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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hile Christmas is considered the most magical, wonderful time of year, it's also commonly criticized as the most wasteful season. Throughout the Christmas season everyone buys more, eats more and throws more away. Tons of Christmas garbage is dumped into landfills over the holidays. On top of pollution and global warming, this puts added stress on our planet and makes our environment a little less friendly to live in. By making your Christmas even a little more environmentally friendly, you'll save some stress to the planet and save yourself some money. The easiest way to celebrate a 'green' Christmas, is to do less: buy less; decorate less; use less. Here are a few ways you can cut down on your holiday consumption to help lighten the environmental load on our planet. Christmas lights drain a lot of energy and can be expensive. A single string can use up to 100 watts of energy. Keeping your lights on for extended periods of time can add more than $100 to your December light bill. You can avoid all this spending by simply eliminating lights from your Christmas display or using fewer of them! Replace your traditional bulbs with LED lights to lessen the cost of your Christmas lighting, too. Shorten your Christmas list and only buy gifts for people who are truly special to you. Rather than buying your loved ones a gift, host a party. Be the
Dreaming Of A Green
Christmas? person who brings everyone together and you'll be at the top of everyone's list. If you don't want to throw a get-together, make donations to environmental charities in your friends' names or 'buy' them an acre of rainforest. The money you spend goes towards the protection and maintenance of ecologically significant areas. If you have to buy them something, make sure your gift is environmentally friendly. Buy locally to lessen the environmental impacts of manufacturing and shipping. Avoid anything that is over packaged or causes waste through its use. When you shop, take your own reusable bag and try to do all of your shopping in one place to avoid using too much fuel driving from place to place. Showing your holiday spirit with pretty packages and decorations is a popular tradition.
Be a trendsetter and focus your decorations on reducing and reusing. Give reusable bags or wrap a gift in another gift like a t-shirt or scarf. Put fewer decorations up and choose ones that are reusable and don't require power. Live decorations like evergreen boughs and holly are also great because they add scent to your holiday decor and can be composted after the holidays. You can also create less waste by making things yourself and reusing your holiday trimmings. Make your own wrapping paper and cards and make sure to unwrap your gifts carefully so you can reuse the paper. An even better way to save is to avoid wrapping gifts in paper at all. Take care in storing your decorations so that they survive year after year and you don't have to throw them out or buy w w w . a m g tt. c o m
new ones. If you have to get rid of something, make an effort to recycle. In the end, what costs both you and the environment is consuming without conserving. By simply reducing what you use over the holidays, even a little bit, you can lessen the waste that is left over from Christmas and help make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live.
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Add Aromatic Ambiance With A Fragrance Lamp
he concept of freshening the indoor atmosphere of a home has been one of constant experiment and innovation. The practice dates back literally to the beginnings of human history, as people began to use botanical and animal elements for both lighting and scenting purposes. Candles, incense, and oils infused with the essence of plants, herbs, and animal fat became a part of the cultural landscape as people incorporated the use of fragrances into domestic habitats and religious rituals. Today, the use of scents is applied to an even wider spectrum of modern living. The importance of olfactory stimulation is understood better now, and is being applied to aroma therapy as much as it is to the interior atmosphere of the home environment. One of the most popular methods of introducing scents into the interior of the home is through the use of fragrance lamps. Fragrance lamps can serve many purposes. The most basic
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of these is the refreshing of the air inside the home. This is an ongoing challenge, considering the various factors that can denigrate the interior atmosphere of a closed-in area. Candles and incense have been the standard for these applications for many years, and they serve a very useful purpose. Yet the smoke that these implements create is sometimes problematic, either due to the carbon residue that is left behind or the effect that smoke can have on the respiratory system. Fragrance lamps are a practical response to these issues. They can create a pleasing aroma on a continual basis without the presence of smoke. This is
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possible because of the method used to heat the scented oil that is the fuel for fragrance lamps. A catalytic stone burner heats the oil without the need for an open flame, removing the smoke factor. All that is created is a fragrance that can be continuously introduced into the environment by replenishing the oil. Another positive attribute of fragrance lamps is the potential for an artistic touch in the design of the lamp itself. The vessel that holds the scented oil is most often made of glass, which opens up the possibilities for creative color schemes and visual designs. The beauty of fragrance lamps is limited only by the skill and imagina-
tion of the lamp maker, and this art form has expanded greatly in the past few years. Fragrance lamps also introduce an aspect of practicality that both candles and incense have a hard time matching. These devices can fill a room with a very pleasant aroma in less than one hour, making them ten times more effective than candles. The essence of the heated oil that permeates the interior atmosphere serves another important purpose as well. Fragrance lamps can actually purify the air by killing airborne bacteria that carries the potential for infection and illness. The increased use of fragrance lamps brings another positive aspect to the home environment. The artistry with which many of the quality fragrance lamps are made provides an opportunity for gift-giving that will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys both a fresh and fragrant home atmosphere and a touch of beauty in the same gift package.
