5 Minute Crafts Magazine - April 2021

5th Anniversary Special

April 2021 $5.99 (Canada) $3.99 (US)

CELEBRATE EASTER

april 2021

CONTENTS

"The way I see it, you should live everyday like it’s your birthday."

— Paris Hilton

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APRIL 2021

CONTENTS

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style

13

HOW TO WALK IN HEELS Walking in high heels might seem very complicated and even be intimidating to some. However, it’s all about the proper balance and practice.

16

EYELASHES ON! False eyelashes are an easy way to draw attention to your eyes, make them look bigger, and add more expressiveness and depth to your face in general.

Although placing them might seem complex at first, it turns out to be very easy and fast once you learn the right technique.

34

home

21

DO'S AND DONT'S OF RECYCLING Recycling is an easy and great way to help our planet.

24

SAVE MORE WATER When we use water efficiently, we reduce the chances of having droughts occur, we reduce the pressure on the public water supply, and we help the environment too. It can also help you save money on your water bills.

health

29

CHOCOLATE CRAVINGS Chocolate is a favorite treat of many people, but is it good to eat? If it is, how much chocolate should one eat before breaking the principles of healthy eating?

39

features

34

HAPPY EASTER! Dying Easter eggs is a fun and creative activity for both adults and children. Many of us have our own favorite methods of dyeing, but sometimes we want to try something new and unusual.

Therefore, we would like to offer you some new creative solutions where you can use red cabbage, shaving foam, or food coloring.

food

39

DREAM PRINCESS A princess cake can be the perfect gift to surprise your child with on their birthday.

And if you think that it’s something super hard to make, or that it’s beyond your culinary skills, you’re definitely wrong. It’s actually fairly easy. And while it’s true that this type of cake usually looks expensive when it’s made by professionals, the same can also be said when you invest some of your time and have the right supplies to obtain amazing results.

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BIRTHDAY DOG If you want to celebrate your best friend’s birthday or simply give them a delicious surprise, you can bake them a cake with ingredients that won’t harm them and that they will find delicious.

Remember that this is just a treat and should not replace their traditional diet.

living

47

JUTE ROPE DIY Jute is a fiber you can use to create many useful and ecofriendly things for your home: from mats and baskets to beach bags and coffee tables. People usually use jute rope, twine, or thread.

The material itself is pretty rough but there are few tricks that can make it softer and shinier.

departments

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EDITOR'S LETTER

54

TRICKS & TIPS

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CHILL & DRAW COVER PHOTO © 5-MINUTE CRAFTS / YOUTUBE

PILAR GUZMÁN Editor In-Chief

FOOD DIRECTOR Annabelle Waugh FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR Julia McEwen HOME & GARDEN DIRECTOR Brett Walther MANAGING EDITOR Day Helesic TEST KITCHEN SENIOR FOOD SPECIALIST Irene Fong FOOD SPECIALISTS Jennifer Bartoli, Amanda Barnier ARTICLES EDITOR, FOOD Gilean Watts INTERN Jessica Bronstein ART CONSULTING DESIGN DIRECTOR Brendan Fisher ACTING ART DIRECTOR June F. Anderson SENIOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Henrietta Poon CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTORS Lisa de Nikolits, Leanne Gilbert FEATURES HEALTH EDITOR Kate Daley CONTRIBUTING HEALTH EDITOR Tralee Pearce SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Jill Buchner ASSOCIATE EDITOR, FASHION & BEAUTY Andrea Karr CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jacqueline Kovacs

COPY & OPERATIONS EDITORIAL OPERATIONS & ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Olga Goncalves Costa COPY EDITOR Stephanie Zolis CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITORS Ruth Hanley, Debbie Madsen Villamere ASSISTANT EDITOR Teresa Sousa INTERNS William Dixon, Thalia Gamage, Natalie Wong

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR Jessica Pollack SENIOR EDITORS Ariel Brewster, Sadiya Dendar, Simone Olivero CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Claire Gagne ASSISTANT EDITOR Kevin John Siazon COPY EDITOR Kelly Jones PROOFREADER Janet Morassutti INTERNS Emily McDonald, Arisa Valyear

ART CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Colleen Nicholson IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHERS Carmen Cheung, Erik Putz

MARKETING SERVICES & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS General Sales Manager CAROLINE K. BRETON Creative Brand Director LAURA DENTON CONTENT DIRECTOR Kim Alison Fraser MANAGING EDITOR Renée Sylvestre-Williams MANAGER, STRATEGY AND IDEATION Stevie Gorrie STRATEGISTS Sarah Drake, Jessica Lee, Marcela Perez ART DIRECTORS Susan Jackson, Suzanne LaCorte, Peter Robertson JUNIOR COPY WRITER Victoria DiPlacibo SENIOR DIRECTOR, CLIENT DELIVERY Stefany Pierce CAMPAIGN MANAGERS Melissa Carmichael, Ivan McBurney, Rob Stephenson, Inga Terzopoulos

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION TEAM LEAD Carol Zephyrine RESEARCH SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST Eva Chau MARKETING , COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS SENIOR DIRECTOR Tracy Finkelstein MANAGER Silvana Sciortino SENIOR SPECIALIST Erin Quinn SPECIALISTS Carlie McGhee, Summer Varty, Alyson Young SENIOR DESIGNER Colin Elliott CONSUMER MARKETING GROUP VICE-PRESIDENT, CONSUMER MARKETING Christopher Purcell GROUP CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Doris Chan PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGERS Yen Duong, Amanda Stone DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Jason Patterson DIRECTOR, NEWSSTAND SALES Pat Strangis

BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Nancy Baker DIGITAL SOLUTIONS GROUP GENERAL MANAGER, NATIONAL PORTALS Ray Ostor

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Pat Danaher DIGITAL COLOUR SPECIALIST Nicole Duplantis (on leave), Katarina Marinic

ST. JOSEPH COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN + CEO Tony Gagliano VICE-CHAIRMAN John Gagliano PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER, SJC MEDIA Ken Hunt SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, REVENUE Lynn Chambers VICE-PRESIDENT, CONTENT & CREATIVE Maryam Sanati MANAGING DIRECTOR, CONSUMER REVENUE Allan Yue MANAGING DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & CONSUMER INSIGHTS Clarence Poirier MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARKETING Nadine Silverthorne DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER SUCCESS Terry Smith DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION Maria Mendes MANAGING DIRECTOR, Branded Content Sasha Emmons HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jason Maghanoy DIRECTOR, MARKETING SPONSORSHIPS Jessika Fink

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5 Minute Crafts is published by St. Joseph Communications, 15 Benton Road, Toronto M6M 3G2. Montreal office: 249, rue Saint-Jacques, Bureau 201, Montréal H2Y 1M6. Vancouver advertising office: 180 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver V5Y 3T9. Contents copyright 2021 by St. Joseph Communications; may not be reprinted without written permission. Article proposals and manuscripts must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes and sufficient postage; otherwise they will not be returned or acknowledged. While the publishers will take all reasonable care, they will not be responsible for the loss of any manuscript, drawing or photograph. ISSN 0009-1995. Single copy price: $4.99 + tax. Full subscription prices: Canada, 1 year (10 issues), $15 + tax. In U.S., 1 year, $45; foreign countries, $75. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada by St. Joseph Communications, Print. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. 5 Minute Crafts receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. 5 Minute Crafts, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, republish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. This statement does not apply to materials and/or pitches submitted by freelance writers, photographers or illustrators in accordance with known industry practices.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Happy Birthday To Us! F

ive years ago this week, TheSoul Publishing’s most popular brand 5-Minute Crafts published its first video -- a flower pot project on Facebook!

Who knew that in just five years it would become the mostwatched DIY digital brand in the world with hundreds of millions followers across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snap! 5-Minute Crafts continues to reach new heights of popularity: 5-Minute Crafts is a Top-10 channel on YouTube, On Facebook it is one of only fifteen pages to surpass the 100 million follower milestone, In a very short period, our following has grown rapidly on TikTok, where the platform recently called 5-Minute Crafts a “brand that inspired them.”

We’re also growing fast on Snap where we’re closing in on nine million followers.

And 5-Minute Crafts has been honored with numerous awards and nominations including The Streamy, The Drum, and Shorty Awards.

So we simply would like to take this moment to acknowledge and say thank you to all our fans -- you are incredible! Each day, we are so fortunate to digitally deliver 5-Minute Crafts' video content that brings smiles and fun to viewers all around the world.

The first five years have been tremendously exciting… and the next five even bigger!

Happy Birthday 5-Minute Crafts!!!

PILAR GUZMÁN Editor In-Chief

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APRIL 2021

style HOW TO WALK IN HEELS Walking in high heels might seem very complicated and even be intimidating to some. However, it’s all about the proper balance and practice.

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APRIL 2021

STYLE Find comfortable shoes.

If you are new to wearing these shoes, it’s better to start with smaller heels. Look for shoes that have stable, shorter, and chunkier heels to give you better ankle support and provide greater stability while walking. To make sure your feet are secured, opt for shoes that have ankle straps or buckles. Once you get comfortable with shorter heels, you can move to platforms, strappy heels, and later on to stilettos.

Prepare the shoes for walking.

Many shoes with high heels have smooth soles without any grip. This makes it harder for everyone to walk in them without slipping. You can rough up the soles and add more grip to them by gently rubbing them with sandpaper and placing special stick-on insoles inside.

Practice at home first.

Another great way to prepare your high heels for walking outside and get some extra practice is to walk in them around your home. However, try to look for softer surfaces to walk on instead of hard floors.

Pay attention to the way you walk.

Hold your posture.

To look more elegant and less like you’re waddling, use these tips: Try to walk in a straight line. For this, place each foot right in front of the other after every step.

Visualize a straight line in front of you that goes forward to your destination, and follow it.

Many people tend to look down when they walk in heels. Instead, always try to look ahead of yourself and don’t stare at your feet. You can also slightly lean back when walking.

When you walk in heels your gait might be incorrect which might cause you discomfort and make your walk look unnatural. Do not walk toe to heel. Instead, you should put your heel down first and then move to your toe, shifting your body weight. Doing this will help you to have more balance as you walk. Slightly arch your foot to put the pressure on the inside of your shoe. This way you make it fit close to your foot and give yourself more room for maneuvers. To make your gait look effortless, keep your knee straight when your foot is fully placed on the ground.

Be careful on the stairs.

When you walk on the stairs, you need to change the way you walk to avoid falling and injuring yourself. When walking up, plant your toes first and transfer your weight onto them. When you go down the stairs, bend your body slightly to the handrail and fully plant each foot on the ground.

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STYLE

EYELASHES ON!

