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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he festival is upon us so lots of us will be in decorating or at least planning mode. If you need some help with your décor, these tips should help you conquer your qualms. Divali is the festival of light so brightening your house and making it feel lighter should be a major priority. We know actual lights will achieve this, but it can also be done by creatively using paint. We know some people who paint their entire houses for the occasion, but you can save big bucks by choosing to paint a single wall in each room or even paint selected rooms in different colours. Target specific areas to be painted and strategically brighten up the dark corners of your room with a fresh new color. Try festive reds, oranges and maroons or go wild with your own palettes. Stencil paint on a focal wall to add great texture and give your room a makeover without bursting your pocket seams. Like we said previously, it’s all about light. However, this does not mean just putting on every light in the house. There are clever ways to illuminate your abode with lights. The use of deyas is the most common. The way you set up the deyas in patterns on the floor or along walls and bannisters is itself a decorating tool. However, you can boost the effect of decorating with deyas by actually adorning the deyas themselves. Paint, glitter or stickers can be used on the outside of your
Divali Decorating Ideas For Your Home deyas to spruce them up. You can even use decorative candles. There are a lot of materials you can use to make your own candles, from orange peels and salt dough to even egg shells. Be creative with your candle design. For example you can melt the wax, pour it into seashell, replace the wick and let it cool for an innovative and interesting décor trick. If you want to, you can go the more modern route and use electric lights for a similar effect. A Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Toran is another great decorating option. Torans, also known as buntings, are usually placed at the entrance of a house to welcome the guests and set the festive tone. These can be made in the traditional way with coconut or mango leaves, but there is no shortage of alternatives to be had in today’s market. Plastic, cardboard, paper and more can
be shaped, painted and modified in sundry ways to achieve the desired effect. While houses are left spic and span and are decorated inside, outdoor decorating is given just as much attention at Divali. One great way of decorating your driveway or courtyard is to use ornate rangoli designs. These are normally placed at the front of the house to welcome Lakshmi Mata (the Goddess of Wealth) to homes. If you aren’t familiar with what rangoli is, it is those pretty geometric patterns prepared on the floor with colored sawdust, chalk, flour or rice. This type of decoration really allows for creativity and you can do elaborate designs or simple ones which do just as well, to enhance your home. A simple way to employ the use of rangoli is to soak rice in different colors overnight and sun dry them the next morning. Then trace a dew w w . a m g tt. c o m
sign with wet chalk and simply fill in the colored rice. Whether it is for weddings, religious ceremonies or graduations, no one can deny the potential of decorating using flowers. They add life and vibrancy to any surroundings and some even add a wonderful, welcome fragrance. We live in a tropical country, so gathering flowers should not be that difficult. However, if you can’t pick them yourself, flower shops aren’t far in any direction. Purchase flowers in dozens- the choicest being roses, lilies or jasmines and string them into garlands. It will lend a spiritual enchantment to the puja. There are also fake flowers being sold in ready-made garlands as well. You can also place them in more traditional formats such as vases, pen-stands, glasses or almost anything that would enhance the beauty of your house.
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LIVING QUARTERS
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Kitchen Cabinet Options: Materials And Style
he type of materials used to build your kitchen cabinets and cupboards, determines the overall look of your kitchen. Another factor that influences this is the style and design: for example modern versus vintage. When choosing a style for your cupboards ensure that it is one that you are comfortable with or one that you can become accustomed to as cabinets are very expensive to build and changing them every year is not an option. Take a look at the options below and decide which is best suited for your kitchen.
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Wood cabinets. Wood is still the most popular choice among the different materials as it is cheaper than the rest and comes in different types such as oak, pine, cherry or hickory. Wood can 2
ing it appear very bright and spacious. The only downside to glass cabinets is that all the contents will be ‘on show’ unless the glass is frosted or tinted.
be left with its natural tones or tinted to reflect a darker wood grain or a lighter wood grain finish. If these are still too expensive, then wood veneers could be used. This is applied over ply wood to give a similar effect.
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Stainless Steel. These cabinet types were only found in restaurants but recently and with the increase of many popular cooking shows, fans are eagerly designing their kitchen cabinets and counters with this material. The consensus is that it gives your kitchen a very vogue look and is easily maintained. A bit expensive to install but a good buy.
