Monday, December 26, 2016

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger

Posted: 26 Dec 2016 04:00 PM PST

If last year's holiday hangover and rush to remove the Christmas decorations produced a twisted, tangled ball of lights, you may be more inclined to just toss them and head to the store for a new set. Instead of giving up and making waste, make an early New Year's resolution that this year you'll store your Christmas lights the right way. You'll only need a few clothes hangers (depending on the number of light strands) and some duct tape to ensure smooth storage of the Christmas lights.

EditSteps

  1. Take inventory of your Christmas light stock. Whether you're working with brand new sets or you're fishing lights from storage, take stock of how many strands you currently own.
    Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 1.jpg
    • Unplug strands that have been plugged in together. If you made one extremely long strand, it will need to be undone, as it will be far too long for storage. Separate the strands so that the end strand has a male and female end.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 1Bullet1.jpg
    • Untangle each strand if necessary. Put the kids to work and see if they can unravel tangled strands. Note—–test the light strand before spending time trying to untangle the ball of lights. No use untangling lights that don't work.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 1Bullet2.jpg
    • Re-evaluate your decoration scheme. Whether you've moved or have changed your home décor, you may be in the market for new lighting. If last year's multi-colored lights aren't doing it for you this year and you want to go all white, think about whether you want to keep the old strands and/or reuse them in other ways. Donate lights that you no longer want.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 1Bullet3.jpg
  2. Stock up on hangers. You'll need heavy-duty hangers to hold each light strand, so flimsy wire hangers won't cut it. Think about how you plan to store your lights too—–hanging them is an option with this method, so you may want to go with a more decorative hanger.
    Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 2.jpg
    • Purchase or find enough hangers to accommodate each light strand. Unless you want to purchase new hangers each year, consider investing in a stronger hanger.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 2Bullet1.jpg
    • Buy or gather enough hangers to hold each, individual light strand. For the neatest storage system, dedicate one hanger per string.
    • Consider using wooden or heavy-duty plastic hangers. Wooden hangers may cost a little more, but they'll withstand the test of time and keep light strands in place.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 2Bullet3.jpg
  3. Wind each light strand around the hanger. While there's no specific technique, there are some tips to ensure ease of winding:
    • Tape one end of the light strand at the lower right or left hand corner of the hanger. Use duct tape to ensure the strand stays in place when beginning your project.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 3Bullet1.jpg
    • Wind the strand around the hanger, pulling tightly to avoid slack. The more slack in the strand, the more likely it will be to either fall apart of become tangled.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 3Bullet2.jpg
    • Duct tape the tail end to the hanger. You can also wrap a rubber band around the bottom if you don't want to use tape.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 3Bullet3.jpg
  4. Store neatly. Place the wound-on lights inside a box that has plenty of space for the lights without squashing them. For layering, consider tearing off sides of cardboard boxes and placing on the top of each layer before adding the next layer––this will prevent any entanglement between layers and helps ease any crushing of the lights. Don't have too many layers per box––additional boxes is better than one large one (easier for you to handle too).
    Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 4.jpg
    • Store the light sets in a cool, dry area, preferable in an individual box or storage bin.
      Store Christmas Lights Around a Coat Hanger Step 4Bullet1.jpg

EditTips

  • Label the storage boxes so that it's easy to locate the lights each season.
  • Consider using the hanger portion to hang sets in a designated storage area. That will ensure the lights aren't crushed by other items and remain pristine.

EditWarnings

  • Use this opportunity to discard lights that have frayed, broken or are otherwise spoiled. Badly maintained lights can be a safety hazard when used.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Suitable hangers (more can be easily purchased from hardware/department/storage stores or from thrift/charity stores)
  • Duct tape
  • Helpers (optional)
  • Storage boxes

EditRelated wikiHows

How to Form a Good Habit

Posted: 26 Dec 2016 08:00 AM PST

Forming a new good habit can be a struggle, but it is well worth the effort. Having more good habits has can help to achieve better overall health or accomplish a larger goal. Some things that you can do to form a new habit include identifying your motivation, creating a cue, and tracking your progress. If you have a bad habit, just keep in mind that you may need to take steps get rid of before trying to replace it with a new good habit.

