Sabtu, 01 Agustus 2015
Advice for Getting Into College
Having come out the other side of over six years of higher education, I feel like I am in a position to provide a certain amount of advice to people interested in getting into college. There is no question that getting into college opens up doors and opportuniteies that simply don't exist for people with only a high school diploma. But I also remember the incredible amount of stress involved in the process. Quite frankly, this is a completely new experience for anyone approaching this situation for the first time. As you grow, you'll see that getting into college is a lot like getting into anything else: a new company, an organization, etc. But we all have to start somewhere, and for almost everyone, it is getting into college. Here is some advice that can hopefully make it less stressful and more successful.
Getting into college takes hard work and effort on a number of levels. First and foremost, your grade point average will be one of the main things that a college will look at. But they will also look at, not just the numbers, but the classes behind it. They obviously favor students that attempt and perform in higher level and college prep classes. Be careful taking too many "easy-A" classes.
Of course, your grade point average isn't everything when getting into college. It is important to do well on the standardized tests. Many schools accept SAT results, some prefer ACT. Find out which test you should take and get plenty of study materials and time to use them. Consider your standardized test as another class.
Next in order of importance is the personal essay. With the advent of the Internet, it is easier than ever to see good examples online. However, this is a double-edged sword; colleges are expecting more and more out of the personal essays. Extracirricular activities are important, as is the letter of recommendation, but they are easily the least important part of the process.
Getting into college isn't a one-way road. You should be just as careful when selecting a college as when colleges are selecting students. Maybe a certain school has a great program for your intended major; but intentions change, especially in college. Make sure you have a college with many different strong programs.
Getting into college isn't just "the next step". It is a crucial first step. Not into a specific career path or a happy life, but learning how to get into college, and thinking critically about it is probably the first of many life decisions you will be faced with. Going this experience should, hopefully, make the coming ones that much easier.
Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite
To look at me, you wouldn't think I had a problem with fat cells making that awful "cottage cheese" pattern on my thighs or rear. After all, I'm a petite 5'4" tall and weigh a healthy 115 pounds. But thanks to years of terrible eating habits, I have indeed built up a plethora of fat cells that create that highly recognizable, totally unattractive look whenever I sit down. I'll be the first to admit that it's disgusting, and there's little comfort in knowing that 90 percent of woman suffer from the same problem. All I'm interested in now is learning how to get rid of cellulite so I can enjoy swimsuits and summers again without hiding my thighs.
There are lots of theories about how to get rid of cellulite, but after searching the internet, I've come up with a handful that sound like the most effective and affordable alternatives. The first is changing my diet and exercise habits. No one wants to hear this, mostly because it amounts to a lot of hard work and is not a miracle cure. But reducing fat intake and engaging in regular aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, or jogging will help get rid of cellulite. My legs and rear will be toned and taut instead of dimpled, which of course is the goal.
Another way to get rid of cellulite is to visit a spa for special treatments. Spas have various massages, seaweed wraps, and body sculpting techniques that have been successful at improving the appearance of the skin in problem areas. Treatments range in price from $25 to $100 or more, so if as long as I stay on the lower side of the spectrum, I'll be able to remain within budget.
And finally, topical creams and skin brushing can also help get rid of cellulite. Creams work to hydrate the skin and keep it as healthy as possible, while skin brushing stimulates circulation and new cell growth, which is vital for that fresh-from-the-spa glow. Over time, these simple techniques can get rid of cellulite and leave me looking my absolute best.
I've checked out some before and after pictures of women who have tried these approaches, and I was quite impressed by how much better they looked after changing their lifestyles. Not everyone was able to get rid of cellulite altogether, of course, but the differences were immediately noticeable. If I can achieve even halfway decent results, I'll be thrilled!
If you want to eliminate those awful cottage cheese thighs, then I recommend investigating some of the options I've mentioned above. It's not easy to get rid of cellulite, but it can be done if you're persistent enough. All I can say is bring on the bikinis next summer!
