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How to Eat Healthy

2008-09-03T23:06:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are many popular diets on the market today. This article will explain how to eat healthy for life and avoid the fad diets.

Steps

Determine how many calories your body needs to function each day.This number can vary wildly, depending upon your metabolism and how physically active you are. If you're the kind of person who puts on 10 pounds just smelling a slice of pizza,then your daily caloric intake should stay around 2000 calories for men, and 1500 calories for women. Your body mass also plays a part in this: More calories are suitable for naturally bigger people, and fewer calories for smaller people. If you're the kind of person who can eat anything he or she wants without putting on a pound, or you're physically active, you may want to increase your daily caloric intake to 1000-2000 calories, a little less for women. Also consider that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you need to function. The bad fats are saturated and trans fat, which you do not need any of in moderation. Someone on a 2000 calorie diet should consume less than 20 grams of saturated fat a day, and trans fat can and should be avoided all together. The good fats are plain fat, which you should eat about 30% of your calories in, and poly- and monounsaturated fats.
Don't fear fatty foods.You need to consume fat from foods for your body to function correctly. However, it's important to choose the right kinds of fats: Most animal fats and some vegetable oils are high in calories and are high in the kind of fats that raise your LDL cholesterol levels; the bad cholesterol. Contrary to popular belief, eating cholesterol doesn't necessarily raise the amount of cholesterol in your body. If you give your body the right tools, it will flush excess cholesterol from your body. Those tools are monounsaturated fatty acids, which you should try to consume regularly. These are the good fats, and they help lower the bad cholesterol in your body by raising the good cholesterol. Foods that are high in monounsaturated fatty acids are olive oil, nuts, fish oil, and various seed oils. Adding these "good" fats to your weekly diet can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Consider sautéing vegetables in small amounts of olive oil, and grabbing a hand full of mixed nuts for a snack instead of a candy bar. There are also various supplements that contain these good fats that you can take daily.
Carbohydrates are important.You need to eat foods high in carbs since they are your body's main source of energy. The trick is to choose the right carbs. Simple carbs like sugar and processed flour are quickly absorbed by the body's digestive system. This causes a kind of carb overload, and your body releases huge amounts of insulin to combat the overload. Not only is the excess insulin bad on your heart, but it encourages weight gain. Insulin is the main hormone in your body responsible for fat storage. Eat plenty of carbs, but eat carbs that are slowly digested by the body like whole grain flour, hearty vegetables, oats, and unprocessed grains like brown rice. These kinds of food not only contain complex carbs that are slowly digested by the body, but are usually higher in vitamins and other nutrients that are beneficial to the body and they are higher in fiber which keeps your digestive system running smoothly.
Eat larger meals early in the day.Your metabolism slows down towards the end of the evening and is less efficient at digesting foods. That means more of the energy stored in the food will be stored as fat and your body won't absorb as many nutrients from the meal. Many American families tend to have their big meal at dinner time. The problem with this is your day is basically over, and your body's need for energy isn't as great as it is early in the day. This large meal, late in the day, can also make you feel tired, and who wants to feel too tired to have fun now that the workday is over? Try eating a medium-sized meal for breakfast, a large meal for lunch, and a small meal for dinner. Better yet, try eating 4-6 small meals over the course of your day. That keeps your body fueled for the whole day without dumping a large amount of food into your stomach, which your body might have a hard time digesting.
Don't skip breakfast!Many people do because they don't feel they need to eat breakfast, or they just don't feel hungry first thing in the morning. Research shows that people who skip breakfast are usually fatter than those who eat a well balanced breakfast. Although you might not feel hungry first thing in the morning, if you skip breakfast you will feel extra hungry come lunch time, making you more prone to overeating for your afternoon meal. In addition, skipping breakfast makes your body think that you are starving. After all, by lunch time, you may not have eaten in almost eighteen hours. For the rest of the day after you skip breakfast, your body will store up most of the energy you get from food, instead of allowing you to burn it, in anticipation of food scarcity. Not only will this cause you to be tired during the day when your body isn't using the food that you ate, but the extra energy stored up will result in weight gain.
Make eating fun.Avoiding simple carbs and fatty foods doesn't need to be boring. Have fun not only with the food, but with the meal. Eating with family and friends makes the meal more satisfying than eating in front of the TV or in the car on the way home from work. You will also eat more slowly when enjoying your meal, which gives your body time to feel full before you burst a button. There are more creative cooking resources available to us than ever before. You can find great tasting recipes in magazines, books, and right here on the Internet. Eating baked fish three or four times a week can get boring, so do a little recipe hunting to find more exciting ways to prepare your meals.
Buy non-fat or reduced fat foods.This is done not to avoid getting fat, because eating fat will not make you fat. And it's not about eating fewer calories. It's about control. Control over what kinds of fats you put in your body. For instance, olive oil has many health benefits, so buy non-fat or reduced fat salad dressing and add a table spoon of olive oil to the jar. You'll have a salad dressing that tastes great, and is also better for your health. So buy the non-fat foods so you can replace the missing fat with "good" fats. Remember, you do need to eat a moderate amount of fat each day. Fat is something that can be very deceiving. For example, if your trying to lose weight, you're going to look for food with low fat content. However,there are some foods that have good fats, these fats are like monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. These fats add calories from fat, and so does trans fat and saturated fat, so they combine, which can be confusing. It's important to look at the saturated and trans fat content. If you see 20 calories from fat on the label, but 0g of trans fat and saturated fat, that means that there is polyunsaturated fat and/or monounsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat are good for you. They protect your heart and increase 'good' cholesterol. It's good to have enough good fats, but all good things have to come to an end.
Give yourself a cheat day.Cheating doesn't mean pigging all day on all the wrong foods once a week, it means enjoying a food you really love once a week. Have a couple slices of greasy pizza on Sundays, or a big slice of double chocolate cake on Saturdays. This cheat day will help you stick to the change in diet, and in some ways it's actually good for your body. Special occasions, such as birthdays in the family, count as cheat days.
Avoid excess amounts of alcohol.You know that heavy drinking is bad for your body, but it's also bad for your will power. A heavy night of drinking could send you to the fridge pigging out on all the wrong foods. However, many studies show that a beer or glass of wine a day is actually good for the body. Wine contains anti-oxidants which help fight illness and that moderate amount of alcohol can help you relax. Excess caffeine can also be bad for the body since caffeine stimulates your body into producing insulin in the same way that carbs do.

Tips

Eating healthy will give you some health benefits, but you won't achieve the full benefits possible unless you exercise. Exercising doesn't have to be hard, and you don't even have to break a sweat. Just going for a short 30 minute walk four times a week will greatly improve your health.
If you consume more calories than your body needs each day, your body will store the excess energy as fat. In today's society, that excess body fat is unnecessary. We are no longer hunter/gatherers. Your next meal is as close as your local grocery store and we don't need extra energy stores to hold us over till the next meal.
Use extra virgin olive oil when cooking. It's purer, and is better for your heart than other kinds of olive oil. The darker the better. Furthermore, "light" olive oil has as many Calories as extra virgin olive oil -- the "light" refers to the color and flavor intensity. Unfortunately, though, using extra virgin olive oil when cooking at higher temperatures ruins the flavors that make it "extra virgin". But olive oil isn't necessarily the most healthy oil, canola oil may be better.
This takes patience. You won't see a drastic drop in your cholesterol level or weight or increase in your energy level immediately. You need to give the changes in diet some time to kick in.
Have a positive and upbeat attitude. If you start your new diet thinking "This is something I have to do," instead of "This is something I want to do," then you've already failed before you started.
Adding whole, unrefined grains to the diet can add valuable vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be lost, however it can completely upset our digestion as well. Many animals that eat grains have 4 stomachs they use to digest them adequately, and ferment them so they can uptake nutrients. Humans have only one stomach, and if you introduce grains without first fermenting or sprouting them you may experience digestive upsets. There are various anti nutrients in grains (like phytic acid) and enzyme inhibitors that will prevent mineral absorption and lead to deficiencies and digestive problems. To remedy this, take oatmeal and soak it the night before in a little bit of yogurt. This will make it taste slightly sour, but make it more digestible. Sourdough bread is also another good example.
Lettuce is a great choice of natural fiber, and can taste great with the proper healthy dressings. You can make a great salad with nuts, raisins, and whole wheat croutons. Mix it in a bowl so it's evenly distributed and place it on top of a salad. Use a sugar free and low carb balsamic dressing; it has less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and 0 Calories. The head of lettuce is 21 Calories, plus the nuts and raisins and whole wheat croutons which could range depending on size but for this example we will estimate 100 Calories, bringing you a very low calorie and filling meal for only ~120 Calories.
Choose wheat (brown) bread instead of white bread. Processed carbohydrates such as those found in white bread are harder to draw nutrients from, and therefore are seen as empty Calories.
Smoothies are great for breakfast. Combine the following:
- banana
- 4 medium-size strawberries
- 1/2 cup of skim milk or soy milk
For protein, try substituting beans for higher calorie foods like boneless skinless chicken breasts, or tuna. Not only will you be getting additional phytochemicals from the plant based protein, it will not have the harmful saturated fat content. Remember that even an orange has more than 5% of its calories from protein!
Non-fat yogurt can make a great snack, and its healthy bacteria can help with various stomach problems.
Carry water with you at all times. Try to drink water in place of soft drinks and other flavored beverages. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day.
Consider eating organic. Organic food isn't made with the use of a lot of harmful chemicals, or other harmful processes. Not only is organic food good for you, but it is sustainable and good for the environment too! Other foods can be extremely harmful to the environment.
Read the labels on everything you eat. Don't just buy something because it is marketed as being "healthy." Lots of companies trying to sell their food off as healthy when really it is full of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, and hidden sugars. This is also the best way to learn about a product. It gives you almost all the information about that product you'll ever need. If you're trying to lose weight, try to choose foods with low calories. If you want to gain weight for a football team or some such reason, you are going to choose food with lots of calories. However, too many calories, not enough exercise, and eating too much at one time, can make you fat.