False eyelashes are an easy way to draw attention to your eyes, make them look bigger, and add more expressiveness and depth to your face in general. Although placing them might seem complex at first, it turns out to be very easy and fast once you learn the right technique.

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STYLE Step 1. Use an eyelash curler.

Although this step is not strictly necessary, it is convenient if your lashes face “downward” or are somewhat short. This tool will help you curl them and give them the same shape as the fake eyelashes. If your natural lashes are already “facing up” and long, then there’s no need for the curler.

Step 4. Compare them to your eye to check if they’re the right size or if you have to cut off the excess.

It’s common for eyelashes not to fit perfectly to the size and shape of your eyes and for them to be, for example, too wide. That’s why, before applying them, it’s a good idea to measure them and cut the parts that you won’t need.

Place the strip on the eyelid leaving out the lashes closest to the tear duct, approximately two to four natural lashes. If you stick it on starting from the tear duct side, the artificial strands may prick you and cause discomfort. If after doing this you notice that the outer end of the false eyelash sticks out of your eye line, you can trim it.

Cut off a little bit (always on the outer end of the fake lash) with a small, sharp pair of scissors.

Then, lay the lash back on your eyelid and check if you need to cut off a bit more.

It’s common for the eyes not to have exactly the same size, so it’s a good idea to check the false eyelashes against both eyes before gluing them to your eyelid.

Step 7. Apply a second layer of mascara.

Mascara unifies the fake eyelashes with the natural ones. This is also the best way to avoid the double-lash effect that happens when your natural lashes are visible under the fake ones.

Make sure you choose mascara that isn’t waterproof or oil-based; otherwise, it will be more difficult to remove it when cleaning the fake eyelashes.

When applying the glue on the band, put more on the ends.

While the entire band should have glue on it, we recommend applying a thicker layer on the ends; this is where fake lashes tend to peel off more easily.

Step 2. Apply a first layer of mascara to your eyelashes.

You should only apply a thin layer; the goal is to make your natural lashes look as dark as possible and more curly and intense. Also, once you apply the false lashes, they will look much more natural than if you hadn’t applied mascara.

Step 3. Carefully remove the fake eyelashes from their packaging.

For full lashes or half lashes, take them from one end from the point closest to the root and slowly detach them so as not to alter their shape. You can use tweezers to do this if you find it easier.

Step 5. Apply glue on the eyelash strip and bend it to spread it evenly.

Step 6. Place the band just above your lash line.

Step 8. Use liquid eyeliner to delineate your upper eyelids.

TIPS AND HACKS

Apply an even layer of glue (not too thin nor too thick) on the strip.

Let it dry for approximately 30 seconds before placing it on the lash line. It should feel sticky to the touch, but not wet. This will ensure that the strip adheres smoothly, and it will prevent it from slipping or sliding around on your eyes when you try to stick it on.

To make sure the glue is evenly distributed across the band and the tips won’t lift while you’re wearing the fake eyelashes, bend the strip so that it forms a closed curve, where the tips almost touch each other.

This step is recommended mainly if you’re using fake lashes for the first time, or if you’re still learning. It will help you cover up glue residue and other possible mistakes you might’ve made as a beginner.

Take your liquid eyeliner and draw a line that runs down the lash strip from where it starts to the inner corner of the eye. This way, you can camouflage the line of the band, as it will blend in with your eyelashes.

The ideal colors for these cases are black, brown, or dark gray mascara.

Remove them by pulling on the outer part of the eye.

The correct way to remove the lash band is by gently pulling the outer part of the eyelash with one hand while holding the eyelid with the other. But if you have very sensitive skin or feel it’s pinching you, you can dip a cotton swab in makeup remover or oil, moisten the base of the lashes with it, and wait for them to peel off on their own.

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Start by gluing the middle part of the band.

Once that’s well-placed, move on to the outer end and, finally, to the area closest to your tear duct.

Look down when you place them, you can try using a mirror under your face at an almost perpendicular angle. This way, your eyelid will extend as if you were closing your eyes, but allowing you to see exactly where you’re placing the strip.

Using tweezers or a toothpick, lower the strip as far as possible so that it is glued to the root of your lashes.

Once attached, let the glue dry naturally; you don’t need to hold the strip down.

First, practice on a clean, makeup-free eye.

If this is the first time you’re wearing fake eyelashes, avoid doing it when you have already applied makeup and are about to go out. First, practice on a day when you have no plans and are not in a rush.

This way, you can put them on and take them off as many times as needed, and, whenever you actually want to wear them, you’ll feel more confident in case something goes wrong.

Clean them as soon as you take them off.

The best way to maintain and reuse them is to clean them as soon as you take them off or within a few hours. You can do this by gently wiping them with a cotton pad with eye makeup remover; this will remove glue and mascara residue. Make sure the cleanser is oil-free so that no oil residue is left on the eyelashes.

Then, dry them with a paper towel and put them back in their container; try to keep their original arched shape.

home

DO'S AND DONT'S OF RECYCLING Recycling is an easy and great way to help our planet.

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HOME Things you can recycle: Paper and cardboard

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle.

You can recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and a lot of other paper. Paperboard and cardboard are also very easy to recycle.

Aluminum and steel cans

Aluminum retains its properties indefinitely, so it’s great to recycle. Doing this makes it possible to use 95% less energy to make new items. Steel cans can also be recycled, but make sure to rinse them out beforehand.

Wood

Wood can’t be recycled. However, you can always look for a composting program around your area to see if they accept your wood. If you don’t have this in your community, don’t put it in the recycle bin.