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Laminates. The material is made from resinsoaked papers that have been heated by sealing layers which are very durable. They can be pre-coloured and given a texture and give a very modern, chic look when coupled with a white or ivory gloss finish.
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Melamine. This is cheaper than laminates and comes in a variety of colours, hues, surfaces and finishes but be careful not to get it scratched as it's not very durable.
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Glass. This is the preference among homeowners who wish to have that modern touch. Glass is an illuminator as it shines light throughout the kitchen mak-
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Copper. This is the ‘warmer’ side to stainless steel; it gives the kitchen a more welcoming look and feel. It is durable and easy to maintain.
Shubh Divali to
The deyas lit each year are symbols of a guiding light in our lives; a light that purifies, strengthens and forever triumphs over darkness. Today, RBC celebrates the glory of these victories, especially with the Hindu community of Trinidad and Tobago. Shubh Divali to YOU from RBC Royal Bank™
It’s All About You
LIVING QUARTERS
Three Expensive Fixes To Avoid
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he title of this article may be a bit misleading because once there is a problem to be fixed, you have to fix it and there is little to avoid at that point. However, proper maintenance and being thorough from the onset is vital if you wish to save your money and your house from some issues. These are some of the things that can cost you a lot more than you can afford if you are not vigilant. Foundation Fixes The very foundation of the house can be damaged, and this is a very important issue to take
care of. You can see that the foundation is damaged if the walls in the basement are uneven, or if you can see cracks on walls. One of the early signs of a damaged foundation is the inability to open and close the windows or doors with ease. Make sure that you check this out because the consequences can be the whole house being totally demolished. Roof Repair Now, as you are most probably aware, it can cost a whole lot to repair the roof. A damaged roof can lead to leaks and a need to repair the electrical installation.
After this is fixed, the roof will have to be repainted, as will all the walls, for that matter. Sewage Solutions The final problem on this list is the one related to the sewer line. You might think that the sewer, and everything related to it, is government property and they should tended by government employees, but, actually, what connects your home to the sewer is your property and you should tend to it. Several problems can occur due to several factors, so, as with everything mentioned above, make sure that you tend to this matter with great care.
Proper Copper Cleaning And Care
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f you are fortunate enough to own genuine copper kitchenware or accessories, you will know what it brings to your home. Its rich appeal is unmistakable. However, it needs proper care in order to maintain that appeal. Here is how you do it. Copper is a "soft metal" which explains why it is the best heat-conducting metal of all metals. Copper requires a little more
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care than most other cookware. While it is ok to let the copper exterior darken with age (otherwise known as "patina" or
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"verdigris"). A quality polish is recommended to maintain its warm glow. Cleaning the inside of unlined copper is essential. To remove any verdigris on an unlined pan, use a vinegar-salt solution or rub it with lemon sprinkled with salt. Rinse and dry the pan. If you have an iron-handled pan, rust on the handle may be scrubbed (a light gauge steel wool works well) off and then
lightly oiled. It's not advisable to use a dishwasher for washing copper cookware due to the harsh chemicals used in some dishwashers that could shorten the life span of your cookware. Never use cleaners containing bleach to clean copper cookware - bleach is corrosive and will cause your cookware to pit. For a natural polish for your copper products you can use a dab of vegetable oil.
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How To Hang Items On Different Types Of Walls
e all want to decorate our walls with items from pictures to plants but we need to know the right items to use to carefully attach them to the walls. For example, drilling holes in walls made of plaster may chip the outer ring of the hole and cause it to crumble. However, this shouldn’t deter you from decorating your walls. Try using these tips when deciding to hang items on your walls. Plaster Walls- For small pictures, try putting piece of masking tape on the wall where you intend to drill the hole. This gives the spot extra protection when a hole is drilled as it protects it against crumbling easily. Don’t hammer the nail straight in, rather, drill the nail in at a 45degree angle. For big pictures, use a power drill to make the hole instead; screws make better alternatives and put less stress on the plaster. 6
ing of the plastic anchor piece. Turn the screwdriver clockwise as you insert the plastic anchor piece into the drywall, place the screw into the hole that you just created with the hanging hook provided and then use the screwdriver to tighten.
