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https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Fresh-Oysters

How to Store Fresh Oysters

To store fresh oysters, start by placing un-shucked oysters on top of a layer of ice in a bowl. Next, lay a damp towel on top of the bowl and place it in your refrigerator set to 35° to 40° Fahrenheit. Make sure that the towel stays damp and replace the ice as needed. Then, shuck and eat the oysters within 2 days. If your oysters are already shucked or you need to store them for more than 2 days, place them in the freezer until you're ready to use them.

Do not shuck or wash your oysters. Oysters taste best when you shuck them immediately before eating them. In addition, keeping oysters in their shells makes them easier to store and reduces the chance that they'll go bad. If your oysters came pre-shucked in a plastic container, store them in the freezer until you're ready to use them. Leave the grit and dirt on the oysters. This will keep them moist and will help to insulate the meat. Pour ice into a small bowl or other open-top container. Grab a bowl, small cooler, or similar container that you can place inside your fridge. Make sure this container has an open top or removable lid. Then, pour a layer of ice into the bottom of the container. Do not keep your oysters in a sealed or closed-top container. Doing so will suffocate them. You may need to change your ice during the refrigeration process, so do not pour any into the container if you won't be able to check your oysters regularly. Place your oysters on top of the ice bed deep side down. Just like seafood merchants, you'll be storing your oysters on ice to keep them as chilled and fresh as possible. Make sure to turn each of your oysters so that the deeper side faces down, a technique that will help them better retain their juices. Dampen a towel with cold water and place it on top of the oysters. Dip a thin, clean kitchen towel in cold water and ring out the excess liquid. Then, gently lay the towel on top of the oysters. This will keep the oysters from drying out while preventing fresh water poisoning. If you'd prefer, you can cover the oysters with damp paper towels or newspaper instead. Oysters are salt water creatures, so submerging them in fresh water will essentially poison them and lead to their death. Place your container in a refrigerator. If possible, set your refrigerator to a temperature between 35 and 40 °F (2 and 4 °C). Make sure to store your oysters above any raw meat so the juices don't drip down onto your shellfish. If possible, check on your oysters at least once a day while they're in the fridge. If the towel dries out, dampen it again. If the ice in your container melts, pour it out and replace it with new ice. Keep your oysters in the fridge for up to 2 days. For safety, remove and consume your oysters within about 2 days of initially storing them. Though some oysters may last for a week or longer, eating them that late puts you at greater risk of food poisoning and other unwanted ailments. If your oysters came with an expiration date, use that as your guide for maximum storage time. Freeze your oysters if you need to store them for more than 2 days. Shuck the oysters when you’re ready to eat them. Once you finish storing the oysters, run them under cool water and open their shells. Then, run a knife under the flat side of the oyster and pop the shell off. Before eating, carefully separate the oyster from the rest of the shell using a knife. Before eating an oyster, inspect it to make sure it is still good. If the shell appears to be damaged, if the oyster smells foul, or if the meat is a cloudy shade of grey, brown, black, or pink, throw the oyster away. Keep the oysters in their shells and rinse them off. Storing your oysters inside their shells will make them less likely to go bad and, in some cases, better preserve their taste. Unlike refrigerating oysters, rinsing the shells under cold water to clean them off prevents any bacteria from living on the oysters. If you don't have enough room in your freezer to keep full-shelled oysters, you can shuck them before storage. If you do so, save the internal liquor for later use. Place your oysters in a freezer-safe container. To keep your oysters safe, place them inside a moisture-resistant, freezer-safe bag. If you're storing shucked oysters, you can use a firm plastic container instead. To prevent freezer burns, leave no more than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of head space in the container. Pour oyster liquor into the container if you’re freezing shucked oysters. To help your shucked oysters retain their juiciness, pour the liquor you removed during the shucking process into your freezer-safe container. Keep pouring until you've completely submerged the oysters inside the liquid. If you don't have enough liquor to fill the container, pour in water as well. Seal the container. If you're using a resealable bag, press any excess air out of it using your fingers. Then, seal your container right before you put it into the freezer. Unlike with refrigerated oysters, closing the container will help better preserve your shellfish during long-term storage. If you're using a solid plastic container, make sure the lid you seal it with is air-tight. Make sure to write the initial storage date on your container. Keep your oysters in the freezer for up to 3 months. When frozen properly, fresh oysters should last for between 2 and 3 months. To make sure your oysters aren't going bad, look over them regularly and remove any that have cracked shells or cloudy meat that is a pink, black, brown, or grey color. While your oysters may remain safe to eat during this time, the taste will degrade gradually. Thaw your oysters in the fridge before consuming. Carefully take your oyster container out of the freezer and place it in a clear, open part of your refrigerator. Depending on the exact temperature of your appliances, the thawing process could take up to 20 hours to complete. Thawing your oysters using this method gives them a slightly longer shelf life, meaning you don't have to use them immediately after they thaw. If you'd like, you can thaw your oysters by submerging their container in cold water. However, you'll have to consume them immediately after they thaw, otherwise they'll go bad.

Do not shuck or wash your oysters. Pour ice into a small bowl or other open-top container. Place your oysters on top of the ice bed deep side down. Dampen a towel with cold water and place it on top of the oysters. Place your container in a refrigerator. Keep your oysters in the fridge for up to 2 days. Shuck the oysters when you’re ready to eat them. Keep the oysters in their shells and rinse them off. Place your oysters in a freezer-safe container. Pour oyster liquor into the container if you’re freezing shucked oysters. Seal the container. Keep your oysters in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw your oysters in the fridge before consuming.

https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Rolex-Watch-is-Real-or-Fake

How to Tell if a Rolex Watch is Real or Fake

To tell if a Rolex is real or fake, hold it next to your ear and listen to the sound it makes. If it's making a slow ticking noise like cheap watches normally do, it's a sign that it's fake. You can also tell if a Rolex is real or fake by examining the second hand. If the second hand is moving around the watch in a jerky motion instead of moving smoothly at an even pace, the watch is probably fake. Also, if the Rolex feels really lightweight when you hold it, it's a sign that it's not real.

Listen for the telltale "tick, tick, tick" rather than a much more rapid ticking noise. On standard watches, the motion of the second hand is jerky and truncated because the majority of them are quartz watches. The second hand shifts abruptly from each second position to the next. If you listen carefully, you can usually hear a quiet "tick, tick, tick" from this motion. On the other hand, Rolexes (and many other fine watches) have second hands that move almost perfectly smoothly because they have automatic movements not quartz. Because of this, Rolex does not make a "ticking" noise. If you hear a slow ticking noise coming from your watch, this is a dead giveaway that you're not wearing a real Rolex. The noise you hear should be much faster than a battery operated watch. Look for jerky second hand motion. As noted above, Rolexes have second hands that smoothly sweep across the face of the watch, rather than jerking from one position to the next. Look at your watch's second hand carefully — does it turn smoothly, tracing the path of a perfect circle around the edge of the watch's face? Or does it appear to speed up, slow down, or jerk as it turns? If the second hand's motion is anything less than silky smooth, you may have an imitation on your hands. In fact, if you look extremely closely, a real Rolex's second hand motion isn't perfectly smooth. Many models actually move at a speed of about 8 tiny movements per second. Some models even have slower speeds. To the naked eye, however, this motion is usually undetectable, so the second hand looks like it's moving smoothly. Look for fake "magnification" of the date. Many (but not all) Rolex watches have a small dial or window that displays the date. Usually, this is on the right side of the watch face (near the "three o'clock" position). To make this dial easier to read, some Rolexes include a small magnification lens (sometimes called a "cyclops") in the glass over the dial. This part is difficult to counterfeit, so many fake Rolexes will have something that appears to be a magnification panel, but, on close inspection, is actually only ordinary glass. If the magnification panel over the date dial doesn't actually seem to make the date numbering any larger, you may have a fake. Actual Rolex magnification windows should magnify the date to 2.5x — the date should take up nearly the entire window. Some good counterfeits will magnify the date somewhat but often not to the point that the entire window is filled. They will also not be centered over the date exactly. Be suspicious of a magnification window that looks glued on imperfectly or off center. Loosen the stem and roll back the hands to change the date, it should change to the previous date when it goes down to the 6 position, not at the 12. This is virtually impossible to replicate. If it does not do this it is likely a fake. Feel for a suspiciously light weight. Real Rolexes are constructed from real metal and crystal and thus have some heft to them. They should feel solid and substantial in your hand and on your wrist. If your Rolex feels suspiciously lightweight, it may not be of the highest quality — it may be lacking some of the precious metals used in many models of Rolex or may be constructed entirely from substandard materials. Look for a clear backside to the watch. Some imitation Rolexes feature a clear glass back which allows you to see the inner workings of the watch. This clear backing may or may not be concealed beneath a removable metal cover. In fact, no current models of Rolex contain this sort of clear caseback, so if your watch has this feature, it is not a true Rolex. Only a few Rolexes have ever been made with clear case backings, and these were all exhibition models. It is thought that counterfeiters add this clear caseback to help vendors sell watches to unwitting customers by allowing them to view the workmanship inside the watch. Inexperienced customers may be wowed by the inner workings of the watch, rather than alerted to the fact that something is wrong. Look for non-metal construction. Take your Rolex and turn it over. Examine the back of your watch — it should be made of smooth, unmarked, high-quality metal. If the band is not made of leather, it should be made from high-quality metal construction as well. If any part of the watch's construction is made from plastic or a thin, cheap-looking metal like aluminum, you're dealing with a fake. These qualities are clear signs that corners were cut during the manufacture of the watch. Rolexes are made from only the finest materials. No expense is spared in the creation of each watch. In addition, if the back casing of your watch appears to be made from metal but can be removed to reveal a plastic inner case, the watch isn't genuine. Test the watch's water-tightness. One surefire way to determine whether a supposed Rolex is real or not is to see if it is waterproof. All Rolex watches are made to be perfectly airtight — if your watch leaks even a little bit, it's probably not the real thing. To test whether your watch is waterproof, fill a cup with water, make sure the stem is screwed on tightly and dunk the watch into the cup for several seconds, and take it out. The watch should be working perfectly fine and you shouldn't see any water inside the dial. If you do, you have a fake on your hands. Obviously, if your watch is a fake, this test can harm or even ruin the watch. In the event of water damage, you may be forced to take the watch to an experienced repairman or even buy a new one entirely, so, if you're not comfortable with these possibilities, try to rely on the other tests. Note that the Submariner is the only Rolex watch designed for deep water usage — while other Rolexes should be fine in the shower and the swimming pool, they may leak under more serious aquatic conditions. When all else fails, compare your watch to the real thing. If you're still not sure if your watch is a real Rolex, it can be helpful to compare the way your watch looks to the way it is supposed to look. The Rolex website contains a catalog of all the watches Rolex produces, with multiple pictures for each. Find the model of watch you have on the Rolex site, then compare the appearance of your watch to that of the available "reference" images. Pay special attention to the dial — is everything laid out where it should be? If your watch has an extra dial like a chronograph or a date dial, is it in the right place? Are all the inscriptions identical? Is the lettering the same? If you can answer "no" to any of these questions, you probably have a fake. Rolex's brand is famous for the quality of its craftsmanship — noticeable errors are extremely rare. Look for the serial number. Some expert-made counterfeits won't be easy to tell apart from actual Rolexes. To spot these, you may need to examine the watch's tiny, intricate detail work, which is the hardest part of the watch to fake. To start, try finding your watch's serial number. This will require you to remove the band. You can usually do this by pushing the joint holding the band to the watch out of its place with a thumbtack or similarly-sized object. However, if you're uncomfortable with this, you can also have a professional do it for you. The serial number should be located between the "lugs" at the six o'clock end of the dial. The lettering on the serial number should be perfect and precise, with fine lines. Some counterfeiters use an acid-etching method which produces serial number markings with a noticeable "sandy" appearance under magnification. Between the opposite set of lugs, there should be another similar marking. This is the case reference number and will be labeled with the words, "ORIG ROLEX DESIGN." An original Rolex will have sharp and detailed engraving located between the lugs. Counterfeiters often try to mimic these engraving, the result often appears like the serial number has been roughly etched into the casing. Note that it's possible to look the date of your watch's manufacture up with your serial number — several handy online sources (like this one ) can help you here. Look for the crown at six o'clock. Starting in the early to mid 2000s, Rolex began etching the trademark crown logo into the crystal of their watch's dials. If your watch was made in the past decade or so, you may be able to see this tiny mark of authenticity. Use a magnifying glass or a jeweler's lens to carefully examine the glass at the six o'clock end of the watch's dial. Look for the Rolex crown logo — the same design as the much larger logo at the opposite end of the dial. The etching you are looking for is very, very small and can be quite tricky to see. You may find that it is easier to see if you shine light at the face of the watch at an angle. Some counterfeiters do attempt to copy this etching, but it is extremely difficult to duplicate with the precision of an actual Rolex. If this etching is large enough to easily see with the naked eye, you may have a fake on your hands. Look for etched inscription inside the rim of the dial. Another mark of authenticity is the fine, etched lettering that is usually included around the rim of Rolex watch dials. Examine this lettering with a magnifying glass or jeweler's lens. The lettering should be fine, precise, and elegant, with no imperfections. Additionally, the lettering should be etched into the metal rim. If it appears to be painted or printed instead, the watch is likely a fake. Note that, typically, all watches from Rolex's Oyster series bear this etching. Watches from the Cellini series often have non-standard designs (rectangular faces, etc.) and thus may not have this etching. Look for a high-quality crown logo on the dial. Almost (though not quite ) all Rolex watches have the trademark crown logo located at the top of the dial near the twelve o'clock marking. Examining this logo under magnification can sometimes reveal a fake. The logo should appear to made of high-quality metal construction. The circles at the end of the crown's points should have raised bumps. The outline of the crown should glimmer with a different metallic sheen than the inside. If your crown logo looks cheap or flat under magnification, this is a sign of poor craftsmanship (and a likely indicator of a fake). Look for perfectly precise lettering on the dial. Rolexes are renowned for their perfection. Even small, relatively undetectable defects can be clues that your Rolex isn't top quality. Examine the lettering on your watch's dial with a magnifying glass or jeweler's lens. Each letter should be perfectly, precisely formed with straight lines and smooth curves. The spaces between words and letters should be consistent. If you notice that any letters seem to be even slightly uneven or smudged under magnification, this is a sign that the watch was made with sub-optimal printing technology and is probably not a Rolex. It's also worth mentioning that, obviously, any sort of misspelling is also a dead giveaway that the watch is a fake. Beware sub-par packaging. Everything about a Rolex watch should be elegant, dignified, and perfect. This even includes the packaging. Real Rolexes come in fine jewelry boxes which usually include a mount to hold and display the watch as well as a small cloth to clean and polish it. All packaging should bear the official Rolex name and logo. The watch should also come with a manual and warranty paperwork. If your watch is missing any of these things, it may not be genuine. Buying a watch by itself off the street is a complete crap shoot — since there's no packaging, there's no way to tell it's authentic. Beware shady locations. When shopping for Rolexes, use common sense. A reputable jeweler or a fine watch dealer is much, much more likely to be selling genuine Rolexes than a street vendor. Rolexes can cost thousands of dollars, so it's safe to assume that anyone who sells them will have the resources to own a legitimate business. If you're unsure whether a certain retailer is a reputable Rolex seller, consult Rolex's online listing of certified retailers here. Pawn shops can be a mixed bag — they may have genuine Rolexes, but they may not, depending on the individuals who sold the shop the watches. Some pawn shops take efforts to ensure that they only sell genuine watches, while others may turn a blind eye to counterfeits. If you don't know whether a certain pawn shop can be trusted, try to find online reviews and testimonials for the store before making your purchase. Beware unusually cheap prices. When it comes to buying Rolexes, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Rolex watches are fine-made luxury goods crafted to perfection — they're never cheap. The most expensive Rolex watches in the world sell for over a million dollars, while even some of the cheapest models can sell for over $4000. If you're being offered a Rolex for $100 dollars, it doesn't matter what the seller's explanation is — there's either something wrong with the watch or it's not the real thing. Don't accept an unscrupulous seller's excuses. If you're being told that a Rolex watch is being sold for cheap because the seller found it or because it was given as a gift, walk away. Assume that there are no lucky coincidences when spending the kind of money that it takes to purchase a Rolex. When all else fails, take your watch to an experienced jeweler. Sometimes, even when you know what to look for, it's almost impossible to tell whether a watch is the real deal or a fake. In these cases, a knowledgeable, trustworthy jeweler or watch salesman can help you by examining the watch for qualities that the ordinary person can't catch. If you have a great relationship with this expert, you may be able to have your watch's genuineness judged for free. Otherwise, jewelry appraisal services, while not cheap, are fairly affordable when compared to the price of a Rolex. For instance, some jewelry appraisal services can run at a cost of up to $180 per hour. Because of this, you may want to have multiple items appraised at once to get the greatest possible value. Only use jewelry appraisal services that charge by the hour, on a per-piece basis, or for a contracted amount based on the estimated time needed. Never use appraisers that charge a percentage of the jewelry's value — this is a scamming technique. Finished.

Listen for the telltale "tick, tick, tick" rather than a much more rapid ticking noise. Look for jerky second hand motion. Look for fake "magnification" of the date. Loosen the stem and roll back the hands to change the date, it should change to the previous date when it goes down to the 6 position, not at the 12. Feel for a suspiciously light weight. Look for a clear backside to the watch. Look for non-metal construction. Test the watch's water-tightness. When all else fails, compare your watch to the real thing. Look for the serial number. Look for the crown at six o'clock. Look for etched inscription inside the rim of the dial. Look for a high-quality crown logo on the dial. Look for perfectly precise lettering on the dial. Beware sub-par packaging. Beware shady locations. Beware unusually cheap prices. When all else fails, take your watch to an experienced jeweler. Finished.

https://www.wikihow.com/Ship-a-Bicycle-Cheaply

How to Ship a Bicycle Cheaply

To cheaply ship a bicycle, completely disassemble your bike before you ship it so you're able to fit it in a smaller box, which will be cheaper to ship. To keep your bike parts safe, wrap the frame in insulation and any loose parts in bubble wrap before you box everything. Then, research different shipping companies, like UPS and FedEx, to find the cheapest shipping option. Whichever company you go with, choose their basic shipping option since it will be cheaper.

Use an Allen key to unscrew the handlebars from the bike. Put the Allen key into the screw on the front of your handlebars. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the screw. Once it's loose, you should be able to lift your handlebars from their housing. Place the screws and bolts in a zip lock bag to keep the smaller parts together for when you want to reassemble the bike later. Remove the pedals. Depending on what kind of pedals you have, you'll need either an Allen key or a 15mm wrench. Press down on the pedal with your foot and hold the brake to prevent your bike and pedals from moving. Bend down and insert the Allen key or use the wrench to loosen the bolt on the opposite side of the pedal. Continue to unscrew the bolt until the pedal comes off. You may need a friend to help you hold the bike in place while you unscrew the pedals. Remove the front wheel. If you have a quick-release wheel, all you'll need to do is undo the latch on the front of the wheel and turn the latch counterclockwise to loosen the wheel. If your wheel is secured with a bolt, you'll need a 15mm wrench to remove it. Loosen the bolt on the center of the wheel by turning the wrench counter-clockwise. You may have to loosen the brakes to remove the wheel. Unscrew and take off your seat. Find the bolts that are holding your seat to the frame of the bike and remove them with an Allen key. These bolts will be somewhere under the seat. Some bikes will have two bolts that you need to undo while others will just have one. Turn the key counterclockwise to loosen the bolt until the seat comes off. Your bike should now be mostly unassembled and ready for transport. Let the air out of your tires by pressing the needle on the nozzle. Deflate your tires to make more room in your shipping container for the rest of the bike. Doing this will also prevent the tubes from popping while you're shipping it. Unscrew the caps on your bike's tires and softly press down on the needle in the center of the valve to release the air from the tires. Don't squeeze your tires before you depress the needle or you may damage them. Get a cardboard bike box at a bike shop. Find a box made for the same style of bike that you have. See if you can try to get the box for free. If the bike shop doesn't have any boxes, you can purchase one online for a low fee. Purchase a bike travel case for more expensive bikes. Bike travel cases are more expensive than a cardboard box but provide additional protection for your bike. If you are shipping a more expensive bike, consider using a travel case. This may save you money in the long run because you won't have to pay for costly bike repairs. Purchase and cut plumbing insulation to the size of your frame. Purchase pipe insulation online or at a hardware store. This foam material can wrap around the frame of your bike and prevent it from getting damaged during transport. Measure the length on the different parts of your bike's frame and cut the foam insulation to the same size. If you're trying to save even more money, you can use bubble wrap instead of plumbing insulation. Tape or tie the insulation around your bike frame. Wrap the insulation around the frame of your bike and wrap duct tape or zip ties around the insulation and frame. This will secure the foam insulation to your bike's frame and hold it in place. Wrap loose parts with bubble wrap. Take your wheel, handlebars, and pedals and wrap them with bubble wrap. Secure the wrap with tape and set them aside. You should also cover any remaining exposed parts of your bike with whatever bubble wrap you have left over. Place the frame of the bike into the container first. Place the bike's frame and back wheel into the top of the container. Double check to make sure that your bike box is large enough to accommodate the bike's size. If you have a heavy bike, you may need someone to help hold the box in place as you put the frame in it. Place the rest of the parts into the container. Carefully place the rest of the parts into the container, sliding them up as close to the frame as possible. Once you position all of the parts, close the box and make sure that the sides are not bulging. If the sides are bulging, see if you can rearrange the parts in the box so that it doesn't. If the frame is causing the sides of the box to bulge, you'll need a larger box. Tape the box closed. Close all the flaps on the box and apply several coats of tape over the flaps. Once you feel like the box is secure, you're done packing away your bike. Decide which shipping company you want to use. Compare the prices from different shipping companies so that you can find the cheapest option. Major shipping companies like FedEx, USPS, and UPS can ship your bike for a fee. There are also other services like Bikeflights, Sports Express, and Shipbikes.com that specifically ship bicycles. Measure the dimensions of your bike and determine how much each service would cost. Print out a shipping label. You can usually calculate the cost and print and pay for shipping online. Go to the website for the shipping company that you're going to use and fill out the order information. Tape your shipping label to the box securely. Make sure to go over the front of the label with a clear masking tape so that the label won't get damaged in transit. If you can't print the label online, you'll have to visit a shipping facility. Have the bike's destination on hand when filling out the shipping label. Some companies won't ship your box unless all over the edges of the shipping label are securely taped to the box. Take your bike to a shipping facility and pay the fee to send it. Take your package and bring it to the closest shipping facility. If you weren't able to get a label online, you can now get one at the facility. They will weigh and measure the package for you and then tell you how much it will cost. Shipping a bike that weighs 50 pounds (23 kg) can cost anywhere from $100-$400. Keep your shipping container as small as possible. Some shipping companies will charge you based on the size of your box, not the weight of your bike. If your shipping company is charging by box size, choose the smallest box you can find. Use basic shipping. Most of the time shipping companies will have a slower ground option that you can choose. Choosing this option will usually take longer but will cost you less. Take your bike on an airline flight. Check the regulations and fees associated with traveling with your bike. Some airlines offer to transport your bike in the plane. This prevents the likelihood the bike will get lost and can sometimes cost less than shipping it. Consider insuring your bike if it's expensive. While the price of insurance will raise your overall cost, it will prevent you from having to buy a new one if it's lost in transit. This is especially useful if you're shipping the bike internationally.

Use an Allen key to unscrew the handlebars from the bike. Remove the pedals. Remove the front wheel. Unscrew and take off your seat. Let the air out of your tires by pressing the needle on the nozzle. Get a cardboard bike box at a bike shop. Purchase a bike travel case for more expensive bikes. Purchase and cut plumbing insulation to the size of your frame. Tape or tie the insulation around your bike frame. Wrap loose parts with bubble wrap. Place the frame of the bike into the container first. Place the rest of the parts into the container. Tape the box closed. Decide which shipping company you want to use. Print out a shipping label. Take your bike to a shipping facility and pay the fee to send it. Keep your shipping container as small as possible. Use basic shipping. Take your bike on an airline flight. Consider insuring your bike if it's expensive.

https://www.wikihow.com/Seal-Pavers

How to Seal Pavers

Sealing your pavers with a commercial sealant product will improve their appearance and longevity. If your pavers are laid with joint sand, choose a water-based sealer. This will harden your joint sand and create a hard seal over the entire pavement. It will need to be applied with a sprayer. If you have smooth non-porous stones without joint sand, use a solvent sealer, which will darken your stones and give them a glossy shine. You may have to use a roller instead of a sprayer for these, so check the label before you buy one. To apply your sealer, you'll have to wash your pavers first, then roll or spray on your sealer in a thin layer.

Choose a water-based sealer if your pavers are laid with joint sand. Water-based sealers are sprayed on and give an even coverage. The main benefit of a water-based sealer is that it hardens the joint sand and penetrates into pavers better. This ends up creating a hard seal over the entire paved area. Water-based sealers do not darken the stones or give a high amount of shine to the pavers. Choose this sealer for bricks that are porous and won't shine much anyway. If you are unsure what type of pavers you have or you aren't sure which sealer is best, consult a home improvement store employee. Water-based sealers often require that you apply more than one coat to the paved area. Buy a solvent sealer to darken stones and make them shine. Solvent sealers can give a much higher gloss to the stones than water-based sealers. The downside is that they do not harden sand as effectively. This sealer is great for smooth, non-porous stones. If your pavers are laid tightly together without joint sand, this is a good option. Solvent sealers are often thicker than water-based sealers, so you may be required to use a roller rather than a sprayer. Read the instructions for proper application. Sealers may be sprayed on with a pump sprayer, laid with a nap roller, or a combination of both. Follow the instructions on the sealer you buy to use the proper tools. Thin sealers can often be sprayed on, which is much faster. Thicker sealers may need to be rolled, which can be slower and won't always cover as evenly. Some sealers are sprayed on but require that you backroll the pavers to even out the coating. Use a sprayer with an adjustable nozzle head. For best application, you want a nice wide fan spray, so be sure that the sprayer you use has either multiple head attachments or an adjustable spray pattern. Never use a sprayer that shoots a narrow stream. A bug sprayer is a good option for this. They are widely available at hardware stores, and they are often inexpensive. Use a roller of appropriate thickness. Many sealers will require that you lay them with a roller rather than a sprayer, and in this case it is important that the roller is thick enough. The sealer will most likely give you instructions about this. For example, one sealer might suggest a roller with a 1” thick nap. This is important because if the roller is not thick enough, the sealer will not get down into the cracks between the pavers and thus won't seal as well as it should. A roller that is too thick might coat the sealer on too thickly as well, and you won't get an even coat across the pavers. Wash the pavers. Sealing without cleaning first is only going to seal dirt and grime into the pavers. You can power wash the pavers, as long as there isn't sand in between that would be washed away. You could use some dish soap and hot water for areas that have oil or tire marks from cars. A stiff broom will help scrub the pavers clean. Let the pavers dry for at least 24 hours before you continue. The type of pavers and the way they are laid will determine the best washing method. If the pavers are packed tightly together, power washing is a great option, but not if the pavers are laid with sand between them. It's rarely a good idea to sand-blast pavers. If the pavers make up a driveway that has a lot of car traffic, wash the pavers more thoroughly to get as much of the grime off as you can. Smooth pavers that don't retain much grime might be sufficiently cleaned with a quick broom sweeping. Level crooked pavers. Sometimes pavers settle unevenly, which creates a tripping hazard in areas that people frequently walk. Lift any uneven pavers and level the spot where they're sitting by adding or removing sand under the paver. If your pavers are laid tightly together, lifting any of them up to even them out may not be an option. Still, sealing is more effective when the pavers are all level. Seal the pavers one section at a time. To make sure you cover the whole paver area, work in a specific pattern. A good option can be going around the entire outer edge of the area first to establish a border, then dividing the rest of the area into 3-5 sections depending on how big it is. For example, a 100 square foot patio could be done in four 5ftx5ft sections. Start at a corner farthest away from your exit, and work your way out towards the exit. This will keep you from walking across the sealant at the end. Move the sprayer nozzle in a circular motion. The sealer will make stones appear darker when they get wet, but it can still be helpful to use a consistent motion. You can move the spraying nozzle in circles for the best coverage. You don't want to cover some areas with more sealer than others, so it is important to pay attention to what stones you cover as you spray. Try not to use too much sealer, as it will take longer to dry. A light layer is all you need. If you are working in a small area, you may not have a hard time keeping track of what you have sealed, but if you are doing an entire driveway it becomes more important. Finish the whole job at once. Sealing pavers is not the kind of thing you want to break up into multiple rounds of work. If you don't do the whole thing at one time, it's likely that you will lose track of where you have already sealed. The amount of time it takes you to seal the entire area will depend on how big it is. A small patio may only take 20 minutes, but an entire driveway will likely take you a couple of hours. Clean the sprayer or roller. Rinse the sprayer or roller thoroughly immediately after you finish the project. If you let the sealer sit for too long it will harden on your equipment. If you don't want to wash the roller, you can throw it away. Make sure to spray water through the nozzle until the water runs clear to clean the hose as well. When you read the sealer instructions, see if there are any special instructions about cleaning equipment. You may need lacquer thinner or something stronger than water to clean the sealer out of your sprayer.

Choose a water-based sealer if your pavers are laid with joint sand. Buy a solvent sealer to darken stones and make them shine. Read the instructions for proper application. Use a sprayer with an adjustable nozzle head. Use a roller of appropriate thickness. Wash the pavers. Level crooked pavers. Seal the pavers one section at a time. Move the sprayer nozzle in a circular motion. Finish the whole job at once. Clean the sprayer or roller.

https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-an-Emergency-Situation

How to Handle an Emergency Situation

To handle an emergency situation, start by calling 911, or the appropriate emergency services number if you're outside the U.S. If someone is injured, try asking questions like “What's your name?” and “Where does it hurt?” to see if you can help in any way while you wait for the paramedics. Alternatively, if the situation is a workplace emergency like a fire or chemical spill, evacuate the area immediately and get to a safe place, like the parking lot. In a situation where you can't leave the premises, find the safest location within your area, like underneath a desk or table.

Remain calm. Although emergencies require rapid action, the most important factor in effectively handling the situation is to keep calm. If you find yourself becoming confused or anxious, stop what you're doing. Take a deep breath. Remember that to be calm in a stressful situation you must deliberately adjust your behavior. Reassure yourself that you can handle the situation. The reason you feel panicked in an emergency is the result of your body's automatic overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol. The cortisol goes to the brain and slows down the pre-frontal cortex, which is the region responsible for planning complex action. By overriding your body's reaction, you can continue to access your critical thinking faculties. You won't be responding from emotion, but from rational thought. Look around and assess the situation to see what needs to be done before acting. Seek additional help. In the USA, call 911 for emergency assistance. Use whatever number is applicable to call emergency services outside the U.S. This phone number will reach an emergency dispatcher who will need to know your location and the nature of the emergency. Answer all of the questions the dispatcher asks. The job of the dispatcher is to provide quick, appropriate emergency response. She can only do this by asking these questions. If you're calling on a traditional telephone or a GPS-equipped cell phone, emergency services may be able to track your location even if you're unable to speak. Even if you can't talk, call emergency services and someone will be able to find you to provide help. It may be a good idea to go over how you would communicate during an emergency , especially if you have a reason to expect an emergency might arise. Determine the nature of the emergency. What signs indicate that there is an emergency? Is this a medical emergency, or is there a threat to the property/building that may result in human injury? It's important to stop and take inventory of the situation calmly before reacting to the emergency. An injury due to motor vehicle accident, or smoke inhalation or burns from a fire are examples of medical emergency situations. A medical emergency consists of sudden physical symptoms, such as intense bleeding, head trauma, loss of consciousness, chest pain, choking, sudden dizziness or weakness. Intense desire to hurt yourself or someone else constitute a mental health emergency. Other mental health changes may also be considered an emergency, such as sudden changes in behavior or experiencing confusion, can be an emergency if they occur without cause. Behavioral emergencies are best met by remaining calm, watching from a short distance, and encouraging the person in crisis to stay calm as well. This way you can react appropriately if the situation becomes volatile. Know that sudden changes can be emergencies. Chemical spills, fires, breaking water pipes, electrical outages, natural disasters such as floods or fires are all examples of potential workplace emergencies. If you have advance warning of the possibility of an emergency, such the warning of flood, heavy snow, tornado, etc., you may be better prepared. However, the nature of an emergency is to be unexpected. When assessing emergency situations, be aware that the situation may be volatile. It may change rapidly. If you have advance warning of an emergency, prepare ahead of time for the best results. Be alert for human-caused emergencies. Assaults or threats of violence at a workplace or home are emergencies that call for rapid response. In most cases, there is no predictable pattern or method to these emergencies. These situations tend to be unpredictable, and they change quickly. If you find yourself in an emergency of this nature, keep yourself safe. Run to a safe location, or find shelter in place. Do not fight, except as a last resort. Being attentive to warning signs in your workplace, including any act of physical violence (pushing, shoving, etc.) should be immediately. Your office should have a procedure for workplace violence, including a phone number you can call to report the situation. If you don't know your office's procedures, ask your supervisor or a trusted coworker. Open, honest communication between employees and supervisors is part of maintaining a safe, healthy workplace. Assess the immediate threat. For example, if one person appears injured, are you or anyone else in danger of also being injured? For example, if one person is caught in a machine, is the machine turned off? If there has been a chemical spill, is the spill spreading towards anyone else? Is the person caught in structure that's collapsing? If the threat isn't contained, this will affect your response. Be aware that any emergency situation may change abruptly, so that ongoing assessment is required. Remove yourself from danger. If you, or others, are at risk of being harmed, leave the situation immediately. If you have an evacuation plan, follow it. Go to an area where you will be safe. In a situation where you cannot leave, find the safest possible location within your given area. For example, hiding beneath a solid surface, such as a desk or table, may help if there is a chance of being hit by falling debris. If you're near a car accident, make sure you're not in the line of oncoming traffic. Get off the road. Be aware that in an emergency, elements are likely to change quickly. In your assessment, notice if volatile or combustible elements are present. For example, in an auto accident, gasoline may catch fire abruptly. Help others leave a hazardous area. If you can safely assist someone else in leaving a dangerous situation, do so. If returning to the emergency situation is risky, a trained rescue person may be better equipped to retrieve anyone in harm's way. Offering verbal reassurance to an injured person if he is conscious will help another person, even if you can't move them. Let that person know who you are and what is happening to them. Ask them questions to keep them conscious. If the emergency is stable, stay with the victim. Determine if you can do anything to help. The most important thing you can do is to remain calm, and stay in control of the situation. Sometimes there is nothing that you can do, and that's fine. Don't be worried about admitting that there's nothing you can do to help. If there are others on the scene who may be upset or fearful, reassure them. Employ them in going to get help. It's better to remain with someone in a supportive way than to do an action that may result in additional damage. If you're not sure what to do, simply stay with the person. If possible, take their pulse, make notes of events as they happen, and ask them about their medical history. This is information you may need when talking to the emergency team. Take time to think before acting. Being in an emergency situation can result in panicked thinking and actions. Instead of reacting to a situation, take time to calm down. Breathe deeply before you take any action. Things change suddenly in emergency situations. Don't panic if things suddenly go in a different direction than you'd expected. Take time to pause whenever you're overwhelmed, panicky or confused. If you need to stop in the middle of taking an action to calm down, that's okay. Get the first aid kit. A first aid kit should have constructive tools for taking care of many medical emergencies. Any first aid kit should contain bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, disinfectant, and other useful items. If you can't retrieve the first aid kit, consider what other items in your immediate vicinity might be good substitutes. You should keep a first aid kit at your home, and your workplace is required by law to maintain a first aid kit. A good first aid kit should also have a "space blanket" which is a light-weight piece of special material meant to conserve body heat. This is a vital piece of equipment for people who are chilled or shaking, as it can help keep them from going into shock. Ask basic questions of the injured person. It's important to discern the mental state of the victim in order to better understand the person's injuries. If the person appears confused by the question, or provides the wrong answer, this may suggest additional injuries. If you're not sure if the victim is unconscious, touch their shoulder. Shout or ask loudly, "Are you okay?" Questions you should ask include: What is your name? What is the date? How old are you? If they do not respond to questions, you can try rubbing their chest or pinching their earlobe to keep them conscious. You can also gently touch the eyelids to see if they will open. Once you've determined the basic mental status of the person, check with them about any medical complications. Ask them if they have a medical alert bracelet or another medical ID. Avoid moving an injured person. If someone has a neck injury, moving him could result in injuring the spine. Always call emergency services if someone has an neck injury and is unable to move himself. If the person can't walk because of leg or foot injuries, you can help move them by holding them at the shoulders. If the person is afraid to leave a dangerous situation, respond with reassurance. Use the telephone only to ask for help. Your full attention should be on the present situation, and talking on the phone is distracting. In addition, if you are on an older model telephone, the emergency dispatcher may be trying to reach you. Stay off the phone unless you're calling to ask for help. If you're not sure if you're in a true emergency, call emergency services and the dispatcher can help you figure out if emergency officials should be sent. Don't try to document the emergency unless you are sure you are out of danger. Taking "selfies" or posting about your situation on social media in ongoing emergency situations may result in additional injury and legal complications. Have an emergency plan. The best response in an emergency situation is to follow the emergency plan of your home or workplace. Certain people may be identified as emergency leaders, with special training. In an emergency, you will save necessary time and energy by following the plan and your designated leader, even if you don't fully agree with them. Your emergency plan should have an assembly place to gather once you've evacuated the home or building. Keep emergency phone numbers posted near the phone. Important medical data should be stored in your phone or your wallet. Know your physical address. You'll need to know your location in order to tell any emergency dispatcher where to send help. While it may be easy to know the address of your home, it's also important to memorize the address of your workplace. Get into the habit of checking the address wherever you are. If you don't know the physical address, be ready to say the name of the street you're on and any nearby intersections or landmarks. If your cell phone has GPS, you can use it to determine your physical address. However, this wastes much needed time in an emergency. Identify your closest exits. Always be aware of the exits to any building you're in, whether they're home, office, or commercial locations. Identify at least 2 exits, in case one is blocked. In a workplace or public location, exits should be clearly marked. Choose two places where you can regather with your family or coworkers. One location should be outside the home or workplace. The other location should be outside the immediate vicinity, in case the neighborhood is unsafe. Emergency exits should be physically accessible, according to ADA laws. Take a first aid course. Having a first aid kit isn't helpful unless you have training to use it. Having training to properly apply bandages, compresses, tourniquets and other tools will help in an emergency. The Red Cross regularly offers these courses in most areas of the US. Many Red Cross courses are also offered online. First aid courses can be age specific. If you have children, or just want to know how to help children in case of an emergency, take a first aid course specific to assisting children in an emergency. If you work with children, you'll be required by law to receive this training. Consider taking CPR in addition to first aid. Having CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training is a life-saving help for someone having a heart attack. If you haven't taken a CPR course, you can still offer chest compressions for someone suspected of having a heart attack. A chest compression is hard pressure applied swiftly to the ribcage at the rate of 100 compressions per minute, or just over 1 per second. CPR for children and infants is taught by the Red Cross. If you have children, take a course in providing CPR for children in order to be prepared in case of an emergency. If you work with children, you may be required by law to receive this training. Know what chemicals are found in your home or workplace. If the emergency occurs in your workplace, you should know where to find the MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheet) for any chemical used. Having a list of the chemicals used in your home or workplace, together with any first aid measures required in case of emergency, will be the most effective way you can prepare for emergency situations. Your workplace should have an eyewash station if you regularly come into contact with hazardous chemicals. Make sure you are prepared to share any relevant information regarding chemicals with your emergency response team. Keep emergency phone numbers posted near the phone. Post the number for 911 as well as other important medical phone numbers, including the phone numbers of family members who should be contacted. The phone number of the poison control center, ambulance center, your doctors' phone numbers should be posted alongside contact numbers of neighbors or nearby friends or relatives, and work phone numbers. All members of your house, including your children, should be able to access these phone numbers in case of an emergency. For children, elderly people, or disabled people, consider having a posted script to help them remember what to tell others when calling on the phone with an emergency situation. You can even role play with them to go over the script and teach them proper actions for different emergency situations. Wear a medical ID tag if you have a chronic health condition. If you have a condition that a medical response team should be aware of, such as diabetes, certain allergies, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or other medical conditions, a medical ID tag can provide this information should you be unable to. Most medical responders look on a person's wrist for medical ID tags. The second most common place to look is at the person's neck, as a necklace. People with disabilities and health conditions, such as Tourette syndrome, autism, dementia, etc., may wish to consider wearing medical ID badges to help any emergency responder better understand their needs and behavior.

Remain calm. Seek additional help. Determine the nature of the emergency. Know that sudden changes can be emergencies. Be alert for human-caused emergencies. Assess the immediate threat. Remove yourself from danger. Help others leave a hazardous area. Determine if you can do anything to help. Take time to think before acting. Get the first aid kit. Ask basic questions of the injured person. Avoid moving an injured person. Use the telephone only to ask for help. Have an emergency plan. Know your physical address. Identify your closest exits. Take a first aid course. Consider taking CPR in addition to first aid. Know what chemicals are found in your home or workplace. Keep emergency phone numbers posted near the phone. Wear a medical ID tag if you have a chronic health condition.

https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Self-Sabotage-when-You-Feel-Unloved

How to Avoid Self Sabotage when You Feel Unloved

If you're feeling unloved, you might engage in self-sabotaging behaviors, but you can break out of this cycle by developing your self-worth. When you feel rejected by a loved one, spend time with positive people who can lift you up. You can also find creative outlets, like drawing or singing, to help you feel better. Work on overcoming your feelings of rejection by spreading love to others. Try volunteering at a local community center, school, or church to help lift your mood, make connections, and spend your time in a meaningful way. If you're still struggling, consider seeing a therapist to help you uncover the root cause of some of your feelings.

Resist the temptation to self-medicate. When you feel emotional pain such as rejection from a loved one, you may be drawn to practices that allow you to numb your feelings. Feeling unloved can create both anxiety and depression, and you may try to treat these uncomfortable feelings on your own by using alcohol and drugs. Self-medication with substances may help you escape painful emotions in the short-term, but doing so can escalate into addiction, causing an even greater problem in the long-term. Some people may also self-medicate with other practices, such as binge-eating on comfort foods, shopping excessively, or having sex with various people to numb undesirable emotions. If you notice yourself engaging in unsafe or unhealthy behaviors, reach out to a friend or a professional counselor for support. Spend time with positive influences. There's a saying that you are the sum of the five people closest to you. If those near and dear to you engage in unhealthy, self-destructive behaviors like using alcohol or drugs, engaging in risky sex, or gambling, you are more prone to do the same. Carefully choosing your social group can make all the difference in the type of behaviors you do regularly. Make the choice to remove negative influences from your life. Highlight those relationships that influence you to make positive decisions like going to work or school, setting goals, and treating your body well. If you don't have any positive influences, open yourself up to making new friends. If you find that some people around you are negative influences, tell them, "I'm sorry, but we're going to have to stop spending time together. I have been making unhealthy choices and I need to reevaluate many of my relationships." Find creative outlets for pain. Rather than turning to self-sabotaging behaviors, use your emotional pain for good by getting creative. Exercising your inner creativity can help you channel negative feelings like rejection, disappointment, or hatred into positive activities like writing, painting, music, drama or any other art form. Being creative can help you heal from feeling unloved and decrease feelings of stress or anxiety. Use your emotional pain as a stimulus to draw a picture or write a song. Get out a fresh piece of paper and write a story. Or, you can turn on some soothing music and dance out what you are feeling inside. Challenge negative thought patterns. Sometimes the script running through your head all day can contribute to your mood. If you are thinking negative thoughts like “Nobody cares about me” or “I will be alone forever,” then your self-talk is steering you down a dark and depressed path. How you interpret situations and the world around you can make a big difference on how you feel. Learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts in order to stop self-sabotaging behaviors. If you notice yourself feeling particularly low or blue, try to think back to what you have been telling yourself in your head. Your thoughts are probably negative. For example, if you say “Nobody cares about me” because none of your friends or family called you, you can challenge the evidence surrounding this thought. Perform reality testing by asking yourself if your thoughts are facts or just your own interpretations. If you can think of one person who does seem to care for you, then you automatically cancel out the validity of the statement. Reframe negative thoughts to make them more positive and realistic. You might say, “Sometimes, I feel like nobody cares for me. Maybe if I called my loved ones instead of waiting on them to call, I wouldn't feel like this.” Ask for support when you need it. Often we might complain that no one seems to be there for us, but we don't actually make requests of loved ones. If you are guilty of wishing friends or family would reach out to you, but never taking the initiative, it's time to change that. Don't expect others to read your mind. If you want company, ask for it. If you need a hug, tell someone. You can simply say to a friend, “Jessica, I've been feeling very lonely and unloved lately. Can we make plans together this weekend to hang out? I could use some company?” Look for shared similarities. If you are always pointing out the differences between yourself and others, then you are making it hard to belong. When you stop paying attention to differences and focus on common ground, you will find more people with whom you can potentially connect. Find your tribe by challenging yourself to get out more. Join a book club based on your favorite genre. Participate in a local Meetup of singles in your age group. Take a Pilates class at your community gym. When you enter these social situations look for similarities between you and others. Then, point them out to start conversations. You might say, “Ooh, I love your gym bag! It matches my leggings! Where'd you get it?” Aim for greater empathy. Empathy is basically the ability to experience what another person is experiencing, or walking in their shoes. When you are able to adequately understand the feelings and perspectives of others, you will feel more connected to the larger whole of humanity. Instead of simply focusing on feeling unloved, strive to show more love and compassion to others through empathy. Start by improving your listening skills. Too frequently, we listen to reply rather than understand. When you are engaged in a conversation, orient towards the other person and make occasional eye contact. Eliminate distractions and fully focus on the other person's message. Try to imagine what they must be feeling based on their words. Mirror their emotional state by saying “Hmmm” or “Aww” as is appropriate. Then, summarize what you heard by saying “It sounds like you had a really rough time…” After attending to their emotions and clarifying that you received the intended message, you may share your own response. Volunteer. There is no better way to feel a part of the bigger picture than when you are lending a helping hand to those in need. In addition to allowing you to gain a sense of belonging, volunteering also gives you the chance to make a difference in your community. Community service also lifts your mood, helps you forge connections with others, and helps you spend your time in a meaningful way. Overcome your feelings of rejection and being unloved by spreading love to others. Sign up at a local civic center, church, nursing home, or school to help those in need. Identify your personal strengths. Cultivate a positive self-worth by figuring out your best qualities. Your personal strengths are the abilities, talents, and skills you have that make you an asset to the world around you. When you know what your strengths are you have a higher self-esteem and you feel more capable of managing life's problems. Make a list of personal strengths that you think may be used to describe you. These may include “loyal,” “intelligent,” or “compassionate.” If you have trouble coming up with ideas, ask a parent, teacher or close friend to give you some suggestions of strengths they see you demonstrate on a daily basis. You might also take a survey such as the VIA Character Strengths survey. Are you creative? Curious? Loving? Humble? A quiz or survey can inspire you. Create objective goals and work towards them. Goal attainment is another route to developing a stronger sense of self-worth. When you feel like you are moving towards something meaningful in your future, you are less likely to sabotage your progress with destructive habits. Plus, accomplishing goals creates a domino effect that will improve your mood and relationships, too. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. For example, if you plan to learn a new language, you might say “I want to learn to speak intermediate Spanish within the next 6 months.” Then, you will devise a plan to reach that goal like listening to Spanish tapes, taking a course, and interacting with native Spanish-speakers. Promote your passions. Doing what you love can go a long way towards encouraging self-worthiness and a brighter mood overall. Think about activities you enjoy and build your days and weeks around doing them. Over time, you will notice that you are starting to live a more purposeful, happier life. Do you like building things? Start a new DIY project to build a piece of furniture for your home. Other hobbies may include writing, archery, gardening, bowling, or graphic design. A hobby can be virtually anything, and you can increase your love of the activity by joining a group of others who do it, too. This creates a sense of belonging and worthiness to help improve your outlook on life. Trying something new can also be helpful. Take up a brand new hobby or activity – this will get your creative juices flowing, challenge you, and teach you some new things. You may be surprised at what you learn. Nurture your body with a proper diet and exercise. You can enhance your self-worth through self-care. Of course, you already know that you should be consuming a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. But, you may not know how these factors play into your perception of yourself and the world around you. When you nourish your body with healthy foods and stay active, you will feel more positive about your life and your relationships. When you feel bad about yourself, you may eat unhealthy foods and skip the gym. Show support for your body by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Go for a walk around your local park. Throw a ball to your dog. Or, ask a friend to join you on a cycling adventure. See a therapist. A professional mental health therapist can help you identify the source of your negative emotions and develop healthy skills to lead a more satisfying life. Your self-worth may have been jeopardized by unhealthy relationships or abuse from your past. Talking about these experiences in a unbiased and supportive context can lead to healing. One recognized form of therapy for those who self-sabotage is dialectical behavior therapy. This treatment approach is directed at gaining a better understanding of your feelings in order to build skills that help you stop problematic behaviors. You may work with your therapist to prevent overeating, stop risky sexual activities, and establish healthy relational patterns. Another is cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT will help you identify beliefs that fuel your self-worth. Once you identify those beliefs, you can explore their origins and validity and eventually replace them with thoughts and beliefs that are true. Determine if you require medication for depression. Self-sabotage is prominent in people who feel depressed but do not know how to express or improve their emotions. If feeling unloved has led to depressive symptoms, you need to see a doctor. Depression may manifest as a loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, withdrawing from loved ones, having trouble eating or sleeping, and feeling hopeless. A certain class of prescribed medications known as antidepressants are effective at improve depressive symptoms. This may be advisable if therapy alone does not improve your symptoms. Take part in a support group. Support is imperative for anyone struggling with mental illness. It's vital to build a network of health care providers and loved one who are there for you as you heal. However, meeting with other people who have gone through what you are going through can also be comforting. Ask your mental health provider about support groups for people who are struggling with the same issues as you. Attending these groups can help you learn how others cope with feeling unloved and help you gain a sense of belonging in a supportive group.

Resist the temptation to self-medicate. Spend time with positive influences. Find creative outlets for pain. Challenge negative thought patterns. Ask for support when you need it. Look for shared similarities. Aim for greater empathy. Volunteer. Identify your personal strengths. Create objective goals and work towards them. Promote your passions. Nurture your body with a proper diet and exercise. See a therapist. Determine if you require medication for depression. Take part in a support group.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Flavored-Water

How to Make Flavored Water

To make flavored water, slice citrus fruits into rounds and leave them in cold water for at least 3 hours. If you want to flavor your water with berries, crush them up, add them to cold water, and allow them to infuse for 3 hours. For a cucumber concoction, slice the cucumber into thin circles and add them to water to steep overnight. You can also infuse your water with spices by adding cinnamon, freshly grated ginger, or vanilla extract to a pitcher of cold water.

Make citrus water. Wash 1–3 citrus fruits per quart (liter). Slice into thin rounds and leave in cold water for at least three hours. If you plan to leave it in longer for more intense flavor, cut off the rinds first to avoid bitter flavors. See below for a step-by-step guide covering all fruit and herb recipes. Try adding ¼ cup (60mL) mint or basil leaves. Flavor with strawberries or raspberries. Use about 1 cup (240mL) fruit per quart (liter) water. Fresh berries won't infuse well until they're crushed with a wooden spoon. Frozen berries are already broken, but you may crush further to speed things up. Infuse for three hours or more, then strain. This combines well with the juice of half a lemon. Create a cucumber concoction. Slice a cucumber into thin rounds and add to a pitcher of water. Let steep overnight, then drink within a day or two. Optionally, cut the whole cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the pulp before slicing. Enhance this mild flavor with three or four slices of lemon or cubes of pineapple. Mix blackberry and sage. This sophisticated combination is subtle but delicious. Try 1 cup (240mL) blackberries per quart (liter), plus a handful of sage leaves. Infuse with apple. Apple and other hard fruits don't seep flavor as quickly as others. Slice very thinly and infuse for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. An hour before serving, transfer to room temperature for added flavor. Select your fruit. Follow one of the recipes above, or just choose your favorite fruit. You can play around with the amounts, but start with several small fruits per quart (liter), or 1–2 cups (240–480mL) berries or cubed fruit. Fresh fruit in season has the best flavor. Frozen fruit won't look as attractive, but may have more flavor than out-of-season fresh fruit. Wash fruit thoroughly. Rub all fresh fruit thoroughly under cool, running water. Since the peel will be sitting in the water, scrubbing contaminants off the surface is extra important. If the fruit is not organic, consider peeling it to remove pesticides on the surface. This is not necessary for frozen fruit. Slice into wedges or rounds. Rounds will infuse more quickly on their own if they are weighed down underneath ice cubes. Wedges may not add much flavor unless you muddle the fruit as described below. Slice rounds in half for a narrow pitcher. No slicing is necessary for berries or cubed fruit. Add to cold water. Drop your fruit into a pitcher of chilled or room temperature water. If you dislike the taste of your tap water, put it through a filtration device before adding fruit. Hot water will infuse with flavor more quickly, but turns the fruit into mush and may destroy some nutrients. Muddle gently (optional). Crushing the fruit will speed up the infusion significantly, but you may end up with a murky, pulpy mixture. For a more attractive pitcher, squeeze some of the juice out using a wooden spoon handle, pressing and twisting but not pulverizing the fruit completely. Leave the fruit untouched if you can wait a few hours. Alternatively, leave whole slices in for decoration, but squeeze in the juice of one fruit to add more flavor. To flavor a single glass of water for immediate drinking, pulverize the fruit with a muddling stick. Add a handful of herbs (optional). Mint and basil are the most common options, but you can use rosemary, sage, or just about any other herb. Rinse the leaves, then rub them between clean hands to bruise them slightly before adding to the water. You can add dried herbs, but place them in a tea strainer so they don't leave fragments in the drink. Add ice (optional). Besides chilling the water, ice weighs down fruit that floats to the top and filters out some of the fruit pieces while pouring. Wait for infusion. Chill the water in the refrigerator for 3–4 hours, or up to 12 hours for extra-potent flavor. To avoid bacteria and unpleasant flavors, strain out ingredients after 12 hours and drink within three days. Stir before serving. The water will infuse faster at room temperature, but also decompose faster. Steep for 1–2 hours, and drink within 4–5 hours of mixing. Combine with tea. Let your fruit sit in the same pitcher as a tea bag or tea strainer. Keep this at room temperature, so the tea infuses without overpowering the other flavors. Steep for 1–3 hours, remove tea, and drink immediately. Try these recipes, adding each one to a quart (liter) of water: Black tea bag, three mandarin oranges, four basil leaves, black tea bag Two green tea bags, ½ mango (sliced), ¼ cup (60mL) strawberries Infuse with spices. Add a stick of cinnamon, a tablespoon (15mL) fresh grated ginger, and/or ¼ tsp (1 mL) vanilla extract. These work particularly well in tangy recipes. Try the following: ½ cup (120mL) cubed pineapple, ½ sliced orange, 1 tbsp (15mL) grated ginger 1 cup (240mL) blueberries, ¼ tsp (1 mL) vanilla extract Replace regular water with seltzer. Make your own soda replacement with low sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Mix in coconut water. Replace ¼ of your water with coconut water. Try infusing with peaches or honeydew melon. You may use coconut milk instead, but the thicker, richer drink may be more difficult to balance with fruit.

Make citrus water. Flavor with strawberries or raspberries. Create a cucumber concoction. Mix blackberry and sage. Infuse with apple. Select your fruit. Wash fruit thoroughly. Slice into wedges or rounds. Add to cold water. Muddle gently (optional). Add a handful of herbs (optional). Add ice (optional). Wait for infusion. Combine with tea. Infuse with spices. Replace regular water with seltzer. Mix in coconut water.

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Powerball

How to Play Powerball

To play Powerball, start by selecting 5 numbers between 1 and 69, which will be the white balls in the drawing, and 1 number between 1 and 26, which will be the red ball. Then, after the drawing, compare the numbers you chose to the winning numbers. If all of your numbers match, including all the white balls and the red ball, you win the jackpot! However, you can still win smaller prizes even if only some of your numbers match. For example, if you match the red ball and 3 of the white balls, you win $100 USD!

Know where (and to whom) Powerball tickets are sold. In 43 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Powerball tickets are available at authorized lottery retailers, which means they are usually found at the same places that most other lottery tickets are - drugstores, gas stations, and grocery stores. The game can be played by anyone over the age of 18. You don't have to be a resident of a Powerball state to play if you purchase your ticket in a Powerball state. You don't even have to be a U.S. citizen to play and win the Powerball. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen and you win a substantial jackpot, the IRS deducts a flat rate of 30% from your winnings. U.S. citizens are subject to different rules. Powerball tickets are not sold in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Alabama, and Mississippi. These states prohibit lotteries by law. Finally, Powerball tickets cannot be purchased via mail or the internet, except from the website of Powerball's recommended lottery ticket service, which purchases legal tickets on your behalf. Know when drawings occur. Official Powerball drawings occur every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Powerball ticket sales cut off at least 59 minutes before each drawing, though they may occur earlier. When you buy a Powerball ticket at the store, unless you pay for multiple drawings, it is only valid for the next drawing. In other words, if your Powerball ticket doesn't win, it's not eligible to win in future drawings, unless you specifically pay for multiple drawings. The more drawings that occur without a jackpot winner, the higher the jackpot gets. Jackpots start at a minimum of $40 million and increase each time a drawing occurs without a jackpot winner. Current drawing results are posted to the top of the USA Mega Millions and Powerball website. Most places where Powerball tickets are sold will also post the most recent draws. Understand how Powerball is played. Powerball is played by selecting six numbers - five numbers between 1-69 and one number between 1-26. Each number is on a special ball that is randomly selected by a machine during the drawing. Your ultimate goal is to match every number selected perfectly, which will win you the jackpot. However, there are other winning combinations of numbers that will win smaller prizes (which can be quite lucrative in their own right). Your first five numbers don't have to be in the same order as the balls that are drawn. Winning numbers win regardless of the order they're listed in. However, the final Powerball number must match exactly - none of the first five numbers can count toward it. The number of balls and the odds change regularly. They are current as of January 2016. Know Powerball's prize-winning combinations. If the numbers you picked match the numbers drawn in any one of nine combinations, you can collect your winnings. Note that the prize amounts below represent base values - Power Play prizes are subject to a 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x multiplier, selected at random (except for Jackpots, which aren't multiplied, and prizes for matching five white balls, which will only double). The winning combinations are: Matching only the red ball: $4 winnings Matching the red ball and one white ball: $4 Matching the red ball and two white balls: $7 Matching three white balls: $7 Matching the red ball and three white balls: $100 Matching four white balls: $100 Matching the red ball and four white balls: $10,000 Matching five white balls: $1,000,000 Matching the red ball and five white balls: Jackpot! Note: prizes differ in California because state law requires lottery prizes to be awarded on a pari-mutuel basis. Get a ticket. Single Powerball tickets cost $2 a piece. In every state except California, you also have the option to play “Power Play”. Power Play is an add-on to the ticket price that increases your winnings for all non-jackpot prizes should you win. As of January 2014, prizes for winning tickets with the Power Play add-on are subject to a 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x multiplier, selected at random before each drawing. For instance, a $4 prize would become either $8, $12, $16, or $20 with Power Play. This option costs $1 extra. The Power Play option is unavailable in California because state laws require that lottery prizes be paid on a pari-mutuel basis. This means that lottery prizes can't be set at absolute values, but must fluctuate based on the number of tickets sold and the amount of winning tickets. Fill out your ticket. Though Powerball tickets will vary slightly from state to state, the basic method for filling a ticket out is the same everywhere. On your ticket, you'll need to specify the numbers you want to bet on, the number of drawings you want, and whether or not you want the Power Play option. Follow the guidelines below for filling out a basic ticket: Fill in the spaces for five numbers from 1-69 and one number from 1-26. Usually, Powerball tickets are divided into multiple sections called "boards" which have rows of multiple-choice style bubbles to fill in to choose your numbers. Each board essentially counts as one $2 ticket. In other words, for $2, you can fill out one board on the ticket and bet on a single set of numbers. Each subsequent board filled out costs $2 more but allows you to bet on an additional set of numbers. Indicate for each board whether you'd like the "Power Play" option. Each board (except in California) should have a space that allows you to buy a Power Play for your set of numbers. For random numbers, fill in the QP space instead of your numbers. "QP" stands for "Quick Pick" - this lets a computer randomly choose numbers for you. Choose how many drawings you want. Most tickets have a "Multidraw" section that allows you to pay for multiple drawings. For instance, if you want to bet on your numbers for two back-to-back drawings, fill in the "2" space. Each subsequent drawing costs as much as an additional ticket. If you make an error on any board, fill in the "VOID" space for that board. Don't try to erase - instead, mark the board void and fill your numbers in on another board. When you're finished, pay for your ticket. The clerk will calculate the price of your ticket based on how many boards and Power Plays you've selected. For example, if we play 5 draws on one board with a Power Play and 5 without, we would pay 5 × 3 + 5 × 2 = $25. Alternatively, ask the clerk for a Quick Pick ticket. If you don't wish to fill out a lengthy Powerball ticket by hand or you don't care which numbers you bet on, you can usually ask for a Quick Pick ticket instead of the normal Powerball ticket. In this case, a computer will randomly choose your numbers for you as if you had filled in the "QP" space for a board on the normal ticket. If you win, collect your winnings. Small prizes can be claimed directly from the vendor you bought the ticket from, while larger prizes require official verification. If your winnings are less than $600, simply go to the lottery retailer with your ticket to claim your winnings. If your winnings are over $600, go to a lottery district office to present your ticket. The precise procedures for claiming large prizes differ from state to state - you may need to fill out a claim form, etc. Powerball tickets do expire. The time window you have to claim a prize differs from state to state - from 90 days to a full year. If you can't make it to the vendor or lottery office for some reason (for instance, if you've left the state you bought the ticket in), it's legal to mail your ticket to the state lottery office. Powerball provides a map that links you to state lottery pages, which will have more specific information about claiming prizes in your state. For jackpot prizes, choose a payout option. Congratulations, you won the jackpot! The only question remaining before you retire is this: how would you like your money? Powerball jackpot winners have two options for receiving their cash - they can receive the entire prize at once in a lump sum , or they can receive it as an annuity - in other words, in yearly installments. Choosing which prize to take is a complicated decision that will differ based on your personal financial situation. Taking the cash as a lump sum will give you lots of money up front, so it may be a good idea if you have a dream purchase or investment you'd like to make immediately. The annuity option invests the cash winnings, gives you your first installment immediately, then gives subsequent payments each year for 30 years (plus interest), which is a better situation for long-term stability. Note that Powerball winnings are subject to federal and/or state income taxes. Because of this, the annuity option will net you more money in the long term - not only will you receive interest on your winnings, but each year you'll only have to pay taxes on about 1/30th of your total prize, meaning more of your prize will be taxed at a lower bracket. On the other hand, with a large lump sum payment, you can expect to pay up to about half of your winnings in taxes, depending on your state's income tax rules. Understand Powerball odds. Like any lottery, Powerball's jackpot odds are very slim. Many avid Powerball players consider the excitement of going against the odds to be part of the fun. To make an educated decision when buying Powerball tickets, consult the official odds listed below, which are for a single random $2 ticket: Matching only the red ball: 1 in 38.32 Matching the red ball and one white ball: 1 in 91.98 Matching the red ball and two white balls: 1 in 701.33 Matching three white balls: 1 in 579.76 Matching the red ball and three white balls: 1 in 14,494.11 Matching four white balls: 1 in 36,525.17 Matching the red ball and four white balls: 1 in 913,129.18 Matching five white balls: 1 in 11,688,053.52 Matching the red ball and five white balls: 1 in 292,201,338.00 Overall odds of winning any prize at all: 1 in 24.87

Know where (and to whom) Powerball tickets are sold. Know when drawings occur. Understand how Powerball is played. Know Powerball's prize-winning combinations. Get a ticket. Fill out your ticket. Alternatively, ask the clerk for a Quick Pick ticket. If you win, collect your winnings. For jackpot prizes, choose a payout option. Understand Powerball odds.

https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Heat-Transfer-Vinyl

How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl

To apply heat transfer vinyl, start by heating a clothes iron to the temperature indicated on the vinyl's packaging. Next, lay your design onto the fabric, shiny side up. Then, press the iron onto your design for 15 seconds, move on to the next section, and repeat until the entire image has been covered. Finally, peel off the vinyl image and enjoy your new product!

Choose and purchase vinyl. There are many colors and patterns to choose from. Look online for vinyl, or visit your local craft store to get a better idea of what the vinyl will truly look like. Consider bringing fabric samples with you, to make sure your vinyl color will be visible. Make sure you purchase a vinyl compatible with the fabric you want to use. Some vinyls are only for cotton, others work best on spandex. Design your own image using computer software. You can use a program like Photoshop or its free alternatives such as Gimp, Seashore, and Pixlr. Choose bold, easy to read fonts when adding letters to your design. Consider how much room you will have on the fabric you are transferring onto. For example, if your design is for a baseball hat, you might want to keep it simple, and not add too much information in it. Choose pre-printed vinyl designs if you don’t have design software. You can purchase vinyl designs online and in stores. Reverse your design. It is very important to remember is to reverse the image, so that it does not come out backwards on your final product. Most software will have an option to “mirror” the image, if not, use edit tools like “flip horizontal” or “flip vertical” to make sure you print your design as a mirror image of what you want. If you're using words, make sure the letters are backwards, for example, “love” should read as “evol” in your design Similarly, make sure individual letters are backwards. Run you're design through according to the instructions of your cutter. If you are using a specialty cutter, remember that with most machines, you will need to feed the vinyl dull-side-up. Print your image directly on the vinyl if you do not have a cutter. You may need to cut the vinyl sheet down to the size of printer paper. Make sure your image prints on the back, the dull side, of your vinyl. Alternatively, print your image on paper and then use artists tape to tape down the paper to the vinyl, and the vinyl to your work surface. Cut out your design by hand if you are not using a cutter. Place your vinyl on a workspace shiny side down. Using an exacto knife, or precision scissors, carefully follow the stencil you have printed out. Take breaks to make sure you are cutting all the way through the first layer, but not cutting through the entire vinyl. You can also use a paper puncher or a die-cut machine to make fast shapes. Peel your vinyl. Carefully peel away the clear layer of the vinyl, making sure not to rip any part of your image. Peel away everything that is not part of your final design. "Weed" your design with sharp tools like a pointed needle and exacto knife. Weeding is when you remove small parts of your image's negative space. Use the sharp points of your tools to pick up small areas and peel them off more easily. Heat a clothes iron to the temperature written on your vinyl's packaging. It is also good to prepare your fabric by running your iron over it to get out all wrinkles and moisture. Lay your design onto the fabric, this time shiny side up. It should be positioned how you want it to look in your final product. Press your iron onto your design, hard, for about 15 seconds. Move along to the next section of your design, and press for another 15 seconds, making sure each part of the vinyl gets ironed on! Do not hastily rub the iron over the vinyl as if you were ironing an item of clothing quickly, you do not want to accidentally wrinkle the vinyl. Peel off the carrier sheet. Read the instructions that came with your vinyl, some require that you peel off the carrier sheet once your project has cooled, others should be peeled off right away. Wash your new item inside out using cold water. Do not wash your item for 24 hours after applying the heat transfer vinyl. Follow the care label of the item, but do not bring it to the dry cleaner, the chemicals used are too harsh. Dry your item with low or no heat, and iron your vinyl item carefully. Again, turn the fabric inside-out, and tumble dry on low heat. Alternatively, you can lay your item flat to dry, or line dry it. Use teflon sheet paper over the vinyl when ironing, or turn the item inside-out, and use low heat on the iron. Fix areas that are peeling off with an iron and teflon paper. If your vinyl is peeling off, iron the peeling parts back on with the same heat setting you used for that vinyl before, placing teflon paper over the vinyl beforehand. Press for 15-20 seconds.

Choose and purchase vinyl. Design your own image using computer software. Choose pre-printed vinyl designs if you don’t have design software. Reverse your design. Run you're design through according to the instructions of your cutter. Print your image directly on the vinyl if you do not have a cutter. Cut out your design by hand if you are not using a cutter. Peel your vinyl. "Weed" your design with sharp tools like a pointed needle and exacto knife. Heat a clothes iron to the temperature written on your vinyl's packaging. Lay your design onto the fabric, this time shiny side up. Press your iron onto your design, hard, for about 15 seconds. Peel off the carrier sheet. Wash your new item inside out using cold water. Dry your item with low or no heat, and iron your vinyl item carefully. Fix areas that are peeling off with an iron and teflon paper.

https://www.wikihow.com/Screen-Print-at-Home

How to Screen Print at Home

To screen print at home, start by coating the mesh screen with a layer of photo emulsion, and letting it dry under a light in a dark space, like a closet. Then, place your stencil on the screen in reverse, since you'll be flipping it over when you start printing. Next, place the screen under a light source for the recommended time on your emulsion bottle, then wash off the emulsion with cold water. Afterwards, line up the screen above the object you're printing on, squeegee the ink over the stencil, and slowly pull off the screen to reveal your design..

Purchase a canvas stretcher frame at a craft or art supplies store. These are basic, inexpensive frames made of wood for mounting a canvas. For a little more money you can purchase an aluminum frame that will last longer, as repeated washing will warp a wooden canvas. Many art stores now sell pre-made silkscreens as well, so you could purchase a standard screen if you don't want to make a custom one. Ensure that your frame is big enough for your design. If you don't know your design yet, or want a versatile frame for multiple designs, aim for 12x18" at the minimum. Purchase your mesh. You want a nice, fine mesh that allows the ink to pass onto the shirt, paper, or design. Mesh-count measures how loose or tight the mesh is, where higher numbers indicate a tighter mesh. The tighter the mesh, the more intricate your details can be. Mesh count is the number of threads in one square inch. For the classic "athletic" or collegiate print that looks worn/speckled, aim for a loose 85 mesh count. For a "do-it-all" mesh, aim for 110-130 mesh count. For paper or plastic printing, go for a mesh count near 200-250. In general, lighter colored objects work best with higher mesh counts. So if you're doing white paper, aim from 230-250. Staple the mesh into the frame. Make sure you pull the screen tight before you start stapling. You want it to be as taut as possible without ripping. Stretch the mesh across the frame and staple around the wood every 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm.). You will likely need an electric staple gun to securely adhere the mesh. You can also use framing nails. Create a stencil of your design. Silkscreens can only apply one color at a time, so create a simple shape or outline to begin learning. Whatever you draw will eventually be the inked part of the print. To make your own print, you need: Poster board, thin cardboard, or other thick & sturdy paper. Pencil X-acto knife or another precision knife Know the artistic limitations and challenges of screen-printed designs. Screen printing isn't difficult, as what you draw is exactly what you get on the final print. However, there are certain principles and limitations to screen printing that you should know as you design your print: You can only print 1 color at a time. High contrast images (like black on white) work the best, as you cannot use shading. For complex designs, you need to make multiple prints, one for each color, and layer them after the ink has dried. Sketch your design onto the poster board. Sketch out the blocks of your design. You can upload photos or other images into photo editing software as well and use those. To do so, reduce the drawing to a basic two-tone outline then print it. To make a stencil on Photoshop, for example, you would take a black and white image and click Image → Adjustments → Threshold, then set it up near the highest it can be. Cut the design out as a stencil. Everything that you cut away will be un-inked on the final print, and everything covered by the stencil will be covered in ink. For example, imagine you are printing the red logo of a bulls-eye on a white t-shirt. When you cut out the stencil, all of the rings that you cut away will be white, and all of the rings that are covered by the stencil will be red. Alternatively, draw your design on transparent paper. For complex prints, it can be very difficult to cut out the entire outline. In this case, use thick black ink on transparent paper to make your stencil. Your stencil or drawing needs to block light, as this is what etches the design into the screen and allows you to print. Everything covered by a stencil or black ink will not get exposed to light, leaving it "open" and allowing ink to pass onto the shirt or item. Coat your silk screen with a thin layer of photo emulsion. Pour a line of emulsion along a side of the screen and use the squeegee to spread a thin line along the entire screen. Photo emulsion reacts to light, hardening when exposed, so anything not covered by your stencil will turn into a barrier preventing ink from getting through. Apply emulsion to the flat side of the frame, not the side surrounded by wood. Do this in as dark a room as possible to prevent the emulsion from hardening before you're ready. Let the emulsion dry in a dark space. Expose it to as little light as you can. A closet or bathroom will work well, as long as you can close some curtains Set up an "exposure area" while waiting for the emulsion to dry. You'll need to expose the emulsion to a direct, strong light to prepare it. Following the specification on the photo emulsion bottle, set up a light above your flat black surface. Each emulsion has different times, watts, and distances needed for proper hardening, so be sure to read the bottle before beginning. The lamp should always be 1-2 feet above the emulsion. If the emulsion calls for 30 minutes at 200 watts, set up a lamp with a 200W bulb 1-2 feet above a table. The screen goes under the light. Place your screen under the light in the exposure area. As you're moving the screen, cover it with a towel so it does not react to incidental light. Place it under the lamp in your station, leaving the towel on for now. Put your stencil backwards on the middle of the screen. The screen should be emulsion side up. The mesh will be lifted a few inches off the table and resting on the frame. Place your stencil in the middle of the screen with 4-5 inches of space between the design and the edge of the frame. You must place your stencil down in reverse to get the right image. Look at your stencil the way you want it, then flip it over before you put it down. Otherwise, you will get a mirror image when you start printing. If there is a breeze, or your stencil is very light, place a clear piece of glass on top of it to keep it from moving. Do not push, prod, or move your screen, light, or stencil once it is placed and set. Turn on the light for the recommended time. Simply follow the instructions on your emulsion bottle and remove the screen when it is done. When it is done, remove the stencil and set it aside for later. If you smell anything burning during this process, turn off the light immediately. If you prepared the emulsion correctly, you should see the faint outline of your stencil in the emulsion when the design is removed. Blast off the emulsion with cold water. Take any high-powered water source (shower, faucet, hose) and wash off the screen, focusing on your image. The water will wash away the unhardened emulsion around your design. You should see the outline of your stencil appear. Keep on spraying until you can see your image well. Let the screen dry before moving on to the next step. Line up your screen above the object you're printing on. The mesh should be touching whatever you're printing on, like paper or a shirt. If you're using a shirt, slide some cardboard between the layers of the shirt to prevent the ink from bleeding through. Squeegee some ink over your design. Put a thin line of ink just above your design. Then drag the squeegee over your design firmly, coating the entire stencil in ink. The harder you press the darker your image will be. Slowly pull off your silkscreen. Pull the screen off the t-shirt/paper with even pressure, then hang the shirt up to dry. Your design will be printed. Repeat with as many shirts as you want, cleaning the screen occasionally. You can use your silkscreen again with another t-shirt if you want, adding more ink as necessary. Simply wipe down the backside after every shirt and reapply ink. If you're using the same print for multiple days in a row, rinse and dry it at the end of each day.

Purchase a canvas stretcher frame at a craft or art supplies store. Purchase your mesh. Staple the mesh into the frame. Create a stencil of your design. Know the artistic limitations and challenges of screen-printed designs. Sketch your design onto the poster board. Cut the design out as a stencil. Alternatively, draw your design on transparent paper. Coat your silk screen with a thin layer of photo emulsion. Let the emulsion dry in a dark space. Set up an "exposure area" while waiting for the emulsion to dry. Place your screen under the light in the exposure area. Put your stencil backwards on the middle of the screen. Turn on the light for the recommended time. Blast off the emulsion with cold water. Line up your screen above the object you're printing on. Squeegee some ink over your design. Slowly pull off your silkscreen. Repeat with as many shirts as you want, cleaning the screen occasionally.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Bioplastic

How to Make Bioplastic

The easiest way to make bioplastic is to combine 10mL of distilled water, 1 mL of white vinegar, 1.5 grams of cornstarch, and 0.5 grams of glycerol in a pot and stir. Boil the mixture until it becomes clear and thick, then pour it onto parchment paper in the shape you want. Let the mixture cool for 2 days or until fully hardened, then use!

Gather the necessary materials. To make this type of bioplastic, you will need cornstarch, distilled water, glycerol, white vinegar, a stove, a saucepan, a silicone spatula, and food coloring (if desired). These items should be readily available at the grocery store or online. Glycerol is also called glycerine, so try searching for that if you're having trouble finding glycerol. The following amounts of each ingredient are needed to make the bioplastic: 10ml distilled water 0.5-1.5g glycerol 1.5g cornstarch 1ml of white vinegar 1-2 drops food coloring Adult supervision is recommended. Combine all of the ingredients and stir together. Add all of the ingredients to the saucepan and stir to combine with the spatula. Stir until you get rid of most of the lumps in the mixture. At this stage, the mixture will be a milky white color and quite watery. If you add the wrong amounts of ingredients, just dispose of the mixture and start again. Heat on medium-low. Place the saucepan on the stove and set the heat to medium-low. Stir continuously as the mixture heats. Bring it to a gentle boil. As the mixture heats, it will become more translucent and begin to thicken. Remove the mixture from the heat when it becomes clear and thick. Total heating time will be around 10-15 minutes. Lumps may begin to form if the mixture gets overheated. Add one-two drops of food coloring at this stage, if you would like to color the plastic. Pour the mixture onto foil or parchment paper. Spread the heated mixture onto a piece of foil or parchment paper to let it cool. If you would like to mold the plastic into a shape, it must be done while it is still warm. See the last method for details on molding the plastic. Remove any bubbles that you see by poking them with a toothpick. Allow the plastic to dry for at least two days. It will take time for the plastic to dry and harden. As it cools, it will begin to dry out. Depending on the thickness of the plastic, it can take longer for it to dry. If you make one small thick piece it will take longer to dry than a thinner larger piece. Leave the plastic in a cool, dry place for this process. Check the plastic after two days to see if it has fully hardened. Gather the necessary materials. To make this type of bioplastic, you will need gelatin or agar powder, glycerol, hot water, a saucepan, a stove, a spatula, and a candy thermometer. These ingredients should be readily available at your local grocery store. Remember, glycerol is also known as glycerine, so look for that if you can't find glycerol. You will need the following amounts of each ingredient: 3g (½ tsp) glycerol 12g (4 tsp) gelatin or agar 60ml (¼ cup) hot water Food coloring (optional) Agar is a substance derived from algae that can be used in place of gelatin to make the bioplastic vegan friendly Stir together all of the ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients in the saucepan and stir until there are no clumps left. You may need to use a whisk to disperse all of the clumps. Place the saucepan on the stove and start heating the mixture on medium-high heat. If you want to color your plastic, you can add a few drops of food coloring at this step. Heat the mixture to 95°C (203°F) or until it begins to froth. Put the candy thermometer into the mixture and monitor the temperature until it reaches approximately 95°C (203°F) or begins to froth. If the mixture begins to froth before it reaches temperature, that is okay. Remove it from the heat when it either reaches temperature or starts frothing. Continue to stir the mixture while it is heating up. Pour the plastic onto a smooth surface covered with foil or parchment paper. After you remove the pan from the heat source, you will need to remove any excessive froth. Spoon it out before pouring the plastic out of the pan. Stir everything to remove all clumps from the plastic. If you just want to make plastic for fun, pour the mixture out onto a smooth surface. Make sure the surface is covered with foil or parchment paper so the plastic can be removed easily. If you want to mold the plastic into a specific shape, you will need to do it during this step. Refer to the last method on molding for more details and help. Leave the plastic to harden for at least two days. The amount of time it will take the plastic to harden is dependent upon how thick the piece is. Generally, it will take at least two days for it to fully dry out and harden. You can make this process go a little faster by using a blow dryer on the plastic. It's easiest to leave the plastic undisturbed for a few days so it can dry on its own. Once the plastic hardens, it can no longer be molded or shaped. If you want to shape it, you must do it while it is still warm and moldable. Make a mold for the plastic. A mold is the negative of a shape that you would like to make. You can make a cast of an object you would like to reproduce by sculpting two pieces of clay around the object. When the clay dries, remove the two pieces. If you fill each half with the liquid plastic and then put the halves together, you can make a copy of that object. You can also use a cookie cutter to cut shapes out of the plastic while it is still warm. An alternative to making your own mold, is to purchase a mold at a craft or hobby shop. Pour the hot plastic into the mold. Once you have a mold, you can use it to make more objects. While the plastic is still hot, pour it into the mold. Make sure that the plastic gets into the entire mold and try pop bubbles by lightly tapping the mold on the counter. To make the object easier to remove when it dries, coat the mold with a non-stick spray before pouring the plastic in. Let the plastic dry for at least two days. The plastic will take a few days to dry and fully harden. The amount of time it takes to dry is dependent upon the thickness of the object. If the object is very thick, it can take longer than two days to fully harden. After two days, check the plastic. If it still appears to be wet, let it sit for another day and check it again. Continue to do this until the plastic is fully dry. Remove your plastic from the mold. After waiting a few days, the plastic will be fully hardened and dry. At this point, you can remove the plastic from the mold. You have now made your own plastic version of whatever object you chose to mold. You can reuse this mold to make as many plastic versions of the object as you like.

Gather the necessary materials. Combine all of the ingredients and stir together. Heat on medium-low. Pour the mixture onto foil or parchment paper. Allow the plastic to dry for at least two days. Gather the necessary materials. Stir together all of the ingredients. Heat the mixture to 95°C (203°F) or until it begins to froth. Pour the plastic onto a smooth surface covered with foil or parchment paper. Leave the plastic to harden for at least two days. Make a mold for the plastic. Pour the hot plastic into the mold. Let the plastic dry for at least two days. Remove your plastic from the mold.

https://www.wikihow.com/Grind-Weed-Without-a-Grinder

How to Grind Weed Without a Grinder

To grind weed without a grinder, place the marijuana buds into a shot glass and use the tips of scissors to cut the buds into small pieces. Alternatively, use a non-serrated kitchen knife to chop the buds into small pieces on a cutting board. You can also put the marijuana into a coffee bean grinder! If you do, only pulse the grinder for 5 seconds at a time so the weed doesn't turn into a powder. If you have a mortar and pestle and you're familiar with how to use them, you can grind up your weed with those tools.

Place your marijuana buds into a glass. Fill a clean drinking glass up to half full with weed. You can use either dry or sticky weed. Make sure the weed is loosely packed so you can easily chop it. If you have a lot of weed, chop it in several batches. Insert a clean pair of scissors into the glass. Use a regular pair of scissors to chop the weed. Wash the scissors with soap and warm water or rinse them with vinegar to clean them. Then, place the scissors down into the weed buds and start cutting. If you're using a shot glass, it's okay to use a small pair of scissors like nail scissors or mustache scissors. Snip the buds until they’re in small enough pieces. Simply open and close the scissors to chop up the weed. As you chop, rotate the cup to make it easier to cut all of the weed. Keep cutting until the buds are your desired size. If necessary, stir the weed with the end of your scissors to expose large pieces that still need to be cut. Place the marijuana buds into an empty pill bottle. Wash an old pill bottle with soap and water to clean it. Then, fill the container about 3/4 of the way full. Pack the weed loosely so that the coin can break it up. This works best with dry weed, but it may grind up sticky weed, as well. Drop a clean penny or dime into the bottle. You can use any small coin, but a penny or a dime will work great. Put the coin on the top layer of the weed or push it down into the weed. Since the coin will move around the container as you shake it, you don't need to worry about its placement. Wash your coin or sanitize it with hand sanitizer, alcohol, or vinegar. This will keep germs from getting on your weed. Screw the lid back on the pill bottle. Put the lid back on the bottle and make sure it's tight. This will prevent the weed from falling out while you're shaking the container. Don't try to shake the weed without the lid. If the lid presses down over the bottle, simply push it down onto the container. Shake the pill bottle for 1-2 minutes. Set a timer or watch the clock so you can time yourself. Hold the pill bottle in your hand and shake it vigorously. As you shake it, the coin will cut and grind the buds into small pieces. Use the same motion that you'd use to shake a maraca. Check the weed to see if it’s your desired size. After 1-2 minutes of shaking the pill bottle, open the container and check to see if your weed is small enough to use. If it's not, put the lid back on and shake the bottle for another 1-2 minutes. Continue shaking it until you're happy with the size of the pieces. Depending on how thick your weed is, it can take a while to get your desired size. Expect to shake the container for at least 5 minutes. This method is safe and grinds effectively, so it's a great option for every day grinding. Place the weed into a coffee bean grinder. You can use any type of coffee grinder for your weed. Add the weed up to the fill line. Pack it loosely so that it's easier for the grinder to chop it up. Then, place the lid onto the grinder. A coffee grinder is great for when you need to grind up a bunch of weed at once. However, it's best to use dry weed because sticky weed may be harder to clean up. If you don't get all of the weed out of the grinder, it can get mixed into your coffee beans. Turn on the coffee grinder for 5 seconds. Plug up the coffee grinder if it uses electricity. Then, press the “on” or “grind” button to turn on the grinder. Count to 5, then turn off the grinder. You can also use an analog clock or watch to time the grinder. Keep grinding the weed until it’s your preferred size. Open the grinder and check the weed to see if the pieces are small enough. If they aren't, continue to grind your weed for up to 5 seconds at a time until you're happy with the size of the pieces. Check it frequently so that you don't accidentally grind it too finely. Clean your coffee grinder thoroughly after you grind the weed so that your coffee won't be spiked with THC. Place the marijuana buds on a clean chopping board. It's best to use a plastic chopping board because it'll be easier to clean. Start with a small amount of weed to reduce the risk of cutting yourself. Put the weed in the center of the chopping board so that it doesn't fall over the side as you chop. You can use this method with either dry or sticky weed, though it's best if the weed is dry. Use a clean, non-serrated knife to chop the buds into small pieces. If you have one, use a chef's grade knife for best results. Hold the knife blade over the weed on 1 end, then slice through it. Lift your blade and move it over about 1 mm, then slice into the weed again. Continue cutting the weed until you reach the other end. If you think the pieces are still too large, rotate the cutting board so that you can easily slice the weed in the other direction. Then, make a second pass to chop it into smaller pieces. You can technically use any knife to cut up the weed. However, a sharp, non-serrated knife works best, especially for sticky weed. Chop slowly so that you don’t cut yourself. Don't hold the weed in place with your hand because you could get cut. Instead, place your knife and your hand over the weed and slowly chop. This should help you cut the weed without it moving out of place. Cut up your weed like you would chop up garlic or herbs. Make sure your weed is dry before you use a mortar and pestle. Dried weed is easier to grind, especially if you're using a mortar and pestle. Check that your weed is dry and not sticky before you grind it. If it's not dry, try placing in the freezer for half an hour before you grind it. This method works best for small amounts. Additionally, it's a traditional way to grind up herbs. Place the weed inside the mortar. The mortar is the bowl that holds your herbs, and you'll rub the pestle into the herbs to grind them up. Fill the mortar about halfway so that there's room for the weed to shift around. Pack it loosely so that it's easier to grind. It's best to grind just enough for 1 joint at a time. If you're grinding more, grind your weed in smaller batches. Use the pestle to grind the weed into smaller pieces. The pestle is the tool that you use to grind herbs in a mortar. Push the pestle down into the weed and manually grind it. Continuously move the pestle around the bowl, grinding the weed. Stop grinding when you're happy with the size of your pieces. Use a firm pressure as you grind the weed.