Warnings

There is a vibrant debate in health circles about whether organic food is healthier. Some believe that the chemicals in conventional foods are just as safe and healthy as the expensive organic alternatives. Organic food advocates would argue the opposite. Everyone agrees that organic options have just as many calories as non-organic options. So even if it is organic, make sure you pay attention to your calorie intake.
You should always consult your doctor before making drastic changes to your diet and your lifestyle.
Excess body fat is hard on your body. It's hard on your heart because it needs to work extra hard to push blood through your larger body. Your body builds extra veins that run through the extra body fat and has to work harder to push blood through those veins.
Excess body weight is also hard on your muscles and joints. Carrying around extra weight puts more pressure on your knees, hips, and back. While this might not have a huge effect in your youth, you will feel it as you get older.
Any drastic change in your diet can cause constipation, so make sure you eat a lot of dark green leafy vegetables, and other naturally high fiber foods. Your digestive system will typically adjust after a week or two, but you should consult your doctor if it continues. (Other good sources of fiber include: flax seed, psyllium, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and beans!-- Remember, you can always look at the nutrition facts to see the daily percentage of fiber given in different foods. For fresh, unpackaged foods, you can look up nutrition facts online; although, it usually won't ever hurt you to eat fresh, unpackaged fruits and veggies!)
Make sure there isn't a lot of unhealthy food in your house that can tempt you. Give or throw away the foods you shouldn't eat. You can't eat what you don't buy!
Please do not underfeed yourself. Even if you have extra body fat, do not let yourself go hungry. That is worse than being fat. Eating the right food and exercising daily is a much better way to lose weight!
Sugar resembles fat in many ways. There, again, is good sugar and bad sugar. We all like sugar, it's natural. And that doesn't mean if your trying to loose weight, you can't have sugar at all. The bad sugar, sucrose, makes you fat, because its high in calories, and it's sweet. The good sugar, glucose, is a natural sugar that comes from fruits and other natural plant sources. Glucose, the good sugar, goes into your blood, not your belly. It 'enriches' your blood, in a way. Sucrose, the bad sugar, doesn't go into your blood like glucose does. To put it simply, its raw energy turned into a sweetener, and when energy isn't used (exercise), it's stored (fat). That's why, on the label, sugars are below carbohydrates and indented, indicating that it is related to carbohydrates. So eat fruits, avoid candy and sweets if you're trying to lose weight.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Eat Healthy. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Cook

2008-08-29T00:43:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Cooking has come a long way from when our ancestors roasted wild game and local vegetation over an open fire. We've discovered an infinite number of ways to prepare and season food, but the nature of cooking remains the same: Apply heat to make food taste better. The rest is really just details that can be learned from an inquisitive spirit, creativity, and trial and error.

Steps

Find recipes. This is optional, of course, but is the recommended route if you're learning how to cook. Unfortunately, not all recipes are created equal. Some recipes don't break things down well for beginners, and some just aren't good. Get recipes from friends and family for dishes that you've tried (and loved). The benefit of doing this is that if you don't understand something in the recipe, you can call them and ask! If you look online, choose recipes that have received good reviews or comments. Look for dishes that you have tried previously (perhaps, made by a friend, or when eating at a restaurant) so that you may be able to appreciate the flavor to judge the finer nuances of the dish. The Better Home and Gardens cookbook has a great variety of recipes for beginners or more experienced cooks.
Gather the ingredients and tools for the job. If you're just starting to cook, don't substitute. The ingredients might interact in a way that you're not aware of, and substituting what you think is a similar ingredient might ruin the entire meal. When you become more experienced, you'll have a better idea for predicting how introducing a different ingredient will affect the cooking process and the final flavor. Otherwise, get the right ingredients (as fresh and as high quality as you can afford) and in the right amounts (no, don't eyeball it; become friends with your measuring spoons and cups and invest in a kitchen scale).
Prepare the food to be cooked. The practice of getting all of your tools and ingredients together, prepared, and measured is called "mise en place" by professional chefs, and is considered essential to efficient cooking. Your "mise en place" should be ready and close at hand before the stove is turned on.
- Wash and clean the food. Most food needs to be cleaned somehow, and usually just rinsing with water will suffice. Foods that are peeled should be washed before peeling to decrease chance of transferring chemicals and dirt from unpeeled area to peeled area.
- Cut the food into uniform slices or pieces so that they cook evenly. There are a wide variety of cutting techniques--chopping, dicing, cubing, slicing, julienning, etc. The bigger the pieces, the longer they'll take to cook. To complicate things further, some types of food cook faster than others; since zucchini cooks faster than carrot, for example, you might want to cut the carrot into smaller pieces if they're going to be thrown in at the same time so that they're both finished cooking simultaneously.[1]
- Add salt, pepper, herbs, or marinade as called for in the recipe (or to taste). Any number of herbs or spices can be used to increase the flavor of whatever you are cooking. These may need to be added before or after cooking. Just be sure to add a little rather than too much. You can always add more later. Be especially careful with salt; it is very difficult to fix a dish that is too salty.
- Ferment. This is NOT recommended for beginners. Fermentation (e.g. leavening) is a complicated technique that can result in wonderful baked goods, but it's the domain of experienced (or at least intermediate) cooks who understand how to control and direct this biological process. You need to be exact with baking (until you understand how each ingredient and method works, then you can switch around to your own tastes), especially since what goes in the oven can't be added to.
Preheat appliances as needed. There are some small details in this step that are often overlooked.
- Heat the water. Poaching, simmering, and boiling are slightly different techniques. Poaching is very gentle, reserved for delicate foods like eggs, fish, and fruit. Simmering is a little hotter, with a few small bubbles rising to the surface, and is often used for items that need a long time to cook. Boiling is when the water gets as hot as it's going to get and begins to evaporate into steam. The exact temperature varies by altitude, so be mindful of this if you're in a high altitude area. Get the water to whichever state the recipe calls for and keep it there. Don't place a lid on the pot if you're poaching or simmering because the heat may increase to a boil.[2] Remove from heat if necessary if the water starts to get too hot.
- Preheat the oven. Don't get impatient, or else you will most likely throw off your cooking times, since recipes are written assuming the oven is preheated.[3] It usually takes an oven about 15 minutes to get to 350°F or 176°C, but every stove is different. Some models will beep or make a noise when the temperature is reached; otherwise, you might need to calibrate your oven to determine how long it takes for it to preheat to a certain temperature. Put a thermometer in the center of a rack set in the middle of the oven and turn it to the desired temperature; after 10 minutes, check the thermometer every 5 minutes until the desired temperature is reached and remember how long it took to get there.[4]
- Heat the pan before adding oil. Only complete this step as follows with cast iron. Softer metals may warp when heated empty, and NEVER do this as shown, with a non-stick pan. Non stick cookware emits toxic fumes when heated empty. Heating the pan alone causes the metal to expand, opening up tiny scratches so that oil can get in there. Also, if you add oil to a pan that is already hot, it'll get hotter faster, which give it less time to break down. After you add the oil and cover the entire pan, wait for it to start smoking before adding the food. If you toss your food in before the oil has heated sufficiently, it'll soak up the oil rather than cook in it. This applies to butter, as well. Butter will brown slightly once hot enough and get a nice nutty smell. But don't let the oil or butter burn (keep in mind that butter and olive oil burn faster than other oils.[5]
  - Keep an eye on the pan. If it overheats and catches fire, turn the burner off and cover the pan completely with a metal lid, Damp Tea Towel or Fire Blanket (or smother it with baking soda). Never throw water on burning oil, and don't use a fire extinguisher--both can make the fire spread. Leave it for at least half an hour to cool.
Start cooking with water (boiling, poaching, simmering, and stewing, to name an approachable few). It's easier because you have a greater window of opportunity as to when the food is "done". If you cook the food for a little too long, the result is usually still edible, whereas if you miss that narrow window of opportunity with other techniques (frying, roasting, baking) you could end up with a ruined, burnt piece of food (perhaps raw in the middle) that's inedible. Stick with water-based cooking until you get a feel for judging when various types of food are done. For instance, learn how to boil, poach, simmer and stew broccoli until you know exactly how a perfectly cooked head of broccoli feels when you stick your fork into it.
Move on to "dry" cooking. This includes grilling, roasting, toasting, broiling, and baking. Now that you know what certain foods feel like when they're cooked, you need to be able to control the cooking process with your application of heat. This is really where you need to be attentive and patient. If you apply too much heat, the food will burn. If you apply too little, the food will be raw.
- When you arrange the food in relation to the heat source, center it so that all the food gets cooked evenly; rotate it in the middle of the cooking process if you must.
- Try to minimize opening the oven door or grill cover, as this lets heat escape and will make the cooking take longer (and may also interfere with the cooking process in other ways).
- If you have a recipe, follow the directions exactly (allow the oven to preheat completely, turn the heat up or down when it says to, and pay very close attention to your timer). If you don't have a recipe, start off with a low amount of heat and see how long the food takes to cook. Next time, add a little more heat and see how long it takes to cook. Repeat until you determine the maximum heat the food needs to cook in the shortest time without burning.
Advance to frying unless you're on a diet, in which case you might be better off not knowing how to coat your food in a layer of fat! If you do want to master this technique, however, it can produce amazing results that aren't easily achieved through other methods, like caramelizing onions so that they taste sweet, or sautéing vegetables so that they snap when you bite into them. It's a little more difficult than cooking with water or in an oven because you need to juggle timing, heat, and flipping/stirring.
- Lower the food carefully into the oil, as the oil can splash up and burn you. Use tongs or a wire basket.
- If sautéing or stir-frying, use a non-stick pan to prevent the food from becoming one with the pan. Pour just a thin layer of oil--pour it into a spoon, then into the pan (sometimes the oil comes out of the bottle faster than we'd like it to). The hotter the oil, the more you'll need to stir whatever you're frying so that it doesn't burn or stick.
- If shallow-frying, in which one third or one half of the food is immersed in oil, the oil is typically used only once.[6] If you're deep-frying, however, you may be able to use the oil more than once.
Write your own recipes. As you get better at cooking, you'll experiment and make some discoveries of your own. You'll know you're officially a good cook when people start asking "How did you make this? It's delicious!" Keep your cooking skills sharp by experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, like cooking on your car's engine!

