredients of these items are disliked by ants. Therefore, these items usually repel ants from areas surrounded and covered with these items. Seal the ants’ entryways. Seal any open cracks and crevices the ants are entering your home through, with caulk. These cracks might be more common near windows or doors. By sealing these areas with caulk, you cut off the ants' entryways, while also enabling better temperature regulation of your house. To effectively caulk holes and cracks, insert the caulking tip into the hole or crack, and begin to fill the hole or crack. When the caulk starts to slightly overflow from the hole or crack, that means that the opening is filled and no longer has open space. This is a non-toxic, pet and child safe method to keep ants at bay. Figure out the most effective ant bait. Scout ants (the ants you see around your kitchen) are the ants that bring back food to the rest of the colony. Set out a pre-bait in the areas of your house where you have seen the most amount of ant activity. Arrange a small plate with some sugar based food (like honey, syrup, jam, etc.), and some fried food (like french fries or fried chicken). See which flavoring of food attracts more ants. You don't have to leave this pre-bait out for long to see which type of food the ants prefer. Ants' taste preferences can change depending on the time of year, so that's why it's a good idea to do a pre-bait; so you can successfully identify the ants' preferred flavoring, and buy a poisonous ant bait targeted to their particular taste. This pre-bait step isn't necessary for all ant problems in the kitchen, but it does help to narrow down and the type of bait you should use. When in doubt, purchase bait that caters to ants that want both sweet and savory foods. These toxic ant baits come in both solid and liquid form, but when ants prefer sweet foods, liquid bait seems to work best. Be patient while the bait attracts and kills the ants. Right after you have set out poisonous bait targeted to the ants' taste, you will probably see an increase in the number of ants around your house. That is because the bait is drawing them in. This is what you want, because the more ants around the bait, the more ants are taking it back to the nest to kill the rest of the colony. Keep in mind that this baiting extermination process might take some time. That is because you aren't just killing the ants walking around your house, you have to kill multiple '''generations''' of ants, including the adult ants, their pupae, (which are the ants still in their cocoon stage), the larvae, and the eggs. This process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks. When using this bait system, all other foods need to be eliminated. The bait can't have other foods sources tempting the ants. You want the ants to take the toxic bait, and the toxic bait only. Also, do not disturb the ants or bait once the ants have started eating it. If you still have ants after two weeks of letting the bait sit, replace the kind of bait you are using. It evidently is not effective or as effective as it should be. Make a homemade ant bait. Mix 1 tbsp of organic boric acid, 1 tbsp of maple syrup (or any other kind of sticky sweet like honey, jam, etc.). Spread this boric acid and sweet substance onto a piece of bread or cracker. Then, poke holes into a small cardboard box, and place the food with the bait in the center of the box. Just like the store bought ant bait, the food scent will entice the ants to the bait, and boric acid will eradicate the rest of the colony when the ants take the “food” back to the nest. Leave the trap out during the nighttime, since that is when ants go hunting for food. Attack the ant nest at the source. If you were able to find the ant nest, expel the ants by killing the colony. Spray the nest and the area of the nest with an insecticide that has bifenthrin as the main ingredient. Call a professional if your ant problem persists. You might need to call an exterminator and have them do an assessment if your own methods for eliminating the ants haven't worked. A professional exterminator would be able to determine entryways, and maybe identify other nests, therefore providing useful insight and better methods for treating your ant problem. Keep your kitchen sink clean and dry. Clean off and rinse thoroughly any dishes that you want to leave overnight in the sink. You want to make sure there isn't any food residue that could attract the ants during the nighttime. Consider pouring a little bit of bleach down the drain to wipe out the smell of left over food particles. Sweep and mop your floor frequently. Ants only need a little crumb of food to begin calling in for backup, so be sure to clean up any bits and pieces of food that could be strewed on the floor and hidden underneath kitchen appliances. Sweep the floor to eliminate food sources for the ants. Mop your floor with a ½ bleach ½ water solution. Again, this mopping solution can also be a solution of ½ vinegar and ½ water. The only thing that matters is the sterile cleaning agent to eliminate ant trails. You can spray the mixture of vinegar and water around pet food bowls to prevent ants from gathering there. Vacuum spaces that come in contact with food. Just like sweeping and mopping, vacuuming helps clean up any bits of food that could attract ants to come into your house. This is especially important for homes with carpeting, as food bits are harder to see against carpet. Remove your trash regularly. Use sturdy, durable garbage bags, and remove your trash as often as you can to reduce the possibility of ants feeding on food near and in your garbage can. Often, a puncture hole in a garbage bag allows for juices to spill and therefore, can attract ants. Consider sprinkling baking soda at the bottom of your garbage can to freshen the can, and repel ants from the food smells.
