| How to Keep Food Off Your Mind Posted: 01 Apr 2020 05:00 PM PDT Food is an essential part of everyone's life, but it can become a problem when it's all you think about. If you are trying to make a change in your diet, you may be struggling with constant thoughts about food that you are craving. To keep food off your mind, try to stay hydrated, distract yourself with a friend, and plan out your meals to reach your goals and start a healthy relationship with food. [Edit]Avoiding Cravings - Drink water to stay hydrated. Sometimes your body gets its signals crossed and tells you that you're hungry when you really just need some water. Keep a water bottle with you during the day and drink water consistently. If you start to think about food, chug some water to see if it satiates you.[1]
- Plan out your meals to feel prepared. Create a 7 day meal plan by writing out what you are going to eat for each meal on each day. Spend 1 day a week preparing lunches to take to work or dinners to pop in the oven. Having meals that are already decided will help you avoid worrying about what you are going to eat next.[2]
- Don't be too hard on yourself if you divert from your meal plan once or twice.
- Keep junk food out of the house. If you buy things like cookies, chips, and soda, you're probably going to think about them while they are sitting in your kitchen. Avoid the temptation by only buying healthy foods that may not seem as appealing to you. Create a grocery list before you go shopping and stick to it as much as you can.[3]
- Processed foods often have more sugar and chemicals in them that makes your body crave them more. Avoiding those foods will help break the cycle of your cravings.
- You may have "trigger foods," or foods that you can't stop thinking about until you eat them. Try to recognize what those are and avoid them completely. Common trigger foods include potato chips, snack cakes, and cookies.
- Never go to the grocery store while you are hungry. This can cause you to buy unhealthy food that you are craving.
- Eat more protein to feel fuller. Eating lean protein is an excellent way to stop your cravings by feeling full. Chicken, beef, fish, and beans are all proteins that will take longer to digest, so they will make you feel fuller for longer.[4]
- Eating lean protein also adds to your muscle mass and keeps your blood sugar steady.
- Avoid eating foods like white bread or baked potatoes, as they digest quickly and will leave you feeling hungry.
- Add healthy fats to your diet. Your body often craves fat, and for a good reason. Fat helps the body stabilize its cholesterol levels and can improve the health of your heart. Add foods like avocados, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and fish into your diet to satisfy your fat cravings.[5]
- Saturated fats are healthy in moderation, but many foods have too much saturated fats in them. Pizza, cookies, and fast food all have high levels of saturated fats that are harmful to your health.
- Check the label on your food for trans fat or saturated fat and try to limit the food you eat with those ingredients.[6]
- Reduce your stress levels with meditation and exercise. If you're a stress-eater, your thoughts may turn to food whenever you need to calm down. Try to reduce your stress levels with meditation, exercise, and deep-breathing instead of food. Managing your stress in a healthy way is also beneficial to your overall health.[7]
- If you are struggling with managing your stress levels, talk to a mental health professional.
- Get enough sleep every night. When you're tired, your body craves caffeine and sugar to give you a boost. Try to get about 8 hours of sleep each night so that you feel rested and awake the next morning. Getting enough sleep each night is also beneficial to your overall health.[8]
- You may need more than 8 hours of sleep a night, especially if you are still growing.
[Edit]Distracting Yourself - Do a fun physical activity that you enjoy. If you're starting to think about food, try getting up and going for a walk, a run, or even a round of soccer with your friends. Exercise is a great way to keep your mind and body occupied while meeting your fitness goals. Try to find a physical activity that you like doing so that you look forward to it.[9]
- Hiking, rock climbing, weight training, and swimming are all great activities to get your body moving.
- Get yourself out of the house. If you're just sitting in your home, you are more likely to think about all the food that is in your kitchen. Go for a walk around the block, run some errands, or head to a movie to keep your mind off of food.[10]
- If you have a pet, take them for a short walk around your neighborhood as an excuse to get out of the house.
- Call a friend for support. If you've shared your struggles with a friend or family member, call them up as a distraction when you are thinking about food. Even if you haven't talked about your problem, you can still catch up with a friend as a way to keep your mind off of food. Ask them about their life, hobbies, and what they are enjoying lately.[11]
- If you have a friend who is also struggling to keep their mind off of food, they may appreciate you sharing your struggles with them.
- Finish chores around the house. There's no better feeling than checking things off of your to-do list. Tackle chores you've been meaning to finish like doing the laundry, washing the dishes, mopping the floor, and changing your sheets. You'll keep your mind off of food while also decluttering your living space.[12]
- Keeping your living area clutter-free can help improve your overall mood and mental health.
