How to Blanch Lettuce  

April 28th, 2011 Posted in Food & Drink
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How to Blanch Lettuce
By Shelby Golding
Blanching is the process of immersing a food into boiling water and then submerging it into ice water to stop the heat from continuing to cook it. Blanching lettuce removes a bitter taste often associated with garden-grown varieties, and alters the texture for certain dishes. In addition, blanching lettuce breaks down cellulose, making it edible for fish. To blanch lettuce, you will need basic kitchen supplies and approximately 10 minutes.

To Blanch Lettuce You’ll Need:

  • Large pot
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • Large bowl
  • Ice cubes
  • Metal tongs
  • Paper towels

To Blanch Lettuce Instructions:

  • Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way full with water. Add 1 tsp. salt to the water. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
  • Fill a large bowl halfway full with cold water. Add enough ice cubes to raise the water level to 3/4 full. Set the bowl close to the stove top.
  • Rinse lettuce leaves in cool water and drop them into the boiling water. Allow them to boil for approximately 20 seconds before removing the leaves with metal tongs. Drop the leaves into the ice water.
  • Allow the leaves to sit in the ice water for 30 seconds before removing them with the tongs. Place the lettuce leaves on a paper towel to drain off excess water. The lettuce leaves are now blanched and ready for use.
To Blanch Lettuce Tips:
  • Grab the leaves gently with the tongs to avoid tearing them.
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How to Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken  

April 28th, 2011 Posted in Food & Drink
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How to Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken
By Kathryn Stanley
In order to make cakes that are shaped like and resemble other real-life items like baked chicken, you will need to cultivate at least a basic understanding of cake decorating. With enough practice and the right tools, cakes can come to look a lot like other objects. Patience to work through errors and a few hours to devote to the baking and decorating process is a must, but if you give yourself time to experiment, before long you may be fooling everyone when you serve your “baked chicken.”

To Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken You’ll Need:

  • 3 cakes, 9-inch by 13-inch, any flavor
  • Carving knife
  • Buttercream icing
  • Spatula
  • Icing food dye
  • Fondant
  • Dull knife
  • Toothpicks
  • Edible clear glaze
  • Serving platter or glass dish

To Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken Instructions:

  • Bake or purchase three rectangular cakes, 9 inches long by 13 inches wide. If you bake the cakes yourself, be sure to give them time to cool.
  • Apply a layer of buttercream icing to the top of one of the cakes. Carefully stack the second cake on that icing layer, then ice it, as well. Repeat with the third. The result should be a neatly iced stack of three cakes.
  • Use your carving knife to carve the three dimensional shape of a baked chicken. It will help to have an image of a baked chicken in front of you. Make the top slightly rounded, and carve indents where the legs meet the body. Carve out small nubs near the top of the body that will be the wings.
  • Cover your entire cake in buttercream icing.
  • Mix icing food dye to make a golden brown color. Add this coloring to store-bought or homemade white fondant, kneading it with your hands to ensure even distribution.
  • Roll out your fondant with a rolling pin. You will need to work quickly during this step, as fondant will crack and dry out if it sits for too long. The fondant should be anywhere from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick.
  • Lift the fondant and place it onto the frosted cake. Start at the top and smooth downwards into the ridges of the “baked chicken,” taking care that your fondant does not fold or tear.
  • Use a dull knife and toothpicks to create texture on the cake, such as ridges along the legs of the chicken and small bumps across the surface. Again, a photo of an actual baked chicken will help you make a more realistic texture.
  • Brush a clear edible glaze over the surface of the cake. This will give the impression that the chicken has just come out of the oven.
  • Serve the cake on a serving platter or in a glass dish, just as you would an actual baked chicken.
To Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken Tips:
  • If you need to store fondant for an extended period of time, simply place it in a plastic bag or snap-top container. Any air-tight container will do.
  • Don’t get discouraged if your carving attempts are not successful at first. Like most things, creating realistically shaped cakes takes a lot of practice.
To Make a Cake That Looks Like Baked Chicken Warnings:
  • Always exercise caution when using knives and tools, and never let children handle knives or participate in cake carving. Although cake is a soft substance, one slip could lead to serious injury.
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How to Fry Beef Steak  

