LIVING QUARTERS
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he way you decorate your home is a reflection of your personal identity. Do you want to present basic décor or do you want to do something that truly gives a sense of where your mind and heart is at. You can do things as you are accustomed or you can try new ideas such as these. Silver and gold accents What could be more elegant than silver and gold decorations (on every Christmas tree)? Give your home a shiny holiday makeover and watch it trans-
Four Christmas Decorating
Motifs To Consider form into an upscale entertaining space with this easy holiday decorating idea. The cool luster of silver will contrast attractively with the rich glow of gold, and you can complete the look with simple white china and linens. Christmas Devotion For many of us, our décor choices represent an opportunity for us to reflect on the mystery of Christmas and its importance in our lives. Whichever part of Christmas you like best, whether it’s the guiding angel or the nativity scene, reconnect with the traditions of Christmas by devoting your home to the many beautiful Christian customs. Traditional Elements Christmas is the time for traditions, so you can’t go wrong
with classic décor that represents the holiday. Think red and green, like winter pine trees and poinsettias, and all of the traditional motifs of the season. Pastels Move over, Easter — it’s Christmas’ turn for pastel decorations! A pastel Christmas
is another way to take a break from the traditional Christmas color scheme, even if you limit the pastels to a centerpiece or the “extra” Christmas tree in a guest bedroom. Look for ornaments in mint, aqua, pale pink, and peach to add a little whimsy to your holiday preparations, or pick up a few celadon pieces to add a nice pale green.
Commonly Missed Chores portant chores. When it comes to keeping your home in tip-top shape, these duties should not be left out.
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lot of people are going cleaning crazy around this time of year. However, many of the most meticulous cleaners among us still manage to miss out some im-
Scrubbing Grout This task sounds easy, but is probably the most time consuming of all. There’s a lot of grout in a house, often in the bathroom, and we humans have failed to come up with a truly wonderful and easy way of cleaning it. So long hours of scrubbing can be involved if the grout has been ignored too long. Luckily, this task also has the most evident rewards, clean grout looks dramatically better than dirty grout, and will make any room seem brand new. Now, get scrubbing! Snake the Plumbing This is a chore that usually employs the use of professionals. However, a DIY treatment is
not impossible. It’s an often unpleasant task, but doing it yourself will teach you a lot about what’s been sitting in your pipes, and knowing that will help you keep them clean in the future. Cleaning the Toilet Tank Another plumbing-related task, this can turn out almost impossible to accomplish if it remains overlooked. This can be worse especially if your home is in a place with hard water. The tank of the toilet needs to be regularly scrubbed. If avoided, neglect of this task can also result in a toilet overflow, or the breaking or malfunction of an important flushing mechanism. Toilets that don’t flush are useless, so remember, the water in the tank is clean, if you keep it that way. Sweeping Behind Kitchen Appliances If you’re like many folks, you’ve w w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
forgotten that your stove can actually be moved. Unfortunately, the kitchen is a great place for infestations to start if the appliances aren’t regularly moved and swept behind. Refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and any other moveable appliance should be carefully and regularly swept behind. Clean That Sewer Maybe you’ve never even considered the fact that a sewer must be cleaned, or maybe you’ve been avoiding the task since you purchased your house over a decade ago, but there’s good news. There are folks who can do this nasty task for you, they’re called professionals. Don’t suffer through accomplishing this task without the experts. Knowing that you can check this off your list with a quick phone call ought to make it much easier to accomplish.
