| How to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution Posted: 06 Jul 2020 01:00 AM PDT The World Health Organization has named air pollution as the world's largest environmental health risk.[1] The first step in reducing its effects on your body is to educate yourself about the risks of air pollution in your area. Then, you can change your activities to reduce the effect of pollution on your body. Once you have made these adjustments, you can start changing your diet to ensure your body repairs itself and prevents free-radical damage from air pollution. [Edit]Taking Proper Precautions - Read the daily forecast to see what air pollution forecasts look like. Check online to see what the air quality levels are, which indicate if air pollution is good or bad. Depending on the result, you can plan your schedule ahead of time by spending more time indoors.[2] Note that air quality is measured by Air Quality Index (AQI), which tells you how many polluted air particles there are in the air around you.[3]
- For reference, 0 to 50 AQI is considered good quality, while 51 to 150 means that people with breathing problems, like asthma, may have a tougher time. Any air with an AQI over 151 is unhealthy and shouldn't be breathed in, if possible.
- You can check your area's air quality here: https://www.airnow.gov.
- Close your doors and windows when the AQI is over 151. Check around your home and make sure your home is sealed off. Turn on fans or use an air conditioner to stay cool instead of breathing in fresh air.[4]
- Try to get in the habit of checking your air quality levels before opening any doors or windows.
- Recirculate the air in your car while you drive. Look on your control panel for the recirculate button, which prevents outside air from cycling through your vehicle. Use this button on days where the air quality is bad, or if you're stuck behind a vehicle with bad emissions.[5]
- Double-check your car's user manual if you aren't sure where to find the recirculation button.
- Wear a mask that filters out most bad air particles. Shop online for masks with an N95 or FFP3 rating, which will protect you from breathing in polluted air. Put on 1 of these masks if you're traveling in a busy area with bad air quality, or if your hometown has worse air quality than normal.[6]
- You need to wear special masks to really reap the benefits. Regular face masks won't block out as much polluted air.
- Take a shower after spending a lot of time outside. Remove your dirty clothes after you've spent some time outside, then pop into the shower to clean off any particulates that might be stuck to your skin. Once you're clean, change into a fresh set of clothes. Try to get in the habit of showering whenever you spend a lot of time in low quality air, especially if you're traveling.[7]
- If you don't want to take a shower, at least wash your face after coming inside.[8]
- Travel to work a bit earlier so you aren't exposed to as much exhaust. Set your alarm 30-60 minutes earlier so you can hit the road before rush hour. This is a good option if you work near a city, or if you live in an area with consistently high AQI.[9]
- Your adjusted routine will depend on the length of your commute overall.
- Switch to a healthy diet so you aren't as vulnerable. Add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, along with whole grains and lean meats. Keep yourself healthy so you won't be as likely to be negatively affected by air pollution. Talk to your doctor if you're worried that you may be at a higher risk of developing a disease due to air pollution.[10]
- People who are at-risk for heart disease may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution.
[Edit]Making Household Adjustments - Replace your air conditioner filters regularly so your air stays clean and fresh. Check your filters on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced. Note that your filter may be in your basement, ceiling, or furnace, depending on what kind of air conditioner that you have. If your home is dusty or you have a lot of pets around, you may need to replace or clean your filters more frequently.[11]
- When your air conditioner is dusty, it won't work as well.
- Clean off any mold and mildew in your home. Look around damp areas of your home, like the bathroom or kitchen, for mold. Stir a spoonful of cleaning detergent into a bucket of warm water and scrub away any visible mildew or mold.[12] Always wear rubber gloves and a respirator when cleaning mold so you don't breathe it in by accident.[13]
- If you're working with harsher chemicals, use gloves made with nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC instead.
- If you think your air conditioning system is filled with mold, contact a professional to clean it out.[14]
- Open your windows when air quality is good. Check your area's AQI to see if the air around your home is clean or dirty. If the air outside is clean, go through your home and open up several windows so you have fresh air flowing in.[15]
- Letting clean air into your home is a great way to boost the air quality overall.
- Place an air purifier in your home. Shop online or in a home improvement store for an air purifier that meets the needs of your home. These are especially useful if you live in a busy area with consistently high air pollution, like a city.[16]
- Air purifiers are plug-in devices that help filter pollen and other bad particles out of the air.
