Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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How to of the Day


How to Dry Grapefruit

Posted: 20 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT

Grapefruit is a bitter citrus fruit that can be eaten on its own or put into recipes. Dried grapefruit can be candied, used as a decoration, or even dipped in chocolate. To dry your grapefruit, make sure to slice it into thick slices, place it in your oven or a food dehydrator, and check on it every few hours for a dry, crisp texture.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Drying in the Oven

  1. Preheat your oven to . Citrus dries the best at a low and slow temperature. Set your oven to to avoid burning your grapefruit slices.[1]
    Dry Grapefruit Step 1.jpg
    • Turning your oven up higher will not make your grapefruit dry faster.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper ensures that the grapefruit won't stick to the baking sheet that you are using. Cut a sheet of parchment paper down to the size of your pan and lay it on top.[2]

    • The grapefruit will get sticky as it dries out, so it is important to put down parchment paper as protection for your tray.
  3. Wash and dry your grapefruit. Since you are keeping the peel of the grapefruit on, run it under cool water and gently scrub it to remove any dirt or debris that could be on it. Pat it with a clean towel until the grapefruit is mostly dry.[3]

    Dry Grapefruit Step 3.jpg
    • Do not use soap to wash your grapefruit.
  4. Slice your grapefruit into thick slices. Use a thin, serrated knife or mandolin to carefully slice your grapefruit into thin slices. The thinner the slice, the faster the grapefruit will dry. Try to make sure the slices are somewhat even so that they will dry at the same rate.[4]

    • Cut off the top and bottom of the grapefruit before you start slicing to make it easier.
    • Instead of slices, you could cut the grapefruit into segments. You'll likely need to reduce the baking time, so check on the drying process frequently.
  5. Put the grapefruit slices onto the parchment paper. Make sure the slices don't touch each other or overlap. Leave about of space in between each slice.[5]

    • If the grapefruit slices are in layers, they won't dry out as quickly.
  6. Sprinkle the grapefruit with superfine sugar for a sweeter taste. Grapefruit is fairly bitter on its own, especially with the rind included. To cut down some of that bitter taste, coat the slices in fine white sugar to candy them in the oven.[6]

    • Candied fruit is shinier and looks more appealing than normal dried fruit.
  7. Set your baking tray on the middle rack of your oven. Do not place your baking tray too near the heating elements of your oven or it could burn your grapefruit slices. Make sure your parchment paper doesn't touch any of the heating elements in your oven.[7]
    Dry Grapefruit Step 7.jpg
  8. Flip the grapefruit slices after 2 hours. Set a timer on your oven for 2 hours. Take the baking tray out of the oven and flip each slice using tongs. Make sure they do not sit on top of each other after you flip them.[8]

    Dry Grapefruit Step 8.jpg
    • The grapefruit will be hot, so use caution as you flip them over.
  9. Take the grapefruit out after 3 more hours. Set a timer on your oven for 3 hours. Take the grapefruit out and let them cool. If the slices are sticky or damp, they need more time in the oven.[9]
    Dry Grapefruit Step 9.jpg
    • You can eat the dried grapefruit slices on their own, use them as decorations, or dip them in melted chocolate to make a dessert.
    • Store your dried grapefruit in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

[Edit]Using a Food Dehydrator

  1. Slice your grapefruit into thick slices. Use a thin, sharp knife to slice your grapefruit into small slices. Your grapefruit needs to be thin so that it dries more quickly.[10]

    • For more bite-sized pieces of grapefruit, cut it into segments instead. Cut off the bottom and the top of the grapefruit. Use your knife to remove the peel and gently pop the segments out.
  2. Toss the slices in olive oil and salt to bring out their flavor. Place your grapefruit slices or segments into a large bowl. Pour of olive oil and ¼ tsp (1.4 g) of salt into the bowl. Gently toss the bowl until all of the slices of grapefruit are covered in oil and salt.[11]

  3. Lay the slices onto your dehydrator mesh sheet. Spread the grapefruit slices out on the mesh sheet of your dehydrator, making sure they don't overlap each other. Depending on how big your grapefruit is, you may need to use a couple of sheets.[12]

