Bird watching can be a very fun and interesting activity once you are familiar with the thing that you need to know when doing it. The first thing that you need to familiarize yourself about bird watching is identifying the bird that you will watch.
This very task is quite challenging because it is not easy to identify them especially when they are so many feet away from the ground. Since birds are energetic and active animals, you need a clear and quick eye to be able to see as many details possible in such as very short period of time.
Aside from being too far away from you, other problems that you might encounter—especially if you are a first time bird watcher—is the dim light shaded by trees, the glint of sunlight that can affect your sight, and the hidden places where birds go to play. So, when you are into bird watching, it is always best to have a general knowledge on bird's attitudes and observe them carefully. You might not name them properly the first time but you definitely can the next time if you pay proper attention in observing them.
The following are just of the helpful tips that can help you in your very first bird watching session:
- Always keep on eye on one bird. Bird watching is more effective if one uses a binocular. When you are bird watching, try to spot only one bird that catches your attention. Once you have seen one, never take your eyes off it because it might fly to a place where you cannot see it.
In most bird watching centers, beginners are given a field guide in a form of a booklet or brochure so they can identify the bird once they have seen one. Once you know what is it, take time to observe its physical details as well as its behaviors and mannerisms. Make sure that you observe the bird's movements, markings, feeding habits, songs, color, and size so you can easily identify it the next time you see it.
- Make sure that you listen intently for the bird's calls and song. Although listening for a bird's song is easy, it doesn’t stay long in a person's memory. What you should do is to listen intently when the bird calls or sings and play the bird's song in your mind repetitively. Listening to a bird's call and song is important because it can help you identify the bird even without seeing it.
- Take time to estimate the bird's shape and general size. The average shape and size of the bird will give you a huge clue in finding out the family it came from. In bird watching, make sure that you assess its overall appearance and take note of its approximate size and shape. Once you can tell from the size and shape of the bird what kind is it, then you are doing good.
- Pay attention to the bill characteristics and facial markings of the bird in sight. This is one of the hardest things to do because the average of almost all birds are small. They also keep on moving so it will be hard to take note any unique markings on their faces. It is also equally hard to take note of characteristics of its bills because most birds keep on pecking all the time.
To get these details, spot a bird that doesn’t fly around that much. Once you found one, start observing it head by looking for any distinguishing hue patches or color strips. These can be present in their eye lines, crowns, napes, and arcs or in the rings.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Cooking for One
It is often frustrating to attempt to plan meals that are designed for one. Despite this fact, we are seeing more and more recipe books and Internet websites that are dedicated to the act of cooking for one. Divorce and the death of spouses or grown children leaving for college are all reasons that someone accustomed to cooking for more than one would suddenly need to learn how to adjust all the cooking practices utilized before into a streamlined plan of cooking that is more efficient for one person creating less waste.
The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make cooking for one a challenge rather than a trial. Use this opportunity to try new and exciting cuisines. Perhaps one of the greatest things about cooking for one is the fact that it isn't quite as expensive as cooking for two. This means that you have a little more money in the grocery budget with which to plan and prepare your meals.
One thing you may want to keep in mind however is that when cooking for one, if you prepare foods that are freezable. It may save more time (and in the end money) if you cook the full 2-4 servings that most recipes call for and freeze the leftovers in single serving portions for a later point in time. This leaves you with a freezer full of foods for those nights when the thought of cooking just seems beyond your capabilities. This also leaves you with doing the work once and enjoying the fruits of your efforts many times over. This is a great position to be in if you ask me.
We are finding more and more recipes and cookbooks that are designed around the concept of cooking for one. No matter what situation placed you in the position of cooking for one, there is no reason that you shouldn't enjoy great food that is exciting and pleasant simply because you are dining alone. There is no harm in enjoying a fabulous meal with a glass of wine and great music whether you are cooking for one or one hundred.
Remember you are what you eat and if you relegate yourself to boring meals that lack excitement and spice that is what you will become. However if you decide to reach out and try new and exciting dishes with every meal you prepare when cooking for one, it will show in the way you embrace life in other areas as well. While we should not live to eat, we should also not limit ourselves to eating to live. Enjoy the foods you prepare whether the portions are large or small in size.
If you do not want to invest heavily in cookbooks that relate to cooking for one, it is quite possible that your local public library will have a few from which you can find some excellent recipes tips and resources. While you are there be sure to check out their selection of exotic food cookbooks in order to spice things up a bit. You never know what treasures you may discover on the shelves or your local library. You may even find local resources on classes that center on the idea of cooking for one. If the library proves to be a bust as far as resources go, the Internet is full of recipes, tips, and hints for those who are cooking for one.
The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make cooking for one a challenge rather than a trial. Use this opportunity to try new and exciting cuisines. Perhaps one of the greatest things about cooking for one is the fact that it isn't quite as expensive as cooking for two. This means that you have a little more money in the grocery budget with which to plan and prepare your meals.
One thing you may want to keep in mind however is that when cooking for one, if you prepare foods that are freezable. It may save more time (and in the end money) if you cook the full 2-4 servings that most recipes call for and freeze the leftovers in single serving portions for a later point in time. This leaves you with a freezer full of foods for those nights when the thought of cooking just seems beyond your capabilities. This also leaves you with doing the work once and enjoying the fruits of your efforts many times over. This is a great position to be in if you ask me.
We are finding more and more recipes and cookbooks that are designed around the concept of cooking for one. No matter what situation placed you in the position of cooking for one, there is no reason that you shouldn't enjoy great food that is exciting and pleasant simply because you are dining alone. There is no harm in enjoying a fabulous meal with a glass of wine and great music whether you are cooking for one or one hundred.
Remember you are what you eat and if you relegate yourself to boring meals that lack excitement and spice that is what you will become. However if you decide to reach out and try new and exciting dishes with every meal you prepare when cooking for one, it will show in the way you embrace life in other areas as well. While we should not live to eat, we should also not limit ourselves to eating to live. Enjoy the foods you prepare whether the portions are large or small in size.
