| How to Fill Pill Capsules Posted: 29 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT Filling your own pill capsules at home can be a great way to incorporate healthy supplements into your diet without spending a lot of money. You'll need to get supplies, including the type and size of capsule you want and herbal fillings to put in them. Filling your capsules by hand is more time-consuming, but less expensive. If you have a bit more money to spend, you can purchase a capsule-filling machine to make tons of capsules quickly. [Edit]Choosing Your Supplies - Select vegetarian capsules if you have dietary restrictions. Vegetarian capsules are made from poplar trees. They're also a good option if you have other dietary restrictions. Vegetarian capsules are kosher, halal, and gluten-free.[1]
- You can find vegetarian capsules at your local health food store or online.
- Use gelatin capsules if you don't have dietary restrictions. Gelatin capsules are made from beef gelatin. You won't taste any beef flavor, though! They tend to be slightly cheaper than vegetarian capsules.[2]
- Check a health food store for gelatin capsules, or buy them online.
- Choose size 0 capsules for a standard dose. Fillable capsules come in a few different sizes, but the most common is size 0, which will hold roughly 500 mg of filler.[3]
- The density and size of the powder may affect how much filler you can fit in a capsule.
- Pick size 1 capsules if you want a smaller pill. Size 1 capsules are slightly smaller than the standard size 0. That makes them easier to swallow.[4]
- Size 1 capsules hold about 20% less than size 0 capsules, so keep that in mind if you're looking at going smaller.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an herbal filler. Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking supplements. Depending on the issue you have and the herbs your healthcare provider recommends, your supplements can help boost your immune system, decrease inflammation, or help with digestion.
- Cayenne is an antioxidant. While it is still being studied, it may be able to help relieve nausea and treat bacterial infections. Putting it in a capsule lets you access its health benefits without potentially burning your mouth.[5]
- Ginger may help you fight common illnesses, like colds, sinus congestions, and headaches. It can also help settle indigestion.[6]
- Oil of oregano (which actually comes from a relative of the marjoram plant) might be able to help relieve pain.[7]
- Turmeric may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.[8]
[Edit]Filling the Capsules by Hand - Place your filler in a bowl. Pour your filler into a bowl. If you're using a mixture of fillers, pour all of them together and then mix them well. It's okay to have too much filler for the number of capsules you're filling. Just put the leftover filler into a resealable plastic bag and store it in a cool, dark place.
- Pull apart the capsules and set the tops aside. Your capsules will come assembled. To take them apart, hold the bottom of the capsule with one hand, and gently pull the top off with the other. If you're having trouble pulling it straight off, twist the capsule top back and forth until it comes free. Put the top aside.[9]
- The tops of the capsules will be much shorter and wider than the bottoms. This lets the tops slide over the bottoms of the capsules when they're put back together.
- Scoop up your herbal mix with the bottom of the capsule. Using the bottom of the capsule to scoop up your herbal mixture is the easiest way to fill the capsules and it prevents too much mess. Fill the bottom of the capsule completely.[10]
- Before you fill your capsules, make sure your hands are very clean. You can also wear protective gloves.
- Put the top half of the capsule over the bottom and press down. Once you've got the bottom of the capsule filled, gently replace the top of the capsule. Hold the bottom of the capsule gently in one hand, then use the other to press the top of the capsule down.[11]
- Store the capsules in a cool, dark place. As you finish each capsule, place it in a resealable bag or a jar with a lid. Place the bag or jar in a cool, dark place for storage.
- Make enough capsules for 1 or 2 months at a time. If you make more than that, they may expire before you can take them.
- If you live in a humid place, put silica gel packets in the jar with your pills. You can buy packets online or save ones packaged in shoes, medications, or other products.
[Edit]Using a Capsule Filling Machine - Select your capsule-filling machine based on capsule size. Each capsule filling machine works with only one size capsule. When you're selecting your machine, make sure you pick one that can accommodate the capsule size you chose.[12]
- You can find capsule-filling machines in most health food stores and online. They cost around $20.
- Place the base of the machine on its stand. Place the base of your machine on the included stand to keep it secure while you're filling the capsules and fusing them together.[13]
- The capsule-filling machine will also come with a top where you load the tops of the capsules and a stand.
- Load the bottom of the capsules into the base of the machine. Pull your capsules apart. Place 1 capsule bottom into each indentation in the bottom of the machine. Don't load more than 1 capsule bottom in each opening.[14]
- The bottom of the capsule is much longer than the top. This lets the top slide over the bottom when they're sealed together.
