| How to Use Aloe Vera Gel on Your Face Posted: 20 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT The antiviral and anti-bacterial properties of aloe vera gel offer many benefits for your skin – especially the delicate skin on your face and neck. While aloe vera is an ingredient in many beauty products, you can also use pure aloe vera gel directly on your face. Applied properly, the gel helps moisturize your skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of acne breakouts.[1] EditMoisturizing Your Skin - Apply aloe vera gel gently with your fingertips. To get the full benefit of aloe vera gel on your face, dab it lightly. There's no need to deeply massage it into your face. If the gel is absorbed too deeply, it could have the opposite effect and cause your face to dry out.[2]
- Only use a thin layer of the gel. There's no need to slather it on. An extra thick layer won't provide any added benefits.
- For best results, leave the aloe vera gel on your face for about 10 minutes, then rinse your face with cool water and pat dry. Pure aloe vera gel may have a drying effect if you leave it on your skin for too long.
- Cleanse your face with aloe vera gel twice a day. Aloe vera gel can take the place of both facial cleansers and moisturizers when used correctly. In the morning and the evening, apply a thin layer to your skin. Rinse off with cool water and pat your face dry.[3]
- Avoid rubbing the skin on your face, especially the delicate skin around your eyes. This can damage and weaken your skin.
- Create a moisturizing facial scrub to moisturize oily skin. If your skin is oily and acne-prone, you may find that traditional moisturizers only worsen your skin's tendency to break out. Combine brown sugar and aloe vera gel for a potent scrub that gently removes dead skin cells that can clog your pores, while also giving your skin healthy moisture.[4]
- To make this scrub, pour a small amount of brown sugar into the palm of your hand. Add aloe vera gel into all of the sugar is well-moistened.
- Spread the mixture evenly over your whole face, avoiding the delicate skin directly around your eyes. Massage gently for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse off with cool water and pat your skin dry.
- Use this scrub at least twice a week, or as needed. Discontinue if your skin becomes excessively oily.
- Use aloe vera gel in moderation to get the most benefit. Aloe vera gel can help moisturize your skin and improve your skin's overall tone. However, because the enzymes in the gel act as exfoliators, frequent use can actually dry out your skin.[5]
- Skin produces oil when it gets too dry. If you use aloe vera gel too frequently, you can send your oil production into overdrive. This can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne breakouts.
- If you're just starting to use aloe vera gel on your skin, rinse it off immediately or leave it on for no longer than 10 minutes.
EditTreating Inflammation - Use pure aloe vera gel to prevent acne breakouts. Pure aloe vera gel has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, so it can be used instead of a traditional facial cleanser. Because it also has anti-inflammatory properties, it is gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Trade your regular facial cleanser for aloe vera gel for at least a week to see if you notice any difference.[6]
- The enzymes in aloe vera gel also gently exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores, leading to additional breakouts. This can brighten your skin, giving you a healthy glow.
- Make a face mask with aloe vera, cinnamon, and honey. Mix 2 tablespoons (43 grams) of honey, 1 tablespoon (21.5 grams) of aloe vera gel, and 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) of cinnamon in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the delicate skin around your eyes. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes, then rinse.[7]
- Because both honey and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties similar to aloe vera, the mask may have increased benefits compared to using aloe vera gel alone.
- Rub aloe vera gel into skin after shaving. If you shave your face, you may be left with tiny cuts in your skin that can burn and itch. Instead of using a commercial aftershave that can excessively dry out your skin, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel.[8]
- Scratching tiny cuts can introduce bacteria into your skin, leading to additional inflammation. Aloe vera gel soothes your skin and makes it less itchy, so you'll be less prone to scratching.
- Apply aloe vera gel to existing breakouts to reduce inflammation. Because aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce redness and swelling, making breakouts less noticeable. Its moisturizing properties also make it beneficial for many skin conditions, including eczema and rosacea.[9]
- If you are currently using a prescription medication to treat a skin condition such as acne or eczema, talk to your dermatologist before you start using aloe vera gel or stop using any prescribed treatments.