Place your marijuana buds into a glass. Insert a clean pair of scissors into the glass. Snip the buds until they’re in small enough pieces. Place the marijuana buds into an empty pill bottle. Drop a clean penny or dime into the bottle. Screw the lid back on the pill bottle. Shake the pill bottle for 1-2 minutes. Check the weed to see if it’s your desired size. Place the weed into a coffee bean grinder. Turn on the coffee grinder for 5 seconds. Keep grinding the weed until it’s your preferred size. Place the marijuana buds on a clean chopping board. Use a clean, non-serrated knife to chop the buds into small pieces. Chop slowly so that you don’t cut yourself. Make sure your weed is dry before you use a mortar and pestle. Place the weed inside the mortar. Use the pestle to grind the weed into smaller pieces.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Your-Mother-on-Her-Birthday

How to Treat Your Mother on Her Birthday

If you want to treat your mother on her birthday, make her feel special by paying her lots of attention, getting her a nice gift, and helping her out with any chores. Try to put your phone away and focus on your mom for the day. If there's anything she needs to do, like wash the dishes or tidy the house, help her out. You can also plan a day out for her, doing something she loves, like going for a spa day or going for a picnic. Get her a gift she'll like, or if you don't have much money, make her a cake or paint her a picture for a personal touch.

Give her your undivided attention. One of the best ways to communicate that you care is to spend some uninterrupted quality time with your mother. If you're celebrating your mom's birthday, don't spend half your time together checking your phone or chatting with a friend. Turn your phone and other distracting devices off in honor of her big day. When you're together, focus on having conversations and engaging with her. Even if you're in a group, your mom should be your top priority. Do a chore that she would normally do. You'd be surprised how much your mother would appreciate a break from a routine task, like cleaning the house or washing the car. Show you care by taking on the work for her. She'll appreciate it even more if you choose a chore that she finds especially onerous, like doing the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, or raking the yard. Help her with a project. Giving your mom your time and effort is a wonderful way to show you care while helping her accomplish something that she has been meaning to do. Pick a project that has been on her plate for a while, and lend her a hand to get it done once and for all. For instance, if she has been meaning to plant a garden, help her pick out some seeds, put on some gloves, and pick up a spade! If she would like to redecorate a room, help her shop for supplies, move furniture, paint walls, and hang up new art. Be sure to let your mom supervise the project, so it's completed according to her vision. You want to support her efforts, not take them over. Consult with her about how you can be the most helpful. Give your mom a day off. Sometimes, the best gift you can give your mother is some free-time to enjoy herself however she wants. To do that, make arrangements in advance to cover any obligations that she might have on her birthday. For instance, if she has other children, arrange a babysitter or babysit yourself. If she has a dog, volunteer to take care of it for the day or while she spends the night elsewhere. Oftentimes, just letting your mother sleep in is a much appreciated gesture. If that's the case, give her the gift of not bothering her in the morning, and bring her breakfast in bed when she wakes up. Share your favorite family stories. Your mother will feel appreciated if you can recall memories and anecdotes that you both cherish. Be sure to pick out a couple examples of times when she saved the day or did something wonderful to express your gratitude and show that you're paying attention. It's as easy as saying, "Mom, remember that time when you surprised me with a party at the skate park for my birthday? That was awesome." Bring up things like your family camping trip to Yellowstone, the time your mom came to your rescue when you were stuck at an airport six hours away, or the holiday traditions that you learned from your mom that make each celebration so special. You can even make this concept into an unforgettable gift idea by creating a memory jar. Pick a pretty container, and fill it with slips of paper that you've written your favorite memories of your times together on. Ask her about her favorite birthday memories. Listening to your mother's life stories shows that you're interested in her as a person. You'll also be grateful you took the time to learn something about what her life was like before you were around. You can spark a conversation about her past by saying, “Hey mom, what's the first birthday that you remember?” or “What's the coolest thing that you've ever done to celebrate your birthday?” You could even sit down together and look through an old photo album or two to jog her memory. If you see an image that intrigues you, ask her questions about it, such as: “Where was this taken?” or “Who is that sitting next to you?” or “How old were you then?” Make her a one-of-a-kind gift. Taking time to make your own gift is often better than anything you could buy. Tap your talents to make her something special. If you're a talented baker, bake her something special or assemble some baking mixes for her. If you're a whiz at knitting, make her a new set of mittens or hot pads. If you enjoy painting, create a piece of art to give her. Order a personalized gift. Many products can be personalized with messages, names, or monograms. Personalizing a gift for your mom will show that you've gone the extra mile to find a present that's uniquely hers. Pick a product that she'll appreciate (and that fits your budget). It could be anything from a mug to a bag, bath robe to a piece of jewelry. Make her a photo gift. Family photos mean a lot. Give her a lasting memento of one or more of your favorite moments by creating a photo gift. It could be anything from a simple framed photo to a printed pillowcase. Do a family photoshoot. This could be informal or at a studio. Either way, it says that her birthday is day worth remembering. Make her a family photo album. Assemble some of your favorites into a book that she can look at whenever she want a reminder of how much you care. Be creative by putting a favorite photo on an everyday item, like a vase, mug, ornament, apron, or pillow. Make her a recipe book. Create an archive of the recipes that you've enjoyed together over the years. Include all your family favorites in it, from staple main dishes to memorable treats to traditional holiday baking. Besides giving ingredients lists and directions, you can personalize the book more by adding photos and personal stories alongside the recipes. For instance, you can include photos of your family enjoying each dish and/or text that explains the origin of a particular recipe. Consider making copies for the whole family so that your mom will see that her culinary traditions will continue to be passed along. Add to one of her collections. Demonstrate that you're paying attention to what she loves by giving her a gift that fits perfectly into one of her personal collections. If she collects a particular kind of china, buy her a new piece. If she's wild about hogs, get her something with a pig design on it. If she has a favorite series, get her the next book or dvd in it. Take her on an outing. Make sure it's something she enjoys. If she's an antique buff, take her to a flea market. If she's an avid outdoors-person, take her on a hike and a picnic. If she loves cultural events, take her to a concert or a play. You might even consider recreating a favorite family outing, like a trip to a baseball game, cabin, or theme park. Treat her to a spa day. Being a mother can be demanding and stressful. Give your mom the gift of relaxation and self-care by treating her to a massage, facial, manicure, and/or pedicure. Make her dinner or take her out to eat. If your mom is usually the one to put food on the table, give her a night away from the kitchen. Cook one of her favorite meals, or take her to a restaurant that she's been meaning to try. Throw her a party. This option will require some planning and preparation, but it'll make your mom's birthday extra-special. Be sure to pick a time, place, and date that works for your mother. Keep in mind that you should give guests at least a couple week's notice so that they can get it on their calendars and make any necessary arrangements to get there. Since it's your mom's celebration, keep her in mind as you make the preparations. For instance, you should invite people that she'll want to see, serve food that she enjoys, and play music that she loves listening to. When in doubt, consult with her about her preferences. Remember not to leave the post-party dishes and clean-up for your mother!

Give her your undivided attention. Do a chore that she would normally do. Help her with a project. Give your mom a day off. Share your favorite family stories. Ask her about her favorite birthday memories. Make her a one-of-a-kind gift. Order a personalized gift. Make her a photo gift. Make her a recipe book. Add to one of her collections. Take her on an outing. Treat her to a spa day. Make her dinner or take her out to eat. Throw her a party.

https://www.wikihow.com/Condition-Your-Hair-With-Aloe-Vera

How to Condition Your Hair With Aloe Vera

To condition your hair with aloe vera, work some aloe vera gel into your hair in the shower and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse your hair until you've gotten all of the aloe gel out. You can also use aloe vera as a leave-in conditioner. Just mix some aloe vera gel and water in a spray bottle and then spritz your hair with the mixture after you take a shower in the morning.

Slice an aloe vera leaf. You can buy aloe vera plants online or at a local greenhouse. To extract the gel, slice the plant straight down the middle of the leaf. Move the knife slowly to avoid slipping up and accidentally cutting yourself. Make sure to use a sharp knife, as it can be difficult to make a clean cut with a dull blade. Remove the gel. Use a tablespoon to extract two tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Aim for the clear gel inside the leaf. There will be some yellowish gel near either end of the leaf. Do not gather this gel as you should only use clear aloe vera gel on your hair. Place the gel in a small container you can set in the shower, like a Tupperware container. Depending on the size of your plant, you may be able to get enough aloe vera gel from one leaf. However, if your plant is smaller, you may have to collect gel from another leaf until you have two tablespoons. Apply the gel in the shower. When you shower, you can apply the gel when you would normally apply your conditioner. Work it into your hair, moving from the roots to the tips. Use it exactly how you would use your normal conditioner. For example, if you normally let conditioner sit in for a few minutes in the shower, do so. Rinse out the gel. After apply the gel to your hair, rinse it out. Make sure to get all the gel out of your, especially the sticky bits. If you have a hair type that responds to aloe vera gel, your hair should be noticeably softer. Mix aloe vera gel and water. Add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and two tablespoons of water to a bowl. Use a spoon to mix the gel and water together. Keep mixing until you have a liquid that's smooth and even throughout. You can buy aloe vera gel at any drug store. If you prefer, you can also extract it directly from an aloe vera plant. Add essential oils. You do not have to add essential oils if you do not want to or if you don't have them. However, essential oils can give the conditioner the added benefit of a pleasant scent. If you want, use an essential oil with a smell you like, such as lavender. Add a few drops to your aloe vera gel and water. Mix your ingredients in a spray bottle. Pour your water mixture into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle vigorously to mix all the ingredients together. Keep shaking until everything is mixed uniformly. Use the gel in place of your regular hairspray. After showering and washing your hair, use the gel in place of regular hairspray. Spritz it on when you would normally spritz on your hairspray in the morning. If your hair responds well to aloe vera gel, this should leave it slightly softer. Warm coconut oil in the microwave. Use as much coconut oil as you need. It depends on how much conditioner you want to make. Place the coconut oil in a small, microwave-safe bowl and microwave it. You should microwave the oil until it's melted into a liquid form. Cooking time depends on your microwave and the amount of oil. Cook the oil for short periods, like 10 seconds, and then check it. Continue to microwave the oil as necessary until it has melted. Mix in the aloe vera gel. Mix a tablespoon of aloe vera gel into the coconut oil. You can buy aloe vera gel at a drugstore or purchase it online. You can also extract it from an aloe vera plant. Whisk the ingredients together. Use a wire whisk or fork. Gently beat the ingredients together. Keep beating them until you have a uniform mixture. The oil may bubble slightly when being mixed, but this should not be a cause for concern. Apply the gel to your hair. After shampooing your hair, put a small amount of gel on your palm. Work it into your hair. Start at the roots and work the hair down to your tips. Keep working in the mixture until your hair is evenly coated in aloe vera gel. You may want to cover your hair with a towel in case the mixture drips. Leave the gel in for 10 minutes. Set a time and wait 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have passed, hop back in the shower. Rinse all the aloe vera gel out of your hair. If the gel works for your hair, it should leave your hair silky and soft.

Slice an aloe vera leaf. Remove the gel. Apply the gel in the shower. Rinse out the gel. Mix aloe vera gel and water. Add essential oils. Mix your ingredients in a spray bottle. Use the gel in place of your regular hairspray. Warm coconut oil in the microwave. Mix in the aloe vera gel. Whisk the ingredients together. Apply the gel to your hair. Leave the gel in for 10 minutes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Roast-Pistachios

How to Roast Pistachios

To roast pistachios, start by spreading them out in an even layer on a baking sheet. Then, pop them in the oven, and roast them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes, or until they become fragrant. You can also roast pistachios on the stovetop. Just place them in a pan over medium heat, and stir them constantly for 7 minutes, or until they turn light brown.

Roast the pistachios in the oven to save time. If you are roasting over ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) pistachios, use the oven. Choosing the oven will allow you to bake a big batch of pistachios at once. Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Have two racks in the oven on top of each other if you are planning to make two pans of pistachios so there is enough room. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). It usually takes about 15-20 minutes for most ovens to preheat. Spread the pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet. Put them in an even layer on the baking sheet. Make sure none of the pistachios are covering each other, as this will ensure they roast properly. You can line the baking sheet with parchment paper to make it easier for you to lift the pistachios off the sheet when they are done roasting. You can use two baking sheets if needed, depending on how many pistachios you are roasting. Roast them for 6 to 8 minutes or until they become fragrant. Pop them in the preheated oven and watch them as they roast. Stir them with a spoon at the halfway mark so they roast evenly. They should take no longer than 8 minutes to roast fully. You will know they are done if they turn light brown and start to give off a nutty, fragrant smell. You can also check that they are roasted by cutting one or two pistachios in half. They should be an even pale brown color throughout. Let them cool. The roasted pistachios will take about 15-20 minutes to cool on the counter. Once they are no longer hot, store them in an airtight container. They should keep for 1 to 2 weeks. Use a skillet if you have a small amount of pistachios to roast. A skillet is ideal if you are roasting a handful of pistachios. The skillet will roast a small amount of pistachios quickly. Place a nonstick skillet on the stove on medium heat. Use a skillet that is wide and has raised sides so the pistachios do not fall out of the skillet. Make sure it has a nonstick coating so the nuts do not get stuck to the pan. You do not need to put any cooking spray or butter in the skillet. Roasting the nuts in a dry skillet is more effective. Put the pistachios in the skillet. Place them in an even layer on the skillet. Check that the pistachios lay flat on the skillet and are not on top of each other. Stir them constantly so they do not burn. As they start to roast, stand over the stove and use a spoon or a spatula to stir them around. You can also shake the skillet lightly by holding the handle and shifting the skillet around. This will ensure the nuts roast properly and do not get too hot. Remove the pistachios once they turn light brown. This can take 6 to 8 minutes, depending on your stove. The pistachios will give off a nutty, roasted smell when they are done. Allow them to cool. Take the pistachios off the skillet and put them on a plate to cool. Once they are no longer hot, store them in an airtight container for 1 to 2 weeks. Get plain pistachios. Buy pistachios that are raw and have no flavoring on them. You can find raw pistachios at your local grocery store or farmer's market. Buy pistachios in bulk to save money. Pistachios are an expensive nut and can be costly if they are bought in small amounts. Getting them in bulk may save you money in the long run, especially if you like eating a lot of pistachios. Remove the shells on the pistachios. Take the shells off by finding the opening on the shell. The shell should gape open at one end. Hold the pistachio between your thumbs and pull the shell apart until it snaps off. Removing the shell will make it easier to roast the entire nut. You can also crack the pistachio shell between your back teeth if the opening is not very big. Be careful not to bite down too hard on the shell, as you can damage your teeth. Leave the shells on for a more subtle flavor. If you'd prefer the pistachios have a less intense roasted flavor, you can leave the shells on. However, the pistachios may not be roasted evenly or all the way through if you keep the shells together. If you are using the skillet method to roast the pistachios, you should remove the shells so they can roast properly in the skillet. Prepare sweet and smoky roasted pistachios. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the nuts do not stick and roast the pistachios in the oven. Coat 1 cup (240 ml) unshelled raw pistachios with 20 teaspoons (99 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 20 teaspoons (99 ml) melted butter, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) sea salt, and ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cinnamon. Let them roast for 10 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C). Stir them once and then roast them for another 5 minutes until they appear golden and caramelized. Remove them from the oven and stir them once. You can sprinkle extra sea salt on them for some added smokiness. Let the nuts cool and store them in an airtight container. They will last 1 to 2 weeks. Make curry flavored roasted pistachios. You will need to roast the pistachios in the oven on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) brown rice syrup, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) melted coconut oil, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) mild curry powder, ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) sea salt, and ⁄ 8 teaspoon (0.62 ml) cayenne pepper. Pour the curry flavoring over 1.5 cups (350 ml) raw pistachios. Roast the pistachios at 300 °F (149 °C) for 25 minutes, stirring once at the halfway mark. Remove them from the oven and sprinkle them with cane sugar. Let them cool and then store them in an airtight container. Expect them to stay fresh for 1 to 2 weeks. Make spicy roasted pistachios. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and roast the nuts in the oven. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil, ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) cumin, ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper, ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper, and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) maple syrup. Pour the mixture over 2 cups (470 ml) raw pistachios. Let the pistachios roast at 300 °F (149 °C) for 30 minutes. Toss them at the halfway mark. Remove the pistachios from the oven and let them cool. Then, store them in an airtight container. Don't keep them for longer than 1 to 2 weeks.

Roast the pistachios in the oven to save time. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Spread the pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast them for 6 to 8 minutes or until they become fragrant. Let them cool. Use a skillet if you have a small amount of pistachios to roast. Place a nonstick skillet on the stove on medium heat. Put the pistachios in the skillet. Stir them constantly so they do not burn. Remove the pistachios once they turn light brown. Allow them to cool. Get plain pistachios. Buy pistachios in bulk to save money. Remove the shells on the pistachios. Leave the shells on for a more subtle flavor. Prepare sweet and smoky roasted pistachios. Make curry flavored roasted pistachios. Make spicy roasted pistachios.

https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-Your-Own-Birthday-Party

How to Throw Your Own Birthday Party

If you want to throw your own birthday party, invite people who you think will create a fun atmosphere. Send your invitations 3-6 weeks early if you can, then touch base with your guests about a week ahead of time to get a final head count. As you're planning your party, choose your venue and your theme, then pick your food and drinks and plan your party playlist.

Create your guest list first. By estimating your number of guests before you make any other plans, you'll be able to make decisions about the other elements of the party, including the venue, food, and drinks. Start planning your guest list as soon as you decide to throw yourself a birthday party. If you expect 5 guests, for instance, you'll have very different plans than a party with 50 guests. Choose a venue that's within your budget and the right size for your guests. Birthday parties are extremely flexible — you can meet up with a few friends in the park or you can host a formal event at a local restaurant. Think about the amount of money you have available to spend, how many guests you expect to attend, and the overall feel you're going for. If you want to have a casual, intimate celebration with a few close friends, host your party at your house. That way, you can set up at your own pace. If you'll be serving a meal to a large group, consider holding your party at your favorite restaurant. Just be sure to let guests know if you expect them to pick up their own checks. Rent a tent or a pavilion if you want to have a large outdoor barbecue for your party, but be sure you have a backup in case it rains. Decide whether you want a theme for your party. Picking a theme can help set the tone for the whole party, from the music to the decor and even what your guests wear. Of course, you don't have to have a theme, but if something seems fun to you, go for it! If you want to have a Roaring 20s theme, ask the girls to wear feathered headbands and flapper dresses, then decorate everything in black and gold and Art Deco. Serve champagne and play jazzy music when your guests arrive. Throw a 70s disco party by hanging a disco ball, decorating in neons, and playing fun dance music all night. Ask guests to wear platform shoes, bell-bottoms, and plenty of glitter, and have fun fruity cocktails available. Have your friends wear their jeans and cowboy boots to your Country-and-Western-themed party. Play line-dancing music and make sure there's plenty of beer on hand! Plan a menu you can prepare or pick up before the party starts. Unless you really love cooking all day, try to plan foods that can be prepared ahead of time, or order catering 1-2 weeks in advance if it's in your budget. You can also host a potluck-style party, in which you ask guests to bring a dish of theirs that you really love. If you're not going to serve a meal, opt for a variety of finger foods. Plan for 3 to 5 servings of appetizers per guest, although you might want to have extra on hand in case of last minute arrivals. If you are having a seated meal, small appetizers like chips and dip or pretzels will whet your guests' appetites without filling them up too much. In this case, 2 to 3 servings of appetizers per guest should be sufficient. Provide a variety of beverages, including water and soda, even if you're serving cocktails. Some of your guests may not drink, and they'll appreciate having plenty of options. Plan for guests to drink 1 beverage per hour, plus 1 additional drink apiece. If the weather is warm, you may want to have extra drinks on hand, since people will likely drink more. Order a birthday cake that's large enough to serve all of your guests. The size will depend on the shape of your birthday cake. If you decide on a single-tier 9 inches (23 cm) round cake, for instance, it will serve 24 people. Consult your baker to determine what size cake you will need based on your guest list. If you have multiple tiers, you can factor that into your serving size as well. If you don't want a birthday cake, you can have any dessert you like, including cookies, cupcakes, pies, or no dessert at all. After all,it's is your birthday party! Host your party earlier in the day if you don't want to serve a meal. If you're thinking of just having light appetizers, it's best to plan your birthday party for about 2 p.m. This will give everyone time to go home and have dinner afterwards if they're hungry. Ask your friends and family for help if you need it. It's your birthday, so you shouldn't be stressed out! Don't try to do everything on your own. If your mom makes a dip you love or your best friend is awesome at making crafty decorations, ask them if they'll help you. Chances are, they'll probably be happy to add their touch to your birthday! Invite more people than you expect to attend the party. Even with plenty of notice, some of your friends and family will have scheduling conflicts, may not feel well the day of your party, or may even forget.Conventional wisdom says that about two-thirds of your invited guests will attend your party. Of course, you should have extra supplies on hand in case everyone shows up! Choose guests who will make for a fun atmosphere. Invite people who will bring a positive energy to your party. Try to think of friends who are always positive, who tell the best stories, or who are always happy to meet new people. If you're having a large party, try to invite a mixture of people from different backgrounds, career fields, and even age groups. This will help ensure that your guests enjoy mingling with a variety of different people instead of just the same friends they see all the time. If you're having a small, intimate gathering, inviting friends who are already close is perfectly fine. Send out invites 3-6 weeks before the party. In an ideal situation, you'll be able give your guests plenty of notice so they'll have time to clear their schedules. If it's later than that when you start planning, just get the invitation sent as quickly as possible. Everyone loves getting something in the mail, so if you have enough time, mail paper invites! If you're on a time crunch, online invites are convenient and can reach your guests immediately. Include the date, time, and location of the party on your invitations. Read through your invitation a couple of times to make sure it covers all of the important information, including how guests can contact you to respond to the invitation. If your party has a theme or a dress code, include that on the invitation as well. Ask your guests to donate to a charity in lieu of gifts. Some people think it's tacky to ask for gifts for yourself. Sidestep this issue by stating on the invitation that you would prefer donations to your favorite charity instead of birthday gifts. Follow up with guests who haven't RSVP'd the week before the party. Remind them about the invitation and ask them if they think they'll be able to attend. This should help you get an estimate on the final head count. An added bonus to reaching out to your friends is that it will let them know that you genuinely care whether or not they're at the party. Try saying something like, “Hey Jane, I haven't heard from you! I'm really hoping you'll be at my party next Friday night, and Sasha and Joe said they're looking forward to seeing you again, too. Do you think you'll be able to make it?” Make sure there's enough seating for everyone. If you're going to be serving a meal, there should be at least 1 chair per person, and maybe a few extra just in case someone brings a last-minute guest. If the party is more casual, you should still have enough seating for about 85% of your guests to sit at any one time. Prepare a playlist that will set the mood for your party. You don't want to spend the whole party picking the next song that's going to play. If you don't have a stereo system, ask one of your friends to bring over a bluetooth speaker so you can play music loud enough for everyone to hear. Try playing laid-back tunes as your guests arrive, then transition into upbeat dance music as the night goes on. If you're having a big party, you might want to hire a DJ to keep the music going. Decorate for the party the day before, if possible. Setting up and decorating for a party almost always takes longer than you plan. If it's possible to set up the day before the party, you'll save yourself some stress on the day of the party. If it's not possible to decorate a day ahead, try to find a couple of friends who you can trust to take charge of the party decor. Ask them to arrive at the venue an hour or so before the party to hang decorations, set out party favors, and arrange chairs. Greet your guests as they arrive. If the party is at someone's house, answer the door yourself whenever you can. Greet your guests warmly, and try to introduce them to at least one person. If they already know everyone inside, announce their arrival. This will help your guests feel welcome and comfortable as soon as they arrive. If the party is held at a restaurant or another venue, try to get there early so you can greet guests as they arrive. Keep guests entertained with fun activities. You don't have to have every minute of the party planned out, but it's a good idea to have a few activities planned to give everyone something to do. If you're having a small get-together, plan a craft project that you and your friends can do together. If everyone at the party is an adult, play a drinking game like beer pong. Just make sure everyone who is drinking has a ride home! Put out games like cornhole or lawn darts for an outdoor party. Try to spend time with each of your guests personally. Don't spend too much time in any one place. Move from group to group, mingling with your guests. If you see anyone who seems bored, introduce them to someone you think they'll like. For instance, if 2 people in the room both ride horses, point that out and they'll instantly have something to talk about. If you have a certain friend who always makes other people feel comfortable, take the time to let them know it's really important they attend. You can even ask them to help you work the room, making sure no one is standing alone. Ask a couple of guests to stay to help you clean up after the party. It's your birthday, so you shouldn't be stuck with the clean-up all by yourself. When the party starts to wind down, ask some of your closest friends if they would mind helping you pick up behind the other guests. Have extra trash bags on hand so you can quickly dispose of paper plates, napkins, and plastic cups. It's a good idea to have extra resealable plastic bags and plastic containers with lids to easily store any leftovers.

Create your guest list first. Choose a venue that's within your budget and the right size for your guests. Decide whether you want a theme for your party. Plan a menu you can prepare or pick up before the party starts. Order a birthday cake that's large enough to serve all of your guests. Host your party earlier in the day if you don't want to serve a meal. Ask your friends and family for help if you need it. Invite more people than you expect to attend the party. Choose guests who will make for a fun atmosphere. Send out invites 3-6 weeks before the party. Include the date, time, and location of the party on your invitations. Ask your guests to donate to a charity in lieu of gifts. Follow up with guests who haven't RSVP'd the week before the party. Make sure there's enough seating for everyone. Prepare a playlist that will set the mood for your party. Decorate for the party the day before, if possible. Greet your guests as they arrive. Keep guests entertained with fun activities. Try to spend time with each of your guests personally. Ask a couple of guests to stay to help you clean up after the party.

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Morton%27s-Toe

How to Deal With Morton's Toe

To deal with Morton's Toe, which is a longer 2nd toe, buy shoes with a wider toe box to take the pressure off your foot. Alternatively, visit a podiatrist to get a special orthotic insert, which will cushion your foot and take the weight off of your toes. If you have short-term foot, hip, or back pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. However, if nothing else works, you should visit your doctor to discuss surgical options, which can shorten your 2nd toe and relieve the pressure on your legs.

Look at your foot. If you have Morton's Toe, your second toe will likely be longer than your big toe. A normal foot shape is defined by a big toe that is longer than the rest, with toes 2-5 decreasing in length. You might have Morton's toe even if your second toe isn't longer than your big toe. You should always see a medical professional to diagnose this condition and to discuss treatment options. Understand the symptoms of Morton's Toe. Morton's Toe can cause debilitating pain and long term complications. Morton's toe causes surrounding bones to be displaced, putting unnecessary weight on the head of the second foot bone. This extra weight bearing causes stress to the bone, which causes a callus to form underneath the bone. A callus is a hard swelling of bone. This callus can cause moderate to severe pain in the foot. Some people with Morton's Toe have debilitating pain. This can be a strong, aching constant pain or a sharp pain during walking. Know the long term complications of Morton's Toe. This condition can lead to further problems down the road. Patients with Morton's Toe can have lower back pain, knee pain, and hip pain. This is due to slight changes in the way you walk when you have Morton's Toe. Arthritis is a common problem in people with this condition. This condition can also lead to bunions and hammer toes. Try over the counter pain relievers. These may initially reduce pain and provide temporary relief. These are not a long term solution to this problem. Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Other simple interventions can include keeping weight off of your foot and applying ice to reduce inflammation. These should not be used long-term. If you are experiencing severe, chronic pain you should see a doctor. Roll a frozen water bottle under your foot to relieve pain. Take a cold or frozen water bottle and place it on the floor. Then, rest the arch of your foot on the water bottle. Gently slide your foot back and forth so the bottle rolls from the ball of your foot down to your heel. Continue doing this for about 15-20 minutes. Consider buying new shoes. New shoes with the right shape and comfort level can help to relieve symptoms. Make sure your shoes have enough cushioning, and avoid tight shoes or high heels, which can make your symptoms worse. Purchase shoes with wider toe boxes. This extra room will provide some relief. Talk to a foot specialist about getting a custom orthotic with a neuroma pad. That will help separate the bones in your feet, helping you avoid the nerve pain caused by Morton's Toe. Use toe separators when you sleep. At night, put a toe separator like Yoga Toes, Correct Toes, or Perfect toes on your foot. This will help create some space between your toes, which will alleviate some of the pressure you experience throughout the day. See a podiatrist to get special orthotic inserts. This is often the only treatment needed for this conditions. This consists of putting a flexible pad under the metatarsal and toe in your shoe. This pad cushions the area. This changes the weight bearing on the toe and increases range of motion in the foot. Ask your doctor about cortisone injections. This may help you get rid of some inflammation. Sometimes one injection will help, but in some cases you might need 2 or 3 before they work. Sometimes, cortisone injections won't work at all. However, you'll have to see a foot specialist to get the injections done, so they may be able to help you come up with a more personalized treatment plan. Talk to a doctor about surgical options. Only do this if all other treatments haven't worked. Surgery is invasive and there are always risks so it is best to try all other options before resulting to surgery. Surgery can be done to remove a small section of the bone to decrease the length of the second toe and relieve extra weight bearing. Bone shortening is the most common type of surgery for this condition. Other bones in the foot can be lengthened with silicone inserts by a surgeon. Bone lengthening is not as common as other surgical methods. This type of surgery is more invasive and has more risk for complications.

Look at your foot. Understand the symptoms of Morton's Toe. Know the long term complications of Morton's Toe. Try over the counter pain relievers. Roll a frozen water bottle under your foot to relieve pain. Consider buying new shoes. Use toe separators when you sleep. See a podiatrist to get special orthotic inserts. Ask your doctor about cortisone injections. Talk to a doctor about surgical options.

https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Chickens

How to Train Chickens

To train chickens, always give them a treat, like mealworms, bird seed, or vegetables, after they do something you want them to do, which will help reinforce the behavior. You should also say a command or make a sound using a training clicker. For example, if you wanted to train your chickens to come when called, you would give them a treat and say a command when they started walking toward you. Over time, your chickens would learn that they always get treats when they respond to the command. Try to train your chickens at least once a day since consistency will help them learn faster.

Use treats to motivate your chickens. Chickens love food, so treats are good for reinforcing the behavior you're trying to teach them. When training your chickens, give them a treat after they do something right. Try to use treats that are different than their regular food. Some easy treats that chickens love are dried mealworms, bird seed, fruits, and vegetables. Come up with a sound your chickens will recognize during training. These sounds are called bridges. Any sound can be a bridge, as long as you can make it consistently so your chickens don't get confused. Use the bridge right after your chickens do something right and before you give them a treat. They'll start to associate the bridge with getting a reward. The bridge you use with your chickens could be the word “awesome” or you whistling. If you want to be certain your bridge will always sound the same, use a training clicker (like the kind they use to train dogs) as a bridge. Be consistent with your training. Chickens are smart, but you'll need to reinforce their good behaviors daily if you want your training to stick. Make an effort to work with your chickens at least once a day. The more often you train them, the faster they'll learn. Make your bridge noise and give your chickens a treat. Let your chickens see the treats in your hand so they approach you. Continue to do this around 2-3 times a day so your chickens associate food with the bridge noise. Make sure you're making your bridge noise first and giving them treats immediately after. Start hiding the treats while making your bridge noise after a few days of training. Watch your chickens reactions after you bridge. If they perk up and approach you like they're waiting for food, the training is working. Give them the treats after they've come to attention and approached you. If your chickens aren't associating your bridge noise with food, keep training them until they do. It could take several weeks for all of your chickens to get there. Let your chickens roam free once they associate your bridge noise with food. Make sure all of your chickens are adequately trained before you let them out. If one chicken doesn't associate your bridge with treats, that chicken won't respond when you try to call the flock back to their coop. Make the bridge noise when you’re ready for your chickens to come home. You may need to make it several times so all the chickens hear it. When the chickens return, give them their treats. If any of your chickens don't respond to your bridge noise, go collect them and bring them back to the coop. Keep training them until they make the connection. Put your palm face up on the ground and hold a treat in your free hand. Hold the treat close to your palm that's on the ground, so that your palm is in between the treat and the chicken. Show the chicken the treat and wait for it to walk over. Keep holding the treat close to your palm on the ground so the chicken has to walk onto your palm to get it. Don't give the chicken the treat just yet. Make your bridge noise and give the chicken the treat once it’s on your palm. Make sure both of its feet are on your palm before you bridge and give it the treat. Don't lift your palm off the ground yet. Let the chicken get comfortable stepping on your hand a few times first. Try again, this time lifting your palm a few inches off the ground. Wait for the chicken to step onto your palm before you lift it. Don't lift your hand too high at first or you may startle the chicken. Keep your hand steady in the air. Repeat daily, lifting your palm a few inches higher each session. Don't rush the process. Take it slow so the chicken gets used to standing on your hand. After a few sessions, try moving your palm back and forth slowly while the chicken is on it. Eventually, you should be able to walk around with the chicken perched on your hand. When you're ready for the chicken to get off your hand, gently place your hand on the ground so it can step off. Get an animal target trainer. Look for one online or at your local pet store. Target trainers look like a long stick with a ball at the end. If you don't want to buy one, make one for your chickens by attaching a wiffle ball to the end of a chopstick. With a target trainer, you can train your chickens to go anywhere you place the target, whether it's in their coop, your hand, or another spot in your yard. Place the target near your chickens. It doesn't matter where you place it at this point, as long as your chickens can access it. Wait for your chickens to notice the target and walk over to investigate. Reward your chickens when they get near the target. It's OK if they're a few steps away at this point. Make your bridge noise and give them a treat. If your chickens aren't going near the target at all, show them treats to lure them over. Wait for your chickens to get closer to the target before you reward them again. If they were 3 steps away from the target last time you gave them a treat, wait until they're 2 steps away this time. Make it incrementally harder for your chickens to get a reward. This will train them to get closer and closer to the target. Continue this until your chickens are walking right up to the target. Wait until your chickens peck the target to give them a treat. When they do, make your bridge noise and give them their snack. Every training session, continue to reward your chickens when they peck the target. Move the location of the target after a few training sessions. Don't move it too far at first; 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) is enough. If your chickens continue to peck the target, you can start moving it to farther away to new places, like on top of a post or on a table. Your chickens should start to follow the target wherever you take it. Put your chicken’s target training to use. If you need to weigh your chickens on a scale, put the target on it and they will hop on. Quickly get your chickens into their pen by placing the target inside of it. You can even use the target to make your chickens run an agility course.

Use treats to motivate your chickens. Come up with a sound your chickens will recognize during training. Be consistent with your training. Make your bridge noise and give your chickens a treat. Start hiding the treats while making your bridge noise after a few days of training. Let your chickens roam free once they associate your bridge noise with food. Make the bridge noise when you’re ready for your chickens to come home. Put your palm face up on the ground and hold a treat in your free hand. Show the chicken the treat and wait for it to walk over. Make your bridge noise and give the chicken the treat once it’s on your palm. Try again, this time lifting your palm a few inches off the ground. Repeat daily, lifting your palm a few inches higher each session. Get an animal target trainer. Place the target near your chickens. Reward your chickens when they get near the target. Wait for your chickens to get closer to the target before you reward them again. Wait until your chickens peck the target to give them a treat. Move the location of the target after a few training sessions. Put your chicken’s target training to use.

https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Lotion-to-Your-Own-Back

How to Apply Lotion to Your Own Back

To apply lotion to your own back, squeeze a line of lotion onto the tops of both of your forearms and the backs of your hands, then reach both of your arms behind you so your forearms are against your back. If you're not very flexible, it might be easier to do one arm at a time. Move your arms in a windshield wiper motion to cover as much of your back as possible.

Squeeze a line of lotion onto the tops of both forearms and the backs of your hands. Hold your arm out flat in front of you with your elbow bent. The top of your forearm should form a level surface. Apply a line of lotion from the back of your hand up your arm almost to the crease of your elbow. Squeeze lotion onto both forearms. Do not rub the lotion into your arms, rather let it sit on your arm in the line you squeezed. You can use as much or as little lotion as you feel is necessary to cover your back completely. Place your arms behind your back. Bend your elbows and reach both of your arms behind you, placing the lotion covered forearms against your back. Depending on how flexible you are, this may hurt a little. It might be easier to place one arm behind your back at a time. If you have shoulder pain or are not very flexible, this method may not work well for you. Move your arms in a windshield wiper motion. Rub your forearms and the backs of your hands up and down your back like windshield wipers covering as much of your back as you can. You can use your left arm first to cover your left side and then place your right arm behind and use it to cover the right side of your back. Repeat this process as necessary if you don't feel like you got enough lotion on your back. Get a spatula. You can use a plastic or rubber spatula, and a wooden one will work too, but avoid a metal spatula. If you have multiple options, opt for whichever one has the longest handle. You may not want to use a spatula that you frequently use to cook. If possible, buy one that you can designate for the purpose of applying lotion. It's possible to get splinters from a wooden spatula, so be careful when using one. Squeeze a liberal amount of lotion onto the spatula. Keep the spatula as flat as you can when you squirt the lotion onto it so that you don't drop any onto the ground. You may do better to use a little less lotion and make more than one application. Gently reach the spatula behind your back. Do your best to keep the spatula flat with the lotion side up, bend your arm around to your back and place the lotion against your lower back. Spread the lotion around your back. Move the head of the spatula around in a circle covering your lower back first and moving up to your mid-back. You can then reach over your shoulder from the top and apply lotion to your upper back as well. Add more lotion if you need to and repeat the process until you have covered all areas of your back. Cut a two to three foot piece of plastic cling wrap. The exact length that you cut is up to you, but a longer piece will make the process easier. Use either a cutter that's attached to the plastic wrap box or use a sharp pair of scissors. Plastic cling wrap can be difficult to keep from tangling up and sticking to itself, so place it flat on the table before you cut it. This will help keep it from wrinkling up. If you don't have plastic wrap on hand, you could substitute a number of different plastic sheet options. If you have an old disposable tablecloth, you could cut from that. You could cut a strip from a trash bag. You could even use the wrapping from a big pack of toilet paper. Squeeze a blob of lotion into the middle of the strip. Squeeze as much lotion as you think you need onto the plastic strip. Lotion often goes farther than you think it will, so don't overdo it. A blob that is an inch or two wide should be sufficient. You can also put the lotion on the plastic wrap in a thin strip that is five or six inches long. Stand with plastic wrap behind you. If you try to pick up the plastic wrap while it is in front of you, you may up end with a mess. Turn so your back is toward the plastic wrap and you are close enough to touch it. If you laid the plastic wrap out on a counter that is too high for you to reach behind you, pick the plastic wrap up in front of you and move it to a lower surface. Reach behind your back and pick up the plastic wrap. Grab each end of the plastic wrap with one hand and lift it from the surface. Place the lotion against your back starting in the lower section first. You may need to turn your head and look over your shoulder so you can see where the plastic wrap is at in order to pick it up. Swipe the plastic wrap side to side on your back. Pretend that you are using a towel to dry off your back and pull the plastic wrap side to side distributing the lotion onto your back. You can use an upward zigzag motion to reach up toward the middle of your back. You can reach more areas of your back by letting go of the plastic wrap with one hand and reaching over the top of your shoulder to swipe the plastic wrap in a more up and down motion getting your shoulder blade area. If you are unable to move your shoulders or arma adequately, an alternative is to tape the plastic wrap to a flat vertical surface (doors work well and be cautious to choose a surface that will not be paint damaged and any over spill of lotion may be easily removed). Apply the lotion to an area of the plastic the same height as your target area. Turning away from the plastic, place your shoulder blades against it about three inches lower and the sliding your back on the lotion, stand up. Repeating this motion and moving from side to side should apply lotion to the entire target area. If necessary, apply lotion lower on the plastic and bend forward slightly to coat the small of the back. Buy a paint roller with roller cover. A standard 12 inch (30.5 cm) roller helps you cover the most area at once, but a smaller four inch one gives you a more precise application. Choose a ¼” nap thickness. You'll have a few options for the handle length, and your height will determine how long of a handle you need. You can buy paint supplies at home improvement stores, as well specialty paint stores or most big-box stores. If you already have a paint roller that is clean, you don't need to buy a new one. An addition option is to also buy a paint tray which is used to roll paint onto the roller. Squeeze lotion onto the roller. Squeeze some lotion in a line across the entire length of the roller. You may want to put two or three lines of lotion on the roller for better coverage. If you bought a paint pan, you can squeeze some of the lotion into the pan and roll the roller in the lotion to coat it. The amount of lotion that you use is up to you, and it may take a little bit of trial and error to determine the right amount. If you can squeeze some lotion around the entire circumference of the roller it may help you get a more even application. Roll the lotion onto your back. With the roller in your hand, bend you arm over the top of your shoulder and begin applying the lotion. Then switch and bend your arm around your side and behind your back and roll the lotion onto your lower back and mid-back. You may need to add lotion to the roller more than one time as some of it will soak into the roller.

Squeeze a line of lotion onto the tops of both forearms and the backs of your hands. Place your arms behind your back. Move your arms in a windshield wiper motion. Get a spatula. Squeeze a liberal amount of lotion onto the spatula. Gently reach the spatula behind your back. Spread the lotion around your back. Cut a two to three foot piece of plastic cling wrap. Squeeze a blob of lotion into the middle of the strip. Stand with plastic wrap behind you. Reach behind your back and pick up the plastic wrap. Swipe the plastic wrap side to side on your back. Buy a paint roller with roller cover. Squeeze lotion onto the roller. Roll the lotion onto your back.

https://www.wikihow.com/Respond-to-Your-Crush-Asking-You-if-You-Like-Her

How to Respond to Your Crush Asking You if You Like Her

If your crush asks if you like her, you might be feeling nervous, but it's best to just come out and say it and be honest about your feelings. You can say something like, "Yea I do have a crush on you." Then, ask her why she's asking, which will help you get an idea of her feelings without being too direct. After you know how she feels, talk honestly about what you want to do about your feelings, such as dating if you both like each other. However, remember to respect her feelings if she says she doesn't like you back in the same way, because you can't force someone to like you.

Pay attention to her tone of voice and body language. Consider why she is asking. If you have an idea about how she feels, it will help you have a more productive conversation with her. We communicate mainly through our tone of voice and body language, so try to understand what is going on using these signals. If she is raising her eyebrows, she might be uncomfortable. This might mean that she does not want you to like her. If she is mirroring your body language, then you are probably connecting. Perhaps she hopes that you like her back or she feels connected to you and wants you to know that she doesn't want the same thing. If she is making lots of eye contact, this shows interest. But it could go both ways, she could be interested in knowing how you feel because you are close and she doesn't want to hurt you, or because she likes you. A group of gestures together shows that she feels connected to you. For example, if she is smiling, she has her head titled to the side, and she is holding or touching her face at the same time, this could mean that she does like you. However, always believe what she says over any of the signals you get. Crossed legs and arms may mean that she is trying to stay closed off to you. This might mean that she is anxious or resistant to your feelings. Do not assume too much. Once you have considered how she feels and evaluated her body language, you do not have to over think her feelings for you. The truth is that you do not know for sure how she feels. And you will not know until you have asked her straight out how she feels. And believe what she says over the other signals you feel like you may be getting. Do not feel bad about what you think she feels or thinks. This is not going to help you stay confident, and it is also probably not accurate. Think about whether she is already seeing someone. This will help you to know how to talk to her. If she has a crush on someone else or is with someone else, you will want to approach this conversation differently. You would know because you may have heard other people talk about it, or she may talk about it herself. If you do know she is with someone else, acknowledge it at the start of the conversation. You will need to say that you do not want to step on her relationship. Stay a little more reserved or distant in your conversation, while still remaining honest. You can ask her, do you want me to tell you about my feelings? Sometimes when a person asks a question they are not interested in hearing a sincere answer. For example, in this instance she may be trying to point out that you are acting like you like her. Being honest and straightforward in your question “do you want me to be honest?” will be the best way to deal with this possibility. Stay further away from her physically and emotionally if she is with someone. Getting close to her or being very open and honest might make her feel uncomfortable. You will want to keep your distance. Think about whether she can date. Do you know whether she is allowed to date? Some people may be interested in dating but have parents who are strict about dating rules. If you know that she isn't allowed to date, you may want to acknowledge this fact in the conversation. Try to make her feel comfortable if she seems worried about her parents. Tell her that you do not want to step on her relationship with her parents. In this case you may not need to tell her that you have a crush on her. You can simply acknowledge that she is not allowed to date. Keep your distance physically to help her feel comfortable. Ask her if you two can talk somewhere. If you feel like she genuinely wants to know how you feel, you may want to have this conversation somewhere quiet. Think about going to a place where you can talk uninterrupted. You want to have this conversation in a space where you are comfortable to talk about how you feel openly. This can be a great opportunity to show her how cool you are regardless of why she is asking. If you can tell her how you feel and remain cool, calm, and collected, she will respect you all the more. Going on a walk can be a good option for a conversation like this. Walking can take away some of the awkwardness involved in the conversation. Walking is great because you are moving, not sitting and looking at each other. Going to a restaurant or coffee shop can also work if it is not busy. If you can find a secluded table to sit at or a table outside, this can be ideal. Go to a park. Sit on the swings or find a bench where the two of you can talk. Ask her where she would be comfortable having the conversation. In order to show her that you respect her space and boundaries, ask her to decide where you should go. If she does not have a preference, then you can suggest places to go. Look her in the eye and say “Yes, I do have a crush on you. ” Once you have had a minute and you are situated you can own how you feel, and be confident. Be careful not to try to force her to feel the same way. Say that you like her in a way that is free of further implication. Free of implication means that you are not communicating a different message through your body language or tone. For example, do not look very intently at her in a way that asks her to like you back. Or do not lean forward into her space unless you know that she likes you. You could ask her how she feels before you say anything. However, it is more attractive and confident if you own how you feel and speak first. Ask her how she feels. She has asked you about your crush on her, and you can absolutely ask why she wants to know. Simply ask “why are you asking?” Do not assume that you know why she is asking. Once again, keep your tone and body language free of implication. Do not suggest that you know why she is asking with a flirty or accusing tone. Focus fully on what she is saying. Show interest, nod, smile and communicate that you understand through your body language and noises. Try not to interrupt her. Let her speak her piece. You can ask for clarification later. Give her feedback about what she said. You can say "so what I hear you say is...". This will let her know that you really listened and that you want to understand her. Do not be judgmental about what she is saying. This is how she feels and although it may involve you, do not take her feelings personally. Read on to the next method for more on not taking it personally. Respond with honesty and kindness. If she likes you back, you can tell her “I'm so excited that you like me too!” If she does not like you back, you can tell her honestly “I'm sad that you do not like me, but I appreciate that you told me.” You can also thank her for being brave enough to bring up the conversation. If she does not like you, do not make her feel bad for not liking you. Even if you honestly feel like she should like you, it is not your place to tell her that or make her feel that way. Talk about what you should do about your feelings. If she doesn't feel the same way, you might want to ask her if she still wants to be friends. If you do not feel like you two can be friends, ask if you can have space. If she does like you, ask her whether she would like to start dating. Try not to assume what will happen between you two if she says she has a crush on you, too. Instead, communicate with her how she feels about dating. If you want to start dating, ask her about what dating means to her and explain what dating means to you. You want to make sure that you are talking about the same thing. You may also want to discuss relationship expectations you have and ask her about her's. This may be a full conversation in itself, and one you come back to periodically. Follow up with her about the conversation later. Because it can be an awkward conversation, you may want to avoid talking about it. However, embrace the awkwardness and be confident. If you are still friends but she does not like you, you can simply tell her “thanks for having that conversation with me; I appreciated it.” You can also follow up over text message, but keep it brief. Do not try to change her mind, instead, acknowledge the conversation and then move on. Do not take it personally. Whether someone likes you or not says nothing about you as a person. You are still awesome for all of the same reasons. Do not let her romantic feelings change the way you feel about yourself. Think about it from her perspective. The more you understand her, the easier it will be to realize that it is not about you. Avoid jumping to conclusions. You don't know why she doesn't like you. Be careful not to assume that it is because of something particular about you. Make some space between you and your immediate reaction. Try to suppress any initial panicked emotions. Realize that your feelings will subside and wait for them to do so before you speak or do anything. Work on liking yourself. Liking yourself is more important than other people liking you. When you truly like yourself, it has an awesome effect- other people want to be around you more. Speak to yourself as a friend. You should offer yourself the same compassion, love and support you would to a friend who is going through a hard time. Imagine yourself confident and free. In your mind visualize what you would look like if you were perfectly confident and happy. What would you look like? Strive for being that person. Think about that person when you are in doubt about yourself. Feel good about being honest. It is hard to be open and honest with someone you like. If she does not also have a crush on you too, at least now you know. You are in a better position because you don't have to spend more time wondering about her. Being open and honest is a good habit to get into. With the next girl you like, you will be better able to interact with her because you had this experience. Take time to get over her. If you feel like you are not ready to start dating other people, work on yourself. Do not worry about liking someone again until you feeling better. Go out with your friends. Spend time with good friends who make you feel good about yourself. These people will remind you of your interests and the other things that you love. Distance yourself from her. If you are having a hard time with your emotions, tell her that you'd like some time and space from your relationship. Having her out of your life for the time being will help you focus on you. Start talking to new people. If you are feeling like you are ready to move on, pursue girls you are interested in. Hang out with groups of people that have new girls. Ask your friends about any get together coming up and attend them. When you meet a girl you like, ask her for her number. You can be direct and say “I really liked talking to you- can I have your number so we can keep talking?” Go on online dating websites. There are a few free websites that you can join and meet people to date. Lots of people use these applications to find people who share their interests and personality type.

Pay attention to her tone of voice and body language. Do not assume too much. Think about whether she is already seeing someone. Think about whether she can date. Ask her if you two can talk somewhere. Ask her where she would be comfortable having the conversation. Look her in the eye and say “Yes, I do have a crush on you. Ask her how she feels. Respond with honesty and kindness. Talk about what you should do about your feelings. Follow up with her about the conversation later. Do not take it personally. Work on liking yourself. Feel good about being honest. Take time to get over her. Start talking to new people.

https://www.wikihow.com/Match-a-Tie

How to Match a Tie

To match a tie with your shirt, try pairing a blue shirt with a navy, red, or yellow tie, or a pink shirt with a burgundy or navy tie. Alternatively, choose a tie in a color that complements your hair and skin tone. For example, if you have light hair and light skin, pick a pastel tie, or choose a red tie against a white shirt if you have dark hair and dark skin. You can also look sharp by putting patterns together, such as a large-checked tie with a small-checked shirt in a similar color, or a thickly-striped tie with a thinly-striped shirt.

Match the tie length according to your height. Having the wrong size necktie will draw it undue attention, creating imbalance between your tie and outfit. The ideal length for a necktie should hang at about the middle of your belt. Taller individuals will likely need a longer tie, while shorter individuals may need a smaller one. To test your tie length, you should: Hang the tie around your neck. Align both ends in front of you. Adjust the thick end of the tie to hang at the middle of your belt. Verify the thinner end does not exceed the thicker end excessively. Evaluate tie thickness. Ties generally come in four different thicknesses: 2 in (5 cm), 2½ in (6.4 cm), 3 in (7.6 cm), and 3¼ - 3½ in (8¼ - 8.9 cm). Thicker neckties will suit thicker framed individuals who have a wider front, while thinner ties will generally suit thinner frames. Average sized individuals will most consistently pair well with 3 in (7.6 cm) ties. Your tie should never be thicker than 3½ in (8.9 cm). Use a dollar bill to determine width in a pinch. When shopping for ties, you might not be able to tell at a glance whether or not a tie is on the thick or thin side. In this case, you can use a dollar bill to check the width. Hold your tie against the side of your dollar bill with Washington's portrait. If the tie stretches from the left side of the dollar bill to Washington's left eye, the tie is 3 in (7.6 cm) long. Experiment with narrow ties. Narrow ties differ from thin "skinny" ties in that narrow ties taper to a much lesser extent than 2½-in skinny ties. Narrow ties can come in a wide range of sizes, though are usually on the thinner side. These ties can look good with thinner cut and narrow cut shirts. Avoid ultra-skinny ties for formal events. Ties that are 2 in (5 cm) or thinner are generally considered to be "fashion statement" length. Skinny ties are usually the same thinness for the entire length of the tie. Use skinny ties as flashy accents for your outfits when going out. Evaluate the contrast between your tie and outfit. Simple, single colored ties create high and low contrast pairings easily. High contrast combinations are between colors more distinct from each other on the color spectrum. As an example, red ties and white shirts form a powerful, high contrast combination. Low contrast combinations are formed by color pairings that are closer on the color spectrum, like a darker green tie and a brown suit. Complementary colors are those that are similar on the color spectrum. The color spectrum can be recalled with the acronym Roy G Biv , which stands for: R ed o range y ellow B lue i ndigo v iolet. Solid black ties should be saved for formal or black tie events. White ties are traditionally reserved for weddings to match the white dress of the bride. Match colors and contrast with your skin tone. This will create the effect of having an all-tied-together outfit. Light haired and skinned individuals match well with pastel colors and combinations of monochromatic colors. Darker hair and complexions pair well with both high and low contrast tie colors, while those who are dark haired and fairly complected should stick to defined, high contrast combinations. Look cool with tie hues of blue. Mellow greens can also give a refreshing, healthy appearance. These solid colored ties should have simple, regular patterns, and should be paired with other blue clothing. This tie/suit combination will convey a sophisticated look without drawing too much attention to you. Get a second opinion, if color blind. Men are more likely to have colorblindness, usually between the colors of red and green, and if you are trying to coordinate an outfit with either of these colors, you might need the help of someone who isn't color blind. As many as 8% of men of European heritage are color blind. Coordinate your tie with your shirt. A white shirt will show off just about any tie you wear, but colored shirts can be a little more complicated. Shirts that are a single color without any pattern can be coordinated in most cases according to the following color scheme: Blue shirt: burgundy, gold, navy, red, and yellow ties Pink shirt: burgundy and navy ties Tan shirts: brown, deep green ties Compliment your jacket and shirt with your tie. If you plan on wearing a blazer, the primary color of your tie should compliment the color of your jacket. Ties that have accent colors the same as or complimentary to your shirt will integrate all elements of your look into one, stylish outfit. Match large checked patterns with smaller checked patterns. You can create a trendy, stacked effect by using larger checked patterns in your tie and smaller checked patterns in your shirt. Coordinate this look with pants of a similar color scheme and you'll have a look that'll impress. Distinguish tie and shirt patters with weight. When your patterns start blending, your look can become muddied and lack definition. Patterns that are similar, like stripes, can be made distinct by using a heavy, thicker pattern in your tie and a lighter, thinner pattern in your shirt. Break up the patterns of striped shirts with your tie. Use a similar color scheme between your tie and shirt to integrate the two together, and then offset your tie with a unique pattern. This will break up the regularity of the stripes in your shirt, and some tie patterns to consider include: Box patterns Pin dot patterns Polka dot patterns Paisley patterns Avoid certain pattern combos that are prone to clash. There's always an exception, but some styles mesh poorly and should be avoided. Generally, you should avoid patterns that are so similar the shirt and tie blend together, or are difficult to distinguish. Some specific combos to avoid: Polka dot shirts and plaid ties Madras check shirt and broad-striped tie Awning strip shirt and narrow-striped tie Repeat a color in both patterns. This can cause the two differing patterns to seems connected and intertwined, sometimes creating harmony between even drastically different patterns. This works especially well with high contrast base tie colors, with matching accents, like a pink tie with tiny, patterned brown accents worn with a brown shirt.

Match the tie length according to your height. Evaluate tie thickness. Use a dollar bill to determine width in a pinch. Experiment with narrow ties. Avoid ultra-skinny ties for formal events. Evaluate the contrast between your tie and outfit. Match colors and contrast with your skin tone. Look cool with tie hues of blue. Get a second opinion, if color blind. Coordinate your tie with your shirt. Compliment your jacket and shirt with your tie. Match large checked patterns with smaller checked patterns. Distinguish tie and shirt patters with weight. Break up the patterns of striped shirts with your tie. Avoid certain pattern combos that are prone to clash. Repeat a color in both patterns.

https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Garlic

How to Plant Garlic

To plant garlic, choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil, and use a garden rake or hoe to work the soil to about 4 inches. Divide your garlic clove into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Plant the cloves with the flat root side pointing down and the tapered side pointing up, and space the cloves about 4 inches apart and about 2 inches deep. Water the garlic every 3-5 days, and cut off any shoots that grow to encourage the garlic bulb to develop. Harvest the garlic when the tops turn yellow and begin to die off.

Source garlic to plant. You can always try planting garlic you bought from the grocery store, but you'll have a much higher chance of having a successful crop if you buy garlic cloves, or seeds, from a plant nursery that stocks varieties that grow well in your area. Shop online for a wider selection of garlic and choose one to your liking. Some strains are stronger, some are hardy during cold temperatures, and so on. The garlic stocked in grocery stores is often shipped in from faraway places, so it won't necessary be a strain that works with your climate and soil type. Garlic sold in grocery stores has usually been treated with chemicals to make it last longer on the shelf. It's harder to grow treated garlic than untreated garlic. Get ready to plant in the fall or the spring. If you live in a northern area that gets a hard frost, it is recommended that you plant garlic in the fall. Garlic overwinters well, and planting it early will cause the bulbs to be larger and more flavorful than a spring-planted crop. However, if you live in a southern area that doesn't have cold winters, plant your garlic early spring instead. If you're planting garlic in the fall, plan to plant it 6 - 8 weeks before the ground freezes. If you're planting garlic in the spring, plant it as soon as the ground can be worked in February or March. Prepare a planting site. Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Work the soil to a depth of 4 inches using a garden rake or hoe. Enrich the soil with compost to add nutrients that will help the garlic grow strong and healthy. If you wish, prepare to grow the garlic in a pot. Choose a pot wide and deep enough to hold the garlic you wish to grow, and fill it with rich potting soil. Plant the garlic cloves. Divide the bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Plant the cloves 4 inches apart and about 2 inches deep. Make sure that the flat root side is pointing down and the tapered side is pointing up - otherwise the garlic will grow in the wrong direction. Cover the planted garlic cloves with soil and pat gently. Mulch the area heavily. If you're planting your garlic in the fall, cover the area with 6 inches of straw to protect the garlic during the winter. In the spring, the mulch can be removed. If you're planting your garlic in the spring, be sure to mulch it to retain soil moisture. Cut off flower shoots in the spring. You should see the garlic scapes emerge from the ground in early spring. Cut off any flower shoots you see, since if they're left to grow they'll take energy away from the bulb formation and result in smaller bulbs. Keep the garlic watered. Water the garlic every 3 to 5 days throughout the growing season. When you see the soil get dry and dusty, that means it's time to water. Garlic plants don't need to be water during the fall and winter. Fertilize and weed as necessary. If the garlic shoots look yellowish or limp in the middle of the growing season, you can dress the plants with fertilizer to help them perk up. Keep the garlic bed weeded so that the garlic doesn't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water. Harvest when the tops turn yellow and begin to die off. At the end of the growing season, in July or August, the tops of the garlic plants will start looking yellow and begin to fall over and die. This means it's time to harvest the garlic. Don't harvest the garlic too late in the season - the bulbs will shrivel and the garlic won't be good to eat. Garlic harvested too early won't cure properly. Remove the bulbs from the ground without breaking them. Use a spade to dig around the garlic bulbs without breaking through the cloves. Brush off excess dirt. You can leave the garlic stem attached to the bulb. Let the bulbs cure for 2 weeks. Before you use the garlic, it's necessary to let it cure. During this time the skin will dry and the bulb will become firm. Store the harvested garlic in a cool, dry place for curing. You can cut off the stem and cure the garlic bulbs individually in a storage bin. Make sure they get plenty of air circulation. Another common way to cure and store garlic is to leave the stems attached and braid them, then hang the garlic in a cool, dry place. You can also cure your garlic by hanging the cloves upside down in a warm, shaded area with the leaves attached. Use the garlic when the skin is dry and papery. The cloves should be firm to the touch, and easy to pull apart. Save the best bulbs for next season's planting. Pick out a few large bulbs to plant either in the fall before the ground freezes or in early spring. Choose the best-looking bulbs to ensure that next season's plants are big and flavorful.

Source garlic to plant. Get ready to plant in the fall or the spring. Prepare a planting site. Plant the garlic cloves. Mulch the area heavily. Cut off flower shoots in the spring. Keep the garlic watered. Fertilize and weed as necessary. Harvest when the tops turn yellow and begin to die off. Remove the bulbs from the ground without breaking them. Let the bulbs cure for 2 weeks. Use the garlic when the skin is dry and papery. Save the best bulbs for next season's planting.

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Friends-With-Benefits-Relationship

How to Start a Friends With Benefits Relationship

To start a friends with benefits relationship, try finding someone outside of your work or social circle that you won't get too attached to so you can keep things casual. When you first start hooking up, have a talk to set ground rules for your interactions so you both know where you stand. For example, agree to break things off if either of you catches feelings. You should also avoid going on dates or vacations together or introducing them to your friends and family so you can keep things casual. While you're hooking up with your friend with benefits, don't be afraid to see other people, which will help you avoid getting attached.

Pick someone who is available. This means "available" in all senses of the word -- single being the most obvious definition. The person should not only be single, but he or she shouldn't be recovering from the end of a devastating break-up, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or so busy studying that he or she practically lives in the library. This person should be feeling fun, emotionally stable, and up for anything -- especially hooking up with you. Pick someone who won't get too attached. Friends with benefits relationships often end because one person starts falling for the other. So, unless you want to date the person, or you don't care if the person gets really hurt, you should avoid someone who will get attached. How do you know who will get too attached and who won't? Well, you can't figure this out with 100% certainty, but there are a few clues that the person may get too attached: If you've heard this person described as "clingy," whether it's by friends or past significant others, then you may have a problem. If the person doesn't have a lot of friends, interests, or a lot going on, then he or she may have nothing better to do than to spend a lot of time with you. If you know that this person has really liked you in the past, then it's better to avoid it. If you know the person has a harmless crush on you, then that's perfect. Pick someone you already like. Key word -- like, not really really like. This should be someone who you think is cute and fun to be around -- you should like this person just as much as you like spending a day at the beach with your friends. If you're going to spend a lot of time with that person, then you should feel a baseline of affection -- just nothing too serious. Pick someone you already like, but not someone you would normally date. Go out of your comfort zone and remember that you're looking for a hot hook up partner, not your future husband or wife. If you pick someone you might date, then it's more likely that you'd end up falling for that person. You should have some natural chemistry with this person. That doesn't mean you want to stay up for hours talking about the meaning of life with him -- you just want to rip his shirt off. Pick someone outside your social or work circle. Don't have a friends with benefits relationship with one of the members of the group of friends you've known since you were five, or it'll lead to some serious awkwardness when the relationship ends. Typical friends with benefits relationships only last a few months, so don't pick someone you know you'll have to see all the time. Pick someone with experience. You should try to find someone who you know has had some experience hooking up -- even better if you've heard he or she is great in bed. Since that's what you'll be doing, it's good to have a sense that the person will deliver. It will also help if the person has had some casual flings before, so he or she is experienced in that department. If the person has only had one relationship and it lasted seven years, he may not be your best bet. Flirt with the person. Start flirting with the person by teasing, playfully touching, or just paying attention to him or her. Let the person know you're interested and give him or her a few not-so-subtle compliments. You're not trying to be coy here -- you're looking for a hook-up buddy. Start hooking up. Once the person is interested, you can start kissing or doing something more. Tell the person how attracted you are to him or her but do not compliment that person's personality or say anything that makes it sound like you want to date. Set the ground rules. Every non-couple is different. Some friends with benefits know each other well enough to set some ground rules before they start hooking up. But that can feel a little awkward and unnatural, so you may want to wait until after that first kiss or hook-up session. Ideally, you should have the talk before sex, so you know that both people are on the same page and that no one gets really hurt. Here are the things you should talk about: Make it clear that you are not dating -- you're just having fun. Both of you should be free to hook up with other people. Make sure that you won't see each other too often. You should see each other just two or three times a week, preferably at night. If you see each other almost every day, then guess what? That's dating. Decide that you'll end the relationship when one person gets too attached. Unless you both start falling for each other, make it clear that if someone gets attached, it's over. Enjoy some hot sex. That's what having friends with benefits is for, isn't it? Have fun hooking up with your "friend," letting loose, and trying the things you were too afraid to try with your old boyfriend or girlfriend. This is your time to let loose and experiment, picking up the tricks you can use to wow future partners. Have fun trying new poses, having sex in kinky locations, and just throwing caution to the wind. Keep up your communication. As you ease in to your friends with benefits relationship, don't forget to check in with the person you're hooking up with. Make sure you're both into each other, but not too much. If you'll both be at a party, talk about how you'll act. If you're also hooking up with another person, don't be shady about it. You don't have to spill your heart out, but you should keep talking so you know what's working and what isn't. Don't forget to see other people. Part of a no-strings-attached relationship means that you are free to see other people. Don't forget this important perk. If you're only hooking up with one person, it may turn into a real relationship. If that's not what you want, then keep a look out whenever you're out at a bar or a party. Don't just wait to get a text from your hook up buddy, but look around and see if there are any other options for you. Keep it casual. You can hang out with your friend with benefits, but you need to make it clear that it's not a date. For one thing, you should spend more time in bed together than out of it. You can go out for a drink -- but not for dinner. Try to make your place as inhospitable as possible so your hook up buddy doesn't want to linger in the morning. If your friend does stay the night, don't fry up some pancakes in the morning, or give her a kiss goodbye. Be nice, but not loving. Don't do things a real couple would do, like go on a mini-vacation, go grocery shopping, or go on double-dates with your friends. Don't go clothes shopping together, and don't bring your "friend" as a date to a wedding or a party. Don't get gifts for the person you're hooking up with, or call him or her just to chat. Keep your distance. Don't see the person more than two or three times a week. Keep doing your own thing. The joy of a friends with benefits relationship is that you can still have enough time to pursue your own goals, whether it's grad school, your love for painting, or just all of the fun times you have hanging out with your friends. You can keep hooking up with your friend while having plenty of time to do all of the things you love during the day. Know when to say goodbye. There are three main reasons that a friends with benefits relationship ends: one person gets too attached, one person finds someone else he really wants to date, or both people just get bored and want to move on. The fourth reason is that there is a natural time-based end to the relationship, such as the end of a summer, the end of a long trip, or that one or both people is graduating. Once you have a feeling that it may be over, then it's over. If you set the ground rules early on, then it shouldn't be too painful to have a conversation about ending the non-relationship. And in the rare event that you and your hook up partner have fallen for each other, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Pick someone who is available. Pick someone who won't get too attached. Pick someone you already like. Pick someone outside your social or work circle. Pick someone with experience. Flirt with the person. Start hooking up. Set the ground rules. Enjoy some hot sex. Keep up your communication. Don't forget to see other people. Keep it casual. Keep doing your own thing. Know when to say goodbye.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Quail-Eggs

How to Cook Quail Eggs

To fry quail eggs, start by heating 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Then, crack the quail eggs into separate ramekins or bowls, and carefully pour each one into the pan so the yolk doesn't break. Next, cover the pan, and cook the eggs for 1 minute, or until the whites are firmly set. Finally, carefully transfer the fried eggs to a plate and enjoy.

Cover the eggs with cold water. Place the quail eggs in a small saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover the eggs by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Handle the eggs gently to prevent them from cracking. The eggs should remain in a single layer with some space between them; do not crowd or stack them. While not strictly necessary, consider adding 1 tsp (5 ml) salt and 1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar to the water. Doing so can help separate the egg from its shell, making the eggs easier to peel later. Bring the water to a boil. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Allow the water to reach a steady boil. Turn off the heat and cook for 5 minutes. As soon as the water reaches a boil, turn off the heat and cover the saucepan. Cook the eggs for an additional 5 minutes in the hot water. Leave the saucepan on the burner while the eggs finish boiling. The residual heat from the burner will help cook the eggs more thoroughly. Leaving the heat on could overcook the eggs, however. Submerge the eggs in cold water. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs into a bowl of ice water. Cool the eggs for 3 to 4 minutes. Dunking the eggs in ice water stops the cooking process. It also makes the eggs easier to peel. If you don't have an ice bath, rinse each egg under cold, running water until the shells feel cool to the touch. Serve. Peel off the shell and enjoy the hard boiled quail eggs as desired. To peel the eggs, lightly tap the shell on a hard surface to break it. Lift away the shell at its cracks. You can serve the eggs plain with a little salt or celery salt for flavor. Alternatively, you can use hard boiled quail eggs in other recipes, like tea marbled eggs, pickled eggs, and kwek kwek. Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a large nonstick skillet. Set the pan over medium heat for approximately 1 minute. Let the oil get hot, but do not allow it to start smoking. When the oil starts to glisten, turn and rotate the pan to help spread the oil across the entire bottom. Crack the eggs. Carefully crack each of the quail eggs into separate ramekins. Since quail eggs are so small, they can be difficult to crack without breaking the yolk. The easiest way to break open the egg is to saw off the end using a serrated knife; dump the contents of the shell into the ramekin afterward. Alternatively, you can carefully peel off the end of the shell with your fingers and pinch the inner membrane to break the egg open. Pour out the contents from that hole. If you decide to cook more eggs than called for in this recipe, work in small batches, preparing about four eggs in each one. Slide the eggs into the oil. Pour each quail egg out of its ramekin, allowing it to gently slide into the hot oil in the pan. Place the edge of the ramekin as close to the pan as possible to minimize the drop distance and preserve the yolk. Try to position the eggs so that they do not touch inside the pan. Cook until firm. Cover the pan and cook the eggs for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, or until the egg whites are firmly set. Do not touch the eggs while they cook. Note that the yolk will not appear firmly set when the eggs are finished. Serve warm. Use a spatula to carefully lift each egg out of the skillet and onto separate serving plates. Season with salt and white pepper, and enjoy them while they're still warm. Fried quail eggs can be served as a standalone dish, but they're more commonly served over other dishes, like slices of baguette, smoked salmon, or crab cakes. Simmer the water. Fill a small frying pan with approximately 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Bring the water to a gently boil over medium-high heat. As soon as the water boils, turn down the heat so that the water is just barely simmering. The water must bubble at a gentle pace before you add the eggs. Meanwhile, crack the eggs. As the water boils, crack each of the eggs into separate ramekins. Open the eggs carefully to avoid breaking the yolk. Use a serrated knife to carefully saw through the shell and membrane at one end, then pour the inner egg into the ramekin through that opening. Ideally, you should only cook three to four eggs at a time. For larger amounts, you may need to work in batches. Slide the eggs into the water. Carefully pour each egg into the bubbling water. Space the eggs apart so that they do not touch one another. Position the edge of the ramekin as close to the surface of the water as possible before pouring in the egg. Doing so will allow the egg to gently slide into the water, thereby preserving the yolk. Cook until set. Cook the eggs for about 1 minute, or until the whites are set and the yolk has reached your desired level of doneness. Use a spatula to carefully remove the finished eggs from the water. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels so that the water may drain. Serve warm. Serve the eggs immediately. Poached quail eggs are typically served atop simple green salads or cooked green vegetables, but you can also enjoy them separately. If you need to save the eggs for later, keep them in a bowl of ice water for up to several hours. Reheat the eggs in simmering water for 30 seconds, or until heated through, before serving. Simmer the water, tea, and spices. Pour 2 cups (500 ml) of water into a small saucepan. Add the tea bags, honey, and whole cloves to the water, then bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. You can vary the type of tea and the types of spices used according to your own tastes, but stick with deep or bright colored teas to create more pronounced marbling. Crack the egg shells. While the tea boils, gently roll the hard boiled quail eggs over a hard surface, cracking the shells without peeling them off. Alternatively, you could also crack the shells by tapping them with the back of a spoon. The cracks must be deep enough to reach through the membrane and to the white of the inner egg, but the shells themselves should remain intact. Submerge the eggs in the tea. Turn off the heat but leave the the saucepan on the stove. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the hot tea. Cover the saucepan and allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. Refrigerate overnight. Transfer the covered saucepan to the refrigerator and chill the eggs for at least 2 hours, if not overnight. Longer steep time will usually result in more pronounced marbling. Notable marbling should occur after 2 hours, but the effect will be more pronounced after 8 hours. Peel and serve the eggs. Drain the tea, dry the quail eggs, and peel away the shells using your fingers. Serve the marbled eggs cool or at room temperature. The tea itself should add flavor to the eggs, but if desired, you could still serving the eggs with a sprinkling of Kosher salt, soy salt, or another type of dipping salt. Combine the pickling ingredients. Pour the white wine vinegar into a small saucepan. Add the water, celery seeds, anise seeds, fennel seeds, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cloves, bay leaves, paprika, sea salt, and sliced shallots. Stir to combine. Boil the mixture. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Let it reach a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue simmering the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes. Afterward, remove the saucepan from the stove and set it away from the heat. Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it drops close to room temperature. Cover the eggs with the vinegar mixture. Place the eggs in a sterilized 1-qt (1-L) jar. Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the eggs. You must use a jar that's been cleaned and sterilized with boiling water. If harmful bacteria gets introduced into the mixture, the pickled eggs could become tainted and dangerous to eat. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Seal the container and place it in your refrigerator. Keep it there for at least 24 hours. Serve. Spoon the pickled quail eggs out of the vinegar mixture and enjoy them slightly chilled. You can enjoy the pickled quail eggs as snacks, appetizers, or side dishes. Store leftovers in the pickling liquid. Keep the container sealed and in your refrigerator, and use the eggs within two weeks.

Cover the eggs with cold water. Bring the water to a boil. Turn off the heat and cook for 5 minutes. Submerge the eggs in cold water. Serve. Heat the oil. Crack the eggs. Slide the eggs into the oil. Cook until firm. Serve warm. Simmer the water. Meanwhile, crack the eggs. Slide the eggs into the water. Cook until set. Serve warm. Simmer the water, tea, and spices. Crack the egg shells. Submerge the eggs in the tea. Refrigerate overnight. Peel and serve the eggs. Combine the pickling ingredients. Boil the mixture. Cover the eggs with the vinegar mixture. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Serve.

https://www.wikihow.com/Square-Fractions

How to Square Fractions

To square a fraction, simplify the fraction as much as you can. Next, multiply the numerator by itself, then multiply the denominator by itself. If you are squaring a negative fraction, the result will be positive. Reduce the fraction to its simplest form.

Understand how to square whole numbers. When you see an exponent of two, you know that you need to square the number. To square a whole number, you multiply it by itself. For example: 5 = 5 × 5 = 25 Realize that squaring fractions works the same way. To square a fraction, you multiply the fraction by itself. Another way to think about it is to multiply the numerator by itself and then the denominator by itself. For example: ( / 2 ) = / 2 × / 2 or ( / 2 ). Squaring each number yields ( / 4 ). Multiply the numerator by itself and the denominator by itself. The actual order that you multiply these numbers by themselves doesn't matter as long as you have squared both numbers. To keep things simple, start with the numerator: simply multiply it by itself. Then, multiply the denominator by itself. The numerator will stay on top of the fraction and the denominator will stay at the bottom of the fraction. For example: ( / 2 ) = ( / 2 x 2 ) = ( / 4 ). Simplify the fraction to finish. When working with fractions, the last step is always to reduce the fraction to its most simple form or turn the improper fraction into a mixed number. For our example, / 4 is an improper fraction because the numerator is larger than the denominator. To convert to a mixed number, divide 4 into 25. It goes in 6 times (6 x 4 = 24) with 1 leftover. Therefore, the mixed number is 6 / 4. Recognize the negative sign in front of the fraction. If you are working with a negative fraction, it will have a minus sign in front of it. It is good practice to always put parentheses around a negative number so you know that the “–“ sign is referring to the number and not telling you to subtract two numbers. For example: (– / 4 ) Multiply the fraction by itself. Square the fraction as you would normally by multiplying the numerator by itself and then multiplying the denominator by itself. Alternatively, you can simply multiply the fraction by itself. For example: (– / 4 ) = (– / 4 ) x (– / 4 ) Understand that two negative numbers multiply to make a positive number. When a minus sign is present, the entire fraction is negative. When you square the fraction, you are multiplying two negative numbers together. Whenever two negative numbers are multiplied together, they make a positive number. For example: (-2) x (-8) = (+16) Remove the negative sign after squaring. After you have squared the fraction, you will have multiplied two negative numbers together. This means that the squared fraction will be positive. Be sure to write your final answer without the negative sign. Continuing the example, the resulting fraction will be a positive number. (– / 4 ) x (– / 4 ) = (+ / 16 ) Generally, the convention is to drop the “+” sign for positive numbers. Reduce the fraction to its simplest form. The final step when doing any calculations with a fraction is to reduce it. Improper fractions must first be simplified into mixed numbers and then reduced. For example: ( / 16 ) has a common factor of four. Divide the fraction through by 4: 4/4 = 1, 16/4= 4 Rewrite simplified fraction: ( / 4 ) Check to see if you can simplify the fraction before you square it. It is usually easier to reduce fractions before squaring them. Remember, to reduce a fraction means to divide it by a common factor until the number one is the only number that can be evenly divided into both the numerator and denominator. Reducing the fraction first means you don't have to reduce it at the end when the numbers will be larger. For example: ( / 16 ) 12 and 16 can both be divided by 4. 12/4 = 3 and 16/4 = 4; therefore, / 16 reduces to / 4. Now, you will square the fraction / 4. ( / 4 ) = / 16 , which cannot be reduced. To prove this, let's square the original fraction without reducing: ( / 16 ) = ( / 16 x 16 ) = ( / 256 ) ( / 256 ) has a common factor of 16. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 16 reduces the fraction to ( / 16 ), the same fraction we got from reducing first. Learn to recognize when you should wait to reduce a fraction. When working with more complex equations , you may be able to simply cancel one of the factors. In this case, it is actually easier to wait before you reduce the fraction. Adding an additional factor to the above example illustrates this. For example: 16 × ( / 16 ) Expand out the square and cross out the common factor of 16: 16 * / 16 * / 16 Because there is one 16 whole number and two 16's in the denominator, you can cross ONE of them out. Rewrite the simplified equation: 12 × / 16 Reduce / 16 by dividing through by 4: / 4 Multiply: 12 × / 4 = 36/4 Divide: 36/4 = 9 Understand how to use an exponent shortcut. Another way to solve the same example is to simplify the exponent first. The end result is the same, it's just a different way to solve. For example: 16 * ( / 16 ) Rewrite with the numerator and denominator squared: 16 * ( / 16 ) Cancel out the exponent in the denominator: 16 * / 16 Imagine the first 16 has an exponent of 1: 16. Using the exponent rule of dividing numbers, you subtract the exponents. 16 /16 , yields 16 = 16 or 1/16. Now, you are working with: / 16 Rewrite and reduce the fraction: / 16 = * / 4. Multiply: 12 × / 4 = 36/4 Divide: 36/4 = 9

Understand how to square whole numbers. Realize that squaring fractions works the same way. Multiply the numerator by itself and the denominator by itself. Simplify the fraction to finish. Recognize the negative sign in front of the fraction. Multiply the fraction by itself. Understand that two negative numbers multiply to make a positive number. Remove the negative sign after squaring. Reduce the fraction to its simplest form. Check to see if you can simplify the fraction before you square it. Learn to recognize when you should wait to reduce a fraction. Understand how to use an exponent shortcut.

https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-and-Look-Pretty

How to Feel and Look Pretty

If you want to feel and look pretty, wear clean, unwrinkled clothes that make you feel good about your body. In addition to your outfit, be sure to shower every 1-2 days to keep your skin clean and smelling good. Your hair is one of the first things people will notice about you, so take a few minutes each morning to style it. If you wear makeup, use it to compliment your best facial features, which will help you look and feel attractive. You can also add a nice deodorant or fragrance so you smell as good as you look!

every 1-2 days to keep your skin clean and smelling good. Shower Showering and washing your hair too frequently can actually dry out your skin and hair, but it's still super important to get clean multiple times a week. Always take a shower on days that you workout or get particularly sweaty. When you shower, take a few minutes to wash your hair and your body. You can also take this time to shave or wash your face to help simplify your hygiene routine. Use deodorant to keep your body odor under control. Take 10 seconds every morning to apply deodorant—you'll be thanking yourself for it by mid-afternoon! Everyone has body odor, so it's nothing to be ashamed about. But you can definitely help yourself smell better throughout the day, which in turn will help you feel better and more confident. You could even keep a spare deodorant in your purse or backpack to apply midday in case you get sweaty. Brush your teeth twice a day so your mouth looks and smells great. When you eat, your teeth get covered in plaque and food particles. Cleaning them regularly keeps them in good shape, helps keep them white, and reduces bad breath. Try to brush your teeth for 2 minutes each time to make sure you're really getting them clean. For some bonus points, floss and use mouthwash every day, too. Wear clean clothes that aren’t wrinkly so you feel your best. Clothes that smell and look good will make you look and feel better about yourself. Instead of wearing a wrinkled T-shirt, take a minute to iron it or pop it into the dryer for 10 minutes to erase the wrinkles. Make a laundry schedule so that you always have a rotation of clean clothes ready to choose from. Make it a priority to put away your clothes right after they've finished drying. This will help prevent them from getting wrinkled. Wash your face every night and use acne-fighting products if needed. Determine if you have oily, dry, or combination skin. Find products that are made for you specifically, and make sure to wash your face before you go to bed every single night. You may also want to wash your face in the morning when you get up. This will help prevent oils from building up and should lessen acne breakouts. If you have acne that doesn't clear up when you address your hydration, diet, sleep routine, and skincare routine, you may want to visit a dermatologist. Sometimes acne needs to be medically treated. Exercise regularly to boost your endorphins and feel better. If you don't already workout, start by adding a physical activity to your routine 3-4 days per week. Run , bike , swim , walk , play tennis , lift weights, do yoga , or find some other type of activity that you enjoy. Working out regularly may make you look more toned, but it will also help you feel stronger. Plus, those exercise endorphins are a great mood booster that will help you feel better about yourself! Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to feel ready to tackle each day. Try to eat foods from each food group every day: protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains are all important building blocks in a healthy diet. Avoid super sugary or processed foods when you can. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. If have a hard time staying on track with your daily food intake, try making a meal plan. The guesswork will be removed from each meal, and you'll feel more prepared to make good decisions. Your diet and hydration play a big part in how you feel and look. Eating a good diet and drinking enough water can make your skin look great; plus, your body will feel better. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night so you’re well-rested. Set a reminder on your phone to alert you when it's 30 minutes before bed. That way, you can start winding down by changing your clothes, doing a nighttime routine, turning off your electronics, and slowing down your mind. Plan to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day for the best results, whether it's a weekday or weekend. If you have trouble sleeping, try turning the temperature down a little lower than usual (about 65 °F (18 °C) is the most comfortable temperature for sleep time) and make sure your phone is turned off or on silent so that you don't get woken up by notifications. Pamper yourself by doing hair masks, face masks, and manicures. Sometimes your body needs (and deserves) a little extra TLC. Masks and manicures can help your hair, skin, and nails look their absolute best, and when they look good, you'll feel good. Schedule these self-care moments into your calendar every 2-3 weeks. You can buy products at the store for the masks, or you can make your own from natural ingredients. For instance, you can make a moisturizing mask by mixing honey, olive oil, egg white, and avocado. Schedule regular manicures or buy some tools so you can do them yourself at home. Keep tabs on your mental health so you can address any concerns. When you're overwhelmed with anxiety or stress or are perhaps experiencing some depression , it can be really hard to feel good about yourself. If you notice that you are struggling with any mental health concerns, reach out to someone you trust to talk to them about it. Or, schedule an appointment with a professional—there is no shame in asking for help when you need it! Take some time each morning to do your hair so it looks its best. You don't have to give yourself a blowout every morning and spend 30 minutes curling your hair , but even taking just 5 minutes to style your hair and put it up in a neat ponytail or braid can help you look and feel prettier. Come up with some styles you can do in under 10 minutes for those days when you're pressed for time. If you just can't get your hair under control, try wearing a hat or a stylish scarf to create a neat look. For short hair , use styling wax or something similar to give your hair some volume even if you don't have time to actually style it every day. Use makeup to accentuate your beauty, not to hide your face. Embrace your natural beauty and use foundation , concealer , eyeliner , eyeshadow , mascara , and lipstick to even out your skin tone and enhance your already beautiful features. Learn how to do a quick makeup routine for those mornings when it's a struggle to get out of bed. Makeup doesn't have to be just for girls! Guys can use whatever kind of makeup they like, and applying some concealer or foundation to get a more even skin tone can do a lot for your confidence. Pick out an outfit that makes you feel good about your body. Forget about what you think you should wear, and instead focus on what you actually like and feel good in. Whether that's dresses, yoga pants, bright colors, or muted tones, you'll feel so much prettier when you follow your own fashion instincts. For example, if you love the simple look of black yoga pants, try pairing them with a nice gray top and a jean jacket to create a fashionable and easy-going look. If you love wearing dresses and feel prettiest in them, add 1 or 2 to your weekly rotation so you can enjoy wearing them more often. Use positive affirmations to help you face whatever comes your way. If you face the day with a positive, can-do attitude, you'll feel more upbeat. That feeling will show through, making you feel pretty both on the inside and on the outside. While you're getting ready in the morning, repeat 2-3 affirmations out loud to yourself, like “I am capable of handling challenges,” “I am smart and capable,” or “I am a beautiful person, inside and out.” Keep your positive affirmations in the present tense. Instead of saying, “I did something brave,” say, “I am a brave person.” Approach the world with a smile to show that you’re a beautiful person. A big, genuine smile can do wonders for making you look pretty. When you walk, keep your head up and don't be afraid to keep a smile on your face. It'll make you (and others) feel good. Smiling is a great way to express positive emotions and friendliness. It automatically makes you seem more approachable, and kind and approachable people are more attractive. Practice positive self-talk so that you build yourself up. Start by identifying the negative things you say, either verbally or internally, about yourself. Then, reframe those thoughts to be kinder to yourself. This will help you feel better, and when you feel better, you'll be more confident and believe in your true self-worth. For example, if you find yourself often thinking, “I'm so stupid,” you could reframe that thought to something like, “I am capable of doing hard things.” If you criticize your body or looks often, try thanking your body for what it does for you. For example, instead of thinking, “I'm so fat,” instead think, “I'm so grateful I have a body that works well and carries me so far.” Stop worrying about what other people think about you. This is easier said than done, but it's an important part of embracing your inner and outer beauty. You'll never be able to please everyone, so instead ask yourself, “Do I like myself?” If you like the way you look and act, that is enough. If people say mean things about you or to you, try to remind yourself that, chances are, they're unhappy with themselves. If they weren't, they wouldn't feel the need to cut others down. Focus on the things you like about yourself, inside and out. To feel pretty, you have to embrace yourself, quirks and all. Instead of focusing on the things you wish you could change, instead choose to think about the great things you bring to the table. If this feels hard for you, try sitting down and making an actual list of things you like about yourself. You can refer to this list whenever you start feeling down about yourself. Don't just focus on physical characteristics, though those can definitely be included. Think about things you're good at, like babysitting or being a good friend or student. Can you play an instrument? Are you good at Math? Nothing is too small to be proud of! Be kind to others so that you both look and act pretty. When you're a kind person, you'll automatically feel better about yourself. Plus, others can pick up on what kind of a person you are, and that affects how they perceive you. Go out of your way to speak kind words to the people around you—compliment them, encourage them, and be nice even if others aren't acting the same. It's a little cliche, but try to treat others the way you'd want to be treated. Practice being confident in the way you look, talk, and think. Like you've been learning, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Even if you don't feel like you're traditionally pretty, your unique looks and character still make you a beautiful person. Stand up straight, look people in the eye, and choose to believe that you are a pretty person, inside and out. It can take a long time to become truly confident, so don't beat yourself up if you still struggle with self-doubt from time to time. Everyone does! Just remember to pick yourself back up every day and become your own biggest supporter.

every 1-2 days to keep your skin clean and smelling good. Use deodorant to keep your body odor under control. Brush your teeth twice a day so your mouth looks and smells great. Wear clean clothes that aren’t wrinkly so you feel your best. Wash your face every night and use acne-fighting products if needed. Exercise regularly to boost your endorphins and feel better. Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to feel ready to tackle each day. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night so you’re well-rested. Pamper yourself by doing hair masks, face masks, and manicures. Keep tabs on your mental health so you can address any concerns. Take some time each morning to do your hair so it looks its best. Use makeup to accentuate your beauty, not to hide your face. Pick out an outfit that makes you feel good about your body. Use positive affirmations to help you face whatever comes your way. Approach the world with a smile to show that you’re a beautiful person. Practice positive self-talk so that you build yourself up. Stop worrying about what other people think about you. Focus on the things you like about yourself, inside and out. Be kind to others so that you both look and act pretty. Practice being confident in the way you look, talk, and think.

https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Real-Estate-Commissions

How to Calculate Real Estate Commissions

To calculate a real estate commission, start by converting the commission percentage into a decimal by diving it by 100. Then, multiply the purchase price by that number. For example, if you're trying to determine the amount of a 6% commission on a $100,000 sale price, you would divide 6 by 100 to get.06, then multiply it by 100,000 for a $6,000 commission. Also, remember that the buyer's and seller's brokers usually split this commission, so each agent would get half of that amount.