LIVING QUARTERS
Two Overlooked Building Mistakes You Should Never Make
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veryone wants their dream house. However, they usually end up settling for just a house and a host of “what if ’s?” Don’t let this be you. Consider these common mistakes before venturing into a building project. 1. Not Finding a Home Builder with... Passion! "Home Builders with Passion" In every town, there are always a few Home Builders that are so passionate about their craft, that every home they build is a "Work of Art". Their attention to detail ensures that they will always be at the top of their industry. When you first meet a "Home Builder with Passion", you will notice their charm, and keen listening skills. They are very similar to a great doctor. Their focus will be entirely on listening to the patient, or you the homebuyer. They will have many questions, which will help them diagnose or determine
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your needs. Once they understand your needs and desires... Hang On. They will begin a presentation of ideas and possibilities that will astound you. You are now sensing that they are more than just a Home Builder. To find your "Home Builder with Passion", begin by asking for referrals from friends, subcontractors, Interior Designers, and Architects. Also visit new real estate developments, looking for clues. One of the "Secrets to Great Curb Appeal" in a new home is the importance of "Staggered Visual Lines". Square boxes are
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not visually interesting, without another visual dimension added. Our eyes and our emotion, love to focus on... curves, angles, depth, texture, and color tones. When you first meet with the Home Builder, listen to their story. How are they different from the other Home Builders in the area? How do they capture trends in New Home Building Construction Ideas? Important - do not make your decision on the lowest bid. Almost anyone can make various cuts to lower their final estimate. Invest the time, to find your "Home Builder with Passion". Their ability to balance your enthusiasm and the realities of building, are what make them so unusual. 2. Not Designating Funds For ... "The Wow Effect" Everything in the Home Building Construction process re-
volves around the target budget. But almost every day, you will be confronted with new cost overrun decisions. Keep in mind these words ... Drama, Effect, and Staging. If you truly wish for your home to have The Wow Effect", then you must designate a budget for it. Without designating funding, the opportunities that you have designed and drafted into your floor plan will not create the drama or effect. The Wow Factor is important, but it is hard to describe its effect. It will stop you in your tracks. You will stop and stare, trying to absorb what you are seeing. The Best Home Builders and Interior Designers will always include a room that will take your breath away. It is bold, but not brash. It can change your taste in an instant. The Wow Factor" has pushed you out of your comfort zone. Contact these professionals to discuss your project.
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Buying A Dining Room Set? This Is For You
uying a new dining set for your home is not an easy task like grocery shopping or buying tickets for a calypso tent. A perfect dining room purchase requires imagination, careful planning and follow-through. Too many times a loving couple, man or woman will venture into a furniture store to buy what they think will be an awesome dining set that they will cherish and enjoy, only to choose a set that they dislike two days into their five year relationship. They should have done their due diligence at home. Being at the store without knowing exactly what they want and what they will need for their family will lead to a house full of anxiety if the furniture store delivers their chosen set, and the set is completely wrong for their household. Save yourself the hassles, arguments and intense anger by planning first. Ask yourself these questions before you arrive at any store:
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newspapers down on the floor to give you an example of available space. Don’t forget about the chairs. They take up space; however, they are not always “pushed in” under the table. Measure your available space with the chairs situated as if a person is seated in a comfortable position.
