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• How to Roast Raw Almonds
• How to Make an Easy Homemade Air Conditioner from a Fan and Water Bottles
• How to Make Muesli
• How to Jump Higher in Basketball

How to Roast Raw Almonds Posted: 11 Nov 2018 12:00 AM PST Almonds are a healthy snack containing plenty of vitamins and minerals, like magnesium, copper, zinc, potassium, and iron. When they're roasted, not only are they good for you, they're also delicious. Make them in the oven or, if you're short on time, roast them on the stove top. For extra flavor, toss them in oil, spices, and seasonings, too. EditIngredients EditOven-Roasted Almonds of whole raw almonds Extra virgin olive oil (optional) EditPan-Roasted Almonds of whole raw almonds, unsalted of extra virgin olive oil of sea salt EditSteps EditRoasting Almonds in the Oven Preheat the oven to . Most ovens take about 20 minutes to heat up but it will depend on how efficient your model is. Let the oven start heating while you prepare the almonds.[1] Trying to set the oven at a higher temperature to cook the almonds faster will likely burn the almonds or not cook them thoroughly. Spread the almonds in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. You don't need to grease the baking sheet because the nuts contain so much natural oil. Make sure they are in an even layer and not piled on top of each other to help them cook evenly.[2] Substitute a baking dish for the baking sheet if you'd like. If you want to coat the nuts in olive oil and other seasonings, toss them in your choice of oil and spices directly on the baking sheet or beforehand in a separate mixing bowl. Place the almonds in the oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Use a spatula to stir the almonds or gently shake the baking sheet to move the almonds around. Roast them until they're golden brown and fragrant.[3] The almonds on the edges tend to cook faster so move them to the middle and vice versa when you stir. This allows all of the nuts to roast evenly. Check the nuts often to ensure they aren't burning or browning unevenly. If they're cooking unevenly, stir them. If they're burnt, remove them from the oven. Remove the nuts from the oven and place them on another baking sheet. The high oil content of the almonds means they'll keep cooking outside of the oven, especially if they're left on the hot baking sheet. Pour or spoon them onto a cool baking sheet.[4] Leaving the almonds on the hot baking sheet will burn them or scorch the bottoms. If you don't have another baking sheet, a plate or even a paper towel will do. Let the almonds cool completely before pouring into an airtight container. Storing almonds while they're still warm increases their risk of molding or going bad because it creates excess moisture. Wait until they're cool to the touch, then place them in a sealed plastic or glass container.[5] You can use a resealable plastic bag or glass jar, too. Store dry roasted nuts for 9 to 12 months in the pantry. Place your almonds in a cool, dark place that's dry to keep them fresh for longer. Throw them away if you notice a rancid odor or if they taste stale.[6] If you coated the nuts in oil, they won't last as long. A good rule of thumb for those is 3 to 4 weeks at room temperature. To keep the nuts for up to 2 years, place the airtight container in the freezer if it's freezer-safe. EditMaking Pan-Roasted Almonds on a Stove Top Toss the almonds, olive oil, and sea salt together. Combine the 3 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon to mix the almonds until they are evenly coated with olive oil and salt.[7] Swap olive oil for a different type of oil based on your taste preferences. You could use avocado oil, sesame oil, or an herb-infused oil, for example. You can also use water or lemon juice instead of oil. Another mixing option is to put the 3 ingredients in a resealable plastic bag. Shake it vigorously to coat the almonds. Heat a skillet on the stove top over medium-high heat. You don't want the pan to be so hot that it burns the almonds. If your stove top dial has 9 settings, medium-high heat would be anywhere from 5 to 7. Choose a skillet that's big enough that the almonds won't be overcrowded.[8] A cast iron skillet or a frying pan with high edges will also work. To determine what medium-high heat is, hold your hand above the burner. If you can hold it there for a few minutes before it gets too hot, it's medium to medium-high.[9] Pour the almonds into the heated skillet and roast them for 5 minutes. Keep the almonds on the stove until they're a golden brown color. Stir them frequently with a spatula so they don't stick to the bottom of the skillet.[10] Sample 1 almond after the 5 minutes is up. If it doesn't taste fully roasted, continue cooking the almonds. Let the almonds cool completely on a baking sheet. The almonds need to be cooled before they can be stored so you don't trap moisture in the container and risk ruining them. Spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet for the fastest cooling time.[11] You can use a sheet of parchment paper instead of a baking sheet. Don't leave the almonds in the pan to cool as the heat will continue cooking them. Store the almonds in a container at room temperature for 3 to 4 weeks. Choose an airtight plastic or glass container to keep the almonds fresh. A dry, dark area like the pantry or a cupboard is best for storage.