Candle Making 101
If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old candles to test the waters. If it's instant gratification you crave, you'll see the fruits of your labor in just a couple of hours with a minimum expenditure for supplies.
People often speak of candle making and soap making in the same sentence as if they are similar experiences. The process is not the same. If you have thought of making your own soap, try candle making first. The process may appear similar, but it's simpler and safer. When you make your own candles, you are simply melting wax, not conducting chemical experiments in your kitchen.
We'll give you a play-by-play preview of the process, but consider this an overview. Before you actually set up shop and play candle maker for the afternoon, download a proper set of step-by-step procedures from the Internet. You'll find hundreds of candle-making projects available online, but start by recycling your old candles just to get a feel for the process. In fact, in this overview, we'll describe the process of melting down your old candles and turning them into brand new votive candles.
If you enjoy the experience, which is similar to cooking, then you'll want to order more supplies before beginning your candle-making hobby in earnest. With a little practice, you can give unique, hand-made holiday gifts, and delight your friends with something that you personally created.
Safety First
Anytime you work around an open flame, you have all the ingredients for a potentially dangerous situation. Work carefully and mind your safety P's and Q's at all times. Candle making requires your undivided attention. Don't even think about multitasking while working with hot wax.
Materials and Preparation
Before you begin, you'll need to gather the following equipment:
Old candles anything that you would otherwise throw away
Votive wicks, pre-tabbed
Votive molds (metal is best)
Scissors
Silicone spray for metal votive molds
Old saucepans to create a "double boiler"
Candy thermometer
Oven mitts
To minimize cleanup, cover your burners with aluminum foil and spread old rags or newspapers over a flat work area.
Prepare the Molds
If you prepare your molds in advance, you won't have to scramble at the last minute, and risk the possibility of your wax cooling before you can pour it.
Spray the inside of each mold with Silicone per the instructions on the can.
Place a pre-tabbed votive wick in the mold, and set aside.
Melt the Wax
This process requires your undivided attention.
Remove old wicks, labels, etc. At a bare minimum, clip the burnt part of the wick.
Melt the wax.
If you're using old jar candles, you'll need to melt the wax in the jars separately.
Pour the Molds
Allow the melted wax to cool to 160 to 180 degrees F.
Pour the wax into the prepared molds.
Allow to cool and shrink.
Melt wax for the repour and allow it to cool to 180 degrees F.
Repour to top off the molds.
Allow to cool.
Remove the candle from the votive holder.
The key to successful candle making is preparation and setup. If you have everything prepared and within easy reach, you'll have a smooth melt to pour process. If you haven't prepared in advance, the wax may cool faster than you can prepare your work area and molds, costing you additional time.
That's all there is to creating brand new candles from your candle remnants. If you enjoy the process, you can progress to creating your own custom candles from scratch, giving them as gifts, or even starting a brand new career path.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
How to Make Gel Candles - 11 Easy Steps
Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you know that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting and not at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to creating unique candles that you can burn at home, give as gifts, or even sell.
Materials for gel candle making
You will need:
gel
zinc wicks (cotton wicks cant be used for gel candles because they absorb too much gel)
essential oil for fragrance
liquid color dye
embeds (optional)
All these materials can be obtained online from candle making suppliers. It is important to use essential oils and colors specially made for gel candles; fragrance oils you can buy in a cosmetic shop are not suitable. Also, you can buy a gel candle making kit. Getting a kit is the best solution for a beginner, because it will include everything you need to make your first few candles.
And of course you will need a container. The best container for a gel candle is glass, so people can see the embeds you put inside the candle, but any non-flammable container would do. You can use any glass, wine glass, or even a small wide vase, but your container should be at least 2 inches in diameter. Garage sales and second hand stores are gold mines, when it comes to candle containers.
For embeds you can use anything non-flammable - colored aquarium gravel, marbles, glitter, sand, sea shells, pebbles, crystals, polished stones, artificial jewels or pearls.
Steps to making a gel candle
Place a little bit of hot glue in the center of the container bottom. Stick the wick in it and let the glue set.
Cut the gel into small pieces so it melts faster and more evenly. Melt it in a stainless steel pot over a medium heat.
The trickiest part is the temperature - you should get it to exactly 200F, because overheated gel looses its clarity. For that, you will need a suitable thermometer.
Maintain the temperature at 200; all the gel should melt and become smooth, like syrup.
Add color dye to the melted gel, a little bit at a time, until you get the desired color - remember, you can always add more dye to make the color stronger, but you cant take dye away. For a candle with embedded objects, you should use only a little color, so the objects remain visible
Add the fragrance - 1/3 teaspoon for each glass of melted gel will give it a nice scent. For a stronger scent, add a bit more fragrance.
Heat the container in the oven or microwave to about 150-160F. This will help to reduce the appearance of bubbles
If you want to use embeds, dip them in hot gel first and then arrange them in the container as you like. It is better to keep the objects closer to the sides of the container - they will be easier to see, this way.
Now it is time to pour your gel into the container. Place your container on a level surface and pour the gel slowly and carefully down the side. If it is your first time, you will probably get a few bubbles; to avoid that, the gel should be still very hot.
Pull the wick up. Roll it on a pencil to keep it straight.
Let the candle cool. Trim the wick and you are done! You have a beautiful, unique gel candle, made by yourself.
Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you know that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting and not at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to creating unique candles that you can burn at home, give as gifts, or even sell.
Materials for gel candle making
You will need:
gel
zinc wicks (cotton wicks cant be used for gel candles because they absorb too much gel)
essential oil for fragrance
liquid color dye
embeds (optional)
All these materials can be obtained online from candle making suppliers. It is important to use essential oils and colors specially made for gel candles; fragrance oils you can buy in a cosmetic shop are not suitable. Also, you can buy a gel candle making kit. Getting a kit is the best solution for a beginner, because it will include everything you need to make your first few candles.
And of course you will need a container. The best container for a gel candle is glass, so people can see the embeds you put inside the candle, but any non-flammable container would do. You can use any glass, wine glass, or even a small wide vase, but your container should be at least 2 inches in diameter. Garage sales and second hand stores are gold mines, when it comes to candle containers.
For embeds you can use anything non-flammable - colored aquarium gravel, marbles, glitter, sand, sea shells, pebbles, crystals, polished stones, artificial jewels or pearls.
Steps to making a gel candle
Place a little bit of hot glue in the center of the container bottom. Stick the wick in it and let the glue set.
Cut the gel into small pieces so it melts faster and more evenly. Melt it in a stainless steel pot over a medium heat.
The trickiest part is the temperature - you should get it to exactly 200F, because overheated gel looses its clarity. For that, you will need a suitable thermometer.
Maintain the temperature at 200; all the gel should melt and become smooth, like syrup.
Add color dye to the melted gel, a little bit at a time, until you get the desired color - remember, you can always add more dye to make the color stronger, but you cant take dye away. For a candle with embedded objects, you should use only a little color, so the objects remain visible
Add the fragrance - 1/3 teaspoon for each glass of melted gel will give it a nice scent. For a stronger scent, add a bit more fragrance.
Heat the container in the oven or microwave to about 150-160F. This will help to reduce the appearance of bubbles
If you want to use embeds, dip them in hot gel first and then arrange them in the container as you like. It is better to keep the objects closer to the sides of the container - they will be easier to see, this way.
Now it is time to pour your gel into the container. Place your container on a level surface and pour the gel slowly and carefully down the side. If it is your first time, you will probably get a few bubbles; to avoid that, the gel should be still very hot.
Pull the wick up. Roll it on a pencil to keep it straight.
Let the candle cool. Trim the wick and you are done! You have a beautiful, unique gel candle, made by yourself.
How To Make Candles
Making homemade candles can be a fun hobby, whether making them as gifts or for yourself to enjoy. Candle making usually requires some experimentation, but when you discover how to make those perfect candles, its well worth the effort.
There are a few basic supplies needed for making most candles: wax wicks mold or containers wax melter candle making thermometer fragrances dyes putty for molds
First decide on a wax you would like to start with, there are three different kinds to choose from: paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is most commonly used in candles, this wax is found at most candle making stores. Soy wax is all natural, made from soybeans, and cleans up easily with soap and water. Beeswax is all natural too, and making beeswax candles is often easiest because you simply wrap a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick then seal it with your thumb, which means no melting is required.
To begin, spread newspapers around the candle making area. First you melt your paraffin or soy wax and it must be double-boiled. Usually you place a large pot that is about half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat, place a melter in the water, then gradually place wax pieces into the melter. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring or fragrance as desired.
To make molded candles, cut the wick two inches taller than you want the candle to be, then thread it through the hole at the bottom of the mold, then plug the outside of the hole with putty. Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the mold and tie the top of the wick to it, centering the wick. If the mold is cardboard, plastic, or glass, heat the wax to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mold is metal, then heat the wax to 190 degrees. You can use a candle or candy thermometer to measure this. When the right temperature is reached, lift the melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mold. Let cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for twelve more hours, then your candle is ready to be removed.
To make votives and other small container candles, you can use pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the center of the votive candle molds or containers, then pour the wax mixture over and let stand for twelve hours, refrigerating the votives.
This should give you a good start in this enjoyable hobby.
Making homemade candles can be a fun hobby, whether making them as gifts or for yourself to enjoy. Candle making usually requires some experimentation, but when you discover how to make those perfect candles, its well worth the effort.
There are a few basic supplies needed for making most candles: wax wicks mold or containers wax melter candle making thermometer fragrances dyes putty for molds
First decide on a wax you would like to start with, there are three different kinds to choose from: paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is most commonly used in candles, this wax is found at most candle making stores. Soy wax is all natural, made from soybeans, and cleans up easily with soap and water. Beeswax is all natural too, and making beeswax candles is often easiest because you simply wrap a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick then seal it with your thumb, which means no melting is required.
To begin, spread newspapers around the candle making area. First you melt your paraffin or soy wax and it must be double-boiled. Usually you place a large pot that is about half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat, place a melter in the water, then gradually place wax pieces into the melter. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring or fragrance as desired.
To make molded candles, cut the wick two inches taller than you want the candle to be, then thread it through the hole at the bottom of the mold, then plug the outside of the hole with putty. Place a pencil or similar item over the top of the mold and tie the top of the wick to it, centering the wick. If the mold is cardboard, plastic, or glass, heat the wax to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mold is metal, then heat the wax to 190 degrees. You can use a candle or candy thermometer to measure this. When the right temperature is reached, lift the melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mold. Let cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for twelve more hours, then your candle is ready to be removed.
To make votives and other small container candles, you can use pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing them in the center of the votive candle molds or containers, then pour the wax mixture over and let stand for twelve hours, refrigerating the votives.
This should give you a good start in this enjoyable hobby.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Family Health: The Dangers Of Food Poisoning & How To Protect Yourself & Family
Were what we eat.
If we eat good food and do so rightly, we enjoy good health and a long, happy life.
But if we eat bad food, well get sick and our life may be shortened.
Unfortunately, most people dont care enough about the safety of the food they eat or what they eat or how they eat it.
Here are some family health insights to help you to avoid food poisoning and live a longer, safer and happy life.
Every year, an estimated 7 million Americans suffer sicknesses caused by food poisoning.
Some cases are violent and even result in death.
The culprit is food that has dangerous high levels of bacteria due to improper cooking or handling.
Food safety is usually taken for granted by the buying public but everyone's attention was recently directed to food poisoning involving some meat that was undercooked.
It was determined that the problem never would have happened if the meat had been cooked properly.
E.Coli 0157.H7 is a potent virus, but it can be completely destroyed when the meat is fully cooked.
It is important for consumers to take an all-around safety approach to purchasing, storing and preparing both traditional and new meat and poultry products.
Ultimately, consumers and food handlers bear the responsibility for keeping food safe once it leaves the store.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 85 percent of food- borne illness cases could be avoided each year if consumers would handle food properly.
The most common food-borne illnesses are caused by a combination of bacteria, naturally present in the environment, and food handling mistakes.
Ironically, these are also the easiest types of food-borne illnesses to prevent.
Proper cooking or processing of raw meat and poultry kills bacteria that can cause food-borne illness.
When you're out, grocery shop last, take food straight home to the refrigerator.
And never leave food in a hot car!
Don't buy anything you won't use before the use-by date.
Don't buy food in poor condition. Make sure refrigerated food is cold to the touch.
Frozen food should be rock-solid.
Canned goods should be free of dents, cracks or bulging lids which can indicate a serious food poisoning threat.
The performance and maintenance of your refrigerator is of the utmost importance.
Check the temperature of your refrigerator with an appliance thermometer.
To keep bacteria in check, the refrigerator should run at 40 degrees F; the freezer unit at 0 degrees F.
Generally, keep your refrigerator as cold as possible without freezing your milk or lettuce.
When you prepare food, keep everything clean and thaw out any frozen food you plan to prepare in your refrigerator.
Take it out of the freezer in advance and place it in the refrigerated section of your refrigerator.
Always wash your hands in hot soapy water before preparing and handling any food as well as after you use the bathroom, change diapers, handle pets, etc.
Remember, too, that bacteria can live in your kitchen towels, sponges and dish cloths.
Wash them often and replace the dish cloths and sponges you use regularly every few weeks.
Be absolutely sure that you keep all raw meats, poultry and fish and their juices away from other food.
For instance, wash your hands, your cutting board and knife in hot soapy water after cutting up the chicken and before dicing salad ingredients.
It is best to use plastic cutting boards rather than wooden ones where bacteria can hide in grooves.
Don't take your food out of the freezer and leave it on the kitchen counter to thaw.
This is extremely dangerous since the bacteria can grow in the outer layers of the food before the inside thaws.
It is wise to do your marinating in the refrigerator too.
May these family health insights help you to live a longer, healthy and happy life.
Warmly,
I-key Benney, CEO
Were what we eat.
If we eat good food and do so rightly, we enjoy good health and a long, happy life.
But if we eat bad food, well get sick and our life may be shortened.
Unfortunately, most people dont care enough about the safety of the food they eat or what they eat or how they eat it.
Here are some family health insights to help you to avoid food poisoning and live a longer, safer and happy life.
Every year, an estimated 7 million Americans suffer sicknesses caused by food poisoning.
Some cases are violent and even result in death.
The culprit is food that has dangerous high levels of bacteria due to improper cooking or handling.
Food safety is usually taken for granted by the buying public but everyone's attention was recently directed to food poisoning involving some meat that was undercooked.
It was determined that the problem never would have happened if the meat had been cooked properly.
E.Coli 0157.H7 is a potent virus, but it can be completely destroyed when the meat is fully cooked.
It is important for consumers to take an all-around safety approach to purchasing, storing and preparing both traditional and new meat and poultry products.
Ultimately, consumers and food handlers bear the responsibility for keeping food safe once it leaves the store.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 85 percent of food- borne illness cases could be avoided each year if consumers would handle food properly.
The most common food-borne illnesses are caused by a combination of bacteria, naturally present in the environment, and food handling mistakes.
Ironically, these are also the easiest types of food-borne illnesses to prevent.
Proper cooking or processing of raw meat and poultry kills bacteria that can cause food-borne illness.
When you're out, grocery shop last, take food straight home to the refrigerator.
And never leave food in a hot car!
Don't buy anything you won't use before the use-by date.
Don't buy food in poor condition. Make sure refrigerated food is cold to the touch.
Frozen food should be rock-solid.
Canned goods should be free of dents, cracks or bulging lids which can indicate a serious food poisoning threat.
The performance and maintenance of your refrigerator is of the utmost importance.
Check the temperature of your refrigerator with an appliance thermometer.
To keep bacteria in check, the refrigerator should run at 40 degrees F; the freezer unit at 0 degrees F.
Generally, keep your refrigerator as cold as possible without freezing your milk or lettuce.
When you prepare food, keep everything clean and thaw out any frozen food you plan to prepare in your refrigerator.
Take it out of the freezer in advance and place it in the refrigerated section of your refrigerator.
Always wash your hands in hot soapy water before preparing and handling any food as well as after you use the bathroom, change diapers, handle pets, etc.
Remember, too, that bacteria can live in your kitchen towels, sponges and dish cloths.
Wash them often and replace the dish cloths and sponges you use regularly every few weeks.
Be absolutely sure that you keep all raw meats, poultry and fish and their juices away from other food.
