How to Grill Salmon

Salmon is one of the tastiest fish on the planet—even grouchy old grizzly bears know this! To bring out the best flavor, a slow grill and a little patience are all you need to achieve perfect grilled salmon! We'll show you a couple different ways, and add a sauce that goes great with salmon.

• Prep time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (active prep: 10 minutes)
• Cook time: 12-16 minutes
• Total time: 2-3 hours

[Edit]Ingredients

• 4 to 6 oz (150 to 200 g) salmon fillets for each serving
• marinade for enough salmon to serve 8:
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Juice of 1 fresh lemon
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• Optional: blueberry reduction sauce
  • 1 bottle (750ml) port
  • 1 pint (.5 l) blueberries

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Making Marinated Salmon

1. Season the salmon. Blend the dry seasonings—garlic powder, salt, and pepper—in a small bowl, and dust the salmon evenly with that.
   
   
   
2. Marinate for a couple hours. Blend the lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until it is well blended and the sugar is dissolved, and then pour into a large Ziploc plastic bag with the fish.
   
   
   • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and no more than 4. Turn occasionally to mix things up.
3. Fire up the grill.
   
   
   • For a charcoal grill, heap the coals to the side so you have a hot area and a warm area. Consider using real wood charcoal, as the briquettes impart a chemical taste to delicate meats.
   • For a gas grill, set the temperature to medium heat: 325° F (160° C).
4. Lightly brush the grill grate with vegetable oil.
   
   
5. Place the salmon on the warm part of the grill. Discard the marinade.
   
   
6. Turn the salmon over after six to eight minutes and allow it to cook on the other side for another six to eight minutes.
   
   
7. Sear it. Place the salmon on the hottest part of the grill to get grill marks on it—it only takes a minute or so on each side.
   
8. Serve and enjoy!
   
   

[Edit]Making Mayonnaise Salmon

1. Fire up the grill. For a charcoal grill, heap the coals to the side so you have a hot area and a warm area. For a gas grill, set the temperature to medium heat: 325° F (160° C).
   
   
   • Lightly brush the grill grate with vegetable oil.
2. Baste the salmon. With a small brush or paper towel, lightly apply mayonnaise onto both sides of the salmon. You may use olive oil, if you prefer.
   
   
3. Grill it slow. Place the salmon on the warm part of the grill. The mayonnaise keeps the fish from sticking, and will burn off. Before you flip it, coat the visible side of the salmon with more mayonnaise so it will not stick.
   
   
4. Turn the salmon over after three to five minutes and allow it to cook on the other side for about three minutes.
   
   
5. Sear it. Place the salmon on the hottest part of the grill to get grill marks on it—it only takes a minute or so on each side.
   
   
6. Serve and enjoy!
   
   

[Edit]Optional: Blueberry Reduction Sauce

1. Do this as the salmon marinates. It takes about an hour to make, mostly unattended.
   
2. Fill medium saucepan with port. Reserve about 1/4 cup port. This will be used near the end.
   
   
3. Add all but 2 tablespoons of blueberries. These will go in near the end.
   
   
4. Bring to a simmer. Do not boil. Stir every 10 minutes or so.
   
   • When the sauce has reduced down far enough so it's starting to get thick (about 1 hour), strain the solids from the sauce with a sieve and return the liquid to the saucepan.
   • Add the remaining port, and continue reducing until the sauce is thick and syrupy.
   • If you still have a while until dinner, you can either remove the sauce from the heat, or add more port if you like.
   • About 10 minutes before serving, add in the reserved blueberries.
5. Serve over the grilled salmon.
   
   
   • Options. You can add other flavors to the reduction sauce, too. Some flavors that go well with this sauce include black peppercorns, rosemary, or chocolate. Experiment!

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• The chef usually does a better job if provided with a cold beer or a nice glass of wine.
• Salmon goes well with rice pilaf and a green salad.
• Suggested wine pairings:
  
  
  • Chardonnay: Especially one that lets the fruit come out. Not too oaky
  • Pinot Noir: A classic pairing for grilled salmon especially
  • Chenin Blanc: Fragrant and a little sweet, a wonderful and often overlooked pairing for salmon
• To add a light smoke flavor to your salmon, you may want to consider Northern White Cedar chips or chunks. For charcoal, toss a handful of chips directly on the coals just before adding the salmon. For gas grills, place chunks on grilling surface. When they start to smoke, add the salmon.
• Grill the salmon with its skin on to help it hold together while also creating a crunchy, delicious bite!