If you do not want to invest heavily in cookbooks that relate to cooking for one, it is quite possible that your local public library will have a few from which you can find some excellent recipes tips and resources. While you are there be sure to check out their selection of exotic food cookbooks in order to spice things up a bit. You never know what treasures you may discover on the shelves or your local library. You may even find local resources on classes that center on the idea of cooking for one. If the library proves to be a bust as far as resources go, the Internet is full of recipes, tips, and hints for those who are cooking for one.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Some Tips On Deep Sea Fishing At Night
Deep sea fishing is an enjoyed activity by many. The
sun, sea and the adrenaline of adventure makes a
perfect day for such kind of activity. However, for
very experienced fishermen, they would advice you that
if you really want to get a good catch, it would be
best for you to start fishing 2 hours after sunset or
2 hours even before sunrise.
This is why most experienced fishermen would rather
have a night trip than a day trip. However, due to the
difference of environment during night fishing, if you
are new to this kind of setting, then there are
certain things that you should know to make your night
trip a successful one.
Getting Started
Although it may seem difficult, waking up in the wee
hours of the day is still possible. Additionally, you
can always get the help of an alarm clock to be your
wake-up call. There are some other preparations too
that should be done other than being able to wake up,
like preparing your bait.
It would be the best if you have already set up
everything you need and have some wet-bait ready even
half an hour before sun rise. It is important to
remember that anchoring and cooking the bait should be
finished by the time sunset arrives. This is due to
the reason that cooking through your night fishing
could be very dangerous. Plus, your bait should be
able to cool off before you can use it.
The Logic Behind It
The logic behind all these waking up early and
preparations is that fish usually feed shallower
around times like this. Thus, they are easier to
catch, since they’re only about 30 feet below the
water’s surface. In fact, according to experts,
twilight minutes are very productive especially if
you’re fishing for a living.
Where’s The Light At?
If you really want to have good results at the fastest
time possible, whether it be you are fishing in fresh
or salt water, try fishing around piers, which have
some lights. This is because fish are very attracted
to light beams that pass through the water surface in
different sea depths. In general, fishing excursions
usually have a very happy ending when held around
lights on piers or buoys.
Use Something Large
It is also important that you use very large dry or
wet flies, nymphs, and oversized streamers, if you are
really interested in getting a lot of catch of those
active feeders out there.
In fact, night-feeding can be easier for you when your
bait is that large enough for the fish to locate.
Additionally, you should remember to draw your baits
gradually along the surface of the water with a
jerking motion. Doing this would help attract some
trout. Nevertheless, you should also bring some extra
live bait and always keep the lure inside your water
or boat, safely contained.
See The Signs
During night fishing, you should always try to be on
guard for some signs that feeding fish are in the
area. Take note that at this time, you’ll be able to
hear them feeding themselves even before you see their
splashes or swirls in the water. Don’t forget to chuck
in your lure, as soon as possible and once you hear
them breaking the surface, into the spot that you
think they are in.
Additionally, you should try making repeated casts
anywhere that you think they may be circulating, since
fish have some trouble in locating lures during the
night.
sun, sea and the adrenaline of adventure makes a
perfect day for such kind of activity. However, for
very experienced fishermen, they would advice you that
if you really want to get a good catch, it would be
best for you to start fishing 2 hours after sunset or
2 hours even before sunrise.
This is why most experienced fishermen would rather
have a night trip than a day trip. However, due to the
difference of environment during night fishing, if you
are new to this kind of setting, then there are
certain things that you should know to make your night
trip a successful one.
Getting Started
Although it may seem difficult, waking up in the wee
hours of the day is still possible. Additionally, you
can always get the help of an alarm clock to be your
wake-up call. There are some other preparations too
that should be done other than being able to wake up,
like preparing your bait.
It would be the best if you have already set up
everything you need and have some wet-bait ready even
half an hour before sun rise. It is important to
remember that anchoring and cooking the bait should be
finished by the time sunset arrives. This is due to
the reason that cooking through your night fishing
could be very dangerous. Plus, your bait should be
able to cool off before you can use it.
The Logic Behind It
The logic behind all these waking up early and
preparations is that fish usually feed shallower
around times like this. Thus, they are easier to
catch, since they’re only about 30 feet below the
water’s surface. In fact, according to experts,
twilight minutes are very productive especially if
you’re fishing for a living.
Where’s The Light At?
If you really want to have good results at the fastest
time possible, whether it be you are fishing in fresh
or salt water, try fishing around piers, which have
some lights. This is because fish are very attracted
to light beams that pass through the water surface in
different sea depths. In general, fishing excursions
usually have a very happy ending when held around
lights on piers or buoys.
Use Something Large
It is also important that you use very large dry or
wet flies, nymphs, and oversized streamers, if you are
really interested in getting a lot of catch of those
active feeders out there.
In fact, night-feeding can be easier for you when your
bait is that large enough for the fish to locate.
Additionally, you should remember to draw your baits
gradually along the surface of the water with a
jerking motion. Doing this would help attract some
trout. Nevertheless, you should also bring some extra
live bait and always keep the lure inside your water
or boat, safely contained.
See The Signs
During night fishing, you should always try to be on
guard for some signs that feeding fish are in the
area. Take note that at this time, you’ll be able to
hear them feeding themselves even before you see their
splashes or swirls in the water. Don’t forget to chuck
in your lure, as soon as possible and once you hear
them breaking the surface, into the spot that you
think they are in.
Additionally, you should try making repeated casts
anywhere that you think they may be circulating, since
fish have some trouble in locating lures during the
night.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Making Chunk Candles
Chunk candles add a great alternative to the standard pillar candle of yesterday. These colorful candles add a vibrancy and life to them. Looking at chunk candles, they appear to be very difficult to make. However, just the opposite is true. In fact, many candle makers claim they are easier to make than basic pillar candles. This is because pillar candles have to be perfectly smooth. If they aren’t, it is easy to see the visual defect. Such blemishes aren’t visible in chunk candles. While chunk candles aren’t recommended as a beginner project, they can be made once you know the basics of the candle making process.
There are two phases to making chunk candles. To make the process easier, it is recommended that you keep the two separate. Attempts to cut corners often result in chunk candles that are of poor quality and don’t burn well. The first phase of the project is making the chunks. The second is the process of turning those chunks into gorgeous candles. Some individuals choose to purchase pre-cut chunks at craft stores or online.