Identify the ants. Find the ants’ entry points. Find the ant nest. Erase the ant trail. Repel the ants with soapy water. Repel the ants with lemons. Repel the ants with spices and herbs. Expel ants with dry diatomaceous earth. Expel ants with wet diatomaceous earth. Repel the ants with other natural ingredients. Seal the ants’ entryways. Figure out the most effective ant bait. Be patient while the bait attracts and kills the ants. Make a homemade ant bait. Call a professional if your ant problem persists. Keep your kitchen sink clean and dry. Sweep and mop your floor frequently. Vacuum spaces that come in contact with food. Remove your trash regularly.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Traditional-Tiramisu
How to Make a Traditional Tiramisu
To make a traditional tiramisu, start by whisking egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is thick and creamy. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk some egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Next, combine the egg yolk and egg white mixtures in a bowl with Mascarpone cheese and set it aside while you brew some strong espresso. When the espresso is done, line a large, deep dish with ladyfingers and pour some of the espresso over them. Finally, layer the egg mixture, cocoa powder, and more ladyfingers in the dish before refrigerating the tiramisu for 2 hours.
Separate the whites from the yolks of 3 large eggs into two different bowls. Use a large bowl for the egg white and a smaller bowl for the yolk. Make sure that none of the yolk gets mixed with the egg white; otherwise the egg whites won't whisk properly. Whisk the egg yolks with an electronic whisk. Gradually add sugar until the egg yolk becomes thick, creamy, and light yellow. Put about 500 grams (~12.3 oz. ) of Mascarpone Cheese into another bowl. Give it a quick stir to loosen it up. Then, with the electronic whisk, mix the egg yolks and Mascarpone together. Wash and dry your whisk and then whisk the egg whites until they form firm peaks. Continue to fold the egg whites into the Mascarpone and mix until there are no lumps. Put that to the side. Make some strong espresso and let it cool. Add almond liqueur if using. Line a large and fairly deep dish with lady fingers (boudoir biscuits). Pour over two thirds of the coffee mixture. Put half of your egg mixture over the top of that, followed by a thick dusting of cocoa powder. Use an instant drinking chocolate, if preferred, as it's a little sweeter. Dip more lady fingers into the rest of your coffee mix (don't worry if you run out; you can just knock up some more). Carefully place them over the top of the cocoa. Empty the rest of your egg mixture over that and dust with cocoa again. Leave it in your refrigerator for two hours to set and serve.
Separate the whites from the yolks of 3 large eggs into two different bowls. Whisk the egg yolks with an electronic whisk. Put about 500 grams (~12.3 oz. Wash and dry your whisk and then whisk the egg whites until they form firm peaks. Put that to the side. Line a large and fairly deep dish with lady fingers (boudoir biscuits). Put half of your egg mixture over the top of that, followed by a thick dusting of cocoa powder. Dip more lady fingers into the rest of your coffee mix (don't worry if you run out; you can just knock up some more). Empty the rest of your egg mixture over that and dust with cocoa again. Leave it in your refrigerator for two hours to set and serve.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Bratwurst
How to Cook Bratwurst
One way to cook bratwurst is by boiling the links. Place the bratwurst into a pot or deep pan, and fill the pot with enough water to cover the bratwurst. Once the water is boiling, lower the temperature to simmer the bratwurst for 20 minutes. If you want your bratwurst to have a crispier skin, place them on a hot grill for 5-10 minutes, turning them to cook both sides evenly. For more flavor, boil the bratwurst in a mixture of equal parts water and beer.