EditSteps

EditMaking a Plan

  1. Set your goal. Before you can begin to work on your new habit, it is worthwhile to consider your goal. Figure out exactly what you hope to accomplish. Make sure that your goal is specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and time bound (SMART) to increase your chances of success.[1] Consider what you want to achieve and get as detailed as you can. Here are some questions to help.
    Form a Good Habit Step 1 Version 3.jpg
    • Specific means that the goal is targeted rather than broad and/or vague. What exactly do you want to achieve and why?
    • Measurable means that the goal can be quantified (measured with numbers). What numbers are associated with your goal? How can it be measured using numbers?
    • Action Oriented means that the goal is something that you can actively work towards and control. What specific activities are required for you to meet your goal? How often must you perform these activities?
    • Realistic means that the goal is something you can actually achieve with the resources available to you. Is your goal something that you have the power and resources to achieve? Why or why not?
    • Time Bound means that the goal has a beginning and ending or a deadline that you will hold yourself to. When will you start working towards the goal? When do you need to accomplish the goal by? What will happen if you succeed? What will happen if you fail?
  2. Identify the habit you want to form. Having good habits that are in line with the goals you want to achieve can improve your chances of attaining your goals.[2] After you have set your goal and worked out all of the specifics of achieving that goal, identify a habit that is part of achieving that goal. Consider your goal and ask yourself, what good habit would help me accomplish this goal?
    Form a Good Habit Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks, you might decide that you want to get into the habit of taking a walk every night at 7:00pm.
  3. Consider your motivation. Once you have identified your goal and the new habit you need to form to accomplish this goal, take some time to consider your motivation. Your motivation is the reason you want to form this new habit. Good motivation can be the difference between succeeding and failing at forming a new habit, so take your time to consider your motivation.[3]
    Form a Good Habit Step 3 Version 3.jpg
    • Ask yourself: What are the potential benefits of forming this new habit? How will the new habit improve my life?
    • Write down your motivation so that you can return to it whenever you need a boost.
  4. Start small. Even if the new habit that you want to form is something big, start by making a small change to increase your chances of success. If you make changes that are too drastic, you may not be able to keep up with them.[4]
    Form a Good Habit Step 4 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you want to stop eating fried, fatty, and sugary foods, you might struggle to give them up all at once. Instead, you might find it easier to start by eliminating one category at a time.
  5. Give yourself time. Forming a new habit can take a long time. Some people can form a new habit in as little as a few weeks, while other people will take several months.[5] As you work to form your new habit, just keep in mind that it may be a while before it is automatic. Try to be patient with yourself as your form your new habit.
    Form a Good Habit Step 5 Version 3.jpg
  6. Expect obstacles. In the process of forming a new habit, you are bound to face some obstacles along the way. Understanding that you will face obstacles may help you to overcome them and keep working towards your new habit. It is also good to remember that even if you stumble along the way, that does not mean that you will fail.[6]
    Form a Good Habit Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you fail to take your daily walk one day, don't get discouraged. Just acknowledge that you had a bad day and take your walk the following day.

EditAchieving Success

  1. Create a cue. Having a cue can help remind you to perform the new behavior every day. Your best bet is to make your cue something that is already a part of your daily routine, such as taking your morning shower or making coffee. For example, if you want to develop the habit of flossing your teeth every time you brush, make brushing your teeth your cue to floss. Follow up brushing with flossing and over time this behavior should become automatic.[7]
    Form a Good Habit Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • If you can't think of cue that will work with your desired new habit, try setting a daily alarm on your phone to remind you that it is time to perform the behavior.
  2. Change your environment. You can increase your chances of achieving your goals by making changes to your environment. Try to think of ways that you can alter your environment so that you will find it easier to perform your new habit. What environmental changes would help you to perform your good habit each day?[8]
    Form a Good Habit Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you want to form the habit of going to the gym every morning before work, you can set yourself up for success by laying out your gym clothes the night before and putting your gym bag by the door.
  3. Become more mindful. Part of the reason why some people have trouble forming new good habits is because they are on autopilot and not thinking about the things they are doing. But by becoming more aware of your behavior, you may find it easier to form a new good habit. Ask yourself questions about the mindless behavior that prevents you from performing your good habit.[9]
    Form a Good Habit Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you want to form the habit of going to the gym every morning, think about what stops you. What is your usual morning routine? How do you spend your time when you do not go to the gym? Why do you spend your time this way? How does it make you feel?
    • The next time you catch yourself going into autopilot and falling back into bad habits, question your behavior and feelings to help yourself break out of the mindless cycle.
  4. Tell people. You can help to hold yourself accountable to performing your new habit by sharing your goal with others. Consider getting a friend to help keep you on track with sticking to your new habit. Maybe one of your friends is hoping to form a good habit of their own and you can return the favor.[10]
    Form a Good Habit Step 10.jpg
    • Make sure that the friend(s) you enlist to help you with your new habit will have some way of holding you accountable. For example, you could give your friend some money and tell them not to give it back to you until you have performed your good habit X number of times.[11]
  5. Track your progress. Keeping track of your progress towards developing your habit can help you to stay motivated and strategize when things don't go as planned. Use a journal or an app on your phone to help you keep track of how often you perform your good habit. You might even consider sharing your progress on your social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Making your progress public can help you to stay motivated to continue working on your good habit.[12]
    Form a Good Habit Step 11.jpg
  6. Reward yourself for engaging in your good habit. You can help yourself stay motivated to continue working on your good habit by rewarding yourself. Choose a reward to give yourself once you have hit a goal. Simple things like rewarding yourself with a new outfit after you lose 10 pounds can make a big difference in your motivation to stick with your goals.[13]
    Form a Good Habit Step 12.jpg
    • Make sure that you choose rewards that are healthy and that you can afford to provide yourself. When you accomplish a goal, make sure that you give yourself the reward soon after.

