Q: It's important to let your layers dry completely before painting on top of them. If you start to paint on top of a wet layer, the colors will swirl and mix in a way that is very hard to control. Though some artists have mastered blending gouache painting while both colors are wet, it's a good idea when you're just beginning to paint with gouache to let the layers dry completely. If your colors do begin to bleed, stop painting and let them dry, then paint over the blended area with the desired color. If you notice that some of your paints are drying on the palette, spray them with the spray bottle of water to keep them wet. There are a number of ways to shade when you are painting with gouache. Because gouache dries extremely quickly, it's not feasible to spend your time mixing the colors on the surface of the canvas as you would do when painting with oil paints. One way that you can add shade is to paint a series of lines of color laid next to each other in a gradient that goes from light to dark. For instance, if you are painting an apple, start with a line of pure red, then a line of slightly grayer red, and then add more gray until the last line is the darkest shade of your shadow. After you lay down all the lines, soften the transition of color by dipping your brush in water, removing excess water using a paper towel, then gently scrubbing the dampened brush across the lines of color to blend the colors. You can also shade by adding translucent layers of paint in progressively darker colors. Finally, you can crosshatch or stipple to achieve shading. You can soften the stippling or crosshatching by using a slightly dampened brush to rub the area of the painting to blend it. After you have laid down your colors and have shaded your piece, go in with a small brush and add details to your piece. You also may choose to outline parts of your design either using a thin brush dipped in black gouache, or using an ink pen that can give you solid, defined lines. For instance, if you are painting a strawberry, you may go in with white paint and draw in the seeds of the berry. Then you might use a thin brush to define the leaves of the berry, and then finish by outlining the berry in black pen. After you add details to your design, go back and refine your design, correcting any mistakes and adding any finishing touches. Make sure that the paint is dry before you go in to finish your piece. If your final work is something you're really proud of, consider framing the painting behind glass to protect it from weathering and aging. When you are framing your piece, be sure to mount it first, then place it inside the frame. Mounting prevents the painting from being directly against the glass, which can cause condensation and mold-growth, especially in humid environments. Don't varnish your gouache painting. Although varnish is a great way to protect other mediums, varnish will alter and darken the colors of your gouache painting.
A: Add paint when the first layer is dry. Add dimension to your design using shading. Add details using a small brush. Refine your piece. Frame your piece.

Q: Baking powder contains salt. It's a good idea to either omit or reduce the amount of salt in the recipe if you substitute for baking powder for baking soda. This will prevent the recipe from turning out too salty. Baking soda is designed to interact with acidic ingredients. If you substitute baking powder for baking soda, replace any acidic liquids for non-acidic ones. Acidic liquids include things like sour cream, yogurt, vinegar, buttermilk, molasses, and citrus juices. Whole milk or water can be used as a replacement. Use the same amount of the substitute ingredient as the liquid in the original recipe. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of buttermilk, use one cup of whole milk instead. Recipes that use baking soda often have citrus-based liquids like lemon or lime juice. In this case, flavor water with a small amount of grated lime or lemon and use this as your liquid replacement. This will help preserve the citrus flavor.
A: Omit salt when using baking powder. Adjust your liquids when using baking powder. Use water and lime for citrus flavors.

Q: Exercise helps strengthen your heart muscles, improves blood flow, and allows your heart to pump more easily with less effort. Find a physical activity you don't mind doing and add that activity to your daily routine. Start walking, running, cycling, dancing, or swimming, or work with your healthcare provider on developing an exercise routine that works best for you. Keep in mind that the type of exercise you do will impact how much you'll need. In general, try to perform 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, but check with your doctor first to determine what your heart can handle. If you have existing heart problems, for instance, vigorous exercise may put too much additional strain on your heart; your doctor may advise moderate exercise until your overall health improves. Individuals with thick waistlines and a high body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher often have high diastolic blood pressure readings since their hearts have to work harder at pumping blood throughout their entire bodies. Focus on losing weight by exercising regularly and eating healthier foods, and consult with your healthcare provider about other effective weight-loss treatments. If you're notably overweight, losing as few as 10 pounds (4.5 kg) can dramatically improve your blood pressure numbers. Also note that carrying extra weight around your waistline can have an especially strong impact on your blood pressure. As a general rule, aim to have a waist measurement less than 40 inches (102 cm) as a male or 35 inches (89 cm) as a female. . Nicotine in cigarettes narrows your arteries, hardens artery walls, and increases your risk for blood clots, heart disease, and stroke. Stop smoking as soon as possible to lower your diastolic blood pressure, and consult with your healthcare provider about effective smoking cessation methods if you experience difficulty with quitting. When under stress, your body releases chemicals and hormones that temporarily narrow your blood vessels and cause your heart to beat faster. Long-term stress increases your risk for major heart problems such as stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Identify your stressors, and eliminate them from your life to lower diastolic blood pressure. While there are many ways to reduce stress, some ideas you can start putting into practice right away include identifying and avoiding your stress triggers, taking 20 minutes daily to enjoy a relaxing activity you enjoy, and practicing gratitude. Regardless of your weight or size, it's important to check your cholesterol on a regular basis. High cholesterol can increase your blood pressure, so get screened each time you visit the doctor, especially if you're over 40.
A:
Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Lose excess weight. Stop smoking cigarettes Reduce and manage stress. Check your cholesterol regularly.