Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Graduate Job Search Guide(IE)

The Graduate Job Search Guide(IE)

What should I choose as my first job?

The job market is a wide world of opportunities and challenges, ready and waiting for you to make your mark. The first thing is work out what you would like to do, based on your interests and skills. Make positive decisions, and don't take the first job that comes your way if it doesn't suit you.

Chop and change
Don't worry that you are committing yourself for life when you take a job. Those days are long gone. Always keep an open mind and look for potential career development opportunities .

To make a good career choice, you need:
A clear understanding of yourself: skills, hopes, ambitions, personality and limitations
A good understanding of the range of career routes available
The ability to match your skills with the opportunities out there
Awareness of your circumstances, including debt and family pressures

Accurate self-assessment is essential in creating a convincing CV, handling job applications and interviewing well.

The Graduate Job Search Guide(IE) Ebook

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

How to Make a Bare Bone Pretzel Treats

How to Make a Bare Bone Pretzel Treats


I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to the gory and gross displays that go hand-in-hand with this haunting holiday. This recipe is a delicious and spooky treat for all upcoming Halloween festivities- its timid enough for children, and adorable enough for adults to enjoy, as well. I’m taking a bowl of these to work with me, because Halloween falls on a Tuesday, and then giving them away in cellophane bags for staff-members’ little ones.

Ingredients:
Makes 10 Bones per every 2 Ounces (which is the size of each square in the typical almond bark package)
• 12 Ounces of Almond Bark
• 1 Bag of Pretzels (with or without salt- your choice!)
• 1 Bag of Mini Marshmallows
• 6-12 Teaspoons Vegetable Oil

Method:
Begin by planting yourself in front of your favorite show, on the couch, with the opened bag of marshmallows, opened bag of pretzels, and a plate. There is no real trick to this- push a marshmallow on each end of the pretzel, and set on the plate. I would suggest having one hand for pretzels and one hand for marshmallows, because handling the marshmallows can get sticky. I was able to finish all 120 in about 40 minutes, leisurely. Set these aside, but don’t refrigerate them, the cold air degrades the stickiness of the marshmallows.



Next, prepare a double boiler for yourself by using a medium-sized glass bowl, and a medium sized saucepan. The bowl should fit on top of the saucepan. Heat a burner to a medium-low heat, and then fill the saucepan with just enough water to be just below the glass bowl. While the water is warming, break up the almond bark into (already sectioned) two ounce pieces. With the same glass bowl, place two-three pieces of almond bark at a time, and heat for one full minute in the microwave. Give the bark a good stir, replace it in the microwave, and repeat the process for a maximum of 15 seconds in the microwave, stirring in between. I was able to do just one 15-second microwave trip, then I placed the bowl on the double boiler to stay warm. Do not over heat the bark; if when you stir it the consistency is a lot like Greek yogurt, you should then place it on the boiler to finish the melting process.



At this point, determine the thickness of your dip. I added one teaspoon of vegetable oil per ounce of bark, but just adding one to every two ounces works well too. One at a time, toss the pretzel bone into the bowl of melted almond bark, use a fork to cover fully, lift out of the bowl and slightly shake from side-to-side, to let the excess drip off. Then place each bone on a piece of wax paper or tin foil, to set. It takes about two hours for the almond bark to hard set on the pretzels.

For presentation, I placed 7-10 bones in each cellophane bag, and I tied the bag with string, accompanied by my personalized favor tag in the style of Spook.

By Zoe

Monday, October 29, 2012

How to make money by investing in silver

How to make money by investing in silver

Silver and other precious metals such as gold now offer much promise to investors due to uncertainty in the global markets and the devaluation of the currencies. The Eurozone crisis and political uncertainty accompanied by budget gridlock in the US have eroded confidence in the stock markets and people are looking for more solid investments. Amongst these, silver now offers the best prospects for many investors thanks to its volatility and the recent price rally which has seen it outperform gold and made it a top choice amongst many investors. There are several ways in which you can invest and accumulate wealth with silver. The first option involves investing in the Exchange Traded Funds or ETF’s. You can also invest in the silver market through silver futures, in silver coins and e-silver.

Accumulating wealth through the silver exchange traded funds or ETFs
Exchange traded funds or ETF’s provide a way to own silver inside the banking system and is usually called paper silver. So what does investing in ETF entail? Silver ETF is simply an investment fund which tracks the movement of the price of silver but you can purchase it as a silver stock. Purchasing silver ETF is like purchasing securities in the stock exchanges and you will be offered a certificate that is backed with silver. Some of them are backed by actual silver while others are simply paper silver and will be subject to the uncertainties of the stock markets. Apart from silver ETF’s, investors can also pump their money into the stocks of some of the global mining companies.

Investing in silver futures
Futures are simply contracts that you enter with futures traders with the promise to purchase an asset if it reaches a certain price. The price is defined at the beginning of the contract and the investor can be in the money or out of the money depending on the direction of price movement. Due to the highly speculative nature of futures trading, investors can earn incredible amounts of profits when they are in the money or lose almost their entire investments when they are out of the money.

Buying silver coins and bars
This offers the most stable way to invest in silver. There are many places where you can purchase silver coins and bars at prevailing market rates so that you can horde them for a rainy day. For example, you can purchase silver bullion issued by government mints in jewelry shops, and from other precious metal dealers. A major issue that you are likely to face when you are investing in silver coins is that of storage.

