| How to Prune Mint Posted: 15 Jul 2016 05:00 PM PDT Mint is a wonderful plant with many uses. However, it can easily grow out of control if not planted and pruned properly. Learning how to take care of your mint plant will save you tons of time and headaches in the future. Once you know what you're doing, pruning mint is easy! EditPruning a Large Harvest of Mint - Prune mint back by about one third after flowering. Wait to prune mint until after it's fully flowered. Using a pair of shears, cut each stem down to roughly one third of its size.[1]
- If you don't have shears or don't like to use them, you can also prune mint with your fingertips. This process will take a bit longer, but is just as effective. With your fingertips, pinch each stem about one inch above the soil. Use your fingernails when pinching the stems to create a clean break.[2]
- It may be easier to use your fingertips if you're pruning a small amount of mint indoors.
- Shape your mint plant. As you're trimming your mint plant, consider what shape you'd like your plant to be in. You want to shape the mint in a way that grows in the confines of its pot without getting out of control. Mint can grow fast, and in many directions, so you want to trim your plan into a shape that's compatible with the pot.[3]
- Shape the pint so it does not have too many leaves and shoots pouring over the plant.
- Focus on trimming around the plant. Make sure the plant isn't sprawling too far out of the pot.
- Store your mint for future use. After a big harvest, it's important to store your mint properly so that it can be used for months to come. There are various ways to store mint, the most popular being drying mint. There are various methods of drying mint, including baking it on the oven, hanging it to air-dry, and dehydrating it.
- You can freeze mint. Pick through your mint leaves and remove any damage leaves. Pat dry the mint leaves with a towel. Cut up the mint leaves and remove the stems. Place about 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaves in various compartments of an ice cube tray, fill with water, and place in the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, place them in an airtight container or bag and leave them in the freezer. Frozen mint will keep for three months.
- You can also vacuum seal mint. Once again, pick through mint to remove damaged leaves and pat the plant dry. Place the mint in a bag and label it with the date. Use a vacuum sealer, which can buy online, to vacuum seal the bag. Each vacuum sealer operates slightly differently, so you'll have to follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Wait until six weeks after the first frost to prune mint. If you're harvesting mint outdoors, when you prune your mint matters. As mints are typically planted in spring or fall, they should be somewhat mature by the first frost of the season. However, you'll want to wait six weeks after the first frost to prune mint. If you prune mint during the first six weeks, the pruning cuts will not heal fast enough and the mint will not be protected from the winter.[4]
EditTrimming a Small Amount of Mint - Trim your mint plant regularly. Mint is mature when it begins to bloom (after about 90 days), but it can be harvested any time after it is 3 to 4 inches tall. Trimming your mint plant regularly will allow it to become full and healthy. You'll also be able to use fresh mint after each mini harvest.
- Make sure to trim your mint carefully each time it needs to be cut back. Remember to trim the mint so it grows in the rough shape of the pot you're using. If you're trimming mint outside, make sure to trim mint so mint plants do not overgrow your garden.
- While you can use shears to prune mint, small plants can easily be pruned just using your fingers.
- Use mint for cooking. Small pieces of mint can be used in many recipes. If a recipe calls for dry mint, try using freshly cut mint in its place. This can add a stronger mint flavor. You can all add mint leaves to beverages like lemonade or mojitos to add flavor.[5]
- Turn a small harvest into a new mint plant. If you want more mint plants, you can create them using the trimmings from your existing mint plant. Clip off 6 inches of a stem from your mint plant, and place it in a pot filled with potting soil. This stem will transform into its own plant with lots of sunshine and water.[6]
- Fill a plant with potting soil mixed with a heavy amount of compost. Take the stem you cut from the original mint plant and slide it into the soil.
- You can also place mint stems in a glass of water. Eventually, they'll start growing roots.
EditGrowing Mint - Plant your mint in a pot. Mint plants have a fast-growing root system, which is why it's best to plant your mint in a pot. If you plant mint in you garden without a container, it will quickly spread to take over the entire garden.
- If you want to plant your mint outside, dig a hole at least 5 inches deep, and place a container (such as a pot or a mesh bag) into the hole. Then, plant your mint inside of the container and pack dirt on top of it. The container will keep the roots from spreading to the entire garden.
