Jul 29
Posted by admin on Thursday Jul 29, 2010 Under Zocials
Cupcakes are all the rage, even Martha Stewart agrees! Using cupcakes as an alternative to the traditional large, tiered wedding cake is not only chic and trendy, it’s also great for your budget. Add to that the fact that the cupcake wedding cake is doable for even the most novice baker, with the added benefit that the cupcakes can be made and frozen ahead of time, the cupcake wedding cake is a sensible and creative choice. Here is how to prepare your own cupcake wedding cake.
Steps
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This cupcake cake shows a mini cake at the top which the bride and groom can keep after the wedding
Determine the number of guests. It is very important not to underestimate this part; while not everyone will want a piece of traditional wedding cake, almost everyone will want a cupcake!
- Do you want enough for guests to have one (or more) cupcakes at the wedding and one to take home?
- Do you want a mini cake at the very top of the cupcake wedding cake? Some people like this as an added design feature for the bride and groom to keep after the wedding.
- Plan the cupcake decoration. From a simple buttercream frosting to edible petals to inexpensive cupcake caps, you have lots of options. Do you want intricate designs on some of the cupcakes only, or on all? Do you want to mix and match designs? Think about the various possibilities. Some decorative designs to consider include:
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These are imprints of a bride and groom using fondant
Unique toppers that are just for the bride and groom.
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A beloved symbol representing the bride and groom, such as doves, swans, or flowers.
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Hearts and initials.
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Floral designs.
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Real flowers atop the frosting. (Be sure to use non-toxic flowers.)
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Garden wedding designs.
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Butterflies.
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A fondant bow.
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A fun photo of the bride and groom attached with a toothpick.
- Choose a tiered stand or an equivalent arrangement. There are lots of stands currently available, or you can simply choose to arrange the cupcake display as works best for you.
- Set your schedule. It is important to work out who will be responsible for preparing the cupcakes. Even if you are doing this yourself, only the cupcake itself can be frozen ahead; the decorations must be done very close to the wedding time — is that something you are prepared to do at the last minute?
- Consider whether it might be less stressful to have a family member(s) or friend(s) do it for you. You can sit down with the people responsible for preparing the cupcake wedding cake and talk them through the decorating, even show them what you want and provide photos of a test run. (Make a little photo instruction book that they can keep and follow.)
- If you are going to do the baking, cupcakes freeze well (before decoration) and can be made a month out.
- Bake your cupcakes. Choose a cupcake recipe that you love and prepare it in advance of the wedding. Freeze if necessary. Some ideas for suitable wedding cupcakes include:
- Choose the frosting (icing) flavor and texture to decorate the cupcakes. Cupcake frosting can be made in almost any flavor imaginable: vanilla, chocolate, banana, etc. Match the flavor with the cupcake.
- Arrange transportation for the cupcakes and stand. More good news – cupcakes are much easier to transport than a wedding cake.
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Assemble the cupcake wedding cake at the venue. Once the cupcakes arrive, have someone arrange them in the correct order if you are not doing this yourself.
- Provide clear instructions. This is where your precise instructions are very important, down to the last ribbon and floral piece! Use a photo book taken when you rehearsed the design to help those doing the decorating to get it right.
- Consider well in advance whether you want flowers, lace, ribbon, figurines, signs, photos, etc., to form part of the overall wedding cake set up.
- Don’t forget to include some silver slides or tongs to help people take the cupcakes without touching the stand or bumping their hands against other cupcakes.
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Provide the opportunity for guests to take their cupcake(s) home. If you have made enough cupcakes to allow guests to take one home, provide a carry container.
Video
Tips
- At US$1 to $3 each, cupcakes are a great alternative to wedding cake from US$4 and up per serving.
- If you’re creative, stands can be built by making circles or squares of Styrofoam, covered with aluminum foil and hot gluing around with ribbon. Use thick Styrofoam pillars to hold up the tier.
Things You’ll Need
- Cupcakes (see suggested recipes in steps)
- Cupcake holders/papers
- Frosting and edible coloring
- Decorative elements (fondant, molded chocolates, flowers, etc.)
- Stand, ribbon, decorations
- Favor boxes (if relevant)
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
Jul 29
Posted by admin on Thursday Jul 29, 2010 Under Zocials
If you’re avoiding reading a book because everyone’s already talked about it, and the plot has been blogged to bits, you might want to think again. Reading a book where you already know the plot can still be a personally enjoyable experience if you can accept that the plot spoiler isn’t the be all and end all of the book. This article will provide you with a number of ways to work around a spoiled plot so that you can still enjoy the actual read on your own terms.
Steps
- Understand what a spoiler is and why it occurs. In terms of a book, a spoiler is something that reveals critical elements of the plot, and often includes the ending. It will usually be parts of a book that would otherwise be surprising for the reader.[1] Reasons for a spoiler might include:
- Reviewing the book and critiquing it.
- Excitement of a reader who wants to share his or her appreciation of or annoyance with the book with others.
- Naïveté of a reader who doesn’t believe it will spoil another person’s reading of the book, or doesn’t realize that you haven’t yet read the book.
- A spoilsport who wants to ruin someone else’s experience of the book; perhaps someone showing off or just being mean-spirited.
