| How to Cook Basmati Brown Rice Posted: 12 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Brown basmati rice is very long-grained and aromatic variety with a nutty flavor that originated in India, and is still grown and used there extensively. As one of the family of brown rice, it's very healthy and can be served with a variety of dishes. A number of ingredients can be added to it as well. Here you'll learn about preparing this unique rice and the primary ways of cooking it – through boiling, steaming and pressure cooking. [Edit]Ingredients Brown Basmati Rice
Servings: 6 cups
- brown basmati rice
- water
- salt
[Edit]Rinsing and Soaking Brown Basmati Rice - Add the rice to cold water to rinse it. Measure brown basmati rice, and pour it into a medium-sized bowl of cold tap water.[1]
- Rinse the rice. Use your hand to swish the rice around until the water becomes cloudy-looking and foam appears on the edges.[2]
- While rinsing it can wash away some of the rice's nutrients, brown basmati rice is typically imported and may be processed with talc, powdered glucose and rice powder. Rice connoisseurs, therefore, recommend rinsing it.
- Doing so will also get rid of some of the starch, which will help make your rice less gluey.[3]
- Strain the water from the rice. Pour out the water through a mesh strainer or by tilting the bowl to the side. You can hold a plate over the bowl to keep the rice from spilling out as you drain the water.[4]
- Rinse the rice again. Add more cool tap water and repeat this process until the water is clear. This could require up to 10 rounds of washing the rice.[5]
- Once the water is clear, leave the rice in the bowl and set it aside.
- Combine the rinsed rice and cold water to soak. Add cold water to the drained and rinsed rice and let it soak between 30 minutes to 24 hours depending upon the method of cooking and how long you want to cook it. The longer you allow it to soak, the less time it will take to cook.
- Additionally, basmati rice is known for its rich flavor, which can be lost during the heating process. Soaking it reduces cooking time, thus preserving more of its flavor.[6]
- Soaking rice also improves its texture, making it softer and lighter.[7]
- Drain the water from the rice. Use a mesh strainer to drain the water that has not been absorbed by the rice.
- You can also use a colander, but the holes must be very small so the rice doesn't escape when you strain it.
[Edit]Boiling Brown Basmati Rice - Prepare the water. Add water to a medium-sized cooking pot with a lid on the stovetop.
- In order for the rice to cook properly, make sure you the lid has a tight seal so heat and steam aren't released.[8]
- Always make sure your pot isn't too small because rice will triple in volume once cooked.[9]
- Next add about salt to the water. As with pasta, salt is used to bring out the natural flavor in rice so it won't taste bland. It's not used to make it taste salty.[10]
- Mix the rice and water. Pour rinsed and pre-soaked brown basmati rice to the pot and use a spoon to mix the rice with the water.[11]
- This is the only time you'll stir the rice until it's done. Stirring it while it's cooking activates the starch and makes it either sticky or creamy.[12][13]
- Bring it to a boil and then simmer. Turn the burner to high. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-40 minutes until all the water is absorbed.[14][15]
- The time difference is largely based upon how long you soaked the rice.
- If you soaked it for 30 minutes, your cook time will be closer to 40 minutes. If you soaked it overnight, your cook time will be closer to 15 minutes.
- It's very important to turn down the heat and to simmer once the water boils. Rice that's cooked too fast on a high heat will be hard because the water will evaporate. The kernels will also break.[16]
- Test to see if it's done. Quickly remove the lid and use a fork to scoop out some of the rice. Immediately replace the lid. If the rice is tender and the water has fully absorbed, it's ready. If not, continue cooking another 2-4 minutes.
- You may need to add more water if it's not tender but the water has fully absorbed. Start slowly by adding just a of water.
- Remove the pot from the burner and cover with a towel. When done, take the pot from the burner and remove the lid. Place a folded kitchen towel over the pot, and promptly replace the lid.[17]
- The towel will help to steam the rice, making it fluffier. It also absorbs extra moisture that would otherwise fall back onto the rice.[18]
- Let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Don't lift the lid while you let the rice rest or you'll lose the steam necessary to fully cook it.[19][20]
- Remove the towel and lid and fluff the rice. Use a fork to fluff the rice while it's in the pot. Then let the rice sit uncovered for just a few minutes so it doesn't have a wet texture.[21][22]
- Using a fork helps the remaining steam to escape and the grains to separate.
- Scoop and serve. Use a large spoon or a nonstick rice paddle spoon to scoop out the rice. Serve it now alone or as part of another dish.
[Edit]Cooking Brown Basmati Rice in a Rice Cooker - Read the instructions carefully. There are a variety of rice cookers on the market, and they don't all operate in the same way or have the same features.
- For instance, some will have both white and brown rice settings. Others won't have either.
- Combine the water and rice. Use a wooden spoon or rice paddle spoon to mix brown basmati rice and of water into the inner pot of the rice cooker.
- Many rice cookers come with a dry measuring cup. However, they're often only equivalent to 3/4 of a standard cup.
- Don't use metal utensils when mixing or scooping because they can damage the non-stick coating of the inner pots.
- Put on the lid and turn it to cook. Generally rice cookers have two settings – cook and warm – so make sure you select cook. This will bring the water to a boil very quickly.
- Once the rice has absorbed all the water, the temperature will rise past the boiling point of water (100˚C/212˚F). At this point, most rice cookers will then automatically switch to the warm setting.
- This will typically take about 30 minutes.
- The warm setting will hold the rice at a safe serving temperature until you turn off the cooker.
- Don't take off the lid during cooking. As with the boiling method, don't lift the lid while the rice is cooking or the water vapor needed to cook it will disperse.[23]
- Let the rice rest in the cooker. After it switches to warm, keep the lid closed and let the rice sit for 5-10 minutes to finish cooking.[24]
- Open the cooker and fluff the rice. Carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid being burned by any excess steam. Use a wooden or rice paddle spoon to gently fluff the rice. [25]
- Dish it out. You can serve it now or save it for later in the refrigerator or freezer.
- If refrigerating, put the rice into a bowl and cover with a lid or saran wrap. It should keep for 3-4 days. Don't leave it out for more than two hours before refrigerating.
- If freezing, rinse it in cool water, place portions in zip lock bags and place them in the freezer. Thaw the rice in the baggies overnight in the refrigerator.[26]
[Edit]Pressure Cooking Brown Basmati Rice - Combine the water, rice and salt. Mix brown basmati rice, of water and salt in the pressure cooker and turn the burner to medium-high or high heat to reach high pressure.[27][28]
- Secure the lid. Begin timing when the pressure cooker reaches high pressure.[29][30]
- Various models will have different types of valves to alert you when the pressure cooker is at high pressure.
- Those with spring valves generally have a bar or rod that rises; jiggler valves will rock and jiggle slowly at first and then rapidly; weight-modified valves will whistle and hiss as they lift up and down.[31]
- Decrease the heat and continue cooking. Reduce the burner's temperature until the pressure cooker has stabilized and let the rice keep cooking.[32] The total time from reaching high pressure until you're done should be between 12-15 minutes.
- Again, the time depends upon the amount of time you pre-soaked the rice.[33][34]
- Turn off the heat. Allow the temperature and pressure to drop naturally for about 10-15 minutes after turning off the heat. The safety-locking mechanism will disengage or an indicator will alert you that the pressure has dropped.[35][36]
- Alternatively, put on oven mitts and place the pressure cooker in the sink. Run cold water over it to decrease the pressure. Then remove the valve and push the button/twist/press the lever to release water vapor and any remaining pressure.[37][38]
- Either way, be careful while doing this and know from where the vapor will shoot out so you aren't burned.[39][40]
- Fluff the rice and serve. Use a fork to fluff the rice and serve now, or refrigerate or freeze for later use.
[Edit]Things You'll Need Brown Basmati Rice: - Medium-sized mixing bowl
- Medium-sized pot with a tight-sealing lid
- Dry and liquid measuring cups and spoons
- Large spoon
- Fork
- Kitchen towel
- Stovetop steamer
- Stovetop pressure cooker
- Oven mitts
- Nonstick rice paddle spoon (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Express Your Feelings to the One You Love Posted: 11 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT When you're in a relationship with someone who has truly captured your heart, you might be bursting at the seams with wanting to tell them how you feel. If you have a crush on someone, it may be a little bit more complicated than that. Communicating your feelings for someone can be tricky at first, but there are many other ways of expressing yourself other than blurting out, "I love you." A blimp with giant hearts flying across the sky might be the flashy way to get your message across, but simpler ways of communication exist that might hold a bit more meaningful in expressing your heartfelt emotions. [Edit]Telling Someone You're In a Relationship With - Say "I love you." Telling someone you love them is the most sure-fire way to communicate your feelings, and the strength of those feelings. However, there are other ways to say, "I love you," simply by switching up the language you use. For example, instead of saying the three words, "I love you," you could say other meaningful things like, "I'm really happy you're in my life," or "I feel lucky that I have you," or "I love you for being you.[1]
- These different expressions offer some variety by giving specifics as to why you love your partner, and give a breath of fresh air in expressing those three little words.
- Tell them how important they are. Sharing your feelings to your partner about the positive impact they have on your life is a clear way of showing the love and value you have for your partner. For instance, if your partner makes spending time with your family easier, let them know that they make that interaction easier for you. If you have a bad day at work, and the moment you see your partner you instantly feel a wave of relief, let them know that just seeing them immediately puts you in a better mood.
- If your loved one makes your life better or easier, communicating their influence on making your life richer, lets them know they are wanted, valued, and loved.
- Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Being vulnerable means expressing your thoughts and feelings wholeheartedly, without reserve. With that expression, comes the possibility of being criticized, hurt, rejected, etc. by your loved one. The important thing to remember is if you love someone, you opening up and wholeheartedly sharing yourself, expresses to your partner that them knowing the real you is worth the risk of you getting hurt. It is you making a self-sacrifice of security, for a deeper connection with them.
- Since sacrificing anything is not easy, being vulnerable with the one you love shows your commitment to the relationship.
- Ask for advice from your partner. Wanting advice from your partner communicates that you respect their opinion. It means you look to them for a sort of guidance, and it strengthens their understanding of their role in your life.[2]which is a step in making your relationship stronger.
- It doesn't have to be something serious, although it can be. Just letting your partner know that you are interested in their opinion, and want to know how they would approach something allows them to see the respect you have for them.
- Vent your feelings to each other. If your partner is obviously nervous, upset, worried, or concerned about something, ask them to vent and share their feelings to you. Let your partner know that you want them to be able to let their guard down and spill what is on their mind. Sometimes, people just need have a rant about what is bothering them. Let your partner know that you are there to listen to what they have to say.
- It shows your loved one that they can just let loose about how they are feeling, and you are there to be their outlet and listener.
- While they're expressing their feelings to you, make sure you are completely there and in the moment. This means refraining from looking at your phone or any other kind of distraction and being focused on what your partner is saying. Be attentive to how they're feeling when telling you what is bothering them, and give thoughtful feedback.
- If you find yourself at a loss for words, a strong and meaningful hug can always show you're there for your loved one.[3]
- Tell each other your secrets. Sharing your secrets is a small way of telling someone you love that they have your trust. People don't share their secrets with just anyone, so trusting someone with your intimate feelings and thoughts is a true sign of a caring, loving relationship.
- Sharing secrets creates an inner circle of just you two, reinforcing a greater bond between you and your partner.
- Always be honest. Being honest with the one you love could sometimes difficult, especially if you are trying to not hurt their feelings. However, speaking the truth, even when it hurts, increases your ability to level and find connection with your partner.[4] It shows that you rather be truthful and real, rather than phony and comforting.
- It's a sign of respect to your partner that you are honest with how you feel, while taking into consideration that it might not be the most comfortable option.
- Just remember to be gentle with truth. The truth may be hard to hear, but it doesn't have to come off mean.
- Encourage your partner. As your partner's partner, it's safe to say that it's your responsibility — as well as in the best interest of the relationship — to show your love, encourage, and help your partner achieve their dreams and goals in life. By providing a supportive environment, you stimulate your partner to be the best version of themselves and go after what they want.
- You can encourage your partner by saying things like, "I believe that you can do this," "You're a hard worker, and that hard work is going to get recognized," or "All of your efforts are going to pay off soon."
- Supporting your partner, and pushing for their success shows your love in words of reinforcement.
- Write a letter. Sometimes writing an old school love letter is a romantic way to show your feelings. Writing a letter can also help articulate feelings and emotions you've been having, by letting your stream of consciousness do the "talking". Think about what you want to accomplish with this letter. What do you want your loved one to know? Begin with saying why you're writing them a letter. For example, you can say something like, "I was thinking about you, and how much I enjoy being around you…" or "Being around you is always so much fun, and I wanted to let you know…"
- Mention stories and memories that bring back good feelings. Just remember to write what you love about them, how they make you feel, and why you're happy to be with them.
- Writing a letter by hand is your best bet to show that what you have to say is meaningful, because it takes more effort that typing up a note or text message. Also, your personal handwriting shows through which gives a nice touch of genuineness.
- Listen. Often, not enough credit is given for being able to focus, and really listen to someone when they speak, and then give an attentive, meaningful reply.[5] When you really listen to someone, you are focused on only that person, giving them your full and undivided attention.
- Although it's a simple act, listening is a very powerful act of caring that shows you are there to help your partner through whatever they are dealing with.
- Listening to your partner reinforces the idea that you two are a team together, and you are there when your partner needs help.
- Carry out acts of service. Anything you can do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing down on your loved one will speak volumes as to how much you care for them and love them.
- Doing things like running out to get breakfast before they wake up, filling up the gas in their car, or washing their dishes in the sink, are all small ways to show your loved one you are always thinking about them.
- Be considerate. Being considerate means thinking about the feelings of your partner in everything that you do. Decisions you make about certain things should be made with your partner in mind.
- For example, if you're going camping, bring extra sleeping mats for your partner, because you know they have a difficult time sleeping on hard surfaces. Or, if you're going on a picnic, pack some extras of your partner's favorite snack as a surprise.
- Set aside time for quality interaction. Everyone has busy lives that we sometimes get wrapped up in, but making an effort to share quality time with your loved one is an easy way to reconnect and show your loved one where your priorities stand. Use this time to share with each other, go on a walk, or make dinner together.
- It's really not about the amount of time you share together, but the quality of that time. It doesn't have to have a strict schedule, but the fact that you made the effort at all is what really counts.[6]
- Embrace your inner child. As adults, life can get monotonous and boring at times. To combat this, keep your inner child alive. Incorporate surprises into your life, be spontaneous and try new things.
- This might not seem like a direct display of love, but by keeping things fun in your relationship, it shows that you are working to always have an enjoyable time with your loved one. Go on an adventure together that will create memories and stories for times to come.
- Touch your partner affectionately. Everyone is different with the level of "touchy-ness" that they prefer, but small, affectionate touches can communicate your love in a subtler, physical way. Things like holding hands, playful touches on the arm, or putting your head on their shoulder, are small ways to express your feelings of closeness and love.
- Give hugs. Hugs give people a physical sense of security, and can literally make someone feel like they are wrapped in love. Hugs are easy to execute, and are appropriate to do in public, which makes them ideal for telling your partner you love them out in the world.
- Hugs using both arms and facing your loved one are the most romantic. Other kinds of hugs (one armed hugs, side hugs), are more casual and don't hold that much meaning.
- A good, meaningful hug usually last a little longer. 5-7 seconds is usually a good amount of time to express your feelings in a hug.
- Cuddle with your partner. It's no secret that cuddling with your loved one feels good, and just like hugging, this brief break from the stress of your everyday life will communicate your love by taking time to focus solely on your partner, and what you feel for them.
- Give your partner a massage. Giving your partner a massage could be something as simple as rubbing your partner's back while you two watch a movie, running your fingers through their hair, or having your partner lay back, and place their head in your lap as your massage their shoulders and neck.
- Don't be afraid to show your love with touch. Touching is just another way people can sense love.
[Edit]Expressing Your Feelings To a Crush - Building up confidence. Just be yourself when you want to interact with your crush. You don't want to build your relationship off of lies and pretending to be someone you're not, so let your personality shine through. Sometimes, when you stuck about things to talk about, ask your crush about themselves or give them a compliment. You can say something like, "What sports do you like to play?" or "You did really good on your presentation today."