- If you want to plant your mint indoors, purchase a pot to plant your mint in. Place the pot near a window where it will get shade and sunlight throughout the day. Don't place the plant near a heat source.[7]
- Choose the right time to plant mint. If you're leaving your mint outdoors, when you plant your mint is important. Make sure to plant your mint in the spring if you live in a climate that experiences winter. If you live in a frost free climate, mint will thrive in mid-fall.[8]
- Water your mint plant often. Make sure to water your mint often, as mint thrives in damp soil. Mint can grow in a variety of soils, but doesn't do well in dry environments. If you live in a dry environment, consider planting your mint inside near a humidifier. Water your mint plant at least once per day.
- Fertilize your mint on occasion. For the most part, mint should grow well enough on its own. However, you should occasionally supply a light amount of fertilizer to the soil surrounding your mint. This will encourage healthy growth. This can be especially helpful if you harvest your mint a lot.[9]
- Do not fertilize your mint often. Harvesting it every 3 to 4 weeks should be enough.
- Choose a fertilizer that's low in salt, as salt can cause the tips of mint leaves to turn brown.
- Plant your mint properly. When you plant your mint, plant it so that it is about 1/4 inch below the surface. You should only plant one seedling if you're using a pot. If you're planting your mint in your garden, plant each seedling about 2 feet apart. Be sure to plant each seedling it it's own container.
- Make sure to plant mint where it can receive sunlight. When planting mint in pots, make sure you can move the pots near direct sunlight. Do not choose pots that are too big to fit on a porch or patio.
- While it's best to grow mint indoors, you can plant it inside. If you choose to do so, pick an area where your mint will be consistently exposed to morning light. You should also keep it away from anything like a heater or furnace, as this can dry mint out.
- Make sure the pot you use to plant mint is free from cracks. Mint roots grow fast, and they will spread through the crack of a damaged pot.
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| How to Stop Talking About Yourself Posted: 15 Jul 2016 09:00 AM PDT Humans talk about themselves roughly 30-40% of the time. That's a lot. Studies have shown that talking about ourselves is strongly associated with increased activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the same part of our brain that experiences pleasure through things like food, sex, and money. The good news is, knowing how our brains work and react is half the battle. Once you know the why, you can start controlling the how.[1] EditRecognizing Your Behavior - Watch your vocabulary. If you're using the words I, me, and my in your conversation, then you may not be having a conversation. You may only be talking about yourself. Actively concentrate on this when you're speaking to others. After all, the only way to stop a behavior is to recognize it.
- An exception would be statements such as "I agree," or "I hear what you're saying," or "I would suggest approaching the issue this way." Using appropriate "I" statements show you're engaged and interested and recognize conversations are a two-way street.
- A great way to remember this is to keep a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you catch yourself using any of these words, snap the rubber band. It may hurt a little, but it's a proven psychological method. [2]
- Start practicing these steps when conversing with friends. Ask them to tell you if you've missed a step, as friends will always be the most supportive.
- Pay attention to whose story it is. If a person is telling you a story about something that happened to him, remember that it's his story, not yours. Remember, he's sharing something that's important to him.
- Resist shifting the focus to you. This transition to the next phase is natural. After learning not to use "I," "me," and "mine," and instead replace them with "you" and "yours," it's only natural to work on conversational transitions. It's easy to fall into the trap of shifting focus to yourself.
- If your friend's telling you about her new SUV and how it makes her feel safe, don't immediately begin talking about how you prefer a more elegant vehicle and then go off about your Mercedes.
- Instead, try saying something like, "That's interesting. I prefer the safety, style, and elegance of a sedan. Do you think SUV's are safer than sedans?" This shows you're engaged and curious about your friend's opinion.
- Keep references to yourself brief. Sometimes within the course of the conversation, it's impossible not to talk about yourself. That's natural, however, you shouldn't be talking about yourself 100% of the time, yet you should be listening 100% of the time. When this happens, try redirecting the conversation away from yourself and putting the subject back on your conversation partner.
- For instance, if your friend asks what kind of car you drive, you may say something like: "I drive a hybrid. It really saves on gas and there are other perks like rebates and no parking meter fees. Have you ever thought about owning one?"
- This response keeps your position brief and throws the question back to your friend. In doing so, you've made your friend the conversation's gatekeeper.
- Find constructive ways to get your thoughts and opinions heard. It's important to be a good and active listener, but you need to express your own thoughts and opinions, too. If you are trying to lessen talking about yourself, try things like journaling, open mic events, and submitting essays or reports, which may provide the opportunity. This also encourages you to focus thoughtfully on what you want to say, rather than talking just for the sake of it.
