| How to Make Your Own Fruit Lip Balm Posted: 18 Feb 2022 08:00 AM PST Lip balm can be fun and easy to make. The benefits of making your own lip balm is that you know exactly what goes into it. You can also choose your own flavors, and even come up with new ones you might not find in a store. There are many ways of making lip balm, but your choices become limited if you want to make something that is fruit-flavored. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Using Drink Mix[1] - 4 tablespoons (60 grams) coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) petroleum jelly or shea butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) beeswax, flakes or pellets (optional)
- Powdered fruit drink mix (such as Kool-Aid or Crystal Light)
[Edit]Using Freeze-dried Fruit[2] - 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 grams) coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon (7.5 grams) freeze dried fruit, finely ground
- ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 grams) beeswax flakes or pellets (optional)
[Edit]Using Essential Oil or Flavor Oil[3] - 2 tablespoons (30 grams) beeswax flakes or pellets (optional)
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) Vitamin E oil
- ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 milliliters) flavor oil (optional)
- 5 to 10 drops essential oil (optional)
[Edit]Using Drink Mix - Add the coconut oil and petroleum jelly into a microwave-safe bowl. If you don't like petroleum jelly, try shea butter instead.[4] Petroleum jelly is easier to come by, but shea butter will be a lot more nourishing for your lips.
- Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of beeswax if you want a firmer texture. Make sure that the beeswax is either in flake or pellet form; it will melt easier. If your beeswax came in a block, shave it using a cheese grater.
- Put the bowl into the microwave and heat for 1 minute. This will melt the ingredients together and make it easier to stir in the drink mix.
- Take the bowl out, and stir ingredients with a spoon until everything is smooth. Make sure that there are no lumps or clumps. If you can't get the lumps or clumps out, your mixture may need more heating. Put it back into the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir it again. Keep doing this until everything is smooth.
- Be careful when taking the bowl out of the microwave, however; it will be hot.
- Separate your melted mixture into smaller bowls if you want to have more than one color or flavor. For example, if you want to make strawberry and cherry flavored lip balm, separate your mixture into two smaller bowls. If you plan on making just one flavor, leave everything in one bowl.
- Stir in the powdered drink mix, and make sure that there are no lumps, clumps, or grains. How much you add in depends on how dark flavorful you want your lip balm to be. Start with a pinch of powder, stir, and add more until you get the color you want.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean, empty lip balm container using a spoon or mini spatula. Work as quickly as you can. The lip balm will start to set fast.
- Let the mixture cool a little, then put it into the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. It will finish setting there, and become hard like regular lip balm.
- Finished.
[Edit]Using Freeze-dried Fruit - Grind the freeze dried fruit until you have a very fine powder.[5] You can use any type of freeze dried fruit you'd like. Berries, such as raspberries and strawberries, will give you the best color, however.
- You can grin the fruit using a coffee grinder, or a mortar and pestle.
- Assemble a double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water, and place a heat-safe bowl on top. The bottom of the bowl should not be touching the surface of the water. Try to use a glass bowl, as those heat more evenly than metal.
- Add the coconut oil and beeswax (if desired) into the bowl. The beeswax is not necessary, but it will help give your lip balm a firmer texture and make it less gooey. If you do decide to use beeswax, try to get it in flake or pellet form. It will melt quicker and easier. If you can't get beeswax in flake or pellet form, shave it using a cheese grater.
- Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over medium-high heat until they are melted. Stir them from time to time to ensure that they melt evenly. Both ingredients will turn somewhat clear when they melt.
- Take the bowl off the double boiler and set it down onto a stable surface. Use a pair of oven mitts to handle the bowl, as it will be very hot.
- Stir in the freeze dried fruit. Keep stirring until everything is evenly mixed together. There should be no streaks, lumps, or swirls. If you plan on using different types of fruit for different flavors, separate your melted mixture into smaller bowls first, then add the powdered fruit.
- Scoop the mixture into clean, empty lip balm containers using a spoon or mini spatula. Work quickly, as the lip balm will start to set fast.
- Let the mixture cool, then place it into the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Once in the fridge, the lip balm will finish setting and harden.
- Finished.
[Edit]Using Essential Oil or Flavor Oil - Put together a double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water, then put a heat-safe bowl on top. Make sure that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water.
- Add the coconut oil and beeswax (if desired) into the bowl. The beeswax will help give the lip balm a firmer texture and make it less gooey. If you end up using the beeswax, try to get it in flake or pellet form. This will help it melt quicker and easier. If you can't get beeswax in either form, shave it using a cheese grater.
- Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over medium-high heat until they melt. Stir them from time to time. This will ensure that they melt evenly. Both ingredients will turn clear once they melt.
- Remove the bowl from the saucepan, and stir in the vitamin E oil. The vitamin E oil will help make your lips nice and soft.
- Stir in your flavor oil until the texture is smooth and the color is even. How much you use is up to you, but keep in mind that the flavor will become stronger once the lip balm hardens.[6] You can use a special oil made for flavoring lip balm, or you can use a candy-making flavor oil. Whatever you use must be oil-based. Do not use anything that is water or alcohol-based, or it will not mix in evenly.
- You can find lip balm flavoring oil in online shops that sell cosmetic-making supplies. You can find candy-making flavor oil in arts and crafts shops, and in baking shops.
- You can also use 5 to 10 drops of essential oil instead.[7]
- If you want to make more than one flavor, pour the melted mixture into separate bowls first.[8]
- Transfer the mixture into clean, empty lip balm containers. Use a spoon or mini spatula to scoop the mixture into the containers. Work quickly, as the melted lip balm will start to set fast.
- Let the mixture cool down, then put it into the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. The lip balm will finish setting there, and become hard like regular lip balm.
- Finished.
- Clean, empty contact lens cases make great lip balm containers.
- Decorate your lip balm containers with washi tape, patterned tape, or stickers. Write the lip balm flavor on a blank label, and stick it onto the lid.
- Try using 2 to 3 different flavors to get a fruit punch or fruit salad flavor.
- You can buy small, empty containers from arts and crafts stores. You can also find them in online shops that sell makeup-making supplies.
[Edit]Warnings - Make sure that whatever you are putting your lip balm in is clean and sterile. Wash it using very hot water, and dry it off using a tissue.
- Be careful when using essential oils. Lemon and grapefruit essential oils are photo toxic, and will make your lips more sensitive to the sun. Orange and lime essential oils are not phototoxic, and won't make your lips sensitive to the sun.[9]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using Drink Mix - Microwave
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Small whisk or fork
- Spoon
- Smaller bowls (if using more than one color/flavor)
- A Small container
[Edit]Using Freeze-dried Fruit - Double-boiler (saucepan and bowl)
- Spoon, fork, or small whisk
- Spoon
- A Small container
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Dog Proof Your Trash Can Posted: 18 Feb 2022 12:00 AM PST It smells like garbage to you, but it might smell like a four-star dinner to your scavenging dog. If you want to get your dog to leave your garbage can alone, learn to dog-proof the can itself and train your dog properly to stay away from it. [Edit]Picking a Good Trash Can - Pick a can with a heavier lid. Instead of a plastic trash can, use a heavier metal can with a lid for your garbage. Small plastic cans are easy to tip over, even if they're hard to reach and relatively clean. This can make that garbage pretty tempting for your dog.[1]
- Metal cans don't have to look industrial. Lots of sleek, modern looking metal trash cans are available at most home goods stores. These are difficult to tip over and look great in your kitchen.
- Weight the lid if necessary. The lid of the can is the most important part. If your can already has a lid and your dog can still get into it, you might consider weighting it with something on top to keep things in place.
- Use a heavy book, a break rotor, or a couple of plates on the top of the can. That thing won't move.
- Think about a can with a lockable lid. Lots of trash cans are available with closeable lids, operated by foot pedals, or little latches that you can open quite easily. They can get pretty fancy. If your dog's tenacious about nosing open the trash, even if you've got a lid on it, these can be a great dog-proofing mechanism.[2]
- Get a motion-activated opening trash can. The high-end of garbage technology is the motion-activated can, which will only open with the wave of a hand or a touch in the proper spot. If you want to make sure your trash can outsmarts your dog, this is the way to go.
- The downside is that these can be pretty expensive, and are still always susceptible to tipping. They're usually a bit heavier, but if you have a really big dog, it's probably still able to knock it over.
- Don't forget about the bathroom trash cans as well. Some dogs are big fans of tissues and other hygiene products that end up in your bathroom trash, and these trash-diggings can sometimes go unnoticed for longer. Make sure these trash cans have lids as well, or are placed high enough so your dog can't get to them.
[Edit]Taking Care of the Garbage - Put the trash can in an inaccessible location. If you want to keep the dog away from the trash can, keep it away from the dog. Put it under the sink where a dog can't get at it, or in a side room or closet that you can keep closed. If you have a very small dog, put the can up higher on a stool.[3] If your dog is large, put the can in an alternative location, such as:
- Coat closet.