Multiply the commission percentage by the purchase price to find out your total commission. To estimate commission, simply multiply the percentage by the purchase price of the property. Remember to convert percentage to decimal first by dividing it by 100. Rate : 5.5%; Purchase Price : $200,000 →.055 x 200,000 = $11,000 Rate : 4.75%; Purchase Price : $325,000 →.0475 x 325,000 = $15,437.50 Rate : 6.3%; Purchase Price $132,000 →.063 x 132,000 = $8,316 Formula = C o m m % 100 ∗ P u r c h a s e P r i c e {\displaystyle {\frac {Comm\%}{100}}*PurchasePrice} Familiarize yourself with common commission amounts. When you buy or sell a home, the broker receives a percentage of the sale value as commission. This is their payment for helping you buy or sell the house. This percentage typically ranges between 5% and 7%, with the average currently around 5.5%. Discuss your specific commissions before signing any paperwork. Some brokers have arrangements where there will be a certain percentage charged on the first $100,000 of the home value, and a smaller percentage charged on the remainder of the house. On rare occasions, the commission is a flat fee. If you buy a house for $225,000, and your Realtor has a mixed commission (7% for the first $100,000, 3% for the rest), you would simply break the price up and calculate separately: $225,000 - $100,000 = $125,000 ($100,000 x 7%) + (125,000 x 3%) ($7,000) + ($3,750) Total Commission = $10,750 Remember that commission is already tacked onto final sale price. A commission reduces the seller's net proceeds from the sale. The seller pays it in one sense because it reduces the net proceeds. For example, if you are selling a home for $200,000, and if the dollar value of the commission is $10,000, you will receive $190,000 for your purchase. If you sold a house for $150,000 at 5% commission, you receive $142,500 on the sale, or $150,000 - $7,500 in commission. If you buy a house for $225,000, and your Realtor's commission is 4.6%, then you'll be paying your Realtor $10,350. In a typical real estate contract in the United States, the buyers do not pay the real estate commissions. It is taken out of the seller's proceeds. The buyer pays the agreed upon purchase price plus their closing costs. If you are buying a house and the seller is not offering a real estate commission, then you may end up paying the real estate commission on top of the purchase price. It depends on what you negotiate with the Realtor. Understand how commissions are split between brokers. The standard arrangement is that the broker representing the buyer and the broker representing the seller will each split the commission 50/50. At this point the broker would then split the commission according to the brokerage/agent contracted agreement. Note that if you choose not to use a broker, the seller's broker would receive the entire commission. The commission fee between the seller and broker is always negotiable. If you had $10,000 commission, $5,000 would go to the buyer's broker, and $5,000 would go to the seller's broker. Settle on the commission amount ahead of the sale. Before selling a property, make sure to determine exactly what the commission will be in percentage form. Commissions are often negotiable, and do not be afraid to ask for a reduction in commissions, especially if you are selling a high-value property. In some cases, the broker and agent will split the commission. In these cases, you may need to negotiate with both of them to determine what their total commission will be, and then they can work out an appropriate commission split and divide the commission between them. For this section, assume you settled on a 5% commission with your Realtor for a ranch house in Georgia. Determine the property's gross sale price. Once the commission is determined, you need to determine the sale price of your property. Ask your agent for help in understanding the sale price of your home. The commission will be based on the total price of the home, not the amount the seller gets to keep after a mortgage or other lien is paid off. The sale price will only be finalized once you have agreed to an offer from a buyer and the appropriate legal documents have been signed and confirmed. Continuing the example, pretend this GA ranch is worth $200,000. Note that gross sales price refers to the price of your home before any deductions are taken off. This means before any taxes, commissions, fees, etc. Calculate the commission by multiplying the gross sales price of the property by the commission percentage that was agreed upon. For example, our ranch that sold for $200,000 with a 5% commission rate would result in a $10,000 agent commission. Remember to convert the percentage to a decimal (by dividing by 100) before multiplying if your calculator does not have a "%" button. 200 , 000 ∗ 5 % = 10 , 000 {\displaystyle 200,000*5\%=10,000} Add taxes to the commission amount. Since commission is being paid in exchange for a service, the commission amount is often taxed just like any other purchase with a sales tax. Sales tax rates vary between states and countries. To calculate this, simply find out what the sales tax amount is (say, 4%), and multiply that amount by the commission amount. This will tell you the amount of tax that is owed, and you can simply add this amount to the total commission owing to obtain the total cost of the commission. For example, multiply 4% (or 0.04) by your $10,000 commission and you get $400 in sales tax. This means your total commission would be $10,400. Note that sales tax is not charged in all states on commissions. Subtract the commission from the total sale to determine your cut. To determine the net proceeds you will receive for your home after commission and other selling costs, subtract the commission and other selling costs from the amount of the purchase price. For example, if commission was the only selling cost, and the ranch's purchase price is $200,000, and your total commission was $10,400, then you would have net proceeds of $189,600. Keep in mind that there are other selling costs besides commission to factor in when you are determining what the net proceeds are. A real estate agent can help estimate these costs for you.

Multiply the commission percentage by the purchase price to find out your total commission. Familiarize yourself with common commission amounts. Discuss your specific commissions before signing any paperwork. Remember that commission is already tacked onto final sale price. Understand how commissions are split between brokers. Settle on the commission amount ahead of the sale. Determine the property's gross sale price. Calculate the commission by multiplying the gross sales price of the property by the commission percentage that was agreed upon. Add taxes to the commission amount. Subtract the commission from the total sale to determine your cut.

https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-a-Lemon-Seed

How to Plant a Lemon Seed

To plant a lemon seed, first cut open a plump, juicy lemon and extract the seeds from the pulp. Choose an undamaged seed and rinse it under cool water. Then, find a small pot with drainage holes on the bottom and fill it with pasteurized soil mix. Push your seed ½ inch (1 cm) below the surface. Lightly moisten the soil with lukewarm water and cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap to help the soil retain its moisture. Place the pot in a warm spot that gets indirect sunlight. Lightly water your lemon seed every day to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Once seedlings appear, move the pot into direct sunlight and take the plastic wrap off. Transfer the seedling to a large pot or well-draining area in your yard when the first leaves appear. If possible, do this in the spring right before the growing season. Keep your lemon tree indoors if your local temperature ever drops below 45°F (7°C). Water the plant as needed to keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Fertilize the soil once a month between April and August with a water-soluble fertilizer that's high in potassium and nitrogen to encourage growth.

Prepare your potting soil in a separate bucket. Pour some soil into a large bucket and add water to it until it is damp. Mix the soil with your hand or a trowel until it is evenly damp. Do not allow the soil to become soggy, or the seeds will rot. You will need a well-draining soil. Lemon trees love water, but they hate to sit in it. Try to get a pasteurized soil mix. Pasteurization gets rid of any bacteria that can kill seeds. Consider getting a soil that is a blend of peat, perlite, vermiculite, and organic fertilizer. This will give your seedling proper drainage and nutrients. Choose a small pot with drainage holes. The pot should be about 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) wide, and 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.24 centimeters) deep. This pot will be enough for one seed. Some people like to plant several seeds in one pot at a time. If you want to do this too, choose a larger pot. Your pot must have drainage holes. If your pot does not have any, you will need to drill some. Fill the pot with soil. Stop when the top of the soil is about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the rim. Make a ½ inch (1.27 centimeter) deep hole in the soil. You can do this using your finger or a pencil. Choose a plump-looking seed from a lemon. It may be necessary to use an organic lemon because seeds from a non-organic lemon may not sprout. Also, avoid taking any seeds that look too tiny (like a grain of rice) or that look shriveled (like a raisin). These seeds either won't sprout or won't grow into healthy seedlings. Consider planting 5 to 10 lemon seeds at one time, in case some of the seeds don't sprout or don't make it past seedling-hood. Keep in mind that trees that come from seeds are not identical to the parent tree that they came from. Sometimes, the fruit that the new saplings produce is of a lesser quality. Other times, they do not produce edible fruit at all. This does not prevent the young tree from being visually pleasing. Keep this in mind when growing your tree. Wash the seed to get rid of the slimy coating. You can do this by washing the lemon seed or by sucking on it until the coating is gone. This is important. The gel-like coating contains sugars, which can cause the seed to rot. Consider leaving the lemon seeds in a cup of warm water overnight. This will help them sprout faster. Drop the seed into the hole and cover it up. Make sure that the pointy tip is pointing downward into the soil, and the rounded part is pointing upward towards you. The roots will come out of the pointy part. Cover the pot with a piece of breathable plastic to trap warmth and moisture. Begin by placing a sheet of clear plastic cling wrap over the pot. Wrap a rubber band around the plastic wrap to secure it to the pot. Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap. You can use a pencil, a toothpick, or even a fork. These holes will allow the plant to breathe. Place the pot in a warm location. You can place the pot in a sunny location too, but sunlight is not vital at this point. In fact, too much sunlight can "cook" the young, delicate seedlings. You should see a sprout emerge in about two weeks. The ideal temperature is between 68°F and 82.4°F (20°C and 28°C). Water the soil when you see it become dry. The plastic wrap should trap the moisture, and the condensation should rain down onto the soil, making it damp again. In very dry environments, this may not happen. If you see the soil start to become dry, remove the plastic wrap and water the plant. Be sure to re-cover the pot with the plastic wrap when you are done watering. Remove the plastic covering once the sprout appears and transfer the pot to a warm, sunny location. Remember to keep the soil damp, but do not let it become soggy. Click here to learn how to take care of your seedling. Dampen a paper towel and smooth it out on a flat surface. Start by soaking a paper towel with water, then squeeze out the excess water. Place the damp paper towel on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. The paper towel should fit inside your plastic zippered or resealable bag. If the paper towel is too big, then fold it in half or into quarters. Pick out 5 to 10 plump seeds from an organic lemon. Seeds from non-organic lemons will not always sprout, so it is a good idea to prepare at least 10 seeds to ensure you have a healthy selection. Look for seeds that are large and plump. Skip the ones that look shriveled or like tiny, white specks. These will either not sprout, or they won't grow into a healthy seedling. Even if you only plan on growing one lemon tree, it is a good idea to start with several seeds. Not all seeds will sprout, and not all seedlings will survive. Take care to not crowd the seeds. They should be at least three inches apart, so that they have room for their roots as they germinate. Consider keeping the seeds in a cup of water overnight. This will keep the seeds from drying out while you work. The seeds must stay moist. If they dry out, they will not sprout. Clean the gel-like coating off of each seed. You can do this by rinsing the seeds in cool water, or by sucking on them. This gel is filled with sugars, which can encourage mold and bacteria growth. You can also peel the other white layer off to reveal a brown-colored seed. Start peeling from the pointy end. You can use your finger nail or a craft knife to nick the tip, and then peel the outer shell down. This will make it easier for the seeds to sprout and speed up the process, but is not necessary for germination to occur. Peel the brown seed cover off as well. You may notice that your seed is covered with a thin, brown film. Use your fingernail to scratch this coating off. Place the seeds onto the damp paper towel. Try to spread the seeds out as evenly as you can, so that the roots don't become tangled when they sprout. Repeat the peeling process for the rest of the seeds and place them down onto the towel. Once the seeds are on the paper towel, they should stay damp. If you notice them starting to get dry out, consider covering the paper towel with another damp paper towel, or folding the first one overtop of them. Slip the paper towel into a plastic zippered or resealable bag, and close the bag tightly. Don't use a plastic grocery bag. You want the bag to be zippered or resealable; this will help trap the moisture and retain heat. Your seeds will need both in order to sprout. Keep the plastic bag in a dark, warm location until the seeds sprout. Keep the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It will take one to two weeks. Some seedlings will need up to three weeks to sprout. Transplant the seedlings when the tails are about 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) long. Make a shallow hole (a half inch deep) in a pot of damp, well-drained soil, and tuck the seedling, tail-side-down into the hole. Gently pat the soil around the seedling. Move the pot to a warm, sunny location. Remember to water the plant and to keep the soil damp; do not allow the soil to become soggy or dry. Click here to learn how to take care of your seedling. Water your plant regularly, about 2 or 3 times per week. When the seedling has 4 developed leaves, let the surface of the soil become dry before you water again. Don't let the soil dry out completely, however; it should be moist if you stick your finger into it. Make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Lemon trees require at least eight hours of sunlight. Seedlings will require 10 to 14 hours. You may have to place a grow light next to your tree to ensure that it gets enough sunlight. You can purchase grow lights from gardening shops and nurseries. Know when to transplant your seedling. Eventually, your seedling will outgrow its pot. When the seedling reaches 1 year old, transfer it to a 6 inch (15.24 centimeter) wide pot. Eventually, you will need to move your plant to a pot that is 12 to 18 inches (30.48 to 45.72 centimeters) wide and 10 to 16 inches (25.4 to 40.64 centimeters) deep. A good rule of thumb to determine when it's time to transplant is to look under the pot. If you can see roots through the drainage holes, it is time for a new, bigger pot. Maintain the soil pH level. Lemon trees like soil that is slightly acidic. The pH should be between 5.7 and 6.5. You can measure this with a pH testing kit, which you can purchase from a gardening shop or a nursery. A good way to lower the acidity of the soil is by watering the plant once a month with some cold black coffee or tea (with no milk or sugar added). However, make sure that you continue to monitor the pH until it has reached the ideal range. Remember to provide your tree with proper nutrients so that it grows healthy and strong. You can either dig a trench around the tree and fill it with dry compost, or you can water it with a water soluble fertilizer. Here are some ways in which you can provide your tree with the nutrition it needs: Fertilize your lemon tree twice a year with an organic fertilizer, such as compost or vermicompost. Water your plant every 2 to 4 weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. It should be high in potassium and magnesium. If your tree is going to stay indoors, purchase a general indoor plant fertilizer. It should contain micronutrients. Water your tree once a month with a solution made from 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts and ½ gallon (1.89 liters) of water. If your tree is still very small, you might not need so much water. Instead, water the plant as much as you need to, then save the leftover water for the next month. Understand that it will take some time before your tree can bear fruit. Some lemon trees will produce fruit in as little as five years. Others will requires as many as 15 years. If you have an indoor lemon tree, you'll also need to pollinate it by hand before it will bear fruit. Bees typically take care of this when your lemon tree is planted outside, though.

Prepare your potting soil in a separate bucket. Choose a small pot with drainage holes. Fill the pot with soil. Make a ½ inch (1.27 centimeter) deep hole in the soil. Choose a plump-looking seed from a lemon. Wash the seed to get rid of the slimy coating. Drop the seed into the hole and cover it up. Cover the pot with a piece of breathable plastic to trap warmth and moisture. Place the pot in a warm location. Water the soil when you see it become dry. Remove the plastic covering once the sprout appears and transfer the pot to a warm, sunny location. Dampen a paper towel and smooth it out on a flat surface. Pick out 5 to 10 plump seeds from an organic lemon. Consider keeping the seeds in a cup of water overnight. Clean the gel-like coating off of each seed. You can also peel the other white layer off to reveal a brown-colored seed. Peel the brown seed cover off as well. Place the seeds onto the damp paper towel. Repeat the peeling process for the rest of the seeds and place them down onto the towel. Slip the paper towel into a plastic zippered or resealable bag, and close the bag tightly. Keep the plastic bag in a dark, warm location until the seeds sprout. Transplant the seedlings when the tails are about 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) long. Move the pot to a warm, sunny location. Water your plant regularly, about 2 or 3 times per week. Make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Know when to transplant your seedling. Maintain the soil pH level. Remember to provide your tree with proper nutrients so that it grows healthy and strong. Understand that it will take some time before your tree can bear fruit.

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How to Get Rid of Ringworm in Dogs

To get rid of ringworm in your dog, start by taking your dog to the vet, since you'll need oral and topical medications to treat the infection. When you get home, keep your dog quarantined in a room that's tiled and has very few furnishings so it's easy to clean. Twice a week, wipe down the room's surfaces with a diluted bleach solution to disinfect the entire area. Additionally, make sure you wash your hands before and after you touch your dog to avoid spreading the ringworm to yourself and other people.

Ask your vet for oral medication. Your vet will recommend an antifungal drug like griseofulvin, itraconazole, or terbinafine. Your dog will need to take the medication orally for at least six weeks for the ringworm to go away successfully. Oral medication is usually recommended for mild cases of ringworm in dogs. You will need to give your dog the medication in pill or liquid form by mouth. Your vet should outline the side effects of the oral medication. Usually, the side effects of these drugs are minor. Get a medicated ointment, cream, or shampoo. Another option is a medicated ointment or cream that you apply to ringworm sores on your dog's coat. Your vet may also recommend a medicated shampoo that you use to bathe your dog twice a week. Medicated ointments, creams, and shampoos may need to be applied for several weeks or months to be effective. Only use medicated ointments, creams, or shampoos recommended by your vet. In severe cases of ringworm, your vet may prescribe an oral medication and a topical medication. Follow your vet’s instructions on dosage and use. Your vet will tell you how long and how often you should give your dog the prescribed medication. Most medications for ringworm will need to be used for at least six weeks to several months. Do not stop treating your dog for ringworm if their symptoms clear up. This can cause the ringworm to come back. After the course of treatment has ended, your vet will do follow up tests on your dog to confirm the ringworm is gone. Discuss clipping your dog’s hair. Your vet may also recommend that you clip your dog's hair to reduce the spread of ringworm and speed up its recovery, especially if you have a longhaired dog. However, clipping should only be done if the infection is severe. It also puts your dog at risk of getting a more severe infection if its skin gets nicked during the clipping. You can also ask your vet about the best way to clip your dog's hair without nicking its skin. In some cases, your vet may suggest shaving the infected area on your dog's coat to speed up healing. Ask them about the best way to do this so your dog is not at risk of getting cut or nicked. Mop and vacuum your home. Ringworm lives in your dog's skin and hair, so you will need to mop and vacuum any surfaces your dog has had contact with. Vacuum carpet and furniture. Mop the floors, baseboards, stairwells, and window sills. Do a thorough clean of your home to contain the ringworm. You should then mop and vacuum your home once a week while your dog is recovering from ringworm. Disinfect your home with a bleach solution. Combine 1 part bleach with 10 parts water. Use the bleach solution on floors, baseboards, window sills, and bleach-safe furnishings to disinfect them. The bleach will help to kill the fungus and prevent the spread of ringworm. Quarantine your dog in a room that is easy to clean. Pick a room that has very few furnishings and tiled or wood floor, rather than carpet. This will make it easier for you to clean the room daily and maintain it while your dog recovers from ringworm. Make sure you mop and vacuum the room you have quarantined your dog in at least twice a week. Wash your hands before and after touching your dog. Use mild antibacterial soap. Do not put your hand in your mouth, eat food, or go to the bathroom without washing your hands first. You can also wear gloves when you touch your dog so you do not come in contact with ringworm. Keep other pets and humans away from your dog for at least three weeks. Do not let children or other family members touch or pet your dog. Make sure other pets do not play or interact with your dog for at least three weeks so they are not at risk of contracting ringworm. If you suspect your other pets may have ringworm, make sure you bring them to the vet for a check up. You will then need to quarantine any other pets that have ringworm, keeping them in separate rooms or areas. See your doctor if you develop any symptoms of ringworm. Ringworm can be transmitted easily to humans, especially young children, older people or people with weakened immune systems. If you notice small patches of red skin with raised, scaly edges on your body, go see your doctor right away. Your doctor can then recommend treatment for the issue. Make sure you take the prescribed treatment for the entire time, even if your symptoms clear up. Ringworm can stay dormant for up to 18 months in humans and recur if not treated fully.

Ask your vet for oral medication. Get a medicated ointment, cream, or shampoo. Follow your vet’s instructions on dosage and use. Discuss clipping your dog’s hair. Mop and vacuum your home. Disinfect your home with a bleach solution. Quarantine your dog in a room that is easy to clean. Wash your hands before and after touching your dog. Keep other pets and humans away from your dog for at least three weeks. See your doctor if you develop any symptoms of ringworm.

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How to Build a Pyramid for School

To build a pyramid out of cardboard for a school project, cut a square out of cardboard, then cut out 4 cardboard triangles, with the bases slightly smaller than the square. Hot glue the long edges of the triangles together so they stand up in a pyramid shape, then glue the bottom of the pyramid to the square to form a base. Let the glue dry completely, then draw bricks onto the pyramid with a permanent marker. For an even more realistic appearance, brush white school glue onto the pyramid, then sprinkle sand over the glue. Allow the pyramid to dry overnight.

Gather your supplies. This cardboard pyramid looks like a realistic flat-sided pyramid, but it's lightweight and doesn't take very long to put together. You probably have most of the supplies on hand already. For this project you will need: A large flattened cardboard box or piece of cardboard Ruler Pencil Scissors Hot glue gun and sticks Brown or black permanent marker White school glue Paint brush Sand Cut out a cardboard square. Cut out a square of cardboard that is 14 inches (35.5 cm) by 14 inches (35.5 cm). This square will be the base of the pyramid. You can make the base in any size you need, but keep in mind that the rest of the measurements will need to be altered if you change the size of the base. Cut out four cardboard triangles. Use your ruler and pencil to draw four triangles with 8-inch (20.3 cm) bases that are 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall. Place a dot 12 inches (30.5 cm) from the center point (which is at 4 inches or 10.2 cm) of the bottom line to create a perfect triangle. You can use a craft knife instead of scissors if the cardboard is stiff and difficult to cut. Hot-glue the triangles together. Lean the triangles in so that their points meet and create a pyramid shape. You can temporarily tape them together or have a friend or family member help you if it's tricky to get all four pieces to stay together. Then, seal the edges together with a line of hot glue. Be very careful when using hot glue, as it can burn you. Keep your hands away from the nozzle and the glue. Make sure you have a safe surface to rest your hot glue gun on when you're not using it as well. Hot-glue the pyramid to the square. Center the pyramid on top of the square. Put a line of hot glue along all four bottom edges of the pyramid and press it down in the middle of the square. Let the glue dry completely. It's important to allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Wait a few hours before moving on to ensure your pyramid doesn't fall apart. Draw “bricks” on the pyramid. Use a brown or black permanent marker to draw horizontal and vertical lines on the pyramid that look like bricks. This will make your pyramid look more realistic. Paint the pyramid with white school glue. Pour some white school glue into a dish and use a paintbrush to paint the entire cardboard pyramid with an even coating of glue. Don't forget to cover the edges, too, so you'll be able to hide the cracks with sand. Alternatively, you could rub a glue stick over the cardboard before adding the sand. Sprinkle on the sand. Before the glue dries, cover the pyramid with sand. Try to sprinkle on an even amount so that the entire pyramid is evenly coated in a layer of sand. Let the pyramid dry. Allow the pyramid to dry overnight, rather than finishing this project the day that it's due. This way the glue and sand will be firmly stuck on and your finished product will look great. Collect your materials. Making a clay pyramid allows you to get creative by making realistic indents and grooves in the walls to resemble an ancient Egyptian pyramid. You'll need the following materials for this method: A large ball of modeling clay (the kind that air dries) A piece of cardboard Rolling pin Knife Ruler Pencil Scissors Paint (sandy brown color) Paintbrush Cut out the cardboard base. Use the ruler and pencil to draw a square on your piece of cardboard. An 8-inch by 8-inch (20.3 cm by 20.3 cm) base is a good size, or you could make a larger base if you have plenty of clay. Cut out the square when you're finished. Roll out the clay. Knead the clay into a ball, the place it on a clean, dry surface. Use the rolling pin to roll out the clay to a thickness of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Cut a square out of the clay. Cut a 6-inch by 6-inch (15.2 cm by 15.2 cm) square out of the clay. Center it on top of the cardboard base. Cut additional squares out of the clay. The next layer should be 5 inches by 5 inches (12.7 cm by 12.7 cm), followed by 4 inches by 4 inches (10.2 cm by 10.2 cm), 3 inches by 3 inches (7.6 cm by 7.6 cm), 2 inches by 2 inches (5.1 cm by 5.1 cm), and finally 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm). Stack each layer in the center of the previous layer. Bevel the edges and create ridges. Press your ruler against the sides of the squares to slant them slightly downward. You can also create ridges by using the knife to make markings that look like stone shapes in the sides of the pyramid. Let the clay dry. Leave it alone for several hours, or even overnight, to give the pyramid time to dry and harden. Refer to the instructions on the clay packaging if you're unsure how long it takes to dry completely. Paint the pyramid. Pour the paint into a dish and use the paintbrush to spread an even coating on the pyramid. Alternatively, cover the pyramid in a light coating of white school glue and sprinkle it with sand before the glue dries. Allow your project to dry. Let your finished pyramid to dry overnight. Then, take it to school and show off your hard work. Assemble your supplies. This simple pyramid looks like a step-sided pyramid, with individual "stones" visible instead of flat sides. It requires just a few household supplies, including: A large box of sugar cubes (around 400 cubes) A piece of cardboard A ruler A pencil Scissors White school glue Paint (sandy brown color) Paintbrush Cut a cardboard square. Use your ruler and pencil to draw a 12-inch by 12-inch (30.5 cm by 30.5 cm) square. Cut out the square and use it as the base for your pyramid. Make a sugar cube square. Create a 10 by 10 square base of sugar cubes in the center of the cardboard square (using 100 sugar cubes total). Glue down each sugar cube using white school glue. Add the second layer to the pyramid. Position a 9 by 9 square of sugar cubes in the center of the first layer (using 81 cubes). Glue down each sugar cube. Continue adding layers. Each layer should be 1 cube smaller than the previous layer, so the next layer is 8 by 8 (64 cubes), then 7 by 7 (49 cubes), 6 by 6 (36 cubes), 5 by 5 (25 cubes), 4 by 4 (16 cubes), 3 by 3 (9 cubes), 2 by 2 (4 cubes), and finally a single sugar cube on top. Let the glue completely dry. Allow the glue to dry for several hours to ensure all the sugar cubes are firmly in place. Paint the pyramid. Use a paintbrush to paint the entire pyramid a sandy brown color. Use only a small amount of paint, and be careful not to damage the pyramid as you go. Let the pyramid dry. Allow the pyramid to dry completely overnight. You can then proudly present it at school.

Gather your supplies. Cut out a cardboard square. Cut out four cardboard triangles. Hot-glue the triangles together. Hot-glue the pyramid to the square. Let the glue dry completely. Draw “bricks” on the pyramid. Paint the pyramid with white school glue. Sprinkle on the sand. Let the pyramid dry. Collect your materials. Cut out the cardboard base. Roll out the clay. Cut a square out of the clay. Cut additional squares out of the clay. Bevel the edges and create ridges. Let the clay dry. Paint the pyramid. Allow your project to dry. Assemble your supplies. Cut a cardboard square. Make a sugar cube square. Add the second layer to the pyramid. Continue adding layers. Let the glue completely dry. Paint the pyramid. Let the pyramid dry.

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How to Grow Oats

The best way to grow oats is to find an area where the soil has a pH between 6 and 7. In early spring or fall, weed and till the planting area. Then, lay the oat seeds 1/4 inches apart in rows. Rake soil over the seeds and keep the soil moist. Pull any weeds that pop up as the oats grow.

Choose a location with a pH between 6 and 7. As with many plants, oats flourish in soil that has a pH that falls within this range. To start off on the right foot, test the soil with a commercial pH probe or a pH test strip in the area where you plan to plant your oat seeds. If the pH doesn't fall between 6 and 7, try a different location or adjust the pH. You can raise the pH by adding limestone to the soil. You can lower the pH by adding a fertilizer that contains ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, or urea to the soil. Remove all weeds from the area where you’ll be planting oats. Oats have a difficult time growing properly and thriving if they're grown in a weed-infested environment. Before planting your oat seeds, use a weeding tool to loosen the soil around the weeds in the area and then pull the weeds out of the ground one by one. Some weeding tools that you can use include a Japanese Farmer's Knife or a Cape Cod Weeder. Till the soil. Once the soil is free of weeds, use a tiller or cultivator to break up the soil and prepare it for planting the oat seeds. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions and push the tiller in parallel lines across the entire area that you plan to use for planting. When you're done, push the tiller in lines that are perpendicular to the others. If you don't have a tiller, you can rent one from a home improvement store or from a lawn and garden equipment rental store or website. Plant the seeds during spring or fall. When you plant your seeds depends on what you plan to use the oats for. If you're growing oats for food, plant them in the spring so you have a summer harvest. If you're growing oats for ground cover, plant your seeds in the early spring for green manure and plant them in the fall if you're hoping to get a winter-killed ground cover. Lay the oat seeds 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) apart in rows. It's best to plant your seeds in evenly spaced rows. Within the row, drop a seed onto the top of the soil every ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm). Continue doing this until you've filled the planting area completely. Walk over each row to push the seeds down. After you've dropped all of your oat seeds onto the soil, rake over the soil to smooth it out. The seeds need to be planted less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface, and walking across them should allow this to happen. If your soil has a high clay content, avoid walking over it so it doesn't get too compacted. Don't walk over your soil when it's wet. If your soil is wet or easily compacted, you can lay a wooden board over it and walk across the board instead of walking directly on the soil. Keep the soil continuously moist. Stick your fingers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so into the soil as often as possible to make sure that it doesn't feel dry. When it does feel dry, water the oats to encourage them to thrive. Weed the area once your oats start growing. Although weeding the area before you plant the oat seeds is beneficial and necessary, you'll need to continue doing it if you want your oats to thrive. When you water your oats, check for weeds and remove any that have popped up. Harvest once the seed heads are dry. As you watch the oats grow and develop seed heads, gently touch a few of them to see if they're damp or dry. Once, they're dry to the touch, it's time to harvest the oats. It typically takes about 6 months from the time the seeds are planted until the oats are ready to be harvested. Cut off the oat seed heads and separate the grains from the stalks. Cut the seed heads off of the rest of the plant with garden shears or simply snap them off with your hands. Put the seed heads into a bucket and shake it to crack open the seed heads. Then, pull out the grains by hand. You can separate out the grains in a number of other ways, including putting them in a pillowcase and beating them against a wall. Store oats in a cool, dry area. Keep your grains in an airtight container and then place the container somewhere in your home that is relatively cold and dry for as long as 3 months. You can also freeze them for up to 2 years if you prefer a long term storage option. If you have farm animals, you can put the discarded stalks in your barn stalls and use them for bedding.

Choose a location with a pH between 6 and 7. Remove all weeds from the area where you’ll be planting oats. Till the soil. Plant the seeds during spring or fall. Lay the oat seeds 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) apart in rows. Walk over each row to push the seeds down. Keep the soil continuously moist. Weed the area once your oats start growing. Harvest once the seed heads are dry. Cut off the oat seed heads and separate the grains from the stalks. Store oats in a cool, dry area.

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How to Say Goodbye

If you or someone you know is moving away, plan a time to get together with your friends so you can tell them goodbye. Choose a location you all enjoy, like your favorite restaurant or walking around your neighborhood. Reminisce about good times you've had, recount funny stories, and exchange contact information so you can stay in touch after they leave. When it's time to leave, keep the goodbye brief but sincere. If there are deep feelings you want to express, try writing a letter that the other person can read after the move.

Recognize when to leave. When you're at any kind of party or gathering, or even a one-on-one conversation, it can be difficult to get away. Learning to recognize good opportunities to leave will make a short-term goodbye much easier. Notice if the crowd seems to be dwindling. If more than half the people have left, it might be a good time to leave. Find the host, or your friends, give a wave to the room, and leave. Try not to add too much emphasis to your leaving - this could make them feel as if you are desperate to get out. Leave when you want. If you know you won't be able to stay until the end then you could perhaps speak to them beforehand or at the beginning of the party. You don't need to wait for any special signal. If you're ready to go home, or ready for the conversation to move along, say, "Well, I'll be going. See you all later!" Watch body language. Overstaying your welcome is rude, but it can often be difficult to distinguish. People don't like telling you that they'd like you to leave, so try to watch for signals. This may be some other family members starting to pack up or the fact that there is hardly anyone left. If the host of a party starts cleaning up, or withdraws from the conversation, gather your friends or belongings and make your exit. It's also time to leave if someone starts checking their watch or seems otherwise restless. Make plans to see each other again. Even saying, "See you at school tomorrow," or "Can't wait to see you again at Christmas" keeps the goodbye light and focused forward. If you haven't already made plans, use it as an opportunity to make them. Even saying, "See you soon" suggests just that. Set up a coffee date or meet for lunch later in the week if it makes the goodbye easier, but don't commit to anything you don't want to. It's OK to just leave. Tell the truth. It can be tempting to come up with a "good excuse" when you're ready to leave. You don't need to (lying could also make them feel hurt if they find out you didn't mean it). If you want to leave, just say, "I'm going to go now, see you later." It doesn't need to be any more complicated than that. If you want to extract from a conversation you're ready to end, "I'll talk to you later," is likewise plenty. Plan an appropriate time to talk before the departure. If someone you know is leaving for several years to go overseas, or leaving for college, it can be a stressful and hectic time while they're planning a trip. Set up a definitive time and place to meet and say goodbye. Likewise, prioritize your goodbyes if you're the one doing the leaving. Don't make plans with people you don't really care about saying goodbye to and forget to see your sister. Choose an enjoyable location––maybe over dinner, or strolling your favorite neighborhood, or spending time together doing something both of you have always enjoyed, like watching a game. Talk about the good times you've had. Recount your funniest stories, reminisce about happy things. Dig deep into your past: the things you've done together, the things that happened while you were friends, the time you have spent together, maybe even how you met. Don't start the goodbye the second you get into the room. Gauge the person's attitude about leaving, or about your leaving. If it's a trip they're not looking forward to, don't spend the whole time asking them questions about their deployment. If they're excited, don't spend the whole time bumming them out by telling them how much everyone will miss them. If your friends are jealous of your job opportunity in France, don't spend the whole time bragging about it. Be open and friendly. It's important to establish the standing of the relationship. If you want to keep in contact, let them know. Exchange email, phone, and address information. Asking for an e-mail address or phone number can be comforting, so that you can still talk with them, but also be honest. If you have no intentions of staying in touch, don't ask for contact details. It can leave a departing friend wondering about your sincerity. Make sure your family members are all up to date with your location and status, and that you're up to date about them before either one leaves. It's important to not give anyone the impression that you're withdrawing or disappearing. When it's time to leave, make it brief and sincere. Most people don't enjoy a long, drawn-out goodbye, but make your goodbye personal. If you need to express complicated feelings, consider writing them in a letter for the person to read later. In person, keep things light and fun. Hug, say your piece, and wish them luck in their journey. Don't overstay your welcome. If you're leaving for a long time and can't take everything with you, giving stuff away can be a nice gesture and solidify a relationship. Let your band buddy hang onto your old guitar while you're gone, or give your sibling a meaningful book they'll remember you by. Follow up. Stay in touch if you'd made plans to stay in touch. Talk on Skype or write funny postcards. If you gradually lose touch with a friend or loved one you sincerely would like to hear from, make an extra effort. If it seems as if your friend as become too busy, try not to get too upset. Let things drift back together naturally. Keep your expectations for communication realistic. A friend going to college will make new friends and might not be able to keep up a weekly phone exchange. now. Say goodbye Putting off going to visit a loved one in the hospital is always a mistake, as is waiting until the last days before a friend leaves the country forever. Don't miss out on your chance to say goodbye and brighten their final moments. Alone in the hospital can be a terrible place to die. Be in the room and say what needs to be said. Spend as much time with your loved one as possible. Be with him or her and support them. Often, the dying want and are very comforted by one of four very particular messages: "I love you," "I forgive you," "Please forgive me," or "Thank you." If any of these seem appropriate, take care to include them in your goodbye. Do what feels appropriate. We often have the impression that death or other "forever" goodbyes are supposed to be a somber and joyless thing. But follow the lead of the person leaving. Your role is to be there for them and to comfort them in a time of need. If laughter is desired, or seems natural, then laugh. Tell the truth, selectively. It can be hard to know how honest to be with the dying. If you're visiting an ex-spouse or an estranged sibling, there can be lots of tension burbling under the surface, and complicated emotions at work in their passing. The hospital doesn't seem like the best time to let loose and tell off your father for being absent. If you feel like the truth will hurt the person dying, recognize this and change the subject. Say, "You don't need to worry about me today" and change the subject. It can be tempting to want to be overly optimistic, saying "No, there's still a chance. Don't give up" if a loved one says, "I'm dying." There's no need to dwell on something neither of you know for sure. Change the subject to, "How are you feeling today?" or reassure them by saying, "You look great today." Keep talking. Always speak gently and identify yourself as the person speaking. Even if you're not sure you're being heard, say what needs to be said. The goodbye process in death works both ways--make sure you don't regret not saying "I love you" one last time. Even if you're unsure if the person can hear you, say it, and you'll know. Be present. Both physically and emotionally, be in the room. It can be difficult to avoid becoming hyperaware of the significance of the moment: "Is that the last time he'll say, 'I love you'?" Every moment can feel tense and electric. But get out of your own way and try, as much as possible, to experience the moments for what they are: time with a loved one. Often, the dying have a great amount of control over the actual moment of their death and will wait until they're alone to save their loved ones the pain of experiencing it. Likewise, many family members are committed to being there, "To the end." Be aware of this and try not to put too much emphasis on the exact moment of death. Say goodbye when it seems appropriate.

Recognize when to leave. Watch body language. Make plans to see each other again. Tell the truth. Plan an appropriate time to talk before the departure. Talk about the good times you've had. Be open and friendly. When it's time to leave, make it brief and sincere. Follow up. now. Do what feels appropriate. Tell the truth, selectively. Keep talking. Be present.

https://www.wikihow.com/Balance-Your-Chakras-with-Crystals

How to Balance Your Chakras with Crystals

If your chakras have become unbalanced, you may be able to use crystals to balance them again. Choose a crystal of the corresponding color for each of your chakras. For example, find a red crystal for your root chakra, a green crystal for your heart chakra, and a violet crystal for your crown chakra. Rinse your crystals under cold water to get rid of any contaminants. Then, lie on your back and take a few deep breaths to relax. When you're settled, place the crystals on your body where each chakra is, starting with your root and working your way up. You can place them directly on your skin or on top of your clothes. Leave them there for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, remove each crystal, from your crown to your root.

Choose a crystal for your root chakra. It is located at the base of your spine and is your connection to earth, family, survival, health, and progression. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience a lack of confidence, loneliness, depression, anxiety, addiction, low-back pain, lower body pains and strains, constipation or diarrhea, and water retention. Red or black crystals such as garnet, ruby, and black tourmaline are best. While there are generic crystals well known for certain chakras or health concerns, to be truly effective you have to learn to listen to your own intuition and the crystal itself without second guessing yourself. Pick a crystal for your sacral chakra. It is also located at the base of your spine and is your connection to other people, confidence, creativity, energy levels, and sexual health. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience eating disorders, low sex drive, sexual disorders, menstrual cycle problems, urinary tract infections, infertility, and problems with your intestines. Orange crystals such as carnelian, orange calcite, and orange garnet are good. If you are interested, there are classes that can teach you how to connect to crystal spirits or elemental spirits. Find a crystal for your solar plexus. It is located at your diaphragm and is your connection to your emotions, desires, sense of self, and self-control. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience insomnia, trouble concentrating and remembering things, fear, sugar addiction, digestive problems, acne, eczema, diabetes, obesity, and metabolism issues. Use yellow crystals such as citrine, yellow jasper, and golden calcite to balance. Select a crystal for your heart chakra. It is located in the same place as your physical heart and is the center of your being and all your other chakras. It is your connection to love, relationships, forgiveness, trust, and safety. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience feeling hopeless, feeling apathetic, unable to forgive, commitment issues, respiratory problems, shoulder pain, and upper-back pain. Green or pink crystals such as rose quartz, green fluorite, and rhodochrosite are best. Pick a crystal for your throat chakra. It is located at the base of your throat and is your connection to your communication, freedom, and leadership. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience difficulty communicating, be nervous, trouble coping, sinus problems, jaw pain, thyroid problems, and throat and dental problems. A light blue crystal such as blue lace agate, turquoise, and blue kyanite will work. Choose a crystal for your third eye/brow chakra. It is located just above your physical eyes and connects to your thoughts, mind, dreams, and psychic abilities. If this chakra is out of balance you may experience headaches, nightmares, difficulty learning, brain disorders, eye problems, ear problems, and scalp and hair issues. Try dark blue crystals such as blue tigers eye, lapis, and dumortierite for balancing. Select a crystal for your crown chakra. It is located at the top of your head and connects to your spirituality, wisdom, enlightenment, and connection to the universe. If your crown chakra is out of balance, you may experience lack of faith, mental health problems, autoimmune disorders, mental health issues, and dementia. White or violet crystals such as clear quartz, amethyst, and clear topaz can be used for balancing. Rinse your crystals. Before you begin to balance, rinse your crystals under cold running water. This removes any contaminants. You can also take notes and write down how you are feeling prior to the balancing process. These crystals should only be used for balancing. It may help to just have a set of 7 crystals that you use to balance yourself. Remember that when choosing your crystals, you should have picked them based on whatever ailments or blocks you typically feel, as well as by whether the crystals feel responsive to the blockage. Relax and prepare to balance your chakras. Go to a quiet place and lay on your back (or your stomach if applying crystals to your root chakra, as lying on your back can make this difficult and uncomfortable). Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly to relax. You can also set the mood with anything else you find relaxing such as music, nature sounds, or the sound of running water. As you inhale, imagine that you are breathing in a healing white light. As you exhale, imagine that you are breathing out all of your stress and negative emotions. Your energy is connected to your thoughts. It is important that you have positive thoughts when you are trying to balance your chakras. Place the crystal on your chakra. Take the crystal that corresponds to your chakra and place it on that chakra. The energy of the crystal will vibrate and restore balance. Imagine that the crystal is glowing and spreading throughout your chakra. Place quartz crystals around your colored crystal to intensify the effect. Quartz crystals activate the energy centers of your body and have the power to modify existing energy. Your symptoms may be worse after you place the crystals on your body. This is all the bad energy working its way out and is the beginning of your healing process. You can place the crystals directly on your skin or on top of your clothes. Start at the root and work your way up. Place the crown chakra crystal right above your head instead of directly on your head. Allow the crystals to work. The crystals work on their own. You do not have to do anything extra. Leave them in place between five and 10 minutes, and then evaluate how you feel. Make mental or handwritten notes about your symptoms. If you feel more balanced, remove the crystals. If you do not feel better, leave the crystals on for another five to 10 minutes. If you have a long-term blockage (e.g. chronic pain or long-term depression), it may take more than one session to balance your chakra. Focus on making small improvements instead of achieving complete balance in one session. Remove the crystals. Once you are finished with your session, remove each of the crystals. Start at the crown and work your way down. You do not have to deactivate your crystals. Drink a lot of water after your session to continue the balancing process. Sleep with a chakra bag. Clean your crystals and place them in a small bag. This bag should only be used to hold your crystals. Place the bag under your pillow when you go to sleep at night. Before you go to sleep, ask the stones to balance you as you are sleeping. Carry your crystals. You can carry your crystals with you as you go about your day. You can carry all seven of your crystals with you, or you can just carry a few that you would like to focus on. Place the crystals as close to your body as you can. For example, if you are having problems in a relationship, you may carry a rose quartz or green fluorite crystal around with you to balance your heart chakra. You can carry your crystals with you all day or for a specific situation. For example, if you are dealing with anxiety about a presentation you have to do, you may keep a garnet (root chakra) and turquoise (throat chakra) crystal in your pocket during your presentation. The garnet will help you with your confidence and the turquoise can help you with your communication. Wear crystal jewelry. Purchase a necklace or bracelet made from crystals that you need for balance. As you wear the crystals, the crystals will transmit the energy that you need. Again, you can wear the jewelry all day or just for a specific amount of time. Before you wear your jewelry, place them on a bed of salt to remove any past contaminants. You should also program your jewelry before you wear it. Hold it in your hand and think of all the positive energy you would like the crystals to bring to your life.

Choose a crystal for your root chakra. Pick a crystal for your sacral chakra. Find a crystal for your solar plexus. Select a crystal for your heart chakra. Pick a crystal for your throat chakra. Choose a crystal for your third eye/brow chakra. Select a crystal for your crown chakra. Rinse your crystals. Relax and prepare to balance your chakras. Place the crystal on your chakra. Allow the crystals to work. Remove the crystals. Sleep with a chakra bag. Carry your crystals. Wear crystal jewelry.

https://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Dirt-Bike

How to Ride a Dirt Bike

Before you ride any dirt bike, start by putting on protective gear like gloves, a full-face helmet, and dirt bike goggles. Next, identify the location of the clutch, throttle, gear shifter, and brakes. Then, sit on the bike and plant the middle of your feet on the foot pegs to give you more control over the levers. Remember to hold the bike firmly between your knees, with your back curved slightly and your core tight, and keep your head facing forward as you ride!

Start with a lightweight track or trail bike for easier control. Dirt bikes come in several varieties, from track to motocross bikes. Track bikes are the least expensive since they lack instruments like oil lights, speedometers, and temperature gauges. Trail bikes often have these extra features. These bikes are a little heavier, but they are still good for a smooth, stable ride. The most important part is to choose a bike you're comfortable with. Some people prefer smaller, lighter bikes, while others are more comfortable on heavier ones. You can successfully learn with either option. If possible, try out different bikes to find one you're comfortable riding. Many dealerships will let you take test rides if you ask, although this policy varies from place to place for liability reasons. Motocross bikes are the lightest type available. They're designed for speed instead of handling, so stay away from them until you have more experience. Choose a bike that has a 4-stroke engine. Dirt bikes either have a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. The 4-stroke engines are a little heavier and more expensive because they have more moving parts. The advantage is that they are easier to control, making them the better option for most inexperienced riders. Avoid the trap of throwing down money for a powerful 2-stroke bike that isn't suited to beginners. The 4-stroke engines tend to last a little longer than 2-stroke engines but are more expensive to repair due to the number of parts. A good starting point is a 125cc 4-stroke engine. If you still wish to go with a more powerful bike right away, look for a 50cc 2-stroke engine. Purchase a helmet, padding, and other protective gear. A basic riding outfit consists of a long-sleeved shirt, pants, boots that go up past your ankles, and gloves. You can buy specialty dirt bike clothing that offers extra protection against abrasions. All bikers also need a pair of dirt bike goggles and a full face helmet. After you have this gear, get extra pieces of padding to protect yourself in case of an accident. Purchase elbow and knee guards as well as a chest protector. These are must-haves to reduce the risk of serious injuries. A neck brace is helpful, but you don't truly need it unless you plan on doing jumps or riding dangerous tracks. Braces are bulky, but they protect you against spinal injuries. Locate the brakes near the right handlebar and foot peg. Before you ride, get to know your bike. The brakes are always on the right side of the bike. The lever in front of the right handlebar operates the front tire brake. The rear brake is somewhere below that. Look for the peg where you rest your foot when sitting on the bike and you will see a small pedal right in front of it. The color of the foot peg and front brake pedal vary from bike to bike. Yours may be red, blue, or silver. Regardless of the color, the pedal stands out so you can always reach it. Find the clutch and throttle used to make the bike move. Both of these components are on the handlebars. The throttle is the right handlebar grip, which you pull back to accelerate. The clutch is the lever ahead of the left handlebar. You use it in conjunction with the throttle to control the bike's acceleration and deceleration. Working the clutch and throttle at the same time is important, so make sure you know where they are. You're much more likely to hurt yourself if you try riding before you identify them. Use the shifter pedal on the left side of the bike to change gears. The pedal in front of the left foot peg is the gear shifter. You will need to use it to put the bike into motion and control its speed. Shifting gears correctly allows you to go faster while reducing the strain on your bike. Make sure you know how the shifter functions before you start riding. To shift into first gear, you press your foot down on the shifter. Shift from first gear to neutral by pulling the shifter up halfway. It will click a little bit. To shift into second gear and up to fifth gear, pull the shifter up repeatedly. It will click audibly each time. Search for locations in your area that are legal for riding. Riding your dirt bike around can get you into trouble if you aren't careful. Many bikes aren't street legal, and many off-road areas are restricted by law. Avoid assuming that you can ride anywhere you please. To find the rules in your area, search online to read up about street and trail regulations. Also, speak with other riders and law enforcement in your area. If you wish to ride your bike in city streets, you need to upgrade it according to your local laws and get a permit from the government. You can also purchase hybrid bikes that work on both streets and dirt trails. Be respectful of other people, whether they are fellow riders or people walking on the trails. Always equip your bike with a spark arrestor to avoid forest fires. Many laws around the world make this mandatory. You may also need a silencer to follow sound regulations. Practice proper driving form with your knees bent and your back curved. Sit on the bike as close to the gas tank as possible. Plant the middle of your feet on the foot pegs, making sure your knees are bent with the bike held firmly between them. Lean forward so your back curves slightly, then lift your elbows. Also, squeeze your core muscles tight. This sitting position is best for long, smooth sections of terrain. Use it to conserve your energy for tougher sections. The best way to master this basic riding form is on a parked bike with the engine off. Stand with your legs bent slightly when crossing rough terrain. Your legs act as suspension when you cross uneven, bumpy land. To master this form, stand up on the balls of your feet. Lift your butt, keeping your knees slightly bent and squeezed up against the gas tank. Keep your core muscles tight as much as possible. When you do this correctly, you will be able to shift your weight backwards, forwards, and side to side to compensate for uneven ground. Standing up can be difficult at first and gets tiring. Keep practicing so you can handle long stretches of rough terrain safely. Maintain a loose grip on the handlebars with your fingers. Most riders start by wrapping their hands around the grips, keeping their thumbs underneath them. They then place their forefingers and middle fingers on the levers. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but it allows you to quickly hit the clutch and brake levers with your strongest fingers in case of an emergency. Many beginners are taught to hold onto the throttle with all of their fingers, then reach out to the levers as needed. This can stop you from accidentally operating the clutch or brake. The 2-finger grip is very useful to master, but you can stick with an alternative grip if you feel more comfortable doing so. Keep your head up and always look forward. Get into the habit of trusting your peripheral vision. Look straight ahead of you as much as possible. Let your peripheral vision pick up anything to your sides. Avoid looking down at the bike. Fixating on dangerous objects, like logs and corners, increases your chances of hitting them. You may think you're preparing to handle these obstacles, but you end up guiding your bike straight towards them. Flip the red switch to activate on the bike's battery. Before starting the engine, you need to activate the battery. Many bikes have a red switch on the right handle. Some models may have an “on” button instead. All you need to do is press it to start the battery. If your bike doesn't have a switch or button, it may have a key slot. Place your key in the slot, then turn it to the on position. Once you turn your battery on, all of the lights should activate. Pull out the choke to start the bike in colder temperatures. The choke is typically on the left side of the bike, near where your leg rests while you're in a seated position. This device “chokes” air into the engine to increase the gas flow. During cold days or after a lack of use, the engine needs more gas to start. On some bikes, you pull the choke by flipping a switch located underneath the battery. If you have used your bike earlier in the day, you don't need to pull the choke. Pull in the clutch all the way. The clutch is the lever on the left handle. It's in the same spots as the left handbrake on bicycles. Pull the lever all the way in and hold it in place while you start the bike. Bikes for kids often do not have a clutch. Instead of using the clutch, you shift the bike into neutral. Hit the gear shifter down 6 times to get into first gear. While you are seated on the bike, extend your left foot toward the front peg. Reach the gear shifter right in front of it. Push the shifter all the way down repeatedly while you hold onto the clutch. This method works the same way for a child's bike, except it puts the bike automatically into neutral. Rock the bike back and forth. If it moves freely without locking up, you're in gear. Kickstart the engine using the metal lever on the right. The kickstarter typically is a silver lever near the bottom of your right foot when you're seated on the bike. Grab the lever by hand and flip it away from the bike. Then, plant your foot on the left foot peg and stand up. Finish by stomping your right foot down on the lever. Many modern bikes have a button that starts the engine electronically. Press it to turn the bike on. Release the clutch as you pull back the throttle. The key to starting the bike is to do both actions slowly and at the same time. Ease the throttle back as you begin letting go of the clutch. The bike will start moving. You can then stop the bike and push the choke back in before you start driving. On a children's bike, you will need to lift the gear shifter up to transition from neutral to first gear. Do this when you're ready to move the bike. Hold onto the clutch! If you let go, the bike will stall. Similarly, if you pull the throttle back too fast, the bike will shoot forward and fall over. To perfect this motion, you can practice it in the air before you drive. Turn or release the throttle to control the bike’s speed. Roll the throttle back towards you to rev up the engine. Ease off the throttle to slow down. When you need to stop, you can simply let go of the throttle. It will spin back to its original position. Aim on turning the throttle about ⅓ of the way back once you have completely let go of the clutch. Keep a hand on the throttle at all times, but never panic. Some riders freeze up when they get too fast. Stay loose to keep control of the bike. Use the shifter to change gears when the engine works too hard. You start off in first gear, and as the bike builds speed, the engine gets louder. When you bring the throttle about ¾ of the way back, the bike won't go any faster. You have to press the clutch in and pull the gear shifter up at the same time to keep going. Remember that adult dirt bikes go as high as fifth gear, so you may need to do this a few times. There is no display telling you what gear you are in, so you have to listen and get a feel for how the bike operates to know when to shift. The same rules apply when slowing down, except you push the gear shifter down. Hit the back brakes to slow down or stop. To slow the bike, lay off the throttle and shift down as needed. Step lightly on the brake pedal to slow the bike. Stop the bike by reaching first gear, then pulling in the clutch. Press down on the brake pedal to bring the bike to a halt. Using the clutch prevents the bike from stalling as it slows. You can also tap the handbrake to slow the bike, but avoid relying on it. Many beginners make the mistake of squeezing it hard. Since it operates the front wheel, the bike comes to a sudden halt, but you keep going over the handlebars. Lean to the side to maneuver around corners. When you come upon a corner, lean the bike in the direction of the turn. Put your inside foot down to help you turn. Shift your body over so the outside edge of the seat is directly under you. Keep your weight on the outside peg as you go through the turn. Stick your elbows out so they are parallel to the handlebars. This will give you more control over the bike. Putting your foot down also allows you to steady the bike in case you take the corner too sharply. Practice driving on rough terrain when you get comfortable riding. Dirt bikes are designed for rough terrain. Their lifted frames offer plenty of control and don't take as much damage as other vehicles would during a crash. Head to rocky ground or a motocross track, then stand up on your bike as you drive. Try different types of terrain to improve your driving. Sand dunes feel different than dirt hills, and each type of terrain requires different skills. Find out where you like driving!

Start with a lightweight track or trail bike for easier control. Choose a bike that has a 4-stroke engine. Purchase a helmet, padding, and other protective gear. Locate the brakes near the right handlebar and foot peg. Find the clutch and throttle used to make the bike move. Use the shifter pedal on the left side of the bike to change gears. Search for locations in your area that are legal for riding. Practice proper driving form with your knees bent and your back curved. Stand with your legs bent slightly when crossing rough terrain. Maintain a loose grip on the handlebars with your fingers. Keep your head up and always look forward. Flip the red switch to activate on the bike's battery. Pull out the choke to start the bike in colder temperatures. Pull in the clutch all the way. Hit the gear shifter down 6 times to get into first gear. Kickstart the engine using the metal lever on the right. Release the clutch as you pull back the throttle. Turn or release the throttle to control the bike’s speed. Use the shifter to change gears when the engine works too hard. Hit the back brakes to slow down or stop. Lean to the side to maneuver around corners. Practice driving on rough terrain when you get comfortable riding.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Soft-Lips

How to Get Soft Lips

If you want to have soft lips, apply a moisturizing lip balm with shea or cocoa butter whenever your lips begin to feel dry. Try to avoid flavored or dyed lip balms, as they can be drying. If you like some color on your lips, you can try a moisturizing lipstick in your favorite color. Once every 1-2 weeks, exfoliate your lips with a sugar, olive oil, and honey scrub, and condition them with a natural moisturizer like neem oil or milk cream.

Wear a moisturizing lip balm, as needed. Use a balm with shea or cocoa butter for the best results. Reapply it only when your lips feel dry. If you use lip balm too often, it can make your lips more chapped. Apply lip balm underneath any other lip products that you use, including lipstick, lip gloss, and lip stain. Choose the product that sounds most appealing to your condition. Some lip balms are medicated and others contain strong mint extracts that might be irritating to some. Read the label of a lip balm before buying it to ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. Common lip balm brands include: Burt's Bees, Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick, C.O. Bigelow, Nivea, Softlips, and EOS. You can easily find lip balm at Walmart, Target, or at your local pharmacy. Avoid lip balms with fragrances, flavors, or dyes. These can be drying or potentially trigger irritation in some sensitive users. Choose lip balms with all-natural ingredients (no chemicals) that are free from unwanted additives. Wear moisturizing lipstick. Most makeup brands carry a line of moisturizing lip balms, including Clinique, Jouer, Dior, Benefit, Revlon, Bobbi Brown, and Laura Mercier. If your style is more drugstore than department store, simply look for lipstick labels that claim to be moisturizing. Check the ingredient list for shea or cocoa butter extracts and any type of moisturizing oil such as coconut and/or olive oil. Make sure that the ingredients don't include salicylic acid, which can cause your lips to peel. Use products that contain at least SPF 15 to avoid damage caused by the sun. Your lips are very susceptible to sunburn and sun damage. Be sure to wear lip protection when going outdoors. Rub sugar on your lips. You can really use any coarse food product, but avoid irritants like salt that will actually dry out your lips. Make a honey, sugar, and olive oil scrub. Combine a tablespoon of honey with two teaspoons sugar and one teaspoon olive oil. Rub the mixture on your lips and allow it to sit for several minutes. Make a coconut-citrus conditioner. Mix 2 teaspoons coconut oil, 3 drops lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon beeswax into a saucepan and melt it over low heat stirring constantly. You can also use lime juice if you don't have any lemon juice on hand. Pour the mixture into a glass container and allow it to cool and harden. Apply it to your lips as you would a regular lip balm. Rub butter, neem oil, ghee, or milk cream on your lips before going to bed. These substances are very deep moisturizers that especially help calm chapped lips. Rinse the product off in the morning. Make a paste with baking soda and water and rub it on your lips. Let it harden and then rinse thoroughly with water. Apply aloe vera gel to red, cracked, and/or sunburned lips. Aloe vera is extremely soothing and helps you get rid of harsh damage from the sun. Rub cucumber slices on your lips. The phytochemicals found in cucumbers tighten the collagen in your lips, making them appear plump and hydrated. Massage your lips for several minutes with freshly cut cucumber slices. Use a toothbrush to apply any of the scrubs above for a more vigorous exfoliation. Only use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush to avoid making your lips raw. You can simply use warm water or use the toothbrush to spread an external exfoliant on your lips. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. One of the best things you can do for your lips, in fact for your skin in general, is to make sure to drink a lot of water. Water not only hydrates your body, it nourishes your skin and promotes new cell growth. In fact, dry lips can be a sign that your body is not getting the amount of water it needs. Refrain from licking your lips. Although it might be counterintuitive, wetting your lips by licking them with saliva actually causes drying. Try not to bite your lips. If you tend to bite your lips when nervous or without realizing it, try using chewing gum to satisfy an oral fixation. Biting your lips causes cracking and can create open sores that may need to be treated with antibiotics. Eat a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain vitamins B and C are especially good for your skin. Consider taking a supplement if your diet lacks these vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids are also extremely good for your skin and can be found in foods like fish, avocado, and almonds. You can also take a daily Omega-3 supplement.

Wear a moisturizing lip balm, as needed. Avoid lip balms with fragrances, flavors, or dyes. Wear moisturizing lipstick. Use products that contain at least SPF 15 to avoid damage caused by the sun. Rub sugar on your lips. Make a honey, sugar, and olive oil scrub. Make a coconut-citrus conditioner. Rub butter, neem oil, ghee, or milk cream on your lips before going to bed. Make a paste with baking soda and water and rub it on your lips. Apply aloe vera gel to red, cracked, and/or sunburned lips. Rub cucumber slices on your lips. Use a toothbrush to apply any of the scrubs above for a more vigorous exfoliation. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Refrain from licking your lips. Try not to bite your lips. Eat a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Herbal-Flea-Remedy-for-Cats

How to Make an Herbal Flea Remedy for Cats

To make an herbal flea remedy for cats, start by boiling some fresh rosemary for 30 minutes. Then, strain the water into a separate container, and let it cool before pouring it over your cat's body. You can also make an herbal flea remedy by soaking fresh lavender in a jar of water overnight. Then, strain the water into a spray bottle, and spray your cat's fur with it before brushing it with a flea comb. Never use essential oils, like neem oil or lavender oil, to treat fleas on your cats since they can be toxic.

Find and purchase the dried herbs. These dried herbs may be difficult to locate in a grocery store, but should be available in most health-food stores or may be purchased online. Since cats can be very sensitive to certain chemicals, it's a good idea to purchase dried herbs that are organic so you can be confident they have not been treated with pesticides that may harm your cat. Do not use neem oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil as a substitute for the dried herbs because these could be toxic to your cat. As long as they are not in essential oil form, these herbs are safe to apply to your cat even if it ingests the mixture while licking its hair or skin. Mix the apple cider vinegar and herbs together. In a mason jar or other container with a secure lid, mix the apple cider vinegar and herbs. Vinegar kills fleas, and the herbs also repel fleas while offering skin-soothing benefits to your cat. If you are unable to locate these herbs or are looking for a faster solution to your cat's flea problem, you can add 2 cups of white vinegar to your cat's bath or comb the vinegar through their fur. Steep the mixture for 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Store the mason jar in your fridge, and allow the mixture to steep for 1 to 2 weeks to increase the effectiveness of the spray. Shake the mixture on a daily basis because the herbs can settle. Strain the mixture. Using cheesecloth or a fine strainer, separate the dried herbs from the vinegar, which has been fully infused. You can discard the dried herbs at this point. Cheesecloth, a gauze-like cotton cloth, can usually be purchased at grocery stores or hardware stores. Pour the mixture into an 8 ounce spray bottle. After you've allowed the mixture to steep for the appropriate time, pour it into a clean spray bottle. If you are repurposing an old spray bottle or if it had a different mixture in it previously, it's important to carefully clean the bottle to make sure there are no chemicals in it that might hurt your cat. A funnel can be a useful tool to fill the spray bottle without spilling any of the solution. Add the aloe vera gel and water. Now that the vinegar-herb mixture is in the spray bottle, add in the appropriate amount of aloe gel and mix in enough distilled water to fill the 8 ounce spray bottle. The aloe vera is optional, but it will help soothe your cat's irritated skin. Apply the flea remedy to your cats. Spray the flea remedy on your cat's body, avoiding the eyes and nose. You might find it easier to do this while grooming your cat with a flea comb or brush. This will ensure that the spray is applied evenly to all areas, and you'll probably get rid of some fleas right away. To dispose of fleas with the comb, dip it into a container of water with a little dish soap. Do not rinse the mixture off. Allowing the solution to dry on your cat will give the spray more time to eliminate fleas while soothing your cat's skin. Reapply daily. Reapply the herbal remedy to your cat daily to increase its effectiveness against fleas. Purchase a flea comb. These are usually sold at your local pet store. You can also use a lice comb if you already have one on hand. Find fresh lavender. Lavender is a natural flea repellent, and has a very pleasant scent. While it can sometimes be difficult to locate fresh lavender, you can try local stores that sell herbs. You can also grow your own lavender by either buying seeds or the plant itself any place that has a garden area. Get a squirt bottle. You can use an empty squirt bottle you have at home, but try to avoid any bottle that had harsh chemicals in it. Make sure you clean the bottle thoroughly to prevent your cat from having any skin reactions to chemicals left in the bottle. Soak the lavender overnight. Grab a large handful of your fresh lavender and put it in a clean container. Fill it with water and let it sit overnight. A mason jar with a secure lid works well. Strain and put lavender water into your clean squirt bottle. Use a small screen or tea strainer to separate the lavender from the water you let sit overnight. A funnel can make it easier to pour the lavender water into the clean spray bottle. Spray your cat with lavender water all over their body. Saturate your cat with the lavender mixture. Your cat might not like the spraying noise or the feeling of being wet, so it can be helpful to have someone hold the cat still and prevent it from running away or clawing you. Avoid the eye, mouth, and nose area so the lavender water does not sting these sensitive places. Comb your cat with the flea comb. Make sure to run the comb from head to tail and concentrate on the nape of the neck, face, armpits, under the chin, and belly. These are places where fleas are often hiding. Apply your lavender spray as needed and comb your cat often. It's good to spray your cat and comb them with the flea comb once a day. Find and purchase the rosemary. Look for fresh rosemary in a grocery store or health-food store. Buying organic rosemary will help ensure there are no pesticides or chemicals on it that may harm your cat. Make sure not to purchase rosemary pea or rosemary bog, because these plants are toxic to cats. If you have rosemary in your garden or backyard, feel free to use it. Boil the rosemary in the water for 30 minutes. Add the fresh rosemary to the water and boil the mixture for 30 minutes. You can pull off the rosemary leaves from the branch or just leave them on. The leaves may start to separate from the stalk once the boiling occurs, but that's not a problem since you are just infusing the water with the rosemary. Strain the mixture. Use a strainer or cheesecloth to separate the rosemary from the water. You can discard the rosemary after separating it from the infused water. Let the mixture cool. After the mixture cools, pour it over your cat's body, so your pet is soaked with the rosemary water. Avoid the eyes and nose because the rosemary water might sting these sensitive areas. Let your cat's fur air dry. Don't worry about rinsing the solution off your cat because you want to give the mixture time to work on the fleas and calm irritated skin. Apply as needed. You can repeat the rosemary-water treatment as needed to repel fleas and soothe your cat's skin. Purchase chamomile tea. You probably know that chamomile tea is often recommended for upset stomachs and sleeplessness in humans, but it can also help soothe your cat's irritated skin. If you don't already have chamomile tea in your pantry, go to the grocery store or a health food store and buy some. Look for a product that does not have additional herbs in it, because these ingredients may not help relieve the itchiness or irritation that results from flea bites. Both tea bags and looseleaf chamomile tea will work, so pick whichever option you prefer. While tea bags are more convenient, looseleaf tea is often stronger, which will make it more effective at relieving your cat's itching. The leaves of looseleaf tea can also sometimes be used more than once. Keep in mind that if you go with looseleaf tea, you'll need brewing equipment such as an infuser or brew basket. Make the tea. There are no set guidelines for the type of equipment you should use to brew the tea or the length of time you should let it steep, but steep the tea long enough to make a strong solution. Don't be afraid to let the tea steep for 15 to 30 minutes. You won't be applying the hot tea to your cat, so it's not a problem if it gets lukewarm. If you are using smaller size tea bags, you may need to use several to make the tea more potent. Chill the tea in the fridge. After you've brewed the tea, chill it in the fridge until it is no longer warm. It won't be a problem to let it sit in the fridge overnight. If you are trying to make the mixture quickly, you can place the brewed tea in the freezer for a couple minutes to cool it down fast. Pour the tea into a spray bottle. After chilling the tea, you can now pour it into a spray bottle, which will make it easy to apply to your cat. Use a new spray bottle or thoroughly clean an existing one so that you know it does not contain any ingredients or substances that might be toxic to your cat. Since the mouth on many spray bottles is narrow, a small funnel can make this process less messy and ensure as much of the tea as possible actually makes it into the spray bottle. If you have extra tea that won't fit in the spray bottle, store it in a container in the fridge so you'll be able to have the next batch ready when it's time to reload the bottle. Spray it on your cat’s irritated skin. Flea bites often cause itchy, red, and raw skin, so thoroughly coat these areas on your cat. The tea will soothe the skin, and you will notice that your cat is no longer licking, scratching, or biting the affected area. Chamomile also acts as a disinfectant, and will kill yeast and bacteria that might irritate your cat's skin. There's no need to rinse the tea off your cat. It will work better if it has time to sit on the skin. Reapply as needed. Since the tea mixture won't hurt your cat, you can reapply the spray as often as necessary. If your cat's ears also seem irritated from flea bites or other skin issues, you can add a splash of distilled white vinegar to the chamomile tea and use this to clean your pet's ears.

Find and purchase the dried herbs. Mix the apple cider vinegar and herbs together. Steep the mixture for 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Strain the mixture. Pour the mixture into an 8 ounce spray bottle. Add the aloe vera gel and water. Apply the flea remedy to your cats. Do not rinse the mixture off. Reapply daily. Purchase a flea comb. Find fresh lavender. Get a squirt bottle. Soak the lavender overnight. Strain and put lavender water into your clean squirt bottle. Spray your cat with lavender water all over their body. Comb your cat with the flea comb. Apply your lavender spray as needed and comb your cat often. Find and purchase the rosemary. Boil the rosemary in the water for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture. Let the mixture cool. Let your cat's fur air dry. Apply as needed. Purchase chamomile tea. Make the tea. Chill the tea in the fridge. Pour the tea into a spray bottle. Spray it on your cat’s irritated skin. Reapply as needed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Gain-Someone%27s-Trust

How to Gain Someone's Trust

To gain someone's trust, show that you're reliable through actions like keeping your promises and always returning things that you borrow. You can also demonstrate your trustworthiness by keeping other people's secrets and being honest. Don't lie or conceal the truth from others, even if telling the truth is scary or painful. Additionally, you can help people feel more trusting of you by showing that you trust them. For example, you might open up to them about something that is private and personal to you.

Be reliable. Your dependability will initially be tested with small things. Even if these things seem insignificant, they matter when you're trying to develop trust. For example, always return things that you borrow undamaged. If you say you are going to be somewhere, show up and be on time. When you say you're going to do something, no matter how small, do it. Every time you prove that you're dependable, trust grows. No one is perfect. Occasionally you are going to be late, lose a borrowed book, or forget about something you said you would do. When this happens, apologize and own up to it immediately. If you have to break plans that you have made with someone, then make sure to call and let the person know as soon as possible. Try not to do this too often though because it can have a negative effect on your relationship if you are always canceling at the last minute. Keep their secrets confidential. Prove that you can be trusted by respecting their privacy. Never share any confidential information that they give you. If you do, that person probably won't feel comfortable trusting you with their secrets again for a long time, if ever. The only time you should consider breaking a confidence is if the person is in some kind of life-threatening danger and you need to alert someone. Even then, the person will probably be angry with you for breaking their confidence. If this happens, apologize and explain that you only did it because you were truly worried about their safety. Be honest. When someone learns that you've lied to them, they're naturally going to assume it will happen again. Be truthful with them, even when it's hard. If you think telling them the truth might hurt their feelings, try to find a considerate way to tell them. If you make a mistake, take responsibility and own up to it. Be upfront with them. Don't let them find out about it some other way. Work on showing that you're an honest person – even if your friend isn't directly involved in the situation. If they witness you being honest about other things and with other people, it will make them feel like you'll be honest with them, too. If you need to be honest with your friend about a difficult topic, try starting off like this, "Jen, I really love how our honest our friendship is, and I want to keep it that way. I need to talk to you about something..." You could also bring up the topic like this, "Eric, this is hard to tell you, but I'm your friend and I feel like you should know about this..." Trust them first. By sharing something personal with your friend, it shows that you feel a sense of trust around them. Relationships are give-and-take situations. Sometimes, in order to receive something, you have to demonstrate that you're willing to give it. By trusting them first, you are showing them it's safe for them to do the same thing. For example, you could ask for their advice about a personal problem you're experiencing, or go to them for help on a project. You could start off by saying, "Danielle, I know I can trust you. I really need to talk to someone I trust about this..." You could also say, "Jim, this is kind of embarrassing, but I am failing algebra right now. If my parents knew, I'd be in serious trouble. You're great at algebra, do you think you could help me?" You might feel vulnerable at first, but learning to trust someone usually begins by putting yourself out there. Show kindness, respect, and acceptance. To build trust, it is important to show that you are kind, respectful, and accepting of the other people. Be understanding and show them compassion when they need it. Always respect their thoughts and beliefs, even when they are different from yours. If you disagree on something, be respectful about it. For instance, don't say, “I don't believe in your religion at all. It sounds really weird.” Instead, say something like, “My beliefs are pretty different, but that's ok! I respect all religions.” Also, be accepting of your friend. Don't try to get your friend to change for you. Spend time with them. Trust is built over time, so be ready and willing to invest time in someone if you want to gain their trust. Each time you hang out, it's an opportunity to have positive interactions and show your trustworthiness. Avoid only being around them when things are going well. Be there for them during the ups and the downs. Your willingness to be around them when they're going through a hard time shows them that they matter to you. You aren't hanging around just to have fun and enjoy the good times – you want to have a real friendship. Be sincere. Meaningless flattery and only telling someone what they want to hear isn't the same thing as kindness. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but you also don't want to lie to them. Avoid being vague with them. Be specific and really mean the things you say. For example, if your friend asks you how they look in an outfit and it doesn't look flattering, don't automatically say, “It looks great!” when you know it doesn't. However, you also don't want to say, “Honestly, you look a bit overweight in that.” Instead, you could say something like, “That color looks awesome on you! I like the style of the outfit, but I'm not sure about the neckline. Let's look for something else in that color.” Be accessible. When your friend texts or calls you, try to reply or call them back as soon as you can. If they send you a text and you don't respond for days, it creates the illusion that you either don't care enough to reply, or you're busy doing something that you can't talk to them about. Try to be available when they need you. For example, if you're busy at the library and your friend texts you, send a quick response like, “In study group right now! Will get back to you ASAP.” Another example: If you're on a vacation with your family and you're going to be busy for days, don't leave them hanging. Respond with, “Out of town with my family – we're skiing! Will be back Sunday – I'll call you.” Listen without making judgments. When someone tells you a story or expresses a feeling, it is important to listen without making judgments. Make sure that you keep an open mind when you listen to people and do not express judgment for the things they share with you. For example, if a friend shares with you that she had a one night stand with someone, don't tell her that she shouldn't have done that or try to give her unsolicited advice about what to do. Just listen to her and offer your support if she expresses worry over the situation. Avoid thinking about what you are going to say next. Just focus on what the person is saying. Pay attention to their facial expressions and body language as well to get insight into how they are feeling. Avoid gossiping. Never gossip about your friend to other people – most of the time, they are going to find out about it. It's hard to rebuild trust when someone feels that you've betrayed them in this way. You should also avoid gossiping to your friend about other people. When you do this, it plants the idea in their head that you might also gossip about them, too. When you gossip with someone, it can sometimes feel like you're bonding with them because you're sharing privileged information together. However, this is not a healthy way to bond with your friend. Nothing positive ever results from gossiping. If you hear other people gossiping about your friend, stand up for them. This will very clearly demonstrate your loyalty. Keep your promises. Each time you break a promise, trust decreases. Be true to your word and avoid making promises that you can't keep. If you do break a promise and it's something minor, be sincerely apologetic and try to make it up to them in some way. The damage is usually minor in this situation. If you break an important promise, however, things are going to be a lot harder to make right. Depending on the nature of the broken promise, gaining their trust may no longer be possible. The best approach is to avoid making promises that you can't keep. Always try your best to keep the promises you do make. Be supportive. Support your friend's dreams and goals, even when no one else does. Encourage them when they lose hope. Always have their back and show them that you can be counted on to be there for them. When someone knows that you are going to be supportive, they will feel more comfortable sharing things with you. For example, "Darrell, I know how much you want to get into film school. I know your parents don't agree, but I think you have what it takes to get in. I got a really nice camera for Christmas, but I honestly don't use it much. I want you to have it..." Being supportive doesn't mean always being in favor of everything they do, especially when it's harmful or dangerous for them. Always try to make it clear that you want the best for them. If you aren't supportive of something, explain to them why. Be honest with them. For instance, in a negative situation, you could say, "Whitney, I'm your best friend and I want the best for you. I would never be unsupportive of any of your choices unless I felt truly worried about you. I honestly feel like your new boyfriend is a bad influence on you..." Make sure that you remember important dates as well, such as anniversaries, birthdays, and other special dates in your relationship. Help them. Be there for them, even when you aren't asked. If you see a friend struggling, do what you can to help them through it. For instance, if your friend is failing a subject in school, don't just sit back and watch. Offer to help them with their homework and study with them. If you step in to help them with something when the chips are down, without even being asked, they will feel like they can count on you.

Be reliable. Keep their secrets confidential. Be honest. Trust them first. Show kindness, respect, and acceptance. Spend time with them. Be sincere. Be accessible. Listen without making judgments. Avoid gossiping. Keep your promises. Be supportive. Help them.

https://www.wikihow.com/Skip-Class

How to Skip Class

While skipping class should be avoided since you can get suspended, you can make your escape easier by having an excuse and appearing inconspicuous. Before you leave class, prepare an excuse that your teacher won't call you out on. For example, look antsy and say you have “bathroom problems” or leave a bag in another room and ask if you can go retrieve it. Make sure you only use these excuses once per teacher, as they'll quickly realize what you're doing. As you make your escape, avoid looking like you're up to something by keeping your backpack in your locker. That way, it might seem like you're going to the bathroom instead of leaving for the day.

Call yourself out for the entire day or a certain period. If you only want to skip a few periods, say that you have a dentist or doctor's appointment, or that you need to miss school for a family commitment. Usually, you won't want to try to fake a parent's voice — the office isn't stupid — so it's usually best to come up with someone else to cover for you, then share. Older siblings and cousins might be up for calling you out of school, likewise friendly neighbors or a sibling of one of your friends. Make sure they keep the conversation brief and non-specific. Make or fake an appointment. It's best if you can actually have a real appointment or reason to miss school. You might consider telling your parent the orthodontist scheduled you an appointment when you really haven't got one, or that they need to call you out for an appointment with your coach to go over plays for the weekend's game. A call from your parents will seem more real, even if the appointment isn't. Be as general as possible. When you're making a fake appointment, it's best if you can keep it as vague and non-specific as you can to avoid causing suspicion. If you get your brother to call you in and say, "He's got a doctor's appointment this morning and he's not going to be able to make it in today," the office will be unlikely to question it. Get your acting face on. If you're acting fine and chatting with your friends in the back of the classroom one minute, then trying to tell your teacher you're about to puke the next minute, no one's going to believe you. To pull off the illness ruse, you've got to lay the groundwork: Stay quiet during the day, with a concerned look on your face. Cradle your head in your hands and sigh deeply. Squint your eyes. Don't rush it. It's best if someone else brings up the subject of you not feeling good. If you lay it on thick enough, keeping your head down and looking ill, your teacher may say, "Is everything okay?" at which point you'll be able to play it off, and say, "I don't know, I just don't feel right. I think I'm okay." It's better to downplay it. Ask to visit the nurse and get a hall pass. After a long enough time has passed during which you can establish that you don't feel good, go up to your teacher: "Actually, I really don't feel well. I've got a bad headache and stomachache. Could I visit the nurse?" Get a hall pass and you're free of the classroom, your first obstacle. For another option, get up in a rush and ask to go to the bathroom. Leave hurriedly, as if something were very wrong, then take your time and head to the restroom slowly. Kill some time in the bathroom, wash your hands, and head back to the classroom after a long enough period of time to vomit has passed. Tell your teacher quietly you just threw up and you'd like to visit the nurse. Describe your "symptoms" to the nurse. You've got lots of options available to you, depending on whether or not you want to be sent home, kill the rest of the class period in the nurse's office laying on a cot, or if you just want to cut out after you get your hall pass: If you want to be sent home no questions asked, say you vomited. No one's going to make a kid stick around school who just puked in the bathroom, risking getting everyone else sick. The nurse will call your parents and ask if you can be picked up, or let you leave if you drive to school. If you want to kill the rest of the hour go with a headache. If you just can't stand the thought of another boring lecture on nothing, why not nap it off in the nurse's office? When the period's over, the nurse will probably check on you, at which point you can tell them you feel better and you want to go back to class, or you can say you want to be sent home. If you want to cut the rest of the day without calling home then just leave instead of heading to the nurse's office. Sign out and head wherever you wish. Know your school's attendance policy. Each school sets its own rules on absences. Find out how many absences you have already, and what the consequences are for the next one. Even if you plan to sneak out without getting marked absence, there's always a chance you get caught. Figure out whether your worst-case scenario is a minor mark on your record, or a serious consequence like suspension. Choose which class to skip. If you can, choose a teacher that doesn't take roll every day. In general, you're more likely to get away with skipping a class if the teacher is relaxed and if you haven't been absent from it more than once or twice before. Use an excuse when possible. This is a limited resource; each teacher will only believe your excuses once or twice. But when it works, you have a consequence-free pass from the rest of class. Here are some ideas you can use: Look antsy and say you have "bathroom problems." If you're female, say you are having a bad period or "female problems." Look upset and ask if you can talk to the school counselor. Deliberately leave a bag or other item in another room. Say you've lost it or left it in your gym locker, and claim there's something important inside (keys, wallet, etc. — but don't actually abandon these). Don't look like a truant student. Leave your backpack in your locker so you look like someone walking to the bathroom, not someone trying to sneak out. If you are reasonably tall and go to a large school, you can try dressing in smart clothes and pretending to be an adult. This may save you from a staff member's passing glance, but don't expect it to save you if someone stops you. Leave your previous class a few minutes early. Tell your teacher you need to use the bathroom five or ten minutes before class ends. Even if the teacher doesn't let you leave, you have an excuse to rush out the door as soon as the bell rings. Your goal is to get as far as possible before passing period is over, while the halls are still full of people. Fake a hall pass. Forging a hall pass could get you in serious trouble, depending on your school's policy. Holding an old hall pass or scribbled-on piece of paper the same color and size can be almost as good, depending on how strict the staff members are about checking. Slip out or find a hiding spot. If staff members watch the exits during passing period, slip into a nearby bathroom or empty room and wait for the next class to start. Sneak out as soon as the exit is clear. If your school has very tight security, or if there's nowhere to hang out near your school, you could spend the whole class in a bathroom stall. You'd better have the best game ever on your phone for this to be worth it. Avoid obvious hang-outs. In some places, truancy is a crime. Getting caught could mean serious punishment, so you've got to be relatively sneaky if you want to hang out with friends. Don't head straight to the pizza place all the kids go to after school, the mall, or the park across the street from school. Get away from the school, stay in quiet neighborhoods, and definitely stay away from places where your parents or their friends might see you. Walk directly away from the school when you leave the school grounds. Don't pass by any windows or chain link fences where a teacher can see you on the other side. Prepare to face your parents. Many schools phone your parents if you're marked absent from a class. It's up to you whether to own up and face the music, or whether to lie your way out of it. You know how your parents will react better than anyone, so use your judgement. Use your knowledge of school policy to your advantage. If the school marks you absent after five minutes, claim you were just late coming from the bathroom or from the previous class. If one parent is much less strict than the other, bring up the subject when only the lenient parent is around.

Call yourself out for the entire day or a certain period. Make or fake an appointment. Be as general as possible. Get your acting face on. Ask to visit the nurse and get a hall pass. Describe your "symptoms" to the nurse. Know your school's attendance policy. Choose which class to skip. Use an excuse when possible. Don't look like a truant student. Leave your previous class a few minutes early. Fake a hall pass. Slip out or find a hiding spot. Avoid obvious hang-outs. Prepare to face your parents.

https://www.wikihow.com/Visit-the-World-Trade-Center

How to Visit the World Trade Center

One way to visit the World Trade Center is by taking a guided tour of the memorial. During the tour, a guide will teach you about the events of the 9/11 attacks, discuss artifacts recovered from the event, and lead you through the grounds. After the tour, you can visit the museum to see exhibits about the attacks, read profiles that commemorate the victims, and hear firsthand accounts of the event. Be sure to stop at the Memorial Pools and Plaza, where you can pay respects to the victims.