- The easiest subjects to talk about with your crush are things you have in common, like classes, places you've traveled, or favorite restaurants. Talking about things you have in common will lighten the mood and help you relax.
- Let your body language speak for itself. Touching anybody is a sign of closeness. So, a subtle way to express to your crush that you like them is to break the touch barrier. Light touches are the best way to go to get your message across without coming off too strong.
- For example, if you're talking with your crush or passing by them, you can give them a light touch on the upper arm. If you're sitting next to your crush, you can casually let your feet or knees touch every once and smile to show your feelings.
- Just a little bit physical attention will let your crush know that you like them. Touching you crush lightly just once or twice during a conversation is sufficient enough to let your crush know how you're feeling.
- Write a letter. It can sometimes be hard to verbalize your feelings to someone you like, so writing a love letter is an easy way to express how you feel without having to do it in person. Just like in the previous method, begin your letter by stating your inspiration for writing the letter.
- For instance, you can begin with, "I've really enjoyed getting to know you better over these past couple of months..." or "I just wanted to let you know that over this past year, you have become one of my best friends..."
- In our day and age of technology, typing out a text message or Facebook message is easy. Writing a letter by hand is more sincere and requires a bit more effort. Because of the added effort, your gesture is that much more appealing to your crush.
- Keep it light. You letter can start off casual, and you can write about a few inside jokes that the two of you have together or fun times that you've experienced together. From there, you can dive right in, and explain the reason for the letter, telling your crush you have feelings for them. You can say something like, "I just wanted to tell you that I like you, and I really like hanging out with you."
- Keep it short and sweet. You don't want to go too much into how much you like your crush or why, before you have your answer as to how they feel about you.
- Tell your crush your feelings in person. Pick a place that's stress-free where it would be appropriate to talk alone, make eye contact, and simply tell your crush how you feel. You can make some small talk, but after a while jump right in and tell them how you feel. You can give a compliment or two while your telling your crush how you feel. For example, "I really like you. Nobody makes me laugh like you do."
- After you tell your crush how you feel, give them time to react and process what you've said. Don't immediate ask them how they feel or what they think.
- You don't want to come off too intense. Give your crush some time to react and respond, and try not to put the pressure on them.
- Respond appropriately. Once you say how you feel, your crush will either say that they share your feelings, or want to just stay friends. If your crush shares your feelings don't be afraid to your excitement. It's okay to be silly and giddy after you and your crush tell each other how you feel. If your crush just wants to be friends, be mature and say something like, "Okay, I just wanted to let you know." It will hurt, but you always want to leave a good impression. Although you will be upset, try to act like it wasn't a big deal, and wait until you have some privacy to be sad about it.
- Once you know your crush likes you back, you can ask your crush on a casual date by offering to go see a movie together, or catch a baseball game. This will offer up some time for the both of you to get to know each other better.
- If your crush doesn't share your feelings, at least you had the confidence to take a chance. There are plenty of other opportunities to find someone right for you.
[Edit]Help Expressing Your Feelings - Own your feelings. Falling in love is perfectly natural, as is wanting to show someone how you feel.
- Don't over-say it. If you're telling someone that you love him or her 15 times a day, it starts to lose its meaning. Cut out a few of those verbal expressions, and mix it up with some non-verbal cues instead.
- Don't lose yourself in the process of loving that person. Keep doing the things you love to do, and the things that make you original and unique.
- Try not to be offended if your crush doesn't share your feelings. Accept it graciously, move on, and continue to be a good friend. You never know if they'll start to feel the same way about you later on.
- Don't feel shy in front of your crush or she will think that you're a coward.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Remove a Jar Label Posted: 11 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Many people like to reuse glass jars for storage and craft projects. Unfortunately, many of these jars come with stubborn, pesky labels that are difficult to remove. They often leave behind bits of paper and glue residue that no amount of water and scrubbing can remove. Fortunately, removing jar labels is simple, but there's a trick to removing the residue as well! [Edit]Using White Vinegar - Fill a sink or bucket with hot water. The water needs to be deep enough to completely submerge your jar. If you are remove the label from more than one jar, the water needs to be deep enough to cover the largest jar. The hotter the water, the better it will dissolve the glue under the label.[1]
- Add a few squirts of dish soap. If you can't find any dish soap, you can also use ordinary hand soap. This will help loosen the label and make it easier to remove.
- Add in a few cups of white vinegar. White vinegar is somewhat acidic, which will help dissolve the glue holding the label to the jar. It will make removing the label and residue easier.[2]
- Place the jars inside the sink. Take the lids off the jars, and lay them down on their sides so that they fill with water and sink to the bottom.
- Wait several minutes. The longer you wait, the more time the vinegar will have to dissolve the glue under the label. About 30 minutes should be plenty for stubborn labels, but you can check your jars after 10 minutes.
- Take the jar out of the water and peel the label off. It should slide off easily. If you get any residue, try to scrape it off using a scrubby sponge.
- Rinse the jar using clean water and pat it dry. Once the label is off, rinse the jar off, and dry it using a clean towel. Your jar is now ready to use!
[Edit]Using Nail Polish Remover - Remove as much of the label as possible first. If the label is too difficult to peel off, soak the jar in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, then peel the label off. You will have some residue, but that is fine.[3]
- Avoid using nail polish remover or acetone if your jar is made from plastic. They may distort or discolor the jar. Rubbing alcohol may be safely substituted but it may not be very effective.
- Pour some nail polish remover onto a paper towel, cloth, or scrubby sponge.[4] If the residue is only minimal, you can use a paper towel. If there is a lot of residue, stick with a scrubby sponge. Acetone will also work for this method. Rubbing alcohol may work, but it will not be as effective as nail polish remover or acetone; it is best reserved for light residue.
- Scrub the residue with it using small, circular motions. The chemicals in the nail polish remover or acetone will dissolve any glue and make it easier to scrub off. You may have to reapply the nail polish remover or acetone.
- Wash the jar using warm, soapy water. This is especially necessary if you plan on using your jar for food storage. Once the jar is clean, pat it dry with a clean towel and use it for your project.
[Edit]Using Oil and Baking Soda - Peel off as much of the label as you can. If the label is stuck firmly to the jar, soak the jar in warm, soapy water for a few minutes, then peel the label off. You will likely have lots of paper and/or glue residue left over, which is fine.[5]
- Mix equal parts of baking soda and oil. You can use any cooking oil, such as canola oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.[6] Baby oil will also work in a pinch.
- For a small-sized jar, you will need about 1 tablespoon of each.[7]
- Plain olive oil may work for light, glue reside.[8] You will need the abrasive baking soda if there is paper, however.
- Rub the paste over the jar. Focus on the areas that have the most residue. You can rub it on using your fingers, a paper towel, or even a cloth.
- Wait 10 to 30 minutes.[9][10] During this time, the oil will penetrate any glue residue and dissolve it. It will make it easier to remove later on.
- Rub the paste off using a scrubby sponge or some steel wool.[11] Rub the paste using small, circular motions. This will allow the baking soda to scrub off any glue or paper residue.
- Wash the jar using soap and water, then pat it dry with a towel. If you see any residue, you can wipe it off using a paper towel and a few drops of oil.
[Edit]Using a Hairdryer - Turn the hairdryer to high heat. Keep in mind that some people have had mixed results with this method. It only works if your hairdryer can get very hot and if the label is not that stubborn to remove.[12]
- Hold the hairdryer over the label for 45 seconds. The heat of the hairdryer will make the glue dry out and turn brittle. This will make the label easier to peel off.
- Try to peel off a corner of the label. If needed, use your fingernail or a razor blade to help peel the label off. If it doesn't peel off easily, heat the label for another 45 seconds, then try it again.[13]
- Use olive oil to remove any residue, then wash it using warm, soapy water. Put a few drops of olive oil into a paper towel, and gently rub any residue spots away.[14] Wash the jar using warm, soapy water to get rid of the oil, then pat it dry with a clean towel.
[Edit]Using Washing Soda - Fill a sink with hot water. Make sure that the water is deep enough to completely submerge your jar on its side. If you are removing the label from multiple jars, make sure that the water is deep enough to completely submerge the largest jar.
- Add ½ cup (90 grams) of washing soda to the water. Swish the water with your hand to help it dissolve.[15]
- Open the jar, put it into the water, and wait about 30 minutes. Let water get inside the jar so that it weighs it down.[16] You don't have to wait exactly 30 minutes, but you have to wait long enough for the water to soak the label and dissolve the glue.
- Take the jar out and peel the label off. The label should slide off easily. If you see any residue, try to rub it off with your finger first. If it doesn't come off easily, move on to the next step.
- Use more washing soda to scrub off stubborn spots. If there is any residue, put some washing soda onto a scrubby sponge, and gently buff the residue.
- Rinse the jar off using clean water, then pat it dry. Your jar will be clean, but there might be some washing soda residue on it. Once you have the label off, rinse the jar using clean water, and then pat it dry with a towel.
- If using extremely hot water near boiling, make sure to heat the jar a bit first to help prevent it from shattering due to a sudden temperature change.
- Save time and effort by first scoring the label with a utility knife, razor blade or sharp paring knife. Apply "Goo Gone" or a similar product liberally and let set 20 minutes or so, then remove with a paper towel. You can then wash the bottle or jar with warm soapy water.
- If you can't find a scrubby sponge, you can use a soft-bristled brush instead.
- For extra stubborn labels, you may have to combine several methods.
- Does your jar have a date stamp? Wipe it off using nail polish remover or acetone!
- Just discovered this accidentally. Pour boiling water into the jar, wait a few minutes, dump out the water and peel off the label. Works on the cover too.
- Be careful when soaking plastic jars, as the plastic could melt.
- Once you get your jar clean, you can use it for almost anything—you can drink out of it, for instance, or you could use it to store things like cosmetics, cotton pads, or office supplies.[17]
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful when using the hairdryer method. The jar will heat up.
- Avoid using the hairdryer method on plastic jars; the heat may distort the plastic.
- Avoid using nail polish remover/acetone on plastic jars.
- Metal scrubbers can leave fine scratches on glass, which can cause glass to break under stress. Especially if you are using the jars for home canning, use a gentler abrasive such as baking soda or a nylon scrubber instead.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using White Vinegar - Sink or bucket
- White Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Water
- Scrubby sponge (if needed)
[Edit]Using Nail Polish Remover - Nail polish remover or acetone
- Paper towel, wash cloth, or scrubby sponge
[Edit]Using Oil and Baking Soda - Oil (canola, olive, vegetable, etc)
- Baking soda
- Scrubby sponge
[Edit]Using a Hairdryer - Hairdryer
- Olive oil (if needed)
- Paper towel
[Edit]Using Washing Soda - Sink or bucket
- Washing soda
- Water
- Scrubby sponge (if needed)
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Paint on Cardboard Posted: 11 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Cardboard is a great material to paint on since it's so sturdy and affordable. Whether you want to paint the entire cardboard piece or create cardboard art, you should first prime the surface to get the best colour possible. Then, to keep the cardboard from warping, apply multiple thin coats, and dry the coats as well as possible. In no time, you'll have a beautiful piece of painted cardboard! [Edit]Painting with Acrylics - Prime the cardboard with gesso for bold, bright colors. Before painting your cardboard, use a flat brush to paint a thin layer of gesso onto the cardboard in long, vertical strokes. Cardboard absorbs paint and dulls the colors, so gesso will give the paint something to bind to, and enhance the colors of your painting.
- Most Gessoes are white, however, if you want a particular colour, mix a few drops of acrylic paint into the gesso to change the colour.
- Let the gesso dry for 24 hours, then apply a second coat for best results. Paint in the opposite direction to your first coat to help create a smooth and even base to paint on.
- Leave the gesso to dry for another 24 hours.
- If you can still see the cardboard under the gesso, wait another 24 hours and apply a third coat.
- Sand the surface of the cardboards with 500-grit sandpaper if it's too rough. If you think that the rough surface caused by the gesso will distract from your painting, smooth it out with a light sand. Use smooth back and forth strokes to sand until all the bumps and protruding lines have been worn down. [1]
- Try not to push down too hard, otherwise, you risk damaging the surface of the cardboard.
- Paint the cardboard with a dry brush or sponge to avoid warping. Cardboard normally curls or warps because of exposure to moisture. Don't dip the brush or sponge into water before you start painting. Instead, use a dry brush. If the brush feels stiff, use your fingers bend the bristles back and forth.[2]
- Watercolours don't tend to work well on cardboard because they require water. Choose acrylic or oil paints instead.
- Apply the paint directly to the brush or sponge to stop the cardboard from curling. Instead of squeezing paint straight onto the cardboard, dip the brush into the paint or squeeze a few drops onto the sponge. This gives you the ability to remove any excess paint from the brush before you start and will prevent patches of paint from sinking into the cardboard.[3]
- Apply very thin coats of paint to avoid warping. The less moisture that the cardboard is exposed to at a time, the less it will warp. Apply a very thin coat of paint and let it completely dry before applying another coat. This will give time for some of the moisture to evaporate rather soaking into the cardboard.[4]
- Let your paint dry for 2 hours, then apply a second coat. The first few coats may be partially see-through, but it's better to have to apply multiple coats than to warp your cardboard! The more coats you paint, the more even and solid the paint will look. Continue painting until you're satisfied with the coloring.
[Edit]Spray-Painting onto Cardboard - Choose a well-ventilated and sheltered area to spray paint. Always make sure there is plenty of airflow when you use spray paints as the fumes can be toxic. Spray paint cans work best in warm, dry and sheltered conditions. If it is cold, windy, or damp outside, work inside a garage that has good ventilation or wait until a finer day.[5]
- Purchase spray paints from a hardware store or an art supplies store.
- Place an old sheet under the cardboard to protect the ground. Spray paint is very difficult to removes so protect your work area before you get started.[6]
- If you don't have an old sheet, use a tarpaulin or sheets of newspaper instead.
- Shake the paint can for at least 45-60 seconds before getting started. The pigments in the spray paint will separate over time, and shaking will recombine these pigments. This will help the colour in the paint have an even gradient when it is applied to the cardboard.[7]
- Give the can a 10 second shake every hour to help the paint flow easily from the nozzle.
- Hold the can away from the cardboard and lightly spray the paint. If you put the can too close to the cardboard, your paint may pool and warp the cardboard. Instead, hold the can so that it's parallel to the cardboard, and move it across the cardboard in your desired pattern.[8]
- Try making zig-zags, polka dots, and swirls. Be creative!
- Don't spray a section of cardboard more than twice as this can oversaturate the cardboard and make it warp.
- Wait 2 hours, then apply a second coat of paint. Make sure the cardboard is dry before you apply a second coat so it doesn't warp.[9]
- Consider using a different colour to create contrast in your painting.
- If you want to do a third or fourth coat of paint, let the painting dry for 2 hours before applying each additional coat.
[Edit]Creating Cardboard Art - Paint a landscape scene onto the cardboard if you enjoy creating realistic paintings. Landscapes are really fun to paint because there are so many different colour options. Consider whether you want to paint a sunset, a sunny day, or a stormy day. Draw your picture onto the cardboard and then paint over it with acrylic or oil paints.[10]
- If you need inspiration, find a landscape photo you like and try to recreate it.
- Include interesting animals, people, or plants in your picture to make it unique. Let your imagination run wild!
- Decorate the cardboard with fingerprints if you have young kids. Finger painting is a fun and tactile way to paint cardboard that will keep children occupied for hours. Fill small containers with different coloured paints and allow your child to dip their fingers into the paint and then press them onto the cardboard.[11]
- Make sure that the workspace is protected by plenty of newspaper as finger painting can be messy.
- Create a seascape scene on the cardboard if you enjoy painting with marine colours. Seascapes are a beautiful and timeless scene to paint. Choose colours that reflect the mood you want to create, for example, darker colours if you want to create a stormy mood, or lighter colours if you want to create a fresh and uplifting mood.[12]
- For a more realistic look, paint the sky first, and then the sea.
