---

• How to Make an Old Fashioned
• How to Take Care of a Labrador Puppy
• How to Buy Cookware

How to Make an Old Fashioned Posted: 17 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT The Old-Fashioned is one of the oldest and most traditional cocktails around. Although you only need 3 ingredients to make it, the combination yields uniquely complex results. If you want to experiment with the flavor, try substituting the traditional ingredients with different types of alcohols, sweeteners, and garnishes. Your spin on the classic recipe just might become your drink of choice! EditIngredients EditClassic Old-Fashioned Cocktail 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon whiskey 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of simple syrup 2 dashes of Angostura bitters Ice Orange peel, for garnish (optional) Makes 1 cocktail EditSteps EditMaking a Classic Old-Fashioned Cocktail Add the bourbon whiskey and simple syrup to a mixing glass. Measure out 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon whiskey and 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of simple syrup and pour both of them into the mixing glass. You can use store-bought syrup or make your own simple syrup at home.[1] Simple syrup is the best choice for cocktails because it's already in liquid form, but you can substitute 1 sugar cube for the simple syrup if you prefer. Be sure to crush the sugar cube to help it dissolve properly.[2] Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixing glass. Alcoholic bitters help to bind cocktail ingredients together and boost the flavors. They come in a range of flavors, but Angostura bitters are preferred for this beverage. Simply add 2 quick dashes to the mixing glass.[3] If you don't have Angostura bitters on hand, use orange bitters.[4] It's important to stick to 2 or 3 dashes of bitters. Any more or less won't create the classic flavor you're going for. Place a handful of ice cubes into the mixing glass. It's best to use cubed ice cubes. You can buy them or make your own with tap or filtered water. Using filtered water may make a small difference in the overall flavor.[5] Most people probably won't be able to taste the difference between tap water and filtered water. Stir the ingredients together with a bar spoon for 10-15 seconds. You often hear about cocktails being shaken or stirred, and stirring is customary for this drink. Use the bar spoon to swish the ingredients around in the mixing glass until they're evenly distributed.[6] Don't stir the ingredients for more than 30 seconds. You want to chill the liquid without melting the ice too much.[7] Fill a rocks glass with large cubes of ice. As before, use store-bought or filtered water ice cubes for the best flavor. Use large ice cubes since they'll melt slower and create less dilution than small cubes or crushed ice.[8] A rocks glass is traditional for an Old-Fashioned, but you can use any glass you have on hand.[9] You can skip the ice if you don't want a chilled beverage and to prevent dilution. Strain the cocktail mixture over the ice into the rocks glass. Hold a strainer over the mouth of the mixing glass and carefully pour the cocktail into the glass. The finished cocktail plus a handful of ice will fill a standard-sized rocks glass about halfway.[10] Garnish the drink with an orange peel. Cut off a piece of orange peel and twist the peel over the Old-Fashioned to express the oil. Then, rub the peel around the rim of the rocks glass before dropping it into the cocktail. Your classic Old-Fashioned is ready to enjoy![11] Old-Fashioned cocktails were originally enjoyed before meals to stimulate the appetite. Give this a try, or simply enjoy the cocktail any time you like. EditTrying Variations Replace the whiskey with gin, brandy, or rum for a unique flavor. Bourbon or rye whiskey are classic choices, but if you don't like the taste, you can certainly switch things up. Just substitute the same amount of your favorite gin, brandy, or rum for the whiskey.[12] Dark, aged rum is particularly delicious! Experiment with sugar syrups for a range of sweet flavors. Regular simple syrup is common cocktail ingredient made from white granulated sugar. If you want to try something more exotic, experiment with gum syrup, demerara syrup, brown sugar syrup, or sugar cane syrup. Agave syrup can also add a unique spin on the flavor.[13] You can also experiment with honey, maple syrup, and molasses to achieve customized flavors. Use ice balls instead of ice cubes for a fun alternative. Cubes of ice work perfectly fine for Old-Fashioned cocktails, but sometimes you'll see ice balls being used by fancier bar establishments or cocktail connoisseurs. You can easily make ice balls at home and enjoy them in your favorite cocktails.[14] Try a variety of citrus garnishes or add cherries to your cocktail. Orange is the traditional garnish, but maraschino cherries are a popular and tasty alternative! Drop 1 or several cherries into the rocks glass before serving the drink.[15] For a fruity variation, drop an orange wheel or slice into the drink with the cherries. Try using a lemon or lime peel instead of the traditional orange peel for a slightly different flavor. EditThings You'll Need Mixing glass Bar spoon Strainer Jigger or small liquid measuring cup Paring knife Rocks glass EditReferences EditQuick Summary Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Take Care of a Labrador Puppy Posted: 16 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT Labrador puppies are wonderful pets, but they do take a bit of work to care for properly. Before you even bring your puppy home, you need to get the right supplies for it. Once your puppy is with you, focus on making sure that it is fed, housed, groomed, and exercised properly. You also need to keep it healthy with proper veterinary and preventative care. With a bit of effort and care, you can raise your fun, lively, and snugly puppy into a wonderful and dedicated dog companion.