For instance, wash your hands, your cutting board and knife in hot soapy water after cutting up the chicken and before dicing salad ingredients.
It is best to use plastic cutting boards rather than wooden ones where bacteria can hide in grooves.
Don't take your food out of the freezer and leave it on the kitchen counter to thaw.
This is extremely dangerous since the bacteria can grow in the outer layers of the food before the inside thaws.
It is wise to do your marinating in the refrigerator too.
May these family health insights help you to live a longer, healthy and happy life.
Warmly,
I-key Benney, CEO
Would You Know What To Do If Your Puppy or Dog Fell Ill?
A pet relies on its owner to look after it. Sometimes a veterinarian is too far away when your puppy needs immediate attention. Would you be able to administer basic first aid if you needed to?
It is up to you to be able to administer the first aid that your pet needs when he needs it. Something can happen at virtually any time at home or away from home. You should have with you a first aid kit that is designed for your pet in mind. If you take your pet away from home frequently, make sure to store the first aid kit in your car as well. These tools can save your pets life.
Here are some of the things that you should have within that kit:
Hydrogen peroxide
Gauze pads and tape
Absorbent cotton/cotton balls
Scissors with a round tip
Instant ice packs
Tweezers
A bulb syringe to be used to remove mucous from the mouth/nose
Eyewash solution specific for pets
A clean white cotton sock for paws that are hurt
Flashlight
A rectal thermometer
Medication syringe for dispensing medication
An electrolyte liquid such as Pedialyte
You need to protect these products so keep them in a hard shell container that has a tight fitting lid. You should also have the vets name and number written and enclosed in this package. You should know and secure information about the local emergency pet hospital as well. Also, when you leave your pet with another caregiver to take care of, such as when you are traveling, you need to provide them with the kit and a release form authorizing them to seek treatment for your pet.
A common dilemma is the bee sting. If this happens to your pet, you should restrain the animal and use a pair of tweezers to remove the stinger. Then, bath the area with a mixture of water and baking soda to relieve some of the pain. You can help to reduce swelling by using an ice pack on the area and using Benedryl. Make sure you know how much to give your pet by asking the vet.
What should you do if your dog is injured?
Youll need to approach the animal slowly and carefully because they may snap or bite at you. It is just a nature reaction for them to do this. See what has happened to them and reassure the pet that you are not going to hurt her through a smooth voice and calmness.
Your first concern is to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible. Apply pressure to the wound and hold it there. Make sure to use a cloth that is clean and change them as needed. Keep as much pressure on it as possible until you get to your vet. If you need to, tape a thick gauze pad to the wound. Youll want to keep as much pressure on the wound though, so if possible have someone else transport you.
In the case of choking, you should use a flashlight to check down the throat. If you can, remove the object. If you cant see it, youll need to use a Heimlich maneuver that is designed for your pet. As a pet owner, you should have this basic training taught to you. It is important to do it correctly in order to protect against serious injury of the pet. You can get this type of training at your local humane society or through your vet. You can also learn how to give your pet CPR and how to deal with serious injury and poisoning.
A pet relies on its owner to look after it. Sometimes a veterinarian is too far away when your puppy needs immediate attention. Would you be able to administer basic first aid if you needed to?
It is up to you to be able to administer the first aid that your pet needs when he needs it. Something can happen at virtually any time at home or away from home. You should have with you a first aid kit that is designed for your pet in mind. If you take your pet away from home frequently, make sure to store the first aid kit in your car as well. These tools can save your pets life.
Here are some of the things that you should have within that kit:
Hydrogen peroxide
Gauze pads and tape
Absorbent cotton/cotton balls
Scissors with a round tip
Instant ice packs
Tweezers
A bulb syringe to be used to remove mucous from the mouth/nose
Eyewash solution specific for pets
A clean white cotton sock for paws that are hurt
Flashlight
A rectal thermometer
Medication syringe for dispensing medication
An electrolyte liquid such as Pedialyte
You need to protect these products so keep them in a hard shell container that has a tight fitting lid. You should also have the vets name and number written and enclosed in this package. You should know and secure information about the local emergency pet hospital as well. Also, when you leave your pet with another caregiver to take care of, such as when you are traveling, you need to provide them with the kit and a release form authorizing them to seek treatment for your pet.
A common dilemma is the bee sting. If this happens to your pet, you should restrain the animal and use a pair of tweezers to remove the stinger. Then, bath the area with a mixture of water and baking soda to relieve some of the pain. You can help to reduce swelling by using an ice pack on the area and using Benedryl. Make sure you know how much to give your pet by asking the vet.
What should you do if your dog is injured?
Youll need to approach the animal slowly and carefully because they may snap or bite at you. It is just a nature reaction for them to do this. See what has happened to them and reassure the pet that you are not going to hurt her through a smooth voice and calmness.
Your first concern is to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible. Apply pressure to the wound and hold it there. Make sure to use a cloth that is clean and change them as needed. Keep as much pressure on it as possible until you get to your vet. If you need to, tape a thick gauze pad to the wound. Youll want to keep as much pressure on the wound though, so if possible have someone else transport you.
In the case of choking, you should use a flashlight to check down the throat. If you can, remove the object. If you cant see it, youll need to use a Heimlich maneuver that is designed for your pet. As a pet owner, you should have this basic training taught to you. It is important to do it correctly in order to protect against serious injury of the pet. You can get this type of training at your local humane society or through your vet. You can also learn how to give your pet CPR and how to deal with serious injury and poisoning.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Shih Tzu/Dogs/First Aid
Goals of first aid are: Keep your safety in mind at all times. Attend to any severe bleeding that is present. Administer CPR if needed. Immobilize injuries and/or pet for transport. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Delay in seeking professional help often increase costs and decreases treatment success.
When you do encounter an emergency situation, do not panic! Look around your surroundings to be sure there are no moving vehicles, broken glass, chemical spills, fire and electrical hazards. Approach the injured or ill pet slowly and with caution. Use a calm reassuring voice. You might need to apply a muzzle. Injured or ill animals might bite out of pain or fear. If this occurs, don't take it personally and don't feel like your animal is now vicious or worthless and needs to be gotten rid of. Be understanding that the animal is under extreme stress and hardly knows what to do himself.
Never use a muzzle on an animal that is vomiting, choking, convulsing or having breathing difficulties. If you cannot muzzle, use heavy-duty gloves or drape a blanket or thick towel over the animal's head prior to handling.
Determine whether a life-threatening situation exists and give appropriate first aid. Look for unconsciousness, shock, hemorrhage, look for breathing difficulties. Trauma (like hit by a car), poisoning, and air leakage from chest are all life-threatening. Transport the animal to the vet or emergency vet hospital. Transport securely - use a travel kennel most preferably. If a travel kennel is not available, place the animal in a box.
If head or spinal injury is suspected, use a board, plywood, window screen or any flat, firm surface to transport. If this type of flat support is not available, transport the pet in a large towel or small blanket. You might call the vet clinic in advance of your arrival giving them the circumstances of the accident, or illness.
Planning for an emergency:
Decide what you need to do ahead of time and rehearse. Have important telephone numbers such as your local vet and two of the closest 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics in a place you can find easily in a sudden emergency. The Poison Control Center number should be easily found: (800) 548-2423.
Items for your pet first aid kit:
Muzzle Leash, Welder's gloves Stretch bandage Roll gauze Solar blanket Bandage tape Sterile nonstick wound pads Clean hand towel Cotton balls and/or swabs Chlorhexidine wash (0.5%) Saline solution Sterile eye ointment Lubricating jelly Clotting powder Kydrogen peroxide Kaolin-pectin Activated charcoal Triple antibiotic ointment Splint Forceps and/or tweezers Scissors Bulb syringe Plastic digital thermometer Reusable cold pack 12-milliliter syringe Disposable gloves Feeding Tubes Home remedies
Goals of first aid are: Keep your safety in mind at all times. Attend to any severe bleeding that is present. Administer CPR if needed. Immobilize injuries and/or pet for transport. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Delay in seeking professional help often increase costs and decreases treatment success.
When you do encounter an emergency situation, do not panic! Look around your surroundings to be sure there are no moving vehicles, broken glass, chemical spills, fire and electrical hazards. Approach the injured or ill pet slowly and with caution. Use a calm reassuring voice. You might need to apply a muzzle. Injured or ill animals might bite out of pain or fear. If this occurs, don't take it personally and don't feel like your animal is now vicious or worthless and needs to be gotten rid of. Be understanding that the animal is under extreme stress and hardly knows what to do himself.
Never use a muzzle on an animal that is vomiting, choking, convulsing or having breathing difficulties. If you cannot muzzle, use heavy-duty gloves or drape a blanket or thick towel over the animal's head prior to handling.
Determine whether a life-threatening situation exists and give appropriate first aid. Look for unconsciousness, shock, hemorrhage, look for breathing difficulties. Trauma (like hit by a car), poisoning, and air leakage from chest are all life-threatening. Transport the animal to the vet or emergency vet hospital. Transport securely - use a travel kennel most preferably. If a travel kennel is not available, place the animal in a box.
If head or spinal injury is suspected, use a board, plywood, window screen or any flat, firm surface to transport. If this type of flat support is not available, transport the pet in a large towel or small blanket. You might call the vet clinic in advance of your arrival giving them the circumstances of the accident, or illness.
Planning for an emergency:
Decide what you need to do ahead of time and rehearse. Have important telephone numbers such as your local vet and two of the closest 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics in a place you can find easily in a sudden emergency. The Poison Control Center number should be easily found: (800) 548-2423.
Items for your pet first aid kit:
Muzzle Leash, Welder's gloves Stretch bandage Roll gauze Solar blanket Bandage tape Sterile nonstick wound pads Clean hand towel Cotton balls and/or swabs Chlorhexidine wash (0.5%) Saline solution Sterile eye ointment Lubricating jelly Clotting powder Kydrogen peroxide Kaolin-pectin Activated charcoal Triple antibiotic ointment Splint Forceps and/or tweezers Scissors Bulb syringe Plastic digital thermometer Reusable cold pack 12-milliliter syringe Disposable gloves Feeding Tubes Home remedies
Risk Taking-Why We Are Scared to Take Risks
Are you stuck in solving a problem? Whats keeping you from solving this problem? Is it that you are hesitant to take a risk?
Why are we so scared to take risks? It could be lots of reasons, for instance: not wanting to get out of our comfort zone, fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, fear of change, or need for certainty, our desire to avoid conflict, fear of failure, lack of belief in ourselves. Risk taking is accepting the need for change and understanding whats involved in taking such actions.
We are talking here about intelligent risk taking, not being careless. Intelligent risk taking enables you to express your creativity, drive and motivation.
Risk taking often requires an honest look at the situation and the required actions. It is also important to understand what the risks are and the advantages and disadvantages of taking the action. Once you have committed yourself to the action, you must also be prepared to accept the consequences of such actions.
Here is one of my favourite quotes on risks.
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by his own fears, he is a slave; He has forfeited freedom.
Only a person who risks is free!
TIP OF THE DAY As Nike says Just do it!!
My challenge for you: Think of one area in your life that you have been putting off taking a risk. My challenge is to identify what is keeping you from taking action. Now, identify one action you will take this week.
My stretch challenge for you is to email me and tell me the action you will take, then email me when you have completed the action.
Final thoughts:
If I had my life to live over Id like to make more mistakes next time. Id relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier that I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would perhaps have more action trouble, but Id have fewer imaginary ones. You see, Im one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, Ive had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, Id have more of them. In fact, Id try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. Ive been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies Nadine Stair at age 85
Are you stuck in solving a problem? Whats keeping you from solving this problem? Is it that you are hesitant to take a risk?
Why are we so scared to take risks? It could be lots of reasons, for instance: not wanting to get out of our comfort zone, fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, fear of change, or need for certainty, our desire to avoid conflict, fear of failure, lack of belief in ourselves. Risk taking is accepting the need for change and understanding whats involved in taking such actions.
We are talking here about intelligent risk taking, not being careless. Intelligent risk taking enables you to express your creativity, drive and motivation.
Risk taking often requires an honest look at the situation and the required actions. It is also important to understand what the risks are and the advantages and disadvantages of taking the action. Once you have committed yourself to the action, you must also be prepared to accept the consequences of such actions.
Here is one of my favourite quotes on risks.
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by his own fears, he is a slave; He has forfeited freedom.
Only a person who risks is free!
TIP OF THE DAY As Nike says Just do it!!
My challenge for you: Think of one area in your life that you have been putting off taking a risk. My challenge is to identify what is keeping you from taking action. Now, identify one action you will take this week.
My stretch challenge for you is to email me and tell me the action you will take, then email me when you have completed the action.
Final thoughts:
If I had my life to live over Id like to make more mistakes next time. Id relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier that I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would perhaps have more action trouble, but Id have fewer imaginary ones. You see, Im one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, Ive had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, Id have more of them. In fact, Id try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. Ive been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies Nadine Stair at age 85
Monday, August 27, 2007
10 Convenient Ways To Eliminate Food Poisoning With Your Microwave
Microwave ovens can play an important role at mealtime, but special care must be taken when cooking or reheating meat, poultry, fish, and eggs to make sure they are prepared safely. Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave "cold spots," where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to use the following safe microwaving tips to prevent food-borne illness.
Microwave Cooking
1. Arrange food items evenly in a covered dish and add some liquid if needed. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap; loosen or vent the lid or wrap to let steam escape.
2. Large cuts of meat should be cooked on medium power (50%) for longer periods. This allows heat to reach the center without overcooking outer areas.
3. Stir or rotate food midway through the microwaving time to eliminate cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive.
Microwave Defrosting
4. Remove food from packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays and plastic wraps because they are not heat stable at high temperatures.
5. Cook meat, poultry, egg casseroles, and fish immediately after defrosting in the microwave oven because some areas of the frozen food may begin to cook during the defrosting time.
Reheating In The Microwave
6. Cover foods with a lid or a microwave-safe plastic wrap to hold in moisture and provide safe, even heating.
7. After reheating foods in the microwave oven, allow standing time. Then, use a clean food thermometer to check that food has reached 165 F.
Proper Containers
8. Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven and that is labeled for microwave oven use.
9. Plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take- out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time use containers should not be used in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.
10. Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use. Do not let plastic wrap touch foods during microwaving.
Copyright (c) Terry Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Microwave ovens can play an important role at mealtime, but special care must be taken when cooking or reheating meat, poultry, fish, and eggs to make sure they are prepared safely. Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave "cold spots," where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to use the following safe microwaving tips to prevent food-borne illness.
Microwave Cooking
1. Arrange food items evenly in a covered dish and add some liquid if needed. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap; loosen or vent the lid or wrap to let steam escape.
2. Large cuts of meat should be cooked on medium power (50%) for longer periods. This allows heat to reach the center without overcooking outer areas.
3. Stir or rotate food midway through the microwaving time to eliminate cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive.
Microwave Defrosting
4. Remove food from packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays and plastic wraps because they are not heat stable at high temperatures.
5. Cook meat, poultry, egg casseroles, and fish immediately after defrosting in the microwave oven because some areas of the frozen food may begin to cook during the defrosting time.
Reheating In The Microwave
6. Cover foods with a lid or a microwave-safe plastic wrap to hold in moisture and provide safe, even heating.
7. After reheating foods in the microwave oven, allow standing time. Then, use a clean food thermometer to check that food has reached 165 F.
Proper Containers
8. Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven and that is labeled for microwave oven use.
9. Plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take- out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time use containers should not be used in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.
10. Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use. Do not let plastic wrap touch foods during microwaving.
Copyright (c) Terry Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Setting up your First Aquarium
When you have decided what type of fish and plants you wish to keep, found a suitable tank and purchased all the necessary equipment, the next step is to actually set up your aquarium. Many people quite randomly add stuff to their aquarium without much consideration, which usually mean that they will encounter a lot more problems that the prepared aquarists. By sticking to a plan when you arrange your first aquarium you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble.