April 28th, 2011 Posted in Food & Drink
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How to Fry Beef Steak
By Philippa Jones
If you are fortunate enough to have a beef steak, frying it is a quick and simple way to cook it. Tender cuts such as tenderloin or sirloin work best for this method because the meat can cook quickly, while retaining its flavor and delicate texture. Cheaper cuts such as braising steak can also be fried but tend to remain tough — they are better suited for slow cooking. Use some basic cooking techniques to make the most of your steak.

To Fry Beef Steak You’ll Need:

  • Canola oil
  • Heavy frying pan or griddle

To Fry Beef Steak Instructions:

  • Take your steak out of the fridge or freezer and leave it to rest until it is at room temperature. Allow at least 20 minutes for this to happen, or longer if the meat has to defrost.
  • Put the heavy pan on high heat, and wait for the pan to heat up. This will take a couple of minutes — if the pan starts to smoke, it is too hot, so turn the heat down and wait for the smoke to disappear.
  • Rub the steak with canola oil, and season it with salt and pepper if you want extra flavor. Using crushed peppercorns adds the most flavor, but you could also add chili flakes or herbs.
  • Test the pan’s heat before you put the steak in. Dip a little bit of bread in oil and toss it in the pan. If it sizzles, the pan is hot enough. Then put the steak gently into the middle of the pan.
  • Fry the steak so that it cooks to your liking. The time varies depending on the thickness and cut of steak. However, for a rare steak simply fry the steak for a minute each side. Take it out of the pan when it is lightly brown on each side. You will see that it is still red and juicy in the middle.
  • Cook your steak further if you like medium or well-done steaks. You can test how well cooked it is by pressing down on the meat. The firmer it is to touch, the more well-cooked it is.
    Take the steak off the heat, and transfer it to a plate. Leave the steak to rest for a few minutes. This will tenderize the meat to make it even tastier; serve immediately.
To Fry Beef Steak Tips:
  • To cook medium steak, fry each side for 3-4 minutes on high heat, then 2 minutes on a lower heat.
  • To cook well-done steak, fry each side for at least 6 minutes or until the steak is firm to touch.
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How to Use Cedar Oil  

April 13th, 2011 Posted in Acne & Pimples, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Use Cedar Oil
By Teresa Fort
Cedar oil is simple to use in all sorts of formulations. You can create cosmetics, pesticides, holistic remedies and various household products using this essential oil. One of the simplest methods for utilizing cedar oil, and its highly valued properties, is through aromatherapy. It can also be applied to the skin, sparingly, when mixed together with other body products. Used accordingly, cedar oil can aid in the alleviation of an assortment of body ailments and conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, anxiety, insomnia and dandruff.

To Use Cedar Oil You’ll Need:

  • Cedar oil
  • Lotion
  • Distilled water
  • Cotton
  • Vaporizer
  • Aromatherapy diffuser
  • Spray bottle
  • Bucket
  • Mop
  • Old rags

To Use Cedar Oil Instructions:
Skin Conditions

  • Mix several drops of cedar oil into a half cup of distilled water.
  • Dip a cotton ball into the water.
  • Cedar oil contains antiseptic properties, which can kill bacteria.
  • Apply dampened cotton ball to any areas on the body affected by acne, psoriasis and dermatitis.

Releasing Toxins

  • A bath infused with cedar oil aids the body in releasing toxins.
  • Add several drops of cedar oil to a warm bath and soak for at least fifteen minutes.
  • Mixing cedar oil into some of your favorite body products creates a wonderful aroma while benefitting the body with its healing properties.
  • Mix a few drops of cedar oil with a 1/4 cup of your favorite unscented lotion.
  • Massage the lotion into the lower regions of your back, around the kidney area.