Investments in e-silver
There are lots of online programs that now allow you to buy silver from the comfort of your laptop. The advantage with this is that you do not handle the silver at all and the merchant will do all the legwork for you including the storage of silver coins and bullions. Some of the most common platforms for trading in e-silver include SilverSaver.com and BullionVault.com. With prices of silver now depressed but expected to rise over the next decade, investing in silver can be one of the best and easiest ways to accumulate wealth.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

How to Make Your Renovation Project More Energy Efficient

Green Remodeling: How to Make Your Renovation Project More Energy Efficient




Saving energy wasn't on the list of reasons we're finally ripping out the kitchen in our mid-century home (green-veined, imitation marble laminate countertops figured much more prominently). But a session at the recent 2012 Remodeling Show in Baltimore clued me in as to why adding a few simple tasks to our remodeling plan could lower our home'senergy bill, get rid of some of the annoying hot and cold spots in our house, and make our home less hospitable to mold and other allergens.

Need Home Renovation Tips? Check Out AOL Real Estate's Home Improvement Guide

Carl Seville, author of "Green Building: Principles and Practices in Residential Construction," shared some simple, inexpensive ways to make remodels and additions more energy efficient from the standpoint of energy usage and conservation of resources.

Try these eight tips from Seville:

1. Check for water intrusion, condensation, and excess moisture before you begin the project. Fixing those issues during remodeling can improve your home's indoor air quality(excess moisture encourages mold).

2. Use the least amount of framing allowed by your building code when adding walls. Not only will you have to pay for less lumber and fewer nails, the contractor will have more room to putinsulation in your walls, making your home more energy efficient.

3. Resist the urge to splurge on multiple shower heads. Opt for a single low-flow shower head rather than installing a car wash-style plethora of shower heads.

4. If possible, add new HVAC ducts to parts of your home that are heated and cooled, rather than placing them in a space with unconditioned air (like the attic). If that's not possible, insulate the ducts. Have an HVAC diagnostician analyze your system to make sure it's sized correctly and balanced to properly exchange old and new air.

5. Be sure to insulate around recessed lights that protrude into uninsulated attic spaces - these are major sources of air leaks.

6. If you're wasting water, you're wasting energy. Look at high-efficiency or solar water heaters, and insulate your water pipes. If you want hot water faster, move the water heater closer to the faucet or install demand pumps to drive hot water to the fixture.

7. Install wall-mounted efficiency toggle switch plates for the outlets where you plug in your televisions and computers to make it easy to cut off the power to electronics you're not using.

8. A humidistat that automatically turns on the bathroom fan when moisture rises beats depending on teenagers or tenants remembering to use the fan. Reducing bathroom moisture reduces the chances you'll have mold.

When I pull the kitchen cabinets off the wall, I'm going to use caulk to seal between the wallboards and the floorboards before I put down new flooring and install the new cabinets. And since I'll have the caulk out, I'm going to seal the top of the window trim, something my home's builder didn't do.

By Dona DeZube

How to Make Birthday Invitation Cards on Microsoft Word


How to Make Birthday Invitation Cards on Microsoft Word
Instructions 

Six Steps to Create Personal Birthday Invitations

1

Begin creating your birthday invites by opening Microsoft Word; then go to the "Insert" tab and click "Clip Art" in the "Illustrations" group. Search "birthday" and find a graphic you like, then click "Insert."

2

Right-click the clip art and choose "Format Picture." Go to the "Size" tab and clear the "Lock Aspect Ratio" box. Change the height to "4.25" and the width to "5.5." Click "OK" to apply the changes.

3

Go to the "Insert" tab and click "Text Box" in the "Text" section. Right-click the text box and select "Format Text Box." On the "Colors and Lines" tab, select "No Fill" for the fill color and "No Line" for the line color. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

4

Make birthday invitations using a festive font and choose a coordinating color, using a size large enough to read easily. Type in a basic announcement, such as "You are invited to a birthday party." Click outside of the text box and press "Ctrl+A" to select the text and picture.

5


Go to the "Mailings" tab and select "Labels." Make sure you are on the "Labels" tab and click the "Options" button. Under "Product Number" choose "3263 Postcard." Click "OK" to apply and then click the "New Document" button. A page with four identical birthday invitations will open.

6

Save the cards and print them on card stock paper.

Congrats, you just created your own personalized birthday invitations.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

How to Make a Solar Oven

How to Make a Solar Oven
Instructions

1

Find two boxes. One should fit inside the other with a 2- to 3-inch space on each side. (This can vary slightly - the space will be filled with newspaper.)

2

Line the bottom of the large box with crumpled newspaper.

3

Place the smaller box inside the large box.

4

Fill the space between the sides of the two boxes with crumpled newspaper.

5

Line the sides of the inside of the smaller box with aluminum foil. You can use a non-toxic tape or fold the edges of foil over the top of the box to hold it in place.

6

Line the bottom of the inside of the smaller box with black construction paper to absorb heat.

7

Lay a piece of cardboard on top of the large box and trace the shape of the box onto the cardboard.

8

Add 2 inches around the trace line and cut out to make a reflector.

9

Cover the cardboard piece with aluminum foil. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure the aluminum foil to the cardboard with non-toxic glue or tape.

10

Staple the reflector to the outside back of the large box.

11

Situate the oven with the box opening up and the reflector facing the sun for maximum heat.

12

Place food to be cooked in the solar oven.

13

Stretch clear plastic wrap across the top of the large box. Secure the plastic with tape around the entire box.

How to Make a Good Grades

How to Make a Good Grades

Getting good grades requires hard work, but it's within your reach. Here's how to make it.

(1) Stay organized. A lot of people say this, but it really does help! Organizing your locker helps you remember to bring your supplies to class and to your house to do your homework and study. Organizing your notes will make them much easier to understand later on. Also, keep your desk/study space tidy, and make sure you have a clean, quiet place to study and do homework that is withdrawn from the main part of the house.