To make your candles their prettiest, select colors that compliment each other. To start making the color chunks, spray a cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking spray. You only want a thin film on the cooking sheet. After the wax you are using has completely melted, add a color to it as well as any fragrance you want. Pour the mix onto the cookies sheet. Fill the sheet to the level you want the depth of your candle chunks to be.
Keep an eye on the cooling color chunks. Once it is the consistency of cookie dough you will want to use a sharp utility knife to cut it into chunks. Allow the chunks to continue cooling. If you are making several colors of chunks you can mix them together or leave them separate. Some people choose to let the colors mix together on their own while others like to create a design by adding the amount of each color they want.
Using the same molds that are used for pillar candles, insert your candle wick through the bottom of the candle mold. Fill the mold loosely with color chunks. You can put one color on the bottom with another color on top or even layers of three colors. You can also use only one color. The choice is all yours. Do not stack as many chunks as you can in the mold or the candle won’t form properly. Just toss them in and let them lay where they end up.
You are now ready to pour the melted wax over the color chunks. It is recommended that you do leave the melted wax colorless, but some people choose to add a light color to tint it and add a uniqueness to their chunk candles. As the candle cools, the chunks will adhere to together with the hot wax. Once the molds cool the chunk candles should slide out with ease.
Making chunk candles is really quite simple if you have the basic candle making concepts under your belt. These candles add flare to any décor as well as make great gifts. They are a bit more time consuming to make since you will be making your color chunks, but well worth the results. Remember that you can purchase color chunks to save you time. That is a great option for someone who plans to make large quantities of chunk candles.
For those who want to get even more creative, consider using embeds on the sides. You can place them in the candle molds first. They will stay in place once you put the chunks in the mold. You can adjust the embeds as needed prior to adding the hot wax to the mold. There are excellent books available on the various patterns and embeds you can add to make specific chunk candles. There are also great pictures and step by step instructions available on the internet.
There are two phases to making chunk candles. To make the process easier, it is recommended that you keep the two separate. Attempts to cut corners often result in chunk candles that are of poor quality and don’t burn well. The first phase of the project is making the chunks. The second is the process of turning those chunks into gorgeous candles. Some individuals choose to purchase pre-cut chunks at craft stores or online.
To make your candles their prettiest, select colors that compliment each other. To start making the color chunks, spray a cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking spray. You only want a thin film on the cooking sheet. After the wax you are using has completely melted, add a color to it as well as any fragrance you want. Pour the mix onto the cookies sheet. Fill the sheet to the level you want the depth of your candle chunks to be.
Keep an eye on the cooling color chunks. Once it is the consistency of cookie dough you will want to use a sharp utility knife to cut it into chunks. Allow the chunks to continue cooling. If you are making several colors of chunks you can mix them together or leave them separate. Some people choose to let the colors mix together on their own while others like to create a design by adding the amount of each color they want.
Using the same molds that are used for pillar candles, insert your candle wick through the bottom of the candle mold. Fill the mold loosely with color chunks. You can put one color on the bottom with another color on top or even layers of three colors. You can also use only one color. The choice is all yours. Do not stack as many chunks as you can in the mold or the candle won’t form properly. Just toss them in and let them lay where they end up.
You are now ready to pour the melted wax over the color chunks. It is recommended that you do leave the melted wax colorless, but some people choose to add a light color to tint it and add a uniqueness to their chunk candles. As the candle cools, the chunks will adhere to together with the hot wax. Once the molds cool the chunk candles should slide out with ease.
Making chunk candles is really quite simple if you have the basic candle making concepts under your belt. These candles add flare to any décor as well as make great gifts. They are a bit more time consuming to make since you will be making your color chunks, but well worth the results. Remember that you can purchase color chunks to save you time. That is a great option for someone who plans to make large quantities of chunk candles.
For those who want to get even more creative, consider using embeds on the sides. You can place them in the candle molds first. They will stay in place once you put the chunks in the mold. You can adjust the embeds as needed prior to adding the hot wax to the mold. There are excellent books available on the various patterns and embeds you can add to make specific chunk candles. There are also great pictures and step by step instructions available on the internet.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tips for First Time Grill Owners
Grilling, or Barbequing is a true American tradition. Many Americans are finding themselves with a grill for the first time. Good experiences with your grill will surely lead to using your grill more and more.
Planning Ahead
Barbequing has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.
Another potential issue when barbequing is the weather. While you will not be able to guarantee that the weather stays nice your barbeque event, a certain amount of planning will help you avoid the days in which barbequing is just simply out of the picture. Watch the weather channel or check online for your weekly forecast. If rain or cold weather is likely on the day you were thinking about having your barbeque, it may be a good idea to wait for a better forecast.
Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking. Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.
Maintenance
You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to
clean your barbeque grill.
Brass wire grill brush
Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove. Once you have cleaned the surfaces of your grill, then you must focus on its racks. The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.
This process should be completed each and every time you cook on your barbeque grill. If these steps are not taken, you may find it increasingly difficult to clean your grill, and may find that damage will occur.
The majority of problems that arise from barbeque grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not seem quite right with your barbeque grill, chances are it can be fixed with just a simple cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.
Finally, one method of preventing problems with your barbeque grill is protecting it from the outdoors. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so chances are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your barbeque grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.
Planning Ahead
Barbequing has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.
Another potential issue when barbequing is the weather. While you will not be able to guarantee that the weather stays nice your barbeque event, a certain amount of planning will help you avoid the days in which barbequing is just simply out of the picture. Watch the weather channel or check online for your weekly forecast. If rain or cold weather is likely on the day you were thinking about having your barbeque, it may be a good idea to wait for a better forecast.
Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking. Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.
Maintenance
You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to
clean your barbeque grill.
Brass wire grill brush
Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove. Once you have cleaned the surfaces of your grill, then you must focus on its racks. The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.
This process should be completed each and every time you cook on your barbeque grill. If these steps are not taken, you may find it increasingly difficult to clean your grill, and may find that damage will occur.
The majority of problems that arise from barbeque grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not seem quite right with your barbeque grill, chances are it can be fixed with just a simple cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.