Things you can't recycle:

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles used for water, soda, and juice can also be recycled. It helps the environment tremendously.

Glass containers

Glass containers used for food and beverages are 100% recyclable. Recycling glass is also very environmentally friendly.

Light bulbs

Light bulbs can’t be recycled as we would usually do. Instead, they have their own recycling streams in some areas.

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Pizza boxes

Pizza boxes are made with cardboard, but they usually become dirty with grease, cheese, and other food. Once the paper is soiled, it can’t be recycled because the paper fibers can’t be separated from the oils.

Plastic bags

Don’t put plastic bags in the curbside bin, as they can get wrapped on the equipment of the recycling facility and mess with the whole process of recycling. Instead, there are communities that are responsible for this kind of trash. Have a look and see if there are any in your community.

Windows and drinking glasses

Although some glass items are recyclable, not all of them are. Things like windows and drinking glasses are made out of a stronger glass that has a different melting point than recyclable glass, so you shouldn’t recycle them.

HOME

SAVE MORE WATER

When we use water efficiently, we reduce the chances of having droughts occur, we reduce the pressure on the public water supply, and we help the environment too. It can also help you save money on your water bills.

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HOME Check for minor leaks

If there are damaged pipes and leaky faucets in your home, fix them. If they still leak, replace them. You may also want to inspect your water meters and bills every month. If there are any spikes, there is a chance that you may have a leaky pipe in your home.

Do a full-load of laundry.

If you have to do smaller loads, you may want to use the proper water level settings. Also, when it comes to using a washing machine, make sure it is an ENERGY STAR appliance, as they use 33% less water and 25% less energy, compared to other standard electrical appliances.

Do the dishes in the dishwasher.

Washing the dishes by hand can use up to 20 gallons of water, whereas the dishwasher uses only 4 gallons of water per cycle. Also, run your dishwasher only when it is full. ✅ If you don’t have a dishwasher, scrape up your dishes into the trash, fill your sink with water, and wash them all in one go, rather than washing them one-by-one under the open tap.

Defrost frozen foods in your refrigerator instead of using cold water.

Defrosting frozen food in cold water will waste a lot of water. Instead, defrost it in your refrigerator. Also, always wash fruits and veggies in a pan of water rather than washing them under a running tap. When it comes to boiling food, always use less water. This helps us save water and preserves the flavor and nutrients in the food too.

Store a jug of water in the fridge.

It usually takes a while for the cold water to come out of the tap. Instead of throwing the lukewarm water away every time, you can store a jug of water in the refrigerator and enjoy cold water anytime.

Throw tissues in the trash instead of flushing

In cases in which you’ve just blown your nose, avoid throwing the paper in the toilet and flushing. Instead, throw it in the trash.

Depending on the toilet you have, you might be throwing away between 1.6 to 7 gallons of water every time you flush, so it’s better to only do it when it’s really needed.

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Take shorter showers and install efficient showerheads.

Every minute you spend showering uses approximately 2.5 gallons of water. You can simply change your bathing routine by reducing your shower time by 3 minutes. This can save up many gallons of water. You can also turn the shower off while soaping. Another alternative is to install water-efficient showerheads to save more water.

Water your plants early in the morning or at the end of the day.

This is because, in the middle of the day, the sun will evaporate away all the water from the plants, hence your plants may need more water later. Instead, water your plants when the sun is about to rise or set to allow the soil to absorb all the liquid in the roots. ✅ Rather than watering your lawn, you can also leave a water-filled container for thirsty animals or a casserole dish for the birds to drink from and bathe in. Although it doesn’t do much to help save water, it can relieve or even save their lives.

health CHOCOLATE CRAVINGS Chocolate is a favorite treat of many people, but is it good to eat? If it is, how much chocolate should one eat before breaking the principles of healthy eating? Which chocolate is better to choose, and is there really a huge difference between different types?

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HEALTH How chocolate first appeared Archaeologists discovered traces of chocolate in ceramic pottery that was used by people of the ancient Mayo-Chinchipe culture 5,300 years ago in South America.

Before that, cocoa beans were ground into a paste, which was mixed with water, vanilla, chili pepper, and other spices, and then the mixture was cooked into a chocolate drink. The Mayan aristocracy used to drink foaming chocolate drinks, while simple people would eat chocolate by adding it to a cold dish that looked like porridge.

Dark chocolate

The calorie content of chocolate may differ, depending on the manufacturer, but in general, the energy value and sugar content are as follows: Dark chocolate, 45%-59%: Energy value: 546 cal per 100 grams Sugar content: 47.9 grams per 100 grams Dark chocolate, 60%-69%: Energy value: 579 cal per 100 grams Sugar content: 36.7 grams per 100 grams Dark chocolate, 70%-85%: Energy value: 598 cal per 100 grams Sugar content: 24 grams per 100 grams

Chocolate was brought to Europe in the 1500s.

They would also cook drinks from cocoa, sweetening them with cane sugar and adding cinnamon. During these times, chocolate was also a sign of luxury and was available to royalty and the elite.

In 1828, a cocoa press was been invented, and it started a new era for chocolate. Now people learned to use chocolate as a confectionery ingredient.

In 1847, the first edible chocolate bar from cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar was invented. In the 1870s, in Switzerland, the first chocolate using milk powder was created. This is how the milk chocolate that we all know today first appeared.

As the result of inventions of the 19th-century, chocolate turned into a non-expensive product that everyone could afford.