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Is the dining set for everyday use, for formal occasions or do you need a dining set for formal occasions and everyday use?
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How many people will be sitting at your table enjoying two or three meals a day? Comfort and convenience are a major factor.
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How much room do you have in your eating area ? Measure accurately, in feet and inches, the entire room available. If necessary, lay some
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This is an easy question; what colour set do you like?
Do you want a regular, standard table that's 30" in height or do you want the newest style, a 36” counter height table with the 24” dinette chairs acting as bar stools. 24” stools have become the latest fad; however, they are sometimes not the most comfortable. The foot supports, known as stretcher bars, must be placed in the correct position for optimum comfort and some people’s legs tend to tire when they are not comfortably resting on the floor.
Double check and try to imagine sitting on a counter height set for at least 20 minutes, before you make the purchase.
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What kind of table top do you want: tile, marble, solid wood, melamine / painted paper finish or Formica? The most durable, scratch-resistant table tops are Formica and marble. The other finishes need place mats for table top protection if you want to keep your table looking fresh and elegant. If you answer these questions before you visit a variety of furniture stores, your chance of buying the right dining set increases. Careful planning is the key to a great purchase that you will be happy about for the years to come. Your dining area is normally next to the kitchen and is sometimes the busiest spot in the house. Why not make it the most enjoyable room and the most comfortable place to be!
HOME OFFICE
What Social Media Marketing Can Do For Your Business
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ome people believe product is more important than brand. To them, I say good luck! There are millions of great products that are overlooked just because they weren’t marketed right. Building a good brand is even easier to do nowadays with the advent of social media. Social media is inexpensive and ubiquitous and if properly used can result in great benefits for your business. Here is how it can work for you. More exposure for your brand The major benefit of social media marketing is that it helps you get more exposure for your brand. The great thing is that the exposure is very wide, especially with so many people using social media on a daily basis. As long as you take your time you will be more than impressed with the results and the value that you can obtain here! You get more traffic Traffic is crucial if you want to sell items and generate a loyal following. You should always 8
that, but most of the time you shouldn’t worry that much as a loyal following can be acquired via social media marketing and a good set of services.
try to talk with your customers and encourage them to visit your website. Most of them will do that and you definitely need such followers if you want to acquire the best possible experience and results in the long haul. You gain marketplace insights Finding good marketplace insights usually costs a lot of money, with many companies being focused on this alone. Yet with some good social media marketing services you never have to worry about that ever again. That’s what makes this type of service very helpful and the re-
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sults you get here are indeed going to impress quite a bit in the end. Affordable A thing to note about the social media marketing services is that they are affordable. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but they do provide a great set of results. They bring you quality and value, all while keeping the costs very low. That matters a lot and the experience will be worth it. You increase brand loyalty One of the main targets for any brand is to generate a loyal following. It’s really hard to do
Customers are happy People always want to feel that you deliver them a great set of results. They want to feel appreciated and social media marketing allows them to feel that way. It enhances customer interaction and it helps take the experience to new heights very quickly. It’s definitely one of the best investments that you can make for your business. You should consider investing in social media marketing as quickly as possible. This is one of the best investments you can make, as it helps deliver an outstanding experience and the outcome can be very well worth it. As long as you are working hard to promote your business and you want to obtain a really good experience, social media marketing is the right fit for you!
ELEGANT IDEAS
Decorate Your Holiday Dinner Space
Thick candles, rich gold and hints of green create a luxurious Christmas look. w w w . a m g tt. c o m
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ELEGANT IDEAS
Coloured dinnerware coupled with ornamental fruit and flora give this table setting its rustic appeal.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
These wonderful red table accents go well with glasses of red wine or sorrel.