- Press stamps onto the cardboard to create a fun pattern. Lightly paint the surface of a stamp with acrylic paint and then press it onto the cardboard. Clean the stamp with a damp cloth and then apply a different colour. This will create a fun and contrasting pattern on the cardboard. Use a variety of different stamps to create different patterns and landscapes.[13]
- Purchase stamps from a craft store.
- Place paper underneath the cardboard to protect the surface you are working on.
- Experiment with differently textured cardboard to create unique paintings.
- Have fun and let your painting express your unique personality.
[Edit]Warnings - Always supervise children when they are using spray paints.
- Make sure to use spray paints in a well-ventilated area.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Painting with Acrylics - Gesso
- Flat paintbrush
- Cardboard
- Sponge or paintbrush
[Edit]Spray-Painting onto Cardboard - Spraypaint
- Old sheet
- Cardboard
[Edit]Creating Cardboard Art [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean a Beauty Blender Posted: 10 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Standard cosmetic sponges are disposable, but the Beauty Blender and other similar blending sponges are specially designed and meant for long-term use. As such, you'll need to regularly clean your blender sponge to remove stains and harmful bacteria. [Edit]Basic Cleansing - Prepare a dish of warm, soapy water. Fill a small dish with warm water, then squeeze a dollop of gentle hand soap or shampoo into it. Mix lightly until suds form on the surface of the water. Dish soap is generally not recommended, as it can irritate your skin when you need to use the sponge later.
- Baby shampoo and "gentle formula" organic shampoos work especially well, but most soaps that are safe for use on your skin or hair can be used here.
- Soak the sponge for 30 minutes. Drop the sponge into the dish of soapy water. Squeeze it two or three times with your hand, then allow it to soak for approximately 30 minutes.[1]
- The dish should have enough water in it to completely cover the blender sponge. If there isn't enough water initially, simply add more as needed.
- As the sponge soaks, the water will likely begin to change color. Expect the water to take on a dingy beige or tan hue as it draws the foundation and other cosmetics out of the sponge.
- The sponge should also expand to its full size as it soaks in the soapy water.
- Massage cleanser into the sponge. Gently rub solid "Blender Cleanser" or an equivalent soap directly into the most heavily soiled areas of the sponge.You must use a gentle cleanser to avoid damaging the sponge. If you prefer solid soaps, castille soap usually works well. If you'd rather choose a liquid soap, consider moisturizing baby shampoo or an organic shampoo with a gentle formula.
- Spend 2-3 patient minutes massaging the cleanser into the sponge. Only use your fingertips; do not use a scrubbing brush or other abrasive tool since doing so could damage the sponge.
- Rinse the sponge free of soap. Rinse the sponge under warm, running water until all of the cleanser washes out of it. Any additional makeup sitting near the surface of the sponge should get rinsed out during this step as well.
- You may need to gently squeeze the sponge under the running water to help remove the soaps and makeup.
- Analyze whether or not the sponge is clean enough by the clarity of the water while rinsing. If the rinse water runs clear beneath the blender sponge, it should be adequately clean and you can move directly to the drying step. If the rinse water still seems dingy, skip the drying step and move into the deep cleaning method (see the "Deep Cleaning" section of this article).
- Dry using paper towels. Wring out excess water by gently squeezing the sponge with your hand, then roll the sponge in clean, dry paper towels to absorb any water still inside.
- If the sponge is still damp after you blot out the water with paper towels, let it sit in a dry location to continue air drying. Wait until the sponge is completely dry before using it as an applicator.
[Edit]Deep Cleaning - Deep clean the sponge only as needed. As a general rule, you'll only need to perform deep cleaning on your blender sponge if the sponge still appears dirty after following basic cleansing procedures outlined above.
- This is more likely to happen if you use your blender sponge multiple times per day or if you forget to clean it for one or more weeks.
- You'll know if your blender sponge needs deep cleaning by looking at it. If the rinse water at the end of your basic cleansing routine seems dirty, or if there are visible stains on the sponge after it dries, try deep cleaning it.
- Wet the sponge. Hold the sponge under warm, running water for 30 to 60 seconds, or until it absorbs enough water to expand to its full size.
- Alternatively, you could place the blender sponge in a bowl of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. You do not need to use soapy water, nor do you need to wait for the water to change color before continuing to the next step.
- Apply cleanser to the soiled areas. Dab solid or liquid cleanser directly onto the most heavily soiled areas of the sponge.
- As with the basic cleaning procedure, you should only use gentle cleansers on your sponge. Specially formulated "Blender Cleanser" works well, but if you'd prefer another option, solid castille soap, liquid baby shampoo, or "sensitive formula" organic shampoos will also work.
- Rub the sponge against your palm. Rub the coated portions of the sponge against the center of your palm, working the sponge in small circular motions. Continue rubbing the sponge for approximately 30 seconds.[2]
- The scrubbing should be vigorous and more intense than the scrubbing used during your basic cleansing routine. Note, however, that it should still be gentle enough to avoid distorting the shape of the sponge or tearing the sponge material.
- As you scrub, the cosmetics lying deeper inside the sponge will be drawn out through the surface. You should notice the suds on your palm becoming tinted with the color of your foundation.
- Rinse while continuing to scrub. Rinse the sponge under warm, running water while continuing the rub it against your palm in circular movements. Keep rinsing the sponge until all of the suds are gone.
- You may need to rinse the sponge for several minutes before you clean out all the soap. It's important that you rinse out all of the soap, though, so don't rush the process.
- Test the sponge. Rinse the sponge under running water again until all of the suds disappear. Make sure that the water you squeeze out is clear and clean.
- Apply more cleanser to the sponge and rub it against your palm. If the resulting lather is white instead of gray or beige, the sponge should now be clean.
- Dry the sponge. Gently wring out most of the excess moisture by squeezing the sponge with your hand. Roll the sponge over clean, dry paper towels to dry it off even more.
- The sponge will probably still be damp after this, so set it aside in a dry place and allow it to air dry. Only use the blender sponge as an applicator once it is completely dry.
[Edit]Heat Sterilization - Sterilize the sponge monthly. Even if you clean your sponge on a weekly basis, you should still sterilize it using heat at least once a month. This is especially important if you use your blender sponge on a daily basis. Standard cleaning removes surface bacteria, but the only way to kill bacteria lying deeper in the sponge is by killing it with a short burst of intense heat.
- You may need to sterilize the sponge more than once a month if you notice the bacteria building up more rapidly. Signs of intense bacteria build-up include uncharacteristic acne breakouts and a foul/unusual odor coming from within the sponge.
- Note that you'll still need to perform a basic cleaning procedure after sterilizing the sponge. Sterilization will only kill the bacteria; it will not remove any cosmetic stains or foundation.
- Place the sponge in a dish of water. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Lay the sponge down in the center of the water puddle.
- You must sit the blender sponge in water. Do not microwave a fully dry sponge since doing so could damage the material or cause the sponge to catch fire.
- Microwave for 30 seconds. Place the uncovered bowl in your microwave and run the appliance at full power for 30 seconds.[3]
- Keep an eye on the blender sponge as you microwave it. Don't be alarmed if it expands slightly or if small trails of smoke develop, but stop the microwave immediately if it balloons up past its full size or if heavy smoke starts to form.
- Let it rest. Wait one or two minutes before removing the bowl from the microwave and removing the sponge from the water.
- The sponge will likely be very hot once the microwave cycle ends, and the waiting period is primarily for your own protection. You can actually handle the sponge as soon as it is cool enough to touch.
- Dry the sponge. Gently roll the sponge in clean, dry paper towels. Let it sit out at room temperature until it feels completely dry.
- If you plan on performing a basic cleansing routine on the sponge after sterilizing it with heat, you can do so immediately after pulling it out of the microwave. You do not need to dry the sponge first.
- Wait until the blender sponge is completely dry before using it as an applicator.
- Clean the sponge every one to two weeks. If you use your blender sponge on a daily basis, you should perform a basic, routine cleansing roughly once per week. Even if you only use your sponge a few times per week, you should still clean it once every two weeks.
- Routine cleanings will remove most of the built-up cosmetic products sitting at the surface of your blender sponge and may remove some of the cosmetics lying deeper in the sponge, as well. It should also kill off most forms of surface bacteria. Letting sponges sit dirty for long periods of time promotes bacterial growth.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Basic Cleansing - Small bowl
- Water
- Gentle solid or liquid cleanser
- Sink
- Paper towels
[Edit]Deep Cleaning - Gentle solid or liquid cleanser
- Sink
- Paper towels
[Edit]Heat Sterilization - Microwave-safe bowl
- Water
- Microwave
- Paper towels
[Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Grow Lucky Bamboo Posted: 10 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Lucky bamboo is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that grows well in low, indirect light. This plant, which isn't really bamboo at all, but instead is a type of tropical water lily called Dracaena sanderiana, is from Africa and is said to bring good luck and good fortune to the inhabitants of any space where it is grown. With a few tips, your lucky bamboo will be healthy and thrive - and make you lucky to boot! [Edit]Setting Up and Choosing Your Plant - Look for a plant with bright green leaves. If the leaves or stems are yellow or brown, this means that the plant is unhealthy. The plant has likely been shipped from China or Taiwan, so it's been through quite a trek.[1]
- Professional growers take the stalks and braid and curl them into intricate designs. Larger, more intricate designs result in some lucky bamboo plants costing hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
- A plant kept in a pot can grow up to high. If it's grown in soil outside, it may reach a height of up to .[2]
- Decide if you want to grow it hydroponically or with soil. It's probably easiest and a little cleaner to grow in water and stones, though it can also grow in soil. Ultimately, it's up to you and will likely be determined by the pot or vase you have available.
- If you do go the stone route, the container should have enough stones or marbles in the bottom to stabilize it. The lucky bamboo will need at least 1 to 3 inches (3-8 cm) of water to thrive.
- If you want to grow it in soil, well-drained, rich potting soil is best. It needs to stay moist but not soaking at all times. Use organic fertilizer when needed; salts and high phosphorus concentrations in synthetic fertilizers can cause deterioration. Also, you can be sure your soil drains well by simply adding some small rocks to the bottom of the pot.
- Use the right container. Put the lucky bamboo in a tall glass vase or ceramic container – no shallow bowls – or leave it in the container it comes in. A clear container is great if you just want to grow the plant hydroponically with some decorative stones; use a regular terra cotta pot if you want to grow it in soil.
- Keep in mind that the plant needs to be stabilized at its peak height. Your container should be at least 1 foot (30 cm) in height.
- Using soil? Fill the pot up most of the way with your rich soil and make sure it can drain well.
- Choose the right spot. Lucky bamboo do best in bright, filtered sunlight – think of the light that creeps through the top of a forest canopy. Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. And as for temperature, keep it away from the air conditioning or vent. This plant prefers an air temperature between 65ºF and 90ºF.[3]
- If you want to control the curl of your plant, use a three-sided box (a box with a side cut out). The plant will then bend toward the light. As it curves, change the side the sunlight faces, and the plant will curve back.[4]
[Edit]Helping Your Plant Grow - Place the lucky bamboo in a warm spot where it will get indirect light. Keep an eye on how much light the plant gets – if anything, too little light is better than too much.[5] While you're gone, turn the air off, too. It'll be nicer for the plant if it's a little warmer.
- As the seasons change, you may want to move the plant. Take it away from any windows if you're unsure. It'll still get plenty of light in the center of a room.
- Change the water every week if you're growing it hydroponically. And as for what water to use, this plant is very sensitive to chemicals like fluoride and chlorine – only use tap water if it's been sitting out for 24 hours (so the chemicals can evaporate. Otherwise, bottled water is best.
- Once the plant has grown roots, the roots must be kept covered with water. Again, 1-3 inches is all it takes.
- Water the plant carefully. If you're growing your plant in soil, water it just enough so the soil is moist but not soggy. Keep it this way every day. The plant can get dry-rot if the soil is too wet. You can also spray the leaves with water to keep it moist and humid. Again, use filtered or bottled water to avoid chemical damage.
- Encourage more roots by increasing the amount of water in which the plant is growing. More roots mean lusher top foliage; the higher the water is up the stalk, the higher up the roots will grow.
- Fertilizer your plant every month or so. If you're using soil, use organic fertilizer every month or so so the plant gets enough nutrients (again, go organic as synthetic can cause deterioration). If you're growing it hydroponically, use liquid fertilizer in the water. However, keep in mind that lucky bamboo does not need much fertilizer, so make sure that you dilute the fertilizer to one tenth of its strength.[6]
- Add it at the same time as you add the rest of the water; it's best to add fertilizer when the water is clean.
[Edit]Troubleshooting Lucky Bamboo - Prevent tip burn by using filtered or bottled water. Tip burn is when the leaves start to become dry and dead. This often happens when there are chemicals in the water. Setting your tap water out may not be enough – you may need to switch to bottled water to get your plant to look healthy.
- Once it gets tip burn, it may be hard to get rid of. Even if you do switch water, some chemicals may reside in the plant. You may just have to wait it out as it should go away eventually.
- Trim the plant. Over time, most of these plants become top heavy. Because of this, trimming is very important for it to stay healthy. Don't cut off the main stalk – just the offshoots. Use sterile snippers to do so.
- Trim them off within an inch or two (2.5 - 5 cm) of the base. New shoots will emerge and the plant will be bushier and healthier.
- Pay attention to the color of the leaves. If they're dry and dying, that's a water problem as discussed above. If they're yellowing, that's often a result of too much sunlight or too much fertilizer.[7] If they're brown, try making the area more humid by spraying the plant with water.
- As for mushy leaves, this plant could be beyond saving. Remove them immediately, change the water, and replant what you have left.
- Cut the plant if you must. If part of the plant is dying, you may have to cut it off. For example, if you notice that the base of the plant is turning yellow, then this is root rot and the plant will die. You can cut the top of the plant off and replant it, but there is a chance it may not grow. You may also consider cutting the plant if you don't like the shape the plant is taking on. Whatever you do, don't throw away the trimmings – they can be made into a new plant. New shoots will emerge from the bottom, older piece of the plant, and the top section can be potted to grow on its own.
- If you have a dying plant, get rid of the decaying parts immediately. Take any alive stems or branches and immediately repot them. They may flourish on their own if you take swift action.[8]
- Fertilizers that are made especially for lucky bamboo plants are usually available where the plants are sold. Add a drop of fertilizer to the water when it is changed to help the bamboo stay healthy and grow.
- The best water for your plant is fresh spring water, rainwater, or filtered water. The chemicals in tap water, such as chlorine, can harm the plant and cause the leaves and stalks to turn yellow.
- If algae is growing in your vase, you just need to change the water. It grows there due to sunlight, and that's natural.
- If your bamboo leaves are turning brown, spraying water around it helps it by making the air more humid.
[Edit]Warnings - Keep lucky bamboo out of the reach of young children and pets; the leaves are toxic if ingested.
- Do not expose your lucky bamboo to temperatures lower than 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). These tropical plants need warm, comfortable temperatures.
- Do not place your lucky bamboo somewhere where it will get too much sunlight. This will burn the plant, turning the leaves yellow, then brown.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Tall container or pot
- Rocks or marbles
- Water
- Soil
- Fertilizer made for Lucky Bamboo (optional, and not usually necessary)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Fix a Broken Zipper Posted: 10 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT While zippers are mostly reliable, they do break or get stuck sometimes. When this happens, you may be frustrated and fear that you'll need to replace the entire item itself. However, there are a variety of ways you can try to fix a zipper so you don't have to replace the item. With a little work, you may be able to fix a stuck zipper, repair broken zippers, and cope with a variety of other zipper problems. [Edit]Fixing a Stuck Zipper - Lubricate the zipper with graphite. When your zipper just won't budge, applying a lubricant can get it moving. Try rubbing graphite on your zipper's teeth to lubricate them.
- Purchase a graphite stick used specifically for lubrication. If you don't have one, use a Number 2 pencil.
- Run the pencil up and down the zipper's teeth. If you want, you can just apply it to the area of the teeth where the zipper is stuck.
- Wiggle the slider up and down until it moves smoothly along the teeth.
- Apply laundry soap. When graphite doesn't work, apply a dab of laundry soap to your stuck zipper. The soap may add an extra level of lubrication that will help you get the zipper unstuck. To use laundry soap as lubrication:[1]
- Pour a small amount of detergent into a small dish.