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Broil Salmon
• Cook Ramen and Tuna Fish

[Edit]Quick Summary

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/jX49f50

How to Create a Private Room in Skribbl.io

Skribbl.io is a fun online game where you get to draw pictures and guess what others are creating. Private Skribbl rooms are rooms you can only join with a link. These rooms are helpful when you only want to play with a specific group of people. This wikiHow will teach you how to create one yourself!

[Edit]Steps

1. Navigate to https://skribbl.io/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on PC or Mac. You can play skribbl.io from within a web browser.
   
2. Enter your name into the first box. Use the text box above the image of your avatar. You can use a nickname or your real name.
   
   • Alternatively, you can leave this box blank. You will be given a random name.
3. Select your language. Use the drop-down menu next to your name to select a language. This sets the language for the room you will be creating.
   
4. Use the top arrows to change the eyes (optional). The character in the center of the window to the left is the avatar that is used to represent you during the game. You can use the arrows to the left and right to customize it. Use the top arrows to change the eyes (optional). There are 31 options for the eyes.
   
   • Alternatively, you can also click the dice at the top-right to have the look of the avatar randomly selected for you.
5. Use the middle arrows to change the mouth of the avatar (optional). The middle arrows to the left and right of the avatar change its mouth. There are 24 options for the mouth.
   
6. Use the bottom arrows to change the color of the avatar (optional). The bottom arrows to the left and right of the avatar change its color. There are 18 different colors to choose from.
   
7. Click . It's the blue button at the bottom of the window. This takes you into the private room you can invite people to, not the public room anyone can join.
   
   • If there is an advertisement, just wait for it to finish to proceed.
8. Pick how many Rounds you want to play. The default is 3 rounds. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to select the number of rounds you want to play.
   
   • You can pick from 2 rounds up to 10 rounds.
9. Choose the "Draw time in seconds". This will be how long each player gets to draw. The default is 80 seconds.
   
   • You can choose between 30 seconds and 180 seconds.
10. Change your language if you didn't already. Make the language your default language, or the language everybody talks in.
    
11. Enter your custom words. The custom words are words that you will be able to draw when it is your turn. When typing them, separate them with a comma. You have to have 4 at minimum, and they have to be 30 characters or less.
    
    • If you want to use the custom words exclusively, then click the check box beneath.
12. Click next to the link. The link is displays when you hover the mouse cursor over the white bar at the bottom. Click the yellow button that says Copy to copy the link. You can send it to your friends to invite them to join.
    
13. Share the link with your friends. Simply paste the link in a message to invite your friends to join. You can paste it in an email, a social media or web forum post, or a direct message. To paste the link, simply right-click and click Paste. You can have up to 12 players in a private room.
    
    • Your friend will be directed to the main lobby first. They have to make a name and look before joining your room. After they are ready to play and have customized their avatar. Once they are finished, they should click the green button that says Play.
    • If the link is not taking your friends to the private room, you can try right-clicking the link and clicking Copy instead of clicking the copy button. If that doesn't work, you can try typing the link manually.
14. Click after everyone has joined. This will now open the game, and you will be able to play just like normal.
    
    • The only thing different is that you will have a crown, due to you being the one who created the room.
    • You need at least one other player in the room before you can start a game.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Play Skribbl.io
• Play Mope.io
• Play Paper.io
• Play Surviv.io
• Play Snowball.io
• Play Diep.io
• Play Slither.io
• Become the Longest Snake in Slither.io
• Upgrade Your Tanks on Diep.io
• Build a Slither in Slither.io
• Play Agar.io

[Edit]Quick Summary

source How to of the Day https://ift.tt/8mFA6nz

How to Keep Your Face Clean

Keeping a clean face requires only a little bit of effort, and the results are rewarding: a glowing, acne-free complexion. This wikiHow will give you advice on how to keep your face clean.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Washing your face twice daily will keep dirt and debris from building up in your pores.
• Toners are an excellent solution for people struggling with oily or dead skin.
• A periodic exfoliation and facial can help flush your skin of dead cells and keep you looking youthful.
• For pimples and blemishes, try a spot treatment containing 1-2% salicylic acid, benzoyl, or Visine.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Keeping Your Face Clean Daily

1. Figure out what kind of skin you have. Is your skin dry, oily or normal? This is what you have to figure out so you can make sure you have the right face products.^[1] There are so many different types that it can be confusing.^[2]
   