(2) Keep a calendar. Whether it's a day planner you carry in your backpack or a calendar on your wall at home, it can help you keep track of when assignments are due and stay organized. At the beginning of the term, when you get a syllabus, write down every test, quiz, and assignment due date. Do this for each class. Every day when you get home from school, check your calendar and see what needs to be done before tomorrow, as well as what's on the horizon for the next few days.




Try to do your homework immediately after school. Time management is essential. If you're given an assignment that's due next week, don't procrastinate; get started the same day you get the assignment (see more about this in tips).

If possible, try to get assignments finished at least 1 whole day before the due date. Most teachers will deduct points for each day your work is late.

Homework counts for a large portion of your grade. If your teacher has any extra credit assignments, do them! It won't hurt if you try it out. Even if you get some wrong, have confidence that your teachers will still give you some points back.


(3) Take notes on everything. For most courses in middle school, high school, and junior/community college, most of what is on the tests and homework will be discussed in the class. If your teacher draws a diagram on the board, copy that down - it can help you remember the information. Don't just copy what they write on the board, either; take extensive notes on everything. Most of the time in middle school, though, the teachers will take it easy and ask you to copy it down or give you specific instructions. Still, if you want to get the best marks, copy it down.
Notes should be short, and, if possible, get pens with colored ink or scented pencils as it aids the memory. These are useful and fun tricks that help with note taking and studying.

Write good, legible notes. Colored pens are fun to write with if you want to get more creative with your notes, but use them only for sections of your notes that you feel will be on a test or are important. It makes them stand out. Use highlighters if there's something you need to find easily flipping through your notes, but don't highlight too much text or it destroys the point.


(4) Keep track of your grades. You won't get a high score if you don't aim for one. Some schools have an online place where you can check your grades whenever you want. Utilize this and make sure that you have a username and password from your teacher. If not, ask your teacher for your grade. You can average it yourself if you're desperate, or you can wait until the next progress report.








(5) Put homework first. Set yourself goals and make sure you reach them before you go out and party. Having a social life is important, but your grades can affect a lot of your choices for the future. Schedule time each day to study, just as you would schedule dates or parties.

(6) Ask for help. If you're not sure what's required for a good grade or are struggling with the coursework, ask your teacher for help. It doesn't have to be a complex question; your teacher is always happy to help you. Ask after class or in an e-mail for assistance. If your teacher is unavailable (i.e. on a vacation), ask the substitute, your parents, friends, or anyone else! Some people seem to think you are stupid if you ask questions, but ignore them. Asking questions will improve your grades and help your understanding.
If he or she doesn't have time to help you, at least ask for a recommendation on a good tutor.


(7) Know how to take a test. These tips can help you score well on your next exam:
Take the notes and make a study guide. Look in the textbook and put all important ideas and details in your notes.

Review the study guide. Go over it until you feel like you know the material well.

Make someone test you on the study guide. You can try to sing the question and answer or whatever else you like to do.

Use memory tricks. If you think you've got the material down, try to do some synthesis with what you know, like writing an essay.

Do sample problems. Make sure you did it right.

Ask your teacher if you can do an essay or extra sheet of problems for extra credit. If she says yes, hand it in the next day. If she hands it back before the test, you'll see your mistakes and be able to fix them.

Review your notes every night, so when the big test comes, remembering what you learned is a snap.

Invent fun ways to study. Don't study all in one night; study a bit each night. Your brain cannot take in so much information all at once. Make flash cards, have a friend over, or join an after-school homework club if you can for help from a teacher or friend from the same class. You can make a board game to make studying fun and easy, or you can just type up your notes if it makes it easier to read. Do as much as possible to make sure you know the material.

Relax. If you're fidgety or worried that you'll fail the test, you won't be able to fulfill your complete potential. If you studied for it long enough that you know the information, then you shouldn't be worried about getting a low grade.


(8) Pay attention to your instructor's teaching style and use the same method to learn the information. If they write on the blackboard, take notes; if they lecture, listen hard or record the lecture to listen to multiple times. This sounds simple, but many will find it hard to stay focused for an entire class period. Here is where the hard work comes in: staying focused!

(9) Get a good night's rest. You need sleep in order to stay focused, and without it, you will have a hard time staying on task and may forget what you just learned.

(10) Improve your memory. Give your brain a workout - try some fun puzzle exercises everyday such as crosswords, Sudoku, and other games which are easy enough to for anyone. This will boost your brainpower and you will be able to memorize more information at school.






(11) Eat a good, healthy breakfast everyday. It is known that if students eat a good and healthy breakfast every morning, they generally get good grades and are able to focus better in school.

(12) Think about your future. Think about it whenever you are in a hard test/quiz. People will see this, and the people will mean something to the rest of your life. The things that you do now, especially the ones that count for your grades, will be important and count for your whole life, career, college, and more. Get good grades, do your homework, and remember, homework isn't actually for "home work." It is for the teachers to know that you know the topic well and for you to get some more practice of what you need. Never slack off on something when it comes to school and think more about the future then the moment you are in during that moment in time. Keep working hard!

(13) After reading one line revise it ten times without seeing. It will stay in your mind for a longer time .It is particularly effective when you have less time for studying.

