| How to Set Intentions Posted: 23 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT Setting intentions is a great way to work on centering yourself and focusing on things you'd like to achieve. The purpose of an intention is to help focus your behavior on making you a better person and working toward the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Start by working on your focus, then turn that focus into specific intentions. Follow through with your intentions by referring back to them and using them to guide your thoughts and plans. EditDeciding on Your Focus - Spend time checking in with yourself to find what you really want. You'll only follow through with your intentions if they matter to you. Think about what you're passionate about and the things that actually make you happy. When do you feel the most joy? Use those moments to choose your intentions. If you don't pick things that give you joy, you're not going to be able to commit to that intention.[1]
- For example, perhaps you realize you're most joyful when you're with your family. Maybe your intention can be "I intend to be more fully present when I'm with my family."
- For another example, while you might feel pressured to lose weight by society, you may find that once you dig deeper, you're happy in your own body and treating your body better is more what you're passionate about.
- Focus on the journey rather than the goal. A resolution or a goal is focused on an end-reward, such as losing weight or learning a new skill. An intention is more about the steps you take that could lead to that goal.[2]
- For instance, "drink less" is a resolution. Your intention might be "I'm going to treat my body better." Treating your body better may lead to drinking less, but that's not the ultimate goal, necessarily.
- An intention can be how you want to feel for the day or simply what you'd like to get out of the day, such as "I want to be thankful for the good things that happen today."[3]
- While you can still set goals, use intentions to frame those goals in a more positive way that helps you stick with it day-to-day. For example, if you would like to learn a new skill, you might say, "I intend to be open to learning, criticism, and anything that helps me grow and master my skill."
- Set intentions for the month, the week, and the day. Focus is important in the short-term and in the long-term. Setting monthly intentions helps you look at the big picture while setting daily intentions lets you live in the moment. Both are equally important.[4]
- For instance, if you're coming up on a holiday season, you might set a monthly goal like "I intend to breathe in the joy and peace of this season while I seek out time with my friends and family." A weekly intention might be, "I intend to remember people who are less fortunate this week and reach out to those in need." A daily intention might be, "I intend to use my privilege for good today."
EditPhrasing Your Intentions - Keep your intentions short and to the point. Your intention shouldn't be more than a sentence long. Make it short so you can remember it easily and to the point so you can focus on the outcome.[5]
- For instance, your intention could be something like, "I intend to practice forgiveness today."
- Ensure your intention is actionable if it is goal-oriented. It doesn't have to be something you can go out and physically do, like ride a bike. However, it should be an active thing can do to make your emotional or physical well-being better, such as focus on forgiveness or seek out the best in others.[6]
- For instance, your intention shouldn't be "I want to be skilled," as that's not an action. It should be, "I intend to focus on learning a few chords on the piano today."
- Try mantra-like intentions to help center yourself. Intentions don't always need to be goal-oriented. You can also use them to reset your thinking and to help you be happier and more grateful for the things you have. With these types of intentions, focus on the good things in your life and the people around you. This focus will help you be more grateful and happy.[7]
- For example, your intention could be, "I intend to look for the best in everyone I meet," or "I will practice gratitude for the good things I have in my life."
- State your intentions in a positive way. If you phrase your intention in a negative way, you're less likely to follow through. Plus, setting a negative intention puts you in a poor frame of mind, setting a bad tone.[8]
- For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to get rid of this stupid body fat," you'd write, "I am working hard to treat my body with respect." While these intentions may not seem related, they are; treating your body with respect by eating healthy and exercise may result in losing body fat. However, the focus is on the positive: treating your body better.
- Phrase your intentions in an active form. Remove words like "try" from your intentions. Instead, replace them with active words. If you say you will try, then you may end up just trying, not actually doing the intention. Look for any hesitation in your phrasing and remove it.[9]
- For instance, instead of, "I am going to try to work on listening today," say "I am going to be an active listener today."
EditFollowing through with Your Intentions - Write your intention down. It's important to make the intention feel real to you, and physically writing it down can do that. Also, try saying it out loud. Both of these tasks will help solidify the intention in your mind.[10]
- You might even try saying the intention a few times in a row to help it stick.