   • If you have normal skin, your skin has the right balance of moisture, oil and durability. This is what you're trying to achieve with keeping it clean.
   • If you have oily skin you face might appear shiny, greasy or oil only a few hours after washing.
   • If you have dry skin, it's often flaky, and can look dull.
   • If you have sensitive skin, your skin is often tight or itchy and you experience allergic reactions when you come into contact with certain chemicals.
   • A lot of people have combination skin, where part of your face is oily while a different part is dry.^[3]
2. Use a simple face wash twice a day. Wash once in the morning and once in the evening.^[4] Everyone's skin is different and needs different things. You may have to test out a few different face washes to find the one that works best for you. What you really want from a face wash is something that cleans away dirt and germs and excess oils, but doesn't strip your skin of its healthy oils.^[5]
   
   • Picking your cleanser is based on your skin type, how often you wear make-up, and how often you work out.^[6] For instance, if your skin is oily, you'll want a cleanser that has a low pH level, which will be more effective in cleaning the oil. If you have sensitive skin, you won't want the cleansers that are full of chemicals.
   • Avoid using ordinary soaps, which are too harsh for your face and can strip it of its natural oils.
   • It's best to rinse your face with warm water or cool water. Hot water strips the healthy natural oils from your skin.
   • You need to wash your face after exercising to get rid of any sweat and dirt and oils that might clog your pores.
   • If you want to avoid chemicals from store-bought face wash, you can consider making your own.
3. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Don't scrub your face dry, be gentle. The skin on your face is sensitive. Make sure that the towel is clean. Otherwise, you'll be transferring bacteria to your clean face.
   
4. Use toners. While not necessary, toners can be a great help to people with oily skin, acne, or badly plugged pores. Toners help remove excess oils, and dead skin after that remain after cleansing. This is an excellent way to add active ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants and exfoliants to your skin regimen.^[7]
   
   • Apply the toner after cleansing with a clean cotton facial pad to your forehead, nose and chin (the so-called "t-zone"). Move the pad in gentle circles, avoiding the eye area.
   • Find the right toner for your skin type. Certain formulations can help exfoliate acne-prone skin; others contain anti-inflammatory properties for sensitive.
   • Many dermatologists recommended not using an alcohol based toner because it's too drying even for oily skin.
5. Treat the skin around your eyes gently. Don't rub your eyes, or use harsh make-up removers on them. That part of the face is delicate. So, likewise, don't splash yourself awake in the morning with cold water.
   
6. Don't touch your face. Touching your face can spread the bacteria which cause your pores to become inflamed.^[8] If you have to touch your face to apply makeup or face cream, wash your hands first to make sure they're clean of oils.
   
   • Also, try to avoid leaning your face against items that collect sebum and skin residue, such as a phone. Sebum is a light oily substance secreted by the skin glands which moisturizes skin and hair.
7. Use makeup that is suitable for your skin type. Try to buy make-up that has "noncomedogenic" or "non-acnegenic" on the label if you can, as these are designed to help prevent acne and breakouts and won't clog your pores.
   
   • Make sure that you aren't using old make-up. Skincare products, like food, have an expiration date. Using them after that date will do more harm than good.
   • Try to use mineral based or water based makeup instead of choosing oil based ones as they make skin look greasy and dull.
8. Drink lots of water. Drink at least eight glasses of water. Staying hydrated and making sure that your body has plenty of water means that your body will be better able to function properly, including maintaining the health and cleanliness of your skin.
   
9. Follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes vegetables and fruits and eliminates sugar and "junk foods."^[9]
   
   • Try low-fat dairy products. A low-fat yogurt has vitamin A, something our skin is dependent upon. It also has acidophilus, a "live" bacteria that helps promote intestinal health, which in turn can help skin.
   • Eat foods that have a high antioxidant content like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums.
   • Try foods that deliver essential fatty acids needed for healthy skin like salmon, walnuts, and flax seed. Essential fatty acids promote healthy cell membranes, which in turn promote healthy skin.

[Edit]Keeping Your Face Clean Long-Term

1. Have a facial. You can either go to a beautician and have someone do a facial for you, or you can try one of the many home facials. Remember to use the one which goes for your skin type. If your skin is oily, try a facial that is for oily skin.
   
   • A good home facial mask is a mixture of milk and honey together. After blending the ingredients, put the mixture on your face for 30 minutes, then clean your face with warm water.
2. Exfoliate your skin. Gently exfoliating your skin will make you get rid of dead cells in your face, which can make your skin look dark and rough. Exfoliate your skin once a week, or once a month. Don't do it more than once a week, because it can strip your skin of important essential oils.^[10]
   
   • A nice exfoliation scrub can increase the circulation in your face giving you a healthy, rosy glow.
   • All you need for a home exfoliating scrub is an exfoliant like salt or sugar, a binder like honey or water, and a moisturizer that includes vitamin E oil, jojoba oil or even olive oil. If you have oily skin, you can use a mashed banana or avocado as a moisturizer.
3. Get rid of pimples. While it can be satisfying to pick at the pimples and pop them with your fingernails, that is the exact wrong way to deal with a pimple! Wash your hands well before dealing with pimples to avoid infection.^[11]
   