Choose the kind of bratwurst you want. There are many different kinds of bratwurst on the market. Traditional German bratwurst is typically named for the region from which it comes. These vary depending on thickness, length, coloring and flavor. Some of the more well-known bratwurst include: Coburger Bratwurst Fränkische Bratwurst Kulmbacher Bratwurst Nürnberger Rostbratwurst Nordhessische Bratwurst Rote Wurst Thüringer Rostbratwurst Würzburger Bratwurst Buy raw bratwurst from a butcher. Butcher shops are great places to buy raw meat. Ask the butcher where the bratwurst came from and the ingredients used to make it. Visit a reputable, clean butcher shop. Make sure the butcher wraps up your bratwurst in butcher paper. Some butchers may be able to special-order certain types of meats. If there is a certain kind of bratwurst you are looking for, you may be able to request it. Buy raw bratwurst from a grocery store. Most groceries stores sell raw bratwurst. Some are specialty brands that are fairly expensive, while others are more common brands. They may have special flavors, seasonings or stuffings. Buy pre-cooked bratwurst from a grocery store. Pre-cooked bratwurst is readily available at grocery stores and is usually available in packages of 6-8 sausages. This kind may be smoked or otherwise seasoned with spices. Make your own bratwurst. Making your own bratwurst can be a great way to customize the ingredients and flavors in your bratwurst. This is a time-consuming process, however, that requires equipment such as a meat grinder and sausage stuffer. In addition, you need sausage casings and room to dry and store the sausages. See the wikiHow article, “ Make Sausage.” Buy enough bratwurst. Plan on at least one brat per person. Many people will likely want second helpings, so buying extra is usually a good idea. Put water and bratwurst in a pot or deep pan. Make sure your pan is deep enough that the brats will be covered in water. Place the bratwurst in the pan. Try to not let them overlap. Giving more room is better for cooking the bratwurst. Alternately, you can add half water and half beer to the pan for added flavor. Boil the bratwurst for about 20 minutes. Turn the pan to medium-high heat and let the water heat up to a boil. Once it gets to a boil, turn down the heat so that it doesn't overboil or ruin the bratwurst. If you boil the sausage at a slower, gentler boil, you will have better bratwurst. If you are cooking pre-cooked bratwurst, you just need to heat them up, rather than making sure they are cooked through as you would with raw bratwurst. Throw them on the grill to finish cooking if desired. Grilling the brats will help finish them off and give them a nice flavor. Put them on the grill with a pair of tongs and grill them for 5-10 minutes, turning them over at least once to make sure they cook on both sides. They will be browned from the grill and ready to serve. You can also grill your brats first for 5-10 minutes on each side, and then boil them. If you do this process, boil them for about 20 minutes after grilling. Check the internal temperature. Check the internal temperature of the bratwurst by using a meat thermometer and making sure the brats are about 160 °F (71 °C). Assemble your ingredients. In order to poach bratwurst in beer, you will need to assemble your ingredients and have everything on hand before you start. You will need: Bratwurst: use as many as will fit into your pan or as many as you plan to serve One medium-sized white, yellow or sweet onion 6 ounces of dark beer Chop 1 onion. Use 1 medium-sized white, yellow or sweet onion. Chop the onion into rings. These will cook with the bratwurst, giving a nice flavor and companion to the sausage. Melt butter in a pan with a heavy bottom. Use either a heavy skillet or a Dutch oven to cook the brats and onions. Turn the burner on a medium high heat. Melt about 1 tablespoon of butter and make sure the butter covers the entire bottom of the pan. Add the onions. Brown the onions in the butter for 1-2 minutes. Stir them frequently to make sure they are browned on all sides. Some recipes suggest cooking the onions after you cook the bratwurst, so that you can monitor the bratwurst more effectively and so that you don't risk overcooking the onions. Add bratwurst to the pan. Cook the bratwurst with the onion for 2 minutes. Then turn over the bratwurst using tongs and let them cook for another 2 minutes. Both sides should be nicely browned. Add beer to the pan. Slowly pour 6 ounces of dark beer (about half a regular sized bottle) into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid. Turn down the burner's heat to medium to medium-low. Allow this to cook with the bratwurst and onions for approximately 15 minutes. The beer will poach the bratwurst, adding good flavor to the sausage. Finish off the brats on the grill. Remove the brats from the pan using a pair of tongs, and put them on a plate. Transfer them to a pre-heated grill. Let them cook for 5-7 minutes, turning them over at least once halfway through the cooking time. Remove the brats from the grill. Take the brats off the grill with tongs