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LIVING QUARTERS
What You Need To Know About Lights
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ights are a big part of Christmas décor. If you want to utilize lights to create the perfect atmosphere, but you don’t want to waste money and energy we have some tips for you. We also have some safety tips mixed in here as well. Unpack carefully. Lights break and glass cuts. So unpack your lights gingerly, looking for and replacing broken bulbs along the way. Extension cords are your friends. Splurge on heavyduty extension cords that are UL-listed for outdoor use. To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord. LEDs cost less to light. LED Christmas lights use roughly 70% to 90% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can safely connect many more LED light strings than incandescent. Downside: Some think they don’t burn as brightly as incandescent bulbs. Solar lights cost nothing to run. Solar Christmas lights are roughly four times more expensive to buy than LEDs, but 2
they cost zero to run. They’re a bright-burning, green alternative. Downside: If there’s no sun during the day, there’s no light at night. The jury’s also still out on how long they last; they’re too new on the market for results. Dismantle lights sooner than later. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. To extend the life of lights, take them down immediately after the holidays. The longer you leave them up, the sooner you’ll have to replace them. Plan next year’s display on Boxing Day. Shop the afterChristmas sales to get the best prices on lights and blowups that you can proudly display next year. Stock up on your favorite lights so you’ll have spares when you need them (and after they’re discontinued). Permanent attachments save time. If you know you’ll always hang lights from eaves, install permanent light clips that will save you hanging time each year. You’ll get a couple/three years out of the clips before sun eats the plastic. Find those blueprints. Instead of guessing how many light
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strings you’ll need, or measuring with a tape, dig up your house blueprints or house location drawings (probably with your closing papers) and use those measurements as a guide. Store them in a ball. It sounds counterintuitive, but the best way to store lights is to ball them up. Wrap five times in one direction, then turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat. Store your light balls in cardboard boxes, rather than in plastic bags: Cardboard absorbs residual moisture and extends the life of your lights. Additional Safety Tips 1) Make sure any frayed leads or broken connectors are replaced before use. 2) Tempting as it may be, never overload sockets with your Christmas lights as this could result in overheating, electric shocks, short-circuiting and potentially cause a fire 3) To cope with weather, exterior Christmas lights should either be low voltage - 12V or 24V - or protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD) that will automatically kick into action and break the circuit in the event of an earth fault. Cables should never be fed through
doors or windows, as this could cause damage. 4) Ensure that cables are fully unwound. They can overheat and potentially cause a fire if they are left coiled on a reel. 5) Take care. Trailing wires and lighting leads are one of the most common causes of household trips and falls. Ensure that any cables or extension leads are not left across pathways, and cannot be easily grabbed by children and pets. 6) Never have any lighting equipment, decorative or otherwise, near a water source. 7) Turning off the Christmas lights before going to bed or when away from home will greatly reduce the risk of fire. 8) And if you need to buy new lights as last year's ones really have seen better days, only buy from reputable outlets. There are lots of budget versions out there, especially at car boot sales, but these are often not up to the required safety standards. 9) Always check for the European Standard CE mark when buying new lights. 10) Make sure lights you buy are suitable for the voltage they are being connected to.
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LIVING QUARTERS
Identifying Plumbing Problems
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ne of the most dreaded home repair problems one usually is plumbing. These issues may not always be obvious, but they would more than likely cost you a lot of money in long-term damage to your home if not spotted right away. Be extremely vigilant with your plumbing and if there are any warning signs do not hesitate to call a professional plumber. If you are not sure what warning signs to look out for, the information detailed herein should help you. • Faucets make a screeching sound when turned on. This happens when there is air in the pipes, which could possibly indicate that the air "bleed-off" system is not working correctly. • You notice low water pressure. This can be caused by factors such as clogged pipes, a leak elsewhere in the plumbing or incorrectly sized pipes that are inadequate to provide sufficient water pressure.
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• Pinging, rattling or other noises from the plumbing can indicate that air has become trapped in the pipes. • Enclosed spaces in your home such as crawl spaces should be inspected for wet spots or mold, which can indicate a leak. • Poke your head under the sinks in your kitchen and bath. Look for wet spots either along the pipes or underneath them. • If a sink has not been used
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for a while, you may notice the drain smells bad. The P-trap (the portion of the pipes under the sink that prevents smells from coming back up the drain) may have dried up. Simply run the sink for a minute to refill the Ptrap with water and see if that eliminates the smell. • If your drains gurgle, this is a sign that there is a blockage in the pipe that is trapping air. Once the blockage is removed, the gurgling should stop. • If the toilet frequently backs up and you need to plunge it, this may be a sign that the septic tank needs to be emptied or that tree roots have grown into the pipes and are causing a blockage. • The water heater should be inspected for any signs of rust or corrosion on the tank or the pipes. If you have a gas-powered water heater, check the gas lines by putting soapy water on them and watching for bubbles, which could indicate a gas leak.