Always do your homework every night. It can save your grade if you fall short on homework or tests,and even if you did well it will help your GPA.
Ask a lot of questions in class! This will clear up anything you're unsure on, and possibly give you new information to spice up a paper. Also, participating actively in class can actually raise your grade! Your teacher will see you are active in class, there is participation grades you know!
In math if you see a problem you don't know how to do, or didn' t understand, write it down and look it up when you get home or, you can go to your teacher and ask them about the question. When the test comes around those problems will be very useful.
Organize your work area. Make sure everything is neat and you can find it easily. As any college student will tell you, working in an untidy environment will only lead to distraction. Make sure you have all of the supplies you need for class.
Don't be ashamed of being smart or needing a tutor. Tons of smart kids get picked on, but being smart always pays off in the end. Also, don't be afraid to get a tutor because it doesn't mean you aren't smart. It just means you need a little help and that you are learning at a right pace for you, which is perfectly okay. Some teachers will even recommend tutors and add to your grade for getting tutoring: if they do this, be sure to get the tutoring! A couple extra points to your grade can never hurt.
It's not about how long you study, its about how well you study. Skimming a book for five hours doesn't help as much as reading your notes and the book for two hours.
Stay focused on the goal.
When taking tests, you have to relax. Easier said than done? Remember - you have all of the answers in your head already! The only challenge is getting them out! Your first instinct is nearly always correct. Don't go back and change answers. If you are really not sure, skip it and come back later.
If you're uncertain about the wording of a rest question, go and ask the teacher what they mean! As long as you don't flat out ask for the answer to a question, just what they meant by the question, they will usually answer.
Use your time wisely. If you are given an hour to complete a 120 question test, that's 30 seconds per question. 30 seconds can be made into a lot of time. Many of the questions will take far less than 30 seconds, so apply the balance to a tougher question. Don't think too deeply on the time, and don't let yourself get distracted by the ticking of the clock.
If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask the teacher! You have the right to learn. Plus, they'll be happy to help you. Also remember that you're smart if you ask questions.
Do not procrastinate. Don't do a project the night before or on the morning of. If it seems like a huge project, then break it into little steps and do a couple per day. Or, find a partner to work with, if your teacher allows it, and split the work between you two.
Don't cram right before a test. Study well in advance. This will allow you the luxury of breaks between study sessions and to study with friends once in awhile.
Study with a friend as much as possible. Plan a weekend study session, or weekday sessions and help each other. This tends to work best when you are in the same class and not just with the same teacher - one class can be further ahead than the other.
Look to the future, and make sure you see what the benefits of actually studying are.
Sometimes it helps if you reward yourself. if you've gotten good grades, take a day off of studying. Just don't slacken too much.
Having small goals also helps. Your goals should try to improve slowly and finally an A. Aiming for an A right away leaves you feeling unrewarded and makes your goal seem unreachable.
Read from the text book (if you have one). There are sometimes things in there that the teacher didn't mention or you didn't hear.
Always follow instructions on assignments, tests, math problems, etc.! It may not seem necessary sometimes, but reading the instructions beforehand is crucial.
Set a study schedule. May seem overrated but it actually works. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to wind if you feel stressed from school, unless you can stay in *school mode* right after you get home. Do not save your homework for 9 p.m.
Remove all distractions. Although it may be okay to listen to music or leave the TV on while doing simple work, it is best to be in a quiet environment, preferably alone. Make sure you have plenty of space and good lighting.
For new college students coming out of high school, it helps to not become overwhelmed. The work is not any more difficult, there's just more of it. Break large assignments down into sub components, divide and conquer.
Keep a small notepad or even loose paper will do. Write down any and all assignments, due dates, and have a check box next to each one. If it helps, break things down into as many smaller components as possible. Instead of taking on large tasks, the more things you can accomplish and check off, the more refreshed you will be and you will maintain a better outlook toward the assignments.
Study for one subject at a time, you'll get better grades that way. It's better to make sure you know one subject really well and then move onto the next when you study, than go into an exam with a basic knowledge of all of your subjects.
Study even if you do not have a test until a week or so, if you study a night before you will be nervous and not do close to as good. Study your notes and vocabulary also because you never know what will be on the test.
Don't feel bad if you didn't get the grade that you wanted. There will likely be more opportunities in the future. Just persevere and believe that you can do it! Don't let anyone bring you down!
Don't be afraid to look up extra information about anything you're studying. Your teachers will be impressed if you can add information that you didn't learn in class into the essay or test.
It is proven that studying before you go to sleep can help you remember things. Try studying closer to your bedtime, or even just read through all your notes before you go to bed; just don't stay up too late and lose precious hours of sleep!
Most importantly, have fun when doing it. If you enjoy one thing more, you can learn more easily. Just believe in yourself and anything can happen!
You should work hard to improve the ability, and knowledge after this just trust yourself!
Listen to peaceful noises that help you focus more or go to a favorite place you want to be to study or to do homework.
Don't hang around with friends who are not serious in their education. Always stay close to the smart guys, even if your friends laugh at you. It is your grades and future, what you put in it is what you get out of it.
You may have to cut down on entertainment in order to succeed. The best students know how to say, "No, I can't hang out because I have to study." Some friends might tease you, but your real friends will understand. Remember though that you do need to relax every now and then or you will get too stressed out and get worse grades. It is important to balance out your studies and social life.
Do not compromise your future with anyone. There will always come a time in your life where you will face "Should I or shouldn't I?".
Try to avoid using "rote memorization." That is where you repeat something over and over again until it finally sticks in your brain after the 100th time. It is the worst and most inefficient method of memorization. Instead, search for and read about memory tricks such as The Link Memory System, Method of Loci, or acrostics.
Even if it is not your turn to work on a group project, or a component thereof, make sure you have a backup plan. This is simply because you cannot depend on other people. Many people at two-year colleges especially are plain lazy and will drag your grade down with their minimalist attitudes if you rely on them to do their part. If possible, avoid working in groups larger than two people.
Try to ensure completion of assignments at least seven days prior to the due date, if possible. This will create a buffer in case of absence, poor communication, illness, family emergency, etc. Have an alternate way to get in touch with the professor and members of your project group, such as e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.
Don't be afraid to be great. Don't worry if people think you are a perfectionist or an overachiever. Be persistent with your work while everyone else is screwing around in class. In four years you will more than likely never see these people again, but you will see the C's and D's on your transcript that could have been A's and B's.
Study groups are a good mental reinforcement, and it is helpful to exchange knowledge and information. Do not, however, get lazy and subdivide all the homework assignments ("You do problems 1 through 5, you get 6 through 10, I will do 11 through 15..."). Remember that you cannot collaborate on exams and the deficiency your understanding will resurface when exam time comes.
It does not matter how much you study if you still believe that you are not capable of getting good grades. No matter what your past results or current results are, you must start focusing entirely on success at school. Do not let anything else enter your mind apart from success.
Make sure you STUDY, STUDY, STUDY alot and not just cram it all in the night before. Revise over the work you have already learned so you can learn it faster and have an advantage when it come to the exam. Also, try to do some extra work by going to tutoring classes or find an online tutor.
If you didn't do the homework for some reason, talk to your teacher and if you go to he or she, will know that you care about your grade and she might give you another chance at improving.