Finally, one method of preventing problems with your barbeque grill is protecting it from the outdoors. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so chances are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your barbeque grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Aquarium Fish Care- All About Start Up
Okay so you have decided that you want to own a fish tank. Great! All you need to do is go to the pet store and pick out a tank and the prettiest fish in the store, and you are ready to go right? Wrong! Starting up an aquarium is a process. It takes time and a lot of patience. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start out with some hardy freshwater fish, but don't buy the fish just yet. You need to set up the aquarium first. Most aquarium retailers will sell an aquarium in the form of a kit. This takes the guess work out of purchasing.
In order to get your tank ready, first rinse out the tank with clean tap water. Rinse the gravel and any substrate as well. If you are using an under gravel filter, place it in the bottom of the tank. Next cover the filter with approximately two to three inches of gravel.
Fill the tank about a third of the way full with water that has been de-chlorinated. The next step is to add any plants or decorations to the tank. Check with your retailer on the specifics for adding live plants. Some live plants need to be anchored, while others can be left free floating. Next connect the air pump and filtration system, and fill the tank the rest of the way. Lastly put the lid on the tank and let it cycle for one to two days before adding any fish to the tank.
Watch the tank for cloudiness and check the temperature and P.H. of the water. If all is clear you may add a few hardy fish. It is important to choose fish that can withstand high levels of nitrites and ammonia, because these levels are always high in a new tank due to the nitrogen cycle. Debris in the tank from fish excretions help to generate the good bacteria that is needed in order for the fish to survive. Since there are currently no fish in the tank this will take some time. It usually takes about four to six weeks.
Once you have purchased your fish, let them float on the surface of the tank in the bag for about fifteen minutes. The purpose of this is to allow the fish to become acclimated to the water temperature in the aquarium. Carefully add the fish into the aquarium using a net and a bucket. Don't pour the water from the bag into the aquarium. The water from the bag could throw off your perfectly regulated water, as well as introduce new bacteria to the aquarium.
Watch the fish carefully for signs of stress. Stress causes illness in fish. Monitor their activity levels. Inactive fish or fish hanging out near the surface of the aquarium indicates stress. There is a stress coat that can be used, if symptoms of stress do appear. Wait anywhere from a week to a month before introducing any new fish to the aquarium, allowing the existing fish to become acclimated to their new environment.
In order to get your tank ready, first rinse out the tank with clean tap water. Rinse the gravel and any substrate as well. If you are using an under gravel filter, place it in the bottom of the tank. Next cover the filter with approximately two to three inches of gravel.
Fill the tank about a third of the way full with water that has been de-chlorinated. The next step is to add any plants or decorations to the tank. Check with your retailer on the specifics for adding live plants. Some live plants need to be anchored, while others can be left free floating. Next connect the air pump and filtration system, and fill the tank the rest of the way. Lastly put the lid on the tank and let it cycle for one to two days before adding any fish to the tank.
Watch the tank for cloudiness and check the temperature and P.H. of the water. If all is clear you may add a few hardy fish. It is important to choose fish that can withstand high levels of nitrites and ammonia, because these levels are always high in a new tank due to the nitrogen cycle. Debris in the tank from fish excretions help to generate the good bacteria that is needed in order for the fish to survive. Since there are currently no fish in the tank this will take some time. It usually takes about four to six weeks.
Once you have purchased your fish, let them float on the surface of the tank in the bag for about fifteen minutes. The purpose of this is to allow the fish to become acclimated to the water temperature in the aquarium. Carefully add the fish into the aquarium using a net and a bucket. Don't pour the water from the bag into the aquarium. The water from the bag could throw off your perfectly regulated water, as well as introduce new bacteria to the aquarium.
Watch the fish carefully for signs of stress. Stress causes illness in fish. Monitor their activity levels. Inactive fish or fish hanging out near the surface of the aquarium indicates stress. There is a stress coat that can be used, if symptoms of stress do appear. Wait anywhere from a week to a month before introducing any new fish to the aquarium, allowing the existing fish to become acclimated to their new environment.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Coffee Maker Glossary
Coffee has a language all its own. Here are a few of the frequently used coffee maker terms.
Auto Frother: device that automatically froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
Automatic Drip Coffee Maker: machine that automatically heats water and filters it through the coffee.
Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: an espresso machine featuring controllable, programmable coffee dosing.
Bean to Cup: fully automated coffee making process. Machines with bean to cup capability do everything from grinding the beans to filling a cup with coffee.
Boiler: steam machine inside coffee maker. Machines with larger boilers usually are more powerful and produce more hot water for beverages.
Boiler Element: electric element that heats boiler in electric espresso coffee makers.
Cappuccino: Italian espresso based beverage.
Cup Warmer: metal portion at top of espresso coffee maker where cups are placed for warming.
Dosing: refers to either the number of grams of coffee per cup or the amount of brewed coffee per cup.
Drip Tray: Part of espresso coffee maker where coffee cup sits for filling.
Espresso: Italian black coffee which preceded specialty coffees. Rich black coffee.
Filter Basket: Metal filter where grounds are placed for brewing.
Filtered Method: process of brewing coffee with a filter, coffee is separate from the water.
French Press: aka plunger pot. A cylindrical coffee maker in which ground coffee is steeped then filtered. Coffee grounds are pushed to the bottom of the pot with the plunger. Coffee stays in the top of the pot.
Fully Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machines which automatically manage the brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee.
Grind: process of preparing coffee beans for coffee brewing.
Group: Portion of espresso coffee maker that brews coffee.
Group Handle: Portion of espresso coffee maker that holds the filter basket that ground coffee goes into.
Heat Exchanger: heats water for coffee without taking water from the boiler.
Hopper: portion of grinder that holds coffee beans.
French Press coffee maker:
Knock-out Box: container used to knock the used coffee grounds from group handle.
Latte: Hot beverage made with one quarter coffee, three quarters of steamed, hot milk with little froth.
Mocha: term used to describe hot beverage made from espresso, chocolate and milk.
Moka Pot: Classic Italian espresso-maker used on top of the stove.
Percolator: coffee maker that continuously runs water through the coffee grounds to make coffee.
Pod: a self-contained, single serving unit of ready to use coffee.