Take the Official 9/11 Tour to learn about the events and the memorial. This is the most popular tour because it covers a broad overview of the events of the attack, the construction of the memorial, and the history of the World Trade Center. The tour guide will explain the symbolism of the memorial and how it relates to the past and future of the area. This tour is a 45-minute walking tour of only the memorial grounds. Pre-booking your tour isn't required unless you have specific time constraints or are making a reservation for a large group. The price of the tour itself is $15 for all ages and tickets can be purchased at https://www.911memorial.org/memorialtours or at museum. Alternatively, you can buy a $39 ticket to the tour that includes your admission to the museum. If you choose to visit the museum, it is recommended that you take the tour first. Once you leave the museum, you cannot re-enter. Opt for the Youth and Family Tour if you’re visiting with children. While the events of 9/11 are culturally important, they might be disturbing for younger children. The Family tour explains the events of the attack in a way that is factual and accessible for kids ages 7-14 without being overly frightening. This tour is only offered on select dates through March-August, so be sure to book your tickets in advance at https://www.911memorial.org/tours. If you don't reserve your spot online, they may be sold out on the day of your visit. All children on the tour must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are priced at $39 for adults, $35 for young adults ages 13-17, and $27 for children ages 7-12. Take an Early Access Tour to see the memorial in a more intimate setting. The Early Access tour begins at 8 A.M. and gives participants a behind-the-scenes look into the memorial and museum. This is a great option for individuals who have visited the memorial before and are interested in having a less crowded and uninterrupted visit. Tickets for the tour are $65 and can be purchased in advance online at https://www.911memorial.org/earlyaccess. Like many of the tours, it is a walking tour and lasts approximately 60 minutes. Select the Uncommon Courage Tour to learn about first responders on 9/11. The events of 9/11 caused the largest mobilization of emergency personnel in the history of the United States. The tour explores the stories of individual responders and honors the courage of the more than 400 first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others during and after the attack. This tour is only given 1-2 times per day, so be sure to book your tickets in advance to secure your place on the tour. You can purchase tickets online at https://www.911memorial.org/museumtour. Tickets cost $44 for adults with discounts for college students, senior citizens, New York City first responders, veterans, and active duty members of the military. Choose the Understanding 9/11 Tour for more insight into the attack. This 60-minute tour is designed for people who have a clear understanding of the events of 9/11, but are interested in learning about the events leading up to the attack. Members of the tour examine artifacts from the attack and discuss the modern significance of 9/11. Tickets for the tour are $44 for adults, and there are discounts for college students, senior citizens, New York City first responders, veterans, and active duty members of the military. You can select the date, time, and type of tour at https://www.911memorial.org/museumtour. Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the museum and memorial. Visit the grounds of the memorial for free any day of the week between 7:30 A.M. and 9 P.M., and check out the museum with a ticket between 9 A.M. and 8 P.M. When you purchase a ticket to the museum, there is a time printed on the ticket that will tell you when you can be admitted to the museum. General admission the museum is $24 for adults, and there are discounts available for students, senior citizens, children, and veterans. You can buy tickets online at https://www.911memorial.org/visit-museum-1 or at the museum. On Tuesdays, the museum offers free admission after 5 P.M. on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're planning to buy tickets at the museum, remember that entrance to the museum is prohibited starting 2 hours before the closing time of the museum. Download the 9/11 Audio App to guide you through the museum. This free app includes recordings, explanations, and facts about the events of 9/11, the construction of the museum, and much more. You can listen to individual explanations based on your location, or choose to take a “guided” tour through the app. The app is free for anyone to use and can be downloaded onto a smartphone through the App Store or Google Play Store. If English isn't your native language, the app is also available in American Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum to see artifacts and recordings of the event. The museum is located at the center of the World Trade Center and includes artifacts, testimony, and exhibits that explore the events and implications of 9/11. It commemorates the lives of each individual who died in the attacks in 2001 and 1993, as well as the resilience of the U.S. as a whole. The museum also has rotating exhibits, such as Sports after 9/11, FEMA Photographs of 9/11, and Artist's Responses to 9/11. Walk through the Memorial Plaza to enjoy a peaceful moment. If you don't want to purchase a ticket, you can visit the Memorial Plaza any time from 7:30 A.M. to 9 P.M. In the plaza, you'll find trees from areas affected by the attacks on 9/11, including Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. There are benches and tables throughout the plaza where you can rest. In the plaza, look for the Survivor Tree, which was found in October 2001 in the rubble of the collapsed towers. After extensive rehabilitation, the tree was returned to the Plaza in 2010 to serve as a reminder of the resilience exhibited by all those who were affected by the attacks. Pay respect to the victims at the Memorial Pools. The twin Pools are located in the Memorial Plaza, and have the names of the victims etched into the stone around them. This area, which is also free to enter, has become a gathering place for those who want to remember the events and the victims. At the North Pool, you will find the names of the victims from the North Tower, Flight 11, and the 1993 World Trade Center Bombings. Around the South Pool are the names of the victims from the South Tower, Flight 175, Flight 93, Flight 77, the Pentagon, and the first responders who perished while working to rescue others. Visit the Freedom Tower to take in amazing views of New York City. In the years since 9/11, a new tower has been constructed at One World Trade Center called the Freedom Tower. For $34, you can ride up to the 102nd floor and view NYC from a new vantage point. At the top, there's a restaurant, observatory deck, and interactive exhibit. On the lower floors, there are exhibits that showcase a live stream of various cities from around the world and an excavated section of the bedrock under most of New York City. There's also a large gift shop and photo screen to commemorate your trip! Maintain a respectful and somber attitude during your visit. It's important to remember that the events that took place in these areas can be very emotional for some people. Speak in a quiet tone, avoid taking silly pictures of yourself or others, and always be respectful of those who are visiting the museum and memorial. Due to the graphic nature of some of the exhibits and images, some individuals may become upset. If you or someone in your group becomes overwhelmed, find a quiet place to regroup, like a less intense exhibit or outside in the memorial plaza. Take pictures and video only where photography is allowed. In most areas of the memorial plaza and at the waterfall, personal photography is allowed. However, inside of the museum, there are areas where photography is off limits. Be sure to pay attention to signs, and turn off the flash function when necessary to avoid disrupting others or harming the artifacts. If you're not sure whether or not you're allowed to take a picture in a certain area, look for an employee who can answer your question. It's better to ask first to make sure. Prepare to go through security before entering the memorial and museum. Try to pack light for your trip, as bags larger than 17 by 8 inches (43 by 20 cm) will not be permitted into the memorial or museum. To enter the museum, you and your bag will have to pass through a metal detector for safety purposes. At the museum, there are lockers available for large bags. Lockers are not available at the memorial, so remember to carry only a small bag. Visit a restroom near the memorial before entering. The memorial plaza and waterfalls don't have a public restroom for visitors. The closest public restrooms are located at Wagner Park or Battery Park, so make a stop there before you go to the memorial. In the museum, there are restrooms available to visitors who have an admission ticket. During weekdays between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M., you can use the public restroom at Federal Hall on Wall Street. Exit the museum when you’ve finished visiting all of the exhibits. The museum has strict rules about re-entry. Once you leave the museum, you can't re-enter with your ticket. Before you leave, check the museum map to make sure you visited all of the exhibits that you wanted to see, and didn't miss anything that you were interested in. If you've scheduled a tour that includes the price of museum admission, plan to visit the museum after the tour to give yourself enough time to see everything you would like to see.

Take the Official 9/11 Tour to learn about the events and the memorial. Opt for the Youth and Family Tour if you’re visiting with children. Take an Early Access Tour to see the memorial in a more intimate setting. Select the Uncommon Courage Tour to learn about first responders on 9/11. Choose the Understanding 9/11 Tour for more insight into the attack. Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the museum and memorial. Download the 9/11 Audio App to guide you through the museum. Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum to see artifacts and recordings of the event. Walk through the Memorial Plaza to enjoy a peaceful moment. Pay respect to the victims at the Memorial Pools. Visit the Freedom Tower to take in amazing views of New York City. Maintain a respectful and somber attitude during your visit. Take pictures and video only where photography is allowed. Prepare to go through security before entering the memorial and museum. Visit a restroom near the memorial before entering. Exit the museum when you’ve finished visiting all of the exhibits.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Stainless-Steel-Grill

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Grill

To clean a stainless steel grill, begin by removing the steel grate from the grill. Mix ¼ cup (45g) of baking soda and ¼ cup (59mL) of water in a small bowl to make a paste. Then, using a rag, apply the paste to the grate and let sit for at least 20 minutes. Afterwards, use a wire grill brush to scrub away all the cooked-on residue. Rinse the grate with water, dry with a clean towel, and return the grate to the grill. To clean the outside of the grill, mix liquid dish detergent and warm water in a bucket. With a microfiber cleaning cloth, wipe the mixture onto the grill's exterior. If there are stubborn spots, use a sponge too. Then, rinse the outside with water and dry with another microfiber cloth.

Combine the baking soda and water. To make an effective cleanser to clean a stainless steel grill grate, add ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda and ¼ cup (59 ml) of water to a small bowl. Mix the two together well to form a paste. It helps to mix the baking soda with warm water so the two blend more easily together. Apply the paste to the grate and allow it to sit. Once you've mixed up the baking soda paste, use clean hands or a rag to carefully apply it to the grill grate. Make sure to cover the entire surface, paying special attention to the dirtiest spots, and let the paste sit on the grate for at least 20 minutes. It's best to remove the grate from the grill before you apply the paste. That will allow you to cover both sides so you don't miss any spots. Coat an especially dirty grate with oven cleaner and let it sit overnight. If you haven't cleaned your stainless steel grate in a while, it may need a more intense cleanser to freshen it. Apply a generous coat of oven cleaner spray over both sides of the grate. Place the grate inside a plastic garbage bag, and allow it to sit overnight. You can use the oven cleaner if the baking soda paste doesn't work. It's not necessary to do both unless your grate is extremely dirty and the baking soda leaves residue behind. Any oven cleaner will work to clean the grate, but you may want to choose a cleanser that is designed for use on both ovens and grills. Scrub the grate with a grill brush. After you've let the baking soda paste or the oven cleaner sit on the grate for the designated time, use a wire grill brush designed for stainless steel to scrub the entire surface. Make sure to run the brush between and along the sides of the grate to remove all of the cooked-on residue. Check your grill brush to make sure that it's in good condition before using it. There shouldn't be any bristles coming out. Rinse the grate with water and dry. Once you've given the grate a good scrubbing with the brush, use your garden hose to spray it down with warm water. Make sure to remove all of the cleanser and dirt residue, and then dry the grate with a clean towel. Return it to the grill so you're ready for the next barbecue. If the grill grate is particularly dirty, you may need to repeat the cleaning process more than once to fully remove all of the dirt and food residue. Continue to brush the grate after each use. When your stainless steel grill grate is clean, you'll want to keep it that way. Allow the grill to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes after using it, but while it's still warm, use your grill brush to scrub the grate down to remove any food debris. To limit residue on the grate, always preheat your grill before placing food on it. That will help keep items from sticking to the grate. Be sure to oil your food before placing it on the grate to help keep anything from sticking to the surface. Brush the flame tamers. The flame tamers sit directly on top of the burners to form a barrier between the burners and the grate. Food debris can sometimes build up on the tamers, so you should remove them and use a small, dry wire brush to remove any residue. Wipe them down with a clean piece of paper towel afterward. Make sure that your grill is cool and not turned on before cleaning any of the interior components. If you're not sure where the flame tamers are in your grill, consult the owner's manual. They are also sometimes known as heat tents or vaporizer bars. Remove food residue from the burners. When you take out the flame tamers, the burners will be underneath. Food buildup on the burners can led to uneven heating and burner failure. Clean tube, flat, u-shape, and cast burners with a small, dry wire brush, paying special attention to the burner port area where the gas comes out. If you have ceramic burners, don't clean them with a brush. Turn the grill on for 10 minutes to burn off any food residue, and once the grill is turned off and cool, use tweezers to remove large food debris. If you're not sure what type of burners your grill has, consult the owner's manual. Rinse the venturi tubes with soapy water. The venturi tubes supply the gas to the burners, and can easily get dirty. Remove the entire burner assembly according to the instructions in the owner's manual, and rub it and the tubes down with a cloth dampened with soapy water. Run a clean, damp cloth over the tube to rinse it. The venturi tubes are narrow tubes that have a series of small holes along the sides and/or ends. They may be curved and connected to the the burner assembly, or they may be straight and easy to detach from the burner assembly. Consult your owner's manual to see exactly what your grill's venturi tubes look like and where to locate them. Remove debris from the holes in the venturi tubes. Clogs in the venturi tube can cause your grill not to work properly, but it's easy for insects and other debris to build up inside. Use a small wire brush to clean the holes on the tube to ensure that there aren't any clogs before replacing the tube and burner assembly. Consult the owner's manual to determine the proper way to put the tube and assembly back. Your grill won't work properly if it isn't in place, and it can be very dangerous to lit the grill. A paperclip or small piece of wire works well to clean the holes in the tube too. You may want to run water from your garden hose through the tube to determine if there are any clogs. Mix the dish detergent and water. It's best not to use stainless steel cleaners or polishes on the grill because they're not designed to be used on surfaces that get very hot. Instead, fill a bucket with warm water and add some liquid dish detergent to create a warm, soapy solution. Never use an acidic or abrasive cleanser on stainless steel. They will damage the finish. Wipe the mixture onto the grill’s exterior. Dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth with the soapy solution that you mixed. Run it over the entire surface of the grill's exterior, making sure to rub with the grain of the stainless steel to avoid scratching it. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth to wash the stainless steel exterior. Other fabrics may scratch the finish. Scrub stubborn spots with a sponge. If there are stubborn areas where dirt is stuck on, wet a sponge in the soapy solution. Rub it over the areas, but be sure to move in the direction of the grain to prevent scratches in the stainless steel. While a soft sponge is fine to use on a stainless steel grill, don't use a scouring pad or steel wool. They will scratch the surface. Rinse the exterior with water. When you've finished cleaning the exterior of the grill, spray it down with your garden hose. Make sure to use warm water, though, to get all of the soapy residue off the stainless steel. Dry the grill with a microfiber cloth. After you've rinsed off all the dirt and soapy, wipe down the grill with a towel to dry it. Use a microfiber cloth, though, and move in the direction of the grain for the best finish. When the grill is dry, you may want to follow up with stainless steel cleaner wipe to give it a more polished appearance.

Combine the baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the grate and allow it to sit. Coat an especially dirty grate with oven cleaner and let it sit overnight. Scrub the grate with a grill brush. Rinse the grate with water and dry. Continue to brush the grate after each use. Brush the flame tamers. Remove food residue from the burners. Rinse the venturi tubes with soapy water. Remove debris from the holes in the venturi tubes. Mix the dish detergent and water. Wipe the mixture onto the grill’s exterior. Scrub stubborn spots with a sponge. Rinse the exterior with water. Dry the grill with a microfiber cloth.

https://www.wikihow.com/Act-Like-You-Didn%27t-Fart

How to Act Like You Didn't Fart

Everyone farts accidentally sometimes, but if you do it in around other people, there are a few ways to disguise it. Try to wait until there's a lot of noise to let your fart out to cover any sound. Don't react when you pass gas, and just pretend nothing happened. Often farts don't smell at all, but if someone does notice, just look around and cover your nose to pretend like you just realized. They'll have no way of knowing it was actually you. If it won't be too obvious, you can also walk away after you fart and go somewhere like the restroom. That way, you'll be long gone by the time they realize someone broke wind.

Don't react to it. This is rule number 1. The surest way to let everyone know it was you is to immediately look worried or ashamed. If you're around others and one gets loose, don't overreact—in fact, don't react at all. This is the opposite of what most people do when they accidentally leak one, so a strong display of ignorance will point people's suspicions another way. If the fart is too loud or smells too bad to realistically ignore, you may have to orchestrate an escape plan. Look perplexed, create a distraction and get out of there. Go about your business. Not only should you not look embarrassed if you accidentally fart, you should carry on with whatever activity you were seeing to as though nothing happened. If you don't actively "pause" the moment by showing surprise, others may not notice at all, and if they do, they'll probably have the dignity not to question who the culprit was. It's not uncommon to detect strange noises without knowing the source, and there will be no reason for anyone to assume that the sound they heard was a fart, or that it came from you in particular. Cast aspersions. Maybe you've successfully stifled a violent eruption, but the stench is starting to creep in: what now? Don't quietly accept the blame. Look around and feign disgust or confusion to let everyone know it could have been any one of them. Most people will be too concerned about others thinking they did it to be motivated to get to the bottom of things. Be sure not to directly accuse a particular person of the indiscretion. Since you're trying to sidestep embarrassment yourself, pinning it on someone else is a dishonorable move. Some light laughter can help alleviate the awkwardness of the situation whether others suspect it was you or not. Blame the dog. If it isn't broken, why fix it? Just blame the dog, if there happens to be one around, for an especially offensive intestinal assault. The dog won't mind. They're used to being guilty of this kind of thing. Babies also make sterling scapegoats for the more experienced fart-hider—some might even find it cute if they think it was the innocent, artless newborn, never knowing that it was actually you, praying that you don't need a diaper change of your own. You'll need to stick pretty close to the dog if you want this tactic to be convincing. People will eventually catch on if they keep getting musky whiffs while Fido is all the way across the living room. Isolate yourself. Take a moment and politely excuse yourself to leave the room. Your company will think you're simply going to wash your hands or smoke a cigarette, or that you've left something in the other room, when in reality you're being courteous enough to withdraw after deploying your chemical weapons on the general populace. While this is the most civilized and secretive method, making a break for it after siphoning some sulfur won't always be possible. If you happen to be in a time and place where you can't justify excusing yourself, you may have to try out another approach. Walk it off. Give yourself a reason to walk away after an accidental fart. This is perhaps the best damage control scenario when airing one out in the open, for several reasons. First, the motion of walking will help wave away the emission, dissipating it faster. Second, whatever smell is produced will quickly disperse in the open air, and you'll already be moving away from the source of the stink. Lastly, the commotion of breaking into a walk will provide a welcome diversion after the sound should there be any, and the gust itself will be harder to identify with the surrounding distractions. Join a crowd. With more people around, it will become impossible to tell exactly who broke wind. This strategy requires a bit of a poker face, as it's likely that someone in the group may have heard or smelled the outburst, but you're relying on the good social graces of others not to draw attention to it out of fear that someone will think it was them. If you're the type who blushes easily or don't think you're capable of pulling one over on an unsuspecting crowd, consider finding another place to take refuge after easing out a surprise fart. If this method fails, it will leave you in the middle of a flock of people who are all likely to find out that it was you that, in fact, dealt it. Bend or crouch. If you feel a breeze coming on down below and circumstances allow, get into a position where you can bend over or crouch down. In these positions the bowels are less obstructed, which means you can let loose without worrying as much about waking the neighbors. Doing this will not mitigate the smell if there are discerning noses around, however. This method may be a lifesaver to those who work physical jobs or often partake in activities where they can move around freely, especially if you have the added advantage of being outside. Mask it with other noise. When you're in a crowded room or roaring movie theater this won't be much of an issue. But if you're in the quiet living room of your in-laws' home, you may need a sonic diversion. Coughing, exclaiming loudly and dropping objects are all time-tested openings for stealth cheese-cutting, but you're free to get as creative as you please: work the toot into a well-timed bout of laughter, or wait until someone opens a bag of chips. Don't be too obvious about the cover noise you're generating. Act natural. And, of course, if the problem gets to be too much for you to handle at an important social event, you may have to just bite the bullet and let it go. Choose a soft surface for sitting. The softer and more plush a seating surface is, the more it will act as soundproofing for your down-under disruptions. Pick an office or conference chair that can withstand the brunt of your blasts, and opt for the worn old sofa over the swanky leather recliner whenever possible. As long as you're careful, you should be able to expel as much flatulence as you need without ever having to get up. Avoid hard surfaces, such as park benches or wooden chairs, or "reflective" surfaces, like leather and hard rubber, when you're gassy. The acoustics of these materials tend to amplify the vibrations of impactful sounds, and if your antagonistic fart happens to be too powerful, the hard surface will advertise it to the world.

Don't react to it. Go about your business. Cast aspersions. Blame the dog. Isolate yourself. Walk it off. Join a crowd. Bend or crouch. Mask it with other noise. Choose a soft surface for sitting.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Confident-on-Stage

How to Be Confident on Stage

To be confident on stage, start by visualizing your best performance, maintaining a confident posture, and keeping your voice loud and clear. Additionally, purposefully slow yourself down so you don't accidentally rush through the performance. You can also practice often before performance day so you don't forget anything, and record yourself rehearsing to get an idea of how you'll look to the audience. Leading up to the big day, get plenty of rest, and make sure your costume or favorite outfit is ready to go.

Envision your best performance. Instead of imagining the worst scenario, challenge yourself to think more about how the performance could go well. Remind yourself why you are doing this performance, and why you believe in it. The good feelings will boost your confidence instead of increasing your nerves. Practice often before performance day. Make sure that you know your lines, choreography, music, note cards, anything at all, completely by heart. You can go through everything daily to ensure that you won't forget a thing. This way you won't feel nervous about the possibility of forgetting something on stage. If you're participating in a debate or giving a speech, research the topic of discussion thoroughly. This will increase your knowledge of the subject matter so you can speak confidently without sounding stumped. This is especially crucial if you will answer questions after the speech! Record yourself beforehand for pointers. If you lack confidence because you don't know how you look on stage, record yourself practicing and watch it back. Now you will have a clear idea of what the audience will see when you go on stage, and you can work on any mistakes you see. Eliminate all negative thoughts. If you start telling yourself that you can't do this, you don't know what you're doing, and so on, your confidence will drop dramatically. Anything that you tell yourself regularly, you start to take as reality. This will make you think that you cannot pull off confidence on stage no matter how hard you work. Put an end to this practice by replacing any negative thoughts with positive ones. It can be as simple as stopping yourself from thinking “I can't do this” to “I can do this.” Saying positive thoughts out loud to yourself also makes a world of a difference. Have your costume or favorite outfit ready to go. Pick out your outfit the night before so you are not worrying about it the day you go on stage. Choose something that you like and makes you feel secure and confident. If you have a costume, make sure that everything fits perfectly when you go into fittings, and don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't feel right. Talk to your friends or fellow performers. Chances are, anyone else that is going on stage with you is lacking confidence as well. Sharing these feelings can help you realize that you are not alone, and it is completely normal to be nervous. You can also tell a trusted friend or family member how you are feeling, and they will most likely share their excitement at seeing you onstage. Get plenty of rest. You don't want to appear tired for your speech or performance. Allow for your best night's sleep the night before, whether it means going to bed early or listening to some calming music. This is especially crucial for dancers! Don't overdo anything at your dress rehearsal. Coming into a performance with your brain and muscles fatigued can increase your chance of getting an injury. Make eye contact with people who look especially interested. If you feel your confidence beginning to slip but see people nodding in the crowd, don't be afraid to focus on them. This will remind you that you are doing a great job and people are interested in what you are trying to do or say. If there are no nodding audience members to be found, you can also look at a trusted family member or friend who will support you no matter what happens. Maintain a confident posture. Hunching forward makes you look less confident, and actually hinders your confidence as well. Stand up straight, act like you are balancing a book on your head, and your feelings will quickly improve. You will also make a good impression on the audience and how they see you. Keep your voice loud and clear. This does not mean you need to shout. Just make sure that you are speaking loud enough that everyone in the room can hear. If you have trouble with this, practice in front of a group of friends to test your “public speaking” or “acting” voice. Don't rush the performance. Time can be a tricky thing when you are on stage. Purposefully make yourself start out slow so you can get used to the audience and your place on stage. The audience may have trouble understanding you if you speak too fast. It helps to keep a timer clock going as you perform, to give you a better sense of how slowly (or quickly) time is actually passing. You can keep it on your podium, or just keep it in your pocket to take out and quickly glance at between subjects. For dancers, pay attention to the music counts and make that a priority if you feel like you might be rushing. The music determines all of your movements! Get the audience laughing, if possible. If permitted, ask questions, include facts they'll be interested in, and tell short stories relevant to subject matter. This will increase interaction and everyone will loosen up a bit. End on a good note so the audience leaves in a happy mood. Be sure to end the discussion or performance with a wow feeling. If you make a mistake but finish strong, chances are the audience will only remember your amazing ending. For speakers, you can end with a question that will keep the audience thinking about your speech long after it ends. You can also end with a call to action that reiterates why you are speaking in the first place. Dancers can act like they just gave the best performance in the world to end on a good note. No matter what happened in the performance itself, smile (if choreography allows), stand up straight with your shoulders back, and give the best finishing pose you've got.

Envision your best performance. Practice often before performance day. Record yourself beforehand for pointers. Eliminate all negative thoughts. Have your costume or favorite outfit ready to go. Talk to your friends or fellow performers. Get plenty of rest. Make eye contact with people who look especially interested. Maintain a confident posture. Keep your voice loud and clear. Don't rush the performance. Get the audience laughing, if possible. End on a good note so the audience leaves in a happy mood.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Skin-Rash

How to Treat Skin Rash

To treat skin rash caused by an allergic reaction, apply an over-the-counter topical treatment like hydrocortisone to the affected area twice daily for 2 weeks. If the rash is caused by athlete's foot or some other fungal infection, apply an anti-fungal medication that contains miconazole or clotrimazole every day for up to 3 months until the rash resolves. Be sure to wash the area with warm water and gentle soap 3 times per day and try not to scratch, since this can worsen or even spread the rash.

Examine the spread and location of the rash. Rashes can start for a variety of reasons, but most of them are easily treatable. The treatment of a particular rash will depend on the cause. First look at the way the rash is distributed. Where is it? When does it show up? If the rash is generalized all over your body (has spread everywhere), it's more likely to be an allergy to something you've eaten, either a medication or food. If a rash is only under your clothes, it could be either an allergic reaction to the material you're wearing or to heat. The cause of spot rashes is usually environmental. If your rash is accompanied by other symptoms, including fever, nausea, chills, or pain, visit a doctor. You may have caught a virus that causes a rash as one of its symptoms. If you also have an itchy throat or are having trouble breathing, then call emergency services because this may be a life-threatening situation. Examine the rash itself. The color and texture of the rash can tell you a little about what the likely cause might be, so you'll be able to treat it more effectively. Try to leave the rash alone as much as possible while you look, and avoid scratching or prodding at it too much. Rinse it with cool water and natural soap and pat it with a clean, dry towel to dry the rash thoroughly. If it is red, itchy, and goes white when you press it, it might be an allergic reaction, or contact dermatitis from some local irritant. If a rash has a strange pattern, is scaly, very itchy, or has an odor, it's likely a fungal infections. If the rash follows a straight line away from a single red bump, it's probably insect bite. If the rash is elevated and yellowish with a red base, and is quite painful to the touch or has fluid draining from it, then it's infected and needs to be shown to a doctor. Try to determine the cause of the rash. All rashes are caused by something. To treat the rash effectively, you need to try to determine the cause. Ask yourself the following questions to try to narrow down the causes: Have you come into contact with any fabrics, chemicals, or animals that may have triggered a skin rash? Is the rash located in an area that gets particularly sweaty on your body? If your rash seems to worsen when you sweat, or in the middle of the day under your clothes, it's likely that the rash is caused by some environmental irritant, like a fabric or a product. Have you switched any soaps, fabric softeners, or used a new hygiene product recently? This could be the cause. Have you eaten anything unusual recently, that may have caused an allergic reaction? Have you used any new cosmetic, cream, or medication? Some over-the-counter or prescription medications may also cause skin rashes. If your rash is accompanied by other symptoms, including swelling, difficulty breathing, or nausea, it might be a sign of an allergic reaction that needs treated immediately. Does the rash seem to come and go with no warning or signs at all? Some skin rashes may be caused by autoimmune disorders that are genetic. While these may be treated with over-the-counter options, the root cause of rash will need to be addressed by a doctor. Talk to your doctor. Make an appointment to speak with a doctor regarding any unusual skin rashes, or rashes that don't heal quickly. Often, skin rashes are difficult to diagnose and many look very similar, making them difficult to treat on your own. Any rash that does not resolve within two weeks of topical treatment should be reported to a doctor. Skin rashes can be caused by many things, such as various autoimmune disorders and plain old stress. Any rash that is extremely painful or won't heal with over-the-counter medication in about a week needs to be checked out by a doctor. Pick a treatment appropriate for the cause. Two major types of treatment approaches exist, which should be used based on the cause of the irritation. As always, consult with a doctor if you're not sure, to pursue a more appropriate treatment method. Allergic reactions are a common cause of rashes, and need to be treated with antihistamines or corticosteroid treatments, either topical or oral. Look for topical products that contain diphenhydramine. Corticosteroids such as 1.5% to 1% hydrocortisone may be used twice daily for up to two weeks to treat allergies. Athlete's foot and other fungal infections need to be treated with anti-fungal medications. Products that contain miconazole or clotrimazole can be used daily for up to 3 months to resolve fungal infections. Apply a thin layer of over-the-counter topical treatment. Many over-the-counter options are available, made specifically for treating skin rashes. Different kinds of topical creams, ointments, and lotions are available. Ointments are oilier and take longer to absorb. They are best used on very dry skin. Creams absorb more rapidly but also add moisture. These should be used on delicate areas where skin is thin such as skin folds, the groin, and on the face. Lotions are the least moisturizing and the most quickly absorbed. Lotions are often preferred for use on the face as they are the least oily. Keep the area free of irritation. If you think you might be allergic to a perfume, body powder, soap, shower gel, or other product, try switching to a non-allergenic brand. If you're irritated by some fabric or tight-fitting clothing, try changing your clothes more frequently and keeping yourself dry. If a baby has diaper rash, allow them to go diaper-free for a while. Change the baby frequently and apply some cream to the rash. This provides the baby or toddler with a waterproof layer between their skin and the diaper. Wash the area with natural soap and warm water up to 3 times per day. It's important to keep the area clean and dry. Use a gentle, natural soap and warm (but not too warm or hot) water to clean the rash. Don't soak the rash, but rinse it gently and pat it dry with a clean, dry towel. Keep your skin dry. If your skin is too sensitive to dry it with a towel, blot it gently and allow your skin to air dry. Most rashes are not dangerous, and will heal quickly after some gentle cleaning and basic care. Wear loose-fitting clothes to make sure that the rash doesn't become re-irritated. Don't scratch. Rashes itch, of course, but try to avoid scratching them. This can lead to secondary infection in otherwise simple rash. If you must, use only the pads of your fingers, but remember that scratching usually leads to more itching. It's best to distract yourself or use a cold compress to get relief. It's always important to wear loose-fitting natural fibers, and make sure your skin gets plenty of air-circulation. Don't cover rashes unless you're directed to do so by a doctor. Use a cold compress to control pain. If your rash is itching and burning a lot, a cool washcloth can do a lot to help control pain. Just take a clean washcloth or a paper towel and soak it in very cool water. Rest the cloth on the irritated area to help soothe the skin. Let the skin dry thoroughly before repeating the treatment. If you use ice, don't leave the ice on for longer than 10-15 minutes. If your skin is numbed by burn or rash, it's possible to frostbite yourself with prolonged exposure to the ice. Apply olive oil to rashes. Extra-virgin olive oil works as a skin moisturizer, helping to soothe dry or itchy skin. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, making it an excellent and natural remedy for itchy skin. Turmeric powder has anti-inflammatory properties, and is sometimes added to olive oil to use as a skin treatment. Coconut oil, castor oil, and cod liver oil are also commonly used as skin treatments. Use caution when applying oil to a rash. If it starts to burn, wash it with soap and water and pat it with a clean, dry towel. Apply baking soda. Some people like to use baking soda mixed with a little oil, like coconut or olive, to create a balm for itchy skin. Baking soda helps to dry out the skin, sometimes helping to relieve the burning and itching associated with a rash. If you try this, rinse it off after a few minutes and keep the rash clean and dry. Dry skin is sometimes one of the conditions of lots of rashes, including eczema, and leaving baking soda on a rash for too long can make it worse. Apply oatmeal. Oatmeal baths and compresses are common remedies for heat rashes, poison ivy rashes, chicken pox, and other types of mild rashes. Oatmeal helps to soothe skin and control the itchiness associated with rashes. You can purchase an oatmeal bath at a drug store or make your own. To make an oatmeal remedy: Grind oatmeal finely in a coffee grinder or food processor, then mix a cup into your bathwater. Agitate the water some to mix, and soak for 15-20 minutes.

Examine the spread and location of the rash. Examine the rash itself. Try to determine the cause of the rash. Talk to your doctor. Pick a treatment appropriate for the cause. Apply a thin layer of over-the-counter topical treatment. Keep the area free of irritation. Wash the area with natural soap and warm water up to 3 times per day. Don't scratch. Use a cold compress to control pain. Apply olive oil to rashes. Apply baking soda. Apply oatmeal.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cause-and-Effect-Essay

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

To write a cause and effect essay, start by choosing a topic that interests you, such as the effects of eating fast food. Next, come up with a thesis statement, which is the argument you plan to make. Then, start with a paragraph that introduces the reader to the general topic and presents your thesis in the final sentence or two. After the introduction, write your body paragraphs, making sure to write 1 paragraph for each point of your argument. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your thesis and main supporting points.

Take note of the assignment details. Carefully write down any of the assignment requirements as provided by your teacher. If you have an assignment sheet make sure to read through it carefully and note any questions that you have. At a minimum, you should know the due date, the assignment length, the formatting requirements, and the opening prompt. If you write down the details yourself make sure to keep this piece of paper in a safe location as you will need to consult it throughout the writing process. Understand the goal of the assignment. Cause and effect papers do not always cover both of these elements. Find out if your essay is supposed to focus on causes, effects, or a bit of both. You will also want to determine if you are supposed to explore an assigned topic or come up with one yourself. For example, you may be asked to write about the causes of the American Revolution, which means that you will discuss taxation protests and other contributing factors. Or, you may be asked to write about the effects of the American Revolution, which means that you will discuss nation-building and other long and short-term effects. A combined cause and effect essay would combine both of these angles. Narrow down (or broaden) your topic. If you need to choose your own topic it is a good idea to start by brainstorming. Write down any and all topics that jump to mind. Pick the top five that interest you the most. Consider how much information you can reasonably fit into your paper's required page length. Try breaking a potential topic into multiple parts and choosing one. Double check that your idea is within the given subject parameters outlined by the teacher for the assignment. Consider writing about moments that are close to your own experience, such as events that have impacted your life. For example, you could discuss a war period that you lived through. Or, you could take on a controversial topic, such as the proven effects of eating fast food on a regular basis. Taking a historical angle and looking into events like the American Revolution is another possible approach. Be flexible in adjusting your topic breadth or depth as you work on your paper. At any point in the process you may need to add or delete particular discussions to fit the requirements. For example, if you are writing about the actions of George Washington during the American Revolution, you may need to narrow your focus and only discuss one particular choice that he made. Read any assigned texts. If your teacher assigned articles or books to coincide with this essay assignment it is a good idea to start reading those as soon as you can. They may help you to narrow down a topic or they make help you to understand the topic that you've been assigned. You can also use your text notes as evidence when you actually start writing too. These texts are usually great places to research your topic further. Conduct background research. Look at sources (books, articles, etc.) that explore your topic from a variety of perspectives. Cast a wide net initially by reading everything that you can. Narrow down your search as you find useful information. Make sure to take careful notes while you research so that you can cite properly later and avoid plagiarism. Check that your sources fall within the guidelines given by your teacher for the assignment. If you are covering a recent topic, such as the effects of fast food production, you may be able to use first-hand accounts, also known as primary sources, in your work. Approach your teacher with questions. At any stage in the process if you have questions you should email your teacher (if possible) or talk with them after class. It is a good idea to write down your questions beforehand too. You can also talk with students who've worked with this teacher before to see if they can clarify the assignment for you. A good question might be, “Is there a minimum source number for this assignment?” Just make sure that the question that you ask is not already answered in the assignment sheet. Develop a thesis statement. After you've looked over your notes you will want to come up with a thesis statement, or argument, to guide your paper. This is what you will try to prove throughout your essay. Your thesis should be debatable and should be supported by the facts that you uncovered during your research. A thesis statement can be a single sentence or multiple sentences, depending on what you need to cover. It cannot be a quote, a basic statement of fact, or a question. As you are trying to craft your thesis statement it is helpful to consider what your evidence indicates about your topic. What causes and/or effects are clearly illustrated by your sources? For example, if a number of your sources discuss stock market issues as a cause of the Great Depression, then you may argue that, “Stock market instabilities, in part, led to the Great Depression.” Create an outline. Identify at least three broad themes or ideas that can support your main thesis. These themes will become separate body sections of your paper. You will then place smaller or more detailed ideas or concepts under these larger 'umbrella' ideas. In the end, every piece of the organization should contribute toward proving your thesis in some way. While 3 ideas are typical for a 5-paragraph essay, you may find you have more ideas you want to include. Depending upon your topic and the length of your paper, scale up the number of ideas as needed. Be pretty flexible with your initial outline as you will find areas that you will need to expand or cut when you actually start writing. It may seem easier at first but you never have to limit yourself to the five-paragraph essay format, unless your teacher expressly requests that you do so. Otherwise, feel free to add additional paragraphs, up until the page limit, to create a stronger argument. Craft a solid introduction. Your introduction is the first paragraph of your essay and it has a great deal of work to do. It must grab the reader's attention. It needs to introduce the reader to the general topic. And, it must present the thesis statement to the reader, usually in the final sentence or two. For a cause and effect essay you will want to make clear whether or not you plan to cover both of these areas or just one. You can get a reader interested in your subject by opening with a vivid quote, exciting source, or quick anecdote. Just keep it brief. Your intro should only be a fairly short paragraph in comparison to the body ones. Write your body paragraphs. This is where you flesh out your outline. Each paragraph should cover one particular element of your argument. In the cause portions of your essay you will need to explain the event in question and make initial connections to the effect portion that is coming up. In the effect portion you will need to explain to the reader how you get from point A (cause) to point B (effect). Don't forget to add at least a paragraph explaining to the reader why these connections are important to them on an individual or group level. You could also mention this in the cause-and-effect paragraph. This is as an opportunity to make an educated statement about what the long and short term implications of this cause/effect cycle will be. Basically, why should we care? Emphasize the cause and effect timeline. As you move through your body paragraphs, make sure that you emphasize that the cause that you are discussing occurred before the effect. And, as you are writing about an effect, make sure that you can prove it occurred after that particular cause. You want to avoid a situation where your causes and effects are so intertwined that they are without a causal relationship. For example, if you argue that the Great Depression caused a rise in unemployment you will need to have statistics to support this perspective. After all, unemployment existed before and after the event in question, so the causal relationship is what must be clarified. Acknowledge or rule out other explanations. You must convince your readers that you are aware of alternative arguments or approaches. Don't overreach or over-promise as you describe the cause and effect relationship. Instead, use your evidence to show that, while other causes or effects may exist, the most important relationships are the ones that are found within your paper. For instance, if you are writing about the causes of the Great Depression you will want to discuss the stock market but also the income gap. Or, if you choose to focus solely on the Great Depression/stock market relationship then somewhere in your paper you'll want to acknowledge the other possible causes while stating that you've chosen this particular focus. Points you are proving may be major or minor. The goal is simply to explain how they affect the causal relationship. Craft a solid conclusion. Use your concluding paragraph to sum up your thesis and major supporting points. However, do so very briefly as this paragraph should be roughly the same length as the introduction. You might also give some indication as to how your findings could change in the future if conditions or interpretations alter in some way. Intermix specific details and bigger-picture statements. Throughout your body paragraphs you will want to develop and present natural pairings of detailed evidence and broad summary or interpretive remarks. Without the details your paper will be too vague. Without the interpretive comments your reader will just see a list of facts lacking analysis. Leave it alone. When you've finished your first draft of your paper, step away from it for at least a little while. Waiting to revise for a day or two is ideal, although that may not be possible under a deadline. Getting your mind away from your essay is beneficial in that it allows you to come back at it with a fresh perspective. You'll see errors and areas for expansion that you never would have considered before. This is another reason why it is best to not procrastinate when writing an essay of this type. You will need ample time to complete the process in a patient way in order to create your best possible work. Ask a friend to read it. As soon as you know that you'll need to write an essay it is a good idea to approach a friend or classmate and ask them to spend a bit of time looking over your rough draft. Before you hand over your draft it is a good idea to let you reader know if there are any particular 'trouble areas' that you would like them to focus on. You might say, “Please focus on the word choice as that is a weakness of mine.” Read it again and revise. Once you've given your paper some down time and had another person look it over you will then need to start the personal revision process. Find a quiet place where you can sit down and closely read over your essay word-by-word. Look for both macro (large, major) and micro (smaller, details) issues and make these changes. Some people find it helpful to print out your paper at this point and make your revisions on a hard copy. This can also protect you in the event that you experience any computer troubles. One strategy is to split your revisions into two parts: one revision for grammar and spelling and another to examine the organization and content of your paper. Pay attention to the transitions. When you are writing a 'split' topic essay, such as a compare/contrast or cause/effect, it is particularly important to make your transitions clear and obvious to the reader. This will signal to your reader that you are switching from one area to another. Good transition words include, “therefore,” “consequently,” “thus,” and many others.

Take note of the assignment details. Understand the goal of the assignment. Narrow down (or broaden) your topic. Read any assigned texts. Conduct background research. Approach your teacher with questions. Develop a thesis statement. Create an outline. Craft a solid introduction. Write your body paragraphs. Emphasize the cause and effect timeline. Acknowledge or rule out other explanations. Craft a solid conclusion. Intermix specific details and bigger-picture statements. Leave it alone. Ask a friend to read it. Read it again and revise. Pay attention to the transitions.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-California-Resident

How to Become a California Resident

To become a California resident, you'll need to move to the state and live there for at least 9 months out of the year. If you don't have a legal, permanent address yet, you can show proof of residence with utility bills, insurance papers, or voter registration. To get a new driver's license, go to a DMV in person with some kind of identification within 10 days of moving to California. While you're at the DMV, you can also transfer your vehicle registration, as long as you've already completed the emissions test for your car.

Plan to live in California for at least 9 months of the year. When you move to California, you can immediately begin establishing your status as a resident. However, you will not be considered a legal resident in the state unless you live there at least 3/4 of the year. If you have homes in more than one state, your California home should be your primary residence. If you are trying to establish your residency in order to qualify for state tuition, you must live in California for more than a year (at least 366 days) directly before the residence determination date. To get state tuition you must also come to California with the intent to live there, not just to go to school. Sign a lease on a house or apartment. If you want to be a resident, you need to have a place to reside. Signing paperwork on a lease or mortgage is one of the first steps to become an official resident. If you don't have a place of residence, then it will be difficult to establish legal residence in the state. You must have a legal address to be considered a resident. Save copies of this paperwork, as you'll need it to demonstrate that you do in fact live in California now. Use other papers to prove your residency if you aren't renting or buying. If you don't own a house, don't pay rent, or just don't have a permanent address, you can attain a California driver's license or ID using other documents that show you are living in the state. Approved documents include the following: Home utility bills, including cell phone School documents with your date of birth Medical documents Employment documents Faith based documents with the name and the address of the issuer Insurance documents IRS or California Franchise Tax Board returns Vehicle or boat titles Change of address confirmation for the postal service Documents issued by a United States government agency Property tax bill or statement Records from a financial institution Voter registration Proof of tuition payment at a California college or university Court documents that prove you live in California A letter from a shelter on letterhead A birth certificate or marriage license Open or transfer your bank account. When moving states, you should open a new account or transfer your account to the new state. Depending on where you move from and which bank you are using, you may or may not be able to simply change your address. Oftentimes, your bank must transfer your accounts to your new state. This is because states can have different banking laws and some banks have regional systems. If your bank account has been at a local bank, close out your old account and open a new account at a California-based bank. To transfer your account at a national or international banking institution, you may have to meet with a branch representative in-person, but some banking institutions allow you to call to arrange to have your accounts moved to the new state. Put your utilities in your name. Utility bills are a common document for proving residency, so make sure they're in your name. They are often just as useful as leasing or mortgage paperwork in proving that you live in the state. Pay property taxes in California. Owning property in the state of California is a great way to establish residency. Once you start paying property taxes, the state will view you as a resident. Keep in mind that you will need to meet other requirements if you plan to apply for resident tuition. Get a new driver’s license or non-driver ID. Visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles to get a new state-issued card specific to California within 10 days of relocating to the state. Bring proof of your identification. If you are transferring a driver's license, be prepared to pass both a written test and a driving test. You must go in person. The licensing fee is $35. The DMV may waive your driving exam if you already hold a driver's license from within the United States. If you are an immigrant, you can attain a California ID if you are a legal resident of the United States. You will need to bring your U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued documents to prove your residency. #*Alternatively, if you are an undocumented immigrant, you can get an AB-60 license if you can show proof of identification and residence in California. Transfer your vehicle registration. The Department of Motor Vehicles can also help you transfer your vehicle registration. This is an important step as you can receive a ticket for not registering your car within 20 days. Before you get your car registered, you will need to get a smog/emissions test performed, unless your car was made prior to 1975. Smog/emissions tests are performed by DMV-approved inspectors. They are valid for two years, but residents cannot use results from an out-of-state test. Car safety inspections are not required in California. Register to vote in California. You can submit your voter's registration form either online or via the mail. You must be a citizen of the United States, be a California resident, be at least 18-years-old on election day, have no felony restrictions that disallow voting, and be mentally competent. You will need to provide your California driver's license number, your social security number, and your birthdate. To vote in California, you must register by the 15th day prior to the election. You can pick up a form at the DMV. Visit this site to register to vote in California: http://registertovote.ca.gov/ If sharing your address could put you in danger, California offers alternatives for safe registration. You can call 877-322-5227 or visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home/. Live in California for at least 366 days prior to applying for residency. University tuition is much lower for residents, but to receive this tuition you must show that you intend to make California your home. To be considered a full-time California resident, you must have lived in the state for a year and a day prior to applying for residency status. Students who were born out of the country must also meet INS requirements for residency in the United States. Paperwork should prove that they have been living in the United States for at least 366 days, coinciding with their move to California. If you are an immigrant, you may be eligible for residency status if you are a permanent resident alien or an adult alien with a legal status that allows you to stay in the country after graduation. You must also meet the other residency requirements that all students must meet. Terminate your ties to your prior state. If you want to be considered a citizen of California, you can't retain your citizenship to your prior state. This means that all of your personal documents must be transferred to California, and all of your belongings must be present in the state. For example, you can't maintain two homes in different states, yet apply for residency status. Demonstrate to your school that California is your permanent home. In-state tuition is not for individuals who are only planning to go to school in the state. You should intend to stay in California after you graduate. As such, you will need to provide paperwork that proves to the school that you plan to remain in the state. Provide a copy of California license or ID. Prove you have a legal residence in the state. Show that your car is registered and insured in California. Provide copies of bank statements, bills, and memberships with California addresses. Demonstrate that you are paying taxes in the state. Show you are financially independent if you're under 24. You can attain residency status if your parents live in the state, but if they live outside the state, you must be financially independent. If you depend on financial support from your parents, you cannot attain California residency status for tuition purposes. This means that for a year prior to applying for residency, you must live full time in the state of California, support yourself on your own income or loans, and show that you intend to remain in the state permanently. You must also be unmarried and not claimed as a dependent on anyone else's tax return. You must have supported yourself financially for two years before applying for residency status. Your money can be earned or borrowed, but loans must be in your name only. You must show documentation of where your money came from, such as pay stubs, loan documents, and bank statements. You cannot have been claimed as a dependent on another person's taxes during the two years you supported yourself. Free room and board, even if gained through barter, does not count as self-sufficiency. If you are over the age of 24 or married, then you are assumed to be financially independent unless someone else claims you as a dependent on their taxes. Apply for residency status with your university. Each university will have its own rules for submitting an application, which you can find online or through the school's Office of the Registrar. You will need to submit documentation proving that you live in the state, intend to stay, are financially independent, and meet any additional requirements applied by your specific university. Make sure to check with your school to ensure you meet all deadlines, which vary by university. Many schools require you to submit your application before May 1 and your paperwork by mid-July.

Plan to live in California for at least 9 months of the year. Sign a lease on a house or apartment. Use other papers to prove your residency if you aren't renting or buying. Open or transfer your bank account. Put your utilities in your name. Pay property taxes in California. Get a new driver’s license or non-driver ID. Transfer your vehicle registration. Register to vote in California. Live in California for at least 366 days prior to applying for residency. Terminate your ties to your prior state. Demonstrate to your school that California is your permanent home. Show you are financially independent if you're under 24. Apply for residency status with your university.

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Acne-Redness-Quickly

How to Reduce Acne Redness Quickly

Acne can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are a few ways you can reduce the redness it causes. Try wrapping an ice cube in a paper towel and holding it against your pimple for 15-20 minutes to soothe your skin. If you have any cucumber in the house, cut a slice off and hold it to your pimple for a few minutes to reduce inflammation and redness. Alternatively, apply tea oil or eye drops to a cotton pad and dab it on your pimples. You can also crush a few aspirin tablets, mix them with water to form a paste, and apply this to your pimples for a few hours. Although it can be hard to resist sometimes, try not to scratch or pop your pimples, since this will make them worse.

Don't pop your pimples. Although it is very tempting to squeeze the pimples on your face, you should avoid this at all costs. This will make your skin look even more red and inflamed than it already is. If you have a pimple that is really annoying you, try dabbing a bit of tea tree oil on it. This will help the pimple go away faster. Keep your hands off of your face. Not only does this spread around oil and bacteria on your face, making acne worse, it also makes your skin red. Keeping your hands away from your face will help the redness disappear. You may make your acne worse because you also have oil and dirt on your hands. When you put your hand on your face, even absentmindedly, you are transferring what is on your hands to your face. Try ice cubes. Wrap an ice cube in a paper towel, and gently hold it against the pimple for 20 minutes. Give yourself a 20-minute break, and then apply for another round of 20 minutes. This will help calm the skin on your face, and will feel soothing as well, especially if it is a hot day. If you prefer, you can also use a cool pack from the freezer, but be sure to wrap it in a thin towel so it doesn't get too cold on your skin. Use eye drops. This won't help get rid of the pimple, but it will help take away the redness. Drop a few eye drops onto a cotton ball, and dab it gently on the pimple. It will help remove the redness from the skin around the pimple. Remember that this won't do anything to reduce inflammation, or the pimple itself, but in a pinch it can help make the redness less obvious. Apply cucumber slices. Cucumbers are great for reducing inflammation and redness. Place the cucumber in the fridge for a couple of hours (or in the freezer if you're in a hurry), cut off a few slices, and apply them to any pimples you are worried about. Let the cucumber slices rest on the pimple until they warm up. If you want to continue the treatment, apply a fresh, cold slice. This will help constrict the blood vessels around the pimple so there won't be so much redness. Apply aspirin to the pimple. Many use aspirin to reduce redness and inflammation caused by pimples. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is commonly used to treat acne. Not only will it help reduce redness, it will also help dry up the pimple. Crush a few aspirin tablets until they are a fine powder. Add water a few drops at a time until you are able to form a paste. Don't add too much water as you want the paste to be slightly sticky. Apply to the pimples you are concerned about, and leave on for a few hours or overnight, if possible. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and water when you want to remove the past. Do not use this method if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Apply green concealer. While this doesn't get rid of the redness, it will help cover it up for a few hours. Green concealer will work especially well because the green counteracts the redness of the skin around the pimple. You can also use regular concealer, but green will work best on pimples. Remember to apply lightly! Wash and moisturize your face before applying the concealer to minimize the amount of bacteria that is present on your skin. Then gently dab the concealer onto the pimple and blend with a makeup sponge. You can then apply foundation as you normally would (if you wear makeup) on top of the concealer. Use a redness relief product. There are products made specifically to treat skin that is prone to redness. Look for gentle cleansers and creams that are formulated to reduce redness, like Eucerin Redness Relief or Aveeno Ultra-calming. Wash your face twice a day. Use a gentle cleanser that is designed to treat acne. These cleansers will usually contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acid, or even tea tree oil.; however, if your face is very sensitive, you should wash with a gentle cleanser without acne-fighting ingredients or with a low-strength version. Wet your face with lukewarm water before washing, then gently massage the cleanser into your skin using your fingertips. You can allow the cleanser to penetrate your skin better by leaving it on the skin for 30 seconds up to two minutes. Rinse thoroughly with running, lukewarm water. Pat your face dry using a clean towel, but don't rub, as this will irritate your skin, causing even more redness. Apply moisturizer. Choose a moisturizer that is designed for your face, and also states that it is “noncomedogenic” and oil-free on the label. Apply the moisturizer in a thin, even layer on your skin directly after cleansing. Be very gentle, especially when applying the moisturizer to the delicate skin around your face. Try to look for a moisturizer that also includes an SPF, which will protect your skin from the sun. Keep your makeup brushes clean. If you use makeup brushes , you should aim to clean them once a week. Makeup brushes collect dirt and bacteria every single time you touch them to your face. The next time you use the brush, you are rubbing that bacteria back onto your skin. This is bad news, especially if you are struggling with breakouts. You can clean your brushes by getting the bristles completely wet using lukewarm water. Swirl the brush around on a bar of soap so that it picks up some of the soap or put a little baby shampoo in your palm and swirl the brush in this. Then rinse the brush thoroughly in water. Gently squeeze out any excess water, and lay it flat on a clean towel to dry. You can also buy brush shampoos or cleansing spritzers made specifically to clean makeup brushes. Place the brushes in the sun, and they will dry even more quickly. Apply a spot treatment. Spot treatments are designed to be applied directly to the pimple. They usually contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree oil. It may be best to apply the spot treatment to the pimple after you have cleansed and moisturized, before going to bed at night. Spread the treatment in a light even coat over the affected area, and leave on while you sleep. In the morning, wash and moisturize your face as usual. Ask your dermatologist about creams containing azelaic acid, which can treat acne as well as reduce redness. Don't apply the treatment all over your face as this may irritate the healthy parts of your skin. Avoid foods that contribute to inflammation. It is believed that dairy, gluten, sugar, vegetable oils such as canola oil, trans fats, processed meats, alcohol, and refined grains and flours all contribute to inflammation in our bodies (which includes our skin). While nearly all processed foods contain one or more ingredients from this list, including more fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and organic meats in your diet may help with your acne. It will probably be pretty difficult to avoid eating something from one of these groups, and that's ok. It's best to just eat as healthy as you can, and not worry too much when you eat something unhealthy.

Don't pop your pimples. Keep your hands off of your face. Try ice cubes. Use eye drops. Apply cucumber slices. Apply aspirin to the pimple. Apply green concealer. Use a redness relief product. Wash your face twice a day. Apply moisturizer. Keep your makeup brushes clean. Apply a spot treatment. Avoid foods that contribute to inflammation.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Vision-Statement

How to Write a Vision Statement

To write a vision statement, start by defining a unique and specific purpose for your organization. For example, instead of saying you manufacture computer parts, state that you're introducing customers to a new way of using technology to make their lives easier. Additionally, try to mention something that sets you apart from your competition, like how your parts are manufactured by local small businesses. Then, write a single sentence that focuses on your goals for the company going forward, such as staying on the cutting edge of your field.

Address your core values. Identify the values that exist at the center of your organization. Ask yourself why your organization currently exists and what hopes or ideas led to its founding. After identifying your core values, you'll need to evaluate your organization with respect to those values. Determine which aspects of your company are aligned to those values and which aren't, then consider what you should do to better align yourself to those values in the future. Your vision statement should match up to your organization's core values. To that end, you'll need to retain any elements that currently fulfill your values while also incorporating new elements that can address those values more effectively. Focus on problem solving. Companies typically succeed when they can solve a problem or provide something that fulfills various needs and wants. Determine what problems or needs your company addresses. If you haven't done so already, identify your customer base and figure out what concerns the average customer within that base. Create an "ideal customer" in your mind, then ask yourself what you want to do for that specific customer. After determining what you want to do for your target customer, think about how success will look if you manage to accomplish that goal. The idea of success that you imagine here should morph easily into the overall vision you hold for your organization. Visualize the future. If you have a hard time identifying your vision from your current perspective, try to imagine your organization five to ten years later. It may help to draft an imaginary news article describing your organization's ideal future. Write about its biggest accomplishments and compare it to the competition. The accomplishments you hope to achieve should be transformed into elements of your vision. Dream big and scale down as needed. When you start brainstorming, don't worry too much about how realistic your goals seem. Only evaluate the practicality of your dreams after getting them out into the open. For instance, your ultimate goal might involve global success even if your organization is currently a local, small-scale operation. List global success among your dreams during the brainstorming state, then evaluate the practicality of that dream once you sit down to write out your actual statement. Scale back the reach of your goal as needed to make it seem easier for others to grasp. Define your output. Your input is what you put into your organization. Your output is the result of those efforts. Use wording that focuses on your output rather than your input. For example, a clothing boutique stocks designer clothes and sells those clothes to fashion-minded customers. The "stocking clothes" part is the boutique's input; introducing customers to those clothes is the boutique's output. Be specific to your business. Avoid writing generic statements that could apply to any company in any field. At the very least, you need to make sure that your vision statement addresses the industry your company exists within. Something generic like “customer satisfaction” won't paint a vivid enough picture. In this case, you'll need to describe what customer satisfaction looks like within your field. For something like a clothing boutique, this would mean pairing fashion-minded customers with the best styles or introducing them to the latest trends. Give it a twist. Even within the same field, your organization has plenty of competition to work with. If there's something positive about your business model that varies from others within the field, reference it within your vision statement. For instance, if you own a clothing boutique and a large portion of your stock comes from local artisans, mention that in your vision statement. Doing so could help attract those interested in supporting local business. Focus on the future. Vision statements describe goals. In other words, you're conveying something you hope to make happen rather than something that is currently happening or currently true of your organization. For this reason, most vision statements rely on action-oriented verbs: "to be," "to become," "to make," etc. Instead of saying what your company is , describe what you hope your company will be in the future. Balance ambition with realism. The statement needs to be ambitious enough to excite people, but it also needs a dose of realism. If it doesn't seem achievable, you might have a hard time finding support. This is when you may need to start scaling back the “big dreams” you included in your initial brainstorming sessions. If you own a small business but are on a clear path toward global success, that might be a legitimate goal you can include in your vision statement. Typically, though, you'll need to redefine the scope of your vision to a smaller scale that will be easier for others to accept, like your community, your state, or your country. Draw in the senses. While it isn't strictly necessary, addressing the "real life" senses of your potential supporters allows you to plant an image in their minds, and that image can make your organization's vision easier to remember. The simplest way to do this is typically with a visual. For instance, instead of making "happy customers" your goal, describe your goal as "smiling customers." The latter creates an image, and that image conveys a stronger message. Limit the length to one sentence. Your vision statement should be short enough to memorize, so aim for one sentence consisting of 10 to 15 words. At most, you vision statement should consist of no more than two sentences and/or 30 words. If you feel the need to have a long, detailed vision statement, you should also create an abbreviated version that's easy to recite from memory. Use clear, simple language. Aside from brevity, a good vision statement also expresses clarity. Avoid complicated wording or inactive phrasing. People both inside and outside of your organization should be able to understand the statement, so avoid technical jargon, industry buzzwords, and metaphors. Avoid using past tense or the passive voice. You're looking toward the future, so your language needs to do the same. Adjust as needed. Don't expect to craft the perfect vision statement from the first draft. You should go through at least two drafts of your vision statement, if not more. During your first draft, only focus on getting everything down that needs to go down. Think about things like length and language, but avoid fixating on them. Review your first draft and revise it as needed, paying closer attention to the finer points you skimmed over previously. Keep the elements that seem most important to you, but rephrase poor wording and remove elements that weigh things down without adding much value. Seek feedback. Once you feel satisfied with your vision statement, ask someone else to review it. Choose someone who has both wisdom and integrity. This may include mentors, colleagues, or marketing professionals. Understand that you may receive both positive and negative feedback. When your statement is criticized, ask yourself if the criticism genuinely seems warranted. Seek a second opinion if you aren't sure. Revise your vision statement again if you receive negative criticism that makes sense. When you finish, return it to the original critic and ask him or her to evaluate the effectiveness of your changes. Spread the vision. Once you complete the final draft of your vision statement, you'll need to spread it around. Communicate your vision to your employees, investors, and potential customers. Follow your vision statement as sincerely as possible, too. If you aren't letting your vision statement guide the path your organization takes, you didn't craft an effective or true statement. Your company and industry will naturally change over time, of course, and your vision statement may grow outdated. When that happens, reevaluate your vision and start the process anew to create an improved statement that better reflects the current times.

Address your core values. Focus on problem solving. Visualize the future. Dream big and scale down as needed. Define your output. Be specific to your business. Give it a twist. Focus on the future. Balance ambition with realism. Draw in the senses. Limit the length to one sentence. Use clear, simple language. Adjust as needed. Seek feedback. Spread the vision.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-a-Nerve-Pinch-in-Your-Neck-Quickly

How to Get Rid of a Nerve Pinch in Your Neck Quickly

To get rid of a nerve pinch in your neck quickly, apply an ice pack to the most tender part of your neck for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce the inflammation. Additionally, take an over the counter painkiller, like ibuprofen or aspirin, to manage the pain. You can also perform slow, light stretches to take pressure off the nerve. Alternatively, try soaking in a warm Epson salt bath for up to 30 minutes. As you recover, take it easy at work and during your workouts to prevent your condition from getting worse.

Wait and be patient. Pinched nerves in the cervical spine, most commonly called nerve root compression, usually occur suddenly and are related to awkward neck movements or trauma such as a whiplash-type injury. If caused by an unusual movement, the neck pain may gradually disappear on its own, without any treatment whatsoever. Depending on the cause of your problem, it will likely take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the pain to improve, and it may never completely go away. If your pain goes away quickly, it was likely a facet problem, rather than a pinched nerve. Continuing with normal neck movements, as long as they're not painful, won't interfere with the healing process, and it may prevent other problems down the road. Alter your work or exercise routine. If your neck problem is caused by conditions at your job, then talk to your boss about switching to a different activity or altering your work station so your neck doesn't suffer more abuse. Blue collar jobs such as welding and construction have relatively high incidence of neck pain, but so can office jobs if the neck is constantly in a twisted or flexed position. If the neck pain is exercise related, then you may be working out too aggressively or with bad form — consult with a personal trainer. Complete inactivity (such as bed rest) is not recommended for neck pain — muscles and joints need to move and get ample blood supply in order to heal. Practice better posture at work and at home. Make sure your computer monitor is at eye level, which will help prevent neck strain/sprain. Examine your sleeping conditions. When you're laying down, imagine an X-ray of your neck and spine. You want your neck to be in a neutral position, so you don't want your ear too close to one shoulder or the other. Avoid using pillows that are too thick, which may contribute to neck issues. Also, avoid sleeping on your stomach as it can cause the head and neck to twist in aggravating ways. Take over-the-counter medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin can be short-term solutions to help you deal with pain or inflammation in your neck. Keep in mind that these medications can be hard on your stomach, kidneys and liver, so it's best not to use them for more than two weeks at a stretch. Never take more than the suggested dosage. Dosage for adults is usually 200-400 mg, by mouth, every four to six hours. Alternatively, you can try over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or muscle relaxants (such as cyclobenzaprine) for your neck pain, but never take them concurrently with NSAIDs. Be careful not to take any medications on an empty stomach, as they can irritate the lining of your stomach and increase the risk of ulcers. Apply cold therapy. The application of ice is an effective treatment for pain in essentially all minor musculoskeletal injuries, including neck pain. Cold therapy should be applied to the most tender part of your neck in order to reduce the swelling and pain. Ice should be applied for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours for a couple of days, then reduce the frequency as the pain and swelling subside. Compressing the ice against your neck with a wrap-around elastic support will also help control the inflammation. Always wrap ice or frozen gel packs in a thin towel in order to prevent frostbite on your skin. Consider an Epsom salt bath. Soaking your upper back and neck in a warm Epsom salt bath can significantly reduce pain, especially if the pain is caused by muscle strain. The magnesium in the salt helps muscles relax. Don't make your bath too hot (to prevent scalding) and don't soak in the bath for much more than 30 minutes because the salty water will pull fluid from your body and potentially dehydrate you. If swelling is a particular problem in your neck, then follow-up the warm salt bath with cold therapy until your neck feels numb (about 15 minutes or so). Try gently stretching your neck if your symptoms have eased. Stretching your neck might help you feel a little better if your neck still feels tight after some of the pain has started to ease. Use slow, steady movements and take deep breaths during your stretches. In general, hold stretches for about 30 seconds and repeat three to five times daily. While standing and looking straight ahead, slowly laterally flex your neck, bringing your ear gently towards your shoulder. After a few seconds of rest, then stretch the other side. Stretching directly after a warm shower or the application of moist heat is recommended because your neck muscles will be more pliable. If you have an inflamed facet joint, stretching will probably be painful and could aggravate your condition, so stop right away if the stretch hurts. See a medical specialist. Medical specialists such as an orthopedist, neurologist or rheumatologist may be needed to rule out the most serious causes of your neck pain, such as herniated disc, infection (osteomyelitis), osteoporosis, spinal fracture, rheumatoid arthritis or cancer. These conditions are not common causes of neck pain, but if home care and conservative therapies are not effective, then more serious problems need to be considered. X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scan and nerve conductance studies are modalities that specialists may use to help diagnose your neck pain. Your doctor may also send you for a blood test to rule out rheumatoid arthritis or a spinal infection such as meningitis. Sometimes, compressed nerves don't have any symptoms. If you have to have an MRI for another reason, for instance, you may be surprised to learn that you have compression to your nerves, even if you haven't experienced any pain. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about traction. Traction is a technique to open the spaces between your vertebrae. Traction can come in many forms, from a therapist using his hands to manually traction your neck, to a traction table. There are also homemade traction devices. Always remember to traction the neck slowly. If there is any pain or numbness radiating into the arms, stop right away and see a doctor. Before using a home made traction device, it's best to seek the advice of your physician, chiropractor, or physical therapist so he can help you pick the right one. Consider a facet joint injection. Your neck pain may be caused by chronic joint inflammation. A facet joint injection involves real-time fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance of a needle through the neck muscles and into the inflamed or irritated spinal joint, followed by a release of an anesthetic and corticosteroid mixture, which quickly relieves both pain and inflammation at the site. Facet joint injections take 20 – 30 minutes to do and the results can last from a few weeks to a few months. Facet joint injections are limited to three within a six-month time frame. The pain relief benefits from facet joint injections typically begin on the second or third day post treatment. Until that time frame, your neck pain may get a little worse. Potential complications of facet joint injections include infection, bleeding, local muscle atrophy and nerve irritation / damage. Consider surgery. Surgery for neck pain is the last resort and should only be considered after all other conservative therapies are proven ineffective and if the cause warrants such an invasive procedure. Remember that if the nerves in your neck are truly involved, you'll also notice shooting pains, numbness, and weakness or wasting in your arms and hands. Reasons for neck surgery may include to repair or stabilize a fracture (from trauma or osteoporosis), to remove a tumor, or repair a herniated disc. Spinal surgery may involve the use of metal rods, pins or other devices for structural support. Stenosis is a condition where there's narrowing of either the holes where the nerve exits the spine, or the canal where the spinal cord runs off. Dealing with a herniated disc for stenosis may involve fusing two or more bones (vertebrae) together, which usually reduces range of motion. Possible complications from back surgery include local infection, allergic reaction to anesthesia, nerve damage, paralysis and chronic swelling / pain. Because there's a risk of complications from surgery, talk to your doctor about alternative therapies that might improve your condition, first. Get a neck massage. A strained muscle occurs when individual muscle fibers are taken beyond their tensile limits and subsequently tear, which leads to pain, inflammation and some degree of guarding (muscle spasm in attempts to prevent further damage). As such, what you're calling a "pinched nerve" might actually be a strained neck muscle. A deep tissue massage is helpful for mild-to-moderate strains because it reduces muscle spasm, combats inflammation and promotes relaxation. Start with a 30 minute massage, focusing on your neck and upper back areas. Allow the therapist to go as deep as you can tolerate without wincing. Always drink lots of water immediately following a massage in order to flush out inflammatory by-products, lactic acid and toxins from your body. Failure to do so might cause a headache or mild nausea. As an alternative to professional massage therapy, use a tennis ball or vibratory device on your neck muscles — or better yet, ask a friend to do it. Roll the ball slowly around the neck tenderness for 10-15 minutes a few times daily until the pain subsides. Try physiotherapy (physical therapy). If your neck problem is recurring (chronic) and caused by weak muscles, poor posture or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, then you need to consider some form of rehabilitation. A physical therapist can show you specific and tailored stretches and strengthening exercises for your neck. Physiotherapy is usually required 2-3x per week for 4-6 weeks to positively impact chronic spinal problems. If need be, a physical therapist can treat your sore neck muscles with electrotherapy such as therapeutic ultrasound or electronic muscle stimulation. Good exercises for your neck include swimming, certain yoga positions and weight training, but make sure your injury is resolved first. A quality physical therapist will assess the lack of range of motion and strength in places other than just your neck, including your middle back, shoulders, and core. Then, they'll build a custom, tailored, corrective exercise program for you. See a chiropractor or osteopath. Chiropractors and osteopaths are spinal specialists that focus on establishing normal motion and function of the small spinal joints that connect the vertebrae, called facet joints. Manual joint manipulation, also called an adjustment, can be used to unjam or reposition cervical facet joints that are slightly misaligned, which triggers inflammation and sharp pain, particularly with movement. Traction of your neck may also help relieve your pain. Although a single spinal adjustment can sometimes completely relieve your pinched nerve, more than likely it will take 3-5 treatments to notice significant results. Chiropractors and osteopaths also use a variety of therapies tailored more towards muscle strains, which may be more appropriate for your neck issue. Consider acupuncture. Acupuncture involves sticking very thin needles into specific energy points within the skin / muscle in efforts to reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture for neck pain can be effective, especially if it's done when the symptoms first occur. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by releasing a variety of substances including endorphins and serotonin, which act to reduce pain. It's also claimed that acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy, referred to as chi. Acupuncture is practiced by a variety of health professionals including some physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists and massage therapists.

Wait and be patient. Alter your work or exercise routine. Take over-the-counter medications. Apply cold therapy. Consider an Epsom salt bath. Try gently stretching your neck if your symptoms have eased. See a medical specialist. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about traction. Consider a facet joint injection. Consider surgery. Get a neck massage. Try physiotherapy (physical therapy). See a chiropractor or osteopath. Consider acupuncture.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Stud-Earrings

How to Make Stud Earrings

To make stud earrings, visit your local craft store to pick up earring flatbacks, earring décor pieces like beads and buttons, and jewelry glue. Next, apply a dot of glue to the earring flatback with a toothpick. Then, press the decoration you've chosen firmly into the glue, taking care to center it on the flatback, and hold the pieces together for 1 minute so the glue can set. Finally, place the earring on a paper towel to dry.

Gather your materials. Making stud earrings is easy once you have assembled your materials. Check out your local craft store for earring flatbacks, earring décor pieces, and jewelry glue. Before you get started, you will need: Stud earring flatbacks Earring décor pieces, such as beads, buttons, pennants, etc. Jewelry glue (or super glue) Paper towels Toothpick Apply glue to the earring flatback. Use the toothpick to apply a dot of glue to the stud earring flatback. You don't need a large amount of glue, just enough to cover the surface of the earring flatback. Superglue also works if you are in a hurry. If using superglue, then you can apply the earring glue directly onto the earring flatback with the tube. Only use a small amount and be careful not to get any on your skin or other surfaces. Be sure to work over a paper towel to avoid getting glue onto your table and other surfaces. Press earring décor onto the earring flatback. Take the piece you want to mount on the earring back and press it onto the glue on the earring flatback. Hold the pieces firmly together for a minute to give them a chance to bond. Then, place the earring on your paper towel to dry the rest of the way. If the earring piece you have added has a flat surface, such as a button or flat pennant, then place the earring face down rather than on its side. Allow glue to dry. Leave the earrings alone to dry for a few hours or overnight. It is important to let them dry completely before you wear them. If you used superglue, then your earrings will be ready after just a few minutes. However, you may still want to leave them be for up to an hour to let the glue dry and bond completely. Look for beads and buttons in craft stores. Craft stores are the best place to find all kinds of different beads, buttons, and other cool things to make into stud earrings. Look for items that have a flat surface on one side. This will make it much easier to attach the items to the earring flatbacks. If using buttons for your earrings, you may want to paint over the button with some clear nail polish before gluing it onto the stud flatback. This will make the button shiny if it is a matte button. Let the nail polish dry completely before gluing it onto the stud. Use clay to make your own designs. If you want to create your own beads to glue onto the earrings, then clay beads are a great option. Try getting some air drying clay in your local craft store and then shape the clay into bead to glue onto your earring flatbacks. You can use multiple colors of clay to create interesting designs in the clay. Make a pair of bow earrings. You can tie ribbon into a bow and then glue the bow onto a flatback for a cute pair of bow earrings. Look for ribbon that is narrow enough to tie into a small bow. Then, tie two equal length pieces of ribbon into bows and glue them onto the earring flatbacks. Create a pair of holiday themed earrings. If you want to make a special pair of earrings for a holiday, such as St Patrick's day, Halloween, or Christmas, then you can look for holiday themed pieces to glue onto stud earring flatbacks. Craft stores are the best place to find these kinds of items. For example, you could glue a four leaf clover charm onto an earring flatback for St. Patrick's Day, or glue a jack-o-lantern piece onto an earring flatback for Halloween. You can make yourself a pair of holiday themed stud earrings for every holiday of the year! Try using old jewelry. If you don't want to buy any new beads or other notions to turn into earrings, then you can also convert your old, unwanted jewelry into stud earrings. Try taking apart old necklaces and bracelets and using the beads and charms to create stud earrings. Be sure that you no longer want the item and that it is something you can break apart before you try to harvest the beads and charms from a piece of jewelry. Use scissors to cut the string holding the beads and charms together. Break apart the old jewelry over a bowl or other container to ensure that the beads do not go everywhere.

Gather your materials. Apply glue to the earring flatback. Press earring décor onto the earring flatback. Allow glue to dry. Look for beads and buttons in craft stores. Use clay to make your own designs. Make a pair of bow earrings. Create a pair of holiday themed earrings. Try using old jewelry.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Dog-Ear-Infections

How to Treat Dog Ear Infections

The best way to heal ear infections in dogs is to take the dog to the vet to get an antibiotic or antifungal medication. If you see an object in the dogs ear, have a vet restrain or sedate your dog and remove the object for you. Then, while the infection is healing, don't bathe your dog or let it play in water because the excess water could prolong the infection. You should go back to the vet multiple times during this process in case there are complications.

Look for symptoms of an ear infection. Pay attention to any unusual behavior changes in your dog and for physical symptoms like: Ear scratching Brown, yellow or bloody discharge Odor in the ear Redness Swelling Crusted or scabby skin on the near ear flap Hair loss around the ear Wiping the ear area on the floor or furniture Head shaking or head tilt Loss of balance Unusual eye movements Walking in circles Hearing loss Know when to take your dog to the veterinarian. If your dog has any symptoms of ear infection, you should take him to the vet as soon as you can. Ear infections are very painful. Some dogs will let you know they're hurting and may become more aggressive, while others don't show the pain. Either way, it's important to get treatment immediately, since untreated ear infections can damage the ears. Treat the infection. Ear infections are often caused by yeast/fungus, bacteria, or both at the same time. Your veterinarian will probably have you apply a topical antibiotic or give an oral antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection. For a fungal infection, you will likely be instructed to use an anti-fungal ear wash, topical medication, and maybe give an oral anti-fungal medication. Avoid trying to remove anything stuck in your pet's ear. If you know or suspect that a foreign object is stuck in your pet's ear, this may be introducing and causing the ear infection. The ear infection will not go away until the object is removed. Never try to remove the object yourself. Instead, take your dog to the vet. Because the ear canal is L shaped, foreign objects may be deep in the ear, out of plain sight. Specialized instruments and physical or chemical restraint are usually needed to safely remove a foreign body. This is why it's important to let your vet handle it. Determine if your dog has allergies. Allergies are often the primary source of inflammation in the ear, which makes the ears more susceptible to infections. While it may be difficult to determine an allergic cause, it helps to start paying attention to factors such as if new foods or treats were introduced before the ear infection flared up. If they contained a particular protein, you may want to avoid that giving your dog that protein. Animal proteins and dairy products in food are more likely to cause allergies for pets than grains are, despite the popularity of the notion that grain free diets are better for dogs with food allergies. Try putting your dog on a diet trial. Specifically, put your dog on a diet trial with a novel, or new, protein, one your dog has never eaten before. New prescription diets should be fed exclusively for at least 8 weeks and ideally for a minimum of 12 weeks. Give no treats, table scraps or other food sources during this time. This may help to determine if food proteins are the problem and home in on which are culprits. The best novel protein diets are prescription formulas because they will have the least likely chance of cross-contamination with other protein sources, but they are often the most expensive choice. Challenge your dog's diet. At the end of the trial, if your dog is not showing signs of ear inflammation or skin allergies (most commonly itchy paws and sometimes itching of other areas of the body), then you can 'challenge' your dog's diet with a single type of treat or the old food. If you notice signs of irritation near the ears, feet, or skin when you re-introduce the old food or treat, then you know that this food or any food containing this protein should be eliminated. If the ear infections tend to spring up at the same time of year every year, a seasonal environmental allergy may be causing the ear infections. Restrict your dog's activity. While your dog has an ear infection, you should make sure he doesn't get excess moisture in his ears. Avoid letting your dog play in water, swim, bathe, or be groomed until the ear infection has cleared up. Extra moisture will aggravate the ear infection and make it last longer. Follow up with your veterinarian. Keep checking in with the veterinarian until the ear infection is completely gone. Some ear infections are mild and easily treated in 1-2 weeks with topical medications and cleaning. Some infections are more complicated and may take many weeks, further testing, treatments or procedures to treat. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations about when to check in, since the vet can help you determine if the ear infection is cleared or if more needs to be done. Prevent ear infections. Once your dog has had an ear infection, he's more likely to struggle with them throughout his life. The good news is that there are several things you can do to prevent ear infections in your dog. Here are several preventative measures: avoid letting your dog swim or bathe too frequently plug your dog's ears with cotton before bathing him flush your dog's ears with a product containing salicylic acid (which helps wet ear canals dry) check and treat any allergies your dog may have frequently clean your dog's ears Know when to clean your dog's ears. Follow your veterinarian's instructions about how many times per day or week to clean your dog's ears. If your dog has an ear infection, have your vet check his ears to make sure the eardrum has not been damaged or ruptured. Cleaning ears that have a damaged eardrum can make them worse, not better. Cleaning the ears too often cause also harm the ears. Signs of a ruptured eardrum include pain, head tilting toward the affected side and sometimes even rapid jerky eye movements and/or dizziness. Get a cleaning solution. It is best to use a veterinarian recommended dog ear cleaning solution, but many over-the-counter ear flush options are available at your local pet store. These are often effective for routine ear cleaning but don't use them to clean infected ears if they contain alcohol or other harsh ingredients. These can be painful and irritating. If your dog has an infection, your veterinarian may prescribe an ear flush specifically formulated to break up wax, break down bacterial cell walls, and treat yeast causing the infection. Position your dog. Have your dog sit with his back up against a wall or in a corner of a room. This will help you keep him still and prevent him from running away during the ear cleaning. Because ears can be very painful, and because you're working with your pet's face, use a muzzle if you need to or if your pet may be likely to try to bite. It may also help to have a gentle grip over and around the muzzle to hold your pet's head still. Remember that even the sweetest animals can and may bite when they are in pain. It may help to have an extra person around to help hold your dog in place and keep his head still. Apply the cleaning solution. Pour some of the cleaner into your dog's ear canal according to the directions on the bottle. Massage his ear at the base for 20 to 30 seconds to help the cleaner move around and agitate any debris. Plug and massage the ear. Use a cotton ball to plug the ear, then repeat the massaging technique underneath the opening of the ear. This will push the cleaning fluid into the cotton ball to be soaked up. Debris should also stick to the underside of the cotton ball. Be sure to only push the cotton into the vertical canal, until it plugs the opening, but can be easily retrieved. The anatomy of your dog's ear is different from your ear. Dogs have an L-shaped ear canal, containing a vertical canal you can see into, with a nearly 90 degree turn into the horizontal portion of the canal (this is an area you cannot see). Remove and examine the cotton ball. Remove the fluid soaked cotton ball and look at the bottom surface for wax or discharge. Use a cotton ball to wipe the dirt out of the visible, exterior parts of the ear. Gently wipe the inner ear flap and around the ear with a dry, soft towel to clean loose dirt and moisture. If there is a lot of debris on the cotton ball, then repeat the rinse, agitate, and absorb procedure again.

Look for symptoms of an ear infection. Know when to take your dog to the veterinarian. Treat the infection. Avoid trying to remove anything stuck in your pet's ear. Determine if your dog has allergies. Try putting your dog on a diet trial. Challenge your dog's diet. Restrict your dog's activity. Follow up with your veterinarian. Prevent ear infections. Know when to clean your dog's ears. Get a cleaning solution. Position your dog. Apply the cleaning solution. Plug and massage the ear. Remove and examine the cotton ball.

https://www.wikihow.com/Follow-Arena-Etiquette-While-Horseback-Riding

How to Follow Arena Etiquette While Horseback Riding

To follow arena etiquette while horseback riding, make sure you always have a helmet on, whether you're riding or not. When you're riding in the arena, stay at least one horse length away from other horses so you don't make them upset or get kicked. You should follow the flow of traffic and let faster horses go on the outside of the track closest to the fence. If you need to pass a slower horse, do so on the inside, closer to the middle of the ring, rather than going between them and the fence.

Put on your helmet. If you're in the arena, you should be wearing a helmet. Even if you are not mounted or even planning on riding, your presence in the arena requires a helmet. Mount outside the arena or in the middle of the arena. You should not mount where you will be in another rider's way. Mount outside the ring and then walk into the ring on your horse. You can also walk your horse into the middle of the ring (where there is usually less traffic) and mount. Some rings also have designated mounting blocks in a specific place. Have someone hold your horse to keep both you and the horse safe while mounting. This will also protect already-mounted riders and horses nearby. Adjust your stirrups and/or girth either from the ground or in the middle of the arena. If you need to adjust your girth or your stirrups, always do so in a place that is not blocking other riders. Try to be fairly quick about adjusting your girth and stirrups. Go with the current direction. If you walk into the arena and most horses are travelling to the left, travel to the left with them. It is easiest for all parties involved if you mostly go with the flow of traffic. Give right of way to people on horses when you are on foot. If you are walking your horse in or out of the arena, be cognizant of people riding around you. Wait for a break in traffic before you cross the track to leave the arena. Close the gate behind you. Whether you are entering or exiting the arena, make sure that you close the gate behind you. You may need to dismount to do this. You should always close gates, even if you come upon it already open. Let faster horses travel on the outside of the track. If you are walking or trotting, let cantering and galloping horses travel on the outside track, closest to the fence. However, if they are jumping in the center of the arena, you should probably remain on the outside track if you are walking. Always pass “left to left. ” The “left to left” rule applies when you are travelling around the ring in a different direction than someone else. If you are facing another rider head-on, you should pass such that your left shoulder is closest to their left shoulder. In other words, if you see an oncoming rider, go to your right side of that person. Someone may override this rule in the ring by calling, “Rail!” Be aware of this possibility and always keep an eye on your surroundings. Pass other horses on the inside. If you need to pass a horse that's travelling more slowly than you are, pass the horse on the inside. In other words, do not go between the fence and the other horse. Go to the left of the slower horse, closer to the middle of the ring. Be sure to communicate with the rider you're passing by saying “On your left” or something similar, so that she knows where you are. Give only quiet commands to your horse. Many horses could get spooked or upset if you yell at your horse, smack your horse loudly with the whip, or give wild hand gestures in an effort to get your horse to move. Be quiet and respectful when giving commands to your horse. Do not yell or make loud noises. Be prepared for an emergency. Always be aware of your surroundings. If another rider falls off their horse, dismount immediately and hold your horse, trying to keep him calm. Know where the first aid kit is. Maintain a safe distance from other horses. You should be at least one horse length (but preferably two) away from any other horse at all times when you're in the arena. Other horses can become upset if you pass too close to them. Horses can also kick pretty far out to the side and behind them. Keep a safe distance away from other horses while you're in the arena. Let other riders know where you are going. This applies especially in situations where you might be jumping or turning unexpectedly. If you are going to jump over a cross-rail in the arena, yell, “Red crossrail!” Be specific, loud, and clear. You can also say, “On your inside!” to a rider you're passing. Know the rules. Each discipline and each barn has different rules about the show arena. Look up the specific rules of the horse show you're attending. Be aware of what other riders are doing and how it differs from your home barn. If you have a question, ask. It's safer to ask than to assume. For example, many barns have a rule where you need to let riders know that you're coming into the arena by saying "Door" or "Coming in!" Many barns also have rules where you can't be on your cell phone while you're riding. Dogs are also prohibited at many barns because they can spook the horses. Do not enter the warmup ring unless you are competing. The only people in the warmup ring at a show should be the people who are competing. Do not bring your horse into the warmup ring if he is not competing, even if you are and are riding a different horse. Do not allow your trainer to come into the ring with you. Your trainer should be on the outside of the ring, giving you directions. However, do not stop on the rail to talk to your trainer. Other people may be riding in the ring, and you should try not to be disruptive. Make sure you and your horse are wearing numbers. You should always have your number displayed at a show. Some shows require numbers for both horse and rider, but some only require one. Make sure that you know the rules and obey them.

Put on your helmet. Mount outside the arena or in the middle of the arena. Adjust your stirrups and/or girth either from the ground or in the middle of the arena. Go with the current direction. Give right of way to people on horses when you are on foot. Close the gate behind you. Let faster horses travel on the outside of the track. Always pass “left to left. Pass other horses on the inside. Give only quiet commands to your horse. Be prepared for an emergency. Maintain a safe distance from other horses. Let other riders know where you are going. Know the rules. Do not enter the warmup ring unless you are competing. Do not allow your trainer to come into the ring with you. Make sure you and your horse are wearing numbers.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dahi

How to Make Dahi

To make dahi, start by warming 4 cups of whole milk in a saucepan. When the milk is lukewarm, add 1½ teaspoons of plain yogurt and mix well with a spoon or whisk. Next, transfer the dahi to a glass or metal container with an airtight lid, and leave it to set on the counter for 8 hours. Alternatively, heat the oven to 180 degrees F, then turn it off and place the dahi inside the oven for 6 to 7 hours. Once the dahi sets, store it in the refrigerator to prevent it from becoming sour.