Friday, October 26, 2012

How to Make Homemade Dog Food

How to Make Homemade Dog Food
(Dr. Jennifer Larsen)

Many pet owners are moving toward the homemade diet, knowing the food they just prepared is going directly from countertop to canine. With salmonella poisoning and pet food recalls making the news recently, a little peace of mind goes a long way.

"For a lot of owners, some things are really important, like controlling the ingredients that their pet eats," said Larsen, who alternates feeding her own dog kibble and home-prepared meals. "Some people don't want to use preservatives; they want to use organic foods, they want to incorporate variety. There are a lot of different reasons why owners want to do a home-prepared diet."

By making your own dog food, though, you're also giving up some protections due to regulation. Despite (and as a result of) the recent recalls and salmonella outbreaks caused by some isolated manufacturing practices with commercial dog food, requirements for the pet food industry have never been more strict. A legislative body called the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) essentially ensures that for a dog food to be marketed in the United States, it must meet certain vitamin, mineral and protein requirements. AAFCO is obviously not regulating the food that you make.

"It depends on the values and priorities the individual pet owner has," Larsen said. "Anyone interested should be prepared for the financial as well as the time demands that a properly formulated home-cooked diet requires. I strongly advise someone to work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to accomplish that. I've seen many recipes -- in books and online -- that aren't balanced."
What Goes In and Why

A home-prepared diet can be a tricky but evidence shows that, done properly, homemade dog food can potentially outshine even the best kibble on the marketplace.

"Anyone interested should be prepared for the financial as well as the time demands that a properly formulated home-cooked diet requires. I strongly advise someone to work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to accomplish that."Dr. Jennifer Larsen, MS, DVM, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

"One of the major benefits of a commercial diet is convenience and consistency," Larsen said. "In my opinion, one of the major benefits of a home-prepared diet is the ability to customize it, and that's a huge difference between that and a commercial food."

Protein sources abound (beef, pork, chicken, tuna, egg, lamb, even crab) as do sources of necessary carbohydrates (barley, rice, pasta, potato), but it's not so much what goes in, as what your dog's specific needs are.

"When I'm building a home-cooked diet for patients, I decide how many calories I want to feed the pet," Larsen said. "Then I decide what proportion of the calories I want from fat, protein and carbohydrates, and I work with my ingredients to try and meet those goals."

When it comes to preparing food for your dog, it becomes less of a question of "what?" and more of a question of "why?"

"Some carbohydrates like quinoa or oatmeal are higher in fat than other carbohydrates like barley and rice," Larsen said. "The important thing is to be precise about what the goals of your diet are." Again, consult a veterinary nutritionist, who can advise you about the nutritional requirements for your pet.
Supplement the Diet

What you're serving your dog may have a modicum of vitamins and protein, but it is neither mineral- nor vitamin-dense, and therefore lacks the essentials that your pet needs. Few people who tackle home cooking for their dogs have the wherewithal to add needed iodine or thiamine, for instance, to their pet's meal.

"A lot of times it's a supplement issue," Larsen said. "And people may be using an inappropriate supplement or they may be using the wrong combination of supplements, so they're seeing a deficiency in minerals or vitamins."

Your dog has specific needs, which go beyond what you may get yourself in a simple one-a-day vitamin.

"Dogs require 10 to 11 amino acids, depending on the situation," Larsen said. "Home-cooked diets are not always adequate in all of these, although many provide protein and amino acids in amounts that are much higher than needed. Diets for dogs must also have adequate amounts of fat and essential fatty acids, in addition to 12 different minerals and about a dozen different vitamins."

If you go the homemade dog food route, consult with your veterinary nutritionist about what minerals to include and how to incorporate them.
Avoid These Foods

Most dog owners know the dangers of chocolate (specifically the food's primary alkaloid, theobromine), which is toxic to your dog even in small quantities. But there are other seemingly innocuous foods, ones you may use every day in your own diet, that may pose a threat to your dog's health.

Onions and garlic share a compound that can cause the destruction of red blood cells in canines.

"There are a lot of people who do feed garlic to their pets," Larsen said, "and while they appear to tolerate it just fine, I've also heard reports of dogs that eat small quantities and do have problems -- so they're not things that I would recommend."

Also to be avoided: grapes and raisins. They're staples of a healthy human diet, but they are proving more and more to be a food that you should never give your dog.

"We have become aware, in the past five or eight years, that there is some sort of acute kidney injury that occurs when some dogs eat grapes and raisins," Larsen said. "It doesn't seem to be dose-dependent or associated with a fungal or chemical toxin, but we don't know what the toxin is at this point, so we just recommend avoiding them."