- Chew sugarless gum to trick your mind. You may be able to trick your brain into thinking you are eating just by chewing. Buy some sugarless gum to munch on whenever you are thinking about food. Do this in conjunction with another distraction to keep your mind off of your hunger.[13]
- You can find sugarless gum at most grocery stores. Look for the label "sugar free."
- Write in a journal to keep track of your thoughts. Distracting yourself physically is good, but your brain may still be focused on food. Try keeping a diary or journal to write in whenever you feel like food is on your mind. Write down what you did that day, how you are feeling, and what your goals are. Get creative with your journal by adding pictures or stickers as decoration.[14]
- Use a pocket-sized journal to keep with you whenever you might need it.
- Watch a funny video to move your thoughts elsewhere. If your brain is fixated on the thought of food, you may need to give it something else to think about. The fastest way to engage your brain is to look up a funny video on social media. Try search terms like "funny animals" or "hilarious pranks."[15]
- YouTube is a great site for finding videos to distract yourself.
- You may be thinking about food just because you are bored. Try to occupy your mind before you turn to food.
- If you cave in and snack occasionally, don't beat yourself up about it! Changing your eating habits is hard and keeping your mind off of food is a process.
- If you feel extremely hungry, try to eat something healthy rather than not eating at all.
[Edit]Warnings - If you feel unusually hungry all the time, talk to your doctor to see if you have an underlying medical condition that is causing your hunger.
[Edit]References |
| How to Trim Your Own Hair Posted: 01 Apr 2020 09:00 AM PDT You can easily trim your hair in between haircuts, whether you cut it yourself or get it cut professionally. Use hair clippers to trim the top, back, and sides of short haircuts, or use hair cutting shears to trim your bangs and ends. Follow your existing haircut, and make small, gradual snips so you don't cut off too much. With a little patience and precision, you can freshen up your fabulous hairstyle! [Edit]Using Clippers - Use a set of hair clippers with different guards. You can easily cut short hairstyles using hair clippers. Most sets come with many different guard settings, and each guard number corresponds to the hair cut size it creates. The larger the number, the longer your hair will be. Most guard sizes range from ½ to 8.[1]
- Each guard size corresponds to a measurement of hair. For instance, number 1 guard cuts your hair to , number 2 cuts to , number 3 cuts to , number 4 cuts to , number 5 cuts to , number 6 cuts to , number 7 cuts to , and number 8 cuts to .[2]
- Wet your hair before you cut it. It is easiest to trim hair with clippers when your hair is damp. You can cut your hair after you get out of the shower, or you can spray a light, even layer of water over your head with a spray bottle.[3]
- In addition, you can run your hands under the sink and then run them through your hair.
- Put your guard on your blade and turn on your clippers. When you are ready to cut your hair, simply snap the guard on top of your blade. To do this, place the end with the teeth at the blade, and snap the other end into place at the base of the blade. Then, plug in your clippers and flip the switch to the "on" position.[4]
- You can trim your hair so it is slightly longer on top and slightly shorter on the sides. To do this, use a guard 1 size larger on top and 1 size smaller on the sides.
- If you want to trim your hair to all the same length, use 1 guard for all of your hair.
- Alternatively, you can use wireless clippers as well.
- Trim the side of your hair starting at the your hairline near your ear. When you trim your hair yourself, it is easiest to start on the side. Watch yourself carefully in a clear mirror. Place your clippers at your hairline above your ears, and move the clippers towards the crown of your head. When you reach the top of your head, flick your wrist outward to move the clippers from your head. This way, you do not trim the hair on top. Continue doing this for both the left and right side of your head.[5]
- The clippers will effortlessly trim your hair for you, without going any shorter than your guard.
- Trim the back of your hair from the nape of your neck upwards. Place the clippers at your hairline, and move them upwards until you reach the top of your head. Repeat this to trim the back of your head.[6]
- To help you trim the back of your head, you can also tilt your head completely down so your chin touches your chest. Then, move the clippers from the nape of your neck to the crown of your head.
- In addition, you can use your hand to feel your hair and guide your clippers to the right spot.
- This is a spot where it may be beneficial to ask a friend or family member for help, since you can't see what you're doing. If you don't have anyone who can help, use a second mirror so that you can see the back side of your head.
- Change your guard if you want your top longer than the sides. After you've trimmed all the hair on the sides of your head, replace your guard with a larger size if you want to your hair on top longer than the hair on the sides. To remove the guard, simply lift it up using the small plastic edge at the base of the blade.[7]
- If you want to trim your hair all the same length, simply continue using the same guard.