• If you notice brown or discolored water coming out of your faucets, you may have an old water heater that needs to be replaced. • When the faucets are turned on, they leak water. This generally indicates that the Orings or washers need to be replaced. If the faucets drip when not turned on, they may have a mineral build-up or need to be replaced altogether. • A drain that is slow is generally a sign of a blockage in the pipe. You might be able to remedy this by using a commercially available drain cleaning solution to dissolve the blockage, or you can try using a plumber's "snake" tool to break up and dislodge the blockage. • If possible, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn off the water to your home. When the water is turned off, check the meter to see if it is still running. If it is running with the water turned off, this may indicate a leak.
LIVING QUARTERS
Homemade Fragrance Options
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obody likes stinky surroundings, especially when those surroundings are your home. A fine fragrance is a welcome addition to the ambiance of your abode. However, with so many people leaning toward going green, just buying an everyday air refresher may not be a popular choice. Why not opt for a homemade solution with the same freshsmelling results? Here are some homemade fragrance options for your home.
spray bottle or atomizer rather than a typical spray bottle.
Deodorizing Spray [Air Freshener] 8 drops lavender essential oil 4 drops bergamot essential oil ½ cup vodka ½ cup distilled water
For Acid Odors 2 tablespoons baking soda or borax 2 cups water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz into the air four or five times in areas you feel need
For Alkaline Odors 2 tables white vinegar at least 2 cups water Add the vinegar and water to a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray stains or problem areas generously. Don’t rinse for 15 minutes or so. If the odor persists, add another 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the bottle and spray again.
freshening, being careful to avoid your eyes when spraying.
Please note that green air fresheners work best in a misting
Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and pour into a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray problem areas generously. Don’t rinse unless there is a residue.
Why Install a Skylight?
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kylights are as much a functional part of the home as they are aesthetic. These overhead windows which come in all shapes and sizes are great ways to introduce natural light into a space. Here are some of the benefits of incorporating skylight architecture to your home. Reduced energy consumption: The lessened dependency on artificial lighting can help reduce the use of electricity by as much as 10 percent. Reduction of mildew or mold buildup: Most diseases, especially chronic respiratory problems, are often associated with bacterial and fungal buildup in damp areas such as bathrooms. Natural lighting can naturally lessen the production of harm6
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ful organisms. Sunlight is considered to be one of the best natural disinfectants. Healthy dose of vitamin D: Ample amounts of sunlight can prevent vitamin D and B1 deficiencies that may cause diseases such as rickets and beriberi. Increased visual appeal to interiors: Natural illumination is still the best type of lighting system used in interior design. It can be a challenging, yet rewarding task to successfully incorporate natural light into a structure or building. Daylight provides better aesthetics, better color, better definition of space, and highlights architectural details. There are also additional health benefits to using skylights. Natural sunlight is a free and
available mood enhancer. It encourages us to produce vitamin D and protects us from seasonal mood changes. Poor lighting can cause eye fatigue and headaches, which can make us feel depressed or ill. Insufficient natural lighting can trigger depression and even have a negative effect on our immune system. Bright lighting stimulates the mind (which is why it’s great for task illumination) while dim illumination quiets our senses and can make us feel drowsy (which is why it’s great for the bedroom). Natural lighting stimulates faster recovery from illness or operations. Sunlight can help to lower blood pressure, which can lead to reduced stress and a variety of other health benefits.
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The Importance Of An Emergency Fund
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n Trinidad and Tobago like anywhere else in the world, bad stuff happens. Having an adequate emergency fund (EF) has and will always be important; the idea of the current recession only exaggerates this point. When we face a financial emergency, like an auto repair or unexpected medical bill, without insurance, how do we pay for this not budgeted item? Your credit card bill may be already maxed out and you may be forced to rely on expensive payday loans or cash advances. Having an EF in Trinidad Imagine having a reserve of cash you could use to cover an emergency. You wouldn’t have to borrow from next week’s paycheck nor put the balance on a credit card with a high interest rate. You could pull from your ‘savings’ and you wouldn’t be left owing anything to anyone. Except those savings will be your EF. The ideal emergency fund is 8
den medical procedure, Tyrone broke his spectacles, again! We are constantly presented with these monetary challenges.