- Washing room.
- Front room or mud room.
- Garage.
- Outside.
- Secure your trash can to the wall. If you have a really big dog, it's sometimes necessary to fix the garbage can to the wall so the can can't be knocked over. Use a sturdy metal can and fix it to a beam in a fixture or a wall in an appropriate location.
- Sometimes, it's helpful to do this in an out-of-the-way location, since it looks kind of weird to have an unmovable garbage can in the middle of your kitchen.
- Put it in a closet adjacent to your kitchen.
- Take your trash out more regularly. A smelly garbage can with lots of food in it is going to tempt even well-trained dogs. Take your garbage out as soon as the can gets full, instead of letting the can sit and stuffing the trash down.
- Consider taking things such as meat wrappers, leftovers and other pieces of garbage with very attractive scents immediately to the garbage bin outside, instead of putting them in the kitchen trash can.
- Always dispose of toxic substances properly. Some bigger dogs are just good at getting into trash cans, even if the dogs are well-trained and even if you take good care of your garbage. If you fear that your dog might consume something that will harm it, dispose of those materials properly.
- Batteries, paint, oils and other nasty substances should always be taken directly to collection points. Read this article to find out more about getting rid of toxic substances.
[Edit]Training Your Dog - Teach your dog to avoid the trash can. Maybe the best way to dog-proof your garbage can is to train your dog to stay away from it. Be firm and react swiftly if you see the dog nosing around the garbage can. If you see your dog approach the can with interest, say "No" or "Off" firmly and grab the dog by the collar and lead it elsewhere.[4]
- Prevention is key. If a dog gets in the garbage can once, it's likely to happen again. It's important to react swiftly when you see your dog start to nose around the garbage can.[5]
- Spraying a bitter apple or other spray with a nasty taste into the dog's face is sometimes effective. These are harmless and relatively cheap sprays and can be found at most pet stores.
- Never rub the dog's face in the garbage. Punishing the dog after the fact will only teach the dog to be afraid of you, not to associate the mess on the floor with its behavior. If you come home to a mess on the floor of the kitchen, it's too late to do any training. Clean up the mess and come up with another prevention plan.[6]
- Shock-collars or pads and muzzles are not recommended as a training method to make dogs avoid the garbage can.[7]
- It's also good to avoid pulling things out of the dog's mouth. This inadvertently teaches the dog that it needs to compete for food, and will make it scavenge more. Encourage the dog to leave the item and reward the dog for obeying, instead of taking it from the dog forcefully.
- Use an environmental punishment. Most dogs wait until you're not around to thieve the trash. This makes it much more difficult to keep a dog away from the trash can, but you can do a little planning to make it less likely that the dog will investigate the garbage while you're gone.
- Try stacking a few cookie sheets or other lightweight but metallic kitchen items on top of the garbage or on the counter by the garbage can. These items will make a loud sound if the dog disturbs them while investigating the garbage can.
- Check local pet stores for motion-activated devices that will trigger a blast of compressed air if anything comes near the garbage can.[8] The devices are safe but can startle sensitive dogs.
- Associate the garbage can with a loud sound. It can be effective to associate the garbage can itself with something you dog doesn't like. If your dog gets nervous around loud sounds, clip a clothes-pin or other little clip on the inside of the trash can, so it will make a loud popping sound when you open the garbage. Commercial mouse-trap-like trainers are also available at pet stores.
- Stack things like newspapers underneath the garbage, or use other items that make noise to scare the dog away.
- Some dogs may still investigate the garbage can, or even become even more attracted to the can if it makes a sound. Use this technique only if your dog is jumpy around loud sounds.
- Feed the dog elsewhere. Sometimes, dogs will come to associate the kitchen with eating, just as you do. People eat there, the dog is fed there and the delicious-smelling garbage is also there. It's no wonder the dog roots around. To eliminate this connection, feed the dog outside or in another adjacent room of the house.
- This can be somewhat of a hassle. But if the dog doesn't ever make it into the kitchen, it's likely that your dog will never get into the garbage can. Make the kitchen a no-dog-zone.
- Put up room dividers to keep the dog out of the kitchen. If you have a small dog, sometimes it's much easier to just make the kitchen an inaccessible place, instead of trying to train the dog to stay away from the garbage. Use small room dividers in the doorways to the kitchen and keep your dog away from the trash can.
