LIVING QUARTERS
Outsmart The Dry Season
With An Artificial Lawn
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he market for artificial grass is growing quickly. It is being driven by a combination of better manufacturing techniques combined with an increasing awareness of the longer term environmental and economic benefits. Originally it was limited to large sports clubs, but now you are just as likely to see it on your neighbour’s garden. The benefits really fall into 3 distinct groups:-
in our busy lives time becomes more precious as we seek to juggle all our responsibilities. Mowing the lawn can take 2 to 3 hours out of your week and that is for a normal size garden. Artificial grass needs very little maintenance and can free up a lot of time. It is worth mentioning two distinct types of users who also find it very valuable:-
er benefit from artificial grass is that it actively helps the environment. As well as substantially reducing water usage we also get –
a. Older people who cannot physically mow their lawns. b. Holiday home owners who are not always “on site” to look after their lawns.
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Special circumstances. It always surprises people to know the varied circumstances when artificial grass can be beneficial. Here is a brief list:-
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a. Dog runs. It can’t be dug up, it’s easy to clean and keep sterile and there will be no muddy paws. This makes it a favourite at dog kennels. b. Swimming pools. It is very useful as ground cover be-
Environmental issues. As our weather grows warmer there will be more pressure on restricting water usage. Hose pipe restrictions can really destroy a natural lawn, but artificial grass will not be affected. Anoth-
a. No carbon emissions from petrol driven lawn mowers. b. No fertilizers needed. c. Pollution from water runoff carrying chemicals into the drains is minimized.
yond the “splash back” area. No muddy areas to carry dust and dirt into the pool, no ruts from the sun loungers and stays green whatever the weather. c. Roof gardens. If your roof is not strong enough to support a natural turf cover then artificial grass will fill in very nicely. It also means that you don’t need to worry about the grass clippings. d. High wear and tear areas. Very often, especially with children, you can end up with parts of the garden where constant usage will not allow grass to grow properly and bald patches which can turn to mud cause real problems. Carefully laid artificial grass can blend in with surrounding features and help overcome this.
1 Identifying The Right Colour Scheme Lifestyle and ease of use. There is no doubt at all that
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f you live alone, different rooms of your house represent different sides of your personality. Whether it is done through the use of the colour or the contents in the room, everything about it represents your individuality. One of the toughest decisions you may need to make is deciding on what colour to paint any room, depending on the number of windows, flooring and if it’s a room that is heavily frequented. Read below for an easy way to determine the final colour. Blue- Blues work well with a lot of natural light so this may be better for your bedroom. Be wary of the shade since dark blue can make a room seem small and crowded while baby-blue may be a bit childish. But with the right shade, the bedroom is the perfect place for blues as the colour is very warm and calming.
Yellow- Yellow tends to brighten up a room and can also brighten up your mood. It can be used in any room of the house especially the living room or bedroom because of the positive effect it has your mood. Green- Green has a very natural feel to it and can make you feel very free. The right shade is needed as dark greens can work well only in natural lighting and light greens can be used to brighten a room. Green can also be used to make a room bigger so these are perfect for livingrooms, bedrooms and kitchen. Black- Blacks should be avoided. If they are to be used, they should be used in combination with other colours such as silvers, greys and maybe darkblues. But remember, the darker the colours the more claustrophobic the room gets. Addition-
room and can be used in combination with white or as an accent colour. Pink- Although pink may seem a bit ‘girly’, it is perfect for the bedroom as if gives it a bright, airy and friendly feel. It’s very welcoming and provides a very calming effect. White- White is best used in the bathroom. It gives any room a very spacious look and different shades can be used together to give an overall, complete look. ally, black adds a certain ‘goth’ feel and has been known to cause headaches. Red- Red represents a sign of confidence and shows that you are a strong individual. It works well with any light but depending on the shade it can ‘trap’ heat. It works well in the bedw w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
Browns- Similar to the blues, the shades are important for browns, as the wrong shade can cause any room to look dull or boring. This can be used in the kitchen or dining room; the perfect shade being beige, depending on the flooring and the amount of natural and artificial light available. MAY 2013
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LIVING QUARTERS
Overlooked Home Maintenance Tips
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he leaky pipes have been check and you certainly dealt with those dust bunnies as soon as they hopped into your home. However, there are several home maintenance issues people tend to overlook. It is important to deal with them early, because the things mentioned in this article can come back to bite you in the behind (right where your pocket is) Inspect Your Roof If you detect a drip in your house from a leaky roof, loads of damage may have already been done to your house. Don’t wait for a roof failure to check on the condition of this top most part of your shelter. Periodically get on your roof and inspect it. Once you (or someone brave) is up there, check for soft spots in the roof. These spots will eventually develop into holes and leaks that can cause serious damage and cost thousands of dollars. It’s not that difficult to patch flaws in the roof, and certainly a lot cheaper than replacing the entire roof and repairing water damage in your attic and home. Cleaning the gutters When it rains, gutters route the
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life or death, so take the time to change the batteries now. This should go for your alarm system too. Make sure CCTV cameras are working and there are batteries to facilitate your alarm’s ring.
