LIVING QUARTERS Disclaimer: The views or opinions presented in this publication are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Employees of ABSTRACT MEDIA GROUP COMPANY LIMITED are expressly required not to make defamatory statements and not to infringe or authorize any infringement of copyright or any other legal right. Any such article is contrary to company policy and is outside the scope of the employment of the individual writer concerned. The company will not accept any liability in respect of such article, and the employee responsible will be personally liable for any damages or other liability arising.
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pdating your bathroom designs involves more than just deciding what colour bath to pick! A re-design means that you can swap the layout and make room for a separate shower and more storage units. The first step is to plan the design.Your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the bathroom's dimensions and your particular requirements. If you're sticking with the same layout, make sure you measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit. Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up. So stick with the existing service points if at all possible although this may not be possible if you want to change the positioning of the bathroom suite. First decide on the correct place for the bath and/or shower. If your toilet is in your bathroom, decide where this will go and then position the washbasin. Once the fittings are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Some kind of storage, either cupboards or shelves but preferably both, is required for toiletries, cleaning products, toilet rolls and children's bath toys. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there. Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming
Bathroom Design Guidelines task. Even if you're not opting for something like a Jacuzzi spa or indoor hot tub, baths come in all shapes and sizes such as standard oblong, roll-top bath, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other; and colours. Unless you desperately yearn for a particular colour it's best to stick with white. It's clean-looking, inoffensive, and will go with any colour you decide to use for paint and furnishings. Taps, too, come in a bewildering array of styles – choose a design that will complement your bathroom. Before making your final decision on the bathroom suite it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked. Even if your window has frosted glass make sure you have a curtain or blind with ‘blackout' lining unless you want
neighbours or passers-by watching the silhouette of you bathing, washing or worse. When it comes to decoration, remember to use or specify, if someone else is doing the work, grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam look in the ever-expanding ‘kitchen and bathroom' ranges. Pale colours brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it's fun to experiment with colour. And a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter. Floor coverings, too, come in all types of material and colour but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in the bathroom. If you're installing a shower either as a separate feature or above w w w . a m g tt. c o m
the bath – investigate the different types before deciding which to choose. If you have high water pressure you could opt for a thermo shower which is connected directly to your heating system and keeps the water temperature even. An electric shower system heats the water itself and is mostly used above the bath. Power showers will give you the ultimate shower experience, even if you have low water pressure. Look for a non-slip surface in both bath and shower. Speak with your plumber and find out if the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing as an overflowing shower tray can cause serious problems. Above all, the main thing to remember when redesigning your bathroom is choose a design that works for your lifestyle.
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LIVING QUARTERS
Five Tips For Choosing Curtains
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sk any top interior designer and they will all tell you the same thing: how you dress your windows can have a dramatic effect on how your room looks and feels. While you peruse and consider your choices, from sheer curtains to bamboo blinds, keep these top insider tips in mind:
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Decisions, decisions... Curtains aren't just additional decor, they are functional too. When choosing yours, ask yourself these important questions: Are they needed for privacy? Do I want them to help insulation and prevent drafts? How much light should they let in or block? If your curtains are for a bedroom, you might choose a heavy material which won't allow a single ray to spoil your sleep. Alternatively, you might like sheer fabrics for those rooms where you want to let in as much light as possible, for example, a kitchen area or attic window. Blinds are great for windows where you
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need a variety of functions: pull them up for an unobstructed window, open them for a partial view, or close them fully to keep outside eyes away.
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Exaggerate it! If you want to draw attention to your windows, order more fabric and hang your curtain pole 15-30 centimeters above their frames. This makes your windows look much larger than they really are. Allow your drapes to hang
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to the floor past the bottom of the window frames to add even more height to the illusion!
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Bring in the sunshine If you'd like your windows to let in as much light as possible during the day, opt for curtains and add 30-45 cms more length on each end of your rod. This means you can pull the curtains aside without obstructing any part of the pane. It also helps to make narrow windows appear wider.
To line or not to line? As well as the design, you'll need to decide if your curtains should have a lining or not. A lining protects the curtain from dirt on the window and sunlight which may fade the fabric. It helps keep light out and can actually provide extra insulation! On the other hand, unlined curtains are easier to wash, lighter to handle, and better for rooms you wish to keep cool. They are practical in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom where added steam and moisture necessitate regular washing.
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Mix and match Scared your sheer curtain will turn transparent when houselights are on? Just add a heavier drape to draw at night. Feel like your blinds aren't homely enough? Why not add a curtain pelmet to your window frame? If you can't decide on one good option, you can always combine!