Tips

When possible, taste your dishes frequently while you cook (not including raw or partially cooked fish, meat or eggs though, because of food safety issues). This lets you make sure the balance of spices is correct; it also helps you to learn how flavors develop with cooking.
A cooking thermometer is especially useful for beginning cooks to determine if roasts, meats, and other dishes are adequately heated.
When grilling meats, especially hamburgers and steaks, many cooks can tell if they are done by the firmness of the meat. A more well-done steak is firmer than a medium-rare one. The advantage of learning this (feeling meat as you are cooking with more familiar, surefire methods) is that you don't have to cut into your food, so the juices stay put.
Stay away from prepared food products in your cooking as these are hidden ways to add a great deal of fat, sugar, sodium and calories to your dishes. Opt instead for basic ingredients which enable you to control the amount of fat, sugar and salt in your food.
Look for a cooking class you could take, a person that could teach you, a cooking show, or a book you could read.
Start slow. Don't go home the first time and try to make a turkey dinner. Start with something small, like cookies or scrambled eggs, for example. Don't expect to be fully satisfied with your first try. Cooking is as complex as it is simple, and can take time to get results you like.
Enjoy a variety of foods. Research how to make the dishes you like and compare them to the ones produced by someone else.
Enjoy it. Cooking isn't for everyone, and is supposed to be fun, so if you find yourself dreading it, then it probably isn't for you.
Don't worry if you mess up on a recipe. We all make mistakes in our cooking now and then. You just have to use your good judgment to decide whether or not it's fixable.
Hot temperatures cook the outside more, while lower temperatures cook more thoroughly. So, use really hot temperatures to sear the outside of a rare steak or get a thicker crust on bread, but lower (and longer) temperatures for a well-done steak or a soft crust.
Stay in the kitchen while the food is cooking. If you walk away, you may end up with a burnt mess that's stuck to the bottom of the pan.
If you do need to walk away, invest in a timer.

Warnings

Beware of food allergies and the possible inedible or poisonous properties of different things before trying to cook them.
Be safe when heating anything. Anything hot enough to cook your food can be hot enough to hurt you.
When using sharp objects, be extremely careful not to cut yourself. A good cook knows better than to be careless when cutting up their carrots.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking

↑ http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-sauteing.html

↑ http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/PoachingSimmeringBoiling.htm

↑ http://startcooking.com/blog/67/Oven-Settings

↑ http://ideas.thenest.com/Dinner/Articles/cooking-qa-preheating-the-oven/

↑ http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-sauteing.html

↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frying

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Cook. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Sauté Vegetables

2008-08-29T00:39:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Sautéed vegetables are a quick, healthy and colorful dish that can be added to lunch or dinner or even served a la carte. While there are many possible ways to do this, follow these instructions for an easy, hot and nutritious side. Sautéed vegetables can be used in pastas, salads, wraps, quesadillas, or they can even accompany your favorite meat.

Steps

Gather the ingredients. Measure and pour the oil or stock into the skillet. Place the skillet on the stove and set the burner to a medium temperature and let it heat up.
Cut the vegetables. Dice the tomatoes, mince the onions, and slice the bell peppers. You'll want to have fairly thin pieces if you're in a hurry as thick chunks will take longer to cook.
Drop the vegetables into the skillet. Let them sit for a few minutes until they begin to caramelize, as indicated by a slight change in color (dark or brown).
Stir once or twice. Continue to cook until the vegetables are tender (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat.
Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings, like pepper, thyme, rosemary, and salt.
Squeeze a little fresh orange juice on the vegetables if you'd like. Lime also tastes especially scrumptious on vegetables.

Tips

Vegetables take different amounts of time to sauté, so experiment with combining and cooking separately.
Serve as a side dish to meats, poultry or fish.
This dish would taste wonderful served over plain white rice.
Keep some soy sauce handy, as it tastes great with the vegetables!
Outrageous served over toasted cheese on bread.

Warnings

Be careful and don't burn yourself! Oil and metal both get extremely hot!
Children should cook only with adult supervision.

Things You'll Need

A large skillet (cast iron is safer than Teflon)
Vegetables of your choice, for example:
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers (green and sweet red)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Scallions
- Finely chopped red potatoes
A sharp knife
A cutting board
2-3 tsp oil
Olive or canola oil
Various spices
Various citrus fruits for squeezing

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Sauté Vegetables. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Prepare Fresh Citrus Fruit Peel

2008-08-29T00:18:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Zesting a citrus fruit (lemons, limes, grapefruits or oranges) is an easy cooking project if you have a zester or a microplane. Both can be found at a cooking store or ordered online. A vegetable peeler or knife can also be used to zest the peel. Here are some tips on how to zest a citrus fruit and save the zest for later use.

Steps

Choose a fruit that is free of pesticides, dyes, and wax (since you will be eating the outer peel). If at all possible, start with an organic orange, lemon, or other citrus fruit. While some authorities recommend the use of organic citrus fruit, it is difficult to find. Thoroughly washing and drying the fruit should make the fruit safe to eat. If there is a concern, shop for organic citrus fruit.
Wash and dry the fruit thoroughly, whether it is organic or not. Cut out any discolorations or bad spots.
Hold the zester in your hand, much like a vegetable peeler, while applying pressure to the fruit. Pull the the zester across the surface and the zest will appear.
Adopt the same basic technique if using a microplane. A microplane is like a grater. Pull it across the fruit to separate the zest.
Try the old-fashioned method for grating zest. If you do not have a zester or microplane, take a vegetable peeler and peel the citrus rind. Once the peel is removed, finely mince the zest using a knife. The food processor can also mince the peel, if a food processor is available.
Freeze the zest. Once the citrus fruit peel has been zested, freeze it in small freezer storage bags or containers. The zest is available for later cooking.
to dry.]]Alternatively, dry the zest. Spread it in a single layer on a plate or waxed paper and leave it exposed to the air until it is dry enough to be brittle (a couple of days).
Store the dried zest it in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place.

Tips

]]Try to avoid the white pith. It is bitter. Instead, take just the bright orange or yellow layer on the very outside.
Orange zest is great in mulled cider, as an accompaniment to chocolate, and many other dishes. Also try it in tea, cakes, or as an addition to Apple Pie Oatmeal. It's good anywhere you want a hint of citrus.
Grinding or crushing orange zest before adding it to food can help to bring out the flavor.
Zest the fruit before eating or juicing it. It's much easier to hang onto the entire fruit.
The best tool is a microplane or grater, one with small blades that running your finger against them will not produce a negative effect.