[12] Eat the almonds as a snack or use them as salad or yogurt toppings. EditVideo EditThings You'll Need EditOven-Roasted Almonds 2 baking sheets Spatula Airtight container Mixing bowl (optional) Spoon (optional) EditPan-Roasted Almonds Large mixing bowl Spoon Skillet Spatula Baking sheet Airtight container EditRelated wikiHows Grow Almonds Toast Almonds Blanch Almonds Cook Almonds EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Make an Easy Homemade Air Conditioner from a Fan and Water Bottles Posted: 10 Nov 2018 04:00 PM PST You don't have to buy an expensive air conditioner in order to beat the heat for a little while. Instead, you can cool down a room using water bottles and a fan. Either freeze the bottles and put them in front of the fan or attach the bottles to the back. Once you build your DIY air conditioner, you'll be comfortable and cool in no time! EditSteps EditPutting Frozen Bottles in Front of Your Fan Pour 3 tbsp (51 g) of salt into each of your 3 plastic water bottles. Use disposable plastic bottles for the easiest set-up and clean up. Pour 3 tablespoons (51 g) of table salt per bottle. Put the caps back on and shake the bottles to thoroughly mix the salt.[1] Any standard salt you have in your kitchen will work. Freeze all of the bottles. Leave them inside for a few hours until they are completely frozen. Once the water turns to ice, take the bottles out and set them aside.[2] Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water and makes the ice colder. It may take longer for your bottles to freeze depending on the size of your freezer. Set the bottles in front of your fan. A table fan or box fan will work best, but you can use any fan you want. Turn on the fan and put your bottles in front of it. The air will cool down as it passes around the bottles. Keep the fan on as long as the bottles are frozen for a makeshift air conditioner.[3] Spread the bottles out so they don't block any of the fan's airstream. Put the bottles on a small table in front of a standing fan. Don't use the oscillation setting on your fan if it has one. Keep it pointed at the water bottles for the whole time. Put your bottles back in the freezer to reuse them. When the ice melts, simply freeze the bottles again. In a few hours, you can run your fan like an air conditioner again![4] Keep multiple bottles prepared in your freezer so you don't have to wait for them to freeze again. EditHanging Bottles behind Your Fan Cut halfway around 2 empty water bottles up from the bottom. Drink the water in 2 bottles or empty them into another container. Use a utility knife to make your cut. Hold the bottle securely with your non-dominant hand against a cutting board, and poke the tip of the blade through the bottle and work halfway around the bottle. Do the same cut on the other bottle.[5] Be careful when handling a utility knife. Drill multiple holes above the cuts apart from one another. Use a drill bit meant for plastic. Make a row of holes around the bottle above the cut. Once you finish making the first row, drill 2-3 more rows above it, spacing them apart.[6] Alternatively, use a soldering gun to melt the holes through the plastic. Tie the bottles upside-down to the back of your fan with string or wire. Make sure your fan is turned off before tying your bottles. Feed a wire or string through 2 of the holes in each bottle. Wrap the string around the fan grating and tie a knot to secure them. To keep them in place, tie another string around the bottles' nozzles.[7] Tie one bottle on each side of the motor compartment of the fan. Put ice cubes inside the bottles and turn on your fan. Lift the bottom of the bottle up so you can fit ice cubes inside the cut. Fill the bottle to just below the holes. Turn your fan on high and point it towards the area you want to cool down.[8] The fan will pull the cold air from the bottles through the holes you drilled. Since the bottles are attached to the fan, you can use the oscillating feature if your fan has one. Drain the melted ice into a bowl. When the ice starts to melt, hold a bowl underneath the bottle nozzle. Twist off the cap so the water pours into the bowl. Screw the cap back on the bottle before draining the other. To continue using your bottles, simply add more ice.[9] EditVideo EditWarnings Use caution when working with sharp blades. Always cut away from your body. EditThings You'll Need EditPutting Frozen Bottles in Front of Your Fan Water bottles Salt Freezer Box fan or table fan EditHanging Bottles behind Your Fan Plastic water bottles Utility knife Cutting board Drill Fan String or wire Ice Bowl EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Make Muesli Posted: 10 Nov 2018 08:00 AM PST As the old saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether you want to increase your fiber intake, know what's going into your morning meal or save money, making your own muesli can be an easy way to do it. By knowing the right ratios to use, some fun ways to enhance the natural flavors, and a few alternative muesli methods, you can have a cheap, healthy breakfast every day of the week. EditIngredients EditBasic Muesli 4 cups (560g) of grains, such as rolled oats, wheat flakes, barley or rye 1 cup (120g) of nuts, such as almond slivers, Brazil nuts, macadamias, or hazelnuts 1 cup (150g) of dried fruit, such as dried apricot, blueberries, strawberries, or chopped dates Milk Yogurt Makes 6 cups of muesli EditBircher Muesli[1] ¼ cup (35g) of rolled oats 1 tbsp (12.5g) of chopped dried apricots of apple juice 1 dessert apple A splash of milk Chopped almonds Yogurt Honey Makes 1 serving EditSteps EditMaking a Basic Muesli Pour 4 cups (560g) of grains into a large bowl. Grains will make up the base of your muesli, so should be the first ingredient in a basic recipe. Start by putting 4 cups (560g) of your grain of choice in a large bowl or container.