Pour/Pour Speed/Pour Time: the amount of time required to pour coffee from group into cup. Should be 25 to 30 seconds for espresso.
Pump: device that moves water through the coffee maker.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine without pre-set dosing capability.
Steam Arm/Wand: metal tube delivering steam to froth milk.
Super Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine which automatically manages brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee in addition to other features such as a water filter.
Tamping: act of pressing ground coffee into filter basket.
Vacuum coffee maker: machine using vacuum process to make coffee.
Traditional espresso coffee maker: machine that is not a bean to cup automated model.
Water Filter: filters contaminants from water for better coffee taste.
Water Font: nozzle used to dispense water from machine boiler.
Water Softener: filters lime and minerals from water, preventing build up of scales in the coffee maker. This is a must have for anyone using hard water.
Auto Frother: device that automatically froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
Automatic Drip Coffee Maker: machine that automatically heats water and filters it through the coffee.
Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: an espresso machine featuring controllable, programmable coffee dosing.
Bean to Cup: fully automated coffee making process. Machines with bean to cup capability do everything from grinding the beans to filling a cup with coffee.
Boiler: steam machine inside coffee maker. Machines with larger boilers usually are more powerful and produce more hot water for beverages.
Boiler Element: electric element that heats boiler in electric espresso coffee makers.
Cappuccino: Italian espresso based beverage.
Cup Warmer: metal portion at top of espresso coffee maker where cups are placed for warming.
Dosing: refers to either the number of grams of coffee per cup or the amount of brewed coffee per cup.
Drip Tray: Part of espresso coffee maker where coffee cup sits for filling.
Espresso: Italian black coffee which preceded specialty coffees. Rich black coffee.
Filter Basket: Metal filter where grounds are placed for brewing.
Filtered Method: process of brewing coffee with a filter, coffee is separate from the water.
French Press: aka plunger pot. A cylindrical coffee maker in which ground coffee is steeped then filtered. Coffee grounds are pushed to the bottom of the pot with the plunger. Coffee stays in the top of the pot.
Fully Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machines which automatically manage the brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee.
Grind: process of preparing coffee beans for coffee brewing.
Group: Portion of espresso coffee maker that brews coffee.
Group Handle: Portion of espresso coffee maker that holds the filter basket that ground coffee goes into.
Heat Exchanger: heats water for coffee without taking water from the boiler.
Hopper: portion of grinder that holds coffee beans.
French Press coffee maker:
Knock-out Box: container used to knock the used coffee grounds from group handle.
Latte: Hot beverage made with one quarter coffee, three quarters of steamed, hot milk with little froth.
Mocha: term used to describe hot beverage made from espresso, chocolate and milk.
Moka Pot: Classic Italian espresso-maker used on top of the stove.
Percolator: coffee maker that continuously runs water through the coffee grounds to make coffee.
Pod: a self-contained, single serving unit of ready to use coffee.
Pour/Pour Speed/Pour Time: the amount of time required to pour coffee from group into cup. Should be 25 to 30 seconds for espresso.
Pump: device that moves water through the coffee maker.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine without pre-set dosing capability.
Steam Arm/Wand: metal tube delivering steam to froth milk.
Super Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine which automatically manages brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee in addition to other features such as a water filter.
Tamping: act of pressing ground coffee into filter basket.
Vacuum coffee maker: machine using vacuum process to make coffee.
Traditional espresso coffee maker: machine that is not a bean to cup automated model.
Water Filter: filters contaminants from water for better coffee taste.
Water Font: nozzle used to dispense water from machine boiler.
Water Softener: filters lime and minerals from water, preventing build up of scales in the coffee maker. This is a must have for anyone using hard water.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Customizing Your Bicycle Rims
Barring a serious crash or the most frequent bike accident of all—entering the garage with a bicycle on your car roof rack—your bicycle rims will probably last as long as you can stand riding the same old bike. Usually made of aluminum, rims are lightweight and strong and are hardly ever the source of trouble on a bicycle, even in the most arduous riding conditions.
In fact, most bicycle riders probably never give a single thought to their bicycle rims. The circular band of metal that holds in the bike tire and connects it to the wheel hub via spokes is easily overlooked. Unlike spokes, a bicycle rim hardly ever breaks. Unlike the hub, it hardly ever causes problems. Unlike tires, it never goes flat or explodes. Serious bicycle racers have some pretty fancy rims, full of the same outrageously colorful advertising that covers their clothing usually, but most riders really don't need these. Even the fanciest rims, the flattened out, wide, presumably aerodynamic rims you'll see on the wheels of the pros, are not certainly all that much better. They are, however, flashier, and in the world of bicycling, this apparently does count for something, maybe for intimidation.
Do you need to know anything special about your bicycle rims? Not really. Most bicycles come with rims appropriate to their overall quality. You can spend as much money as you want on a rim—like everything else associated with the sport of bicycling—but what comes standard on a bike is probably sufficient. Customizing your rims will bring you fancier rims, maybe lighter rims, probably stronger rims, but the research on what constitutes the best rim weight, strength and shape is still largely inconclusive, and since this feature causes so few problems to the recreational rider, you can leave this issue to the professional mechanic who services the bicycles of world class racers. When they've resolved the issue, you will know about it!
Meanwhile, if your bicycle rims are aluminum, as most are today (steel rims being heavy, carbon rims being expensive), there is very little you need to do for them. As with all parts of your bicycle, rims should be kept clean of dirt and corrosive oils, wiped after long dusty rides and examined after any crash. Otherwise, do what most riders have always done: forget about your bicycle rims. You may not be able to ride a bike without them, but you really cannot ride a bike better for thinking about this vital but happily innocuous part.
In fact, most bicycle riders probably never give a single thought to their bicycle rims. The circular band of metal that holds in the bike tire and connects it to the wheel hub via spokes is easily overlooked. Unlike spokes, a bicycle rim hardly ever breaks. Unlike the hub, it hardly ever causes problems. Unlike tires, it never goes flat or explodes. Serious bicycle racers have some pretty fancy rims, full of the same outrageously colorful advertising that covers their clothing usually, but most riders really don't need these. Even the fanciest rims, the flattened out, wide, presumably aerodynamic rims you'll see on the wheels of the pros, are not certainly all that much better. They are, however, flashier, and in the world of bicycling, this apparently does count for something, maybe for intimidation.