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ELEGANT IDEAS
The effectiveness of this table setting lies in the tablecloth and napkin combo. 14
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ELEGANT IDEAS
A clever use of a candy cane along with powder-coated fir accents give this table setting international appeal.
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KITCHEN
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Stove Cleaning Hacks
ick of scrubbing away at your scummy stovetop with less than desirable results? These cool cleaning hacks will have your stove shiny again in no time. Boiling Water If you have no extra products around the house but need to clean your cooktop quickly, try boiling water. Gently and carefully pour the boiling water over the dirty surface. If you let it sit until it cools, the tough stuff will simply wipe away. If necessary, scrub stubborn areas with a bit of soap on a sponge. This is a simple and eco-friendly solution because it uses completely natural and chemical-free elements. Vegetable or Olive Oil This method calls for you to pour a little vegetable or olive oil out onto your stovetop. Using a cloth, scrub the oil into the caked-on messes. Then spray it all down
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with an all-purpose cleaner. This works wonders on the hood of your stove as well. Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide There are few other cleaners that pack this kind of punch. Brush off and throw away any remaining debris on your stove. Sprinkle the entire surface with baking soda, then drizzle with the peroxide. Watch as a fizzy storm of awesome breaks down the baked-on nasty while clapping your still-clean hands. Razor Scraper For those tough-to-remove burned-on stains, try using a scraper. All you need to do is simply hold the razor blade at an angle to the stovetop and firmly scrape away the residue. Once you’re done chipping the burnedon stains off of your burners, you can simply wipe away remaining residue as usual.
RECIPES
Pumpkin Recipes
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hether you call it pumpkin or “pongkin” (like some Trinbagonians actually do), there is no denying that this fruit (yes it’s a fruit) is a staple in Caribbean cuisine. We usually incorporate it into our soups and peas, but here we share some more recipes that truly celebrate pumpkin’s diversity. These recipes are great for the Christmas holidays.
PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD Ingredients 3 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 15 ounces pumpkin puree 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice cinnamon, and clove. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour. 18
PUMPKIN PANCAKES Ingredients 1 1/2 cups milk 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 egg 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
SPICED PUMPKIN SEEDS Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoons margarine, melted 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds Directions Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Combine the margarine, salt,
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garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds. Mix thoroughly and place in shallow baking dish. Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
ROAST PUMPKIN AND FETA RISOTTO Ingredients 3 1/4 cups peeled, cubed pumpkin 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cups vegetable broth 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh garlic 1 onion, diced 1 cup baby spinach leaves 6 ounces feta cheese, cubed Salt and pepper 2 cups Arborio rice Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush a baking dish with olive oil. Place pumpkin in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm. Transfer pumpkin to baking dish, and brush with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a saucepan. Cook onion and garlic until tender. Stir in rice, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add vegetable broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing all the liquid to be absorbed before adding more broth. Continue cooking until the rice is tender to the tooth, and then season with salt and pepper to taste. When the pumpkin is almost
done, place feta on a baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven until the cheese is hot, and is beginning to melt along the edges. Mash 1/2 of the pumpkin, and stir into the risotto with the spinach. Ladle risotto into bowls, and top with remaining pumpkin cubes and heated feta.
COCONUT CURRY PUMPKIN SOUP Ingredients 1/4 cup coconut oil 1 cup chopped onions 1 clove garlic, minced 3 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 15 ounce pumpkin puree 1 cup light coconut milk Directions Heat the coconut oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions and garlic; cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the vegetable broth, curry powder, salt, coriander, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir until the mixture comes to a gentle boil, about 10 minutes. Cover, and boil 15 to 20 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Whisk in the pumpkin and coconut milk, and cook another 5 minutes. Pour the soup into a blender, filling only half way and working in batches if necessary; process until smooth. Return to a pot, and reheat briefly over medium heat before serving.