Concrete Block Walls- for concrete walls, selecting the right hooks is always the key. Hard wall picture hangers are available in different sizes, varieties and holding capacities. Plus they are available at any hardware store. Simply use a hammer to strike the metal prongs into the wall until they
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are all the way in. Then, you can hang your picture or plant using a string to let it drop. Drywalls- For this you will need the use of a drywall anchor and screw. It is a relatively easy procedure; by using a #2 Phillips screwdriver, you push the screwdriver into the open-
Picture hanging stripsThese strips have been known to work wonders but it all depends on the weight of the object that is being hung. Pictures, yes, plants, not so much. They are from the brand 3M and can be found in all hardware stores. You stick pieces on the top two corners of the picture and the top corners of the frame. Let each rest for 30 minutes then stick them together. To remove, you pull down on the strips and they come off. Test the product before making a decision to use them permanently. Some people say that in the warmer countries the elastic fades and the pictures fall down.
HOME OFFICE
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5 Common Money Mistakes Business Owners Make
ongratulations to all those who’ve beaten the odds and managed to create a successful business, without any money mistakes. Running a business has advantages and dis-advantages. Business proprietors get so involved in spending money to give the business a good status, they forget about critical short-term and long-term tasks that can improve financial stability. According to Gunderson, the two greatest forms of capital in a business are your mental capital (your product and service expertise) and relationship capital (your audience, platform, and organization, clients, family and friends). Mental Capital + Relationship Capital =Financial Capital. Making overhead investments too soon, spending on do-it-yourself projects, mixing personal and business finances, putting all your eggs in one basket and over advertising are a few mistakes businesses make. Making overhead investments too soon: Many businesses invest in renting another office space or expensive equipment a lot sooner than needed. A business is an investment not a spending spree. As a business 8
owner, evaluate what you have before spending on what you don’t need right away. Crafting a strategic plan can help in the management of resources by determining priority issues. Too often businesses combine personal and business finances. Your personal finances should be kept personal. It is tempting to use your business card to swipe for the piece of jewelry you have been looking at for some time now, but keeping personal finances separate is the best way to manage your business finances and book keeping. As a business owner building your business credit is important. Create a business identity that is separate from a personal financial identity; this will provide your enterprise with more
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credibility and a greater sense of legitimacy. Although business and personal finance should never intertwine it's important to budget your personal finances to ensure that you have savings to draw from in the coming months. Spending on do-it-yourself projects is an error that entrepreneurs tend to make. Stop spending for do-it-yourself projects. You do not always need to hire a contractor or management team to get your job done. There are simple tasks you can do yourself or you can even get employees to assist as a project at the business. For something as simple as rearranging the office for more office space, each employee can assist by re-arranging their desk to see how best they can work with the space. Business functions can be seen as a team building exercise. Employees can all chip in and manage their sections whether it be customer service or catering for example. This can also build your team work. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not a good idea. Why risk 100% of your wealth on a single investment? Having only one employee master a function is bad for business. While it may
be good to make an investment in only one expert who knows the day-to-day running of your business, if something happens to the said individual or he/ she resigns, where would this leave your organization? Re-invest your income for future operations rather than depending on your irregular income to promote future growth for your business. Spending too much on advertising can make or break your business especially in the case of small and startup enterprises. In an age of increasingly short attention spans, many businesses may think that creating massive advertising campaigns is the only way to get their message heard. While this may be a good way to get the message out, this can be costly and affect the profitability of the business. Most advertising focuses on a particular target market. For instance, an advertisement may take several hours or days to create, and may cost thousands but only reach a limited segment of the targeted market. The use of a more cost-effective marketing tool such as word of mouth or social media may be more applicable to new startups and small businesses.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
Connect In These Cozy Romantic Spots
Flowers are the main feature of this beautifully decorated indoor garden.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
A romantic candle set with beige and blue modern furnishing creates a cool setting.
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A gorgeous setting that is sure to take your home wedding to the next level. w w w . a m g tt. c o m
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ELEGANT IDEAS
This luxurious bedroom is a great place for couples to explore their love.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
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KITCHEN
Cooking Tips And Tricks
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ven the best chefs are always looking for the latest tips and tricks to getting dishes prepared faster or tastier. These ten tips will boost your kitchen savvy and give you great results.
