5 Minute Crafts Magazine - March 2018

Spring Cooks Yummy Aloe Vera Brownies Hacks

March 2018 $5.99 (Canada) $3.99 (US)

PLUS Take a selfie with your friends

03.2018

CONTENTS

Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

-Hans Christian Andersen

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CONTENTS

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style

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HERBAL BEAUTY Aloe vera is a medicinal plant whose antioxidant, regenerative, and moisturizing properties have turned it into one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetology and dermatology products.

20 BALM AT HOME During the winter season, you’ll notice that your skin may be drier than usual, and the first signs are chapped and cracked lips. Lip balms are essential for avoiding dehydration, and they allow you to show off some pretty, healthy, and soft lips.

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home

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HOW TO DEEP CLEAN YOUR OVEN Grime and soot on the oven walls can affect the quality and flavor of the food you’re cooking. Additionally, grease and pieces of burnt food can stain the glass, making it hard to watch the cooking process.

30 SMELL SCENTS Candles are perfect for brightening a room, adding some fragrance, and improving the ambiance overall.

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health

food

TRACK YOUR GOALS A fitness tracker is a device that registers your physical activity during the day. It tracks your steps, your heartbeat, and your blood pressure. It also monitors your sleep and wakes you up in the morning with a soft vibration, instead of loud noise like a regular alarm.

CHEWY BROWNIES Making brownies is a pretty simple task and it has a very rewarding recipe since there isn’t a lot of room for it to go wrong — you just have to make sure you bake them for the right amount of time.

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features

43 #SELFIEMOMENTS Taking a good pic of yourself might not seem at all hard.

However, small details like your facial expression, the wrong light, or camera angle can easily spoil a seemingly good shot.

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51 HEALTHY SALAD Greek salad is one of the most popular salads in the world.

Thanks to its vibrant taste and simple recipe, it’s the perfect side dish for any occasion and it could easily become your favorite salad to garnish your dishes with.

living

55 IRON TECHNIQUES Ironing is a household chore that can be time-consuming if it’s not done correctly. Things that can be very simple, like shaking clothes before putting them in the dryer or washing them in small loads, can be useful to reduce the time you spend on ironing.

departments

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EDITOR'S LETTER

58 TRICKS & TIPS

62 CHILL & DRAW COVER PHOTO © CAVAN IMAGES GETTY IMAGES

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TANYA WENMAN STEEL 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

ROGERS MEDIA, INC. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL PRODUCT CONTENT & PUBLISHING Steve Maich VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT John Intini SENIOR DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Sean McCluskey SENIOR DIRECTOR, DIGITAL AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Sarah Trimble DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PLANNING Chris Johnston CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CUSTOM CONTENT Christopher London DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MONETIZATION Andrew Myers VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT & INNOVATION Scott MacMillan EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CUSTOM PROJECTS Stefanie Di Verdi

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Rogers Media Inc. can be reached at One Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 or 1-800-268-9119

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. 5 Minute Crafts is published monthly except January/February and July/August by Rogers Media, Inc. One Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 or 1-800-268-9119. Contents Copyright 2018 by Rogers Media, Inc. 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 0128-1839. Single copy price $5.99 + tax. Full subscription prices: Canada, 1 year (10 issues), $15 + tax. In the U.S., 1 year $45 + tax; Other countries $75 + tax, Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada. 5 Minute Crafts, it's affiliate and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, distribute, store and archive such as unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensate of any sort.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Colors of Life M

y favorite color is gray. (Yes, gray is a color!) It dominates my wardrobe and reigns in my apartment. But in March, after months of concrete city skies, even I need more variation and brightness And then study the faces of the beautiful (real) women who posed for the story.

There is a 20-something with an unlined brow and a 60- something with crow’sfeet earned from decades of smiling and a few gorgeous faces in between. There is no “age before beauty” here. But age with beauty? Yes Indeed, color is therapy. It has the ability to make you feel serene or energized, romantic or celebratory, reflective or hopeful. Given its power, isn’t it time to rethink its role in your life? I hope this issue arms you with the tools you need to play with the color wheel and, ultimately, to take risks with it. Here’s to vivid new beginnings!