Five garlic bread recipes, plain to fancy, as a side
Five garlic bread recipes, plain to fancy, as a side or a light, healthy snack
Garlic bread is now a beloved side in many American households. We serve it with spaghetti, lasagna, pot roast, with chili and as a nice 'dipper' for soups. So popular is this wonderful Italian staple, it's now available in already prepared loaves in the bakery section, or even in pre-sliced boxed versions in the freezer aisle. Perhaps its popularity is due to increased awareness of the many health benefits of garlic, a heart healthy, blood pressure regulating, cholesterol reducing food, which also has natural antibiotic properties. Or perhaps it's just so tasty.
Here, we've got five garlic bread recipes you can easily make at home: save some money and increase the nutritive value over the commercially prepared products, as well as enjoying more robust flavor. We'll begin with the usual garlic bread recipe, enhanced with freshly prepared ingredients, with which most of us are familiar, then go on to some delightful variations you'll surely want to try. Some of these variations are substantial enough to serve as a snack or light lunch.
1.Use a pastry brush to spread a thin coating of olive oil on both sides of a loaf of French bread, cut in half horizontally. Sprinkle evenly with minced garlic and broil, just until browned. Cut in slices and serve warm. Optionally, you can add some grated Cheddar, fresh shaved Parmesan or Asiago cheese for extra flavor before broiling.
2.Cut your bread and spread with olive oil in the same manner as described above. Finely slice lb. Of Porcini, Cremini or white mushrooms. Use a scissors to cut a few tablespoons of fresh Italian flat leaf parsley. Mince one medium clove of garlic. Distribute these ingredients evenly over the bread and broil. This garlic bread recipe is a great accompaniment to a chef's style salad or hearty bowl of soup. It also makes a nice afternoon snack.
3.Prepare the bread as above, with olive oil. Finely dice 2 medium Roma tomatoes and half of a small red Spanish onion. Drain a small can of sliced black olives. Slice two small, fresh Mozzarella 'eggs'. With a scissors, cut slices of fresh basil leaves, without stems about a cup, or to taste. Spread the loaf with each of these ingredients, topping it off with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or just until the Mozzarella is melted. This makes a hearty side to a garden salad, or provides you with a light, nutritious lunch.
4.This garlic bread recipe is simple, tastes like a slice of heaven and is terrific with a salad or any Italian entree, such as spaghetti or lasagna. Brush your loaf with olive oil. Add cup sliced basil leaves, 2 finely diced Roma tomatoes and 2-3 teaspoons of minced garlic. Broil and serve. Don't be afraid to add a dose of freshly shaved Asiago, if you wish.
5.Brush the bread with olive oil. Sprinkle the bread with cup of salad shrimp, cup of fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, cup of finely diced onions (red or yellow, as you prefer, and top it all off with diced, fire roasted red bell peppers.
If you prefer your garlic bread spread with butter, each of these garlic bread recipes tastes equally delicious with the substitution, although your garlic bread is slightly less healthy. In any case, enjoy!
Garlic bread is now a beloved side in many American households. We serve it with spaghetti, lasagna, pot roast, with chili and as a nice 'dipper' for soups. So popular is this wonderful Italian staple, it's now available in already prepared loaves in the bakery section, or even in pre-sliced boxed versions in the freezer aisle. Perhaps its popularity is due to increased awareness of the many health benefits of garlic, a heart healthy, blood pressure regulating, cholesterol reducing food, which also has natural antibiotic properties. Or perhaps it's just so tasty.
Here, we've got five garlic bread recipes you can easily make at home: save some money and increase the nutritive value over the commercially prepared products, as well as enjoying more robust flavor. We'll begin with the usual garlic bread recipe, enhanced with freshly prepared ingredients, with which most of us are familiar, then go on to some delightful variations you'll surely want to try. Some of these variations are substantial enough to serve as a snack or light lunch.
1.Use a pastry brush to spread a thin coating of olive oil on both sides of a loaf of French bread, cut in half horizontally. Sprinkle evenly with minced garlic and broil, just until browned. Cut in slices and serve warm. Optionally, you can add some grated Cheddar, fresh shaved Parmesan or Asiago cheese for extra flavor before broiling.