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LIVING QUARTERS
Restore Your Living Room’s Luster
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Trini living room is a high traffic area used to facilitate limes and endless viewings of Crime Watch, the 7PM News or whatever else floats your boat. However, all this action can lead to the room becoming dirty. Here are some cleaning tips to revamp your living room. Clear the floor clutter - Start by removing and recycling or discarding anything that is plainly trash. This gives you a visible start, and it gets the first part done quickly. Once this is done, you can sweep and mop or vacuum if you have carpet
Freshen Up Fabrics - Get pet hair off of upholstery with your favorite pet hair remover. Vacuum upholstered surfaces, then spot clean and use a fabric freshener where needed. Add a few seasonal pillows or throws for a fresh look guests will love. Make It Shine - Dust can build up on your most valuable
electronics including computers, televisions and other items in your living room. Whether it's electronics spray, dry cloths, or wipes, these formulas remove dust, dirt and grime from household electronics, leaving behind only a streak-free shine. If you have a great collection of knickknacks that you love to display, but hate to clean, here's some good news: there's a quick and easy way to clean your figurines. Simply place your knickknacks inside the kitchen sink and spray them with window cleaner. Move them to a paper towel to air dry. This works for glass, china, and glazed figu-
rines. The next job is to get rid of smudges. Doorknobs, light switches, phones and more can get smudges and fingerprints. Give them a good cleaning with a glass and surface wipe -- this is a great job for the kids to tackle. Finally, straighten anything on tables and shelves. Also reposition sofa cushions, throw pillows, and scatter rugs that have slid out of position. Refold any blankets that hang over the back of sofas or chairs. Now, your living room is good to be lived in once more. Just remember to live cleanly.
Are You Storing Water Adequately?
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et’s face it; the “Water For All” rhetoric that politicians pushed in our faces in the past has not come to pass. Many homes do not have a sufficiently regular supply of water. Not to mention these harsh dry seasons require us to be extra careful with our water usage. You never know when our water reserves can become critically low. Plus natural disasters are a threat to our water supply. When a disaster has been forecast, or does occur, people will be rushing frantically to prepare. What happens when you discover there isn't one bottle of water left at any market or convenience store? You and many others will be in a real panic. It is important to have water storage options available when that happens. In this case, we aren’t talking about your large tank located in the yard. Here are some tips to storing water in the house when an emergency occurs. It is important to: Store water containers in a dark and cool area Light and warmth will promote algae and bacteria growth, so store water in a basement, clos4
et, shed or food storage room. Do not store water bottles on top shelves; lower to the ground is preferred. Storing your barrel outside could have an effect on the life of the barrel. It is not recommended to store any water container in direct or indirect sunlight. Also, it is best to store water barrels with a nonporous insulation barrier (such as wood) between a cement floor and the barrel. Water stored in plastic containers should be kept away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances because vapors from these products can penetrate plastic. Containers which have top-mounted screw lids should have the tops covered with a cloth or similar barrier to keep lids clean of mice or insect waste.
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Store water in containers in a variety of sizes For example, large drums work well unless you have to leave your home. 16.9 oz water bottles work well unless you need a sink full of water to bathe or wash dishes in. If you do store water in large drums, make sure you store a siphon so you can effectively get the water out. Replace stored water once a year for freshness Water stored properly can last for years. However, to ensure freshness it is recommended to replace stored water once a year. Old stored water can still be used for watering the garden or shrubs, car washing and other purposes. It’s usually easiest to siphon water out of the barrels if drain plugs are not provided. Identify additional sources of water In addition to stored water, other sources include melted ice cubes, water drained from the water heater faucet (if the water heater has not been damaged), water dipped from the flush tanks (not the bowls) of
home toilets, and liquids from canned goods such as fruit and vegetable juices. Unsafe water sources include radiators, hot water boilers, waterbeds, and swimming pools and spas. If necessary, chemically treat water If your water is treated commercially by a water utility, it is not necessary to treat water before storing it. If you have a well or public water that has not been treated, disinfect the water prior to storage using liquid household bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented or color-safe bleaches or bleaches containing soaps • Add six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented bleach per gallon of water. • Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. • If the water does not taste and smell of chlorine after 30 minutes, add another dose of 1/8 teaspoon and let stand another 15 minutes. • Seal the containers and label with contents and date of preparation.