EditOvercoming a Bad Habit

  1. Raise your awareness. Bad habits can be hard to break because they have become ingrained and automatic. To overcome a bad habit, the first thing that you need to do is become more aware of the habit. You can raise your awareness of the bad habit by keeping a log of every time that you indulge in the bad habit.[14]
    Form a Good Habit Step 13.jpg
    • For example, if your bad habit is snacking between meals, write a check mark on an index card every time that you notice yourself snacking between meals. Do this for a week to see how often you engage in this habit.
    • Being aware means just to 'watch' your actions and patterns that come out of a bad habit and not beating yourself over it. It is researched fact that you are more likely to make the same mistake or follow the same pattern again if you beat yourself over it. These patterns and bad habits will dissolve if you just become aware of them. Read Dissolve the Ego for more insight.
  2. Take steps to counteract the bad habit. Once you have become more aware of the habit, begin taking steps to counteract it. Try to distract yourself so that you do not engage in the bad habit. Make sure that you continue to record the instances of your desire to engage in the bad habit as well as the times that you resist the bad habit.[15]
    Form a Good Habit Step 14.jpg
    • For example, if you catch yourself reaching for a snack between meals, pour yourself a cup of water or go for a short walk instead.
  3. Reward yourself for resisting your bad habit. It is crucial to reward yourself for resisting the urge to engage in bad habits. The reward helps to motivate you to continue to resist the bad habit. Make sure that your reward is not to engage in the bad habit, but to do something else that is pleasurable.[16]
    Form a Good Habit Step 15.jpg
    • For example, if you manage to resist your urge to snack between meals for a full week, reward yourself with a new book or a trip to the salon.

EditTips

  • Be patient. It takes time and a lot of effort to change your behavior.

EditWarnings

  • If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, you may need professional help to replace this bad habit with a good one. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to get help.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Make Potato Latkes

Posted: 26 Dec 2016 12:00 AM PST

Celebrating Hanukkah would not be the same without latkes! These potato pancakes are fried in oil to symbolize the oil which burned for eight days leading to the phrase "Hanukkah", Nes Gadol Haya Sham, which translates to "a great miracle happened there". This article will show you how to add this tasty, traditional Chanukah food to your Jewish holiday table!

EditIngredients

Servings: Approximately 2 dozen latkes

  • 6 large potatoes
  • 1 small sweet onion
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup flour (or enough to bind the mixture)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (2 tbsp oil per batch of latkes in the pan)

EditSteps

  1. Peel the potatoes and grate them coarsely. If you're using onions, chop them finely and add them to the potatoes.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 1.jpg
  2. Beat two eggs and whip in a small amount of flour. If adding salt and pepper for seasoning, add now.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 2.jpg
  3. Squeeze the potatoes to get out some of the water in them. If they're too wet, they will not fry up crisply during cooking.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 3.jpg
  4. Add the coarsely grated potatoes (and onion) to the egg-flour mixture, blending well.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 4.jpg
  5. Put 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a heavy frying pan. Heat it to a high temperature.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 5.jpg
  6. Use the mixing spoon to gather a good-size dollop of potato mixture. Drop into the heated pan.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 6.jpg
  7. Fry until brown at the edges. Then turn over and fry the opposite side.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 7.jpg
  8. Remove from the oil when the second side is golden brown.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 8.jpg
  9. Place the cooked latkes on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot.
    Make Potato Latkes Step 9.jpg
    • Some traditional toppings include applesauce for a sweet taste, or sour cream for a savory one. Cranberry sauce is another good topping.
    • A simple salad makes a fine accompaniment to latkes.

EditVideo

EditTips

  • For a different flavor, try adding a finely chopped tart apple to the mixture in place of the chopped onion.
  • A few tablespoons of chopped, fresh parsley enliven the flavor of latkes.
  • You will probably be able to fry several latkes at one time, depending on the size of your pan.
  • Try plain yogurt as an excellent substitute for sour cream.
  • Keep latkes warm in the oven on very low heat as you make and prepare others.

EditWarnings

  • Children can help mix the ingredients, but only adults should fry the latkes.
  • Be careful when eating the latkes straight out of the frying pan. They will be hot! It's best to let them cool for at least a minute before enjoying.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Sturdy, heavy frying pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cheese grater
  • Mixing spoon

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations

  • Sue Fitzjohn, Minda Weston, Judy Large, Festivals Together, p. 185, (2003), ISBN 1-869890-46-9 – reference for cross-checking recipe.

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