Do you need to know anything special about your bicycle rims? Not really. Most bicycles come with rims appropriate to their overall quality. You can spend as much money as you want on a rim—like everything else associated with the sport of bicycling—but what comes standard on a bike is probably sufficient. Customizing your rims will bring you fancier rims, maybe lighter rims, probably stronger rims, but the research on what constitutes the best rim weight, strength and shape is still largely inconclusive, and since this feature causes so few problems to the recreational rider, you can leave this issue to the professional mechanic who services the bicycles of world class racers. When they've resolved the issue, you will know about it!
Meanwhile, if your bicycle rims are aluminum, as most are today (steel rims being heavy, carbon rims being expensive), there is very little you need to do for them. As with all parts of your bicycle, rims should be kept clean of dirt and corrosive oils, wiped after long dusty rides and examined after any crash. Otherwise, do what most riders have always done: forget about your bicycle rims. You may not be able to ride a bike without them, but you really cannot ride a bike better for thinking about this vital but happily innocuous part.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Cooking Cajun Food
Cooking in the heart of Cajun country is an art form. There really is very little science to this particular form of cooking that includes a lot more than mere lagniappe from the pantry or the spice cabinet. Cajun cooking is something that has often been imitated around the country and around the world but can very rarely be accurately duplicated.
One of the fascinating things about Cajun cooking is the fact that there are very few exact recipes. Most, if not all authentic Cajun cooking is done to taste rather than measurements. Even more amazing is that from day to day one person can make the same dish over and over and it is quite likely to taste a little bit different each and every time it is made. The major reason for this is that in addition to being an art form in and of itself, Cajun food is often made even more delicious or mysterious simply by the mood of the one doing the cooking.
I'm sure that many of you have watched as Emeril Lagasse makes some special concoction and exclaims "Bam!" there is a good bit of that when it comes to Cajun cooking. Something that goes far beyond the ingredients in the recipe and somewhere into the heart and the soul of the cook in question. There is a reason that many southern cooked dishes are referred to as soul food and you should not for one second forget that New Orleans is in the heart of the Deep South.
The most difficult thing, perhaps when it comes to preparing good Cajun dishes outside of the New Orleans region is finding the right ingredients. It is nearly impossible to find the fresh seasonings and spices that are essential to most Cajun cuisine outside the heart of the old south. Not only that, but fresh crawfish and andouille sausage are a little difficult to come by during the heart of a Michigan winter.
If you are determined to learn to make Cajun food of your own, you must first find the ingredients. Specialty food shops or those that will special order might be your best bet. There are some grocers that will carry a limited stock of Cajun seasonings on their international food aisles. Keep in mind that these sources are extremely limited. Once you have the ingredients, it's time to let a little jazz blare from your speakers in order to set the mood. Most of the best Cajun dishes require a substantial amount of time for simmering and this should be considered. Cajun food is not to be rushed-much like the citizens of the Big Easy. The food will be ready in time and as the one cooking the food you must learn to accept that about Cajun food. It has a way of letting you know when it is ready that is almost mythical until you've experienced it for yourself.
Cooking Cajun food will try your patience, try your talents, and in some cases zap your energy, as it tends to be an emotional process for many. On the other end however, Cajun food is some of the richest and most delicious food on the planet. Mastering the ability to cook this wonderful food will make you a slave to its flavor for many years to come.
One of the fascinating things about Cajun cooking is the fact that there are very few exact recipes. Most, if not all authentic Cajun cooking is done to taste rather than measurements. Even more amazing is that from day to day one person can make the same dish over and over and it is quite likely to taste a little bit different each and every time it is made. The major reason for this is that in addition to being an art form in and of itself, Cajun food is often made even more delicious or mysterious simply by the mood of the one doing the cooking.
I'm sure that many of you have watched as Emeril Lagasse makes some special concoction and exclaims "Bam!" there is a good bit of that when it comes to Cajun cooking. Something that goes far beyond the ingredients in the recipe and somewhere into the heart and the soul of the cook in question. There is a reason that many southern cooked dishes are referred to as soul food and you should not for one second forget that New Orleans is in the heart of the Deep South.
The most difficult thing, perhaps when it comes to preparing good Cajun dishes outside of the New Orleans region is finding the right ingredients. It is nearly impossible to find the fresh seasonings and spices that are essential to most Cajun cuisine outside the heart of the old south. Not only that, but fresh crawfish and andouille sausage are a little difficult to come by during the heart of a Michigan winter.
If you are determined to learn to make Cajun food of your own, you must first find the ingredients. Specialty food shops or those that will special order might be your best bet. There are some grocers that will carry a limited stock of Cajun seasonings on their international food aisles. Keep in mind that these sources are extremely limited. Once you have the ingredients, it's time to let a little jazz blare from your speakers in order to set the mood. Most of the best Cajun dishes require a substantial amount of time for simmering and this should be considered. Cajun food is not to be rushed-much like the citizens of the Big Easy. The food will be ready in time and as the one cooking the food you must learn to accept that about Cajun food. It has a way of letting you know when it is ready that is almost mythical until you've experienced it for yourself.
Cooking Cajun food will try your patience, try your talents, and in some cases zap your energy, as it tends to be an emotional process for many. On the other end however, Cajun food is some of the richest and most delicious food on the planet. Mastering the ability to cook this wonderful food will make you a slave to its flavor for many years to come.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Camping: The Importance of Checking the Weather First
Would you like to take a camping trip? If you would, you may have been told to examine the weather before you leave for your trip, as well as before you even start packing for your next camping trip. While this is tip that is often told, some campers still forget to check the weather. This is something that you do not want to do, as it may have a negative impact on the success of your next camping trip.
If you are interested in taking a last minute vacation and if you are thinking about camping, the weather may play a huge role in your decision. For instance, if the weather is forecasted to be cold, rainy, or windy, you may not even want to go. If you do have other options, this is something to at least take into consideration. That is just one of the many reasons why you should examine the weather before you decide to plan a camping trip, namely a last minute one.