2.Cut your bread and spread with olive oil in the same manner as described above. Finely slice lb. Of Porcini, Cremini or white mushrooms. Use a scissors to cut a few tablespoons of fresh Italian flat leaf parsley. Mince one medium clove of garlic. Distribute these ingredients evenly over the bread and broil. This garlic bread recipe is a great accompaniment to a chef's style salad or hearty bowl of soup. It also makes a nice afternoon snack.
3.Prepare the bread as above, with olive oil. Finely dice 2 medium Roma tomatoes and half of a small red Spanish onion. Drain a small can of sliced black olives. Slice two small, fresh Mozzarella 'eggs'. With a scissors, cut slices of fresh basil leaves, without stems about a cup, or to taste. Spread the loaf with each of these ingredients, topping it off with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or just until the Mozzarella is melted. This makes a hearty side to a garden salad, or provides you with a light, nutritious lunch.
4.This garlic bread recipe is simple, tastes like a slice of heaven and is terrific with a salad or any Italian entree, such as spaghetti or lasagna. Brush your loaf with olive oil. Add cup sliced basil leaves, 2 finely diced Roma tomatoes and 2-3 teaspoons of minced garlic. Broil and serve. Don't be afraid to add a dose of freshly shaved Asiago, if you wish.
5.Brush the bread with olive oil. Sprinkle the bread with cup of salad shrimp, cup of fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, cup of finely diced onions (red or yellow, as you prefer, and top it all off with diced, fire roasted red bell peppers.
If you prefer your garlic bread spread with butter, each of these garlic bread recipes tastes equally delicious with the substitution, although your garlic bread is slightly less healthy. In any case, enjoy!
A few new takes on the garden salad recipe for
A few new takes on the garden salad recipe for year-round variety
Who doesn't like a garden salad? Even children, faced with a choice between a hot veggie plate and a garden dinner salad, would opt for the salad. So popular is this little side salad, some of us serve the same old garden salad recipe several days a week. This can lead to diner boredom. Variety is the spice of life, after all, so before the family starts eyeing that salad with a groan, let's take a look at ways you can just as quickly put together a salad that's enticing, tasty and nutritious.
Back in the day (or at least in mine ;), iceberg lettuce was the only game in town. Fortunately, we now have many choices in lettuces at the local supermarket. Iceberg lettuce is nice and crunchy, but is the least nutritious among lettuces. If you serve garden salads often, try a mix of several types of lettuces to keep things interesting, more nutritious and colorful. Along with the Iceberg, toss in some butter lettuce, Romaine, spinach, and a little Mesclun.
The usual garden salad recipe relies on tomatoes, cucumbers and perhaps some croutons. This can be a tasty salad when those tomatoes and cucumbers are in season, but come winter, these veggies become pricey and rather tasteless when trucked hundreds or thousands of miles from warmer climes.
When fall and winter sets in, it's time to devise some new garden salad recipes from seasonal ingredients. Thinly sliced broccoli florets and julienned carrots make a colorful salad. Add some finely diced onions, grated cheese and some hard-boiled egg slices and you're in business. During the cold months, canned kidney beans, whole pitted olives, marinated artichoke hearts, garbanzo beans and canned kernel corn provide good looks and a nutrient dense garden salad recipe.
During any season, all garden salad recipes are enhanced with just a small mound of salad shrimp, diced chicken breast or tuna salad in the center. Croutons work year around, as do mushroom slices, celery and hard boiled eggs.
Another idea for new ways to jazz up the garden salad recipe are the tubs of ready made, freshly diced mixed vegetables now available in almost every supermarket. This can be a great time saver for the busy cook.
Most people tend to stick with their 'usual' salad dressings, albeit family favorites. Have you checked out the salad dressing aisle lately? There are salad dressings I've never heard of, with dozens of choices with which you can transform the same garden salad recipe you've been serving for years. My latest discovery is a Fire-roasted sweet red pepper vinaigrette, which combines excellently with tomatoes, avocado, minced garlic and my beloved garlic croutons.
So you can see that there's no reason to get stuck in a rut with the dinner salad. A garden salad recipe is a mix and match affair, one of the most versatile recipes you have.