BRIDAL
The Five Commandments Of Love
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f real life were like the Hollywood version, we’d see people holding hands, walking through the promenade in the rain, or kissing under the stars perfectly content with their mates and enamored of the fact that they are blissfully, supremely in love. Relationships that are born of the silver screen are like perfectly scripted equations that bring forth the most predictable results…. happily ever after. The plastic Barbies and buffed up Kens that we devote our entertainment energies to via cable TV encourage us to do nothing more than put our candles in the wind, only to get them snuffed out by the harsh breeze of reality. The truth is…relationships suck! Our relationships suck because they don’t mirror the picture perfect couples we see on TV. If only we, as a mature society, could pull our heads out of the clouds and work on the relationships that we have, then maybe, we can achieve the relationships that we want. There is hope for real people with real lives and real problems who want to make real love work, but the answer isn’t in Hollywood, so turn off
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that damn TV and have a read. Compatibility The fact that he has nice eyes and straight teeth is not enough to run to the altar. Couples should have something in common, something that would keep them together, something that they can enjoy together. They should have something that would keep them from beating each other over the head with a brick, maybe a shared taste in movies or music, hiking or hanging out, or just being totally boring lifeless prudes. Compatibility is the glue that could help keep you together. Give your fears the boot Most experts agree that we sabotage our relationships because we fear the outcome. “What if he doesn’t love me?” What if I get horn’?” “ What if he never asks me to marry him?” These things that you are afraid of are the things that keep standing in the way of your having a fulfilling relationship. “What if he does love you? What if you never get horn’?” “ What if he asks you to marry him over and over again?” The future is always un-
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sure. The only thing that you can do is live in the present. Refuse to sweat the small stuff He never puts down the toilet seat. She squeezes the toothpaste from the middle. These are everyday molehills that we make mountains of every day. Since we are all different people we should expect to have disagreements and sometimes disappointments as we cruise through life together. There are certain things that we should just let pass so that we don’t frustrate ourselves into singlehood. Forgive and forget Since we are not perfect, we will all at some time or the other make mistakes. The choice is
however, yours as to just how much you forgive before you forget. If he sleeps with your sister, and you decide to give him a kick in the groin before dumping him, we’ll understand. If he forgets the anniversary of the first night you kissed, get off his back about it and let it slide. Life is too short to harbour wounds that would have healed a long time ago if you didn’t have a penchant for picking at them. Don’t compare your relationship with others You get green with envy when you see couples kissing in the mall. (Can’t they get a room?) Because your man may not favor public displays of affection- or make that lust- doesn’t mean that he’s not the one for you. Enjoy the fact that you can just cuddle on the couch while watching a movie. He’s there, you’re there, and that’s all that matters. Granted you may be able to think of a whole lot more things that you would do to make your relationships work. Use them. Maybe you’ll come up with the stuff that movies are made of.
FAMILY
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Finding Your Family Tree Roots
f you are serious, invest in family tree software that will organize all the information you find. Paperwork may become overwhelming as you will notice. Note: You will need a lot of paper. Use a single sheet of paper for every person/ancestor in your family. Then make small family groups of ancestors. You will write information you find for every person in the single piece of paper that belongs to that person. And you will write a summary of the information from all persons who belong to a family group to the sheet of paper that belongs to a certain family group. For example for your family group (e.g. you, your spouse and your 3 children), use 6 sheets of paper one for every member of the family and one for the family group (5 members and 1 family group). In the ancestor sheet of paper you will write all kinds of 22
information you find about that particular person: Date Born, Birthplace, Marriage Date, Date of Death, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Spouse Name and all other information you decide is worth mentioning in the family tree. In the family group sheet of paper you will write a summary of the information you have gathered from all persons who belong to that family group: Number of members, Husband, Wife, Children and other kind of information you might find
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and want to include. Now it's time to work and research. Start with yourself and your family. Gather information from your parents and their children. Then your grandparents and their children. Remember to keep track of the family groups and the sheets of paper that belong to each ancestor. As you go back in time you may need to contact other relatives, family friends or even researchers. Ask them to help you fill the information on your sheets of paper. Tell them you are creating a family tree for your entire family. It's a good idea to keep a family tree log of your actions. For example when you find a birth certificate update your family tree log writing the date that you found that death certificate and the person that death certificate belongs to. Check out if there's already someone who has created a family tree for a certain family
group. Use that information to save time but verify if the information you find is correct. Look for wedding books, divorce papers, birth or death certificates, funeral cards, awards, diplomas, school books, employment records, military records, medical records and anything that you might find useful. You can obtain a lot of information from such papers like dates, ages, parents, witnesses etc. If you are really motivated and determined to create a family tree, this journey to the past will be fascinating. And now let's move on to the fun part. After you have gathered all the information you need, it's time to design your family tree. You may want to use paper and fill the information so that it is organized and easy to access. But I'm sure after all that paperwork you will definitely need help from a family tree software that will save you a lot of time.