Warnings

The zesting tool can be sharp, so be careful.

Things You'll Need

Citrus fruit
Zester, microplane, or grater
Vegetable peeler and kitchen knife

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Prepare Fresh Citrus Fruit Peel. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Cook Chicken - wikiHow

2008-08-27T20:59:00.000+01:00

How to Cook Chicken - wikiHow

wikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit

2008-08-27T14:44:00.000+01:00

wikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit

How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff

2008-08-22T19:43:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Dandruff, a condition characterized by flaking, itchy scalp, is one of the most common dermatological conditions. Fortunately, while the exact cause of dandruff is not known, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it, and effective treatments are available. So if it looks like a winter storm is following you--and only you--around everywhere, read on.

Steps

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. As if you needed another reason to eat right, it turns out that a healthy diet may ward off the flakes. Make sure to get plenty of zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, and B-vitamin, and avoid excessive yeast and sugar. Research suggests that dandruff is at least in part caused by a fungus that thrives in yeasty, fatty, sugary environments. Though this does not necessarily directly affect the conditions of your skin, your overall health will help with how your body responds to the fungus causing the dandruff.
Don't worry, be happy. Stress challenges the body's defenses and encourages all sorts of ailments, including dandruff, so relax now and don't worry about wearing a black shirt tomorrow.
Limit your use of hair styling products. Hairspray, mousse, and gel may contribute to dandruff in some people. They may also cause excessive drying of the skin, which can cause flaking--or trigger allergic reactions. If you notice dandruff soon after you begin to use a new product, chances are the product is to blame. The exception to this would be using a therapeutic styling gel or spray formulated with tea tree oil.
Wash your hair regularly. Dandruff seems to thrive in oily hair, so regular shampooing can help you fight it off. If you already have dandruff, washing your hair may help you keep the symptoms (the flakes) under control until it goes away. Massage your scalp so that you clean your skin, as well as your hair. This is one time when the "repeat" directions in "wash, rinse, and repeat" may be useful. The first washing breaks up the waxy sebum, and the second washing helps rinse it all away.
Use a shampoo designed to treat dandruff. If dandruff persists despite regular shampooing, you may need something stronger. There are a variety of anti-dandruff shampoos available at your pharmacy or grocery store, and they usually work. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and make a little extra time to shower, as most of these recommend that you leave them in for 5-10 minutes and lather twice.
Oil your hair with herbal oils or use special herbal gels. Gels from India have been known to help. Do this on a regular basis, at least twice a week for improvements.
Be aware that there are different active ingredients in dandruff shampoos. If one does not work for you try another. Ketoconazole (brand name Nizoral) is extremely effective against certain types of dandruff that are caused by a fungus. 1% ketoconazole is available without prescription in the US, 2% requires a prescription. The 2% is available without a prescription in Canada.
Be patient. While anti-dandruff shampoos may produce results after a few uses, it can take a week or two to see the difference.
Switch it up. If one type of anti-dandruff shampoo doesn't seem to work, or if it works for a time but then doesn't, switch to a product with another active ingredient (the active ingredient will be labeled on the bottle).
See your doctor if the problem persists after more than a couple weeks of treatment. There are prescription shampoos available, and prescription steroid creams may also help.

Tips

Try using a softer shampoo. During an interview, several barbers have said that the cause is often a harsh shampoo kills or drys out the skin.
Another possible remedy consists of pouring a generous amount of table salt into your hand before showering and covering your scalp in it. Gently rub it in, covering your whole scalp. Rinse it out in the shower, and shampoo normally.
It's best to get your vitamins from food, rather than nutritional supplements. A quick Internet search will turn up foods you can integrate into your diet that are rich in zinc, Omega-3s, and B-vitamins.
If anti-dandruff shampoos aren't working, or if you notice redness on the scalp or silvery or yellow flakes, you may not have dandruff at all. A number of other conditions can lead to flaking skin and itchy scalp. See your primary care physician or dermatologist.
A quick internet search will turn up all kinds of home remedies for dandruff. While some of these may indeed work, anti-dandruff shampoos are inexpensive enough to be adequate for most people.
Wear light-colored clothing (especially tops) while you have dandruff. Most people won't even notice.
If you have hay fever, eczema, or other skin or respiratory allergies, your dandruff may be caused in part by an allergic reaction. In this situation, you may find it helpful to shampoo LESS frequently, so the natural oils that protect your scalp aren't stripped away. Allergic people may also react to dandruff shampoos by generating MORE dandruff. If you think this may be the case for you, try washing your hair with conditioner only, or washing less frequently. CAUTION: Try this first during a vacation or a time when you will be less publicly visible, since your scalp will be very oily at first. It will take two weeks to a month for the balance of oils on your hair and scalp to adjust itself.
Rinsing your scalp with a rinse of 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to 3/4 cup water may help the problem. The natural acids will help loosen any sebum (dead skin and oils) that clings to your scalp and flakes to form dandruff. Rinse thoroughly with WARM, not hot, water. If you don't rinse well, you will smell like vinegar. While apple cider vinegar is the gold standard of home remedies, white vinegar or lemon juice should work as well. Lemon juice may lighten dark hair.
To treat a bad case of dandruff, wash your hair with your usual shampoo and then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. You can follow with an ordinary conditioner.
Tea tree oil has antiseptic qualities that may help kill the fungus, and keep your scalp moisturized. You can buy a small bottle at many groceries and health food stores, and add 5-6 drops to your regular shampoo. Or just purchase a shampoo that contains tea tree oil.
Buy and use two or three different types of regular shampoo and don't use the same one two days in a row. This way build up is minimized. For some reason this gets rid of lesser cases of dandruff.
Plain old fashioned Listerine (the original amber formula) works wonders on dandruff! In fact, up until the 1980s, the label even mentioned that it was effective on infectious dandruff. Daily or several times a week, saturate a cotton ball with Listerine and swab over your scalp. It really works!
Leave-in treatments like Scalpicin may be useful for particularly itchy scalps.
If the shampoos with the ingredients below don't work, try others.
Wash your hair with cold water.

Warnings

Some anti-dandruff shampoos, such as those containing selenium sulfide or coal tar may discolor light or dyed hair.
Discontinue use of any anti-dandruff shampoo or medication if the condition worsens or spreads, or if you notice side effects. Consult your primary care physician or dermatologist if the problem doesn't go away.
Tea tree oil may have adverse side effects. A recent article in the New York Times states: "In Boston at the annual Endocrine Society meeting in June, Clifford Bloch of the University of Colorado School of Medicine presented several cases of young men who had developed marked breast enlargement from using shampoos containing lavender and tea tree oils, which are widely used essential oil additives that present no problem for adults."
this study was fully rebutted by the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA) and in fact only one of the three subjects was exposed to a product containing tea tree oil in addition to lavender oil. It appears that the real culprit may be the lavender oil or other estrogenic compounds in shampoos. No other environmental or dietary factors were considered. Some foods such as soy and licorice contain very high levels of phytoestrogens.
Watch out for shampoos that are packaged to look like dandruff shampoos but only say that they will rinse away loose dandruff. Any shampoo will rinse away loose dandruff.
Using more than one anti-dandruff product may cause redness and irritation.
Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS). It's a foaming compound that's a mild irritant. Some people find that using specialist soap without SLS as a shampoo for a couple of weeks makes their dandruff go away. You'll probably get it back if you switch back to ordinary shampoo. [1]

Things You'll Need

Shampoo with one of these anti-dandruff ingredients: ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, coal tar extract, or sulfur. If one doesn't work try another.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Dermatology Article on scalp care in pdf format
MotherNature.com
OTAN.us Some home remedies, from aspirin to olive oil to vinegar. (Even if those don't work, you could put them together to make a pain-killing salad dressing!)
Dandruff Control Made Easy Articles and products to control dandruff and beautify your hair using tea tree oil and natural herbal ingredients.

↑ http://www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.html

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make a Herbal Pillow

2008-08-22T19:36:00.001+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Herbal pillows are a great use of alternative medicine and can be used for many uses from helping to put a baby to sleep to the relief of headaches.

Steps

Cut your fabric into two square pieces. Each piece should be the same size as your finished pillow plus half an inch seam allowance. A six-inch square is good, but you can make it any size you choose.
Place the right sides of the fabric pillow facing each other. Sew them together along three sides, leaving the fourth open for stuffing. Turn the sewn fabric the right side out and press with an iron.
Place your choice of herbs in a bowl and add your fixative. Different mixtures of herbs are used for different things:
- Restful herbs - Chamomile, hops, lavender, rose petals, lemon verbana and mint
- Herbs for a crying baby - Lavender, catnip and mugwort
- Herbs to induce dreams - Balsam needles, lavender, rosemary, sweet marjoram
- Herbs to relieve headaches - Chamomile, lavender, rosemary
- Herbs for romantic slumber - Sweet marjoram, lavender, rose petals, lemon grass
Leave your pillow in an air-proof bag for at least a day before you use it. This allows the scent to strengthen and enhances its therapeutic effects.
At bedtime or naptime, tuck your herbal pillow inside your regular pillowcase, or just lay it beside you.