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A teaspoon of sugar mixed with your yeast and water makes it raise better. Even if you are making bread you can use some sugar. Never mix salt directly with the yeast and water mixture as the salt kills the raising action.
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Add two teaspoons of vinegar to Jell-O and it will keep the Jell-O from melting when you serve it. To pare pineapple easily cut into rings and peel each slice separately.
Wrap parsley in foil first, then freeze. Shave off as much as needed, rewrap and return to the freezer. It will retain its flavor and freshness.
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For fried foods that require flouring, try pancake flour for a change,
it’s quite nice.
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When boiling milk, first stir in a pinch of baking soda. This will help keep the milk from curdling. Pickle Juice uses: Use sweet pickle juice to thin salad dressing or to make French dressing instead of vinegar. It’s much more delicious.
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Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to each quart of water when cooking rice, this will keep rice fluffy.
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For crisper salads: Place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl before filling with salad. Excess moisture will run underneath the saucer and this will help keep the salad crisp and fresh.
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Baking bread? Do not preheat. When you light your oven, pop in the bread pans immediately and you’ll be amazed at the resulting lightness of the bread.
RECIPES
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Flour-based Divali Delights
s is the norm around this time, you will be seeing lots of classic Indian recipes being published. Our contribution is in the form of floury recipes. In honour of the festival of light, here are some great Indian bread recipes.
CLASSIC NAAN Ingredients 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white sugar 3 tablespoons milk 1 egg, beaten 2 teaspoons salt 4 1/2 cups bread flour 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional) 1/4 cup butter, melted Directions In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume. Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. 18
During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil the grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.
middle of the heated surface and spread into a thin circle using the back of the ladle. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of onions and press the onions onto the pesarattu using your ladle or spatula. Cook for a few minutes and flip over to the other side. Cook a few more minutes, transfer to a plate and serve immediately. Dosas are best eaten hot and crispy right off the tawa.
PESARATTU
Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1/4 cup white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup canned channa, drained and 1/4 cup liquid reserved 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 egg 1 cup grapes, halved
Ingredients 2 cups whole green lentils 1 cup uncooked white rice 5 green chile peppers 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled 1 tablespoon geera Salt to taste Cooking spray 6 tablespoons chopped onion (optional) Directions Place the lentils and rice into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 4 hours to overnight. Blend the lentils, rice, green chile peppers, and ginger together into a smooth paste using a blender or food processor. Stir the geera and salt into the paste. Prepare a flat griddle (tawa) or large, flat-bottomed skillet and place over medium-low heat. Ladle the lentil batter onto the
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CHANNA AND GRAPE MUFFINS
Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a muffin tin with butter. Stir all-purpose flour, wholewheat flour, sugar, baking powder, cumin, baking soda, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl. Blend butter into flour mixture
with two knives or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Beat milk, reserved garbanzo bean liquid, lemon zest, and egg together until smooth. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fold channa and grapes into batter until incorporated. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
BANANA CHAI BREAD Ingredients 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup lowfat cream cheese 2 eggs 3/4 cup mashed bananas 1/4 cup brewed chai tea Directions In a medium bowl mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl mix sugar, cream cheese, and eggs until light and fluffy. Mix mashed bananas and Chai into cream cheese mixture. Add flour mixture and mix until smooth. Pour mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F(175 degrees C) oven for 60 minutes. Cool on rack. Remove from pan after 10 minutes.
Artwork Š Calvert Jones
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BRIDAL
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Making Makeup last
t might be easy to run to the bathroom for a quick touch up, but I believe once makeup is applied, that should be enough. It is important to have your makeup last (especially for long business meetings or weddings). This article shows you how to achieve this. By taking care of your face, staying out of the sun and remaining properly hydrated you have won half the battle. Cleansing your face is the first step toward the other half of the fight. Don't use harsh treatments on oily skin -- you could actually increase the oil in your skin. Instead, create a skincare routine using cleansers and balancers that have been customized for your skin type. Find the right shades to match your colour and get accustomed to using lip balm or moisturizer. Color fades unevenly on dry, chapped lips. The next step in the quest for long-lasting makeup is laying a proper base. In order to make sure that the makeup stays 20
on and to minimize slide, apply moisturizer twenty minutes before starting your makeup. Use concealer under your eyes. Oilbased concealers are the best choice for emotional outings like weddings. A strange, but battle-tested formula for conquering foundation that wears away easily is trying a formula with a little oil. Complete your foundation with face powder. After the perfect base is applied the rest becomes easier.