water from the roof to where it can safely drain away from the house. By doing so, they protect siding, windows, doors, and foundations from water damage and help prevent flooding in low areas. To effectively do their job, gutters must be clear of leaves and debris. If they aren't, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, overflow, and eventually pull gutters loose from their mountings. Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors You never know when you'll need them. Sometimes, it’s a matter of
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Check Your AC Units In addition to maintaining your air conditioning filters, your overall air conditioning unit should be checked regularly to ensure you are getting optimal performance. A properly serviced air conditioner will do a better job of dehumidifying your home and will save you money on electricity costs. Other aspects of temperature regulation should also be monitored. We don’t commonly have elaborate heating systems like temperate climates, but we have water heaters. Flush out your hot water tank every six months to get rid of sediment and mineral deposits, which will help your water heater operate more effectively. Vacuum your refrigerator coils The coils you’ll find on the bottom or back of your refrigerator conduct the hot air from inside the unit. If they're coated with dust, they do the job less ef-
ficiently and cause your fridge to work harder. That means a higher electric bill for you. Use a vacuum cleaner hose or a brush to clean the coils. Service Your Garden Power Tools During the dry season, you have less work to do maintaining the yard since grass hardly grows. During this downtime, prepare for your peak lawn care period. take your lawnmower, trimmer, and other tools to get their blades sharpened and fluids recapped off. You may not view this as home maintenance, but how do you maintain your yard without them? Monitor Your Yard Speaking of yard maintenance, be sure to inspect for driveway cracks and rotting tree branches that can pose threats to your family and home. A crack on an interior wall may quickly garner your interest, but outdoors tends to go by without any maintenance. Furthermore, if a tree fell on your roof, you’d have to spend thousands of dollars to fix it whereas cutting a branch might just run you a hundred bucks. Food for thought.
LIVING QUARTERS
Tips To A Successful
Plant Transplant T
he transition of a potted plant from its container and its growing environment into your garden is what we call transplanting. The future success of any plant depends on a smooth transition. Several plants suffer transplant shock because they weren’t properly made to adjust. Here are some tips to ensure your plant survives transplantation properly. Choose The Healthiest Plants You're paying your hard-earned money for your trees and shrubs, so you have a right to demand
the very best plants your money can buy. Inspect them carefully before buying. Check for evidence of insects, diseased foliage or stunted growth. Avoid plants that have experienced obvious physical damage like nicks, cuts, broken limbs, tattered leaves or those that are clearly spindly and weak. These plants are already under stress from being moved alone; the last thing they need is other stresses on top of the stress of transplanting. Make Sure The Time Is Right Don't transplant seedlings into a larger pot or new surroundings until they have one or two sets of true leaves. This allows seedlings to develop enough roots to be self-supporting even if a few roots are lost in the process. It's
also a time when seedling roots are fairly straight and compact, making them easy to separate from nearby plants. Manage Watering Patterns Newly planted trees and shrubs do not have the kind of root systems they need to handle drought or excess water stresses. So, ensure they experience neither of these in their first year or two. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the entire growing season by watering when necessary, but not watering when it's not necessary. A good moisture check is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil near the base of the plant. It should be detectably moist - if not, it's time to water. In addition, water the plants to be dug and/
or transplanted the day before your do it. This insures that the whole plant will be hydrated, leaves and all, when it's time to transplant. Give The Hole Some Attention A plant transplant is as successful as the hole the plant is to be transplanted to. Be sure to dig a big enough hole to ensure easy transplanting. Then water the hole before you place the transplant into it. Place the transplant into the hole and fill it halfway with water. Allow the water to settle the soil around the roots and then finish filling the hole. Lightly firm the soil around the transplant. Don’t be too compact as the soil needs to breathe.
Conquer Can Odour
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et’s face it. Trash cans are dirty and where anything dirty resides, odours are not far behind. These tips will help you to deal with trash can odour. Empty Quickly Instead of keeping a large can in your kitchen, try a smaller one instead. A smaller one means that you'll be emptying the trash more frequently so that odor doesn't have a chance to develop. Use Dryer Sheets Dryer sheets make another great anti-odor tool for your trash. Toss a dryer sheet into the trash can and stinky odors will be a thing of the past. It doesn't even need to be a new dryer sheet. Used dryer sheets still have plenty of ability to block odors in your trash.
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Baking Soda Conquers Most Scents Baking soda can work wonders at preventing odors in your trash cans. Baking soda can be sprinkled in the bottom of a trash can or directly into the trash to help absorb stinky odors. As an added bonus, baking soda is great for scrubbing out your trash can to remove odors that may have seeped into the trash can. These additional tips can help prevent odours from emanating in the first place. • Clean up food and drink spills inside and outside your trash can as soon as possible. • Every once in awhile, take your trash can outdoors, squirt in a bit of dish soap, and fill the trash can with water from your garden hose.
Allow the soapy water to sit for awhile before emptying it out. Once it's emptied, leave it outside in the sun to dry. • Always rinse out and clean any materials you're disposing of before throwing them into your recycling bin. • Vinegar is also great for getting rid of nasty stains. Combine vinegar with baking soda for extra cleaning. A little lemon juice can help get rid of both the trash smell and the vinegar smell afterwards. • Most of all, separate food waste and non-food waste. Purchase a compost pail or a similarly airtight container for food waste, and take it out to a trash can in your garage when it's full.