   • Avoid touching or trying to pop the pimple or you might irritate it. Popping a pimple can lead to scarring if you're not careful.
   • Apply a cold, wet washcloth or teabag on the spot for three to five minutes throughout the day. This will help lessen the irritation.
   • Use a spot treatment that contains 1 percent or 2 percent salicylic acid, which is often less irritating than benzoyl.
   • Applying Visine on a cotton swab to the spot can reduce the redness.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Never scrub your skin. Dab and wipe it gently.
• Try putting honey on your pimples, that is a good home remedy instead of popping them!
• If you have a collagen (cloth) mask, you can get a container and squeeze all of the good stuff out of the mask and pour it from the package into the container. It dries faster, you can apply it to hard-to-reach areas, and you can reuse it for later.
• You can also use a Clarisonic to cleanse your face when you need a deeper clean.

[Edit]Warnings

• Look out for over-cleansing during winter, when it's tempting to take long hot showers. Over-cleansing will dry your skin in out more quickly.
• If you have sensitive skin, try the milk and honey mix on a small part of skin before applying to the full face.
• Allergies to the products used in the face mixture can produce a variety of reactions. If you do have a reaction to a product, stop using it and find something else.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v161349_b01]. 8 April 2020.
2. ↑ http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/daily/tips/5-tips-for-choosing-a-daily-facial-cleanser1.htm
3. ↑ [v161349_b01]. 8 April 2020.
4. ↑ [v161349_b01]. 8 April 2020.
5. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/how-to-wash-face-tips-healthy-skin_n_2134381.html#slide=1761225
6. ↑ [v161349_b01]. 8 April 2020.
7. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/14/toner-necessary_n_2124513.html
8. ↑ http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/skin_tips.html
9. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/skin-food
10. ↑ [v161349_b01]. 8 April 2020.
11. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/get-rid-of-zit-pimple-acne_n_2698751.html

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How to Calculate Amount of Paint to Paint a Room

"How much paint do I need?" This age-old question is an important one—after all, you don’t want to run out of paint in the middle of a house painting project, but you also don’t want to have a huge container of paint leftover when everything’s finished. Don’t worry. With just a tape measure and a calculator, you can calculate the exact amount of paint you need in a matter of minutes. We’ve outlined the exact formula you need to get the job done so you can complete your project as efficiently as possible.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Measure the length of each wall.

1. Wall length helps you figure out total square footage. Grab a tape measure and place it flush along one end of the wall. Check that the tape measure is firmly in place, and then pull it in a straight, taut line lengthwise across the wall. To be safe, do a couple of measurements to make sure your calculations are totally accurate. Then, measure the length of all the other walls in your room.^[1]
   
   • It may help to ask a friend to hold the measuring tape in place while you pull it across the wall.

[Edit]Calculate the height of each wall

1. The total height is the other part of your square footage equation. Anchor your tape measure at the bottom edge of the wall and slowly pull the tape measure upward, keeping it flush against the wall as you extend it. Jot down the measurement once the tape reaches the edge of the ceiling. Then, check the height of all the other walls to make sure your measurements are exact.^[2]
   
   • You may need to use a stepstool or ladder to measure the entire height of the wall. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help if you need it!
   • All of your height measurements might be the same, depending on the size and shape of your room.
   • Don’t include the trim in your measurements—you’ll be calculating that separately.

[Edit]Multiply the total length by the height for each wall.

1. Length times height gives you the total surface area of your walls. Find the area of each individual wall, jotting down the area for each one. There’s a chance that your walls are all different sizes, so doing individual calculations helps you get more accurate results.^[3]
   
   • For example, if a wall is and tall, the total surface area would be .

[Edit]Add all of the square footages together.

1. This gives you a rough estimate of how much surface area you need to paint. Plug all of the surface areas you just calculated into a calculator and see what the total surface area comes out to. This isn’t the exact amount of surface you have to paint—it’s just a starting point!^[4]
   

[Edit]Measure the area of each door and window.

1. Multiplying length by width gets you this number. Use your tape measure to figure out the length and height of all the windows in your room, as well as the length and height of any doors. Then, multiply the measurements for each individual structure together to get the total surface area of each structure.^[5]
   
   • If all of your windows and doors are the same size, you only need to measure them once—but you still need to multiply by the total number of structures that you have. For example, if you have 3 windows that have a total surface area of , you’d multiply that by 3 (giving you a total of ).