large enough to cover three to six months of living expenses. That way, if you lose your job, you’d have enough money to pay your bills for up to six months while looking for another. The self-employed person should try for closer to six months worth of living expenses. This emergency fund does more than bridge the gap in your income. It serves as a safety net when unexpected expenses arise. Automobile accident – we know Trini drivers- sud-
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What Happens When You Don’t Have One If a financial emergency came up today, say you’re caught out on the shoulder and have to fork over $2,000 or go to prison… how would you pay for it? If you use money currently in your checking account, you risk missing other bills. This spirals into an abyss of late payments you don’t want to venture into. You could borrow it, but could you really afford to pay it back with your next paycheck? Or will it roll over to the next, continuously? Build and Use Your EF An EF should be spent on things you need, not things you simply want. Not the latest Blackberry – trust me they’ll upgrade in 2 months and you’ll still be behind. Use only for true emer-
gencies. To deal with the temptation of dipping in, keep your EF separate from your regular checking and savings accounts. In fact, creating a separate fund, provided just for these by local banks, is a good idea – out of sight out of mind! If you’re like most people (like me!) you probably don’t have three months of living expenses lying around. Building the emergency fund will take time. That’s perfectly fine. Start with what you can – that way you immediately have a small cushion in case of an emergency - and keep contributing until it’s at a realistic level. When you do break that bank for an emergency, be sure to replace what you’ve used to be able to afford another emergency, yes, throughout life they’re gonna keep right on popping up. As your lifestyle changes and living expenses increase; check your EF level to make sure it matches those needs.
elegant ideas
That Christmas Feeling Adorn your tree with a multitude of decorations and a crowded base for an elaborate, but not overdone finish
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elegant ideas
Stuffed animals are a great option to presents under the Christmas tree
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elegant ideas
A faux fireplace with decorations on the mantle combines with a traditional tree to create a holiday vibe
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elegant ideas
An all-white tree and backdrop symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Christ child while gold symbolizes he is King
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elegant ideas
A scantily decorated tree is made up for with a rich holiday-themed backdrop
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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. This ten tips will boost your kitchen savvy and give you great results.
Pickle Juice uses: Use sweet pickle juice to thin salad dressing or make French dressing with 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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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.
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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Add two teaspoons of vinegar to Jell-O and it will keep the Jell-O from melting when you serve it.
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.
To pare pineapple easily cut into rings and peel each slice separately.
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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.
Regular Cake Baking Mistakes
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f you end up baking a cake which has a very uneven top, where one side may be much taller than the other. There are several reasons that can cause these results. Here are just a few: If you are baking more than one pan in the oven, you may not have adequate air circulation. If the side of the pans are touching or too close you can get results like this. When you poured the batter into the pan, you may not have tapped it down or spread it out to make sure that it was evenly distributed across the bottom. These cake mistakes create uneven cakes. Your oven may be heating unevenly which will produce an uneven cake. You will need to test this by placing pieces of bread across every inch of rack space with your oven set at 300 degrees. After a few minutes start keeping a close eye on the 16
bread. Are any pieces browning faster than others? Once your
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test is complete (before the bread starts burning) turn off
the heat of your oven and open the door to let cool a bit. Using a pair of tongs remove the bread. Your oven or the racks may not be level. While the oven is cool grab a common level to check and see if your oven is truly level. Picking the right pan for making a cake is also important. If you are baking pies and breads, use a dark pan which will aid in browning the crusts better. When baking cookies or cakes, use a shiny pan. This will help prevent over darkening of the bottoms and sides. And if you decide to use a glass pan, don’t forget to reduce your oven temperature by 25 degrees. You may also want to check for doneness a few minutes before the timer goes off. Make sure you used the right size pan. The uncooked mixture should fill the pan by no more than twothirds.
RECIPES
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hristmas is a time when most of the baking is done in Trini households and if you are looking for a twist on your oven baked goodies, these recipes are for you.
Cran-Orange Bread Ingredients 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 3/4 cups white sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained 2 cups cranberries 2 eggs 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon orange extract Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and white sugar. Mix in the melted butter until the mixture looks crumbly. Stir in the cranberries and oranges. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, vanilla and orange extract. Pour the liquid ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the crown comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool in the pans for a while, then remove from the pans and place on wire racks to cool completely.