Milk chocolate

Milk chocolate contains 535 calories.

100 grams of milk chocolate contain 51.5 grams of sugar.

Among its nutrients, milk chocolate contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

How chocolate is produced

Chocolate manufacturers harvest pods from trees, remove the beans from them, ferment and dry them, then roast and grind them. When producing chocolate bars, it’s necessary to create a liquid substance, sweeten it, grind again, and pour it into forms.

At the stage of creating the liquid part, the process of creating chocolate slightly changes depending on what type of chocolate is being cooked — milk or dark. Milk chocolate contains milk powder, which is added at this stage. On average, milk chocolate contains at least 10% cocoa. However, it’s cocoa powder that is a direct product of grinding cocoa beans.

White chocolate

White chocolate doesn’t contain solid cocoa; there is only cocoa butter, dry milk, sugar, and sometimes vanilla.

Energy value: 539 calories per 100 grams Sugar content: 59 grams per 100 grams of chocolate

Dark chocolate always consists of the same ingredients: solid cocoa, cocoa butter, and sugar; but different types of chocolate might have different amounts of cocoa, anywhere from 35% to 90%.

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The health benefits of eating chocolate Chocolate has a fairly high content of calories.

In addition, chocolate does contain sugar, which is known to be bad for the teeth. There are other contraindications that come along with consuming chocolate in big amounts.

Nevertheless, chocolate has useful ingredients that can affect a person’s health positively.

Scientists are working on identifying as many benefits of this product as possible, but the research is far from conclusive.

The darker the chocolate, the better, as it increases the amount of cocoa.

One study suggests that eating chocolate may lower cholesterol levels.

Scientists at Harvard Medical School have hypothesized and concluded that regular consumption of cocoa may have a positive effect on cognitive brain function.

Another study showed that chocolate can help reduce the risk of heart disease by a third.

Benefits of different types of chocolate

Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants and iron and less cholesterol.

Chocolate with a lower cocoa content usually contains milk, which means it is higher in protein, calcium, and phosphorus.

Any type of chocolate has both useful and notso-useful qualities, therefore, it’s better to adhere to a balanced diet and remember that despite the general data on the composition of different types of products, it can vary among different manufacturers, which is why it’s better to carefully study the labels of the products that you buy.

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HAPPY

EASTER!

Dying Easter eggs is a fun and creative activity for both adults and children. Many of us have our own favorite methods of dyeing, but sometimes we want to try something new and unusual. Therefore, we would like to offer you some new creative solutions where you can use red cabbage, shaving foam, or food coloring.

Method 2: With the help of beetroot, turmeric, and green tea

1. Take 3 deep bowls. Put diced beetroot in the first bowl, 2 tablespoons of ground turmeric in the second bowl, and 2 green tea bags in the third bowl.

2. Pour boiling water in them.

3. Add 1/3 of a small cup of table vinegar to each bowl and stir well.

4. Put a boiled egg into each bowl so that the eggs are completely submerged in the liquid. Leave it in for 30 minutes.

5. Afterward, take the eggs out.

6. Enjoy your meal!

Method 1: With the help of red cabbage

1. Take a head of red cabbage.

2. Cut it in half and chop it.

3. Put a layer of chopped cabbage on the bottom of a saucepan.

4. Put raw eggs on top of the cabbage layer.

5. Put whole cabbage leaves on top the eggs.

6. On the cabbage leaves, put a layer of chopped cabbage, then again more eggs.

7. Cover the top layer of eggs with whole cabbage leaves. Fill the saucepan with cold water.

8. Boil the eggs and then leave them in the saucepan with the dye solution for 30 minutes.

9. Use tongs to take the eggs out from the dye solution.

10. Bon appetit!

Method 3: With onion skins

1. Take a flower and press it against an egg (you can make it wet so that it sticks more tightly).

2. Pull a nylon stocking over the egg to prevent the flower from moving.

3. Tie the stocking tightly on both ends.

4. Fill a saucepan with onion skins. Then pour in cold water.

Grind the skins down with a spoon so that they are completely submerged in the water.

5. Use culinary tongs to submerge the eggs in water too. Boil the eggs for 8 to 10 minutes starting from the moment the water begins to bubble.

6. Take the eggs out, and carefully remove the stockings by cutting them. Remove the flowers and the leaves with a paper towel.

Method 4: With the help of berries

1. Pour a mixture of blackberries and black currants or blueberries into the blender.

2.— 3. Add water and 1 tablespoon of table vinegar. Mix the ingredients with the blender until the mass is smooth.

4. Pour the mass into a saucepan. Top it off with water. Stir with a spoon.

5. Immerse the boiled eggs in the mass and leave it for one hour.

6. Take the eggs out, and dry them with a paper towel. To make them shine, you can wipe them with a cloth moistened with vegetable oil.

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Method 6: With the help of food coloring and duct tape

1. Take 2 cups of water. Dilute red food coloring in one cup and blue coloring in the other. Dilute the food coloring according to the instructions on the pack.

2. Wrap thin duct tape over a boiled egg.

3. Put the egg in the cup filled with food coloring for the time recommended by the food coloring manufacturer.

4. Take the egg out, dry it, and remove the duct tape.

5. Wrap the egg with the duct tape again, but in a different way.

6. Put the egg in the cup with the different food coloring.

7. Remove the tape from the egg.

8.— 9. Experiment with different colors of food coloring.

Bon appetit!