and place them on a serving plate. Dish up the onions on the same plate. Alternately, you can use a casserole dish or the Dutch oven to serve the bratwurst. Don’t use extremely high heat. Your bratwurst will probably char and crack open if you place them on the highest possible heat immediately. Furthermore, they will probably still be raw in the middle. Give them a chance to heat up a little more slowly on the grill. Don’t use very low heat. If you use very low heat and try to cook the bratwurst, you might get overcooked interior meat. In addition to having to cook it for a long time, the bratwurst might look like it's done on the outside but has cooked too long. It will shrivel up when it cools. Use a disposable aluminum pan to poach bratwurst first. Use the heat of the grill to poach the bratwurst before putting them directly on the grill. Get a disposable aluminum pan at the grocery store. Put your bratwurst in these, along with some chopped onion, red or green peppers, or other vegetables. You can also put a bed of sauerkraut in the bottom of the aluminum pan. Pour some beer over the brats (about 6 ounces) and let this simmer with the grill lid down for about 15 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the brats with a meat thermometer. They should be about 160 °F (71 °C). Remove the brats and place them directly on the grill for about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to turn them over about halfway through the grilling time. Place the brats on the grill. Use a medium setting heat on the grill. Let the brats cook for a few minutes on one side. Turn them over and let them cook for a few more minutes. If you have not poached or boiled the brats before grilling them, then you'll need to grill them for about 25 minutes total. Be sure to turn them over a few times while they cook to ensure they are cooked on all sides. Do not poke holes in the bratwurst, as this will let all the juice escape from the casing and result in a dry bratwurst. Don’t crowd the bratwurst together. If there are too many bratwurst on the grill, you raise the potential for causing a flare-up or grease fire. Spread out the bratwurst and give them some room to cook. Spritz the bratwurst with water or beer. As the bratwurst are cooking, you can spritz them with water or beer to keep them from burning. Put water or beer in a spray bottle. Carefully and quickly spray the liquid over the bratwurst. Alternately, you can brush water or beer on them with a pastry brush. Remove the brats from the grill. Use a pair of tongs to remove the brats and place them on a plate. Do not use the same plate that held the raw bratwurst, so that you don't risk cross-contamination. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure they are around 160 °F (71 °C). Preheat your oven to 350˚F/177˚C . Turn it on and let it preheat for about 10 minutes. Put brats on a broiler pan. Make sure there is a little room around each brat. Line them up to be perpendicular to the grates on the broiler pan. You can also use a cast-iron skillet instead of a broiler pan. Be sure to rotate the brats every 5 minutes to prevent them burning on one side. Put the brats in the oven for 5 minutes. Place the broiler pan on an oven rack and close the oven. Let the brats cook for about 5 minutes. Turn the brats every 5 minutes. After 5 minutes have passed, open the oven and use an oven mitt to hold onto the broiler pan. Use tongs to turn over each brat. Put the pan back in the oven for another 5 minutes, and then turn the brats again. Cook the bratwurst for a total of 15-20 minutes. If you don't rotate your brats, you will risk burning them. Check the bratwursts to see if they’re done. Use a meat thermometer and poke into one bratwurst so that the tip of the thermometer rests in the middle of the bratwurst. It should reach 160 °F (71 °C). Move the rack in your oven to the topmost spot. In order to broil food, the oven rack must be about 4-7 inches from the heat element in the ceiling of the oven. If your broiler is a compartment underneath your oven, then you can skip this step. Preheat the broiler in your oven. Most broilers just turn on or off. You can't control the temperature the way you do with normal oven cooking. Turn it on and let it preheat for about 10 minutes. Put brats on a broiler pan. Cover the broiler pan with aluminum foil and place the brats on the pan. Make sure there is a little room around each brat. Line them up to be perpendicular to the grates on the broiler pan. You can also use a cast-iron skillet instead of a broiler pan. Be sure to rotate the brats every 5 minutes to prevent them burning on one side. Cook the brats for 5 minutes on each side. Place the broiler pan on an oven rack and close the oven. Let the brats cook for about 5 minutes. Turn them over and cook them for another 5 minutes. Check the internal temperature. Remove the brats from the oven. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the bratwurst. The bratwurst should reach 160 °F (71 °C). Stick the tip of the thermometer into one bratwurst and let the thermometer sit for a minute. The brats will also have brown stripes from the grates on the broiler pan. Heat up your smoker. Smoking meats is a very different process from grilling on a barbecue or cooking on a stove. Smoking involves lower temperatures and longer cooking times. Heat up your smoker to about 200 °F (93 °C). Follow your manufacturer's instructions to get the smoker ready for use, such as adding water and smoke flavoring. Some people like to cook bratwurst at a higher temperature, such as 250 °F (121 °C), while others aim for a much lower temperature, starting at 100F for an hour, then raising to 125F and 150F. These lower temperatures will mean it will take you much longer to cook the brats. Hickory or applewood smoke is a good flavor for smoked bratwurst. Use tongs to place bratwurst inside the smoker. Line up the bratwurst inside the smoker and be sure to give each wurst a little room. Be careful not to puncture or tear the casings on each brat. Brats will cook more slowly on the bottom rack than on the top rack. Smoke the bratwurst for 2 to 2.5 hours. Leave the smoker to cook the bratwurst for 2 to 2.5 hours. You don't need to flip over the bratwurst halfway through. Rather, leave them alone for at least 2 hours. Every time the door to the smoker opens, the smoker loses a little heat and you'll have to cook a little longer. Adjust your cooking time if you are smoking at a lower temperature than 200F. Check the bratwurst’s internal temperature. After about 2 hours, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the bratwurst. The bratwurst should reach 160 °F (71 °C). It's best to use the same bratwurst every time to check the temperature. Every time you puncture it with a thermometer, some juices will escape and will make that bratwurst less than perfect. Remove the bratwurst. Use tongs to take the bratwurst out of the smoker. Set them on a plate. Be sure to use a different plate than the one you may have used to load them in. You want to avoid cross-contamination between raw bratwurst and cooked bratwurst. Place bratwurst in a microwave safe dish. Only put a few bratwurst in at a time. This will ensure that each wurst has enough room around it to cook thoroughly. Cover bratwurst with water. Fill the dish with enough lukewarm water to cover them. This will ensure that the bratwurst don't dry out as they are cooking. The water will boil while it's cooking, so you want to make sure you have enough that it won't boil away as you're cooking. Cook on high for 2 minutes. The microwave will cook the bratwurst very quickly, but you won't be able to adjust the heat while they are cooking. Cook the bratwurst for 2 minutes only so that they don't burn on one side. Cook according to your microwave's manufacturer instructions. Some cooking times may vary depending on the microwave. Turn wurst over and cook for 2 more minutes. Use tongs to grab the bratwurst and turn them over. Space them out so they have enough room to thoroughly cook. Cook on a high setting for 2 more minutes. Be careful, as the dish may be very hot. Use oven mitts to take the dish out of the microwave. Check the bratwursts to see if they’re done. Use a meat thermometer and poke into one bratwurst so that the tip of the thermometer rests in the middle of the bratwurst. It should reach 160 °F (71 °C). Alternately, you can cut into the bratwurst with a knife to check if it's done. If it is still pink, put it back in the microwave for one more minute on a high setting. Store raw or pre-cooked bratwurst in the fridge. Keep bratwurst in its packaging until you are ready to eat it. Store unopened packaging in the fridge until the expiration date printed on its packaging. If the package has already been opened, place the bratwurst in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Raw bratwurst can last for 2-3 days in the fridge if already opened. Pre-cooked bratwurst can last for 4-5 days in the fridge if already opened. Store raw or pre-cooked bratwurst in the freezer. If the packaging has not been opened yet, store bratwurst in the freezer for up to 2 months. Be sure to put the package in the freezer before its expiration date. Write the date that you stored it on the container so that you can keep track of its expiration date. If the package has already been opened, store bratwurst in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. If you want to store the bratwurst for longer than 2 months, wrap the original package in heavy-duty aluminum foil, making sure that it is wrapped airtight. You can also use a heavy-duty freezer bag. This will prevent freezer burn. Store cooked bratwurst. Allow cooked bratwurst to cool to room temperature. Place the bratwurst in an airtight container and keep in the fridge. Cooked bratwurst can last for about 5 days in the fridge. You can also store cooked bratwurst in the freezer for up to 3 months in the freezer. Write the date that you stored it on the container so that you can keep track of its expiration date. Cook up a large batch of bratwurst and freeze it. This will make it easy to cook meals quickly with delicious bratwurst. Do not store raw bratwurst in the same container as cooked bratwurst. Finished.