The first thing you should do is to thoroughly clean your tank. If you skip this stage simply because your new aquarium looks clean and shiny, your fish might die due to left over contaminants that become dissolved in the water. A previously used aquarium also needs a good scrub to remove unwanted parasites and diseases. Many microorganisms are remarkably resilient and can stay dormant even in an empty aquarium. Normally, it is unadvisable to use detergents when cleaning aquarium equipment, but during this first wash you can use a small amount of dish washing liquid in warm water. It is of imperative importance that you rinse away all traces of washing liquid as soon as possible. Use warm water to thoroughly rinse the aquarium several times. Fish can die from even tiny amounts of dish washing liquid.
When you have cleaned your tank, you should clean all the items that will go into the aquarium, such as equipment and aquarium dcor. If you use a bucket when cleaning your equipment, you should use a bucket that has not previously been contaminated with any form of detergents. Gravel should be washed under warm running water while being stirred. Continue to stir until the water is clear. If you plan to include bogwood in your set up, you might have to keep it in a bucket for a few weeks before you can place it in the aquarium. Bogwood can not sink until it has been water drenched. If you are lucky, your bogwood has been properly drenched before entering the store shelves.
You should be very careful with items from the wild, since they might affect the water chemistry in the aquarium. If you still want to use aquarium decoration from the wild, you must make sure that the items free from undesired microorganisms. Place them in a bucket filled with water and chlorine bleach. All traces of chlorine bleach must naturally be removed afterwards by repeated rinsing and soaking in fresh water.
Before you begin to fill your aquarium with water you should check that the spot that you have chosen is suitable. The floor must be flat and the room should ideally not be subjected to shakings. A special type of aquarium matting can be used to decrease unevenness between the aquarium and the thing that is stands on top of. A special aquarium stand is recommended, especially for larger aquariums since they can become too heavy for ordinary furniture.
If your tap water contains chlorine, you need a purchase a water conditioner from the fish store to remove the chlorine. In many countries, chlorine is added to the tap water to reduce the growth or bacteria and other micro organisms. In an aquarium, chlorine is naturally unwanted.
Now it is time to test your aquarium for leaks. Mending leaks is much easier now, then when you have filled your aquarium with gravel, equipment, fish etcetera. Fill your aquarium with water and let it stay like that for at least half a day. If there are no signs of leaks, you can remove the water and begin to decorate your aquarium.
The first thing that you should add to your aquarium is the gravel. If you want to use an under gravel filter, the necessary plates must be inserted prior to the gravel. It is popular among aquarists to add more gravel to the back of the aquarium that to the front, in order to create a sloping bottom that gives you a better view of the aquarium. Adding 1-3 inches of substrate is common, but some aquarists prefer a deep sand bed while others go for much less gravel. If you are going to use under gravel filtration, you should follow the instructions for the filter system.
The next step involves filling the aquarium half way up with water. If you fill the aquarium all the way up, it will be more difficult to add equipment and decorations. One of the most convenient ways of filling your aquarium with water is to place a place on top of the gravel and pour dechlorinated water onto that plate. With this method, you will disturb the gravel as little as possible. Try to direct the flow to the sides of the tank. By using a plate and adding water at a slow pace, you can have your water pretty clear from the start. It is normal for the water to look a little cloudy after being poured into the aquarium; it will settle after a day or two.
Attach the equipment to their proper places in the aquarium. For most beginner aquarists, this means the heater, the thermometer and the filter. A heater should be placed somewhere in the aquarium where the circulation will be potent, since this will spread the heat evenly in the tank. The thermometer should be placed where it is easy to read. Do not connect the equipment to the electrical outlet yet.
Place aquarium decoration at their desired places. Try to create plenty of good hiding spots for your fish, since this will make them feel more at home in the aquarium. A fish that is relaxed is less prone to diseases. Aquarium decoration is also a good way of hiding ugly cable cords, tubes etcetera. Make sure that the decorations are safely a secured. Caves should not be able to collapse, stones should not topple, and artificial plants should be anchored in the substrate or attached to aquarium decoration.
Live plants are a nice addition to the aquarium and sturdy plant species can be successfully kept even by beginner aquarists. If you want to keep live plants, you can add them now. If you are in no hurry, you can instead wait a few days and allow the water to stabilize since this is more beneficial for the plants. It is advisable to read more about aquatic plants before you choose plants. This way, you will find out which plants that are ideal for you and how to care for them. Some plants should be planted in the substrate; others attached to aquarium decoration, and a third type is simply left floating at the surface.
When you have gotten this far, you should turn on the equipment and make sure that they work. Always read the manuals that come with aquarium equipment before you begin to use the items. Fill the aquarium full with dechlorinated water and wait 30 minutes before you turn on the heater. Install the air supplying equipment, e.g. air stones or the air pump. Also turn on the mechanical filter, if you are using this type of filtration. Always follow the manufacturers instructions, since different equipment have different requirements. The temperature in the aquarium should be closely monitored for a day or two to make sure that everything works properly before you add any fish. The filter should run for at least one day.
Now you are ready to begin the so called cycling of the aquarium. This is an important step that should never be skipped. I suggest that you read about aquarium cycling before you add any fish, since this can save you a lot of trouble and prevent fish death.
When you have decided what type of fish and plants you wish to keep, found a suitable tank and purchased all the necessary equipment, the next step is to actually set up your aquarium. Many people quite randomly add stuff to their aquarium without much consideration, which usually mean that they will encounter a lot more problems that the prepared aquarists. By sticking to a plan when you arrange your first aquarium you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble.
The first thing you should do is to thoroughly clean your tank. If you skip this stage simply because your new aquarium looks clean and shiny, your fish might die due to left over contaminants that become dissolved in the water. A previously used aquarium also needs a good scrub to remove unwanted parasites and diseases. Many microorganisms are remarkably resilient and can stay dormant even in an empty aquarium. Normally, it is unadvisable to use detergents when cleaning aquarium equipment, but during this first wash you can use a small amount of dish washing liquid in warm water. It is of imperative importance that you rinse away all traces of washing liquid as soon as possible. Use warm water to thoroughly rinse the aquarium several times. Fish can die from even tiny amounts of dish washing liquid.
When you have cleaned your tank, you should clean all the items that will go into the aquarium, such as equipment and aquarium dcor. If you use a bucket when cleaning your equipment, you should use a bucket that has not previously been contaminated with any form of detergents. Gravel should be washed under warm running water while being stirred. Continue to stir until the water is clear. If you plan to include bogwood in your set up, you might have to keep it in a bucket for a few weeks before you can place it in the aquarium. Bogwood can not sink until it has been water drenched. If you are lucky, your bogwood has been properly drenched before entering the store shelves.
You should be very careful with items from the wild, since they might affect the water chemistry in the aquarium. If you still want to use aquarium decoration from the wild, you must make sure that the items free from undesired microorganisms. Place them in a bucket filled with water and chlorine bleach. All traces of chlorine bleach must naturally be removed afterwards by repeated rinsing and soaking in fresh water.
Before you begin to fill your aquarium with water you should check that the spot that you have chosen is suitable. The floor must be flat and the room should ideally not be subjected to shakings. A special type of aquarium matting can be used to decrease unevenness between the aquarium and the thing that is stands on top of. A special aquarium stand is recommended, especially for larger aquariums since they can become too heavy for ordinary furniture.
If your tap water contains chlorine, you need a purchase a water conditioner from the fish store to remove the chlorine. In many countries, chlorine is added to the tap water to reduce the growth or bacteria and other micro organisms. In an aquarium, chlorine is naturally unwanted.
Now it is time to test your aquarium for leaks. Mending leaks is much easier now, then when you have filled your aquarium with gravel, equipment, fish etcetera. Fill your aquarium with water and let it stay like that for at least half a day. If there are no signs of leaks, you can remove the water and begin to decorate your aquarium.
The first thing that you should add to your aquarium is the gravel. If you want to use an under gravel filter, the necessary plates must be inserted prior to the gravel. It is popular among aquarists to add more gravel to the back of the aquarium that to the front, in order to create a sloping bottom that gives you a better view of the aquarium. Adding 1-3 inches of substrate is common, but some aquarists prefer a deep sand bed while others go for much less gravel. If you are going to use under gravel filtration, you should follow the instructions for the filter system.
The next step involves filling the aquarium half way up with water. If you fill the aquarium all the way up, it will be more difficult to add equipment and decorations. One of the most convenient ways of filling your aquarium with water is to place a place on top of the gravel and pour dechlorinated water onto that plate. With this method, you will disturb the gravel as little as possible. Try to direct the flow to the sides of the tank. By using a plate and adding water at a slow pace, you can have your water pretty clear from the start. It is normal for the water to look a little cloudy after being poured into the aquarium; it will settle after a day or two.
Attach the equipment to their proper places in the aquarium. For most beginner aquarists, this means the heater, the thermometer and the filter. A heater should be placed somewhere in the aquarium where the circulation will be potent, since this will spread the heat evenly in the tank. The thermometer should be placed where it is easy to read. Do not connect the equipment to the electrical outlet yet.
Place aquarium decoration at their desired places. Try to create plenty of good hiding spots for your fish, since this will make them feel more at home in the aquarium. A fish that is relaxed is less prone to diseases. Aquarium decoration is also a good way of hiding ugly cable cords, tubes etcetera. Make sure that the decorations are safely a secured. Caves should not be able to collapse, stones should not topple, and artificial plants should be anchored in the substrate or attached to aquarium decoration.
Live plants are a nice addition to the aquarium and sturdy plant species can be successfully kept even by beginner aquarists. If you want to keep live plants, you can add them now. If you are in no hurry, you can instead wait a few days and allow the water to stabilize since this is more beneficial for the plants. It is advisable to read more about aquatic plants before you choose plants. This way, you will find out which plants that are ideal for you and how to care for them. Some plants should be planted in the substrate; others attached to aquarium decoration, and a third type is simply left floating at the surface.
When you have gotten this far, you should turn on the equipment and make sure that they work. Always read the manuals that come with aquarium equipment before you begin to use the items. Fill the aquarium full with dechlorinated water and wait 30 minutes before you turn on the heater. Install the air supplying equipment, e.g. air stones or the air pump. Also turn on the mechanical filter, if you are using this type of filtration. Always follow the manufacturers instructions, since different equipment have different requirements. The temperature in the aquarium should be closely monitored for a day or two to make sure that everything works properly before you add any fish. The filter should run for at least one day.
Now you are ready to begin the so called cycling of the aquarium. This is an important step that should never be skipped. I suggest that you read about aquarium cycling before you add any fish, since this can save you a lot of trouble and prevent fish death.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Data Loggers: The Way To Monitor A Freezer Or Coolers Temperature
Data loggers are devices that sample temperature and/or humidity at regular intervals and then store it. The older models used paper and pencil as a storage method, but modern data loggers send the information they gathered directly to a computer.
Data loggers were originally created as weather forecasting tools, but they were quickly adopted as a perfect way to monitor freezers or coolers.
Keeping stable temperature in a freezer is much more important than most people think. It is especially true when we store deep frozen food there. The 10-degree difference in temperature might seem small, but it is crucial for deep frozen products.
Data loggers are absolutely necessary in professional freezers. The standard thermometer inside the freezer shows you only the present temperature. You need data loggers to check if there were any temperature fluctuations when no one was looking.
There are only two problems with data loggers that limit its usefulness. The first is that they arent independent. They usually need a computer or a chart recorder to see what they recorded. The second is that typical data loggers need a lot of maintenance paper, pencils or linked PC just to keep them running. Fortunately there is a data logger that does not cause this kind of problems: ThermaViewer.
ThermaViewer
Unlike other data loggers, ThermaViewer can work all by itself. It has a processor, its own memory and a big LCD screen, it doesnt need any other device to compute and show all the data it gathers. Its two sensors can be placed up to 100 feet from one another, which allows it to control temperature even in large freezers. As everything is stored in ThermaViewer internal memory and is displayed on the LCD screen, this is the only one of all data loggers that doesnt need any maintenance.
Data loggers are devices that sample temperature and/or humidity at regular intervals and then store it. The older models used paper and pencil as a storage method, but modern data loggers send the information they gathered directly to a computer.
Data loggers were originally created as weather forecasting tools, but they were quickly adopted as a perfect way to monitor freezers or coolers.
Keeping stable temperature in a freezer is much more important than most people think. It is especially true when we store deep frozen food there. The 10-degree difference in temperature might seem small, but it is crucial for deep frozen products.
Data loggers are absolutely necessary in professional freezers. The standard thermometer inside the freezer shows you only the present temperature. You need data loggers to check if there were any temperature fluctuations when no one was looking.
There are only two problems with data loggers that limit its usefulness. The first is that they arent independent. They usually need a computer or a chart recorder to see what they recorded. The second is that typical data loggers need a lot of maintenance paper, pencils or linked PC just to keep them running. Fortunately there is a data logger that does not cause this kind of problems: ThermaViewer.
ThermaViewer
Unlike other data loggers, ThermaViewer can work all by itself. It has a processor, its own memory and a big LCD screen, it doesnt need any other device to compute and show all the data it gathers. Its two sensors can be placed up to 100 feet from one another, which allows it to control temperature even in large freezers. As everything is stored in ThermaViewer internal memory and is displayed on the LCD screen, this is the only one of all data loggers that doesnt need any maintenance.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Shih Tzu - First Aid
Goals of first aid are: Keep your safety in mind at all times. Attend to any severe bleeding that is present. Administer CPR if needed. Immobilize injuries and/or pet for transport. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Delay in seeking professional help often increase costs and decreases treatment success.
When you do encounter an emergency situation, do not panic! Look around your surroundings to be sure there are no moving vehicles, broken glass, chemical spills, fire and electrical hazards. Approach the injured or ill pet slowly and with caution. Use a calm reassuring voice. You might need to apply a muzzle. Injured or ill animals might bite out of pain or fear. If this occurs, don't take it personally and don't feel like your animal is now vicious or worthless and needs to be gotten rid of. Be understanding that the animal is under extreme stress and hardly knows what to do himself.
Never use a muzzle on an animal that is vomiting, choking, convulsing or having breathing difficulties. If you cannot muzzle, use heavy-duty gloves or drape a blanket or thick towel over the animal's head prior to handling.
Determine whether a life-threatening situation exists and give appropriate first aid. Look for unconsciousness, shock, hemorrhage, look for breathing difficulties. Trauma (like hit by a car), poisoning, and air leakage from chest are all life-threatening. Transport the animal to the vet or emergency vet hospital. Transport securely - use a travel kennel most preferably. If a travel kennel is not available, place the animal in a box.
If head or spinal injury is suspected, use a board, plywood, window screen or any flat, firm surface to transport. If this type of flat support is not available, transport the pet in a large towel or small blanket. You might call the vet clinic in advance of your arrival giving them the circumstances of the accident, or illness.
Planning for an emergency:
Decide what you need to do ahead of time and rehearse. Have important telephone numbers such as your local vet and two of the closest 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics in a place you can find easily in a sudden emergency. The Poison Control Center number should be easily found: (800) 548-2423.
Items for your pet first aid kit:
Muzzle
Leash, Welder's gloves
Stretch bandage
Roll gauze
Solar blanket
Bandage tape
Sterile nonstick wound pads
Clean hand towel
Cotton balls and/or swabs
Chlorhexidine wash (0.5%)
Saline solution
Sterile eye ointment
Lubricating jelly
Clotting powder
Kydrogen peroxide
Kaolin-pectin
Activated charcoal
Triple antibiotic ointment
Splint
Forceps and/or tweezers
Scissors
Bulb syringe
Plastic digital thermometer
Reusable cold pack
12-milliliter syringe
Disposable gloves
Feeding Tubes
Home remedies
Goals of first aid are: Keep your safety in mind at all times. Attend to any severe bleeding that is present. Administer CPR if needed. Immobilize injuries and/or pet for transport. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Delay in seeking professional help often increase costs and decreases treatment success.
When you do encounter an emergency situation, do not panic! Look around your surroundings to be sure there are no moving vehicles, broken glass, chemical spills, fire and electrical hazards. Approach the injured or ill pet slowly and with caution. Use a calm reassuring voice. You might need to apply a muzzle. Injured or ill animals might bite out of pain or fear. If this occurs, don't take it personally and don't feel like your animal is now vicious or worthless and needs to be gotten rid of. Be understanding that the animal is under extreme stress and hardly knows what to do himself.
Never use a muzzle on an animal that is vomiting, choking, convulsing or having breathing difficulties. If you cannot muzzle, use heavy-duty gloves or drape a blanket or thick towel over the animal's head prior to handling.