LIVING QUARTERS
Rust Removal Tips
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ne of the negative effects of rust is the transformation of once good-looking items to old and ignored pieces. This is true of cars, walls and patios too. Sometimes, it can affect not just a part but the entire surface or item. Rust occurs when metal faces prolonged contact with water, and combines with oxygen in a process called oxidation. The process corrodes the metal, dissolving it into the chalky reddishbrown substance known as rust. Not only does it mar the appearance of the object, but it breaks it down and can eventually eat a hole right through it. The first method one may choose to rid items of rust is to manually remove it. You can use tools to scrape off rust. If you have any steel wool or wire brushes available, you can use them to scrub loose flakes of rust off the metal. This method is most useful for slightly rusted pieces. Heavily rusted pieces will require more drastic measures as scraping will only 6
remove about 50% of the rust. There are also chemical alternatives to rust removal. However, these harsh, toxic and sometimes expensive chemicals can be avoided if we opt for natural options such as the ones discussed here. Salt and Lime: Sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust, then squeeze the lime over the salt until it is soaking. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours and then remove the rust with the lime rind. This can also be done with a lemon. Alka-Seltzer: For clearing rust off aluminum items, fill a tub with clean water. Next, soak all the aluminum items in the water. Put a few Alka-seltzer tablets in the tub. Shake the tub so that the water mixed with Alka-seltzer tablets rub off on the entire surface of the aluminum items. Let the items sit in this mixture for about five minutes. After this, rinse them with clean water and make them completely dry with a towel cloth.
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Potato and Dish Soap: Cut a potato in half, and then dip the cut end in dish soap or baking soda. Then apply the soaked end to the rusted area and rub. To keep going, just cut the potato's top layer and re-apply the soap. White Vinegar and Flour: For brass items, an effective method is to make a paste with a cup of vinegar, one teaspoon salt and enough flour to form a thick paste. Cover the brass item with this paste and let it sit for half an hour. Next, take a clean cloth and rub the brass surface with it. Rinse the brass item with water and using a towel cloth, make it dry. Repeat the entire process, till the brass becomes shiny and clean again. Cola: Does Coke really remove rust? If you’ve ever dropped a penny in a glass of Coke, you were probably impressed (or alarmed) that the penny came out clean. Coke contains high levels of phosphoric acid (a common ingredient in storebought rust removal products)
and can be used for rusted nuts and bolts or even corroded battery terminals. However, it can be quite a challenge to clean up since it is so sticky, so you may want to try a different method first. Borax and Lemon Juice: Mix together equal parts Borax and lemon juice. Apply the resulting solution to the rust by spraying or dabbing it on (if the object is large), or by submerging the object in a bath of the solution (if the object is small). Allow the solution to soak in for 30 minutes. Then, rinse the object off; and dry thoroughly. The process can be repeated if the rust remains. These tips are true methods for getting the upper hand in the rust removal fight. However, it should be noted that as always prevention is better than cure, so keep objects clean and dry to avoid rust. As a final tip, make sure to dry the item thoroughly after removing the rust! We wouldn't want all of your hard work to be undermined.
home office
Finding The Job For Your Personality
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henever I go to the bank I marvel, “How on earth can people work here? Dealing with customers all day, supervisors walking around everywhere, no munching or chewing gum, NO FACEBOOK? Faint!” My friends remind me that not everyone is a night-owl, own-way, blood-type-LATE sort of person. And because I am so much more mature than my icky friends, rather than resort to name calling I have learnt to appreciate the differences in personality types. Choosing a career that doesn't suit your personality leads to an unhappy you, nobody wants that. Along with your soul and reasonable quality clothing outlets, finding a career that fits your personality (lucky you if it’s one that involves the big bucks) one that makes you want to get up in the morning instead of growl in despair, is essential to your lifespan. Everyone has preferences, your personality has traits, strong and not so strong points to be considered when deciding on your choice of career – this will very rarely be that job straight out of school. What career would fit me best? Personally, I know which won’t work at all for me: anything that involves being in an office all day, anything that involves deal-
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ing with rush hour traffic – I’ll never make it to the office for 8. So maybe something more autonomous for me, like, say writing, wink. Readings on the whole shenanigan identifies six personality types according to Holland’s theory: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Realistic people are the more hands-on people, practical and straightforward. They prefer working with concrete objects. Careers compatible with this personality type: electrician, orthodontist, surgical technologist, biomedical engineer. Investigative people are analytical, intellectual, and scientific. Typically, they like to gather a lot of information before making decisions and question ideas that aren't backed up by rational data (that annoying person at the meeting.) Compatible careers: professor, software developer, physician's assistant, veterinarian, librarian. Artistic people are creative and imaginative but they can also be strong problem solvers, since they bring an intuitive mindset, and we’re better than everyone else! Compatible careers: landscape architect, graphic design-
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er, director or producer, interior designer, editor. Social people often end up in "helping" professions where attributes like patience, empathy, and generosity make a difference. They're often strong team players good at achieving consensus. Compatible careers: school psychologist, mediator, nurse, physical therapist, social worker. Enterprising people are competitive, energetic extroverts with bundles of energy and no time for the nitty-gritty – they want to see end results. They often end up as entrepreneurs or group leaders, and prefer to delegate the pieces of a project while focusing on the big picture. Compatible careers: executive, financial manager, sales rep, sales manager. Conventional people, also described as orderly, are not what you’re thinking. They're not necessarily bland though they do tend to be reserved, careful and efficient. These are the folks who handle all the minute details that keep the busses running on time. Compatible careers: accountant, actuary, financial planner, technical writer, building inspector. These aren’t cast in stone, in-
dividuals vary greatly and many people are a combination of two or three different types. A few people might feel they don't fit into any of these categories but whatever your idiosyncrasies, it’s simply better if you match your job to your personality, for a happier you. Some jobs have a high flexibility factor using a wide variety of mental functions and these match many personality types. Also it is worth considering careers that aren't a direct match for your personality preferences, because you can provide a different perspective to others in that field or doing a job that too closely suits your preferences may not provide enough personal development for you. So ok, you’ve been doing your job over 7 years, you do it oh so well and think it’s too late to start something new. We come up with bundles of excuses when we choose right? You decide, do you want to growl or smile at the Monday morning sunrise? Special note to my ladies: I BEG OF YOU: being clerks and typist is not in our genes (really, ask a scientist) so dream on, we all have to start somewhere, start not die. You should know though, once you’ve gone above your first M.Sc. the corporate world has no idea what to do with us, tough huh?