LIVING QUARTERS
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A Case For Water Filters
hen we turn on the taps in our homes are we sure that the water which comes out is good for human consumption. Sure there are water treatment plants that are supposed to clean the water before it reaches us. Think about the process and the passageway the water goes through to get to the taps. Sometimes I see a burst main pipe with water gushing out yet water comes to my tap. The question arises in my mind is this water clean enough for me to drink. Water filters in the kitchen aid in cleaning the water that comes through our pipes. Now, with the prevalence of flooding around Trinidad, water cannot be treated as effectively and even more precautions need to be taken with our pipe-borne supply. Clean, filtered water protects the body from disease and leads to overall greater health. The home water filter alternative is a far better, more 6
bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water.
economical and convenient way of getting clean water. Here are 10 benefits of using water filters in the kitchen.
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A solid block carbon water filter can selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the ph of drinking water.
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The distinct taste of chlorine which is present in pipe water is removed by using a water filter. Water filters provide us with better tasting and better smelling water by removing the chlorine.
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Go green by having a water filter placed in your kitchen. Water filters reduce the need to buy bottled water. One filter can replace hundreds of plastic bottles which are hard to dispose of.
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No bottled water means less expense on the family budget. The price of a bottle of water is almost the same as the price of a soda. Think of how much money you can save just by having a water filter in the kitchen.
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When using bottled water for cooking most people buy the extra large bottles which are usually hard to lift and store. With a water filter you will have water for cooking at the convenience of your taps.
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Water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and
Water filters offer the last line of defense between the body and the over 2100 known toxins that may be present in drinking water.
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Water filters reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease by more than 33 percent. You don’t know how bottled water is filtered. If you have your own water filter you will know for sure that the water is being filtered.
HOME OFFICE
Initiating Employee Incentives Programs
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t has been said that “What gets measured gets done and what gets rewarded gets done more.” With that in mind, an employee incentive program can be a definite motivational asset within a company. However, allocating employee rewards may not be as easy as it seems. Many employers fail when formulating such programs. Ultimately, if you want to create an incentive program to reward the employees who really help the business, or if you've tried an incentive program that failed, you need to intimately tie incentives to employee engagement and business results. This article will give you a process to do that. These seven steps will help you tie incentives to results. Incentive programs-whether short or long-term, a one-time occurrence or multi-year events should involve these core components, which create a process to ensure success. A shorter duration or one-time occurrence program could involve fewer components.
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Specific to duties, actions and intended results. Start by looking at the end. What results does the business want? Results can be tied to current business plans or can lay a foundation for future business goals. Is the incentive program rewarding short or longterm results or a combination of both? Tying company vision and culture to incentive objectives helps employees become fully engaged; they're not just collecting a cheque. Ask yourself what employees need to be involved to generate these results. Should 8
all those employees be eligible for an incentive? What employee behaviors will best help to reach the incentive?
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Measurable to provide fairness. What activities and behaviors need to be measured?
Example: The office manager's activities and behaviors to be measured are: • Project management: You can reward for creating the processes, bringing the project under budget and/or on time, and providing documentation and consistent results. • Behaviors: You can reward for teaching and motivating employees to work in a different manner.
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Achievable for employees. Are the actions, behaviors and results achievable? The incentive program should motivate an employee to learn and do more in an effective and efficient manner. If an employee doesn't achieve all of the results, there should be a process to evaluate and show the employee how to accomplish more next time.
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Results oriented. Tie the actions and behaviors to the results you want to
see.
Example: The Office Manager's project management skills would be rewarded for completing various stages of the client service system within certain key dates and for creating processes that should increase revenues or profit. The Office Manager's
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behaviors would be rewarded for changing other employees' work, motivation and behaviors to produce excellent client service. The Office Manager will then realize how her skills and behavior can impact the outcomes and the incentive she receives.
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Tracking the results. Who will track the measurements and results, and how? Actions are easier to quantify; for behaviors, it may be more challenging. Many actions can be tracked with a meeting, other written or verbal communication or the physical delivery of the expected items. Part of a regular briefing with employees can cover what is happening in terms of achieving the incentive.
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Employee involvement and acceptance. Anyone who is offered an incentive needs to be involved in varying degrees and amounts of decision- making and accept the incentive program. Generally, the employer provides the goals, results desired and the rewards, but employees give input on what activities and behaviors are their responsibilities and what rewards might be more special to them. The employer needs to give guidance during the incentive period. Waiting until the end of the incentive program to show employees where they are ineffective is demoralizing. Employees also need to understand their responsibilities in this process; they should be asking questions, communicating the status of issues and asking for help if they need it.