WARDROBE
POWDER ROOM
The Answer To Your Beauty Problems Are In Your Kitchen
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ou don’t need to stock your powder room with hundreds of dollars in branded products to achieve the flawless look. The key to beauty is as close as your pantry. Watch what these foods can do for you. Tomatoes This wonder food has been hailed for its apparent cancer fighting abilities, but it is now being recognized for its ability to fight open pores, blackheads and even sunburn. It has an acidic trait and also contains vitamin C and potassium to help cleanse the buildup of dirt on your precious mug. Turned into a lotion by mixing its juice with that of a lime, you can see the reduction of oversized pores after a fifteen to twenty minute application. Just using the pulp of the tomato regularly is also good for a more even complexion. With all the good things tomatoes can do both internally and externally, all its other garden friends may find it hard to play ketch-up. Olive oil Men shave with it. Your grandmother still uses it to soothe your ashy elbows and cracked heels, and you’ve smelled it in your neighbour’s hair for as long as you can remember. Olive Oil has been with the beauty conscious among us for centuries. It is celebrated for its ability to keep our outer layers soft and supple. Since you now know this, you would be well advised to use
it as a massage oil. It would leave your skin as smooth a baby’s… Aloe Vera Since a lot of the over the counter remedies that you know are laced with aloe vera, it should be no surprise that it shows up on our list. It contains salicylic acid, which works wonders as a detoxifying agent and simply soothes the skin. Found virtually anywhere, you just need to break off a leaf, and rub the slimy gel on your skin. Leave it to dry and wash off. It’s even very good to be taken internally, but after you taste it the first time, you’d never want to taste it again. Honey It’s more than just a sweetener. It’s more than just a replacement for pancake syrup. It’s more than just a word that your husband uses when he knows that he danced on your nerves. Ever since the days of Cleopatra, honey has been one of the favorite candidates for natural beauty care. In its purest form, it’s suitable for all skin types since it's naturally hydrating and antioxidant properties retain your skin’s moisture while cleansing. It promotes a radiant complexion and is found in skin care products like shower gels, face creams and lotions. For dry skin, add 1 tsp of honey to the same amount of vegetable oil and ¼ tsp of lemon juice. Leave on for ten minutes and rinse thereafter.
Preventing Stockings From Running
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tockings are often included as musts in some corporate dress codes. They can also be sexy if worn right at the right time. However, they can be a real drag to the wearer when they rip or get runs. Here, is how you prevent that from happening. Nail polish This is one of the most proven and tested methods. Dab a little nail polish on the area around the run to keep it from spreading. Let it dry. Voila! Clear is preferred, but if the run is out of sight, feel free to dab on a coloured polish before the run reaches eye view. Hairspray An awesome alternative to nail polish is hairspray? Yes, it would mean walking around with a can of hairspray all the time just in case. However, when you think of what most women carry in their bags, what’s one extra can? Its stickiness keeps that run from spreading without adhering to your skin like the polish tends to do. Bar Soap If you have access to a bar of w w w . a m g tt. c o m
soap, rub the bar over the run. A fragrant bar will enhance your wonderful odor while it dries out the fabric and keeps it from moving and getting bigger. Freezing A lesser known tactic that is said to work well is to freeze your tights. When you buy a new pair of stockings, run them under water for a few seconds, squeeze out the excess, then freeze them overnight in a plastic bag. When you take them out of the freezer, let them come to room temp gradually before wearing. You only have to do this prior to the first wear, and it's said to extend the life of your tights. You can also opt to stop it before it starts. Keep your stockings out of the dryer and let them air dry. Avoid storing them in wooden drawers where they might cling and snag. Similarly, keep your nails trimmed and rounded. Jagged nails are a disaster waiting to happen. When dressing, follow the "scrunch up the legs from hip to toe" method of putting on tights. As a bonus tip, be sure to put lotion on those legs.