elegant ideas
Let’s Get Luminous
This draped chandelier helps to set the required mood at this dining space w w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
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elegant ideas
A little lamp light is all you need for a cozy night around the coffee table
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elegant ideas
A unique window treatment option provides this room with all the natural light it needs
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elegant ideas
Your fixtures need not be extravagant when they can be functional. These mirror lights work
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elegant ideas
A beautiful ceiling design is enhanced with these fancy fixtures w w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
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KITCHEN
Five Cheap Foods Every Kitchen Should Have
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ating healthy is great. Eating healthy for cheap is even better than great. However, the two hardly seem to go together. Eating healthy is usually costly, but there are some cheap things that are really good for you that you can keep close in the kitchen.
It can also be used in herbal teas which are great for cardiovascular health. A string of garlic is less than 6 bucks at the grocery. Broccoli: Broccoli is like a toothbrush for your insides. Full of fiber, it will provide you vitamins A and C, plus fiber and a host of antioxidants. Broccoli is a superstar in the nutrition world and it is actually pretty cheap most times of the year. It can go a long way in creating a tasty side dish or salad for less than $15 bucks.
Oats: Oatmeal is a great addition to a hearty breakfast, but you can also cook sturdy steelcut oats in chicken broth for a savory side dish. Better yet, mix oats with ground turkey to stretch your meatballs. This high fibre food is also filling and great for you and the best thing is it is really cheap. Peanut Butter: Throughout childhood, peanut butter was as universal as Sesame Street. Even today, spooning some out of the jar is a good time, and adding a dollop into a punch or oatmeal positively feels like a treat. And
though PB is high in fat, it’s a good kind. Garlic: Ditch the bottled and powdered stuff if you want to reap more of the myriad health
benefits. Pungent and tasty, garlic can help lower cholesterol and blood clots, plus it can have a small effect on high blood pressure. Crush or chop it to release more of the antioxidants.
Bananas: Are there betterrounded fruits? Absolutely. Berries will single-handedly protect you from every known disease and fight off communism. But they are inordinately pricey little buggers (especially out of season), and for the money, don’t compare to a good old Cavendish banana. Lesson: Always listen to the monkeys.
Helpful Microwave Tips
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or many people a microwave is just a glorified popcorn machine. For my great grandmother she still stares at it and wonder why she can’t see the news. However, a microwave has the ability to do a lot more than produce buttery kernels or re-heat leftover meals. Try these microwave tips and tricks and really start getting bang for your buck from your appliance. Increasing A Lemon’s Juice Want to get the most juice from fresh lemons? Try these handy lemon-squeezing tips and tricks 16
and you'll have more juice than you ever thought possible. Before squeezing fresh lemons, warm them in the microwave oven for about 40 seconds. You'll get twice as much juice from each and every lemon. Re-crisping Chips There's no sadder fate for a potato chip than ending in soggy oblivion. But with a microwave, that problem can be solved. If your chips have lost their crunch, place them on a paper towel and microwave for a few seconds. The paper towel will absorb the excess moisture and make your chips crisp again. Sterilizing Sponges You can zap your kitchen sponges, dish cloths and anything else that's small, made of fabric and needs to be de-germed in the
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microwave. Putting them on for two minutes is enough. You might consider zapping your dog's favorite chew toy or bedding if it's small enough (and not made of something that will melt). Of course, putting anything in the microwave isn't a complete substitute for a proper wash, but it only takes a couple of minutes and will kill anything on the fabric, so you can use it for everyday cleaning. Loosening Brown Sugar If your brown sugar has become one solidified mass, you can microwave the package for about 20 seconds (although I would recommend putting the brown sugar in a glass bowl, rather than microwave a plastic bag) and the sugar will soften. Don’t let it go too long over 20 seconds or else the sugar will liquefy
Extending Milk Shelf Life If you want to extend the fridge life of your milk you can microwave your milk (before the expiration date) in the carton or a microwave safe container on high until (with the aid of a kitchen thermometer) the milk reaches somewhere between 160 and 175 degrees F. This gives you about another week of use, but don’t let the milk boil, or else the flavor becomes greatly compromised. Tomatoes When making a fresh tomato sauce, you know you'll have to deal with the chore of peeling the skin off. The microwave can make that just a bit easier. Pop them in for 30 seconds (let rest for two minutes) and the tomato skin will slip off easily.