- Try meditating on your intention. If you hear "mediation" and get a little nervous, don't worry. It's not that big of a deal. Just spend some time with your eyes closed, focusing on your breathing for a few minutes. As you do, bring to mind your intention and think about that statement for a minute or 2.[11]
- As you breathe out, try to let go of any anxiety you may be feeling about your intention. Pretend each breath you bring in is a soothing blue that's bringing calm into your body.
- Refer back to your intention throughout the day. Carry it around on a piece of paper in your pocket or write it somewhere you'll see it often. If you prefer, try setting reminders throughout the day on your phone or computer that make you read your intention again.[12]
- The more you're reminded of your intention, the more likely you are to be mindful of the choices you make.
- Work on staying positive about your intention. At times, you may think what you intend will never come true or that you don't have the willpower to do it. That kind of negative self-talk will only sabotage your good work, so it's important to nip it in the bud when it happens.[13]
- When you find yourself using negative self-talk, re-frame it in a positive way. For instance, if you think, "I will never have the body I want," re-frame it into "I may not be able to change myself instantly, but I can choose to be kind to my body today. Today is the only time I have control over."
- You might also say, "The past is in the past. Today, I can do things differently."
- Think about your intentions when you make plans. Use your intentions to help you make plans. That is, when you're making long-term and even short-term plans, refer to your intentions to see if your plans will help or hinder your intentions.[14]
- You may need to tweak your plans a little so they fall more in line with your intentions. For instance, if you decide you are treating your body better, you may decide that partying with your friends this weekend isn't a good idea. Alternatively, you may decide to go out to the club with them but choose to only have 1 drink.
- Celebrate and be grateful for your successes. From time to time, think back on the intentions you've set and consider the ones you've followed through on. Pat yourself on the back and be grateful that you've been able to do what you intended.[15]
- For instance, if you've resolved to treat your body better, look at how well you've done. Maybe you've stopped drinking so much or maybe you're exercising more. Maybe you've just stopped berating yourself about your body! Whatever it is, celebrate it!
EditReferences
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| How to Make a Rubber Band Bracelet Posted: 23 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Have you seen your friends wear those really cool loom band fishtail bracelets? Well, now you can learn how to make your very own with just a few simple steps! Although you can head to the store and purchase a rubber band bracelet, making one on your own is much cheaper. Whether you have a loom—the tool used to weave the bands—or just want to use your hands, all you need to do is learn the procedure and you're good to go! EditCreating a Bracelet with a Loom - Place your loom down with the red arrow facing away from you. After placing down your loom, the curved sides of the pins should be facing you. The pins are used to hold your bands in place as you attach them.[1]
- Purchase a loom kit from a crafts store or online supplier.
- Wrap a red band from the first middle pin to the outside pin. Place the band around the middle pin closest to you. Now, stretch it outward to the right outside pin closest to you. Afterward, push the band down so it's firmly wrapped around each pin.[2]
- Check that your band creates a diagonal line pointing to the upper-right.
- Connect a yellow band from the right outside pin to the closest middle pin. Wrap the band around the right outside pin closest to you, which is the one with the last red band connected to it. Now, pull it over the middle pin to the left that's closest to it.[3]
- Press the band down after connecting the 2 pins.
- Stretch a red band from the middle pin to the closest right outside pin. Connect a red band to the middle pin that you just wrapped the yellow band around. Now, pull it to the closest outside pin on the right.[4]
- Check that you have 2 parallel red bands pointing to the right.
- Connect the right outside pin to the closest middle pin with a yellow band. Wrap a yellow band around the right outside pin that you just connected the last red band to. Afterward, pull it over the closest middle pin on the left.[5]
- Press the yellow band down after you're done.
- Continue attaching your bands in a zigzag pattern while alternating colors. Take care not to twist the bands as you place them on the pins. Afterward, you should have a vertical row of 13 red colored bands pointing to the upper right and 12 yellow colored bands pointing to the upper left.[6]
- Check that all of the bands are pressed down and untwisted.
- Turn the loom so that the red arrow points toward you. After turning the loom, the pattern of red and yellow bands should remain the same—the former pointing to the upper right and the latter to the upper left. But now the bands should be covering the 2 leftmost rows of vertical pins.[7]
- Press down any rubber bands that aren't firmly wrapped around the pins.