How to Make a Career Change

How to Make a Career Change
Switching from one industry to another can be an experience, but this eBook will help ease the process, describing the steps you need to take to ensure a smooth transition.
How to Make a Career Change Ebook

Thursday, October 25, 2012

How to Make Dry Ice at Home

How to Make Dry Ice at Home
Instructions

1

Make sure you wear your protective eyewear and gloves at all times. Dry ice is very dangerous if touched by bare skin. Set up your work area in a safe, covered place. Lay the cloth bag on a flat workspace.

2

Use the duct tape to firmly secure the opening of the bag to the nozzle of the carbon dioxide extinguisher. Set the bottom of the cloth bag back on the workspace.

3

Press down on the extinguisher level to release the carbon dioxide. Let it spray into the bag for about 10 to 15 seconds. Remove the tape from the bag and nozzle. This lets the carbon dioxide expand, then solidify, which is the reaction that creates dry ice. There should be a mound of snow-like substance in the bottom of the bag, misting. This is the dry ice.

4

Flip the bag upside down and let the dry ice slide out of the bag into a heavy duty container. If you put water on it, it will start to mist and hiss. You can place this under bowls of punch to keep cold and create an interesting effect for decoration.

5

Make sure to dispose of the dry ice outside whenever you are done. Remember, it is not safe to create large amounts of dry ice this way.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

How to Make a Solar Panel

How to Make a Solar Panel
Instructions 

Harness the Power of the Sun

1

Use sheet metal shears to cut the copper flashing in a square or rectangle to fit the size of the electric burner. Be sure to use a piece of copper flashing that is thoroughly cleaned. You may use sandpaper to thoroughly remove any sign of corrosion before proceeding.

2

Place the copper flashing on the electric burner and turn the burner on. You will need to "cook" the flashing for as long as 30 minutes or more to develop a thick layer of black cupric oxide.

3

Allow the copper to cool slowly once the layer of cupric oxide has formed. It will begin to flake off and may do so with some force as the oxide and the copper cool at different rates.

4

Scrub the completely cooled copper under running water to remove any last remaining bits of oxide. Be gentle, as you do not want to remove any of the red cuprous oxide that has been created in heating the flashing.

5

Cut another piece of copper to the same size. Attach both panels using the alligator clips to the inside of the wide-mouth glass jar or plastic bottle with the top cut off. The panels should not touch and should bend to match the curves of the jar or bottle.

6

Connect the lead of the alligator clip which fastens the clean copper plate to the positive terminal of the meter. The negative terminal should then be connected to the cuprous oxide plate.

7

Make a solution of salt and water by dissolving the salt in hot tap water. You should make enough solution to barely cover the bottom of the plates, leaving the clips high and dry.

8

Place your solar panel in the sun to see the gauge jump to reflect the current your project has created.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

How to Make Cookie Cutters

How to Make Cookie Cutters

1
Draw straight lines onto the bottom of an aluminum lasagna pan marking lengthwise. Use a ruler and permanent marker to ensure that the edges are straight and uniform in size. Make the lines at least 1" (2.5cm) apart and use as much of the surface of the bottom of the pan as possible.




2
Using heavy duty scissors, cut the sides off the aluminum pan. Next, cut out the strips that were drawn on the bottom of the pan. Be careful; cutting aluminum can leave sharp edges that can cause cuts and nicks on your fingers or hands. A good precaution is to wear gloves.





3
Set aside the 1" (2.5cm) aluminum strips and start designing the cutters on paper. Use ideas such as tracing a child's hand, hearts, stars, etc. Keep in mind that the perimeter of your cookie cutter can be no longer than your longest strip.
It may help to cut a piece of string the length of your strips and use it to measure around the perimeter of your design. Hold the string up to the strip and see if the strip is long enough.

Since you're working with metal, allow 1"-2" (2.5cm-5cm) of the strip for curves and to provide enough material to properly close your cookie cutters when you've finished shaping them.







4
Take one of the 1" (2.5cm) aluminum strips and start molding it around your design.
To create curves, use pens or cups.

To create 90 degree angles, use table edges or a ruler.

To create other shapes, use anything interesting you have around the house––justbe creative!





5
To close your cookie cutter, overlap the ends of the aluminum strips and staple together more than once (three times is a charm!).





6
Use a metal file to grind down any nicks and burrs on the edges that might hurt you if left in place. You may fold over the edges (only about 1/8 inch/3.1mm) to provide a surface that will not be sharp and will not present a cutting hazard for your hands.





Wash and dry your cutter thoroughly before cutting out your cookie dough.


For sturdier cookie cutters, go to a hardware store and buy some 1" (2.5cm) copper or aluminum ribbon. (Also called "Hobby Metal".) Cookie cutters made from this sturdier material will last forever, but to seal the ends together, you will need two-sided tape and some clamps to hold the ends together as it sets. Wash these metal strips in soap and water before taping together, as they may have oil on them that will likely interfere with the tape bonding.
To help fold the ribbon into the design, first draw out the design on paper. Then, trace the pattern onto wood and cut out the piece of wood. Mold the ribbon around the wood. Alternatively, you can cut out the design on 3-5 pieces of cardboard and tape them together instead of using wood.
Don't have too many long skinny parts or tight curves, as these won't translate well to a cookie. Remember you are making cookie cutters and details will be lost when you bake the cookie dough because it rises and expands as it cooks.
If you want to reuse the cookie cutters or store them away, don't pile anything on top of them that might deform their original shape.
Washing your cutters by hand will help them last longer.


Use caution when cutting aluminum metal. Sharp edges result and can cause small cuts or nicks on your fingers, even if you're careful. Consider wearing gloves.
Due to the safety concerns, cutting the aluminum is not recommended for small children. They can help with other steps in the project, like drawing or choosing designs.
The permanent marker will smudge a bit because it doesn't adhere to aluminum too well, but it will be easy to clean off once your cookie cutters are finished.
If an aluminum pan is used, the cookie cutters will be a bit fragile. Be careful when cutting the cookies, as the cutter may deform somewhat. As mentioned, this may be prevented by using heavier material, such as copper or aluminum strips from the hardware store.