Use whole milk, rather than diluted milk or low fat milk. Using milk other than whole milk will create a curd that does not set properly and it will be watery, rather than firm. If you use homogenized milk, you will need more yogurt, as the milk is processed and the particles in the milk have been broken down. If you use non-homogenized milk, you will need less yogurt as the dahi will set well. Adding too much yogurt will make your dahi very sour. Look for plain yogurt that has no gelatin in it. If the yogurt you use as your starter does have gelatin, you will likely how to use more of it in the dahi. Adjust the amount of yogurt you use based on the climate. If you live in a cold place, add more starter yogurt. If you live in a hot place, add less starter yogurt, or else the dahi will become sour. Make sure the dahi has time to set. To make dahi with a nice, firm texture, you will need to let the dahi sit for about 7-8 hours. Depending on your climate, the dahi may set earlier than 7-8 hours. Place a small round pot on the stove. Pour the milk into the pot and set the burner to medium low heat. Warm the milk. Do not make the milk too hot. Let it become lukewarm. Check the milk with your finger to make sure it is lukewarm. If the milk is too hot when you add the yogurt, it will be watery and not set. Add 1 ½ teaspoons yogurt. Once the milk becomes lukewarm, add the curd and mix it in well with a spoon or a whisk. Alternatively, you can pour milk from one container to another 2-3 times so the curd mixes well with the milk. Transfer the dahi to a container with a lid. Don't let the dahi set in the pot you cooked it in. The heat of the pot will not allow the dahi to set. Choose a glass container or a metal container with an airtight lid. You can also set the curd in individual cups. Let the covered dahi set in a warm place for 7-8 hours. By your oven or on your kitchen counter are good places for the dahi to set. If you live in a warmer place, the dahi will likely set within 5-6 hours. If you live in a colder place,you can set the dahi in a casserole dish and add more starter yogurt, about 1 tablespoon. Then, you can cover the container with a thick towel or cloth. You can also preheat the oven to 180 degrees C for two minutes. Then, switch off the oven and keep the dahi in the oven for 6-7 hours or overnight. If the curd does not set after 6-8 hours, or overnight, you likely used too little starter yogurt, the milk was not warm enough, or the temperature was not warm enough. So adjust these in your next batch of dahi. Refrigerate the dahi. It will become firm after 2-3 hours. If you leave the dahi out longer than 8 hours to set (unless you live in a cold climate) and do not refrigerate it, it will become sour. If your curd comes out stringy and gooey, the temperature of the milk was likely too hot or too cold. So adjust the temperature to lukewarm for your next batch of dahi. To avoid the dahi from getting watery or “breaking”, always level off the dahi if you break it and take a piece of it. Don't let the dahi sit with a slanted top. Enjoy the dahi in a curry, a lassi, or on its own. Dahi tastes great with simple ingredients like cut up fruit and nuts in the morning, as well as an additive to Indian curries.

Use whole milk, rather than diluted milk or low fat milk. Look for plain yogurt that has no gelatin in it. Adjust the amount of yogurt you use based on the climate. Make sure the dahi has time to set. Place a small round pot on the stove. Warm the milk. Add 1 ½ teaspoons yogurt. Transfer the dahi to a container with a lid. Let the covered dahi set in a warm place for 7-8 hours. Refrigerate the dahi. Enjoy the dahi in a curry, a lassi, or on its own.

https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Cockatiel-Happy

How to Keep Your Cockatiel Happy

To keep your cockatiel happy, take it out of its cage for exercise each day. Keep a variety of toys in the cage, but change them out every week or so to keep your cockatiel from getting bored. Your cockatiel should always have access to pellet feed, but you should also offer fresh treats once or twice a day, such as corn, grapes, and sunflower seeds. You should also place a grooming perch near your cockatiel's food or water so it can groom its nails and beak to keep them from getting too long.

Get the right size cage. Make sure you have the right size cage for your cockatiel. The cage should be large enough so that your cockatiel can spread its wings, even with any other birds or items that may be in the cage. Remember that the smaller the cage, the more time your cockatiel will need to spend outside of it to get the necessary exercise and mental stimulation. Look for a cage you clean easily. Remember, birds will void every ten to fifteen minutes. Check to see if your hand can fit in the cage without problem. Your cockatiel will need enough room to spread its wings. Install perches. Make sure you put enough perches in the cage so that your cockatiel is free to walk and jump around the cage. If positioned correctly, a cockatiel should be able to fly between perches too. Natural wood and rope perches are ideal. Don't place perches directly over one another as cockatiels cannot fly at steep vertical angles. Try making steps or platforms using your perches to handle vertical positioning. Avoid concrete perches, as they are hard on the bird's feet. Check that the wood is safe for the bird, such as eucalyptus. Dowel perches or plastic perches can cause foot problems due to the lack of foot exercises. Avoid perches and toys made out of Prunus or Oak trees as these may be harmful to to your cockatiel. Put toys in the cage. Variety is important. Cockatiels, like most parrots, love to destroy things. Natural foliage and shredding toys are vital to ensure that your bird can direct its chewing in the right way. Variety is important. Your cockatiel will be happiest if it has many toys to play with. Ask a veterinarian before adding natural foliage as not all trees and shrubs are safe for cockatiels. Cockatiels will grow tired of their toys. Rotate and clean toys every other week. Present bathing options. All birds will need to have some kind of bathing option available. Beyond providing a way for your bird to stay clean, it also provides mental and physical stimulation. Most pet shops will have a sturdy plastic cockatiel bathtub for the cage. Some birds may prefer misting from a spray bottle or even showering with their owner. You can gently mist your bird with tempered water. Aim above the bird, don't spray it directly. Cockatiels are desert birds. It doesn't need to bathe more than once a week. Change the water every day to avoid bacterial infections. Feed your cockatiel properly. There are number of different pellet formulations, designed by veterinarians, which are intended to provide a nutrient rich and balanced diet. Beyond the store bought pellet formulas, your cockatiel can enjoy many fruits and vegetables as well. shop. Try offering corn, grapes, millet, or sunflower seeds as a treat. Try to use pellets and vegetables to keep your birds seed intake to a minimum (33% or less, preferably). An all-seed or mostly-seed diet is extremely high in fat, and will shorten a cockatiel's lifespan. Never feed your cockatiel chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol. These are toxic to the bird. Monitor your bird's health. It can often be very hard to tell if your bird is unwell. If you see anything that is out of character for your bird, contact a veterinarian. Look for the following symptoms: Sudden weight loss Abnormal breathing Discharge from the beak Mucus on any feathers Abnormal behavior Go for a check-up with the veterinarian twice a year. If you have more than one cockatiel, isolate the sick one immediately. Give your cockatiel enough sleep. Cockatiels need ten to twelve hours of sleep per night. They should have a quiet and relatively dark place to get their necessary sleep each night. The ten to twelve hours of sleep is in addition to any naps it may take during the day. You might need a separate sleeping cage if the environment around their daytime cage cannot be quiet for at least 10-12 hours a night. Cover three sides of the cage with a blanket to stop the light and the sound. Don't forget to let one side uncovered for oxygen circulation. Cockatiels are often prone to "night frights". Place a small light near your birds cage to reduce its stress. Monitor nail and beak length. If your birds beak or nails grow too long, they can pose health issues. In the wild, your bird will keep his nails and beak at a proper length. Long nails may become tangled or caught in toys or on the cage, causing injury. Perching problems can result from long nails, which in turn may cause foot injury. Nails that are long are also sharp. If your bird perches on your hand, it may be uncomfortable or hurt you. Use a grooming perch to allow your bird to trim its own nails as it moves about the cage. Try placing it next to the birds food and water to ensure usage. Grooming perches can be found at most pet stores. To help maintain proper beak length, make sure your bird has plenty of toys to play with. Play, using the beak, will help wear it down and keep it at a healthy length. Lava rocks and cuttle-bones are great things to offer your bird to help with beak maintenance. Encourage exercise. Cockatiels need exercise regularly. Even if it has clipped wings, presuming your bird is healthy, it should be capable of some flight. A walk or a flight in a room will keep your bird happy and stimulated. Make sure the bird is safe. Close windows and doors, turn off fans, put cats or other pets away. Try to challenge it when outside the cage by putting down treats in different areas and allowing the cockatiel to walk or fly to them. Think about hygiene. Your bird will likely void whenever it wants, so keep it away from kitchen counters or furniture. Pet your bird. Petting your bird is a great way to provide interaction and bond with your bird. While your bird is out of its cage, try to gently pet the cockatiel by lightly scratching its head and neck. Some cockatiels will be more accepting of your petting than others. Birds will invite you to scratch their head by tipping their head down. Don't forget to wash your hands before and after touching your bird. Don't insist if your bird doesn't want to be touched. Be gentle. Birds can easily be injured. Interact with your bird. Cockatiels are intelligent creatures and need mental stimulation. Providing this stimulation and interaction is a great way to keep your bird happy and to form a deeper bond with it. You can also train it to do tricks: Talk to your bird often, even reading it stories. Start using instructions like "Up!" and "Down!" to coincide with its hopping on and off your finger. Repetition is the key to getting him to perform an action according to your words. If you aren't available to interact with your bird, leave music or a radio on. Your bird may even imitate the song or any talking it hears. Position the bird on a tennis ball and help practice balance. The bird will eventually go on the ball on its own. Never yell at or hit your cockatiel. When training a bird, focus on positive reinforcement at all times. Try playing games with your cockatiel. Playing games can be a great way to help your cockatiel keep stimulated and learning new things. It may also help to your bird to bond with you. Try some of the following games out with your cockatiel: Try dancing with your cockatiel. Move your head up and down, or side to side, to the beat of a song. Cockatiel's have a sense of rhythm and will often move their head with you and the music. Play music for your cockatiel. Playing an instrument, whistling, or singing can be entertaining for you bird. With enough exposure to certain songs, it may even learn to sing them back to you. Play hide and seek with your bird. Take your bird into a room and gently set it down. Go around the corner to a new room and call out to your bird. Peak your head around the corner so you bird can see you and say “come find me!” before ducking back around the corner. When it find you, give your bird a head scratch and let it know how well it did. Consider getting another cockatiel. Cockatiels are social birds and love to have company. If you are often away from your cockatiel, you may want to introduce another bird as a companion. Get a second cage for your new cockatiel. Place the cages apart for ninety days, checking the new bird for any signs of illness. You don't want both of your birds to get sick. If after ninety days the new cockatiel is in good health, you can move their cages near one another. At first, schedule separate times for each bird for when they are allowed out of their cage. Eventually allow both out at the same time. Keep a careful eye on both birds as they may act aggressively towards one another. Any hissing, screaming, biting, or attacking should result in them going back in the cages. Eventually they may bond, even visiting each other in their respective cage. Never fore interaction and never force your birds to share a cage.

Get the right size cage. Install perches. Put toys in the cage. Present bathing options. Feed your cockatiel properly. Monitor your bird's health. Give your cockatiel enough sleep. Monitor nail and beak length. Encourage exercise. Pet your bird. Interact with your bird. Try playing games with your cockatiel. Consider getting another cockatiel.

https://www.wikihow.com/Text-a-Guy-You-Like

How to Text a Guy You Like

If you want to text a guy you like, send him a message bringing up something the two of you talked about or did together recently, or pick something totally random, like “If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Ask questions about his interests so you can get to know him better, and talk to him about the things you do on your own time. If he doesn't respond much, he might be busy, so try not to overanalyze short messages or the time it takes for him to respond, and take a break from messaging him if he isn't saying much.

Text him first to show your confidence. You might want to wait for him to text you first, but if you beat him to the punch, you can decide on the conversation and show him how confident you are. He'll be impressed—relieved that you took the pressure off for him. You don't have to start the conversation every time, though. If you've started things off for your past few conversations, make him show his interest by reaching out to you this time. Mention something you've done together. Bringing up a recent conversation or activity you did together is a great, natural way to start a conversation. It can feel like you have something casual to bond over, even if you've only hung out in a group setting. Phrase it like a question so he'll be sure to respond. If you have a class together, for example, you could make a funny comment like, “Is it just me, or was Mr. Hoffman weirder than usual in math today…” If you've had a memorable conversation, make it feel like an inside joke by saying something like, “OK, I still can't get over the fact that you don't like ice cream. How can you not like ice cream??” If you just met him at an event, like a game or a party, reference your meeting by something playful like, “Is this that guy that saved my shirt from getting a drink spilled all over it yesterday?” Ask him a random question to show your fun side. If the guy you like has a silly side, being a little spontaneous is a great way to get his attention. Starting with a funny, random question is a surefire way to get him to respond while piquing his interest. Some possibilities include: “This is random but I have to know: if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?” “I'm having a debate with my friend and you're the deciding vote, so no pressure, but is a hot dog technically a sandwich??” Give him a teasing compliment. Everyone likes an ego boost, but being too overt about it will come off as desperate. Instead, compliment the guy you like in a playful, backhanded that shows him that you're impressed, but not too impressed. Try saying something like: “I heard you got the game-winning play yesterday… so I guess you're OK at sports after all ;)” “So remember how you fixed the thermostat in my apartment yesterday? Don't let it go to your head, but now my roommate thinks you're some kind of handyman. LOL” “It's cool that you got a lead role in the play and all, but don't forget about those of us who knew you before you got famous :P” Send him a playful challenge. Many guys are competitive and love to be challenged. Send him a fun dare or playful request and he'll be eager to impress you and show you he can do it. You might say: “So I heard you're a great cook, but I'm not sure I'll believe it until you cook something for me.” “Everyone says you're a good guitar player, so maybe you should play a song for me?” Ask genuine questions about his interests. Think about things you know he's interested in and steer the conversation in that direction. This gives him a chance to show you who he really is, helping you connect on a deeper level. Remember to keep your tone light and playful so it doesn't feel too serious. If you know he likes sports, for example, ask who his favorite teams are and how they're doing this year. Ask how he started following them and why. You could ask about pets, favorite TV shows, classes he's taking, and places he's visited. Point out when you agree on something by saying, “Yeah, I feel the same!” and tease him gently when you disagree, saying, “I think you're wrong, but I'll forgive you for it ;)” Tease him to keep him on his toes. Many guys love the chase, and throwing in some light, underhanded “insults” will make him want your approval even more. Be witty and funny to keep him interested and excited for what you'll say next. For example, if he's going to play basketball with his friends, you could say something like, “Try to get the ball in the hoop this time! :P” If you're sitting near him at lunch, you could text him later saying something like, “I saw you made your own lunch today! It even looked edible this time… ;)” Only tease him about lighter topics. Stay away from subjects like family, his appearance, politics, or other sensitive subjects, especially if you're just getting to know him. Talk to him about things you do on your own time. You want to show him that you're interested in his life, but don't make it all about him! Slip in small details about yourself to pique his interest and make him ask about you in return. Showing him that you have your own life also makes you more interesting and mysterious. If he's talking about a pet, for example, you could say, “I've never had a dog, I feel like I'm a cat person all the way...maybe I could be convinced to change my ways though ;)” Use emojis and exclamation points sparingly. Using lots of emojis and punctuation marks can come off as overly aggressive and even make you seem insecure. It's OK to throw in an emoji or exclamation mark here and there, but hold off on attaching more than one, or putting one at the end of every text. Once you get to know the guy's texting style, you can adjust and start sending more emojis. At the start, though, play it safe and keep it simple! If you think you're coming across as overly-enthusiastic, you probably are. Even if you're on the fence, tone it down a little to play it safe. You can also send a funny gif or meme every once in a while, but don't overdo it. These add-ons are funniest in smaller amounts. Avoid overanalyzing his short messages. When you get a short response like “k,” or even no response at all, don't panic! There are many reasons why he couldn't send a longer text, or couldn't reply at all, so stay calm. Set your phone down for a while and do something else to take your mind off of it. Some guys tend to take longer to respond to texts, so try to adjust your expectations until you get an idea of what his typical response time is. Avoid asking him about it when he finally does get back to you—this can come off as desperate. You can show him that you're relaxed and flexible by continuing the conversation as normal. Don't keep texting him relentlessly, especially if he's not responding. It's great that you're having fun texting with the guy you like—that means you're really connecting! Don't go overboard, though. You can come off as needy by texting him over and over again, or sending him long texts about trivial things. When you're just starting to text with the guy you like, try not to send more than 2-3 texts at once without a response. If he's not responding and you're feeling frustrated, set your phone down and do something else for a while. Be yourself when you're texting him. No matter how much you want the guy to like you back, don't try to be someone else when you're texting him. Let your natural humor, cleverness, and fun-loving personality shine through, and don't force yourself to act like someone you're not to make yourself more attractive. Guys are attracted to confidence, so the best thing you can do is be yourself. Remember that crafting the perfect text conversation won't mean much if you're totally different in person! Wrap up the conversation when it's at a high point. Ending your conversation when it's already died down won't make the guy—or you—quite as excited about talking again. Instead, say goodbye when you're both having a great time. It might be hard to stop now when you're enjoying the conversation, but this ensures that he'll keep thinking about you afterward, and will already be looking forward to talking to you again. Use your instincts to tell when the time is right, like if you've just sent a witty text and he responded with “hahaha,” or if he just asked you an interesting question, showing that he's engaged in the conversation. Use an excuse for a relaxed goodbye. Even if you don't really have to go or do anything, saying that you do is a casual, natural way out of a conversation. You won't hurt his ego by seeming like you're ditching him, and you'll also make him interested in what you're doing. Try something like: You could say something like, “Ugh, I have to go make dinner… I guess you'll have to wait to see what my answer is ;)” “I have to go do homework, sorry to deprive you of my amazing jokes!” “Getting in the car to drive, if you're lucky I'll text you when I get there ;)” End on a question to keep him thinking about you. Say something like, “I have to go, but what do you think about…?” This is a surefire way of making him respond to you, but takes you off the hook for replying back right away. He'll be checking his phone the rest of the day to see if you've texted back! Try something like, “I have to go, but what do you think about the Lions chances this season?” or, “Ugh, I have to head out, but have you started the new season of that show yet?? It's amazing.” Hint at the possibility of future plans. The best texting conversations lead to real-life ones! To solidify your chances of running into the guy in-person, hint that you might see him later or another day, but don't set anything in stone. Staying a little mysterious will make him even more excited to see you. You could say something like, “See you later...maybe…” or, “Maybe we'll run into each other tomorrow ;)” To keep up your teasing tone, try something like, “I know you're already so excited to see me in class tomorrow ;)”

Text him first to show your confidence. Mention something you've done together. Ask him a random question to show your fun side. Give him a teasing compliment. Send him a playful challenge. Ask genuine questions about his interests. Tease him to keep him on his toes. Talk to him about things you do on your own time. Use emojis and exclamation points sparingly. Avoid overanalyzing his short messages. Don't keep texting him relentlessly, especially if he's not responding. Be yourself when you're texting him. Wrap up the conversation when it's at a high point. Use an excuse for a relaxed goodbye. End on a question to keep him thinking about you. Hint at the possibility of future plans.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Kinesio-Tapes-to-Relieve-Neck-Pain

How to Use Kinesio Tapes to Relieve Neck Pain

Using Kinesio tape is an easy way to relieve your neck pain during and after exercise. If your tape isn't already cut into strips, first cut a 4-inch strip of tape. Then, cut the bottom half up the middle to create a Y-shape. To apply your tape, tilt your head forward to stretch your muscles and place the tape on your neck like an upside-down Y so the forks come down either side of your spine. Apply another 2-inch strip of tape horizontally over the top of the fork. Rub the tape to stick it to your skin. If you experience severe neck pain, go to your doctor for treatment.

Know when you should apply Kinesio tape. Kinesio tapes can help with the healing process during and after physical activity, like playing a sport or exercising. This specially made elastic tape can be applied to muscles and joints to decrease pain or swelling, and restore motion. It helps joints move more naturally and takes some off the pressure off of your muscles. You can use Kinesio tape if you experience chronic pain in your neck due to being sore from exercise, to help blood flow during physical activity, or even if you just sit at a desk all day and need some extra relief. Get your Kinesio tape. There are several brands of Kinesio tapes on the market and while they all provide the same benefit, the differences mostly come down to how the tape comes packaged. Some brands offer pre cut tapes that are made for specific body parts. Some of the top rated tapes are KT Tape, Performtex, Spidertech, Rock Tape. To relieve your neck pain with Kinesio tape, you will need three pieces, or strips of tape. You can find Kinesio tape at most sporting goods stores or online through shops like Amazon.com Cut your strips. Some Kinesio tapes will come in pre cut strips, but if yours don't, then you will have to cut them for your neck. To get a clean cut of tape, get a sharp pair of scissors. Cut a strip of tape about 10 centimeter (3.9 in) long, make a cut vertically along the middle to create a “Y” strip, leaving about 2 centimeter (0.8 in) at the end as the origin point. You can also just use two separate strips of 10 centimeter (3.9 in) if you wish. Trim the strips to make curved or round corners to prevent peeling, if they are not already. Clean your skin. In order for the tape to accurately stick to your skin and lift the epidermis, you need to wash and dry the skin remove any oil and sweat so your tape will stick. Grab some soap that will lift the oil off your body without drying your skin up too much. Also make sure that you effectively dry off your skin so the tape sticks. Stretch your neck muscles. Tilt your head forward while in a comfortable sitting or standing position with your feet planted firmly on the floor. Simply bend your neck forward to stretch the Semispinalis, Levator, Scapulae, Upper Trapezius, Scalenes, and Splenius Capitus (the muscles that are in your neck, connecting to your shoulders). You want to comfortably bend your neck forward as if you are trying to touch your chin to your neck, but don't stretch it so far that you are hurting yourself. Stretch the muscles until you feel a taut pulling sensation. Apply the vertical strips. Your first step is to apply the two vertical primary “I” strips that run vertically and mostly parallel to your spine. Place the strips starting just 1 centimeter (0.4 in) below the hairline. You want to peel the strips as you place them down the neck as if you're peeling a band-aid. As you pull down the vertical “I” strips, you want you to create a slight stretch of about 10 to 15 percent. This means pulling on the tape just slightly with the end that hasn't been placed on the skin yet. Depending on if you are feeling pain in the center of your neck or on each side of the spine, you can create an upside down “V” or the fork of a “Y” with the strips or place them parallel. The tails should end near the trapezius muscle, which is just above the shoulder blade. Apply the horizontal “I” strip. Peel the tape and place it horizontally over the area of your neck where you are experiencing pain. You want to place the horizontal strip so that it forms a bit of an “A” shape with the other strips. For the horizontal strip, you want something closer to 75 percent stretch. To do this, pull the strip to full stretch and then ease up slightly. Next, place the center of the strip on the skin first and even it out on either side, applying pressure until you get towards the ends, letting them stick to the skin without any stretch. Rub the tape to heat and activate the glue. To get the glue to become as adhesive as possible, you want to give it a good rub so that you ensure it sticks, and there are no bubbles in the tape. When Kinesio tape is correctly applied, it it relieves pain by lifting the top layers of your skin, relieving pressure and allowing for better blood flow and muscle movement. If your tape isn't as adhesive as possible, you may not get the full effects.

Know when you should apply Kinesio tape. Get your Kinesio tape. Cut your strips. Clean your skin. Stretch your neck muscles. Apply the vertical strips. Apply the horizontal “I” strip. Rub the tape to heat and activate the glue.

https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Polish-Rabbit

How to Care for a Polish Rabbit

To care for a Polish rabbit, get an indoor cage made of stainless steel wiring and line the bottom with grassy hay to protect your rabbit's feet. You'll also need a metal or ceramic food dish, which are easier to clean than plastic. Additionally, have a ready supply of grassy hay, which should make up 70 percent of your rabbit's diet. In order to fill out your rabbit's diet, feed it rabbit food pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Then, exercise your rabbit by taking it out of its cage daily and playing ball or getting a harness so you can take it for a walk.

Get an indoor cage made of stainless steel. Polish rabbits do not need a lot of room to move around, as they are a very small breed. Look for a cage that is 18” x 24” (45.72 cm x 60.96 cm) and made of stainless steel wiring. The cage should have a door that can be closed shut from the outside. Make sure the cage has a plastic bottom, as a wire floor is too hard for a rabbit's feet. Check that the cage has a separate box or level for the rabbit to go to the bathroom. A litter box like that used for a cat works well. Just make sure to use rabbit-safe litter. Set up the cage indoors in a spot that is room temperature. Do not put the cage in direct sunlight or in a spot that gets too cold. Check for drafts and excess sun exposure before placing the cage anywhere. Put grass hay at the bottom of the cage. Lay one to two inches of grass hay at the bottom of the cage to protect the rabbit's feet and make the cage comfortable for it. You can find grass hay at your local pet store or online. Horse bedding like sawdust or straw can also work for rabbits. Sawdust can get dusty, but it's easy to clean and replace. You will need to replace the bedding once a week so it stays clean. Provide a food dish and a water bottle. Make sure the food dish is made of metal or ceramic, as Polish rabbits like to chew on plastic. The dish should be shallow and wide enough to fit one serving of the rabbit's food, including veggies and fresh foods, and still allow easy access for the rabbit. The rabbit will also need a water bottle with a drinking spout. Make sure the water bottle is positioned into the rabbit's cage with the spout facing downward for easy access. Include hiding places and toys. Like most rabbits, Polish rabbits enjoy having hiding places in their cage to relax. Put plastic tunnels and huts in the cage. Position chew toys like cardboard tubes and pieces of paper in the cage. You can also get the rabbit toys made of cardboard like a cardboard carrot or a cardboard castle. Look for rabbit toys at your local pet store or online. Clean the cage regularly. Keep the rabbit's cage clean so it is not susceptible to illness and infection. Do a weekly clean where you wipe down the cage with water and vinegar. You should also replace the bedding in the cage so it is fresh. Wash the food dish and the water bottle as well. Set up a cleaning schedule where you always clean the rabbit's cage on the same day every week. Allow your rabbit to roam and play around the house while you clean its cage. This lets your rabbit get its out-of-cage time while you take care of your chores. Feed the rabbit grass hay. Hay should consist of 70 percent of the rabbit's diet. Put one cup (236.6 grams) of hay in the rabbit's food dish and have hay readily available for the rabbit to munch on throughout the day. If you have a Polish rabbit that is younger than eight months old, you can give it alfalfa hay, as it is rich in calcium and good for young rabbits. Once it is eight months and older, switch it to grass hay. Give the rabbit commercial pellets. Look for pellets that contain natural ingredients and no preservatives or additives. Give Polish rabbits ⅓ cup (70.9 grams) pellets once a day. Do not give the rabbit only pellets, as they do not contain the nutrients they need to thrive. A balance of hay and pellets will ensure the rabbit maintains a good diet. Offer the rabbit fresh fruits and vegetables. Polish rabbits can be given vegetables like kale, cilantro, chard, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. They also enjoy fruits like melon, berries, banana, and apples. Rinse and slice all fruits and vegetables before giving them to the rabbit. Use the fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy treats for the rabbit. Since they can be high in natural sugar, they should be an occasional treat. Do not give the rabbit iceberg lettuce, cabbage, potatoes, and onions. Have a game of “fetch” with the rabbit. Use a rubber ball to play fetch with the rabbit. Take the rabbit out of it cage and put it on the ground. Then, toss the rubber ball a few feet away from the rabbit. Encourage it to fetch the ball by offering it a treat by the ball. It should try to nudge or chew on the ball. Play tug of war with the rabbit. You can play tug of war with your rabbit using a long chew toy, a cardboard tube, or a towel. Allow the rabbit to grip the towel or toy with its teeth. Then, gently pull on the other end. Do not tug or yank the end, as you do not want to damage the rabbit's teeth. Start a game of “toss” with the rabbit. Rabbits enjoy tossing up objects like the lid of a mason jar, plastic toys, or wooden blocks. Let the rabbit toss the objects in the air or nudge them along the ground. Take the rabbit for a walk on a leash. Encourage your rabbit to get some exercise by taking it on a walk on a leash outdoors or indoors. Get a harness that fits the rabbit properly and a lightweight leash. Teach the rabbit to get used to the harness and leash. Over time, it should enjoy going for short walks on the leash. Teach your rabbit some commands. Training a rabbit isn't always easy, but with a bit of patients, Polish rabbits can learn commands including stay, come, and sit. Look into some rabbit training tutorials online or at your local library and start training your rabbit with some basic commands. Take the rabbit to an exotic animal veterinarian for check ups. Find a veterinarian near you who specializes in rabbit medicine. Make sure the rabbit is vaccinated against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. They should also be checked several times a year for fleas, ticks, and worms. The vet will also check the rabbit's teeth and ears for any issues. Schedule regular visits to the vet for the rabbit so it stays healthy and disease free. Get the rabbit spayed or neutered. Rabbits that are not spayed or neutered are at a higher risk of developing cancer and other medical issues. Your vet can spay or neuter your Polish rabbit at their office. Bring the rabbit to the vet if you notice any medical issues. Polish rabbits are susceptible to flystrike, which occurs when their bottom becomes dirty or infected. If you notice your rabbit is not moving around much in its cage and has not gone to the bathroom recently, bring it to the vet to check for this issue. You should also check the rabbit's teeth once a week to ensure they are growing properly and are not too long. If they are too long, bring the rabbit to the vet. The vet can then recommend treatment for the issue.

Get an indoor cage made of stainless steel. Put grass hay at the bottom of the cage. Provide a food dish and a water bottle. Include hiding places and toys. Clean the cage regularly. Feed the rabbit grass hay. Give the rabbit commercial pellets. Offer the rabbit fresh fruits and vegetables. Have a game of “fetch” with the rabbit. Play tug of war with the rabbit. Start a game of “toss” with the rabbit. Take the rabbit for a walk on a leash. Teach your rabbit some commands. Take the rabbit to an exotic animal veterinarian for check ups. Get the rabbit spayed or neutered. Bring the rabbit to the vet if you notice any medical issues.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Good-Workout-with-a-Punching-Bag

How to Get a Good Workout with a Punching Bag

To get a good workout with a punching bag, make sure to walk around the bag while doing drills, rather than jumping or crossing your feet. Additionally, throw snap punches so your hand snaps back after striking the bag, which will allow you to move faster. You should also throw jabs by striking the bag repeatedly with your non-dominant hand for 2 minutes. Alternatively, throw a cross by pivoting on your dominant foot and striking the bag with your dominant hand.

Locate or purchase a heavy bag. If you are not ready to invest in your own heavy bag, find a local gym that has the equipment you need. Do you prefer the convenience of working out at home? There are lots of heavy bags on the market. Research heavy bags and read reviews in order to find the one that will work best for you. Find a timer. Grab a stopwatch. Your phone, watch, or even the egg timer from your kitchen will work. You will use the timer throughout the workout to time your warm-up, rounds, and cool-down. Locate a jump rope. Skipping or jumping rope is an excellent way to warm-up. Purchase a jump rope or use the old jump rope stored away in your garage. If you are working out at your local gym, ask an employee to help you locate a jump rope at the facility. Roll-up your hand wraps. Protect your knuckles, loose ligaments, joints, and the bones in your hands with a wrap. Hand wraps are single strips of semi-elastic cloth with a thumb loop on one end and a piece of velcro on the other end. They come in a variety of colors, widths, lengths, and styles. You will need one wrap for each hand. Roll up your hand wrap so that the thumb loop is on the end. Wrap your wrist and palm.Insert your thumb into the loop so that the wrap lays over the back of your hand. Beginning with the back of your hand, as opposed to the palm of your hand, prevents the wrap from loosening up when you make a fist. Wrap your wrist three times, keeping the wrap below the thumb loop. Position the wrap above the thumb loop and wrap the palm of your hand three times. Wrap your fingers. Position the hand wrap diagonally along the palm of your hand--from the base of your pinky to the base of your thumb. Bring the wrap around the base of your thumb and between your pinky and ringer fingers. Pull the wrap between your pointer finger and thumb, positioning the wrap diagonally across the back of your hand. The wrap should form a “X” on the back of your hand. Move the wrap back to the base of your thumb. Form a second “X” by pulling the wrap between your middle and ring fingers in the same manner. Form a third “X” by pulling the wrap between your middle and index finger in the same manner. End this process with the wrap positioned at the base of your thumb. This separates the fingers. Lock your thumb. Wrap your thumb once. Pull the wrap across the back of your hand and around your wrist to the base of your thumb. Pull the wrap halfway around the thumb. Instead of going around the thumb, pull the wrap across the palm of your hand at the base of your fingers. The hand wrap WILL change directions. This locks the thumb in place and secures the hand wrap. Wrap the knuckles. Pull the hand wrap around your knuckles three times. If you have extra length on your hand wrap, you may either wrap the knuckles additional times or make “Xs” around the back of your hand. Make sure the wrap doesn't become too thick--you still need to put your gloves on! Secure the velcro. Finish wrapping your hands at your wrist and secure the velcro. This provides additional wrist support. Rotate your joints. Start your warm up with joint rotations in order to lubricate your joints and prepare them for the work out. Start by making circles with your feet. Work your way up to the knees, hips, and shoulders Finish by rotating your wrists. Rotate your ankles by moving them in small circles. You can rotate them clockwise or counterclockwise. This can be done seated or standing. To lubricate your knee joints, come to a standing position. Pull your right knee up towards your chest. Release it back to the ground. Pull your left knee up towards your chest. Release it back down. Repeat as needed. Lubricate your hips by completing single leg rotations. Stand near a wall or workout bench for balance. Anchor your left foot on the ground. Rest your hand on the wall or bench for support. Raise your right leg up, bend the knee to the 90 degrees. Rotate your raised leg, moving your knee from the front to the side. Repeat with the left leg. To warm-up your shoulders, begin with small shoulder shrugs. Transition from shrugging your shoulders to rotating your arms in clockwise circles, followed by counterclockwise circles. Move your wrists in a clockwise motion. Switch to a counterclockwise motion after approximately 30 seconds. Jump Rope. Skip rope for at least 5 minutes, aiming to increase the number of jumps-in-a-row as you go. Skipping is an excellent, low-impact activity. It increases your blood circulation, raises your core body temperature, and elevates your heart rate. It also helps you work on your coordination , which is an important component of bag training and boxing. If there is a bike or a treadmill available to you, bike or jog instead of jumping rope. Stretch. Complete your warm-up with a light stretch. Begin by stretching the muscle groups in the lower half of your body--your calves, hamstrings, and lower back. Move onto your upper body. Stretch your core, upper back, arms, and neck. Spend a little extra time stretching muscles that are particularly sore. To stretch your calves, stand approximately two feet from a wall. Facing the wall, rest your hands on the wall for support. Flex your right foot--press the ball of your foot against the wall while keeping your heel anchored on the ground. Lean into the wall to increase the stretch. Repeat with your left foot. Tight hamstrings can be pesky! Stretch your hamstrings by touching your toes. You can complete this stretch from a seated or standing position. To stretch your lower back, stand with your hands at your sides. Lean to the right and slide your right hand down your leg. Hold for 10 seconds. Come back to a normal standing position. Repeat on the left side. Stretch your core and upper back at the same time. Position yourself on all fours (use a towel or yoga mat for additional padding). Start with a straight back. Keeping your head up, inhale and arch your back. Exhale and round your spine. Repeat as needed. Stretch your arms. Pull your right arm diagonally across the front of your torso. With your left arm, come underneath your right arm. Bend your left elbow and position your right arm in the crook of your left arm. Repeat with your left arm. To stretch your neck, come to a seated position. Intertwine your fingers and rest your palms on the back of your head. Tuck your chin into your chest. Press your hands towards your thighs. Release and repeat as needed. Put on your heavy bag gloves. Heavy bag gloves are used exclusively for training. They have just enough padding to protect your hands during your vigorous workout. Purchase a high-quality pair of leather gloves with velcro fasteners--don't skimp! Heavy bag gloves are for everyday use. Gloves made of better material--quality leather and molded foam padding--will last longer and provide better protection to your hands. Master the stance. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. If you are right-handed, shift the left side of your body forward towards the bag and lift the heel of your right foot. If you are left-handed, shift the right side of your body forwards towards the bag and lift the heel of your left foot. Maintain a slight bent in the knees. Pull your hands up towards your face while keeping your shoulders and elbows down. Learn the walk. When completing drills, you will not remain static in the starting stance. You will circle the bag. Walk around the bag--don't jump or cross your feet. Keep a slight bend in the knees and your hands up by your face. Hit the bag properly. The key to a safe and effective heavy bag workout is to hit the bag, not push the bag. Instead of throwing a pushing punch--meaning you are attempting to push your hand all the way through your target--you should throw snap punches while training.Snap punches allow you to conserve energy while hitting harder and moving faster. When throwing a snap punch, your wrist will snap back from the impact of hitting the bag. Practice the jab. Assume the starting stance. Make a fist, placing the thumb on the outside of your hand. If you are right-handed, extend your left arm forward; if you are left-handed, extend your right arm forward. As you extend, keep your wrist straight and your elbow slightly bent. Draw the arm back to the starting position. Try the cross. You will throw the cross with your power hand--your dominant hand. Assume the starting position. Pivot on the heel of your dominant foot and rotate the leg and the hip. As you rotate, extend your arm. Your dominant arm should retain a slight bent at the elbow. Keep the opposite hand near your face for protection. Draw the arm, hip, leg, and heel back to the starting position. Master the hook. Assume the starting stance. Pivot on the heel of your non-dominant foot. Turn through the leg and hip. As you pivot, extend your non-dominant arm horizontally across your body. Elevate your elbow slightly. Hold your dominant hand near your face for protection. Draw the arm back to the starting position. Try the 1-2 Combo. The 1-2 combo is a series of two linked punches. First, through the jab. Immediately after returning to the starting stance, throw a cross. Draw the arm back to the starting position. Learn the 1-2-3 Combo. The 1-2-3 combo is a series of three linked punches. Like the 1-2 combo, you will first throw a jab. This will be followed by a hook. The last punch in the series is a cross. Practice your footwork. Complete a series of timed rounds (8 rounds x 3 minutes, with 1 minute rest in between) and focus on your footwork. In rounds 1 and 2, circle the bag to the right, feeding a jab for every one to two steps you take. In rounds 3 and 4, circle the bag to the left, feeding a cross punch, a straight lined punch with your dominant hand, for every one to two steps. In rounds 5 and 6, circle the bag to the right and feed a 1-2 combo per every one to two steps. In rounds 7 and 8, circle the bag to the left and complete a 1-2-3 combo per every one to two steps. The goal of footwork drills is to practice moving with the bag instead of waiting for it to return to you. You want to move around the bag while punching it instead of standing still. Think of the bag as a moving opponent and not just a free-standing object. Keep the bag an arms length away from you. Work on your punching speed. Complete a series of timed rounds (6 rounds x 3 minutes, with 1 minute rest in between) while focusing on improving your speed. Stand 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) distance from the bag. Divide each round into 15 second intervals. In rounds 1 and 2, explode forward towards the bag in a lunge motion and jab the bag for fifteen seconds. Rest for 15 seconds and repeat until the round is over. During rounds 3 and 4, execute the same drill but substitute the jab with a 1-2 combo. Complete the same drill in rounds 5 and 6, substituting the 1-2 combo with a hook punch. Don't focus on your technique during speed drills--work on contracting your muscle quickly instead of perfecting your form. Bend your knees throughout the drill to avoid locking your joints. Focus on your breathing. Short, small breaths will help increase the speed of your hands. Use a speed bag. Another way to improve your speed is to use a speed bag, a small punching bag. Stand less than an arm's length away from the speed bag with squared shoulders. Adjust the bag's height until the bottom is level with your eyes. Keep both hands near the bag. Hit the bag with an open hand--this affords you more control over the bag--and move your hands in a small circles. Hit the bag twice with your right hand, followed by two hits with your left hand (RIGHT-RIGHT-LEFT-LEFT). Continue this pattern for an entire round. Speed bags rebound after you hit them. Before hitting the bag again, let it rebound three times--FORWARDS-BACKWARDS-FORWARDS. Improve the strength and power of your punch. The power behind your punch is derived from good technique. Complete a series of timed rounds (3 minutes each, with 1 minute rest in between) and focus on punching the bag with power. Circle the bag and execute combos (1-2 combo or 1-2-3 combo). Try to hit the bag with 80% to 95% power output. Focus on the power of delivery and back it up with as much momentum and weight as possible. Repeat this drill as you feel fit. Enhance your stamina. Complete a series of timed rounds (15 rounds x 2 minutes, with 1 minute rest in between) while working on enhancing your stamina. Find someone to hold the bag for you. In rounds 1 through 5, stand 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 m) distance from the bag. Explode against the bag with a combo of continuous jabs. During rounds 6 through 10, repeat this drill and substitute jabs with crosses. In rounds 11 through 15, repeat the drill. Substitute crosses for 1-2 combos. Don't hit with too much power--instead of working on how hard you can hit focus on increasing the number of punches you can complete in one round. Breath with every punch. Keep your knees bent and your shoulders square. Rotate your joints. Take 5 minutes to perform some arm circles to help the circulation remove the excess lactic acid that may have formed and accumulated in the muscles. This will help your muscles recover faster. Repeat the rotation exercises from the warm-up. Stretch. Slowly stretch your back, shoulder, triceps, and abdominal muscles. This will help minimize the training soreness and speed recovery. Jog. Run slowly for 5 minutes. This will help flush out the lactic acid that built up in your legs. Jogging after a strenuous workout can speed your recovery time.

Locate or purchase a heavy bag. Find a timer. Locate a jump rope. Roll-up your hand wraps. Wrap your wrist and palm.Insert your thumb into the loop so that the wrap lays over the back of your hand. Wrap your fingers. Lock your thumb. Secure the velcro. Rotate your joints. Jump Rope. Stretch. Put on your heavy bag gloves. Master the stance. Learn the walk. Hit the bag properly. Practice the jab. Try the cross. Master the hook. Try the 1-2 Combo. Learn the 1-2-3 Combo. Practice your footwork. Work on your punching speed. Use a speed bag. Improve the strength and power of your punch. Enhance your stamina. Rotate your joints. Stretch. Jog.

https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Perfect-Date

How to Plan a Perfect Date

The best way to plan the perfect date is to choose a non-conventional date. Skip the movies and take your date to karaoke or a painting class instead. Be wild and plan an outdoor adventure date, like kayaking or rock climbing. Go stargazing at the park with wine.

Give your date options. You're busy and your date is busy, so be sure to plan ahead. Offer a few different days to set up a date, this will show them that you're willing to plan around their schedule. Simply asking “Are you free Wednesday or Thursday?” gives options, while still being direct. This will show your date that you respect their time, but can still handle making plans. Asking your date if they'd prefer to go out on a weeknight or weekend is also a great way to show that you're flexible and want to see them on a day that works best for their schedule. Get a feel for your date's interests. Once you've picked a day, offer a few vague suggestions for your date to choose from. This will show them that you care about their interests and that you're going out of your way to make this date perfect. Ask your date "Would you rather have a relaxing night or get a little adventurous?" or "Would you rather we have an indoor or outdoor date?" Their answer will point you in the right direction for your planning. Don't be too specific when giving your date options. Keep some of your plans as an element of surprise. Make reservations. To plan the perfect date, you need to make sure that you solidify your plans. Whether you're going to a restaurant, going mini golfing, going sky-diving, or going to a concert, don't leave your date to chance. Call in advance to ensure that you get tickets, make reservations, etc. Some restaurants don't take reservations, and some activities won't require tickets. If this is the case, it's important that you come up with a backup plan for your date just in case your initial plans don't pan out. Have a backup plan. Sometimes, plans can fall through. One of you may be running late because of work, or maybe you got stuck in traffic. Whatever date you have planned, always have a simple backup plan just in case things go wrong. Even if your backup plan is your favorite local coffee shop, or hanging out at your favorite view of the city you live in, it's always good to have another idea in your back pocket. Make two dinner reservations at nearby restaurants – one at 6pm and one at 6:30, for example. If you happen to be running late for your first reservation, you'll have another reservation at a restaurant that's nearby. This will make a great impression on your date, as it will be obvious that you've thought this date through. Inform your date of your plans in advance. Give your date an idea of what you'll be doing so that they can dress appropriately and be prepared. More adventurous dates may require some athletic clothing, fancier dates may require a dressier attire. Give your date at least a day in advance so that they don't feel rushed or unprepared. For example, if you're planning on going hiking, give your date a heads up to wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. High heels and hiking aren't a good time. If you plan on going to an opera, tell your date to have fun getting dressed up for a romantic night on the town. If they're underdressed for something like the opera, they may feel uncomfortable, resulting in them not enjoying the date. Choose a secondary location. If your date goes tremendously well, neither of you will want it to end. Pick a fun place to have drinks or coffee, just in case you'd like your date to continue. Ideally, you should choose a location near your date's home. This will show that you've considered their time and are not trying to pressure them to stay out longer than they'd like to. Instead of picking an actual location, offering to take a walk or go for a scenic drive is a great option to spend more time with your date. Your date may offer for you to come back to their place – that's perfectly fine! However, it's important to let your date make that suggestion, otherwise you may come off a bit pushy. Avoid going to the movies. Traditional movie dates can be fun, but they don't allow you to interact with one another. Going to the movies is appropriate for a casual date – but the perfect date should be a bit more creative. The best dates allow people to really get to know each other and spend time with one another, so choose activities that will allow you and your date to communicate. Choosing the movies for a date isn't a bad idea, it's just not the perfect idea. Putting some creativity into your plans will show your date that you've made an effort to show them a great time. Movies can be fun if you go to a local film festival, or go see a cult classic at a local theater. If you're totally set on going to the movies, make it an interesting experience. Take dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Instead of going to a regular restaurant, make your dinner experience fun. It's easy for people to bond over food, so make an adventure out of your dining experience to make it even more memorable. Take a cooking class together. Cooking together can be fun and delicious, so look up local cooking classes in your neighborhood. Go on a mini-tour of restaurants and eat a different course at each one. This is a great way to turn dinner into a fun date night adventure. Start with appetizers at one restaurant, get dinner at another, and end the night at an amazing dessert shop. Try out food trucks in your neighborhood. Instead of the traditional restaurant experience, check out the local food trucks in your city. This is a fun way to learn more about your neighborhoods and communities while eating delicious food. Explore your wild side. If your date is up for a little fun, try a fun new experience together. There are tons of activities to try, so why not try these new activities together? Sharing new experiences creates amazing memories and conversation, and a perfect date is a date that is never forgotten. Go bungee jumping, try rock-climbing, or hit the water for some kayaking. These are super adventurous dates that will never be forgotten. If your date is up for a fun time that's not too extreme, try mini golf and go-karts. Get artsy. If your date is into the arts, there are tons of fun date ideas that will allow the two of you to get creative. Try taking a BYOB painting class, sign up for an improv comedy class, or go do karaoke. Keep things light and fun, and pick something that will allow you two to laugh together. Make sure your date doesn't feel the pressure to be good at any of these things. Emphasize that these activities are all for fun. If your date enjoys the arts but doesn't want to actually participate in an artsy activity, try going to an art gallery or a concert. Pick an activity that will still allow the two of you to interact. Keep it relaxed. If your love interest leads a busy life, they'll sometimes want to do something a bit more relaxing for their perfect date. (This is why you should get an idea of what they want to do before planning your date). Whatever you decide to do, pick a plan that will allow your date to relax and have an enjoyable, stress-free time. If your date wants to unwind, bring a blanket and a bottle of wine for stargazing in the park. This will make for a nice and relaxing evening while still giving you a chance to get to know each other. Bring a telescope if you have access to one so that the two of you can see all of the stars. Plan a lazy Sunday brunch date instead of Friday night dinner. This takes away the pressure of a fancy dinner date. Look your best. When dressing for the perfect date, wear something that makes you feel attractive and comfortable. The better you feel, the better you'll look. Don't wear something that's extremely uncomfortable just because it looks good, as your date will be able to sense that you're uncomfortable. Dress appropriately for your date – dressier for a fancy date, and more casual for a fun date. If you're going out on a fancier date, break out your favorite dress and heels, or your favorite blazer. If you're going on a fun, adventurous date, wear your go-to jeans, your favorite boots or sneakers, and a cute shirt or jacket. Wearing clothes you love will make you feel more comfortable. Be on time. Do your very best to be on time. If you're late, your date may think that you're blowing them off or that you don't care enough about them to be on time. Of course, things happen in life, and you could end up running behind schedule. If this is the case, give your date a quick call or text to apologize for running late, and give them an honest timeframe of when they should expect you. Confirm the time of your date earlier in the day. This will ensure that the two of you are on the same page, and your date will appreciate that you are confirming plans. Pay attention to your date. This might seem like a given, but it's very necessary if you want your date to be perfect. Show your date that you're paying attention to them by actually listening when they speak and engaging in meaningful conversation. Compliment them on something they're wearing or how they look, and be genuine. Instead of saying "You look nice," say "You look beautiful. The color red looks amazing on you!" Being specific with your compliments will show them that you're paying attention. Don't go overboard with the compliments, but make an effort to show your date that you notice the effort they put into getting ready for the date. Pay for the date. You planned the date, so you should pay. If you ask someone on a date and you make the plans, do not expect them to pay their way. They may offer to go dutch on the bill for your date, but you should insist on paying. Don't show off how much you're paying for the date. It may come off like you're showing off or bragging, so it's best to be more discreet when paying the bill. If your date involves an activity where tipping is involved, leave a good tip (15%-20%). This will impress your date. If your date seems bothered by you paying, let them know that you're more than happy to foot the bill. Express that you invited them out and you want this date to be your treat. Plan another date. When you've found someone you really like, you'll want every date to be perfect. Discuss other date ideas that you and your love interest would like to try, and make plans to do them. Having an open conversation about future date ideas is also a great way to show you if this person is truly interested in you. Ask what kind of date they'd like to go on next. If they're unsure, give them options again. For example, ask "Would you like to do something adventurous next weekend? I know of some amazing hiking trails and mountain climbing spots." (You can pick your own activities, of course). Or if you don't want to go the adventurous route, say "I'd love to see you again next week. Are you free to grab lunch or dinner?" This shows them that you're flexible to their schedule, and they'll appreciate you giving the options. End your date appropriately. Ending your date with a goodnight kiss isn't always in the cards for a first date, so it's important to pay attention to the verbal or physical cues from your date. For example, if your date steps closer when saying goodbye, leans in during your parting conversation, or lingers while giving you a goodbye hug, these are all signs for a goodnight kiss. If your date keeps their distance while saying goodbye, or seems in a rush, these are signs that they're not interested in a goodnight kiss. Some people tend to move slower than others when it comes to intimacy, so this does not necessarily mean that your date doesn't like you. A first kiss is normally brief and tongue-free, as this shows your date that you like and respect them. If they initiate further intimacy, you can follow their lead.

Give your date options. Get a feel for your date's interests. Make reservations. Have a backup plan. Inform your date of your plans in advance. Choose a secondary location. Avoid going to the movies. Take dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Explore your wild side. Get artsy. Keep it relaxed. Look your best. Be on time. Pay attention to your date. Pay for the date. Plan another date. End your date appropriately.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Dip-Powder-Manicure

How to Do a Dip Powder Manicure

To do a dip powder manicure, first remove any existing nail polish with a polish remover and file the tips of your nails. Next, sanitize your nails with an alcohol cleanser, like an antiseptic spray. Once your nails are clean, apply polish to them in strokes with your brush, starting about 1/16 inch from your cuticle. Before you apply the powder, shake the closed container and mix it with a nail stick. After it's mixed, hold your finger in the powder for 5 seconds, then apply another coat of resin followed by a second coat of powder. Follow this with a third coat of resin before applying an activator using brush strokes. Repeat these steps for each of your nails, then gently file down the edges of each nail to shape them.

Use polish remover as well as a cuticle pusher. If you have polish on your nails, remove it with non-acetone nail polish remover on a lint-free pad. Use a cuticle pusher to gently nudge your cuticles slightly back. Gently remove any excess cuticle sticking up with a cuticle trimmer or scraper. This will allow new nail growth to show so that your manicure will last longer before needing a fill. Buff the top surfaces of the nails. Whether natural, acrylic or gel, smooth the surfaces of your nail manually with a nail file. Use a 180 grit file or block, or a natural nail stone. Brush away the grit from filing with a nail brush or makeup powder brush. Pay extra attention to buffing the grooves and the cuticle area. File away any problematic areas. Examine the sides of your nails for any loose or damaged edges. Also look for any lifting if you have a previous dip manicure you're filling. Use a coarse nail file (100 or 180 grit) on any such areas. If you don't already have tips on and you want to add them to lengthen your nails, trim your natural nails down to short length. Use the nail file to smooth the edges. Sanitize your nails with alcohol. Dampen a paper towel or lint-free pad with alcohol or nail sanitizer. You can use an antiseptic spray, or a sanitizer in a pourable container. Rub the moistened towel over your nails, and your fingers – from the closest knuckle to your cuticles, down towards your nails. This cleans and dehydrates the surface of your nails to prepare them for a dip manicure. You don't want to seal in any bacteria or grime. Find the right-sized tips. If you want to extend the length of your nails, find a tip for each nail that covers no greater than a third of your nail bed. Each tip should reach across the whole width of your nail, from nail groove to nail groove, without overlapping onto your skin. Coat the wells of the tips with tip resin. Hold each one gently but firmly to the tip of the nail at a 45 degree angle for twenty seconds. If you can't find a nail tip that is the right size, you can use a nail file to make slight adjustments so that it will fit securely. Pinch the sides of the tips for a few seconds to adhere the tips to curvature of your nail edges. Try not to get resin on your fingers. Trim and file the tips. File the edges of the tips all the way across. Buff the top surfaces of the tips to remove their shine. Then buff the nails all over. Paint on the bonder. Follow the steps in this method for each nail, one at a time. Apply it in small strokes, starting about 1/16” away from your cuticles. Spread it out so that it doesn't well up near the cuticle area. Let it sit for one minute. Brush resin onto your nails. Move slowly, and apply it evenly. Resin should be dotted on with the belly of the brush applicator, rather than applied in strokes like nail polish. Try to apply the resin as evenly and neatly as possible. Focus on creating a clean edge just above the cuticle, since this will be what your powder adheres to. If you're only doing a fill, and it has been two weeks since your last dip manicure, apply resin to your desired thickness – for instance, three to four coats. No follow-up with powder is necessary. If you're doing a manicure to your natural nails or it has been three or more weeks since your last dip manicure, apply one coat of resin only at this point. Dip your finger into the container of clear nail powder. Shake the closed container of powder well first. Open the container, then use a nail stick or pusher to mix the powder. Push your finger forward within the container and roll your finger gently. Keep your finger in the powder for five seconds. Remove your finger and tap the edge of the pot. Then, with your other hand, tap the finger you just dipped, to shake excess powder off your finger and back into the container. Once the nail is dry, use a nail brush to remove the rest of the extra powder over a paper towel. Do not use a colored powder at this point. If you want to add a color, that will come after applying more resin. Apply more resin and powder. Apply a layer of resin over the full nail, including the tips. Paint it on slowly and evenly. If you want to use colored powder, now's the time to do it! Dip your finger into nail powder again, then remove any excess powder. Add a third and final application of resin. You can repeat this step once more to achieve a slightly thicker and stronger manicure. Brush on activator. Apply it in strokes as you would regular nail polish. Allow it to sit for five seconds on the nails. Apply a second coat, and allow that to sit for five seconds as well. File the nail edges to dull and shape them. Use a soft-grid file on the exposed edges and sides of the nails. Finish with a top coat. Make sure it is a top coat meant for acrylic nails. Keep your fingers sedentary and allow your nails to air-dry for two minutes. Gently rub cuticle oil into the skin surrounding your fingernails. Apply the top coat as you would normal nail polish. Wash your hands. Make sure that your nails are completely dry first. Use warm water, hand soap and a nail brush. Make sure to get around and underneath the tips of your nails. Pat your nails dry with a towel. Maintain your manicure. Follow tips to prolong the life of your manicure. Your manicure can last three to four weeks before needing a fill. However, you may notice new nail growth near the cuticle area and wish to do the fill as early as two weeks after your dip manicure. If you apply colored polish on top of your manicure, don't get it on your cuticles. This can cause chipping and lifting of the polish. Also, mix the polish by rolling it between your hands instead of shaking it, so that air bubbles don't promote chipping. If you use a fan to dry your nails, opt for cool air instead of warm air. Use a blow dryer on the cool setting. Reapply a clear top coat every few days to deter chipping. Massage cuticle oil onto your nails every day, if possible. Use mild soap to wash your hands instead of applying hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is strong and dehydrating, and can eat away at your protective top coat.

Use polish remover as well as a cuticle pusher. Buff the top surfaces of the nails. File away any problematic areas. Sanitize your nails with alcohol. Find the right-sized tips. Trim and file the tips. Paint on the bonder. Brush resin onto your nails. Dip your finger into the container of clear nail powder. Apply more resin and powder. Brush on activator. File the nail edges to dull and shape them. Finish with a top coat. Wash your hands. Maintain your manicure.

https://www.wikihow.com/Trim-Your-Own-Hair

How to Trim Your Own Hair

To trim the ends of your own hair, section your hair into 4 equal parts and clip the top 2 sections out of the way. Next, grab one of the bottom sections of hair and slide the ends between your index and middle fingers. Then, hold the scissors parallel with the ends of your hair and make small snips across the bottom to remove 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the ends. Repeat this process on the other bottom side before unclipping the top sections and using the same technique.

Use a set of hair clippers with different guards. You can easily cut short hairstyles using hair clippers. Most sets come with many different guard settings, and each guard number corresponds to the hair cut size it creates. The larger the number, the longer your hair will be. Most guard sizes range from ½ to 8. Each guard size corresponds to a measurement of hair. For instance, number 1 guard cuts your hair to ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm), number 2 cuts to ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm), number 3 cuts to ⁄ 8 in (0.95 cm), number 4 cuts to ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm), number 5 cuts to ⁄ 8 in (1.6 cm), number 6 cuts to ⁄ 4 in (1.9 cm), number 7 cuts to ⁄ 8 in (2.2 cm), and number 8 cuts to 1 in (2.5 cm). Wet your hair before you cut it. It is easiest to trim hair with clippers when your hair is damp. You can cut your hair after you get out of the shower, or you can spray a light, even layer of water over your head with a spray bottle. In addition, you can run your hands under the sink and then run them through your hair. Put your guard on your blade and turn on your clippers. When you are ready to cut your hair, simply snap the guard on top of your blade. To do this, place the end with the teeth at the blade, and snap the other end into place at the base of the blade. Then, plug in your clippers and flip the switch to the “on” position. You can trim your hair so it is slightly longer on top and slightly shorter on the sides. To do this, use a guard 1 size larger on top and 1 size smaller on the sides. If you want to trim your hair to all the same length, use 1 guard for all of your hair. Alternatively, you can use wireless clippers as well. Trim the side of your hair starting at the your hairline near your ear. When you trim your hair yourself, it is easiest to start on the side. Watch yourself carefully in a clear mirror. Place your clippers at your hairline above your ears, and move the clippers towards the crown of your head. When you reach the top of your head, flick your wrist outward to move the clippers from your head. This way, you do not trim the hair on top. Continue doing this for both the left and right side of your head. The clippers will effortlessly trim your hair for you, without going any shorter than your guard. Trim the back of your hair from the nape of your neck upwards. Place the clippers at your hairline, and move them upwards until you reach the top of your head. Repeat this to trim the back of your head. To help you trim the back of your head, you can also tilt your head completely down so your chin touches your chest. Then, move the clippers from the nape of your neck to the crown of your head. In addition, you can use your hand to feel your hair and guide your clippers to the right spot. This is a spot where it may be beneficial to ask a friend or family member for help, since you can't see what you're doing. If you don't have anyone who can help, use a second mirror so that you can see the back side of your head. Change your guard if you want your top longer than the sides. After you've trimmed all the hair on the sides of your head, replace your guard with a larger size if you want to your hair on top longer than the hair on the sides. To remove the guard, simply lift it up using the small plastic edge at the base of the blade. If you want to trim your hair all the same length, simply continue using the same guard. Trim the top of your hair from your hairline to the crown of your head. Once the sides and back of your hair are trimmed, move on to the top. You will find it much easier to trim the hair on the top of your head because you can see it in the mirror. To do this, simply place your clippers at your hairline and slowly move it towards the crown of your head. Stop when you reach the back, and flick your wrist away from your head. Continue this motion until you trim all of your hair! It's okay if your clippers extend a little bit down the back or sides of your head. This hair will not get cut any shorter, since you already trimmed them and you are using a guard the same size or larger. Check your haircut in the mirror and touch it up as needed. When you finish trimming, look in the mirror to make sure your hair is even. If you missed a spot, run your clippers over your hair to even it out. If there are any longer pieces around your hairline, trim them to match the length of all your hair using hair cutting shears. Don't forget to check around your ears! Isolate your bangs by putting the rest of your hair up. Before you trim your bangs, it is helpful to move the rest of your hair out of the way. Pull your bangs over your forehead, and comb back the rest of your hair. Grab all of your hair in 1 hand, and secure a hair tie or clip with the other. If you have a lot of hair, you can use 2 clips or 2 hair ties instead. Divide your hair into left and right sections, and secure each side. Cut your bangs when they’re dry and tangle-free. Once your the rest of your hair is out of the way, take a comb to smooth out your bangs. This gets rid of any tangles. Additionally, it makes it easier for you to focus on your bangs, so you can see where to trim. It is best to trim your bangs when they are completely dry. If your hair is wet, you can use a blow dryer or let them air dry. For best results, you can use a rat tail comb. In addition, you can also use a medium-tooth or wide-tooth comb. If your hair is wet, you can easily trim away more than you realize, since hair stretches and appears longer before drying. Because of this, it is best to trim your bangs when they are dry. Trim your bangs starting from the middle and working towards the sides. To trim your bangs as evenly as possible, it is best to start in the middle, then work your way towards the sides. Position your fingers at the ends of your hair where you want your bangs to hit your forehead, and make tiny snips into your bangs directly below your fingers. Continue snipping until you reach the edge of your bangs. Then, go back and snip the sides of your bangs. For best results, follow the shape of your bangs as you make your snips. Hold your bangs between 2 fingers, leaving 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) at the end. To easily trim your bangs, pinch them between your index and middle finger and gently pull on the ends so your hair is taut. This keeps the hair straight, so you can make even cuts. Hold your hair with your non-dominant hand and make your snips with your dominant hand. Hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle to make vertical snips. When cutting your bangs, you want to make tiny snips directly below your fingers, rather than making a horizontal cut straight across. To do this, put your scissors in your hand and angle them upwards so they are in the vertical position. Cutting your hair vertically rather than horizontally creates a natural shape instead of a harsh line across your face. Take a look in the mirror to check the length of your bangs. After you've trimmed all of your hair, inspect your haircut in the mirror. Is it trimmed enough? Did you miss a spot? If you want your hair trimmed shorter, continue snipping to your desired length. If you missed a spot, go back and make tiny, vertical snips until your bangs are even. It is also helpful to let the rest of your hair down to check your length. You can easily see how your bangs blend into the rest of your hair. Cut your hair when it is dry. You are less likely to trim off too much hair since you can see the true length of your hair. When you cut wet hair, it often appears longer and it's easy to cut too much without realizing it. Section your hair into 4 equal parts. To make it easier to trim your ends, divide your hair from ear to ear. Then, divide your hair down the center so you have 4 equal sections or quadrants. Comb through each section, then clip the top 2 sections out of the way. Alternatively, you can use an elastic hair tie and create 2 buns on the top of your head. Hold the ends of 1 of the bottom sections between 2 fingers. Begin with 1 of the bottom sections of hair, and comb through your hair from root to tip. Then, place your hair in between your index and middle finger to hold it in place. You can gently pull on the ends of your hair so it stays taut. Position your fingers at the ends so there is about ⁄ 2 –1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) below your fingers. Hold your hair in your non-dominant hand so you can easily cut your hair with your dominant hand. Hold your shears parallel with the ends of your hair. When you trim your ends, hold your shears horizontally at the ends of your hair, and make small snips across the bottom to trim your hair. You want to avoid cutting at a blunt angle so your hair does not have chunky lines. Cut 1⁄4–1⁄2 in (0.64–1.27 cm) off of the bottom of both sides. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, make a straight cut horizontally across the ends of your hair. You can do this in 1 snip or several, depending on the length of your hair. For a trim, snip up to ⁄ 2  in (1.3 cm) to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) off of your ends. The exact length you need to take off will depend on the amount of damage you have at your ends. Use your split ends as a guide for how much length you need to take off. If you feel comfortable with it, try to cut above the tops of all the splits. This will help keep your hair healthy. Always cut your hair with sharp shears. If you use dull scissors, you may get split ends. Once you finish one of the bottom sides, repeat this on the other side. Unclip the top sections and cut 1 side. Take the clips out of your hair, but keep the sections divided into a left section and a right section. When you cut the top layers, you want to hold all of the hair in between your fingers, rather than just the bottom layer. Position your fingers about ⁄ 2 –1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) above the ends of your hair. Follow the freshly-cut bottom section as a guideline to trim the rest. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, you can easily see the line you cut across the bottom of your hair. Follow this line and cut your hair horizontally across so it is even with the bottom layer. Trim your remaining hair in a few small snips. Then, do this for the other section. If you have thick hair, you may want to section your hair into about 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) parts so it is easier to trim. Cut 1 small section, then move on to another small section. Continue snipping until you trim all of your hair. When you are finished, check your hair in the mirror to ensure it is the same length. If there are any uneven pieces, snip any stragglers using your shears.

Use a set of hair clippers with different guards. Wet your hair before you cut it. Put your guard on your blade and turn on your clippers. Trim the side of your hair starting at the your hairline near your ear. Trim the back of your hair from the nape of your neck upwards. Change your guard if you want your top longer than the sides. Trim the top of your hair from your hairline to the crown of your head. Check your haircut in the mirror and touch it up as needed. Isolate your bangs by putting the rest of your hair up. Cut your bangs when they’re dry and tangle-free. Trim your bangs starting from the middle and working towards the sides. Hold your bangs between 2 fingers, leaving 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) at the end. Hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle to make vertical snips. Take a look in the mirror to check the length of your bangs. Cut your hair when it is dry. Section your hair into 4 equal parts. Hold the ends of 1 of the bottom sections between 2 fingers. Hold your shears parallel with the ends of your hair. Cut 1⁄4–1⁄2 in (0.64–1.27 cm) off of the bottom of both sides. Unclip the top sections and cut 1 side. Follow the freshly-cut bottom section as a guideline to trim the rest.

https://www.wikihow.com/Not-Get-Bored-on-a-Long-Car-Ride

How to Not Get Bored on a Long Car Ride

Long car rides can get pretty boring, so prepare ahead of time to turn your journey into a fun adventure. Try playing games, like naming all the countries of the world. You can also count things, like birds, blue cars, or hotel billboards. Whether you have company or not, load up on music that you can sing along to, which will help keep you feeling energized and alert. Another way to stay entertained is to download some podcasts or listen to audiobooks. If you're breaking the driving up with others, pack some comfortable clothes, a blanket, and a pillow so you can take a nap, which will not only help pass the time but also refresh you.

Invite your family or friends along for the ride. Having company can make a long car ride into a memorable bonding experience. You can talk to your friends, play games with them, sing songs and even have deep and heart-felt conversations with them on the road. If you're driving, you can divide the drive into shifts and delegate shifts to friends or family members who can drive. Driving for shorter time periods can prevent accidents from happening if you get tired and it can make the whole journey go faster and smoother. Driving alone might mean you will have to stop frequently to rest. Choose your companions wisely. A long drive can be fun with the right kind of people, while it can be torturous with the wrong kind. Choose reliable friends who will be willing to help you out during a long drive. Check with your other companions, especially if you're travelling with family or parents, if inviting others to the trip is okay. It's very important every gets along for the whole ride. Load up on music. Bring CDs, upload music onto your music device, and create a playlist of songs. Choose: Songs you can sing along to. Belting out notes can make listening to music into a performance. Movie soundtracks or Broadway musical songs are great song choices that you can be fun to sing along with. Songs with an upbeat tune. If you're driving, you'll probably be tired and you don't want to lose control of the wheel. Choose upbeat songs to keep you awake and feeling fresh. A lot of songs. If the ride is long, running out of songs and having to replay them can make music become boring. You can calculate how long the ride will be and try to bring enough songs to last the ride. Download songs, podcasts, videos and others. You can find many interesting books or podcasts to listen to while on the road. This is helpful if you'd like to read in the car but you're the one driving or you easily get carsick doing so. There are a variety of genres of podcasts to listen to. Some podcasts are comedic, some are creative, and some are educational. They can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours long. Audiobooks give a dramatic feel to conventional book-reading. Some books have different narrators and styles of narration. Sample each narrator to find one that you like the best. If you want your kids to keep entertained by watching videos offline on YouTube, download the videos they want before the trip. Don't wait for the last minute! Bring along educational materials. A long car ride is a perfect environment to learn a new skill, language, or subject. Bring along audio lessons, textbook materials, and supplies to take notes. If you're travelling in a bus or in a car with internet connection, you can even do research online with a laptop or on your smartphone. If you have homework or paperwork to complete, a car ride provides you with ample time to finish these tasks. Pack some comfortable clothes, a blanket, and a pillow in the car. One of the easiest ways to pass time is to sleep. Wear comfortable clothes or change into your pyjamas to create a comfy environment to lull yourself to sleep. Bring a neck pillow to help support your head. It can get uncomfortable sleeping while sitting up in a car. A neck pillow can prevent you from getting neck cramps and protect your head from hitting the window while driving on a bumpy road. Listen to relaxing music if you're having trouble sleeping. Bring electronics to keep you busy. iPads, tablets, portable DVD players, laptops, and portable game consoles can be very entertaining, especially if you load them up with games and movies. Remember to bring each device's chargers. Purchase or bring a car charger to charge your devices while in the car. Find an interesting book to read. A good, long book should occupy you for a while. Just look up every now and then to stop yourself from feeling sick. Bring multiple books in case you finish one or you feel like reading another book. Bring books about your destination. By the time you arrive, you'll be an expert and can point out the best places to eat, shop, and find entertainment. Try daydreaming. Look out the window and use this time to make up an amazing adventure, or riveting love story in your head. You can also daydream about your future or think about your life and any goals you might have. Use this time to plan and think about what you will do to achieve these goals. Use music to amplify your daydreaming. Dance to music. Make up dances in the car that can be performed whilst sitting down and wearing a seatbelt. If you're driving, your first priority is to concentrate on driving. However, doing a few dance moves while waiting at the intersection or shimmying your shoulders is okay as long as you pay attention to the road. Look for unusual things on the road. Announce the things you see to your companions in the car or record them in a book. You can use this activity to pinpoint landmarks and then try to remember them on your way back. Take pictures and videos of your ride. You can take pictures of the scenery or pictures of yourself and your companions. Record your trip and talk to the camera about how the trip is going so far. Collect these photos as memorabilia from your trip. You can even put them into a scrapbook or start scrapbooking in the car. Orchestrate stories and act them out as photos. Download applications on your smartphone camera that can enhance or change your photos. Some applications allow you to draw on your photos or add interesting borders and effects. Have a debate with your car companions. An interesting way to spark a riveting conversation is to debate. Simply choose a topic and have one person argue for it and another to argue against it. Remind yourself and your companions that the debate is just a game. A fun debate can quickly turn into a heated argument that might create discomfort between everyone in the car. Choose funny and light-hearted topics. Avoid heavy or complex topics to keep everyone in good spirits. Instead of arguing about morals or religious beliefs, debate about whether strawberries are the best kind of berry or whether squirrels are cute or just plain annoying. Play word games. There are many word games that can be competitively fun and entertaining, in situations where you're driving alone or with others: Have a spelling bee. Name all the countries of the world. Name all the states or provinces or a country. Think of words that rhyme with each other as fast as you can. Whoever stops the pace, loses. Say one word at a time. Have each person say one word to create a sentence or story. You might come up with some hilarious examples. Enact a dramatic performance or play. Read aloud a book or play and have everyone in the car act out a role or multiple roles. The driver should not participate in this game. Get to know one another. If you're driving with others, get to know one another. Ask each other questions or play a variety of games: Play two truths and a lie. Have one person tell two truths and a lie. The others must guess which statements are truths and which one is a lie. Play Never Have I Ever. Each person will keep track of their own points, or hold up 10 fingers, or even be prepared to drink or eat something every time someone says something they have never done, but has actually done the activity. For example, Sally will say, "Never have I ever danced on stage." If Bob has danced on stage before, he will lose a point or have to eat or drink something to show that he has indeed done that activity. Play truth or dare. However, be careful when designing the dares, ensuring that they can be safely done inside or outside the car. Count things. See how many things you can see during your car ride. You can try counting: Certain colours of cars. People walking on the road. Birds. Animals. Certain chain stores or buildings. License plates of cars from your area or your destination.

Invite your family or friends along for the ride. Load up on music. Download songs, podcasts, videos and others. Bring along educational materials. Pack some comfortable clothes, a blanket, and a pillow in the car. Bring electronics to keep you busy. Find an interesting book to read. Try daydreaming. Dance to music. Look for unusual things on the road. Take pictures and videos of your ride. Have a debate with your car companions. Play word games. Enact a dramatic performance or play. Get to know one another. Count things.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Splits-in-a-Week-or-Less

How to Do the Splits in a Week or Less

To learn to do the splits in a week, practice twice a day for 15 minutes at a time, starting with a light warm-up and stretches. Sit on the floor with your legs wide apart and stretch to the side to touch your right foot, then your left foot. Stretch your hamstrings by standing and reaching for your toes, then open up your hips with a butterfly stretch. Go into the splits by kneeling and extending one leg in front of you. Lower yourself down slowly, placing your hands on the ground to hold your weight. Relax your muscles and hold at your lowest point for 30 seconds.

Do a V-Stretch, also known as straddle stretch. This stretch targets your hamstrings, inner thigh, lower back, and calves (but only if you can reach your toes). To do the V-stretch: Sit down on the floor and spread your legs into a wide V-Shape. Place your feet against the wall if this helps you to achieve a deeper stretch. Keeping your back as straight as possible, lean to the right and try to touch your right toes with your hands. Do not worry if you cannot—just try as hard as possible. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat on your left leg. Next, extend your arms straight out in front of you as far as they can go. Try to get your chest to touch the floor. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. Touch your toes. Touching your toes, from both a seated and standing position, helps to stretch out your hamstrings and lower back. To do the stretch while sitting down, sit on your butt with your legs together and your toes pointing up towards the ceiling. Lean forward and try to touch your toes. If you cannot, grab your ankles. If touching your toes is too easy, try wrapping your hands around the soles of your feet. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. To do the stretch while standing up, stand with your feet together, then lean down and try to touch your toes. Avoid bending your knees and try to keep most of your weight on the balls of your feet instead of on your heels. If you're really flexible, try to get the palms of your hands on the floor. Hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. Do a butterfly stretch. The butterfly stretch works the groin and inner thighs, making it extremely important for the splits. Sit on the floor and bend your knees until they point outwards and the soles of your feet are pressed together. Try to push your knees as close to the floor as possible (using your elbows if necessary) while drawing your heels as close to the groin as possible. Sit upright and keep your back as straight as possible. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. For a more intense stretch, place your palms on the floor in front of your toes, then try to stretch forward as far as possible. Do a lunge stretch. The lunge stretch helps to loosen your hips, which is necessary for performing a good split. Get into a lunge position by stepping forward with your right foot and bending both knees until your right thigh is parallel with the ground and your left shin is touching the ground. Place your hands on your hips and keep your back straight. Gradually shift your weight forwards until you feel a stretch around your hip and the top of your thigh. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. Stretch your quads and hamstrings. Your quads and hamstrings are two of the most important muscles involved in the splits, so it is important to get them as flexible as possible. Here are two more useful stretches for these muscles: To stretch your quads, kneel down in a lunging position, using a pillow to support your back knee if necessary. Keeping your back straight, reach back and grab the foot of your back leg and pull it towards your butt until you feel a good stretch in the quadricep. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. To stretch your hamstrings, lie down with your back on the floor and your legs propped up against a straight wall. Keeping your lower back on the floor, reach towards your toes until you feel a good stretch (but no pain). Hold for 30 seconds. Warm up before you stretch. It's absolutely essential that you warm up properly before stretching or attempting the splits. Warming up helps to prevent pulled muscles (which can put you out of action for a while) and will also help you to get a deeper stretch. You can warm up any way you like, as long as it gets the blood flowing around the body—try doing 5 to 10 minutes of jumping jacks, running around the block, or energetically dancing to your favorite song. Practice for 15 minutes, twice a day. If you want to achieve the splits in a week or less, you're going to have to really commit to your stretching routine. You will also need to be fairly flexible already. You should already be able to get close to the splits on a regular basis if you want to get to full splits within a week. You have to practice twice a day, without fail, for about 15 minutes at time. If you can get a third 15-minute session in (without pushing yourself too hard) then that's even better. Try to accomplish other tasks while doing your stretching to make the time go more quickly. Listen to music, do it while watching TV, or while learning something for school—like spellings or math tables. Enlist a friend to help you. Doing any task is easier when you have a friend there to help you and push you to do better. A friend can help you to stretch and split deeper by pushing down on your shoulders or legs when you're in position. Just make sure that they'll stop immediately if you tell them to—you need to be able to trust them completely! You could also try to make it a competition to see who can achieve the splits first—this is good motivation to work harder at your stretching. Wear the right clothes. Wearing the right clothes will help you to feel more comfortable and flexible while you stretch, and will also help to prevent clothes from ripping while you're doing the splits. Wear comfortable athletic clothes that are either loose and baggy, or stretchy and elastic (so they move with your body). Martial arts gear is also a good choice. One good tip is to wear socks while practicing your splits, as these will allow your feet to slide along the floor more easily, helping you to achieve a deeper stretch. Know your limits. Achieving the splits in a week or less is a pretty difficult task, so it's important that you don't push yourself too hard trying to achieve it -- your safety is more important. You will slow yourself down if you are injured. A good rule of thumb is to only stretch mildly if you wake up sore. Wait a whole day or more if you totally bypassed your limits to do any intense stretching. Prevent needing this by taking it slow and always warming up. While you're practicing the splits, you should feel a good, intense stretch in your muscles, but you should not feel any pain. If you experience pain, this is a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to strained muscles and other injuries, which will prevent you from achieving the splits anytime soon (if at all). Remember that it's better to take your time and achieve the splits safely, than it is to rush and hurt yourself. Get yourself into position. After each stretching session, you should spend some time actually practicing the splits. First, get yourself into position: If you're doing a right or left split, kneel down on the ground and extend your preferred leg out in front of you, with the weight on the heel. Keep your back knee bent so the shin is resting on the ground. If you're doing a center split, stand up straight and slide your feet out into a wide-legged stance, with your toes and knees facing up at the sky. Lower yourself down slowly. When you're ready, start to slowly and carefully lower yourself down into your chosen splits position. Use your hands to support your weight as you lower yourself down. If you're doing a right or left splits, place a hand on the ground on either side of your front leg. If you're doing a center splits, place your hands on the ground directly in front of you, less than a shoulder width apart. With most of your weight supported by your hands, spread your legs further and further apart by allowing your feet to slide along the floor. Keep going until your legs are at a 180 degree angle. Congratulations, you're doing a split! Relax your muscles. If you're having trouble getting all the way down, take a deep breath and make a conscious effort to relax all of your muscles. Studies have shown that relaxation techniques can make a significant difference to a person's flexibility levels, especially if they are incorporated into a regular stretching routine. In addition, letting go of tension in your muscles can decrease your chances of injuring yourself when stretching. Hold the split for 30 seconds. Once you've accomplished the split position, try to hold it for 30 seconds. It should feel like a deep stretch, it shouldn't be painful. If holding the stretch does feel painful, come out of it immediately and continue with your stretching routine over the next couple of days until you can hold the splits without feeling any pain. Aim for an over-split. You may be perfectly happy once you achieve your splits and have no desire to go any further. However, if you want to keep going, it's possible to do an "over-split" (where your legs are split at a wider than 180-degree angle). This is a pretty extreme stretch so make sure you don't push yourself too far too soon. You should be 100% comfortable with the normal splits before you attempt an over-split. You can train for an over-split by putting a pillow under your front foot (or under both feet if you're doing a center split) once you're in the split position. Over time, you can gradually add more pillows to increase the stretch.

Do a V-Stretch, also known as straddle stretch. Touch your toes. Do a butterfly stretch. Do a lunge stretch. Stretch your quads and hamstrings. Warm up before you stretch. Practice for 15 minutes, twice a day. Enlist a friend to help you. Wear the right clothes. Know your limits. Get yourself into position. Lower yourself down slowly. Relax your muscles. Hold the split for 30 seconds. Aim for an over-split.

https://www.wikihow.com/Trim-Your-Beard

How to Trim Your Beard

To cut your beard, start by attaching a guard to an electric hair clipper. Then, trim your beard with the clipper by working along the grain using long smooth strokes. Always start at the ears and work your way down. Finish by removing the guard and trimming a clean edge along the neckline. Alternatively, if you have a steady hand, use a pair of sharp, clean scissors to trim your beard. Comb from your ear to your jaw, trimming any hair that is outside the comb's teeth.