EditChanging Your Approach to Conversations - Practice cooperation instead of competition. A conversation shouldn't be a struggle to see who gets to talk about themselves, or does the most talking. Think of it this way: when you were a kid, you took turns on toys or games. A conversation is the same thing. If it's your friend's turn, let him talk. You'll have your turn, since a conversation is a two-way-street, but allow your friend equal time to talk about himself, giving him your full attention.
- Don't approach it as if trying to convince the person that your idea or way of seeing/doing things is right. Instead, try to learn and grow from what he's saying.
- Don't manipulate the conversation to serve your own agenda and steamroll your counterpart.
- Consider this approach: you're on the same team, trying to find an answer. Conversations like sports are more fun when you're interacting with each other, rather than against each other.[3]
- Look for what you can learn. There's an old saying, "you can't learn anything new if you're talking." You already know your perspective. To broaden, change, or confirm that point of view, you must let others state theirs.
- For example, when discussing dinner, you might say: "I prefer ordering tapas to entrees, because I get to taste a variety of the chef's offerings. Which do you prefer?" (Then, let them respond.) "That's interesting; why do you think that is?"
- Obviously your responses would depend on what the person says, but you can continue to probe her reasoning, so that you get a thorough understanding of why she thinks, feels, or believes what she does.
- Ask probing questions. You can't talk about yourself if you're asking well-thought-out questions. It requires the other person to be the focal point. This takes "look for what you can learn, not say," to an entirely new level. [4]
- Not only does this keep your conversation partner as the focal point, it allows him to delve more deeply into his knowledge/feelings/beliefs which, in turn, strengthen the connection.
- Be in the moment, listening, when he answers your question. Invariably, this will lead to a mindset allowing further questions, resulting in a very positive experience for all involved.
- Show how the world looks through your eyes. This may sound like the exact opposite of what you're trying to learn, but there's a difference between talking about yourself and your world view.
- Try stating your opinion, such as "I see the two-party system as limiting our choices and narrowing the potential for alternative voices and points of view in our political system." Then follow this with something like: "How do you see this working in our government?"
- Once you've put your unique point of view out there, use what you've learned in your conversation thus far to get your conversation partner to expound on his viewpoint. Then probe his point of view with questions geared to learn more. This is how to converse about ideas on a higher level.
EditUsing Specific Conversation Tools - Offer credit. Think of it like a credit card. How happy would the person you're talking to be if you gave them money for their guidance or opinion? They'd probably feel pretty good about themselves. They'd feel just as good if you gave them the credit.
- Thank the person for their recommendation or advice. If your friend recommends a restaurant, tell the people you're with, "X suggested we come here. Isn't it great?"
- Always give credit for success when it's warranted. If you did well on a project at work, you might say something like: "I have a great team working with me; they make it all happen."
- Compliment other people. It takes selflessness and an ability to recognize the strengths of others to do this. Doing so makes your conversation partner more engaged and feel good about speaking with you, because she knows you'll also be saying good things about her.[5] Some examples of compliments include:
- "Doesn't Gina look stunning in that dress? Just incredible. And, it actually pales in comparison to her wit!"
- "I think Evelyn's thoughts on the global warming issue are incredibly insightful and full of potential solutions. Why don't we go join her? I think you'll find her fascinating."
- Engage in the art of listening. Listening, really listening, is an art. It requires you to let go of yourself and your thoughts, and focus solely on what the other person is saying. This effort allows you to truly melt away. Your need to talk about yourself dissipates, then disappears.
- Make a pact with yourself that you won't speak unless your conversation partner puts the ball in your court. Then make another pact: you'll put the ball right back to her and go back to listening.
- Try active listening techniques. This means fully concentrating on what the other person is saying and requires you respond to the speaker by paraphrasing or restating his main point(s). [6]
- You can also add a little something when you finish paraphrasing by using different phrases: which means that; so then; that would require; you would then; etc., and then add your thoughts on what happens next.
- Non-verbal cues like nodding your head, smiling, and other facial/physical expressions let the other person know you're engaged and have feelings about everything he's saying..[7]
- Ask questions. Additional questions that give your conversation partner more time to talk about her subject are also key, and there are several different types, including:[8]
- Closed questions. These are often "yes or no" questions. They're answered in one way or the other, and the line of questioning stops there.