Determine whether a life-threatening situation exists and give appropriate first aid. Look for unconsciousness, shock, hemorrhage, look for breathing difficulties. Trauma (like hit by a car), poisoning, and air leakage from chest are all life-threatening. Transport the animal to the vet or emergency vet hospital. Transport securely - use a travel kennel most preferably. If a travel kennel is not available, place the animal in a box.
If head or spinal injury is suspected, use a board, plywood, window screen or any flat, firm surface to transport. If this type of flat support is not available, transport the pet in a large towel or small blanket. You might call the vet clinic in advance of your arrival giving them the circumstances of the accident, or illness.
Planning for an emergency:
Decide what you need to do ahead of time and rehearse. Have important telephone numbers such as your local vet and two of the closest 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics in a place you can find easily in a sudden emergency. The Poison Control Center number should be easily found: (800) 548-2423.
Items for your pet first aid kit:
Muzzle
Leash, Welder's gloves
Stretch bandage
Roll gauze
Solar blanket
Bandage tape
Sterile nonstick wound pads
Clean hand towel
Cotton balls and/or swabs
Chlorhexidine wash (0.5%)
Saline solution
Sterile eye ointment
Lubricating jelly
Clotting powder
Kydrogen peroxide
Kaolin-pectin
Activated charcoal
Triple antibiotic ointment
Splint
Forceps and/or tweezers
Scissors
Bulb syringe
Plastic digital thermometer
Reusable cold pack
12-milliliter syringe
Disposable gloves
Feeding Tubes
Home remedies
Cooking a Turkey: a Review of the Basics
Cooking a whole turkey is just not something we do very often so having a perfect, juicy turkey on Thanksgiving Day can be illusive. Here are a few tips, hints and things to look for when making your turkey.
Choosing a Turkey
As Thanksgiving Day gets closer shopping market shelves seem to burst with turkeys of all sizes and brands. How do you know what size turkey to get? First figure out how many people you will be serving. Perhaps you should jot this number down on top of your shopping list because it will be helpful as you buy other items. If you are only feeding a few people and plan on getting a turkey less than 12 pounds expect figure about of a pound per adult as servings. If you are feeding a lot of people and are getting a larger turkey add up each adult serving as a pound and that is the size turkey you will want to look for. So if you are feeding 15 people you will want to get a 15-pound turkey. If you want to have leftovers add about 3-4 pounds.
White or Dark Meat?
Look on the labeling of the turkey carefully. If your family prefers white meat, then you will want to get a hen turkey. If dark meat is more desirable then get a tom turkey.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
Thawing is an important part of getting the turkey to cook right. If the turkey is not completely thawed it will cook unevenly. Plan on the turkey taking 24 hours for every 5 pounds to thaw. So if you get a 15-pound turkey it will take three days for it to thaw. You also cant count that day you are planning on roasting the turkey. To thaw, place the turkey on a tray and put in the fridge. You can tell the turkey is thawed if you can remove the giblets easily and there is no ice on the inside of the bird.
Preparations for Roasting
When the turkey is thawed release the legs, and remove everything from the inside cavities. Rinse the turkey thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. If you want to cook the stuffing inside the turkey make sure you have a meat thermometer. If you dont have a thermometer you will want to cook the stuffing separately. Reset the legs with the leg clamp or tie with string. Put the wing tips under the back. Place a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan and put the turkey on the rack breast side up. If you have a meat thermometer insert it into a thigh or some other place where it will not touch bone. Cover the turkey loosely with foil (make sure there is space between the turkey and the foil.
Roast in a 325 degree oven. Turkeys that are 8-12 pounds need to be roasted for 2 -3 hours, 12-14 pound turkey for 3-3 hours, 14-18 pound turkeys for 3 - 4 hours, 18-20 pound turkeys for 4 -4 hours, and a 20-24 pound turkey will need to cook for 4 to 5 hours. If you have opted to put stuffing in your turkey then you will need to allow for an extra 15-45 minutes on all cooking times.
Cooking a whole turkey is just not something we do very often so having a perfect, juicy turkey on Thanksgiving Day can be illusive. Here are a few tips, hints and things to look for when making your turkey.
Choosing a Turkey
As Thanksgiving Day gets closer shopping market shelves seem to burst with turkeys of all sizes and brands. How do you know what size turkey to get? First figure out how many people you will be serving. Perhaps you should jot this number down on top of your shopping list because it will be helpful as you buy other items. If you are only feeding a few people and plan on getting a turkey less than 12 pounds expect figure about of a pound per adult as servings. If you are feeding a lot of people and are getting a larger turkey add up each adult serving as a pound and that is the size turkey you will want to look for. So if you are feeding 15 people you will want to get a 15-pound turkey. If you want to have leftovers add about 3-4 pounds.
White or Dark Meat?
Look on the labeling of the turkey carefully. If your family prefers white meat, then you will want to get a hen turkey. If dark meat is more desirable then get a tom turkey.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
Thawing is an important part of getting the turkey to cook right. If the turkey is not completely thawed it will cook unevenly. Plan on the turkey taking 24 hours for every 5 pounds to thaw. So if you get a 15-pound turkey it will take three days for it to thaw. You also cant count that day you are planning on roasting the turkey. To thaw, place the turkey on a tray and put in the fridge. You can tell the turkey is thawed if you can remove the giblets easily and there is no ice on the inside of the bird.
Preparations for Roasting
When the turkey is thawed release the legs, and remove everything from the inside cavities. Rinse the turkey thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. If you want to cook the stuffing inside the turkey make sure you have a meat thermometer. If you dont have a thermometer you will want to cook the stuffing separately. Reset the legs with the leg clamp or tie with string. Put the wing tips under the back. Place a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan and put the turkey on the rack breast side up. If you have a meat thermometer insert it into a thigh or some other place where it will not touch bone. Cover the turkey loosely with foil (make sure there is space between the turkey and the foil.
Roast in a 325 degree oven. Turkeys that are 8-12 pounds need to be roasted for 2 -3 hours, 12-14 pound turkey for 3-3 hours, 14-18 pound turkeys for 3 - 4 hours, 18-20 pound turkeys for 4 -4 hours, and a 20-24 pound turkey will need to cook for 4 to 5 hours. If you have opted to put stuffing in your turkey then you will need to allow for an extra 15-45 minutes on all cooking times.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Your Vacation First Aid Kit
Your vacation supplies must include a first-aid kit.
Have it available while traveling and take it with you whenever you go walking, hiking, or any activity that takes you away from civilization.
You can use just about any type of container for your first-aid kit. It's best if the container is lightweight, like plastic, and has a good lid. A handle can be useful also. A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box or even kitchen Tupperware would work.
Here is a list of things to consider including in your vacation first-aid kit. This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other items to add.
You should have some sterile gauze with adhesive tape and scissors to cut them. Make sure the scissors are sharp. Also multiple sizes of band-aids. Tip: Sanitary napkins are sterile and make good compresses to stop bleeding.
To clean cuts and wounds include antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic wipes.
Consider including aspirin and acetaminophen, instant cold packs, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream.
Also, antacid, insect repellent, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen, cold and flu tablets
If anyone is taking prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for the whole trip.
The first-aid kit is a good place to store a list of emergency numbers along with your medical insurance information.
It's always a good idea to have a first-aid manual on hand and review it before you leave. This way you will be much more prepared should a situation arise where you need it. This is a great opportunity for children to learn a little about first-aid so review the manual with them too.
Other miscellaneous items that could be helpful are thermometer, latex gloves, tweezers and flashlight with spare batteries.
Keep your vacation first-aid kit easily accessible at all times but away from small children.
Your vacation supplies must include a first-aid kit.
Have it available while traveling and take it with you whenever you go walking, hiking, or any activity that takes you away from civilization.
You can use just about any type of container for your first-aid kit. It's best if the container is lightweight, like plastic, and has a good lid. A handle can be useful also. A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box or even kitchen Tupperware would work.
Here is a list of things to consider including in your vacation first-aid kit. This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other items to add.
You should have some sterile gauze with adhesive tape and scissors to cut them. Make sure the scissors are sharp. Also multiple sizes of band-aids. Tip: Sanitary napkins are sterile and make good compresses to stop bleeding.
To clean cuts and wounds include antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic wipes.
Consider including aspirin and acetaminophen, instant cold packs, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream.
Also, antacid, insect repellent, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen, cold and flu tablets
If anyone is taking prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for the whole trip.
The first-aid kit is a good place to store a list of emergency numbers along with your medical insurance information.
It's always a good idea to have a first-aid manual on hand and review it before you leave. This way you will be much more prepared should a situation arise where you need it. This is a great opportunity for children to learn a little about first-aid so review the manual with them too.
Other miscellaneous items that could be helpful are thermometer, latex gloves, tweezers and flashlight with spare batteries.
Keep your vacation first-aid kit easily accessible at all times but away from small children.
How to Properly Deactivate a Bomb
Movies have been made for decades -- many of them involve a bomb being deactivated. When I see a scene in which a bomb is deactivated 1-3 seconds before it's about to explode, I'm not impressed by the script writing. If I ever write a screenplay that includes a scene in which a bomb has to be deactivated, creativity will be my primary objective. In my story, the bomb will have one wire. That wire will be cut and the timer will stop. The timer's digital display will read no less than sixteen hundred seconds remaining.
My idea lacks suspense, but it contains originality. I'm confident I'll be able to write some intensity into the remaining 118 minutes of the film. I have ideas for other methods of building an original sequence of events into a script. For your reading enjoyment, I present you with an excerpt of thoughts from my head.
"Major Davenport, permission to speak freely?"
"Can it wait Lieutenant Jefferson? I'm trying to deactivate this bomb."
"No sir, I don't believe it can wait, Sir."
"Very well, Lieutenant, go ahead."
"Major, Sir, that's not a bomb. That's a turkey, Sir."
"What did you say, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, that's a turkey, Sir."
"A turkey? Good Lord, Lieutenant, who would plant a bomb inside a turkey?"
"No, Major, I mean that's only a turkey. The bomb is over there, next to the device that looks like an alarm clock."
"Lieutenant, I swear if you're wrong I'll have you cleaning toilets until you're so high from the fumes that you'll need a parachute to get back down!"
"Sir, I'm quite sure, Major, Sir."
"Lieutenant, look at this timer! There's only 100 seconds before this bomb goes off!"
"Sir, that's not a timer, Sir. That's a meat thermometer. The internal core temperature is slowly dropping, but I can say with absolute certainty that the turkey won't explode. With all due respect, Sir, I suggest we call in a bomb disposal unit."
"I have a better idea, Lieutenant Jefferson. Fire up the Stargate."
"Sir?"
"You have a hearing problem, Mister?"
"Sir, No, Sir!"
"Then why are you still standing here, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, I'll go start the dialing sequence immediately!"
Within minutes, Lieutenant Jefferson has the Stargate online and a wormhole open. He calls down to Major Davenport, "Sir, I've established a stable connection with an uninhabited planet."
"Good job, Lieutenant."
As the Lieutenant watches him, he realizes something has just gone horribly wrong. The Stargate shuts off automatically, and he races down to the Major.
"Major, that was the turkey."
"What are you saying, Lieutenant?"
"You sent the turkey millions of lightyears from here, but the bomb is still here, and I think it's about to explode."
"May God have mercy on our souls."
The Lieutenant walks over to the bomb, switching the alarm clock to the off position. The timer shuts off. The General suddenly enters the room. "Lieutenant, I was just about to eat the lunch I ordered. The cook says he had it delivered it here from the mess hall. Have you seen a turkey anywhere?"
The Major steps in, "General, the meat thermometer showed that it was undercooked. The Lieutenant and I agreed that sending it to another planet would be the best course of action to keep you safe, and we sent the turkey to where it couldn't harm anyone."
"Good work, Major! Lieutenant... Jefferson is it?"
"Sir, Yes, General Stevens!"
"Lieutenant Jefferson, I think I see a promotion coming your way."
"Sir, thank you, Sir!"
"Lieutenant, why are you sweating?"
"Sir, I was in the immediate vicinity of the turkey, which was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the time when we disposed of it, General!"
"I see. Well, why don't you hit the showers, then you and the Major report to my office in one hour for a debriefing."
The General walks away, as Major Davenport turns to the Lieutenant, and with a smile on face says, "All's well that ends well, eh, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
Movies have been made for decades -- many of them involve a bomb being deactivated. When I see a scene in which a bomb is deactivated 1-3 seconds before it's about to explode, I'm not impressed by the script writing. If I ever write a screenplay that includes a scene in which a bomb has to be deactivated, creativity will be my primary objective. In my story, the bomb will have one wire. That wire will be cut and the timer will stop. The timer's digital display will read no less than sixteen hundred seconds remaining.
My idea lacks suspense, but it contains originality. I'm confident I'll be able to write some intensity into the remaining 118 minutes of the film. I have ideas for other methods of building an original sequence of events into a script. For your reading enjoyment, I present you with an excerpt of thoughts from my head.
"Major Davenport, permission to speak freely?"
"Can it wait Lieutenant Jefferson? I'm trying to deactivate this bomb."
"No sir, I don't believe it can wait, Sir."
"Very well, Lieutenant, go ahead."
"Major, Sir, that's not a bomb. That's a turkey, Sir."
"What did you say, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, that's a turkey, Sir."
"A turkey? Good Lord, Lieutenant, who would plant a bomb inside a turkey?"
"No, Major, I mean that's only a turkey. The bomb is over there, next to the device that looks like an alarm clock."
"Lieutenant, I swear if you're wrong I'll have you cleaning toilets until you're so high from the fumes that you'll need a parachute to get back down!"
"Sir, I'm quite sure, Major, Sir."
"Lieutenant, look at this timer! There's only 100 seconds before this bomb goes off!"
"Sir, that's not a timer, Sir. That's a meat thermometer. The internal core temperature is slowly dropping, but I can say with absolute certainty that the turkey won't explode. With all due respect, Sir, I suggest we call in a bomb disposal unit."
"I have a better idea, Lieutenant Jefferson. Fire up the Stargate."
"Sir?"
"You have a hearing problem, Mister?"
"Sir, No, Sir!"
"Then why are you still standing here, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, I'll go start the dialing sequence immediately!"
Within minutes, Lieutenant Jefferson has the Stargate online and a wormhole open. He calls down to Major Davenport, "Sir, I've established a stable connection with an uninhabited planet."
"Good job, Lieutenant."
As the Lieutenant watches him, he realizes something has just gone horribly wrong. The Stargate shuts off automatically, and he races down to the Major.
"Major, that was the turkey."
"What are you saying, Lieutenant?"
"You sent the turkey millions of lightyears from here, but the bomb is still here, and I think it's about to explode."
"May God have mercy on our souls."
The Lieutenant walks over to the bomb, switching the alarm clock to the off position. The timer shuts off. The General suddenly enters the room. "Lieutenant, I was just about to eat the lunch I ordered. The cook says he had it delivered it here from the mess hall. Have you seen a turkey anywhere?"
The Major steps in, "General, the meat thermometer showed that it was undercooked. The Lieutenant and I agreed that sending it to another planet would be the best course of action to keep you safe, and we sent the turkey to where it couldn't harm anyone."
"Good work, Major! Lieutenant... Jefferson is it?"
"Sir, Yes, General Stevens!"
"Lieutenant Jefferson, I think I see a promotion coming your way."
"Sir, thank you, Sir!"
"Lieutenant, why are you sweating?"
"Sir, I was in the immediate vicinity of the turkey, which was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the time when we disposed of it, General!"
"I see. Well, why don't you hit the showers, then you and the Major report to my office in one hour for a debriefing."
The General walks away, as Major Davenport turns to the Lieutenant, and with a smile on face says, "All's well that ends well, eh, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Data Loggers: The Way To Monitor A Freezer Or Coolers Temperature
Data loggers are devices that sample temperature and/or humidity at regular intervals and then store it. The older models used paper and pencil as a storage method, but modern data loggers send the information they gathered directly to a computer.
Data loggers were originally created as weather forecasting tools, but they were quickly adopted as a perfect way to monitor freezers or coolers.
Keeping stable temperature in a freezer is much more important than most people think. It is especially true when we store deep frozen food there. The 10-degree difference in temperature might seem small, but it is crucial for deep frozen products.