Things You'll Need

Large disposable aluminum lasagna or roasting pan (rectangular is best)
Heavy duty scissors
Permanent marker
Ruler
Stapler
Paper (to draw your designs on)
String
Newspaper or cardboard to cover the work surface
Super glue to attach the end of the cookie cutter (optional)

How to Make Money Blogging

How to Make Money Blogging
Instructions

1

Create a blog using any one of the free services such as Blogger or Wordpress.

2

Focus your blog on a particular subject such as sports, politics, current events, or whatever interests you. Be witty and informative. A little controversy wouldn't hurt.

Sponsored Links

3

Blog consistently for six months, at least three new posts a week. To apply for most blogging jobs you need to have been blogging for at least six months.

4

Add Google ads to your blog to help generate income by joining AdWords, which you can do from Google's website. There are other ad choices such as BlogAds or CrispAds that are popular.

5

Apply to one of the blog networks such as b5Media, 451 Press or Wise Bread after you have been blogging for six months to be a blogger for them. They are going to ask you if you want to suggest a new topic for their network. If your blog covers a topic that isn't covered on their network then suggest your blog be added.

6

Visit the "Pro Blogger Job Board" and apply for positions you find posted there.

7

Getting sponsored by a business is another way to make money blogging. In most cases sponsorship happens by businesses approaching blogs that cover a demographic they are interested in.

8

Join an Affiliate program. Amazon, Clickbank and "Commission Junction" are some of the major affiliate programs but there are literally thousands you can choose from.

9

Place a donate button on your blog. Some bloggers hold regular fund-raising drives and some have managed to blog full-time because of the donations from their readers.


10

To Learn More, visit: www.BuildWebPage.org

How to Make a Light Diffuser for Macro Photography

How to Make a Light Diffuser for Macro Photography

1
Get a cheap picture frame, whatever size will suit your purpose. The one in this article is an 8.5 X 11 inch (21.5cm x 28cm) picture frame from a dollar store.





2
Remove everything from the frame. In the case of this frame, that means removing the plastic cover, the glass and the fake certificate.








3
Lay down your diffuser material on the cleared frame. Some of the things that you can use for the diffuser include wax paper, tissue paper, a shower curtain liner, etc. You might even like to try different objects to see whether it's possible to get different effects.

4
Put the glass back into the frame. It's a good idea at this stage to make sure that it is clean before you put it back into place. The glass will help hold your diffuser material in place.






Adding wax paper.
If you have some creative ability, you could make an insert to go inside of the frame. If it fits exactly, it will hold the material tightly and then you don't have to worry about broken glass should the diffuser accidentally topple over when taking photos.


5
Be sure to bend the prongs in the back of the glass to hold the glass onto the frame. Once done, the micro diffuser is ready for use or travel. Done:


Monday, October 22, 2012

How to Make Plastic

How to Make Plastic
Instructions

1

Remove the lid from the glass container and pour a small amount of acetone into it. Acetone is used as paint thinner and can be found at hardware stores. Fill ½ inch of the jar with the acetone to start, and add more later if needed.

2

Break the Styrofoam into small pieces.


3

Drop the Styrofoam into the acetone jar. As it hits the acetone it melts. Continue to add Styrofoam into the jar until it stops melting. If you need more plastic than the amount of Styrofoam in the jar, pour more acetone and then add more Styrofoam.

4

Wait for 5 minutes to allow some of the acetone to evaporate. If you want to mold the plastic, wait 1 more minute. At that time, the plastic is easily shaped. Sculpt it into whatever shape you want.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

How to Make Bread Pudding

How to Make Bread Pudding
Instructions

1

Cut the bread in cubes and place in a loaf pan.

2

Beat the eggs in a bowl until frothy, then add the sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Beat well.

3

Beat in the milk, then add the raisins.

4

Pour the milk mixture over the bread and toss together.

5

Let soak for 30 minutes. While the bread soaks, heat the oven to 300 degrees.

6

Bake for 45 minutes or until custard is set.

7

Serve warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream.

How to Make a Balance Sheet

How to Make a Balance Sheet
Instructions

1

First you need to list all of your assets. Assets include the cash you have in the bank and the property you own, whether in the form of land, buildings or equipment. Your assets should be categorized into accounts with titles such as Cash, Temporary Investments, Accounts Receivable (money that is owed to you), Real Estate Owned, Automobiles, Furniture and Other Property. These assets are usually broken down into current and long-term assets. Some examples of current assets are the cash you have in your checking or savings accounts and any money that is owed to you. Long-term assets include assets that will be held for longer periods of time such as the cash value of your life insurance, the market value of real estate that you own and the value of your retirement fund.

2

Next you need to list all of your liabilities. Liabilities include the everyday bills that you owe, the mortgage balance on your home and taxes that are due at a later date. Your liabilities should be categorized into accounts with titles such as Current Bills, Real Estate Mortgages, Car Notes, Taxes Owed and Other Liabilities. Liabilities are also usually broken down into current and long-term liabilities. Some examples of current liabilities are your credit card bills, your cell phone bill and your electric bill. Long-term liabilities include obligations that will be paid in the future such as your home mortgage, your car loan and some taxes.

3

Once you have listed all of your assets and liabilities you can calculate your net worth by simply subtracting the total of your liabilities from the total of your assets. This is your net worth. Obviously, you want this number to be as high as possible.