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Reward for the future and the present. Sometimes in a depressed economy or for future business changes, you need to lay the foundation for change by rewarding actions and behaviors in advance of the goals being achieved. This can be challenging for employers who are working with a restrictive budget. Here are some things to consider: • Distinguish and reward your top performers in a manner that is fair-not equal, but perceived as fair and justified. You can't give automatic increases to compensation all the time. • You should not reward extra for what a team member is already fairly compensated for. If the compensation is not fair, that's another issue. • Make it part of your culture to distinguish the rewards for top performers, but also show how disengaged employees could work to become top performers and what resources are available to them to accomplish this. • As the business owner, sometimes you have to reward your employees before you reward yourself, especially if you are building a foundation for the future and need certain actions, behaviors and results from employees now, not later. • In an economy that’s in a slump, even a small reward can be greatly appreciated. If you build an incentive program that is "smarter," you'll keep employees engaged and achieve your business goals.
Artwork Š Calvert Jones
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ELEGANT IDEAS
Blending Eras
Antiquated furniture meets modern flair in this beautiful kitchen. w w w . a m g tt. c o m
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ELEGANT IDEAS
The grand antique furniture accents in this elegant dining space complement the modern aesthetic instead of seeming outdated.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
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ELEGANT IDEAS
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ELEGANT IDEAS
Vintage furniture makes this bedroom a cozy getaway in a modern house.
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KITCHEN
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10 Foods That Help Relieve Constipation
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veryone experiences constipation at some point, but this simply means that you need to regulate your dietary fiber intake. Fiber-rich foods such as grains can ensure a healthy metabolism, but the right amount is not easily calculated. Nutritionists believe that the average adult needs between 25 and 30 grams of fiber a day to ward off constipation. But to avoid bloating and cramping you should gradually increase your intake and this can be done by eating the right foods.
Dried fruit. These are pretty inexpensive and provide a great source of fiber. Prunes, dates and even raisins help to ward off constipation and they make a great low calorie snack. They can be enjoyed alone or added to cereal.
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High-fiber cereal. When purchasing cereal, choose one which offers at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. This ensures that you get close to your daily intake and can help keep constipation at bay.
Berries. Fruits are generally a good source of fiber but raspberries, strawberries and blueberries provide a richer source. Berries are also low calorie fruits.
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Microwave popcorn. This is a great source of fiber as popcorn is a whole grain. Be careful of the amount of butter and salt you 16
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Whole-grain bread. Whole-grain bread is low in fat and high in dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates, which is a perfect choice to increase your fiber intake.
consume. Try the low-fat butter popcorn instead.
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Beans. These can provide twice as much fiber as most vegetables and can help ward off constipation. Kidney beans provide 8.2 grams and Lima and pinto beans offer 6-plus grams of fiber per halfcup.
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Broccoli. This is a great source of fiber and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Eating the raw vegetable
is always best as it ensured you get the full fiber richness, but it can be enjoyed either steamed or boiled for an added treat.
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Fruits. Plums, pears and apples are the best fruits to combat constipation as much of the fiber is found in their edible skin. A small raw pear with skin has 4.4 grams of fiber, while a medium apple with skin provides 3.3 grams of fiber.
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Nuts. Brazil nuts, peanuts, and walnuts have the highest fiber content, but don’t over-eat these as they are high in calories.
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Baked potatoes. These are Ίespecially helpful when eaten with the skin on. One medium baked potato with the skin on will provide 3.8 grams of fiber in your fight against constipation.
Guardian Asset Management
RECIPES
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Constructing A Casual Mexican Three Course Meal
n Trinidad and Tobago we have a habit of making one course meals. Instead of three courses per meal, we commonly eat three meals per day. If the meals are easy enough to make, there should be nothing stopping us from occasionally going the extra mile and adding a couple courses to the menu. This Mexican-inspired meal ensemble can get you started. APPETIZER
SPICY BEAN SALSA Ingredients 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained 1 cup Italian-style salad dressing 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt Directions In a medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, 18
corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian-style salad dressing and garlic salt; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
DESSERT
DESSERT QUESADILLAS WITH PEANUT BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, AND MARSHMALLOW Ingredients 4 flour tortillas 2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter 1/2 cup marshmallow cream (such as Marshmallow Fluff ) 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Cooking spray
MAIN COURSE
SPINACH ENCHILADAS Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup sliced green onions 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach , thawed, drained and squeezed dry 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 10 (6 inch) corn tortillas 1 (19 ounce) can enchilada sauce Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; cook for a few minutes until fragrant, but not brown. Stir in spinach, and cook for about 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat, and mix in ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of
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Monterey Jack cheese. In a skillet over medium heat, warm tortillas one at a time until flexible, about 15 seconds. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the spinach mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll up, and place seam side down in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the remaining cup of Monterey Jack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until sauce is bubbling and cheese is lightly browned at the edges.