Data loggers are absolutely necessary in professional freezers. The standard thermometer inside the freezer shows you only the present temperature. You need data loggers to check if there were any temperature fluctuations when no one was looking.
There are only two problems with data loggers that limit its usefulness. The first is that they arent independent. They usually need a computer or a chart recorder to see what they recorded. The second is that typical data loggers need a lot of maintenance paper, pencils or linked PC just to keep them running. Fortunately there is a data logger that does not cause this kind of problems: ThermaViewer.
ThermaViewer
Unlike other data loggers, ThermaViewer can work all by itself. It has a processor, its own memory and a big LCD screen, it doesnt need any other device to compute and show all the data it gathers. Its two sensors can be placed up to 100 feet from one another, which allows it to control temperature even in large freezers. As everything is stored in ThermaViewer internal memory and is displayed on the LCD screen, this is the only one of all data loggers that doesnt need any maintenance.
Data loggers are devices that sample temperature and/or humidity at regular intervals and then store it. The older models used paper and pencil as a storage method, but modern data loggers send the information they gathered directly to a computer.
Data loggers were originally created as weather forecasting tools, but they were quickly adopted as a perfect way to monitor freezers or coolers.
Keeping stable temperature in a freezer is much more important than most people think. It is especially true when we store deep frozen food there. The 10-degree difference in temperature might seem small, but it is crucial for deep frozen products.
Data loggers are absolutely necessary in professional freezers. The standard thermometer inside the freezer shows you only the present temperature. You need data loggers to check if there were any temperature fluctuations when no one was looking.
There are only two problems with data loggers that limit its usefulness. The first is that they arent independent. They usually need a computer or a chart recorder to see what they recorded. The second is that typical data loggers need a lot of maintenance paper, pencils or linked PC just to keep them running. Fortunately there is a data logger that does not cause this kind of problems: ThermaViewer.
ThermaViewer
Unlike other data loggers, ThermaViewer can work all by itself. It has a processor, its own memory and a big LCD screen, it doesnt need any other device to compute and show all the data it gathers. Its two sensors can be placed up to 100 feet from one another, which allows it to control temperature even in large freezers. As everything is stored in ThermaViewer internal memory and is displayed on the LCD screen, this is the only one of all data loggers that doesnt need any maintenance.
Make Glow in the Dark Candles "Cool Before you Light Them and Fun for Kids"
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Grilling, Gardening or Storm Watching: Thermometers Provide the Numbers You Need
(ARA)- To make the most of outdoor activities, people need more information: the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and whether any storms are lurking over the horizon.
Fortunately, there are thermometers that fit the bill for the weekend gardener, the grilling enthusiast, the weather aficionado or anyone in between. And with various outdoor celebrations throughout the season, thermometers make a great gift that's also practical and attractive.
Accurate weather information
If it's weather information you're after, digital thermometers and weather stations are the latest trend. These handy devices incorporate wireless monitoring technology and provide the convenience of having a monitor on a table inside the house with a weatherproof sensor outdoors, in the attic or wherever you would like it to be. Acu-Rite's models feature easy-to-read LCD screens that display both the internal room temperature as well as the temperature for up to three remote sensors with a range of up to 100 feet. They also function as clocks with snooze alarms and day/date displays.
The more advanced models will give you barometric pressure and humidity readings and alert you to weather changes and impending storms. If you want to monitor the temperature of your lily pond or swimming pool, the weatherproof sensors also come with a submersible waterproof probe.
If you are really into precision, Acu-Rite's newest model, available this spring at Wal-Mart, will give you not only accurate weather readings, but also will synchronize to the official U.S. atomic clock in Boulder, Colo.
Spruce up the deck
Whether you need to know when to flip the burgers or when to flip yourself to get an even tan, a combination thermometer/clock on the deck is handy during warm weather. Many combination models or sets are available, in designs ranging from a bright mosaic, to garden herbs, to sea shells. Look for sets made from durable sculpted resin to withstand outdoor use and still provide accurate time and temperature information.
Decorative thermometers, including glazed ceramic or earthy terra cotta designs, are suitable for indoor or outdoor decorating. Stoney Creek's ceramic line offers colorful designs with floral, French Provincial and other garden-related themes. Other designs incorporate nature themes such as birds, frogs and flowers that can also function as birdfeeders, key holders or planters. More traditionally-styled thermometers available from Acu-Rite include brass tub thermometers that mount to a window frame, metal verdigris or grape leaf patterns, or a nautical, porthole style thermometer.
Look for Acu-Rite products at major discount stores including Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart, ShopKo and Lowe's. Stoney Creek Trading Co. products can be found at specialty retailers. Acu-Rite and Stoney Creek Trading Co. thermometers are made by the Chaney Instrument Company, an internationally-known maker of quality timepieces and thermometers since 1943. To learn more about the Acu-Rite or Stoney Creek Trading Co. brands or Chaney Instrument Co., visit www.chaneyinstrument.com.
(ARA)- To make the most of outdoor activities, people need more information: the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and whether any storms are lurking over the horizon.
Fortunately, there are thermometers that fit the bill for the weekend gardener, the grilling enthusiast, the weather aficionado or anyone in between. And with various outdoor celebrations throughout the season, thermometers make a great gift that's also practical and attractive.
Accurate weather information
If it's weather information you're after, digital thermometers and weather stations are the latest trend. These handy devices incorporate wireless monitoring technology and provide the convenience of having a monitor on a table inside the house with a weatherproof sensor outdoors, in the attic or wherever you would like it to be. Acu-Rite's models feature easy-to-read LCD screens that display both the internal room temperature as well as the temperature for up to three remote sensors with a range of up to 100 feet. They also function as clocks with snooze alarms and day/date displays.
The more advanced models will give you barometric pressure and humidity readings and alert you to weather changes and impending storms. If you want to monitor the temperature of your lily pond or swimming pool, the weatherproof sensors also come with a submersible waterproof probe.
If you are really into precision, Acu-Rite's newest model, available this spring at Wal-Mart, will give you not only accurate weather readings, but also will synchronize to the official U.S. atomic clock in Boulder, Colo.
Spruce up the deck
Whether you need to know when to flip the burgers or when to flip yourself to get an even tan, a combination thermometer/clock on the deck is handy during warm weather. Many combination models or sets are available, in designs ranging from a bright mosaic, to garden herbs, to sea shells. Look for sets made from durable sculpted resin to withstand outdoor use and still provide accurate time and temperature information.
Decorative thermometers, including glazed ceramic or earthy terra cotta designs, are suitable for indoor or outdoor decorating. Stoney Creek's ceramic line offers colorful designs with floral, French Provincial and other garden-related themes. Other designs incorporate nature themes such as birds, frogs and flowers that can also function as birdfeeders, key holders or planters. More traditionally-styled thermometers available from Acu-Rite include brass tub thermometers that mount to a window frame, metal verdigris or grape leaf patterns, or a nautical, porthole style thermometer.
Look for Acu-Rite products at major discount stores including Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart, ShopKo and Lowe's. Stoney Creek Trading Co. products can be found at specialty retailers. Acu-Rite and Stoney Creek Trading Co. thermometers are made by the Chaney Instrument Company, an internationally-known maker of quality timepieces and thermometers since 1943. To learn more about the Acu-Rite or Stoney Creek Trading Co. brands or Chaney Instrument Co., visit www.chaneyinstrument.com.
Make Glow in the Dark Candles "Cool Before you Light Them and Fun for Kids"
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Alarm Clocks - Your Wake Up Call Part IV
If you absolutely have to have an alarm clock, then it may as well be an item of dcor as well as the thing which wakes you up in the morning. You can buy one to fit with just about any interior decoration scheme so we'll look at a few of those available on the market.
Twin Bells - These are just like they sound and are rather retro in appearance. They have a pair of bells on top and the alarm works by a clanger vibrating back and forth between the two. The clock face is usually circular and it is supported on a pair of short legs at the front. The case may be made from a variety of materials (copper, brass, plastic) and colours (usually silver, brass, nickel or black).
Desk Clocks - Be warned, not all these clocks have alarms so if that's specifically what you're after, check carefully. These clocks are rather stylish, often quite minimalist, made from solid brass either circular or square. Some will include a calendar or different time zones but although they are called Desk Clocks, they are often used to adorn a shelf or mantelpiece in a living room.
Maritime Clocks - These beautiful objects are usually found in a sold brass or chrome case and incorporate features such as a thermometer, barometer, tide indicator and hygrometer. The alarm will sound like a ship's bell and for some, a mahogany gimballed case can be bought separately.
Talking Clocks - There are a few of these around including a flat travel clock which clips shut a bit like a cigarette case and when open has space on one side for a photograph of your loved ones and which uses a recording of their voice as the alarm.
Scientific Clocks - These are often wireless and combine atomic clocks with temperature, humidity and rainfall sensors. Sometimes a remote control is included.
Novelty Clocks - There are almost too many of these to mention but they include cartoon characters such as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, sport themed clocks (e.g. golf balls, carts, etc.), comic book characters such as Batman and Superman and car-orientated clocks which represent disc brakes or tyres which rotate.
Of course, you could just stick with a standard looking clock - they do come in a variety of colours.
With all the shapes, sizes and types of alarm clocks around, you should be able to find something to suit your taste.
If you absolutely have to have an alarm clock, then it may as well be an item of dcor as well as the thing which wakes you up in the morning. You can buy one to fit with just about any interior decoration scheme so we'll look at a few of those available on the market.
Twin Bells - These are just like they sound and are rather retro in appearance. They have a pair of bells on top and the alarm works by a clanger vibrating back and forth between the two. The clock face is usually circular and it is supported on a pair of short legs at the front. The case may be made from a variety of materials (copper, brass, plastic) and colours (usually silver, brass, nickel or black).
Desk Clocks - Be warned, not all these clocks have alarms so if that's specifically what you're after, check carefully. These clocks are rather stylish, often quite minimalist, made from solid brass either circular or square. Some will include a calendar or different time zones but although they are called Desk Clocks, they are often used to adorn a shelf or mantelpiece in a living room.
Maritime Clocks - These beautiful objects are usually found in a sold brass or chrome case and incorporate features such as a thermometer, barometer, tide indicator and hygrometer. The alarm will sound like a ship's bell and for some, a mahogany gimballed case can be bought separately.
Talking Clocks - There are a few of these around including a flat travel clock which clips shut a bit like a cigarette case and when open has space on one side for a photograph of your loved ones and which uses a recording of their voice as the alarm.
Scientific Clocks - These are often wireless and combine atomic clocks with temperature, humidity and rainfall sensors. Sometimes a remote control is included.
Novelty Clocks - There are almost too many of these to mention but they include cartoon characters such as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, sport themed clocks (e.g. golf balls, carts, etc.), comic book characters such as Batman and Superman and car-orientated clocks which represent disc brakes or tyres which rotate.
Of course, you could just stick with a standard looking clock - they do come in a variety of colours.
With all the shapes, sizes and types of alarm clocks around, you should be able to find something to suit your taste.
How To Brew Your Own Beer
Theres no bottle of brew that tastes quite as good as the one youve made yourself. It's also a fun hobby. So what are you waiting for? Heres how to brew your own beer.
Theres some equipment you are going to need. You should be able to pick it all up for under $200, and its not hard to find. Any local brewing supply store or online brewing site will have everything you need which includes:
Brewing Pot Plastic hose Fermenter Bottling bucket Airlock and stopper Bottle brush Bottle capper Thermometer the stick-on type is best Small bowl Saucepan Spatula Oven mitts Wooden mixing spoons
The easiest way, especially for beginners, is to pick up a beer kit. It will contain all the needed ingredients, which include yeast and hopped malt concentrate. You also need to buy fermentables, which are what add the different flavors to your brew. Of course you can buy your ingredients separately, but the kit is a foolproof way to get everything you need.
You will need to sanitize all your equipment. In fact, its the most important thing you will do. Clean everything with hot soapy water. Then you need to sanitize all your equipment by using either the iodine solution or chlorine solution that came with your brewing equipment.
Now that everything is sterilized, you are ready to start. Put two quarts of water in your brew pot; then heat to around 180F or until it steams; then remove it from the heat. Add your beer kit and fermentables. Follow the instructions provided with your kit.
Stir until everything is dissolved; then put the lid on and leave it sit for 20 minutes on low heat. Add your mix, which is called the wort, to the fermenter which should be filled with four gallons of water. Stir for 4 minutes. This oxygenizes the mixture. When the wort is cool to the touch you can add your yeast.
Now its time to let your wort ferment. The process starts right away and continues for 5 days. During this period its important to keep the temperature constant, around 65F, and to keep your wort in a dark place. Youll be able to tell when your wort is fermenting because you will see tiny little air bubbles rising to the top.
When 5 day arrives you need to start checking your beer each day. When there are no more air bubbles your beer is ready to bottle. Dont be impatient. If you dont wait for the fermenting to complete youll wreck your beers taste.
Before you bottle you have to prepare whats called the primary solution. This is what carbonates the beer. In your saucepan add 2 cups of water and cup dextrose. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and then let it cool for 30 minutes. Pour it into the bottling bucket.
Attach the hose to the spigot on your fermenter and put the other end of the hose in your bottling bucket. Open the spigot and transfer your beer over to the bottling bucket. When done, detach and clean the hose and toss the fermenter. Fill each bottle leaving 1 of air at the top. Cap securely and make sure there are no leaks.
Wait, its not quite time to drink it yet. You need to put your bottled beer in a cool dark place for the second fermentation process. Dont put it in the fridge as thats too cold. Basements work great. It now needs to sit for 2 more weeks. And then it will be time to enjoy!
Theres no bottle of brew that tastes quite as good as the one youve made yourself. It's also a fun hobby. So what are you waiting for? Heres how to brew your own beer.
Theres some equipment you are going to need. You should be able to pick it all up for under $200, and its not hard to find. Any local brewing supply store or online brewing site will have everything you need which includes:
Brewing Pot Plastic hose Fermenter Bottling bucket Airlock and stopper Bottle brush Bottle capper Thermometer the stick-on type is best Small bowl Saucepan Spatula Oven mitts Wooden mixing spoons
The easiest way, especially for beginners, is to pick up a beer kit. It will contain all the needed ingredients, which include yeast and hopped malt concentrate. You also need to buy fermentables, which are what add the different flavors to your brew. Of course you can buy your ingredients separately, but the kit is a foolproof way to get everything you need.
You will need to sanitize all your equipment. In fact, its the most important thing you will do. Clean everything with hot soapy water. Then you need to sanitize all your equipment by using either the iodine solution or chlorine solution that came with your brewing equipment.
Now that everything is sterilized, you are ready to start. Put two quarts of water in your brew pot; then heat to around 180F or until it steams; then remove it from the heat. Add your beer kit and fermentables. Follow the instructions provided with your kit.
Stir until everything is dissolved; then put the lid on and leave it sit for 20 minutes on low heat. Add your mix, which is called the wort, to the fermenter which should be filled with four gallons of water. Stir for 4 minutes. This oxygenizes the mixture. When the wort is cool to the touch you can add your yeast.
Now its time to let your wort ferment. The process starts right away and continues for 5 days. During this period its important to keep the temperature constant, around 65F, and to keep your wort in a dark place. Youll be able to tell when your wort is fermenting because you will see tiny little air bubbles rising to the top.
When 5 day arrives you need to start checking your beer each day. When there are no more air bubbles your beer is ready to bottle. Dont be impatient. If you dont wait for the fermenting to complete youll wreck your beers taste.
Before you bottle you have to prepare whats called the primary solution. This is what carbonates the beer. In your saucepan add 2 cups of water and cup dextrose. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and then let it cool for 30 minutes. Pour it into the bottling bucket.
Attach the hose to the spigot on your fermenter and put the other end of the hose in your bottling bucket. Open the spigot and transfer your beer over to the bottling bucket. When done, detach and clean the hose and toss the fermenter. Fill each bottle leaving 1 of air at the top. Cap securely and make sure there are no leaks.
Wait, its not quite time to drink it yet. You need to put your bottled beer in a cool dark place for the second fermentation process. Dont put it in the fridge as thats too cold. Basements work great. It now needs to sit for 2 more weeks. And then it will be time to enjoy!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Weather and Latitude are Not Allies
There is a popular assumption that if you move to higher latitudes (toward the poles) you can escape the heat, and that by moving to lower latitudes (toward the equator) you can escape the cold.