Who doesn't like a garden salad? Even children, faced with a choice between a hot veggie plate and a garden dinner salad, would opt for the salad. So popular is this little side salad, some of us serve the same old garden salad recipe several days a week. This can lead to diner boredom. Variety is the spice of life, after all, so before the family starts eyeing that salad with a groan, let's take a look at ways you can just as quickly put together a salad that's enticing, tasty and nutritious.
Back in the day (or at least in mine ;), iceberg lettuce was the only game in town. Fortunately, we now have many choices in lettuces at the local supermarket. Iceberg lettuce is nice and crunchy, but is the least nutritious among lettuces. If you serve garden salads often, try a mix of several types of lettuces to keep things interesting, more nutritious and colorful. Along with the Iceberg, toss in some butter lettuce, Romaine, spinach, and a little Mesclun.
The usual garden salad recipe relies on tomatoes, cucumbers and perhaps some croutons. This can be a tasty salad when those tomatoes and cucumbers are in season, but come winter, these veggies become pricey and rather tasteless when trucked hundreds or thousands of miles from warmer climes.
When fall and winter sets in, it's time to devise some new garden salad recipes from seasonal ingredients. Thinly sliced broccoli florets and julienned carrots make a colorful salad. Add some finely diced onions, grated cheese and some hard-boiled egg slices and you're in business. During the cold months, canned kidney beans, whole pitted olives, marinated artichoke hearts, garbanzo beans and canned kernel corn provide good looks and a nutrient dense garden salad recipe.
During any season, all garden salad recipes are enhanced with just a small mound of salad shrimp, diced chicken breast or tuna salad in the center. Croutons work year around, as do mushroom slices, celery and hard boiled eggs.
Another idea for new ways to jazz up the garden salad recipe are the tubs of ready made, freshly diced mixed vegetables now available in almost every supermarket. This can be a great time saver for the busy cook.
Most people tend to stick with their 'usual' salad dressings, albeit family favorites. Have you checked out the salad dressing aisle lately? There are salad dressings I've never heard of, with dozens of choices with which you can transform the same garden salad recipe you've been serving for years. My latest discovery is a Fire-roasted sweet red pepper vinaigrette, which combines excellently with tomatoes, avocado, minced garlic and my beloved garlic croutons.
So you can see that there's no reason to get stuck in a rut with the dinner salad. A garden salad recipe is a mix and match affair, one of the most versatile recipes you have.
Tips for Effective Garden Pest Control
I've been gardening for many years now. I took it up as a hobby after a friend told me how relaxing and rewarding it can be to tend to and raise my own vegetables. At first I was a bit skeptical about whether I'd even like it or not, but it didn't take long to realize that my friend was exactly right. Now I love nothing more than putting on some old clothes, listening to soft music on my iPod, and spending an entire Sunday afternoon pulling weeds and gathering my modest harvest.
The only thing I don't like about gardening is dealing with the incredible number of pests that attack my plants. Effective garden pest control is hard work, and takes a great deal of vigilance and perseverance. But there's no way around it if I want my corn, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumbers to thrive without any problems. So that's why I've been doing my best to gather good garden pest control tips that have worked well for others.
Of course, one way to control garden pests is to treat your plants with harsh chemicals that will kill everything from ants and fleas to aphids, slugs, beetles, and roaches. While this approach is generally cheap and effective, nobody wants to eat food that has come in contact with insecticides -- no matter how safe the manufacturers claim them to be. Even commercial growers have been abandoning chemical garden pest control methods in favor of more natural alternatives.
Because of the backlash against chemicals, there are now many organic garden pest control products on the market. These items usually consist of various combinations of ingredients like vinegar, sodium, potassium, garlic, rotenone, and mineral oils that work to eliminate common insects that attack gardens. In order to use organic solutions to control garden pests, you'll have to know exactly what kind of problems you're dealing with so you can choose the appropriate weapon.
Tiny bugs and insects aren't the only threat to gardens across America. Wildlife can be a major annoyance as well. It can be harder to keep wildlife out of gardens safely and easily, because obviously you don't want to harm any deer, rabbits, squirrels, or other animals in the process. One thing you can try is to install fencing in order to limit access, but this won't do much against birds or burrowing critters. People have reported having good luck placing various substances around the perimeters of their gardens. These include products that have a strong odor, like mothballs, or even the urine of natural predators (which can be purchased at garden pest control supply stores online).