RECIPES
Delicious Dry-Season Drinks
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aybe we had a little rain recently, but the dry season is by no means over. We know that when it gets hot these days it can be scorching. What better way to keep cool than to relax and sip a refreshing drink. We know mauby is one of the best warm weather drinks, but here are a few more. Take your pick from alcoholic or virgin.
Mango Mint Lassi Ingredients 1 large mango - peeled, seeded, and diced 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1 teaspoon freshly ground star anise 1 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 cups plain yogurt 3 sprigs fresh mint for garnish Directions Blend the mango, brown sugar, chopped mint, star anise, cardamom, lime juice, and yogurt in a blender on high speed until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh mint sprigs to serve.
Smooth Sweet Iced Tea Ingredients 1 pinch baking soda 2 cups boiling water 6 tea bags 3/4 cup white sugar 6 cups cool water Directions Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda 18
into a 64-ounce, heat-proof, glass pitcher. Pour in boiling water, and add tea bags. Cover, and allow steeping for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags, and discard; stir in sugar until dissolved. Pour in cool water, then refrigerate until cold.
Old School Pink Lemonade Ingredients 2 cups white sugar 9 cups water 2 cups fresh lemon juice 1 cup cranberry juice, chilled Directions In large pitcher combine sugar, water, lemon juice and cranberry juice. Stir to dissolve sugar. Serve over ice.
Melon Chiller Ingredients 1 cantaloupe, halved and seeded 1 gallon water 2 cups white sugar Ice cubes, as needed Directions Scrape the cantaloupe meat lengthwise with a spoon or a melon baller and place in a punch bowl; add the water and sugar. Mix thoroughly until all the sugar is dissolved. Chill with the addition of plenty of ice cubes.
Italian Cream Soda Ingredients 8 fluid ounces carbonated water 3/4 fluid ounce passion fruit flavored syrup 3/4 fluid ounce watermelon flavored syrup
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1 fluid ounce half-and-half cream Directions Fill a tall glass half full with ice. Fill to 2/3 with carbonated water. Pour in watermelon and passion fruit flavored syrups, and then float the half-and-half cream on top. Stir when ready to drink.
House Party Sangria Ingredients 2 cups lemon juice 2 cups orange juice 2 cups white sugar 2 cups brandy 4 cups red wine 4 cups club soda Ice cubes, for serving Directions Combine the lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar in a pitcher. Stir until sugar has dissolved completely. Add the brandy, red wine, and club soda. Serve in glasses with ice.
high heat. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let infuse for 15 minutes. Strain the ginger-infused water into a pitcher, pressing on the ginger solids to extract all the liquid. Add honey (or maple syrup) and molasses; stir until dissolved. Stir in lemon juice, vinegar and the remaining 6 cups water. Chill until very cold, at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir the punch and serve in tall glasses over ice cubes. Garnish with berries, mint sprigs or lemon slices, if desired.
Jazzy June Bug Ingredients 3 cups ginger ale 4 tablespoons grenadine 4 tablespoons orange juice 3 scoops orange sherbet Directions Blend together ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice, and sherbet. Pour into ice-filled cocktail glasses. (To make a version with alcohol, add white rum.)
Peppy Ginger Punch
Mint Tisane
Ingredients 9 cups water, divided 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup 1/4 cup molasses 3/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup cider vinegar Fresh berries, mint sprigs or lemon slices for garnish
Ingredients 1bunch fresh mint 1 bunch fresh lemon verbena (optional) 3-6 cups boiling water Sugar (optional), to taste
Directions Combine 3 cups water with ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-
Directions Place 1 bunch mint and 1 bunch lemon verbena (including stems) in teapot. Pour in boiling water and allow steeping about 5 minutes. Add sugar, if desired. Serve in small Moroccan or other clear tea glasses.
BRIDAL
What To Do Before Your Wedding
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re you recently engaged? Don’t drift away in mental bliss yet. There are some things to accomplish before your wedding day. Read on and see.
People appreciate feeling like they’re in the loop, and they’ll also put the event into their mental datebooks. Plus, it’ll give you and your guy a little direction as you start planning.
to amicably reach a consensus. Make sure that wherever you choose is reasonably within budgets. Too many people focus on the wedding and not what is to come for the marriage.
Resize Your Ring Your stunning sparkler is perfect in every way, except for the wiggle room (or maybe it’s a little tight and turning your fingertip a not-so-Tiffany-blue). Get it resized ASAP—after all, you’ll be showing it to everyone and the last thing you want is to lose the thing an hour after you get it. The process can take just a few hours or, at most, a few days.
Visualize A Guest List. Before you even begin the venue search, nail down this magic number. Planners want to how many people you’re inviting so they can pair you with spaces (ballrooms, tents, etc.) that can accommodate head count. Packages are also priced in ranges based on guest minimums, so this will help you with the next step: budgeting.
Register with a Strategy Registering for wedding gifts is often a long and grueling process. But it can also be fun! After all, you're essentially creating a giant gift wish list. To keep from feeling overwhelmed by all the choices in the store, do some preliminary research online with your boo and preview items before you go. If your fiancé doesn't know much about fine china or kitchen electrics, it's OK to take your mom or maid of honor to help you register for these items instead. Your spouse-to-be will probably be a lot more opinionated when it comes to registering for their specific type of gifts.