Using a personal balance sheet can help you identify ways to raise your net worth. Having your home re-appraised may allow you to increase your assets, thereby increasing your net worth. Cutting back on your current bills, such as credit card charges for entertainment, or paying down your car loan early will also increase your net worth by reducing your liabilities. Taking the time to put together a personal balance sheet is the best way to plan for future prosperity.

How to Make Blackberry Brandy

How to Make Blackberry Brandy
Instructions

1

Wash 1 lb. of blackberries and lay them on paper towels to dry. If you are using frozen berries, allow them to thaw fully before you introduce them to the brandy.

2

Place the blackberries in three pint-sized mason jars or other glass containers that have tight-fitting lids. Divide the berries equally among the three containers.

3

Divide 1 cup of superfine sugar among the three jars, pouring on top of the berries. Superfine sugar is granulated sugar that is ground even more, allowing it to dissolve easily. If you cannot find superfine sugar, regular granulated sugar will work fine.

4

Pour brandy into each jar, filling them to the top. Close the jars and give them a vigorous shake to incorporate all of the ingredients.

5

Store the blackberry brandy in a cool, dark storage area, such as a pantry shelf.

6

Shake each jar of brandy every 2 to 3 days for a week. After the initial week, shake the jars one day a week for at least eight weeks. You may want to mark your calendar to make it easier to remember.

7

Strain out the blackberries from the brandy after eight weeks of fermenting. Keep the berries to use as a dessert sauce if desired. At this point the brandy is ready to drink, but can steep even longer for a more powerful blackberry flavor if you wish.

How to Make a Spy Camera

How to Make a Spy Camera
Instructions

1

Shop for a micro video camera. This little camera and lens can be found at camera shops and security stores. Look for cameras with lenses no larger than a nickel so others won't notice it.

2

Choose an object to place the camera in. A coffee can, teddy bear, pair of eyeglasses, pillow or any other household item should work well. Make sure the object won't be tampered with, dropped or accidentally sat upon.

3

Decide whether you want the spy camera to be wired or wireless, then choose the proper transmitter and receiver to ensure you'll get good-quality footage. The transmitter must provide quality audio and video. The receiver should plug into any device that can play back footage.

4

Assess what kind of power supply the spy camera will need. You'll either need to use battery power or directly plug the camera into the wall.

5

Connect all components, and test your camera for accuracy and clarity. Once the test is successful, you're ready to use the spy camera whenever you wish.

How to make your own fragrance business

How to make your own fragrance business

Because people love to smell good, making perfume and cologne can be a profitable home-based business for small start-up entrepreneurs. The steps in making them are easy and the profit margins can be as high. You just need to follow a standard formulation to make quality scents, says Ronald Barangan, resource speaker of the Ultima Entrepinoy Forum Center's skill and livelihood training department.

To start, you will need the following laboratory equipment: a 10 kg weighing scale or kitchen scale, plastic cups, a stirring rod, a small beaker and a 1,000ml beaker, and a volumetric flask with cover.

The raw materials for this project are as follows: Prices may not reflect market conditions

· 70 g triple deodorized alcohol (TDOH) at about P200 per liter

· 15 g fragrance at P500 per 100 g

· 5 g muscol (MCL) at P400 per 100 g

· 5 g moisturizer (propylene glycol or PPG) at P250 per liter

· 5 g distilled water at P10 per 300 ml.

For packaging, you may use either an atomizer bottle (spray) with a net content of 5 ml or roll-on glass bottles with a net content of 10 ml. These are available at the Divisoria Market in Manila. For a list of articles on Divisoria click here.

Procedures:

Step 1:

To start, put all the raw materials-except the alcohol-in small plastic containers or beakers for weighing. The alcohol needs to be weighed last because it easily evaporates when exposed to air.

For accuracy, all of the ingredients must be weighed in grams. Barangan says that getting the exact weight is crucial: "If you bungle the measurements, you'll bungle the formulation."

First, weigh the beaker or the plastic cups on the weighing scale. Make sure to adjust the scale to zero before taking your measurements. While on top of the scale, fill the beaker or the plastic cups with the ingredients and weigh.

Step 2:

When the materials are ready, pour the MCL into the beaker containing the alcohol. To make sure that the container of the MCL is thoroughly emptied of the MCL, rinse it with the weighed alcohol, mix the resulting solution with a stirring rod, then add the thoroughly mixed solution to the MCL in the beaker. Stir the contents of the beaker until the MCL is fully dispersed in the alcohol

Step 3:

Add the PPG to the mixture and stir. Always stir each time you add another ingredient, and make sure to completely disperse the substance before adding another ingredient to the mixture.

Step 4:

Finally, add the distilled water. To completely clean the empty container of the remainder of its contents, rinse it with water and add the resulting solution to the mixture in the beaker.

Step 5:

Thoroughly mix all the ingredients in the beaker until the perfume solution becomes homogeneous, then get your bottles and fill them with the perfume. Label and package your perfumes as desired, based on where you intend to sell them.

This formulation for 100 grams of perfume yields 12 to 13 roll-on bottles.Your fragrances and perfumes must be kept in dry, cool, and dark places because light can adversely affect their chemical properties. . As much as possible, use dark-color bottles for storage and packaging.

Each time you need to get some of your raw fragrances, transfer them into smaller bottles. This is to minimize their contact with air, which may adversely interact with them. By using a volumetric flask with cover, you can keep your perfume intact and well-sealed until you are ready to package it

The perfume can be sold to friends, families and co-workers; you may also use them as giveaways for weddings and other special occasions. If you are marketing the products to teenagers, it's better to put your perfume in spray bottles. If you are targeting office workers, however, putting the perfume in roll-on bottles would be a better option. Avoid using plastic as packaging material; they have dioxins that may mix or interact with your perfume.