The equation is simple. But is it real? If it was, then the most northerly capital, Reykjavk, would also be the coldest...at least until they establish a country on Antarctica. Yes, it appears that latitude is slacking off and failing to keep temperatures in line.
This was brought home to me when preparing for a radio interview in Dublin, Ireland. February had just roiled in and I was sitting back comfortably in my good old glacial Ottawa, Canada, weather, scraping icicles off my toes. I was giddy with excitement over our warm spell, which it was reaching a high of minus-5 (that's about 20-degrees American). I always ask questions the day before an interview, to learn a bit about my audience, so I asked the producer, "So what's the weather forecast for Dublin, Ireland?" asked.
"Oh it's horrible," she told me. "People are bracing for a deep winter freeze that's supposed to hit tonight. It might even get as cold as minus-5!"
This blew me away, that the folks in Dublin would be worried about the thermometer dips as low as ours spikes high. After all, isn't Dublin about the same latitude as Ottawa?
Weather forecast from an atlas
I whipped out my trusty atlas. We live almost exactly on the 45th parallel. If we lived exactly on it, we would have to share our bed with a cow and a dozen chickens across the road that's how close we are.
I turned the pages to find Ireland. Could I have been mistaken? Is Dublin really quite south of us? No, it turns out that Dublin lies at the 53rd parallel. Hey! They should be getting colder weather than us. That's not fair.
The weather is not fair. Dublin is way to the North of us, so why do we get all the cold?
I decided to take a peak at a few other pages of my atlas. Lo and behold, Venice is also on the 45th parallel. Let me tell you that the weather forecast for Venice, Italy never calls for getting buried in snow for three or four months of the year...unless you happen to be viewing "The Day After Tomorrow". In fact, the average temperature in Venice in January is +1 (that's about 34-degrees American).
Hmm. I wondered what else lay along the 45th parallel. The French Riviera. Not too much ice going on there. Portland, Oregon. I checked the Portland, USA, weather forecast. Yup, same as Venice in January. And Sevastapol, Urkaine, also with January temperatures near Venice.
In fact, no other well-populated area of the world endures so much cold (except parts of Russia, but many of those people can't afford the taxi fare to go somewhere else).
So why do so many people with so much wealth live in such an inhospitable climate? I don't know. Maybe we are waiting for latitude to correct this little anomaly.
Or maybe our brains are simply frozen. Or maybe that's why so many people around here head south to enjoy that warm Orlando, Florida, weather forecast.
There is a popular assumption that if you move to higher latitudes (toward the poles) you can escape the heat, and that by moving to lower latitudes (toward the equator) you can escape the cold.
The equation is simple. But is it real? If it was, then the most northerly capital, Reykjavk, would also be the coldest...at least until they establish a country on Antarctica. Yes, it appears that latitude is slacking off and failing to keep temperatures in line.
This was brought home to me when preparing for a radio interview in Dublin, Ireland. February had just roiled in and I was sitting back comfortably in my good old glacial Ottawa, Canada, weather, scraping icicles off my toes. I was giddy with excitement over our warm spell, which it was reaching a high of minus-5 (that's about 20-degrees American). I always ask questions the day before an interview, to learn a bit about my audience, so I asked the producer, "So what's the weather forecast for Dublin, Ireland?" asked.
"Oh it's horrible," she told me. "People are bracing for a deep winter freeze that's supposed to hit tonight. It might even get as cold as minus-5!"
This blew me away, that the folks in Dublin would be worried about the thermometer dips as low as ours spikes high. After all, isn't Dublin about the same latitude as Ottawa?
Weather forecast from an atlas
I whipped out my trusty atlas. We live almost exactly on the 45th parallel. If we lived exactly on it, we would have to share our bed with a cow and a dozen chickens across the road that's how close we are.
I turned the pages to find Ireland. Could I have been mistaken? Is Dublin really quite south of us? No, it turns out that Dublin lies at the 53rd parallel. Hey! They should be getting colder weather than us. That's not fair.
The weather is not fair. Dublin is way to the North of us, so why do we get all the cold?
I decided to take a peak at a few other pages of my atlas. Lo and behold, Venice is also on the 45th parallel. Let me tell you that the weather forecast for Venice, Italy never calls for getting buried in snow for three or four months of the year...unless you happen to be viewing "The Day After Tomorrow". In fact, the average temperature in Venice in January is +1 (that's about 34-degrees American).
Hmm. I wondered what else lay along the 45th parallel. The French Riviera. Not too much ice going on there. Portland, Oregon. I checked the Portland, USA, weather forecast. Yup, same as Venice in January. And Sevastapol, Urkaine, also with January temperatures near Venice.
In fact, no other well-populated area of the world endures so much cold (except parts of Russia, but many of those people can't afford the taxi fare to go somewhere else).
So why do so many people with so much wealth live in such an inhospitable climate? I don't know. Maybe we are waiting for latitude to correct this little anomaly.
Or maybe our brains are simply frozen. Or maybe that's why so many people around here head south to enjoy that warm Orlando, Florida, weather forecast.
HGH the Human Growth Hormone Supplement for 50 and Over
When I was 21 my eyesight was keener, I was stronger, my skin looked smooth, my sex drive was in overdrive and I felt like I could pick up the world, place it on my shoulder and walk off with it. Well now I am 56 and it feels like I did pick up the World on my shoulder and now I have no place to put it down!
Welcome to 50 and over! As you age your pituitary gland produces less human growth hormone than it did at your peak, which was 21. The ideal condition would be to stimulate the pituitary to produce more HGH to prevent aging.
Human growth hormone has been collected by harvesting HGH from other humans and injecting the foreign HGH into the body at a cost of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a month. This application requires a prescription. There is another method called precursors that can allow the level of HGH to go below the level that you are currently manufacturing in your body, which is dangerous as it may cause the pituitary to shut down. The Homeopathic version includes small amounts of human growth hormone that is activated by transferring energy from the homeopathics hand into the bottle of formulation. No clinical evidence supports this method of production at this time. And then there is the natural way. A releaser is natural herbs and minerals that stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH, which gives you a more youthful life and body with no side effects. The releaser should only be chosen that has a clinical history; doctor formulated and be taken orally.
I was beginning to see age spots on my skin, hair thinning, loss of libido, memory playing tricks on me, having trouble sleeping, vision dimming, and the lack of energy. I began to see the benefits of using an HGH supplement that would stimulate the pituitary gland. My cholesterol level has become like the thermometer, up and down like the temperature and wrinkles where I never had them before. Some people want to roll back the aging clock back; I just want to stop it! If an HGH supplement will arrest my aging process and take some time off this body that I have accumulated, Ill consider it a bonus!
When you are 50 and over you soon grow to realize quality of life far exceeds quantity of years. I watch folks my age and younger now struggle to get up from a couch, groan as they stand after sitting, ache for no apparent reason and I am happy for the discovery of HGH supplements and the myth busting of the fountain of youth.
There are vendors who sell HGH plus other natural vitamins, supplements and minerals. Most are without clinical trials to back their product. I tried to find a product that had a 10-year history and a doctor formulated product that would have no side effects on ME other than natural youth changes. I also looked for a reputable company to buy from that had a money back guarantee and a professional web presentation.
When I was 21 my eyesight was keener, I was stronger, my skin looked smooth, my sex drive was in overdrive and I felt like I could pick up the world, place it on my shoulder and walk off with it. Well now I am 56 and it feels like I did pick up the World on my shoulder and now I have no place to put it down!
Welcome to 50 and over! As you age your pituitary gland produces less human growth hormone than it did at your peak, which was 21. The ideal condition would be to stimulate the pituitary to produce more HGH to prevent aging.
Human growth hormone has been collected by harvesting HGH from other humans and injecting the foreign HGH into the body at a cost of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a month. This application requires a prescription. There is another method called precursors that can allow the level of HGH to go below the level that you are currently manufacturing in your body, which is dangerous as it may cause the pituitary to shut down. The Homeopathic version includes small amounts of human growth hormone that is activated by transferring energy from the homeopathics hand into the bottle of formulation. No clinical evidence supports this method of production at this time. And then there is the natural way. A releaser is natural herbs and minerals that stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH, which gives you a more youthful life and body with no side effects. The releaser should only be chosen that has a clinical history; doctor formulated and be taken orally.
I was beginning to see age spots on my skin, hair thinning, loss of libido, memory playing tricks on me, having trouble sleeping, vision dimming, and the lack of energy. I began to see the benefits of using an HGH supplement that would stimulate the pituitary gland. My cholesterol level has become like the thermometer, up and down like the temperature and wrinkles where I never had them before. Some people want to roll back the aging clock back; I just want to stop it! If an HGH supplement will arrest my aging process and take some time off this body that I have accumulated, Ill consider it a bonus!
When you are 50 and over you soon grow to realize quality of life far exceeds quantity of years. I watch folks my age and younger now struggle to get up from a couch, groan as they stand after sitting, ache for no apparent reason and I am happy for the discovery of HGH supplements and the myth busting of the fountain of youth.
There are vendors who sell HGH plus other natural vitamins, supplements and minerals. Most are without clinical trials to back their product. I tried to find a product that had a 10-year history and a doctor formulated product that would have no side effects on ME other than natural youth changes. I also looked for a reputable company to buy from that had a money back guarantee and a professional web presentation.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Frugal Outdoor Cooking
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook in the summer! Here are a few grilling tips and a couple of recipes, too.
For great grilled burgers, form the patty gently. Smashing the meat forces out moisture.
Sear both sides of the burger on both sides, then move the burger and cook with indirect heat till done.
Use a meat thermometer to gauge when the meat is done. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
When grilling chicken, remember that dark meat needs longer on the grill than breast meat. Also, bone-in parts cook longer than boneless parts.
Place the pieces that need to cook the longest on the grill first, and then move them to a cooler area of the grill to finish cooking after they have browned.
Again, use a meat thermometer to tell when chicken is done. Bone-in parts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees; boneless parts to about 160 degrees.
Tropical Glaze for Grilled Chicken
1 small can crushed pineapple
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon mustard
Drain pineapple, reserving 2 tablespoons of juice. Mix pineapple, reserved juice, brown sugar, lemon juice and mustard.
Brush chicken parts with glaze often during last 10 minutes of grilling.
Barbecue Sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 or 3 dashes hot pepper sauce (optional)
Mix all ingredients in saucepan; bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Use to baste burgers or pork chops during last 10-15 minutes of grilling.
= = = = = = = = = = =
Always be sure to cook on a clean grill. If you have a gas grill, leave it on for a couple of minutes after you finish cooking, with the lid down. If you have a charcoal grill, just close the lid and let it burn out. Then you can scrub the grate with a wad of aluminum foil.
Don't cook at too high a temperature and don't lift the lid and peek too many times. You'll just be adding to the cooking time, because the temperature will be lowered.
For a great warm weather dessert, try this cool fruit combination.
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Stir together and spoon over sliced fresh bananas.
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook in the summer! Here are a few grilling tips and a couple of recipes, too.
For great grilled burgers, form the patty gently. Smashing the meat forces out moisture.
Sear both sides of the burger on both sides, then move the burger and cook with indirect heat till done.
Use a meat thermometer to gauge when the meat is done. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
When grilling chicken, remember that dark meat needs longer on the grill than breast meat. Also, bone-in parts cook longer than boneless parts.
Place the pieces that need to cook the longest on the grill first, and then move them to a cooler area of the grill to finish cooking after they have browned.
Again, use a meat thermometer to tell when chicken is done. Bone-in parts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees; boneless parts to about 160 degrees.
Tropical Glaze for Grilled Chicken
1 small can crushed pineapple
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon mustard
Drain pineapple, reserving 2 tablespoons of juice. Mix pineapple, reserved juice, brown sugar, lemon juice and mustard.
Brush chicken parts with glaze often during last 10 minutes of grilling.
Barbecue Sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 or 3 dashes hot pepper sauce (optional)
Mix all ingredients in saucepan; bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Use to baste burgers or pork chops during last 10-15 minutes of grilling.
= = = = = = = = = = =
Always be sure to cook on a clean grill. If you have a gas grill, leave it on for a couple of minutes after you finish cooking, with the lid down. If you have a charcoal grill, just close the lid and let it burn out. Then you can scrub the grate with a wad of aluminum foil.
Don't cook at too high a temperature and don't lift the lid and peek too many times. You'll just be adding to the cooking time, because the temperature will be lowered.
For a great warm weather dessert, try this cool fruit combination.
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Stir together and spoon over sliced fresh bananas.
How to Properly Deactivate a Bomb
Movies have been made for decades -- many of them involve a bomb being deactivated. When I see a scene in which a bomb is deactivated 1-3 seconds before it's about to explode, I'm not impressed by the script writing. If I ever write a screenplay that includes a scene in which a bomb has to be deactivated, creativity will be my primary objective. In my story, the bomb will have one wire. That wire will be cut and the timer will stop. The timer's digital display will read no less than sixteen hundred seconds remaining.
My idea lacks suspense, but it contains originality. I'm confident I'll be able to write some intensity into the remaining 118 minutes of the film. I have ideas for other methods of building an original sequence of events into a script. For your reading enjoyment, I present you with an excerpt of thoughts from my head.
"Major Davenport, permission to speak freely?"
"Can it wait Lieutenant Jefferson? I'm trying to deactivate this bomb."
"No sir, I don't believe it can wait, Sir."
"Very well, Lieutenant, go ahead."
"Major, Sir, that's not a bomb. That's a turkey, Sir."
"What did you say, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, that's a turkey, Sir."
"A turkey? Good Lord, Lieutenant, who would plant a bomb inside a turkey?"
"No, Major, I mean that's only a turkey. The bomb is over there, next to the device that looks like an alarm clock."
"Lieutenant, I swear if you're wrong I'll have you cleaning toilets until you're so high from the fumes that you'll need a parachute to get back down!"
"Sir, I'm quite sure, Major, Sir."
"Lieutenant, look at this timer! There's only 100 seconds before this bomb goes off!"
"Sir, that's not a timer, Sir. That's a meat thermometer. The internal core temperature is slowly dropping, but I can say with absolute certainty that the turkey won't explode. With all due respect, Sir, I suggest we call in a bomb disposal unit."
"I have a better idea, Lieutenant Jefferson. Fire up the Stargate."
"Sir?"
"You have a hearing problem, Mister?"
"Sir, No, Sir!"
"Then why are you still standing here, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, I'll go start the dialing sequence immediately!"
Within minutes, Lieutenant Jefferson has the Stargate online and a wormhole open. He calls down to Major Davenport, "Sir, I've established a stable connection with an uninhabited planet."
"Good job, Lieutenant."
As the Lieutenant watches him, he realizes something has just gone horribly wrong. The Stargate shuts off automatically, and he races down to the Major.
"Major, that was the turkey."
"What are you saying, Lieutenant?"
"You sent the turkey millions of lightyears from here, but the bomb is still here, and I think it's about to explode."
"May God have mercy on our souls."
The Lieutenant walks over to the bomb, switching the alarm clock to the off position. The timer shuts off. The General suddenly enters the room. "Lieutenant, I was just about to eat the lunch I ordered. The cook says he had it delivered it here from the mess hall. Have you seen a turkey anywhere?"
The Major steps in, "General, the meat thermometer showed that it was undercooked. The Lieutenant and I agreed that sending it to another planet would be the best course of action to keep you safe, and we sent the turkey to where it couldn't harm anyone."
"Good work, Major! Lieutenant... Jefferson is it?"
"Sir, Yes, General Stevens!"
"Lieutenant Jefferson, I think I see a promotion coming your way."
"Sir, thank you, Sir!"
"Lieutenant, why are you sweating?"
"Sir, I was in the immediate vicinity of the turkey, which was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the time when we disposed of it, General!"
"I see. Well, why don't you hit the showers, then you and the Major report to my office in one hour for a debriefing."
The General walks away, as Major Davenport turns to the Lieutenant, and with a smile on face says, "All's well that ends well, eh, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
Movies have been made for decades -- many of them involve a bomb being deactivated. When I see a scene in which a bomb is deactivated 1-3 seconds before it's about to explode, I'm not impressed by the script writing. If I ever write a screenplay that includes a scene in which a bomb has to be deactivated, creativity will be my primary objective. In my story, the bomb will have one wire. That wire will be cut and the timer will stop. The timer's digital display will read no less than sixteen hundred seconds remaining.