Method 5: With the help of nail polish

1. Take a bowl filled with water.

2.— 3. Alternately drop nail polish of different colors into the water — a drop of one color first, then a drop of another.

4. Make 2 large multi-colored nail polish spots.

5. Use a toothpick to stretch them over the surface of water.

6. Dip the egg into the nail polish. Wear gloves to protect your hands.

7. Take the egg out and let it dry.

8. Use nail polish in different colors to create unusual patterns.

Note: Eggs painted with nail polish should not be eaten, but they can be used for the decoration of the interior or for an Easter tree.

Method 7: With the help of a hot glue gun and food coloring

1.— 2. Use a hot glue gun to apply glue to an egg in a spiral pattern.

3. Put the egg in the bowl filled with food coloring diluted in water according to the instructions on the pack.

4.—5. After the time indicated in the instructions, take the egg out and remove the glue spiral.

6. You can create different glue patterns on eggs.

Note: Eggs dyed in accordance with this method should not be eaten.

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Method 10: With the help of rice

1. Take a Ziploc bag and put a boiled egg into it.

2. Then pour rice into the bag so that it covers the egg completely.

3.—4. Drip food coloring on the rice.

5. Close the bag and shake it well, so the color adheres to the rice and the egg.

6. Remove the egg from the bag.

7. Dye eggs in different colors with the help of this method.

With the help of shaving foam

Method 11: With the help of balloons

1. Take a container with low sides and fill it with shaving foam.

2. Drip food coloring in 2 different but matching colors (for example, blue and red) on the foam.

3.—4. Stir the foam with a stick by moving your hand first from the right to the left, and then up and down.

5. Immerse a boiled egg in this colored foam and let it sit there for a few minutes.

6. Then dry the egg with a paper towel. Now you can serve it!

7. You can experiment with different colors.

1. Take a balloon.

2.—3. Pop it up and put the top part of the balloon on an egg, like a hat .

4. Using a black marker, draw closed eyes with eyelashes and a mouth on the egg.

5. Use a pink marker to draw blush on the cheeks.

6. You can attach artificial flowers to the “hats” on the eggs.

Method 9: With the help of crayons

1. Take a crayon and take off its paper wrapper.

2. Draw chaotic patterns on a freshly boiled, still warm egg with the crayon (see photos above). Be careful to not burn yourself.

3. Next, outline the patterns with a crayon in a different color.

4. Enjoy your meal!

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food DREAM PRINCESS A princess cake can be the perfect gift to surprise your child with on their birthday. And if you think that it’s something super hard to make, or that it’s beyond your culinary skills, you’re definitely wrong. It’s actually fairly easy.

And while it’s true that this type of cake usually looks expensive when it’s made by professionals, the same can also be said when you invest some of your time and have the right supplies to obtain amazing results.

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FOOD

Princess Cake Equipment: A large cake pan A glass bowl with a heat resistant oval base A spatula A cake piping bag or a clean plastic bag Any Disney princess or a similar doll A hand or electric mixer A tumbler or circular cookie cutter Ingredients (may vary according to your preferences): Baking mix for 2 sponge cakes that are about 18 cm in diameter (approx. 2 boxes) 2 tablespoons of butter Marmalade or creamy-textured filling Edible coloring Whipped cream or something similar Edible flowers, petals, and decorations 1. Beat the cake mix for your cake according to the instructions on the box or in the recipe.

Remember that you have to bake 2 cakes that, when put together, should be at least 6 inches tall. This should be enough to cover the doll’s legs. They should also be about 6 inches in diameter. If you use a smaller cake pan, bake 2 cakes instead of one.

2. Preheat the oven to 365ºF (180ºC) and butter the inside of the cake pan and the glass bowl. This will prevent the cakes from sticking.

3. Pour the mixture into the round cake pan until it’s covered halfway only. Pour the mixture into the glass bowl as well. Then bake it for 25 to 30 minutes. Once that’s done, bake the mixture in the glass bowl separately for 45 to 50 minutes.

4. Let both cakes cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan. Then let them stand for at least 1 hour before slicing.

5. Use a bread knife to slice and then remove the top part of the cake that you baked in the baking dish to make sure it’s flat on both sides. Then slice it again so that you get 2 thick layers of sponge cake.

6. Repeat the previous step with the wider part of the cake that you baked in the glass bowl. Again, the goal is to make sure that it’s flat on both sides. Then cut it in half, lengthwise, to obtain 2 thick layers.

7. Put all the sponge cakes on top of each other to form a sort of tower. Make sure they have the same diameter, as this is supposed to be the skirt of the dress. At the same time, these should reach the height of the hip of the doll. Place the tower next to the doll to measure it if that’s the case. If not, this is the right moment to make any adjustments, such as cutting the cake with a knife to make it just the right size.

8. Prepare the frosting or glaze with which you’ll decorate the dress. Add the edible coloring according to the colors you’d like it to have. You can choose any color you want.

9. Use a glass or a cookie cutter to make a hole in the center of each layer of the sponge cake.

10. Remember that the item you make the hole with should be large enough to fit the doll’s legs and hips.

11. Fill the cake layers with jam or any other ingredient that is creamy but not too watery.

This will prevent the cake from becoming mushy with time. This is especially important since the cake is actually fairly tall, so it could fall apart depending on how much frosting you’ll be using.

12. Don’t forget to place the cake on a base that you can easily move from one place to the other in case you want to. For instance, store it in the fridge or move it to the table.