Directions Prepare a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.Smear 1 1/2 teaspoon peanut butter onto 1 side of each tortilla in a thin layer to cover. Divide marshmallow cream equally between 2 of the tortillas; spread to cover peanut butter. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chocolate chips atop each portion of marshmallow cream and finish by putting the remaining tortillas atop the chocolate chips with the peanut butter side down. Cook quesadillas in hot skillet until lightly browned and chocolate chips have melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
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BRIDAL
It’s Time For Grooms To Contribute To Wedding Planning
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here is a saying that marriage is for couples and weddings are for women. For the most part, this has been proven to have some truth in it. Once a man has popped the question, he usually has little to do with how his nuptials go down, but men can take a more active role in wedding planning. In fact, we urge men to get involved. There are some things dedicated to the men, but don’t limit your input in your own wedding. Here are some things the groom can do. Coordinate the things that directly affect you. The bride has enough to worry about, so the groom can definitely take the lead on the parts of the wedding that involve him most. This includes the groom's and groomsmen's attire, his wedding ring and the groomsmen gifts. After all, if you don't care about what the bridesmaids wear and receive
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every night in the weeks before the wedding. It won't be long before you're ‘owning’ that toast with confidence.
as gifts, why should she get too involved with what your guys wear?"
Play Middleman. Instead of having everyone in your family contact your bride-to-be with all of their “helpful” wedding suggestions and questions, have them talk to you. She already has enough to deal with in her own family – she shouldn’t have to answer to two demanding mothers. Take on your own family.
Work on those toasting skills. One of the most nerve-wracking moments for any groom is the toast. Planning words that are heartfelt, but still easy to recite, can be tough. Standing in front of hundreds of people and giving a toast isn't easy, but as your high school basketball coach always said, 'Practice makes perfect.' Dedicate yourself to spending 10 minutes in front of the mirror
Make Your Ma’am Comfy. If your bride to be looks like wedding planning is zapping her usually happy demeanor, take her out to a romantic dinner, treat her to a massage or plan a quiet evening home alone with one another. She’ll love that you noticed her hard work and feel appreciated for her efforts. Plus, now that you have your hand in planning, don’t get too caught up and
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forget about your honey. Just because she said “yes” doesn’t mean you can cut back on the romance and courtship. She’ll appreciate it big time! Lend an Ear. As the planning process goes along, your bride is going to need to talk to you. You must listen to her. She may not need you to fix anything. She may just need you to listen. (If you get confused, as most men do…ask her what she wants you to do, but ask nicely) Sure there are forums and what not, but sometimes she will have to talk to you. Be patient and see what she wants you to do. She may be complaining about how many DJ’s she has to contact. If she is complaining about getting overwhelmed, then see if she wants to hire a planner. The most important thing to do is listen to her. You may not think of that as planning, but it is important to the overall objective.
FAMILY
Six Things To Do Before The Baby Comes Home
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ou just had your newborn and you can’t wait to take him/her home. As parents, you can’t wait to experience the joys of sharing your world with someone so young and being able to help your child develop together. However, the journey can be a rough one and if you are not fully prepared the joy you once had can turn into regret and sorrow. Your pregnancy may not have been planned, but you have 9 months to ensure that the second stage is wellthought out and that you are prepared.
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Sleep. In the weeks prior to your due date, be sure to get lots of sleep as this helps reduce the anxiety and stress that comes with having a new baby. You are going to need to be calm and patient during those sleepless nights and early mornings.
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your baby, especially if done improperly without supervision from a dietician. More than ever your body needs the right nutrients to produce the energy that you need to adequately care for your new-born. Ensure that you drink plenty water and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
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Eat well. Some people eat less and start dieting soon after having a baby in order to lose the weight, but this can be harmful to you and
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Have a bag packed. A due date is an estimate; babies can arrive either before or after the planned date so always ensure that a bag is packed with all the necessities which will be useful at the hospital. Ensure that your husband, mother or anyone close to you knows where the bag is stacked, in the event you are away from home and need to be rushed to the hospital right away.
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Maternity Leave. This might not seem important, but you need to
discuss with your company your due date and the length of your leave so that a replacement could be sought. Also you need to ensure that you will be taken care of financially, even while you’re away from the office.
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Daycare. If you’re a working mother with no available family or friend to take care of your baby while at work, start looking for a nursery a couple weeks in advance and before your baby arrives.
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Take care of you. There are some chemicals that you may not be able to use because of your pregnancy, but take some time off to pamper yourself at different intervals during your nine month pregnancy. The better you look, the happier you feel and that jolly mood is always a plus for your baby.