TANYA WENMAN STEEL Editor In-Chief

Fun Fact Question

Which country is in 2 different continents?

Portugal: Continental Portugal is in Europe, while the Azores archipelago (also associated with Europe) has two islands (Corvo and Flores) that are part of the American plate (which makes it a tricontinental country).

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style HERBAL BEAUTY Aloe vera is a medicinal plant whose antioxidant, regenerative, and moisturizing properties have turned it into one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetology and dermatology products. It revitalizes our skin, helps control excess oil, and could even improve the health of our scalp when used correctly.

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STYLE

Gives your face a natural matte effect If you have an oily skin type, you can get a more matte effect by using aloe vera. Its gel helps to fight excess oil in skin without having to use any chemical product or soap.

1. In a small container, place a tablespoon of aloe vera. It can be a just little bit pulp or gel that you bought at the store.

2. Add a little of your foundation, about a tablespoon.

3. Mix well until you get a pasty consistency.

4. Apply a few drops to your face with your fingertips. Spread evenly.

Moisturizes your hands If your hands are dry, you can moisturize them using only natural products. A mix of aloe vera and honey will do the trick. Its antibiotic and antibacterial properties are used in professional products to nourish and revitalize the skin.

1. Place a few pieces of aloe vera in a big bowl and add 2 tablespoons of honey.

2. Crush the ingredients and mix until well combined.

3. Keep mixing them until you get a semi-liquid consistency.

4. Apply on your hands, massaging them for a few minutes. Allow the product to dry and act for about 15 minutes. Then rinse with plenty of water. You can repeat this process daily until you obtain the desired result.

Shapes, cleans, and protects your hair If you need gel to style your hair, you can also just use aloe vera instead. It’s a natural way of styling it and it comes with the added advantage of eliminating excess oil from your scalp. In the long run it could also provide a softness and a natural shine to your hair.

1. Cut off an aloe vera leaf and soften it with the help of a mallet.

2. Take a small amount of the resulting gel with your fingers.

3. Rub it through your hair, styling however you like.

4. Run it from the roots to the ends. You can apply it daily as a styling gel.

Reduces wrinkles and facial lines The pulp of this plant is rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help protect your skin, as well as moisturize, soften, and prevent wrinkles and fine lines on your face.

1. Cut an aloe vera leaf into squares that are approximately 1/2 to 1 inch long.

2. Rub the aloe vera in the direction of the lines on your face. Make sure the chunks are always facing upward.

3. Move onto the cheekbone area and apply aloe vera there too.

4. Using other pieces, continue rubbing the part next to your nose.

5. Then move on to the forehead, but rub gently.

6. Always be careful to avoid applying aloe vera too close to your eyes. Let the mask dry and act for about 30 minutes, and then rinse your face with plenty of water. You can repeat this procedure frequently at night before going to sleep.

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STYLE

Works as a styling gel for your eyebrows If you want to groom your eyebrows and style them in a natural way, you can apply aloe vera directly, like we did in previous steps to style hair. The nutrients in its pulp could help keep your eyebrows moisturized as well.

1. Cut a small piece of aloe vera and rub a clean mascara brush over its gel.

2. Comb your eyebrows.

3. Try to apply the gel evenly while shaping your eyebrows.

Heals sore skin after hair removal Aloe vera is also a beneficial product to use when you want to disinfect and heal sore or irritated skin, like for instance, after shaving or epilating. These can be caused by cuts or wounds during hair removal, and the soothing effect of aloe is very useful to relieve them.

1. Peel off the top rind of an aloe vera leaf.

2. Take the leaf by the lower part, which has the rind, and rub it on the affected area.

3. You can massage with delicate movements to avoid further irritation. Leave on for about 15 minutes and rinse. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until your skin heals. You can also apply aloe instead of shaving foam and shave as usual.

Benefits of eating aloe vera A natural remedy against heartburn and stomach pain is to eat aloe vera. The gel that this plant contains is beneficial to our health. When eating it, you could: Reduce blood sugar levels.

Eliminate the bacterial plaque that covers teeth.