13. Place the doll inside the cake. We recommend removing all clothes from the doll so that they don’t get dirty or stained. That way, you can just wash the doll later and it can still be used as a toy if you wish. You will also be able to create the top part of the dress with the cake piping bag, thus combining the tones of the coloring you’ve used.

14. You can make your own cake piping bag by cutting the bottom corner of a plastic bag.

15. Put on the flowers, petals, and edible decorations you bought to decorate the dress.

16. Surprise whoever you want with your princess cake. If you want it to stay fresh, place it in the refrigerator until you can cut it.

17. Remember to cut it carefully to avoid damaging the doll’s legs.

18. Change the color of the dress and edible decorations according to the doll you have.

This way, you can make the princess of your choice.

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FOOD

BIRTHDAY DOG

If you want to celebrate your best friend’s birthday or simply give them a delicious surprise, you can bake them a cake with ingredients that won’t harm them and that they will find delicious. Remember that this is just a treat and should not replace their traditional diet.

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FOOD

Birthday Cake for Your Dog The cake ½ cup oatmeal 1 cup mashed banana 1 cup wheat flour 1 tsp baking soda ¼ cup honey ¼ cup xylitol-free peanut butter ½ cup plain yogurt, unsweetened 1 egg The frosting 1 cup peanut butter 20 bone-shaped dog cookies ¼ cup plain unsweetened yogurt 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350ºF). If you have a small electric oven that only has a few settings you can preheat it to 3.

2. Add the oats, flour, mashed banana, honey, peanut butter, baking soda, and yogurt into a bowl.

3. Finally, add one egg and mix until all ingredients are well combined.

4. Pour the mixture into a baking sheet or glass dish.

5. Bake for 35 minutes. You can insert a toothpick in the center of the cake — if it comes out clean, that means your dog’s cake is cooked. Remove it from the oven and wait for it to cool.

6. Pour the yogurt into a bowl.

7. Add the peanut butter and mix.

8. Use a cake piping bag to cover the outer circumference of the cake with the prepared icing.

9. Decorate with cookies in the shape of little bones around the edges. You can also place a few slices of banana to top off the cake if you want.

10. Now it’s time for your furry friend to enjoy their special day!

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APRIL 2021

JUTE ROPE DIY

living

Jute is a fiber you can use to create many useful and eco-friendly things for your home: from mats and baskets to beach bags and coffee tables.

People usually use jute rope, twine, or thread. The material itself is pretty rough but there are few tricks that can make it softer and shinier.

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LIVING

Crocheted jute napkin or mat jute rope jute twine 6-mm crochet hook sharp scissors universal glue (if you want) Step 1. Take one end of the jute rope and bend it like the photo above shows. Tie it with the end of jute twine. This will be the start.

Step 2. The thread of the twine going to the skein is what you’re going to work with. Hook it.

Step 3. Wrap it around the hook.

Step 4. Put the hook above the rope and grab the thread. Pull it.

Step 5. Put it through the loop on the hook.

Step 6. Then wrap the hook with the twine just like you did in steps 2, 3, and 4.

Step 7. Keep going until the new loops are on the same level as the very first one.

Step 8. Before you make a second loop on the hook, put the hook through the very first loop on the rope.

Step 9. Now you should be making a spiral. If you want, you can alternate between making one loop by going through the first loop, and 2 others — the same way you did in the beginning.

Step 10. Keep going until you make a spiral in the size you want. In the photo above, it’s a small napkin for hot plates. But you can keep going until you make a round mat. To finish it, make loops around the tip of the rope.

Step 11. Keep going the same way to move away from the end of the rope. Then, make a simple loop as the photo above shows.

Step 12. Put the main thread through the loop. You can hide the tip in the nearby loops. Use a toothpick or a small-sized crochet hook.

Jute lampshade

Colorful bag made Jute bowl of jute rope glass bowl

plastic container or bucket balloon glass black marker thin jute thread glue starch water

hot water and fabric dye 2 glass jars thick jute rope or a white rope plastic bucket glue gun thread and needle

Step 1. Make a mix: take glue, starch, and water in 1:1:1 proportion and mix in a bucket or a plastic container.

Put the jute thread into the mix.

Step 2. Take a balloon and put it on a glass. Draw around it with a marker.

Step 3. This will be the spot where the shade connects to the lamp.

Step 4. Now wrap the balloon with the thread everywhere chaotically avoiding the area you drew on.

Step 5. Now put the balloon on the glass to let the glue dry.

Step 6. Now, pop the balloon. You have your lampshade!

Step 1. Pour hot water into the glass jars.

Step 2. In each jar, put fabric dye in a certain color. Follow the instructions on the dye packs.

Step 3. Take a skein of jute rope. Put one half in one jar and one half in the other. Let the skein dry.

Step 4. Turn a plastic bucket upside-down and put some glue on the bottom. Put some oil or Vaseline before you put the glue on, to make sure the bucket doesn’t stick to the bag.

Step 5. Wrap the bucket with the jute rope.

Step 6. Once the bag is done, remove the bucket. Take 2 ends of the rope that will be the handles.

Sew them to the sides of the bag.

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jute rope silicone glue that can be used on plates

Step 1. Take a glass bowl and put it upside-down.

Step 2. Using it as a mold, start wrapping it with the rope and use glue.

Step 3. Keep going until you reach the lower edge.

Step 4. Remove the bowl and it’s done!