Pick A Date After “congratulations” and “let me see your ring,” here’s the first thing people will ask: “When’s the wedding?” Your answer doesn’t have to be true, but it should be agreed up and rehearsed by you and your boo. It’ll save you lots of headaches if the two of you come up with a vague-yet-specific answer, like “We’re shooting for early 2011” or Just before next Christmas. 20
Create A Budget And Save It’s easy to get carried away planning for the happiest day of your life, but ask yourself, do you want to be paying for the wedding years after the honeymoon, or would you rather go house hunting? Decide Your Honeymoon Destination Sit down with your fiancé and decide on where you want to take off after the wedding. Try
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Spend Time with Other Couples Nothing is better than taking a night off from wedding planning and spending some quality time with your friends. Sched-
ule a BYOB game night, make your famous onion dip and organize a competitive girls vs. boys game of Catchphrase. Or, host a themed potluck dinner and have guests bring their favorite Italian, Southern or Mexican dish (you get the idea). More importantly, feed off the energy of the other couples. It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad. Watch them and learn because your marriage is around the corner and you want it to be lasting. Take Care of Yourself Even though you're on your way to being a full-time bride/ groom; don't give up on all of your extracurricular activities. Continue doing what you love and what makes you sane. Try your best to stay organized, and make lists of responsibilities so you can stay on top of deadlines and goals. Focus on one interest at a time. Keep fit and don’t stop going to the gym because you are caught up in the euphoria. If you haven’t been working out, start. The earlier the better since you want to look perfect in your wedding attire.
FAMILY
Marvelous Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
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other’s Day is here and you owe her big time. That does not mean you should muster up your life savings to pay her back for all the school books she bought you. It just means that you should at least put some thought into what you are getting her. She’s not getting any younger and neither are you. You never know how many more opportunities you have to make your mom smile. We have some gift ideas for various moms that you should consider. Which type do you have? For the Art Lover: Create meaningful artwork. Homemade Mother's Day gifts are among the most meaningful, not to mention cheapest. For a family art project mom will enjoy, make a collage by having each family member leave a handprint on a canvas. You can have it beautifully framed for extra effect. If she’s a grandmother, she’ll love to see the prints detailing all the generations. If not, there must be a gallery she’ll want to visit.
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For The Green Thumb Mum: The best of all ephemeral arts— which it is much more than a science—is gardening. A beautiful garden, what with all the work that goes into it, can be the most satisfying of hobbies. And if your mom is into it, chances are she’s getting ready to start right around now. And Mother’s Day is the perfect time to get her set up with the best tools and help bring her garden to the next level. For Techies: 4G and android technology is all the rage right now. A good bet for a gift would probably get one of the latest Android smart phones. Can somebody say Blackberry Z10?
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A Galaxy Tab or a Kindle Fire is also another great tech option. If your mom loves to share photos and you think her camera phone isn’t doing her justice, she is probably not as cute as you think she is. In any event, get her a nice digital camera. There are so many options online it will make your head spin but it’s worth it for mommy. Remember, moms of today aren’t like last generation’s mothers who don’t even know how to turn the pc on. For the Beauty Conscious: There’s nothing like a relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatment to have you feeling and looking your best. A spa gift certificate is a great choice as it offers several options. From massages to makeovers, you can get it all in one package. This is also a great gift for the overworked mom. For Fitness Freaks: Fitness is something your mom has understood to be one of the fundamental parts of a healthy lifestyle; something she cherishes. When you got up early on Sat-
urdays to watch cartoons, she was already out on her daily run and is still one of the healthiest people you know. Help her spice up her routine with some sweet new gear. Just make sure she won’t outrun you on your next workout together. For Fashionistas: Accessories/ jewelry is a smarter buy than clothing as you don’t really have to worry about fit as much. They can be simple or very elaborate. If you must purchase clothing, there is no limit to what you can cop. The trick is not falling victim to purchasing flimsy imitations. If you can’t afford the designer gear form overseas, there is a host of local designers who offer great options for a fraction of the price. Local is the in thing now (Shouts to Anya). All in all, Mother’s Day shopping doesn’t have to be a pain. Just make simple decisions and they should turn out to be smart. The more you over-plan a present is the more trouble you encounter with the end result. Hope we helped.
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Beauty On The Go
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inding a few moments to ourselves proves quite a daunting task these days. With places to go, people to see, presentations to make and happy hours to enjoy, getting dolled up sometimes becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth…or so it seems. When you add up all the minutes it takes to select an outfit, accessorize with the right purse and appropriate jewelry, dry and style your hair, apply makeup and dash out the door, before you know it you’re running late again. The problem is this: You want to look great but you don’t want to spend a nearlifetime getting ready. The solution? Pick and choose which elements of your appearance are most important to you. Once you’ve prioritized, you can really achieve the look you want in less time. Here are some quick and easy beauty prep tips…
DO: Carry a powder compact at all times. If you don’t have time for makeup, you’ll be happy to at least dust some powder on your cheeks and forehead. If your company throws a last minute photo shoot at you, your compact will save your tail.