- Pour a small amount of water into the same dish.
- Dip a cotton ball or swab into the mixture.
- Use the saturated cotton ball to coat the teeth in the solution.
- Place the cotton ball down and gently attempt to unzip the zipper. It may only move a little. If this is the case, return the slider to its original position. Repeat until the zipper is unstuck.
- Wash the item and lubricate it. If graphite or laundry detergent don't work, you may want to launder the item and try again. Ultimately, washing the item may help remove dirt, grime, and other objects that hinder your ability to close the zipper. After you wash it, apply more lubricant.
- Consider washing the item by itself. This way, loose threads, fuzz, or debris from other items won't get stuck in the zipper.
[Edit]Addressing a Separated Zipper - Remove buildup from a zipper's teeth. When substances build up around the teeth of your zipper, it can prevent the zipper from staying closed. As a result, you'll need to clean the teeth and remove stuff that could be preventing the zipper from closing.
- Combine water and soap in a small dish, and stir until suds form.
- Dip a clean rag in the soapy water and wipe down the zipper's teeth.
- Grab a fresh rag and run it under the tap.
- Wipe the soapy mixture off the teeth with the damp rag.
- Attempt to zip and unzip as normal.[2]
- Straighten bent teeth. If all else fails, you may need to fix bent teeth to get your zipper to close. To do this, use your tool of choice (perhaps pliers) to pull the tooth straight.
- Repeat as needed.
- Be careful not to pull the tooth out of the tape.
- Test the repair by opening and closing the zipper as normal.
- Resecure the zipper and the teeth. Move the slider towards the bottom of the zipper without pulling it off. Straighten and align the zipper's teeth with your fingers. Slowly feed the zipper into the slider. You may need to apply a little force. Make sure the side of the zipper moves down all the way into the bottom stopper.
- You may need to repeat this several times.[3]
[Edit]Fixing Problematic Sliders - Remove the top zipper stops. You'll probably have to use a lot of force to remove the zipper stops. If you use pliers to gain more leverage, be careful that you don't clamp down too hard and further damage the zipper. This is important, as you won't be able to fully access the teeth of the zipper or examine the slider without removing the stops.[4]
- Slide the slider off the teeth from the top and examine it. Examine the slider from the side. Look to see if the space between the bottom and top of the slider are uneven. An uneven gap may prevent the slider from properly engaging the teeth.
- If the slider is bent or there is a gap, take a pair of pliers and try to straighten it out.
- If you can't fix the slider, you will have to replace it. The size should be listed on the back. If the size is not listed, measure the slider. Zipper parts are measured in millimeters. A 5-mm slider is a size 5. Purchase a replacement slider at your local fabric store or online.[5]
- Replace the slider. After you've fixed or replaced the slider, you need to put it back on the teeth of the zipper. When replacing the slider, make sure to:
- Locate the side of the zipper that has the square tab on the bottom.
- Wedge the top teeth of the zipper into the slider.
- If necessary, use a flathead screwdriver to wedge the teeth into the gap.
- Wiggle and pull the slider until it moves down to the bottom of the zipper.[6]
- Check to see if the slider works. Try zipping the item as normal to see if it has a complete range up and down the teeth track. There are a number issues that could continue to cause problems for you:
- If the zipper continues to split and you replaced the slider, you may have purchased the incorrect size. Try a different size slider.
- If you bent the original slider, the gap may still be uneven. Remove the slider and bend it again. Repeat until the item zips properly.[7]
- Replace the top zipper stops. Once you've replaced the slider, you'll have to replace the top zipper stops above the top set of teeth. Without securing the stops, your slider will fall off or won't function correctly.
- Use a pair of pliers to clench the stop into place.
- Press down on the stop 4 to 5 times to secure it.
- Repeat on the other side of the zipper.
- If you are only replacing 1 top zipper stop, make sure you place it on the side of the zipper with the tab at the bottom.[8]
[Edit]Repairing Missing Bottom Teeth - Take off the bottom stop. The bottom stop is the piece that the slider will rest against when it travels all the way down the teeth to the bottom of the zipper. To deal with missing bottom teeth, you'll have to remove the old bottom stop.
- Hold the garment firmly and pull the stops off.
- In some cases, you may need pliers to help you gain more leverage pulling the stop off.[9]
- Remove the tack at the base of the zipper. The tack is a piece that keeps the parts of the zipper secure to the garment. By removing the tack, you'll be able to fully access the teeth. This is important, as you'll need to fix all your zipper's teeth before your zipper will work correctly.
- Flip the garment inside out and locate the tack at the bottom of the placket layers of the item (this will be on the inside flap covering the zipper).
- Remove the tack with a seam ripper.[10]
- Attach a larger bottom stop. By inserting a new and larger bottom stop, you'll be able to cover missing teeth. Thus, your zipper will function normally and won't get stuck or snagged in the future.
- Bottom zipper stops are measured in millimeters. Determine the size you will need by measuring the width of the closed zipper.
- Turn the garment right side out.
- Push the prongs of the bottom zipper stop into the fabric directly above the old zipper stop—the new zipper stop will cover the missing bottom teeth.
- Turn the garment inside out and check if the stop is perpendicular to the zipper.
- Close the prongs with a pair of pliers to secure it in place.[11]
- Re-tack the placket layers. Once you've attached a new stop, you'll need to re-tack the bottom portion of the zipper so it holds together with the garment. This is somewhat easy to do.
- Turn your garment right side out.
- Use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to replace the tack you removed.[12]
[Edit]Creating Quick Fixes for Sudden Problems - Replace a broken pull with a new pull or a paperclip. Open the small metal ring attached to your new pull with the round tip pliers and hook the open metal ring onto the end of the slider. Use round tip pliers to close the metal ring and secure the new pull in place.
- If you're on the road and don't have a new pull or pliers, use a paperclip as a temporary pull. Simply slip the paperclip into the old pull or the slider itself.[13]
- Use a key ring to secure a slipping pants zipper. Slipping pants zippers are one of the most frustrating types of zipper problems. To create a temporary fix, attach a keyring onto the end of your zipper pull. Zip up the garment and hook the key ring around the button of your pants.[14]
- Manually close the zipper. If the zipper doesn't function correctly, you may be able to close it temporary by forcing both sides of the teeth together. To create a temporary fix, start at the bottom and move your way up until the zipper is closed.
- If you have buttons to secure your garment, fasten them to help keep the zipper closed.
- Be patient and willing to try more than 1 method.
- Go to your local fabric and sewing store to ask for assistance or additional advice.
- Don't use graphite on white or light colored zippers.
- You may use a variety of other lubricants if you don't have graphite or detergent on hand. Try lip balm, Windex, candle wax, or petroleum jelly. Before using one of these products, test the lubricant on a discrete portion of the item to ensure that it will not stain or ruin the item.
- You can use a cute keychain instead of a traditional zipper pull.
- In addition to the suggestions made in this article, there are several tricks you can try to fix the zipper if it's on your jeans.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - A new slider
- A paperclip
- New bottom stoppers
- Pliers
- Graphite
- Dish washing soap
- Fabric tacks
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cut Iceberg Lettuce Posted: 09 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT If you aren't a chef, cutting into a head of iceberg lettuce may seem intimidating. However, you don't need professional training to accomplish this task. You can transform any head of lettuce into crisp wedges or fine salads in no time with a sharp knife and proper cutting form. [Edit]Cutting Wedges - Remove the core. Place the head of lettuce onto its side with the stalk facing your sharpened knife. Starting from the bottom of the stem, cut about into the lettuce and discard.
- Alternatively, you can smack the stalk against your countertop so that it breaks from the inside, making it easy to remove the core with your hand.[1] However, this may cause bruising on the leaves.
- Remove the outer leaves. Throw away the first one or two outer layers of the head of lettuce. These layers are usually wilted or damaged from handling.
- If the outer layers have minimal flaws and you want to save them, pinch off the unwanted parts with your fingers.
- Cut the head in half. Hold the head of lettuce with your fingers facing forward so that the outer side of your thumb faces your knife. Using this form will make it more difficult to cut yourself accidentally. [2]
- Place the halves flat-side down and cut each in half. This will give you 4 large wedges of lettuce. If you prefer smaller wedges, you may half each wedge again, giving you 8 wedges.
[Edit]Chopping Fine Lettuce - Remove the core and cut the lettuce into wedges. Chop off from the bottom of the lettuce beginning at the stalk. Remove the outer, wilted leaves. Quarter the remaining lettuce into wedges by cutting the head in half, and then cut those pieces in half. Cutting the lettuce into wedges will insure finely chopped pieces.
- For bigger pieces, only half the head of lettuce instead of quartering it into wedges. Do not attempt to chop the lettuce without halving it, as its round shape makes it difficult to hold safely.
- Hold and finely slice the wedges vertically for long strips of lettuce. Place the wedge flat-side down. Moving your hand further across the wedge and away from your knife as you chop, slice the wedge completely.
- Slice the wedges horizontally for short strips of lettuce. Chop the slices flat-side down to your desired thickness, moving your hand further down the wedge as you chop.
- Separate the slices with your fingers. Gently pull apart the lettuce. You can toss it with your hands or salad tongs to separate the leaves further.
- Use a sanitized cutting board to prevent damages to countertops or dishes when cutting or chopping.
- To prevent food waste, add excess and discarded lettuce to your compost pile.
[Edit]Warnings - Always rinse your lettuce with cold water or a vegetable wash before serving.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Stop Thinking About Your Ex Posted: 09 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Having a relationship end can be a painful experience, particularly when your thoughts continually drift back to your ex. Whether your relationship just ended or you're still struggling to get past the hurt months later, you may feel that these constant thoughts are preventing you from moving on. However, a 2018 study suggests reframing your ex negatively, accepting your feelings, and distracting yourself from painful feelings can all be effective ways to eventually stop thinking about your ex and move on from the relationship.[1] By following the right techniques, you can accept that the relationship is over and finally stop thinking about your ex. [Edit]Getting Past the Pain - Grieve. The ending of a relationship can often feel similar to the death of a loved one. It's okay to mourn this loss.[2]
- Painful emotions cannot simply be swept under the rug. In fact, you will find it much easier to move past your hurt if you confront your emotions without judgement.[3]
- Trying to suppress your thoughts will only make them stronger. You may even begin to dream about your ex if you don't allow yourself to experience your thoughts and emotions.[4]
- Cry if you want. It feels better when you let all that out, instead of keeping it bottled up inside you forever.
- Talk with someone you trust. Sometimes you just need someone to listen rather than offer advice. Even if you cannot understand why it happened, talking about it can help you accept that the relationship is over.[5]
- If you don't feel comfortable talking to a loved one about the breakup, consider seeing a therapist or joining an online support group.
- It might also help to have an imaginary conversation with your ex about all of your pent-up grievances. This will allow you to talk through all of your feelings without actually having to have contact with your ex, and may help you find closure.[6]
- Let go of anger. If you're obsessing about the terrible things you ex did to you, you will never be able to move on! No matter how angry you are, it's important to stop ruminating on these negative thoughts.[7]
- When dealing with recurring thoughts, it's helpful to confront them head-on. Think about why you are having the thought, how the thought may be distorted or untrue, and what kind of negative effect the thought is having on you in the moment. The more you acknowledge your ruminations, the easier it will be to let go of them.[8]
- Be honest with yourself. After a breakup, people are often dishonest with themselves about the quality of the relationship or the reasons why it ended. It's important to carefully consider how happy you really were in the relationship and what caused the breakup. This will allow you to move past idealizing what might not have been a great relationship in the first place.[9]
- It will also help to ask yourself what your role was in causing the breakup, as this might help you let go of some anger.
- Get the help you need. A breakup can have seriously negative effects on your mental and physical well-being, especially if you find that you're still dwelling on it months later. Breakups have been associated with weakened immune systems and an increased risk of illness. People who have not gotten over a breakup within 16 weeks can even experience physical changes in their brains that reduce their motivation, concentration, and emotions. It is critical to get professional help before your physical health begins to suffer.[10]
- A therapist can help by listening to you, encouraging you to confront your feelings, and teaching you new ways to do with your pain.
- Remind yourself to let go. There are a variety of behavioral techniques you can try to stop obsessive thoughts about your ex. All of these techniques rely on your ability to recognize when a thought about your ex enters your mind and to take a specific action to stop that thought from coming back. Remember that these techniques are to be used for obsessive thoughts only! If you have not yet dealt with your feelings and taken the time to grieve, you should not try to suppress your thoughts.
- You can try wearing a rubber band around your wrist and snapping it each time you think about your ex.
- You can write down the thoughts you are having about your ex on a piece of paper and then throw it away.
- You can try a visualization exercise, which requires you to visualize a specific scene whenever a thought of your ex occurs to you. For example, you could think of a stop sign in order to remind yourself that you need to stop what you are doing. If you do this consistently, the association should become automatic.
[Edit]Eliminating Reminders of Your Ex - Avoid contact with your ex. Even if you think you want to be friends with your ex, it's important to give yourself some time away from him or her. You must fully heal before you can begin spending time with your ex again.
- If you don't allow for any healing time, you may continue to think of your ex as your partner because your bond as a couple will not have been broken.
- Take a moment to think about why you want to be friends. If it's because you're scared about living your life without your ex, you may be using it as a way to avoid dealing with the grief of the breakup.
- Most people do not end up being friends with their exes. Don't feel bad if it just doesn't feel right, even after you've had your time to grieve.
- Get rid of shared belongings. If you find yourself thinking about your ex whenever you look at the watch he got you for Christmas or the DVD collection you bought together, it might be time to part with these things.[11]
- If you don't want to throw items away, consider donating them to charity.
- Remove any pictures of your ex from your house.
- If you lived together and you can't get rid of all of your shared belongings, it might help to revitalize your space with some new energy by changing the paint color or reorganizing the furniture. This will help it feel like your own place instead of the place you shared with your ex.
- Avoid checking up on your ex. You will never be able to stop thinking about your ex if you are getting status updates about him or her on your phone all the time. Even if things did not end with animosity, it may be a good idea to unfriend your ex on social media. Similarly, it's a good idea to stop driving past your ex's house on your way to work or asking your mutual friends about how your ex is doing. [12]
- Alter your daily routine. People often develop a routine with their significant others, and following the same routine after you break up can emphasize feelings of loneliness and trigger thoughts about them. Create a new routine all your own. Instead of making your signature Saturday breakfast, try taking a walk and trying out a new cafe.
[Edit]Focusing on Other Things - Be social. Surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones will help keep your mind on all of the positive aspects of your life, and off of your ex. It's also important to commit yourself to the hobbies and activities that you most enjoy, especially if your ex kept you from pursuing them.[13]
- If your social life revolved around your ex, it's important to get out there and make new friends. Try joining clubs or participating in volunteer activities to meet new people.
- If you relied on your ex for emotional support, try relying on someone other than a romantic partner for this kind of support, like a best friend or a sibling. You might be surprised to discover just how much support you really have![14]
- Staying busy really will help you move on faster. If you find yourself thinking obsessively about your ex when you are at home alone, come up with something to do, whether it's having dinner with a friend, visiting a museum by yourself, or going for a walk.[15]
- Think about your future. You may have planned a future with your ex, and if you did, it's understandable that everything might feel uncertain now. Try to focus on the positives by reminding yourself of all of the great things you can and will accomplish in the future without your ex.[16]
- Try to enjoy your present-day life as well. Even though you may want to be in a relationship, there are lots of benefits to being single too, so try to enjoy it while it lasts.
- Focus on taking care of yourself. In order to boost your mood, it's important to practice healthy habits. Make sure you exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. Committing yourself to a healthy lifestyle will not only make you feel good, but it may just offer you the escape you need from thoughts about your ex.[17]
- Meditating might help you regain your positivity and let go of the stress associated with your breakup.