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After all, a good foundation is the start of all good things. Now you can approach other areas such as the cheeks. Makeup applied to the cheeks gives structure to the face and has the power to define a look all by itself. When applying cheek makeup two techniques work best. The first technique involves using a powder-based blush -- it will last longer than a cream blush. Secondly, as an alternative to the first technique, try a cheek
stain -- just be sure to blend fast. Once the stain sets, it stays put. When you kiss someone it should not look like there was a lip transplant between both of you. Your lip-makeup should stay on you and you only. Prep lips with a little foundation. Try to refrain from using moisturizer within one hour of application of makeup. Before filling out lips with colour outline them with lip liner. Lipstick should be applied with a lip brush. It is important to blot between layers when applying lipstick. Lip stains are also a good choice especially for those who choose to go with bright lip colours. However, make sure your lips go through a thorough moisturizing regimen leading up to the wedding day as stains dry out your lips. These tips go a long way toward ensuring your makeup stays on you for extended periods. There are a thousand things that can ruin your look. Don’t let your makeup be one of them.
FAMILY
Facilitating Family Prayer
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raying as a family is a wonderful, rewarding activity. Finding the opportunity, time, and courage however, is not always so easy. That’s the thing about prayer. It rarely comes easily, especially in front of others. In fact, most would rather give a speech before 100 than pray before 10. There is so much insecurity about opening up to God among others (especially people you know). This article shares tips, and prayer opportunities to help bring your family together in prayer. Start by choosing natural times of the day to pray. Stick with the basics and make it a part of your family’s routine before adding anything else. Grace before meals and bedtime prayers are usual opportunities. Saying grace is both an act of gratitude and an acknowledgment of our dependence on forces that are greater than us. While it may be logical or comfortable for a parent to say the grace, we believe that children ought to be given regular opportunities to pray in their own voices and in their own words. 22
While you may have a routine of fixed prayers you know, sometimes time may still be an issue. One of the biggest hindrances to family prayer time is simply finding the time when you can all be together to pray. If your family is constantly on the go, hold quick prayer sessions before someone leaves or when someone gets home. For longer or regular prayer times; simply mark it on the schedule at a time when everyone can be present. Don't feel silly or weird about scheduling a prayer. What is important is that you get together with your family to share this time, and scheduling it does not minimize its importance or value. Support is another factor that is needed for family prayer to flourish. It's natural for some family members to be uncomfortable praying in front of others. Be sensitive to this and avoid becoming agitated or judgmental if a family member is scared to pray out loud. At the same time, offer encouragement and advice for getting over the fear of prayer. Remind your child
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that prayer is an important part of developing a stronger faith. Advise your child to try praying just a short, simple prayer and gradually work her way up to a longer prayer. Another tip for family prayer is to visit a prayer room together. Many churches and ministries offer prayer rooms— sacred spaces where you can experience different aspects of praying. These are often highly creative, allowing for musical expression, artistic response, a global view of the church, and ways to repent and intercede. It is important to be prepared for challenges. The single most challenging thing about petitionary prayer is not the asking, but the more compli-
cated process of waiting for an answer. A child does not come equipped with explanations about why God might not give him or her what was asked for. Summon your courage and venture out into the realm of Ad Hoc Theology. Though we may feel uncomfortable offering answers that sound hollow in our ears, it is important that we be willing to think out loud about these matters. The simplest explanation we can think of is that God's responses to our prayers are like the colors of a stoplight: Sometimes God replies with green for "Yes," sometimes with red for "No," and often with yellow, which means that we have to slow down and wait for the answer. Finally, learn to embrace technology. In this digital age, maximize the value of technology in praying with, and for, one another—using e-mail, text messaging, and even social networking sites. Choose specific prayers for various members of your family and encourage each other to reply and create their own.