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MEDICINE CABINET
HOME GYM
Reduce The Spread Of Red Eye
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onjunctivitis, also known as pink-eye or red eye, has been on the rise in T&T. Afflicted persons usually take up to seven days to get over symptoms and this can be extended due to reinfection. Seven days is a long time to be away from work, school or whatever your daily schedule comprises. These tips can help you prevent the spread of conjunctivitis or reinfection. • Wash your hands before and after touching the eyes or face. • Use medicine where applicable and wash hands before and after doing so. • Do not share eye medicine with others. • Do not share eye makeup. • Throw away and replace any eye or face makeup you used while infected. • Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
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• Throw away disposable contact lenses, cases and solutions that you used while your eyes were infected. • Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs and use clean linens, towels, and washcloths daily. • Wash your hands and wear gloves if you are looking into someone else's eye for a foreign object or helping someone else apply an eye medicine. • Clean extended wear lenses as directed and clean eyeglasses and cases that you used while infected.
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The Advantages Of Yoga
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oga has many advantages over other methods of maintaining health, such as gymnastics, athletics, aerobics, games, and various other forms of exercise. It does not require any costly equipment and materials, or playgrounds, swimming pools, gyms, etc. Yoga can be practised throughout the year. It can also be practised inside the house or in the open, singly or in groups. The only requirement is a thick carpet spread on the floor and covered with a clean sheet of cloth. Yoga brings many benefits and advantages to those who practise it, and this includes such things as the restoration of balance, flexibility, poise, good health, as well as well-being to the body, and it also brings a better sense of self to anyone and everyone who practises it. Yoga can also be used to stimulate the glands, organs, muscles, and nerves, and this is in ways that other forms of exercise cannot; muscle tightness and strain can also be quickly
relieved with yoga, and both circulation and digestion can be improved as well. Even many stress-related ailments, such as fatigue, poor sleeping habits, muscle spasms, anxiety, and indigestion can be improved, and this is only the beginning of the benefits and advantages that yoga can provide. In fact the greatest advantage of all is that virtually anyone can practise it, regardless of age, health status, or fitness level and it can be incredibly enjoyable and fun as well. Some other conditions that may improve with regular yoga practice include: arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, varicose veins, certain heart ailments, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. The best way to determine if this is something you want to do is by trying it quite obviously, and there are so many different types of yoga that you are sure to be able to find one that suits you.
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Car Theft Protection
ome guys take care of their cars even more than they do their own children. As unfortunate as that may be, the fact is, people (especially men) love their cars. That being said, if you love something, just note that someone else will potentially be lusting after the thing you love. It is important to keep it safe. When it comes to cars here are some things you should know. TYPES OF CAR THEFT Unsafe Parking Areas: A lot of people park in open areas such as empty lots or open fields at night. This makes cars more vulnerable to theft. Unattended Vehicle Parking: In this situation, the culprit steals the vehicle when it is left unattended in a parking space with the help of tampering techniques. Carjacking: Carjacking is becoming more frequent these days. This is when criminals coerce the car driver to come out 26
of the vehicle then they drive it away. Theft with Key Access: Sometimes car drivers give unauthorized access to thieves by unintentionally allowing them to steal car keys. In some cases, copies of the keys are made to later facilitate car theft. SOME HELPFUL TIPS AND TRICKS TO AVOID CAR THEFTS Park your Car Safely: It is advisable to park car in the paid
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parking rather than open spaces. Certainly, open parking could save some parking fees, but it can cause bigger loss in term of vehicle theft. Moreover, avoid driving your car to the places where there is vulnerable parking. Avoid keeping valuables in the car: This could provoke the car thieves to break in and run away with valuables and car. Vehicle registration certificate: Try to carry vehicle registration certificates along with you instead of keeping them in the glove box, so that in case the vehicle gets stolen you can easily apply for insurance claims. HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP Technology plays a vital role these days in protecting cars from theft. With the help of GPS vehicle tracking systems you can ensure the safety of your car against theft. There are many features provided by vehicle trackers to safeguard cars.