Choose the kind of bratwurst you want. Buy raw bratwurst from a butcher. Buy raw bratwurst from a grocery store. Buy pre-cooked bratwurst from a grocery store. Make your own bratwurst. Buy enough bratwurst. Put water and bratwurst in a pot or deep pan. Boil the bratwurst for about 20 minutes. Throw them on the grill to finish cooking if desired. Check the internal temperature. Assemble your ingredients. Chop 1 onion. Melt butter in a pan with a heavy bottom. Add the onions. Add bratwurst to the pan. Add beer to the pan. Finish off the brats on the grill. Remove the brats from the grill. Don’t use extremely high heat. Don’t use very low heat. Use a disposable aluminum pan to poach bratwurst first. Place the brats on the grill. Don’t crowd the bratwurst together. Spritz the bratwurst with water or beer. Remove the brats from the grill. Preheat your oven to 350˚F/177˚C . Put brats on a broiler pan. Put the brats in the oven for 5 minutes. Turn the brats every 5 minutes. Check the bratwursts to see if they’re done. Move the rack in your oven to the topmost spot. Preheat the broiler in your oven. Put brats on a broiler pan. Cook the brats for 5 minutes on each side. Check the internal temperature. Heat up your smoker. Use tongs to place bratwurst inside the smoker. Smoke the bratwurst for 2 to 2.5 hours. Check the bratwurst’s internal temperature. Remove the bratwurst. Place bratwurst in a microwave safe dish. Cover bratwurst with water. Cook on high for 2 minutes. Turn wurst over and cook for 2 more minutes. Check the bratwursts to see if they’re done. Store raw or pre-cooked bratwurst in the fridge. Store raw or pre-cooked bratwurst in the freezer. Store cooked bratwurst. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dog-Shampoo
How to Make Dog Shampoo
To make dog shampoo, mix together 1 cup of dish soap, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 2 ounces of glycerine, which you can find at your local drug store. Once everything is thoroughly mixed, place it in a shampoo bottle and store it on a shelf in your bathroom out of reach of your dog. Alternatively, if your dog has itchy skin, try mixing together 1 cup of ground oatmeal, 1 half cup of baking soda, and 1 quart of warm water to make a shampoo that will soothe its skin. To make dry shampoo for a dog that gets dirty frequently, mix together 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of corn starch, and a few drops of essential oils.
Wash your dog with dish soap, vinegar, and glycerin. A simple, all purpose dog shampoo can be made using one cup of dish soap, one cup of apple cider vinegar, and 2 ounces of glycerin. Glycerin is a form of sugar alcohol you can purchase online or at a drug store. You will also want jars to mix your shampoo, and an empty shampoo bottle to put it in when you're finished. Pour all your ingredients into a jar, making sure to pour the dish soap first. Shake the ingredients thoroughly until mixed evenly. Place the mixture into an empty shampoo bottle and store in your bathroom until you're ready to bathe your dog. Try castile soap, vinegar, and water. Another type of natural shampoo can be made with castile soap, vinegar, and water. Make sure to use non-scented castile soap, as it has less irritants. You can buy your ingredients at a drug store or local supermarket. You can either grate 2 to 3 tablespoons of castile soap flakes from a bar using a cheese grater or you can use 2 to 3 tablespoons of liquid castile soap. Add your castile soap to 4 cups of hot water. Use a spoon to mix until the soap flakes dissolve. Then, add white or apple cider vinegar and mix. Transfer the mixture to a bottle and seal. Always shake the mixture before using it on your dog. Add rosemary water for a shiny coat. If you want to give your dog's coat some shine after a bath, you can use rosemary water. You can buy fresh rosemary leaves online, or at a local health food store. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add 2 teaspoons of rosemary leaves. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, strain the rosemary out of the water. Set the water aside until it's room temperature. You can pour the water over your dog after a bath, giving her coat a sweet scent and a nice shine. Treat a flea problem with water, vinegar, and baby shampoo. While it's not scientifically proven to work, you may be able to get rid of fleas by using a natural cleaner. However, make sure to see your vet for a recommendation first, as fleas can spread in your home and infect other pets. You can use water, vinegar, and baby shampoo for a homemade flea bath. Mix together one quart of water, one cup of white vinegar, and one cup of baby shampoo. Mix all of the ingredients until the mixture is uniform throughout. Use this mixture on your dog during a bath to address a flea problem. Even if the natural flea shampoo doesn't work, the dog may simply benefit from getting a bath because the fleas may drown in the process. Use oatmeal for itchy skin. If your dog keeps itching her skin, an oatmeal bath may alleviate some pain and