Tips

A fixative will help your dried herbs retain their fragrance much longer. Fixatives include: musk, ambergris and civet
Your cotton balls help add soft fullness to your herbal pillow
Many of the herbs that are used in making potpourri can be used to make your herbal pillow.
Make a pillowcase for your finished herbal pillow from luxurious fabric.
Make a quick herbal pillow by placing half a cup of herbs in a 3/5-inch drawstring bag. Draw it closed and tie the strings.

Warnings

If you intend to give the herbal pillow as a gift, make sure its recipient does not have any allergies to the herbs you use.

Things You'll Need

Linen or muslin fabric
Sewing machine or needle and thread
An Iron
Herbs of your choice
Fixative
Cotton balls
Decorative fabric trim

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Herbal Pillow. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

how yo learn turkish language

2008-08-18T18:28:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article is a stub. You can help by expanding and clarifying it. Notice added on 2007-01-18.
Learning tips for Turkish language

Steps

Accept that it is one of the most flexible languages in the world, that words make sense even if you don't put them in the correct order.
Always put the verb at the end of the sentence.
Try to contact Turkish people, face to face if possible. You may speak to turkish speakers over msn, skype, etc.
Try online lessons.
Install Turkish operating systems.
Visit Turkey.
Watch Turkish soap operas.
Read Turkish books.
Learn all the bad Turkish words first, because many English words are common in the Turkish language and you might accidentally insult someone.
Listen to Turkish songs.

Tips

Listening is extremely important to learn speaking Turkish. Because the verbs are very tricky, very hard to learn. Try to pronounce the verbs before you dive into Turkish grammar.
Turkish is "spoken as written" language. Every sound is expressed with a letter. So pronunciation is quite easy.
Cursing and swearing is quite interesting and fun.

Warnings

You may never learn to speak properly.
It takes a lot of time to learn it. Especially the verbs.
Subjects are at the end of the verbs and can not be pronounced all by itself. For example: gelemeyebilirim (I may not be able to come; the letter -m means "I").

Things You'll Need

A native Turkish speaker
DFH Satilite TV for soap operas

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Learn Turkish. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Cucumber Water

2008-08-04T00:21:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Zero calories AND refreshing

Ingredients

A small cucumber
Lemon/Lime(optional)
Water

Steps

Get a small cucumber
Grab a clean knife
Get a pitcher of water
Cut your cucumber thin
Add the cucumbers to the water
If you want, add lemon/lime
cover and shake
Put in the fridge for about ten min.

Tips

The longer it cools, the better it tastes

Things You'll Need

A Knife
A place to cut
A pitcher of water

Related wikiHows

How to Make Korean Shaved Ice
How to Make Your Tap Water Taste Better
How to Choose the Right Bottled Water
How to Purify Water

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Cucumber Water. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Deal With Losing Your Wallet

2008-08-04T00:18:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Losing your wallet or purse can be a devastating experience. Not only have you lost your identification, but also your cash, your credit and debit cards and anything else that may have been inside. Follow this guide to take back control of some of what you've lost.

Steps

Try to find the wallet. Remember when you last had your wallet. Doing so will help you eliminate places where you could not have lost it, and concentrate on places where you may have. Retrace your steps. What were you wearing? Where did you go? When did you take your wallet out of your pocket? Simple questions like these may help. If you know there's a slim chance of finding it, or if your wallet was stolen, proceed to the next step.
- Make calls to places you've gone recently (since you last saw your wallet) including restaurants, theaters, and the like and ask if they have a lost wallet. They will need a description. Usually the name on an ID or a specific member's card will do. Even larger places, like malls, have lost-and-found offices or security centers.
- Don't assume that the movie theater or other business would call you. Some businesses do not make calls due to concerns that it might disclose the fact that you were somewhere or with someone that you do not want made known.
Assume the wallet is stolen. If you can't find the wallet within a few hours, someone else might, and you don't know if that person will return it to you. When it comes to your identity, credit cards, and bank accounts, you're better off safe than sorry. The maximum time you will want to wait is 24 hours as, for many companies, there are deadlines for reporting lost cards.
Call your bank and report your debit card stolen. It is very important to do this quickly as, unlike credit cards, the law says that debit cards leave the consumer on the hook if left unreported. You can be charged for any withdrawals and even overdraft charges. Once you call the bank, your debit card liability is reduced to $50.
Call your credit card companies as soon as you can and cancel your credit cards, especially your store cards. They often have less stringent security policies and have stricter reporting than many major credit cards. Apply for a new card for the same account if you can.
Report your wallet lost or stolen to the police. It may seem like a waste of time, but having a police report will help you in many areas including insurance claims, liability issues and more.
Get a new driver's license. If you get pulled over, the officer may or may not believe your story of having a lost wallet. Don't take the chance.
Call the credit reporting agencies (credit bureaus) and report your lost cards and other relevant items. The major credit recording companies include Equifax, Experian and Transunion..
Buy a new wallet. While you're waiting to find your old one, you'll need something to keep everything in. If and when you find your old wallet, you can choose which one to use. If you think you will lose it again, consider purchasing one with a chain, or something that will help prevent losing it in the future. As an affordable alternative, buy a nylon wallet. They last for years. Put a rubber band around it so you know when it's moved, or buy or make an ankle holster with a Velcro strap to place the wallet in, fasten it around your ankle. Use a money clip with one credit card in it. As an alternative to buying a new wallet, try making one.
Asking friends.If you remember where you last left your wallet call your friends or parents and ask them to search for your wallet in their place.
Good places to check for your wallet.Try to look for your clothing used last time(pants,pockets etc.)Also check your washing machine dryer also your toilet (I know looking for your wallet sounds random but it is actually very useful.

Tips

Keep your cards separately in a card holder. When you lose a wallet you can still use your cards, and when you lose cards/cardholder,
Make sure you write down important account numbers before you lose your wallet, or check your paper or electronic bills for the account numbers and contact information. In the case that you do lose your wallet, these numbers will be critical to know. Police officers may accept a driver's license number happily if you've lost your wallet.
A simple way to record the contents of your wallet is to photocopy or scan both the front and back of all your cards. Keep the copy in a very safe, but separate place. The place should be readily accessible to you, not in a bank safe deposit box that might be unavailable when you need it.
Keep phone numbers on-file for banks, credit card companies, etc. In the event that you lose your wallet, you'll need these quickly to help prevent anyone else using those cards.
Don't keep all your cash in your wallet. Get a money clip to hold some of it in, or keep some at home in a safe place and only carry what you think you may need. This way, you reduce the amount of cash you may lose if you lose your wallet.
Periodically during the day, make sure you still have your wallet. It takes only a second to do, and it gives you a better chance of finding your wallet if you have just lost it. Get in the habit of checking regularly: every time you get up to go somewhere, while you're walking, etc. A light touch of your back pocket or a quick look in your purse will give you a clear indication.
Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket when you travel, or are in crowded places. This extra level of security for you nearly eliminates the chance of someone slipping it out of your clothing. Put your wallet in your front pocket or a backpack, or use a money belt.
If you regularly keep your wallet in your back pocket, try to wear pants that have a button on the back pocket, and use it.
If you notice charges to your account that were made between the time you lost your wallet and the time that you suspended your credit/debit cards, call your institution and inform them, then file another police report (unless the institution says they will do that for you). This insures that you are not liable for those charges, and gives you a better chance of finding your wallet after the investigation is over.
If you keep your wallet in your back pocket, make sure the pocket is not stretched out. Your wallet will most likely stay in your pocket if the wallet is not too thick and your pocket is tight.

Warnings

Never store pin numbers, passwords or your social security number in your wallet.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2004-07-22-wallet-phone_x.htm — The Mobile Phone Wallet

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Deal With Losing Your Wallet. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Tomato, Watermelon, and Cucumber Salad

2008-07-31T12:06:00.001+01:00

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
1 serving: Calories 100; Carbohydrates 13g; Fat 5g; Sodium 364mg
INGREDIENTS
2 large red tomatoes, cut into 1-inch wedges (about 2 cups)
2 pounds watermelon, cut into 1/2- by 2 1/2-inch wedges
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced
DIRECTIONS
Make the salad: Gently toss tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, and onion together in a large bowl and set aside. Combine vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the watermelon mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

How to Be Fun and Flirty

2008-07-30T23:04:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article is a stub. You can help by expanding and clarifying it. Notice added on 2008-07-24.
Do you want to be flirty and fun? Well, read on to find out how!