[1] EditSteps EditBuying Supplies Before Bringing a Puppy Home Buy a collar, leash, and tags for your new puppy. When you pick up your new Lab, have these things already. Having them already will ensure that you can put tags on your puppy right away and can control its movement. This reduces the risk of it getting lost and not making it back to you.[2] Dog collars, tags, and leashes are available at all pet stores and from online retailers. Your puppy's tags should include its name, your name, your phone number, and your address. Set up a bed and crate, if necessary, for your puppy. When you bring your puppy home, you should have a spot for it to sleep all set up. There should be a comfy, warm bed for it to sleep in. If you plan on crate training your Lab, put the bed in the crate so the puppy gets used to it.[3] Pick out a spot where you want the bed or crate to be permanently. Your puppy will get used to whatever spot you first put these things, so make sure that it is permanent. Choose a spot that is out of the way, so that the puppy isn't underfoot. It's also important to select an area where your puppy won't feel isolated from the rest of the family. A corner of the living room is a good choice. Pick out fun and exciting toys. In order to keep your puppy busy, you want to give it a variety of items that it can play with. Toys are especially important for keeping its mind occupied when you are not around. Make sure to choose dog-safe toys that are appropriate for your puppy's age and size, and pick items that your puppy can't easily swallow. Some different types of toys you might consider include:[4] Chew toys Puzzle toys Squeaking toys Tugging toys Plush toys Buy a variety of other supplies you might need. Taking care of your Lab puppy can take a lot of miscellaneous supplies. Some items you may consider buying before you bring your puppy home include:[5] Food and water dishes Baby gates to keep your puppy contained, if necessary Poop bags Pee pads Grooming wipes Surface cleaner made specifically for cleaning urine or feces EditFeeding Your Puppy Purchase the puppy food that your puppy is already eating. When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. Suddenly changing your puppy's food can imbalance its gut bacteria, leading to an upset stomach or other digestive issues.[6] Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. Transition the puppy's food gradually. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Begin by combining about 25% of the new food into 75% of the old food. Feed that mix for several days. Then change the food to a 50/50 mix of old and new. After 1-2 weeks of that, do 75% of the new food and 25% of the old food for 1-2 weeks. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Talk to your vet about what and how much to feed your puppy. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating.[7] The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. You can then adjust your puppy's diet accordingly. Feed your puppy multiple times each day. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems.[8] Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Provide fresh water at all times. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. EditTraining Your Puppy Begin house training your puppy right away. When you bring your puppy home, you will need to teach it to go to the bathroom outside. This is done by taking it out on a regular basis 24 hours a day until the puppy understands that it only goes to the bathroom outside.[9] During training, take your puppy outside every 20 or 30 minutes and give it a chance to relieve itself. If your puppy does go while you're outside, make sure to give it plenty of praise. As a rule of thumb, a puppy can hold its urine for the length of its age in months, plus 1 hour. So, for example, an 8-week-old puppy can generally hold its bladder for a maximum of 3 hours (including overnight). When taking your puppy outside, take it to the same spot every time. Going to the same spot and having it smell like feces and urine will gradually let your puppy know that this is the right spot to go to the bathroom.[10] Start socializing your puppy as soon as possible. Your puppy needs daily interactions with people, as well as other animals. Take your puppy to public places where it can have positive interactions with strangers. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can also take it to places where other dogs are, such as a dog park. If you don't do this, your puppy will become insecure and will not like being around new people and animals. This can result in your dog biting guests or being aggressive. Begin doing basic obedience training. From the moment you bring your Lab puppy home, you can set the groundwork for training. Training is most effective when done with positive reinforcement. This means that when the puppy does something you want it to, you say a word cue to associate with the action and give the puppy a treat at the same time. This will encourage your puppy to learn and do specific actions when requested.