WARDROBE
POWDER ROOM
Powder Room Essentials
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owder rooms are becoming increasingly popular in Trinidad and Tobago. They're often found on the main floor of the home and are used as a secondary bathroom. They are usually small and rarely have a bathtub or shower, but do have a sink and toilet. Powder rooms are often frequented by guests and for those enough fortunate to possess a powder room, here are some essentials it should have. Guest Towels – There's no need to have large towels in a powder room but make sure there are plenty of guest towels so people have a place to dry their hands. Some people like to have fancy towels but make sure they're not so fancy that people feel uncomfortable using them. Scented Air Refresher – This can take the form of candles (for ambiance) or one of the many plug-ins available. A spray freshener is also a plus – after all, there is a toilet in the room. Liquid Hand Soap – Quality liquid hand soap is a must for any bathroom. It is best to have it in a pretty jar as it will be practical while also contributing to the décor. Once placed in the right spot the soap jars can make a pretty accent piece.
Hand Lotion – No matter how good the soap, washing hands will dry them out. Luxury hand cream will leave the right effect on guests who visit the powder room. Bin – People don’t have wastepaper baskets in corners of their living room and entertainment spaces. Guests shouldn’t have to walk in and out of the kitchen when they have to throw something away. Your second bathroom is the ideal place for a bin. There, they can get rid of their trash and clean up at the same time. Mirror – Mirrors are important in any bathroom and a powder room is no exception. It's a great place for guests (and residents) to take a quick last look before leaving the house, but it also helps make the tiny room look larger. Tray – Put all the small items on a pretty tray to keep them organized. Kleenex, Cotton Swabs and TP – It's always a good idea to have these extras in a powder room. Try to get a Kleenex box cover that matches the room and put some of the swabs in a little cup (a silver mint julep cup or a tiny crystal glass is always nice). Put a few extra rolls of toilet paper in an attractive container like a clear glass cylinder vase.
Dressing To Suit Your Figure
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inding a dress that fits well depends on knowing your shape. Hourglass figures are shapely with the curves in the bust and hips and a slender waistline. Rectangle figures are shaped evenly from top to bottom. Triangle figures have a narrow upper body and the lower body is full and/or wide. Inverted Triangle figures have a full and/or wide upper half with the lower half of the body being narrow. Analyze your body by asking yourself specific questions about your shape. Some questions you can ask are: where are my curves? How does my upper body compare to my lower body? Am I shaped evenly? You can also measure your bust, waist and hips. Taking these measurements will help you determine how your body is proportioned. Once you know what shape you match the most, it will be easier for you to choose styles to complement your figure. If your shape is similar to the hourglass, your figure can be complemented by most styles. You want to go for styles that will emphasize your curves without making yourself look bulky. Choose a form-fitting w w w . a m g tt. c o m
dress. This will add emphasis to your body. When your shape is more like a rectangle, too many styles will leave you looking boxy. You want to give the look of having curves. Wearing shirtwaist dresses and a fitted dress with little or no waistline will help you create that look. The triangle body shaped woman wants to even out her body. Choosing dresses with shoulder pads will help balance the upper body with the lower body. Dresses that are loose on top but narrow in the skirt will help create a slimmer look. If your shape resembles an inverted triangle, you also want to create a balanced look. Full skirts will add to your lower body, giving you the appearance of having fuller hips.