Keep a tube of lip-gloss or Chap Stick handy at all times. Not only does it make you so much more kissable should your sweetheart pop into the office for a surprise visit, but you’ll be keeping your smackers safe from chapping, split-
ting and the dryness associated with both hot and cold climates. Even without a true color lipstick, lip-gloss can make you feel sexy and it’s so worth it. Invest in some hair accessories, especially claw clips, hairpins and other barrettes. Even if you don’t have the time to fashion a new look, twist your hair back and pin it to your head for a sweeping look. Some hair clips will allow you to pile all of your hair on top of your head effortlessly. This comes in very handy when you don’t have time to dry your hair completely. Make your manicures last longer by applying clear polish every so often. With such a busy schedule, it is amazing you have your nails done in the first place. To keep your pretty look alive as long as possible, apply a clear topcoat daily to prevent the nail polish from cracking and chipping. DON’T: Even think about doing your makeup “in the car.” Even if you are stopped at a red light, the minimal time you have between lights isn’t nearly enough to apply mascara, let alone foundation or anything else. Especially don’t try to paint your nails in the car!
Go too heavy on the hues… If you’re doing a dark, intense look for your eyes, avoid going high-impact on your mouth. Good luck!!!
A Girl’s Guide To Shopping For High Heels Almost as important as which high heels you buy is how you shop for them! Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for heels to make sure you end up with the perfect pair for you. Have your feet measured so you know your exact size. Sometimes your feet can actually be two different sizes! To get your feet measured, just go to the shoe section of any good department store. Most of them should have tools to measure your foot and find your perfect size. Realize that you may be different sizes in different brands. Depending on the cut of a shoe, you could be a 7.5 in one brand and an 8 in another. Similarly, know what size you are in European sizes, because many quality shoe brands use those. Try on shoes at the end of the day. Believe it or not, your feet can change sizes throughout the day, and they w w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
swell a little bit by the end of the day. Try shoes on after walking around and you’ll get a picture of your true size. Walk around in the shoes before you buy them. Okay, a no brainer, but worth mentioning. You should do some laps around the shoe area in the shoes before you even think about buying! And remember to shop at stores that have good return policies – every shoe is going to be comfortable at first, but maybe not after an hour! Buy shoes somewhere with a decent return policy so you can wear them for a while and see they stay comfy before committing.
When going shoe shopping always try to carry a friend that can give you a second opinion, make sure that friend is what we call a true “fashion friend”. Someone who knows a thing or two about fashion, what’s in and what’s not. Happy shoe shopping! MAY 2013
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The Top 3 Joint Supplements
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aking care of your joints is vital to keeping you arthritis pain free when you get older. Of course there are several recommendations and even myths about how to keep your joints in working function, but these supplements can help you in that regard. Glucosamine Glucosamine is a natural chemical compound found in the body. As a supplement, glucosamine is most often used to ease the joint pain caused by arthritis. Glucosamine helps keep the cartilage in joints healthy. But natural glucosamine levels drop as people age. This can lead to gradual deterioration of the joint. There's some evidence that glucosamine sulfate supplements can help counteract this effect, although experts aren’t sure exactly how they work. Specifically, glucosamine has been shown to help ease the pain of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Glucosamine may also help with other joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. However, the scientific evidence of glucosa24
mine's benefit to other joints is not quite as solid. Chondroitin Chondroitin is a naturallyoccurring component of most connective tissues and has been proven in numerous studies to help your joints in 3 ways when taken as a supplement: • Reduction of symptoms of arthritis such as pain and swelling • Improved function and mobility • Reduced medication requirements (i.e., anti-inflammatory and pain killers)
Chondroitin has also been shown to work well in tandem with glucosamine. Omega 3 Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the wear and tear of the joints. These fatty acids prevent the enzymes called collagenases from damaging the joints. Omega-3 is popularly used as a supplement for the knee joints and is known to reduce inflammation and strengthen the tendons.
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Four Cardio Exercises For Prime Fitness
f your want to lose weight or keep fit; the best bet is a good cardio workout. Of course some strength conditioning is important too, but cardio really gets the calorie burning ball rolling. Good cardio is the basis for the fitness needed to move on to other things. Here are four of the best cardio exercises.
Running/Power walking Running may seem tiresome but it’s more beneficial than you think. It actually improves your overall health. It also lowers the risk of getting diseases as it improves the immune system. Doctors recommend running to prevent ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Jumping Rope Jumping rope should not just be a favorite activity among children; this activity burns a high number of calories as well. A 160-lb. person who jumps rope for an hour burns 730 calories. Try variations to this exercise to keep it inter-
esting, such as skipping over the rope and jumping from side to side as you twirl the rope. Lift your knees as high as you can to burn even more calories. Swimming It's a whole-body exercise, so you're getting some muscular strength and endurance, as well. If you have a problem with weight control, the pool is an appropriate place to start as it's easier on the joints. It's also a good alternative for those with arthritic or orthopedic problems. Biking/spinning Anyone can benefit from a cycle program, indoors or out. During spin or cycle classes, you go at your own pace and are able to control the resistance to suit your fitness level. Outdoor cycling combines fitness and fun, and can be easily worked into your day, such as commuting to work. Stationary bikes allow you to exercise in the privacy of your home which assists those who are afraid to hit the streets.
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Five Ways To Find Travel Deals
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inding reasonably-priced airfare can be one of the most difficult tasks when booking a flight. From scouring various airline sites and making numerous phone calls to booking agencies, you’ll definitely need a vacation after trying to plan one. Plus with the different travelling options available such as chartered flights versus oneway reservation and economy class versus business class, you may forget to enjoy the experience. Shopping around for the best deals on airfare can be very frustrating but it doesn’t have to be; try these tips below when booking a flight.