[11] For example, when taking your puppy on a walk, say the word "sit" any time your puppy naturally sits down. Give a treat right when the action happens as well. Gradually, your puppy will learn that the word is associated with the action and, if it does that action when asked, it will get a treat. Training a puppy is hard work, and it requires commitment and consistency. Know what you want it to learn and how you want it to respond to your commands before you dive in, so that you don't have to switch your approach later on (and confuse it!). EditSpending Time with Your Puppy Exercise your puppy every day. Lab puppies have a lot of energy and they need to use that energy or they get into trouble. To avoid having items in your home chewed up and to keep your Lab's body healthy, your puppy should be allowed to walk and run around for at least an hour every day. This exercise can include a variety of activities, including walks, runs, and games, such as tug-o-war.[12] It's best to break this hour of activity into several sessions of play and exercise. For example, you can take your puppy for a walk in the morning and have a long play session in the evening. Extensive exercise and daily playtime will help ensure that your puppy doesn't become overweight. It will also help keep the puppy happy and good natured. Spend quality time petting and snuggling with your puppy. Labs are happiest when they are with people, so make sure you can spend time with your puppy. This could be just letting it curl up in your lap or petting it while it lounges next to you. However, since Labs are such active dogs, your puppy will be extra happy if it's getting one-on-one time playing or going on adventures.[13] Puppies that are not given a lot of attention can act out and misbehave. They also need to get used to spending time alone, however. Give your puppy a few hours of designated alone time each day to prevent separation anxiety. Teach your puppy tricks and games, such as fetch. The goal is to pick things that will stimulate your dog's mind at the same time as exercising its body. Labs are particularly good at playing fetch and other retrieving games. However, there are a wide variety of activities they can do, so try a bunch and see what you and your puppy like to do best.[14] For example, some Labs enjoy catching a Frisbee or running through obstacle courses. EditKeeping Your Puppy Healthy Have your new puppy looked over by a vet. When you bring a new puppy home, have it assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will look the animal over and tell you if it needs any medical care. During the exam, the vet will test its blood and feces and assess its physical condition. The vet will make sure your dog has clear, shiny eyes that are free from discharge. They will also make sure that the puppy's coat is glossy, with a little flaking skin.[15] The vet may also play with your puppy a bit to ensure that it is alert and playful. A puppy that is not alert and playful may have a medical problem that is causing it to be fatigued and uncomfortable. After its initial visit, take your puppy to the vet once a year to make sure that it is healthy and strong. In the yearly exam, your vet will do a thorough check-up to look for diseases and other problems that might be popping up. Ask your vet to check for illnesses common to Labs. There are a variety of conditions that Labs commonly get and it's important to assess whether your puppy has any of them. These include hip dysplasia, heart disorders, muscle weakness, exercise-induced collapse (EIC), bloat, and eye conditions. During regular checkups, make sure that your vet is on the lookout for these problems as your dog gets older so that they can be treated quickly if they arise.[16] Many of these conditions will not become obvious until your dog is fully grown. During early vet checks, your vet will primarily focus on making sure your puppy's heart is healthy and that it is free from parasites and infectious diseases. Some of these conditions, such as bloat, can be largely avoided with proper care. However, there are other conditions that are genetic and can only be avoided with good breeding habits, such as EIC. Begin immunizations and pest prevention as soon as possible. There are a variety of communicable illnesses that your puppy could get if it's not immunized. Your veterinarian will give your puppy its first shots when it is about 6 to 8 weeks old. This round of immunizations will be for distemper, measles, and parainfluenza. You vet will also give you medications to apply on your puppy monthly to prevent pests and parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Your puppy will then need several more rounds of shots and continual pest and parasite prevention as it gets older.[17] Your veterinarian will let you know the proper schedule for your puppy's immunizations. Be sure to follow this schedule closely so that your puppy's health is protected. Keep your puppy's teeth and gums healthy. Start brushing your puppy's teeth when it is a small puppy so that it is used to the procedure as it grows up. Brushing from an early age will help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy into old age.[18] Use a toothbrush and toothpaste that is made specifically for dogs. These are available at most pet stores and from online retailers. EditGrooming Your Puppy Brush your puppy's coat at least once a week. Brushing your puppy will help clean out its coat and prevent the fur from becoming knotted, and it's a time to bond with your puppy. Simply get a fine-toothed grooming comb or brush and go over the puppy's entire body with it.