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MEDICINE CABINET
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Dieting
ave you ever heard the story of Humpty Dumpty, that infamous egg who sat on the wall? One of the things I’m sure was left out was that he was an obese, unfit egg who hated dieting because of his high protein and fat lineage. Trinidadians love their bellies and unfortunately the unsuspecting few end up like that poor little egg that fell off the wall, and in our case, off the societal health wall, never to regain balance. We live in a “Kill for Chicken” culture, where long lines and disgruntled faces awaiting their “3 piece” is the order of the day. As quickly as the moral values of our country are eroding so too are the food choices made by our citizens. Do not misinterpret me; I support fully the technologically advancing age and growing skilled labour force. I have qualms though about whether in the effort to keep up with our fast paced everyday lives, we should sacrifice longevity for lavishness. Children are cautioned from a young age not to use a particular four letter word, even though their parents use it so loosely in their vocabulary. The trouble is “diet”; another four letter word, is having a harder time battling for its existence. The word diet is almost a sin in some families and to “go on a diet” as some people casually say (even though they should really say change your diet) is almost blasphemous. A good diet involves eating the correct quantities of the various food types. This would suggest that biased diets, where usually fats or carbohydrates are eaten in excessive amounts can lead to shortened life spans and bigger insurance payouts. Dieting involves regulating food consumption to maintain or control weight (notice I said control, not gain or lose). It should be noted that diets can either be for the purpose of weight-gain or weight-loss, depending on 24
HOME GYM
the condition of the individual. However, the latter always seems to stand out as the majority of cases arise from overeating. Persons often eat to feel “full” rather than “satisfied”. Extremely important to dieting and obviously already clichéd is physical exercise. A healthy diet however starts in the mind. An individual must first acknowledge his/her condition and then take critical steps to ensure that the problem is systematically handled. It is so easy to jump up one day and decide to take a jog, buy a treadmill or go down to a department store and purchase an Ab King pro, yet if consistency and commitment to this newfound pastime is lacking, then it’s back to the Humpty Dumpty days. A young lady once told me that she was on the verge of insanity because she was fed up of the social starvation and neglect from males. She just could not deal with the continuous rejection; yet was quick to add that all she wanted was to be able to go eat some chicken and have ice-cream on weekend limes with someone. Immediately I told her that, that was the root of her problem. She was allowing cravings for particular foods to escort her down the road of unattractiveness and doubt. Food controlled her when it should have been the other way around. I immediately suggested to her that she “change her diet”. She needed a diet more inclusive of fruits and vegetables, lots of water and a whole lot of exercise which would give her that bounce out of the mental pit of low self esteem and rejection. We should allow no-one but God to ultimately define who we are. Maintaining a healthy diet means maintaining the gift that he gave to us. It means preserving that vessel that we so casually allow to be mistreated by neglect and personal preferences. Don’t let Humpty Dumpty’s demise go in vain. Be healthy in his memory.
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How To Recover Quickly After Exercise
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here is no doubt that consistent and committed exercise leads to a healthy, body and mind. However, this same exercise can also lead to temporary soreness as your muscle tissue develops. Fear not, for there are some measures which can be taken to assist your body in recovering quickly. Here are some of these measures. Avoid Overtraining. One simple way to recover faster is by designing a smart workout routine in the first place. Excessive exercise, heavy training at every session or a lack of rest days will limit your fitness gains from exercise and undermine your recovery efforts. Replace Fluids. You lose a lot of fluid during exercise and ideally, you should be replacing it during exercise, but filling up after exercise is an easy way to boost your recovery. Water supports every metabolic function and nutrient transfer in the body and having plenty of water will improve every bodily function. Adequate fluid replacement is even more important for endurance athletes who lose large amounts of water during hours of sweating.
Rest. Time is one of the most important ingredients for recovery (or healing) from just about any illness or injury and this also works after a hard workout. Your body has an amazing capacity to take care of itself if you allow it some time. Resting and waiting after a hard workout allows the repair and recovery process to happen at a natural pace. It's not the only thing you can or should do to promote recovery, but sometimes doing nothing is the easiest thing to do. Stretch. If you only do one thing after a tough workout, consider gentle stretching. This is a simple and fast way to help your muscles recover. Cool Down. Cooling down simply means slowing down (not stopping completely) after exercise. Continuing to move around at a very low intensity for 5 to 10 minutes after a workout helps remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscle stiffness. Warming up and cooling down are more helpful in cooler temperatures or when you have another exercise session or an event later the same day.
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Hair Care
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Home Pedicure Foot Soak
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Hand Cleanser
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Natural Deodorant
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COUNTLESS USES FOR PENNIES A DAY Always read the directions on each package for proper use.
GARAGE
PETS
Three Tyre Tips For Your Car
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roper tyre maintenance can go a long way to saving you money on new tyres and even the overall maintenance of your car. Tyres are integral to your vehicle’s safety and should be taken care of. Here are three things which should be looked at where your tyres are concerned. Pressure: Correct tyre pressure reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle. It also protects your tyres from premature wear and irreversible damage to the internal construction. Tyre pressure can drop due to small perforations, the natural escape of air through the tyre's components, or even from a decrease in ambient temperatures. Check the pressure of your tyres, including your spare, monthly and before any long journey, preferably when your tyres are cold (not having run for at least 2 hours or having run for less than 2 miles at low speed). It's important to check the pressure once a month, because: Under or over inflation can reduce the life of your tyres, affect their perfor26
mance and increase the risk of damage. Correct tyre pressure will even save fuel Alignment: It's difficult to tell if your wheels and axles are correctly aligned while driving. But if your vehicle's suspension geometry is incorrect, its handling may be altered and your safety compromised. If your tyre has come into contact with a solid object, such as a curb or pothole, or you have noticed uneven wear on your tyres consider re-aligning them. Balancing: Balancing helps prevent premature wear of your tyres and eliminates vibration. It also protects the suspension, steering system and bearings of your vehicle. Have your wheels balanced when a tyre is replaced, a balance weight is moved or removed, or you purchase new tyres. You’ll know a wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This will cause uneven and rapid tread wear, vibration and excess stress on front-end parts.