- Loop the yellow band on the middle pin over the closest pin on the left. Start from the middle pin, which is the one closest to you with both a red and yellow band on it. Now, use the back of your hook to pull the red band back toward you. Afterward, grab the yellow band with your hook and pull it over the red band and around the closest pin to the left.[8]
- Notice how the yellow band forms a teardrop shape.
- Always hold the hook with the open side facing away from you and use the flat part to pull the bands back as you loop them.
- Loop the red band on the left pin over the closet middle pin to the right. Place your hook in the channel of the pin you just looped the yellow band over. Press the yellow and red band back toward you using the flat part of the hook. Now, grab the red band with the hook, lift it up and over the yellow band, and loop it over the closest middle pin to the right.[9]
- Tilt the hook forward and lift it up after wrapping the red band to release it.
- Continue looping your bands until you've done them all. Repeat the looping process to connect all of your bands. Always grab the bottom band of the pin, lift it up and over the last band you wrapped, and wrap it over the closest diagonal pin in the appropriate direction.[10]
- Be sure that all of the yellow loops are on the left and all of the red loops are on the right.
- Remove the bracelet from the loom and connect each free end with a c-clip. Slide your hook down through the channel of the last pin, which should be the topmost center pin. Now, pull the band out to the closest pin on the right and wrap it around it. Attach your c-clip to the top-right of the elastic with the open side facing toward you. Afterward, lift your bracelet from the loom. Finally, connect each free end of your band with the c-clip.[11]
- Repeat this process for as many bracelets as you want!
EditMaking a Bracelet with Your Fingers - Wrap an orange band around your ring and middle fingers. Hold your dominant hand in front of you with your ring and middle fingers extended horizontally. Now, wrap your band around them both so that it runs vertically between them.[12]
- If you're using your right hand, your fingers should be pointing left. If you're using your left hand, they should be pointing right.
- Use whatever rubber band colors you like, but be sure to keep track of them throughout the weaving process!
- Twist 1 side of the band to make an 8. Place the index finger of your non-dominant hand against the band closest to you and push it outward. Now, twist it 180 degrees and place it back onto your finger.[13]
- After turning the band, you should have an 8-shaped band with each loop of the 8 attached to your index and middle fingers.
- Wrap 2 purple bands around your ring and middle fingers. If you'd like, switch purple to another color. Extend the middle and index fingers of your dominant hand horizontally and wrap the bands around them to connect your fingers vertically.[14]
- Check that your 2 purple bands are closest to the tips of your fingers and the orange is closest to your hand.
- Pull the loops of the 8-shaped orange band over the 2 purple bands. Start by placing your finger into the bottom loop of the orange band with your index finger and pull it outward to make it bigger. Now, pull it over your index finger and wrap it around the 2 purple bands. Repeat the same with the top loop: pull it over your middle finger and wrap it around the 2 purple bands.[15]
- Check that you have 1 orange band wrapped around 2 purple bands.
- Wrap another purple band along the tips of your fingers. Make sure the purple band connects your index and middle fingers horizontally. Keep this band closest to the tips of your index and middle fingers.[16]
- Don't twist this elastic into an 8-shaped pattern.
- Pull the loops of the bottom band over bands above it. Start by grabbing the lowest loop of the band closest to your hand, pull it over your index finger, and wrap it around all the other bands. Now, pull the topmost loop over your middle finger and over the other bands.[17]
- Check that you have 2 looped bands between your index and middle fingers—1 orange and 1 purple.
- Continue this process until you have the right length bracelet. You should have 3 elastics of 1 color around your fingers at any given time—use this to determine what the next color should be. For example, at this point, you should have 3 purple bands and 1 orange band, so the next 2 elastics should be orange. Keep pulling each loop of the band lowest on your fingers—closest to your hand—over your middle and index fingers and wrapping the band over the other bands above it.[18]
- Periodically pull your bands down your fingers and closer to your hand as your progress.
- Connect the free ends of your band with a c-clip. Wrap a c-clip around one free end of your band. Now, wrap it around the remaining free end and press it together.[19]
- You can also bend a paperclip around the free ends to connect them or tie each end together with a small piece of string.