- Spray the trash can with citrus. Dogs are often repelled by the scent of citrus. Mix a few tablespoons of lemon juice in warm water with a cap full of vinegar. Put the liquid into a spray bottle and spray the bottom of your trash can each time you take out the trash. After you replace the bag, spray the inside of the bag as well.
- Rotten meat and other nasty garbage smells will quickly overpower the citrus scent. Use citrus spray in conjunction with other methods, including changing your garbage more regularly.
- Some people like to regularly use basic Lysol disinfectant spray on the trash or in the can, to mask the odors and keep animals away as well.
- "Dog repellent" sprays are commonly sold commercially. Sometimes these are quite expensive and don't work particularly well. Read the ingredients and find out what's in the spray before you buy.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Use Focus Mode on Mac Posted: 17 Feb 2022 04:00 PM PST Since it's very easy to get in touch with someone (via calls, instant messaging, app alerts and etc), it's also very easy to get distracted. Focus Mode, a new feature for Macs running macOS Monterey, is an extension of Do No Disturb that helps you limit distractions and notifications while you work. This wikiHow article will teach you how to set up and use Focus on your Mac. [Edit]Creating a Focus Profile - Open System Preferences. You can do this by clicking the Apple logo in the menu bar that runs along the top of your screen, then clicking System Preferences.
- Click . It's with the icon of a notification badge and a bell.
- Click the tab. You'll see this tab centered at the top of the window next to Notifications.
- Click . It's below the panel on the left side of the window and clicking this will prompt a menu to drop down.
- Click . This is usually the first item on the menu.
- You can also click a premade Focus mode and adjust it to your preferences.
- Name your custom focus mode. Since you'll later see this name in the Focus menu, make sure you can remember from the name what the settings are set to.
- You can also assign a color and icon to the focus that will help you recognize it in the menu.
- Click Add to continue.
- Allow notifications (optional). Under the header "Allow notifications from," you can set the mode to alert you when you get calls or other alerts from people and/or apps. Click the +' to add an exception.
- If you don't want anyone to be able to contact you, leave this field blank.
- Click Options to set if you want time-sensitive notifications (like Calendar reminders), to allow calls from your contacts or favorites, and to allow repeated calls.
- Turn it on automatically (optional). Under the box that is titled, "Turn On Automatically," click +' to see a list of options. You can add time-based automation as well as automation that's location- or app-based.
- If you want to be able to turn this on manually, leave this blank.
- Repeat this process to add different Focus Modes. You can add as many as you'd like.[1]
[Edit]Toggling Focus On and Off - Click the Control Center icon . This icon looks like two toggles stacked on top of each other. You should see this icon in your menu bar.
- Click . It's next to a moon icon.
- Click the focus mode you want to use. Since all the modes that you created will show up here, you'll want to know what settings are active for your most-used Focus Mode.
- Select the time you want it to remain active for. You can either pick the default "1 hour" to keep the Focus Mode active for an hour; alternatively, you can opt to keep the mode active for the rest of the morning/afternoon/evening (the wording will vary depending on the time)
- You can turn this off by clicking the same Focus mode again.[2]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cook Ahi Tuna Posted: 17 Feb 2022 08:00 AM PST Ahi tuna, also known as yellowfin tuna, has a deliciously meaty taste. This hearty fish is an excellent source of protein, is low on fat, and it's extremely simple to prepare. Ahi tuna steaks are mostly grilled or seared to bring out the best in their flavour, but you can also bake them to reach a different texture. In case you are buying a piece of sushi-grade tuna, you can forego cooking and serve it raw. - Prep time (Searing): 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4-5 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
[Edit]Ingredients - Ahi tuna steaks
- Peanut or vegetable oil
- Seasonings or marinade
[Edit]Searing Ahi Tuna - Choose fresh or frozen tuna steaks. Ahi tuna is sold in form of large steaks or fillets that can be cooked in a similar fashion to beef steaks. Look for deep red tuna steaks with firm flesh. Avoid steaks that have a rainbow sheen or look dry, also avoid buying fish that looks mottled or pale in color.
- Buy a six-ounce steak per serving you need.
- If you're using frozen tuna steak, thaw it completely and put in the refrigerator before using.
- Fresh tuna is in season from late spring to early fall. If you're choosing fresh tuna, it's best to get it while it's in season. Frozen tuna is available all year round.