Steps

Be exciting. Don't be dull! Be energetic, outgoing, and happy! You should rarely ever have a dull moment in your life. You should really shine at parties. Make a scene if you're at a party and then, we get to the next step.
Be entertaining. You should be able to put on a show with your personality. Be bright and funny. Live your life like a rockstar! Smile all the time as if the world was smiling with you.
Be funny. This helps with being exciting and entertaining. Laugh a lot, tell jokes, and smile!
When you are flirting, smile, wink, and be sweet! Use good, and not cheesy pick up lines. Be original, or you'll look like a fool. Flirt a lot, and be fun!
Be yourself! This is the most important! Be yourself when flirting, as well as when you're being fun. Nobody likes a person who is just a exact copy of somebody who they totally aren't when they're trying to impress somebody...even if they aren't!
Look bold. Wear bright make up and wear cute and neon clothes! This will make you stand out. Contrast colors with neon and black, you'll really pop, then.
Ta da! Now you are bold, and flirty!

Tips

Don't flirt too much. Flirting a little once and a while is good, but not too much or you'll look trashy and rumors could start. Especially if you aren't single!
Don't wear neon everything. Once again, contrasting works best! i.e.: Black/Dark jeans with a neon green shirt paired with a neon green and black striped pair of ballet flats
Don't laugh too much, especially at corny jokes. You could just end up looking cheesy and strange instead.
Smile! This is your best accessory!
Whiten your teeth. Nothing worse than always smiling with dirty teeth!
If you have sparkling pearly white teeth, wear rosy red lipstick, this will make your lips look brighter!

Warnings

Flirting too much, once again, can spread rumors and make you look like a total slut!

Related wikiHows

How to Be Fun at Parties
How to Be Energetic and Fun Loving
How to Flirt
How to Flirt Coyly (For Girls)
How to Be Funny

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Fun and Flirty. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Onion Rings

2008-07-26T21:40:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Just a step-by-step process on how to cut up and fry some onions. Check out the supplies and read all the directions before you start.

Ingredients

One third of a gallon of milk (not exactly, just an estimate)
2-3 eggs
Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, etc.)
Flour
Medium or large onion (possibly multiple depending how many you're making)
Vegetable oil

Steps

Lay some foil out close to your stove and put two large mixing bowls on it.
Fill one bowl about halfway to two/thirds full with milk. Put 2-3 eggs in it and some seasoning (garlic powder, onion powder, etc.) Mix it up really well.
Fill the other bowl with flour and seasonings, then mix.
Find a medium-large onion and cut it into rings; once you have the amount of rings you want, put them on a plate near the flour and milk.
Put some vegetable oil in a large frying pan around half an inch deep. Depending on what your stove's like, on a rating out of 10, keep the heat 4-5/10. Use fresh oil.
Dip a ring into the milk then into the flour. Dip it back into the milk, and back into the flour. Repeat until it is thoroughly covered in the batter. Lower it slowly into the pan. It is easier to use a fork to get them in and out of the pan. (It usually takes 3 dips into the milk and flour.)
Repeat step six until there is no more room in the frying pan.
Put some paper towels onto a plate.
When the onion rings are golden brown flip them over with a fork. Once both sides are golden brown lift them with the fork onto the paper towels.
Repeat step six, seven, and nine until all of them are fried. (The second round will go a lot faster than the first so keep a close eye on them.)
Turn off the stove, and clean up, this is a really messy snack.
Serve them to your guests or relatives.

Tips

Never take your eye off them.
You can cook the smaller ones inside the larger ones to save time.
If you use one hand for dipping them in the milk, and one for the flour, your fingers will stay a lot cleaner.
Onions go great as a side for hamburgers.
Try them with ketchup or ranch dressing.
This can be done with chicken strips and chicken fried steak.

Warnings

Be careful when you're working with oil. If it's too hot it can catch fire. It also leaves burns when you get it on yourself
It usually crackles a bit and you may get some small amounts of oil on your hand or something. Don't be startled.

Things You'll Need

Two large mixing bowls
Foil (not required, but it helps the clean-up)
Large frying pan
Stove
Paper Towels

Related wikiHows

How to Cut an Onion
How to Cook Indian Onion Bhaji
How to Stop Onions from Stinging the Eyes
How to Make Caramelized Onions
How to Chop Onions without Tears

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Onion Rings. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Color French Fries

2008-07-26T21:26:00.002+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

They may look different, but they taste the same as normal fries! Have some fun with these colored fries; great for special occasions.

Steps

Drop a whole peeled and sliced unroasted potato into 175ml (1/2 cup) of juice mixed with two tablespoons of food colouring of your choice.
Keep it in the mixture for 3 hours.
Then dry and roast it normally.

Tips

Be sure and dry the potato fully after soaking in the food colouring or the grease will wash the colour off when it is roasted normally. You do not have to worry about it if you dry-roast the potato.

Warnings

Make sure your juice will cook.

Related wikiHows

How to Make Tasty Home Style Fries
How to Make Fries Crisp and Crunchy
How to Bake a Potato Using a Microwave
How to Cook a Cheese Burger
How to Make a Tasty Nacho Like Dish

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Color French Fries. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Swim

2008-07-26T19:13:00.001+01:00

Steps

Get into the water, making sure that it is not too deep for you. Holding on to the side of the pool, or someone you trust, let your head go under water. Remember to hold your breath. If you blow bubbles out of your nose then water will not go up your nose.
Grab onto the side of the pool and let your legs float out behind you. This will be easier if you put your face in the water. Start kicking your feet and get a feel for how it's done. When you're ready, stop kicking and proceed to step #3.
Turn around so you are facing the open water.
Slightly jump off the ground and bring your right arm in front of you, cup your hand and push your arm through the water until it's at your side. Repeat the process with your other arm. You are pushing yourself through the water with your arms.
At the same time, kick with your feet, like you did in step #2. This will make you move faster.
If your arms get tired, do not panic! You can flip over onto your back, let your arms float out to your sides, like a 'T', and let your feet float out in front of you. Relax, then just kick with your feet to keep moving, or just kick your legs.

Tips

Make sure there is another person present that is able to swim in case of emergency.
You can also take swimming lessons at most public pools.
If your legs sink while floating on your back, try to put your arms over your head as if you were reaching for something, this will make your legs float up upwards.
Keep your head down in the water. If you lift it up to breathe, your body sinks and stops all forward motion. To breathe roll to your side, head stays down but finds air with your chin just over the high shoulder.
Lengthen your pull through the water. Reach way out ahead, pull straight through centered under your body, then keep pushing down to your thigh before the hand leaves the water. The recovering hand moves in a straight line forward just above the water to reach way ahead again. Think long stroke.

Warnings

Don't panic! If you get exhausted, flip over onto your back and float - as described in Step #6.
Until you are comfortable in the water do not go into water that will be deeper than your chest. That way, if you get scared or tired, you can put your feet down without too much of a struggle.
If you are really skinny, you will not be able to float, because fat is what keeps you buoyant. You may want to try wearing a life jacket.
When you first learn to swim, you are using your muscles in new ways, and this is extremely tiring. Always have someone nearby who can swim well.
Underwater breathing contests are very dangerous. Although you might think, "we are only a couple feet in the water," if you stay underwater for too long, you can drown quite easily. But don't be scared, just say politely, "No thanks," if someone asks you to have an underwater breathing contest.

Things You'll Need

another person that is able to swim.
swimsuit or short pants
goggles (optional)
cap (optional)
nose plug (optional)
ear plugs (optional)
Patience (Required)
Perserverance (Required)

Related wikiHows

How to Do an Open Turn in Swimming
How to Exercise to Become a Better Swimmer
How to Choose the Right Swimsuit for Your Figure
How to Swim the Breaststroke
How to Swim Butterfly Stroke
How to Do a Flip Turn While Swimming

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Swim. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
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How to Get Ready for Bed Quickly

2008-07-22T18:20:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article is on how to get ready for bed. Everyone needs to go to bed right? Then you must know what to do before you get into bed or else in the morning...you will be trouble.

Steps

Take a nice warm or cool shower. If you already take showers in the morning then don't bother. At least wash your face because you might have sweated all day long.
Brush your teeth. You want to have a nice smile tomorrow at school. If you want, you could brush your teeth in the shower so it doesn't waste time.
Brush your hair. You want to take the snarls out because in the morning your hair just will be messier, and you do not want that. So brush, brush, brush!!
Check your homework, agenda, and all your stuff in your backpack just to make sure you are ready for the next day of school.
Change into your night clothes. If it's hot, wear some boxers or shorts if you are a girl. Wear a baggy t-shirt and you'll sleep in comfort. If it's cold wear some sweat pants and a baggy long sleeve shirt.

If you have some time leftover before your bedtime, then watch some T.V.
After you watch some T.V., go to your parents and kiss then good-night.
Go to your bedroom, turn off the lights and close the door.
If you are a little girl or boy, take your doll or stuffed animal and cuddle it by your side.

Tips

Try taking cool showers everyday. Hot or warm showers can make your scalp start rising a little but...and it will get kinda...crusty. Yuck. But sometimes it wil; be good to take warm or hot showers or baths because they make you feel relaxed.
Brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes. That way, your teeth will sparkle and your smile will really show off!
Did you know it's very healthy if you brush your hair a 100 times a day?
Ask your mom or dad to check the homework for you. That way, when your teacher grades your homework you will get 100%! Just remember to make sure you know why your mom or dad said that that answer was wrong.