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Start reading. Part of the problem may well be that you simply won’t start the book because a voice in your head keeps insisting that it’s not worth the effort. Stop listening to that voice, start reading, and let your reaction to the first chapter or so be the real test of whether or not you want to continue reading. Chances are, if the book is good, you will be compelled to keep reading even though you know the plot or a key element.
- Expect to enjoy the book. Since it’s clearly already popular and well talked about, there will be a lot to enjoy throughout the book, and it’s important to keep in mind that books can still be enjoyed even if you know how it ends or know the “big twist”. You already know what happened, but you can still probably read to figure out why and how it happened. And no matter how much you have already heard, it won’t ever be possible to truly grasp the manner in which the book is written and how it comes across in tone and narrative until you are personally reading it.
- There will be plenty of parts of the book that you won’t yet know. Spoilers are about the most popular, surprising parts of the book. They aren’t the whole book and indeed, there may be parts that resonate a great deal more with you than the spoiled parts. But you won’t know until you’ve read it for yourself!
- Expect the funny parts to be original. Spoilers often don’t convey the funnier parts of a book well because these are not the surprising twists in the book. And it’s actually very hard to convey the precise humor out of a book in a review or by recounting – you kind of have to “be there” to “get it”!
- Be skeptical about the spoilers that you think you already know. Try not to overthink what you’ve already been told or your expected reading experience. You might have heard or read a lot of opinions about the plot but that doesn’t mean they are either right or representative of what will be your own experience. In fact, you can have a lot of fun reading and thinking about other people’s takes on the plot. You might find yourself scoffing, “Whoa! Joe was so wrong about that interpretation of what character X does in this scene! What a load of rot! What really happens is X, Y, and Z!”. Consider these points:
- It’s possible the person retelling the story doesn’t understand the narrative elements or misunderstands the psychological underpinnings and misconstrues what really is going on.
- Narrative devices are not always clearly conveyed by spoilers. For example, you might know about the ending precisely because the author begins at the end and then unfolds the plot as to how the story reaches that ending (a reverse chronology). Or, it might be a case that the story begins in the middle (in media res) and the flashbacks leading up to that point are poorly conveyed by the spoiler. And the spoilers may not have revealed the delightful red herrings strewn throughout the book. There are many narrative devices that won’t be fully appreciable until you delve into the book yourself, in spite of spoilers.
- Savor surprises. There still might be something not major in the plot that surprises you, that hasn’t been discussed or reviewed.
- Focus on the subjective elements that are in the realm of the reader’s interpretation, not that of the reviewer. For this, you would do well to look for such narrative devices as MacGuffins (a prime motivation for a reader that is never adequately explained to the reader), flashbacks and flash-forwards, prophecies, foreshadowings, etc. All of these elements are for your own exploration for a deeper understanding, to be interpreted through your own experience of life and feelings for the characters. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much you differ in opinion about the rationales and outcomes of the book that other people have presumed to be a certain way.
- Don’t anticipate the spoiled element coming up, or try to predict when it will happen; maybe the spoiler wasn’t even true? Then you will be twice as surprised!
- Relish the fact you know the ending but not the how, a common narrative device in plays such as those by Shakespeare, or movies that begin with the end. You know the ending but you’re a lot less certain of how the characters and story get to that ending.
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Keep in mind that movie plots and book plots frequently diverge and vary in depth. If you have seen a movie version of a book before reading the book, there is even less reason to fret about a spoiled plot. Movies simply do not have the luxury of being able to go into the same level of depth as a book. So, while you may have the general gist from a movie, there are likely to be a lot of surprises and revelations for you when reading the book. Some of the things that might happen include:
- A deeper understanding of what has motivated characters – perhaps you have wondered why a movie character has been so one-dimensional; the book read might prove otherwise.
- A different ending from what you expected (movies often change endings for Hollywood preferences).
- Additional characters, scenes, action, etc., that the movie didn’t have room for. Of especial interest are those characters that get the chop in the movie but are of added interest in the book.
- Be someone who loves spoilers. There are people who thrive on spoilers as a way to inform them before they start reading, as a form of incentive![2] Knowing what the ending is and how the plot unfurls can sometimes be a way of avoiding unpleasant surprises, or be a form of motivating your reading. There are various websites devoted to spoilers, which provide a discussion point for people who like spoilers, which can be a reason of itself to enjoy spoilers as you get to argue the finer points or even veracity of spoilers with others online.
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Avoid times when you might be confronted by spoilers. There are some occasions when you’re more likely to be exposed to spoilers than normal:
- Book club meet ups – always expect at least one person to have already read the book and to be ready to spill the beans.[3]
- Book reviews – whether or not a book review will reveal the plot will depend on the purpose for which it is being written. If it is for promoting the book’s sales and readership, it is unlikely to give away the plot and ending; if, however, it is for the purpose of critiquing the book (often the case in blogs), it may well reveal the ending and major plot elements. You will need to judge according to the context of the review before reading further. Many reviewers will use the phrase “spoiler alert” if they are about to reveal major elements of the plot or ending. You have been warned!
- Websites – reader reviews, forums, blog posts.
- You see someone with a copy of the book and they’re talking about just having finished it – let them know quickly that you don’t want to know the ending!