Christmas Fruitcake Ingredients 1/8 cup chopped dried cherries 1/8 cup chopped dried mango 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup dried currants 18
Let’s Bake 2 tablespoons chopped candied citron 1/4 cup dark rum 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses 2 tablespoons milk 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup dark rum, divided Directions Soak cherries, mango, cranberries, currants, and citron in 1/4 cup rum for at least 24 hours. Cover tightly, and store at room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter a 6x3inch round pan or loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; mix into butter and sugar in three batches, alternating with molasses and milk. Stir in soaked fruit and chopped nuts. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons rum. Cut out one piece parchment paper and one piece cheesecloth, each large enough to wrap around the cake. Moisten cheesecloth with 1 tablespoon rum. Arrange cheesecloth on top of parchment paper, and unmold cake onto it. Sprinkle top and sides of cake with remaining rum. Wrap the cheesecloth closely to the surface of
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the cake, then wrap with paper. Place in an airtight tin, and age for at least 10 weeks. If storing longer, douse with additional rum for every 10 weeks of storage.
do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely
Simple Whole Wheat Bread
Ginger Cookies
Ingredients 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1/3 cup honey 5 cups bread flour 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon salt 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted Directions In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes;
Ingredients 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup shortening 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup dark molasses 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture to blend evenly, and sift a second time into another bowl. Place the shortening into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually beat in the white sugar. Beat in the egg, and dark molasses. Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the shortening mixture; stir to thoroughly blend. Sift in the remaining flour mixture, and mix together until a soft dough forms. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1 inch diameter balls between your hands. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until the tops are rounded and slightly cracked, about 10 minutes. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.
BRIDAL
6 Wedding Makeup Mistakes
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hen getting ready for weddings, many women think the bigger the event, the thicker the makeup. Unfortunately that usually results in brides who look like Ronald McDonald, or a ghost who just came out of mime school. This is a definite no-no for your big day. It is important that a blushing bride get her makeup just right. In order to do so, there are some key mistakes to avoid. We hooked up with our beauty experts and got them to share their wealth of experience on what no bride should do when it comes to wedding day makeup. 1. Too Much makeup There’s no faster way to make yourself look like a clown than applying too much makeup. Even if it’s the right color, too much lipstick will make you look like your Great Tantie Doris, and it’s liable to end up all over the place – including on your nice dress – in a few minutes. Packing on the foundation might be good in construction, but on your face it will make you look faker than an orange hundred-dollar bill. Makeup should not hide your ability to show your emotions. It isn’t botox. When it comes to mascara… less is definitely more. 2. Forgetting supplies Some makeup artistes will apply your makeup, take their payment
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the majority of brides do make it. Avoid rushing out to get the extreme facial procedures like peelings, tans, teeth whitening, and etcetera. The consequences could be harsh. Continue with your regular skincare procedures, but also try to maintain healthy diet, and get enough exercise and sleep. You don’t want to apply makeup to raw, peeling and sensitive skin.
and go their merry way promising you that no touch ups will be needed. Clearly, they either used a miracle makeup that only they know about or they are selling you a dream. You will need blotting papers or powder to control face shine before photos, lipstick to reapply and maybe sealer to prep for all those celebration kisses. Plus, some liner or eye shadow is a must for refreshing after tears. With that said, miracle makeup or not, always try to use waterproof mascara. 3. Pre - Application Procedures Because a wedding is supposed to be a once-in-a lifetime event, people get tempted to do drastic procedures to change or enhance their appearance pre-wedding. This is one of the biggest mistakes that a bride can make and
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eye circles are not concealed properly, the eyes will get lost in the photo. We do appreciate the natural look, but your wedding is not a natural event and a tad more emphasis should be put on coverage than normal.
4. Choosing Bold Trends Trendy makeup might be cool for that one-nighter with the friends at club Zen. However, your wedding photos are going to end up in a family album some day and five years down the road you will want to watch them without being embarrassed. Don’t go for flashy colors that you might regret later on. And if you insist on bold colors for your eye shadow, or if you have wanted to wear fuchsia lipstick to your wedding ever since you were 7, make sure that you choose one colorful makeup item, and keep the rest simple.
6. Makeup that is not you Makeup should merely be an extension of you. It should be used to enhance your look. Never choose to invent a new you on your wedding day. In other words, if you never wear much makeup, don’t walk down the aisle looking like you lost a fight with a tranny. Use the help of a professional to determine which look best suits you. Also, don’t try to influence the wedding party’s makeup look too much. Let them keep their personalities (and dignity) intact and wear looks that suit them. Don’t give everyone bright shadows to match the dresses. With that said, don’t let anyone overdo it with the makeup either. Be a leader and don’ let anyone spoil your wedding photos for you.