Warnings

Don't get carried away with too much T.V.!!! Your eyes will be baggy the next day and you won't be able to concentrate.

Related wikiHows

How to Get out of Bed when You Really Can't
How to Wake Up When You Are Very Tired
How to Stop Sleeping on Your Stomach
How to Go to Bed Early
Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Ready for Bed Quickly. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Prevent Heart Disease

2008-07-22T18:06:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Heart disease, also known as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or Coronary Heart Disease kills more Americans each year than all the kinds of cancer put together, and accounts for about 30% of all deaths. It is usually preventable, but there are things such as gender, age and family history that are risk factors that you can not control.

Steps

Have your blood pressure checked occasionally. Keep your blood pressure low by eating a diet low in sodium, exercising and keeping your arteries functioning (see next step).
Eat less cholesterol, Trans and saturated fats. Those clog up your arteries, forcing your heart to work harder and even speeding up respiration.
Eat less meat. A diet low in saturated fat is one crucial factor in preventing heart disease, obesity, cancer, and diabetes among others. One way to lower your intake of saturated fat is to limit your intake of meat and high-fat dairy products. Incorporate more meatless meals into your diet. Meatless Monday is a non-profit national public health campaign in association with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health that advocates lowering your intake saturated fat by limiting meat consumption.
Exercise regularly. Exercising has so many benefits. It relieves stress, lowers your blood pressure, burns fat, strengthens your immune system and just leaves you feeling good for the rest of the day.
Stay at your healthy weight, or lose weight if you need to in order to be healthy. Shedding a few extra pounds will take a lot of stress off your heart, feet, bones, joints and lungs, and keeps your blood pressure and cholesterol levels down.
Avoid excess stress. Stress will raise your blood pressure. Always look on the bright side of things, and don’t use any chemicals as a crutch.
Avoid tobacco smoking and places where Environmental Tobacco Smoke is present. About 20% of cases of CVD are caused by smoking. 40,000 non-smoking Americans get CVD and die from secondhand smoke each year (American Heart Association). Secondhand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death in America.
Stay drug and alcohol free. Caffeine is an addictive drug, and is in no way healthy. Other drugs produce adverse side effects. By alcohol free, this article means not having a twelve-pack and passing out each night – a little bit of red wine each day may actually be beneficial to your health.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Prevent Heart Disease. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Freshen Your Breath Before You Meet Somebody

2008-07-16T22:19:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This method can be an absolute life saver if you suddenly end up with bad breath before you go to meet somebody

Steps

Buy a packet of Salt and Vinegar flavoured crisps (potato chips), a bottle of water, and a pack of mints that contain as little sugar as possible
First eat the crisps, this will remove all traces of sugar in your mouth, thus making it taste of nothing, and therefore smell the same way
Eating the crisps usually makes you thirsty, so the water is a must, because having any sort of sugar ruins the effect, plus, if you keep yourself well hydrated your mouth stays fresher for longer
Finally, the mints. The stronger they are the better. They arent a must, but its always nice to have breath thats minty fresh

Tips

NO. SUGAR. I can't stress that enough. If you have to have somethign sugary, just make sure you have something savoury afterwards to remove the traces of sugar.
If you're on a tight budget, just clean your tongue off! If you didn't already know, most of your bad breath is not caused by the food that you eat, but rather originates from the back of your tongue!
Depending on how much time you have before meeting this person, brush your teeth, floss, and/or use a mouthwash.
Dont chew gum before this, because it will make your saliva disgusting which will put out the other person. USE MINTS ONLY !

Warnings

This IS NOT a substitute for cleaning your teeth. It won't matter how fresh your breath is when you have twenty cavities and two teeth.
Doing this too often will result in a lot of additional weight being hefted about, so be warned about that too

Related wikiHows

How to Relieve a Toothache & Bleeding Gums
How to Disengage Your Gag Reflex
How to Get Rid of Painful Cracked Lips
How to Stop Bleeding Gums, Gingivitis, Periodontitis
Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Freshen Your Breath Before You Meet Somebody. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Get Rid of Morning Breath

2008-07-16T22:15:00.001+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Morning breath is one of the most embarrassing things to have. Many people avoid talking or even opening their mouth until they assured themselves that the problem is solved. This article can teach you how to get rid of morning breath.

Steps

Avoid smoking or the use of tobacco/drug products. Smoking has the same effects as caffeine to the mouth and teeth, making odors stronger and increasing risk of tooth decay.
Brush your teeth after every meal, before you go to sleep, and after you wake up. While you sleep, saliva decreases which creates the opportunity for bacteria growth on the food residue that lingers in the mouth[1]. Remember to floss any chance you get in order to reach food particles that the toothbrush did not get. Invest in a tongue cleaner to get rid of any extra bacteria in the mouth.
Chew sugarless gum throughout the day. Chewing gum not only helps stomach acid, but also creates fresher breath. If you are at work or school, try smaller pieces of gum, for example Trident, instead of the regular long sticks. If this is not possible, try Tic-Tacs.
Know that strong foods, such as garlic and onions, can contribute to bad breath. Try to substitute these foods for similar ones or avoid using these on a regular basis to omit bad breath.
Visit your dentist regularly and doctor if the situation does not go away. They can see if the situation can be solved with a simple remedy or if it is contributed by something else. Things can include stomach acid or acid reflux, issues, infections around the mouth, or lung disorders.

Tips

Don't eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed.

Sources and Citations

↑ http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/hilaryjones/embarrassingprobs/badbreath.htm

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Rid of Morning Breath. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be More Proud of Your Appearance

2008-07-16T21:51:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with: "How to Change Your Appearance" Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2008-06-07.
Have you ever thought that you were ugly? Or just hated the way your teeth were or maybe you think you're a bit overweight? Whatever it is, you can learn to deal with it, or change it. But because your changing your appearance, doesn't mean you have to change your personality. Truth is, ugliness doesn't occur in appearance...but personality.

Steps

Make sure you know what about your appearance is bringing you down. If it's something you can't change on your own, like your nose, don't have plastic surgery. Afterall you might grow to love THAT nose later on in life and plus it's bound to change as you get older.
Once you know what you're insecure about, take a closer look. Is it really that bad?
Solve it. You can either solve it by; Getting over it (not harshley) or by doing something to make it look better. If you hate your teeth, eating too much candy and not brushing your teeth won't help you love them. Consider braces if your teeth need straightening, but first you might want to have a dentist appointment.
Love it. Whether you've changed that bit about you or not. Be proud that you have a unique face and/or body (unless you have an identical twin). Beauty comes in many forms. Words such as "Ugly" and "Hideous" are used by people who are either jealous, or too full of them-selves.
Ignore. Yeah, so if one day you're proud of your appearance and then you start to hate it because someone says that you're "Fat", "Skinny" or "Fugly". Remember it's not always their business on what you look like. If you decide to use a ton of eyeliner or foundation (if you're a girl) and ignorant people decide to call you things like, "Orange freak" or "Emo". Or if you decide not to wear any sort of make-up. Or if you have braces or anything that people make rude remarks on, just say thanks for noticing and walk away. Afterall you can look HOWEVER you want to look.
Talk. Talk to someone if your insecurity level as gone over the top that you just can't bare it anymore. That person might help you, if they make it worse, your just going to have to find someone who will take you seriously and will try to comfort you.
Be You. Have you ever noticed on how your personality tends to reflect on your appearance? That doesn't mean you have to change the way you are. Just be who you are, some may hate you for that, but remember NEVER to change for ANYONE. No matter what.

Tips

If your spots are bringing you down, go to a cosmetic store and ask for a product that might help you with your spots. Don't go straight to buying make-up, it's braggable that it's going to create more.
Remember, ignore people who label you and judge you by your appearance. They might be jealous or just in the mood for being rude to people. Which isn't fair and is completley ignorant.
During this process, don't call someone ugly, it doesn't make you any prettier what-so-ever.
Treat your-self by going shopping or just have some chocolate if you feel depressed by the remarks. If the remarks are seriously damaging you, you might consider repeating something in your mind which helps you get over appearance depression.

Warnings

Make-up will give you spots if you don't pick the right quality. Always do checks before you buy any sort of cosmetic product from a store. You seriously don't want to know what it may do to your skin.
Don't change your personality! Let it change on it's own, not by force to impress anyone
If you decide to do any sort of piercings to make your-self more proud of your-self, make sure you check the stores hygiene. You don't wanna get any sort of infection.
Changing because of a boy or for a boy won't always work out the way you want it to. This goes for boys who want to impress girls.
NEVER stop eating if someone calls you fat. If you're over-weight and think you wanna change that about you for prehaps health reasons more than appearance, go on a sensible diet. But please don't stop eating all together or limit your daily intake of certain food.
I don't think it's a good idea to change your style either if your not comfortable with changing it. Change your style when you want to, not when someone else says you should. But it's always great to try out new things, just don't do it because someone says you should.