[2] If you're using oats, make sure that you use rolled oats and not quick-cooking grains which will be highly processed.[3] Any rolled grain will work great for a muesli base. Try rolled oats, barley, rye, spelt, or rice in whatever ratio you think tastes best![4] Muesli is made to be customized. Add 1 cup (120g) of chopped nuts to the grains. Nuts give your muesli a delicious crunch, as well as adding a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and protein to start the day. Add 1 cup (120g) of whatever kind of chopped nuts you prefer to the grains.[5] Walnuts, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamias, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, and hazelnuts are all great choices for muesli ingredients. Choose any combination that you like to add to your muesli. If you're allergic to nuts or just don't like them, try adding coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or any other type of seed you like for a similar flavor and crunch. Mix in 1 cup (150g) of dried fruit. Dried fruit adds some sweetness to your muesli, as well as adding some chewiness to offset the crunch of the nuts or seeds. Chop up your dried fruit or fruits of choice and add 1 cup (150g) to the grains and nuts.[6] Dates, raisins, dehydrated berries, or even dried mango or papaya pieces all make great additions to muesli. Choose fruits that you like and try different combinations until you find the perfect recipe. Try to find dried fruits without added sugar. As none of the other ingredients are particularly sweet, the fruit should add enough sweetness without relying on more sugar. Only add dried fruit to your muesli recipe, as fresh fruit in it will soften your muesli and make it turn bad much more quickly. If you want to add fresh fruit, do so just before you eat it. Combine all of your ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or something similar to thoroughly combine all parts of your muesli. Try to mix it together well enough so that everything is evenly distributed, and every bite of muesli will have a little bit of everything. If you're making the muesli in a container, just put the lid on and shake it up until everything is combined. Store the muesli in an airtight container. As long as muesli stays dry, it can last up to 2 months in your cupboard.[7] Transfer your muesli to an airtight glass jar or plastic container and keep it in a cool, dry place until it's time to dig in. Serve your muesli with milk or yogurt. There are plenty of different ways to eat muesli, but the most traditional is with milk or yogurt. Scoop ½ a cup of your muesli into a bowl and top it off with milk or yogurt. If you want to soften up the grains a little, leave your muesli to sit for 10 minutes to half an hour before eating.[8] If you don't want to wait before eating breakfast in the morning, you can soak your muesli in milk overnight. Combine ½ a cup of muesli with ½ a cup of milk in a small lidded glass jar, and store in the fridge overnight.[9] If it's too cold out for muesli with milk straight out of the refrigerator, try heating your muesli up in the microwave before serving and eat it like oatmeal. EditCustomising Your Muesli Play with the ingredients. The ratio of 4 cups of grains to 1 cup each of nuts and dried fruit will make a great muesli, but it might not be the perfect muesli for you. Try changing up the ratios and altering the ingredients until you find your perfect combination. If you've got a sweet tooth or like your muesli to be chewy, increase the amount of dried fruit you put into your muesli. Replace ½ a cup (60g) of nuts with an extra ½ cup (75g) of dried fruit for an extra fruity kick. If you'd prefer a little more crunch and don't need as much sweetness, add more nuts. Replace ½ a cup (75g) of dried fruit with the same amount of nuts for a super crunchy breakfast. Toast the grains and nuts together. Before adding the fruit, pour the grains and nuts into a dry frying pan and toast them over a medium heat. This will add a little extra crunch to the grains, as well as bring out the oils in the nuts and make them more flavorful.[10] Don't add oil or any other liquid to the pan when toasting your grains and nuts. Toasting the nuts release their oils, so anything added will make your muesli taste a little greasy. You can also roast grains and nuts in a hot oven. Place a piece of parchment paper over a baking tray with sides and scatter the nuts and grains in a single layer over top. Cook for 10-12 minutes at , shaking the tray every few minutes to keep them from burning.[11] Add some warming spices. If you want to add a little more flavor to your basic muesli, try mixing in 1 or 2 pinches of your favorite spices. A little bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, cloves or anything similar can add some delicious depth to your muesli recipes.