Wash your beard thoroughly. It's important to start with a clean and dry beard. Your facial hair gets just as oily as the hair on your head, so give it a good washing to ensure a clean trim. Scrub your beard with shampoo in the sink or shower, then pat it dry with a towel. Avoid shampoos that dry out your skin. Comb your beard. Combing eliminates tangles and makes your beard easier to trim. Following the grain of your beard's natural growth, guide your comb through the hair growing along one side of your jawline. Start at your ear, moving down towards your chin. Don't "fluff out" the beard by combing against the grain. Comb your beard straight. You can always fluff out your beard later with your hands. Begin cutting in front of a large mirror. Make sure that you've got everything you need: scissors or clippers, comb, towel, and any products you plan on using. You'll also need a reachable outlet if you're using electric clippers. A multi-angle or three-way mirror can be helpful in seeing the hard-to-reach areas of your beard. Prepare a receptacle for the beard trimmings. Clogging the sink with tiny hairs is a good way to irritate your housemates. Likewise, cleaning them up after the fact is difficult and frustrating. Eliminate an annoying clean-up by doing some work ahead of time. Get a small bin to catch the loose hair. Lay out some newspaper or a towel to catch the hair. If you've got a stable portable mirror, trim your beard outside. Discarded hair will simply blow away! Select a guard. Most clippers come with several snap-on plastic guards. The guards ensure an even trim at the length you want - no one wants to cut their beard too short. If you're not sure which of two guards is best, start with the longer attachment first. You can always go back over the beard with a shorter guard afterward, but if you trim too short, you can't put it back on. If you don't have a guard available, you can hold a comb in front of the clippers and trim off the hair that slips through the comb's teeth. Turn the trimmer on and with a gentle but firm pressure, trim each side of your face, working along the grain using long smooth strokes. Maintain balance between each side of your face by always starting at the ears and working down. The guard should keep the trimmer from irritating your skin or cutting too much hair. Trim your mustache and chin. Start under your nose and move toward the corner of the mouth, then proceed down to your chin. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas directly under your nose. Keep your mouth closed to avoid a mouthful of hair! Depending on the length of your beard, it may be easier to trim the mustache separately with scissors. Finish the trim with a clean edge. Remove the guard from the trimmer and trim along your neckline to remove the remaining hair on your neck. Use your jaw as a straight edge. For most guys, you want to be careful not to shave too high on the neckline. Instead, stop between your jawline and the first wrinkle in your throat. If you like, you can also lather and shave your neck, depending on how you like it styled. Some prefer a clean cut-off line for their beard, while others prefer subtle neck stubble. Clean your clippers. Most clippers come with a maintenance kit that includes a small brush. After every shave, brush excess hair off of the blades and guard. This ensures that old hair does not build up and work its way into the clipper's interior, where it can interfere with the operation of the motor. If your clippers didn't come with a brush, you can use an old toothbrush or a bristly pipe cleaner. Keep your clippers sharp. Most clippers also contain a small bottle of lubricating mineral oil. After every several shaves, clean the blades with the brush, then apply a few drop of mineral oil along the clipper's teeth. Turn the clipper on for about twenty seconds. This allows the oil to spread along the blades, keeping them sharp and smooth. If your clippers didn't come with oil, contact the manufacturer before substituting your own oil - many household oils aren't suitable for clippers and will affect their performance. Be prepared for common problems. Well-maintained clippers should give you few problems. However, like any electric appliance, clippers can experience occasional performance issues. Here are a few of the most common complaints, with basic troubleshooting instructions: "My clippers make a very loud buzzing noise." Many clippers have a voltage regulator that resembles a screw on the side of the device. This can be easily adjusted with an included tool or an everyday screwdriver. Experiment with adjusting the voltage regulator in either direction until the noise stops. There is no risk of electrocution. "My clippers can't cut my hair." Your clippers may not be sharp enough or the internal motor may be losing power. Ensure that you're regularly cleaning and oiling the blades. If you clippers are noticeably slower, there may be an issue with the motor - it may be time to replace the clippers. Consult your manufacturer for warranty information. Alternatively, your hair may simply be too thick! Clear any hair that is jammed in the blades and try again with shallower cuts. "My clippers don't hold a charge." Over time, the battery in portable clippers can deteriorate. Most manufacturers can replace them - contact your manufacturer for more information. "My clipper's blades are crooked." It's possible for clipper blades to get bumped out of alignment. Realignment is not generally a difficult process, but it will differ based on the precise make and model of your clippers. Thankfully, most manufacturers will have online guides for blade realignment and amateur DIY instructions are easy to find. Select a pair of sharp, clean scissors, preferably barber's shears. Scissors are a good method for shortening a beard, but require a skilled hand for finer details, such as thinning or shaping. Make sure the scissors are rust-free and without major imperfections or notches in the blades that may tug on or pull your hair. Don't use kitchen scissors or garden shears. These can be too big and clumsy to maneuver. You don't want to cut yourself. Use a comb as a guide. This will prevent you from cutting the hair too short. Try to imitate the way a barber gathers hair in a comb, then lightly clips it. Comb from your ear to your jaw, exposing a tiny amount of hair. Trim any hair which is on the outside of the comb's teeth. Use caution when performing this step. Begin by trimming very short lengths of hair - you can easily decide to trim more, but it is impossible to correct the mistake if you accidentally trim too much. Repeat this process on the other side of your face. Continue cutting the beard evenly until you've reached the desired length. Comb the beard again to ensure you've got an even trim of the hair. Trim your mustache and chin. Comb the hair straight down. In a straight line, trim any hair that falls below the line of your lip. Finish with a clean edge. Using extra care, use the scissors to trim the hair as close as possible on your neck. If possible, use an electric trimmer for this step. If you're intimidated, you can simply lather and shave your neck with a safety razor to remove all the hair. This can be much easier than making the finishing touches with scissors. Choose a style with clean lines. Many styles of beard create dramatic contrasts with clean, abrupt lines where the hair ends and the skin begins. Even if you don't aim to dazzle anyone, you still might want to clean your facial hair up every once in a while. This process can be as simple as removing unwanted neck hair from a standard beard or as painstaking as leveling off your sideburns so that they match perfectly! Whatever the case, have a plan of action beforehand - razors shave all the way down to the skin, so big mistakes can change your style completely. There's no right way to shape a beard. However, the most common beard styles are maintained by shaving the neck below the chin and the upper part of the cheeks to prevent an "overgrown" look. Decide what's best for you. Get a razor. In the distant past, shaving required a well-maintained straight razor. Today, almost any supermarket will be stocked with plastic safety razors. What you use to maintain your clean lines is up to you - safety razors are cheap, easy, and convenient, but some prefer the elegance and precision of a classic straight razor. For more information, consult our comprehensive guide on How to Shave. Prep your beard for shaving. Your goal is to get your beard (especially the areas around where you want your clean lines to be) warm and wet - it will be softer and easier to cut this way. This step allows for some variation. Here are some common methods: Splash some hot water on your face. If you have a soft beard (or you're just brave), no other preparation is needed, though you might want to repeat as needed to keep your beard warm and wet. Use hot water and lather. This is the most common method. Splash hot water on your face as above, then work shaving cream or oil into a lather on the spots you want to shave. If you have time, let it sit for a minute or two - your shave will be even more comfortable. Use a hot towel. If you've got the time, this method can be very relaxing. Wrap a warm, wet towel around your head so that it covers your beard. Allow the wrap to sit until it is cool. Remove, apply lather, and shave. Many like to shower before (or while) they shave because showering provides a constant source of warm water. If this sounds attractive to you, consider investing in a small shower mirror for a more precise shave. Make your first stroke a half inch away from the beard line. Be conservative - this way, you have some "wiggle room" if you make a stroke that's too big. If you've used lather and you can't see where you're shaving, it's OK to wipe some off with your finger. Even a very thin layer of lather will work well. Shave down your desired beard line. Use a variety of stroke directions as long as none are painful or go directly against the grain of your hair - strokes that are parallel to your beard line can be used for large, approximate cuts, while strokes that are perpendicular to your beard line can be used to precisely cut into the beard line for smaller adjustments. Repeat for the other side of your face. A mirror and a good light source are essentials - you need to be able to see all parts of your face clearly if you want a perfectly symmetrical shave. Remove any remaining lather and rinse your face with cold water. Cold water tightens the skin and will help to stop the bleeding from any small nicks or cuts. Our How to Shave Your Face guide contains further instructions on treating shaving cuts. When your face has been rinsed, you'll be able to see any small imperfections or spots you missed. Usually, minor adjustments can be made without re-applying a lather. Leave the chinstrap. Channel your inner Abe Lincoln by trimming off the mustache completely and leaving the rest. This is easiest with a beard trimmer. Follow all the above steps for trimming and then remove the mustache with the trimmer. Maintain by shaving your upper lip regularly with a razor. If you can't, at least keep it significantly shorter with the trimmer. Rock the goatee. Trim your sideburns, leaving only a tough-looking patch around your mouth. Imagine a line that runs from the sides of your nose down the corner of your lips and shave everything between that line and your ear, leaving the hair around the chin and the mustache. Experiment with leaving different lengths of sideburn, or, for a style called the fu-manchu, removing the hair under the bottom lip and the chin. Try out the muttonchop. This is essentially the opposite of the goatee, leave the sideburns long and remove the mustache, chin, and neck beard. Also try leaving the mustache for a variation on the chinstrap. Trim it extra short for the five-o'clock shadow. Take off the trim guard or very carefully use scissors to cut (almost) everything off. You want to create an all-over, very short beard. This is a rugged, masculine look. This effect is more noticeable if you have dark hair (especially if you have pale skin). Cultivate a soul patch. A soul patch is a tiny, short beard under your lower lip. This look is favored by jazz musicians and best accompanied by a cool pair of shades. Remain clean-shaven, leaving only a small downward-facing triangle of hair that extends from your lower lip to a spot above your chin. Try different lengths with this look. A short soul patch can be barely-noticeable, while a longer one can create an air of mystery. Creep your friends out with a pencil 'stache. This moustache is famously associated with director John Waters. Shave your beard down to just a mustache. Trim your mustache using a pair of clippers and a very short guard. Then, with a safety razor, shave your mustache except for the portion just above your upper lip. You'll be chasing girls down the street in no time! Experiment! Try out different lengths and styles. It'll always grow back. Picking a new style for a beard is subjective. If you don't have any idea at all what you want, go to a barber. You can even bring a picture of something you like to get their opinion. If you plan on shaving your beard off completely, take the opportunity to try a different style for an hour at a time. Eat lunch with a goatee and dinner with a mustache. You might discover that you like one of your new styles.

Wash your beard thoroughly. Comb your beard. Begin cutting in front of a large mirror. Prepare a receptacle for the beard trimmings. Select a guard. Turn the trimmer on and with a gentle but firm pressure, trim each side of your face, working along the grain using long smooth strokes. Trim your mustache and chin. Finish the trim with a clean edge. Clean your clippers. Keep your clippers sharp. Be prepared for common problems. Select a pair of sharp, clean scissors, preferably barber's shears. Use a comb as a guide. Repeat this process on the other side of your face. Trim your mustache and chin. Finish with a clean edge. Choose a style with clean lines. Get a razor. Prep your beard for shaving. Make your first stroke a half inch away from the beard line. Shave down your desired beard line. Repeat for the other side of your face. Remove any remaining lather and rinse your face with cold water. Leave the chinstrap. Rock the goatee. Try out the muttonchop. Trim it extra short for the five-o'clock shadow. Cultivate a soul patch. Creep your friends out with a pencil 'stache. Experiment!

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Crab-Rangoon

How to Make Crab Rangoon

To make crab rangoon, start by beating some cream cheese in a large bowl until it's fluffy. Then, stir in crab meat, chopped green onions, and minced garlic. Next, scoop the filling onto wonton wrappers, and fold the wrappers in half diagonally over the filling. Finally, fry the wontons in oil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until they're golden brown.

Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese, using medium speed, until it reaches a light, fluffy consistency. Mix in the crab meat, green onion, and garlic. Add these three ingredients to the bowl. Stir the ingredients into the cream cheese using a spoon, only mixing them well enough to evenly spread each one throughout the cream cheese. Lay several wontons out on a surface. To make things easier, you should only work with a few wontons at a time, but you should continue filling the wrappers until all of the filling is gone. Wet the edges of the wonton wrapper. In order for the wrapper to stick together, they need to be slightly moist. Do not soak the entire wrapper, though. Instead, just wet the tip of your finger with a little water and gently rub your wet finger along the edges of the wrapper. Spoon a little of the mixture onto each wrapper. Put anywhere from 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp (5 to 15 ml) of filling onto each wrapper, depending on how large the wonton wrappers are. The wrappers should be well filled, but you should also have enough empty wrapper to fold and seal it up. Fold the wonton wrapper in half. Fold one corner over the middle of the wrapper until it meets the corner diagonally opposite from it. Press the corners together. Seal the edges. There should be two open edges of the wrapper. Gently press along these edges with your finger to seal them. Fold the wonton wrapper into the triangle shape. Bring one corner over to the corner diagonally opposite from it. Press the corners together to seal, and press the sides together to seal, as well. Bring the other two opposite corners together. Fold the two corners at the base of the triangle together, over the filling, and seal them together. You may need to wet the corners again to accomplish this. The end result should be what appears to be a little pocket or "boat" of filling. Bring to adjacent corners together. Fold two corners that are next to each other up so that they meet in the center of the wrapper, which should also be the center of the filling blob. Press the corners to seal together, and press along the edges that have met together. Fold a third corner up to the same point. Press the corner into the other two joined corners and press the side of the wrapper together where the edge of the new fold meets the edge of the previous fold. Fold the final corner up to the same point. Press and seal the corner into the other corners before pressing and sealing together the remaining open sides. You should be left with a completely sealed pouch. Bring two adjacent sides together over the filling. Working from the middle of each side rather than the corner, bring two sides that are next to each other up and over the center of the wrapper and the center of the filling. Press the middle of both sides together. Fold the remaining two sides to the same point. Again working from the middle of each edge, bring the sides up and over the filling to the center point of the wrapper, where the other two sides have already been sealed. Press the center of each edge into this point, sealing all four sides together. You should be left with a shape that looks like an "X" with slightly open corners. Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot. A deep fryer works well, but a stockpot, large wok, or Dutch oven works equally well. You should fill the pot with at least 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) of oil. Heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit (177 and 191 degrees Celsius). You can check the temperature of the oil by using a candy thermometer. If you use a thermometer that can be attached to the side of the pot, you can monitor the temperature of the oil throughout the entire cooking process. Drop several crab rangoon into the oil. Only add about six to seven rangoon to the oil at once. If you are not used to deep frying foods, you may even want to start out with three or four at once. You need to make sure that you leave plenty of room to prevent the rangoon from sticking together or frying incompletely. You also need plenty of room to be able to fish them out of the oil. Cook the rangoon for roughly 5 to 7 minutes. The crab rangoon should turn golden brown and should be floating at the surface. Use a deep fryer scoop or ladle with draining holes to fish each rangoon out. In the absence of this tool, use metal tongs. Place the crab rangoon on paper towels. Placing them on paper towels will drain off excess oil. Serve hot. Wait a few minutes after pulling the rangoon out of the oil to prevent them from being scalding hot, but serve them shortly thereafter.

Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Mix in the crab meat, green onion, and garlic. Lay several wontons out on a surface. Wet the edges of the wonton wrapper. Spoon a little of the mixture onto each wrapper. Fold the wonton wrapper in half. Seal the edges. Fold the wonton wrapper into the triangle shape. Bring the other two opposite corners together. Bring to adjacent corners together. Fold a third corner up to the same point. Fold the final corner up to the same point. Bring two adjacent sides together over the filling. Fold the remaining two sides to the same point. Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot. Drop several crab rangoon into the oil. Cook the rangoon for roughly 5 to 7 minutes. Place the crab rangoon on paper towels. Serve hot.

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How to Keep Your Underwear from Showing

It can be tricky to keep your underwear from showing, but luckily, there are ways you can conceal it. Try covering up with shapewear if you're wearing something form-fitting, as this is designed to smooth out any lumps or bumps. You can also try adding another layer to conceal your underwear line, such as wearing pantyhose or a slip underneath a tight skirt. For fitted dress pants, wear a jockstrap instead of boxers to avoid any lines. Another way to keep your underwear from showing is to wear the right type. If you're wearing tight pants or skirts, try wearing a thong to minimize panty lines. For outfits where you consider forgoing underwear entirely, like a bodycon dress, choose a G-string.

Wear a thong. A thong is the go-to underwear of choice for fashion stylists for many reasons – they're completely invisible under even the tightest pants and skirts, plus because they lack seams, they can sometimes be more comfortable to sit on. In addition to reducing panty lines, wearing a thong can also help cure any acne you might have on your backside. Certain fabrics cause friction when they rub up against the skin, which can lead to acne. Wear a cotton thong to avoid or help clear up any pimples you might have on your butt. Many people prefer thongs because it's almost impossible to grow out of them. Since there is less fabric, thongs tend to grow and shrink to accommodate any weight fluctuations you may have. Wear a thong underneath a pair of tight fitting jeans or skirt. Try a G-string. The G-string or V-string as it's sometimes called, is the skimpiest form of underwear. G-strings are similar to thongs, but with even less coverage on the back and sides. Wear a G-string with a bodycon dress or in any situation where you might otherwise choose to forgo underwear entirely. G-strings are also a good choice if you're planning to wear a sheer dress or skirt. Experiment with boyshorts. If you can't bear to part with your fuller cut underwear, boyshorts might be a good alternative for you. Boyshorts are cut similar to briefs, but they fall under the butt cheek, which means they are less likely to be noticed underneath tight pants or skirts. Look for a lace boyshort – the lace will help the panty line look less conspicuous. Always choose a flat lace. Textured lace will cause your underwear to bunch underneath your clothing. Wear a boyshort under yoga pants for coverage and comfort as you work out. Invest in laser cut underwear. Laser cut underwear is the thinnest form of underwear available on the market and is meant to look and feel like you aren't wearing underwear at all. Laser cut underwear comes in a variety of different cuts, so you can find a pair that feels comfortable for you. Because laser cut underwear is seamless, it will never unravel after a wash. Wear a jockstrap under fitted dress pants. Men can get panty lines too, so if you're wearing a pair of tailored pants that hugs your rear, you may want to swap out the boxers for a jockstrap. Jockstraps can be purchased online or in sporting goods stores. If you don't feel comfortable wearing a jockstrap, a pair of briefs is the next best thing for fitted pants. Cover up with shapewear. Shapewear is designed to smooth out any unintentional lumps and bumps you might have. Shapewear is available in a variety of cuts for both tops and bottoms and can be purchased at a Target or department store near you. Wear shapewear if you plan on wearing anything formfitting. To choose the correct size in shapewear, measure your waist and the fullest part of your hips. Treat shapewear like regular lingerie – hand wash it in cold water and allow it to air dry. You do not need to wear underwear underneath your shapewear. Pick the right fabric. There are certain fabrics that naturally disguise panty lines and the thicker the fabric, the less likely you are to see any underwear. If you are going to wear something tight on your lower half, select a thick fabric, like denim or wool; the more textured the fabric, the better. If you still want to wear fabrics like jersey or silk, look for clothing in loose cuts. Prints can also be useful in disguising panty lines. Add another layer. If you're wearing a tight skirt, try creating a barrier between your underwear and your skirt. You can do this by adding a layer of tights or pantyhose, or by slipping a light slip under your skirt. You can also wear tights under your pants in the winter to add another layer of warmth and to conceal your underwear line. Get rid of static electricity by running your skirt and slip through a wire hanger a couple of times before trying them on. Wear nude underwear under white pants. White pants are a summertime classic, but if you choose the wrong underwear, they can be a disaster. Choose your nude underwear in a color that closely mimics your skin tone. If you don't have nude underwear, a light gray pair will also work. Avoid wearing white or black underwear underneath white pants – both colors are equally noticeable. Wear simple underwear under your wedding dress. Choosing lingerie for a wedding is tricky; you want your underwear to be beautiful for your wedding night, but invisible during the ceremony and reception. Choose your underwear in a color that matches your skin tone. Avoid pretty details, like bows. Those details might show through your dress, even if the rest of the underwear doesn't. Choose your underwear in a size bigger than normal so bulges won't be visible through the dress. If you have your heart set on wearing a certain piece of lingerie on your wedding night, change into your fancy underwear after you remove your dress. Be comfortable while working out. Depending on who you are and your underwear preferences, this advice may sound like heresy. But there are times when going sans underwear can be effective – for instance, when you're working out. If you are going to go bare during a workout, make sure to wear bottoms with built in underwear or moisture wicking capabilities. Avoid thongs when working out. The friction caused by your thong sliding around as you work out may cause UTIs or other bacterial infections. If you are going to wear underwear when working out, look for fabrics that are non-abrasive and that have flat seams. Men should wear boxer briefs for sports with medium intensity and jockstraps for high intensity sports. Pick the right underwear for a romantic occasion. Most of the time you want to cover your underwear up, but when it comes to date night, you want to make sure your underwear is ready to be seen. Follow these tips to pick out a lingerie that works for your body type. If you're petite, try ruffles to suggest an hourglass figure and a push up bra to give your curves a boost. If you're curvy, try an underwire lace bra with a high waisted panty. If your body type is athletic, wear a baby doll nightie with a garter.

Wear a thong. Try a G-string. Experiment with boyshorts. Invest in laser cut underwear. Wear a jockstrap under fitted dress pants. Cover up with shapewear. Pick the right fabric. Add another layer. Wear nude underwear under white pants. Wear simple underwear under your wedding dress. Be comfortable while working out. Pick the right underwear for a romantic occasion.

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How to Beat Boredom over the Summer

To beat boredom over the summer, try pursuing new activities or hobbies that interest you, such as learning to play an instrument, cooking, crafting, or trying a new sport. If your summer goal is self-improvement, consider getting a part-time job or volunteering in your community. Don't forget to set aside time for fun activities like swimming, movie nights, water sports, and attending summer festivals with your friends!

Learn a new hobby. Is there something you've always wanted to learn, but didn't think you could? Summer might provide the free time you need to pick up something new. Here are some suggestions: Learn to play a musical instrument. Take up singing or dancing. Try a new art form like photography or knitting. Play a sport. In most places, summer is a great time of year for outdoor sports, as long as you can stand the heat. If you don't have a favorite sport yet, there's no better time to pick one up. Get friends together or join a class to play team sports such as soccer (association football), basketball , or field hockey. Find an activity for one or two people, like surfing , urban golf , or tennis. Make a film. Get some friends over and brainstorm a movie idea. This can be anything from a science fiction story, to a competitive cooking show, to a music video. If you get into the project, it can provide weeks of fun planning a storyboard, costumes, recruiting extras, and editing the film. You could also come up with an idea for a series of smaller videos, and start a Youtube channel. Start a radioshow. Get a recording program or a tape recorder and start your own show. Write up a list of things you want to include on your show: music, jokes, interviews, advertisements, fake or genuine news commentary, etc. Find a craft project. Arts and crafts projects can take time and patience you don't have during the school year, but they're perfect for summertime. Here are some ideas: Fold a paper heart. You can cut out heart-shaped notes for your loved ones, or get some square origami paper and try to make a fancier version. There are many more origami projects to try as well. Make rainbow crayons, or try melting crayons on hot rocks to make art. Make your own slime or play dough. Use these strange-feeling materials for pranks, or just to play with for fun. Make a Solar Hot Air Balloon. These balloons can travel hundreds of miles in a day, and are easy to make. Excel at a complicated game. There are more games out there than you could ever learn in a lifetime, but summer gives you the opportunity to pick one and become a master strategist. Some games like bridge , chess , Magic , or Starcraft II even have international tournaments with massive rewards for the winners. Learn to cook. If you don't know how to cook or you don't know much about food, you could learn some recipes now. There are thousands of recipes available online or in cookbooks from the library or bookstores, or you could try these easy ideas to start with: Make cold, refreshing smoothies. Try different, even wacky combinations, either to make a nice cold summer drink, or to dare your friends to drink a mysterious concoction. Make a chocolate peanut butter parfait as a delicious dessert. Make hummus for dipping crackers. If you're ambitious, you could even make homemade bread. Get a summer job. It'll keep you busy, introduce you to new people, and earn some money. Many retail businesses, tourist attractions, or summer festivals need workers during the summer. Volunteer. Helping your community can be satisfying, uplifting work, and of course you're working towards a good cause of well. Look for organization in your area that pick up trash, work with injured or abandoned animals, or work for political causes. Volunteering also looks good on college applications, although interviews and essay will go a lot better if you are genuinely interested in the work. Check out a stack of books from the library. Books can transport you into a different world, or let you see through the eyes of others. Try learning all you can on a particular topic, such as Norse mythology, Japanese history, or space travel. If you want to learn even more, try an online college course. Some of the world's top universities even post lectures online, and these are often more interesting than a high school (secondary school) classes. Start a journal. Many people keep journals to reflect on their day, work through hard times, or write down their plans for the upcoming day. Maybe, in a few years, you'll read it again and smile at your summer memories. Write a novel. This is a huge project, that could fill your entire summer and more if you get inspired. If you're not sure where to begin, try writing a story imitating your favorite author, or work together with a friend so you can trade ideas. Learn a language. Knowing a foreign language can lead to many opportunities, not to mention it looks good on college applications. Get started by finding a beginner's class nearby, or ask a friend or family member to teach you a language they know. Search online for free language lessons, online learning tools, or foreign conversation partners. Hit up local events. Most areas host fairs, festivals, carnivals, or other fun events during the summer. Check your city's calendar online, or ask other people in the area whether they've heard of events. Check the websites or advertisements for nearby venues, including concert locations, theaters, and sports stadiums. Act like a tourist in your own town. Look at your town's or region's tourism website or brochures advertising events and find out what attracts people traveling from other locations. There might be anything from museums to merry go rounds lurking in your town, or in areas a short drive away. Go camping. Spend a couple days with friends or family at a campsite, or camp in your backyard. Gather friends around a campfire or barbecue to tell scary stories and make s'mores. Go geocaching. Find a geocaching site online, and look up locations near you to see if anyone has hidden secret rewards. You can search for these caches or hide your own wither with a GPS unit or by finding the coordinates on a map. Invent an indoors vacation. If weather, transportation, or a lack of events prevents you from leaving the house, take a fake vacation. Invite a couple friends for a sleepover and decorate your room like a palace, jungle, hotel, or anything you like. Go shopping for unusual foods and "souvenirs" to share with your guests. If the weather is rainy, dress up in swimsuits and sunglasses and lounge around indoors pretending you're visiting a location with a proper summer. Get in touch with old friends. If your current friends are out of town or busy, look through your old yearbooks, phone contacts, or emails and reconnect with people you used to know. Any of the activities above can be more fun with friends, or you can simply spend an afternoon catching up with each other or reminiscing. Try to build something. It could be anything, a house made out of cardboard or a simple 3D puzzle. This would help you think logically and help you to keep up your resilience. Go swimming. If you live in an area where summers are hot, you can have fun and cool off at the same time. Visit the beach or the pool with friends or family. Play swimming games like Marco Polo or Shark Attack, hold swimming races, or get a group of friends together to play water polo. Cool off with water activities. Even if you don't have anywhere to swim, you might find ways to have fun with water. Put on a swimsuit or light clothes you don't mind getting wet, and find some overheated friends to join you in these activities: Turn on the sprinklers on a lawn and play tag, hide-and-go-seek, or red rover in the middle of the spraying water. Have a water fight. Fill up some water balloons, buy a cheap water gun at the dollar store, or use a garden hose. This can be a fun one-time activity... or the start of a water fight war. Make cold drinks and desserts. A cold beverage or a bowl of ice cream can be wonderful in hot weather. Making them yourself is even better for curing boredom. Try making homemade ice cream , either with the classic "salt and ice" method or with a method that recreates the creamy, rich taste of real ice cream. Make popsicles and keep your freezer stocked all summer. Fill your fridge with homemade ginger ale or lemonade. Make an ice lick. Place cold water in a cup with a disposable straw or spoon. Keep it in the freezer for 2 hours, then take it out and eat it while it's cold and yummy. Relax indoors. Find a cool, shady room, or make a blanket fort out of light sheets to create a refuge from the sun. Turn on a fan, find a book to read, and wait for the hottest part of the day to pass. Other relaxed indoor activities include sewing , playing solitaire or other card games, watching a movie, or listening to music. Play games around sunset. As dusk starts to fall and the temperatures cool off, gather a group of friends to play games like hide-and-seek, sardines , freeze tag or capture the flag in a large yard or park. If the evening is still too hot for physical activity, set up a table outside and play card games or board games while the air cools down. Pick a board game that won't be blown away by wind, such as Carcassonne, Tikal, or Blokus. These are all moderately popular games sold at many game stores, but classics like Chess, Checkers, or any board game's magnetic travel version are even easier to find. A trick-taking card game like Hearts can be played in windy areas, as long as you have rocks or other heavy objects to hold down the tricks. Organize or redecorate your room. Some people like this activity more than others, but even if you're not much of a decorator it beats sitting around doing nothing. Even just sorting through old clutter can help you find old toys, books, and other nostalgic objects. For a larger project, paint your room or hang up posters and pictures. Pick flowers in your neighborhood. See how many kinds of different wild flowers you can find in your yard or nearby fields. Make a bouquet, or press them to make permanent decorations. Leaves can also be dried to use in art projects or just to keep around as decoration. Don't pick flowers from other people's yards without permission, or if the flowers look intentionally planted. Make your own beauty treatments. There are hundreds of natural DIY recipes, using yogurt , avocado , or other natural ingredients. Open up your cupboards and treat yourself to a cheap spa day. Update your wardrobe. Sort through your clothes, and pick out the ones that you don't want/are too small for you. Invite some friends over, and ask them to bring some clothes/other items they don't want. Trade clothes with each other, or sell them at a yard sale to raise some spending money.

Learn a new hobby. Play a sport. Make a film. Start a radioshow. Find a craft project. Excel at a complicated game. Learn to cook. Get a summer job. Volunteer. Check out a stack of books from the library. Start a journal. Write a novel. Learn a language. Hit up local events. Act like a tourist in your own town. Go camping. Go geocaching. Invent an indoors vacation. Get in touch with old friends. Try to build something. Go swimming. Cool off with water activities. Make cold drinks and desserts. Relax indoors. Play games around sunset. Organize or redecorate your room. Pick flowers in your neighborhood. Make your own beauty treatments. Update your wardrobe.

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How to Get Rid of a Runny Nose

If you have a runny nose, sit in your bathroom and let the shower run until the steam starts to relieve your nasal pressure. If your nose is still running, use a nasal wash or saline spray, which can help remove the mucus that's making your nose run. An over-the-counter decongestant can also help dry out your nasal passages, although an antihistamine is a better option if you think your runny nose is due to allergies.

Treat sinus pain and congestion with light acupressure. Using acupressure on the area around your nose may be able to relieve congestion and headaches that come from having a runny nose. Sniff, swallow, or gently blow your nose to clear out fluids. Clearing the mucus from your nose is the best way to get it to stop running, so gently blow your nose into tissues when you need to. If your nose is extremely runny, rip a tissue in half, roll the pieces into 2 small balls, and place one in each nostril. Breathe normally, or through your mouth. Try an at-home steam treatment. To ease the pressure in your nose and help it stop running, take a hot bath or shower and let the room get steamy. You can also drape a towel over your head and lean over a pot or bowl of hot water, or turn on a hot shower and simply sit in your bathroom without actually getting in. Do this 2-4 times per day. You can also use a vaporizer or humidifier for the same effect. For an extra kick, add eucalyptus oil, camphor spirit, or peppermint oil. Pour a bit into your bowl of hot water, or flick some around your shower before you turn it on. Place a warm, wet washcloth on your face to ease the pressure in your nose. Dip a washcloth into warm water, or run it under the sink until it's saturated. Wring it out until it's just damp, then place it over your face for 2-3 minutes. You can also wet the wash cloth, then heat it up in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until it's warm. Keep your head elevated when you lie down to ease congestion. Resting is important when your body is fighting off annoying symptoms like a runny nose. When you lie down to rest, prop your head up on a couple of pillows to encourage the fluids in your nose to drain naturally. This position will also help you breathe easier. Drink lots of water and warm liquids to help the mucus drain. Keeping your body hydrated encourages the fluids in your nose to drain away, which will help your nose stop running. Try to drink a glass of water every hour or so, and mix in hot liquids like herbal tea or even soup to soothe your nose even more. Make your own saline spray to clear out mucus. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water, ½ tsp (3 g) of salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Use a syringe, a small spray bottle, or a neti pot to apply the saline spray to the inside of your nose 3-4 times a day. Be careful not to overuse your saline spray, which can actually make your runny nose worse. Use a nasal wash or spray to remove mucus. Saline sprays and washes are available at drugstores, and can help remove the mucus in your nose that's causing it to run. Choose a gentle one that's made for congested or runny noses and use it 3-4 times per day, following the instructions carefully. Avoid using a nasal spray for more than 5 days, as this can cause congestion to return. Place a nasal strip under your nose to ease breathing. Look for nasal strips at the drugstore to clear your nose and help decongestion. Try strips made specifically for colds and congestion, and follow the directions on the box to place the strip over the bridge of your nose. Use it as often as directed on the packaging. Nasal strips are typically used at night, but if your runny nose is especially bad, you can use them during the day as well. Use a decongestant to help dry your nasal passages. Check the aisles in your drugstore for a decongestant medicine, typically pills, that will shrink and dry up your nasal passages. This can be a big help when you're trying to get rid of a stuffy or runny nose. Check the packaging to see how often you can take the medicine. Only use a decongestant for a 2-3 days. If overused, decongestants can cause congestion to return even more severely. Try antihistamines if you think you’re suffering from allergies. If you think your runny nose might be caused by allergies, get an antihistamine product at your drugstore to ease symptoms. Take it as directed on the packaging, and read the side effects carefully as well—some antihistamines can make you drowsy. Common antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra. Treat a sinus infection if you have a headache or swelling pressure. Sinus infections can sometimes cause your nose to run, particularly if the fluid is thick and yellow or greenish. Other symptoms include congestion, fluid draining down the back of your throat, and pain, swelling, or pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead. To treat a sinus infection, try: Doing an at-home steam treatment or applying a warm compress to your face. Using saline nasal sprays or nasal corticosteroids, which can treat inflammation. Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant for 2-3 days Taking an OTC pain reliever like aspirin, acetaminophen (like Tylenol), or ibuprofen (like Advil). Seeing a doctor if the infection doesn't clear within a week or so. Avoid nasal irritants if you’re experiencing allergies. A runny nose is a common symptom of allergies, which can be caused by a number or irritants, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or foods. Notice if your nose starts to run more around certain materials and avoid those as much as you can, or take allergy medications to reduce symptoms. Other allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchiness around your face, and red or swollen eyes. You can also get rid of a runny nose from allergies by using saline nasal irrigation and reducing exposure to allergens by vacuuming frequently and washing bedding and stuffed toys in hot water. Take cold medicines if you have other cold symptoms. One of the most common causes of a runny nose is the common cold. These symptoms are relatively easy to pick up on, including a sore throat, cough, sneezing, and body aches. To treat a cold, try: Taking pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (like Tylenol). Using decongestant drops or sprays for up to 5 days. Taking Cough syrup to ease a sore throat or cough. See a doctor if you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms. The flu can have similar symptoms to a common cold at first, including a runny nose, with the distinction that it will come on much more suddenly than a cold. Other symptoms include a fever over 100.4 °F (38.0 °C), aching muscles, chills and sweats, headaches, and congestion. If you think you have the flu, see a doctor as soon as possible and be careful not to spread it to others by washing your hands, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding crowded places. To ease symptoms, try: Resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Taking an antiviral medication, if prescribed by your doctor. Using pain relievers, like acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) to ease achiness.

Treat sinus pain and congestion with light acupressure. Sniff, swallow, or gently blow your nose to clear out fluids. Try an at-home steam treatment. Place a warm, wet washcloth on your face to ease the pressure in your nose. Keep your head elevated when you lie down to ease congestion. Drink lots of water and warm liquids to help the mucus drain. Make your own saline spray to clear out mucus. Use a nasal wash or spray to remove mucus. Place a nasal strip under your nose to ease breathing. Use a decongestant to help dry your nasal passages. Try antihistamines if you think you’re suffering from allergies. Treat a sinus infection if you have a headache or swelling pressure. Avoid nasal irritants if you’re experiencing allergies. Take cold medicines if you have other cold symptoms. See a doctor if you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms.

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How to Get a Glamorous Style

Getting a glamorous style begins with investing in your health, so make sure to get regular exercise, brush your teeth after every meal, and invest in high quality skincare products, such as those sold by Dior or Estee Lauder. To compliment your glowing skin, invest in clothes made from high end fabrics, like silk or cashmere. Pair these items with some nice shoes, like elegant boots or heels, and some jewelry for a little sparkle.

Be hygienic. Being clean and smelling nice are the base of looking good. Take a shower at least once a day, before you go to bed. You should take a shower in the morning too, if you have enough time. Use a body lotion/shower gel. Brush your teeth three times a day, after each meal. Also use dental floss to remove food stuck between your teeth. Always use deodorant. Make sure all the clothes you wear are clean and ironed. Even an awesome piece of clothing can look horrible if it's not clean and ironed; not to mention it won't last too long if you don't take care of it properly, no matter how well-made it is. Comb or brush your hair to avoid the messy look. Avoid brushing your hair if it's curly. Follow a proper morning routine. Do these things on a regular basis; they are the basics of looking good. Of course, to look glamorous, you'll need to do a little more than this, but it will be ruined, no matter how expensive your clothes are or how good your makeup is. Get perfect hair . The way your hair looks is crucial for your image as a whole. In order to achieve great hair, follow the advice below. Keep your hair clean all the time. For oily hair, you should wash it every 1 to 2 days. If you have dry hair, you don't need to wash it that often; only every 2 or 3 days. Use the right type of shampoo for your hair. This is absolutely necessary to prevent dandruff and damaging of your scalp. Make sure your hair always looks perfect. The only hairstyles that look glamorous are the perfectly styled ones. Rebellious hair not allowed. It can be straight, wavy, or curly, as long as it's shiny and perfectly tamed. Get rid of the frizz by using a straightening iron and/or a smoothing serum or, even better, try straightening it permanently (of course, only if you want straight hair for a longer time). Choose either sleek, stylish, straight hairstyles or romantic, wavy, '40s style wavy hair. For shine, apply a shining spray. Choose the best color for your hair. If you decide to dye your hair, make sure you do it once a month or every 2 months, otherwise your roots will grow, contrasting with the color of the rest of your hair; and that's not glamorous. The most glamorous colors are rich, intense, bright ones: platinum blonde, golden blonde, light brown, golden brown, dark brown, black. Basically, any more saturated versions of natural hair colors are good. Try picking a color that enhances your skin color. If your skin is rather light or white, platinum blonde and dark brown or black will look good on you ("cold" colors suit light skin). If your skin tone is light to medium, you will look the best in shades of brown, golden blonde or dark blonde; actually any natural, warm color. If your skin is medium to dark, the lightest shade you may choose is medium brown; any lighter color will create an unpleasant contrast with your skin. Have flawless skin . Your face and body need special care to look great. These are the essential steps for having healthy, clear, soft skin. Keep it free of acne and wrinkles as much as you can. Also, avoid getting red spots on your skin (from allergies, stress or harsh attempts to remove zits). Remove blackheads too. You can do it at home or, more easily, by going to a salon and having it done professionally (it takes much more time and effort to do this at home, and the results are different) Also don't worry if your skin not perfectly clear, most people have some form of acne. Invest in good quality skincare products. Some good brands are Vichy, The Body Shop and L'Oreal. But if you afford it, go for top brands like Estee Lauder, Chanel and Dior. The products are more expensive, and the amounts smaller, but they do their job better so a little goes a long way. Do some research and figure out what works for you. Buy a cleanser, a toner and a moisturizer , for they are the basics of skincare. Be sure to exfoliate often, but not to often for smooth, glowing skin. You can go further and use additional products like face masks, for instance. Try to get rid of cellulite. Some say that it's almost impossible, but that depends on your age and lifestyle. A person who is young and practices sports on a regular basis is much more likely to eliminate cellulite than an older person who doesn't work out. Try some good anti-cellulite creams. You should ask your doctor which are the best, because most of them have absolutely no effects; picking a good anti-cellulite cream is very difficult and you can waste a ton of money if you don't know which to buy from the very beginning. Massage helps as well. If you eventually end up cellulite-free, prevent it from reappearing by eating less saturated fats, quitting smoking, wearing comfortable clothing and being more active. Combat stretch marks. Maybe you can't remove them completely, but you can diminish them to the extent that they become barely noticeable, even from close up. They usually fade in time. Again don't worry too much about this step, just remember to keep confident in you. Don't forget to shave your legs and armpits. Remember to use a body moisturizer too ; not only your face needs moisturizing, but your body too. Avoid excessive tanning. Not only is it bad for your health and increases the chance of getting skin cancer, but it's also somewhat tacky. Avoid excessive exposure to sun, especially in summer, and use lotions with high SPF at the beach, however, if you still decide to go for a tan, at least use a self-tanner , instead of sunbathing (it's healthier). Get perfect teeth . Brush your teeth after each meal to avoid having bad breath. If your teeth are not naturally white, go to a dentist to have done a professional whitening; if your teeth are white, keep them that way by avoiding smoking, sodas, and excessive coffee. It's very possible that your teeth are not exactly straight; the dentist will choose the best option for you. (Keep in mind that a gap can be stylish and sexy.) Take care of your nails . Don't bite them, or let them grow too long. Don't let them get dirty- there's nothing worse than black filth under nails. Remember that your toes have to look good, too - especially if sandals are your favorite type of shoe. Wear makeup that enhances your best features and makes you look gorgeous . Many women who wear makeup on a regular basis actually know nothing about it; so read further to find out what are the do's and don'ts of makeup. Find a style that works for you wether that is a natural look, full glam or none at all! A important makeup rule: never go to bed without removing your makeup first. It will clog your pores and possibly make you break out over time. Start with a slightly shimmery makeup base. Don't use extremely matte foundation, unless your skin is very oily. Do not cake on glitter. It's not glamorous, it's just flashy and tacky. Glamour is all about being mature, and putting on tons of glitter will make you look like a 15-year-old Barbie girl. However, if you really love sparkly makeup, at least try not to make it very noticeable. Keep it natural : use colors like pink, beige, brown and (for mascara and eyeliner only) black. Don't focus on both your lips and your eyes at the same time. If your lips are bright red, keep your eyes natural and apply just a little mascara. If your eyes are 'smokey', use a nude lipstick. Even better yet, don't put too much accent on a certain feature, if it's not an elegant, evening makeup. Use a creamy lipstick for a natural effect. Glosses are for teenagers, especially light pink, glittery glosses. Lipstick works better for adult women. However, if you go for glosses, at least buy an expensive one, and make sure it's not too sticky. One tip: apply lipstick with a special makeup brush. It looks more natural that way and you tend to apply less. For lips, go for a shade close to your natural lip color. It's more natural that way. However, if you choose a bright or dark color, keep your eyes free of eyeliner and colorful eyeshadow. Take care with that bright red lipstick. Don't wear red lipstick if your hair is golden blonde and your eyes are blue or green; too many bright colors will clash. Keep the blush barely noticeable. Blush is a type of makeup whose purpose is to complement your facial features, not to catch your eye. To choose the right color, think of the color your cheeks have when it's very cold outside or after you've run a mile; that's the color that will look the best on you. Wear natural makeup during daytime : enhance the shape of your lips with a light pink lipliner, use nude, creamy, a bit shiny lipstick, put on some pink blush, a bit of mascara and some shiny light pink eyeshadow on the center of your eyelids. Or the same makeup, with your eyes carefully contoured with black eyeliner, instead of the light pink eyeshadow. On this model, you can think of other ways to apply makeup, keeping it natural at the same time. Choose the right texture. Your makeup has to be light, shiny, smooth and a bit sparkly- not too much though; see the warning above. Despite what this article says just remember to be you and whatever makes you confident will look best on you. : You can rock any style you want and you can be glamorous. Put on some perfume . Perfume is, perhaps, the most personal type of cosmetic, because it says a lot about your personality. As a general rule, wear fresh fragrances during summer and "sweet" ones during winter. You can go for something classic, like Chanel No.5, or you can choose any other fragrance from top brands. The coolest option is to make your own perfume- that way it's 100% you. Look in a perfumery for vials containing different essences and buy the ones you like the most. Get some fabulous new clothes . They're probably the factor that determine whether you're glamorous... or not. Go for classic cuts and models, which show the line of your body. Once again, invest in something of exceptional quality. The fabrics should be soft and smooth, like silk, jersey, and cashmere. Glamour style is, above all, elegant and sophisticated. Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe are good sources of inspiration. Avoid clothes that look too old, sporty, or messy. It is very important that you choose the image you wish to portray; there are many ways to look glamorous, and each one of them has its specific elements you must follow in order to portray that image. Here are some of them: Old Hollywood glamour - think Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. Its attributes are red lips, platinum blonde hair, diamonds, fur and '40s dressing style. Hair is very important; old Hollywood hairstyles are short-to-medium length, wavy and dyed blonde or black. As for makeup, wear red lipstick and use black mascara. Wear medium-length dresses and skirts, diamond earrings and fur coats. Urban chic glamour - think Audrey Hepburn. Sleek lines, straight hair, and elegant, simple design- it's the favorite look of the wealthy New York women. To get this look, wear trench coats, black tights, stiletto heels, little black dresses, business suits and simple, delicate jewelry. The most used colors are the neutral ones: black, white, and beige; however, bright colors are welcome too, but in smaller amounts. Oversized sunglasses are a must. Wear precious fabrics like silk, cashmere and jersey; the fabrics must be as high quality as you can find. Avoid wearing jeans. Accessorize with huge handbags, fine jewelry and watches. As for makeup and hairstyle, long hair and the classic bob style are definitely the most acceptable; the makeup is very natural. Opulent diva glamour - the more expensive and rich-looking it is, the better. Everything is allowed here: excessive jewelry, glitter, feathers, heavy makeup- as long as it's not (too) tacky, it's acceptable. To get the look, wear glittery dresses, fur, diamonds, opulent gowns for evening, metallic colors, high heels, animal prints, gold and precious gems. The predominant color is gold. Be careful not to look too tacky, though. Avoid dressing too fancy at inappropriate times . You can dress casually and look glamorous at the same time. You don't have to wear a long dress every time you go out - you don't want to look like you're going to the Oscar ceremonies when you're just taking your dog out for a walk... A pair of black skinny jeans, high heels and a silk top are sometimes enough to make you look elegant. If all your clothes are good quality and have a somewhat special design or colour, you will never look "too" casual. Put on some jewels . Jewelry gives a sparkly touch to everything you wear. During daytime, it must be something that doesn't attract too much attention, but completes your outfit - for example, a necklace with a little gem, or a small bracelet. But for the evening, feel free to put on diamonds, pearls or precious gems and metals. Not too much though - excessive jewelry only looks good at Bollywood. And if you choose one type of jewelry - for instance, a pearl necklace - don't wear another type at the same outfit. For the pearl necklace you will have to choose pearl earrings. For a diamond necklace - diamond earrings. For a golden necklace - no silver bracelets, only gold. You get the idea? Learn to shop correctly . The key to having a fabulous wardrobe is to know how to shop. Especially if you're one of those women who view shopping more as a hobby than as a process you have to master in order to make the right fashion decisions, follow these steps: The first thing you have to do when you enter the store is to "scan" the general outlook of the clothes and find out what type of store it is. There are three criteria you must analyze to categorize the store: the range of prices, the age of the targeted consumers, and the fashion style of the clothes it sells. Your first concern should be the quality of the clothes; if it's not high enough-regardless of the design of the clothes-, leave the place without second thoughts. Go to the first rack of clothes that catches your eye. Start examining the fabrics; are they fabric too rough, too shiny or too easy to crease? Do the buttons look like they could fall in any moment? Does it smell funny? If the answer to all of these questions is “yes”, then don't buy it. Look at the design. Do you think it would flatter your body type? Does it have details that add much volume on one part of your body? Is it wearable? Does its color flatter your skin color? Look at the price label. Do you think it's worth the money? Would you wear it often, so the price per wear will be lower? The ultimate test: try it on. Do you find it easy to dress (meaning the zipper isn't broken, and the collar is large enough for your head to pass through it effortlessly)? Does it flatter your sizes? Does it fit you (it doesn't look too tight or too large on you)? If the answers are all “yes”, then the item is probably worth it. Know what clothes look good on you. Unless you have exactly the same proportions as the mannequins in the shop windows, not all clothes look perfect on you; even supermodels have different body types. Hourglass-shaped girls have the most desirable body type; their balanced proportions and small waist are very resourceful in creating sexy curves. All they have to do is to enhance their waist and keep the balance between breasts and hips. Try wearing a thick belt straight over the narrowest point of your waist. Pear-shaped girls have small shoulders and breasts, medium-sized midsection area, wide hips and heavy legs. The biggest challenge for them is to create the illusion of wider shoulders and smaller hips. Wear large neck-openings (large in width, not depth) and stay away from skinny pants and long tops that reach to the middle of your hips. Apple-shaped girls have average shoulders and breasts, fat belly, not much of a waist and average hips and legs. They must create the illusion of a defined waist and enhance their shoulders and hips. Try wearing jackets that make your shoulders appear wider, high-waisted tops and classic jeans. Learn to make combinations of colours . As you gain more experience in what fashion is concerned, you will see what colours look good together... and what colours don't. Here are some examples of decent, neutral combinations of colours: cream and brown, black and white, gray/silver and white, gray and pastels. More daring color combinations are: black and either purple, red, yellow, blue, green, hot pink, light pink, gold, silver; purple and white, yellow and blue (sky blue especially), dark blue and gold/cream, white and gold, purple and gray, gold and gray, green and gray, red and silver/gray. Don't put more than two colors (that match) and two non-colors (black, white, gray) in one outfit. Invest is some good quality shoes . Shoes are the biggest fashion fetish of many women. Buy at least the absolutely necessary shoes: 1 pair of classic, black shoes, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of flat boots for bad weather, 1 pair of elegant boots, 1 pair of flat shoes, 1 pair of sport shoes. Continue your "shoe collection" with a few pairs in different colours and one in a metallic colour. Look for classic shapes; as for details, search for lace, crystals or buckles; they're timeless and add a bit of uniqueness to the shoe. Make sure you buy quality shoes, even they're a bit more expensive; finer quality lasts longer and, therefore, you won't have to buy another pair of shoes next month because the old one is already damaged. In a way, you actually save money by buying more expensive shoes. The heels must be as high as you are comfortable with. If you really like a pair of shoes with 12 centimeter (4.7 in) heels, but you never wear heels taller than 8 centimeter (3.1 in), you may buy it, but only wear it in places where you don't have to walk much. Buy a few bags that go with most of your outfits . Look for a black leather bag with metallic details/white bag with golden details, or one in a metallic colour; they scream "glamour". Again, look for quality; cheap, fake leather will never look good quality and expensive. Avoid the shiny plastic; it looks cheap. Show off your new glamour style! Go out there and make yourself noticed. You deserve a little prize for all this effort. Don't forget to flaunt your own individual style too! Enjoy it, girl!

Be hygienic. Get perfect hair Have flawless skin Get perfect teeth Take care of your nails Wear makeup that enhances your best features and makes you look gorgeous Put on some perfume Get some fabulous new clothes Avoid dressing too fancy at inappropriate times Put on some jewels Learn to shop correctly Know what clothes look good on you. Learn to make combinations of colours Invest is some good quality shoes Buy a few bags that go with most of your outfits Show off your new glamour style!

https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast

How to Keep Bananas from Ripening Too Fast

To keep bananas from ripening too fast, store them at room temperature on a counter or table that's away from windows or heat sources. When you bring them home, hang them on a banana hanger to protect them from bruising, and wrap the stem of the bunch in saran wrap to lower the amount of oxygen the bananas receive. Be sure to keep your bananas separate from other fruits and vegetables, since they can release a gas that can cause your bananas to ripen quickly. Once your bananas are ripe, place them in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening!

Purchase bananas that are green on the ends and yellow in the middle. This means they are slightly under-ripe. Make sure the bananas have no brown spots or blemishes. Bruises and punctures leave the banana exposed to air, which speeds up the ripening process. Do not choose bananas that are already yellow. Bananas ripen at a rapid pace and their shelf-life is very short. For this reason, you want to make sure you buy bananas that are on the greener side; this will give you more time to properly store your bananas before the ripening process occurs. Store bananas at room temperature until they are ripe. Avoid exposing them to heat as this will speed up the ripening process. Do not place bananas in the fridge before they are ripe. This can actually have a reverse effect and turn your banana peels brown faster. This occurs because the cold causes the cell walls to break down prematurely, which allows the production of melanin, turning bananas completely black. Counterintuitively, the inside of the banana will still not be ripe since the cold inhibits the ripening process of the fruit. Hang your bananas on a banana hanger. This prevents them from getting bruised and becoming exposed to air. You can also seal the stem of the banana bunch with plastic wrap. This limits the amount of oxygen the stem receives and can keep bananas fresh for another week. Keep your bananas separate from other fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables give off a gas that speeds ripening. Storing produce together can speed up the ripening process. Plants naturally produce a gas called ethylene, which causes them to ripen. Fruits or vegetables that are already brown give off more ethylene than normal, causing nearby fresh produce to ripen faster. Do not store bananas in sealed bags. This will cause the bananas to turn brown faster because the ethylene hormone will be unable to escape from the air surrounding the bananas. Place bananas in the refrigerator once they are ripe. Now that the ripening process has begun, you can safely delay it with the application of cold temperature. To stop ripening, you need to slow down the chemical reaction. Cold temperatures will slow down the reaction, delaying the banana fruit from ripening. Do not be alarmed if your banana peel turns completely black, which it most likely will. This is due to the pigment of the peel turning black and does not have anything to do with the actual freshness of the banana. The banana should still taste flavorful and remain slightly firm. Place peeled bananas in an airtight plastic container and put it in the freezer. You can thaw the bananas for use at a later date. Although peeled bananas have no protection against air exposure, the airtight sealing acts to limit the amount of fresh air that the bananas get. The freezing temperature will slow down the ethylene emission more than simply refrigerating it. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/aid3423340-v4-728px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Unlike refrigerated bananas, frozen bananas will not be edible immediately. You will need to leave bananas at room temperature for about an hour to allow them to thaw. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/aid3423340-v4-728px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-6Bullet2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Brush the banana in lime or lemon juice. The acid coating acts as a preserving agent and keeps the banana yellow longer. You do not need to saturate the banana in lemon juice. Adding more lemon does not equal better preservation. Adding too much will make your banana taste sour. For sweeter alternatives, replace lemon juice with pineapple, orange, or apple juice. These are all acidic enough to slow the browning process without needing to be diluted. Apple juice is also mild enough to be nearly undetectable; opt for the other juices if you plan on later mixing the banana with other fruit. Dip peeled bananas in a vinegar water solution. This also uses acidity to preserve the banana but uses vinegar instead of fruit juice. Using vinegar is a nice alternative if other fruit juices are distorting the taste too much. Simply add ¼ cup of vinegar for every cup of water. Dip the banana, sliced or whole, into the water for about three minutes. Avoid leaving bananas in the vinegar water solution for longer than three minutes. Submerging the banana can cause it to become too soft and can impart a strong vinegary taste, which is likely less appetizing than lemon or lime juice. Soak bananas in a water solution with crushed vitamin C. If you don't have access to other fruits or vinegar, vitamin C can achieve a similar effect when dissolved in water. Crush a single vitamin C tablet with a spoon and sprinkle it in a glass of water. Stir the solution with a spoon and dip your bananas in the water for a few seconds. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet1-Version-2.jpg\/aid3423340-v4-728px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Effervescent vitamin C tablets work especially well for this. Put one tablet in a glass of water. Once the effervescing stops, skip stirring and dip your bananas in the water immediately for a few seconds. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet2-Version-2.jpg\/aid3423340-v4-728px-Keep-Bananas-from-Ripening-Too-Fast-Step-9Bullet2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Bake banana bread. Just because you may not have saved all bananas from ripening doesn't mean you can't use them in tasty treats. Banana bread is actually the sweetest and most flavorful when over-ripe bananas are used. For bananas considered a "lost cause," banana bread is usually the answer. Bananas are actually edible longer than you might imagine. As long as your banana does not have mold, fruit flies, or traces of fruit fly eggs, it will most likely be edible regardless of its softness or blackness. Blend a Biscoff banana apple smoothie. Throw your over-ripe bananas into the blender with a few other ingredients and create a tasty drink. All you need is one over-ripe banana, half an apple peeled and cored, four Biscoff cookies (can be purchased at most grocery stores), a dash of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, one cup of milk, and a handful of ice cubes. Place the banana, apple, and Biscoff cookies into the blender first and mix until smooth. Add the other ingredients and continue blending. You can continue adding milk until you've reached your desired consistency. For added texture, add whole oats or blend them into the smoothie as well.] This will give your smoothie a crunchy element to offset the richness. Freeze melted bananas into Bananas Foster Popsicles. Bananas Foster is a popular New Orleans dessert and is very simple to make. You will need 2 large, very ripe bananas that have been thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of brown sugar; 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of butter; ½ teaspoon of cinnamon; 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt; ½ cup of milk; 1 teaspoon of vanilla; and 1 teaspoon of rum extract. First, add your bananas, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to a small bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the bananas are soft. Stir this mixture. Allow the bananas to cool, then add the mixture to a blender along with the Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and rum extract. Blend these ingredients. Pour the blended mixture into Popsicle molds and place them in the freezer for a few hours until they are completely frozen through. Pop them out of the Popsicle mold when you are ready to serve.

Purchase bananas that are green on the ends and yellow in the middle. Store bananas at room temperature until they are ripe. Hang your bananas on a banana hanger. Keep your bananas separate from other fruits and vegetables. Place bananas in the refrigerator once they are ripe. Place peeled bananas in an airtight plastic container and put it in the freezer. Brush the banana in lime or lemon juice. Dip peeled bananas in a vinegar water solution. Soak bananas in a water solution with crushed vitamin C. Bake banana bread. Blend a Biscoff banana apple smoothie. Freeze melted bananas into Bananas Foster Popsicles.

https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Stomach-Fat-With-Cardio

How to Lose Stomach Fat With Cardio

To burn stomach fat with cardio, work gradually towards doing 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio exercise per day. If you can, try running or jogging in the morning so your body uses up its stored energy, which is fat. You could also try taking spin classes, or cycle outdoors for the same effect. Additionally, include step aerobics in your exercise routine as they work your leg muscles, causing you to sweat and burn calories. To define your stomach muscles, combine your cardio with toning exercises like crunches or planks.

Include steady state cardio. Steady state cardio is any aerobic exercise that keeps your heart rate at a relatively stable level for at least 10 minutes. This type of exercise will help burn calories and support your metabolism. In general, it's recommended to get at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week (or 30 minutes five days a week). Aim for a mix of moderate- and high-intensity activity. This combination will burn calories from fat in addition to providing cardiovascular benefits. A variety of activities can be considered moderate-intensity cardio including: jogging/walking, running, biking, hiking, use the stair master or elliptical, swimming or dancing. Some studies even suggest up to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio daily for the most effective reduction in stomach fat. Work out in the mornings. Try to get in your cardio exercises in the morning before eating your first meal. Exercising in this fasted state means your body will be using energy from its storage form — fat. Try to include any type of cardio exercise in the morning. Even a quick 20 – 30 minute walk can help your body use its excess fat stores for energy. Getting up earlier in the morning may be difficult. Make it a priority and after a few weeks your body and mind will get used to getting up earlier. Make sure you go to bed earlier as well. It's important to get adequate rest, so you may need to move up your bed time if you're planning on an AM workout. Include abdominal- and core-toning exercises. Although cardio is responsible for burning and reducing overall body fat, adding in some light strength training can help tone your stomach. Include a variety of core strengthening and toning exercises. When you've reduced the amount of stomach fat, toning your abdominal muscles will give you a more defined look. Try toning exercises like: crunches, planks, bicycle crunches, or v-sits. Toning exercises will help strengthen muscles; however, it is not possible to "spot treat" this particular area. It is a myth that you can target where on your body you will lose fat, so doing abdominal exercises won't cause you to lose fat only around your waist. Run or jog. Running and jogging is a great steady-state cardio exercise to burn fat. If you can jog fast or run, you'll burn more calories and help decrease body fat. In general, you can burn about 100 calories per mile when you're running. In addition, running is a great exercise for cardiovascular health. If you're not a runner, start slow. You can start with jogging a mile first and slowly increase your distance or pace over the course of several weeks. Do a spin class or include high intensity biking. Spin classes and high intensity biking is another great exercise that will burn large amounts of calories and fat. Spin class is done indoors on a stationary bike. You can control your speed and resistance on the bike. However, the harder you work and the faster you pedal, the better fat burn you'll get. If you haven't tried a spin class before, it's important to take your first few classes slowly. They are very high intensity and it may take a few weeks to bring up your fitness levels. Spin is also generally done inside in a closed room. You can get very hot and sweat a lot. It's important to re-hydrate continually throughout a spin class. Step aerobics. Step aerobics is a another great cardio class to help you burn calories and fat. It's particularly effective due to it's focus on your legs and glutes. These large muscle groups make you work up a sweat causing you to burn calories and fat. You may burn up to 400 calories in 30 minutes if you work out at your hardest intensity. Again, if you haven't done a step aerobics class, start slowly. Use a smaller step and any modifications to movements that are too difficult for you. Over time, you can use a bigger step or do movements without modifications. Do high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Another type of cardio activity is HIIT. This type of cardio burns more calories from fat and also raises your metabolism for about 24 hours after you've completed the workout. During HIIT you alternate between short bouts of very high-intensity cardio and short bouts of more moderate-intensity cardio. You do not spend as much time doing HIIT compared to steady state cardio exercises, usually about 20 minutes (with an additional 5 minutes at the beginning and end for a warm up and cool-down). They are intended to be shorter, more vigorous exercises. Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between the intensity of cardio exercises and the reduction of stomach fat. Participating in HIIT may be very effective for reducing abdominal fat. Limit carbohydrates. Studies have shown that low-carb and low-calorie diets resulted not only in faster initial weight loss, but also were the most effective at reducing stomach fat. Carbohydrates are found in a wide range of foods including: dairy products, fruits, starchy vegetables, grains and legumes. Focus on limiting carbohydrates from foods like: sweets or sweetened beverages, breads, rice, pasta, chips, crackers or pastries. While these foods do contain other nutrients, these same nutrients are also found in other food groups. This makes it OK to restrict these particular foods. Consume carbohydrates that also provide your body with a lot of other nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. Foods like fruits, starchy, vegetables, and dairy all contain a lot of other vital nutrients and should be included in your diet. Low-carb diets focus on minimizing carbohydrates, not eliminating them. Some carbohydrates are necessary for your body to function optimally. Monitor calories. In addition to following a low-carb diet, it has also been shown to be beneficial to follow a lower calorie diet. Studies have shown that the combination of low-calorie and low-carb diets result in the highest reduction in stomach fat. A low-calorie diet refers to a variety of differing calorie levels. The total amount of calories recommended will be different for everyone based on age, gender, weight and activity level. In general, it's safe to cut out about 500 calories daily from your diet. This usually results in about one pound of weight loss each week. Use a calorie tracker or online program to count how many calories you currently consume in a day. Subtract 500 from that number to figure out your initial daily calorie goal. When cutting calories, it's important to not cut out too many calories. Eating less than about 1,200 calories daily puts you at risk for nutrient deficiencies, loss of muscle mass, and fatigue. Eat the right types of fat. There are a few different types of dietary fat that you can consume. Some have been shown to be healthier, whereas others have been shown to increase fat around your stomach and abdominal organs. Studies have shown that regular consumption of saturated fats was related to increased stomach and visceral fat. Saturated fat is found in foods like: full fat dairy products, processed meats, fatty cuts of meat, butter, and fried foods. Instead of eating foods higher in saturated fat, choose leaner sources of some foods. For example, choose lean cuts of beef or low-fat dairy products. Also, use fats like olive oil or canola oil for cooking instead of butter. Instead of foods higher in saturated fat, consume foods that are higher in heart healthy unsaturated fats and omega-3 fats. These foods include: fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, tuna or sardines), olives or olive oil, nuts and nut butters, seeds and avocado. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. When you're following a lower carb, lower calorie diet, it's important to focus on eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables each day. Both of these foods are very nutrient dense — they contain a lot of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for very few calories. In general, it's recommended to consume about five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, when you're also focusing on limiting carbs, do not consume more than one to two servings of fruit daily or one to two servings of starchy vegetables daily. Include a lot of non-starchy vegetables like: leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, zucchini, green beans, asparagus, mushrooms or eggplant.

Include steady state cardio. Work out in the mornings. Include abdominal- and core-toning exercises. Run or jog. Do a spin class or include high intensity biking. Step aerobics. Do high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Limit carbohydrates. Monitor calories. Eat the right types of fat. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat.

https://www.wikihow.com/Fade-Tattoos

How to Fade Tattoos

If you have a tattoo that you want to fade, pour lemon juice, lime juice, or hydrogen peroxide onto a cloth, then blot the tattoo with the cloth to saturate it. Allow the solution to sit on your skin for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse it away. Repeat this at least twice a day until you see results, but stop if you experience any redness or skin irritation. If that doesn't work, you may need to exfoliate the tattoo or undergo professional tattoo removal.

Use common household items to lighten your tattooed skin naturally. Lemon and lime juice , glycolic acid, and hydrogen peroxide can all produce mild bleaching action when applied directly to the skin. Chances are, you have one or more of these items sitting around in your pantry or medicine cabinet right now. Some holistic skincare experts also swear by the skin-lightening properties of undiluted essential oils, such as lavender oil. Avoid mixing multiple lightening agents. Not only will this not make them more effective, it could cause an unsafe chemical reaction. The actual effectiveness of topical skin lightening solutions is up for debate. If you decide to experiment with any of these substances, you'll be doing so at your own risk. There's a chance that they may not work permanently, or that they could result in scarring or similar damage. Try a tattoo remover cream if you’d rather use a commercial product. There are a number of creams, lotions, and gels on the market that claim to be able to rapidly fade subdermal ink. If you're not interested in DIY solutions, consider giving one of these products a shot. Keep in mind, however, that there's no hard evidence that they make much of a difference. Ask your tattoo artist if they have any recommendations for tattoo remover products that do what they're advertised to do. Tattoo removers often contain harsh chemicals, and could lead to irritation or even permanent scarring if applied regularly or incorrectly. Rub your skin lightener of choice onto the tattoo until it’s fully absorbed. Saturate a washcloth, clean sponge, or folded strip of gauze with the liquid, then apply it to directly to your skin. You can do this by either blotting the area or covering the entire tattoo with the cloth, sponge, or gauze, if it's small enough. What's important is that the liquid makes contact with every part of the ink. For best results, allow your skin lightener to sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes after applying it. You may need a helping hand if you're attempting to fade a tattoo on your back or another hard-to-reach spot. Continue treating your tattoo 3-5 times a day until you see results. Get in the habit of applying your lightening agent at least twice throughout the course of the day—once in the morning and once in the evening. You'll need to be persistent with your chosen home remedy if it's to have any effect. Stop using a particular skin lightener if it begins to cause redness, irritation, blistering, or peeling. Even with continual applications, there's a chance that your tattoo may not lose its vibrancy. Mix up a basic homemade salt scrub. Combine ½ a cup (100 g) of coarse sea salt with ⁄ 4 – ⁄ 3 cup (59–79 mL) of olive, coconut, or almond oil in a small lidded container. Keep the container with the rest of your hygiene products, on your bedside table, or somewhere else where you'll see it and remember to use it every day. If you like, you can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils and some dried botanical elements to your salt scrub. This won't affect its abrasive properties, but it will make it smell more pleasant. Salt scrubs are natural, easy to make, and highly effective as far as exfoliants go. Pick up a gentle, vitamin-infused body scrub if you have sensitive skin. If you don't like the idea of grinding a scratchy salt paste onto your extremities, you also have the option of buying a gentle commercial exfoliant designed specifically to nourish and protect skin. Along with abrasive elements, these products boast vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients as main ingredients. Look for scrubs containing Vitamin C, which is especially good for maintaining soft, clear, glowing skin. Alternatively, you could try making your own nourishing body scrub using things like white or brown sugar, Epsom salts, shea butter, honey, coffee grounds, and aloe vera gel. Apply a small amount of exfoliant directly to the tattoo. Scoop up a quarter-sized glob of your scrub with two fingers to start with and rub it onto the entire area. Smooth on additional exfoliant as needed to ensure that each part of the tattoo is covered with a thin layer. You may need to use quite a bit of scrub if the tattoo you're trying to erase is particularly large. Massage the scrub into the tattoo vigorously using a pumice stone. Rather than trying to work the exfoliant in with your fingers, grab a pumice stone and rub it over the tattoo using small, circular motions. Apply light, steady pressure, and be careful not to scrub too hard. Do this for 30-60 seconds. Before you begin scrubbing, soak your pumice stone in a bowl of warm water. This will help it slide across your skin and cut down on unnecessary resistance. The pumice stone will cover a larger area and provide additional scouring power. Rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hold the exfoliated tattoo under a gentle stream to wash away the accumulated scrub and dead skin. Your skin will likely feel a little raw, so avoid using water that's too hot, along with soaps or cleansers that might irritate or dry it out even more. It may be easier to hop in the shower if you can't easily rinse your tattoo under the sink, or if you're trying to fade multiple pieces at once. If you like, you can apply little moisturizer after exfoliating to soothe and protect your skin. Repeat your exfoliation routine 2-3 times a day for about a month. In all likelihood, you'll start to see a noticeable difference after a few weeks. Assuming you don't, your only remaining option will be to talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about a formal tattoo removal procedure. Discontinue treatment immediately if you experience severe or prolonged skin irritation. Talk to your dermatologist about a laser removal procedure. Laser removal is the only method that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of tattoos. During the procedure, specially-trained technicians use concentrated streams of light to break up the ink sitting deep below the surface of the skin. If you want guaranteed, permanent results, it's highly recommended that you save up your money for a course of laser treatment. While tattoo laser removal is extremely effective, it's not quick or cheap—a single session can cost as much as $500, and in many cases it can take 2-6 sessions before you start to see a significant difference. Make sure you go to a licensed, reputable laser technician to get a tattoo removed. Receive a series of chemical peels to erase the tattoo gradually. This type of treatment is sometimes referred to as “chemical resurfacing.” The way it works is that highly acidic chemicals are applied directly to the top layer of skin, causing it to die. After it sloughs off, the area is given time to heal, eventually leaving behind smooth, clear skin. Chemical peels were the most popular tattoo removal method before the introduction of light-based procedures. Even so, reports vary as to how well they work. These treatments are not without risk. Possible complications include severe chemical burns and permanent scarring. Undergo surgery to have the tattoo partially removed. With traditional surgery, plastic surgeons actually cut out the layers of skin sitting on top of the embedded ink. The tattoo will no longer be as visible once new skin has grown in its place. Surgery can successfully fade tattoos to some degree, but in many cases surgeons aren't safely able to cut deep enough to extract the majority of the ink. Like chemical peels it's possible for a surgical operation to leave scars, bumps, discoloration, and other imperfections.

Use common household items to lighten your tattooed skin naturally. Try a tattoo remover cream if you’d rather use a commercial product. Rub your skin lightener of choice onto the tattoo until it’s fully absorbed. Continue treating your tattoo 3-5 times a day until you see results. Mix up a basic homemade salt scrub. Pick up a gentle, vitamin-infused body scrub if you have sensitive skin. Apply a small amount of exfoliant directly to the tattoo. Massage the scrub into the tattoo vigorously using a pumice stone. Rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Repeat your exfoliation routine 2-3 times a day for about a month. Talk to your dermatologist about a laser removal procedure. Receive a series of chemical peels to erase the tattoo gradually. Undergo surgery to have the tattoo partially removed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Blow-a-Conch-Shell

How to Blow a Conch Shell

If you find the right conch shell, you can turn it into a working horn. Search along the beach for a conch shell that's fully intact, since shells with large cracks won't work as a horn. Look for a shell that's bigger than the width of your hand, or else it won't work properly. Once you find a good shell, make sure there's not a snail living inside, then give it a thorough clean. Soak the shell in water with a little bit of bleach for half an hour to fully sanitize it. Then, rinse it under cool water to remove any bleach remnants. If there isn't a tiny hole at the narrow part of the conch shell, carefully saw the tip off so you can blow through it. To blow on your conch shell, pucker your lips slightly, breathe deeply, then blow forcefully through your lips into the conch shell.

Hold the hole at the top of the conch up to your lips and pucker them tightly. Position the conch in your dominant hand so that your fingers are covering any holes in the shell, adjusting them as necessary. Place the top part of the shell where the top has been removed over your lips and purse them together so that your lips are tightly closed in front of your teeth. It may be helpful to wet your lips slightly before you pucker them. Some people find it easier to make their lips vibrate when they're wet. Breathe in deeply from your stomach. Take in a deep breath with your nose for about 5-7 seconds, filling up your lungs. Try not to raise your shoulders as you breathe, and your stomach will likely expand outward slightly. Take as big of a breath as possible without making yourself lightheaded. When you've taken a large breath, hold it for a second to prevent yourself from getting dizzy or lightheaded when you blow out. Blow out forcefully through your lips, causing them to vibrate. Use your stomach muscles to blow the air out of your lungs through your mouth, keeping your lips close together. Your lips should vibrate slightly, causing the conch to make a noise like a horn. If you're doing it correctly, it should feel like your lips are “buzzing.” If your lips aren't vibrating, try puckering them tighter or loosening them slightly to cause them to vibrate. It may also be helpful to tighten your cheeks slightly, like you're smiling, as you blow on the conch. Adjust the pitch by loosening your lips or moving your tongue. Move your lips into a position where they're protruding slightly, like you're blowing a kiss, to lower the pitch of the conch. Slide your tongue just behind your upper front teeth to force the air through your lips faster, causing the pitch to become higher. Remember to keep taking deep breaths each time you blow into the conch. If you get winded or tired, take a break before trying again. Search on the beach for a conch shell early in the morning. Walk along the shoreline and look for a row of seashells that washed up in the high tide overnight. Most of the shells on the beach will be near this line, and you might be able to find a conch if you get there as the sun rises. Conches have a spiral “crown” on their top, and a long curl at the bottom of the shell. The best time to find conch shells is after a storm with strong winds, since the winds and tides tend to carry the heavy shells farther up onto the beach than usual. It's common to find different parts of conches on the beach, like the tops, since they're easily broken. Check the shell for large cracks and holes. Most conch shells have a small hole at the top around the spiral part of the shell where there was once a small sea snail living. The hole should be small enough that you can cover it with one finger. Make sure the shell doesn't have any other cracks or holes. Never take a conch that still has a snail living inside of it. If you find a conch with a snail, move the shell back into the water so the snail can survive. A lot of conch shells have very large holes in them because they're fragile. Try to find one that only has 1-2 small holes that you can easily cover. Make sure you can comfortably hold the shell with one hand. If the shell is smaller than the length from the tip of your pointer finger to the bottom of your palm, it's likely too small to use as a horn. The conch should be slightly larger than your hand, but not so large that you can't comfortably hold it while covering any small holes in the shell. Holding the shell with 2 hands can change the pitch of the conch or make it slightly quieter. Clean any dirt or debris off of the shell. Start by soaking the shell in water to loosen any dirt, and then mix equal parts bleach and water together. Transfer the shell into the bleach solution, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse it under cool water and rub the shell to remove any additional dirt. If you want to make the conch shiny, let it air dry completely and rub mineral oil or baby oil over the shell. Cut the top of the shells crown with an electric hand saw. Once you've found a suitable conch, look at the top of the shell where the curls begin to form. Then, find the 3rd curl from the top of the shell, and use an electric hand saw to cut the top of the shell at that spot. This creates a mouthpiece where you can put your lips to blow into the conch. The hole should be somewhere between the diameter of a dime and a quarter, depending on the size of the conch.

Hold the hole at the top of the conch up to your lips and pucker them tightly. Breathe in deeply from your stomach. Blow out forcefully through your lips, causing them to vibrate. Adjust the pitch by loosening your lips or moving your tongue. Search on the beach for a conch shell early in the morning. Check the shell for large cracks and holes. Make sure you can comfortably hold the shell with one hand. Clean any dirt or debris off of the shell. Cut the top of the shells crown with an electric hand saw.

https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Furniture-from-Cats

How to Protect Furniture from Cats

To protect furniture from cats, use furniture covers made of washable fabrics to prevent stains and fur buildup. If you're concerned about your kitty scratching the furniture, spray it with a scent deterrent and remember to keep the cat's claws trimmed. It can also help to provide a scratching post to encourage your cat to scratch it instead of the furniture. If you catch your kitty in the act, say "No!" in a firm voice and clap your hands to startle it. Do this every time to train the cat to stop the undesirable behavior.

Use furniture covers. If you're mainly concerned that your furniture will become dirty or hairy from your cat, cover it with slipcovers. You can purchase a slipcover for couches, chairs, or recliners in a variety of colors and fabrics. Choose a fabric that you can easily wipe clean or toss in the washing machine. If you don't want to always keep a cover on the furniture, you can lay down a towel where your cat usually likes to rest. Just remove the towel and wash it every day or two. Spray a scent deterrent on the furniture. Buy a repellent spray that your cat doesn't like and spray it on the furniture that your cat usually scratches. You can purchase deterrent sprays at most pet stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to spray your furniture. You may need to reapply the scent deterrent once it begins to wear off. Lay double-sided tape on the furniture. Spread double-sided tape on places where your cat prefers to scratch. Your cat won't like the sticky feeling so should eventually stop scratching there. Most commercial double-sided tapes shouldn't leave a sticky residue on your furniture. If you'd rather startle your cat than apply sticky tape, tape a few balloons in places where your cat usually scratches. When your cat goes to scratch, it will pop a balloon. The surprise may stop your cat from scratching. Trim your cat's claws. Keep your cat's claws clipped close (but not too close) so its nails are dull and won't do as much damage if it scratches the furniture. If your cat resists clipping, try wrapping it in a towel while you trim or get the nails professionally trimmed. Offer your cat a scratching area. If your cat likes to claw, place a sisal scratching post next to the place it usually scratches. Your cat might prefer this rough, natural fiber as long as the post is solid and won't tip over. If your cat likes to scratch wooden legs of your furniture, use a cedar scratching post. Or if your cat prefers to scratch the soft upholstery of furniture, set out a carpeted scratching post. Be sure to place your cat's scratching furniture in an area where they like to scratch. If, for example, they like scratching on your sofa in the living room, put a scratching post in the living room. Encourage your cat to use the scratching area. Rub a little catnip on the scratching posts to attract your cat to them. You might need to occasionally add more catnip to keep your cat interested. You may want to set up more than one post or scratching space in your house, especially if your cat likes to scratch several pieces of furniture. Try to place them in a variety of places so your cat can choose when and where to scratch. Take note of the type of scratching your cat likes to do. If, for example, they like to get on their hind legs and scratch up high, they probably won't use a low-laying scratching pad. Instead, opt for a taller scratching post. Reward your cat for good behavior. As soon as you notice your cat using the scratching post instead of the furniture, reinforce the good behavior. Give your cat verbal praise or put a treat at the base of the post. Or you could give your cat a few belly rubs. For example, when you see your cat scratching the post say, "Good cat!" in a friendly tone and rub it behind its ears or give it a treat. Say "no" and be consistent with training. If you see your cat scratching the furniture instead of the post, make a loud noise (like clapping) to startle them. Remove them from the furniture and firmly say "no." Do this every time you see your cat scratching the furniture. Don't yell or get angry at your cat. Remember that cats need to scratch in order to keep their nails trimmed. It's also a way that they communicate with other cats. Startle your cat if you see undesirable behaviors. Some cats may keep scratching furniture even if you tell them no and remove them. Try startling your cat every time you see it misbehaving. For example, if your cat jumps up onto a couch where you don't want it, walk towards your cat while shaking a can that contains a few pennies. Keep in mind that this typically only stops your cat from scratching when you are around. You will need to combine this with other deterrents for bad behavior and rewards for good behavior to ensure overall success. Keep your cat active. Cats are more likely to scratch on furniture if they're bored or need attention. Spend time playing with your cat. Staying active and entertained can reduce misbehavior. For example, you could dangle ribbons on a stick, toss small balls or toys to your cat, or hide treats in puzzle balls for it to find. Consider setting up a play area for your cat that includes items it can scratch. For example, buy an indoor play tree that has a scratching post. Place this near your cat's favorite furniture or by a window so it can look outside.

Use furniture covers. Spray a scent deterrent on the furniture. Lay double-sided tape on the furniture. Trim your cat's claws. Offer your cat a scratching area. Encourage your cat to use the scratching area. Reward your cat for good behavior. Say "no" and be consistent with training. Startle your cat if you see undesirable behaviors. Keep your cat active.

https://www.wikihow.com/Bead

How to Bead

To make beaded jewelry, start by cutting a length of fishing line that's about 3 inches longer than you need, so you'll have room to tie knots or add clasps at the ends. Then, use an overhand knot or a square knot to secure a bead one inch from the end, so your beads don't fall off as you're stringing them. Next, string your beads in the pattern you want, starting from the unknotted end. Once your piece is the right length, knot the ends together, or attach a clasp using a pair of jump rings.

Determine the kind of bead jewelry you'd like to create. Beading is a tremendously versatile craft. You can make a beaded ring , a beaded necklace , bead earrings , bead keychains , and more! For the purposes of providing a guided example, the process involved in stringing a simple beaded bracelet will be demonstrated. Imagine your jewelry design. For beginners, a simple pattern that uses alternating colors of same sized beads is likely best. This will prevent any complications between the bead width and thickness of the line. However, differing sizes, shapes, and colors can add variety to your design. Avoid shape edged shapes in your beads. Bracelets and necklaces that have beads with points can be uncomfortable to the wearer. Gather your beading materials. Most beading materials can be bought at your local craft store, or even in the craft or school supply section of general retailers. You'll need to coordinate the thickness of your line with the thickness of your beads, but this can be done easily by comparing the bead thickness listed on the package of your beads with the thickness listed on the wire package. Including these, you'll also need: Beads (similar sized; many) Beading line (i.e. - fishing line, silk cord, nylon needle-end cord) Clasp (1) Fold over bead tips Jump ring (1) Round nose pliers Scissors Arrange your work station. A cluttered work space can lead to beads getting knocked over or scissors misplaced. You might want to lay down a towel or cloth if you are working on a hard surface. This will allow beads to nest in the cloth, preventing runaway beads. For more involved beading projects, you might make use of sticky bead mats and rimmed bead trays to keep your beads organized. Lay out your pattern. Now is the time for you to organize your beads into the pattern you imagined earlier. This will help give you a sense of length for your jewelry and will also give you a preview of how the design you've chosen will look. For shorter length projects, simple designs are best. Generally speaking, long, complex, or intricate patterns are poorly suited for beaded rings and bracelets. Laying out your beads before hand will also speed the process, saving you precious minutes spent rooting around your bead container for the bead you need. Determine the length of your jewelry. You'll want the length of your beading line to be longer than your target length. This will allow you extra line if you make a mistake or need to tie a knot. Also, many designs will make use of clasps, and extra line will make the ends of your jewelry easier to work with. Gauge the appropriate length of your jewelry for your project by holding your line up to the body part it is intended to be worn on. You may need to wrap your line around the body part to get the most accurate idea of the length of line you'll need. Cut your line to your desired length. Use your wire cutters to cut your cord approximately 3" (7.6 cm) longer than the target length of your bracelet. You can also use a bead board to measure out the length of your line more accurately by aligning your cord with the length markings on the board. If you plan on making your bracelet or other beaded jewelry without a clasp, you may want to string your beads on elastic cord so it can flex to fit the wearer. If using a non-elastic line, make sure your line is big enough to fit over the widest section of the body part the jewelry is intended for. This way, the bracelet can be slipped on and off. Tie a bead to one end of your line. To prevent beads from falling off the end of the cord, tie one bead approximately 1" (2.5 cm) from the end, using an overhand knot or a square knot. Pull the knot lightly so it is tight enough to hold in place, but loose enough that you can remove and use this bead later if you like. String beads from the unknotted end. Slide your beads down the length of your line to meet the stopper-bead you have tied to the knotted end. Your pattern will be added to the cord starting from that end, so you should start add beads from your pattern in sequence, from one end of the pattern to the end. Check the length. It's easy to get carried away when beading! Don't worry if you think you've gone too far, simply drape your jewelry across the body part it's intended for to check the length. In the case of the guided example, hold the bracelet by the loose end to prevent losing any beads, and check to see that the design stretches all the way around the wrist. Feel free to add or subtract beads as necessary. Knot the ends together if forgoing a clasp. If you have decided not to use a clasp to join the ends of your bracelet, finish ends by tying them together in a surgeon's knot. This simple knot can be accomplished by: Creating a loop with both ends of your line. Feeding the ends through the loop and upward. Taking the ends around the top of the loop and back around and through it. Pulling the ends to tighten the knot. Adding a dab of superglue to the knot can further strengthen it (optional). When the glue is dry, use scissors to trim cord ends. Remove beads to make room for your clasp, if necessary. When adding a clasp, you may need to remove a few beads from your pattern. The total length of your clasp and its parts may require a few extra inches of line that is occupied by your beads for it to be attached. Tie your cord to your clasp, if applicable. You might be able to tie your cord directly to the clasp using a few overhand knots. In some cases, you might need one or more pairs of jump rings, split rings, crimp beads, or fold-over bead tips to securely attach the cord to the clasp. Fold-over (or clamshell) bead tips have a metal loop that attaches to the clasp, or can also be used to connect to a jump ring and then a clasp. Use a hollow cup/bead at the end of your design to hide your knot from view. Attach your fold-over bead tip. String the end of your cord through the small hole in the bead tip and bring the cord into the cupped section. Securely knot the cord so as to restrict your line from moving back through the hole. Hide the knot by carefully closing the 2 cupped halves of the bead tip toward each other with your pliers. Your knot should be small enough to hide inside the cup, but large enough not to feed back through the hole. You can use a tiny bead as a stopper on the inside the cup. Simply knot this tiny bead onto your line and tuck it in the cupped portion of the fold-over bead. Link a jump ring to your fold-over bead. You'll need your pliers to bend the connector of your fold-over bead onto your jump ring. Bend the connector to the side to create a gap big enough for you to add your jump ring, and then bend the connector back into place. Twisting connectors and jump rings to the side will prevent the metal from becoming loosely connected. Check your handiwork. Take your bracelet around your wrist and connect your clasp to the jump ring. Make sure that the length is sufficient by wearing it for a day. If the bracelet falls off your hand, is too loose, or is too tight, you may want to untie your end knot and make some adjustments. When you are certain your bracelet is finished, use your scissors to cut off any extra line that remains.

Determine the kind of bead jewelry you'd like to create. Imagine your jewelry design. Gather your beading materials. Arrange your work station. Lay out your pattern. Determine the length of your jewelry. Cut your line to your desired length. Tie a bead to one end of your line. String beads from the unknotted end. Check the length. Knot the ends together if forgoing a clasp. Remove beads to make room for your clasp, if necessary. Tie your cord to your clasp, if applicable. Attach your fold-over bead tip. Link a jump ring to your fold-over bead. Check your handiwork.

https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Press%E2%80%90On-Fingernails

How to Paint Press‐On Fingernails

Painting press-on nails is a great way to express your style without having to wait for your natural nails to grow out. If you want to paint them before you apply the nails, stick the back of each nail to a cotton swab using adhesive tape or a tack to hold them in place. Then, you'll want to paint each nail in the color of your choice. Once you complete each nail, set it aside to dry for 5 to 10 minutes. You can then apply a second coat if you want the color to look more opaque. Finally, apply a clear top coat to protect the color and let your painted nails dry for up to 60 minutes. If you're already wearing your press-on nails, you can paint them in the same way you would paint your real nails. However, you may find this harder than painting them before you apply them.

Try on different nail sizes to find which fits each finger. Before painting press-on nails, you'll likely need to try on a few sizes and shapes to find ones that fit over each of your fingernails. Your goal is to find nails that closely mimic the shape and curve of your natural nails so they'll fit snuggly once applied. Once you've found the right sizes, lay them out in the order you'll apply them so they don't get mixed up. Most press-on nails are sold in a pack with multiple sizes and shapes, so you'll likely be able to find a size that fits each one of your nails. Some press-on nails come with a size chart, so you may want to write down the size you're using for each finger to save yourself a bit of time in the future. Press a thin strip of tape on the back of each nail. Using scissors, cut a small strip of tape that is thin enough to fit on the back of the press-on nails. Then, fold the tape edges inward with the adhesive side facing out so that the edges overlap and adhere together. Flip each of the press-on nails over so the bottom faces up and press the tape rolls onto the back of each nail. This will form a little adhesive roll that will allow you to stick the nails onto the cotton swabs. Instead of tape, you can roll a tiny piece of adhesive tack into a ball and press it onto the back of each nail. Stick the end of a cotton swab onto the tape that’s adhered to the nails. Press down on the tape to make sure that the cotton swab and nail are both securely adhered. Then, flip each of the nails over so you can start painting. If you're using adhesive tack instead of tape, you can use a toothpick instead of a cotton swab by pressing the end of the toothpick into the tack. Paint each of the nails with the polish color of your choice. Hold one of the cotton swabs with your non-dominant hand so that the top of the press-on nail faces up. Then, use your dominant hand to paint the nail with the nail polish color of your choice. Painting the middle of the nail from the back of the nail to the front and then the sides from back to front will help you apply the polish evenly and avoid any clumping. Set each nail off to the side to dry. Once you've completely coated one of the nails with nail polish, gently place it off to the side on a flat surface to dry. Repeat this process with each of the nails until all of them are painted with nail polish. If you want to get creative with your polish, you can try doing nail art to create some fun, interesting designs. Lay a paper towel down over the flat surface to protect it in case any nail polish drips off the press-on nails. Apply a second coat if you want the polish color to be more opaque. Nail polish tends to be much more opaque on fake nails that on your natural nails, so you might not need a second coat. However, if you want the color to be more opaque, you can apply another coat of paint to each of the nails once the first coat is partially dry but not completely set (about 5 to 10 minutes). After applying the second coat, place each of the nails off to the side on a flat, protected surface to dry. Use a top coat polish to protect the color on the press-on nails. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, paint each of the nails with a layer of top coat polish once the color polish has set but not completely dried. After applying the top coat, place each nail off to the side to dry completely before applying the press-on nails to your natural nails. Let the nails dry for 20 to 60 minutes. If you applied multiple coats, you'll likely want to leave them to dry for the full 60 minutes to make sure the polish is completely set. Choose the right press-on nail size for each of your nails. Go through the pack of press-on nails and try the various sizes to find a size that fits each one of your nails. Make sure the sizes you choose closely mimic the shape and curve of your natural nails so they'll fit snuggly once applied. Then, lay them out in the order you need to apply them. If the press-on nails come with a size chart, write down the size you're using for each finger to save yourself a bit of time in the future. Apply the press-on nails on top of your natural nails. Using a dab of nail glue, press each of the nails onto your natural fingernails, holding each down for 10 seconds to ensure they're tightly sealed to your real nails. Then, file the nails to your desired length and shape. Paint the press-on nails as you would your normal nails. Once the press-on nails are adhered to each of your fingers, use the nail polish color of your choice to paint each of the nails. First, press the pads of your fingers into a flat surface to keep your fingers from moving too much. Then, paint each nail from back to front, swiping with the brush down the middle of the nail first and then filling in the sides with the excess polish on the brush. Make sure that the first coat you apply is thin enough not to clump but thick enough to cover the entire nail. Apply a second coat of polish if you want the color to be more opaque. While polish is generally more opaque on press-on nails than it would be on your nautral nails, you still might want to apply a second coat to make the polish even more opaque. When applying a second coat, let the first coat dry for about 5 to 10 minutes so the polish is set but not completely dry. Then, paint each nail with another thin coat of polish. Apply the second coat of paint to each of the nails once the first coat is partially dry but not completely set. To add a bit of pizazz to your press-on nails, use a glitter polish as your second coat. Protect the color polish with a layer of top coat polish. To add an extra layer of protection for the color polish on your press-on nails, paint each nail with a layer of top coat polish once the color polish has set but not completely dried. Then, let your nails dry completely for 20 to 60 minutes before using your fingers. To get your press-on nails to dry quickly , you can soak them in an ice bath, or use a quick-dry spray or cooking spray.