Regardless of whether your next camping trip is one that was just planned or one that you have been planning for months, it is important that you check the weather, as it may have impact on the clothing that you need to bring along with you. For instance, rainy days may result in a raincoat, sunny weather may result in a bathing suit, and so forth. With that in mind, it may be a good idea to plan for rainy weather, sunny weather, and cold weather, just in case, as the weather can change rapidly. When camping, especially away from home, it is best to prepare for just about anything, especially when it concerns the weather.
In addition to the clothes that you need to pack, the weather can also have an impact on the camping supplies and camping equipment that you need to bring as well. For instance, if rain is forecasted, you will want to make sure that your tent is waterproof or water resistant. Should it not be, you may need to make alternative arrangements, like purchase a new tent or at least bring a tarp along with you. When you look at it from that aspect, the weather cannot only impact how you plan, but also how you shop for camping supplies and camping equipment as well.
The weather can also impact your next camping trip by having an impact on the activities that you can participate in. In keeping with rainy weather, you may be unable to do many of the activities that are often associated with camping. If your campground park forecast includes bad weather and you still plan on going camping, you may want to bring along rainy day activities, like a deck of cards or board games. On the other hand, if the weather is sunny, you may be able to go boating, fishing, swimming, or hiking and if so you will want to prepare for those activities.
When checking the weather, you will find that you have a number of different options. You can examine your local news channels or use reliable online weather websites. What you will want to do is check the weather once like a week before you plan on leaving and start preparing for that weather scenario. With that in mind, you will also want to recheck the weather forecast a day or two before you leave. This is important as the weather can easily change and it may give you enough time to make any planning and preparation adjustments that need to be made.
If you are interested in taking a last minute vacation and if you are thinking about camping, the weather may play a huge role in your decision. For instance, if the weather is forecasted to be cold, rainy, or windy, you may not even want to go. If you do have other options, this is something to at least take into consideration. That is just one of the many reasons why you should examine the weather before you decide to plan a camping trip, namely a last minute one.
Regardless of whether your next camping trip is one that was just planned or one that you have been planning for months, it is important that you check the weather, as it may have impact on the clothing that you need to bring along with you. For instance, rainy days may result in a raincoat, sunny weather may result in a bathing suit, and so forth. With that in mind, it may be a good idea to plan for rainy weather, sunny weather, and cold weather, just in case, as the weather can change rapidly. When camping, especially away from home, it is best to prepare for just about anything, especially when it concerns the weather.
In addition to the clothes that you need to pack, the weather can also have an impact on the camping supplies and camping equipment that you need to bring as well. For instance, if rain is forecasted, you will want to make sure that your tent is waterproof or water resistant. Should it not be, you may need to make alternative arrangements, like purchase a new tent or at least bring a tarp along with you. When you look at it from that aspect, the weather cannot only impact how you plan, but also how you shop for camping supplies and camping equipment as well.
The weather can also impact your next camping trip by having an impact on the activities that you can participate in. In keeping with rainy weather, you may be unable to do many of the activities that are often associated with camping. If your campground park forecast includes bad weather and you still plan on going camping, you may want to bring along rainy day activities, like a deck of cards or board games. On the other hand, if the weather is sunny, you may be able to go boating, fishing, swimming, or hiking and if so you will want to prepare for those activities.
When checking the weather, you will find that you have a number of different options. You can examine your local news channels or use reliable online weather websites. What you will want to do is check the weather once like a week before you plan on leaving and start preparing for that weather scenario. With that in mind, you will also want to recheck the weather forecast a day or two before you leave. This is important as the weather can easily change and it may give you enough time to make any planning and preparation adjustments that need to be made.
5 Components of Physical Fitness
Physical fitness is the ability to function effectively throughout your workday, perform your usual other activities and still have enough energy left over to handle any extra stresses or emergencies which may arise.
The components of physical fitness are:
* Cardiorespiratory (CR) endurance - the efficiency with which the body delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for muscular activity and transports waste products from the cells.
* Muscular strength - the greatest amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort.
* Muscular endurance - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated movements with a sub-maximal force for extended periods of times.
* Flexibility - the ability to move the joints or any group of joints through an entire, normal range of motion.
* Body composition - the percentage of body fat a person has in comparison to his or her total body mass.
Improving the first three components of fitness listed above will have a positive impact on body composition and will result in less fat. Excessive body fat detracts from the other fitness components, reduces performance, detracts from appearance, and negatively affects your health.
Factors such as speed, agility, muscle power, eye-hand coordination, and eye-foot coordination are classified as components of "motor" fitness. These factors most affect your athletic ability. Appropriate training can improve these factors within the limits of your potential. A sensible weight loss and fitness program seeks to improve or maintain all the components of physical and motor fitness through sound, progressive, mission specific physical training.
Principles of Exercise
Adherence to certain basic exercise principles is important for developing an effective program. The same principles of exercise apply to everyone at all levels of physical training, from the Olympic-caliber athlete to the weekend jogger.
These basic principles of exercise must be followed.
Regularity
To achieve a training effect, you must exercise often. You should exercise each of the first four fitness components at least three times a week. Infrequent exercise can do more harm than good. Regularity is also important in resting, sleeping, and following a sensible diet.
Progression
The intensity (how hard) and/or duration (how long) of exercise must gradually increase to improve the level of fitness.
Balance
To be effective, a program should include activities that address all the fitness components, since overemphasizing any one of them may hurt the others.
Variety
Providing a variety of activities reduces boredom and increases motivation and progress.
Specificity
Training must be geared toward specific goals. For example, people become better runners if their training emphasizes running. Although swimming is great exercise, it does not improve a 2-mile-run time as much as a running program does.
Recovery
A hard day of training for a given component of fitness should be followed by an easier training day or rest day for that component and/or muscle group(s) to help permit recovery. Another way to allow recovery is to alternate the muscle groups exercised every other day, especially when training for strength and/or muscle endurance.
Overload
The work load of each exercise session must exceed the normal demands placed on the body in order to bring about a training effect.
The components of physical fitness are:
* Cardiorespiratory (CR) endurance - the efficiency with which the body delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for muscular activity and transports waste products from the cells.
* Muscular strength - the greatest amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort.