    Dry Grapefruit Step 12.jpg
  4. Dry the slices at for 6 hours. Set your dehydrator to . Check on your grapefruit slices after 4 hours. Touch the grapefruit slices to see if they are crisp and dry to the touch. If they aren't, dry your slices for up to 2 hours more.[13]
    Dry Grapefruit Step 13.jpg
    • If you cut your grapefruit into segments, it could take up to 8 hours to dry.
  5. Store your dried grapefruit in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Place your dried grapefruit into a container that has a lid. Store it in a cool, dry place and use it within 1 month. You can eat the slices on their own or even grind them up into a powder.[14]

    Dry Grapefruit Step 14.jpg
    • Grapefruit is pretty bitter, so it may not be good on its own.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Drying in the Oven

  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife

[Edit]Using a Food Dehydrator

  • Knife
  • Food dehydrator

[Edit]References

How to Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT

Feeling confident in a bathing suit isn't really about losing that extra weight or having a supermodel body. Confidence comes from wearing clothes that fit you, and feeling good about who you are. The only thing that's necessary to feel confident in your bikini is choosing the right swimsuit for you, and developing self-confidence.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing the Right Swimsuit

  1. Find a swimsuit that fits you. This means try on lots and lots of swimsuits until you find the bathing suit that's exactly the right match for your body - no matter what it might be. It should be the right size for you - no cutting straps or pinching elastic. But it's also about finding a suit that fits your personality.[1]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 1 Version 4.jpg
    • Pick out the cuts and colors that make you feel most confident, and don't worry about what's the current trend or fashion.
    • Mix and match with tankini suits, bikini tops and surfer bottoms, or any other combination that makes you feel happy about yourself.
    • If you've got larger breasts, you may want to find a suit with underwire support. These suits are generally sized by cup size, like your bra.
    • Sales clerks in lingerie departments and upper-end sales departments can often help you determine the best size swimsuit for you.
  2. Shop online. You can often find a wider selection of suits online than in your local stores, and online stores usually allow you to return clothing that doesn't fit as long as you've not worn it. Good retailers often encourage you to call and chat, or instant message with any questions.
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • Start by taking your measurements, and then carefully compare them to the measurements shown in the online sizing.
    • It's a good idea to order two sizes of each suit you're ordering, so that you can select the one that fits you best.
    • Ordering online allows you to try on the suit in ordinary lighting, the way you'll actually be seen in it. Try them on when you're in a good mood, feeling confident, and in the privacy of your own home.
    • Move around in your suit before you buy it. After all, you want it to stay in place when you're actually wearing it.
  3. Think about where you'll wear the suit. If you're purchasing a bathing suit for lounging about the side of a pool, you might choose a string bikini or bandeau top that shows off your cleavage. But if you're planning on swimming laps at the gym, or wearing your bathing suit to dive in the surf with your friends, you might need something a little more secure.
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 3 Version 4.jpg
    • Remember that swimsuits will expand in the water, so you might want to pick a suit that's a little tighter than you'd like if you're planning to get it wet.
  4. Accentuate the features you love. Maybe you have great collarbones, or you're really proud of your muscular arms. Whatever you love about your body, you can find a bathing suit that's made to flatter it.[2]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 4 Version 4.jpg
    • Vintage swimwear, for instance, often shows off a lot of cleavage while being cut low on the hip.
    • If you're proud of your legs, try a suit with high-cut thighs. Racer-back bathing suits will show off your strong arms.
  5. Indulge in accessories. Wearing scarfs, sunglasses, broad-brimmed sun hats, colorful earrings or a new pair of wedge heels will help you bring your most glamorous self to the beach. If you're feeling less than confident in your swimsuit, accessories might be what you need to feel great about yourself again.[3]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 5 Version 3.jpg
    • You'll want to be realistic when accessorizing with your swimsuit. Attending a pool party, you can go high-glam, but tone it down for a mountain rafting trip.
    • Don't forget the lipstick! Not only does lipstick help you feel more confident, it usually protects your lips against UVA rays.
  6. Try out different swimsuit coverups. You can have fun accessorizing with swimsuit cover-ups that will allow you to feel more confident in your bathing suit. You can find cover-ups that really bring out the parts of your body you might feel proud of, while hiding the parts you're not quite comfortable with.[4]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 6 Version 4.jpg
    • If you don't like showing your hips and thighs, for example, try wearing a colorful sarong wrap around your waist.
    • Sundresses or caftans that slip on over bikinis will flatter almost every body, and prevent you from getting sunburned as well.