- Find new love when you're ready. There's no golden rule for when you should start dating again after a breakup, so do whatever you feel is right for you. Avoid jumping into a new relationship just because you don't want to be alone, but don't be afraid to put yourself out there either![18]
- Some people struggle with continuing to think about their exes even though they are in new, healthy relationships. If this is the case for you, it will do no good to simply try to suppress those thoughts. Instead, actively replace the thought with a memory of a time when you felt a lot of love for your current partner. Love is a strong emotion that can help you resist the temptation to contact your ex.[19]
- Healing after a breakup takes time, so be patient with yourself.
[Edit]Warnings - Though emotions after a breakup can be very powerful, never threaten your ex either verbally or physically, or threaten to harm yourself to make them feel guilty.
- If your feelings of hurt and anger after a breakup become all consuming and lead to thoughts of suicide, immediately talk with someone or seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Suicide hotlines operate 24 hours a day.[20]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Paper Pulp Posted: 09 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Paper pulp can be a useful ingredient in making homemade paper or other crafts. It's also fairly simple to make. As long as you have paper, water, and a kitchen whisk or blender, you can make plenty of paper pulp at home. If you need to make paper pulp for a specific project, plan to mix it at least 1-2 days in advance so it has time to soak and dry.
[Edit]Soaking Paper - Rip the paper into small pieces. Construction paper or newspaper works well for making paper pulp, but you can use any paper that you have on hand. Tear the paper into small scraps so it will be easier for water to soak into it.[1]
- As a rule of thumb, the paper scraps should be about long and wide.
- Rip the paper by hand for the best results. Cutting the paper with scissors is doable but won't work as well. The water will soak better into the paper if it has rough edges.
- Place the paper into a bowl. Choose a bowl that can fit all of your paper scraps without overflowing. You will also need to cover the scraps with water, so make sure you place the scraps in a bowl large enough that it won't spill if you cover them with water.
- Add hot water to the bowl. Fill the bowl with water until you immerse the paper completely in the water. The water level should be just enough to cover the paper but no higher. In terms of temperature, the water should be hot, but not boiling, to soften the paper faster.[2]
- Let the paper soak overnight. Place the bowl somewhere that it can sit undisturbed for about 8-12 hours or overnight. If you need to make the paper pulp for a specific date, plan ahead so you have enough time for soaking the ripped pieces.
- If you plan on using a blender, you don't have to let the paper soak all night. It will, however, give the pulp a softer consistency.
[Edit]Making Pulp - Break the pieces with your hands or a kitchen whisk. Place your hands or whisk into the bowl and mix the pieces until they break down into a pulp. Continue pounding the paper until it reaches the consistency of a thick soup. When you can't see any paper pieces in the pulp, you can either dry the pulp or blend it for a smoother consistency.
- If you do not blend the paper after breaking it down with your hands, it may have a rougher texture that is harder to write on.
- Blend the paper pulp for the smoothest consistency. Pour the bowl's contents into a blender and turn it on for about 15-30 seconds. If you are using a thicker paper, like cardstock or cardboard, you may need to blend the paper for longer. After 15 seconds, stop the blender and check how well blended the pulp is. Continue this process until your blender has mashed the pulp into a smooth, fluid consistency.[3]
- Depending on how much pulp you're making, you may want to blend it in batches. If you choose this option, mix all of the batches back together in a bowl when you're finished blending for a uniform consistency.
- Add water if the pulp is too thick. Thick, dry pulp will not create smooth paper. If the pulp seems dry after blending, add a few tablespoons of water. Pour the water in small amounts and blend it for 10 seconds before adding more. Too much water can make the sheets overly fragile.[4]
- If the pulp is watery and lacks a thicker, soup-like consistency, it is most likely too thin.
- Mix in 1-2 teaspoons (0.16-0.32 oz) of instant starch (optional). Starch can help the pulp hold together better as it dries into paper later on. How much starch you add depends on how much paper pulp you're making. For small or medium batches (around 1-2 cups (8-16 oz) ), 1 teaspoon (0.16 oz) is enough. If your batch is larger, however, add twice the amount.[5]
- Store the pulp in a sealed bucket or bottle, if needed. Until you're ready to dry the paper pulp, you can store it in a sealed container to keep it from drying out. If you will need large quantities of paper pulp at once, you can make some in advance and store it for later.[6]
- You can store paper pulp for up to a week at a time.
[Edit]Drying Paper Pulp - Pour the paper pulp into a flat pan. Spread the pulp as thinly and evenly across the pan as possible to make uniform pieces of paper. Use your hands or a large spoon to flatten the pulp. If you cannot easily spread the paper pulp around, it may be too thick.
- If the pulp is too thick, add more water to thin out its consistency.
- Place a non-rusting screen into the bottom of the pan. Use a screen that is approximately the same size as your pan. Move the screen around until it is evenly covered in the pulp.
- If you have an old, torn window screen, cut it to the size of your pan and use it to make paper pulp.
- You can also buy non-rusting screens from hardware or home improvement stores if you don't have old window screens.
- Lift the screen out of the pan. Hold it over the pan to catch drips for about 30-60 seconds. This will prevent the screen from dripping as you lay the pulp down to dry.[7]
- Lay out the screen on an absorbent surface. Place the screen facedown on a towel or absorbent cloth that can soak the water in as the paper pulp dries. Lift the screen off carefully and either use it to make more paper or rinse it off if you don't have any pulp left.[8]
- Let the paper pulp dry for about 24 hours. Most paper pulp will take a day to dry, though thicker pieces of paper may take longer. After a day, check the paper for dryness. If it's dry and holds together, it's ready to use.[9]
- Decorate your homemade paper with colored pens or pencils, paint, glitter, or dried flowers.
- Use your paper to make a personalized, homemade greeting card.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Paper
- Bowl
- Water
- Starch
- Blender
- Spoon
- Kitchen whisk
- Pan
- Non-rusting screen
[Edit]References __ [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Oven Cook Sausages Posted: 08 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT There are many ways to cook sausages, but cooking them in the oven is often the simplest method. You don't have to stand over them, turning them in a frying pan or on the grill. And cooking them on foil means easy clean-up. Prep the sausages by spacing them evenly across a foil-covered pan. Then, depending on their size, bake them for 20 to 40 minutes in the oven at . [Edit]Prepping the Sausages - Pull the sausages out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. About 20 minutes before you plan to put them in the oven, take the sausages out of the fridge and set them on the counter. This will take the chill off of them so that they cook more evenly.[1]
- Preheat the oven to . If your oven takes a long time to heat up, you may want to turn it on before pulling the sausages out of the fridge.
- Cut sausages at the link if they're still attached. If the sausages are still linked together, they won't be spaced apart properly and won't cook as evenly as they should. Use scissors to cut them all apart at the links.
- Line a baking pan with a piece of foil. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that's a little longer than the baking pan you want to use. Wrap the ends of the foil over the edges of the pan so that it's loosely gripping the pan. Adding foil will make for easier cleanup and will ensure the sausages don't stick to the pan.[2]
- Place a wire rack on top of the pan to cut down on grease. If you want your sausages to be less greasy, put a wire rack on top of the pan. It should be a rack that fits securely inside the pan and won't slide around when you're handling the pan.
- Using a rack will allow the excess grease to drip away from the sausages rather than let the meat cook in the grease.
- Spread the sausages evenly across the pan. Place the sausages on the pan, spacing them evenly apart. Try to allow about between them in case one rolls while it's baking.
[Edit]Baking the Sausages - Cook the sausages in the oven for 20 minutes. Place the sausages in the oven on the middle rack. Cook them for about 20 minutes if they are of average size.[3]
- Turn the sausages halfway through the cooking time. After 10 minutes, slide the oven rack out and use a fork to turn the sausages. Rotate each one until the side that was facing up is now facing down.
- Cook larger or thicker sausages for 40 minutes. Twenty minutes may not be enough to cook sausages that are particularly large or thick. If you're cooking your sausages for 40 minutes, then turn them after 20 minutes of baking.[4]
- Make a small cut into one sausage to test it. After 20 minutes (or 40 minutes for larger sausages), pull the pan out of the oven and set it on the stovetop. Hold the sausage still with a fork and cut into it about halfway down with a sharp knife. Cut only deep enough to see the color in the middle of the sausage.
- Add 10 minutes if the inside is still pink. The sausage should be brown all the way through. If it's still pink in the center, stick the pan back in the oven for 10 additional minutes.
- Test another sausage and add more time if necessary. Choose another sausage and make another small cut in the middle. If the center is still pink, continue adding five-minute increments until you see that the sausages are brown in the middle.
- Use a meat thermometer if you're concerned about meat safety. If you want to be sure the sausages are safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Push the thermometer into the center of one of the sausages and check to see if the temperature rises to or higher.[5]
- If the temperature is too low, add five to ten minutes of cook time until the sausages reach .
- Store cooked sausages in the fridge for up to four days.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT The ancient Chinese method of Feng Shui helps us to balance our homes and create happier, more successful lives, room by room. We often turn our attention to the bedroom, the sanctuary where we can rest and recharge. Having the proper Feng Shui in the bedroom can help your romantic life as well as your ability to rest and to feel in control. You have to know how to keep the chi flowing, and how to deflect any negative energy that may enter your room -- and your life. [Edit]Applying Feng Shui to Your Bed - Have a solid headboard. The best Feng Shui headboards are the ones that are solid and made from wood, or the upholstered ones, as they have a very good combination of solid, but also gentle and supporting Feng Shui energy for you and your bedroom. While you are drifting off to sleep, your body is going into an extra busy energy repair work on many levels. Subconsciously, your head needs good backing, protection and support, just like your back needs it when you are sitting in a chair for extended periods of time.
- If you don't have a headboard, fake one by attaching a few panels of wood to the wall behind your bed.
- Get a supportive mattress. There are a variety of mattresses on the market, choose wisely and invest in the one that will promote best sleep and relaxation. The better you sleep at night, the better your health during the day, this is really simple. Be mindful of good Feng Shui and do not buy used mattresses - you never know what energy they have accumulated from previous owners.
- Make sure the bed is a good height. To allow for a balanced Feng Shui energy flow under the bed, you need to have your bed at a reasonable height above the floor level. Generally, the beds that have built-in storage drawers underneath to help you with storage solutions are considered bad Feng Shui beds. Why? Because the energy needs to circulate around your body when you sleep, which is not possible if the space underneath the bed is blocked.
- For a bed that is low to the ground, get risers to lift it up. This is an inexpensive way to add height to your bed.
- Make sure the bed is positioned as far from the door as possible. Place the bed in the area further from the door or diagonally from the door, but not in line with the door. In other words, you want to be able to see the door while in bed, but not be aligned with the door. Be it the bedroom door, the door to the balcony/patio, the bathroom door or your closet doors, you do not want your bed in line with any of the doors in your bedroom, or too much chi will flow towards the bed. Ideally, the bed can be diagonally positioned from the door, jutting out from the opposite corner.[1]
- Having your bed positioned too close to the door can lead you to get startled by surprises that may come your way. The further you are from the door, the more prepared you'll be for what may come. This is the same reason why the bedroom should be as far from the door as possible.[2]
- However, ideally, when you wake up, the door should be in your direct line of vision, or close to it, so you feel that you have control over your life.
- Have a good supporting wall behind your bed. In addition to a good headboard, you always want to have a solid wall behind your bed. When you sleep under the window, your personal energy tends to get weaker in time, as it has neither proper support, nor protection.
- Place grounding and balanced energy on both sides of the bed. Place two nightstands on either side of the bed to create balance while you sleep. Ideally, you can also place the same lamp on both nightstands, to add some soft lighting to your bedroom. This balance is important for keeping you centered, and especially for maintaining equality in a relationship if you share the bedroom with your partner.[3]
- Ideally, the nightstands should be round instead of square to cut the chi energy that may be directed toward you, which can also be thought of as the "poison arrows."
- A small nightstand on either side of the bed is another great way to balance the energy in your room.
- Keep your bed far away from any TVs, desks, or other distractions. Ideally, you should move your desk and television out of your bedroom, so the bedroom truly becomes a place where you can rest and relax. However, we all have limited space, so if you do have a television or a desk in your room, position it as far from your bed as possible to not get in the way of the bed's positive energy. If you can, drape a light scarf or blanket over the TV or desk, or even cover it up with a Japanese folding closet to create even more space.
- Place your TV in a cabinet or place an art cover over it to help it blend into your space.
[Edit]Avoiding Negative Energy - Avoid a mirror that faces your bed or a mirrored set of closet doors. If these mirrors are fixtures that you can't get rid of, then drape some fabric over them. Left exposed, they are thought to disturb your sleep. In general, you should avoid having mirrors in your bedroom, especially if you're sharing it with a romantic partner, because they may open up a space for infidelity. Mirrors are also too energetic for such a restful space.
- If you like having a mirror in your room, place it on the inside of a closet door and only access it when you need it.
- Refrain from positioning your bed directly under a beam. A beam may create feelings of pressure that can disrupt your sleep. If you have no other options, cover the beam with fabric or hang 2 bamboo flutes from the beam with the mouthpieces pointed downward. This will help block some of the unwanted energy coming from above the bed. The idea is that you don't want to feel threatened in your sleep.
- Skip fountains and water features. Also, don't hang up pictures of water or place an aquarium in your room. These could invite possible financial loss or robbery. Keep your fish tank or paintings of water or rivers out of the bedroom if you want to have the best possible Feng Shui.
- If you are a fan of fountains and water art, place them in a bathroom instead.
- Keep plants and flowers outside of your room. Plants are thought to possess too much yang, which creates too much energy and activity for you to get the rest that you need. If you have no other place to put your plants, try to keep them out of your line of vision when you're on the bed.[4]
- Avoid accumulating clutter around your bed or pushing one side of your bed against a wall. The Chi can't circulate, which means possible disturbances in your intimate life. If your bed is up against a wall, then one partner will have to sleep on the inside, becoming literally "trapped" in the relationship.[5]
- Keep your bed relatively clutter-free as well, such as by limiting throw pillows and blankets.
- Get rid of your television. Television creates an unhealthy magnetic field which may disrupt your sleep, strain your relationship with your partner or bring a third party into the bedroom. If you have to keep it in the bedroom, then try to cover it with a scarf when you're not using it. If you're really serious about it, hide the TV in the closet when you're not using it, or place it on a shelf that can lock up, hiding the TV when it's not in use.
- Put your books elsewhere. You can keep a few books in your room if you read to put yourself to sleep, but too many books can make you feel overwhelmed in the space. Your bedroom is a place for rest and relaxation, and if you have too many books there, it will be too much like a place for work. Too many books in your resting space can also be overwhelming.[6]
[Edit]Creating Balance Through Colors - Include fire element colors for passion and energy. A balanced Feng Shui Fire element in your space will bring a supporting energy in all your career efforts and will help you achieve recognition. It will also help you invite passion and romance into your life and your bedroom. The Feng Shui fire element colors are:
- Red
- Orange
- Purple
- Pink
- Strong Yellow
- Include earth-toned colors for nourishment and stability. A strong and harmonious Feng Shui Earth element in your home will help create stability, nourishment and protection for all your relationships. Feng Shui Earth element colors are:
- Include "metal" colors for clarity and preciseness. Feng Shui metal element brings the qualities of sharpness, precision, clarity and efficiency; its balanced presence will help you live with clarity and lightness. Feng Shui metal element colors are:
- Include pastel colors to add peace and restfulness to your bedroom. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you can feel calm in your own bedroom and to get a good night's sleep. Having light, soft, and pastel colors throughout your bedroom can add to your serenity and peace of mind. Here are some colors you can use:
- Light blue
- Light pink
- Light green
- Light purple
[Edit]Making Other Considerations - Think of your bedroom as an oasis. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. It should be an escape from the stress of your everyday life, whether those include your work, your children, your health, or your friendships. It should not be a place where you throw all of the extra things you have no place for.[7] On the contrary, it should be your oasis in the middle of a desert, a place you can come to when you want to rest -- or just when you need a break.[8]
- Never bring extra items into your bedroom or negative energy and over time you will start to respect the space more.
- Have soft lighting. For the best Feng Shui, you should avoid bright, garish lights, or ceiling lights over your bed. Instead, have desk lamps with soft light, and try to get as much natural light as you can from the window. This will make you feel more serene and at ease than harsh lights that are too bright.[9]
- Try adding small lamps, string lights, and other soft lighting to avoid needing the overhead lighting.
