Problem: Article: If you are having this conversation with your mother in person, you should find a safe place where you can escape if things go poorly. This should be a place where you can stay for a few days if you need to. Ask a friend if you can stay over at their place. You might also contact your local LGBT support group, and see if any of the members are willing to take you in if things take a turn for the worse. You may want to pack a bag ahead of time. You can even leave it at the safe place before you have the talk if you are very worried. If you are in crisis before or after the talk, you can call the Trevor Project helpline at 1-866-488-7386. You do not want your mom to be busy or stressed when you speak to her, nor do you want to be rushed during your talk. Pick a time when the two of you can be alone. Do not choose a busy time or celebration such as a birthday party, holiday dinner, funeral, or family reunion. Some good times might include: At dinner During chores On a day off During a long car ride If you're unsure if she'll be accepting, you can ease her into the subject. You might bring up a book or movie where the character was bisexual, and see how she reacts. If there is a news article about the LGBT community, you can read it to her and ask her what she thinks about it. This can help you figure out how accepting your mom will be of your sexual orientation. You can say, "I was reading this piece about LGBT organizations. They say that people are being bullied for being bisexual. What do you think?" If your mother uses homophobic slurs or reacts with anger against LGBT people, you may want to reconsider coming out to her. Evaluate your safety before continuing the conversation. If your mom demonstrates open-mindedness or support of LGBT people, this may be a good time to tell her.
Summary: Locate a safe place. Choose a day when your mom will have time to listen. Test her reaction.

Problem: Article: Green, crunchy vegetables, such as broccoli or cabbage, contain the compound indole-3-carbinal. This compound may help to heal CV over time. Your daily serving of vegetables can be raw, baked, steamed, blended, or juiced. Go with the preparation method that tastes the best to you. Turnips, kale, and radishes are other cruciferous vegetable options. This spice has been known to reduce inflammation from disease when regularly consumed. Start slowly by mixing a single teaspoon of turmeric into foods that you already eat, such as pasta sauce. Talk to your doctor about how and when to increase your consumption of turmeric over time. Note that turmeric can sometimes cause uterine stimulation for pregnant women. You can also get more creative by making turmeric tea or a turmeric smoothie. Go to your local pharmacy and look over the multivitamin offerings. The best multivitamins will also include selenium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Just make sure to consult with your doctor prior to taking any multivitamins or supplements. If you are deficient in beta-carotene, it may increase your odds of developing cervical lesions or CV. You can either take a beta-carotene supplement daily or change your diet. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and dark leafy greens all contain high amounts of beta-carotene and can be fairly easily incorporated into a new diet plan. Be aware, however, that a higher beta-carotene level might affect any statin drugs that you are currently taking. There is no precise medical recommendation for a daily amount of beta-carotene. However, talk with your doctor about what supplement dosage is best for you. Generally, if you eat 5 servings of fresh produce each day, you'll consume enough beta-carotene. Folate might help to minimize any abnormal cellular changes taking place within your cervix. Talk with your doctor about taking a folate supplement. You can also get extra folate by eating asparagus, avocados, and even beet roots. Omega-3 fatty acids help to minimize inflammation that occurs when you are fighting off an illness, such as CV. Talk with your doctor about whether or not fish oil supplements could be useful for you. Another way to boost your omega-3 is by eating fresh fish, such as Atlantic salmon, on a regular basis. Sardines, tuna, and herring are other types of fish with high omega-3 levels. At your local natural food store or pharmacy, look for green tea extracts in the form of skin lotions or ointments. Squeeze out a pea-sized amount onto your palm and rub it on your lower abdomen. It's possible that green tea can counteract some of the inflammation associated with CV and help your body to heal. Be aware that the caffeine in green tea can be dangerous for people suffering from liver disease or diabetes. As always, consult with your doctor before moving forward. If you decide to take a pill form of green tea extract, keep your dosage below 300 mg daily. Going beyond this amount can cause liver problems and nausea.
Summary: Eat 9.514oz (270400g) of cruciferous vegetables daily to heal. Mix 3 to 5 tsp (9-15 g) of turmeric powder into your food daily. Choose a daily multivitamin containing vitamins A, C, D, and E. Boost your intake of beta-carotene to 3 to 6 mg each day. Increase your daily intake of folate (vitamin B9) to 200 to 400 mcg. Take in at least 250 mg (0.009 oz) of omega-3 each day. Apply a pea-sized amount of green tea lotion to your skin daily.

Problem: Article: If you come across any cracks or chipped ones, set them aside for a different project. Any cracks or chips will make create an uneven painting surface, which will make the shell harder to paint. If you don't have a beach near you, you can always buy shells from an art store. Some florists may sell also shells as vase fillers as well. Rinse them using warm water, and scrub them with an old toothbrush or manicure brush. If the shells are very smelly, leave them in a bleach solution for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind that the bleach may also turn the shells pure white. If you are using store-bought shells, then you don't have to clean them. A simple rinse may be a good idea to get rid of any dust, however. This is not completely necessary, but it will make the surface smoother to paint on. Choose an acrylic paint primer, and paint both sides of the shell. Let each side dry before adding a second coat. Watercolor is easily absorbed into the shell, and will be translucent when it dries. It will "dye" the shell a new color while allowing the shell's original patterns and designs to show through. It is best for solid-color designs and "tie dye" designs. You can also work with liquid water colors. They are more saturated and will give you brighter results. You will need to add a few drops of water to dilute them, however. Acrylic paint is opaque when it dries, and it will completely cover the shell. You will still see the shell's texture, but you won't see its original color or pattern. Acrylic paint is also great for layered designs, but you will need to let each layer dry first before moving onto the next. Choose a brush with fine bristles, such as taklon or sable. Avoid brushes that are made with horsehair or boar bristles, as they will leave behind brush strokes. You should also avoid using bushes that have bent or messed-up bristles. Consider having an assortment of brushes, such as a flat brush and a fine-pointed, round-tipped brush. You can paint just about anything on your shell, from animal faces, to beach scenes, to designs or words. If your scene is very complex, consider practicing it on a sheet or paper first. Having an idea of what you want to paint will lessen the chances of making mistakes later on.
Summary:
Gather some shells and inspect them for any cracks and chips. Clean the shells, if necessary. Consider priming the shell if you plan on painting it a solid color. Choose watercolor paint if you want the shell's features to show through. Choose acrylic paint for fine designs, scenery, and solid-color designs. Get a good quality brush. Pick a theme.