5. Wearing too little coverage Wear makeup to suit your skin type; you want more of a matte finish for the oilier skins and a radiant finish for a drier skin. The most important part of photography is the finish to the skin. You want the face to look flawless. For instance, if under
As an added bonus tip, wear a white top when you have a makeup trial run. A colored or a black shirt changes the whole color palette. Or if you don't have a white top, put a white towel around your neck and take a few pictures like that. It gives a realistic idea of how the palette is going to look on the day.
FAMILY
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Holiday Gift Ideas For The Family
ave you made your Christmas shopping list? Still can’t decide what to purchase for Mum or your sister? Some families reveal subtle hints describing their Christmas gifts as Christmas Day nears so it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out what they want. If not, ask them. Working with a budget is also a great idea because it makes it easier to allocate your finances so that you don’t go overboard and spend money on one gift while not having enough for the other. The key is to try to determine a person’s likes so that the gift you purchase would suit their personality. Mom- Please don’t buy her anything for the house, this really upsets so mothers. Think about what she goes crazy over. Does she like shoes? What about a perfume set? Is there a handbag that she has been hinting that she wants throughout the year? These make perfect gifts. Don’t have enough money? No problem. Make her something from the heart; collect beads and make
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Brother- Depending on your brother’s age, he can be the simplest person to buy for especially if he’s younger because they always tell you. Make it easy on yourself, just listen. Maybe they’ll want a new bicycle or that new truck they saw on the television. You buy them what they want and they’ll be the happiest little troopers on Christmas Day. Of course when they get older their choices vary but if he’s a gamer, buy new games or try to purchase items based on his likes.
a chain or bracelet that only the two of you would own. Dad- Dad’s are never fussy and the good thing about them is that they like gadgets. Forget the shirts, ties and socks; leave that for relatives who don’t know any better. Power tools are al-
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ways a favourite; those’re their toys. Some fathers like to read so books are always an option. What about lovely pen sets so that they can use them while at the office? If you want a cheaper alternative, try framing a picture of the family so that he can put it on his desk in the office.
Sister- This is probably the hardest gift that you will have to purchase since a girl’s preferences change all the time. Ask her what she wants so that it makes it easier for you when purchasing gifts. If not, jewelry is never a bad choice for women, whether it’s a pair of earrings or a nice watch. Does she have a crush on a favourite musician? Buy the album or paraphernalia relating to the artiste. Girls love keepsakes and these would suit her style.
WARDROBE
POWDER ROOM
Preventing Bikini Bumps
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azor bumps occur after shaving, when strands of hair curl back and grow into the skin. These unsightly bumps can show up on legs, underarms, face and for ladies the bikini area. Since this area is such a sensitive spot, certain precautionary measures should be taken so that these do not become a nuisance in the future. If applied correctly, these seven steps can help prevent the onset of razor bumps after shaving.
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Always use a new razor. The new razor would give a clean, sharp shave every time rather than an old one with dull blades. Dull blades can mean more exertion and friction which can cause the area to become irritated.
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Use quality brand razors on sensitive areas. It may cost a few extra dollars, but a brand name razor can be the difference between a smooth shave and irritation, which causes razor bumps. Brand name razors are trusted and usually come with a permanent body, so that only the heads of the razors need to be disposed.
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Keep the bikini area clean- Ensure that is area is washed properly and if you have extra sensitive skin,
anti-bacterial soaps can be used to prevent infection and irritation. Ensure that the underwear is not too tight so that it cuts into skin, as this can lead to irritation and cause problems when shaving.
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Soak the area before shaving. This may seem unnecessary to some but soaking the area in warm water before shaving can help to open up the pores, so that hair removal can be made easier. You can take a warm bath before shaving, or apply a warm, damp washcloth to the area for a couple of minutes.
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This one’s a given but for persons who are new to shaving or may have never heard of this rule, you shave in the direction the hair is growing.