- Pour your filler over the holes in the base of the machine. Put the filler in a measuring cup, then pour the filler over the holes where your capsule bottoms are loaded.[15]
- Spread the filler into each capsule bottom. Capsule-filling machines usually come with plastic cards that you can use to fill your capsules. Once you have your filler poured on into the holes of the machine base, you'll need to even out the distribution. Use the card to sweep the powder over the openings so the powder is distributed evenly. This will fill your capsules.[16]
- If your machine didn't come with a card, you can use any piece of clean, hard plastic, like a credit card, to even out the powder.
- Use the included tamper to compact your fillers if necessary. If you weren't able to fill the capsules completely on the first try, use the tamper to compress the filler and make more room. Line up the prongs of the tamper with the openings where the capsule bottoms are loaded, and then gently press down so the filler in each capsule bottom is compressed.[17]
- The tamper looks like a flat piece of plastic, with prongs sticking out of on 1 side.
- Repeat the filling process if you tamped the filler down. Pour more filler over the holes holding the capsule bottoms, then use the enclosed card to spread it evenly into the holes.[18]
- Load the top of the capsules into the top of the machine. The top of the machine will have openings where you can place the tops of the capsules. Press down gently as you place 1 capsule top in each opening. The tops should be secure in the openings even if you turn the top of the machine upside down.[19]
- Line up the top of the machine with the bottom and press down. Remove the base of the machine from the stand. Then gently flip the top of the machine over so the openings in the top and bottom are lined up with each other. Press down on the top of the machine until it stops compressing. At this point, the pills have been fully joined.[20]
- Remove the top of the machine and pop out the finished capsules. When you remove the top of the machine from the base, you'll see the bottom of the capsules poking out of the top of the machine. Push down on the top of the machine top to pop the capsules out.[21]
- If you're concerned about getting the exact same amount of filler in each capsule, it's better to use a capsule-filling machine instead of filling your capsules by hand.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not crush prescription medication and mix it with other fillers in homemade capsules. Prescription medications can interact with one another and herbal supplements in dangerous ways.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Orange Juice Posted: 29 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT There is nothing as satisfying as a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It may take a couple minutes longer than you expect. However, the taste is worth the effort and the wait. Try it out: Make some and see if you want to go back to drinking bottled juice again! [Edit]Squeezing Orange Juice by Hand - Soften the orange. Tightly squeeze or roll the oranges firmly with the palm of your hand across the counter or table to soften them up.[1]
- Cut the orange. Slice the orange in half and remove the seeds. If you want to go seedless, use navel oranges.
- Juice the orange. Grip the one of the orange halves tightly and squeeze it by hand, using a plain juicer to coax all the juice out.
- Add pulp. Scrape the orange with a spoon and add the pulp directly to the juice if you use a hand juicer. If you prefer clear juice, pour the juice through a strainer before drinking.Add some pinch of black salt or sugar for more flavor. Some oranges are already sweet.[2]
- Drink up! Enjoy a crisp, cold glass of freshly squeezed, unpasteurized orange juice, the way it was intended to be!
[Edit]Squeezing Orange Juice with an Electric Juicer - Prepare the oranges. Peel and quarter the oranges in sections. Smaller oranges such as mandarins may only need to be broken in half.[3]
- Process the oranges through the feed tube.
- Make sure you have something to catch all that delicious juice coming out the other end!
- Note that some juicers have the ability to adjust how much pulp is extracted with the juice. Check out How to Find a Good Juicer for more information.
[Edit]Squeezing Orange Juice with a Blender or Food Processor - Prepare your oranges for blending. Peel the oranges, then cut or tear them into 1-inch chunks. If the oranges are seeded, be sure to remove those as well.[4]
- Pulse a few times to break up the oranges. Then process continuously until the oranges are pureed.
- Taste test the juice. If it is too dry, add some water. If not sweet enough, add sweetener to taste.
- Run the blender again. Run until it is liquified.
- Let sit for a few minutes to settle, then serve!
- Try different varieties of oranges, to see which you like best for juices. Valencia oranges have seeds, but are juicy; navels are easy to get at, are large, and have no seeds; Cara Cara's are sweet, and have a "tangy cranberry-like zing," according to Sunkist.[5]
- Make sure that the oranges you use are fresh. It increases the orange juice flavor.