Respiratory Relief

  • Add cedar oil into a vaporizer or aromatherapy diffuser.
  • Breathing in cedar oil can also aid the body in suppressing the symptoms of stress, anxiety and insomnia.
  • Breathe in the oil infused air for at least 20 minutes, three times a day.
  • Dip a cotton ball into the oil, if no other means are available, and sniff it. It will be just as beneficial.

Insect Repellent

  • Making your own spritzer with cedar oil is an effective way to keep pesky bugs at bay.
  • Fill a spray bottle nearly full with water.
  • Add approximately eight drops of cedar oil to every eight ounces of water.
  • Cedar oil is an active ingredient in many pesticide products aimed at controlling fleas.
  • Spray your body, your clothes and your surroundings.

Home Applications

  • Add cedar oil to a bucket of soapy water for several household cleansing options.
  • Washing clothes with a small amount of cedar oil infuses a subtle, but lovely, aroma into the laundry.
  • Dip an old rag or washcloth into the water and place with laundry in the washing machine.
  • Closets and drawers have long been wiped down with cloths doused in cedar oil to prevent invasions of pests, while instilling a woodsy aroma into the environment.
  • Use a mop or a rag dipped in cedar oil to wash floors and any furniture items.
To Get a Cake Loose From the Pan Warnings:
  • Due to cedar oil’s powerful abortive properties, using cedar oil while pregnant or nursing is ill advised. Additionally, because of its sedative effects, it is not recommended that people use this oil while driving or operating heavy machinery. Essential oils can be toxic and should always be used sparingly. As with most medicines, it is best to talk with a professional if you are not familiar with using essential oils. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, or concerns, you should always consult your physician.
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How to Treat Skin Naturally  

April 13th, 2011 Posted in Skincare Natural Remedies, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Treat Skin Naturally
By Tammy Bronson
Homeopathic skin remedies for animals and people are safe and can ease the suffering of skin problems. Homeopathy is an alternative to conventional medical care, not a replacement. Homeopathic medicines come in liquids, pills, sprays, oils and capsules. Many pets and people have skin issues ranging from dry skin to parasite bites. Homeopathic remedies can help relieve minor skin irritations without a costly medical bill.

To Treat Skin Naturally You’ll Need:

  • Yellow- and green-colored foods
  • Watermelon
  • Marigold flower
  • Pine bark
  • Vitamin E oil
  • Apple cider vinegar

To Treat Skin Naturally Instructions:

  • Eat yellow and green colored foods, which is a natural way to relieve toxins from the body. Eating watermelon also helps because it is a radical scavenger that also rids the body of toxins. By ridding the body of poisonous toxins, the skin becomes healthier.
  • Add marigold flower to your food and water. Parasites won’t bite if you consume marigold flowers. Marigold flowers also relieve viruses like herpes and warts on the skin when applied externally.
  • Rub vitamin E oil on your skin for pain relief for from skin abrasions.Vitamin E oil is beneficial for healing for scars and scar tissue as well.
  • Soak in apple cider vinegar — it is the king of all natural remedies for skin irritations. Apple cider vinegar relieves itching and acts as a skin/hair conditioner. It does not need diluting; apply it directly to the skin and allow the skin and hair to dry before rinsing thoroughly. The vinegar will eliminate dandruff, too. It adds moisture to hair and balances the pH levels of the skin.
  • Sprinkle pine bark dust on food and in your water to stop scratching dry irritated skin. Free radical scavengers in the pine bark remove toxins from the body which cause the skin to itch. Sprinkle one-eighth of a teaspoon of pine bark dust onto food or into water each day. Pine bark assists the body to naturally assimilate vitamins and nutrients with a higher level of efficiency.
To Treat Skin Naturally Tips:
  • Some people believe pine bark also helps fight cancer.
To Treat Skin Naturally Warnings:
  • Skin irritation is a visible warning sign that something is amiss in the body. Never overlook warning signs and seek medical attention when natural remedies fail to work.
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How to Get Clear Toenails  