- Don’t go looking for spoilers online.[4] While there are many opportunities to find out what a book’s contents are, if you have the slightest peek at spoiler sites or reviews, you only have yourself to blame!
- Remember that no “spoiler” can ruin a truly great book. Many avid readers will confess that they have read a number of books over and over, and enjoyed them more with each subsequent reading. Books are stories, and sometimes you need time to ruminate or meditate on the story, the way it was told, how it ties in to other stories.
- Think “Titanic” – the movie was based on an event almost a century prior to when the movie was made. Everyone knew how it had to end, and yet it was one of the most popular movies of all time. No spoiler will ever make reading a great story pointless.
- Another recent example: An episode of Doctor Who featured Vincent Van Gogh. Everyone knows who Van Gogh was, and most know that he took his own life at a young age. Yet the story was widely considered one of the best of this series ever, because it wasn’t about Van Gogh’s death. It was about his life, and it tied into a previous episode in which a regular character leaves the earthly plane; it was about seeing beauty and feeling inadequate despite having tremendous talent, and also about the importance in each of our lives of leaving a legacy and being remembered after we die. A great story is a great story, whether you know what happens in the end or not.
Video
Things You’ll Need
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
Jul 29
Posted by admin on Thursday Jul 29, 2010 Under Zocials
These days, wood floor polishers are expensive and often they don’t work that well! If you’re tired of spending money on every brand of wood floor polish, try making a tried-and-true one of your own. Here is a step-by-step guide to making an effective homemade wood floor polish.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of grated beeswax
- A ceramic bowl or measuring cup
- 1/4 a cup of turpentine
- A screw-top jar
- (Optional) A few drops or either lavender, orange, lemon, or pine oil extract or essential oil
Steps
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Add the beeswax to the bowl. Using a double boiler bowl is fine if you have one.
- Put the bowl in a pan of boiling water. Melt the beeswax. When the beeswax is melted, remove it from the water.
- Once off the heat, stir until the beeswax starts to cool. Add the turpentine and stir through until it is well mixed in. If using, add the extract or essential oil drops when the polish is soft and cool.
- Transfer the mix to a suitable storage container with a lid. Label and date. It will last 4-5 months in cool area.[1]
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Use the wood floor polish as follows:
- Clear a floorspace and be sure it won’t need to be walked across for a number of hours.
- Using a sponge, spread the polish over the wooden floor.
- Leave sitting on the floor for 12-24 hours.
- Polish by hand or with a floor polisher.
- Buff as usual.
Warnings
- Keep kids and animals away from the hot beeswax at all times.
- Please remember that once you apply this to your floor, it will require buffing, and inhibits applying a urethane type finish to the floor later, without a full sanding job.
- If you already have a urethane type finish, you don’t need the polish. Use the flooring manufacturer’s recommended cleaner.
Things You’ll Need
- Ceramic bowl or heatproof measuring cup
- Saucepan or double boiler
- Screw-top jar
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
- Cross checked against Casey Keilar, The Complete Book of Natural Housekeeping, p. 29, (2000), ISBN 1-57990-229-4
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
How do you know if someone likes you, wants to date more often, wants to be exclusive, feels the same way you do? Ask them… with tact.
Steps
- Decide exactly what you want to talk about and why. Think about what you want to see happen in the future, and try not to dwell on every shortcoming from the past.
- Concentrate on the current situation, not past ones.
- Try not to get too wordy–explain what you’re feeling and why.
- Finally, say what you would like to see happen. After that, answer any questions they have.
- It may help to write out what you need to say before talking to this person. If you are convinced that the words won’t come out right, put your written words into a letter–edited more than once for a balanced delivery–and personally give it to them. Effectiveness goes way up when you stay while your friend reads it, so that you can stay to answer questions. Always an excellent standard: good news by letter, bad news in person.
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Pick a time and place that is both relaxing and intimate– preferably in private. If you are afraid of a harsh or intimidating reaction to your emotional question, meeting in public may help, such as a cafe where you can both sit and talk without interruption, as opposed to a sports bar. ‘
- Turn off any cell phones or pagers that might disrupt the flow of the conversation.
- Ask your question and be honest. It is still important to keep the other person’s feelings in mind when you are honest but don’t make up stories just to ease the asking.
- Ask a genuine question that is based on facts as you perceive them.
- Ask an open-ended question–that is, one that the other person can respond to without the conversation being shut down.
- Ask with respect and kindness.
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Take care not to scare them away or be too emotional. Avoid acting as if your life is hanging on the answer they give you. (If it is, are you a safe person for them to be close to?!) This is especially true if it is a new relationship. It is unattractive and makes you seem desperate or unstable. (Even if you are, you don’t want to show it!) If you are melodramatic, you risk making things more complicated and less obvious. Equally, don’t be cheesy or fake in an effort to act contrary to how you feel. Just be honest.
- For example, if you are asking someone that you have been casually seeing if they are interested in moving the relationship along, be upfront, but avoid being melodramatic.
- Keep it casual. Don’t put too much pressure on the other person. You want them to be honest, and even if what they say isn’t what you want to hear, it is better to know how they really feel so that you can adjust your plans accordingly and move forward with wisdom.
- For example, if you’re asking someone if they want to be more serious and they don’t want this, even though it is disappointing, it is good to know that so that you don’t set yourself up to get hurt by falling for them too much.