1. Remove the rind from a small aloe vera leaf.

2. Remove the pulp with your fingers or a spoon.

3. Put it in your mouth.

4. Chew it as you would normally do with a piece of chewing gum. If you dislike the taste, you can use mouthwash after you’ve chewed the aloe vera for a while.

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STYLE

BALM AT HOME

During the winter season, you’ll notice that your skin may be drier than usual, and the first signs are chapped and cracked lips. Lip balms are essential for avoiding dehydration, and they allow you to show off some pretty, healthy, and soft lips.

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STYLE

DIY LIP BALM 0.17 oz of beeswax 3 tbsp of coconut oil 2 capsules of vitamin E 2 tbsp of honey 1. Heat the coconut oil and the wax in a bain-marie. Stir gently with the spoon.

2. Once the ingredients have melted, remove the small bowl from the heat.

Let it cool down to room temperature.

3. Add the honey and the vitamin E. Mix until the liquid has thickened and is a uniform consistency.

4. Using alcohol, disinfect the container where the mixture will be kept. Then, carefully pour the liquid in before it becomes solid.

5. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the lip balm to cool off, and that’s it! Now you can use it to keep your lips moisturized.

Variations If you want, you can add 2 or 3 drops of an essential oil. This should not be one of the main ingredients, but it will give a nice scent to the mixture. Among the essential oils, the most common options are lemon, mint, orange, and lavender. You may also want to add some color by using natural dyes from plants or artificial ones. The honey can also be replaced with aloe.

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home

HOW TO DEEP CLEAN YOUR OVEN Grime and soot on the oven walls can affect the quality and flavor of the food you’re cooking.

Additionally, grease and pieces of burnt food can stain the glass, making it hard to watch the cooking process.

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HOME NECESSARY GEAR

To clean your oven, you’ll need: Thick rubber glass Old newspapers or paper towels A sponge A cloth rag Store-bought oven cleaner Vinegar Baking soda

HOW TO CLEAN THE OVEN WITH A STORE-BOUGHT OVEN CLEANER

1. Lay out newspapers or paper towels on the floor beneath your oven to prevent grease and the oven cleaner from staining the floor.

2. Remove everything from your oven, including racks, pizza stones, thermometers, etc.

3. Put on your gloves and spray the oven cleaner around the inside of your oven, covering the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners, and crevices. If you have an electric oven, don’t spray it on the heating elements — instead, simply lift them up and spray underneath. If you have a gas oven, don’t spray where the gas comes through.

4. Close the oven when you’re done. Let the spray sit for the time listed on the label (most cleaners will need about 20 to 30 minutes).

5. Take a damp cloth or rag, open the oven, and wipe down all the surfaces. If there are extra sticky spots, use a wet scouring pumice or microfiber sponge to remove all the grime.

6. Rinse the rag and wipe the oven again until you’ve removed the remains of the oven cleaner.

HOW TO CLEAN THE OVEN WITH BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

If you prefer natural cleaners, try to clean your oven with vinegar and baking soda. Repeat the first 2 steps of the previous method, then do the following: 1. Make a baking soda paste. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water.

2. Put on some gloves and spread the paste all over the interior surfaces of your oven, steering clear of the heating elements. The baking soda will turn a brownish color as you rub it in, which is fine. Just try to coat the whole oven to the best of your ability, paying extra attention to any particularly greasy areas.

3. Shut the oven and allow the baking soda mixture to rest for at least 12 hours or overnight.

4. After 12 hours, take a damp dishrag and wipe out as much of the dried baking soda paste as you can. Use the abrasive part of the sponge to remove stubborn stains.

5. Put a little vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz everywhere you still see any baking soda residue in your oven. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and gently foam.

6. Rinse the cloth and wipe out the remaining foamy vinegar-baking soda mixture.

HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD CLEAN THE OVEN

It depends on how often you use it. If you use your oven on a daily basis, clean it every 3 months. If you rarely use it, it’s enough to clean it once or twice a year.