[12] As always, don't be afraid to experiment. Try mixing and matching different fruits, nuts, and grains with different combinations of spices. Store your muesli with a vanilla pod. If you like the flavor of vanilla, add it with a vanilla pod rather than adding moisture with vanilla essence. Keep 1 or 2 vanilla pods in the container you store your muesli in and the flavor will infuse with the muesli over time. Make sure to take the vanilla pod out of your bowl and put it back in the container if you scoop it out while serving your muesli. Try other whole spices to add different flavors to the muesli. Store a cinnamon stick, or a few whole cloves with your muesli to infuse different flavors. EditMaking Bircher Muesli Combine the oats and dried fruit in a bowl. Pour 1/4 cup (35g) of rolled oats into a small mixing bowl. Add to it around 1 tablespoon (12.5g) of chopped dried apricots. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine.[13] Cover the oats with apple juice and soak overnight. Pour of apple juice over the oats and apricots. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or store in a lidded container overnight. This will soften the oats and the fruit, adding sweetness to the muesli from the apple juice.[14] You can substitute dried apricots for any other dried fruit that you may prefer. Wash and grate the apple. Regardless of the recipe, Apple has always been a key component of Bircher muesli. Just before you want to eat your muesli, wash 1 dessert apple with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Grate the apple into coarse pieces, being careful not to grate the core or loosen any seeds.[15] Combine the oats with the apple and a splash of milk. Take the soaked oats and dried apricots out of the refrigerator and mix with the grated apple. Combine with a splash of milk until the muesli reaches the consistency of a loose porridge.[16] Serve the muesli with chopped almonds and a dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle the top of the Bircher muesli with a handful of roughly chopped almonds or any other nut of your choice. Add a dollop of yogurt and serve immediately.[17] EditTips If you like variety, use smaller containers and make different kinds of muesli, such as a bit of chocolate muesli in one, some dried-berry muesli in the next, etc. Try different kinds of plain yogurt, until you find one you like. Some will be very tangy; others, very mild. You can mix the yogurt with some plain milk if the taste is too strong. Or, make muesli with a base of just the oats and nuts and store that. For variety, sprinkle on different fresh and dried fruits when you pour your muesli into a bowl. If you do this, you can even continue to use the base as a hot cereal on alternate days. If raw oats are too chewy, let it sit for a time in milk, yogurt, or a mixture, as outlined in some of the recipes here. Muesli makes a great dessert on its own or serves as an excellent crumble topping for dessert fruit, muffins, biscuits (cookies), slices, muesli/granola bars, etc. You will find that yogurt "handles" better on muesli if you can get it without added thickeners (typically gelatin, pectin, or starch). Keep the muesli in a cool, dry place. Purchase organic or unsulfured ingredients where you can. These will generally be better for you and help avoid some of the processing that comes with store-bought muesli While it's easier and often cheaper to buy in bulk, don't buy too much. Muesli will keep in an airtight container for up to 1-2 months, so don't buy more than you'll get through in this time.[18] Stocking up on ingredients every month or so will ensure your muesli and ingredients stay fresh. EditWarnings Don't add sticky or moist foods or fresh fruit to your mix. They typically contain a lot of water, which makes them mold very quickly. Instead, add them to the bowl when you serve the muesli. EditThings You'll Need Mixing bowl Mixing implement Airtight container Cutting board and knife for cutting fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Grater EditRelated wikiHows Make Bircher Muesli with Pear and Berries Make Warm Muesli Eat Muesli Make Sunflower Seed Muesli Bars EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Jump Higher in Basketball Posted: 10 Nov 2018 12:00 AM PST In basketball, the ability to jump high can be pretty important, especially for layups and dunks. Thus, it's no surprise that many people who play basketball, either professionally or just for fun, want to be able to jump higher to improve their game. Luckily, by performing certain exercises, losing weight, and perfecting your technique, you can significantly improve your vertical leap and jump higher in basketball. EditSteps EditStrengthening Your Leg Muscles Jump rope to work your calves. Standing upright, hold the handles of a jump rope in each hand with the rope positioned behind your back. Turn the rope over your head and forward, jumping with both of your feet as the rope passes underneath you. Repeat this motion for 10 minutes or to exhaustion to also improve your endurance.[1] Make sure to keep your shoulders lowered and your core engaged as you complete your jumps. Aim to complete 2 turns of the rope every second, or 120 turns every minute. Perform barbell deadlifts to strengthen your quads. Keeping your back straight, bend at your hips and knees to grab the barbell from the ground. Then, push up with your legs to stand up straight, thrusting your hips forward.