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Be confident and direct. Don’t beat around the bush. The ability to take on a sensitive issue delicately but directly is an attractive trait that reveals your maturity.
- If you need time to cool down or to keep from getting too emotional, excuse yourself to the restroom, take a few minutes and a few deep breaths.
- Listen to the other person completely when they answer you. Make a genuine effort to understand their answers. This will show them that you care about what they think.
- Don’t preach or try to change the other person’s answer. You must assume that they are speaking honestly and in good faith.
- Allow the other person to share what is in their heart–listen for it.
- Be very patient. Some people may want to tell you, but they will need to battle their own ego and concerns to speak of it.
- Don’t try cut in and talk until you are sure that the other person has finished talking.
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Be prepared to compromise. If the other person doesn’t want to do what you’re asking for, try to find the middle path. If they don’t want to do something, ask yourself what other ways you will be happy to reassess the solution:
- For example, the other person doesn’t want to take dance lessons 5 days a week. Maybe you could try once or twice a week? What arrangement or changes might put the two of you on the road to freedom for 5 dance lessons a week? What would that take from you, and for how long?
Tips
- Stay calm at all times.
- If you don’t get the answer you wanted, it’s not the end of the world, and if you are calm and honest, you may find yourself having a good conversation in which you learn something valuable, even if it doesn’t go your way.
- Look the other person in the eye. Eye contact is important for sincerity and connection.
Warnings
- Having an important conversation when you are any of the following is dangerous and most likely won’t go well:
- If you are not prepared, cognitively or emotionally
- If you are tired, hungry or irritable
- If you are stressed out
- If you are really drunk.
- If you are offering criticism, don’t attack their character; it will put them in a defensive position and you won’t get anywhere. Rather, concentrate on their actions and what you would prefer to see, i.e., “Could we hold hands in public?” as opposed to “You never hold my hand. You’re such a closed person.”
Related wikiHows
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
Wikileaks.org is a site aimed at uncovering government, corporate, and other relevant information that the public has a right to know about but has been kept under wraps. A multi-jurisdictional public service aimed at protecting whistleblowers, journalists, and activists who have sensitive materials to make public, Wikileaks publishes and defends such information worldwide.
Wikileaks seeks to set the record right, by ensuring the integrity of our common historical record and the rights of all peoples to create new history. The site protects every person who submits confidential information and uses Swedish and Belgian laws to protect confidentiality. So far Wikileaks has over 100,000 documents and every source has been protected, no documents have been censored, and all legal attacks against Wikileaks have been defeated.
If you have information to leak to Wikileaks, here is how to do so.
Steps
- Assess the leak-worthiness of your information before going any further. Wikileaks will only accept information that is:
- Classified, censored, or otherwise restricted material of political, diplomatic, or ethical significance.
- WikiLeaks does not accept rumour, opinion, or other kinds of first hand reporting or material that is already publicly available.
- Areas of documents leaked thus far have covered government, trade, corporate, war, killings, torture, detention, suppression of free speech and free press, diplomacy, spying, counter-intelligence, ecology, climate, nature, sciences, corruption, finances, taxes, trading, censorship and internet filtering, cults, religious organizations, abuse, violence, violations.
- Get advice. If you’re not sure as to the accuracy of your information or how to proceed with it, Wikileaks has an anonymous and secure chat at https://chat.wikileaks.org/ that you can join to discuss things, have your questions answered, and problems concerning the potential information responded to.
- This chat has anti-logging features in place to prevent any accidental disclosure of your name, IP, or identity. All communications are secured with SSL encryption.
- Alternatively, you can contact Wikileaks via http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Contact_us, following the prompts.
- Prepare your documents in advance. Wikileaks advises that you try to convert Microsoft Word documents into PDFs, so as to avoid leaving your name trail on the document. If you cannot do this, the Wikileaks staff will do it for you (but you might wish to request this be done as a reminder).
-
You’ll see this on the front page first
Go to Wikileaks. It is found at http://wikileaks.org/.
- Click on the link “Submit Documents”. This button is found at the center, top box of the page (see image).
- Choose your method of submission. There is a range of methods, each aimed at providing you with a way that is safest for you in your particular circumstances and context. You can choose to use either an online or postal submission method. Note that Wikileaks claims that postal submission has the highest security levels, provided you follow the steps outlined below.
The online submission process
- Submit your leak information online. A secure submission can be made online. The upload of a file is undertaken via a bank grade encrypted submission. No logs are kept and the information is protected under Swedish and Belgian press secrecy laws. Choose either the direct submission method, or the TOR network, as follows.
- Make a direct submission. Click on the activated line that reads “Click here to securely submit a file online.” Check that it has a padlock at the end of it. This link will take you to another page.
- Choose the file for uploading using the “browse” button. Double check that you have chosen the right document. Press “Upload” to submit.
- Make a submission via the secure TOR network. This is secure and anonymous. As a distributed network, Wikileaks states that this network provides maximum security for an online submission.
- Go to the chat room if unsure of anything (see above).
The postal submission process
-
Post the submission. If you cannot use the online process, or you need the greatest anonymity possible, or you find it is simply unwieldy and difficult given the type or bulk of documentation that you have, Wikileaks enables you to post the documents and related information.