LIVING

Jute rope basket without knitting

Table or ottoman

stool jute rope silicone glue plastic wrap fabric bag that will be the inside of the basket Step 1. Turn your stool upside-down.

Wrap the base and the legs with the plastic wrap.

Step 2. Put the end of the rope in the middle of the base and start wrapping it into a spiral. Use glue to secure it. Keep going around the stool until you reach the end of the legs.

Step 3. Remove the stool and the film. Glue the handles on the sides and on the edge.

Step 4. Attach the bag inside the basket.

Tip: On the top inside edge of the basket, you can put Velcro so that the bag inside will be easy to take out and put in. This way, you’ll be able to wash it. Also, you can make a lid so you can hide dirty laundry underneath it.

tire jute rope a circle made of plywood that is the same size as the tire screws and a screwdriver glue fabric dye Step 1. Take an old tire, clean it and make sure there’s no dirt on it.

Step 2. Put the plywood on the top.

Step 3. Fix it on the tire using the screws.

Step 4. Put some glue in the middle of the plywood.

Step 5. Glue the end of the rope and start making a spiral by adding more and more glue.

Step 6. Keep going until you reach the lower edge of the tire. Let it dry.

Now, use the dye to change the color of the ottoman you have. You can also put the rope on the bottom to hide it and attach wheels to make it portable.

You can turn the ottoman into a table with flowers. Put the rope on the other side of the tire but keep the hole open. Put some soil with flowers inside. Put a piece of glass on top and you have a coffee table!

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TIPS & TRICKS

8 Popular Varieties of Apples and What the Differences Between Them Are There are more than 7,500 known cultivated apple varieties in the world. Some have gained popularity all over the world, and others can be tasted only in a few regions of the planet.

Granny Smith

Golden Delicious

Idared

Fuji

These popular green apples are of Australian origin. According to legend, Maria Ann Smith found an apple tree sapling near her home in 1868. Soon, apples of a light green color that turned out to be ideal for both eating and cooking appeared on it.

Golden Delicious is an apple variety that appeared by natural breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. The original tree was discovered in the USA at the end of the nineteenth century.

Idared is the type of apple that was first cultivated in the USA by crossing the Jonathan and Wagener breeds. The fruit is usually medium in size with a bright red hue, which turns green in some areas. The flesh is dense, crispy, aromatic, and keeps its shape well during cooking.

Fuji is the Japanese variety of apple that was cultivated by the crosspollination of the Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Janet varieties in the late 1930s. Its believed that their name has been derived from the town of Fujisaki. There, in Tohoku Research Station, Fuji apples were first cultivated.

Granny Smith apples were first grown for sale in 1895, and today, they’re one of the most widespread apple varieties in the world. It is easy to recognize them with their green peel with a slight pink blush as well as bright white flesh, and a firm texture.

What they taste like: crisp, sourish, and with a strong tartness that’s reminiscent of lemons

The apples of this type are normally very large, with white flesh and a firm texture. The peel has a bright yellow-green color, which is why they got the name “golden.”

What they taste like: sweet, juicy, crispy How to use them in dishes: add them to salads, baked goods, sauces, bake them in the oven, or make cold drinks with them.

What they taste like: sweet, juicy, and slightly tart How to use them in dishes: Add them to salads and pies. Also, Idared apples can be served with blue cheese as a snack.

Fuji apples are distinguished by redyellow skin and creamy-white pulp.

Thanks to their long shelflife, they are one of the most commonly grown apple varieties around the world.

What they taste like: sweet, juicy, and with low acidity How to use them in dishes: Fuji apples are perfect for light salads, and they can also be added to pies, sauces, and cool drinks.

How to use them in dishes: They can be added to light salads and sauces. Also, these apples in their raw form go well with spicy cheeses, which is why they can be served on the table as a snack.

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TIPS & TRICKS

Honeycrisp

Gala

Cripps Pink

Red Delicious

Honeycrisp is an American variety of red-yellow apples. Unlike many other varieties, it was not bred for ease of storage, transportation, or cultivation, but solely because of the fresh sweet and sour taste and juicy pulp of the fruit.

Gala is a type of apple from New Zealand that was developed by crossing Kidd’s Orange and Golden Delicious apples. Apples have a deep red-yellow color and firm crunchy flesh with a yellowish tinge and floral aroma.

What they taste like: sweet, moderately tart, and balanced

What they taste like: sweet, soft, and fresh

Red Delicious is one of the most widespread apple varieties in the world. Their fruits are bright, red, and have a conical shape that sometimes resembles a heart. The skin of these apples is normally very tough, but their flesh is juicy and crispy.

How to use them in dishes: Add them to various salads or serve them as snacks. It’s better to not use them in baking because the juicy pulp of these apples can lose its structure due to high temperatures.

How to use them in dishes: Add them to light salads or for cooking sauces.

Cripps Pink is an Australian variety of apples that were developed by John Cripps in the late twentieth century. It was in his honor that the apples got their name. A cross between Golden Delicious and Lady Williams was used for breeding them. Perhaps it’s because of the latter that the commercial variety of these apples were given the name “Pink Lady.”

Cripps Pink apples have a firm structure and a bright red color with a pink tinge. The color of the pulp varies between white, creamy, and a pale yellow.

How to use them in dishes: They can be added to salads and served as a snack.

What they taste like: sweet and tart.

How to use them in dishes: Add them to salads, sauces, and use them in pies.

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What they taste like: soft, and sweet, slightly resembling overripe melons

CHILL & DRAW

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