- Combine aloe vera gel with tea tree oil to increase acne-fighting benefits. Mix 6 to 12 drops of tea tree oil for every of aloe vera gel. Start with 6 drops, and gradually increase as long as the mixture doesn't cause redness or irritation. Use this mixture as a spot treatment after washing and drying your face to heal smaller pimples.[10]
- You can buy tea tree oil online or in a local health and beauty store. The amount of tea tree oil you can use depends on how diluted the tea tree oil is that you buy.
- Store any unused mixture in an amber-colored, air-tight glass container. Keep the container in a cool, dark place.
- If you spread it over your entire face, the treatment may help prevent new pimples from forming. However, you shouldn't use it as a substitute for other treatments without first consulting a dermatologist.
EditHarvesting Aloe Vera Gel - Choose the correct aloe species. There are many different species of aloe plants, only one of which is called aloe vera. Other species are frequently grown as ornamentals because they are relatively easy to care for. However, you can only harvest aloe vera gel from an aloe vera plant, not from any of the other varieties. In a nursery, check the tag to determine the species of the plant.[11]
- True aloe vera plants are not particularly ornamental compared to other aloe plants, and seldom bloom when housed indoors.
- An aloe vera plant has thin leaves that are pale green and heavily spotted.
- Use cactus soil potting mix in a medium to large planter. A medium or large planter will give your aloe vera plant enough room to grow since they like to spread out. Choose a planter with good drainage so the soil will stay appropriately dry.[12]
- Look for a planter with a single large hole in the bottom to drain moisture. If there is standing water in the planter, your aloe vera won't grow.
- Place your plant where it will get plenty of light. Aloe vera plants can be tricky about sunlight. While they need plenty of sun, if they get too much, they'll dry out. Continual indirect sunlight typically provides ideal growing conditions.[13]
- In the northern hemisphere, place an indoor plant in a window that faces either south or west.
- If the leaves of your aloe vera turn dry and brittle, this may be a sign that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Try relocating it and see if the plant's health improves.
- Avoid overwatering your plant to keep it healthy. The potting soil should be damp to the touch, but not wet. Examine the leaves of your plant to determine if it's getting enough water. As long as the leaves are cool and moist to the touch, your aloe vera is getting enough water.[14]
- Generally, you shouldn't water your aloe vera until the soil actually feels dry to the touch. These plants typically don't need to be watered more than once a week. During colder months, they don't need as much water.
- If your aloe vera leaves are dry and brittle, consider how much sunlight the plant is getting before you give it more water – especially if the soil is still moist. Too much sunlight can cause the leaves to dry out.
- Cut thick, long leaves from the bottom of the plant. Using a sharp, clean knife or pair of scissors, snip off the leaves as close to the trunk of the plant as possible. Thicker leaves will have more aloe vera gel inside them.[15]
- Do not attempt to harvest aloe vera gel from a plant that has dry, brittle leaves. Relocate the plant and wait until it has regained its health.
- You can harvest aloe vera gel from a healthy plant once every 6 to 8 weeks by removing 3 to 4 leaves from the plant.[16]
- Set the leaves upright to let them drain. Place the leaves with the cut side down in a glass or small bowl. After a few minutes, a red or yellowish liquid will begin to drain from the leaves. Allow the leaves to drain for 10 to 15 minutes.[17]
- This liquid is toxic and can cause stomach pain if ingested. Even if you're only planning on using the aloe vera gel topically on your face, it's still a good idea to let this liquid drain.
- Peel the outer layer of the aloe leaf. Using a clean, sharp knife, carefully slice away the spiky edges of the leaf. Then cut and lift the green part of the leaf away from the clear gel inside. It may take some practice, but you should be able to peel it away in a clean, smooth strip.[18]
- Wash your hands before you begin this process. Work on a clean cutting surface to prevent contamination of your aloe vera gel.