- Assemble your information. The information can be provided in any format that you’re able to access and use effectively.
- You can send CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives (memory sticks), microfiche, handwritten evidence, photos, etc.
- Make two copies of anything transferred on a floppy disk, as floppies can be unreliable.[1]
- Wikileaks will scan paper documents if they are of significant political or media interest – you can contact Wikileaks at http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Contact_us first if you’re unsure of the significance of your documents.
- Address the envelope. If writing “Wikileaks” on the address label is going to cause suspicion and problems, then don’t. Instead, use any name or acronym (e.g., “WL”) you’d like, provided that you use the correct postal address. Contact Wikileaks direct at http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Contact_us for relevant unlisted postal addresses.
- Place the information in the post.
- You can post to any country in the Wikileaks network. Post to whichever country you feel is most suitable. Go by the nature of the material and your postal service’s reliability/ability.
- Where your country has an unreliable postal system, make multiple copies and use DHL, FedEX, or another postal courier service.
- Another method is to send the materials to multiple addresses, to make sure the materials reach at least one of them.
- Provision of a return address is up to you. If you do use one, make it clear so that the envelope can be returned to you.
- Expect the Wikileaks truth facilitators to upload your posted material to the Wikileaks website, using their fast internet connection. Wikileaks will destroy the mailed package.
High Risk Postal Submissions
Wikileaks advises taking additional care where posting comes with high risk. Follow these steps to keep yourself as safe as possible.
- Post away from your usual, local post office. If you need to travel some distance, consider doing so where feasible.
-
Check that there are no video cameras monitoring or people who might be watching at the post office you are going to.
- If you are being watched (surveillance), give the postal item to someone else whom you can trust and you know will not be followed or intercepted, such as a relative or friend. Ask them to post it from a safe place.
- Sometimes mail is seized covertly when a person is under surveillance. Wikileaks advises that where this is a possibility, that you handle the documents with great care if you have concerns about possible interception and tracing back to you. Wear gloves to prevent leaving fingerprints. Dust off all hairs and other biological matter. Do not seal the envelope with your saliva.
Tips
- Submitting confidential material to WikiLeaks is safe, easy and protected by law if you live in a country that recognizes these laws. Citizens of China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela should take caution in leaking documents.
- Postage to Australia:
“WL” (or any name likely to evade postal censorship in your country)
BOX 4080
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3052
Australia
- Wikileaks will never cooperate with anyone seeking to identify you.
Warnings
- CD and DVD writers usually include the serial number of the DVD or CD writer onto the CD/DVDs they write. Theoretically, if intercepted, the entire supply chain could be tracked down to trace the purchase of the CD/DVD writer to you. If you think there are financial records traceable to you, and your adversary has the will/capacity to be this thorough, avoid this method if interception is a high likelihood. Such interception and tracing is very expensive, so keep that in mind when weighing your chances.
- CD and DVD media also include a non-unique manufacturing “batch number” for each group of around 10,000 CD/DVDs made. Anti-piracy activities have used this approach to track down counterfeit offenders.
Things You’ll Need
- Online methods: Computer with Internet access
- Postal mail:
- Hardcopy document(s) or magnetic or optical media
- Appropriate packaging with sufficient postage
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
Old Kitchens often have no power points…
Food processors are great modern conveniences. Yet, for the times you need to cook a recipe and there’s no electricity, you’re in a kitchen without a processor, or your own device has just broken down, you need to be able to cook effectively without one.
While many of the solutions provided in this article are straightforward, some require knowing how to use ordinary tools in different ways. All of these methods combined should be able to replicate a food processor, and while these are slower, more labour-intensive methods, they are an excellent experience for learning to cook from scratch. They also use no electricity–good for nostalgia or slow-cooking type meals.
Steps
-
Shred using a grater. For shredded foods, most foods can be grated using a manual grater.
- You can also use the grater for making fresh breadcrumbs.
- Try to obtain a commercial grade food grater, as these are less likely to rust.
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Grate or slice using a mandolin. Take care using mandolins; always use the slicing handle they come with.
-
Grate by slicing into fine slices. Then slice again to make julienne like cuts on a smaller scale.
-
Some can slice and grate in one
For very fine slices or shavings, use a vegetable peeler.
-
Use a zesters for making small thin strips for garnish, or for small quantity needs.
- Use the following as suitable crushing methods:
- Crush fresh ingredients (for example, to make a pesto or paste), place the food into a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet.
- For crushing items such as biscuits or dry, stale bread for crumbs, use the same method, then sieve the crumbs through a colander or sieve to filter the fine crumbs, then crush the remaining coarse ones again.
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For harder items like nuts, spices or garlic, crush them in a mortar and pestle.
-
A mouli is great for larger quanities
For pureed foods, use a mouli. Alternatively, press the foods through a clean fine mesh or sieve to make food like pâté.
- Find a dough hook alternative. For making a dough such as pasta, pastry or bread, use a stiff whisk, table knife or fork. These can be used to combine ingredients to keep your hands clean. You will still need to knead by hand, however, for quickest results.
-
For pulsing soups or other similar products, use the following solutions:
- To make between a smooth/chunky consistency, use a potato masher.
- For a very smooth soup, mash until no visible chunks remain, then pour through a sieve, and press the remainder through the sieve using a spoon.