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Maintain effective after-care. Avoid putting creams or lotions on the area, especially right after shaving. If the area is too dry, apply pure Vitamin E to the area and gently rub into skin. Creams that contain glycolic acid help to remove old surface skin cells and may help reduce the chances of new razor bumps forming. Avoid lotions that contain alcohol, even in small portions, as these will burn and irritate the skin
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Choosing A Handbag
andbags have the potential to flatter your figure and complete a favourite outfit. You might end up carrying your handbag every day for months on end so it is essential that you choose one that is right for you! The tips below explain an easy to remember process for choosing the right handbag every time. Length There is one easy rule to remember here. The part of your body where the bottom of the bag sits will be accentuated. So, if you have small, boy hips, having a bag which sits on your hips will make your shape look more feminine. If you have large hips, try a bag which sits at your waist line, accentuating the tapering of your waist and making you look slimmer. Handbags that sit at waist level will flatter most shapes in fact, so it is always good to have a bag of this type in your collection. Size Don’t be tempted just to follow the fashion here, very small bags on very tall girls will get lost, and alternatively if you are w w w . a b s tr a c th o m e . c o m
on the short side, you will be swamped with a large or oversized bag! Shape Try to choose a handbag which compliments your own shape. To do this, think about your overall shape and buy handbags with opposite features. If you are tall and slim, choose a handbag which is rounded and slouchy. If you are short and curvy, handbags with strong angles will look great on you. Style Think about your general style. If you usually wear casual clothes, going for a very formal handbag is not a good idea! This can be tricky, so make sure you do a bit of research. Look in fashion magazines for models wearing similar style clothes to you, then make a note of the types of handbags that they have been dressed with. You may not like that particular handbag, but note the style, and think about whether you would like it in a different colour, a different material, or if it were slightly bigger or smaller. The main thing is to note the style, i.e. if it is a tote, a clutch, or a slouch shoulder bag.
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ABSTRACT HOME
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MEDICINE CABINET
home gym
Life’s A Beach
Get Your Body Bikini Ready
Three Tips To Be Stress Free
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tress should not be overlooked. Harbouring stressful habits can lead to serious health problems in the long run. Eliminating stress from your life is crucial to your overall happiness. These three tips will help you deal with this problem. Stay Positive This is a learned technique that can lead to a more joyful life and likely much better health, as those who are optimistic have an easier time dealing with stress, and are more inclined to open themselves up for opportunities to have positive, regenerative experiences. Try keeping a list of all that you’re grateful for and make a commitment to stop any negative self-talk. Stay Connected Loneliness can be a major source of stress, so make a point to connect with those around you – even a quick chat while in line at the grocery store. Work your way up to volunteering, attending community events, meeting acquaintances for coffee or tak24
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eauty isn’t all about makeup. After all, it’s not like we can wear makeup to the beach (though some of us do, but that’s another article all together). True beauty comes naturally. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work to obtain your goals. With the Carnival season right around the corner we found it fitting to share some fitness and diet tips on achieving the perfect beach bikini body. A good exercise routine is vital to maintaining a fine beach figure. Here are some tips:
ing a class to meet others with like interests. Eat Right Schedule time to eat without rushing, and make sure to maintain optimal gut health by regularly consuming fermented foods, such as fermented vegetables, or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement. Scientific evidence shows that nourishing your gut flora with the friendly bacteria within fermented foods or probiotics is extremely important for proper brain function, including psychological well-being and mood control.
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• Abs. Flatten the abs with aerobic dance exercises that include bending and twisting. • Arms and shoulders. Work arms and shoulders by using a dual-action elliptical trainer, the kind where you move both arms and legs. • Hips and legs. Whittle down your hips and legs by taking spin classes. • Butt. Choose cardio exercises such as running or walking – or use a stair climbing machine. A healthy diet is also key to creating and maintaining a
body that your best critics would kill for. All you really need to do is stay motivated and focused and you'll see results in no time at all. When counting calories, remember that one pound equals 3500 calories. A safe and healthy way to lose weight and diet is by reducing your daily calorie intake by 500 calories per day. Eat plenty of protein, stay away from high carb meals, sugar (unless it's natural sugar found in fruits). Opt for water over fruit juices and sodas and by all means, try your best to stay away from alcohol. They're empty calories that will counteract all of the hard work you've put in up to that point. • Fruit salad with delicious seasonal fruits • Low-fat yogurt mixed with low-fat granola • Carrots, celery or bell peppers dipped in salsa or reduced-fat hummus • A slice of whole-grain bread with reduced-fat peanut butter These tips should help you get your beach bod in gear during fete and swimsuit season. Get on board the fitness train and meet us in Maracas.