However, it’s recommended to clean the oven if you notice old greasy stains, smell unpleasant odors, or see smoke form during cooking.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR OVEN CLEAN

Use roasting bags for meat, fish, or even vegetables to stop spills or splatters.

When you check the progress of your cooking, remove the tray rather than prodding inside the oven.

As soon as you’ve finished using the oven, put a heat-resistant bowl of water inside and heat it at a high temperature for 20 minutes. This will help loosen dirt and grease. Then when it’s cool enough, wipe the interior surfaces to remove grime.

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HOME

SMELL SCENTS Candles are perfect for brightening a room, adding some fragrance, and improving the ambiance overall.

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HOME HOMEMADE CANDLES Wax Pre-tabbed wicks Superglue Containers A fragrance and color Newspapers or paper towels Scissors A thermometer A double boiler (to melt the wax) First: choosing your wax These are some types of wax available at the market: Paraffin: This is the most popular type of wax and it’s the cheapest option.

Soy wax: This is a completely natural type of wax that gives the option of having wax in flakes.

Beeswax: This is one of the best types in the market. It’s available as beeswax sheets as well. This wax is 100% natural.

Palm wax: This is an all-natural wax produced by palm oil. They allow you to create candles with unique textures, like those with crystallized and feathered patterns, for example.

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1. Place some newspapers or paper towels around your work area so that the table doesn’t get messy and it’s easy to clean up.

2. Pour some water into the bottom pan of your double boiler. Add 8 ounces of wax to the top pan and watch it melt. This step will take around 10-15 minutes.

3. Using superglue, adhere the wick to the glass container.

4. Once the wax is melted, add the fragrance and color of your choice. Check in stores for candle fragrance oils and candle coloring. Around 30 grams of fragrance and color for every 450 grams of wax will do. Stir it for 30 seconds.

5. Let the wax cool down for a couple of minutes. Somewhere between 130 degrees to 140 degrees is the optimal temperature.

6. Pour the melted wax into the glass container. Wrap the wick around a writing utensil so it stays in the middle. If the wick is not in the middle, the candle won’t burn properly. Make sure to leave some wax inside the pot for later.

7. To be sure the wick stays in place while the wax hardens, leave the writing utensil on top of the container for some time.

8. The candle needs to cool for at least a few hours. It will create a small sinkhole in the center and the wax will pull away from the edges.

9. Reheat some of the wax that was left in the pot and top off the candle so the hole disappears. Don’t add too much and make sure to only top off the parts that have holes in them or you’ll end up with more holes.

10. Trim about 1/4 inches of the wick so it burns correctly once you light the candle.

11. Don’t forget to clean everything up using a paper towel so that if it hardens, you can trash it. Clean it while the wax is still in liquid form.

12. After waiting a few hours and seeing that the candle has fully hardened, you can enjoy your homemade creations.

health

TRACK YOUR GOALS A fitness tracker is a device that registers your physical activity during the day. It tracks your steps, your heartbeat, and your blood pressure.

It also monitors your sleep and wakes you up in the morning with a soft vibration, instead of loud noise like a regular alarm. Very often, people buy fitness trackers to be more motivated and disciplined: the stats they get every day help them stay strong and figure out whether they need to get more physical activity.

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HEALTH Technical specifications Screen. It can be a regular screen or a touch screen. The touch screens are usually bigger and they often show the stats very clearly. The screen can be black and white or color. The color screens drain the battery much faster. There are devices without screens and they are great if you don’t want to get carried away with the statistics. All the information will be on your phone.

The look and the size. Fitness trackers are sold as bracelets for the wrist or the ankle. The ones for the ankle are better for runners. A classic fitness tracker for the wrist should be tried on before you buy it, to make sure it’s the right size.

Battery. Check the battery life of the device. Some trackers are very efficient and the batteries last for 2-3 weeks. Others kill the battery in several days and you have to charge them regularly.

Memory. Some bracelets can be used as players and you can listen to music if you connect them to your phone and upload the files into the memory. Buy a tracker with at least 4 GB of memory storage. That’s 300 songs.

Voice control. You can control the device with your voice when your hands are busy.