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For quick chopping where an even consistency is not always needed, use a mezzaluna type knife. This will enable quick chopping. A standard knife and board will suffice for most vegetables and fruits.
- For whipping, use a whisk. This is the easiest, but you could also use a bunch of thin bamboo kebab sticks to simulate a whisk.
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For grinding or mincing, use a mechanical mincer if there is one. This will give a unique mincemeat like consistency which is very hard to replicate by hand.
- If such an item is still not available, then slice thinly, finely chop and crush with a pestle, potato masher, or knead it by hand until you reach a mince consistency.
- Semi frozen meat can be grated to make a good mince like product. Take all suitable hygiene precautions.
Video
Tips
- Experiment using different tools to make similar results.
- A strong wooden spoon can be useful for kneading bread dough.
Warnings
- The downside is that these methods can be slower, so maintaining top hygiene is important, to avoid food poisoning.
Things You’ll Need
- Grater
- Mouli
- Mortar and pestle
- Plastic bag and rolling pin/meat mallet
- Potato masher
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Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
Dog’s Nite Out surf team Captain, “Surf Dog Zoey”, hangin’ 10
Surfing with your canine pal can be great fun and rewarding for both of you in terms of exercise and having fun together. If you’re keen to get your dog surfing with you, this article will help you to get Fido used to the waves and surfing like a pro in no time!
Steps
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Make sure you have a dog surfboard. Your dog’s paws can be harmed if he is not using the right board, wax or track top. Foam boards might be a little easier on your dog’s paws than a hard surface, and it’s easier for him to walk on because there is more traction for his paws. On the other hand, the dog will scratch into the foam, and the foam might dig into the dog’s paws, possibly giving it a rash.
- Get your dog some gear too. Suitable items include a dog life vest, dog wetsuits, dog beach towels, water and salt waterproof bungee leashes, pet tent (for a rest in while you keep surfing), and EZ chairs for the beach (more for you!).
- Start small. Begin somewhere easy, like a swimming pool or a lake on a really flat wave day. Throw your dog’s favorite fetch toy into the water and see if he retrieves it. If he does, he is probably a water-loving dog. Having other dogs that like the water will also encourage your dog into the water.
- Make sure you know how to surf. It won’t make much sense to your dog if you’re not sharing the experience and know what to do too!
- This sport involves a lot of exertion in the water, and the waves can be rough, so be sure that you and your dog are both strong swimmers before attempting to surf.
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Demonstrate by example and get your dog excited about being in the water with you. Let your dog watch you on a boogie board or surfboard to get him fired up to join you. Talk to him, call to him, and encourage him to come into the water and play nearby while watching what you’re doing.
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Get your dog used to the board on the sand or on another suitable surface before going into the water. Test your dog’s balance to see where he likes to place himself on the board. Some smaller dogs like the nose of the board, some heavier dogs have a better center of gravity and like the middle to the back of the board. Depending on size, however, your dog should be roughly about two-thirds of the way back, with his tail over the board’s fin.
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PFD – Pet Flotation Device
Pop on your dog’s pet (personal) flotation device (PFD). The dog PFD will provide your dog with greater flotation when he wipes out in the surf. Many dog life vests have a handle on top that lets you gently pull your canine pal back on the board or out of the water when needed.
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Paddle out. On a longboard, get on the board with the dog and paddle into the waves. You should be behind the dog for best results when paddling through the breakers. On a shortboard or boogie board, put the dog on the board and push him out through the breakers.
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Catch the wave. Start with small waves, roughly 1-2 feet (30cm – 60cm). Even champion surfing dogs don’t tackle surf much bigger than 3-4 feet (90cm – 120cm).
- Push off and shred. Catching the wave is a knack that requires timing, finesse, patience and lots of repetition.
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Get your dog started in the wave each time and then let him surf the wave on his own. Try to get the dog started right when the waves starts to curl.
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Now your dog and you are surfing! Bow Wow Bunga, dude!
Video
Tips
- Get your dog on the surfboard at the tide and walk him out towards the waves. Position him facing the beach and give him a small push towards the angle of the wave that’s not breaking.
- Try the pet, rafting, or boating sections to find a dog PFD.
Warnings
- Only take your dog to a beach that allows dogs. Check the local ordinances first.
- Surfboards have been known to cause a bruise or two when they’re bobbing around in the waves, so be careful.
- Surfing just isn’t for some dogs. If your dog doesn’t show interest in surfing no matter what you do, don’t force them. It’s better for surfing to be an indifferent experience than a traumatizing one!
Things You’ll Need
- Dog
- Surfboard suitable for dog
- Additional dog accessories as needed
- Beach gear (towel, umbrella, sunscreen, etc.)
- Leash in case you need to restrain Fido for any reason
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Sources and Citations
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
If you’re looking for a way to decrease the drying time of your hair and help enhance waves and curls, plopping’s for you! Plopping involves putting your hair up in a cloth, which behaves like an accordion, almost scrunching the hair by itself. This is a different method than just putting your hair up in a towel turban. You can encourage your natural waves or curls with less time and effort than traditional curling methods.
Steps
- Gather the needed materials listed in the Things You’ll Need section below.
- Wash and style your curly hair. Add any mousses or gels to the hair before plopping.