- Ahi or yellowfin tuna from the United States or Canada is the best choice, since it has relatively low levels of mercury and is not in danger of being overfished. Bluefin tuna should be avoided, as the mercury levels are higher and it is being over-fished across the world.[1]
- Make a spice mixture for the tuna. Seared tuna is frequently coated with spices that complement the tuna's meaty flavour. You can use a steak rub or any other type of spice mix that includes ingredients like garlic powder, pepper and dried herbs. Try making your own spice mix by combining the following ingredients in a bowl (makes enough to coat one six-ounce steak):
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Heat your skillet or grill. Tuna steaks and fillets are easy to sear on either a grill or stove top. The key is to fully heat the cooking implement you're using before adding the tuna. This will ensure that the tuna cooks evenly and attains a good crunchy sear.
- If you're using the stove top, heat a cast iron skillet or other heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add a tablespoon of peanut oil or canola oil and heat it until the oil just begins to smoke.[2]
- If you're using a grill, light the charcoal at least half an hour before you plan to cook the tuna. that way it will have plenty of time to get nice and hot before you add the tuna.
- Coat the tuna with your spice mixture. Each six-ounce steak or fillet will need approximately one to two tablespoons of seasoning. Pat the seasoning into the tuna on all sides so that it's completely coated. After you've coated the steak, allow it to sit out and come to room temperature before you place it on the grill or skillet.
- Sear the tuna on both sides. Tuna steaks are normally served rare, since the texture of rare tuna is more appealing than the texture of a fully-cooked piece of tuna, which tends to be on the dry side.
- To achieve a sear on the outside and keep it rare inside, place the tuna on the skillet or grill and let it sear for two minutes on the first side. Flip the tuna and let it cook for another two minutes, then remove it from the heat.
- Watch the tuna as it cooks to make sure you don't overcook it. You'll be able to see the heat cooking the tuna from the bottom up. If two minutes seems like too much time on one side, flip the tuna sooner.
- If you'd prefer to make sure the tuna gets fully cooked, leave it on the heat for extra time.
[Edit]Baking Ahi Tuna - Preheat the oven to .
- Grease a baking dish. Choose a glass or ceramic dish that's just a little bigger than the size of the tuna steaks or fillets you're baking. Use olive oil to grease the bottom and sides of the dish so the fish doesn't stick.
- Butter and season the tuna. Rub each steak or fillet with a teaspoon of either melted butter or olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and the dried herbs of your choice. The tuna itself will be the star of the show, so keep the seasoning light and complementary.
- A squeeze of lemon juice complements the flavor of the tuna well if you want to add a little extra flavor.
- You could also season the tuna with classic pairings like soy sauce, wasabi and ginger slices.
- Bake the tuna. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the skin is no longer pink and flakes when poked with a fork, about 10 to 12 minutes. The actual cooking time will depend upon on how thick your steaks are.[3] After 10 minutes, check the steaks to see if they need more time.
- Err on the side of undercooking the tuna, since overcooked tuna tends to be dry and take on a fishier taste.
- If you want the baked tuna to be seared on top, turn on the broiler and broil the top for the last two to three minutes of cooking.
[Edit]Making Tuna Tartare - Select sushi-grade tuna. Tuna tartare is a dish made with raw ahi tuna. It's a light, refreshing dish that doesn't actually require cooking, but it's one of the most popular ways to prepare the fish. It's important to get sushi-grade tuna if you're using this preparation method, since you won't be cooking the fish to kill parasites and bacteria.
- To make four servings of tuna tartare, you need one pound of tuna. Either steaks or fillets will do.
- This dish is best with fresh tuna, rather than tuna that has been previously frozen.
- Prepare the sauce. Tuna tartare is prepared with a sauce made from fresh flavors like citrus paired with the deep warmth of wasabi. To make a delicious tartare, combine the following ingredients in a bowl:[4]
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cut the tuna into small cubes. Use a sharp knife to cut the tuna into cubes. It's easiest to do this with a knife, but you may use a food processor to save time.
- Toss the tuna cubes with the sauce. Mix them together thoroughly so the tuna is completely coated. Serve the tuna tartare right away on crackers or potato chips.
- If you don't serve the tuna right away, the lemon juice in the sauce will begin to react with the tuna and change its texture.
- If you wish to prepare the tuna tartare in advance, keep the sauce and tuna separate until just before serving.
- When searing, use vegetable or peanut oil because of their high smoke points. Butter and olive oil will cook away or burn before the pan gets hot enough to allow a sear.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not overcook the fish, as it will be very dry.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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