My idea lacks suspense, but it contains originality. I'm confident I'll be able to write some intensity into the remaining 118 minutes of the film. I have ideas for other methods of building an original sequence of events into a script. For your reading enjoyment, I present you with an excerpt of thoughts from my head.
"Major Davenport, permission to speak freely?"
"Can it wait Lieutenant Jefferson? I'm trying to deactivate this bomb."
"No sir, I don't believe it can wait, Sir."
"Very well, Lieutenant, go ahead."
"Major, Sir, that's not a bomb. That's a turkey, Sir."
"What did you say, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, that's a turkey, Sir."
"A turkey? Good Lord, Lieutenant, who would plant a bomb inside a turkey?"
"No, Major, I mean that's only a turkey. The bomb is over there, next to the device that looks like an alarm clock."
"Lieutenant, I swear if you're wrong I'll have you cleaning toilets until you're so high from the fumes that you'll need a parachute to get back down!"
"Sir, I'm quite sure, Major, Sir."
"Lieutenant, look at this timer! There's only 100 seconds before this bomb goes off!"
"Sir, that's not a timer, Sir. That's a meat thermometer. The internal core temperature is slowly dropping, but I can say with absolute certainty that the turkey won't explode. With all due respect, Sir, I suggest we call in a bomb disposal unit."
"I have a better idea, Lieutenant Jefferson. Fire up the Stargate."
"Sir?"
"You have a hearing problem, Mister?"
"Sir, No, Sir!"
"Then why are you still standing here, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, I'll go start the dialing sequence immediately!"
Within minutes, Lieutenant Jefferson has the Stargate online and a wormhole open. He calls down to Major Davenport, "Sir, I've established a stable connection with an uninhabited planet."
"Good job, Lieutenant."
As the Lieutenant watches him, he realizes something has just gone horribly wrong. The Stargate shuts off automatically, and he races down to the Major.
"Major, that was the turkey."
"What are you saying, Lieutenant?"
"You sent the turkey millions of lightyears from here, but the bomb is still here, and I think it's about to explode."
"May God have mercy on our souls."
The Lieutenant walks over to the bomb, switching the alarm clock to the off position. The timer shuts off. The General suddenly enters the room. "Lieutenant, I was just about to eat the lunch I ordered. The cook says he had it delivered it here from the mess hall. Have you seen a turkey anywhere?"
The Major steps in, "General, the meat thermometer showed that it was undercooked. The Lieutenant and I agreed that sending it to another planet would be the best course of action to keep you safe, and we sent the turkey to where it couldn't harm anyone."
"Good work, Major! Lieutenant... Jefferson is it?"
"Sir, Yes, General Stevens!"
"Lieutenant Jefferson, I think I see a promotion coming your way."
"Sir, thank you, Sir!"
"Lieutenant, why are you sweating?"
"Sir, I was in the immediate vicinity of the turkey, which was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the time when we disposed of it, General!"
"I see. Well, why don't you hit the showers, then you and the Major report to my office in one hour for a debriefing."
The General walks away, as Major Davenport turns to the Lieutenant, and with a smile on face says, "All's well that ends well, eh, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Sauna Accessories for an Even Better Sauna Bath
Every experienced sauna bather knows how valuable the right sauna accessories can be. Oftentimes, it is these accoutrements that make the difference between a sauna session that is second-rate and one that is truly superior. Used properly, sauna accessories can help a sauna bather create the perfect ambience for a relaxing and refreshing soak in the soothing heat of a sauna.
The following is a list of some of the more common sauna accessories used by sauna enthusiasts around the world:
Loofah sponges When used as a bath sponge, the loofah, a very popular item in Asian baths and European spas, is known to produce a mild glow and to revitalize the skin. It is a natural, organic, cleansing sponge that is also known for improving blood circulation, exfoliating dead skin cells, and promoting healthy skin. The blood circulation the loofah sponge induces on the skin has been credited as a relief for rheumatic and arthritic sufferers. Loofah is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and a renewable resource.
Sauna brushes Many sauna enthusiasts enjoy scrubbing their bodies with sauna brushes as they sweat in the sauna heat. Regardless of whether the brush has a long handle for those hard-to-reach places, a detachable handle or no handle at all, a sauna brush is a good tool for helping to cleanse and massage a sauna bathers skin. The soft natural bristles of most sauna brushes aid skin exfoliation and can contribute greatly to a sauna session that is refreshing and invigorating for the bather. Using a sauna brush properly can also improve blood circulation, so theres really no good reason to not have a sauna brush among your sauna accessories.
Sauna buckets Also commonly referred to as sauna pails, sauna buckets are used to hold water in traditional Finnish-style rock saunas. Many experienced sauna bathers prefer their sauna buckets to be made of cedar, pine or copper. If you purchase an all-wooden sauna pail, be sure to empty it after each use and to store it upside down. As well, since intense heat can make wood expand and contract, you might want to consider buying a liner for your sauna bucket to help prevent leakage.
Sauna fragrances and essences Eucalyptus, birch, pine, spruce, wintergreen, menthol, lemon and lime are just some of the deeply appealing scents available in todays all-natural sauna fragrances. Add a few drops of sauna fragrance to your loyly water and surrender yourself to the olfactory ecstasy. Why not combine sauna therapy and aromatherapy for a powerful one-two punch of pure sensory pleasure?
Sauna headrests and backrests Complete comfort in a sauna can be achieved through the use of these important accessories. A sauna headrest or pillow gently cushions the head of a reclining bather, while a sauna backrest offers support, relief and luxury to, as its name suggests, the persons back. Headrests and backrests can also serve effectively as footrests, if desired by the sauna bather.
Sauna ladles Sometimes called sauna dippers, sauna ladles are as essential to proper traditional sauna bathing as sauna buckets. It is a dipper or two of water tossed over the hot sauna rocks of a Finnish sauna that creates the vapor or loyly that many purists insist helps define an authentic sauna bath. Any water applied to the rocks in a sauna heater should be done using a dipper or ladle. Doing so keeps your hand away from the resulting steam, preventing a possible steam burn, and it helps you better control how much water you pour onto the sauna rocks and, in turn, the level of humidity in the sauna. Although many sauna ladles are made entirely of wood, some feature copper or stainless steel scoops and cedar, birch or pine handles. Some ladles also come with attached leather straps.
Sauna peg racks Sauna peg racks are recommended for anyone who wants a place near or in the sauna room to hang their towel or bathrobe. Wooden racks with four, five or six dowel peg hooks are popular with bathers who enjoy the company of family or friends in their sauna. Peg racks such as these are sometimes called clothes racks or towel racks. Another word commonly used to describe a peg rack is hanger.
Sauna soap Regular soap may be too harsh for some sauna bathers, but sauna soap is specifically intended for tender sensitive skin and can be very effective under sauna conditions. Long-lasting, hypo-allergenic soap with either a birch or pine fragrance is a popular choice of many hot sauna devotees. Additional bath and body products can be used either before or after a sauna session to help cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Sauna timers Sauna bathers use timers to help them keep track of how long theyre in the sauna and ensure that they not spend too much time in the heat. Traditionalists may prefer the simplicity of a 15-minute sand timer, while folks with contemporary tastes may rely on a 90-minute electronic timer or the more modern, programmable device that often comes as part of a sleekly designed control panel and offers time-delay and automatic shut-off safety features. Since wearing a wristwatch in a hot sauna is both impractical and dangerous, the sauna timer can certainly be a useful accessory.
Sauna whisks In Finland, a sauna whisk is called either vihta or vasta. In its most traditional form, the vihta or vasta is a thick bunch of young, tender, leafy birch twigs used to promote blood circulation and cleanse a sauna bathers skin once perspiration has sufficiently softened it. The bather actually flagellates or slaps him or herself with the twigs after dipping them in water. Although the amount of force used usually depends on personal preference, this activity is not supposed to be painful or sexual, and many Finnish sauna enthusiasts see nothing wrong with asking someone else in the sauna to hit them with the twigs. Purists may argue that bundled birch twigs make the best sauna whisks, but, in some countries where birch is hard to find, cedar or pine is sometimes used. Whether the twigs are birch, cedar or pine, the slapping action causes a pleasant aroma to be released into the air. Other possible choices include oak, maple, mountain ash, hazel and eucalyptus.
Thermometers and hygrometers By definition, thermometers measure temperature, by using materials that change in some way when they are heated or cooled. In a mercury or alcohol thermometer, the liquid expands as it is heated and contracts when it is cooled. German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented both the alcohol and mercury thermometer in the early 1700s and introduced the temperature scale that bears his name in 1724. Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius invented the Celsius temperature scale, also known as the centigrade scale, in 1742. A hygrometer measures the moisture content or the humidity of air or any gas. Italian artist, scientist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci built the first crude hygrometer in the 1400s, and Italian physician Francesco Folli invented a more practical one in 1664. As sauna accessories, thermometers and hygrometers are available separately as two items, combined as one, or in package sets. They are vital instruments for any sauna bather who wants to monitor and control the temperature and humidity within a sauna.
Every experienced sauna bather knows how valuable the right sauna accessories can be. Oftentimes, it is these accoutrements that make the difference between a sauna session that is second-rate and one that is truly superior. Used properly, sauna accessories can help a sauna bather create the perfect ambience for a relaxing and refreshing soak in the soothing heat of a sauna.
The following is a list of some of the more common sauna accessories used by sauna enthusiasts around the world:
Loofah sponges When used as a bath sponge, the loofah, a very popular item in Asian baths and European spas, is known to produce a mild glow and to revitalize the skin. It is a natural, organic, cleansing sponge that is also known for improving blood circulation, exfoliating dead skin cells, and promoting healthy skin. The blood circulation the loofah sponge induces on the skin has been credited as a relief for rheumatic and arthritic sufferers. Loofah is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and a renewable resource.
Sauna brushes Many sauna enthusiasts enjoy scrubbing their bodies with sauna brushes as they sweat in the sauna heat. Regardless of whether the brush has a long handle for those hard-to-reach places, a detachable handle or no handle at all, a sauna brush is a good tool for helping to cleanse and massage a sauna bathers skin. The soft natural bristles of most sauna brushes aid skin exfoliation and can contribute greatly to a sauna session that is refreshing and invigorating for the bather. Using a sauna brush properly can also improve blood circulation, so theres really no good reason to not have a sauna brush among your sauna accessories.
Sauna buckets Also commonly referred to as sauna pails, sauna buckets are used to hold water in traditional Finnish-style rock saunas. Many experienced sauna bathers prefer their sauna buckets to be made of cedar, pine or copper. If you purchase an all-wooden sauna pail, be sure to empty it after each use and to store it upside down. As well, since intense heat can make wood expand and contract, you might want to consider buying a liner for your sauna bucket to help prevent leakage.
Sauna fragrances and essences Eucalyptus, birch, pine, spruce, wintergreen, menthol, lemon and lime are just some of the deeply appealing scents available in todays all-natural sauna fragrances. Add a few drops of sauna fragrance to your loyly water and surrender yourself to the olfactory ecstasy. Why not combine sauna therapy and aromatherapy for a powerful one-two punch of pure sensory pleasure?
Sauna headrests and backrests Complete comfort in a sauna can be achieved through the use of these important accessories. A sauna headrest or pillow gently cushions the head of a reclining bather, while a sauna backrest offers support, relief and luxury to, as its name suggests, the persons back. Headrests and backrests can also serve effectively as footrests, if desired by the sauna bather.
Sauna ladles Sometimes called sauna dippers, sauna ladles are as essential to proper traditional sauna bathing as sauna buckets. It is a dipper or two of water tossed over the hot sauna rocks of a Finnish sauna that creates the vapor or loyly that many purists insist helps define an authentic sauna bath. Any water applied to the rocks in a sauna heater should be done using a dipper or ladle. Doing so keeps your hand away from the resulting steam, preventing a possible steam burn, and it helps you better control how much water you pour onto the sauna rocks and, in turn, the level of humidity in the sauna. Although many sauna ladles are made entirely of wood, some feature copper or stainless steel scoops and cedar, birch or pine handles. Some ladles also come with attached leather straps.
Sauna peg racks Sauna peg racks are recommended for anyone who wants a place near or in the sauna room to hang their towel or bathrobe. Wooden racks with four, five or six dowel peg hooks are popular with bathers who enjoy the company of family or friends in their sauna. Peg racks such as these are sometimes called clothes racks or towel racks. Another word commonly used to describe a peg rack is hanger.
Sauna soap Regular soap may be too harsh for some sauna bathers, but sauna soap is specifically intended for tender sensitive skin and can be very effective under sauna conditions. Long-lasting, hypo-allergenic soap with either a birch or pine fragrance is a popular choice of many hot sauna devotees. Additional bath and body products can be used either before or after a sauna session to help cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Sauna timers Sauna bathers use timers to help them keep track of how long theyre in the sauna and ensure that they not spend too much time in the heat. Traditionalists may prefer the simplicity of a 15-minute sand timer, while folks with contemporary tastes may rely on a 90-minute electronic timer or the more modern, programmable device that often comes as part of a sleekly designed control panel and offers time-delay and automatic shut-off safety features. Since wearing a wristwatch in a hot sauna is both impractical and dangerous, the sauna timer can certainly be a useful accessory.
Sauna whisks In Finland, a sauna whisk is called either vihta or vasta. In its most traditional form, the vihta or vasta is a thick bunch of young, tender, leafy birch twigs used to promote blood circulation and cleanse a sauna bathers skin once perspiration has sufficiently softened it. The bather actually flagellates or slaps him or herself with the twigs after dipping them in water. Although the amount of force used usually depends on personal preference, this activity is not supposed to be painful or sexual, and many Finnish sauna enthusiasts see nothing wrong with asking someone else in the sauna to hit them with the twigs. Purists may argue that bundled birch twigs make the best sauna whisks, but, in some countries where birch is hard to find, cedar or pine is sometimes used. Whether the twigs are birch, cedar or pine, the slapping action causes a pleasant aroma to be released into the air. Other possible choices include oak, maple, mountain ash, hazel and eucalyptus.
Thermometers and hygrometers By definition, thermometers measure temperature, by using materials that change in some way when they are heated or cooled. In a mercury or alcohol thermometer, the liquid expands as it is heated and contracts when it is cooled. German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented both the alcohol and mercury thermometer in the early 1700s and introduced the temperature scale that bears his name in 1724. Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius invented the Celsius temperature scale, also known as the centigrade scale, in 1742. A hygrometer measures the moisture content or the humidity of air or any gas. Italian artist, scientist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci built the first crude hygrometer in the 1400s, and Italian physician Francesco Folli invented a more practical one in 1664. As sauna accessories, thermometers and hygrometers are available separately as two items, combined as one, or in package sets. They are vital instruments for any sauna bather who wants to monitor and control the temperature and humidity within a sauna.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Fountains of Refreshment
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.
One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the city, it can drown out the sounds of the daily hustle and bustle of life, calming and refreshing the spirit. I also love the glinting, reflective surface of water. You can have the soothing coolness of water without a huge space so why not recreate this in your outdoor living area?
Some small water features have still water and aquatic plants but with the fight to remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, many people now prefer items with moving water.
The most popular "moving water" items are tabletop fountains, statuary fountains and spitting creatures. All rely on a pump to circulate water through the feature. The water is pumped up through plastic tubing and released into the fountain, returning to the bottom where it is pumped up the tubing again. Most pumps run on an electrical connection but some smaller tabletop fountains have batteries. There are also solar units available that require no electrical hook-up.
Simple or elaborate, all fountain features have the following elements:
a "bottom" where the pump where will be located and the water returns. This can be a large pot, an urn, a trough and so on.
a "top" from which the water will emerge. This can be a small pot, a fanciful creature such as a frog, a conch shell, etc.
a "middle" the water course which will receive the water from the top and return it to the bottom. This can be pots, pebbles, shells, marbles, or even empty space, creating a freefall.
a pump. Give crucial attention to two features of the pump: maximum gallons per hour (gph) and maximum lift.