- Vacuum your home weekly to prevent the spread of pollutants. Get in the habit of vacuuming on a regular basis, especially in the rooms and areas where you spend a lot of time. Set a time once a week to vacuum your home so dust and dirt doesn't build up over time.[17]
- Opt for electric lawn equipment instead of gas-powered items. Look at your lawnmower and consider if it's time for an upgrade. Visit your local hardware or home improvement store to find electric lawnmowers. You may want to switch to a handheld appliance if your lawn isn't very demanding or difficult to take care of.[18]
- Gas-powered lawnmowers pollute the air, which is especially bad if you're mowing the lawn yourself.
[Edit]Getting Exercise Safely - Exercise indoors if the air in your area has bad air quality. Look at the local AQI report and see if it's safe to exercise inside, or if you'd be better off working out indoors. Protect yourself from bad air quality by basing yourself in a place with no fresh air, like an air-conditioned living room or gym.[19]
- Look for local gym memberships in your area! These can help you limit your exposure to polluted air.
- Workout in outdoor places without a lot of commercial traffic. Search your local area for backroads and other less-traveled streets. Go for a bike ride or jog on a street without as many cars passing by, so you aren't as likely to breathe in polluted air.[20]
- If you're an avid biker or runner, try redirecting your route through local neighborhoods. These will be less polluted than a highway or other busy road.
- Opt for a less intense form of exercise. Settle for a power walk, slow bike ride, or other form of exercise that doesn't get your blood pumping to the max during your outdoor exercise. You may also want to break your exercise into smaller chunks so you aren't breathing in as much polluted air at one time.[21]
- For instance, you can go for a 20-minute power walk outside and then exercise for 10 minutes indoors.
- If your workout is less intense, you won't be as out of breath or breathing as much polluted air.
- Petition your local schools to ban school bus idling.[22]
- Keep your inhaler with you constantly if you have one.[23]
- Join public campaigns to prevent air pollution.[24]
- Only visit stores and restaurants that are listed as tobacco-free.[25]
- Shut off your lights and appliances when you're not using them. Get in the habit of switching off the lights and unplugging your appliances whenever you aren't using them. Keep in mind that electricity contributes to air pollution—by lowering your electricity usage, you're actually lowering the amount of air pollution.[26]
[Edit]Warnings - Refrain from burning any trash and firewood, as this can contribute to air pollution.[27]
[Edit]References |
| How to Store Sweet Potato Pie Posted: 05 Jul 2020 05:00 PM PDT Sweet potato pie is a classic southern dessert that's naturally sweeter than pumpkin pie. While your pie may go bad if you leave it at room temperature, it will keep if you chill it. If you want to save some slices for later, put the pie in your fridge. Otherwise, you can freeze the pie if you want to store it long term. As long as you wrap and cover the pie, you'll be able to enjoy your pie up to a month after you make it! [Edit]Refrigerating Sweet Potato Pie - Leave the pie on a wire rack to cool. You can set the entire pie pan on the wire rack so air circulates around it. Keep the pie uncovered and let it cool off completely. Once the pie stops steaming, then it's safe to put away.[1]
- It's okay to eat your pie while it's still hot and fresh. Just allow it to cool completely before storing it.
- Avoid putting a hot pie directly in the fridge since it could crack the top or create condensation that affects the texture.
- Cover the pie pan with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Rip off a piece of plastic wrap or aluminum foil that's large enough to wrap around the pie pan. Stretch the wrap or foil tight over the top of the pan and press down around the edges firmly.[2]
- If 1 piece of plastic wrap or foil isn't large enough, overlap another piece by at least .
- Store the pie in your fridge for up to 3–4 days. Make space in your fridge for the pie pan and avoid stacking anything on top of it, or else you'll ruin the top of your pie. After 3–4 days, get rid of any pie that you still have left since it's more likely to develop bacteria or go bad.[3]
- You can enjoy your leftover pie chilled or heat it up in your microwave if you prefer it warm.
[Edit]Freezing the Pie - Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack. If you just baked a fresh sweet potato pie, avoid putting it directly in the freezer. Instead, set the pan on a wire rack and leave it alone to cool off. Once the pie stops steaming and feels cool to the touch, you can store it.[4]
- Condensation can form on the top of a hot pie if you put it in your freezer and ruin the texture.