GARAGE
PETS
Tips To Boost Engine Performance Recommendations
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ar owners would always want their car performing in tip-top shape. Some would go even further and want an extra boost in performance. Well that is actually possible and it doesn’t take much to get those results. Clean out your car. The less your car weighs the faster it will go. If you are using your trunk as a mobile closet it’s time to find a new storage place for your stuff. If you keep your golf clubs in the trunk or you still have the heavy duty tools you used to help your mom with her landscaping, get rid of them. Not only will you be faster from a dead start but you will increase your mpg a bit as well. Secondly, try to optimize where the rubber meets the road. How often do you check your tire pressure? Let me rephrase that. Have you ever checked your tire pressure…with a tire pressure gauge? Underinflated tires have a much larger “footprint” meaning there is a greater amount of friction between the road and the car than properly inflated tires offer. Less friction means less energy (power) required to overcome friction making more power available to go faster. Plus you can save big bucks on your gas bill. A next tip for enhancing your car’s power is to reduce 26
friction inside your engine. Engines rely on motor oil to lubricate internal parts and reduce friction. Conventional petroleum based motor oils are subject to breaking down and leaving damaging sludge if they are exposed to sustained heat (like when an engine is running). If you want to eliminate the power used to overcome the excess friction caused by conventional oil switch to synthetic. Synthetic does not break down in heat (it was originally designed for jet engines) and is a must if you have a turbocharged engine or drive like you were on a race track. Improve combustion. One of the easiest ways to get a bigger bang out of internal combustion is to feed your engine cool air. Cool air is denser meaning it has more oxygen and it has a greater capacity to violently expand at combustion than thinner hot air. An easy way to get cool air is by installing a cool air intake system. Basically these come as kits and take less than 2 hours to install. They move the air intake away from the engine to grab cooler air and then they send that air to the engine in a straight line unlike the bends and curves of a factory installed system. His will give you a significant increase in horsepower.
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For Owning A Pet Snake
ot many Trinbagonians are keen on the idea of having pet snakes or any exotic pet for that matter. Locally, people would prefer to eat reptiles (iguana comes to mind) than take care of them. Yet, there are instances where you will find pet snakes being bred in some households. If you are thinking about joining that rare fraternity, these tips should help to prepare you. Some snakes do much better in captivity than others, so you'll want to choose a species that is known for health and hardiness in captivity. Some snakes have wilder, aggressive temperaments than others. You'll want a type of snake that is easy to tame and is known for its good temperament. Some snakes are not inclined to eat frozen, thawed rodents. Most people, especially novice owners, won't want to feed live prey to their snake, so a species of snake known to be a good eater – one that will be content with frozen/thawed rodents – is the way to go. Some snakes grow very large as adults, and most people don't have unlimited space to keep a snake. A snake cage about four
feet in length is a good size for most homes, and a snake that grows to between four and five feet will be comfortable in a habitat that size. Please do not buy a snake that you will not be able to house when it becomes an adult. Captive-bred snakes are generally healthier than wild snakes. The stress of captivity on wild snakes makes them more susceptible to illness; wild snakes also typically carry a lot of parasites. Captive-bred snakes are generally easier to handle and more willing to eat frozen, thawed prey. I do not recommend purchasing wild-caught snakes for several reasons, the most important one being you are removing them from their natural habitat where, in my opinion, they deserve to be.
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 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 breakfast simple foods such as cereals and porridge are much better than a traditional English fry-up. Ginger is also good
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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 taking on alcohol, caffeine or acidic drinks A good night's sleep before a boat trip will help. It's difficult 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
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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 get 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 stationery 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, there-
by reducing the amount of time spent below deck or searching in lockers, where you can't see and anticipate the boat's movements. Don't forget that the boat will move even when stationary, particularly if people and equipment is being loaded at the same time and 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.
Abstract Home Is Published By Abstract Media Group, Premium Commercial Complex, San Juan, Trinidad, W.I. • Tel: (868) 638 1156/9 • Fax: (868) 638 1160. Printed By The Office Authority - Printing Division And Distributed By AMG