[19] Brushing your Lab puppy often will ensure that it is used to being touched by people as it grows up. This will help make the dog more personable and will make future grooming easier. Have your puppy's nails trimmed on a regular basis. Listen to your puppy as it walks on hard surfaces. If you can hear the nails clicking on the ground a lot, it's time for a trim. You can either trim the nails yourself or have a professional groomer do it. Either way, having trimmed nails will allow your puppy to walk and run easier.[20] The biggest thing to watch out for when trimming your own puppy's nails is to avoid cutting into the quick of each nail. The quick is the live center of the nail that has blood flowing through it and that can be painful for the dog if it is cut. Only cut off the very tip of each nail to avoid injuring the dog while trimming. Ideally, the puppy's nails would be naturally worn down as it walks on concrete or other hard surfaces. However, this is not always what happens. Give your puppy a bath if it gets very dirty. Lab puppies don't usually need a bath on a regular schedule. However, if you notice your puppy is stinky or is physically dirty, feel free to bathe it.[21] Use a soap or shampoo that is made specifically for bathing puppies. The ingredients will be specially formulated to work with a dog's skin and fur. Bathing a puppy starting at a young age will help get it used to baths as it gets older. This will make bathing your dog as it gets physically bigger much easier. EditTips Many Labs like having a bit of space to themselves, so keep that in mind when picking out where they will sleep. EditWarnings Labs are not the best breed of dog for busy people, as they require a lot of time and attention to raise properly. EditRelated wikiHows Feed a Dog Choose Bedding for Dogs Care for a Labrador Retriever Take Care of Puppies Love Your Dog House Train a Puppy Train a Dog EditReferences Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Buy Cookware Posted: 16 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Confused about what types of cookware to buy to make your favorite meal? You're not alone. Different types of pots and pans are ideal for preparing specific types of meals. The materials that each pot or pan is made of has an impact on cooking certain dishes as well. Understanding some common kitchen terminology as well as what's in your existing inventory can help you identify what you need to buy to make any dish you like! EditSteps EditChoosing the Pieces that Best Fit Your Needs Buy a skillet if you fry a lot of foods. Skillets are not only excellent for frying, but also for scrambling eggs, as well as sautéing vegetables and meats. Buy an skillet if you're cooking for 1 or 2 people. But if you're frying for a household of 4 or more, buy a skillet.[1] Certain types of skillets can also be used in the oven. If you're looking to roast beef or bake ham, buy a skillet.[2] Consider a skillet with a riveted handle for sturdy construction. Purchase a saucepan for rice, sauces, and pasta dishes. Look for one wide enough to accommodate your whisk so that you can stir food inside comfortably. Also, find one with large handles that allow you to pick up easily with oven mitts on.[3] The standard size is though you may want to purchase a or larger size if you prepare large quantities of sauces, soups, or other liquid foods. Obtain a stockpot for steaming and boiling food. Make sure your stockpot is sturdy and has wide enough handles to be able to lift it with your fingers protected by potholders or oven mitts. Buy an for typical household use, though if you plan to prepare a lot of pasta, stews or, soups, a to stockpot may be better.[4] Opt on the larger side ( to ) if you plan to make dishes with large pieces of meat, such as whole chicken stew or corned beef and cabbage.[5] You can buy a colander – used for straining water – as an insert if your existing stockpot doesn't have one. This will help you easily separate cooked pasta or steamed vegetables from the boiling water they were cooked in. Acquire a sauté pan for a variety of meals. Use a sauté pan for rice dishes, stir-frying vegetables, and searing meats. Find a sauté pan with a thick base to ensure your food cooks evenly, as well as a tight-fitting lid to keep heat in and food moist.[6] The sauté pan is the most versatile of your cookware set as it can be used to prepare many types of meals. Use your sauté pan to sear a cut of beef or brown chicken for extra flavor. Or use it for casseroles, chili, or curries. Buy a complete cookware set if you don't have any of the above pieces. Or, if your existing cookware is in disrepair, purchase a complete cookware set rather than buying pieces a la carte. You'll get a better price purchasing a set than the pieces individually. The pieces in a cookware set will also look uniform and be covered by the same warranty.[7] Take stock of your existing inventory before deciding on a cookware set to avoid buying unnecessary dishes. Make a list of the pots and pans you already have. Be as detailed as possible. Note the sizes and material of the pot or pan on your list, as well as their condition. While not often thought of as conventional cookware, consider using this exercise to review the state of your other kitchen applies, like your utensils, measuring tools, blender, toaster, microwave, or food processor. If any of these items are in serious disrepair or in need of an upgrade, write this down too. Buy additional items depending on your budget and storage space. Most cookware sets will have the pieces mentioned above. To expand the range of dishes you'll be able to prepare, supplement those pots and pans with other cookware items many consider indispensable.