WARDROBE
POWDER ROOM
Winning The War Against Cracked Feet
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racked feet or fissures of the feet are a sign of lack of proper foot care. The skin on our feet is usually dry as it has no oil glands in the skin of the feet. Over exposure, lack of moisturizing and medical condition can worsen symptoms. If your feet are cracked try these simple, organic remedies. Lean on Lemons The acidic property in lemons can be very effective in softening rough skin that leads to cracking. It just takes a few easy steps for it to work. First, soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes in warm water with lemon juice added to it. Scrub your cracked heels using a pumice stone then wash your feet and pat dry with a towel. Be careful to avoid using very hot water as that can cause your feet to dry out even more. Create a Healing Foot Mask Enzymes naturally present in some fruits can also help to remove dead skin, fight fungal infection, and heal your heels. Fruits which are useful for this purpose include bananas, papayas, pineapple, and avocado. Slice or mash any of these fruits and rub the exposed flesh onto damaged skin, or create a healing foot mask using a combination of said fruits and oil such as almond, olive, jojoba, or co-
conut. Wool Socks One of the biggest culprits of cracked heels is loss of moisture. Wear wool socks to trap body heat in the feet. This will help to prevent loss of moisture. The socks help to keep the moisture in. Be sure to keep your feet clean though as the excess moisture can lead to fungal infections. You can use any natural oil or creams to keep the skin moisturized Do not use products containing alcohol as they will further dry up the skin Use baby oils which are mild and which do not contain any skin irritants Apply moisturizers on the feet after bathing Use mild soaps while bathing Do not use excess hot water for bathing as this will remove the oils from the skin Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated Avoid saunas and steam baths which will contribute to the dry foot condition Wear right fitting shoes which will allow your feet to breathe Avoid excessive sweating of the feet Avoid the use of alcohol and caffeine which will increase the itchy feeling in cracked feet
Eliminate Lines
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adies, here’s one less thing to worry about: embarrassing panty lines. It’s actually easier than you think and can be accomplished by following these simple steps. After all, a woman’s appearance is important to her and helps her maintain her image as a confident being. If panty lines have always been a problem for you, try these tips to get rid of them forever.
that it bulges and gives a bundled look.
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Choose the right material- Although cotton underwear allows air to pass through freely, it tends to bulge and cause lines. The best fabrics are spandex and elastic which give a seamless fit. You can still wear cotton panties but chose which outfits you can wear them with- mainly loose fitting clothing.
Understand what causes panty lines- If you know what causes the lines then avoiding them should be simple. Visible panty lines occur when the elastic in the panties digs into your buttocks and causes the cheeks to bulge out on either side causing a visible line.
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Try thongs or seamless panties- Thongs have no lines and are often the obvious choice when wearing tight clothing. But if that route is too uncomfortable, there are seamless panties that are available which give the same look. Another option, though not advised, is to wear no underwear. Although some women practice this, it is not good for personal hygiene.
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Choose underwear that fully covers the buttocks- This should seem a simple task but most women prefer sexy over conservative. Ensure that the entire buttocks are covered, that you are comfortable and the underwear is giving the fit that it is supposed to give. Ensure that it is not too tight to cause the elastic to dig into the skin or too slack so w w w . a m g tt. c o m
Choose colours wiselyWhite panties are never to be worn under white skirts or pants. Black coloured panties and skin-coloured panties are best suited for white or light coloured clothing.