- Scrape the gel out of the inside of the leaf. Once you have the gel exposed, slip your knife underneath the gel to separate it from the other side of the leaf. Go slowly, taking care not to knick into the leaf as you go.[19]
- With practice, you may be able to harvest all the gel from a leaf in a smooth strip. However, it isn't necessary for the gel to be in a single piece. Multiple pieces work just as well and may be easier to handle.
- Refrigerate unused gel promptly. You can use harvested aloe vera gel on your face immediately. If you're harvesting it for later use, refrigerate it in an air-tight container. This will keep your aloe vera gel fresh.[20]
- Aloe vera gel degrades over time. You can keep it in the fridge for a few days up to a week. If you need to keep it any longer than that, freeze it.
- If you're buying aloe vera gel online or in a store, check the ingredients carefully. To get the full benefits of the product, do not buy aloe vera gel with any chemical additives.
- To keep your fresh aloe vera gel from going bad, always store it in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.
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| How to Make Pita Bread Posted: 20 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT Pita bread is a Middle Eastern cuisine staple, but it goes great with lots of other foods as well. Making pita bread requires mixing and kneading the dough, and then cooking each piece of pita bread individually. However, the time and effort are well worth it for the taste of freshly baked pita bread! EditIngredients - of active dry yeast
- of warm water
- of all-purpose flour
- of salt
- of olive oil
EditMixing the Dough - Combine the yeast, of flour, and water in a mixing bowl. Pour in of dry yeast, of water, and of flour. Use a hand or stand mixer set to medium speed to combine the ingredients. Keep mixing until a sponge-like dough forms.[1]
- If you have a stand mixer, add the ingredients to the stand mixer bowl. If not, use a large mixing bowl so you will be able to beat the ingredients together with a hand mixer
- Add the olive oil, salt, and remaining flour to the bowl. Measure out the of salt and of olive oil and pour these into the bowl. Then, add all of the remaining flour to the bowl as well.[2]
- Don't worry if the dough seems a little sticky. You can add more flour to get the dough to the right consistency.
- Knead the dough for about 6 minutes. Use the dough hook on a stand mixer set to medium speed, or knead the dough with your hands by squeezing it. Continue doing this for about 6 minutes. When the dough is ready, it will be soft, pliable, and slightly sticky.[3]
- If you are kneading the dough by hand, your hands may get tired. Take breaks as needed.
- Make sure your hands are clean before you start kneading the dough![4]
- Sprinkle in of flour if the dough is too sticky. If you notice that the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, your hands, or the dough hook, then sprinkle in a little more flour. Only add a small amount of flour or the dough may become too dry. Keep kneading the dough after you add the flour. Knead until the flour is completely mixed into the dough.[5] of cinnamon into your dough as you knead it.
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- You may need to repeat this a few times to get the dough to the right consistency.
EditShaping the Dough - Place the dough ball in a greased bowl and cover it. Spray the bowl with some non-stick cooking spray, or pour a small amount of olive oil into the bowl and use a paper towel to coat the edges with the oil. Then, grease 1 side of the foil or plastic wrap in the same way. Place the dough ball into the bowl and cover it with the greased foil or plastic wrap.[6]
- Use a clean bowl or wash out the bowl you used to mix and knead the dough. Dry it with a clean, paper towel, and then grease the bowl.
- Allow the dough to rise for 2 hours. Set the bowl with the covered dough ball in it in a warm place, such as on your kitchen counter. Set a timer for 2 hours and check the dough when the time is up. The dough will double in size over the course of 2 hours.[7]
- When the dough has doubled in size, it is done rising. You may notice that it reaches this point slightly before or after 2 hours depending on the potency of your yeast.
- Punch down the dough and place it on a floured surface. Once the dough is finished rising, use your fist to punch it down in the center and along the edges. Then, transfer the dough ball to a floured surface, such as a clean kitchen counter or cutting board with flour sprinkled over it.[8]
- Make sure the entire surface is covered with a thin layer of flour. This will help to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface.
- Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized pieces and roll them into balls. Use a butter knife to cut the dough in half. Then cut each of these halves in half again. Then, cut each of the quarters in half. This will leave you with 8 equal-sized pieces of dough. Use your hands to roll these pieces into balls.[9]
- If needed, sprinkle more flour onto your work surface and over the balls to prevent them from sticking. wide round pieces of pita bread is not your only option. You can also try…
Using cookie cutters to cut pita dough into shapes, such as stars, hearts, or cats! Roll out all of the pita dough into a large sheet and use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes. Cook the same as round-shaped pitas, and remove them from the heat after they puff up completely.
Making mini-pitas that are about wide. Cut your ball of pita dough into 16 equally-sized pieces instead of 8 pieces. Cook the same way you would regular-sized pitas, but watch them as they might puff up faster than larger pieces.
Creating 2 extra-large pieces of pita bread for pizza toppings. Divide your pita dough in half and roll it out to thickness. Then, bake the piece of pita dough in a oven until it puffs up completely (about 7 to 9 minutes). Repeat for the other piece.
}} - Let the dough balls rise for 30 minutes. Space out the dough balls on your work surface so they are about apart. Then, grease a piece of foil or plastic wrap as you did before. Place this sheet over your dough balls and set a timer for 30 minutes so the dough balls can rise.[10]
- If the sheet of foil or plastic you used to cover the large dough ball is still intact, reuse this to cover your dough balls.
- Flatten the dough balls into thick discs. Use a rolling pin to help you flatten each of the dough balls. Measure to check the thickness and the width of the discs. Aim for discs that are about wide.[11]
- Thin pita discs are more likely to puff up and form a pocket when you cook them, so it is important to get the pita dough to this thickness![12]
- Use a rolling pin with interchangeable rings to get the thickness to exactly . These are available wherever you can purchase specialty baking supplies, such as in the cake baking section at a craft supply store or in the bakeware section of a large department store.
- Wrap and refrigerate the dough for up to 1 week. You may cook the dough into pita bread right away, or wait for up to 1 week to prepare it. Wrap each of the dough balls with a piece of oiled plastic or foil wrap. Then, place the wrapped balls into a sized resealable plastic bag. Place the dough balls in the refrigerator.[13]
- You may want to write the date on the bag to remind yourself of how long you have to use them.
EditCooking the Pita Bread - Heat of olive oil in a cast iron pan. Non-stick cooking spray also works well for preventing your pita bread from sticking to the pan. Coat the pan well with oil or non-stick cooking spray and turn the heat on medium high. Let the pan heat for a few minutes before putting the first piece of pita dough into the pan.[14]
- The pan needs to be very hot for the pita to puff up and cook properly. If it is not hot enough, the pita dough will not puff up, which is necessary for the pita to form a pocket in the center. Unpuffed pita bread is still useable, but you will not be able to stuff it.
- Place 1 of the dough discs into the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Watch the top of the dough disc for small bubbles to form. When you notice these, flip the disc over to the other side. This should only take about 30 seconds.[15]
- Make sure to use tongs or a spatula to flip the pita! Do not use a fork since this will poke holes in the pita and prevent it from puffing up properly.[16]
- Flip the disc and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes on the other side. After you notice bubbles forming, flip the pita bread over and cook it on the other side for about 1 to 2 more minutes. Wait until the dough starts to puff up to flip it over again. This may only take 1 minute or it may take the full 2 minutes.[17]
- After you flip the pita again, the other side of the pita will have brown spots where the bubbles formed.
- If the pita bread does not inflate, the pan may not be hot enough. Turn up the heat before cooking the next pita
- Turn the disc over and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. The pita bread is done cooking when it completely inflates, which may take around 1 to 2 minutes. The disc will fill up with air like a balloon.[18]
- Remember to use tongs or a spatula to flip the pita bread!