[Edit]Subtract each door and window from the total.

1. This gives you the exact amount of surface area that you need to paint. Let’s say your walls’ total surface area is , and there are 2 windows that are each and a door that’s . Subtract the of doors and windows from the original , which gives you a total of to paint.^[6]
   

[Edit]Double the total square footage if you plan on painting 2 coats.

1. Your square footage calculation only counts for 1 coat of paint. Chances are, you’re probably giving your walls at least 2 coats of paint for a polished, long-lasting look. For each extra coat of paint, add the total surface area to your final calculation.^[7]
   
   • If your total wall surface area is and you plan on adding 3 coats of paint, you’d need enough paint for of wall space.
   • You may need extra coats of paint if you’re repainting dark walls with a light-colored paint.

[Edit]Divide the total square footage by 350 to 400.

1. This helps you figure out how much paint you need. A single gallon of paint can cover about of wall space. So, dividing your total square footage by 350 to 400 gives you an accurate idea of how many gallons of paint you’ll need for your project.^[8]
   
   • Paint Calculation Formula: Surface Area / 350 = gallons of paint needed or Surface Area / 400 = gallons of paint needed
   • If you’d rather err on the side of caution, divide your total square footage by 350 rather than 400. That way, you’ll have a little extra paint on hand if the project ends up being bigger than you expect.
   • If you have of wall space to paint, you’d need to paint your space.
   • If your walls are textured or completely unpainted, divide your total square footage by instead. These surfaces tend to use more paint than regular, smooth walls.

[Edit]Round up the nearest quart.

1. A little extra paint is good, but you don’t want too much leftover. Chances are, you won’t get an exact number of gallons or liters; instead, it’ll be a decimal. Rather than rounding up to the next whole number (gallon), round up to the next quarter (quart) instead.^[9]
   
   • If you need of paint to cover your wall space, you’d round it up to instead.

[Edit]Calculate the total amount of paint for trim.

1. Multiplying the width and length gets you the total square footage. Grab your tape measure and take down the exact width and length for each individual section of trim. Multiply the length and width of each individual section together, and then add up all the sections to get your total surface area. Then, divide the surface area by 350 to 400 to get the amount of paint you need in gallons.^[10]
   
   • Let’s say the sections of trim are , , , and . The total square footage would ; divided by 400, you’d get . To be safe, you’d round up to 0.5, giving you a total of .

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Multiply the height and length of the ceiling if you’d like to paint that surface, too. As a general rule of thumb, provides enough coverage for of space, but you may need more if you plan on adding another coat.^[11]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

• Tape measure
• Ladder or stepstool
• Calculator

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
2. ↑ https://www.paintcare.org/buy-right/
3. ↑ https://www.paintcare.org/buy-right/
4. ↑ https://www.paintcare.org/buy-right/
5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
7. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
10. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/how-much-paint-do-i-need/
11. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-much-paint-do-i-need/

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How to Make Body Spray

Ever wanted some body spray, but either couldn't find that special scent, or couldn't afford it? Making your own is very easy. What's even better is that you can control what goes into your body spray. This means that you can customize it to your heart's desire, and come up with a truly unique fragrance. You can even add some shimmer with loose eyeshadow!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Making Simple Body Spray

1. Get any sized spray bottle. Try to get a spray bottle that is made out of glass instead of plastic; essential oils can degrade plastic over time. Also, choose a blue or brown glass bottle to protect the oils from sunlight.^[1]
   
2. Fill the bottle most of the way with normal water. Be sure to leave some room for your essential oils.^[2] If you can't find any normal water, you can use filtered water instead. Do not use tap water, however.
   
   
   • If you have an unsteady hand, consider using a funnel to help you pour the water into the bottle.
3. Add some essential oils. Start with 40 to 45 drops for every 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of water. You can use all one scent, or you can experiment with different combinations. For example, lavender and grapefruit will give you a nice, refreshing scent.^[3]
   
   
4. Close the bottle and shake it. Your body spray is now ready to use. Keep in mind that the oils and water will separate naturally over time, so you will need to shake the bottle each time before you use it.
   
   

[Edit]Making Basic Body Spray

1. Get a 2 to 3-ounce (60 to 90-milliliter) spray bottle. Try to get a glass spray bottle if you can, as essential oils have a tendency to degrade plastic bottles over time. If you can't find a glass spray bottle, use a high-quality plastic bottle instead.
   