- Be aware of the position of the windows. If you can, try to avoid placing your bed between the window and a door, or you'll be in the middle of the "draught" of chi running between these two places. If you can't avoid it, just make sure you have nice, pleasant curtains to block some of the bad energy. You should also avoid sleeping facing the window, if you can, or your sleep won't be as restful.
- Have inspiring art in your bedroom. Hang up images of calming scenes from nature, or other places that inspire you. Pick some neutral scenery, an image that motivates you to achieve your dreams, or something else that puts you in a calm and peaceful frame of mind. Anything too graphic, gory or just disturbing does not belong in your bedroom. Place the most inspiring image across from your line of sight in the bed, so that it's the first thing you see when you wake up.[10]
- Hang photos of your favorite places or display an inspirational quote on the wall.
- Aim for equality. Try to have equal space on either side of your bed and other furniture. A person should be able to walk around as easily around one side of the room as the other, within reason. Of course, a piece of furniture may add some inequality, but in general, you should avoid letting most of the stuff in the bedroom clutter over to one side, or you'll create discord in your most important room.[11]
- Get rid of clothes you no longer wear. Go through your closet and drawer and remove all of the clothes you haven't worn within the last year. Donate these clothes or pass them on to a friend or relative if they can still be worn. Even though you may not see the old clothes, keeping them in your bedroom may prevent you from embracing new opportunities.
- Avoid photos of relatives or friends "watching you." You can have a few key family photos in your bedroom, but avoid a clutter of photos of people everywhere, or you will feel like you're being watched and will get overwhelmed. The same goes for religious figures.[12]
- Make sure your bedroom isn't too crowded. Keep your bedroom as spare and simple as possible. Don't add extra chairs, lamps, or pictures to your bedroom if you're not sure whether or not they are really necessary. The more stuff you have in there, the more difficult it may be to find balance.
- Get rid of any clutter. To have optimal Feng Shui in your bedroom, you have to get rid of any extra papers, trash, old trinkets, silly photos, useless gifts, or really just anything you don't really need in there. If you have too much sentimental attachment to some of the items, you can put them in storage or another room, but work on minimizing the stuff you really need in your bedroom. Having a spare and uncluttered bedroom will lead to an uncluttered and fulfilling life.[13]
- Keep your dresser closed at night for a better energy flow.
- Try to always have a clean room.
- Use a compass to get N, E, S, W directions.
- Use round end tables, using sharp corners isn't conducive with Feng Shui.
- Hang a moving mobile to have positive chi flowing.
- If you have a lot of bright colors, try to balance them out with softer colors.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Shrink Shoes Posted: 08 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Finding a pair of shoes that fits perfectly and matches your personal style can be pretty difficult. Luckily, whether you bought a pair of shoes that are just slightly too large or your favorite pair of shoes are stretched due to wear, you can shrink them to get a better fit. To shrink leather, suede, and canvas shoes, you can wet the fabric and apply heat to make the material shrink. To get a better fit in more structured shoes, like heels, dress shoes, sneakers, and boots, you can add inserts. [Edit]Shrinking Leather, Suede, and Canvas Shoes - Try on the shoes to see which parts need to be smaller. Put the shoes on and stand with your feet flat on the floor, and then take a few steps. Check to see which places on the shoe aren't touching your foot, and decide which parts need to be smaller for the shoes to fit more snugly.[1]
- If you bought the shoe in your size, you probably won't need to shrink the entire shoe. Instead, you're just going to be focusing on shrinking one area of the shoe at a time.
- For instance, you may want to make the sides of a canvas shoe slightly smaller so your foot doesn't slip out while you walk.
- Dab an ill-fitting area of the shoe with water until it is damp but not saturated. Dip your fingers into cool water and pat the water onto the shoe. Continue this until the fabric is damp but not dripping wet. Focus the water on the areas that are the most stretched.[2]
- Avoid getting water on the insole of the shoe, as this can cause it to become smelly, cracked, or discolored.
- For a leather or suede shoe, focus the water around the top edge of the shoe, which tends to be the stretchiest area.[3]
- Adding water and heat to shoes like patent leather heels, coated leather sneakers, or larger shoes, like boots, won't be effective for shrinking them. In those cases, you'll need to use inserts to get a better fit.
- Apply heat to the wet fabric with a blow dryer on the medium setting. Hold a blow dryer about away from the area where you applied the water. Turn the dryer on and set the heat at the medium level. Leave the dryer on until the fabric is dry to the touch.[4]
- Don't hold the blow dryer too close to the fabric. The concentrated heat from the dryer discolor lighter canvas fabrics.
- For leather and suede, continuously move the dryer around the top edge of the shoe to heat the leather, causing it to contract and shrink. If the leather starts to smell or crack while you're applying heat, turn the blow dryer off and let the shoes air dry.[5]
- Put on the shoe to see if the fit has improved. Once the area is dry, put the shoe back on your foot and stand up with your feet flat on the floor. Take a few steps to see if the the fabric feels tighter. If it does, your shoe has shrunk.[6]
- If it still feels loose, re-apply the water to the area and continue blow drying.
- If they feel too tight, wear a pair of thick socks with them to stretch them out slightly without making them too large.
- You may need to shrink multiple areas on the shoe, like the sides and the top lip, before you start to see results.
- Use leather conditioner to protect leather and suede shoes. Put a pea-sized amount of leather conditioner onto a clean cloth. Then, rub it all over the shoes to restore moisture to the material. Check the packaging to see how long you should let the conditioner soak into the material before you can wear the shoes.[7]
- You can purchase leather conditioner at most supermarkets or shoe stores.
[Edit]Getting a Tighter Fit in Sneakers, Boots, and Dress Shoes - Put on a pair of thick socks for a tighter fit all around. If you're wearing tennis shoes, boots, or other shoes where your feet are covered, you can fill the extra space with your socks. Look for a thick pair of hiking socks, or put on 2 or 3 pairs of thinner socks before you put on your shoes.[8]
- For shoes like heels or ballet flats, this might not be a good option because your feet are mostly exposed.
- Place a cushion at the back heel of the shoe if the shoes are too long. Heel cushions are normally used for making shoes feel more comfortable, but you can also use them to inconspicuously improve the fit of a pair of heels or dress shoes. Pull off the protective paper from the back of the cushion and stick it along the back side of the shoe, where the back of your heel would normally touch the shoe.[9][10]
- The cushions are about thick, so they take up a small enough amount of space that it won't look like there's a big gap between your heel and the shoe.
- You can find heel cushions at most supermarkets, pharmacies, and shoe stores.
- Use ball of foot cushions to fill the toe area of the shoes. If your dress shoes or heels aren't fitting well, you might have too much space in the toe area. Peel the protective paper off of the back of the cushions, and stick them to the insole of the shoe where your toes normally rest in the shoe.[11]
- This helps to keep your toes in the same place when you walk. If you have a lot of space in the toe of your shoe, the ball of your foot can slide forward into the shoe, causing the heel of your shoe to slip off when you walk.
- Add an extra insole into the shoe to elevate your foot. If there's a gap between your foot and the top of your shoe, your foot can slip out of the shoe. To fix this, take an insole out of a different shoe of the same size and style, and lay it on top of the insole that's already in the shoe. Then, try on the shoe to make sure your foot touches the top of the shoe.[12][13]
- If you don't have an extra insole, you can purchase inserts at the supermarket, pharmacy, or shoe store.
- This is a useful method for tennis shoes, boots, dress shoes, and heels since no one will be able to see the insole in the shoe.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Fixing Stretched Out Shoes [Edit]Shrinking Leather Shoes - Water
- Blow dryer
- Leather conditioner
[Edit]Getting a Tighter Fit - Thick socks
- Heel cushions
- Insoles
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Fold a Paper Rose Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Folding a rose is an intermediate project that results in a beautiful, decorative flower. It all starts with a simple square that's carefully folded into a spiral pattern. The rose comes together as four petals tightly twisted around a square base. Once you make your first rose, you'll want to make several more so you can create an entire bouquet of these pretty paper flowers. Become an absolute expert. Take our wikiHow Origami Course! [Edit]Making the Base Folds - Get a square piece of paper. This paper rose starts with a simple square, as most origami projects do. Choose any color you'd like, so long as the two sides are different in color or texture.[1] Glossy paper makes for the most realistic-looking rose.
- Fold the paper in half (Start with the colored side down, white side up). Bring the bottom edge of the paper up to meet the top edge. Crease the fold with your fingers, working from the center outwards.
- In the origami world, this is known as a "valley fold," because it creates a little valley in the paper Almost every origami project begins with a valley fold or its opposite, the mountain fold, which creates a ridge.[2]
- Orient the crease horizontally, with the red side down.
- Fold the bottom half in half. Line up the bottom edge of the paper to meet the horizontal crease in the middle. [3]
- Crease the new fold with your fingers.
- Fold the top half in half. Bring the top edge of the paper to meet the lower horizontal crease.[4]
- Crease the new fold with your finger.
- Unfold the paper. Now there are three horizontal creases in the paper making four equal sections.[5]
- Fold the bottom in three-quarters. Make sure your paper is oriented so that the three creases you created in the previous step are horizontal, with the red side down. Take the bottom edge of the paper (The side closest to your body) and drag it up across the surface of the paper until it meets the crease that is closest to the top. The crease you are trying to get the bottom edge to meet with is located one fourth of the way down the paper from the top.[6]
- Crease the new fold with your fingers or a bone folder.
- If you've done the fold correctly, the area between the crease in the middle of the paper and the crease three-fourths of the way down the paper has been split in half with your new fold.
- You can unfold the crease you just made to make sure you did it right. However, make sure to fold it back into place before moving on to the next step.
- Fold the bottom-right corner in. Take hold of the bottom-right corner (as made by the bottom crease) and make a small diagonal fold at a 45 degree angle. The corner should fold upward so that a small portion of the right edge of the paper aligns with nearest crease.[7]
- Unfold the paper. You should see four horizontal creases. Of your four original areas, the one second from the bottom should be divided in half by one of these horizontal creases. Additionally, in this same area, you should see two small diagonal creases on the right side.[8]
- Of these two diagonal creases, one should be going up at a 45 degree angle from the horizontal crease, and the other down at the same angle.
- Mark the creases. Using a pen or pencil, draw lines along your creases.[9]
- Rotate the paper 180 degrees and repeat. Turn the paper so that the top becomes the bottom. Then, repeat steps 7 through 10.[10]
- Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat. Turn the paper one quarter of a turn, then repeat steps 2 through 10.[11]
- Rotate 180 degrees and repeat. Turn the paper another half-turn, then repeat steps 7 through 10.[12]
[Edit]Making the Diagonal Folds - Fold the paper in half diagonally. With the red side still down, take the lower right corner and bring it to meet the upper left corner. Crease the fold with your finger.[13]
- Unfold the paper. Open it up to reveal a new diagonal crease.[14]
- Fold the paper on the opposite diagonal. Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat the previous two steps.[15]
- Unfold the paper. Open it up to reveal two diagonal creases that form an "X" through the paper.[16]
- Fold the top-left corner. In each corner of your paper, you should now see a small square that is divided by a single diagonal crease. Take hold of the top left corner and fold it inward, creating a crease that is perpendicular to the original diagonal crease.[17]
- The corner of your paper should align with the bottom-right corner of the small square.
- Unfold and mark all the new creases formed. You should now see a small "X" in the top left corner. Draw a line along the new crease.[18]
- Fold the bottom-right corner up to the new line. Take the bottom-right corner and bring it up so that the point of the corner just touches the new line you drew in the previous step.[19]
- This should create a new crease that runs parallel to one of the lines making up the big "X," specifically the one running from bottom-left to top-right.
- Unfold and mark. Unfold and draw a line along the new diagonal crease.[20]
- Rotate and repeat. Turn the paper 180 degrees and repeat the previous four steps.[21]
- You should now see three lines running parallel from the bottom-left corner of your paper up to the top right.
- Rotate and repeat, again. Now turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat steps 5 through 9 (of Part 2).[22]
- When you are done, you should have three parallel lines running from bottom-left to top-right and three running from top-left to bottom-right.
[Edit]Creating the Structure - Fold in the four corners. As in step 5 of Part two, fold in all four corners. You should not need to make any new creases to do this.[23]
- The end result will be an octagon.
- Turn the paper over. The red side of your paper should now be face up.[24]
- Locate the small triangle. Along the bottom edge of your paper, you should see a small creased triangle. It has a crease down the middle, making it look like two smaller triangles that share a vertical side.
- If you have trouble finding it, look for the triangle's right-most corner. The triangle's right-most corner is in the spot where the bottom edge of the paper, which is horizontal, meets the bottom-right edge of the paper, which is diagonal.
- If the small triangle isn't there, check to make sure you did step eight of part one correctly.
- Make an inside reverse-fold in the bottom. If you don't know what an inside reverse-fold is or forget how to do an inside reverse-fold, follow the steps below[25]
- Fold the center crease of the triangle you located in the last step gently inward, creating a small valley fold.
- At the same time, fold the two diagonal sides of the triangle outward to create small mountain folds.
- This should result in the small triangle creating a small "notch" on the side of the paper.
- Then, create one more mountain fold along the crease extending from the tip of the triangle.
- This is called an inside reverse-fold.[26]
- Make another inside reverse-fold. In what was once the bottom left corner, you'll need to fold another notch of a slightly different shape.[27]
- Directly to the right of the small triangle (The one you just made an inside reverse fold with) is another crease. It runs parallel to the right side of the smaller triangle and is perpendicular to the side of the octagon.
- Push gently inward along this crease to create a valley fold.
- Then, as before, push the sides of the triangle gently outward, creating small ridges.
- Finally, create one more valley fold, pushing inward the nearest horizontal crease that runs parallel to the horizontal side of your new "notch."[28]
- This last crease should run out to just past the center of your paper, creating one side of the small square in the center that you can see marked out on the reverse side.
- Rotate and repeat. Turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat Steps 3 and 4. Do this for the 3 remaining sides.[29][30]
[Edit]Creating the Petals - Use the valley fold on each petal's edge. Now that the basic structure of your rose is in place, it's time to start working on the petals. As your first step, you'll need to add a valley fold the outside edge of each one.[31]
- You'll see that, if you look a your rose from above, it has four long valleys extending out from a square in the center. On the right side of each of these is a large, flat surface. Grasp the edge of this surface and fold it inward.
- Specifically, grab the three sides of the outside edge and fold them in such that a small tab shaped like a trapezoid is formed.[32]
- Fold in the corners. Looking at your rose from the side, you should now see that you have four shapes that look like triangles with one corner chopped off (along the area you just valley-folded). Protruding from the base of each of these you should see a small triangle of the white side of your paper. Fold in the right-side point of each of these "chopped-off" triangles.[33]
- Draw an imaginary line straight up from the bottom point of the "white" triangle, and make a valley fold along it.[34]
- Unfold the corners and reverse fold them. Unfold the valley folds you just made to the tips. Then, reverse fold them such that each tip disappears inside the rose.[35]
- If you've done this correctly, the white triangles should no longer be visible.
- Add tiny valley folds. Your "chopped off" triangles should now look like they have two points chopped off: one on the left and a tiny one on the right, created by your reverse folds. You'll now fold up the tiny "chopped" side at a 45 degree angle from the base of the "chopped" triangle (i.e. the edge of the paper).[36]
- Unfold and reverse fold. Unfold the valley folds you just made, and then reverse fold along the same lines, folding the tiny triangle you created in the previous step inside the rose at all four points.[37]
- Fold down the edges. Your "chopped off" triangle should now have reverse folds at each "chopped" edge. These will allow you to make a small valley fold, horizontal to the base of each triangle, folding the resulting tab outward. Do this to all four petals.[38]
- Create legs. Bring the petals together to create "legs." For each set of petals, pull them close together such that the right-side one sits just behind the left-side one. Press down on the creases to hold them in place. The result should be four pointed and fairly sturdy legs.[39]
- If you've done this right, you should be able to see little or no white-side surface on the legs when looking at your rose from the side.