discomfort. Oatmeal may have some healing properties, and is used in many commercial pet shampoos. To make oatmeal shampoo, all you need is a coffee grinder, food processor, or blender, oatmeal, baking soda, and warm water. Grind a cup of oatmeal in a coffee grinder, food processor, or blender. Grind it until it has the consistency of flour. Pour the oatmeal into a large bowl and stir in half a cup of baking soda. Gradually add a quart of warm water and mix it all together. To use the mixture on your dog, get your dog wet first and then lather her with the oatmeal mixture. Let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing off your dog. Go for aloe vera gel for dry skin. If your dog has dry or flaky skin, aloe vera gel may be able to help. You can purchase aloe vera gel at a local drugstore or supermarket. You will mix 1 quart of water, 1 cup of baby shampoo, 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup of glycerin, and 2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Mix the ingredients until you have a paste that's consistent throughout. Learn when a dry bath is needed. Sometimes, you may want to bathe your dog with dry shampoo. A dry bath may be optimal if your dog gets smelly or dirty frequently. Bathing her every time you notice a smell can result in dry skin. Dogs should not be bathed more than once a month. If you feel your dog needs a bath more frequently than this, try using a dry bath. Make a mixture of baking soda, corn starch, and essential oils. To make a dry bath, you'll mix 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of corn starch, and a few drops of essential oils together. Essential oils can be found at a local supermarket, drug store, or health food store. They can also be purchased online. Be very careful when using essential oils. You should always dilute oils in a carrier oil, like olive oil, before using them directly on your dog's skin. Do not use Oregano or Thyme oils on animals. You should also be extremely careful not to get essential oils anywhere near your dog's eyes. Sprinkle the mixture over your dog's back. You do not need to use all of the dry shampoo. Sprinkle a small amount along your dog's bath. You may also sprinkle some on top of your dog's head, being careful to avoid your dog's eyes. You should use a cup of the mixture for mid-sized dogs and half a cup for small dogs. Rub the mixture into your dog's fur. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture into the dog's skin. You can also use a comb if you do not want the mixture to get on your hands. Massage the mixture until its dispersed evenly throughout your dog's coat. Brush your dog. Allow your dog to shake vigorously when you're done, as this will get a lot of the dry shampoo out of her coat. Then, brush her thoroughly to get rid of the remaining dry shampoo. Make sure you brush the dog until you do not notice any dry shampoo residue. Baking soda can dry out a dog's skin if it's left on for a long time. Avoid products containing toxic ingredients. When using ingredients like dish soap on your dog, read the ingredient list thoroughly beforehand. You want to make sure the soap does not contain any ingredients that are toxic to a dog's skin. Choose a different brand of dish soap to use if you notice any of the following ingredients listed: Ammonium Chlorine Glycol Ethers Formaldehyde Never use laundry detergent in dog shampoo. You should never substitute laundry detergent for dish soap when making homemade dog shampoo. Brands of laundry detergent like Tide, Cheer, and Downey all contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs. You should also not use things like bathroom cleaners and all-purpose cleaners in place of dish soap. See a vet to treat problems that do not respond to natural treatments. While all natural cleaners can save you money, certain problems should be addressed by a vet. If your dog has fleas, seek a veterinarian's advice on treatment to prevent the problem from spreading. You should also talk to a vet if your dog has consistently dry, itchy, or flaky skin that does not respond to at home treatments. Watch for signs of an adverse reaction. Your dog may have an adverse reaction to certain homemade cleaners. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek veterinary care for your dog immediately: Red, raw, or blistered skin Drooling or pawing at the mouth Loss of appetite Fever Tearing of the eyes Lethargy
Wash your dog with dish soap, vinegar, and glycerin. Try castile soap, vinegar, and water. Add rosemary water for a shiny coat. Treat a flea problem with water, vinegar, and baby shampoo. Use oatmeal for itchy skin. Go for aloe vera gel for dry skin. Learn when a dry bath is needed. Make a mixture of baking soda, corn starch, and essential oils. Sprinkle the mixture over your dog's back. Rub the mixture into your dog's fur. Brush your dog. Avoid products containing toxic ingredients. Never use laundry detergent in dog shampoo. See a vet to treat problems that do not respond to natural treatments. Watch for signs of an adverse reaction.