2. Stick a funnel down the mouth of the bottle. This will make pouring the ingredients into the bottle easier.
   
   
3. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of distilled water into the bottle. If you can't find any distilled water, use filtered water instead. Do not use tap water because it contains too many minerals. These minerals may affect your body spray.^[4]
   
   
   • For a twist, use 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of rose hydrosol instead of water. It will make your body spray smell like roses. It is lighter and gentler than essential oil, and has some toning properties as well.^[5]
4. Add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of vodka or witch hazel into the bottle. This will act as a preservative, and help your body spray last longer. It will also help act as a binder, and prevent the essential oils from separating from the water.^[6]
   
   
5. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin, if desired. This will help act as a binder and thickener. It may also help make the scents last longer.^[7] Glycerin also has some toning and moisturizing properties.^[8]
   
   
6. Add 15 to 20 drops of essential oil. You can use all one scent, or a combination of scents, such as: grapefruit, lime, and lemon.^[9]
   
   • If you used rose hydrosol instead of water, you do not need to add any essential oils.^[10]
7. Close the bottle and shake it. At this point, your body spray is ready to use. Keep in mind that the ingredients may still separate. If that happens, simply shake your body spray before you use it.
   

[Edit]Making Shimmering Body Spray

1. Get a 5 to 6-ounce (150 to 180-milliliter spray bottle. It would be best to use a glass bottle because it won't degrade over time. If you can't find one, then a good quality plastic bottle will do.^[11]
   
2. Place a funnel into the mouth of the bottle. This will make pouring in the ingredients easier and reduce spills.
   
3. Pour 3 teaspoons of argan oil into the bottle.^[12] If you can't find any argan oil, or if you can't afford it, try jojoba oil instead. You can also use vegetable glycerin instead.
   
   
4. Add 2 teaspoons of loose eyeshadow or cosmetic pigment powder.^[13] The powder likely will get caught in the funnel, which is fine. The next step will resolve this.
   
   
   • Popular colors are white or bronze, but you can use any color you want.
   • Avoid using glitter. Even the finest glitter may clog up your spray bottle.
5. Pour 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of distilled water down the funnel.^[14] This will help knock loose any eyeshadow/pigment powder that got caught in the mouth of the funnel. Make sure that you use distilled water and not tap water. If you can't find any, then you can use filtered water instead.
   
   
   • Tap water contains too many minerals, which can affect your spray, as well as shorten its shelf life.
6. Consider adding some fragrance. If you still have room in your bottle, you can add fragrance with a few drops of essential oil. Essential oil is very strong, so you will only need about 20 to 25 drops.
   
7. Close the bottle and shake it. Your shimmering body spray is now ready to use. The ingredients will settle over time, so you have to shake it before each use.
   

[Edit]Tips

• Experiment with the scents.
• If your body spray is too fragrant, pour some of it out, and add some more distilled or filtered water.
• If your body spray is not fragrant enough, add a few more drops of essential oil. Do not go overboard, however. Essential oil can irritate your skin in too high concentrations.
• Use distilled water if you can. If you can't find any, use filtered water instead. Do not use tap water. It contains minerals, which may affect the spray.^[15]
• You can find essential oils online or in health food stores. Do not use fragrance oils meant for soap making or candle making. Those are not the same thing.
• Store your body spray in a glass bottle. If you can't find one, a high-quality plastic bottle will do. Look for something that says HDPE, #1, or #2 on the bottom. Stay away from thin, cheap plastic bottles; the essential oils will degrade the plastic.^[16]
• If you have sensitive skin, consider doing a patch test. Mix 3 of your desired essential oil with ½ teaspoon of olive oil (or any other skin-safe oil), and put a dab of it on your inner elbow. Cover the patch with a band aid, and wait 48 hours. If no irritation occurs, then you can safely use the essential oil.

[Edit]Warnings

• Do not use these body sprays on your face, as the ingredients may irritate your eyes.
• If you experience burning, you might be allergic to the essential oil, and should wash the spray off immediately.
• Avoid using citrus-based sprays if you plan on going outside. Citrus (including citrus essential oils) can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight, and result in bad sunburns.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Making Simple Body Spray

• Spray bottle
• Funnel (optional)
• Distilled water
• Essential oil

[Edit]Making Basic Body Spray

• 2 to 3-ounce (60 to 90-milliliter) spray bottle
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) distilled
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vodka or witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable glycerin (optional)
• 15 to 20 drops essential oil

[Edit]Making Shimmering Body Spray

• 5 to 6 ounce (150 to 180-milliliter) spray bottle
• Funnel
• 3 teaspoon argan oil
• 2 teaspoon loose eyeshadow
• 2 ounces (60 milliliters) distilled water
• Essential oil (optional)