EditThings You'll Need - Loom (optional)
- Rubber bands (ideally 2 colors)
EditReferences
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| How to Make Mango Lassi Posted: 23 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT Mango lassi are known for being the perfect drink to serve with Indian food. The sweet flavor of ripe mango is blended with creamy yogurt and ice to create a refreshing, healthy beverage that's easy to make at home. Customize your mango lassi by using your choice of dairy products, sweeteners, and fruit. EditIngredients - 2 to 3 ripe mangoes or 1 cup (250 g) of mango pulp
- 1 cup (245 g) of plain yogurt (fresh curd)
- of milk
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) of granulated sugar, or to taste
- 4 to 5 ice cubes
- 1/2 cup (75 g) of fresh or frozen strawberries (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (3 g) of ground turmeric (optional)
- of ginger root (optional)
- of lemon juice (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of your favorite spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, or lemon zest (optional)
Makes 2 servings EditClassic Mango Lassi - Peel the mangoes if you aren't using mango pulp. Rinse 2 to 3 mangoes that are ripe and slightly soft to the touch. Use a small knife or vegetable peeler to slice away the thin mango peel. Then cut the flesh from the mango and discard the pit at the center.[1]
- Since you're blending the mango, there's no need to chop it into pieces.
- Put the mango, yogurt, milk, and ice cubes into a blender. Place the mango flesh or pulp into a blender and pour in of milk. Add 1 cup (245 g) of plain yogurt (fresh curd) and 4 to 5 ice cubes.[2]
- For the creamiest flavor, use full-fat or Greek yogurt. For a lower-calorie lassi, use non-fat yogurt.
- To get a slightly tangy flavor, use buttermilk instead of milk.
- Blend the mixture for 30 to 60 seconds. Put the lid on the blender and pulse the ingredients until the ice cubes are blended. The mango mixture should be completely smooth. If some of the lassi sticks to the side of the blender, stop and scrape down the sides before you finish blending.[3]
- Taste the lassi mixture. Remove the lid from the blender and taste a little of the mango lassi. If the mangoes were very sweet, you might not need to add any sugar. If you think the lassi should be sweeter, add 1 teaspoon (4 g) of sugar and put the lid back on. Pulse the lassi for another 2 to 3 seconds to incorporate the sugar.[4]
- For a natural sweetener, substitute honey or agave syrup for the granulated sugar.
- Serve the mango lassi right away for the best texture. Pour the lassi into 2 serving glasses and garnish the drinks with slices of fresh mango. If you'd like to drinks to be even colder, add a few ice cubes to each glass.
- If you'd like to refrigerate leftover lassi, transfer it to an airtight container and store it for up to 1 day. You'll need to stir it before drinking it since it will separate as it's stored.
EditTrying Variations - Use vegan ingredients to replace the dairy in the lassi. If you're looking to cut dairy products, use a plant-based yogurt, such as soy yogurt, and swap out the milk with a plant-based milk.[5]
- You can use vegan ingredients that have a vanilla flavor. Keep in mind that some of these have added sweeteners, so you may not need to add sugar to your mango lassi.
- Blend fresh strawberries into the lassi. To create an extra-fruity strawberry mango lassi, add 1/2 cup (75 g) of fresh or frozen strawberries to the ingredients in the blender. Blend the lassi until the strawberries and mango pieces are smooth.[6]
- Add a handful of your favorite fruit instead of strawberries. For example, use blueberries, peaches, or bananas.
- Create a golden mango lassi with turmeric and ginger. If you're trying to include more turmeric in your diet, add 1 1/2 teaspoons (3 g) of ground turmeric to the lassi ingredients in the blender. Then grate of ginger root and add it along with of lemon juice. Blend the mango lassi so the turmeric and ginger are incorporated.[7]
- This mango lassi has a bright, fresh flavor that includes ingredients commonly used to improve the immune system.
- Add spices to the mango lassi. If you'd like a burst of flavor, add up to 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of your favorite spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, or lemon zest. You can also combine a few of these spices to create a special blend.[8]
- For example, add 1/8 teaspoon (0.2 g) of ground cardamom and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground cinnamon to the mango lassis.
- To make mango lassi popsicles, pour the lassi into freezer molds and freeze them until they're completely hard.
EditThings You'll Need - Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Blender
- Spoon
- Serving glass
EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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