- Turn it over and fold the legs in. Turn your rose over such that you are looking down into the white interior. Then, one by one, fold down each of the triangular legs.[40]
- Insert the ends into one another such that you close off the opening of the rose.[41]
- Turn the rose over. The square that you are looking down on will become the top of the rose.[42]
- Push in the quadrants. The square on top of your rose should be divided into four quadrants by creases. With your finger, gently push in each quadrant, leaving in place the ridges that form an "X" over the top of the square.[43]
- Rotate. Place a finger into each of the four quadrants around the "X" and gently rotate.[44]
- This should give the top of rose a more swirled, organic feel, as opposed to the hard lines of the "X."
- Make a swirl. With a pair of tweezers, grab the center of what was once the "X," and slowly but firmly continue to rotate, being careful not to tear the paper.[45]
- As you do this, the center of the rose will sink inside, creating a more realistic look.
- This may take several tries to get right.
- Curl the petals. Using two fingers, take each petal by the point and roll it toward the center, then release. This will create nicely curled petals.[46]
[Edit]Adding a Stem (Optional) - Get a new piece of paper. If you want to add an origami stem, start with a fresh piece of paper, preferable green.
- Start with the white side up and fold it in half. Valley fold the paper, from corner to corner, creating two triangles, then unfold.[47]
- Fold the corners in. Create two more valley folds, folding the left and right corners in toward the center crease, creating a kite shape.[48]
- Repeat. Fold the corners in again toward the center crease. Then do it one more time. You should now have a very skinny kite shape.[49]
- Turn it over and fold upward. Flip your stem over so that the edges of the paper all face hidden, then fold the bottom point up to the top one.[50]
- Fold it in half. Now, fold the stem in half along the vertical axis.[51]
- Fold down the sides, then reverse fold. Fold the outer part (which will become the leaf) of the paper outward, away from the inside (stem), creating two diagonal creases. Then, reverse fold the leaf out and away from the stem. It will have crease in the center.[52]
- Attach the stem. Put the pointed end of the stem through the small hole in the underside of your rose where the "legs" all meet.
- Make sure your folds are sharp and precise. Line edges up carefully before making the crease.
- Your folds need to be straight as possible or it will not turn out right.
- You can also make a stem from green pipe cleaners or wire, if you don't want to make one using origami.
- You don't have to use colored paper, but it will make your rose look much better. By using two different colors, it will make it easier to keep track of where you are at in the process.
- At the end, just before rolling the petals, if you fold the 4 pointed tips inward it looks much more realistic.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cook Diced Beef Posted: 07 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Diced beef is a great addition to many delicious dishes. From stews and soups to pizzas and empanadas, it can add a dose of protein and flavor to various cultural staples. When it comes to cooking your beef, searing and sautéing are the most common practices. The former involves quickly cooking the outside of the meat, while the latter is similarly fast but with the goal of cooking the meat all the way through. The method you use depends on the way you like your beef and how you want your dish to turn out. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Sautéing Diced Beef - 1/2 pound boneless sirloin steak or pre-cut beef tips
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- pepper
- olive oil, divided
- chopped rosemary
- dry white wine
[Edit]Searing Diced Beef - 1 pound sirloin steak (minimal grizzle) or pre-cut beef tips
- butter
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Oil
[Edit]Sautéing Diced Beef - Remove the fat from your meat. Use your kitchen knife to trim excess pieces of fat from the beef. Position your knife between the fat and meat. As your trim the fat, keep it taut and almost parallel to the cutting board for better accuracy. Use clean, smooth strokes and start from the top of the steak.[1]
- Slice the meat into diced cubes. Cut your steak into strips that are less than wide.[2] From here, you can begin cutting these into bite-sized diced beef strips. You can skip this step if you bought pre-cut beef tips.
- Remove any large chunks of fat, gristle, or silvery membrane that you missed from step 1.
- Mix your diced beef with flour, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add your diced steak bites in and toss the meat until they're covered on all sides.
- If your taste buds prefer marinated beef, add your choice ingredients into a shallow dish and put your meat in. Cover it and let them sit for at least 2 hours or overnight. Common ingredients include oil, vinegar, ginger, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. [3]
- Heat oil on the skillet and cook your beef in batches. Heat 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) of oil in your skillet on medium-high heat. Cook your bites in the oil in 2 or 3 batches for about 2 minutes per batch.[4] Be careful to not splash any oil on yourself and don't overcrowd the pan.
- Check to see that your meat is properly cooked. Use your spatula or food thermometer to ensure your beef bites are properly cooked through. Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) of oil as needed until they are no longer pink on the outside and cooked inside. Transfer them to a plate when finished.
- Your bites should be 125 degrees F (52 C) for the rarest and 160 degrees F (71 C) for medium-well. Medium-rare can be removed at 130 degrees F (54 C) and medium at 140 degrees F (60 C).[5]
- Create your seasoning. Cook your garlic and rosemary in the remaining oil over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. Add wine and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) each of salt and pepper. Scrape up the brown bits until your mix is reduced by half.
- Warm your diced beef. Add your diced beef bits into the skillet with your new seasoning. Move them around gently until they're warmed through. If you're unsure, insert your thermometer and ensure they're at least 135 degrees F (57 C).
- Pair your beef with your favorite sides. Fresh steamed vegetables, salads, and baked potatoes are common choices. You can also use your bites as the protein of other primary dishes such as stew, pasta, or pizza.[6]
[Edit]Searing Diced Beef - Trim the fat from your meat. Using a kitchen knife, cut excess pieces of fat from your beef. Always cut between the fat and meat, holding the fat taut and almost parallel to the cutting board. Start from the top and keep your strokes smooth and clean.
- Cut the meat into small cubes. After cutting, your beef should be in pieces less than wide. Now you can cut them up even smaller into bite-sized diced beef pieces. If you bought pre-cut beef tips, move on to the next step.
- Remove any pieces of fat, gristle, or silvery membrane remaining from the first step.
- Season your beef with salt and pepper. Sprinkle kosher salt and ground pepper generously over your meat. In order to coat the pieces thoroughly, toss the meat around until they're completely covered. Add in spices or seasoning for more flavor.
- To marinate your cubes, combine your beef and ingredients in a shallow dish. Cover it and let it sit for at least 2 hours or overnight. Popular marinating ingredients include oil, vinegar, ginger, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix heated oil with butter. Pour oil into a frying pan. Always make sure that the oil coat is spread over the pan evenly. Afterwards, place the pan on medium-heat for approximately 3 minutes. As it heats, add 2 tablespoons of butter and wait until it melts and turns brown.
- Drop your meat into the oil and butter mix. Place your diced meat into the pan in one layer. You should hear loud sizzling as each piece hits the pan (if not, the pan isn't hot enough).
- Sear your beef cubes. Let them sizzle for 30 to 45 seconds. Once the pieces are brown on one side, flip them over with your spatula. After flipping, let them sit for another 30 to 45 seconds until the outside is seared (but not cooked on the inside).
- Use your food thermometer to check the temperature. At least 145 degrees F (63 C is ideal).
- Transfer your diced meat and add your butter. Place your diced beef onto a clean plate and repeat steps 3 and 4 until you get through the remaining pieces. When all of them are browned and plated, pour the remaining butter onto them.
- Finished.
- Cut your beef bits into roughly the same size to ensure they cook through evenly.
[Edit]Warnings - Keep the frying pan handle facing the stove to prevent it from getting knocked to the floor.
- Never throw water onto a grease fire or into hot oil.
- For safety, always make sure that the internal temperature of your beef is at least 135 degrees F (57 C) prior to eating.
- When using hot oil, keep pets and children out of the way. Handle pans with oven mitts and always keep an eye on the cooking process.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Sautéing Diced Beef - 1 kitchen knife
- 1 medium-sized mixing bowl
- 12-inch heavy skillet
- 1 spatula
- 1 tablespoon set
- 1 food thermometer
[Edit]Searing Diced Beef - 1 kitchen knife
- 12-inch heavy skillet
- 1 medium-sized mixing bowl
- 1 spatula
- 1 tablespoon set
- 1 food thermometer
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Hem Jeans Posted: 07 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Finding jeans with just the right leg length straight off the rack is nearly impossible. If you've found jeans that fit but are too long, then you can take them to a tailor or sew a new hem yourself. You can either keep the original hem, or you can create a new hem. Keep in mind that working with denim can be tricky, so there are a few strategies you may want to use to ensure a successful project. [Edit]Keeping the Original Hem - Decide where to hem. Try on your jeans and decide where you would like to hem them. Generally, jeans should fall about an inch above the floor. This will prevent you from tripping and also avoid making your jeans look like they are a size too small. Feel free to alter the length to meet your personal preferences though. Professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu suggests "marking the length you want with chalk or a pin."
- Fold up the bottom. Create a cuff where you want the jeans to be hemmed. Crease the fold so it lies flat and double-check that you've folded it up by the correct amount. Once you've done this on one side, measure just below the preexisting hem and use that measurement to create an equal fold on the other leg.
- Pin the hem in place. Place straight pins around the circumference of the pant leg to hold it in place. Check to be sure the seams line up on each pant leg as well as that they are even with each other.[1]
- Sew the hem. Stitch around the circumference of the pant leg just below the stitching for the existing hem. You can use a sewing machine or do this by hand. To be clear, you will be sewing the cuff to the pant leg and later will fold it inside the leg. This will allow you to take out the hem later if you grow taller or want the pants longer at a later point in time.
- Unfold the hem. Tuck the excess fabric of the folded cuff up into the leg of the jeans, folding the original hem down so its outer side shows once again. This should leave you a small loop of fabric along the bottom edge of the jeans inside the leg. Try on the jeans to make sure they are at the correct length.
- If you don't expect to want to lengthen the jeans at any point, then you can also cut the excess fabric. Cut the excess fabric about 1 inch away from the new seam you have created.[2]
- Iron the jeans. Use an iron to flatten out the hem you've created along the bottom edge. This will smooth out the loop of fabric tucked into the leg, and leave your jeans looking the perfect length with no tell-tale hemming signs.
[Edit]Creating a New Hem - Mark your jeans where you'd like the new hem to be. The best way to do this is to put your jeans on (or have the person who will be wearing the jeans put them on) and fold the cuff under until the jeans are the length you'd like them to be. Then, use a piece of chalk to mark the spot where the new hem should end.[3]
- Measure and mark two more lines. Measure from the hem line and draw a line above it that is running parallel to the first one. Then, measure and mark another below the original line and draw the line so it is parallel to the original one as well.[4]
- Now you should have three lines total. These lines will serve as a guide for you to sew the new hem.
- Cut along the bottom line. Cut off the bottom of the jeans and the old hem. To do this, cut in a straight line along the bottom line that you made. Discard the material that you cut off.[5]
- Fold the new hem under. Next, fold along the center chalk line to create the new hem. You may also want to pin along the new hem to hold it in place while you sew. Check to make sure that the hem is even all the way around before you sew.[6]
Professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu suggests "ironing the fold first and then tapping along the edge firmly with a hammer to get a neat edge on your hem."
- Sew the new hem. Using some gold denim thread, or the thread color of your choice, sew around the area you pinned to hold the new hem in place. Use a straight stitch and try to keep it as even as possible.[7]
- Remove the pins as you go.
- After you sew around both hems, your jeans will be ready to wear!
[Edit]Ensuring a Successful Project - Wash the jeans before you hem them. According to professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu, "Denim often shrinks in both width and length when cleaned, so it's important to work with jeans that are already washed and dried." Washing them first will help to ensure that you do not make the hem too short.
- Make sure to follow the instructions on the label for washing your jeans.
- Use a new needle. It is important to change your sewing machine needle after every four hours of sewing or after finishing a major project to ensure that it is sharp enough to do the job. If you have not changed the needle in a while, then put in a new needle before you begin sewing the new hem.[8]
- Go slow. Denim and other bulky fabrics can be a bit harder to sew. They may get caught more easily, or not move as efficiently through the presser foot. To ensure that your stitches are even and straight, sew slowly.[9]
- Start by applying very light pressure on the pedal to get the stitches started and then only increase the speed slightly if the fabric seems to be moving along well.
- If the fabric gets stuck, then you can always use the hand wheel to help move it along.
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| How to Solve Sudoku when Stuck Posted: 06 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT So you've filled in all of the numbers you can on a sudoku puzzle, but now you're stumped on what to fill in next. Even though you can always work out the solution for sudoku, you may have to try a few different strategies to figure out exactly where a number is supposed to go. If you want to know the best basic and advanced techniques to use when you're stuck, keep reading so you can learn how to finish the puzzle! [Edit]Notation - Writing down possible numbers for each cell lets you see your options. Since numbers can only appear once in each row, column, and 3 x 3 box in the puzzle, the candidates you can put in the empty squares are limited. Go through each cell and scan the row, column, and box that it's in to figure out what numbers could still fit there. Write all of the potential candidates in the cell lightly with a pencil.[1]
- If seeing all of the possible numbers in the cells looks overwhelming, only notate the squares that have 2 or 3 potential numbers instead.
[Edit]Sole candidate - If only one number fits in a cell, then it has to go there. After you fill in your notation, you might find some obvious cells to fill in that you missed earlier. Scan through each of the cells on the puzzle and see if there are any with just one possible solution. Since you know that no other numbers can fit there, that number is the only solution for that cell.[2]
- Once you fill in the number, check the row, column, and box that the cell was in and erase any other instances of that number.
- Be on the lookout for "hidden singles" as well. You can fill in a number if it isn't written down anywhere else in the same row, column, or box, even if there are other candidates in that cell.
[Edit]Naked and hidden pairs - Cells with 2 numbers in the same row, column, or box limit other cells. Check for 2 cells in the same row, column, or box that can only contain the same 2 possible numbers, which is known as a "naked pair." Even though you don't know exactly which number goes into each square, you can erase your notation for the other cells in the row, column, or box since they can never contain those values.[3]
- "Hidden pairs" are similar but a little trickier to find. The 2 cells are the only places where the numbers can be placed, but the cells may have notation for other potential candidates.
[Edit]Naked and hidden triples - Triples have only 3 possible numbers that could fit into the 3 cells. All 3 cells have to be in the same row, column, or box. "Naked" triples only have the 3 potential numbers while "hidden" triples have extra digits in the cells that make them harder to spot. All 3 of the potential candidates don't have to appear in each of the cells, which can make them a little trickier to find.[4]
- Example: If the cells contain 1 & 5, 1 & 8, and 5 & 8, the values 1, 5, and 8 have to go into those cells and can't be written in other cells in the same row, column, or box.
[Edit]Pointing pairs and triples - Eliminate numbers from a row or column if they're constrained to one box. Pointing pairs and triples are when there are only 2 or 3 cells with the same potential numbers in a 3 x 3 box. The cells must also be in the same row or column. Since you know that the number has to go in one of those 2 cells, you can erase any other time you notated the number in the same row or column.[5]
- Example: If A1 and C1 are the only cells in a box with 4 as a potential candidate, you can erase all other 4s from the first column.
- Example: If D4, D5, and D6 are the only spots in the middle box that can contain 8, no other cells in the D row can have 8.
- You won't know which cell the number goes into quite yet, but pointing pairs and triples should help narrow down your options for other cells.
[Edit]Forcing chain - Test a number in a cell with 2 digits to see how it affects the other cells. To use a forcing chain, look for multiple cells that have 2 potential numbers. You should be able to draw lines through the rows and columns to connect all the cells in the chain. Test each number in one of the cells and check how they fill in the rest of the chain. If there's one cell that uses the same number no matter which digit you filled in originally, then you can assume that it's the only solution.[6]
- Mark the square you started in so you can retrace your steps.
- The X-wing technique reveals numbers for cells in 2 columns and rows. To use an X-wing, check for a row that has a potential candidate that can only fit into 2 cells. Check for another row in the puzzle that has the same candidate in 2 cells that are in the same columns as the first row candidates. The potential number can only fit once in each of the columns, so you can erase it from any other cells in those columns.[7]
- Example: If a 2 could only be in the 1st and 7th columns in rows E and G, then you can erase 2 as a potential candidate from all other cells in those rows.