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The toilet seat was used in this picture.
Lay your plopping cloth on a flat surface. Good places include the toilet seat (with the lid down!), chairs, and low beds or shelves.
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Bend over at the waist and position your hair on top of the cloth, near the edge closest to you. Move your head until it is pressed firmly against the surface.
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Take the far edge of the cloth and drape it over the back of your head.
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Grab the sections of the towel on either side of your head and twist them tightly away from your face.
- Move up slowly from the bent over position.
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Hair ties are generally easiest to use.
Secure the “sausage rolls” you have just created by twisting the cloth at the back of your head, near your neck.
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Leave the plop on for as long as you like. If you notice frizzing after you remove the plop, add a little gel to your hair then and try plopping for less time. 15 to 20 minutes is a good amount of time to try.
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A blow-dryer and finger diffuser
Remove the plop. Let your hair air dry, or blow-dry with a diffuser so as not to disturb the curls. Do not touch the curls while they are wet or they will frizz.
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The finished hair after plopping
Rock those curls!
Video
Tips
- There are many variations on plopping, so experiment and see what works best for you.
- Some people like to sleep in their plops. Make sure to clip the cloth where your head does not lie on the pillow, if you choose this option.
Warnings
- Do not use a generic, terrycloth towel to plop with if your hair is prone to frizz! The little threads of the material will pull out strands of hair and create frizz! (Cotton or linen is the preferred material.)
- If you have short curly hair, this may squash some sections weirdly.
Things You’ll Need
- A plopping cloth, options include:
- Cotton t-shirt (long-sleeved, and over-sized works best)
- Linen, cotton, or microfiber cloth
- Something to secure the plop with: hair tie, clip, etc.
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Sources and Citations
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
Sometimes when you are fishing from a high place and a net or gaff cannot reach the fish, use this device. It is used to land big fish by snagging the swivel. Easy to make and carry, the device also protects your rod from breaking, especially as a novice. It’s commonplace for beginner fishermen to abuse their rods when landing a big fish by swinging the rod vertically and pointing 180 degrees away from the fish, which is very bad. Here is how to make and use the keyhold gaff device.
Steps
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For bigger fish, use thicker plywood.
Assemble the items needed to make this gaff. These are listed below in the “Things You’ll Need”.
- If you are 30 feet from the water (rather than 15 feet), your cord must be longer and the plywood must be heavier in relation to the cord, to easily slide this device down the main fishing line and over the swivel.
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With the jigsaw, cut the keyhole and the slot on the side. The slot on the side is where you will place the gaff over your main fishing line. The thin slot, in the keyhole, is where you will snag the swivel, so this slot must be thinner than the swivel.
- With the drill, make a hole that is big enough to pass the cord through.
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Use this device for landing fish that weigh more than the breaking strength of your fishing line. For example, if the fish weighs 10 pounds and your main fishing line is 8 pounds test, your main line is going to break.
- For bigger lines, even if your main line’s breaking strength is bigger than the fish’s weight, it is easier to use a cord to pull the fish up. For example, if your mainline is 18 pounds test and the fish is 10 pounds, your hands are going to hurt grasping such a small diameter line.
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Snag the swivel after this device slides over the swivel
To use this device, reel the fish until it is below you and slip the device over the main line. Let the device slide down until it is past the swivel. Snag the swivel, by lifting the device somewhat sharply so that the leader slides into the keyhole slot. The hook and leader must be strong.
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After snagging the swivel, set your rod down and pull the fish up with the cord. The short leader line, which is between the swivel and the hook, should be stronger than the main line.
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Do not use a snap swivel because it might come apart from the stress. For ease of attaching or removing of the leader to the swivel, use a big loop and cow hitch it. Another option would be to keep using a snap swivel but to have a split ring between the snap and the leader.
Tips
- The length and thickness of the cord, and the board thickness and dimensions should be modified to your fishing situation.
- Moving fast and keeping a tight line are important keys to landing a fish because you usually do not know how good the hook-up is until after you land the fish. Do not slacken the line or the fish might “throw” the hook or lure. If you decide to use the gaff, move quickly (but not roughly) and haul the fish up.
Things You’ll Need
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- Plywood 1/2″
- Cord (if your main line is eight pound test, use some cord that is about 150 pound test)
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
- Hawaii Fishing News newspaper – research source
Jul 27
Posted by admin on Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 Under Zocials
This article is dedicated to a hedgehog named Ivy, who has WHS.
WHS is Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, a progressive, degenerative neurological disease that affects African pygmy hedgehogs and European hedgehogs.[1] It is probably inherited, and unfortunately, it is a fatal disease. If your beloved “hedgie” winds up with WHS, here’s how you can provide excellent care to try and ensure a longer, more comfortable life.
Steps
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Diagnose WHS. It’s not always easy to determine if your hedgehog has Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. While many sources state that your pet will start to fall over or list to one side, evidence of the disease may be as subtle as dragging a foot or abruptly stopping running in the wheel. If your hedgehog starts to act differently than usual, a visit to the vet is probably the right thing to do; indeed, a sick hedgehog must always be taken to a vet because he will always need specialist diagnosis and care.[2]
- When transporting a sick hedgehog to the vet, place him in a warm spot in a sleeping box with a lid. Try to get a friend to hold the box in the car to minimize bumps and vibrations to prevent car sickness.[3]
- Recognize the symptoms. This disease is predominant in domesticated hedgehogs and is similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans.[4] This disease is believed to be genetic and there is no predeterminer to distinguish an affected hedgehog until the disease appears. It affects both males and females without bias.[5] The symptoms can include:
- A rapid or a gradual onset affecting the hind legs, then moving up the body to the head. If rapid, it is debilitating very quickly, and can happen within a few days.