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2020/01/21/all-about-essential-oils/
2. ↑ http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/diy/diy-grapefruit-lavender-body-spray/
3. ↑ http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/diy/diy-grapefruit-lavender-body-spray/
4. ↑ http://happyhealthymama.com/diy-body-spray-with-essential-oils.html
5. ↑ http://livesimply.me/2015/06/03/diy-rose-moisturizing-spray-toner-or-skin-freshener/
6. ↑ http://happyhealthymama.com/diy-body-spray-with-essential-oils.html
7. ↑ http://happyhealthymama.com/diy-body-spray-with-essential-oils.html
8. ↑ http://livesimply.me/2015/06/03/diy-rose-moisturizing-spray-toner-or-skin-freshener/
9. ↑ http://happyhealthymama.com/diy-body-spray-with-essential-oils.html
10. ↑ http://livesimply.me/2015/06/03/diy-rose-moisturizing-spray-toner-or-skin-freshener/
11. ↑ http://yankeehomestead.com/plastic-bottles-safe-essential-oils/
12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioSFETbus4
13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioSFETbus4
14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioSFETbus4
15. ↑ http://happyhealthymama.com/diy-body-spray-with-essential-oils.html
16. ↑ http://yankeehomestead.com/plastic-bottles-safe-essential-oils/

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How to Get Better at Crosswords

Have you ever started a crossword puzzle but struggled to finish some of the words? Crosswords are a challenging way to tickle your brain, and solving them is a skill you can easily improve so you keep getting better. Luckily, you can use the same tricks on any crossword puzzle that you’re working on. Keep reading for all the best strategies to use when you’re solving a crossword puzzle so you can fill in the entire grid!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Tackle fill-in-the-blanks first.

1. These clues tend to be easier to fill in than others. Rather than starting with the first clue and going in order, scan through all of the clues and look for some easy “gimmes.” Fill-in-the-blank clues are usually common knowledge, so you should have an idea of what the right answer is. After you get a few of the easy words in, you’ll feel a big boost of confidence going forward. Some example clues could be:^[1]
   
   • “____ Lisa (famous painting)” for MONA
   • “Costa ____” for RICA
   • “ ____ and the Giant Peach” for JAMES
   • “Do re mi fa __” for SOL

[Edit]Fill in 3- and 4-letter words you know.

1. Short words are usually simpler to solve than the longer answers. While some short words might be more challenging, you still have a good chance of finding a few that you can answer. Look through the crossword puzzle for shorter words and check the clue to see if you know the answer. Filling in the shorter answers first can give you some extra letters to help you solve longer words. Some clues could be:^[2]
   
   • “Primate” for APE
   • “Pig’s home” for STY
   • “Oak or elm, for example” for TREE
   • “Chocolate and cream cookie” for OREO

[Edit]Check the tense and number in the clues.

1. The answers in the puzzle will match the tense and number in the clue. Even if you don’t know the exact word for the clue, you can make assumptions based on how the clue is written. If a clue is in the past, present, or active tense, or if it’s singular or plural, then you know what the last few letters of the answer might be.^[3]
   
   • Past tense clues tend to end with -ED, like “Performed on stage” for ACTED.
   • Present tense clues usually end in S, like “Goes for a walk in nature” for HIKES.
   • Clues with an -ING verb tend to end the same way, such as “Leaving” for GOING.
   • Many plural clues end in the letter S, like “Things Santa leaves” for GIFTS.

[Edit]Look for formatting hints in the clues.

1. Punctuation and add-ons in the clues tell you how the answer is formatted. Since crossword constructors want to give you a challenge, they may try to play a few tricks on you that are easy to catch. Break down the clue and look for these parts to get an idea of how the answer might appear.^[4]
   
   • Abbreviations in the clue or “abbr.” mean the answer is abbreviated, like “Stat. for a pitcher” for ERA.
   • Question marks always mean the clue has wordplay or is trying to mislead you. “Flower?” could mean “something that flows” and be a clue for RIVER.
   • The term “in” followed by a city usually means a foreign word, like “Boy, in Barcelona” for NINO.
   • Words in brackets mean the answer is a sound, like “[Hey over here!]” for PSST.

[Edit]Familiarize yourself with common crossword answers.

1. Short words with lots of vowels tend to show up in multiple puzzles. Since the words on a crossword puzzle need to intersect, constructors rely on some less-common words that contain a lot of vowels. You might not know the definition from the clue, but you can usually work it out from the surrounding words and remember the definition for future puzzles. Common answers (and their possible clues) can be:^[5]
   
   • EPEE (“Fencing sword”)
   • AIOLI (“Garlic spread”)
   • AGRA (“Taj Mahal location”)
   • BEE, CEE, or DEE (“Common letter grade”)
   • Puzzles may also use compass directions, like ESE, ENE, NNE, or SSE.