- Trim the top of your hair from your hairline to the crown of your head. Once the sides and back of your hair are trimmed, move on to the top. You will find it much easier to trim the hair on the top of your head because you can see it in the mirror. To do this, simply place your clippers at your hairline and slowly move it towards the crown of your head. Stop when you reach the back, and flick your wrist away from your head. Continue this motion until you trim all of your hair![8]
- It's okay if your clippers extend a little bit down the back or sides of your head. This hair will not get cut any shorter, since you already trimmed them and you are using a guard the same size or larger.
- Check your haircut in the mirror and touch it up as needed. When you finish trimming, look in the mirror to make sure your hair is even. If you missed a spot, run your clippers over your hair to even it out. If there are any longer pieces around your hairline, trim them to match the length of all your hair using hair cutting shears.
- Don't forget to check around your ears!
[Edit]Trimming Your Bangs - Isolate your bangs by putting the rest of your hair up. Before you trim your bangs, it is helpful to move the rest of your hair out of the way. Pull your bangs over your forehead, and comb back the rest of your hair. Grab all of your hair in 1 hand, and secure a hair tie or clip with the other.[9]
- If you have a lot of hair, you can use 2 clips or 2 hair ties instead. Divide your hair into left and right sections, and secure each side.
- Cut your bangs when they're dry and tangle-free. Once your the rest of your hair is out of the way, take a comb to smooth out your bangs. This gets rid of any tangles. Additionally, it makes it easier for you to focus on your bangs, so you can see where to trim. It is best to trim your bangs when they are completely dry. If your hair is wet, you can use a blow dryer or let them air dry.[10]
- For best results, you can use a rat tail comb.
- In addition, you can also use a medium-tooth or wide-tooth comb.
- If your hair is wet, you can easily trim away more than you realize, since hair stretches and appears longer before drying. Because of this, it is best to trim your bangs when they are dry.[11]
- Trim your bangs starting from the middle and working towards the sides. To trim your bangs as evenly as possible, it is best to start in the middle, then work your way towards the sides. Position your fingers at the ends of your hair where you want your bangs to hit your forehead, and make tiny snips into your bangs directly below your fingers. Continue snipping until you reach the edge of your bangs. Then, go back and snip the sides of your bangs.[12]
- For best results, follow the shape of your bangs as you make your snips.
- Hold your bangs between 2 fingers, leaving at the end. To easily trim your bangs, pinch them between your index and middle finger and gently pull on the ends so your hair is taut. This keeps the hair straight, so you can make even cuts.[13]
- Hold your hair with your non-dominant hand and make your snips with your dominant hand.
- Hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle to make vertical snips. When cutting your bangs, you want to make tiny snips directly below your fingers, rather than making a horizontal cut straight across. To do this, put your scissors in your hand and angle them upwards so they are in the vertical position.[14]
- Cutting your hair vertically rather than horizontally creates a natural shape instead of a harsh line across your face.
- Take a look in the mirror to check the length of your bangs. After you've trimmed all of your hair, inspect your haircut in the mirror. Is it trimmed enough? Did you miss a spot? If you want your hair trimmed shorter, continue snipping to your desired length. If you missed a spot, go back and make tiny, vertical snips until your bangs are even.[15]
- It is also helpful to let the rest of your hair down to check your length. You can easily see how your bangs blend into the rest of your hair.
[Edit]Cutting Your Ends - Cut your hair when it is dry. You are less likely to trim off too much hair since you can see the true length of your hair. When you cut wet hair, it often appears longer and it's easy to cut too much without realizing it.[16]
- Section your hair into 4 equal parts. To make it easier to trim your ends, divide your hair from ear to ear. Then, divide your hair down the center so you have 4 equal sections or quadrants. Comb through each section, then clip the top 2 sections out of the way.[17]
- Alternatively, you can use an elastic hair tie and create 2 buns on the top of your head.
- Hold the ends of 1 of the bottom sections between 2 fingers. Begin with 1 of the bottom sections of hair, and comb through your hair from root to tip. Then, place your hair in between your index and middle finger to hold it in place. You can gently pull on the ends of your hair so it stays taut. Position your fingers at the ends so there is about below your fingers.[18]
- Hold your hair in your non-dominant hand so you can easily cut your hair with your dominant hand.
- Hold your shears parallel with the ends of your hair. When you trim your ends, hold your shears horizontally at the ends of your hair, and make small snips across the bottom to trim your hair.[19]
- You want to avoid cutting at a blunt angle so your hair does not have chunky lines.