- Remove the cooked pita bread from the heat and place it onto a plate. Press the air out with the back of your spatula or tongs before removing it from the griddle. Then, place the pita bread onto a plate.[19]
- To keep the pita bread warm while the rest of the pita bread cooks, place a piece of foil or a pan lid over the plate.
- Repeat to cook the rest of the pita bread. Go through the same cooking process for each piece of pita bread. Since each piece takes about 5 minutes to cook, it will take about 40 minutes to cook all 8 pieces of the pita bread.[20]
- Speed up the cooking process by using 2 pans to cook 2 pieces of pita bread at once.
- Eat the pita bread immediately or store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Pita bread tastes best when you eat it fresh. However, you can store your pita bread in an air-tight container or bag for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, or for up to 3 months in the freezer. Stack the pita bread and place wax paper between the pieces of pita bread to keep them from sticking together. Then, place the stack of pita bread into an air-tight plastic or glass container, or in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator or freezer.[21]
- Write the date on the container or bag to ensure that you use the pita bread in time.
- You may also bake pita bread in the oven at . Place your pita bread discs onto a baking sheet. Bake them for about 3 minutes. When the pita bread has fully inflated with air, it is done![22]
- Try using whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour for a nuttier taste and more fiber![23]
- Be careful when removing the pita bread from the pan or oven. Wear oven mitts to protect your hands and use tools, such as a spatula and tongs to flip the pita bread.
EditThings You'll Need - Mixing bowl
- Stand or hand mixer
- Cutting board or kitchen counter
- Rolling pin
- Non-stick cooking spray (optional)
- Tin foil or plastic wrap
- Plate with a lid
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| How to Pick Up Litter Posted: 20 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT Litter presents a threat to wildlife and public health. If you want to make a difference in your community, take it upon yourself to pick up trash and waste around your city. Choose a location that you feel is most affected by litter. Then, gather the necessary materials, such as trash bags, a pick-up stick, and a safety vest. To make your pick-up day successful, sort the litter you find for recycling. Every little bit counts when you do your part to keep your area clean! EditChoosing a Location for Litter Cleanup - Pick up litter on the roadways to keep streets safe. U.S. roadways are littered with a variety of waste, with the most common trash items being tobacco products (cigarette butts), paper, and plastic. Highways, roadways, and side streets are all common litter sites because motorists tend to throw trash and waste out of vehicle windows. Litter on the streets can be a safety hazard, as waste can damage cars that drive over it, blow into motorists' windshields, or even catch fire.[1]
- Always use extreme caution when picking up trash on roadways– never pick up litter in the middle of the street. Wear safety vests and only pick up in the daytime so that you are clearly visible to motorists.
- Remove litter near transition points to keep businesses and public services tidy. Transition points include entrances to businesses or public services that prohibit certain items, like movie theaters, stadiums, or buses. The most common trash found by transportation points are confections (candy and gum) and cigarette butts. Heavily populated retail areas by shopping centers and convenience stores also create a lot of opportunities for littering.[2]
- Always ask permission from the store owner or manager before proceeding if picking up litter in front of a privately owned business.
- Look for litter in recreational areas while camping or hiking. Places where people congregate for leisure, such as parks and beaches, accumulate litter very quickly. Choose to pick up litter in these recreational areas to keep them looking nice and welcoming for locals and tourists– and to protect surrounding wildlife![3]
- Ocean trash is a serious problem that can not only affect that appearance of our public beaches but can also affect the health of people and wildlife. If you plan on taking a trip to the beach, be prepared by bringing a couple of trash bags along with you to pick up excess garbage.