Try on different nail sizes to find which fits each finger. Press a thin strip of tape on the back of each nail. Stick the end of a cotton swab onto the tape that’s adhered to the nails. Paint each of the nails with the polish color of your choice. Set each nail off to the side to dry. Apply a second coat if you want the polish color to be more opaque. Use a top coat polish to protect the color on the press-on nails. Choose the right press-on nail size for each of your nails. Apply the press-on nails on top of your natural nails. Paint the press-on nails as you would your normal nails. Apply a second coat of polish if you want the color to be more opaque. Protect the color polish with a layer of top coat polish.

https://www.wikihow.com/Jump-Higher

How to Jump Higher

To jump higher, build your leg strength through exercises such as squats and calf raises. Additionally, work on your flexibility by touching your toes, which, depending on your level of flexibility, you can do from a seated or standing position. When preparing to jump, keep your feet shoulder-width apart for a solid foundation. As you begin to lower your body, bring your arms back behind you, then let them swing forward and up as you push through your feet and launch yourself up. The added momentum of your arms will help lift your body higher.

Position your foot. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your feet should be planted immediately before your jump. Keep the rest of your body relaxed. Be careful that your knees don't point inwards in a "knock knee" or Valgus position. They should be positioned over the second toe. Pay attention to your arms. Let your arms hang loosely at your sides while you crouch into the half-squat. They'll provide a lot of momentum when you jump, so don't keep them in front of you or above you before you jump. Visualize your jumps. You don't need to spend lots of time meditating on your jumps before doing them, but it helps to visualize the steps you'll take. Visualize the push-off and see yourself leaping in the air toward (or over) your target. You'll be focused on the series of steps and tasks you're about to complete, ensuring a successful jump. Spring upward into a jump. As soon as you've crouched into a half-squat, immediately spring up into a high jump. Push off from the balls of your feet. Extend your hips, knees, and ankles as far and as quickly as you can. Swing your arms while you jump. Gradually bring your arms behind your back while keeping them at your sides. When you start to jump up, powerfully swing your arms forward and up into the air. This should help propel you up and provide momentum. Exhale when you're doing the motion, like when you lift weights. Control your landing. Land on the balls of your feet rather than on your toes. Make sure to land with your knees bent and slightly aligned forward. Both of your legs should equally accept the weight of your landing. This will absorb the shock of hitting the ground and prevent knee injury. Position your feet. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend one leg at the knee and bring it behind you. Keep the rest of your body relaxed. Bend forward slightly. Slowly crouch into a half-squat position on the one foot that is planted. Do this while your torso gradually bends forward. Flex your hips at 30 degrees. Your knees should be bent at 60 degrees and your ankle should be flexed at 25 degrees. This will generate the most power without injuring your knees. Pay attention to your arms. Let your arms hang loosely at your sides while you crouch into the half-squat. They'll provide a lot of momentum when you jump, so don't keep them in front of you or above you before you jump. Visualize your jumps. You don't need to spend lots of time meditating on your jumps before doing them, but it helps to visualize the steps you'll take. Visualize the push-off and see yourself leaping in the air toward (or over) your target. You'll be focused on the series of steps and tasks you're about to complete, ensuring a successful jump. Spring upward into a jump. As soon as you've crouched forward, immediately spring up into a high jump. Push off from the ball of your foot. Extend your hips, knees, and ankles as far and as quickly as you can. Swing your arms while you jump. Swiftly bring your arms behind your back. When you start to jump up, powerfully swing your arms forward and up into the air. This should help propel you up and provide momentum. Control your landing. Land on the balls of your feet rather than on your toes. Make sure to land with your knees bent and slightly aligned forward. Both of your legs should equally accept the weight of your landing. This will absorb the shock of hitting the ground and prevent knee injury. Do squats. To do a squat, simply stand with your back straight, against a wall if you'd like. Your knees should be shoulder-width apart and your legs should be about 18 inches in front of you. Slowly squat by sitting down till you are level with your knees. These exercises develop the hamstrings, glutes, and quads which are the key drivers to helping you jump higher. If you feel pain at any time, stop the exercise. Work out your calves by doing calf raises. Build strength in these muscles by gripping a raised surface with your toes and using your calf muscles to do short dips. You can try doing calf raises with one leg at a time, both legs, or even from a seated position. The calves are another important muscle group in improving your jumping. Try holding some weight while you do this to increase the resistance and build strength. Improve your flexibility by stretching. Stretch your hamstrings and buttocks by laying on your back with one leg crossed over the other at the knee. Pull the lower leg toward you firmly and steadily. This should stretch the hamstring of the crossed leg. For another exercise, touch your toes while seated, standing, with your legs spread, and with your legs crossed. If you're not flexible you'll develop an imbalance of strength. This could limit your ability to jump. Continue practicing jumps and squats. Jumps, hops, and lunges are known as plyometrics. Plyometrics are high intensity movements which increase your heart rate quickly. Endurance training can actually improve your quick twitch muscle fibers, making jumping more powerful. For a maximum exercise, try holding about one-third of the weight that you normally lift. Jump explosively and repeat it as many times as you can.

Position your foot. Pay attention to your arms. Visualize your jumps. Spring upward into a jump. Swing your arms while you jump. Control your landing. Position your feet. Bend forward slightly. Pay attention to your arms. Visualize your jumps. Spring upward into a jump. Swing your arms while you jump. Control your landing. Do squats. Work out your calves by doing calf raises. Improve your flexibility by stretching. Continue practicing jumps and squats.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Dark-Armpits

How to Get Rid of Dark Armpits

To get rid of dark armpits naturally, try using natural bleaching agents such as potato slices, cucumber paste, lemon slices, or egg oil on the area. Be sure to moisturize your armpits twice per day to increase hydration, and exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells that might be causing discoloration. If you have thick body hair, consider waxing instead of shaving to remove the root of the hair, which can cause dark spots under the skin. If you don't see an improvement after a few weeks, consult your doctor to identify possible underlying issues.

Try a natural bleaching agent. The acidic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties in some vegetables and fruits allow them to lighten the skin naturally. Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons are three that can help eliminate dark skin under the arms. Potato - Thinly slice a potato and rub a slice on the dark area. Or, you can grate some of the potato to release the "juice." Apply this juice to your underarms, let it dry 10 minutes and rinse. Cucumber - Just as you did with the potato, you can rub cucumber slices on the affected area or grate some of the cucumber and use the juice. You can go a step further and add a few drops of lemon juice and some turmeric (enough to make a paste) to the cucumber juice. Apply the paste, wait a half hour and wash off. Lemon - Rub a thick slice of lemon on the dark area; the fruit will remove dead skin cells and lighten the skin. Follow-up by washing and, if necessary, applying moisturizer. (With continued use, lemons can dry out the skin). Add a small amount of tumeric, plain yogurt or honey to lemon juice to make a paste that can be left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed clean. Egg oil - Gently massage egg oil on the dark area and leave on overnight; the omega-3 in egg oil promote re-epithelisation (new skin cells) which make the skin smooth and light. Wash in the morning with a pH balanced soap or body wash. Moisturise. The single most important thing you can do to prevent or treat dark underarms is to moisturize the area at least twice a day. Prefer to use natural moisturisers like aloe vera, lecithin etc. Exfoliate. Dark underarms may be caused by dead skin cells that have accumulated there, so exfoliating can reduce the dark appearance of the skin. Sugar - Mix a cup of brown sugar with 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Apply to wet skin for a minute or two during a shower or bath and rinse. Try using the mixture twice a week when you bathe. Baking soda - Make a thick baking soda-and-water paste to use as a scrub. After scrubbing, rinsing and drying the area, you can apply a dusting of baking powder to the skin to give it a lighter appearance. Baking soda and rosewater - Make a somewhat thick paste of baking soda and rose water. Apply to the underarm area, then wash off with warm water. Dry your arms. Do this until you see lightening of armpits. Orange - Peel an orange and put the peels out in the sun to dry. Grind the peels to form a powder and make a paste by adding rose water and milk. Scrub your underarms with the paste for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dead skin cells and rinse with cold water. Pumice stone - Gently remove dead skin cells from under your arms with the use of a pumice stone. This light-weight, abrasive volcanic rock is sold in drug stores and beauty supply stores. Wet the stone thoroughly and gently scrub the underarm area. Try a liquid treatment. Open your refrigerator or kitchen cupboard to find remedies that can not only lighten dark underarms but make the skin softer and fresher Milk - It's the vitamins and fatty acids in milk that make it effective in lightening dark skin. Create a paste of two tbsp. milk, one tsp. curd and one tbsp. flour. Apply to the skin, let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. Skin should be softer and free of dead skin cells, which will make the area look much lighter. You can get even better results with full fat milk cream. Vinegar - For a lighter look and germ-free, sweet-smelling skin, mix vinegar with rice flour to form a paste. Take a hot shower and then apply the paste to the underarms, let dry for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. Coconut oil - The Vitamin E in coconut oil can help lighten dark skin over time, so for best results it should be used daily or every other day. Before bathing, massage the oil into the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Another benefit of coconut oil--it's a natural deodorant. Make a whitening pack. If you're willing to commit to a frequent treatment regimen, you can try a natural whitening pack made from gram flour (also known a chickpea flour). Mix the flour with yogurt, lemon and a little turmeric to form a thick paste. Apply and leave in place for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Apply this whitening paste daily for two weeks and then three times a week to speed up the whitening effect. Skip shaving and start waxing. Dark underarms may be caused by thick hair under the skin due to shaving. Because waxing removes hair at the root, it may leave the area lighter and the skin softer. Skip deodorants. The strong antiperspirant chemicals of deodorants often darken underarms by an inflammatory response. Very few people actually have a problem with body odor and most do not need the widely advertised deodorants. Check with your doctor. Home remedies may not help with dark underarms if you're suffering from a condition known as acanthosis nigricans, a skin disorder that results in velvety, light-brown-to-black markings in areas that include the armpits. This condition can occur as a result of obesity or an endocrine (glandular) disorder. It is frequently found in people with diabetes or a tendency towards diabetes and is most common among people of African descent. Other possible causes of acanthosis nigricans include Addison's disease, pituitary gland disorders, growth hormone therapy, hypothyroidism or the use of oral contraceptives. Change your diet. If your condition is diabetes related, modifying your diet to restrict starches and sugars may help. Stop taking the pill. If oral contraceptives are at the source of your skin condition, you can try switching to a different form of birth control to see if the condition improves once the medication is stopped. Get a prescription. Retin-A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxyacids, and salicylic acid prescriptions may help, but they've been found to be only minimally effective. The most widely used ingredient in skin lighteners sold in the U.S. is hydroquinone, which is regulated by the FDA. Dermatologists can write prescriptions for lighteners that contain up to 4% hydroquinone. Over-the-counter skin lighteners can contain no more than 2% hydroquinone. Always check with your doctor before using a product that contains hydroquinone. Use skin lighteners sold by trusted brands. Although the FDA banned the use of mercury in skin lightening products in the U.S. in 1990, lightening creams that contain this toxic metal have been found here. These products were manufactured in other countries but sold in stores in the U.S., so read labels very carefully when shopping for this product. Stop electrolysis. All women, but especially those with dark skin run the risk of hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) when they use electrolysis for hair removal. If you've been having electrolysis treatments to remove the underarm hair, stopping the treatment should stop more discoloration from occurring.

Try a natural bleaching agent. Moisturise. Exfoliate. Try a liquid treatment. Make a whitening pack. Skip shaving and start waxing. Skip deodorants. Check with your doctor. Change your diet. Stop taking the pill. Get a prescription. Stop electrolysis.

https://www.wikihow.com/Balance

How to Balance

To improve your balance, first stand with your feet hip-width apart. Then, shift your weight so you're standing on your right foot with your left leg lifted and bent backward at the knee. Next, switch sides to balance on your left foot. Try to repeat these leg lifts 3-4 times every day. When you can easily balance for 30 seconds at a time, grab a hand weight and add a bicep curl by standing on your left foot, lifting your right leg with it bent forward from your knee, and doing a set of curls with your left arm. Repeat with the opposite arm and leg to finish up.

Try weight shifts. The first exercise to begin with when attempting to improve your balance is the weight shift. This is exactly what it sounds like - shifting your weight from one foot to the other. Stand with your feet one hip width apart. Try to distribute your weight evenly over both feet. Now, shift your weight so that you are balancing on your right foot only and lift your left foot just slightly off the floor. Hold this position - balancing on one foot - for as long as you can while remaining steady. Aim to reach 30 seconds. Lower your left leg and stand on both feet again. Now repeat the exercise, this time balancing on your left foot. Repeat 3 or 4 times on each leg, and practice the exercise everyday until you can easily balance for 30 seconds on each leg. Try leg lifts. This exercise is the natural progression from the weight shifting exercise. It is performed in the exact same way, except this time: When you balance on your right foot, lift your left leg and bend it backwards at the knee. Try to hold for 30 seconds, before repeating on the other leg. If you want to make this exercise more challenging, consider balancing on a pillow or thick rug - this provides more of an unstable surface and makes balancing more difficult. Try one-legged bicep curls. For this exercise, you will need a single dumbbell - the weight depends on your own personal preference, but somewhere between 5 and 15 pounds is good for starting off. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold the dumbbell in your left hand at waist level, with the palm facing upwards. Shift your weight onto your left foot and lift your right foot off the ground, bending your leg forwards from the knee. Perform a set of 5 - 15 bicep curls , depending on how long you can hold your balance for. Repeat with the opposite arm and leg. Try one-legged shoulder presses. This exercise is similar to the previous one and will also require the use of a dumbbell to perform. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your weight evenly distributed. Hold the dumbbell in your left hand. Lift the dumbbell upwards toward the ceiling, until your forearm is perpendicular to the floor. Now lift your right foot off the ground and bend your knee backwards. Try to hold this position for 30 seconds without losing your balance. Repeat holding the dumbbell in your right hand and balancing on your left leg. Walk the line. This exercise tests your ability to walk in a straight line without wobbling or losing your balance. If practiced on a daily basis, it can help with your coordination and allow you to improve your balance. Find a straight line on the ground. It could be the crack between the tiles in your kitchen, or a painted line in a children's playground. You could even make your own using a length of sticky tape. Now try to walk along the line, one front in front of the other, without falling sideways. The first couple of times you can extend your arms out to the sides (like airplane wings) to help you balance. Next try doing it it with your arms pinned to your sides. And once you've mastered that, try walking backwards. Finally, try walking along the line with your eyes closed - tricky, but not impossible! Start small. Practice on a low beam, or even a line on the floor until you feel confident; falling from a great height can hurt badly. Use your arms. If you're on a high balance beam and feel like you're about to fall, just jump off, it's better to be safe then sorry when you're on a balance beam. Concentrate. Before you get up on a balance beam or tightrope, let your mind flow and concentrate on balancing by repeating "balance" in your head. Good concentration will lead to fewer falls. Give yourself a soft landing. Always place a mat or something squishy under you, just in case you do fall. Point your toes. Pointing your toes is a wonderful way for you to not fall, because it stiffens your calf muscles as you walk on the beam.

Try weight shifts. Try leg lifts. Try one-legged bicep curls. Try one-legged shoulder presses. Walk the line. Start small. Use your arms. Concentrate. Give yourself a soft landing. Point your toes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Labrador-Retriever-Puppy

How to Buy a Labrador Retriever Puppy

If you want to buy a Labrador retriever puppy, use the American Kennel Club website to research dog rescues in your area that specifically deal with Labradors. Once you find a rescue that you like, make sure it's legitimate by checking that they will spay or neuter the dog and get it inspected by a vet before going to a new home. Avoid any rescue that rushes the process by skipping these steps. When you're ready to fill out an application, be prepared for an interview and a home visit, during which the rescue will determine if you're a right fit for the dog. If you already have a dog at home, it will have to meet the new puppy to see if they get along before the adoption is complete.

Read up on Labradors. Labradors can be very high energy dogs and are fairly large animals when full grown. There are books on the market that offer guidelines to help you make a choice of breed or temperament. For instance, The Perfect Puppy: How to Choose Your Dog by Its Behavior, by Doctors Benjamin and Lynette Hart may be helpful or The Right Dog for You by Daniel Tortora is another resource to help you with your decision. Another way to learn about Labs is to read about the breed's history and standard. Educate yourself about temperament testing a dog or puppy as a method to help you choose a dog that fits your family and lifestyle. There are many resources out there on the subject. A puppy that is really high energy may be the right fit for an active family able to exercise this kind of pet, but may be too much energy for another family. Puppies who are extremely shy may prove overly fearful later and require extra attention toward socialization to prevent serious behavior issues. Consider the timing when bringing a new puppy into your home. Are you going to have the time to housebreak the puppy and socialize it properly? Are you on vacation when you first get the puppy and then have to go back to work leaving the puppy alone all day? Prepare and educate yourself so that your puppy's start in your home is successful. Find a breed-specific Labrador retriever rescue group. Contact dog rescue groups in your area. You may be able to get contact information from your local humane society, dog officer, veterinarian's office or other pet-related businesses about local rescue organizations.You can visit the American Kennel Club (AKC) website for contact information for breed-specific rescue groups in your state. Fill out an application at a rescue group you like. Many rescue groups have an extensive placement process. They will require an application, an interview and a home visit to ensure a successful adoption. Some may even ask to consult your current veterinarian for information about you and previous pets. If you don't own your home, also be prepared to have a letter from your landlord stating that you are allowed to have a dog. While this may seem excessive to some people, the rescue group is attempting to place the dog with a family in a home that is prepared and willing to deal with the new responsibility of adding a family member. The rescue group does not want to add to the dog's unrest with unsuccessful placements. If you have an existing dog, that dog will need to be evaluated as well to make sure that the dogs will get along. Ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate rescue group and meet with your potential puppy. Any puppy coming from a rescue should be fully checked by a veterinarian for basic health, parasites and vaccinations before they are adopted. Generally, they will be spayed or neutered before they go to their new homes or you will sign a contract to do so in the near future. Beware of any rescue group who skips these steps. Adopt the puppy. Be sure that you understand the amount of work a puppy entails, as well as the extra work that a puppy with a rough past might require in order to train or socialize. Also be prepared for the extra love they will provide you! Meet a Labrador Retriever in person. While there is only one breed of Labradors, the gene pool is large and there can be big differences between dogs who are specifically bred for certain purposes. By attending a conformation show, you will get to meet show-bred Labs and their breeders. These Labs are bred with special attention paid to their physical appearance. If you would like to meet Labs especially selected for hunting and working ability, visit a hunt test or field trial. These field-bred dogs are selected for traits such as intelligence, ease of training, athletic ability and natural hunting skills. You can find wonderful labs of all types at agility, obedience, and tracking tests (and many other different types of competitions). Contact The Labrador Retriever Club or the The Labrador Retriever Club of Canada for details and also listings of events where Labs will be showcased. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has listing for breeders and shows on their website in addition to the AKC breed standards. Prepare your budget. Getting a new puppy should not be done on a whim. This is a long term commitment that has associated costs. Consider the cost of buying a puppy from a breeder, veterinary care including basics such as vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm prevention as well as spaying/neutering in your planning. Food, grooming, and training costs require budgeting. Accommodations for vacation and travel as well as fencing and housing need planning. Are you prepared for medical emergencies? There are many pet health insurance companies that offer affordable plans, but require monthly payments. Do you want to get into showing your dog? There are costs associated with those activities, too. Locate reputable Labrador Retriever breeders on order to purchase a purebred Lab. Attend area dog shows, obedience trials, or hunt tests in your area where Labs and their owners gather. Discover which dogs you like and ask to be referred to their breeder. Visit the AKC website for referrals to Labrador retriever breeders nationwide. Meet with the breeder in person. It is a good idea to visit several local breeders before deciding who you want to buy your puppy from. Do not buy a puppy from the first breeder you visit. You may want to expand your search outside your own local area in order to find the best breeder and puppy for your needs. Ask any potential breeders questions about the Labrador breed. Find out what they know about the care and breeding of Labrador puppies to measure their level of knowledge. You should also ask if the breeder provides ongoing support if you need it, and if they will take the dog back if you can no longer keep it. Buying a puppy from a breeder with all the documentation and parent testing does not guarantee a healthy puppy, unfortunately. However, buying a puppy without responsible breeding practices is highly likely to bring puppies into the world who have health issues that you (and the dog) will be paying for later. Meet your potential puppy in person. Get to know their personality a bit before you commit to paying to adopt them. If the breeder does not want you to meet the dog before you commit to buying it, that should be a warning sign that something is amiss. Try playing with the puppy and see how it reacts to you. Your new puppy should have a good temperament. A well tempered puppy should not be overly aggressive or overly shy. Adopt your puppy. Pay the breeder for the puppy and then take your new family member home! Remember to be gentle and calm with your new puppy. They will most likely be a little bit uncertain and scared when leaving the breeders home. Assure that the breeder gives you all the paperwork they have for your dog. Request to see the health certification of the parent dogs for any puppy you are considering. Don't settle for excuses. You deserve a healthy puppy and this takes knowledge and planning on the breeder's part. Check the pedigree papers to see if there are a high number of titled dogs in the first and second generations. If a puppy's ancestor was titled, initials such as FC, JH, CH, CD, OTCH or WC will appear before or after the dog's name. Although most pedigree papers show three to five generations, the first two are of the most important. These titles show that the dog was able to meet minimum performance standards and is likely a well socialized, trainable dog. Higher level titles show exceptional intelligence, team work and trainability which should mean that offspring also have a higher likelihood of being smart and easy to train. Review your potential dog's health records, including all immunizations, clearances and guarantees. If you are getting your dog from a breeder, ask to see the papers for the sire and dam of the litter. Verify that both parents are at least 2 years old. Final hip clearances cannot be given before that age. Even if the dog had a hip clearance screening at a younger age, it is still possible for problems to develop that would prevent certification once the dog reached 2 years old. Check the parents' papers to make sure both dogs have hip certification from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as registration from either the Canine Eye Registry Foundation or a current annual eye clearance from a veterinary ophthalmologist. Find out how the puppies will be raised before they are adopted out. Where will the puppies be born and raised? Will they get regular handling and socialization from a young age? What sorts of experiences will they encounter? At what age will they be allowed to go to their new homes? Puppies should never go to a new home until they are at least 8 weeks of age. In some states, like California, that is the law. It's a good idea to see the puppy with its mother and litter mates. That way you know that the dog was not born in a puppy mill and that the breeder is actually breeding the dogs. Avoid getting a lab puppy at a pet store. Sold as Labrador Retrievers, cross-bred dogs or poorly-bred Labs are commonly found in pet stores. Quite often, pet stores get puppies from puppy mills who breed indiscriminately and without regard for the health or quality of the dogs. The breeding pairs, particularly the dams, are housed in poor conditions and the puppies rarely socialized. Some states are cracking down on puppy mills and the pet stores that buy from them, but the practice is still quite common. Be forewarned that buying from a pet store encourages the puppy mill problem and increases the likelihood of problems for you later. Some pet stores offer space to rescue groups for adoption events, this is a different situation entirely and should be encouraged. Once again, it's best to see a puppy while it is still with its mother and litter mates. This will show you that the dog was not breed in a puppy mill or other horrible conditions. Don't buy from a breeder online without visiting the breeder's location. Even some local breeders will not allow you to visit and want to meet in a parking lot, or somewhere off site. This should be a red flag to stay away from this breeder. Think first before considering having a puppy shipped. Shipping puppies is very stressful on them and often results in a sick puppy when you pick them up from the airport. A health guarantee does not actually guarantee against everything that might happen to the puppy, and, if your puppy is sick when you get it, what recourse do you have if the breeder is thousands of miles away? Avoid adopting or buying a dog that is in ill health. A healthy dog should be clean, well fed and energetic, with clear eyes, nose and ears. The puppy should have a nice hair coat without mats or fecal material and nails trimmed. Their appetite might be off a few days at first, but the puppy should be eating and drinking. No vomiting, no diarrhea should be present. Avoid dealing with dog brokers who are not transparent about their breeders. There are people who do not breed the dogs themselves, but act as brokers for puppies. Getting dogs from various sources and advertising and selling the puppies to unsuspecting people is how they make money. Again, ask to visit the breeder's location if you want to deal with a broker. If that is not possible, keep looking. Avoid buying a dog from local classified listings. Labrador retrievers are frequently bred and sold without papers through classified listings. This is a great way to find a cheap puppy that will need a lot of future health care, so start saving for vet bills now. Similarly, don't adopt a puppy being sold by the box out front of a store. Impulse purchases are never a good idea. Remember that buying a sickly or sad looking puppy does not just save that puppy, it also funds further irresponsible breeding. It is not a good idea for you for supporting unethical breeding practices is not advised.

Read up on Labradors. Consider the timing when bringing a new puppy into your home. Find a breed-specific Labrador retriever rescue group. Fill out an application at a rescue group you like. Ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate rescue group and meet with your potential puppy. Adopt the puppy. Meet a Labrador Retriever in person. Prepare your budget. Locate reputable Labrador Retriever breeders on order to purchase a purebred Lab. Meet with the breeder in person. Ask any potential breeders questions about the Labrador breed. Meet your potential puppy in person. Adopt your puppy. Request to see the health certification of the parent dogs for any puppy you are considering. Review your potential dog's health records, including all immunizations, clearances and guarantees. Find out how the puppies will be raised before they are adopted out. Avoid getting a lab puppy at a pet store. Don't buy from a breeder online without visiting the breeder's location. Avoid adopting or buying a dog that is in ill health. Avoid dealing with dog brokers who are not transparent about their breeders. Avoid buying a dog from local classified listings.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Porcelain-Grill-Grates

How to Clean Porcelain Grill Grates

Porcelain grill grates can be tricky to clean since they can chip easily, so you'll want to use a soft bristle grill brush to avoid damage. The grill will be easier to clean if it's warm, so heat it up to burn off any excess food, then turn it off and let it cool for a few minutes. When the grill is warm but not hot, run the soft bristle brush diagonally along the grates to remove any grease. You can use a scouring pad or toothbrush for smaller or hard-to-reach areas. The key to keeping your grill clean is to do this after every use. Once it's clean, apply a light layer of cooking oil or grease so it's ready for the next use.

Get a soft bristle brush and a scouring pad. Porcelain grill grates can chip easily if you use a metal or wire bristle brush. Avoid this by using a soft bristle brush, such as a brush made with nylon bristles. This way, the porcelain is not at risk of getting damaged when you clean it. A medium bristle toothbrush and a scouring pad will also be helpful for removing grime from smaller areas. You can get a standard square head soft bristle grill brush or try a grill brush with a rounded head. A soft bristle grill brush with a rounded head can make it easier to clean the grates. Heat up the grill. The grill will be easier to clean when it is warm. Heat up the grill to burn off any excess food on the grill grates. Then turn off the grill and let it cool for a few minutes so the brush bristles won't melt. Clean the grill grates. Take the soft bristle brush and run it diagonally along the grates. Do this in smooth, fluid motions from the bottom to the top of the grates. Running the brush diagonally over the grates, rather than straight over the grates will make it easier to remove food and grease on the grates. Keep the brush flat to avoid the head from damaging the grates. Do one pass over the grates with the brush in a diagonal motion. If there are any really greasy or sticky parts of the grill, lightly go over the area a few times with the brush. Do not scrub too hard on the grates as this can damage them. Use the scouring pad or toothbrush to get small or hard-to-reach areas. If the grill grates can be flipped over, use an oven mitt or heat-proof gloves to flip over the grates and clean the other side with the grill brush. Repeat after each use of the grill. A key to keeping the grill grates clean is to clean them each time you are done cooking. After removing the food and turning off the heat, clean the grates with the brush while they are still warm. Then, apply a light cooking oil or grease to the grates so the grill is ready for the next use. Clean the grates with tin foil. If you do not have access to a grill brush, you can use household products like tin foil to clean the grates. Ball up aluminum foil, making a ball large enough to fit over your fingers. Then, run the aluminum foil over the grates to remove any debris and clean them. Clean the grates with tin foil when they are cool or not too hot to prevent burning your fingers. Make sure there is enough tin foil on your fingers to create a buffer between your fingers and the grates. Apply a baking soda solution to remove grease. If your porcelain grill grates are really dirty, you can try applying a baking soda solution to them. Make a paste by combining ½ cup (90 g) of baking soda with ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of warm water. Apply the paste to the grill grates. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then clean it off with a soft bristle grill brush. Make sure you get all of the paste off before you cook anything on the grill, and clean the brush when you're done. You could remove the grates and let the solution soak overnight, if necessary, in a sink or tub. Rinse the solution off then replace the grates and clean them with a grill brush. Use water on the grates. If the grime and grease on the grates do not come off with just a brush, you can try dipping the grill brush in water and using it to clean the grates. A wet grill brush can help to remove debris on the grates effectively. Let the grill grates heat up. Then, dip the grill brush in a bucket of water to get it wet. Run the wet grill brush over the grates in a diagonal motion, starting from the bottom of the grate and going upward. Dip the grill brush back in the bucket of water to rinse it and continue to clean any other areas on the grates with the wet brush. Get a cleaner that is safe for use on porcelain. It's a good rule of thumb to do a deep clean on your grill twice a year. If your porcelain grill grates are really dirty, use a professional grill cleaner for a deep clean. Read the label on professional cleaners to ensure they are safe for use on porcelain grill grates. Most manufacturers will state if they are safe for use on porcelain grates. You can buy a professional grill cleaner online or at your local hardware store. Most grill cleaners come in a spray bottle for easy application. Apply the cleaner. Let the grill cool down or apply the cleaner when it has been shut off overnight. Spray the cleaner all over the grates and let it sit. Then, use a clean grill brush to gently remove any dirt or food debris on the grates. If the grates are really dirty, you may have to do a few passes with the grill brush. If there is a lot of deep grime caked onto the grates, you can also try spraying the grill cleaner and leaving it on overnight. Then, clean it off with the grill brush the following day. Remove excess cleaner before using the grill. Wipe down the grill grates with a clean soft cloth or paper towels. This will ensure there is no excess cleaner on the grill grates so your food doesn't end up tasting like cleaner when you grill it. Another option is to heat up the grill before you start grilling to burn off any excess cleaner.

Get a soft bristle brush and a scouring pad. Heat up the grill. Clean the grill grates. Repeat after each use of the grill. Clean the grates with tin foil. Apply a baking soda solution to remove grease. Use water on the grates. Get a cleaner that is safe for use on porcelain. Apply the cleaner. Remove excess cleaner before using the grill.

https://www.wikihow.com/Pronounce-Latin

How to Pronounce Latin

To learn how to pronounce words in Latin, start by finding a good beginner Latin pronunciation textbook online or at a bookstore to help you study. Next, memorize how Latin consonants are spoken. For example, “v” is pronounced like the English “w” in “water” and “via” is pronounced “wi-a.” Additionally, pronounce “j” as “y” when it's a consonant, like saying “Julius” as “Yoo-lee-us.” Then, work on learning the short vowels such as “a” which is pronounced similar to “alike,” and “u” which is spoken like in “foot.”

Say V as W. The consonant v is pronounced as the English 'w' as in water. The word via (road), is pronounced "wi-a." Original Latin texts used the letter V in place of the vowel U as well (since the letter U did not exist). Modern Latin textbooks typically update the text to use the letter U for the vowel, and V only as the consonant. Pronounce i or j as y when it is a consonant. Latin did not originally have the letter j , but some modern writers use it to avoid confusion. If J does appear, it is always pronounced "y" as in "you." If you are reading Latin as it was originally spelled, the letter i is sometimes this consonant "y," and sometimes a vowel. For example, the name Iulius or "Julius" is pronounced "Yoo-lee-us." Standardize your pronunciations of other consonants. Unlike in English, each Latin letter is almost always pronounced in a consistent way: C is always hard, as in "cat." cum (with) = koom G is always hard, as in "goal." ago (I drive) = ah-go S is always a voiceless "s" sound as in "snake." spuma (foam) = spoo-ma R is always rolled. This sound doesn't exist in most English dialects, so beginners can pronounce this as they would normally say "R." Keep your H an H. The only tricky part about a Latin h is that it always stays an h! Don't get fooled by combinations like "th" or "ch" — they do not have any special meaning in Latin. Just pronounce the first consonant as you would normally. If you want perfect pronunciation, try to include the h by making the following vowel breathier, as in "ho t h ouse" or "u ph ill" Pronounce other consonants as they appear. Apart from the exceptions above, you can pronounce consonants as you would in "proper" English (the form usually taught in schools). Enunciate to keep the sounds distinct. For example, Classical Latin "t" is always pronounced clearly as a hard "t," never softening to a sloppy "d" sound. There are a small number of corner cases which are not important for beginners. If you want to become a Latin pronunciation expert, these are covered in the extra rules later on. Find a textbook that marks long and short vowels. The easiest way to learn how to pronounce Latin vowels is to read texts designed for students. Each Latin vowel has a long and short pronunciation. Introductory textbooks often mark the long vowels with a macron (horizontal line) over the vowel, so a is always the short pronunciation and ā is the long one. If your main goal is to speak Church Latin, now's a good time to skip down to that section , since the vowel pronunciations are quite different. If you cannot find a text like this, speak with an advanced Latin student to get familiar with vowel pronunciation. Most students learn this best through practice and memorization, but you can look up the complex rules for identifying long and short vowels if you prefer that method. Pronounce short vowels. Beginner textbooks either leave short vowels unmarked or top them with a circumflex (˘). When short, these vowels are always pronounced as follows: A as in alike E as in let I as in lick O as in off U as the "oo" in foot Learn the long vowels. Textbooks mark long vowels with a macron (horizontal line). Long vowels are pronounced as follows: Ā as in father (the same sound as short a, but held for a longer time) Ē as the "a" in mate Ī as the "ee" in beep Ō as in only Ū as the "oo" in boot Know your diphthongs. A diphthong is a combination of two vowels pronounced as one syllable. Latin pronunciation is much more standardized than English, so you do not have to guess at a vowel sound. These combinations are always pronounced as diphthongs: AE as the word eye. saepe (often) = sai-peh AU as the word ow. laudat (he/she/it praises) = low-daht EI as in ray. eicio (I accomplish) = ay-kee-oh OE as in oil. In all other vowel combinations, pronounce the vowels as separate syllables. tuus (your) = tu-us A combination of short and long vowels do not produce dipthongs. "poēta" (poet) = po-ay-tah Stress the first syllable of a two-syllable word. For example, the word Caesar is pronounced KAI-sar. This holds true for all two-syllable words. Identify heavy and light syllables. Latin poets relied on this classification to build their meter. Most Latin students learn to recite poetry eventually, and learning it early helps you with pronunciation as well: If a syllable has a long vowel or a diphthong, it is heavy. If a syllable is followed by a double consonant, it is heavy. The letter x counts as a double consonant (ks). If neither of those is true, the syllable is light. (Some teachers refer to this as "long" and "short" syllables, but it's important not to confuse them with long and short vowels.) Stress the second to last syllable if it is heavy. The second-to-last syllable of a word is called the penult. If this syllable is heavy, stress it. Abutor (I squander) is pronounced ah-BOO-tor because the penult has a long vowel. Occaeco (I make blind) is pronounced ok-KAI-ko because the penult has a diphthong (ae). Recusandus (that which must be rejected) is pronounced reh-koo-SAN-dus because the penult is followed by a double consonant (nd). Stress the syllable before it if the penult is light. If the penult is a light syllable (meaning it has a short vowel and is not followed by a double consonant), it is unstressed. Stress the third-to-last syllable instead, called the antepenult. Praesidium (guard) is pronounced prai-SI-di-um. The penult is light, so the accent falls on the syllable before it. Learn advanced pronunciation rules. These are rare or low priority corner cases that many Latin students never learn. If you plan to time travel back to ancient Rome, you can impress Caesar with these signs of an excellent accent: Double consonants are pronounced twice: reddit (she gives back) is "red-dit," not "re-dit". "bt" and "bs" are pronounced "pt" and "ps." "gn" was pronounced "ngn" as in "wing nut." Some scholars think the letter "m" at the end of a word nasalized the final vowel, as in modern French, and that the combinations "ns" and "nf" had a similar effect. "br", "pl", and similar double consonants that "flow" into an l or r do not count as double consonants for syllable stress. Soften consonants before ae, e, oe, and i. Church Latin, also called Ecclesiastical Latin, has been used in Catholic ritual, song, and church pronouncements for many centuries. Its pronunciation has changed in some respects to match modern Italian, which, after all, is a form of Latin filtered through millennia of change. One of the most noticeable differences from Classical Latin is the appearance of these sounds: If C appears before ae, e, oe, and i, pronounce it ch as in chain (instead of a hard c as in cat). In the same context, G is soft as in gem instead of hard as in goat. SC becomes sh as in sheep instead of sc as in scold. CC becomes tch as in catchy instead of cc as in accord. XC becomes ksh instead of ksk. Learn your vowel sounds. Church Latin vowels tend to have less difference between the long and short forms than Classical Latin. The exact pronunciation can vary by congregation, so if you follow someone's lead or go with your instincts, you'll probably be fine. Singers especially tend to holding the same sound for a longer or shorter time instead of changing the quality of the vowel. When in doubt, use the following system: A as in father. E as in red. I or Y as the "ee" in sleep. O as in for (not as in go). U as the "oo" in boot. Pronounce your V as V. Unlike Classical Latin, Church Latin pronounces the letter V as it is in English. Learn to pronounce GN and TI. In Church Latin, these sounds are closer to modern Romance languages: GN is always pronounced as the "ni" in onion. TI followed by any additional vowel is pronounced as the "tsy" in patsy. Exception: TI is still pronounced "tee" if it is at the start of a word, or if it follows s, x, or t. Learn nihil and mihi. These two words are pronounced as though the h were a k: nikil and miki. H is silent in all other words. Keep double vowels mostly separate. Church Latin still uses the diphthongs AE and OE, as pronounced in Classical Latin. For AU, EI, AU, and EU, make both vowel sounds distinct. If stressed in a song, hold the note on the first vowel sound, and move through the second for a moment at the end. EI is pronounced as a diphthong (one sound) only in the word Hei.

Say V as W. Pronounce i or j as y when it is a consonant. Standardize your pronunciations of other consonants. Keep your H an H. Pronounce other consonants as they appear. Find a textbook that marks long and short vowels. Pronounce short vowels. Learn the long vowels. Know your diphthongs. Stress the first syllable of a two-syllable word. Identify heavy and light syllables. Stress the second to last syllable if it is heavy. Stress the syllable before it if the penult is light. Learn advanced pronunciation rules. Soften consonants before ae, e, oe, and i. Learn your vowel sounds. Pronounce your V as V. Learn to pronounce GN and TI. Learn nihil and mihi. Keep double vowels mostly separate.

https://www.wikihow.com/Preheat-an-Oven

How to Preheat an Oven

To preheat an electrical oven, start by opening the oven door to make sure there's nothing inside, then rearrange the racks if your recipe calls for it. Next, turn your oven on, double-check the recipe for the recommended temperature, and set the oven's temperature dial to that temperature. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the oven to fully preheat, then place your dish on the rack and let it bake for the length of time your recipe specifies!

Consider preheating your oven before starting your recipe. Electrical ovens often need 10 to 15 minutes before they reach the proper temperature. This is often enough time to prepare your recipe. If you need more than 15 minutes in which to prepare the food, then consider starting the oven half-way through the preparation process. Open the oven to make sure everything has been removed. If you store items in your oven, such as baking trays, remove them and set them aside. Rearrange the rack levels, if necessary. Most oven racks are set in the middle of the oven, but sometimes, the dish that you are baking will need to be placed higher or lower in the oven. Refer to your recipe, and if necessary, take out the oven rack and set it to the right level. There should be narrow ledges on the inside walls of your oven for the rack to sit on. Items that need to get browned and crispy at top, such as casseroles and lasagnas, are generally baked towards the top of the oven. Items such as cakes, cookies, and cupcakes should be placed in the middle rack, unless the recipe states otherwise. Items that need to get brown and crispy at the bottom, such as flat breads and pizzas, are placed towards the bottom of the oven. Turn the oven on and set the temperature. To get the right temperature, you will need to refer to your recipe. The oven temperature is usually at the very beginning of the recipe, in the first step. Simply grip the dial, press down on it, and turn it until the mark lands on the right temperature. Wait until the oven reaches the desired temperature. Most modern ovens have a setting that lets you either see the current temperature or beeps when ready. Some ovens have a little light that turns on when it is the right temperature. This light is usually next to the oven temperature dial. Most ovens take 10 to 15 minutes to heat up to the right temperature. If you have an older oven, you may not have a dial with the different temperatures written on it; you may just have an on-off switch. If this is the case, simply turn on the oven and wait 10 to 15 minutes before setting the items to be baked inside. Consider using an oven thermometer. Sometimes, the temperature inside the oven is not accurate and does not actually match the temperature on the dial. An oven thermometer, which is usually placed inside the oven, will tell you the actual temperature. Refer to this thermometer instead of waiting for the indicator light to go on or for the oven to beep. Place the food inside the oven and let it bake according to the recipe. Make sure that the door is firmly closed, unless the recipe states otherwise, and do not peek inside your oven. Opening and closing the door while baking causes the internal heat to escape, which may result in longer baking times. If you plan on doing a lot of baking and using multiple racks, consider staggering the dishes and pans so that they are not parallel to each other. This will allow the hot air inside the oven to circulate around the food and distribute the heat more evenly. Be sure to have proper ventilation. Gas ovens are fueled by gas and thus emit more fumes than electric ones. Provide proper ventilation, such as keeping a window open. Open the oven the make sure there is nothing inside. If you store baking tins inside your oven, you will need to pull them out and set them aside. Adjust the racks, if necessary. Some recipes will require you to change the position of the racks in your oven as doing so will determine the evenness of the baking. Refer to your recipe and adjust the racks accordingly. Simply pull them out and reinsert them into the oven. The oven should have shallow ledges inside for the racks to sit on. Items, such as casseroles and lasagnas, need to be browned and crispy at top. They are generally placed towards the top of the oven. Cakes, cookies, and cupcakes need to be baked evenly, and are usually placed in the middle rack, unless the recipe states otherwise. Items, such as flat breads and pizzas, need to get brown and crispy at the bottom. They are usually baked in the bottom level of the oven. Determine whether your oven ignites with a pilot or electrically. How your oven ignites will determine how you turn it on and set the temperature. Most older stoves will use a pilot light, while newer ones will rely on electricity to ignite. Here is how you can determine what sort of ignition your oven has: If your oven has a pilot-based ignition, you may notice a constantly burning flame that increases or decreases in size depending on the temperature If your oven has an electric-based ignition, you will not see the flames until you turn on the oven and set the temperature. If the oven uses a pilot light, turn the oven on and set the temperature. You may have to press on the dial lightly before turning it. If the oven uses gas marks instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit, you will need to convert the mark. You will need to go on the internet and use an online conversion tool. Sometimes, the pilot light goes out or needs to be ignited before each use. If this happens, make sure that the temperature dials are set to "off" and locate the pilot light. Light a match and hold the flame next to the pilot hole. If the pilot light ignites, remove the match. If the pilot light does not ignite, turn the temperature up slightly. If the oven is digital, press broil or bake on the keypad, and set the temperature. Use the up and down arrows on the pad to adjust the temperature. Once you have set the temperature, hit "Start." The numbers on the screen will change—this is the current temperature inside the oven. Wait as the temperature rises and reaches the original temperature you set. When the oven reaches the right temperature, place the food inside. Gas ovens heat up much faster than electric ones, so your oven should reach the proper temperature in 5 to 10 minutes. Keep the oven door closed, unless the recipe states otherwise. Do not open the oven door and peek at your food, as this will cause the heat inside the oven to escape and prolong baking times. If you have a lot of baking to do and are planning on both racks, do not put too many dishes on the bottom rack. This may prevent the heat from reaching the food on the upper rack. Use caution if you smell gas. If you smell gas while baking, you may have a gas leak. Turn the oven off immediately. Do NOT use any electrical appliances. Doing so may cause an explosion. Open a window and evacuate the house. Contact emergency services using either a neighbor's phone or a cell phone. Do not use your cellphone inside the house. Keep the altitude in mind. High-altitudes will impact the baking time, temperature, and even the ingredients. Most recipes were not designed for high-altitudes and will need adjustments. If you are at 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) or higher, you will need to adjust your recipe. Increase the baking temperature. When you turn on your oven, you will need to set the temperature higher than what is stated in the recipe. If you are at 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) or higher, you will need to increase your baking temperature by 15°F to 25°F (9°C to 14°C) If you are between 7,000 feet and 9,000 feet (2133.6 meters to 2743.2 meters), consider increasing the baking time instead. If you are at 9,000 feet (2743.2 meters) and higher, increase the temperature stated in the recipe by 25°F (14°C). Then, as soon as you place your food inside the oven, lower the temperature back to the temperature stated in the recipe. Decrease the baking time. Since you are increasing the temperature, your items will be finished sooner than what is stated in the recipe. For every 6 minutes of baking time stated in the recipe, decrease your baking time by 1 minute. For example, if your recipe needs to be baked for every 30 minutes, decrease the baking time, and bake for 25 minutes instead. Place the food closer to the heat source. Most ovens are warmer towards the bottom, and this is where you should consider placing your dishes to ensure that they get cooked properly.

Consider preheating your oven before starting your recipe. Open the oven to make sure everything has been removed. Rearrange the rack levels, if necessary. Turn the oven on and set the temperature. Wait until the oven reaches the desired temperature. Place the food inside the oven and let it bake according to the recipe. Be sure to have proper ventilation. Open the oven the make sure there is nothing inside. Adjust the racks, if necessary. Determine whether your oven ignites with a pilot or electrically. If the oven uses a pilot light, turn the oven on and set the temperature. If the oven is digital, press broil or bake on the keypad, and set the temperature. When the oven reaches the right temperature, place the food inside. Use caution if you smell gas. Keep the altitude in mind. Increase the baking temperature. Decrease the baking time. Place the food closer to the heat source.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Catnip-Spray

How to Make Catnip Spray

To make a catnip spray, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil and letting it cool for a minute or 2. Next, add 1 tablespoon of fresh catnip or 1 teaspoon of dried catnip leaves to the water. Then, leave the catnip in the water for 5-7 minutes before removing it and allowing the water to cool to room temperature. Finally, pour the water into a spray bottle and your catnip spray is ready to use.

Get your hands on some catnip. The easiest way to do this is simply to buy it. Catnip will be available at most pet stores. You may be able to find catnip at hardware and grocery stores with a "Pets" section. Catnip is also available for order online. Wherever you buy from, it's fairly cheap — a small container will rarely cost you more than $10. If you're a gardener, you can also get catnip seeds from many garden supply stores for much cheaper. Plant the catnip plants in the early spring and harvest the leaves at any point during the growing season. Boil a pot of water on the stove. The spray you'll make for your cat in this section is actually a sort of "tea" that's been allowed to cool. Like any tea, your first step should be to boil some water. The exact amount of water you use doesn't matter that much — the more you use, the more dilute the spray will be. If this is your first time, you may want to try boiling about four to five cups to start and adjust the recipe as you wish in the future. If you have an actual teapot, you may want to use it for convenience here. If you don't, no need to worry. A small saucepan also works well. Add the catnip to the water. When the water reaches a steady boil, remove it from the heat. Let it cool for a minute or two to about 80 degrees C (176 F). Next, add your catnip: about one teaspoon of dried leaves or one tablespoon of fresh catnip. There are a few ways you can do this: If you have a metal tea ball or infuser, put the catnip inside it, then lower it into the water. If you don't have these sort of tea accessories, you can just dump the catnip in and strain it out later. Let the catnip steep. Now, all you need to do is wait. Over the next few minutes, the catnip leaves will release their inner chemicals into the water, including the active ingredient nepetalactone. You should notice a slight change in the color and smell of the water. If you wish, you can also stir the water every few minutes to distribute the catnip throughout. Remove the catnip and allow the tea to cool. The tea should be ready after about five to seven minutes. The longer you let the catnip sit in the tea, the stronger it will get, so don't forget to remove it! After, let the tea cool to room temperature. If you used a tea ball or infuser, you can just pull it out of the water. If the leaves are floating directly in the water, pour the tea through a strainer into another container to remove them. If you don't have a strainer, you can use cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Add the tea to a spray bottle. Now, just pour the tea into a clean plastic spray bottle and it's ready to use! You can use one that you already have or buy one from most department stores for extremely cheap. If you're reusing a spray bottle, be sure to thoroughly wash it and allow it to dry before using it for catnip purposes. Don't reuse containers that originally contained caustic cleaners like bleach or ammonia. Store leftover tea in an airtight container in the fridge. Spray the catnip to make your cat "freak out". Your new catnip spray can be used in a wide variety of ways. In general, anything you spray it on will make the cat "go nuts" when the cat goes near it, touches, or smells it. This can make it fun for your cat (and you) if you use the spray on your cat's favorite objects. A few suggestions are below! Play it safe with your spray at first. Start off with just one or two sprays, then judge your cat's reaction and give more sprays as needed. Spray the catnip on the cat's bedding. One great idea is to give a few sprays in the place where your cat usually sleeps. When the cat eventually comes here, it will have a comfortable spot to jump, roll around, and otherwise wig out. The soft bedding will feel especially good as the cat rubs itself against the sprayed surfaces. Spray the catnip on the cat's toys. Another good idea is to spray things like chew toys, rag dolls, scratching posts, and so on. The toys may become irresistible to the cat, leading to intense, frantic playing followed by periods of "spacing out". Spray the catnip on the cat's food. This can mealtime a delightful surprise! It's completely safe for your cat to eat food that has been sprayed with catnip. However, be aware that your cat may be tempted to make a mess when it starts to feel the effects. Be ready for your cat to act bizarrely! If you've never seen a cat play with catnip before, you may be shocked to see how your cat reacts to your spray. To put it bluntly, catnip makes cats act like they're drunk or "high". The substance is somewhat unpredictable and different cats may react differently to it. However, certain reactions are common. If you see these, don't worry — your cat will be much calmer in a few minutes and should be back to normal in an hour or two: Loud meowing Rolling and writhing against the catnip Hyperactive running and playing Weird movements and gestures "Spacing out" — standing still and staring at nothing Know which usages to avoid. Catnip is usually good, safe fun for your cat — unlike alcohol and other human drugs, it's completely non-toxic to cats. However, this doesn't mean that any use of catnip is a smart idea. See below: Don't spray catnip directly onto a cat (especially into its face). This can be too intense and may irritate the cat's eyes. Don't play with catnip in dangerous areas (like near dropoffs, fragile objects, fires, and so on). Remember that it's common for catnip to make cats act wild and foolish. Don't play with catnip more than about once per week. Using it more often isn't dangerous, but it can make it less effective over time.

Get your hands on some catnip. Boil a pot of water on the stove. Add the catnip to the water. Let the catnip steep. Remove the catnip and allow the tea to cool. Add the tea to a spray bottle. Spray the catnip to make your cat "freak out". Spray the catnip on the cat's bedding. Spray the catnip on the cat's toys. Spray the catnip on the cat's food. Be ready for your cat to act bizarrely! Know which usages to avoid.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fake-Blood

How to Make Fake Blood

To make fake blood, combine 1 cup (240 mL) of corn syrup, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of chocolate syrup, and 8 drops of red food coloring in a bowl. Stir everything together, then apply the fake blood directly to your skin or Halloween costume. To make fake blood without corn syrup, first add 2 cups (240 g) of powdered sugar and 1 cup (240 mL) of water to a large bowl. Stir until the powdered sugar is fully dissolved, then add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of red food coloring and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of green food coloring. Finally, add 1 tablespoon (7 g) of cocoa powder, and stir everything together. If you don't have red food coloring to make fake blood with, try substituting it with fruit punch, strawberry syrup, or tomato paste.

Measure your ingredients into a blender. Get out a blender and measuring cups and spoons. Measure and place each of the ingredients into the blender. This makes one full batch of fake blood that you can use and eat. You'll need: 1/2 cup (120 ml) of red fruit punch 1 cup (300 g) of corn syrup (or golden syrup) 2 tablespoons of red food coloring 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup 2 tablespoons of cornstarch 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder Blend the fake blood until it's smooth. Put the lid on the blender and blitz it for about 30 seconds, so the ingredients combine and forms smooth fake blood. It may help to pause after 15 seconds and blitz the fake blood again. This will ensure that any lumps of cocoa powder or cornstarch are blended out. If you don't have a blender, you could use a large food processor. Adjust the color of the fake blood. Remove the blender lid and dip a spoon into the fake blood to check the color. Drizzle some of the fake blood onto a white paper towel to get the best idea of the color. If you need to adjust the color, you can add more red food coloring, chocolate syrup, or cocoa powder. For example, if the fake blood looks too pink or pale, add a few drops of red food coloring and blend it again. Or if the fake blood looks too bright red, add some more chocolate syrup or powder and blend it again. Consider thickening the fake blood. If you'd like thicker fake blood that's a little globby, add extra corn syrup. For extra thick fake blood, you could double the amount of corn syrup. Keep in mind that you may need to add extra red food coloring, since it will be diluted. If you don't want to use corn syrup, you could substitute golden syrup. Measure water and powdered sugar into a blender. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into a blender or food processor. Measure out 3 1/2 cups (16 ounces or 453 g) of powdered sugar and add it to the blender. Blitz the water and powdered sugar. Put the lid on the blender and blend the water and powdered sugar for about 30 seconds. The powdered sugar should completely dissolve in the water. You may need to pulse the mixture to break up any clumps of powdered sugar. Add red food coloring and cocoa to the blender. Pour 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of red food coloring into the blender. Put the lid on it and pulse the blender until the dye is blended into the mixture. Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and blitz the fake blood again. The cocoa will help the fake blood thicken a little and will make it turn a more realistic shade of red. Adjust the color of the fake blood. Remove the lid from the blender and dip a spoon into the fake blood. Drip the fake blood onto a paper towel, so you can get a better idea of what the color looks like. Add more red food coloring or cocoa powder to get the color you want. You can transfer the fake blood to a squeeze bottle and squirt it when you're ready to use it. Just store it in the refrigerator until you need it. Place the water and flour into a sauce pot. Get out a small sauce pot and pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into it. Add 1 tablespoon of flour into the water and whisk the mixture to break up any lumps. Try to dissolve the flour in the water. If you don't have a whisk, you can use a fork to quickly combine the water and flour. Heat the mixture. Turn the heat on to high until it begins to boil. One it's bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low. It should only bubble a little. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Cooking the flour and water mixture will make your fake blood thick. Stir in the red food coloring. Pour 2 tablespoons of red food coloring into the cooled flour and water mixture. Whisk or stir the red food coloring until the color is completely mixed into the thick mixture. You can add more red food coloring for a brighter shade of fake blood.

Measure your ingredients into a blender. Blend the fake blood until it's smooth. Adjust the color of the fake blood. Consider thickening the fake blood. Measure water and powdered sugar into a blender. Blitz the water and powdered sugar. Add red food coloring and cocoa to the blender. Adjust the color of the fake blood. Place the water and flour into a sauce pot. Heat the mixture. Stir in the red food coloring.

https://www.wikihow.com/Put-Utilities-in-Your-Name

How to Put Utilities in Your Name

To put a utility bill in your name, call or visit the utility provider and request a bill transfer. Then, provide the company with proof of your identity, such as your driver's license, and proof of your billing address, such as your lease agreement. If the company requires it, make a deposit payment for liability purposes and schedule a bill transfer date.

Put the utility in your name as soon as you can. If you're moving to a new home, try to handle the utility transfer at least 2 weeks before you arrive, that way you won't run into billing issues with the previous tenant. If you're declaring a name change or switching the bill from 1 member of the household to another, handle the transfer as soon as possible to avoid any paperwork mishaps or legal complications. If you fail to transfer the utility, the person named on the original bill remains liable for future payments. This can lead to legal issues if that person moves out or if your lease requires you to change the bill over. Some landlords include utility services in your normal housing bill, meaning you won't have to put them in your name. Contact your utility provider and request a bill transfer. If necessary, acquire your utility provider's contact information from your landlord or whoever paid the bill previously. Then, call the company or visit 1 of their local offices to request a bill transfer. Some utility providers may allow you to alter your billing information through their official website. Provide any requested personal documents. To put a utility in your name, you'll need to show the provider proof of your identity, such as your ID, driver's license, or birth certificate, and billing address, usually a lease agreement or piece of mail. In some cases, the company may also request documents related to your employment status or credit history. If you're declaring a name change, you'll typically need to show a government ID bearing your new name, your name change certificate and, for newlyweds taking their spouse's last name, your marriage certificate. Make a deposit payment if required. If you do not have a payment history with the utility company, they may require you to put down a deposit payment. Typically, the payment total depends on your credit score and track record with previous utility providers. You should not have to put down a new deposit if you're simply declaring a name change. However, you may need to pay a processing fee. Schedule a utility transfer date if necessary. In some cases, the utility company will update your billing information on the spot. In other cases, you'll have to schedule a specific service transfer date. To ensure that you don't experience a lapse in service, make sure the transfer date is before the home's service cut-off date. If you're moving to a new place, call the utility company before you leave to make sure everything's been transferred over successfully. Look up competitive utility services in your area. When you're ready to sign up for a new utility, search online to see what options are available in your area. For some services, you may be limited to a single provider. For others, however, you may get a choice between multiple companies and, in some cases, a government-ran public option. You can look up companies on normal search engines or utility databases like https://myutilities.com. Choose a company that offers either the best service or lowest prices. For utility companies that rely primarily on city infrastructure, such as water providers, go with the company that has the lowest annual rates in your area. For companies that provide their own infrastructure, such as internet service providers, pick the company with the best service options. When comparing prices, keep in mind that some companies charge a flat monthly rate while others bill you based on how much you use their service. Go to the company's office and verify your identity and location. Once you've chosen a utility provider, go to 1 of their local offices to talk with a company representative. Make sure to bring documents that prove your identity, such as your birth certificate or driver's license, and billing address, such as your lease paperwork. Some companies may require additional documents as well to verify your credit history or employment status. Choose your service package. For some utilities, especially those that bill you based on use, you may be relegated to a single, standardized service option. For others, you'll be able to select from a variety of packages that vary in cost. During this time, the company representative may require you to create an online billing account. Make a deposit payment. When signing up for a new utility, you'll have to make a deposit payment to protect the company if you fail to pay your bill. The deposit varies from person to person and depends on your payment history with previous utility companies and credit score. The company may require additional deposit payments if they have to lend you equipment. Schedule your utility starting date. After making your deposit, choose the day you want your utility service to start. In some cases, you may also have to schedule a time when the company can come to your home and install any necessary equipment. If you're moving into a new house or apartment, try to schedule the utility service so it starts 1 or 2 days before you arrive.

Put the utility in your name as soon as you can. Contact your utility provider and request a bill transfer. Provide any requested personal documents. Make a deposit payment if required. Schedule a utility transfer date if necessary. Look up competitive utility services in your area. Choose a company that offers either the best service or lowest prices. Go to the company's office and verify your identity and location. Choose your service package. Make a deposit payment. Schedule your utility starting date.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Circuit-Boards

How to Clean Circuit Boards

To clean a circuit board, try using compressed air. Just hold the can about 3 to 4 inches away from the board and spray the compressed air in short bursts. This should remove grime and other build-up from the board. Alternatively, spot clean your circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. You'll need to dip a cotton swab into the alcohol, then wipe away the spots of grime. Let the alcohol dry for an hour or so before trying to use your circuit board. Remember that if you're cleaning circuit boards that are connected to a computer or other appliance, turn the power off completely before you start.

Shut down your computer. Shut your computer down and unplug it completely from all cables. Spraying compressed air into your computer while it's still running can potentially damage the components and risk your own electrocution. You can shut your computer down by clicking on the main menu, selecting “Shut Down,” and confirming your selection on the pop-up window that appears. Spray compressed air into the central processing unit (CPU) in short bursts. Insert the nozzle of the compressed air canister into the fan exhaust ports, which are usually located on the back of the console at the top. Make sure to keep the canister upright as you spray, and spray in short, contained bursts. Turning the canister upside-down or spraying for too long will cool the air, and can risk freezing the components of your computer. Use a screwdriver to open up the CPU. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws on the back of the CPU that hold the side panel on the unit. Then, gently slide the side panel back and off the unit. This should give you access to the circuitry. You will most likely need a Phillips-head screwdriver, but you could potentially need a flathead screwdriver or a hex head screwdriver instead. Spray compressed air onto the circuit board. The circuit board will most likely be green, with squiggly, silver lines on it. Spray compressed air in short bursts onto the board, keeping the canister upright and the nozzle a few inches away from the circuit board. This will also give you an opportunity to look for grime and corrosion that may require more extensive cleaning. Grime and corrosion that is especially large or is building up near a heat generator or on top of circuit pathways should be removed. Dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol. You should use isopropyl alcohol that is at least 90%-100% alcohol. Pour a little alcohol into a small bowl and dip the cotton swab in it. Then, squeeze out any excess moisture so that the swab is only lightly damp. You don't want the swab to drip or leave puddles on the circuit board. Exposing the circuitry to excess moisture can cause damage. Brush the cotton swab across the grime to dislodge it. Look for grime that is built up near heat generators and on top of circuit pathways. Lightly brush any buildup you find with the swab until you dislodge it. Be patient rather than forceful. If you've been brushing grime for a while and you can't dislodge it, don't add more pressure. You'll just to move on to using baking soda. Allow the alcohol to dry. Wait until the alcohol has dried. It shouldn't take longer than an hour, usually much less. In the meantime, you can continue brushing at particularly troublesome grime spots to try to dislodge them. Alcohol dries much faster than water. Use compressed air to blow away any dislodged grime. Keep the canister upright and the nozzle several inches away from the circuit board. Spray in short bursts around the areas you've just spot cleaned. If you see battery corrosion or stubborn dirt that still won't come free, you may need to use baking soda to remove it. Try lightly rubbing the corrosion off with a pencil eraser. If your circuit board has significant corrosion on it that you were unable to remove with a spot cleaning, you can try lightly rubbing it off with a pencil eraser. This is a good stopgap solution to avoid using baking soda, which can cause damage to your circuit board if not used carefully. The eraser method is also particularly useful for cleaning circuit boards with copper components. Mix together baking soda and water and apply to corroded areas. Mix together baking soda and a little bit of water in a small bowl until you've formed a runny paste. Then, soak a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it gently to the corroded areas of your circuit board until they are thoroughly covered. You want the cotton swab to be almost dripping, so that as much of the mixture soaks into the corroded areas as possible. Allow the paste to dry for 1 day and then remove the corrosion. Wait for the paste to completely dry on the circuit board, which usually takes about 24 hours. Then, dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol (90%-100% alcohol) and squeeze out the excess moisture. Use the dampened swab to lightly brush away the dried paste and corrosion. Be patient and don't apply too much force. Replace the battery that caused the corrosion. Corrosion is usually caused by acid leaking from a battery near the circuit board. You should be able to find the offending battery fairly easily because it will be corroded as well. Remove the battery with rubber gloves, clean away any corrosion it left in the battery socket, and insert the replacement battery. You can recycle your old battery by taking it to an electronics store or recycling center, or by mailing it in to a specialized recycling service ( https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Batteries ). The information you'll need to find a replacement battery will usually be in your computer's documentation and on the battery itself. If you can't find the information you need to replace the battery, you can put the battery in a baggie and take it into an electronics store for identification.

Shut down your computer. Spray compressed air into the central processing unit (CPU) in short bursts. Use a screwdriver to open up the CPU. Spray compressed air onto the circuit board. Dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol. Brush the cotton swab across the grime to dislodge it. Allow the alcohol to dry. Use compressed air to blow away any dislodged grime. Try lightly rubbing the corrosion off with a pencil eraser. Mix together baking soda and water and apply to corroded areas. Allow the paste to dry for 1 day and then remove the corrosion. Replace the battery that caused the corrosion.

https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Apocalypse

How to Survive an Apocalypse

While having to survive an apocalypse is unlikely, there are certain things you can do to prepare, like gathering sufficient supplies to survive for 90 days. Basic survival items include jugs of water, canned goods, blankets, medications, clothing, and a knife. You may also want to stock up on some supplies that will make life more manageable, like a flashlight, matches, a pot, a map, duct tape, and a smartphone. Additionally, you should have an emergency kit that includes bandages, antibiotics, iodine, candles, superglue, and needles.

Gather sufficient supplies to survive for 90 days. Surviving after a major apocalyptic event is not going to be short term since the entire country or the world is likely to be falling apart––there are no two ways around that reality. However, hopefully having three months of supplies will get you settled and going with your new self-sufficient habits. The more time you have dedicated to forming a plan when disaster does strike, the better. When preparing the supplies, think in two categories: basic survival and getting by, as outlined in the following two steps. Obtain and stockpile basic survival (the most important) items. Consider storing the following: Jugs of water Canned goods Vacuum-sealed goods Blankets and pillows Medications A weapon that you actually know how to use properly A knife (in addition to a weapon) Warm, long sleeved clothing (if your climate requires it) Carrying bag (for moving and/or fleeing). Store supplies for just getting by. Think about having these items at your disposal: Batteries Flashlights Matches Pots and pans (for cooking or boiling water) Plastic utensils (plate, mug, spoon, fork) Rope or twine Map Permanent markers (something to write with) Change of clothes Can opener Lighters Camp stove and propane Hatchet or axe First aid book Sunglasses Duct tape Glow sticks Boots Extra pants Smartphone Water filters Other comfort items Prepare an emergency kit. Whether you're trying to survive the aftermath of a major earthquake, impact event, or global pandemic, you'll need to think about your health. Here's a list for what you need to put in your emergency kit: Adhesive bandages, such as Band-Aids Gauze Medical tape Antibiotics Antiviral drugs Ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)) Acetaminophen/paracetamol (over-the-counter pain relief) Antihistamine Aspirin (over-the-counter pain relief) Laxative Iodine Potassium Iodine Hand sanitizing liquid Candles A multi-use tool (aka a "hobo tool") Phone charger (preferably solar) Wood for burning Towels Life jackets, if your area is prone to flooding Extra warm clothes Paper towels Solar chargers Pet food (enough for 30-90 days) Tweezers Plasters Safety pins Thermometer Superglue Toothpicks/needles Keep yourself healthy against everything. You'll be dealing with everything from cuts to dysentery. Hospitals will cease to function and exist so simple problems will seem a lot more daunting. If you or a family member has a specific ailment, stockpile medications for that, too. Plan how to prepare for the messier sides of the long-term. That's a nice way of saying, "Everybody poops." To keep hygiene from being an issue on top of everything else, pack the following: Toilet paper (a couple rolls will suffice) Menstrual products Toothbrush and toothpaste Plastic garbage bags and ties Shovel or trowel Bleach Soap and shampoo Set up a communication system. Everyone in the household and close family and friends should have a communication system to communicate with family and friends. Communicate secret locations with your family members and friends using a radio. Keep batteries with your radio. The last thing you want is to presume you're prepared when you're really not. And if you have a loved one you're taking care of, make sure they have a radio and you're not keeping both of them for the two of you. When all else fails, work out how you will contact each other. This is when your permanent markers will come in handy. If the apocalypse strikes and you have left the house, write down where you are going, when you left, and if/when you'll be back on the wall, on a rock, on a nearby car, wherever you can find. Use diesel-powered vehicles. Hoarding gasoline won't work; the chemicals that once kept it fresh will degrade it in time. After a year or so, it goes bad. Chances are gas stations will run out of gasoline but there could be some diesel left. In addition, all military diesels can run on other fuels as well, from rotten kerosene to fermented leaves. So invest in something that can handle the harder fuels. In said vehicle, it's equally as likely that you'll be in it when all breaks loose, so pack a survival kit to keep in your car as well. Is there such a thing as being too prepared? If this isn't an option, make sure you have a bicycle laying around somewhere that's fully functioning. There will be a point when you need to cover large distances in a short amount of time. Become a good shot. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the apocalypse, knowing how to handle a gun can mean the difference between life and death, particularly if you'll need to hunt or defend your home against violence. If it's legal to do so where you live, it might be a good idea to purchase a gun ahead of time and become proficient at using it. Be sure to exercise gun safety at all times. For starters, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, unload the gun when not in use, always treat a gun as though it is loaded (even when you know it isn't), keep the gun where children cannot access it, be sure of your target and what lies beyond it, and regularly have the gun serviced by a firearms professional. Regardless of who or what you'll be facing, this is probably a good idea. Anything menacing needs to be kept far, far away. Whatever or whoever your enemy, shooting them will probably increase your chances of not being attacked or eaten. Unless the apocalypse is due to some bacteria that's floating around in the air. In that case, get a gas mask. The people/zombies/menacing forces will probably still see you as an enemy. Learn how to hunt. Master the art of the snare trap. If you're really scrappy with it, you need nothing but what nature provides you. If you're on the ocean or near a body of water, get to fishing or fly fishing. Your stock of baked beans and Spaghetti O's certainly isn't going to start spawning miraculously. Take a hint from Katniss and start honing your archery skills. Once you've got a reason, learn how to make your own bow. Read up on disaster preparedness. Take the time to read through wikiHow's disaster preparedness section. Read as many non-fiction books about disaster preparation and survival essentials as you can. Consider reading some novels about the apocalypse, as well, but don't rely on these for accurate advice since you won't necessarily know how much effort the author put into research. Examples of books to read include: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven, Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, Earth Abides by George R. Stewart, Stephen King's The Stand , and The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham are all great places to start (even if the apocalypse doesn't end up coming anytime soon). You've already read The Hunger Games , right? Become less dependent. If we're all honest with ourselves, what kind of world could we recreate without others? For most of us, not much. Can you make a battery from a lemon ? Or a potato clock ? Lowering the bar... how are you at tying knots ? Find a way to generate your own electricity. Taking car batteries and daisy chaining them will act as an energy storage device, but you're going to need to generate power. A generator running on wood, gas or a diesel engine where you can make your own fuel is good, but the real payoff is using renewable energy by making your own wind turbine out of PVC pipes and a car alternator or scavenging some solar panels near a highway. When the events do take a turn for the worst, at least you'll be able to be productive at night and have some of the luxuries of your former life. Having electricity in your safe house will keep the lights on and keep electronics running. Electricity is important to run power tools, welders, water/fuel pumps, radio equipment as well as charge any portable item or comfort item you may wish to use. It'll be a surprising source of morale, too. Pray. Over time, new society will form. The collapse of a single city usually summons the National Guard, meaning that you will be relocated to a different society eventually. The collapse of a country means that you can now start your own country. Grab a long-sleeved shirt and some pants. If you were out lounging on your pool deck with nothing but earbuds on and iPhone in hand (how else would you be reading this?), you're going to want to put on some layers. Even if the meteor looming on the horizon will send a blast of heat from here to Fargo, you'll be glad you did. Pretty much any cause for an apocalypse requires long, comfortable clothing. You want a long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your skin from predators, yes, but also from the sun and treacherous terrain. The apocalypse is no time to work on your tan. If you have time, grab a pair of boots. If you don't have boots nearby, go for tennis shoes. You may have to break into a dead sprint at any time. If you have the luxury, make sure you're comfortable enough in your clothes and shoes to flee. Come up with an escape plan. If for some odd reason your house isn't safe to stay in, you'll need to get out as soon as possible. With your map in hand, get out and get out now. Would you do best in the forest ? Near water? Are you concerned with privacy and hiding from others or is there not another soul in sight? Your specific situation will determine where you should go. Again, if you can stay in your house, do so. A shelter is best and friends and family will know how to find you. Make an assessment of your situation. Be as logical and rational as possible. You may want to stay, but is it best for you and your family? Seek shelter. Even if it's not nuclear, you'll be better off escaping the perils of weather and being exposed to predators by getting and staying inside. But if it's a blast that is putting down the human race, it's doubly imperative that you shield yourself from the radiation as quickly as you can. Basements are a good place to start. 16 inches (40.6 cm) of solid brick can keep radiation away from you, so you should fairly set there -- not to mention among your own things. One inch (2.5cm) of steel will do it too, but you probably don't live on the Enterprise. Find a food source. You'll probably want this to be from a remnant of your soon-to-be past and not a raspberry bush or particularly lively pond. A grocery store or even recently-deserted houses are your best bet. As you're scrounging, get a candy bar and chow it down. The last thing you want to think about right now is hunger. And stock up. Don't think in terms of days; think in weeks. Grab a few bags and start scrumping. What can you carry that'll last the longest? Think in volume and weight in addition to preservation. Cans are good, but they're heavy. But if everything is already picked over, don't get fussy; take what you can get. You'll need just anything to survive. Water. Get loads and loads and loads of water, or else you'll be drinking your pee in no time. Go on the defensive. It's safe to assume at this juncture that whatever is out there is not your friend. Find a weapon that you can actually use and start watching your six. When it comes to humans, there is no place for intelligence and culture now -- you do what you need to do. Don't flash your gun like you do your BMW. Conceal your weapons. You know that scene in Die Hard where Bruce had those guns taped to his back (despite the fact that tape doesn't adhere easily to pools of sweat) and pulled a one-over on that German villain either played by Jeremy Irons or Alan Rickman? That's going to be you. No one's going to pull the wool over your eyes. You're a weapon yourself. Find other survivors. You've got your food, you've got your weapons, and you've staked out a place to stay. Now it's time to assemble a team a la The Walking Dead. Except that you want a team that is actually useful. When you consider taking on others (they're mouths to feed, after all), assess what they can do for you. Do they know plants? Are they a wizard with a javelin? Are they carrying their own stockpile of food? Okay, you'll probably want friends so you shouldn't be too picky. If you're not going to assess them for their goods, at least consider their character. Does your gut tell you they're trustworthy? If you're all alone, keep a look out for lights and fires at nighttime. If you see one or more, consider venturing out yourself to make new best friends, but only if you think the end would justify the means. How far away is the light? How quickly could you get there? What would you be risking by leaving? Are there predators or obstacles in your path? You may be better off being alone, for now. Stay positive. This will arguably be the hardest thing, especially if you're alone or wounded. But ultimately this hardship will be easier to handle if you remain optimistic about it. And if there are children with you, all the more reason. Do not let your ethics stand in the way of your identity. The rules are different now. Just because you decided someone isn't pulling their slack and the team should, therefore, cut their losses doesn't mean you've turned into an animal. Assess your moralities as you see fit, but understand that the world is a much different place now and you must adapt to it to stay alive and fruitful.

Gather sufficient supplies to survive for 90 days. Obtain and stockpile basic survival (the most important) items. Store supplies for just getting by. Prepare an emergency kit. Keep yourself healthy against everything. Plan how to prepare for the messier sides of the long-term. Set up a communication system. Use diesel-powered vehicles. Become a good shot. Learn how to hunt. Read up on disaster preparedness. Become less dependent. Find a way to generate your own electricity. Pray. Grab a long-sleeved shirt and some pants. Come up with an escape plan. Seek shelter. Find a food source. Go on the defensive. Find other survivors. Stay positive.

https://www.wikihow.com/Broil-Lobster-Tails

How to Broil Lobster Tails

To broil lobster tails, first preheat your broiler. Arrange the lobster tails on a baking sheet and use kitchen shears to cut top of each shell lengthwise. Pull apart the sides of each shell slightly to expose the meat. Then, brush melted butter on the meat and season the tails with salt, pepper, and paprika. Broil the lobster tails for 5-10 minutes, or until they're slightly browned and the meat is opaque. Remove the tails from the broiler and enjoy!

Remove the tails if using whole lobsters. If working with whole fresh lobsters, you will need to briefly parboil the lobsters in salted water before removing the tails. Salt a large stockpot of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the lobsters and cook for 2 minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tails. Return the bodies and claws to the boiling water for another 10 to 13 minutes to finish cooking them. Thaw and rinse frozen lobster tails. If working with frozen lobster tails, thaw them overnight in your refrigerator and rinse them well in cool running water. Rinse the lobster tails under running water and pat dry with clean paper towels. Make two lengthwise cuts through the top of the tail shells. Use a sharp knife or sharp kitchen scissors to cut out a section of the lobster shell. Begin cutting along the length of the tail just right of center. Cut from the open end all the way down to the base of the tail. Move the knife of scissors roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the left and make an identical cut on the left side. Make a final horizontal cut at the base of the tail, connecting the two lengthwise cuts. As you cut, make sure to keep the blade close to the top underside of the shell. You can cut into the meat slightly, but you do not want to cut through it completely, nor do you want to slice into the bottom of the shell. Remove the cut piece by peeling it away. Rinse the tails again. Lightly rinse the cut lobster tails under cool, running water to remove any bits of lobster shell that may have stuck to the meat. Pat dry with clean paper towels when done. Remove the digestive tract. The digestive tract is the dark line that runs from one end of the tail to the other, across the entire length. To remove the digestive tract, slide the tip of your blade directly under one end of the dark line, cutting it free while keeping it attached to the rest of the tract. Grip the digestive tract between your index finger and thumb and gently peel it up and back. Trim it off at the end with your blade. Note that this is only optional. You can leave the digestive tract in place, if desired, and it should not affect the taste of the lobster tail. Removing it is mostly done for aesthetic purposes. Loosen the meat and lift it up. Use your fingers to sever the lobster meat from the bottom and sides of the shell. Lift it up and rest it on top of the shell. Slide your fingers along the side of the meat and underneath it, starting from the wide end of the tail. Loosen all of the meat except for a small portion at the small end of the tail. Lift the meat, intact, through the opening in the shell. Let it rest gently on top of the remaining shell. By keeping the meat above the shell, you allow the heat to circulate through all sides of the meat more evenly. Melt the butter in a medium skillet. Add the butter and heat it over medium-high until completely melted. Once the butter melts, proceed to the next step. Do not wait for the milk solids to separate from the butter. In other words, if the butter begins to smoke or if white foam appears on the surface, you have left it on the heat for too long. Add the garlic. Stir the garlic continuously for 1 minute, or until it becomes lightly toasted and fragrant. Watch the garlic as it cooks. It can burn quickly, and if it does burn, you will need to toss out the contents of the pan and start over to avoid contaminating the flavor. Stir in the bread crumbs. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir the bread crumbs in, coating them completely with butter and garlic. Keep stirring until the bread crumbs are thoroughly moistened. The butter should be completely absorbed when done. Add the cheese and parsley. Stir well until thoroughly combined. Keep stirring until the cheese is slightly melted and the parsley seems evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Keep warm until ready to use. Set the stuffing aside and prepare to broil the lobster. Note that you should not prepare a butter sauce if you plan on using stuffing, and vice versa. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Place the butter in a saucepan and heat over medium until it becomes foamy. Once the butter melts and takes on a white, foamy appearance, the solids have begun to separate from the liquid portion of the butter. Skim and discard the foam on the top of the butter. You are, essentially, creating clarified butter. Stir in the garlic powder and lemon juice. Mix well until completely combined. The garlic powder should be dissolved and the lemon juice must be well incorporated into the butter. Mix the garlic and juice into the butter while the saucepan is still on the heat, stirring it with a mixing spoon for another 1 minute or so. Keep warm until ready to use. Set the butter sauce aside and prepare to broil the lobster. Note that you should not prepare stuffing if you plan on using butter sauce, and vice versa. Preheat the boiler. Meanwhile, arrange the lobster tails on unheated broiler pan rack. The broiler will need to preheat for 5 to 10 minutes in order to get adequately hot. Most broilers only have an “on” setting, but if you have a broiler with “high” and “low” settings, set it to “high.” If you do not have a broiler function on your oven, set the bake temperature to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). Give it 15 to 20 minutes to preheat completely. Keep the tails in a single layer. Do not stack them together. Season the exposed meat. Sprinkle the meat evenly with paprika, salt, and black pepper. The paprika, salt, and pepper, can be used even if you are using a butter sauce or a stuffing, or they can be used without either option. Drizzle with butter sauce, if desired. If you prepared a butter sauce, brush it evenly over the exposed meat of the tail using a pastry brush. Rub the butter sauce over all sides of the meat, including the bottom. Lather a large amount on the top, however, so that the top of the meat browns better in the broiler. Broil until lightly browned. The meat should turn opaque, as well. This will usually take about 10 to 11 minutes. Precise broiling times vary depending on the weight of the lobster. It takes roughly 1 minute to cook every 1 oz (30 g) of lobster tail. The lobster tails should be placed roughly 4 to 9 inches (10 to 23 cm) away from the upper broiler coils of the oven. Watch the lobster tails carefully as they broil. When they overcook, they take on a rubbery texture. Once finished, the lobster meat should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). This can be checked with an instant-read meat thermometer. Note, however, that if you plan on stuffing the lobster tails, you will need to remove them from the broiler roughly 1 minute before they are done. Stuff the lobster tails and continue broiling, if desired. If you made stuffing for the lobster tails, spoon it in equal amounts into the space between the flesh and the shell. Continue broiling for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the stuffing turns light brown. Shove the stuffing into the slits of the shell and beneath the meat. It should be fairly well packed. Serve immediately. The lobster tails should be removed from the oven and transferred to individual serving plates while still hot. You can also serve the lobster tails with wedges of lemon on the side for a pretty display.

Remove the tails if using whole lobsters. Thaw and rinse frozen lobster tails. Make two lengthwise cuts through the top of the tail shells. Rinse the tails again. Remove the digestive tract. Loosen the meat and lift it up. Melt the butter in a medium skillet. Add the garlic. Stir in the bread crumbs. Add the cheese and parsley. Keep warm until ready to use. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the garlic powder and lemon juice. Keep warm until ready to use. Preheat the boiler. Season the exposed meat. Drizzle with butter sauce, if desired. Broil until lightly browned. Stuff the lobster tails and continue broiling, if desired. Serve immediately.

https://www.wikihow.com/Mulch-Around-a-Tree

How to Mulch Around a Tree

To mulch around a tree, start by shoveling away old mulch, dirt, grass, weeds, or rocks so you can see the tree trunk. Next, cut up-growing roots with pruners to allow the tree to get enough oxygen. Once the area is cleared, buy a medium-textured mulch, which will hold water and won't starve the tree's roots of oxygen. Then, spread a 2-4 inch layer of mulch in a 4-5 feet diameter around the tree, but make sure to leave a 1-2 inch space between the mulch and the base of the tree itself.

Shovel away old mulch, dirt, and rocks. Shovel away all the old mulch, debris, and rocks so that you can see the tree trunk. A "mulch volcano” occurs when mulch is piled up year after year on the base of a tree. Mulch piled up at the base of a tree is detrimental and starves the roots of needed oxygen. Cut up-growing roots with pruners. Up-growing roots can wrap around the base of the tree and kill it over time. If you notice any roots growing upward around the tree as you clear away old mulch, cut them away. Up-growing roots are a sign that the tree is starved for oxygen. Remove grass and other weeds with a spade or gardening claw. Scrape the area around the base of the tree to get rid of any weeds or grass. Once you shovel away excess mulch, dirt, and rocks, you should see the primary root flare around the base of the tree. Mulch will act as a natural weed-barrier. Roll-out weed barriers, which are also called landscaping fabric, starve the tree of oxygen and compact the soil underneath -- you should avoid using them. Purchase a medium-textured mulch. Fine textured mulch gets compacted and can starve your tree's roots of oxygen. Coarse mulch is too porous to maintain adequate water. A medium-textured mulch will hold water and won't starve the tree's roots of oxygen. Organic mulches include wood chips, bark, pine needles, leaves, and compost mixes. If you're unsure of how much mulch you'll need, type "mulch calculator" into a search engine to find online tools that will help you calculate the amount. See, for instance, https://schneidertree.com/mulch-calculator/. Spread mulch in a 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) diameter around the tree. Lay down a thin layer of mulch around the tree. The mulch should not touch the tree itself. Leave 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of space between the base of the tree and the mulch. You can lay mulch up to an 8 feet (2.4 m) diameter before it stops being useful. Continue laying down mulch until it's 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) deep. Keep layering the mulch around the tree until it's the proper depth. The mulch shouldn't be piled up in a hill and should be spread level around the tree. Create a mulch-bed barrier with stones or extra mulch. You can pile extra mulch around the edges of your mulch bed to create a barrier that will prevent the mulch from washing away when it rains. You can also place rocks around the mulch bed to create a barrier. Pull or kill weeds that grow out of the mulch. Mulch is meant to act as a barrier for weeds and grass. You should pull any weeds or grass that grow out of the mulch bed throughout the year to prevent future growth. You can also use an herbicide, which is a chemical weed killer, around your tree to prevent grass and weeds from growing in your mulch. If you use an herbicide, make sure that it's safe to use around trees. Rake the mulch occasionally to prevent it from getting packed down. Compacted mulch prevents oxygen from passing through and can starve your tree's roots. If you notice that the mulch has been compacted down due to rainfall or people walking over it, make sure to occasionally loosen it up by raking it. Replenish the mulch once a year. Make it a point to replenish the mulch around the tree once a year. This will prevent weeds, provide essential nutrients, and help with the tree's drainage.

Shovel away old mulch, dirt, and rocks. Cut up-growing roots with pruners. Remove grass and other weeds with a spade or gardening claw. Purchase a medium-textured mulch. Spread mulch in a 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) diameter around the tree. Continue laying down mulch until it's 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) deep. Create a mulch-bed barrier with stones or extra mulch. Pull or kill weeds that grow out of the mulch. Rake the mulch occasionally to prevent it from getting packed down. Replenish the mulch once a year.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Single-and-Happy

How to Be Single and Happy

To be single and happy, try to focus on yourself by taking classes, doing volunteer work, taking up a hobby, or anything else you might not have time to do if you're in a relationship. Make time to pamper yourself regularly, whether you buy a new outfit you love or you just hang out listening to your favorite music in your bathrobe. If you're feeling lonely, make plans with your family or friends, or join a club or a gym where you can make new friends, and always remember your self-worth is not tied to your relationship status.