- The muscles get weak and then atrophy.
- Next, the spine curves and the body flattens out.
- Weight loss is common.[6]
- Onset can occur anywhere from 1 month to 36 months of age, with the average onset at 18 months.[7]
- Consider your willingness to care for your WHS afflicted hedgehog. As the disease progresses, your pet hedgehog will require specialized care. With this care, your pet can live for many months while in the grips of this physical decline. If you are unwilling to provide such care or feel your hedgehog is suffering, discuss euthanasia with your vet. Keep in mind, however, that many affected animals can survive for up to 24 months post-diagnosis, given the appropriate care.[8]
- Care for your pet’s physical needs. It is critical that you position your hedgehog as naturally as possible to enable the circulatory system to work properly. As with any living creature, you will want to make things as comfortable and natural as possible. Here are some suggestions:
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Try to find something to place on both sides of your hedgehog
As the animal loses use of his limbs, you can use towels or soft cloths/fabric to keep your “hedgie” upright. One method is to roll up two towels and place on either side of your hedgehog to keep him upright, cradled in the “hollow” created in the middle.
- Consider creating a maze with upright walls that your hedgehog can use to walk around to get to bed without falling over. Use whatever materials you have to hand, such as cardboard, plastic, etc.
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Some carers advocate for physical therapy to keep the muscles toned and strong. If you do this, you must take care to not injure your pet while you try to help it. Make sure you do not move limbs in directions that they can no longer move. Provided that you take care, daily massaging your hedgehog can be a good way to help keep deteriorating muscles toned. Some suggestions include:
- To aid digestion, rub your fingers clockwise on the hedgehog’s belly as he lays back on your lap (never do this counter-clockwise).[9]
- For the legs, massage each one and move each leg gently in a walking motion.[10]
- Turn over and massage from head to tail.[11]
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Fix your hedgehog’s surrounding environment. Once your pet is unable to stand on its legs, food and water need to be put lower where these can be reached with ease. When the hedgehog can no longer navigate effectively, water bowls must be removed completely, to avoid drowning. At that point, you will need to use a medicine dropper (pipette) or syringe to give water to your pet. Avoiding dehydration is very important, so you mustn’t forget to rehydrate regularly.
- As the body loses the ability to move around, temperature control must be supplemented using covers directly placed over your hedgehog (use soft fabric to make small “sheets”). Perhaps also use external heaters but if you need to use a heater, ensure that you do not make the environment too hot. Having the environment too hot or too cold is equally bad for an ailing hedgehog.
- Avoid the growth of bed sores by repositioning the animal often. If a sore develops, treat it with antibiotic ointment and keep the area dry and clean. Seek your vet’s advice if you’re not sure what to do or use.
- Change the bedding often to ensure your hedgehog is dry and clean. Hand towels are the perfect size when folded over into quarters to make a soft and pliable cushion. Paper towels folded into quarters make an absorbent and easily changeable padding to go on top of the hand towel. It’s also handy to keep soft layered clothes nearby to wrap around your pet – this makes him easier to handle and reduces the chance of dropping him or causing discomfort to his sore and weak joints.
- Adapt how you feed your WHS hedgehog. Nothing in what you feed your pet needs to change after he contracts this disease, however, you should ensure that the food given is of high quality if it isn’t already. How you feed your hedgehog will need to be modified:
- Dry food may eventually need to be broken into smaller bite-sized bits.
- Egg, fish, chicken, etc. will also need to be provided in small pieces to keep your hedgehog from choking.
- As already mentioned, water needs to be administered using a medicine dropper (pipette) or a syringe, and it needs to be provided often to keep your pet from suffering from dehydration.
- Eventually your pet may become unable to eat on his own. At that point, a tube or a straw can be used to supply nourishment via forced feeding.
Video
Tips
- Dealing with the emotional stress: Don’t be misled – caring for a hedgehog with WHS is difficult and time consuming. And, it’s sad to watch your pet degenerate before your eyes. Yet, providing what amounts to hospice care for another being has rewards of another kind – you extend the time you have left and you will form a connection with your hedgehog. Dependent creatures form bonds that may not exist before illness occurs. Hold your hedgehog often and talk to it! Your pet’s head is unaffected by the disease and he/she will need reassurance from your attention and comforting voice.
- Caring for an ailing hedgehog can be a good experience for both you and for your pet.
- WHS affects around 10% of African pygmy hedgehogs in North America.[12]
Warnings
- WHS cannot be transferred to human beings, but it is always wise to wash your hands before and after handling your hedgehog. Even healthy hedgehogs can carry salmonella.
Things You’ll Need
- Clean bed and bedding
- Maze materials
- Towels or soft cloths
- Medicine dropper/pipette/syringe
- Quality food
- Heater or cooler as needed
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