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MEDICINE CABINET
HOME GYM
Calorie Calculating Guide
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he number of calories that you should eat depends on your weight, age, height, your activity levels and whether you are trying to lose, maintain or gain weight. You need to balance the calories that you take in each day with the calories that you expend each day. This list estimates the number of calories you should consume each day to maintain, increase, or decrease your weight based upon your gender, height, weight, age, and activity level. For a person who practices 30 minutes or less of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat Children: 2-3 years old 1000 calories Children: 4-8 years old 12001400 calories Girls: 9-13 years old 1600 calories Boys: 9-13 years old 1800 calories Girls: 14-18 years old 1800 calories Boys: 14-18 years old 2200 calories Females: 19-30 years old 2000 calories Males: 19-30 years old 2400 calories Females: 31-50 years old 1800 24
calories Males: 31-50 years old 2200 calories Females: 51+ years old 1600 calories Males: 51+ years old 2000 calories For a person who practices 30 minutes to at least 60 minutes or more of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat: Children: 2-3 years old 10001400 calories Children: 4-8 years old 14001800 calories Girls: 9-13 years old 16002200 calories Boys: 9-13 years old 18002600 calories Girls: 14-18 years old 20002400 calories Boys: 14-18 years old 24003200 calories Females: 19-30 years old 2000-2400 calories Males: 19-30 years old 26003000 calories Females: 31-50 years old 2000-2200 calories Males: 31-50 years old 24003000 calories Females: 50+ years old 18002200 calories Males: 50+ years old 22002800 calories
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Avoiding Burn Out
urn out happens when you're physically tired and disgusted at the mere thought of doing something...kids pushed into singular sports early on often get this way. Mom and dad force them to play baseball for 11 years and right when mommy and daddy are thinking scholarship, Junior decides he'd much rather try out for the school play. Here are some great ways you can avoid burn out and fatigue in your routine. Mix it Up! One of the worst things that can happen to your workout routine is that you reach a plateau...you keep doing the same workout, but your body has adjusted and you no longer get the results you have been seeking... you just "maintain" your weight or you don't gain any more strength. The best way to bust out is to switch up your workouts. By adding variety you'll employ the science of muscle confusion, which will cause your muscles to shake off their sleepiness and start transforming the way you want them to. Keeping Track One thing that many people tend to do is over-train. This is where you over-exert yourself to the point where the kinetic chain of your body begins to
break down at various points. Tweaked your ankle, but still ran that three-miler yesterday? Felt a twinge in your shoulder, but still completed that upper body workout? Those are the signs of overtraining. It's important to listen to your body as it will tell you much when it comes to working out. If you do suffer a minor training injury, allow yourself some time to heal by not putting stress on that particular muscle group or performing repetitive exercises that use those muscles or ligaments. It's OK to Take a Break We all get burned out. Sometimes your heart or head is not in your workout. It's ok to take a break from the gym. Maybe you're going on vacation. Maybe you're physically tired. Just know that when you get back into it, your body and mind will be recharged and refocused for the task at hand.
GARAGE
PETS
8 Tips That Can Help Lower Your Insurance Premiums
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n this period of recession every cent counts. Therefore, you need to find ways to save a little extra money (even if it’s just on car insurance). If you already have insurance few of these tips may be applicable to you but for first-time drivers and new policy owners, try these to help lower your premiums.
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Purchase a ‘simple’ car. Simple here means low-profile; a car that is not too flashy to attract thieves or too expensive which would make the repair costs high. Also, purchase a car that has a track record for safety as insurance agents consider this when calculating premiums.
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Avoid extra medical coverage. If you already have a medical insurance policy, whether personal or one offered by your company, then purchase only the minimum personal injury protection required by your insurance company.
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Become a better driver. Insurance agencies put a higher cost on premiums for young or inexperienced drivers. But that price can be slashed by at least 2025% if they see that an advanced or defensive driving course was done. These courses will equip you with techniques that can assist you when driving in rushhour traffic or on highways.
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Fully comprehensive or third party. Your first car may not necessarily be a new car but it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be insured. But for older or cheaper cars, choose 3rd party insurance. That way if an
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accident occurs, you can ensure that the other driver’s car is repaired, even if you choose not to repair your own.
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Combine policies. If there are 2 or 3 cars in the household, consider insuring all with the same insurance policy. The company may offer one low premium for all vehicles insured. Plus your premium may also go down if you purchase life or home-owner’s insurance from the same company.
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Roadside assistance. It may be cheaper to purchase roadside assistance from another company, since taking roadside assistance with your current insurance agency might cause your premium to increase.
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Ask about discounts. Ask about discounts that you can take advantage of before purchasing your policy and discounts that can be enjoyed during the life of your auto insurance coverage. Some insurance companies offer safe-driving discounts that can be given after several years of driving accident-free or discounts for teenagers who are insured under their parents’ policy. Get all the information upfront also to avoid hidden fees.
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Get safety gear. Ensure that your car is parked off the road and in a garage. Insurance agents may put a higher cost to cars that are not well-kept or guarded when not in use. Also, get car alarms, anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices installed in your car, as these can help garner additional savings.