- Cut off of the bottom of both sides. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, make a straight cut horizontally across the ends of your hair. You can do this in 1 snip or several, depending on the length of your hair. For a trim, snip up to to off of your ends. The exact length you need to take off will depend on the amount of damage you have at your ends.[20]
- Use your split ends as a guide for how much length you need to take off. If you feel comfortable with it, try to cut above the tops of all the splits. This will help keep your hair healthy.
- Always cut your hair with sharp shears. If you use dull scissors, you may get split ends.
- Once you finish one of the bottom sides, repeat this on the other side.
- Unclip the top sections and cut 1 side. Take the clips out of your hair, but keep the sections divided into a left section and a right section. When you cut the top layers, you want to hold all of the hair in between your fingers, rather than just the bottom layer. Position your fingers about above the ends of your hair.[21]
- Follow the freshly-cut bottom section as a guideline to trim the rest. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, you can easily see the line you cut across the bottom of your hair. Follow this line and cut your hair horizontally across so it is even with the bottom layer. Trim your remaining hair in a few small snips. Then, do this for the other section.[22]
- If you have thick hair, you may want to section your hair into about parts so it is easier to trim. Cut 1 small section, then move on to another small section. Continue snipping until you trim all of your hair.
- When you are finished, check your hair in the mirror to ensure it is the same length. If there are any uneven pieces, snip any stragglers using your shears.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Comb
- Hair clip or elastic hair tie
- Hair cutting shears or trimmers
- Squirt bottle (optional)
- Handheld mirror
- To keep your hair healthy, you can trim your ends every 2-3 months.
- Start by snipping small amounts at a time. You can always cut more off!
- The bathroom is generally a good place to try cutting your own hair since you have both a mirror and a sink available. Bring a handheld mirror, too, so that you can see the back of your head.
[Edit]Warnings - Always use sharp, hair cutting shears to ensure you get the smoothest line possible. Using dull blades or household scissors can result in uneven sections.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Pickle Carrots Posted: 01 Apr 2020 01:00 AM PDT If you love the vinegary sweetness of pickled vegetables, try pickling carrots at home. You can start with a basic brine and adjust the seasonings or choose a Mexican or Vietnamese inspired brine. Bring your choice of brine to a boil and add sliced carrots. Let the carrots cook very briefly so they begin to absorb the brine. Then pack the carrots with brine in jars and chill the pickled carrots before you serve them. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Basic Pickled Carrots - carrots, peeled
- water
- cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (25.5 g) coarse sea or kosher salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (3 g) fennel or dill seeds, optional
Makes 1 pint (500 ml) jar [Edit]Mexican Pickled Carrots - carrots
- 2 large jalapeños
- 1/2 medium white onion
- 5 cloves garlic, diced
- white vinegar
- water
- 6 bay leaves
- 10 peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) kosher salt
Makes 3 pint (500 ml) jars [Edit]Vietnamese Pickled Carrots - daikon, peeled
- carrots, peeled
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) kosher or sea salt
- unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (33 g) sugar
- water
Makes 1 pint (500 ml) jar [Edit]Sweet Pickled Carrots - 4 cups (490 g) baby carrots
- white distilled vinegar 5%
- water
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) coarse sea salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (9 g) pickling spice
Makes 2 pint (500 ml) jars [Edit]Basic Pickled Carrots - Trim the carrots into sticks. Use a vegetable peeler to peel of carrots. Cut each carrot in half lengthwise and lay them flat on your cutting board. Cut each piece in half to create shorter sticks that will fit in your jar.[1]
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Fill a medium pot three-quarters full of water. Add a few pinches of salt and turn the burner to high. The water should begin to bubble vigorously.[2]
- Avoid using a copper or cast iron pot because the metal reacts with the food.