Consider the health benefits of being single. Being single is associated with a decreased risk of adverse health effects from dysfunctional marriages or intimate relationships. Some studies have shown that bad relationships can actually make you physically unhealthy. But singles are more likely to be fit and healthy. Singles also tend to go to the gym more, eat better, and have lower stress levels. Single people tend to be thinner than people who are in a relationship. One study found that people gain an average of 14 or more pounds after starting a relationship. Single people also get more, good quality sleep than people who share a bed with a partner. Single women have better mental health than married women, especially married women who have children. Appreciate your freedom to spend your time how you want. When you are in a relationship, you can't disregard the needs and desires of your partner. Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do in order to keep your partner happy. But when you are single, you can spend your time how you want. You don't need to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. That means that you have more time for your hobbies, personal interests, career, and overall well-being. Enjoy this freedom while you are single! Spend extra time on your hobbies. Did you want to write a song? Climb a mountain? Finish that big history book? Now is your chance! Make goals for yourself, and feel proud of your new accomplishments. Do something fun for yourself. Work hard at your school or career. When you're single, it's easier to put in more work, because no significant other needs your attention. Try taking on an extra project, or putting additional effort into a difficult part. Enjoy the raised eyebrows as you impress people with what a hard worker you are. Pamper yourself. Give yourself some extra care, and set aside time just for you. Read a good book, take a long hot bath, put on your fuzziest bathrobe, and listen to your favorite music. Now you can take extra good care of yourself. Consider the financial benefits of being single. When you are in a relationship, you may have to deal with a spouse who is irresponsible with his or her money. This can cause financial problems for you as well. But when you are single, you don't have to worry about anyone else's spending and saving habits. You can use the money you earn how you want to use it. Enjoy the ability to maintain friendships and create new ones. When you are in a relationship, it is much harder to maintain relationships with friends and make new friends because your partner consumes most of your time and affection. But when you are single, you have more time to devote to your friends and to go out and meet new people. Remind yourself of this when you are feeling down for being single. Consider the relationships that would suffer if you had a significant other who occupied most of your time and energy. Work on the relationships you care most about, and build yourself a strong support network. Spend time with your loved ones, talk about your life and your fears, and you will feel more and more loved. Savor the less frequent, but more enjoyable sex. When you are in a relationship, you may have sex every day or at least a few times a week. When you are single, your sex life may be much less active than that. But studies have shown that although singles tend to have less sex, they enjoy it more than people who are in a relationship. Know that you have the ability to seek out romantic relationships if you want to. If you are still having a hard time seeing all of the benefits of being single, keep in mind that you can always seek out a romantic relationship if you are truly unhappy. Being single is not for everyone and some people thrive when they have the love and companionship of one person. Remind yourself that you can always seek out a relationship if you prefer. Consider an online dating site to find people who are also looking for a committed relationship. Seeking out others who are interested in a relationship and not just casual dating may save you from some heartbreak later down the road. Ignore media depictions of happy couples. Part of the reason why some people may feel unhappy when they are single is because of media depictions that reinforce the idea that we need to be in a relationship to be happy. Try your best to ignore this message because it is not true. Avoid romantic comedies and magazines that reinforce the idea that being single is bleak and being in a relationship is bliss. Depictions of being a single woman may be just as troubling because they are often idealized (a superwoman who has it all) or villainous (a sad lonely woman who has nothing). Neither of these depictions are realistic, so do your best to recognize them as false representations of what it's like to be single. Focus on becoming the best person you can be. Being single is an opportunity to focus on yourself and work towards your ideal vision of who you want to be. Take classes, work out, grow a garden, do volunteer work, go to therapy, or do whatever your heart desires. Just remember that everything you do should be for you! Concentrate on yourself while you are single and figure out what you like and don't like. Developing a stronger sense of who you are will help you as you go through life and it will also help you to identify people who you would be truly compatible with(if you ever choose to enter into a relationship again). Take up a new hobby! Learn guitar, join a tap class, grow a garden, write a novel, cook some gourmet meals! Whatever you've ever wanted to do, do it now. Trying something new can lead to new skills, friendships, and increased self-esteem. Treat yourself. It is important to maintain a positive self-image while you are single. Buy yourself a new outfit, get your nails done, treat yourself to a spa day, or get a massage. Just because you don't have someone to impress or please doesn't mean you should stop doing nice things for yourself. You are a strong, independent person who deserves the best. So give it to yourself! Surround yourself with supportive people. Whether you've found yourself in the middle of a dating cold streak or recently gotten out of a serious relationship, spending too much time alone has the potential to make you feel even worse. Try to make plans with people as much as possible. If you don't feel like any of your friends are supportive, consider joining a club or a gym to make some new friends. While being supported by others might seem like a luxury that not everyone needs or can afford, psychologists now know that strong social relationships are actually essential to emotional well-being and physical health. So while you don't necessarily need to be in an intimate relationship with another person to be happy, feeling supported by a group of people who you trust can be an essential part of being single and happy. Encourage yourself. Say things that you like about yourself to help yourself feel happy. Positive daily affirmations can help you to feel happier day by day. Take a few moments every day to look at yourself in the mirror and say something encouraging to yourself. You can either say something that you believe about yourself or something that you would like to believe about yourself. Some examples of positive affirmations include: “I am intelligent.” “I am a caring friend.” “People enjoy spending time with me.” Become an optimist. Being optimistic can help you to feel happier whether you are single, married, divorced, or widowed. Practicing optimism will help you to stay focused on the things that you like about yourself and your situation and stop dwelling on things you don't like about yourself or your situation. For example, instead of dwelling on something you dislike about being single, remind yourself of all the things you do like about being single, such as being able to flirt without feeling guilty and being able to do what you want with your free time. Try keeping a gratitude diary. Every night, think of three things you are grateful for and write them down. Doing this every day will help you to develop a more positive outlook over time and it can even help you to sleep better and enjoy better health.

Consider the health benefits of being single. Appreciate your freedom to spend your time how you want. Consider the financial benefits of being single. Enjoy the ability to maintain friendships and create new ones. Savor the less frequent, but more enjoyable sex. Know that you have the ability to seek out romantic relationships if you want to. Ignore media depictions of happy couples. Focus on becoming the best person you can be. Treat yourself. Surround yourself with supportive people. Encourage yourself. Become an optimist.

https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Countertops

How to Paint Countertops

To paint countertops, start by cleaning the countertops and covering any parts you don't want to paint with tape. Also, open any windows in the room you're working in and set up a box fan so the area is well-ventilated. Next, apply 2 coats of bonding primer to the countertops, letting it dry for 24 hours after each coat. Then, apply 2 coats of paint that's suited for the material of your countertops, and let it dry for 24 hours after each coat. Finally, seal the paint with a coat of countertop resin.

Use a cleaning solution to clean your countertop, then let it dry. Kitchen countertops especially can have years of buildup on them, especially if they're near the stove. Use kitchen cleaner to scrub the countertop free of all dirt, grime, oil, and grease. After you clean it, allow the countertop to completely dry before beginning the painting process. You can use a kitchen cleaner, or a combination of dish detergent and water, to clean your countertop. However, don't use an ammonia-based cleaning solution if your countertop is made of granite or laminate. If you want to take extra care in making your countertop ready to paint, you can also sand it with medium-grit sandpaper before you clean it. Your countertop probably won't need more than an hour to completely dry. Cover any areas that you don’t want painted with painter’s tape. Place the painter's tape on any trim, walls, or cabinets around your countertops that might have paint dripped on them or be accidentally brushed by your paint roller. Expending the effort on this preparation will save you a lot of time and aggravation on touch-ups and cleanups after you refinish the countertops. If you're painting kitchen countertops, you will especially want to tape off the kitchen sink and the backsplash. Lay down drop cloths to protect your floors. As with any painting job, painting your countertops carries the risk of accidentally dripping or spilling paint on the floor, so laying down drop cloths is very important. Be sure to tape down the drop cloths with painter's tape to avoid displacing them when you walk on them. If you have any old bedsheets that you don't want anymore, consider repurposing them as convenient (and free) drop cloths! Make sure the room you’re working in is well ventilated. Open any and all windows in the room and turn on some fans to ensure you have proper ventilation. This will be especially important when you prime the countertop, since most primers (and many paints) have a very strong odor that could linger in your house for days. If you have a box fan, place it in a window pointing outside to suck the fumes out of the room as you paint. For maximum safety, consider wearing a respirator as well. Apply 2 coats of primer to the countertop and allow them to dry. Prepare the countertop with a good quality bonding primer that will improve paint adhesion when you go to apply your actual paint. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours, then apply a second coat. Let this second coat dry for 24 hours as well before moving on to the next step. Because bonding primer tends to be relatively thick, use a foam roller to apply it to make sure you get a smooth application. Most primers will need around 24 hours to dry. However, if the manufacturer's instructions state a different length of time for you to allow the primer to dry, follow these instructions instead. Mix your paint with a painting stick. It's very important that you mix the paint before applying it, in order to get it at the right consistency. You should wait to mix your paint until right before you plan to apply it. Although all types of countertop can technically be painted, not all paints can be used on each type. Read the label on the paint you have to make sure it works on the material your countertop is made of. If you're unsure which type of paint is right for your countertop material, talk to an employee at a home improvement or paint store to find out which type you need. Use a paint roller to apply the first layer of paint to the countertop. Pour some of the freshly mixed paint into a paint tray, then dip your roller into the tray to get paint on it. Simply roll the roller over the countertop to apply a thin layer of paint. Avoid applying the paint too thickly in any spots; you'll apply a second coat to the countertop later, so there's no need to use excess paint here. Allow the first coat to dry, then apply a second layer of paint. It will probably take at least 6-8 hours for the first coat to completely dry, but to play it safe, wait a full 24 hours before applying the second coat. Paint the second layer with the roller brush the same way you painted the first layer. If you're using a paint kit that is specifically meant to resemble stone or granite, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the second layer of coat, since it may be more complicated. Seal the paint with countertop resin to finish the job. Mix your resin according to the manufacturer's instructions, then use a separate paint roller to spread it evenly across the countertop. The resin will harden shortly after you apply it and will protect your newly painted countertop from chipping or scratching. You can buy commercially available resin anywhere painting supplies are sold. Keep an eye out for any bubbles that pop up in your resin as it begins hardening. If you spot any bubbles, even them out quickly with your roller. If they're already hardened, you'll have to use a blowtorch to reheat the resin and cause the bubbles to pop.

Use a cleaning solution to clean your countertop, then let it dry. Cover any areas that you don’t want painted with painter’s tape. Lay down drop cloths to protect your floors. Make sure the room you’re working in is well ventilated. Apply 2 coats of primer to the countertop and allow them to dry. Mix your paint with a painting stick. Use a paint roller to apply the first layer of paint to the countertop. Allow the first coat to dry, then apply a second layer of paint. Seal the paint with countertop resin to finish the job.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-iPod-Nano

How to Use an iPod Nano

To use your iPod Nano, attach it to your computer using your iPod cable so you can add music, movies, or TV shows to your device. Once your Nano is plugged into your computer, open iTunes and click on the media drop-down menu to access your library. From here, you can drag and drop items to your iPod icon. After adding your media, you can listen to music on your iPod by opening the music app, which is the orange app with a music note on your Home screen. Press Play/Pause to listen to a random song or tap on the name of a song to begin playing a specific one. If you'd rather watch a movie or TV show, open the Videos app and tap the title you want to watch.

Power on your iPod Nano. To do so, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on top of the iPod's housing until you see the Apple logo on the screen, then release the button. To power off your Nano, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on top of the iPod's housing until press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on top of the iPod's housing until the screen goes blank, then release the button. Open iTunes on your computer. The icon looks like a multicolored musical note inside a white background with a multicolored ring around the outside. If iTunes prompts you to download the most recent version , do so. Attach your iPod to your computer. Using your iPod cable, plug the USB end into your computer and the other end into your iPod's charging port. Connecting your iPod Nano to iTunes on a computer enables you to add media and content to your iPod. Click on the media drop-down menu. It's in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window next to the icon of your iPod. Click on Music, Movies, or TV Shows. Click a "Library" option. In the "Library" section in the left pane of the iTunes window, there are several ways in which to view the media in your library: Music is organized by: Recently Added Artists Albums Songs Genres Movies and TV Shows are organized by: Recently Added Movies Home Videos , which are videos that you've added to your iTunes library but did not purchase from the iTunes Store. TV Shows , which are series that you've purchased from iTunes. Episodes , which are individual episodes of the TV series you've purchased. Genres Click on and drag an item onto your iPod. Drag a movie, series, episode, song, or album from the library on the right side of the window to your iPod's icon in the left pane of the window, under the "Devices" section. A blue rectangle will surround your iPod's icon. You can select multiple items by clicking on them while holding down Ctrl (PC) or ⌘ Command (Mac). Drop the item(s) on your iPod Nano. Do so by releasing the mouse or trackpad button, which will start the upload to your iPod. Because iPod Nano does not support HD videos, you won't be able to add them to your Nano. Open the Music app. It's the orange app with a music note on the Home screen. Press the round Home button below the screen to get to the Home screen. Your iPod Nano must be disconnected from the desktop to play media. Press the Play/Pause button to play a random song. It's located between the volume buttons on the left side of your Nano's housing. Give your iPod a quick, brief shake to shuffle songs. Tap a music category. On your iPod, Music is organized into the following categories: Genius Mixes , which are smart playlists that iTunes generates based on music you like. Playlists , which you create on your iPod or computer. Artists Albums Songs Genres Scroll up and down on the screen to find a song. Tap a song to begin playing it. Controls will appear onscreen: Tap ⏸ to pause playback. Tap ⏮ to go back to the beginning of a song; double-tap to go to the previous song. Tap ⏭ to go to the next song. Tap ▶️ To resume playback. Open the Videos app. It's a blue app with a white film icon on the iPod's Home screen. You may need to scroll down to see all the videos available on your iPod. Tap a title. The video will start playing and controls will appear onscreen: Tap ⏸ to pause playback. Tap ⏮ to go back to the beginning of a chapter; tap and hold to rewind. Tap ⏭ to go to the next chapter; tap and hold to fast-forward. Tap ▶️ To resume playback. Open the Radio app. It's the gray app on the Home screen with a radio tower icon. Your Nano uses the earbud or headphone cord as an antenna. For best results, use wired earbuds or a headphone when listening to radio on your iPod. Find a station. To do so manually, swipe right or left on the radio dial on the screen. You can also tap ⏮ or ⏭ to move to the next signal up or down the dial. Tap ▶️ to listen to the radio. Tap ⏸ to pause live playback. Your iPod will buffer the stream so that you can resume listening where you left off when you tap ▶️. Tap the star on a station's screen to make it a favorite.

Power on your iPod Nano. Open iTunes on your computer. Attach your iPod to your computer. Click on the media drop-down menu. Click on Music, Movies, or TV Shows. Click a "Library" option. Click on and drag an item onto your iPod. Drop the item(s) on your iPod Nano. Open the Music app. Press the Play/Pause button to play a random song. Tap a music category. Scroll up and down on the screen to find a song. Tap a song to begin playing it. Open the Videos app. Tap a title. Open the Radio app. Find a station. Tap ▶️ to listen to the radio. Tap ⏸ to pause live playback. Tap the star on a station's screen to make it a favorite.

https://www.wikihow.com/Thin-Hair

How to Thin Hair

To thin your hair, start by gathering 2-3 inch wide sections of hair to work with at a time. Place your thinning shears with the serrated edge facing down to think the hair underneath, so it will be hidden by the longer hair on top. Then, start cutting about 2-3 inches from the end of your hair. When you finish a section, brush it to make sure you like it, then repeat the process all the way around. If you don't want to cut your hair, wash it in cold water to reduce frizz or use volume-reducing hair products to straighten it.

Purchase a pair of thinning shears. Thinning shears are often used by stylists in salons, and look like scissors with a thick, serrated edge. They are designed to cut about 15% of the hair, resulting in hair that still holds its shape and style but has less volume and density. You can buy the shears from beauty supply stores or the hair care section of most department stores. Begin working with clean, dry hair. Before thinning your hair, shampoo and dry it as normal. If you tend to let your hair air dry, do that; if you use a blow dryer, go ahead and style it that way. Your hair should be as close to its normal, everyday texture as possible. This prevents you from over-thinning your hair. Don't add any styling products to your hair before thinning it. These can clog the shears and change how full your hair looks, which will affect your ability to thin it properly. Gather a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) wide section of hair to thin. It's best to thin a section at a time, and thin the same amount all around your head. Hold the first section away from your head and clip the rest back, focusing on just the ends of the section that you have. If your hair is shorter, you might have fewer sections because it's difficult to thin hair that is close to the scalp. Use the thinning shears to cut your hair down the shaft. Place the scissors with the serrated edge facing down about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) from the end of your hair, and position the shears at a 45-degree angle. Then, close the shears over your hair and open them. Move them down 1 inch (2.5 cm), closing them over the hair again. Repeat until you reach the bottom of your hair. If you face the serrated edge down, then the hair will be thinner underneath, but it'll be hidden by longer pieces of hair. Be careful about starting too close to the roots. With thinning shears, you want to make cuts about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the ends of the strands of hair. If you cut too close to the roots, you hair may end up with a weird texture. Comb the thinned section of hair. Run a comb through a few times to remove all the cut pieces of hair. Then, take a look at the newly thinned section. Compare the section to the rest of your hair to see if you've thinned enough. If you think the hair is still too thick, go back and make a couple more cuts with the thinning shears. You can move slightly further up the shaft of the hair if necessary to prevent cutting the same place too many times. Repeat with the rest of your hair. Section by section, use the same method to thin out your hair until you have moved all the way around your head. To make sure it looks even, try to make the same number of cuts each section. Remember to comb out each section after you thin it to compare it to the rest of your hair. This will help to keep the cut even and prevent over-thinning. If you have trouble seeing the back part of your hair, face away from a mirror and position a hand-held mirror in front of your face to view the reflection of the back of your head. Alternatively, you may want to ask someone to trim the back of your hair for you, if you can. Opt for a longer, layered cut if the ends of your hair tend to be fuller. With short cuts, thick, bushy ends can rise to a point at the top of your scalp, giving your hair an unbalanced look, especially if you use thinning shears. Layers help to redistribute the volume for an overall look that is sleeker and less poofy. Tell your stylist that your hair feels too full and heavy on the bottom, and that you'd like long layers for a thinned-out look. Try to avoid blunt cuts that tend to be less forgiving of areas with more thickness. If you have a blunt cut, ask your stylist to incorporate more layers, especially if you're growing your hair from a shorter style. Style your hair with a blow dryer for an easy everyday look. Start drying at the roots and work down to the ends. Position a round brush underneath the hair to brush the hair in a downward motion as you apply heat to the top of the hair. You can rotate the round brush slightly at the end of the hair to add a small curl, or just let the hair slide through the brush. Try to avoid pulling up on the hair as you dry it with the brush because this can add volume to your roots and make the hair look thicker. After drying thick hair, it can sometimes look frizzy due to the water evaporating from the hair. A taming product like argan hair oil or anti-frizz serum can help keep the hair looking sleek throughout the day. Use a flat iron for an even thinner look. Flat irons use very hot metal plates to make the hair as flat and thin as possible. Make sure your hair is completely dry, then slowly pass the iron over 1 in (2.5 cm) sections of hair 1-2 times to make sure it's completely straight. When you use a flat iron, always apply a heat protector serum to your hair before styling to prevent hair damage. Try to avoid straightening sections more than 2 times because this can cause breakage from the iron pulling on the hair. If you find your hair isn't straightening after 2 passes, increase the heat. If this still doesn't help, then you may need to switch to a flat iron that has ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline plates. Consider chemical straightening for a semi-permanent solution to thick hair. Treatments like the Brazilian Blowout and keratin straightening change the chemical structure of the hair to keep it looking sleek and thin. A hair stylist will apply the chemical to your hair in a multi-step process that involves heating the hair and styling it to be straight and smooth. Although they're sometimes advertised as “permanent,” these can treatments require touch ups and re-applications every few months, depending on your hair and the treatment. These treatments are expensive and sometimes release irritating chemicals into the air when applied to the hair. If you have budget constraints or have had a reaction to chemical treatments in the past, you might want to consider other options. Wash your hair in cold water to reduce volume and frizz. Washing your hair with hot water causes the hair shaft to open, resulting in a lot of frizz and extra volume. Using cold water causes the hair shaft to lie flat, resulting in sleeker, shinier, less puffy-looking hair. If you hate cold showers, go for lukewarm instead. Even the slightly reduced temperature will help your hair look thinner. Instead of washing your whole body in cold or lukewarm water, you could also put your hair up in a shower cap during your regular shower and then wash it separately in cold water afterward. Shampoo your hair only 2-3 times per week. Aim to wash your hair every 3-4 days to utilize natural oils that keep your hair healthy and protected. The rest of the time, simply rinse your hair with cool water. It may take your hair some time to get used to this new routine, but you can use products like dry shampoo to keep your hair looking fresh in the meantime! When shampoo your hair use a quarter-sized amount of non-volumizing shampoo and focus on cleaning your scalp rather than your hair. Washing your hair with shampoo every day removes the natural oils that keep it looking sleek and healthy. This can cause your hair to look bushy, frizzy, and thick. Use apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. Mix half vinegar, half water in an old conditioner or spray bottle to use as a conditioner. Apply it all over your hair when you're done shampooing and rinse it out at the end of your shower. When your hair dries, it will look soft and shiny, rather than frizzy and bushy. Conditioner contains agents that coat your hair and can make it look thicker. Apple cider vinegar has many of the same smoothing effects as conditioner, but won't coat your hair. Be aware that apple cider vinegar has a very strong smell, so you may want to apply it sparingly at first to make sure your hair and scalp don't absorb the scent. One great way to disguise the scent is to apply a scented leave-in product, such as a conditioning spray, after your shower. Use volume-reducing hair products. There are a variety of gels, creams, and serums on the market that are designed to straighten or tame unruly hair. Depending on the product, you can either apply it before or after styling your hair to tame frizz, add shine, or smooth waves. If you have curly or textured hair, look for products made specifically for your hair type. They can help tame the frizz and puffiness without damaging natural curls. Avoid using mousse and other products that are made to increase volume.

Purchase a pair of thinning shears. Begin working with clean, dry hair. Gather a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) wide section of hair to thin. Use the thinning shears to cut your hair down the shaft. Comb the thinned section of hair. Repeat with the rest of your hair. Opt for a longer, layered cut if the ends of your hair tend to be fuller. Style your hair with a blow dryer for an easy everyday look. Use a flat iron for an even thinner look. Consider chemical straightening for a semi-permanent solution to thick hair. Wash your hair in cold water to reduce volume and frizz. Shampoo your hair only 2-3 times per week. Use apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. Use volume-reducing hair products.

https://www.wikihow.com/Study-for-an-English-Exam

How to Study for an English Exam

To study for an English exam, start by figuring out what material the test will cover and what format the exam will be in. If you aren't sure, you can ask your teacher! Next, review your notes and be able to explain key concepts, definitions, and themes related to the material. If your exam is on literature, be sure to re-read short selections of text and memorize details like characters' names and their relationships to each other. Also, try to attend class on the days leading up to the exam, since your teacher will likely be reviewing the exam material!

Make flashcards. Flashcards are one of the best ways to memorize vocabulary words. Write down the word on one side of an index card and the definition on the other side. You can quiz yourself or have someone else quiz you. You can use electronic flashcards too. There are computer programs and smartphone apps that are specifically made for studying information on flashcards: you enter the “front” and “back” of the cards and scroll through them. Identify roots, prefixes, and suffixes. One way to study vocabulary more quickly and effectively is to know common root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Being able to identify these can help you make educated guesses about vocabulary words instead of just having to memorize a long list of words that have little meaning for you. The prefixes un, in, il, and ir often indicate “not.” The suffixes –ive, -ative, and –itive indicate that a word is an adjective- one that describes a noun. The prefix man usually has to do with using your hands. The suffix phobia indicates a fear of something. The prefix re means back or again. The prefixes sur, sub, suc, sup, and sus often mean under, below, or secretly. The prefix psyche indicates a relationship to the mind. The prefixes mono (one) and poly (many) indicate a number or amount. The suffixes log, logo, and ology suggest the study of something. Write down the words and definitions. Even if you do not have flashcards, the act of writing down the words and definitions will help you remember them. If you have time, try writing the words and definitions more than one time. If you have a visual memory, try using different colors. You may be able to remember the color of the word and visualize the definition during the exam. Re-read short selections of text. Any poems or short stories that you studied in class should be re-read. For longer texts like full-length novels, be sure to re-read any sections that seem really important or that your teacher spent a lot of time talking about in class. If you took notes while discussing the texts, review the notes first, then re-read the text. Be sure to consult your syllabus to remind yourself about all of the texts that you read. Reviewing the chapter titles and the first and last sentences of each chapter of novels can help refresh your memory about the specifics of the novel. Read introductory material and side notes in your textbook. If you used a traditional textbook for your class, read the introductory material and any footnotes that accompany the poems or stories you read. These items, often overlooked when initially reading the texts, often provide context and overviews that can be very helpful for essay questions. Review course notes. If you took notes in class, re-read them. If you don't normally take notes, you should try to make an effort to do so in the future. This is the best way to remind yourself about what you talked about in class. Teachers rarely ask exam questions that were not directly discussed in class, so being able to review information from class time is the best study guide you can have. It is also good to review class work. Identify “big picture” themes. Many essay questions about literature will have to do with the theme, or the “big picture” messages of a text. If you have trouble identifying themes on your own, try searching online for the name of the text plus the word “theme.” You will likely find some useful overviews and study guides. Knowing common themes in literature may help you identify them in specific texts: Humanity versus nature Humanity versus a hostile society or God/the gods The fleeting nature of time The inevitability of death The state of Alienation The danger of ambition Review online study guides and summaries. There are many websites devoted to providing students with summaries and study guides for canonical (popular and famous) texts. These can be great tools for studying, but they should never be used as a substitute for reading the text in the first place. If you choose to use an online guide, use a reputable one written by experts. Avoid using personal blogs and websites that don't say they're written by experts. Memorize details such as characters’ names. Though you may not be asked specifically to identify characters' names and relationships to each other on the exam, these are details that will come in handy while taking the exam. Getting characters' names wrong or mixing up characters can undermine even otherwise great responses to test questions. Use flashcards (either paper or electronic cards) to memorize characters' names and details about them. Refer to your study guide. The best way to prepare for an exam is to consult and fill out your entire study guide. Most teachers who give out a study guide are basically handing the class a key to the test. Becoming familiar with everything on the study guide can ensure success on the test. If your teacher does not provide a study guide, this option may not be available to you. You could try visiting your teacher before or after class or during her office hours and asking for a guide or for tips about where best to focus your studying. Review your course syllabus. If your instructor hands out a course syllabus or calendar, read over it. Often, the instructor's philosophy about exams is part of a detailed syllabus. This can also serve as a reminder about specific texts you read or items that you focused on. Anything that your teacher spent more than one day of class on is sure to be important. Most syllabi include a section about exams. At the very least, you should be able to determine what percentage of your overall grade each exam makes up, which can help you determine how long you should spend studying for it. Review your class notes. For some exams, you may need to be able to provide definitions of key concepts or literary movements. For others, you may need to be able to talk about how a theme is explored in various works. Look through your notes to check for definitions, lists, and any theme or topic that comes up more than once; this is usually a good sign that these may be on the exam. Attend class before the exam. Often, the day or days before the exam are the best times to attend class. Your teacher will likely preview the exam and indicate directions of focus that you should study. This is also when teachers usually distribute study guides. If you must miss class, ask a friend or reliable classmate for copies of any handouts or her notes from class. If she knows that you will be gone ahead of time, she is more likely to take thorough notes instead of just listening. As a last resort, contact your teacher to find out what materials you missed in class. It is best to let her know you will be gone ahead of time, and tell her that you have tried to have another student take notes for you. Don't phrase your request by saying you wanted to know if you missed anything or if anything important was covered; this may offend your teacher. Instead, ask if your teacher will share with you what she went over in class. Ask your teacher what you should study. If your teacher does not volunteer a study guide or information about the exam, ask her about it towards the end of class one day. It is best to be very polite and just ask for guidance about studying rather than demanding to know what the content of the exam will be. It's also important to know whether the exam is cumulative, covering everything from the beginning of the semester, or if it is only covering material since your last exam. Consult previous course exams. If this is not your first exam for the course, look at the last test you took. Many teachers use similar formats for each exam, so an earlier test can serve as a study guide or at least give you an idea about what to expect for the format of the exam. Know the format of the exam. In addition to asking about the content of the exam, you should ask your instructor about the format of the exam. Knowing, for example, whether an exam will be multiple choice or entirely essay can help you decide how to study. Knowing whether you will be taking the test on a computer or with pen and paper will also help you determine how best to study. A computer with word processing software may negate the need to spend a lot of time studying the spelling of vocabulary words, for example. Determine appropriate test-taking materials. Be sure that you will be prepared for the exam by bringing the appropriate materials for the exam. If your exam will be administered on a computer, you may not need to bring anything with you at all. Find out if you need a pen or pencil, paper or a test booklet, and if you will be able to use your textbook or novels that you read while taking the test. Some teachers may even allow you to use a notecard or a study guide while taking the test. Ask classmates if they want to meet to study. You are likely not the only person who wants to study for the English exam. Asking before or after class if anyone wants to meet for a study group can be a great way to increase the effectiveness of your studying. You are more likely to be able to put together a study group if you do not wait until the day before the exam to suggest it: plan ahead. Share notes with each other. Everyone takes class notes differently, so circulating or comparing notes can be a good way to remember details about specific class discussions. This can also be a good way to review any material from days that you were absent from class. Remember that your group members were not planning to share their notes, so be kind about their handwriting, messy notes, and/or doodling on their notes. Don't be embarrassed about the state of your class notes. You weren't expecting to share, and even messy notes can be helpful to someone who doesn't have any. Talk about literature. A lively debate about the texts is a good way to get you interested in them and to review the content. Be sure you back up your discussion by looking at the text and finding opportunities to use “evidence” from the text to back-up your points. Compare previous tests. If your classmates are comfortable sharing the results of previous tests in the class, you can compare to see what types of responses seem to be the most successful for your particular teacher. Knowing, for example, if your teacher tends to give higher marks to longer, more detailed responses or to responses that are direct and to-the-point can help you determine how to approach answering questions on the test.

Make flashcards. Identify roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Write down the words and definitions. Re-read short selections of text. Read introductory material and side notes in your textbook. Review course notes. Identify “big picture” themes. Review online study guides and summaries. Memorize details such as characters’ names. Refer to your study guide. Review your course syllabus. Review your class notes. Attend class before the exam. Ask your teacher what you should study. Consult previous course exams. Know the format of the exam. Determine appropriate test-taking materials. Ask classmates if they want to meet to study. Share notes with each other. Talk about literature. Compare previous tests.

https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-an-Apartment-Complex

How to Choose an Apartment Complex

To choose an apartment complex, narrow down your choices by only looking at complexes that have the amenities you want, like a swimming pool, laundry hook-ups, or a fitness center. If you're flexible when it comes to the amenities, try to find a complex that has low up-front costs and fees so it's cheaper to move in. Additionally, take into consideration the neighborhood that each complex is in and how well the grounds are maintained. Then, once you have your narrowed-down list, schedule a tour of each complex you're interested in. During the tour, pay attention to how clean the building is, how loud it is, and who your potential neighbors are. After the tour, ask yourself "Would I want to live here?". If the answer is "No," try touring other places!

Sort through your priorities before you go apartment shopping. Consider the following factors, and determine which are the most important to you: Low up-front costs Good neighborhood Flexibility to relocate Low monthly rent Good management and maintenance Amenities (swimming pool, sauna, laundry hook-ups or utilities) Square footage Appearance, interior and exterior Proximity to work, public transportation, shopping, highways, etc. Make a list of apartment complexes that you're interested in. Record the name of the complex, the full address, and the phone number. Leave room for notes. You can do this on paper or in a spreadsheet program. It's important to start off organized because if you're exploring several complexes at once, it's easy to get confused ("Which one had the double sinks in the bathroom? Which one was right by the highway? Did I visit this one already?"). There are many ways to find apartment complexes you might like to live in: Drive around the area you're interested in. If driving slowly, put on your hazard lights, as speeding along and then making a sudden turn into a complex that just came into sight can be dangerous. Stop and look for a phone number, or if it's convenient, go directly to the rental or leasing office if they're open. Pick up a local rental guide. Visit websites which advertise apartment complexes and listings. Call each apartment complex with a set of questions. These questions should cross out several of the complexes on your list. In the notes section of your paper or spreadsheet, write the date that you called. If the apartment is not what you're looking for, jot down why (e.g. "no pets" or "no apartments available"). Give the person the information they need: When you want to move (e.g. "between March 1st and 15th"), what you're looking for (how many bedrooms?), and your price range (e.g. less than $800). If you have a pet, include this information early on. If they have anything available that meets your needs, ask if you can make an appointment to visit and see the apartments they have available. Sometimes, the unit that meets your needs will not be available for showing until close to your move-in date. If this is inconvenient, ask if they can show you an apartment like it, and request a floor plan of the unit in question. You can also ask to see the outside of the unit, which will give you an idea of the kind of view you'll have and what your neighbors might be like. Try to schedule apartments that are in the same area at around the same time. If you're not careful when planning this, you might end up going back and forth from one end of town to the other between appointments. Show up for your appointment on time. Get driving directions in advance and give yourself enough time to find the complex (especially if you're in an unfamiliar area). Dress to impress, preferably in an outfit that screams "I am responsible and trustworthy". Be courteous and friendly. If the manager of the property thinks highly of you, they might go the extra mile to get you the unit you want or facilitate the application process. Observe the exterior of the complex. Is the landscaping neat? Are the lawns and hedges trimmed? Or are there weeds growing out of the cracks in concrete? Do the neighbors take good care of their apartments? People who don't are more likely to be inconsiderate. Some red flags: junk on the balconies or front door blankets on the windows instead of curtains loud barking non-handicapped vehicle in a handicapped spot Where would you be parking? Does the lot look crowded? Will you have a hard time finding a space? Is the parking well-lit at night? Be vigilant when you enter the apartment. Does it smell funny? Privacy? Doors work? Visit at night if you can. If the community is gated, you can still see how well-lit and crowded the parking lot is, and whether people are throwing parties or being loud. Ask if there are any specials or promotions. Inquire about deposits and fees. Ask for an application.

Sort through your priorities before you go apartment shopping. Make a list of apartment complexes that you're interested in. Call each apartment complex with a set of questions. Show up for your appointment on time. Observe the exterior of the complex. Be vigilant when you enter the apartment. Visit at night if you can. Ask if there are any specials or promotions. Inquire about deposits and fees. Ask for an application.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Positive

How to Be Positive

To be more positive, try to set aside some time every day to do activities that make you happy and reduce stress, like listening to your favorite music, reading a good book, or spending time with your friends and family. Also, whenever you catch yourself feeling down or getting worked up over something insignificant, try to redirect your attention toward something important in your life that makes you happy. Eventually, you'll train yourself to have a positive outlook and not sweat the small stuff!

Accept where you are. You can't change the way you think if you can't (or won't) identify the problem. Accepting that you have negative thoughts and feelings, and that you don't enjoy how you're currently responding to them, can help you begin the process of change. Try not to judge yourself for your thoughts or feelings. Remember: the thoughts that pop up or the feelings you experience are not inherently “good” or “bad,” they're just thoughts and feelings. What you can control is how you interpret and respond to them. Accept the things about yourself that you can't change, too. For example, if you're an introverted person who needs quiet time alone to “recharge,” trying to be an extrovert all the time will probably just make you feel drained and unhappy. Accept yourself for who you are right now, just as you are. You can then feel free to develop that self into the most positive self you can be! Make goals. Goals give us a more positive outlook on life. Research has shown that setting a realistic goal can make you feel immediately more confident and boost your self-efficacy , even if you don't achieve the goal right away. Setting goals that are personally meaningful to you and align with your values will help you achieve them and move forward in your life. Start small with your goals. Don't shoot for the moon right away. Slow and steady wins the race. Make your goals specific. The goal “be more positive” is great, but it's so huge you probably won't have any idea how to start. Instead, set smaller specific goals, like “Meditate twice a week” or “Smile at a stranger once a day.” Word your goals positively. Research shows that you're more likely to achieve your goals if you word them positively. In other words, make your goals something you're working toward, not trying to avoid. For example: “Stop eating junk food” is an unhelpful goal. It can cause feelings of shame or guilt. “Eat 3 servings of fruit and vegetables each day” is specific and positive. Keep your goals based on your own actions. Remember that you can't control anyone else. If you set goals that require a certain response from others, you may end up feeling down if things don't go as you hoped. Instead, set goals that depend on what you can control -- your own performance. Practice loving-kindness meditation. Also known as metta bhavana or “compassion meditation,” this type of meditation has roots in Buddhist traditions. It teaches you to extend the feelings of love you already feel for your closest family members and extend it to others in the world. It's also been shown to improve your resilience -- your ability to bounce back from negative experiences -- and your relationships with others in just a few weeks. You can see positive effects in as little as five minutes a day. Many places offer courses in compassion meditation. You can also check out some guided MP3 meditations online. The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center both have free downloadable loving-kindness meditations. It turns out that loving-kindness meditation is also good for your mental health. Studies have shown that compassion meditation decreases symptoms of depression, suggesting that learning compassion for others may also help you extend compassion to yourself. Mindfulness and meditation can help you deal with negativity and stress in a healthier way. Keep a journal. Recent research suggests there's actually a mathematical formula for positivity: three positive emotions for every negative emotion seems to keep you in a healthy balance. Keeping a journal can help you see all of the emotional experiences in your day and determine where your own ratio needs adjustment. It can also help you focus on your positive experiences so that you're more likely to remember them for later. Keeping a journal should be more than just a list of things you didn't like. Research suggests that focusing only on the negative emotions and experiences in your journal will reinforce them, leading you to feel more negative. Instead, write down what you felt, without judging it as either good or bad. For example, a negative experience might look like this: “I felt hurt today when my coworker made a joke about my weight.” Then, think about your response. How did you respond in the moment? How would you choose to respond now, with a little distance? For example: “In the moment, I felt horrible about myself, like I was worthless. Now thinking back on it, I realize that my coworker says insensitive things to everyone. Someone else can't define me or my worth. Only I can do that.” Try to think about how you can use these experiences as learning experiences. How can you use this for personal growth? What will you do next time? For example: “Next time someone says something hurtful, I will remember that their judgments do not define me. I will also tell my coworker that his comments are insensitive and hurt my feelings so that I remember my feelings are important.” Remember to include the positive things in your journal too! Taking even a few moments to note down a kindness from a stranger, a beautiful sunset, or an enjoyable chat with a friend will help you “store” these memories so that you can recall them later. Unless you focus on them, they're likely to pass right by your notice. Practice active gratitude. Gratitude is more than a feeling, it's a doing. Dozens of studies have shown that gratitude is good for you. It changes your perspective almost immediately, and the rewards keep growing the more you practice. Gratitude helps you feel more positive, enhances your relationships with others, encourages compassion, and increases feelings of happiness. Some people are naturally higher in “trait gratitude,” the natural state of feeling thankful. However, you can foster an “attitude of gratitude” no matter what level of “trait gratitude” you naturally have! In relationships and situations, avoid approaching them like you “deserve” something from them. This doesn't mean that you believe you deserve nothing, and it doesn't mean you put up with mistreatment or disrespect. It just means that you should try to approach things without feeling like you're “entitled” to a certain result, action, or benefit. Share your gratitude with others. Sharing your feelings of gratitude with others helps you “set” those feelings in your memory. It can also inspire positive feelings in the people you share with. See if you have a friend who'll be your “gratitude partner” and share three things for which you're grateful with each other every day. Make an effort to recognize all the little positive things that happen throughout the day. Write them down in a journal, snap photos for your Instagram, write about them on Twitter -- whatever helps you recognize and remember these small things for which you're grateful. For example, if your blueberry pancakes turned out just right, or the traffic to work wasn't bad, or your friend gave you a compliment on your outfit, note these things! They add up quickly. Savor these good things. Humans have a bad tendency to focus on the negative stuff and let the positive things slide right past us. When you note the positive things in your life, take a moment to mindfully acknowledge them. Try to “store them” in your memory. For example, if you see a beautiful flower garden on your daily walk, stop for a moment and tell yourself, “This is a beautiful moment, and I want to remember how grateful I feel for it.” Try to take a mental “snapshot” of the moment. Doing so can help you remember these things later, when you're having a hard time or a negative experience. Use self-affirmations. Self-affirmations may seem a little cheesy, but research suggests that they work on a fundamental level; they can actually form new “positive thought” neuron clusters. Remember: your brain likes to use short-cuts, and it will short-cut to use the pathways that are used most frequently. If you make it a regular habit to say compassionate things to yourself, your brain will come to see that as the “norm.” Positive self-talk and self-affirmations can also reduce stress and depression, boost your immune system, and increase your coping skills. Choose affirmations that are personally meaningful to you. You might choose to use affirmations that show compassion to your body, to your thoughts about yourself, or to remind yourself of your spiritual traditions. Whatever makes you feel positive and tranquil about yourself, do it! For example, you might say something like “My body is healthy and my mind is beautiful” or “Today I will do my best to be kind” or “Today my deity/spiritual figure is with me as I go through the day.” If you struggle with a particular area, try actively focusing on finding positive affirmations in that area. For example, if you have body image issues, try saying something like, “I am beautiful and strong” or “I can learn to love myself as I love others” or “I am worthy of love and respect.” Cultivate optimism. Researchers in the 1970s discovered that among people who had won the lottery -- an event that most of us probably think of as incredibly positive -- were no happier after a year than people who hadn't. This is because of hedonic adaptation : humans have a “baseline” of happiness to which we return after external events (good or bad). However, even if your natural baseline is pretty low, you can actively cultivate optimism. Optimism improves your self-esteem, overall sense of well-being, and relationships with others. Optimism is a way of interpreting the world. Thanks to the human brain's flexibility, you can learn different ways of interpreting! Pessimistic outlooks view the world in unchangeable, internalized terms: “Everything is unfair,” “I'll never be able to change this,” “My life sucks and it's my fault.” An optimistic outlook views the world in flexible, limited terms. For example, a pessimistic outlook might look at the big cello recital you have next week and say, “I already suck at cello. I'm going to botch the recital anyway. I might as well just play Nintendo.” This statement makes an assumption that your cello skills are innate and permanent, rather than something you can influence with hard work. It also makes a global blaming statement about you -- “I suck at cello” -- that makes it seem like your cello skills are a personal failing, rather than a skill that needs practice. This pessimistic outlook could mean you don't practice the cello because you feel like it's pointless, or you feel guilty because you're “bad” at something. Neither is helpful. An optimistic outlook would approach this situation something like this: “That big cello recital is next week, and I'm not happy with where I'm at right now. I'm going to practice an extra hour every day until the recital, and then just do my best. That's all I can do, but at least I'll know I worked as hard as I could to succeed.” Optimism doesn't say challenges and negative experiences don't exist. It chooses to interpret them differently. There's a big difference between true optimism and “blind” optimism. Blind optimism might expect that you pick up the cello for the first time and get admitted to the Juilliard School. This isn't realistic, and such expectations could leave you disappointed. True optimism acknowledges the reality of your situation and allows you to prepare yourself to face them. A truly optimistic perspective might instead expect that you'll need to work hard for several years and even then you might not be admitted to your dream school, but you will have done all that you can to achieve your goal. Learn to reframe negative experiences. One of the mistakes people make is trying to avoid or ignore negative experiences. This makes sense, on some level, because they're painful. However, trying to repress or ignore these experiences actually damages your ability to deal with them. Instead, consider how you can reframe these experiences. Can you learn from them? Can you view them differently? For example, consider inventor Myshkin Ingawale. In a 2012 TED Talk, Ingawale told the story about how he invented technology to save pregnant women's lives in rural India. The first 32 times he tried to invent his device, it didn't work. Again and again, he was faced with the opportunity to interpret his experience as failure and give up. However, he chose to use these experiences to learn from past challenges, and now his invention has helped reduce deaths of pregnant women in rural India by 50%. As another example, consider Dr. Viktor Frankl, who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust. Despite being faced with the worst of humanity, Dr. Frankl chose to interpret his situation on his own terms, writing that “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Instead of letting yourself immediately respond to a challenge or negative experience with negativity, take a step back and examine the situation. What really went wrong? What is really at stake? What can you learn from this to do differently next time? Has this experience taught you to be kinder, more generous, wiser, stronger? Taking a moment to reflect on the experience, rather than automatically seeing it as negative, will help you re-interpret it. Use your body. Your body and your mind are intimately connected. If you're struggling to feel positive, it could be because your body is working against you. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy has shown that your posture can even affect the levels of stress hormones in your body. Try standing up straight. Hold your shoulders back and your chest forward. Hold your gaze in front of you. Take up space. This is called a “power pose,” and it can actually help you feel more confident and optimistic. Smile. Research suggests that when you smile -- whether you “feel” happy or not -- your brain elevates your mood. This is particularly true if you use a duchenne smile, which activates the muscles around your eyes as well as your mouth. People who smiled during painful medical procedures even reported less pain than people who didn't. Dress in a way that expresses yourself. What you wear affects how you feel. One study showed that people who wore lab coats while performing a simple scientific task performed much better than people who didn't wear lab coats -- even though the coat was the only difference! Find clothes that make you feel good about yourself and wear them, no matter what society tries to say about it. And don't get hung up on investing your size with any meaning: clothing sizes are completely arbitrary, and one store's size 4 is another store's size 12. Remember, no random number determines your worth! Get some exercise. When you exercise, your body releases powerful endorphins, the body's natural “feel-good” chemicals. Exercise can help fight feelings of anxiety and depression. Studies have also shown that regular, moderate exercise increases your feelings of calmness and well-being. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. You don't have to be a bodybuilder to get the effects of exercise, either. Even moderate exercises like jogging, swimming, or gardening can help you feel more positive overall. Exercises that include meditation, such as yoga and tai chi , can also help you feel more positive and increase your overall health. Create life from within. If you want more success, focus on all the ways that you are already successful. If you want more love, focus on all the people that already care about you and the abundance of love you have to give to others. If you want to create greater health, focus on all the ways that you are healthy, and so on and so forth. Don't sweat the small stuff. Everyone in life is confronted with things that seem important at the time but aren't really an issue if we step back and have proper perspective. Research has shown that those material things that may be getting you down won't actually make you happy. In fact, focusing on things is often a way to make up for other needs that aren't fulfilled. Research suggests that we need five basic things to flourish in life: Positive emotions Engagement (getting really involved or swept up in something) Relationships with others Meaning Accomplishment Remember that you can define what these things mean for yourself! Don't get hung up on what others have defined as “meaning” or “accomplishment.” If you don't find personal meaning in what you do and how you act, you won't feel good about it. Material objects, fame, and money really won't make you happy. Use the Law of Attraction. Our activity and thoughts are positive or negative like magnets. As we avoid dealing with a problem, then it continues as it is — or gets worse. Our own negativity rules the day. But, the more we think positively, the more proactively we will act and reach goals and ways to overcome and accept positive options — and these will bring their rewards. In fact, positive thoughts can even boost your immune system! Do things you love to do. It sounds simple, but it's hard to execute sometimes. Your life may be very busy, so carve some tasks into your day that consistently make you happy. When you do something that you love, you are distracted from being sad or negative. Some positive activities that you can do are: Listening to music. Listen to the genre you like. Reading. Reading is good for you. It can even teach you empathy. And, if you're reading non-fiction, it can help you learn new information and perspectives on the world. Creative expression, e.g. painting , writing , origami , etc. Sports, hobbies, etc. Being with friends and family. The awe-inspiring. Studies show that the feeling of awe or wonderment you experience when you're walking in nature, viewing a stunning painting, or listening to your favorite symphony is great for your health, both physically and mentally. Find ways to incorporate a little wonder into your life whenever you can. Surround yourself with friends. Appreciate the people in your life who have stood by you through thick and thin. Enlist their support to help you become more positive, and in the process you will probably help them too. Friends help each other through both the good and bad times. Studies have shown that people who surround themselves with friends who have similar values and outlooks are more likely to feel happy and positive about their lives than people who don't. Interacting with people you love causes your brain to release neurotransmitters that make you feel happy (dopamine) and relaxed (serotonin). Spending time with friends and loved ones will actually make you feel more positive on a chemical level! You can also encourage your friends and loved ones to become your gratitude partners. If you foster a network of sharing things you're grateful for, imagine the positivity that you can help each other develop! Show compassion to others. Compassion is doing something kind for someone else, especially if that person is less privileged than you are. It can really boost your positivity. For example, research has shown that when people give to charity, they actually feel as happy as they do when they get money themselves! Think of ways that you can serve others, whether it's on an individual level or in your community, and practice showing compassion. Not only is it good for others, it's even good for your health! Like leads to like. If we do something nice for someone else, especially if it's unexpected, there's a higher chance that person will pay the favor back, maybe not directly to us, but to someone else. Eventually, in a direct or indirect way, it'll make its way back to us. Some people call this karma. Whatever it's called, scientific studies have shown that the “pay it forward” principle is a real thing. Try tutoring, volunteering, or ask your church how you can get involved. Make a microloan to someone in need. A microloan of even a few dollars to a person in a developing country can help her grow her business or become economically independent. And most microloans have 95+ repayment rates, too. Try giving little gifts to people around you, even strangers. Buy a random person in line a cup of coffee. Send a friend something you made with him in mind. Giving gifts stimulates the production of dopamine in your brain -- in fact, you may even get a bigger “happiness rush” from it than the person getting the gift! or saying and keep it in your wallet or pocket. Find an optimistic quote When you're a little unsure or feeling like a pick-me-up, check it for a quick reference. Here are some famous quotes you might start off with: How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ― Anne Frank The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true. ― James Branch Cabell The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. ― Oprah Winfrey If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. ― Vincent Van Gogh See a therapist. A common misperception is that people only “need” to see a counselor or therapist when there's something “wrong.” But consider: you go to the dentist for cleanings, even when you don't have cavities. You go to the doctor for annual checkups, even if you're not sick. Seeing a therapist can also be a helpful “preventive” technique. And if you want to learn how to think and behave more positively, a therapist or counselor can help you identify unhelpful patterns in your thinking and develop new, positive strategies. You can ask your physician for a referral, or check out directories online. If you have health insurance, your provider can tell you about counselors in your network. Low-cost options often exist. Check online for mental health clinics, community health centers, even public-service counseling centers run by colleges and universities. Avoid negative influences. Humans are highly susceptible to “emotional contagion,” meaning that the feelings of those around us influence our own. Steer clear of bad behavior and negativity so that it will not rub off on you. Choose your friends wisely. The friends we surround ourselves with can have an overwhelming impact on our outlooks — both good and bad. If your friends are always being negative, consider sharing your own positivity process with them. Encourage them to learn ways of being positive, too. If they're still bent on staying negative, you may need to detach from them for your own sake. Do only what you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel comfortable doing something, you're likely to feel bad, guilty, or concerned about doing it. That doesn't make for a positive experience. Learning to say "no" to things you don't want to do can help you feel stronger and more at ease with yourself. This is true with friends and loved ones and in work situations. Challenge negative thoughts. It's easy to get swept up into a pattern of “automatic” or habitual negative thinking, especially about ourselves. We can become our own harshest critics. Each time you encounter a negative thought, take the time to challenge it. Try to turn it into a positive thought, or find the logical flaw in the negative thought. If you do this long enough, it will become habitual, and it'll make a tremendous difference in improving your positive thinking skills. Say "I can!" more than "I can't!" Remember, everything can be framed positively; make a relentless effort to do so. For example, if you get angry and snap at a friend, your instinct might be to think, “I'm a horrible person.” This is a cognitive distortion: it makes a general statement about a specific incident. It creates feelings of guilt but not anything that you can use to learn from. Instead, accept responsibility for your action and consider what you should do in response. For example: “I snapped at my friend, which probably hurt her feelings. I was wrong. I will apologize to her, and next time, I will ask to take a little break when we're discussing something intense.” This way of thinking doesn't generalize yourself as “horrible,” but as a person who made a mistake and can learn and grow from it. If you find that you frequently have negative thoughts about yourself (or others), make it a habit to find three positive things to say about yourself for every negative one. For example, if the thought shows up that you're “stupid,” challenge that thought with three positive ones: “I'm having the thought that I'm stupid. But just last week I finished that big project to rave reviews. I have solved difficult problems in the past. I am a capable person and am just having a hard time right now.” Even when we don't get what we want, we gain valuable experience. Experiences are often much more valuable than material things. Material things slowly waste away; experiences stay with us, growing, our entire lives. There are both positive and negative aspects in most situations. We get to choose which ones we will focus on. We can try to catch ourselves when we're being negative and try thinking the opposite. There's no sense in worrying about the negatives if they cannot be changed. Some parts of life are "unfair." That's because life just "is." If we waste energy and happiness on the things we can't change, we'll only make ourselves more frustrated. Deal with past traumas. If you find yourself feeling consistently unhappy, upset, or negative, you may have some underlying issues that need to be dealt with. Seek professional help in dealing with traumas, such as past abuse, exposure to stresses, natural disasters, grief, and loss. Look for a licensed mental health professional, particularly one who specializes in treating trauma if you can find one. Working through your traumas with a counselor or therapist can be difficult, even painful, but you will emerge stronger and more positive at the end. Don't be afraid of failure. To paraphrase Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. We will fall down and make mistakes. It's about how we get back up again that counts. If we're expecting to succeed, but not afraid of failure, we have the best chance of staying positive throughout it all.

Accept where you are. Make goals. Practice loving-kindness meditation. Keep a journal. Practice active gratitude. Use self-affirmations. Cultivate optimism. Learn to reframe negative experiences. Use your body. Get some exercise. Create life from within. Don't sweat the small stuff. Use the Law of Attraction. Do things you love to do. Surround yourself with friends. Show compassion to others. or saying and keep it in your wallet or pocket. See a therapist. Avoid negative influences. Challenge negative thoughts. Deal with past traumas. Don't be afraid of failure.

https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-an-Akita-Inu-Dog

How to Care for an Akita Inu Dog

To care for an Akita Inu dog, feed it 2 meals a day, and carefully follow the feeding instructions on the dog food you use since Akita Inus are prone to overeating, which can lead to a serious condition called bloat. You should also brush your dog's fur once a week to keep it clean and get rid of loose hairs. However, you should only bathe your dog about once every 3-4 months since Akita Inus clean themselves and frequent bathing can strip their fur of its natural oils. Additionally, it's important that you take your dog to the vet regularly since Akita Inus are prone to thyroid problems and other health issues.

Create a feeding schedule. Akita Inu dogs have a powerful appetite. Feeding them properly is key to preserving good health. An Akita Inu should be fed two meals a day. Weigh your dog and follow the recommended feeding instructions on the package of your chosen dog food. As with most dogs, it's a good idea to feed your Akita Inu at roughly the same times every day, once in the morning, once in the evening. Do not feed the dog more than it will typically eat within 10 minutes of feeding. If you notice any major weight fluctuations, slightly adjust the quantity fed either up or down depending on whether the dog has lost or gained weight. Overfeeding your dog can result in bloat, a potentially fatal condition. Some Akita Inu owners believe the dog should made to fast once a week for its health and to reduce the risk of bloat. Fasting is thought to have a cleansing effect on the digestive tract. If you decide to try this, you may still give your dog small amounts of food, such as small pieces of fruit with the skin removed. Mix dry kibble and wet ingredients. The best food for an Akita Inu is a high-quality kibble with one or fresh ingredients mixed in. Look for kibble rich in fish and poultry, avoid kibble with lots of wheat and/or soy. Mix in any of the following: Rice (be careful, some Akita Inu dogs have an intolerance to brown rice) Vegetables (carrots, peas, and cooked potatoes are best) Eggs (boiled, never raw) Yogurt (plain) Canned tuna These fresh ingredients should make up about 25 percent of the calories your dog consumes. To get the ratio correct, you will need to look at the caloric content of the dog's food and the fresh ingredients you are adding. Use a special bowl. Ask at your local pet store for a bowl that will slow down the dog's eating. These dogs tend to eat fast, which is bad for digestion and can lead to bloat. Slow-feeding bowls have a shape the prevents the dog from gulping down all its food in a few bites. Brush the dog regularly. The Akita Inu's coat is short and stiff and needs to be brushed regularly. About once a week is adequate for most of the year. The breed sheds heavily twice a year, so be prepared to spend extra time grooming your dog during these seasons. When selecting a brush for your Akita Inu at the pet store, look for one that is appropriate for the dog's double coat. Generally, a slicker brush or a flexible pin brush works well for dogs with a double coat. For most the year (i.e. when the dog is not shedding), pick the same day of the week and time of day to brush your dog. The Akita Inu has an excellent internal clock and will quickly come to recognize brushing as a "fact of life" if you are consistent. This goes double if you can start this regimen when the dog is still a puppy. Bathe the dog sparingly. The Akita Inu's hair contains heavy oils that are necessary for repelling water. Take care not to strip these healthy oils from the coat by bathing too often. Additionally, Akita Inu dogs will lick themselves clean like a cat. This keeps the dog clean and eliminates odors, making frequent bathing unnecessary. A bath every three to four months is typically adequate. Of course, if your dog plays in the mud or otherwise gets very filthy, a bath is in order, even if it has had one fairly recently. Brush the dog's teeth. The Akita Inu requires regular tooth brushing. Buy a dog toothbrush and toothpaste and clean its teeth twice a week. As best as you are able, brush the dog's teeth just as you would brush your own. Failing to do this can result in periodontal disease, bad breath, and discomfort when your dog eats. Your local pet store should carry toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs. If need be, do some trial and error to find a flavor your dog likes. Never use human dental products on a dog. Human toothpaste, in particular, can sicken a dog. Trim the dog's nails. These dogs need their nails trimmed once a month. Starting this regimen when the Akita Inu is still a puppy will make it more cooperative when it's time to trim. It is very easy to accidentally cut a dog's nails too short, cutting into the quick. This causes bleeding and discomfort for your dog. To begin with, cut off only very small parts of the nail, until you get a better sense of what you are doing. Pet stores sell special nail cutters for pets with a guard built in that prevents cutting off a large amount by accident. If you are unable or unwilling to handle this yourself (e.g. because the dog is uncooperative or you are worried about cutting too much), have a professional groomer cut your dog's nails. Establish dominance. The Akita Inu can be a willful, even stubborn dog. if you want it to obey and respect you, you must establish your dominance over it early. Otherwise, it can become aggressive and disrespectful. Teach your Akita Inu to sit, stay, and come , providing it a treat when it does these tasks correctly. Do not treat the dog until it obeys your command. Require it to carry out one of these tasks before you give it a meal. This establishes that you are in control of the dog's food. Because this breed of dog is very willful, you should expect this training process to take a bit longer than it would with some other breeds. The key is persistence, consistency, and patience. Get other people involved in this training process. That way, the dog understands that you, and others, are dominant. Socialize the dog with children. Children should also be involved in this training process if they are about 10-12 years old or older, commanding the dog to do treats and rewarding it for success. Younger children should be involved in feeding the dog and entering and exiting the home with it so they are not seen as subordinate by the Akita Inu. Children should be told to be kind and gentle to the dog, and to avoid loud noises or sudden motions when the dog is first being socialized. This reduces the risk of the dog being spooked or hurt by the children and responding aggressively. With particularly boisterous children, especially those that may not live in the same house as the dog, it is best to keep the Akita Inu on a leash when it first begins interacting with children. Akita Inu puppies are sometimes frightened of children. If you get a puppy, introduce the children gradually, letting the dog come to them when it is ready, and supervising all interactions between the child and the dog. Correct mouthing. The Akita Inu has a tendency toward "mouthing," i.e. putting its mouth around your wrist, hand, or arm. This is not the same as biting, but is a troubling behavior that you should consider trying to stop. Seek advice from a behaviorist on how to make your dog stop mouthing. Consider giving the dog a task that involves carrying something. Akita Inu dogs are decent retrievers and can be trained to get your newspaper or slippers for you. Exercise the dog regularly to avoid behavioral problems. The Akita Inu is an active dog. It can live well in a small space, provided it gets plenty of exercise. If it does not, it will develop behavioral problems, possibly becoming destructive. It is recommended that the dog be given two long walks (i.e. about 30 minutes) every day. If you have a yard the dog can run in at will, this is ideal, but not necessary. Do not lock the dog out in the yard if it wants to come in. Don't overdo it. Prolonged periods outside on hot days can cause stress and illness for your dog. Do not force it to spend too much time in direct summer sun, especially when exercising. Keep the dog stimulated and social. The Akita Inu is an intelligent and social animal. It will want to spend time with you and your family, and it will need varied playful activities to stay happy. Give your Akita Inu plenty of affection, and make sure it has toys to play with and carry around the house. Long periods solitary inactivity in your home are more likely to promote destructive behavior. The Akita Inu is active and intelligent and will make up activities if it becomes bored. This might include trying to dig a hole in the floor or chew through the leg of a chair. Be wary of aggression toward other dogs. The Akita Inu can be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. It is not advisable to walk them off leash. Because of this trait, the Akita Inu is best suited to a one-dog household. It may also chase cats and other pets. If your Akita Inu appears hostile toward another dog, do your best to keep it away. If you cannot, and the dogs fight, grab your dog's back legs. Have another person grab the other dog's back legs, and back them away from each other as if each dog were a wheelbarrow. Be vigilant for signs of bloat. The Akita Inu is one of the most susceptible breeds when it comes to bloat, a painful and often fatal twisting of the stomach. Bloat is more likely to occur when a dog eats too fast or exercises too soon after eating. Signs of bloat include agitation, vomiting, refusing to drink, and swelling in the torso. If you suspect bloat, take your dog to an emergency veterinary clinic. Bloat can kill a dog in few hours. Look for signs of autoimmune hypothyroidism. A full 65 percent of Akita Inu dogs experience thyroid problems, which can affect the dog's ability to fight off disease. Get your dog checked for autoimmune hypothyroidism if you notice any of the following: Seizures Hyperactivity Severe and sudden weight loss Weakness Severe and rapid weight gain Sudden aggressive behavior Skin problems Watch for hip and leg problems. Akita Inu dogs are susceptible to hip dysplasia and luxating patella. These are both joint problems of the leg. Predisposition to these conditions is hereditary, and they may be brought on by jumping from too great a height or gaining too much weight. Seek care if you note the following: Limping or favoring other legs Yelping in pain whenever the dog makes a particular motion Yelping when being picked up in a particular way Running with an odd hopping motion Recognize other disease symptoms. While less common, there are other health conditions that can affect the Akita Inu. Take your dog to the vet if you note the following: Nosebleeds, easy bruising, and blood in the stood or urine can be a sign of Von Willebrand's disease. A tilt to one side, balance problems, or walking in circles can be a sign of Vestibular Syndrome. A rusty discoloration to the dogs coat can indicate it is getting too much sun, which can be harmful to the dogs internal organs. Dry, scaly skin and hair loss on the head, neck, and back can be a sign of sebaceous adenitis. Take your Akita Inu to the vet regularly. Even if you don't notice any health problems, your Akita Inu, like any dog, requires regular trips to the vet. Bring your dog at least once a year for a full checkup. When visiting the vet, make sure to ask about any unusual behaviors, whether the dog is up to date on its shots, whether it is a healthy weight, and if it needs any additional dental care. If you've seen any signs of the health problems described above, always be sure to mention this. Expect to spend, on average, several hundred dollars a year on veterinary care, and budget appropriately. If the dog has severe health problems, and when the dog becomes older, costs will increase, so it's a good idea to have an emergency fund set aside as well, unless you have pet insurance.

Create a feeding schedule. Mix dry kibble and wet ingredients. Use a special bowl. Brush the dog regularly. Bathe the dog sparingly. Brush the dog's teeth. Trim the dog's nails. Establish dominance. Socialize the dog with children. Correct mouthing. Exercise the dog regularly to avoid behavioral problems. Keep the dog stimulated and social. Be wary of aggression toward other dogs. Be vigilant for signs of bloat. Look for signs of autoimmune hypothyroidism. Watch for hip and leg problems. Recognize other disease symptoms. Take your Akita Inu to the vet regularly.

https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Spaghetti-Squash

How to Store Spaghetti Squash

To store whole spaghetti squash, keep it in a cool, dark area for up to 3 months or at room temperature for up to 1 month. Once you cut the squash, wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container. Then, store the wrapped pieces in the humidity-controlled drawer in your fridge for about 5 days. You can also store cooked squash in an airtight container in your freezer for 6-8 months!

Choose squash that has hard, blemish-free skin. When you pick out your spaghetti squash to store and eat, make sure the skin is thick, hard, dark in color, and without mold spots or bruises. Whether you're picking squash at a grocery store or out of your own garden, it's important that the skin looks healthy. Otherwise, your squash will quickly rot and become inedible. Keep the squash uncovered in a cool, dark, dry area for up to 3 months. The ideal storage space for whole, raw squash is a dark, cool area such as a cabinet, pantry, or closet. If you can keep the storage area between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 16 degrees Celsius), then it may last as long as 3 months without going bad. Keep the humidity between 50% and 70% in order to further avoid rotting. Make sure to check on the squash at least weekly to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Store the squash at room temperature for up to one month. You may not be able to keep the squash in a dark location where the temperature and humidity are controlled. If this is the case, the squash can still last about a month if it's uncovered and stored at room temperature, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). If possible, avoid storing the squash in extremely humid areas. Discard your squash if it’s especially soft or leaky. If you check on your squash and notice that the skin has softened significantly, it may be time to throw it away. You may also notice that it's leaking liquids if it's no longer safe to eat and needs to be disposed of. Wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap. If you've already cut, cooked, and eaten part of a spaghetti squash, you'll want to store the rest of it in the fridge. Wrap each piece of squash thoroughly with plastic wrap before putting it in the refrigerator. This will ensure that no air gets to the squash. You can also put the pieces in a tupperware container if you don't have plastic wrap. Put the wrapped pieces in the humidity-controlled drawer. The cut squash will last much longer if it's kept in a humidity-controlled drawer, instead of on a shelf in the refrigerator. Squash requires a lower humidity level than many other vegetables, so keeping it in a slightly less humid environment should make a difference. Keep the pieces refrigerated for up to 5 days. Because the squash is cut open, it won't stay good as long as a whole squash would. Your squash pieces will stay fresh in the refrigerator until they've been in there for 5 days or longer. Cook and eat the squash. Before the five days are up, cook and eat the rest of your squash pieces. You can cook the squash in a number of ways, including boiling on the stove, slow-cooking in a Crock Pot, or roasting in the oven. Throw away the squash if it’s moldy and/or stinky. If you open your fridge to take out your squash and you notice that it has a few white, black, green, or blue “fuzzy” spots, it's likely moldy. If you don't see any signs of mold but you unwrap the plastic and smell a foul odor, you should still throw out the squash. These are signs that the squash is no longer safe to eat. Put cooked squash in the freezer. If you've already cut and cooked your squash but you have some leftover, it's best to store it in the freezer. Put the cooked squash in plastic freezer bags and seal them before storing them. If you're planning on eating it sooner rather than later, your cooked squash should also be fine if only kept in the refrigerator for a day or two before reheating and eating. Thaw the squash partially when you’re ready to eat it. When you're ready to reheat and eat the squash, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator and keep it there for a couple of hours. Let it thaw at least partially, but not all of the way, or else it may have a mushy texture when you reheat it. Let the squash thaw long enough to where it softens some, but is still very cold to the touch. Steam the squash for about 5 minutes. Once the squash has thawed out some, steam it in a steamer basket on the stove for about five minutes so that it's tender, but also firm. Eat the squash within 6-8 months. Your cooked squash will stay preserved in the freezer for several months. Whether you thaw, reheat, and eat it after freezing it for a week or 5 months, it should still be tasty and safe to ingest. However, you should not eat spaghetti squash that's cooked and kept frozen for longer than 8 months. Discard squash that is moldy or stinky. If you notice moldiness or a foul odor coming from your squash while it is still frozen or once it has thawed some, throw it away. Your spaghetti squash is most likely no longer safe to eat and should be disposed of.

Choose squash that has hard, blemish-free skin. Keep the squash uncovered in a cool, dark, dry area for up to 3 months. Store the squash at room temperature for up to one month. Discard your squash if it’s especially soft or leaky. Wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap. Put the wrapped pieces in the humidity-controlled drawer. Keep the pieces refrigerated for up to 5 days. Cook and eat the squash. Throw away the squash if it’s moldy and/or stinky. Put cooked squash in the freezer. Thaw the squash partially when you’re ready to eat it. Steam the squash for about 5 minutes. Eat the squash within 6-8 months. Discard squash that is moldy or stinky.

https://www.wikihow.com/Encourage-Hair-Growth

How to Encourage Hair Growth

To encourage hair growth, start by drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and eating foods that are high in protein, such as nuts, lentils, and lean meats, to encourage cell growth and maintain a healthy scalp. Additionally, use a shampoo and conditioner that contain vitamins A, B, C, or E to nourish and hydrate hair. You'll also want to avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate as they can damage your hair. Lastly, trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends from moving up the hair shaft and causing breakage.

Stay hydrated. Inadequate water intake prevents cell growth and reproduction—your hair won't grow without H20! Proper hydration is not only essential for the growth of your hair, but it will also ensure that your body functions properly. Aim to drink six to eight cups of water per day. Replace one to two caffeinated beverages with water every day. Set an alarm to remind you when it is time for your next glass of water. Eat foods that promote hair growth and scalp health. Proteins, specifically keratin, are the building blocks of hair. To encourage hair growth, eat a diet rich in nuts, lentils, and lean meats. To improve your scalp's health, consume foods that are naturally rich in vitamin A (dark leafy greens and sweet potatoes), vitamin C (citrus fruits), iron (lean red meats), and omega-3 fatty acids (avocados). Avoid risky fat diets. Your hair won't grow if it thinks you body is in trouble. The nutrients and vitamins you need to produce luscious locks will be diverted from your hair follicles and used to maintain necessary functions. In some extreme cases, your hair may even fall out. Eggs, bananas, raisins,coconut and olive oil are also rich in the vitamins and nutrients you need to grow strong hair and maintain a healthy scalp. Consuming too much salt, carbonated beverages, sugar, alcohol, and white flour may inhibit hair growth. Sleep at least 8 hours every night. Getting plenty of sleep is essential to leading a healthy, balanced life. Anxiety and stress can decrease your stomach acids, inhibiting the proper digestion and assimilation of the proteins, vitamins, and nutrients that encourage hair growth. Occasionally, too much stress can alter your hormone levels, disrupt your hair's growth cycle, and ultimately cause your hair to fall out. Sleeping reduces stress and promotes cell growth, as well as cell repair. Leave your phone, tablet or computer on the bedside table when it is time to sleep. Use a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. Read the labels of all of your hair products carefully. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are made specifically for your hair type and contain vitamins A, B, C, and or E. These vitamins will nourish and hydrate your hair. Avoid products that contain two or more detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. This product will strip your hair of its natural oils and cause more damage. If you have dry hair, look for a moisturizing shampoo. For oily hair, look for a clarifying or deep cleansing shampoo. Don't over wash your hair. Try switching to a regiment of shampooing your hair one day and using conditioner the following day. When shampooing your hair, apply the product directly to your scalp. Lather it in and let it run down your hair. If you have an oily scalp, only apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. Use a deep conditioner. Applying a deep conditioner to your hair once a week can repair, replenish, and rehydrate damaged hair from the root all the way down to the ends of your tresses. You can either purchase a deep conditioner from your favorite beauty store or use natural ingredients to make your own deep conditioner at home. Use a boar-hair bristle brush. Brushing your hair with a boar hair bristle brush will result in a healthy, shiny mane. These brushes stimulate your scalp and naturally condition your hair, while reducing frizz and improving the texture of your hair. After using a boar hair bristle brush, your need for styling products will decrease and you will have to wash your hair less frequently. When brushing your hair, concentrate on spreading your hair's natural oils. A boar hair bristle brush works great for this. Avoid using brushes with metal or plastic bristles. When detangling wet hair, use a wide-toothed comb to get the snarls out. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots to prevent breakage. Get your hair trimmed regularly. Trimming your hair on a regular basis—about every 6 to 8 weeks—will keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. It won't prevent hair growth, which happens at the roots, not the ends. Regular trimming also prevents split ends from moving up the hair strand and causing major breakage. Avoid tight hairstyles and teasing. Certain hairstyles pull on your roots and can actually slow hair growth. Hairstyles that pull on your scalp, like cornrows, braids, and high ponytails, can also cause hair breakage. Teasing also pulls on your roots and wreaks havoc on your ends. Wear your hair down or in a loose up-do. Instead of wearing a tight up-do that can damage your hair and roots, wear your hair down and natural. When pulling your hair back, style it in a loose braid. Going for a run? Pull your mane back in a low, loose ponytail. Just need your hair out of your eyes? Try a cute headband or a rolled up bandana. Use a heat protectant. When you blow-dry your locks, straighten your mane, or curl your hair, prevent further damage with a heat protectant. Apply the heat protectant, which you can purchase at any drug store, prior to styling your hair. Avoid blow-drying your hair. Applying unnecessary heat to already damaged hair will only lead to further breakage. Instead of blow-drying your hair, let it air-dry. Always use a heat protectant when blow-drying your hair! If you have a diffuser, use it! This tool that attaches to the tip of your blow-dryer helps spread the heat evenly throughout your hair. Limit use of curling irons or flat irons. Like blow-drying, curling or straightening already damaged hair will only result in additional damage. If you do curl or straighten your hair, don't blow-dry your hair before styling it. Let it air-dry instead. When curling or straightening your hair, always use a heat protectant! Use a curling iron or flat iron that shows you the temperature of the barrel or plates. Turn the tools to the lowest heat possible. Select a type of oil to use. When massaging your scalp, you can use a variety of oils. Pick from jojoba, coconut, olive, castor or egg oil. You could also try a variety of essential oils, including rosemary and black seed oils. Put a few drops of the oil on the tips of your fingers. Pour or scoop about one tablespoon of the oil of your choice into small dish. Dip your fingertips in the oil. Shake off any excess oil over the dish. If the bottle has a nozzle, you can apply the oil directly to your scalp. Massage your scalp. Using your fingertips, massage your scalp to stimulate the roots. Rub your scalp for approximately ten minutes. Dip your fingertips into the dish of oil as needed. If you have an oily scalp, don't overdo the oil. Use it sparingly. Brush your hair with a boar hair bristle comb or brush. Brush your hair from root to tip with a boar hair bristle brush. This will spread the oil and your natural hair oil through your hair. Don't use a brush with metal or plastic bristles. Let the oil soak into your hair. If you have oily or normal hair, let the oil soak into your hair for a few hours. If you have dry hair, let the oil soak into your damaged locks overnight. Wrap your hair in a soft towel or place a shower cap over your hair to prevent frizz (and stains on your pillowcase if you are going to bed). Wash your hair thoroughly. After completing the hair treatment, rinse out your hair with shampoo and water. You may need to wash a couple times to remove the oil. Don't use conditioner after this treatment. If your hair isn't naturally oily, you can skip shampooing and leave the oil in if you prefer. Dry and style your hair. Towel your hair. Brush out the snarls with a boar hair bristle brush. Let your hair air-dry. If you choose to blow-dry your hair, use a heat protectant. Leave your hair down, plait it into a loose braid, or pull it back in a loose pony tail.

Stay hydrated. Eat foods that promote hair growth and scalp health. Sleep at least 8 hours every night. Use a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. Use a deep conditioner. Use a boar-hair bristle brush. Get your hair trimmed regularly. Avoid tight hairstyles and teasing. Wear your hair down or in a loose up-do. Use a heat protectant. Avoid blow-drying your hair. Limit use of curling irons or flat irons. Select a type of oil to use. Put a few drops of the oil on the tips of your fingers. Massage your scalp. Brush your hair with a boar hair bristle comb or brush. Let the oil soak into your hair. Wash your hair thoroughly. Dry and style your hair.

https://www.wikihow.com/Homeschool-Your-Children

How to Homeschool Your Children

If you want to homeschool your children, spend a little time at the start of the week planning out each day, and gather all of your lesson plans, materials, and textbooks before each school day starts. Spend some time each day on each subject in your curriculum, such as math, reading, and history. Supplement book learning with hands-on activities like gardening, cooking, and science projects, and look for ways to tie in these activities to whatever your children are studying.

Establish your home education legally. In the US, each state has different laws and regulations regarding home-school. Generally speaking, New England has the most stringent requirements. Before you jump in, research your state's laws and give them the required notice, in addition to making a checklist of future deadlines for yourself (if applicable). Since home educators have a personal investment in ensuring they understand the homeschooling laws correctly, local support groups are often the best resource to steer you to the most accurate legal information in your area. Be advised that the legal requirements for home educators vary by country, state, and even sometimes by school district, so a bit of research will be required. HSLDA and A to Z Home's Cool provide useful guides to what it means to home-educate legally (see external links below). You may be required to keep a portfolio of your children's work. It is very important to do this from day one if required by your state. Make sure it's financially doable. Depending on your take of "homeschooling," the amount of money you'll be investing in your child can vary greatly. The job can be done with $300 or it can be done with $2,500. It all depends on what supplies you'll be using and activities you plan on doing. Activities, unfortunately, aren't always free. In order to get the best of the world (and learn more while they're at it), you could supplement their lessons with trips to planetariums, art exhibits, lectures, showcases, nature preserves and the like -- but these things can cost money. For the record, those two figures mentioned above represent the ends of the average home-schooling spectrum. Enroll your child in community activities. Get them involved in some kind of sport or other activity that they like; your child will need social interaction and time spent away from home. Don't force them to do anything, but don't let them give up too easily, either. These activities get children to socialize and also teach important life skills such as making friends and keeping commitments. Homeschooling your child will not "ruin" them. As long as you make sure their emotional, social, mental, and physical needs are met, they'll be successful adults in the future. Ask them what activities they'd like to do that span their interests and get them started on the right path. Research says home-schoolers are just as involved as their publicly-schooled peers. They help the community and can make just as many social connections. Inform extended family. Others in your family who care about you and your children can be helpful and give great support to your home education efforts -- or they can be heartbreaking critics. Plan how you will tell them what you are planning to do, listen to their responses, and answer questions and concerns they may have. Help them understand that you are prepared and determined, and don't let any negative attitudes get you down. They care, and over time as your children show success in their education at home, they very well may come around and be your greatest supporters. In fact, why can't they aid in helping your children learn? Surely they have areas of expertise that you don't. Let them know you want them to be a part of your child's life, too -- how could they possibly turn it down? Be confident in your teaching abilities. Realize that you care about your child's future more than anyone else does. Therefore, you are uniquely qualified for the role of homeschooling parent. Homeschooling is a big responsibility, but if you mold it to your family lifestyle it can work well -- regardless of your education or expertise. It does not require you to give up the rest of your interests; you can still have a life outside of homeschool. While it's pretty easy to get a child through grade school, you may find it's harder to be confident in yourself when it comes to putting them through high school. But it is doable and people have done it. Just know that you'll be learning, too! Learn about different home education methods. Different styles abound and can be learned from and used as resources. The schools of thought vary widely when it comes to this topic, so it's best to sit down and find where you fall on the spectrum of belief yourself. Unschooling : This is an anarchic approach where the student is self-directed. It's based on the idea that a student is likely to learn quickly and easily when they study things they are interested in. Diane Lockman offers an approach geared towards reading, thinking, and communicating, with a heavy Christian emphasis. She even offers online high school courses. Unit studies -- where each unit is dedicated to a different topic. You can often find units (and other varied curricula) online. Charlotte Mason's methodology is a little less conventional and focuses on "atmosphere, discipline, and life. Montessori or Waldorf methods, where the child is more independent and "discovers" rather than is told. An eclectic blend of different styles A complete online curriculum package like Global Student Network A private online school like International Virtual Learning Academy Determine your own style of home education. Examine your own intentions and motivations. Why do you want to home educate? What do you consider a 'good' education? What do you believe about children, teaching, and learning? How do your children seem to learn best? These questions can help you determine what approach to take and help you create a learning environment that will be best for your family and your children. Consider, too, that an approach that works for one child may not be best for another. In addition, what you may prefer may not be best for them. Talk to your child about their expectations before you go about outlining the year. Plan your curriculum. The enormous volume of material and methods that are available can be overwhelming for a new homeschooling parent. It's easy to forget how useful it all is! Identifying your approach will be the first step in narrowing things down. There are many resources to help you navigate through the maze of ideas. Research, read, and plan what you want to teach and how. Libraries and bookstores have books on home education methods, experiences, and proven curricula. The internet offers a never-ending source of information as well: basic information on various subjects, online purchase of curricula and supplies, articles about methodologies, support groups, and public school curricula. It even has free lessons on most subjects from teachers, other home educators, and even television stations. Authentic classical education involves teaching reading, thinking, and speaking to substantial mastery. However, Unschoolers, while agreeing with the classical education system, usually have a wide variety of resources for their children to experience, but no formal curriculum. It's all up to you. You'll want to touch on art, the sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), languages, music, mathematics, history, and geography, for starters. Look for local support. You can find local groups that meet regularly, organizations that put on periodic seminars or conventions, or even online groups that swap ideas and resources. Many groups set up co-op classes--taught by other parents--in a variety of subjects. If you start to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or all alone in your family's educational pursuits, a support group can offer advice or just a reassuring acknowledgment from other parents that you are not alone. They are also an invaluable resource for tips on how to comply with the home education laws in your area. If you have any questions at all, a local support group should be your place to turn. And your child could meet other homeschoolers! Gather supplies. Home education supplies vary greatly according to teaching method. You can order textbooks, boxed curricula, and learning tools online or at home-educating curriculum and supply sales. For cheaper alternatives, many home educators use libraries, used book stores, curriculum swaps, thrift stores, and garage sales. Back-to-school-sales at local discount stores or office supply stores are the perfect place to get some of the basic supplies like pens, notebooks and glue. Stock up in August and you'll last throughout the year. Plan your day. If you choose to have a more formal home education environment, you can prepare by gathering your lesson plans, materials, and textbooks together -- or even by setting up a room in your house for studies and activities. However you choose to home educate, it can only be helped by planning and preparing as much as you can before you start. A different approach might mean your preparation involves setting up field trips for the rest of the year in every subject, placing learning objects around your home, or simply getting yourself into a mindset of using every day as a learning opportunity with no set plans or textbooks. Look for hands-on activities. Everyone benefits from seeing things firsthand. Some activities that can be educational as well as easy to do are: gardening, cooking, sewing, composting, science projects, hiking, fixing the house, caring for pets, and taking apart broken appliances (just make sure there are no lasers or dangerous electronic components still active). Your children will learn different things depending on their ages, but everyone will come away better educated. Make sure your activities are fact-filled and concept-checked. Planting flowers can be a learning activity -- or it can be an activity where a child got to play in the dirt. If you do do activities around the house, accompany it with a reading or other supplementary tool. Keep a portfolio of each child's work. Thick, three-ringed binders with tab separators for each student are an excellent way to keep track of schoolwork, along with whatever may be required from a legal standpoint. Label each tab with whatever subjects you are studying. After your child has completed a page, punch holes (using a three-ring hole punch) and snap the page into the proper section of their book. Remember to date each page or it will be a big jigsaw puzzle to figure out later. This is especially useful if your child is thinking of going to college, as some schools require portfolios of work from homeschool students. And you could always use the materials for reference later for your next child or for your friends or relatives. Go with your gut feelings. Trust your knowledge and instincts regarding your own children. You are not only the one ultimately responsible for guiding your children's education, but you are often the one person best able to recognize what they do or do not need. Turn to evaluations and insights from others to help guide you, but trust your own instincts about what your children need to learn and do in their educational progress. Questioning yourself is normal. You may feel like you do it all the time, especially when you first start. This is when your support group comes in handy and you should utilize the tools (like the Internet) you have at your disposal. Odds are you are just as qualified as the next parent who's doing it and have nothing to worry about. Periodically evaluate your progress. Progress evaluation happens naturally through the one-on-one process of home educating, although in some areas the law requires periodic formal testing or evaluation of home educators. Personal evaluation, however, should not only consider how your child is doing academically but also how the process is working for everyone in the family. If the teaching methods are a poor match with your child's learning style, if the curriculum is too structured or not structured enough, or if the process of home educating seems to be making things worse rather than better, then it's time for a change. Fortunately, change is something you can do fairly quickly with just a little research. If you feel uncomfortable with your level of knowledge on the subject, there are standardized progress tests (such as FCAT) that your child can take and then have the scores mailed to you, and you can find many other tests to order or take online. Prepare your younger children. Explain to them what is going to happen in the months to come, including how daily life will be structured for them and the rest of the family. Explain to older children that though they may be leaving their school, it doesn't mean they are leaving their education or their friends. Ask them what they would be interested in studying. For example, if they love stargazing, get a telescope and study astronomy. Be sure to get them excited. Home education should be fun for the students -- not a punishment. That's the best motivator. If it'll help them, let them know that they're one of 1.5 million (and rising) students that are going to learn from home this year. Allow your tween or teenager plenty of time to adjust. Often children who leave the standard educational system for home education need some time to adjust. Instead of immediately jumping into "school at home," you may want to do unstructured activities and then slowly work into your routine. Determine how much "recovery time" is needed for each particular child, and work with them to create a different and more enjoyable learning experience. If they're concerned, do research and back up your opinions with others' opinions; they shouldn't think that this is some tyrannical decision on your part. If they think they'll be behind, let them know that this means they can start taking college courses earlier -- if anything, this will speed up their education process. Don't lose your child's old connections, in addition to forming new ones. Encourage your child to stay in touch with friends they already have. You might encourage -- but do not force -- your child to become friends with another home-educated child as well. In many cases this will occur spontaneously if your family interacts with other homeschool families through co-op classes, field trips or homeschool sporting events. One of the best things about homeschooling is that it doesn't take 8 hours to teach your child. In fact, at a brick-and-mortar institution, they'd spend most of their time waiting. You may be able to get done in 4 hours what their old school could get done in 7. That means more time for you and more time for them to spend developing their selves.

Establish your home education legally. Make sure it's financially doable. Enroll your child in community activities. Inform extended family. Be confident in your teaching abilities. Learn about different home education methods. Determine your own style of home education. Plan your curriculum. Look for local support. Gather supplies. Plan your day. Look for hands-on activities. Keep a portfolio of each child's work. Go with your gut feelings. Periodically evaluate your progress. Prepare your younger children. Allow your tween or teenager plenty of time to adjust. Don't lose your child's old connections, in addition to forming new ones.