April 13th, 2011 Posted in Hand & Foot Care, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Get Clear Toenails
By Susan MacDowell
Hands are always on display so discolored fingernails are usually noticed and treated promptly. Feet, however, can be neglected when they are hidden all winter, and discolored toenails may be ignored. When warmer weather comes, you may want to ditch the heavy boots and reveal your feet in sandals. This means you’ll want to show off clear healthy toenails. Toenails can become discolored from a number of causes, including surface staining, injury or a disease like toenail fungus. While injuries and diseases should be treated by a medical professional, surface stains can usually be removed at home.

To Get Clear Toenails You’ll Need:

  • Cotton balls
  • Non-acetone nail polish remover
  • Soap
  • Nailbrush or toothbrush
  • Fresh lemons
  • Hydrogen peroxide

To Get Clear Toenails Instructions:

  • Remove any old nail polish from your toenails with a cotton ball soaked in a non-acetone based nail polish remover. Change cotton balls frequently so you are not redepositing pigment on the toenails.
  • Wash and dry your toenails with soap and water to remove any dirt or grime. Use a nailbrush or an old toothbrush to get grime out of the nail ridges.
  • Rub a cut lemon on any surface stains then wash and dry toenails to remove the lemon juice.
  • Combine three capfuls of hydrogen peroxide with 1/3 cup of water. Soak your toenails for two minutes to remove any remaining stains. Scrub nails with a nailbrush or an old toothbrush if soaking alone doesn’t remove the stains.
  • Treat your nails with a cuticle oil containing vitamin E after all the soaking and scrubbing. Remove the oil with a non-acetone nail polish remover before applying a clear base oil to your clean nails.
To Get Clear Toenails Tips:
  • Dark nail polish colors, such as red, purples, and browns, contain pigments that may stain nails. Apply a clear base coat before using nail polish to prevent stains.
  • Small white spots on nails are caused by injuries while the nail is growing. They disappear as the nail grows.
To Get Clear Toenails Warnings:
  • See a doctor immediately if you have a black, brown or bluish discoloration under the nail that is not caused by injury. This could indicate the presence melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
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Coloring Stages of Bruises  

April 13th, 2011 Posted in Skin Issues, Weight Management & Body Image
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Coloring Stages of Bruises
By MaryS2
We all experience bruising occasionally, usually as the result of a bump or fall. By the time the contusion is noticeable, however, it has already started to heal, according to the Wyoming Valley Health Care System. A bruise occurs when impact causes blood vessels to break and blood leaks into the soft tissue under the skin. If the skin is not broken, the blood has nowhere else to go. During the healing process, which normally lasts from two to four weeks, bruises go through a sequence of color changes.

Coloring Stages of Bruises Instructions:

  • Spectrum of Bruise Colors – The changing colors happen while white blood cells remove the decayed blood products bit by bit. For the first two days, bruises appear red because of the iron in the leaked blood. At that point, the area around the bruise may be swollen and tender. Because the age of bruises is so important in determination of child abuse, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service has published a guide to identifying the stage of a bruise’s healing by color. The contusion will appear blue or purple through the fifth day. Following that, the bruise becomes green, as the blood’s biliverdin gains prominence, through the seventh day. Yellow, on days seven to 10, represents the bilirubin. Finally, the bruise usually appears brown until it goes away. When blood vessels are broken very close to the skin’s surface, the colors will be more intense.
  • Those Most Likely to Bruise – Generally, women bruise more easily than men, according to WebMD. Genetics may also play a part; some families seem to have a greater tendency to bruise than others. Taking aspirin or anticoagulant drugs can increase the likelihood of bruising, because when the blood is thin, more of it leaks under the skin whenever trauma occurs. The elderly are both more apt to bruise from minor injuries and slower to heal, since the removal of decaying blood components is hampered by restricted circulation. This is especially true with bruises on the lower extremities.
  • Bruise Age-Dating in Child Abuse Investigations – Often when child abuse is going on, bruising is the first sign. If authorities can identify this possibility early, further abuse may be prevented. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service says that determining the age of bruises is valuable to see if they are consistent with the caregiver’s explanation of when the injury occurred. If more than one bruise is present, the investigator determines if they match. If they do not, multiple injuries are indicated.
  • Signs of Trouble in Bruise Healing – Although most bruises heal on schedule, going through the gamut of colors, in a few instances, delayed healing may signify a more serious problem. If the pain is out of proportion to what you would expect from a bruise and does not lessen quickly, the area should be X-rayed to see if a bone has been fractured. Another cause of pain could be the formation of a hematoma. This happens when a large pool of blood accumulates under the skin or in a muscle, and rather than gradually removing the deposit, the body walls it off. According to Medicine Net, a hematoma may need to be drained by a medical practitioner.
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How to Begin a Long Fast  