Functions and modes

Step tracker. The main function of a fitness bracelet is to track the number of steps you take every day. The application has a recommended number, but you can set your own goal, like for example, 10,000 steps a day.

Running. In this mode, a fitness bracelet collects data about speed, distance, time, and intensity. More expensive models can track the length and the cadence of your steps — the frequency of how your feet touch the ground.

Swimming. A tracker can count the time that you worked out and the distance you swam. The tracker must be waterproof to make sure it doesn’t break in the water.

Others. Bracelets can track the activity on the elliptical, while mountain climbing, during yoga or Pilates, and while riding a bike or ice skating. The data on the number of steps is adjusted to the activity type.

Heartbeat and blood pressure Heart monitor. This is a very important function if you work out hard and a lot. Many bracelets calculate the average heartbeat at rest and the maximum numbers.

Blood pressure control. This is great if you want to find out how different types of physical activity affect your blood pressure. The application collects stats by day, month, and year and these are great to show to a doctor.

Alarm and sleep tracker Sleep phase tracker. Most trackers know what time you fall asleep, what time you wake up, how long you sleep, and how long you spend in the phases of fast or slow sleep. This data can help you to find problems with sleep and normalize it.

Alarm. This is great if you want to get up without stress: it will wake you up with a vibration. You can set a specific time or a time period, for example, from 7:00 until 7:30.

In this case, it will find the best time to wake you up, according to your current sleep phase.

Recommended Picks Garmin Vívosport, Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro, Fitbit Zip

Phone application Compatibility. There should be a special mobile application for your phone and you can use it to watch the statistics. It will be either Android or iOS. Personal coach. Some apps offer workout programs you can use in real-time. If you need this function, it’s better to buy a tracker with a voice assistant that can help you to do certain exercises correctly and help you achieve your goals.

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Additional functions GPS tracker. This is good if you run fast or walk in new places. The tracker can find your location and form a map of the path you made.

Calorie tracker. It counts how many calories you spend on physical activity depending on the mode: walking, running, swimming, yoga, and so on. The calculation is based on your heartbeat and the average numbers for your height, weight, and age.

Phone notifications. You can set the bracelet to notify you about the calls and messages you get on your phone.

NFC. This chip allows you to pay for your purchases with your bracelet. It’s great if you don’t have your bank card with you and you don’t want to reach for your phone.

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#SELFIE

MOMENTS

Taking a good pic of yourself might not seem at all hard. However, small details like your facial expression, the wrong light, or camera angle can easily spoil a seemingly good shot.

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Say “money,” not “cheese.”

Wear your hair to one side.

Use a three-quarter angle to make your nose appear smaller.

Elongate your neck.

Cross your legs at the ankle for a thinner waistline.

Find your good angle.

Position your camera lower to make your lips appear bigger.

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Use a mirror on unusual backgrounds for fairy-talelike photos.

In many situations, a threequarter look is a better choice.

Show your natural emotions.

Use lace for dreamy effects.

Position your camera higher to make your eyes appear bigger.

Place a small cardboard phone holder on your ceiling for topview photos.

Cut out some rectangles from a piece of cardboard and place it on a lamp for a sunset effect.

Use your leg if you don’t have a selfie stick.

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food

CHEWY BROWNIES Making brownies is a pretty simple task and it has a very rewarding recipe since there isn’t a lot of room for it to go wrong — you just have to make sure you bake them for the right amount of time. And the best part is that it’s a very versatile recipe, so you can add or skip components, like adding walnuts or extra chocolate.

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FOOD

BROWNIES WITH COCOA POWDER Ingredients 1 cup of flour 1 cup of cocoa 2 cups of sugar 4 eggs 1 cup of melted butter 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence 1 cup of chopped nuts (optional) Chocolate chips to taste (optional) 1. Dice the butter into small cubes and put them in a cup. Heat the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Check to make sure that all the butter melted properly, and if it didn’t, heat it again for about 30 seconds and save it for later.

2. Place the sugar and an egg in a bowl and beat until smooth. Now add another egg, and beat it again. Repeat the same procedure, always adding one egg at a time and beating until everything is well mixed.