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What Type Of Vaccines Should My Pup Receive?
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here’s a reason why they are called ‘man’s best friend’. Just as men need love, care and attention, so too must your pup receive the care and attention it needs to enjoy a long healthy life. Pups need to receive several types of vaccinations to help prevent a number of diseases that they are susceptible to at that age. A veterinarian will be able to advise you on the shots that your pups need and at what age they should be administered. Most pups receive their vaccinations at 5 weeks old, but talk to a veterinarian as soon as your pups are born.
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A combination vaccine should be taken for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo Virus. It is normally administered as a 3-in-1 shot, a 5-in-1 shot which protects against with Leptospirosis and Canine Parainfluenza and a 7-in-1 puppy shot option which gives additional protection against other strains of Adenovirus and Leptospirosis. They are given at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks.
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Rabies. The first shot is given when the pup is 12 weeks. Another is given after a year with subsequent vaccina-
tions given every 2 years.
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Lyme’s disease vaccination. Ticks have been known to spread Lyme disease so it is important that your pup gets vaccinated against this. This is especially important if your pup is housed outside or with older dogs. However, talk to your vet to ensure that it is necessary.
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Boarding or Kennel cough. If your dog will be interacting with other dogs, ensure that he gets vaccinated against getting ‘kennel cough’. This is inflammation of the upper respiratory system and is common when there are a large number of dogs. Your veterinarian may recommend other shots based on special circumstances. If a puppy is ill, the vet may administer the vaccines at a later date so that the side effects, which can be minor, won’t cause more pain to your pup or increase the risk of side effects due to a weakened immune system. It is important that your dog is vaccinated at the agreed times and ages to ensure and maintain a healthy pup. A healthy pup helps breed a healthy dog which makes a happy owner.
TRAVEL
Avoiding Sea Sickness
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cean travel is a great thrill and relaxer to many and an absolute nightmare for others. While the smell and sight of the sea might be beautiful to some, motion sickness on the water is a reality many others face. Your ocean journey need not be a harrowing experience for your health. There are measures that can help you deal with sea sickness. Don't drink caffeine for at least 24 hours before getting on the boat, or while you are on the boat. If you have a high intake of caffeine you may temporarily suffer with a headache, which you won't want if you're feeling seasick. Don’t eat greasy, heavy and acidic foods, but do eat something light an hour before the boat leaves so your stomach has something to process. Be wary of dressings on salads as they often contain vinegar, which is acidic and also fruit juices. If it's break-
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fast, simple foods such as cereals and porridge are much better than a traditional English fry-up. Ginger is also good at preventing sea sickness and will act as a remedy and comes in several forms, including biscuits or cookies. Avoid alcohol on the boat and the night before getting on the boat. If you are on a extended voyage it's a good idea to wait until you get your "sea legs" before drinking alcohol, caffeine or acidic drinks A good night's sleep before a boat trip will help. It's difficult
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if you're anxious about being sea sick, but it will help. Try to arrive at the boat relaxed and looking forward to the trip rather than dreading it. Once on the boat stay in a spot with plenty of fresh air and shade but make sure you don't get too hot and take frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration and on long trips or cruises eat light snacks rather than remain hungry. Stay as far away from diesel and exhaust fumes as possible, and if you are on a smaller boat avoid leaving the engine running unnecessarily, particularly when stationary as the exhaust fumes tend to come back into the boat. If you are on a fishing trip or sailing prepare your equipment preferably on shore or on board before setting off, thereby reducing the amount of time spent below deck or searching in lockers, where you can't see and anticipate the boat's move-
ments. Don't forget that the boat will move even when stationary, particularly if people and equipment are being loaded at the same time as concentrating on loading a boat can start the onset of sea sickness. If you do have to go below don't get sidetracked, and if possible ask someone else to go If you are sailing, running with the wind coming from behind the boat, is most likely to cause sea sickness as this point of sailing has by far the greatest rolling action. Instead sail a broad reach, which will take longer but will be more comfortable Once underway don't read, use binoculars or cameras for any great length of time and try to keep the horizon in sight, but don't concentrate or stare at it. Avoid staring at things that your brain would consider normally stable, such as walls and furniture.
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