- You can eliminate numbers from intersections between rows and columns. Start by finding a cell with only 2 possible numbers to use as a "pivot." Check the same row, column, and box for "pincers", which are other cells with 2 potential candidates that share at least 1 number with the pivot. The second number in each of the pincers should be the same. Check the cell where the pincers would intersect on the puzzle to see if it shares a number with them. If it does, then you can eliminate it from the puzzle.[8]
- Example: A2 is the pivot with 3 & 8. The pincers are I2 with 4 & 3 and A6 with 4 & 8. The intersection between I2 and A6 is I6 with 4 & 5. Since 4 is in both of the pincer cells, you can eliminate it as an option from I6.
[Edit]XY-wing - Rule out numbers when 3 cells with 2 values each form an angle. The values should only have 3 different potential numbers between them. If one cell has candidates X and Y and the other 2 cells could be X and Z or Y and Z, then no other cells in the same row, column, or box can contain the Z value.[9]
- Forming an angle means that 2 of the cells are in the same row or column, but the third cell can be positioned anywhere that shares a row, column, or box with one of the others.
- Example: B1 could be 4 or 9, B5 could be 1 or 9, and D1 could be 1 or 4. The cell D5 couldn't be 1 since it would make filling in B1 impossible. That means you can eliminate 1 as a candidate from D5.
[Edit]Swordfish - Test the possibilities in a chain of numbers found in 3 rows or columns. Check your puzzle for 3 separate rows or columns where a potential digit can only fit into 2 or 3 cells in each. You should be able to connect the cells if you drew lines through the columns and rows. After you connect all of the cells you can erase the potential candidate from any other cells in those rows or columns.[10]
- Example: The only cells in rows B, E, and F that can contain 1 are B1, B7, E5, E7, F1, and F5. Since you can draw a closed loop connecting these cells, you can erase 1 from any other cells in the same columns as these cells.
[Edit]Unique rectangle - Unique rectangles work if 4 cells have the same pair of numbers. Every sudoku puzzle has a unique solution, but you might be faced with multiple possibilities if there are 2 sets of 2 cells in the same row, column, or box that have the pair of potential numbers. Check if any of the 4 cells have additional candidates in them. If so, then you can erase the original pair of digits since it would make the puzzle impossible to solve.[11]
- Example: 2 & 3 are the only potential candidates in D4, D5, and I4. I5 has 1, 2, 3, & 8 as potential candidates. With a unique rectangle, you can eliminate 2 & 3 as options from I5.
- Avoid guessing any of the numbers in the puzzle since there's always a way to work out the solution logically. Take a little extra time to scan through the puzzle again to see if you missed anything.[12]
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| How to Be Humble Posted: 06 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT "It's hard to be humble," says an old country song, "when you're perfect in every way." Of course, few people actually think they're perfect in every way. But it can still be pretty hard to be humble, especially if you live in a society that encourages competition and individuality. Yet even in such a culture, humility remains an important virtue. Learning to be humble is of paramount importance in most spiritual traditions, and humility can help you develop more fully and enjoy richer relationships with others, as well as create opportunities and earn you respect. [Edit]Accepting Your Limitations - Admit that you're not the best at everything -- or anything. No matter how talented you are, there is almost always somebody who can do something better than you. Look to those who are better and consider the potential for improvement. Nobody is the best at something.[1]
- Even if you are 'the best' in the world at doing one thing, there are always other things that you cannot do, and may never be able to do.
- Recognizing your limitations does not mean abandoning your dreams, and it does not mean giving up on learning new things or improving your existing abilities. It simply means acknowledging that, as human beings, none of us are perfect and none of us can do everything by ourselves.
- Recognize your own faults. We judge others because it's a lot easier than looking at ourselves. Unfortunately, it's also completely unproductive and, in many cases, harmful. Judging others causes strife in relationships, and it prevents new relationships from forming. Perhaps even worse, it prevents us from trying to improve ourselves. Everybody makes mistakes.[2]
- We make judgments about others all the time, usually without even realizing it. As a practical exercise, try to catch yourself in the act of judging another person or group of people, and whenever you do, judge yourself instead. Consider how you can improve yourself, instead of how you think others should act. After all, you cannot control other people's decisions and behaviors - but you can control yours.
- Work to address your flaws. Remember that growth and improvement is a lifelong process that never stops happening, even when you're very skilled at something.
- Be grateful for what you have. Suppose you graduate from an Ivy League university at the top of your class. You definitely deserve a lot of credit for the many hours of studying and for your perseverance. Consider though, that there is someone just as intelligent and hardworking as you who had less supportive parents, grew up in a different place, or just made one wrong choice in life. You could be in their position instead.[3]
- Always remember that with a bad choice yesterday, your whole life could be different today and, furthermore, that today could be the day your good choices change your life.
- Though you have undoubtedly worked hard for what you have, you could not have done it all without other people's support. Everything we do is a result of what many other people have done to us. It is all because of the people around us that we get shaped and become better persons at some point so that we could achieve our goals.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Part of being humble is understanding that you will make mistakes. Understand this, and understand that everyone else makes mistakes, and you will have a heavy burden lifted off of you. However, this doesn't mean that you should be sloppy - try to avoid obvious mistakes, but don't be afraid to try new methods or ways of accomplishing your goals.[4]
- Each person can only experience a tiny sliver of life at a time. There will always be people who are older and wiser than you. Your elders' opinions could be worth listening to, although you must make the decision based on your knowledge of them.
- Admit your mistakes. Although you may fear that people will be angry and frustrated with you, it is always better to admit than to cover it up. Whether you've made a mistake as a boss, parent, or friend, people will appreciate the fact that you're willing to admit that you're not perfect and that you're working to improve yourself and the situation. Admitting your mistakes shows that you're not stubborn, selfish, or unwilling to not look perfect.
- Admitting your mistakes will make people respect you more, whether they are your own children or your coworkers.
- Avoid bragging. It's okay to have healthy self-esteem and to feel proud of your accomplishments, but nobody likes it when someone constantly tries to bring attention to themselves and their own achievements. If you feel like you really have done something great, chances are people will have already begun to notice that, and they will come to respect you even more for your humility.[5]
- This doesn't mean you should lie about achieving something; if someone asked if you ran a marathon then it's perfectly acceptable to say 'yes'. But don't constantly talk about how absolutely amazing you were for running the marathon, or achieving other goals.
- Be considerate in conversations. Humble people don't have to be meek wallflowers - being humble doesn't mean not having any self-esteem. However, a humble person should be mindful of everyone in the conversation and shouldn't talk down or disrupt anyone. As a humble person, you should recognize that everyone, including you, has their own goals and dreams and they may want to talk about their achievements and their opinions on things.[6]
- Don't take all the credit. We are human beings and who we are now has a lot to do with other people's influence and guidance. Countless people have given you support and helped you to become the person you are so that you can achieve your dreams. It's totally fine to be proud about your achievements, but keep in mind that nobody ever does anything totally by themselves, and that as people, we are all helping each other to accomplish our goals.
- Share the love. Recognize others who have helped you on your path to success.
[Edit]Appreciating Others - Appreciate the talents and qualities of others. Challenge yourself to look at others and appreciate the things they can do and, more generally, to appreciate people for who they are. Understand that everybody is different and relish the chance you have to experience different people. You will still have your personal tastes, your likes and dislikes, but train yourself to separate your opinions from your fears and you will appreciate others more - you will be more humble as well.[7]
- Being able to appreciate the talents and qualities of other people can also make you recognize qualities that you want to improve or attain within yourself.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. While competition can be healthy and stimulating, it's nearly impossible to be humble when we're constantly striving to be the "best" or trying to be better than others. Instead, try looking at yourself more. Remember, the ultimate goal isn't to be better than anyone else, it's to be better than the person you used to be. When you focus your energy on improving yourself instead of comparing you to everyone else, you'll find that it is much easier to make yourself better since you don't have to worry about whether or not you're better or worse than anyone.
- Every individual is unique. Appreciate people for who they are as human beings, not for their skills and appearance in relation to yours.
- Don't be afraid to defer to others' judgment. Although it is ultimately up to you to decide if you were right or wrong, it is a whole different thing to acknowledge that you make mistakes and that you're not always right. Somewhat more difficult however, is the ability to acknowledge that in many cases other people — even people who disagree with you — may be right. Deferring to your spouse's wishes, to a law you don't agree with, or even, sometimes, to your child's opinion takes your recognition of your limitations to a different level.
- Instead of simply saying you are humble and as a person you will make mistakes, you should also concentrate on living with that mindset - being humble is a way of life, not a one-time action.
- Seek guidance from written texts. This is another way of appreciating others. Contemplate moral texts and proverbs about humility. Pray for it, meditate on it, do whatever it takes to get your attention off yourself and your perception of your own worth (especially compared to others). You can read inspiring biographies, memoirs, the Bible, nonfiction and fiction on how to improve your life, or whatever it is that makes you be more humble and appreciate the insight that others have to offer.
- If you're not into spirituality, consider the scientific method. Science requires humility. It requires that you let go of your preconceived notions and judgments and understand that you don't know as much as you think you do.
- Remain teachable. Nobody is perfect or the best at anything. There will always be people who are better at you at something, and therein lies the opportunity to learn from them. Find people you aspire to be like in certain areas, and ask them to mentor you. Under mentorship; good boundary setting, confidentiality and discernment are required. As soon as you cross the line of being 'unteachable', bring yourself back down to earth again. Being teachable means that you admit that you always have more to learn about life.
- You can be more humble by taking classes in something you know nothing about, such as pottery or screenwriting, and knowing that you will let others teach you and show you the way. This can help you realize that everyone is good at different things and we all need to help each other in order to become better people.
- Help others. A big part of being humble is respecting others, and part of respecting others is helping them. Treat other people as equals and help them because it is the right thing to do. It's been said that when you can help others who cannot possibly help you in return, you have learned humility. Helping people in need will also make you appreciate what you have even more.[8]
- It goes without saying: don't boast about the volunteering you've done. It's great if you're proud of your work but remember: volunteering is not about you, it is about the people you have helped.
- Go last. If you're always rushing to get things done first and get to the front of the line, challenge yourself to allow others to go before you - for example, elders, disabled people, children, or people in a hurry.
- Ask yourself, "Do I really need to do this first so badly?" The answer will almost always be no.
- Compliment others. Give someone you love, or even someone you barely know, a compliment. Tell your partner that he/she looks great today; compliment your co-worker's new hairdo, or tell the cashier at the grocery store that you like her earrings. Or you can go deeper, and compliment important aspects of people's personalities. Give at least one compliment a day and you will see that other people have so much to offer to the world.
- Focus on the positive attributes of others instead of always looking for their flaws.
- Apologize. If you've made a mistake, then confess and admit that you're wrong. Even though saying you're sorry to someone else is painful, you'll have to get over your pride and tell another person that you're sorry for the harm you've done. Eventually the pain will subside, replaced by a feeling of relief because you know that you have made amends. This will show the person that you value him or her greatly and that you acknowledge that you've made a mistake.
- Make eye contact when you apologize to show that you really care.
- Don't be a repeat offender. Apologizing about something does not give you a license to do it again. Doing so will make people distrusting of you and what you say.
- Listen more than you talk. This is another great way of appreciating others more and being more humble. The next time you engage in a conversation, let the other person talk, don't interrupt, and ask questions to keep the person talking and sharing. Though you should contribute to the conversation, make a habit of letting others express themselves more than you do so you don't act like you're only concerned with the things that are going on in your life.[9]
- Ask questions to show that you understand what the person is talking about. Don't just wait for the person to stop talking so that you can start talking. Remember, if you're busy thinking about what you want to say, then you'll have a harder time focusing on what they are saying.
[Edit]Rediscovering a Sense of Wonder - Rejuvenate your sense of wonder. Because we as individuals know very little about the world, you'd expect that we'd be awestruck more often than we typically are. Children have this sense of wonder, and it inspires the curiosity that makes them such keen observers and capable learners. Do you really know how your microwave works? Could you build one on your own? What about your car? Understand your brain? A rose?
- The jaded, "I've seen it all" attitude makes us feel far more important than we are. Nobody has seen it all - nobody knows it all. Be amazed like a child and you will not only be humbled; you will also be readier to learn.
- Practice gentleness. The gentleness of spirit is the sure path to humility. Use 'Aikido' where possible when faced with a conflict: absorb the venom from others' attacks and turn it into something positive by trying to understand why they are angry and reacting with gentleness and respect. Practicing gentleness will help you rediscover your sense of wonder as you focus on the positive aspects of life.
- Spend more time in nature. Go take a walk in the park. Stand near the bottom of a waterfall. Look at the world from the top of a mountain. Go for a long hike. Swim in an ocean. Find your own way of being in nature and take the time to truly appreciate all that it entails. Close your eyes and feel the breeze on your face. You should feel completely humbled by nature - a force that is so immense in its depth and power. As you develop your wonder and respect for all of the things that were there long before you were and which will be there long after you are gone, you will began to realize just how small you are in this world.
- Spending more time in nature will make you see how big and complicated the world is -- and that you're not at the center of it.
- Do yoga. Yoga is the practice of love and gratitude, and it will make you develop your sense of wonder about your breath, your body, and the love and kindness in the world around you. Yoga makes you see how fleeting your time on earth is and to appreciate it even more. Make a habit of practicing yoga at least twice a week and reap all of the emotional benefits as well as the physical ones.
- Yoga is all about being humble. There is no such thing as bragging about how you've hit a new pose in yoga. It's all about doing everything at your own pace.
- Spend time around children. Children possess a sense of wonder at the world that is difficult to replicate as an adult. Spend more time around kids and see how they appreciate the world, are constantly questioning it, and how they get pleasure and joy out of the smallest and most mundane things. To a child, a flower or a toilet paper roll can be the most incredible thing in the world -- for an afternoon, anyway.
- Spending more time around children will remind you of how magical the world really is.
[Edit]Ways to Sound Humble - Learn to admit when you are wrong and don't allow your pride to allow you to feel that your actions are justified.
- Keep in mind that being humble has many benefits. Humility can help you be more content with your life, and it can also help you endure bad times and improve your relationships with others. It's also essential to being an effective learner. If you think you know it all, you won't be open-minded enough to seek out new knowledge. Humility is also, somewhat counter-intuitively, an excellent tool for self-development in general. After all, if you feel superior, you have no incentive to improve. Most of all, being humble allows you to be honest with yourself.
- Be loving and kind-hearted at all times, you never know when someone might need to reach out to you.
- Ask questions when you don't know, when you know a little, and when you think you know it all.
- It is fine to talk about yourself a little, but make a conscious effort to ask people about themselves too. It's also a good idea to listen more when you are being talked/responded to.
- Appreciate your talents. Being humble doesn't mean you can't feel good about yourself. Self-esteem is not the same as pride. Both come from a recognition of your own talents and qualities, but pride, the kind of pride that leans toward arrogance, is rooted in insecurity about yourself. Think about the abilities you have, and be thankful for them.[10]
- Seek trusted and wise counsel and obtain accountability partners if you find this to be a weakness in your life. Pride comes before the fall, and prevention is definitely better than cure.
- Living a selfless life brings more satisfaction than living a selfish one.
- Appreciate the talents and possessions you have instead of constantly wanting more. Often, the richest people are still left wanting something -- money, fame, etc. If you embrace who you are, you will be happier and more humble.
- This world has become messed up and confused because the counsel it receives is mixed up. A medley of suggestions may be popular for dealing with a problem, but at the end of the day can do more harm than good. For example, advising that one could get involved in martial arts, yoga, etc. could bring a person under a spiritual influence that they may not want to come under. The origin of an act should be looked into before considering it as a good thing to do.
[Edit]Warnings - To be humble isn't the same as being humble, and often people who pretend to be humble do it in order to seek out praise. Other people will recognize this, and even if you fool some, you won't derive the same benefits as you would through actually developing humility.
- Similarly, don't confuse being humble with being sycophantic (being overly-praiseful of someone for your own profit). This is a common misconception, but the two attitudes are completely different.
- While humility is a good thing, don't take it too far, thus becoming a doormat. Remember, everything in moderation. Humility is not a weak trait, it is actually a very strong one in the same way kindness is strong. Standing up for yourself with humility is entirely possible and just takes some practice. Be prepared to need to practice this, and don't be discouraged if you don't get the balance right initially.
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