- Wrap the pie pan in plastic wrap to make it air-tight. Check that the pie pan is freezer-safe before wrapping it. Rip off a large piece of plastic cling wrap and stretch it over the top of the pie pan. Pull the plastic wrap tight to completely seal the pan. If you can't wrap the entire pan, use another piece of plastic wrap and overlap the layers by about .[5]
- If you don't have a freezer-safe pie pan, cut the pie into slices and arrange them in a single layer in a resealable container.
- Put a layer of foil around the outside of the pie pan. Aluminum foil adds an additional layer of protection on the outside of the pie pan. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil large enough and set it on top of your pie. Fold the edges of the foil around the pan until you completely wrap it up. Press the foil down tight to help keep it airtight.[6]
- Be careful not to rip through the plastic wrap when you're putting on foil, or else you'll have to unwrap the pie and start over.
- Keep the pie in the freezer for up to 1 month. Make shelf space for your pie and set the wrapped pan inside. Avoid stacking anything on top of your pie since you could ruin the top or tear through the plastic wrap. You can leave your pie in the freezer for up to 1 month before taking it out.[7]
- Freezing pies works great if you want to prepare for meals or holidays ahead of time so you don't stress about it later.
- Thaw the pie in your fridge overnight before serving it. The day before you want to eat your pie, move it into your fridge and keep it wrapped. Leave the pie overnight so it slowly thaws out again. After that, you can enjoy your pie chilled or warm it in your microwave first.[8]
- Avoid leaving your pie at room temperature to thaw since it could develop bacteria.
- Try serving your pie with whipped cream, toasted almonds, or coconut to enhance the flavor even more.[9]
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid leaving the pie at room temperature since it could easily develop mold or bacteria.[10]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Refrigerating Sweet Potato Pie - Wire rack
- Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
- Refrigerator
[Edit]Freezing the Pie - Wire rack
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Freezer
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Buttermilk Pancakes Posted: 05 Jul 2020 09:00 AM PDT Fluffy buttermilk pancakes are a staple at any good diner, but they're also easy to whip up at home! To get pancakes that are light and puffy, use baking soda and baking powder that hasn't expired so it reacts properly with the buttermilk. Once you've made a golden short stack, serve your pancakes with softened butter and lots of syrup. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Basic Buttermilk Pancakes - 1⅓ cups (160 g) of all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons (36 g) of sugar
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- of buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) of butter, melted
- of vanilla or almond extract, optional
- Vegetable oil, for the griddle
- Maple syrup, for serving
Makes about 8 to 10 pancakes [Edit]Basic Buttermilk Pancakes - Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set a large mixing bowl on your work surface and put in 1⅓ cups (160 g) of all-purpose flour. Add 3 tablespoons (36 g) of sugar, 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking powder, 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher salt. Then, whisk the dry ingredients for about 10 seconds and set it aside.[1]
- If you want to make whole-wheat buttermilk pancakes, use 1 cup (120 g) of all-purpose flour and 1/3 cup (40 g) of whole-wheat flour.
- Mix the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and extract in another bowl. Crack 2 large eggs into a medium-sized mixing bowl and pour in of buttermilk along with 2 tablespoons (28 g) of melted butter. If you want to add a subtle flavor, pour in of vanilla or almond extract. Whisk the wet mixture until the eggs are incorporated.[2] of milk into a measuring jug and stir in of vinegar or lemon juice. Leave the mixture at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, stir it well and use it in your recipe.}}
- If you don't have butter, substitute melted margarine, coconut oil, or vegetable oil.
- Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until they're combined. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk the batter until the flour is absorbed, but don't overbeat it or your pancakes will turn out tough.[3]
- Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated so you don't overmix the batter. It's fine if the batter has a few tiny lumps.
- Grease a skillet or griddle with oil and turn the heat to medium. Drizzle about of vegetable oil over the bottom of a skillet or griddle. Then, turn the burner to medium and leave the skillet or griddle to heat up before you add pancake batter. To test if your pan is ready, dip your fingers in water and flick them onto the pan. The water should sizzle and evaporate immediately. [4]
- Don't use butter to grease your pan since it's more likely to burn.