* Muscular endurance - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated movements with a sub-maximal force for extended periods of times.
* Flexibility - the ability to move the joints or any group of joints through an entire, normal range of motion.
* Body composition - the percentage of body fat a person has in comparison to his or her total body mass.
Improving the first three components of fitness listed above will have a positive impact on body composition and will result in less fat. Excessive body fat detracts from the other fitness components, reduces performance, detracts from appearance, and negatively affects your health.
Factors such as speed, agility, muscle power, eye-hand coordination, and eye-foot coordination are classified as components of "motor" fitness. These factors most affect your athletic ability. Appropriate training can improve these factors within the limits of your potential. A sensible weight loss and fitness program seeks to improve or maintain all the components of physical and motor fitness through sound, progressive, mission specific physical training.
Principles of Exercise
Adherence to certain basic exercise principles is important for developing an effective program. The same principles of exercise apply to everyone at all levels of physical training, from the Olympic-caliber athlete to the weekend jogger.
These basic principles of exercise must be followed.
Regularity
To achieve a training effect, you must exercise often. You should exercise each of the first four fitness components at least three times a week. Infrequent exercise can do more harm than good. Regularity is also important in resting, sleeping, and following a sensible diet.
Progression
The intensity (how hard) and/or duration (how long) of exercise must gradually increase to improve the level of fitness.
Balance
To be effective, a program should include activities that address all the fitness components, since overemphasizing any one of them may hurt the others.
Variety
Providing a variety of activities reduces boredom and increases motivation and progress.
Specificity
Training must be geared toward specific goals. For example, people become better runners if their training emphasizes running. Although swimming is great exercise, it does not improve a 2-mile-run time as much as a running program does.
Recovery
A hard day of training for a given component of fitness should be followed by an easier training day or rest day for that component and/or muscle group(s) to help permit recovery. Another way to allow recovery is to alternate the muscle groups exercised every other day, especially when training for strength and/or muscle endurance.
Overload
The work load of each exercise session must exceed the normal demands placed on the body in order to bring about a training effect.
Friday, April 1, 2011
How to Use A Blender
Let’s say you are throwing a party at home. Naturally, there will be food and drinks. But what if you suddenly run out of bottled refreshments? For that, you can make some of your own which is only possible if you know how to use a blender.
1. The first thing you have to do is take it out of the cabinet and put it together. In most cases, the unit is ready to use. You just have to wash the carafe and dry it before you throw in your ingredients.
2. For others, you have to place the blade in the retaining ring then set the gasket over the blades and inside the ring.
3. Next, screw the retaining ring firmly to the bottom of the pitcher. Be sure that this is seated correctly otherwise you will have a leak.
4. When it is ready, you must place the blender on a flat and dry surface. Set the carafe and the plug the blender in.
5. Now, throw in the ingredients. Close the lid firmly and then choose the setting that will do the job. For instance, use the ice or chop setting to make smoothies or other frozen drinks.
6. If you want to add other things like grate chocolate, use the pulse setting. This can be placed inside the carafe if you have a secondary lid so you don’t have to switch it off then on again.
Instead of adding ice while it is being blended, you can also use frozen fruit as this gives it a brighter flavor. Then you pour the drinks into glasses and serve it to the guests.
7. If you have to make more, just follow the steps mentioned. Don’t forget to wash it after each use using dishwashing detergent, add water halfway and then run the blender on low speed for a few seconds.
If you have to make more than 3 batches, perhaps you should get a bigger blended next time. Just make sure to use the right amount of ingredients each time to maintain consistency in whatever you are making.
8. When the party is over and it is time to clean up, rinse the blender thoroughly and take it apart before this is placed back inside the cabinet. Taking care of your appliances will make sure that they will still be working the next time you have to use it.
The blender is very easy to use and you can make other things with it in a matter of seconds. If you have a baby at home, you can make him or her food by adding a small amount of liquid into the cup of fruit and vegetables then blend this for a few seconds using the Puree setting so the food will smoothen out lumpy gravy.
So now that you know how to use a blender, the only thing you have to do now is decide what you want to make and then prepare the ingredients. For those who want to experiment, do some research online and then practice this at home. If you just purchased a new one, look inside the box because it may already come with an instructional book or even a video so you can become an expert in no time.
1. The first thing you have to do is take it out of the cabinet and put it together. In most cases, the unit is ready to use. You just have to wash the carafe and dry it before you throw in your ingredients.
2. For others, you have to place the blade in the retaining ring then set the gasket over the blades and inside the ring.
3. Next, screw the retaining ring firmly to the bottom of the pitcher. Be sure that this is seated correctly otherwise you will have a leak.
4. When it is ready, you must place the blender on a flat and dry surface. Set the carafe and the plug the blender in.
5. Now, throw in the ingredients. Close the lid firmly and then choose the setting that will do the job. For instance, use the ice or chop setting to make smoothies or other frozen drinks.
6. If you want to add other things like grate chocolate, use the pulse setting. This can be placed inside the carafe if you have a secondary lid so you don’t have to switch it off then on again.
Instead of adding ice while it is being blended, you can also use frozen fruit as this gives it a brighter flavor. Then you pour the drinks into glasses and serve it to the guests.
7. If you have to make more, just follow the steps mentioned. Don’t forget to wash it after each use using dishwashing detergent, add water halfway and then run the blender on low speed for a few seconds.
If you have to make more than 3 batches, perhaps you should get a bigger blended next time. Just make sure to use the right amount of ingredients each time to maintain consistency in whatever you are making.
8. When the party is over and it is time to clean up, rinse the blender thoroughly and take it apart before this is placed back inside the cabinet. Taking care of your appliances will make sure that they will still be working the next time you have to use it.
The blender is very easy to use and you can make other things with it in a matter of seconds. If you have a baby at home, you can make him or her food by adding a small amount of liquid into the cup of fruit and vegetables then blend this for a few seconds using the Puree setting so the food will smoothen out lumpy gravy.
So now that you know how to use a blender, the only thing you have to do now is decide what you want to make and then prepare the ingredients. For those who want to experiment, do some research online and then practice this at home. If you just purchased a new one, look inside the box because it may already come with an instructional book or even a video so you can become an expert in no time.
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