3. With the help of a strainer, sift the cocoa over the same bowl. Then slowly beat it until it’s combined thoroughly with the mixture of eggs and sugar.

4. In the same way, sift the flour over the bowl and beat it slowly to incorporate it with the other ingredients.

5. Add the baking powder, salt, vanilla essence, and melted butter. Beat it to mix everything well until it looks homogenous.

6. Chop your walnuts and add them to the mixture. Using a spatula or a kitchen scraper, mix everything again.

7. Pour the mixture into a previously floured mold, and use the kitchen scraper to spread it all over the baking dish evenly. It’s important that it’s spread evenly to avoid overcooking or undercooking some parts.

8. If you want an even more chocolatey flavor, add some pieces of your favorite chocolate on top. If you do add them, make sure the whole mixture has chocolate pieces.

9. Preheat your oven to 356°F for about 10 minutes. Then put the baking dish in and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the mixture’s surface is no longer raw. If you’re not sure when to take out the brownies, you can insert a toothpick right in the center of the dish. By doing that, you’ll notice if the mixture needs a few more minutes to cook or not. If the toothpick comes out dry, it means you have to take the dish out of the oven.

10. Allow it to cool for 1 hour before removing it from the mold or baking dish.

Once it’s no longer too warm, cut it into pieces (you can decide how big of a piece you want). If it’s very difficult to take the brownies out of the dish or you think they’ll break, you can cut them directly in the mold and remove them, one by one, using a spatula.

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FOOD

HEALTHY SALAD

Greek salad is one of the most popular salads in the world. Thanks to its vibrant taste and simple recipe, it’s the perfect side dish for any occasion and it could easily become your favorite salad to garnish your dishes with.

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FOOD

GREEK SALAD Ingredients 2 cucumbers 3 or 4 tomatoes (6 or 7 if they’re small) 1 bell pepper 1 red onion Feta cheese 1 pot of Kalamata olives (black olives) 3 or 4 tablespoons of olive oil 1/2 lemon 1/2 teaspoon of oregano 1. Wash all the vegetables well and place them on paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Remove the seeds from the bell pepper. To do this, cut the stem in a circular motion and then remove the seeds. Rinse the inside and wait for it to dry.

3. Peel the onion and cut it into rings. Then cut these in half. If the onion is a big one, you can cut the halved rings in half again.

4. Cut the tips of the cucumbers and divide them lengthwise into 2 parts.

Then divide each part in half and cut each one into big slices.

5. Cut the tomatoes into large slices and the peppers into thin strips.

6. Dice the cheese.

7. Add the olives. You can cut them in slices or just add them whole without cutting.

8. For the dressing, mix lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano in a separate bowl.

Optional: If you’re up for trying something new, you can add 1 tablespoon of honey to the dressing. This will make the salad taste less salty.

9. Pour the dressing over the salad, stir, and serve.

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living

IRON TECHNIQUES Ironing is a household chore that can be timeconsuming if it’s not done correctly. Things that can be very simple, like shaking clothes before putting them in the dryer or washing them in small loads, can be useful to reduce the time you spend on ironing.

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LIVING 1. PUT JUST A FEW CLOTHING ITEMS INTO THE WASHING MACHINE. It’s always a good idea to choose which items you’d like to wash instead of just washing everything that’s in your laundry basket. Bear in mind that a small amount of laundry will allow your machine to really distribute heat and steam better because they’ll have more room to pass through evenly.

It’s also a good idea to wash heavy and light fabrics separately. You should wash all your towels together and then your clothes, for example.

2. ADD VINEGAR WHEN WASHING. Put a splash of vinegar in the machine when you’re about to wash your clothes. You might not know it, but vinegar can actually be a very effective fabric softener. You can place some of it in the softener compartment, but don’t worry, the smell will not stick to your clothes, as it will disappear when they’re drying.

3. ORGANIZE YOUR CLOTHES This tip is especially useful if you have a lot of different types of clothes made with different fabrics. Start by ironing garments that require less heat, like wool and polyester. Then move on to garments that are made of materials that need a higher temperature to be perfect, like linen and cotton. Organizing your garments in this way will help you save time, since you won’t have to wait for the iron to cool down or heat up the whole time.