- Spoon 1/3 cup (120 g) of batter into the pan for each pancake. Once your skillet or griddle is hot, scoop the buttermilk batter onto the pan. In general, use around 1/3 cup (120 g) of batter for pancakes that are about wide. If you want to change the size, add more or less batter. Just leave at least of space between each pancake so they have room to cook.[5]
- If you're using a skillet, you might be able to fit only 1 or 2 pancakes at a time. If you're cooking them on a griddle, you can usually get about 6 pancakes at a time.
- Cook the pancakes for 3 minutes so they begin to bubble. Watch the surface of the pancakes and look for bubbles to form. These mean that the bottom of the pancakes are cooking.[6]
- Avoid flipping them to check how they're cooking since you'll end up with a gooey mess!
- Flip the pancakes and cook them for 2 more minutes. Use a sturdy flat spatula that's at least half as wide as your pancakes. When the bubbles pop, quickly slide the spatula under a pancake and flip it over. Then, leave the pancakes alone as they cook on the other side. They're finished when both sides are golden brown.[7]
- Adjust the burner if you notice the pancakes are getting too dark too quickly. If they're taking too long to cook, you may need to turn the heat up.
- Serve the pancakes with butter and maple syrup. Transfer the pancakes to serving plates and keep cooking the pancakes in batches. Spread softened butter over your short stack and drizzle it with maple or pancake syrup.[8]
- To store leftover pancakes, cool them completely and put them in an airtight container. Refrigerate the buttermilk pancakes for up to 1 day.
[Edit]Mix-Ins and Toppings - Add berries to the pancakes before you flip them if you want a fruity treat. It's easy to make blueberry buttermilk pancakes. Just sprinkle a few spoonfuls of fresh or frozen berries onto the tops of the pancakes after you pour the batter in your pan. You could also scatter fresh fruit over the cooked pancakes. For a fruity change, try any of these in your pancakes:[9]
- Raspberries
- Chopped strawberries
- Blackberries
- Diced peaches or mango
- Put cocoa powder in the batter or add chocolate chips for decadent pancakes. To make rich chocolate buttermilk pancakes, remove 1/4 cup (30 g) of the flour and replace it with 1/4 cup (30 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder when you make the batter. You'll also need to add an extra 1 tablespoon (12 g) of sugar. To make chocolate pancakes that are over-the-top, mix 1/2 cup (90 g) of chocolate chips into the batter.[10]
- Use your favorite type of chocolate chips. You could use semisweet, milk chocolate, or white chocolate, for instance.
- Stir 1/2 cup (50 g) of chopped mixed nuts into the batter for extra crunch. If you want to add some texture and protein to your buttermilk pancakes, stir some nuts into the batter before you cook them. The nuts pair really well with maple syrup. If you don't have mixed nuts, use any of these:[11]
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Mix 2 teaspoons (4 g) of spices into the pancakes to customize the flavor. Add a touch of pumpkin spice or gingerbread flavor to your buttermilk pancakes. Just stir 2 teaspoons (4 g) of pumpkin spice, mixed spice, or apple pie spice to your batter before cooking the pancakes.[12]
- If you don't have pre-mixed spices, use try 1 teaspoon (2 g) of cinnamon with 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of nutmeg.
- Garnish the pancakes with chocolate sauce and whipped cream to make dessert. To make fancy buttermilk pancakes that are perfect for dessert, spoon chocolate sauce over them. Then, squirt a little whipped cream on top just before serving.[13]
- For an extra special dessert, set out sprinkles, maraschino cherries, and chopped nuts. Then, let people prepare their own special buttermilk pancakes.
- Serve the buttermilk pancakes with fried eggs and sausage for a savory meal. Buttermilk pancakes don't have to be sweet! You can easily cook a couple of eggs to go with the pancakes or fry diced bacon or sausage in the skillet before pouring pancake batter onto it. This is a great option if you want meat inside the fluffy pancakes.[14]
- Garnish your savory pancake breakfast with shredded cheese, sliced avocado, or freshly chopped herbs.
- Double the ingredients if you'd like to make a large batch of pancakes.
- It's easy to freeze a batch of pancakes. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. To defrost them, heat a few in your toaster or microwave.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Spatula
- Griddle or skillet
- Serving plate
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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