Things You'll Need

Confidence
A great friend you can trust to help you through all this

Related wikiHows

How to Improve Your Appearance
How to Have a Neat, Clean Cut Appearance
How to Change Your Appearance From Emo to Preppy
How to Improve the Appearance of a Button Nose
How to Be More Physically Attractive (Men)
Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be More Proud of Your Appearance. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Look Good in Pictures

2008-07-16T21:42:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Looking good in pictures makes you feel more confident about yourself, which is important. If you're one of those people who look bad in pictures, this article is made for you.

Steps

Learn why you look bad in pictures. Look at pictures of yourself and pictures of other people and find out why they look good, and you look bad. Some problems are:
- pictures in shady area, is not good
- pimples, blemishes, zits...
- ugly hairstyle or clothing
- or just your mind.
Look good and prepare before taking pictures. Get out clothes that are your favorite and look really good on you. And look at many types of hairstyles to see which one suits you the best. If you have a wide face, try wearing your hair down. This will make your face look smaller and more prettier. On the other hand, if you have a small face wear your hair up and out of your face.
Clear your skin and look pretty. Wash your face with a pimple fighting cleanser. Then pat dry your skin, and apply a toner. After applying the toner, put on a good moisturizing cream on your face for a fresh look. Apply your make-up as usual.
Good night, and sleep tight. The day before you get your picture taken, make sure you have a good night sleep. If you have dark under eye circles, then put two slices of cucumber on your eyes. Make sure you're not stressed out, this will lead to ugly pictures.
Be confident about yourself.Make sure you feel proud of who you are. If you feel like your ugly then you'll appear ugly in the picture. Look at your old pictures of your self and think about the good times back then and look and feel pretty. When you take the picture make sure you smile and look happy. If you fake a smile then you will look really bad. So feel and look happy as well.
Find a good spot to shoot the picture. If you take it in a shady are the picture will look really dark and ugly. On the other hand, if it's too sunny and bright, then the picture will be blurry and hard to see. So get a nice spot to take the picture. Good luck on the picture day!

Tips

Give a nice smile, not too big or not too small, just the size of Montreal!
Take the shower in the morning of the picture day so you feel fresh.
Don't stand straight as a stick, do a little pose too look cool.
Make sure you're in a good mood and feel good. If you have a stomach ache, then try skipping the picture day.
Always look at the positive side, not the negative side.

Warnings

Do not pressure yourself too much to look good, and spend a fortune on your hair, clothes, or make-up.
Make sure the make-up looks natural. If you put loads of make-up you will look really fake!
Do not eat too much on the day of your picture day you will get a stomach ace.
Do not eat too little either.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Look Good in Pictures. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Turkish Coffee

2008-07-15T13:13:00.001+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

In order to make Turkish coffee, you need to start with fresh medium-roasted beans that are either pulverized using a mortar and pestle or ground in a cylindrical brass coffee mill.

Preparation

Put extra fine ground coffee (as fine as powdered cocoa, preferably less oily Arabic beans) (about one teaspoon (2 g) per demitasse cup (60 ml) of coffee into a special pot with a wide bottom, narrower neck, a spout, and a long handle, called a cezve.
Add sugar and a Turkish coffee cup (fincan) of cold water for each cup of coffee you're making.
Heat the brew to frothing three times. (When the froth reaches the cezve's narrow neck, it's a sign to remove the pot from the heat and let the froth recede.)

Mixing

After the third froth-up, pour off a bit of the froth into each cup.
Bring the liquid still in the cezve to the froth-point once again, then pour it immediately, muddy grounds and all, into the Turkish coffee cups, which are smaller than demitasse cups.

Drinking

Wait at least a minute for the grounds to settle before you pick up the tiny cup and sip.
Enjoy the rich, thick flavor, but stop sipping when you taste the grounds coming through. Leave the "mud" in the bottom of the cup. Some say the positioning of the "mud" at the bottom of the cup can tell a persons fortune.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Turkish Coffee. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make a White Chocolate Mocha

2008-07-15T12:07:00.002+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A white chocolate mocha is another version of a standard mocha. With a kick of espresso, you get the hearty taste of white chocolate in your cup. Here is a recipe for a white chocolate mocha.

Ingredients

White chocolate powder (or white chocolate syrup)

Espresso

Milk

Ice cubes (for iced version)

Steps

Measure out the chocolate. Follow the guide for measurements[1].
- 12 oz cup: 2 tablespoons, 1/8 cup, 1 ounce
- 16 oz cup: 4 tablespoons, 1/4 cup, 2 ounces
- 20 oz cup: 6 tablespoons, 3/8 cup, 3 ounces

Steam the milk. Place the steam wand straight down into the milk instead of in a diagonal position. The temperature for the milk should be between 140 and 150 degrees F. Anything over 160 may scorch a person's mouth.

Pour espresso shots by tamping the ground espresso into the portafilter and locking it into the espresso machine. The aim time is between 17 and 23 seconds; anything longer than that, the espresso will cook itself and lose the taste.

Pour the espresso into the coffee cup.

Stir the powder/syrup and espresso together until the powder has dissolved or you don't feel any clumps.

Pour the milk in.

Top off the drink with whipped cream or any topping of your choice.

Iced White Chocolate Mocha

Scoop the powder into the coffee cup.

Pour espresso shots.

Skip the steaming milk step.

Mix the espresso with the powder in the coffee cup.

Pour cold milk into the cup at a slow pace. As you're doing this, keep stirring so that the white chocolate is mixed thoroughly.

Leave an inch (2.5 cm) or so of room from the top. Drop ice cubes into the cup.

Tips

White chocolate powder may be purchased at many specialty chocolate or coffee stores, and is widely available online.

Whipped cream is optional on mochas because of the chocolate taste.

For the iced version, be sure to drop the ice cubes in the drink by hand instead of pouring it in. This is to avoid any spilling, especially if the cup is full or you can pour into another cup filled with ice.

Espresso is hot out of the machine, be careful not to burn yourself!

Things You'll Need

1/8 measuring cup

Espresso machine

Spoon

Coffee cup

Related wikiHows

How to Become an Effective Barista

How to Make Turkish Coffee

How to Make Espresso Fredo

How to Make a Latte

How to Make an Eiskaffee (Creamy Iced Coffee)

Sources and Citations

Muddy Waters Espresso recipe

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a White Chocolate Mocha. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Get Smooth Legs

2008-07-11T22:10:00.000+01:00

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

When you get that perfect new mini skirt or little black dress, the whole outfit is ruined by hairy legs. Do you want to shave your legs and get them as smooth and silky as possible? Follow these tips for super smooth, sexy, sleek legs that will have the opposite gender gawking at you.

Steps

Make sure the shower (or bath) is warm to open pores, which will give you a closer shave.
Use shaving foam to get a closer and smoother shave.
Use a loofa and run water over it to get a closer shave by removing the dead skin cells. Once you have massaged in the exfoliation cream, use the loofa to wipe off any remaining residue.
Use a good razor to shave your legs, making sure you do it carefully so that you don't cut yourself. Shave up your legs, not down your legs.
Rinse your legs with cold water to close the pores, pat them dry with a warm towel.
Put on some moisturizer and massage it in well.

Tips

Be careful around ankles and knees. These areas are uneven and difficult to shave. You may want to use cream for these areas.
If you don't have a shaving foam, use conditioner. It works just as well!
Take your time, don't rush, or you could end up making a very bad job of it.
If you do nick yourself while shaving, try dabbing on some antiseptic cream or lotion to help heal the cut faster.
There are other methods of hair removal: waxing (it hurts a lot at first, but you will get used to it), using hair removal creams (there is a myth that all hair removal creams smell, but there are nice smelling creams out there!), and bleaching the hair on your legs. For first timers, try shaving, but since there are down-sides to shaving such as re-growth and stubbles, you may want to consider getting them waxed. Gather up your courage and get an appointment today - you won't regret it! You'll have silky smooth legs that last for four months! No more messing around with razors in the shower!
Try not shaving your legs for 2 weeks; it will be smoother when you shave.
Make sure your exfoliation lotion has solid beads in it, bursting beads and moisture beads won't really work.
If you're not that good with shaving your knees and you nick yourself a lot, try using something like nair so it will be smooth and nick-free and will not have as bad stubble!
If you have pretty dry legs you NEED to moisturize otherwise when the hair starts to grow back it will feel rough and unpleasant.

Warnings

A sharp, newer razor works best. Don't use a blunt or rusty razor. Dull razors require more pressure, which causes a more likely chance of cutting.
Don't shave when your legs are dry! It is extremely bad for your skin and will create more scrapes if you don't use soap or shaving cream.
Be careful using hair-removal creams. Half of the ingredients of Nair and other hair removal products are there to repair the skin damage that the hair removal agent caused in the first place.

Things You'll Need

Water
Disposable Razor
Loofah
Body Scrub
Soap

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Smooth Legs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.