- For a different take on the standard orange juice, use Moro oranges, also known as "blood oranges." Their bold color and flavor will go well with a spicy omelette.
[Edit]Warnings - Florida oranges are far juicier than California oranges. You can recognize Florida oranges when you cut them because the skin is much thinner.[6]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Knife
- Juicer
- Glass(es)
- Spoon
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Simulate a Hangout Posted: 29 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT It can be really hard to be apart from your friends and family, especially if you're used to seeing each other often. Luckily, technology has made it possible to get together with your loved ones without ever having to leave your home. Just organize a virtual hangout and get everyone to join at the same time! [Edit]Choosing a Platform - Try Zoom to video chat with a larger group. Zoom is a platform that allows you to video chat with up to 100 people for up to 40 minutes for free. If you're not sure that will be long enough, you can get up to 24 hours per session if you upgrade your account to a paid membership, which starts at $14.99 USD a month.[1]
- Zoom is available for computers and Android devices, and it's become a popular option for hangouts like happy hours and watch parties.
- To start a group chat on Zoom, open the app and click 'Launch Meeting.' From there, click 'Invite Participants,' and either email the group members or add them from your Zoom contacts.[2]
- Check out Skype for smaller groups. Skype is another platform that allows free video calls, and it's available for computers, tablets, and mobile devices. You can invite up to 10 people to a hangout session, as long as they all have Skype as well.[3]
- Open Skype and click the 'New Chat' button, then select 'New Group Chat.' Enter a name for your group, and if you'd like, upload a photo as well. Then, select the right arrow icon to create your group. Add your contacts, then hit the 'Done' button to start the chat.[4]
- Skype is a great option for small gatherings, like family dinner hangouts.
- Use Google Hangouts if everyone has a Gmail account. Google Hangouts is a free instant messaging platform that supports video chat, and all you have to have is a Google account. If you're hanging out in a video chat, you can have up to 25 people join. If you're doing voice-only, you can have up to 150 people.[5]
- Open the Hangouts app (or go to https://hangouts.google.com), and click the green plus button that says 'New conversation.' Tap 'New group,' then add your group members by entering their names, email addresses, or phone numbers. Finally, click 'Video Call' to start your hangout![6]
- Use FaceTime if you all have Apple devices. FaceTime is a video chat service that comes preinstalled on any Apple device. If you have a newer iOS device, you can set up a Group FaceTime with up to 32 people, as long as they all have the FaceTime app on an Apple device as well.[7]
- To get your hangout started, open FaceTime, then tap the plus sign in the top right corner of the page. Use your friends' names, phone numbers, or emails to add them to the group, then tap the 'Video' button to start the chat.[8]
[Edit]Organizing the Hangout - Opt for a smaller group if you want a more intimate feel. Just like when you're planning a party or a happy hour, it's usually best to choose a handful of people who all get along with each other, rather than inviting everyone you know. For instance, you might plan a video chat with a certain friend group or your immediate family.[9]
- It's okay if you invite people who don't already know each other—part of the fun can be introducing the group to new friends!
- If you want a bigger hangout, that's totally fine! Just keep in mind that the more people you have, the harder it can be for everyone to participate.
- Let the participants know when you're planning the hangout. Reach out to the people you want to invite and let them know when you're thinking about meeting. Try to pick a time that will work for everyone, like in the evening after everyone's kids have gone to bed, or in the early afternoon if you want older and younger family members to be included. In addition, be sure to let everyone know what platform to use ahead of time.[10]
- Also, let them know about any special instructions you have in mind. For instance, if you're hosting a cooking demo, you might share a list of ingredients and supplies for anyone who wants to cook along with you!
- Familiarize yourself with the software you'll be using. If you've never been on a group video chat, spend a little time clicking around the software or reading tutorials on all the different features. That way, you won't have to worry about trying to learn on the fly once your hangout is already underway![11]
- As a bonus, this will make it easier to help any of your guests who might have technical difficulties during the hangout.
- Set up your webcam in a quiet, well-lit place. To make sure everyone can see you, have a light nearby so you won't be hidden in shadows. However, avoid super-bright lights, which can make you look washed out. Also, try to avoid setting up next to anything noisy that could drown you out.[12]
- For instance, if you're chatting at your kitchen counter, make sure your dishwasher is turned off, since the noise could make it hard to hear what you're saying.