- Open-ended questions. These give your conversation partner ample room to expand on what she's already been talking about and gives you a more well-rounded knowledge of her subject. These questions often start with phrases like: "How do you see..." or "What/why do you think..."
- Validate what your conversation partner says. It depends on the situation and topic you've been talking about. Think of it as either a personal or general validation.[9]
- You (Personal): "Wow, it takes a lot of courage to look at yourself so openly and admit things like that."
- You (General): "That is one of the most insightful analyses of the issue I've ever come across."
- The key to not talking about yourself is empathy. You have to know how other people will react to what you say.
- Count the number of times you say "I" in a conversation. You will notice how bad the problem is and can work your way down.
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| How to Say Goodnight in French Posted: 15 Jul 2016 01:00 AM PDT The standard way to say "goodnight" in French is "bonne nuit," but there are multiple ways you can express that sentiment. Here are a few you might want to try. EditStandard Goodnight - Say goodnight with Bonne nuit![1] This literally means "good night" and is used whenever someone intends to retire for the evening or go to sleep for the night.
- Bonne means "good."
- Nuit means "night."
- Pronounce the phrase as bohn NWEE.
- Greet someone at night with Bonsoir! This translates to "good night" or "good evening." Use it when saying hello to someone at night, rather than saying it as you bid farewell at night.
- The bon part of the term means "good."
- The soir part of the term means "evening."
- Pronounce this greeting as bong-SWAHR.
EditAnnouncing that You're Going to Sleep - Announce Je vais dormir. This phrase essentially translates into, "I'm going to sleep."[2]
- Je means "I."
- Vais is derived from the French verb "aller," which translates into "to go."[3]
- Dormir is a French verb meaning "to sleep."
- Pronounce the entire statement as zhuh vay door-mee.
- State Je vais me coucher. This statement roughly translates into, "I am going to bed."
- Je means "I."
- Vais is derived from the French verb "aller," which translates into "to go."
- Coucher is a verb meaning "to put to bed." By adding the me before it, you are saying "putting myself to bed."
- Pronounce the entire statement as zhuh vay meh koo-shay.
- Use slang by saying Je vais pieuter. This is a French slang term that also roughly means, "I am going to sleep."
- Je means "I."
- Vais is derived from the French verb "aller," which translates into "to go."
- Pieuter is a slang verb meaning "to sleep."
- The statement should be pronounced as zhuh vay pyuh-teh.
- Casually explain Je vais roupiller. This is another French slang phrase. Essentially, it means, "I am going to snooze."
- Je means "I."
- Vais is derived from the French verb "aller," which translates into "to go."
- Roupiller means "to snooze."
- Pronounce the statement as zhuh vay ru-pii-jeh.
EditOther Ways to Say Goodnight - Offer a Dormez bien. This phrase means "sleep well."
- Dormez is derived from the French verb dormir, meaning "to sleep."
- Bien means "well" or "good."
- Pronounce the phrase as door-meh byang.
- Wish Fais de beaux rêves. Use this phrase if you want to tell someone, "sweet dreams."
- Fais is derived from the French verb faire, meaning "to do" or "to make."
- De means "of."
- Beaux translates into "beautiful."
- Rêves translates into "dreams."
- The sentence should be pronounced as feh duh bo RAI-vuh.
- State "J'espère que vous dormez tranquille." This essentially translates into, "I hope you sleep soundly."
- J'espère is a phrase meaning, "I hope."
- Que translates into "that."
- Vous means "you."
- Dormez is derived from the French verb dormir, meaning "to sleep."
- Tranquille means "quiet," "tranquil," "calm," or "peaceful."
- Pronounce the entire sentence as zeh-spehr ker voo door-meh trahn-KEEL.
- Say "Dormez comme un loir." Use this phrase if you want to tell someone, "Sleep like a log."
- Dormez is derived from the French verb dormir, meaning "to sleep."
- Comme means "such as" or "like."
- Un loir usually translates into "a dormouse," but within this particular phrase, it typically means "a log."[4]
- The phrase should be pronounced as door-meh cohm eu lwar.
- Depart with "Dormez comme un bébé." This phrase should be used if you want to tell someone, "Sleep like a baby."
- Dormez is derived from the French verb dormir, meaning "to sleep."
- Comme means "such as" or "like."
- Un bébé translates into "a baby."
- Pronounce the phrase as door-meh cohm eu beh-beh.
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