- Prevent litter from polluting our oceans by picking up trash near storm drains. Storm drains are designed to drain excess rain from our streets. Excess litter can block the drains, causing streets to flood. When trash gets into the drains, it can end up washing up on beaches or in our oceans. The most common items found by storm drains are cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic bottles.[4]
- Only remove surface debris from a storm drain using gloves or a rake. Never reach your hand in the catch basin or attempt to remove a grate.[5]
- Do not attempt to clear the drain when there is standing water. It can carry disease and be a breeding ground for mosquitos.
- Join a volunteer organization to clean up litter in your neighborhood. Conduct a Google search to find volunteer litter pickups in your area. Some cities conduct annual neighborhood cleanups in designated areas. You can also volunteer for roadway trash pickup programs such as Adopt-A-Highway or Sponsor-A-Highway. This is a great way to keep your city clean with the help of your neighbors and friends.[6]
- Cleaning up litter in groups is recommended, and can ultimately accomplish a lot more cleaning. Advertise the event on social media to get more people involved.
EditUsing Necessary Tools and Safety Materials - Use a litter pick-up stick to pick up trash from the ground. One of the handiest tools for the trash removal is a pick-up stick. It is designed so you can grab the trash without bending down or touching it with your hands. Some sticks have a lever to open and close a clamp that grabs the trash, while others have sharp metal parts that pierce the trash and lift it off of the ground.[7]
- Look online to find the best pick up stick that meets your litter cleanup needs.
- Wear a reflective safety vest near roadways to increase your visibility. Safety vests come in bright fluorescent colors, such as yellow, green, or orange. Vests with reflective strips increase your visibility and help you stand out against your surroundings. It is very important that you wear this clothing at all times when collecting litter near roadways. The bright and reflective colors will alert motorists that people are working nearby.[8]
- Carry multiple trash bags to collect and sort all of the litter. When picking up trash, you're going to need something to put it all in. You may come across garbage or recycling bins, but in the event that you don't you'll need to carry multiple heavy-duty trash bags with you during your pickup.[9]
- Purchase a bag handle or holder online that will make carrying multiple bags more convenient.
- Wear sturdy gloves to protect your hands. When picking up litter, it is recommended that you wear thick, gardening gloves. If you come across something that your pick-up stick is unable to grab, you may need to pick it up with your hands. Gardening gloves will protect your hands from germs and bacteria or anything sharp.[10]
EditPicking Up the Litter - Dress appropriately for the weather. Since you're going to be outside for a good percentage of the day, pay attention to the weather forecast. If the sun is out and you live in a warm climate, make sure to wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your face and neck from sun damage.[11]
- Always wear close-toed shoes to protect your feet no matter what the weather.
- Wear bug repellant to avoid mosquito bites while you're picking up litter.
- Use multiple bags to sort litter for recycling. When cleaning up trash, it is important to recycle in order to reduce the amount of waste in our environment. Many items are recyclable but should be placed in separate recycling bins. You can use 4 trash bags as you clean to separate litter into the following categories: metals, paper, plastic, and bottles.[12]
- Metals include things like soda cans, soup cans, foil, and bakeware.
- Paper products should include cardboard, magazines, newspapers, and juice cartons.
- Plastic should only be recycled if it is clean. If you find plastic bottles with liquid inside, even if it's just a small amount, throw it away in a garbage bin. Plastic bags also should not be placed in recycling bins.[13]
- Avoid and report hazardous materials. Certain waste products should be avoided when you're picking up litter, as they may be harmful. If you see any of the following items, do not pick them up. Instead, report them to the local council or landowner:[14]
- Needles
- Human waste
- Personal hygiene products (condoms, tampons, etc.)
- Electrical items
- Dead animals
- Bottles of liquid
- Unlabeled bottles
- Potentially dangerous chemicals
- Use caution when working on roadways. Work during the day so cars passing are able to see you, and never pick up trash in the middle of the street.
- Be very careful when picking up sharp objects. You should always wear sturdy gloves, or avoid picking up objects with your hands altogether by using a pickup stick.
- Don't pick up hazardous materials, such as razor blades, syringes, animal carcasses, and condoms.[15]
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