Article: Leftover mint from the store or garden can be preserved for later use. To freeze your mint, place two washed mint leaves in each basin of an ice cube tray. Fill each with water. Freeze them until you're ready to use the mint. Once the mint cubes have frozen, remove them from the tray and place them in a plastic bag in the freezer. (Now you have your ice cube tray back!) When it's time to use your mint, pull the ice cubes out of the freezer (as many as you need for how much mint you require) and place them in a bowl to thaw. When the ice has thawed, drain the water and pat the mint dry. Dried mint can be used to make teas, and can even be put into the reusable cups for single-serve coffee machines. Take the fresh sprigs of mint and loosely bundle a couple together with elastic bands. Hang them upside down somewhere warm and dry until the leaves are dry and brittle. Mint contains more moisture than some other herbs, which means it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to dry, depending on the climate. The warmer and dryer the room you use for drying, the less time the process will take. When the leaves are dry, place them in a bag or between sheets of wax paper and break them up. Store in a spice jar.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Freeze your mint leaves in an ice cube tray. Dry your mint.
Article: Several essential oils can reduce symptoms of the common cold and open your sinus passages. Add a total of 3 to 7 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or oregano essential oils. If you're feeling congested, oregano can treat a sinus infection. Peppermint essential oils can treat headaches caused by congestion and eucalyptus can treat the congestion itself. Eucalyptus oil also relieves respiratory problems. You can also use cedarwood, thyme, frankincense, marjoram, myrrh, sage, sandalwood, or tea tree essential oils to treat the common cold. If you're feeling stressed, lavender can calm you and even help you drift off to sleep. Sage oil can also relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Add a total of 3 to 7 drops of essential oils to your steam facial. Other essential oils with relaxing properties include: tuberose, vanilla, and wintergreen. If you're feeling depressed, or simply want to brighten your mood, try using lemon, rosemary, or rose essential oils. Rose is often used as an antidepressant and rosemary can re-energize you. Lemon, or any citrus, can improve your mood and concentration. Add 3 to 7 drops total of essential oils to your steam facial. Ylang ylang, patchouli, jasmine, and chamomile are also good essential oils used to improve mood. If you fight acne or blemishes, consider steaming with tea tree, eucalyptus, or rosemary essential oils. All of these have antibacterial properties which can cure the infection causing your blemishes. Use 3 to 7 drops total of essential oils to your facial. Other antibacterial essential oils include oregano, sage, basil, and pine. If you have scarring, stretch marks, or marks from old acne, use rose essential oil. Rose contains antioxidants which can speed your skin's healing process. It's also an astringent which can tighten your pores, making your skin look firmer. Use a total of 3 to 7 drops of essential oils in your steam facial. Geranium blends well with rose oil and shares many of the same properties, like healing the skin by increasing blood flow. If you're concerned that you may have an allergic reaction to an essential oil, test the oil on a small patch of your skin before using it in a steam facial. Mix the essential oil in a small amount of carrier oil (like baby oil) and place a few drops on the pad part of a bandage. Stick the bandage onto your forearm and leave it for 48 hours. Check your skin for any redness, irritation, or blisters which can mean an allergy or sensitivity. If you're pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor before using essential oils since many of them haven't been tested extensively.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Open your sinuses and treat colds. Relax and unwind. Improve your mood. Treat acne. Care for your skin. Do a patch test.
Article: Build a rich environment for your child to foster growth and learning. Make trying new things fun, exciting, and safe. Expose your child to music, plays, sports, museums, travel, reading, dance, games, food, puzzles, ethnic activities, and social opportunities. Exposing your child to various activities and experiences can help them be open to new things and find interests that they enjoy. Expose your child to lots of activities and experiences so that they can create their own interests. Don't push your child to pursue something that you enjoyed when you were their age. Let them choose what they enjoy. Giving your child a wide variety of experiences can help them learn their likes and dislikes and begin to develop their preferences. Notice what draws their attention and create more experiences like that. If your child is interested in space, take them stargazing and talk about constellations. If they enjoy flowers, take them to a garden and name the flowers. Use their interests to teach them more about what they enjoy in a fun environment. Your child will likely enjoy learning all about their interests and gaining more knowledge. If they love the ocean, bring them to the ocean and let them explore some tide pools. If this isn't an option, find some sand for your child to play with at a local playground. To see sea animals, take them to an aquarium. Kids love to learn experientially. Places like a children's museum or the zoo will captivate them while helping them learn new things. Getting your child interested in areas and expanding that interest is easy with exhibits that excite children and make them eager to learn more. If your child loves dinosaurs, get a membership to the natural history museum. If they love fish, get a membership to the aquarium. If you have a young child, get a membership to a children's museum. Let them ask museum workers questions about things they're interested in. If your child shows a strong preference for something, find a way for them to get more involved. For example, if your child loves tumbling, look into gymnastics classes. If your child is interested in acting, see if there's a class or club for young actors. Find ways to expand on their interests to build their skills and passions. If your child enjoys art or writing, encourage them to do these activities both at home and in classes.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Expose your child to a wide variety of experiences. Let them choose their likes and dislikes. Go on outings that interest your child. Get a membership to a museum. Sign your child up for classes and clubs.