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Cleaning Your Small Pet‘s Cage
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t is easy to understand how your small pet's health is tied to the cleanliness of her cage. But what many people do not consider is how they clean their pet's environment and what potential toxins may be introduced to it, despite the best of intentions. Our world is filled with products designed to minimize the effort and time it takes to maximize our hectic lives. While many of these products are wonderful cleaning additions to our homes, most are not designed for use around animals, because animals use smell and taste to continually explore their world. But with a little common sense and an established cleaning routine, you can minimize the time and effort it takes to maintain a healthy environment for your pet, while offering him the safest of living conditions. The following is a typical cleaning schedule: Daily: • Remove wet spots or waste in bedding/litter. • If necessary, change any bedding/litter that is too soiled. • Empty and wash the food bowl using warm water and
a small amount of mild soap. Thoroughly rinse and dry the bowl before returning it to your pet's environment and filling it with food. • Empty and wash your pet’s water bottle using warm water and a small amount of mild soap. To ease the cleaning use a bottle brush. Thoroughly rinse the water bottle before refilling it with clean, fresh water and returning it to your pet's environment. Weekly: • Remove and replace all bedding and/or litter. • Wash and disinfect the cage bottom and all of the toys. As with all cleaners, rinse thoroughly and dry well. • Wash and disinfect any cage accessories, such as climbing shelves, dens, or beds, per the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for each product. Rinse thoroughly and dry well. While cleaning your pet's environment keep your small pet safely contained in an Exercise Pen or small traveling cage. An empty cage is much easier to clean.
TRAVEL
Making Flying With Babies Easier
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raveling can be a difficult experience that tests your patience. Flying with a small child or baby can make this even more difficult. This article attempts to help you get through your flight easier with baby in tow. The first tip is to aim for the bulkhead seating. Even if you won't be getting an extra seat for your baby, make sure to let the booking agent know that you'll be flying with an infant since you won't be able to sit in any of the emergency exit rows. Request the bulkhead seats -- the ones in the front row. That way you won't have to worry about your baby pulling on or kicking the seats ahead of you. It also gives you more floor space for stretching out and for diaper changes. Bring a birth certificate, especially if your child could be mistaken for a 2-year-old by any stretch of the imagination. Once your child is 2, you have to pay for a seat for him/her, and the airline would be happy to charge you for that. Pack several small toys and books that your child hasn’t seen
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before. The best bets for travel books at this age are ones with lift-the-flaps or touch-and-feel textures. Consider swapping toys with a friend so your child has something new and exciting without buying more toys. Ease ear pressure. The baby should suck on something during takeoff and landing. Nursing works, as does bottle feeding, pacifiers, or a lollipop. Go to the toilet before getting on board. Don't think for a second that it's possible to hold the baby whilst going to the toilet in a tiny plane cubicle and emerge looking like a decent hu-
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man being. You simply can’t protect a baby, especially a mobile one, from germs while traveling. If it makes you feel better, wipe down your tray table and arm rests with a baby wipe. You will drive yourself and your child crazy trying to keep her from touching potentially germy surfaces, which is every surface on planes and in airports. Wash your hands and your child’s hands when possible. And for what it is worth, seeing the multitude of faces from around the world reminds you just how important vaccines are to protect your family from the
world’s worst diseases. Make friends. Be extra kind to every crew member you encounter. When you board the plane, show the flight attendants your baby, introduce them, take your baby’s hand and help him wave. Flight attendants are awesome, and they’re your allies in keeping the little one quiet and happy. They’ll heat bottles, bring extra blankets, supply cup lids, you name it. But only if you’re pleasant. Note that you don't have to board at family boarding. After first class and priority boarding, airlines typically give families the chance to board before the rest of the plane. This is great because it gives you access to the overheard compartments and gives you a chance to get all settled in without feeling hurried. However, if you've got a squirmy baby or an overactive toddler, boarding before the rest of the plane just means you have to sit in a tight space with a baby for a little bit longer. Depending on your child, you may want to wait until the last possible moment to board.
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Abstract Home Is Published By Abstract Media Group, Premium Commercial Complex, San Juan, Trinidad, W.I. • Tel: (868) 638 1156/9 • Fax: (868) 638 1160. Printed By The Office Authority - Printing Division And Distributed By AMG