4. QUICKLY REMOVE YOUR CLOTHES FROM THE DRYER Once the drying cycle is finished, remove the clothes and hang them right away instead of leaving them in the machine for a while. By doing that you can avoid unnecessary wrinkles that increase your ironing time.

5. REMOVE WRINKLES BY COOLING CLOTHES Take the garment out of the washing machine and put it in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes. Remove it and put it on — the heat of your body together with the cold of the garment will eliminate part of the wrinkles. Clearly, this trick is only suitable for the summertime, or for places where the weather is always warm.

6. FOLD PANTS RIGHT AFTER DRYING THEM To avoid wrinkles that are difficult to iron you can do the following: When your dryer has just finished doing its job, take your clothes out and fold them immediately. This way your clothes won’t develop massive wrinkles by staying in a messy pile until much later. Also, you get to have all your clothes ready to be used when you are in a hurry and you won’t have time to spend time searching.

7. SPRAY SHIRTS WITH WATER BEFORE IRONING THEM When ironing, you can always try spraying the shirts with a little bit of water. You can either use a spray bottle or the built-in spray function. This is a very effective way to reduce ironing time as the moisture coming from the water helps get wrinkles out faster.

8. SHAKE CLOTHES BEFORE PUTTING THEM IN THE DRYER. When you transfer your clothes from the washer to the dryer, shake all of your garments to get rid of wrinkles. This way, you’ll have a better chance of it coming out of the dryer with fewer wrinkles.

10. USE STEAM WHEN IRONING Use the steam function of the iron, as it accelerates the heating of the fabric of your clothes, transports the heat quickly, and penetrates more deeply, which will help you iron in less time.

9. IRON WITH PARALLEL MOVEMENTS Iron your clothes with long, parallel movements in one direction. Circular ironing does not make wrinkles disappear easily despite what the urban myths say. In fact, it can even ruin your garments in some cases if you’re not careful.

11. KEEP YOUR IRON CLEAN Keeping your iron in good condition will make ironing easier and prevent you from damaging your garments. There are some tricks you can use, such as cleaning it with salt. Place a cloth with several tablespoons of salt and iron on it, then wipe the iron with a damp cloth.

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TIPS & TRICKS

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GLASSES PROPERLY Prescription eyeglasses are an essential tool for those who have problems with their vision. However, they are a delicate instrument and should be handled with care at all times to make sure they don’t get scratched. It is also essential to clean them daily to avoid the accumulation of bacteria that could be dangerous for your health.

WHAT YOU NEED Warm water Liquid soap Microfiber cloth 1. Before starting, you should wash your hands well with soap.

Rub them well to remove any impurities, like dust or grease that you could have on your fingers.

2. Soak your lenses in a bowl of clear water. The water should ideally be either at room temperature or just a bit warmer.

Avoid hot water because it could damage the coating on your glasses.

3. Apply a small drop of liquid soap on each lens. For best results, use a bit of liquid dish soap, but make sure it’s lotionfree.

4. Using your fingertips, gently rub all parts of the frame and the lenses on both sides. Be sure to scrub your lenses with plenty of foam for a few seconds.

5. Rinse your lenses thoroughly to remove all of the foam and soap residue. Traces of soap could cause the lenses to be smeared.

6. Use a microfiber cloth that is dry and clean. This last part is especially important since dirt or debris trapped in the fibers could scratch your lenses. Dry the glass and frame well.

Check your lenses: if you find any stains, rub them gently with the cloth until they disappear.

A FEW TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR GLASSES You should only use a microfiber cloth to clean your lenses, and for this purpose only. After using it, wash it well, and let it dry naturally.

You can find small bottles of special solutions to clean your lenses in optical shops or pharmacies. They are fairly handy and convenient to keep in your bag.

You can also use disposable wipes, but check your lenses for lint and dust first. Before cleaning your glasses, blow on them to avoid scratching them.

When you’re not wearing your glasses, keep them in a special case designed to protect them.

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CHILL & DRAW

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