GPS Car Tracking: This feature helps users to track cars online anywhere and anytime with real-time or live locations of the vehicle. Vehicle Immobilizer System: In case of car theft one can immobilize the vehicle by just typing the message “OFF� through a registered mobile number. Anti-Car Tyre Theft Call Alert: This is a unique feature provided by some GPS anti vehicle theft devices through which you can get an instant call alert if any car or car tyre theft attempt is made. Emergency Panic Button: This allows the driver to send an emergency alert to his near and dear ones when carjacking or any other fraudulent car theft is attempted. Door Open Alert: With this feature, if any unauthorized attempt to open the car door is made; you will get an instant alert that will prompt you to take immediate action to avoid any mishaps.
TRAVEL
Money Saving Tips For Your Vacation
V
acation time is normally considered time for relaxation and letting go. Some people end up relaxing a bit too much and in the end they let go of too much of their hard earned money. Being away from work doesn’t mean that you should have to work doubly hard to cover expenses accumulated after the holiday period. We all know that one rests better when one’s mind is at ease. Having a steady pocket can help in easing minds, so ETNT is offering some tips on how to save during the vacation. Read online—or at the library Everyone and their grandmother seems to have internet access now. Plus, many of the magazines and newspapers available are posting their content online for free. There aren't many stories I've wanted to read that are not available. If you stopped buying a newspaper a day and a magazine a week and borrowed a book a month from the library 28
instead of buying it you could save about $500 for your vacation. Groom yourself Now that you are not at work, your reasons for going to the salon to look all spiffy may have diminished a bit. However, some of you still prefer to do the Paris Hilton thing, even at home. Depending on how high maintenance you are, you could save big bucks by forgoing the salons and spas for a little bit of pampering at home. Say you get weekly manicures, monthly pedicures and the occasional blow-dry. Men can’t afford to take that risk; they’ll look far too disheveled. But if you paint your own nails and do your own hair for three months, you could end up saving over a grand…easy. If you're still short: Put a three-month moratorium on clothes, shoes, videos and other nonessentials. Too much of the vacation budget is spent before you leave home, on things
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whole vacation? Instead of a week why not save some money and take a long weekend instead? Some hotels will offer a discount for a weeklong stay, but you’re likely to still save money with a 3 or 4 night trip. Check it out, compare prices, but whatever you do, don’t spend all your money on a summer vacation!
like resort wear and beach toys. Look, what do you need more, another pair of pants, or a week on the beach? I know I'd choose the latter. Explain it to your kids that way, and you'll easily come up with the rest of your budget. Shorten the Trip A big part of vacationing is travel. However, a shortened vacation may be the best option available where your pocket is concerned. After all, why should you have to rush to pack plus have little time to recover after your trip because it lasts your
Keep Unnecessary Treats to a Minimum Extra free time usually leads to acquiring new vices and habits that are hard to break. While these vices may be hard to break, your pocket may reach its limit easily and you end up broke. It is important to keep down spending on little treats you may not have had the time for at work. Also, while you are at home try tap water instead of bottled water. If you are skeptical about the water quality, try boiling your water or investing in a pipe filter. You do not need to spend hundreds on a free resource. Stay money savvy at all times.
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