[2] Perform 6-8 reps of this exercise in a set and give yourself 30 seconds of rest in between sets. Use an overhand grip to grab the barbell as you bend down; using an underhand grip will cause you to put more work on your forearms. Try Bulgarian Split Squats for a more efficient squat workout. Stand in front of a workout bench and place 1 foot on it. Then, perform a squat on your other leg, descending to the floor until your bent knee nearly touches it. Finally, push yourself back up to your starting position.[3] Your body weight will most likely be a sufficient amount of resistance for this exercise. However, for added intensity, hold dumbbells in each hand as you perform the squat. Perform 6-8 reps for each leg and aim to do 2-3 sets in total. Try calf raises for an easy way to exercise your calves. In a standing position, push on the balls of your feet while raising your heels so that you're standing on your toes. Hold this position for 1-3 seconds, then slowly lower yourself back down to starting position. Do 10 reps, or as many as you can, and do as many sets as needed to complete 30 reps overall.[4] Calf raises are an exercise that can be done almost anywhere. Try performing then as you're brushing your teeth in the morning or washing dishes. EditExercising to Improve Your Vertical Jump Perform jump and reach exercises for a simple vertical jump workout. Start in a standing position with your arms above your head, your feet shoulder-width apart, and your knees and hips forward. Bring your arms down and back, while simultaneously lowering your hips and bending your knees. Then, swing your arms forward and jump as high as you can.[5] Make sure you only jump vertically and not forward when performing the jump and reach. Repeat this exercise at least 10 times in a given set. Improve your jump height and your leg strength with power skips. Starting from a standing position, skip forward by pushing your right foot into the ground and lifting your left knee to your waist. Jump as high as possible as you skip forward, moving your arms and legs in opposite fashion.[6] Try to do this exercise on a smooth, flat surface (e.g., concrete) to minimize the risk of injury. Do jump squats to work those leg muscles used in jumping. Although stronger legs overall tend to improve your jumps, strengthening those muscles that are directly used in jumping is a very efficient way to increase your jump height. Perform an ordinary squat, then once you're low to the ground, jump as high as you can.[7] Perform 5-6 reps of this exercise in a set and perform 1-2 sets. After you've gotten used to this exercise, you can make it more difficult by holding dumbbells in your hands as you jump. Jump onto a box to perform box jumps. Box jumps are a great exercise for strengthening the muscles used in launching yourself off the ground. Stand in front of a knee-high bench or box with your arms raised. Then, lower your body as you drive your arms down and hips back, and raise your arms up as you jump onto the box.[8] Do 5-8 jumps in a set and perform 1-2 sets, depending on your strength and experience. An alternative form of this exercise is called the Depth Jump, in which you begin on top of the bench or box and jump downward. Then, jump back onto the box immediately after you land. This trains your body to better use elastic energy for propelling yourself off the ground. EditImproving Your Technique Get a running start before jumping. Increasing your horizontal speed in the time before jumping is a good way to increase the height of your jumps while playing basketball. If you're going in for a layup or a dunk, run for 2 or 3 steps first to build your momentum.[9] The running start is slightly less important for taking jump shots at a distance, although it is still marginally helpful in this circumstance. Be sure you don't run too fast; you want to maintain control over your body before you transition from running to jumping. Lower your center of gravity on the penultimate step. On the second to last step before you take off, slightly lower your body as you're moving forward. This will make it easier for you to transform your forward momentum and velocity into greater vertical jump height.[10] Keep your body in an upright position during this lowering and don't lean too far forward or back. Avoid putting your front foot too far in front of your body, as this will cause you to lose speed and thus lose vertical jump. Swing your arms before and as you jump. As you're taking your penultimate step, swing your arms back and behind you. Then, as you plant your feet to takeoff, swing your arms forward. This will help you to generate more upward momentum as you jump.[11] Swinging your arms behind you also has the added benefit of lowering your center of gravity still further. Raise your center of mass as fast as possible on the takeoff. You can do this by completely extending the 3 joints that are primarily responsible for your vertical jump: the ankles, knees, and hips. Make sure you completely extend these joints before your feet come off the ground.[12] Once your feet have left the ground, you're no longer vertically accelerating and your jump height has been predetermined. EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

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