How to wash a feather duster

Many of us are using feather duster to clean everyday dust. They become so messy after sometime we have to throw them away. But regularly washing of the dirt from them helps them stay great longer.

• Fill a bucket or sink with lukewarm water and a little bit of gentle liquid dish detergent or baby shampoo. You want the water level to be deep enough to cover the feathers easily.
• Lay the feather duster in the water, completely immersing it. Pick it up by the handle (keep the feathers in the water) then twist the duster fairly quickly left to right so that the moving water will swish through the feathers and push out dust, dirt and any grime buildup. Do this for a minute or two being careful not to break the feathers.
• If you have a double sink, fill the other sink with clear lukewarm water, or empty the sink/bucket and fill with clear water. Submerge the soapy feathers into the water and dunk it up and down a few times, trying to remove as much soap as possible. Do a final rinse under running water until the water runs clear and there is no more soap.
• Gently tap out the duster so excess water sprays into the sink. Then take the duster outside and forcefully shake the duster into the air several times to remove as much water as possible.
• Next, set the duster into a clean pop bottle (large), handle down so that the feathers stick out above the bottle. The pop bottle will hold the duster and allow the feathers to air dry. When the feathers are still damp (several hours later or overnight), take a hair dryer and blow them completely dry. The hair dryer will soften the feathers.

Calorie Calculator

Need an online calorie calculate for your homemade recipes? You have it here CALORIE CALCULATOR

Enter your ingredients and amount and then calculate the calories.

Herbs - a gift from nature

Herbs are useful in more than just cooking. They are good for our health. Below are the effects of some herbs on moods. Human moods rule the world. So to keep a check on the, the following herbs are useful.

I have a chamomile lavender massage oil that really does wonders.

Basil----------Love or Hate
Bay------------Victory or reward
Borage---------Courage
Burnet------Merry Heart
Calendula------Grief
Caraway--------Retention
Chamomile-----Patience
Fennel---------Praise
Horehound------Health
Lavender-------Acknowledgement
Lemon Balm-----Sociability, Sympathy
Lemon Verbena--Delicacy of feelings
Marjoram-------Happiness
Mints----------Virtue, wisdom
Rosemary-------Rememberence
Rue------------Distain
Sage-----------Esteem, Long Life
Tansy----------Hostility
Thyme----------Activity, Bravery
Wormwood-------Absence, Displeasure
Yarrow---------To sooth a headache

21 days to brighter skin

This 21 day tutorial is given by CLINIQUE. The steps are online and pretty simple. Follow them and hats off to a brighter and smoother skin.

These tutorial are free...get a look at them at BRIGHTER SKIN.

Diet Downfall - Reasons?

Many of us are concerned about our weight, especially after pregnancy. We try hard, sweat ourselves out but still haven't lost more than a meager pound. We came across an article and found the following making sense. Probably we are making a few mistakes. Let get them in check and become chick.

1. You follow the plan that worked for a friend.

2. You eat a small breakfast. Aim for a breakfast of 50 calories.

3. You're clueless to calorie counting. Every bite and swallow counts.

4. You skip meals.

5. You load up on superfoods. Even do good foods add calories if consumed too much.

6. You are canceling out the effects of working out. An hour long run doesn't entitle you to an extra slice of pizza.

7. You watch what you eat from only Monday to Friday.

8. You don't plan for stress.

Picks and Tricks

Have you got lots of used dryer sheets when you throw out the trash? Used dryer sheets are great dirt picker uppers due to their texture. They are great with window sills, ceiling fans, book shelves etc. It is a greener way to save cash and also you can save on paper towels.

Those who might feel your hands are becoming rough because of washing dishes everyday can try this. Before putting on the rubber gloves slather on your moisturizer. The heat from the water helps the cream penetrate into the skin. When the gloves come off the hands will feel supersoft and smooth. Come on ladies, you deserve a little pampering.

Coffee maketh thee...what are you?

Coffee used to be maligned as stress-inducing and spiking blood pressure. However, recent studies have hailed coffee as a good source of anti-oxidants. It boosts mood, memory, and focus; for most regular coffee drinkers there is no hike in blood pressure. Some researchers claim that coffee drinkers are less likely to get gallstones, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer.Coffee is a social thing and can mellow you out by generating positivism- a great de-stressor.

You don’t need to read tea leaves to figure out who you are. There are coffee personalities; many of us don’t know who we are or what we want out of life. The coffee we like can provide a much-needed clue. The body doesn’t lie while the mind can rationalize anything.

According to Alan Hirsch, MD the Director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, “Today the type of coffee someone prefers really makes a social statement. With so many choices, it’s like we now have a coffee Rorschach test to gain insight into an individual’s personality.”

• Black coffee - This is for the ambitious, focused and goal-driven person who needs to get the job done.
• Cappuccino - This is for the aesthetic, witty and classy drinker.
• Steamed Latte – This is for the nurturer and often drunk by moms....
• Espresso – This is for the ultimate coffee drinker using a special cup conveying sophisticated power. Drinking espresso is a sensory experience and often follows a special meal.
• Iced coffee- This is for the laid back, spontaneous and flirty person.
• Frappachino – This is for an ice-cream lover who pretends to drink coffee - adventurous, flouts authority and is ready to enjoy.

Let us decode your date with the kind of coffee they order.

If Your Date Orders a Black Coffee…
These basic cup o’ joe types tend to be responsible, ambitious, and aggressive. Fiercely independent, these individuals require you to work at coaxing out their romantic side in a relationship.

Most compatible with: Chai tea latte drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Café au Lait…
Café au lait drinkers are veeery laid back. These tradition-seekers also find comfort in typical male/female dating roles (i.e., the man gets the check and opens the door).

Most compatible with: Mocha-flavored coffee drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Mocha-Flavored Coffee…
Mocha-flavored coffee drinkers are universal romantics who love to be in love. Keep in mind, though, that they can be moody and aren’t the most reliable bunch. Still, they can more than make up for it with their wonderful lovey-dovey gestures.

Most compatible with: Everyone!

If Your Date Orders an Iced Mocha…
These spontaneous, seductive flirts make very captivating dates. But if a long-term relationship is what you seek, keep in mind that their idea of “future” is probably five minutes from now.

Most compatible with: Other iced mocha drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Chai Tea Latte…
Often stressed and anxious, chai tea latte drinkers tend to be shy in relationships. So know that the first move might have to be yours for the making.

Most compatible with: Black coffee drinkers.

If Your Date Orders a Coffee-Based Frappuccino…
Loaded with ambition, these energetic optimists give their all to everything—including dating. The only downside: They’re often guilty of over-committing themselves, and appreciate a level-headed partner who’ll remind them when to put on the brakes.

Most compatible with: Café au lait drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Tea/Fruit-Based Frappuccino…
These non-coffee Frappuccino drinkers are more often followers than leaders. Relationship-wise, this translates to an incredibly supportive partner who approaches life, love and work in a serious and thoughtful way.

Most compatible with: Iced mocha drinkers

Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer and a grande skim 6-pump extra-hot chai latte drinker who doesn’t think she’s stressed out… just over-caffeinated.

Don't forget one things. Love beats it all.

We take coffee with cream...What about you?