[8] These include: Dutch ovens: These pots can be used on a stovetop or in an oven and are often used to prepare soups, stews, or braised foods. Baking sheets or sheet pans: Use these for foods you'll cook in batches like cookies and biscuits. Glass baking pans: Bake macaroni and cheese, pasta dishes, marinated meats, and casseroles in these sturdy Pyrex pans. Pie pans: Purchase standard-size () glass pie pans to prepare quiches and pies. EditChoosing the Material of your Pots and Pans Select aluminum cookware if you need versatile pots and pans. Aluminum cookware conducts heat extraordinarily well and can be treated with aluminum oxide to prevent food from sticking. Pick this popular material if you want lightweight, nonstick pans that cool quickly and can be used on both the stovetop and in the oven itself.[9] Aluminum cookware can also be both washed in the dishwasher and the sink. Pick stainless steel cookware if you want long-lasting, inexpensive cookware. Stainless steel cookware is cheaper than cookware made from other materials and is very durable. It also works well over high heat, but often cooks unevenly and cools down slowly. Choose stainless steel if you want long-lasting cookware that will retain its luster for years despite repeated use.[10] Stainless steel cookware is also highly scratch and warp resistant. Settle on copper pots and pans for professional level food preparation. Copper cookware is used most often by chefs as it conducts heat well, allowing you more control over how your food cooks. However, it is the most expensive type of cookware and requires regular polishing. Using copper pots with acidic foods may also result in a funny after taste or discoloration.[11] Buy copper pots and pans coated in enamel to avoid any after taste or discoloration when cooking acidic foods. Choose cast iron cookware to cook foods evenly over high heat. You can use cast iron cookware in both the stove and on the stovetop. When on the stovetop, it can handle higher heats than aluminum cookware. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to aluminum and copper cookware. However, it also rusts easily, is difficult to clean and is very heavy.[12] Look for cast iron cookware with aluminum or copper cladding. Cladding is a layer of metal along the sides and base of the pot. By layering the sides and base with aluminum or copper, a cladded cast iron pot obtains the heat conductivity of those metals.[13] Because cast iron cookware is vulnerable to rust, hand scouring is necessary to pots and pans made of this material. Avoid picking it if you'd rather put your cookware in a dishwasher. EditBuying Your Cookware Make a budget for your cookware purchase. Determine how much you can afford before figuring out what you need. Take a look at your monthly budget and savings to determine how much you are willing to spend on new cookware. Write this number down on a sheet of paper.[14] The great thing about cookware is you don't need to buy it all at once. You can allocate some money out of each paycheck to buy a few pieces at a time until you have what you need. Comparison shop for the pots and pans you need. Identify the model of each piece you need, write down the price one retailer lists it at, then find the same model on the sites of 2 to 3 other retailers. Write down that price as well. Repeat until you've identified at least 2 prices for each piece you need. Then determine which combination of pieces you can afford based on how much you budgeted.[15] The websites of brick and mortar retailers are good places to start. Look for deals online and in circulars. Also, consider purchasing your cookware in November during Black Friday, or in May when retailers often offer deep discounts in anticipation of the summer wedding season. Visit the kitchen aisle of a well-established department store. Knowledgeable salespeople can advise you about which types of cookware fit your needs, as well as about good deals. Read the fine print about care and maintenance. Pots and pans made of different materials require different kinds of care. For example, copper cookware can be ruined by repeated cleaning in a dishwasher rather than by handwashing. Examine the details about the care of each possible purchase before you buy it and make sure you are prepared to maintain each piece appropriately. [16] Some things to keep in mind: Avoid using bleach or abrasive cleaners on stainless steel pots and pans. Let non-enameled cast iron cookware cool before rinsing or washing it. Handwash enameled cast iron pots and pans to keep their luster intact. Protect your investment by purchasing a warranty. Buy a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer or the retailer at the point of purchase. This warranty will cover manufacturing defects, allowing you to replace cookware that is chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged. Be careful you're your cookware however, as your warranty will not cover damage you cause through accident or neglect.[17] Retail warranties usually cover products for a certain window after purchase. However, you can buy a limited lifetime warranty for most cookware that allows you to return damaged pots and pans directly to the manufacturer past the retail window. These kinds of warranties also usually require proof of purchase, so keep your receipt and copy of your warranty in a safe place. EditRelated wikiHows Buy Cooking Utensils EditReferences Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

You are subscribed to email updates from How to of the Day. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States