[Edit]Developing Self-Confidence

  1. Learn to love your own body. Focusing on what you need to improve before you'll allow yourself to feel confident is a losing game. Once you realize that your body is perfect, just the way it is, you'll feel a lot better about putting on any kind of bathing suit.[5]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 7 Version 5.jpg
    • It will help to remember that you're probably the only one focussing on your perceived flaws. Other people are more aware of whether or not you're having fun, or appear to be down in the dumps.
    • If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, force your attention onto something positive. For example, follow the negative thought, "I hate how large my thighs are," with the positive twist, "but my collarbones are gorgeous."
  2. Smile. The simple act of smiling communicates self-confidence and friendliness. When you smile, people are more likely to smile back at you. You'll likely return the smile, and feel more confident.[6]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 8 Version 4.jpg
    • When you're smiling, your voice will sound friendlier and more pleasant to listen to.[7]
    • Smiling releases endorphins, which bring about good feelings and greater confidence.
    • Laughing is good for your body as well. It stretches your muscles, and helps your release tension.
  3. Don't spend time with complainers. If your friends are always complaining about their own bodies, chances are you'll be tempted to join in with them. This won't do your confidence any favors. Instead, make an effort to hang out with friends who are proud of who they are. Confidence is contagious![8]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 9 Version 5.jpg
    • Remember, the more you complain about your own perceived flaws, the more you're likely to start to believe they're real.
    • If your friends start criticizing their bodies, disengage. Change the subject, laugh it off, and don't allow yourself to start the cycle of complaining.
  4. Use mindfulness to increase self-esteem. Set the timer for 5-10 minutes, and take that time to meditate on self-compassionate loving thoughts. Deciding to refrain from negative self-judgment is a discipline that needs to be actively practiced and honed over time.[9]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    • An example of a positive meditation that you can focus on might be: "I am loved," or simply the word "love".
    • Concentrate on the feeling of your breath. If you start to notice self-judgments entering your consciousness, let them go.
  5. Practice vulnerability. Try wearing clothing that draws attention, such as animal prints, bright colors, or revealing necklines. If you pay attention to how you feel when you wear these "forbidden" clothes, you'll build courage slowly over time.[10]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    • Wearing clothing that feels revealing to you, like short skirts or low-cut tops, is a way to get used to feeling brave about your clothing choices.
    • It may seem hard at first, but gradually you'll come to realize that you deserve to be noticed and to be seen.
  6. Notice how you look at others. If you find yourself being hyper-critical of others, chances are you're being too hard on yourself as well. Instead, try focusing on what you admire about others in their swimsuits. Practice turning your negativity in a new, positive, direction.[11]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • Try to avoid using this as an opportunity for comparison with yourself. Your goal is to improve your overall kindness, so that you're more likely to be kind to yourself.
    • This is a way to realize that no 2 bodies are exactly the same: everyone's body is differently beautiful. This includes your own!

[Edit]Treating Your Body Well

  1. Avoid crash diets. Crash diets usually involve severely restricting your caloric intake for a period of time, with the goal of losing a lot of weight quickly. Sometimes the 500 or 1000 calories-per-day are supplemented with juice "cleanses," diet pills, or diuretics. While the diet might seem to be working at first, most of this weight loss is due to water loss. Meanwhile, your body's metabolism is actually slowing down, burning fewer calories.[12]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    • You won't be able to get a healthy nutritional balance for most crash diets.
    • Crash diets also have a negative consequence on your mental health. Not getting enough calories is likely to make you irritable, tired, and lethargic.
    • You're unlikely to feel more confident when you're not getting the daily nutrition you need.
  2. Don't skip meals. Skipping meals increases the amount of fat stored around the midsection, or belly fat. Eating smaller meals throughout the day, rather than skipping meals, is more likely to result in weight loss, according to clinical research.[13]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 14 Version 2.jpg
    • Skipping one meals leads to being hungrier for later meals, and can result in eating more calories later in the day. This can set off a cycle of overeating, followed by fasting, that can lead to a host of health concerns.
    • Going for extended periods of time without eating will send your body into survival mode: your body will turn to muscle mass for fuel in order to preserve its fat supplies. Clearly, this is the opposite of what you'd like as you prepare for bathing suit season!
  3. Include moderate exercise daily. If you're trying to lose weight to gain confidence in your swimsuit, remember that both diet and exercise have a part to play. Each week, aim for at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two.
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 15 Version 3.jpg
    • For teens, the amount of exercise recommended is about an hour per day.
    • Choose exercise routines that you can sustain over time, which means doing activities that you like., finding the mix that works best for your body will lead to feelings of confidence, whether it's biking, jogging, swimming, biking, dance classes, or a combination.
    • Include muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days per week. Muscle-strengthening activities include weight lifting, resistance training, sit-ups and push-ups, and many yoga classes.
  4. Eat healthily. A healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables and fruits, a good amount whole grains. Make sure to include lean meats and other proteins, such as fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Avoid trans fats and saturated fats, but include small portions of healthy fats from vegetable oils, made from olive, sunflower, peanut, canola, and others.[14]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 16 Version 2.jpg
    • Avoid drinking sugary drinks, including sodas, energy drinks, sweetened coffee drinks. Limit juice to one serving a day.
    • Alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and liquor, are high in sugar content as well. Limit your drinks to one per day if you're trying to lose weight.
  5. Stand up straight. Acting confident on the outside will often result in the feelings of confidence inside. In addition, when you sit or stand straight, you'll improve your blood flow to the brain. You'll receive more oxygen, which will result in sharper attention and you'll feel more energetic.[15]
    Feel Confident in a Bathing Suit Step 17 Version 2.jpg
    • Check and see how you are holding your hands. Hands held with palms facing outward are a sign of insecurity.
    • Poor posture, or slouching, presents an impression of poor self-confidence and insecurity. It also makes your muscles work harder, since they're being held in an unnatural position, and can result in health difficulties over time.