April 13th, 2011 Posted in Weight Loss Diets & Food, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Begin a Long Fast
By C.G. Frechette
To fast is to willfully abstain from eating and drinking. There are several popular reasons for choosing to go on a fast, including religious or spiritual purposes, desire to cleanse the body of toxins, and weight loss. A person may decide to fast for a short amount of time, while others may choose to fast for much longer. In order to complete a longer fast, a person needs to know how to go about it in a healthy manner.

To Begin a Long Fast Instructions:

  • Determine how long the fast will last. A fast is considered long if it lasts more than seven days. If it is longer than a week, you should get medical supervision. A doctor will monitor your vital signs and make sure that you are healthy enough to complete a long fast.
  • Choose what you will specifically abstain from. Some people will not consume food or drink. Others abstain from food but allow liquids such as water, juice, and lemonade.Some people simply incorporate some solid food into a fast, such as fruit or rice. The amount of food is kept at a minimum, however.
  • Start out slow. If you have never fasted before, it is recommended that you start out with a 24-hour fast and then build up from there. This will help you gauge how your body reacts to it.
  • Integrate food slowly when you end the fast. Eat easy to digest foods and keep away from spicy or grainy elements. The reason for this is due to the fact that fasting affects the production of enzymes and the mucus lining on a stomach. Going slowly at first helps the body re-acclimate to eating normally again.
To Begin a Long Fast Tips:
  • Do not fast if you are pregnant, nursing, a child, or have a certain medical condition or illness. Additionally, a person with an eating disorder should not fast.
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How to Lose Weight for Research  

April 12th, 2011 Posted in Losing Weight, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Lose Weight for Research
By Natasha Parks
Lose weight healthily and steadily for research purposes. Eat a balance of different foods and always include fresh fish, vegetables and fruit because they contain the most essential vitamins and minerals for your body and its functions. Remember to drink plenty of water, factor in fiber, avoid alcohol and cigarettes and keep up a gentle exercise routine. Losing weight is not just about eating smaller portions, it is about eating fresh, healthy food that contains vitamins and minerals and about exercising to maintain a strong heart and mind.

To Lose Weight for Research You’ll Need:

  • Paper or computer spreadsheet
  • Meal planner
  • Fresh food
  • Calculator
  • Fresh water
  • Glass
  • Bathroom scales

To Lose Weight for Research Instructions:

  • Draw a table on a piece of paper or create one automatically using a spreadsheet on a computer. Make five columns at the top for “Breakfast”, “Lunch”, “Dinner”, “Snacks” and “Water”. Write the days of the week down the left hand side. Plan to lose weight over a healthy, safe period of time, such as two months.
  • Design a weekly meals roster with different, balanced options for each of the three daily meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Include two light, low-calorie snacks that total around 200 calories each. Try to think up meals that contain similar amounts of calories. Use a ready-made meal planner if it helps. Balance protein, carbohydrates and fat. Aim to eat about 500 calories each for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The total number of calories required to maintain a person’s body weight needs to be approximately 2000 for women and 2500 for men per day, according to The Column. However, to lose weight steadily, it may be necessary to reduce this total to about 1800 for women, as described by Weight Loss For All, with a similar reduction of 200-300 calories a day for men.
  • Make the first meal. Count the number of calories in each ingredient. Add up the total calorie intake for each meal, using a calculator if necessary. Record the calorie count in your table. Try not to exceed the calorie count in a given day, but if you do, reduce the following day’s calories by as much, to even it out. Make a note of the total calories each day in a sixth column if it helps you keep track of your consumption.
  • Eat controlled quantities of food at regular times during each day. Exercise at least four times per week for an hour at a time if you want to maintain a healthy heart and toned appearance as you lose weight. Healthy adults should drink six to eight glasses of fresh water each day for optimum results, according to The Healthy Eating Club. Poor fluid intake can cause constipation, kidney stones or even digestive tract cancers.
  • Measure your weight at the end of each week using bathroom scales. Calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) and ensure it is always below 30, because 30 or above means you are clinically obese, as described by Research Penn State. Calculate your personal BMI using this equation: BMI equals your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. If you are overweight, follow the same steady, calorie-controlled diet to get healthy. Aim to fall within the healthy BMI range, which is 18.5 to 25.
To Lose Weight for Research Tips:
  • Avoid a diet high in saturated fats because you will cause damage to your digestive system. A high intake of fatty foodstuffs can cause slow, inefficient digestion and can lead to or aggravate existing digestive diseases, according to the Gastroenterological Society of Australia. Never lose weight by starving yourself in the short term because you will not be able to maintain the new weight for very long, and you could cause serious physical and mental problems in yourself, such as vitamin deficiencies and depression. Do not follow crash diets advertised on the Internet that cost you money, even if you believe you are taking part in a research project for a good cause. Eating healthy food usually costs less than eating junk food.
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How to Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather  

April 12th, 2011 Posted in Natural Weight Control Plans, Weight Management & Body Image
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How to Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather
By Lee Lyons
Winter is truly the double-edged sword of all seasons. On the plus side you have snowmen, Christmas and New Years. The flip-side of this holiday cheer however, is battling with ice covered roads and sidewalks. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live on the west coast, or in the deep south — chances are, you’ve faced this problem. The ice covered surfaces of winter become dangerous to anyone forced to navigate them. Preventing slipping, tripping and falling is all about being prepared and being proactive.

To Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather You’ll Need:

  • Snow shovel
  • Salt
  • Ice melt
  • Sand
  • Kitty litter
  • Shoes with cleats

To Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather Instructions:

  • Shovel any and all of the snow off of the surface. Cold air and snow are sometimes your first indicator that hard times are ahead. It’s important to get snow shoveled off of your steps, sidewalk or driveway, as soon as possible. The longer it sits there, the more time it has to pack and harden. Then before you know it, you’ve got a thick sheet of ice that used to be just snow.
  • Pour some salt or ice melt onto the ice. Products like Magic Salt burn and break down ice chemically. Magic Salt is effective in temperatures as low as 30 degrees. Some salt or ice melt products are bad for your grass, so it’s important to use these products conservatively.
  • Throw some sand on the ice to create traction. Sand can be a powerful weapon when it comes to combating slipping. If you don’t have access to sand, try using kitty litter. You need the abrasive surface to counteract the slippery surface.
  • Buy some shoes with cleats. Sometimes you won’t be able to avoid ice. Purchasing some shoes with ice or snow cleats will assist you by actually digging their sharp points into the icy surfaces with every step you take. You can either buy shoes that have the cleats built on, or you can buy the cleats themselves and fit them to your shoes.
To Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather Warnings:
  • If you purchase ice cleats, be careful with where you swing your feet. The sharp points on the bottom of the shoes could stab somebody, if you are careless.
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