[Edit]Check intersecting words when you guess an answer.

1. Putting a guess in might help you figure out words that cross through it. If you’re not positive about a word but have an idea for what an answer might be, write it in the grid lightly in pencil. Check the clues surrounding the word to see if there are any answers that fit with those letters. If you notice that your answer doesn’t work with other answers nearby, you can just erase it and come back to it later.^[6]
   

[Edit]Jump around to different parts of the puzzle.

1. You’ll fill in more words if you look for sections that are easier to solve. If you’re caught up in one section of the puzzle, don’t feel like you have to keep working on that spot. Feel free to look through the clues again and find an area where you can start filling in more letters. You can always come back to the other spot later.^[7]
   

[Edit]Take a break if you’re struggling.

1. You’ll come back with fresh eyes and may catch words you missed. When you’re tired or have been looking at the puzzle for a while, you may not think through the answers clearly. Rather than getting more frustrated staring at the grid, set it aside and do something else for a little while. Give your brain a chance to rest and pick up where you left off once you’ve cleared your head.^[8]
   

[Edit]Look answers up if you can’t solve them on your own.

1. Searching for an answer helps you learn the word for the future. Look at the answer key or look up the crossword clue online to find the answer you’re missing. You shouldn’t feel bad if you need to look up an answer even if it’s something you think you should already know. Checking the answer actually makes it stick in your mind for longer, so you may be able to remember it for another puzzle.^[9]
   

[Edit]Start with easier crossword puzzles.

1. Work your way up so you don’t struggle with difficult puzzles. If you start with the toughest puzzles you can find, it’ll be more of a struggle if you don’t already know some tricks for solving them. Instead, look for websites or crossword books that offer easy puzzles so you can get used to solving them. Themed puzzles are easier since some of the answers have something in common.^[10]
   
   • Magazines like People have easy crosswords with more clues based on pop culture.
   • Most print publications, like The New York Times and The New Yorker, publish the easiest puzzles on Mondays and they get progressively harder throughout the week.

[Edit]Try solving a puzzle every day.

1. Practice daily so you can keep improving your solving skills. It takes a bit of time and practice to catch on to all the little quirks in crossword puzzles, so make puzzling a part of your routine. Take a few minutes in the morning or at night to sit down and work through a crossword puzzle. As you do more puzzles, the quicker you’ll be able to finish them and recognize common patterns.^[11]
   

[Edit]Play other word and trivia games.

1. Crosswords use a ton of general knowledge and pop culture references. Testing your knowledge with other games is a great way to remember common facts and trivia. Take time to watch Jeopardy!, play a game of Trivial Pursuit, or try to figure out the Wordle for the day. Even just reading more in your free time can help you recognize more vocabulary that a puzzle could use.^[12]
   

[Edit]Work on crossword puzzles with your friends.

1. You can bounce ideas off of each other to help speed up your solving time. If you don’t want to work on the puzzle alone, see if any of your other friends like to do crosswords. Sit together and ask questions about clues that you’re not sure of. They may be able to help you work through tough spots and you can help with words they don’t know too.^[13]
   

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://www.thepuzzleplayer.com/tips-on-how-to-become-better-at-crosswords/
2. ↑ http://www.thepuzzleplayer.com/tips-on-how-to-become-better-at-crosswords/
3. ↑ https://yourpuzzlesource.com/ten-tips-to-help-you-solve-crosswords-like-a-puzzle-master/
4. ↑ https://yourpuzzlesource.com/ten-tips-to-help-you-solve-crosswords-like-a-puzzle-master/
5. ↑ https://yourpuzzlesource.com/ten-tips-to-help-you-solve-crosswords-like-a-puzzle-master/
6. ↑ https://yourpuzzlesource.com/ten-tips-to-help-you-solve-crosswords-like-a-puzzle-master/
7. ↑ https://yourpuzzlesource.com/ten-tips-to-help-you-solve-crosswords-like-a-puzzle-master/
8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201302/how-is-doing-crossword-puzzle-changing-habit
9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201302/how-is-doing-crossword-puzzle-changing-habit
10. ↑ https://www.thereflector.com/stories/improve-crossword-solving-skills,33926
11. ↑ http://www.thepuzzleplayer.com/tips-on-how-to-become-better-at-crosswords/
12. ↑ https://www.thereflector.com/stories/improve-crossword-solving-skills,33926
13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201302/how-is-doing-crossword-puzzle-changing-habit

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