The gph can vary from 35 gph for a small battery-operated tabletop unit to over 600 gph for large garden fountains. Choose one appropriate to the size of your water feature more is not necessarily better. A low gph will give you a gurgling effect in the same fountain that a higher gph pump would provide a steady stream or even splash. Its strictly a personal preference within the range recommended for the fountain size.
The maximum lift figure tells you how high you can expect your "little pump that could" to push the water. A small pump that has a lift of "up to 2 feet", for example would not be appropriate for your 3-foot wall mounted lions head.
You will also want to consider the length of the electrical cord if applicable, and whether the unit has an on/off switch, if thats important to you. Remember, though, that water left sitting will stagnate.
If you are making your own fountain, the pump is the most important part. Pump kits are available that include pump and tubing but tubing is quite inexpensive (about 60 per foot) and can be purchased at most garden centers.
You can make a fountain from something as simple as terracotta pots and pebbles. For instructions, visit www.paradiseporch.com/fountain.php
So soothe your senses with the calming sounds of moving water and keep cool in your outdoor space!
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.
One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the city, it can drown out the sounds of the daily hustle and bustle of life, calming and refreshing the spirit. I also love the glinting, reflective surface of water. You can have the soothing coolness of water without a huge space so why not recreate this in your outdoor living area?
Some small water features have still water and aquatic plants but with the fight to remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, many people now prefer items with moving water.
The most popular "moving water" items are tabletop fountains, statuary fountains and spitting creatures. All rely on a pump to circulate water through the feature. The water is pumped up through plastic tubing and released into the fountain, returning to the bottom where it is pumped up the tubing again. Most pumps run on an electrical connection but some smaller tabletop fountains have batteries. There are also solar units available that require no electrical hook-up.
Simple or elaborate, all fountain features have the following elements:
a "bottom" where the pump where will be located and the water returns. This can be a large pot, an urn, a trough and so on.
a "top" from which the water will emerge. This can be a small pot, a fanciful creature such as a frog, a conch shell, etc.
a "middle" the water course which will receive the water from the top and return it to the bottom. This can be pots, pebbles, shells, marbles, or even empty space, creating a freefall.
a pump. Give crucial attention to two features of the pump: maximum gallons per hour (gph) and maximum lift.
The gph can vary from 35 gph for a small battery-operated tabletop unit to over 600 gph for large garden fountains. Choose one appropriate to the size of your water feature more is not necessarily better. A low gph will give you a gurgling effect in the same fountain that a higher gph pump would provide a steady stream or even splash. Its strictly a personal preference within the range recommended for the fountain size.
The maximum lift figure tells you how high you can expect your "little pump that could" to push the water. A small pump that has a lift of "up to 2 feet", for example would not be appropriate for your 3-foot wall mounted lions head.
You will also want to consider the length of the electrical cord if applicable, and whether the unit has an on/off switch, if thats important to you. Remember, though, that water left sitting will stagnate.
If you are making your own fountain, the pump is the most important part. Pump kits are available that include pump and tubing but tubing is quite inexpensive (about 60 per foot) and can be purchased at most garden centers.
You can make a fountain from something as simple as terracotta pots and pebbles. For instructions, visit www.paradiseporch.com/fountain.php
So soothe your senses with the calming sounds of moving water and keep cool in your outdoor space!
Impress Dinner Guests - Make Lattes at Home
With an espresso machine in your kitchen at home, you can make your own lattes to enjoy for yourself- and to impress your dinner guests! Some people look at the price of a home espresso machine and change their minds, but if consider what you typically pay when you buy a latte at your local coffee shop, whether it is a mom & pop shop or a chain (like Dunkin Donuts), youre spending anywhere from $2 to $4 for a latte! Your espresso machine will more than pay for itself in a short time of making your lattes from home. Having your own espresso machine means having the ability to make lattes for much less than you spend on them when you go out. Plus you can enjoy them anytime- not just when youre on the road. Also, lattes are a wonderful after dinner complement- particularly when you have guests over!
Making a latte is all a part of the fun of having an espresso machine. While some people like to drink espresso shots right out of the machine, most people would prefer to make a latte or cappuccino to sit and enjoy with a good book, or good friends and conversation!
The espresso machine will grind your espresso beans fresh for every cup, giving you the fresh taste latte lovers have come to recognize as an integral part of the latte. Depending on your particular brand of espresso machine, youll probably dispense about 7 grams of espresso into the handle. Once youve extracted the espresso shot into the provided espresso shot pot (usually stainless steel, with a pouring spout), you can start steaming your milk!
The basic recipe is 1 to 2 ounces of espresso to 8 fluid ounces of milk. Put your milk into the frothing jug, and slide the entire container over the steam arm nozzle. Make sure you keep the nozzle as close to the bottom of the container as possible to avoid making a lot of foam out of your milk. Use a thermometer so you know when the milk reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now you are ready to pour your steamed milk into the serving cup. A glass latte cup will look the best, and really impress your friends! Pour the steamed milk into the glass, using a spoon to hold back most of the foam that forms on the top of the milk. Once youve filled your cup with the milk, allow some of the foam to lie on the top for a professional coffee shop latte look.
Your final step to preparing a latte at home is to take your espresso shot and pour it slowly down the inside of the latte serving glass. Some of the espresso will mix with the milk at the bottom of the glass and some will layer itself in between the milk and foam. Youll have cloudy areas and several different shades of latte brown, making for a wonderful presentation that rivals that of the best coffee house. Only you wont be paying $4 a cup, and you can make it and drink it in your pajamas if you want to!
If you really want to make the presentation impressive, place your guests lattes on a cute little serving tray, with a decorative plate of fancy cookies. Biscottis are typically served with lattes, but you can be creative and serve anything you like. Maybe you could make some tiramisu using your espresso to make it from scratch for dessert, and enjoy slices of tiramisu with your homemade lattes! Your guests will want to come for dinner all the time once they experience your after dinner lattes.
With an espresso machine in your kitchen at home, you can make your own lattes to enjoy for yourself- and to impress your dinner guests! Some people look at the price of a home espresso machine and change their minds, but if consider what you typically pay when you buy a latte at your local coffee shop, whether it is a mom & pop shop or a chain (like Dunkin Donuts), youre spending anywhere from $2 to $4 for a latte! Your espresso machine will more than pay for itself in a short time of making your lattes from home. Having your own espresso machine means having the ability to make lattes for much less than you spend on them when you go out. Plus you can enjoy them anytime- not just when youre on the road. Also, lattes are a wonderful after dinner complement- particularly when you have guests over!
Making a latte is all a part of the fun of having an espresso machine. While some people like to drink espresso shots right out of the machine, most people would prefer to make a latte or cappuccino to sit and enjoy with a good book, or good friends and conversation!
The espresso machine will grind your espresso beans fresh for every cup, giving you the fresh taste latte lovers have come to recognize as an integral part of the latte. Depending on your particular brand of espresso machine, youll probably dispense about 7 grams of espresso into the handle. Once youve extracted the espresso shot into the provided espresso shot pot (usually stainless steel, with a pouring spout), you can start steaming your milk!
The basic recipe is 1 to 2 ounces of espresso to 8 fluid ounces of milk. Put your milk into the frothing jug, and slide the entire container over the steam arm nozzle. Make sure you keep the nozzle as close to the bottom of the container as possible to avoid making a lot of foam out of your milk. Use a thermometer so you know when the milk reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now you are ready to pour your steamed milk into the serving cup. A glass latte cup will look the best, and really impress your friends! Pour the steamed milk into the glass, using a spoon to hold back most of the foam that forms on the top of the milk. Once youve filled your cup with the milk, allow some of the foam to lie on the top for a professional coffee shop latte look.
Your final step to preparing a latte at home is to take your espresso shot and pour it slowly down the inside of the latte serving glass. Some of the espresso will mix with the milk at the bottom of the glass and some will layer itself in between the milk and foam. Youll have cloudy areas and several different shades of latte brown, making for a wonderful presentation that rivals that of the best coffee house. Only you wont be paying $4 a cup, and you can make it and drink it in your pajamas if you want to!
If you really want to make the presentation impressive, place your guests lattes on a cute little serving tray, with a decorative plate of fancy cookies. Biscottis are typically served with lattes, but you can be creative and serve anything you like. Maybe you could make some tiramisu using your espresso to make it from scratch for dessert, and enjoy slices of tiramisu with your homemade lattes! Your guests will want to come for dinner all the time once they experience your after dinner lattes.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
HGH The Human Growth Hormone Supplement For 50 And Over
Baby boomers are known for their purchasing prowess and for their aches and pains. If you are gasping as you rise from the chair or groaning as you set down you might be 50 and over!
When I was 21 my eyesight was keener, I was stronger, my skin looked smooth, my sex drive was in overdrive and I felt like I could pick up the world, place it on my shoulder and walk off with it. Well now I am 56 and it feels like I did pick up the World on my shoulder and now I have no place to put it down!
Welcome to 50 and over! As you age your pituitary gland produces less human growth hormone than it did at your peak, which was 21. The ideal condition would be to stimulate the pituitary to produce more HGH to prevent aging.
Human growth hormone has been collected by harvesting HGH from other humans and injecting the foreign HGH into the body at a cost of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a month. This application requires a prescription. There is another method called precursors that can allow the level of HGH to go below the level that you are currently manufacturing in your body, which is dangerous as it may cause the pituitary to shut down. The Homeopathic version includes small amounts of human growth hormone that is activated by transferring energy from the homeopathics hand into the bottle of formulation. No clinical evidence supports this method of production at this time. And then there is the natural way. A releaser is natural herbs and minerals that stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH, which gives you a more youthful life and body with no side effects. The releaser should only be chosen that has a clinical history; doctor formulated and be taken orally.
I was beginning to see age spots on my skin, hair thinning, loss of libido, memory playing tricks on me, having trouble sleeping, vision dimming, and the lack of energy. I began to see the benefits of using an HGH supplement that would stimulate the pituitary gland. My cholesterol level has become like the thermometer, up and down like the temperature and wrinkles where I never had them before. Some people want to roll back the aging clock back; I just want to stop it! If an HGH supplement will arrest my aging process and take some time off this body that I have accumulated, Ill consider it a bonus!
When you are 50 and over you soon grow to realize quality of life far exceeds quantity of years. I watch folks my age and younger now struggle to get up from a couch, groan as they stand after sitting, ache for no apparent reason and I am happy for the discovery of HGH supplements and the myth busting of the fountain of youth.
There are vendors who sell HGH plus other natural vitamins, supplements and minerals. Most are without clinical trials to back their product. I tried to find a product that had a 10-year history and a doctor formulated product that would have no side effects on ME other than natural youth changes. I also looked for a reputable company to buy from that had a money back guarantee and a professional web presentation.
Baby boomers are known for their purchasing prowess and for their aches and pains. If you are gasping as you rise from the chair or groaning as you set down you might be 50 and over!
When I was 21 my eyesight was keener, I was stronger, my skin looked smooth, my sex drive was in overdrive and I felt like I could pick up the world, place it on my shoulder and walk off with it. Well now I am 56 and it feels like I did pick up the World on my shoulder and now I have no place to put it down!
Welcome to 50 and over! As you age your pituitary gland produces less human growth hormone than it did at your peak, which was 21. The ideal condition would be to stimulate the pituitary to produce more HGH to prevent aging.
Human growth hormone has been collected by harvesting HGH from other humans and injecting the foreign HGH into the body at a cost of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a month. This application requires a prescription. There is another method called precursors that can allow the level of HGH to go below the level that you are currently manufacturing in your body, which is dangerous as it may cause the pituitary to shut down. The Homeopathic version includes small amounts of human growth hormone that is activated by transferring energy from the homeopathics hand into the bottle of formulation. No clinical evidence supports this method of production at this time. And then there is the natural way. A releaser is natural herbs and minerals that stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH, which gives you a more youthful life and body with no side effects. The releaser should only be chosen that has a clinical history; doctor formulated and be taken orally.
I was beginning to see age spots on my skin, hair thinning, loss of libido, memory playing tricks on me, having trouble sleeping, vision dimming, and the lack of energy. I began to see the benefits of using an HGH supplement that would stimulate the pituitary gland. My cholesterol level has become like the thermometer, up and down like the temperature and wrinkles where I never had them before. Some people want to roll back the aging clock back; I just want to stop it! If an HGH supplement will arrest my aging process and take some time off this body that I have accumulated, Ill consider it a bonus!
When you are 50 and over you soon grow to realize quality of life far exceeds quantity of years. I watch folks my age and younger now struggle to get up from a couch, groan as they stand after sitting, ache for no apparent reason and I am happy for the discovery of HGH supplements and the myth busting of the fountain of youth.
There are vendors who sell HGH plus other natural vitamins, supplements and minerals. Most are without clinical trials to back their product. I tried to find a product that had a 10-year history and a doctor formulated product that would have no side effects on ME other than natural youth changes. I also looked for a reputable company to buy from that had a money back guarantee and a professional web presentation.
Assembling a Baby Shower Gift Basket: Get Creative
A Baby Shower Gift Basket is just the sort of thing you'd like to give to would-be parents.
Baby showers give you a wonderful opportunity to express your warmth and encouragement for the expecting couple. You can make it a little bit easier for them by giving them what they need. You can also use your artistic sense to make the event memorable and successful. A baby shower gift basket lets you do just that, by combining beauty and utility.
Choose a large basket or hamper for this purpose, one that has a lot of hollow space. Fill it with items that would be useful, and at the same time can be arranged nicely and artistically.
An infant-sized bathtub isn't too expensive, but a nice utility item, and looks great too. A caddy or a bathroom bucket is also very useful for carrying the baby's clothes around, and they are even cheaper than the tub. Soaps, lotions, towels and diapers are other items that you can include if you want to stick with the bath theme for the baby shower gift basket.
Another useful theme is health and safety. You can pack the hamper with useful yet not-too-expensive medical items like commonly prescribed drugs for children fever reducers, tummy ache medicine and so on. A thermometer, infant nail clippers and a first aid kit are nice additions.
Some people prefer not to focus on a theme, and just put in whatever they think will be useful in their baby shower gift basket. That also works, as long as it is done with an eye to arrangement and shapeliness. Diapers are something that the expectant mother will need lots of quite soon so give her lots of those. Picture books, feeding bottles, bibs, rattles and other toys can be both useful and attractively arranged.
The secret of assembling a successful and attractive baby shower gift basket is to add personalizing touches. So try to include the baby's name (if it is already fixed) or the date of birth (if it is already known) in artistic lettering or calligraphic writing. Do that extra bit to show that you care. Usefulness is good, but usefulness plus love and personal care is even better. Put together a baby shower gift basket.
A Baby Shower Gift Basket is just the sort of thing you'd like to give to would-be parents.
Baby showers give you a wonderful opportunity to express your warmth and encouragement for the expecting couple. You can make it a little bit easier for them by giving them what they need. You can also use your artistic sense to make the event memorable and successful. A baby shower gift basket lets you do just that, by combining beauty and utility.
Choose a large basket or hamper for this purpose, one that has a lot of hollow space. Fill it with items that would be useful, and at the same time can be arranged nicely and artistically.
An infant-sized bathtub isn't too expensive, but a nice utility item, and looks great too. A caddy or a bathroom bucket is also very useful for carrying the baby's clothes around, and they are even cheaper than the tub. Soaps, lotions, towels and diapers are other items that you can include if you want to stick with the bath theme for the baby shower gift basket.
Another useful theme is health and safety. You can pack the hamper with useful yet not-too-expensive medical items like commonly prescribed drugs for children fever reducers, tummy ache medicine and so on. A thermometer, infant nail clippers and a first aid kit are nice additions.
Some people prefer not to focus on a theme, and just put in whatever they think will be useful in their baby shower gift basket. That also works, as long as it is done with an eye to arrangement and shapeliness. Diapers are something that the expectant mother will need lots of quite soon so give her lots of those. Picture books, feeding bottles, bibs, rattles and other toys can be both useful and attractively arranged.
The secret of assembling a successful and attractive baby shower gift basket is to add personalizing touches. So try to include the baby's name (if it is already fixed) or the date of birth (if it is already known) in artistic lettering or calligraphic writing. Do that extra bit to show that you care. Usefulness is good, but usefulness plus love and personal care is even better. Put together a baby shower gift basket.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Make Glow in the Dark Candles "Cool Before you Light Them and Fun for Kids"
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.
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