- Log into your platform and add your guests. When it's time to start your hangout, open the platform you're planning to use, then start adding guests. If you're using Zoom, you'll likely need to send a meeting link to each of your guests. However, if you're using another platform like Skype or FaceTime, you can just start calling people from the app to invite them to the chat.[13]
- Since some platforms limit the time of your group chat, don't start inviting people too early, or it could cut your call short!
- Ask everyone to say something to open the hangout. Video chatting can feel a little weird at first if you're not used to it. To help everyone get comfortable, go around and have each person introduce themselves. If everyone already knows each other, open by having everyone say a little something about what they've been up to lately.[14]
- For instance, you might say something like, "Ok, first we're going to all go around and say hi. When it's your turn, share something funny that happened to you this week!"
- Plan questions in advice to keep the conversation going. Whether you have any structured activities planned or not, your group chat will go more smoothly if someone is helping guide the conversation. For instance, you might prepare a list of questions ahead of time in case there's a lull in the conversation, like "What's something you're grateful for right now?" or "What shows or movies have you guys seen this week?"[15]
- It's perfectly fine to ask someone else to moderate if you don't want to do it!
- Do your best to keep the hangout lighthearted. Avoid subjects like finances, politics, health, or religion, which tend to be somewhat stressful.
- Roll through any software glitches. When you're hangout out on any virtual platform, there's always a chance that something could go wrong. For instance, someone's computer might freeze, the sound might go out, or people might unexpectedly drop out of the chat. If something like that happens, just keep going, and don't be afraid to laugh about it.[16]
- If someone's sound goes out and they don't know it, wait a moment to see if it clears up, then speak up and let them know! For instance, you might say, "Hey Kyle, we can't hear you right now. Does anybody else want to jump in for a minute?"
[Edit]Coming up with Fun Ideas - Plan a dinner party to enjoy a meal with your loved ones. If you love having people over for dinner, try hosting a virtual dinner party. Set up your webcam at your dinner table, then ask everyone to prepare or order a meal to have at their homes. Have everyone agree on a time for the meal, then start the call just as everyone sits down to eat.[17]
- When the call starts, have everyone go around and talk about what they're eating. Then, just try to keep the conversation going, the same as you would if you were hosting an in-person dinner party.
- If your friends love to cook, you could even have one person do a cooking demonstration while everyone tries to follow along at home.
- Enjoy drinks with friends at a virtual happy hour. If you love meeting your friends for drinks after work you don't have to give it up just because you can't meet in person! Stock up on your favorite mixers, beer, or wine ahead of time, and enjoy the fun with your friends as the drinks flow.[18]
- Try sharing a cocktail recipe with your friends ahead of time so everyone can enjoy the same drink!
- Virtual happy hours are a great way to hang out and share drinks without having to worry about how everyone's going to get home! However, keep in mind that it's still important to drink responsibly.
- Play games for a fun way to pass the time. There's no limit to the different games you can play during a virtual hangout, so get creative! For instance, you might host a virtual weekly trivia game, play board games or cards, or try online games like Words with Friends or Draw Something.[19]
- You could also try tabletop games designed for multiple players, like Dungeons & Dragons.[20]
- If you have an online account on a video game console, you could arrange to play group-friendly games like Mario Kart, Rocket League, or Super Monkey Ball.[21]
- Host a watch party so everyone can tune into the same show or movie. If you and your friends love the same TV show, start your virtual hangout just as your show is starting. However, even if you don't all have a show in common, you can still have watch parties—just pick a fun movie on your favorite streaming platform and get everyone to tune in at the same time![22]
- If everyone has Netflix, you can install the Netflix Party extension for Chrome, which will allow everyone to stream the same movie together. There's even a group chat feature so you can talk about what's going on![23]
- Start a virtual book club for your lit-minded friends. The only thing better than getting lost in a good book is having someone to share it with. Pick a book that you think everyone will enjoy and ask everyone to read it. Then, have everyone share their thoughts about the book during your virtual meeting![24]
- Try having your book club meetings once a month to ensure everyone has plenty of time to read the selection.
- For a fun way to find new books to read, allow a different member to choose a book each month!
[Edit]Warnings - Using video-conferencing software could potentially open a security flaw on your device that could enable hackers to join your call. If you'll be discussing anything sensitive, use an extra layer of caution, like requiring guests to enter a password to join the call.[25]
[Edit]References |
No comments:
Post a Comment