- Boil the carrot sticks for 1 minute. Carefully lower the trimmed carrots into the boiling water and cook them for 1 minute. The carrots should soften just a little.[3]
- Drain and rinse the carrots under cold water. Set a colander in the sink and drain the carrots into it. Run cold water over the carrots for at least 30 seconds. The cold water will stop the carrots from cooking and ensure that they stay bright orange.[4]
- Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, bay leaf, and fennel to a boil. Measure these brine ingredients into the same pot on the stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the brine to a boil.[5]
- Reduce the heat and simmer the brine for 2 minutes. Once the liquid boils, turn the burner down to medium so the brine bubbles gently. Simmer the brine for 2 minutes so the salt and sugar dissolve.[6]
- Turn off the heat and add the carrot sticks. Transfer the drained carrot sticks from the colander to the pot with the brine. Stir the carrots and let them sit in the hot brine until the mixture cools to room temperature.[7]
- Transfer the pickled carrots to a jar. Get out a clean pint (500 ml) jar and spoon the pickled carrots and brine into it. Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid.[8]
- Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 1 day. Put the jar in the refrigerator to chill before you serve the pickled carrots. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.[9]
[Edit]Mexican Pickled Carrots - Slice the carrots and onion into slices. Use a sharp knife to cut of carrots into diagonal slices that are thick. You'll also need to peel 1/2 of a medium white onion and cut it into thick slices as well.[10]
- Trim and slice 2 large jalapeños. Take a paring knife and trim the stems off of the jalapeños. Cut the peppers into thin slices that are thick. Set the peppers aside.[11]
- Combine the garlic, vinegar, water, bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and salt. Place 5 diced cloves of garlic into a large stock pot. Pour in of white vinegar and of water. Stir in:[12]
- 6 bay leaves
- 10 peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) of dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher salt
- Heat the brine over high heat and add the vegetables. Turn the burner to high so the brine begins to boil. Stir in the sliced carrots, onion, and jalapeños.[13]
- Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Turn the burner to medium-low, so the brine bubbles gently. Cook the pickled vegetables with the lid off of the pot.[14]
- Cool the Mexican pickled carrots and transfer them to jars. Turn off the burner and let the vegetables come to room temperature. Scoop them into 3 clean pint (500 ml) jars. Pour brine in each jar so the pickled carrots are submerged. Tighten lids on each of the jars.[15]
- Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 3 hours. Chilling the pickled carrots will let them absorb flavor from the brine. You can store the pickled carrots in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.[16]
[Edit]Vietnamese Pickled Carrots - Cut the daikon and carrots into matchsticks or coins. Take of peeled daikon and of peeled carrots and cut them into matchstick pieces or coins. If you want to cut them into coins, they should be 1/4-inch (6mm) thick.[17]
- If you prefer, you can substitute more carrots for the daikon.
- Whisk the vinegar, salt, sugar, and water. Pour of water into a large bowl. Whisk in 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher or sea salt, of unseasoned rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (33 g) of sugar. Keep whisking until the sugar and salt dissolve.[18]
- Stir in the vegetables and let them sit for 1 hour. Add the carrots and daikon to the bowl with the brine and stir them so they're coated. Let the carrots and daikon sit and marinate for at least 1 hour before you serve them.[19]
- Refrigerate the leftover Vietnamese pickled carrots in an airtight jar for up to 5 days.
[Edit]Sweet Pickled Carrots - Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spice to a boil. Pour these brine ingredients into a large pot and turn the burner to high so the brine comes to a boil.[20]
- Add the baby carrots and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir 4 cups (490 g) of baby carrots into the boiling brine and boil them until they're slightly softened. Turn off the burner.[21]
- Rinse the carrots under cold water for 1 minute. Set a colander in the sink and use a slotted spoon to remove the carrots from the brine. Transfer the carrots to the colander and run cold water over them so they stop cooking.[22]
- Pack the carrots and brine in jars. Get out 2 clean pint (500 ml) jars and divide the carrots between them. Position the carrots so they're standing upright. This will allow you to fit more carrots into the jars. Pour enough brine in each jar to leave of space at the top.[23]
- Put the lids on the jars and bring the carrots to room temperature. Screw the lids on the jars and let the sweet pickled carrots sit for about 1 hour. The jars should be room temperature when they're ready to refrigerate.[24]
- Refrigerate the sweet pickled carrots for at least 1 day. The carrots will absorb the flavor of the brine as they chill. You can refrigerate the sweet pickled carrots for up to 4 weeks.[25]
- If you want a different texture, you can spiralize, shred, or cut the carrots into rounds instead of sticks.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Basic Pickled Carrots - Vegetable peeler
- Knife and cutting board
- Non-reactive medium pot
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander
- Spoon
- 1 pint (500 ml) jar with tight-fitting lid
[Edit]Mexican Pickled Carrots - Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Large stock pot
- Spoon
- 3 pint (500 ml) jars with lids
[Edit]Vietnamese Pickled Carrots - Measuring cups and spoons
- Large bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Whisk
- 1 pint (500 ml) jar with lid
[Edit]Sweet Pickled Carrots - Measuring cups and spoons
- Large pot
- Spoon
- Colander
- Slotted spoon
- 2 pint (500 ml) jars with lids
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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