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Buy tickets early. Especially during peak periods such as the July/ August vacation, as the ticket prices usually go up a couple days before the flight date. Also, if flying internationally it is advised that you book a couple of months in advance but there are some exceptions.
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Buy tickets late. If the airline is getting difficulty in filling the seats on the airplane, they may advertise a special rate and drop their 26
Do You Have A Pet Turtle?
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nce you get a turtle as your pet, you should start learning how you can properly take care of it. Since there are different kinds of turtles, you must know the specific needs of the one that you bought. Below are the best 4 tips in caring for any kind of turtle so that they will get the proper turtle care and live a longer life:
prices, closer to the flight date.
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Shop around. Never book the first flight you see. There is a very good possibility that another airline has a cheaper rate.
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Use your frequent flyer miles. Airlines reserve a small number of seats on their airplane as reward travel for persons with frequent flyer miles. Remember these go quickly so redeem your points.
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Be flexible. Yes it’s good to trust the prominent airlines but trying a new airline with much more reasonable pricing should be an option. Also, don’t be afraid to shift around your travel dates; an earlier or later travel date may help you save money.
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Make them feel at home The right environment is essential for your turtles. But before doing so, you might want to know first more about turtles and what their needs are in an environment. There are some turtles that require either dry or wet environment but here are also others that need both. Give the suitable turtle diet Do not forget to give ample amount of food to your turtle. This would help your turtle have a healthier as well as longer life. More often than not, turtle diet is more on fresh vegetables particularly the lettuce. However, it is recommended that you try to make a research about turtles to know which turtle
diet would suit your pet. Proper turtle care and good maintenance Turtles are just like any other pets. As the owner, you have the responsibility to attend to them on a daily basis. Although maintaining a turtle is actually not that hard, proper turtle care is still important. You should be aware if there changes in the behavior of your turtle which might be because of environmental or health problems on your pet. Spending a few minutes of your time is one of the turtle cares that all owners must do. This is to know easily if there are changes happening in the turtle. Make sure tha you are dedicated If you would read about turtles you would know that they have long lifespan. Usually, they live from 30 up to 50 years. There are even some who can reach their hundredth birthday. Therefore, you must have a committed turtle care so that you may nurture and cherish your pet as both of you grow old.
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Threats To Your Car’s Paint Job
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harp and rough objects are a bane to vehicle owners when it comes to ruining a car’s paint. Deep and long lines of scratches are difficult and costly to repair. Many vehicles are not safe when parked in an area where there are frequent passers-by. Belts, buttons and denim rivets are often the culprits that cause deep scratches on a car’s paint. Let’s not even start on runaway grocery carts. However, that is just the tip on the iceberg when it comes to ruining your car’s paint finish. There are other things that can pose a threat to your paint job. In fact, the sun’s UV rays are currently doing a number on your paint and you don’t even know it. Here are some more things that can wreak havoc on your paint.
that, but birds eat seeds and bits of gravel that can scratch your paint. It is better to clean them as soon as possible. Another thing the vehicles are always exposed to is the chemical abuse of the air pollutants. This type of damage can also simply be coped up with frequent washes. Often the first rain of the season is highly acidic. So it's a good idea to wash your car, immediately after the downpour.
Bird Droppings UV rays would take years to corrode the paint. But birddroppings would only take some days to destroy the paint finish, as they have very high acid levels. Just look at the number of ruined marble statues in pigeon-infested areas and you'll see what we mean. Not only
Dirt and Stones A lot of car paint damage can be caused by small stones or rocks hitting the surface of your car. This can be for a number of reasons including loose road surfaces. Sometimes unavoidable you can still prevent this by driving carefully on unsurfaced roads and surfaces that have re-
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cently been redone. Using dirty cloths or sponges can cause scratches and chips as there may be small stones, grit or dirt in them. If there is dirt or similar substances on the cloth, then they may be accidentally rubbed across the paint causing unnecessary damage.
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Idle Hands We've all seen "wash me" written on a car's finish, but the well-intentioned tagger actually just made things worse. Dirt acts like sandpaper when it's dragged across paint, and it can make the marks last long after the dirt is gone. Get yourself a longhandled duster and wipe down your car every day to prevent accidental sanding. If it's too late, most small scratches come out with a polish or scratch remover. Just always be sure to clean the car well before waxing or polishing. Rain Water Both acid rain and regular rainwater (and other sources of water) can dissolve paint over time. Water is known as a universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any
other liquid. Whenever the car becomes wet, it should be dried with a towel or chamois and not allowed to air dry. Natural substances Tree sap, splattered insects and other natural elements contain compounds that can erode the paint on a car. Avoid parking under large trees where sap and bird droppings may be prevalent. In terms of bug splatter, try to wash it off as soon as possible to alleviate damage. Gas and Other fluids Although brake fluid and petrol are used on the inside of the car sometimes they can come in contact with the exterior of the car eventually deteriorating the paint. If they do come into contact with a car’s paint they can cause the paint to peel off revealing the under-layers. Ensure when filling your car with fuel to not allow spillage onto the paint work of the car, if this happens immediately wash the petrol off of the surface. Brake fluid is extremely damaging to a car’s paint so be extra careful when topping it up as it can cause stripping.
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