[Edit]Video

[Edit]Related wikiHows

[Edit]References

How to Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum

Posted: 20 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT

Sterling silver can be cleaned with baking soda and aluminum. Mixing baking soda, boiling water, and vinegar in a aluminum-lined tray will help remove tarnish from silver. Soak your silver in boiling water for about 30 seconds before polishing it to remove any stains.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Creating the Aluminum Bath

  1. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Pick a baking pan big enough to hold all the silver pieces you're cleaning. Use aluminum foil to line the entire pan. Make sure to cover the full interior.[1]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 1 Version 5.jpg
  2. Boil a cup of water. Measure out one cup of water. Place it in a pot over high heat. Keep heating the water until it comes to a boil.[2]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 2 Version 5.jpg
    • While the water boils, you can mix in your other ingredients to your pan.
  3. Mix the baking soda and vinegar into your aluminum-lined pan. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt to your pan. Then, slowly pour in half a cup of white vinegar.[3]

    • The vinegar will cause the baking soda to fizz slightly. You do not want the baking soda to fizz too much, which is why it's important to pour the vinegar in slowly to only cause a small reaction.
  4. Add the boiling water to your pan. After the vinegar is added, add the boiling water. You do not need to mix the ingredients once they're added. Simply dump your water into the pan.[4]

[Edit]Soaking Your Silver

  1. Add the silver to your pan. Make sure none of the silver pieces are touching. Set them in the pan. Make sure each piece makes contact with the foil.[5]

  2. Soak the silver for about 30 seconds. Set a timer. Allow the pieces to sit for about 30 seconds before removing them.[6]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • After the pieces are done soaking, use tongs to remove them. You should set them down on an absorbent surface, such as a paper towel.
  3. Rinse and buff the silver pieces. Dry the pieces using a rag or paper towels. After they are dry, take a soft cloth. Gently buff the pieces using this cloth. Keep buffing until you've removed any dirt, debris, or tarnish and the pieces are shiny.[7]

  4. Repeat the process if necessary. Very dirty or tarnished sterling silver may not be completely clean after the first wash. If your silver is still dull and dirty, repeat the process once more.[8]

[Edit]Avoiding Common Mistakes

  1. Do not use this method on other types of silver. Sterling silver will not be damaged by aluminum and baking soda. Other types of silver may be damaged by this method, however. Only use it for sterling silver pieces.[9]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • If you're not sure if your jewelry is sterling silver, err on the side of caution and refrain from washing it with aluminum and baking soda.
  2. Use tongs to touch hot silver. You should never remove sterling silver with your bare hands. It will be hot after being exposed to boiling water. Use a pair of tongs to remove the silver.[10]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 10 Version 3.jpg
  3. Leave very tarnished silver in the water longer. While 30 seconds is usually all it takes, the pieces may still look tarnished and dirty after 30 seconds. In this case, let the pieces sit a little longer, checking them regularly until much of the dirt, debris, and tarnish is coming off.[11]
    Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Step 11 Version 3.jpg

[Edit]Related wikiHows

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

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