If these garden pest control tips don't work for you, you can always call a team of professionals to come out and deal with the problem. That would be more expensive than doing it yourself, but it's definitely worth it!
Furniture for small spaces is the answer to a spacious
Furniture for small spaces is the answer to a spacious feel in small quarters
Over the last several decades, home sizes have been shrinking, in part due to the rising cost of building materials and smaller lots. Newer homes, unless custom built, sport smaller rooms, including bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and baths. The average square footage for a dwelling has shrunk, such that a 3rd bedroom might be just 10 feet square. This means you've got to take advantage of space-saving designs and furniture arrangements in order to avoid feeling really cramped.
Fortunately, furniture designers and space saving home accessory shops have adjusted their lines to meet this new demand. If you're moving into a smaller home, we've got some ideas on maximizing the feel and function of the space you've got. In addition to color schemes and window treatments, using specially designed furniture for small spaces is one of the most effective design allies for your floor plans.
Painting the walls in light pastel shades creates an illusion of a larger space. Levelors, Roman shades and sheer curtains also are good choices in window treatments. Dark colors make any space seem smaller. In small spaces, you want to let in as much natural light as possible. The same color principles apply to carpeting. If you've moved into an apartment with dark carpeting, consider area rugs of a lighter color to help open up the space.
When choosing furniture for small spaces, heavy, bulky furniture designs, such as a large sofa in the living room, quickly eats up your available floor space. If you must have the overstuffed sofa look to satisfy your personal comfort and taste, look for corner sofas which make good use of typically wasted space. Contemporary furniture, such as Scandinavian and some Mission-style furniture, tends to have a slimmer profile and smaller footprint. A Queen Anne dining room table, or coffee table takes up more floor space, but also detracts from a spacious feel. Choosing furniture for small spaces comes down to a matter of scale.
In the dining room, a drop-leaf table can be a good answer to a small space. These tables are easily set up to accommodate a family meal, yet when the leaves are dropped, the table may be just two feet wide. This is a great solution for single people, or a couple who don't often entertain. It takes just a minute to pull up one leaf and set the table. When you've finished eating and cleared the table, you drop the leaf, leaving your candlesticks, vase of flowers or the fruit bowl in place, for a tidy, attractive and spacious look when not in use.
A futon is a great piece of furniture for small spaces. You can use the futon as a comfortable, small footprint chair. When you have an overnight guest, just unfold it for a cozy bed.
Many newer homes have open floor plans, with the kitchen, dining area and living room open to each other. Given the right floor plan, a wrought iron baker's rack can serve as a room divider between the kitchen and living room, while providing extra kitchen storage space for larger gadgets such as the microwave on the table portion, with cookbooks and attractive serving pieces occupying the shelves. You can hang a wreath on the back side of the baker's rack, decorating it with ribbons and dried flowers, according to the season. The wrought iron posts allow light to come through to the other living space, again avoiding a closed-in feel to either room.
Corner desks and bean bag chairs are a couple of other good pieces of furniture for small spaces. Browse online, in furniture shops and decorating magazines for ideas. Measure your rooms and use home design software to plan your design before you buy. It's truly amazing to find how many beautiful solutions there are to the small space problem!
Over the last several decades, home sizes have been shrinking, in part due to the rising cost of building materials and smaller lots. Newer homes, unless custom built, sport smaller rooms, including bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and baths. The average square footage for a dwelling has shrunk, such that a 3rd bedroom might be just 10 feet square. This means you've got to take advantage of space-saving designs and furniture arrangements in order to avoid feeling really cramped.
Fortunately, furniture designers and space saving home accessory shops have adjusted their lines to meet this new demand. If you're moving into a smaller home, we've got some ideas on maximizing the feel and function of the space you've got. In addition to color schemes and window treatments, using specially designed furniture for small spaces is one of the most effective design allies for your floor plans.
Painting the walls in light pastel shades creates an illusion of a larger space. Levelors, Roman shades and sheer curtains also are good choices in window treatments. Dark colors make any space seem smaller. In small spaces, you want to let in as much natural light as possible. The same color principles apply to carpeting. If you've moved into an apartment with dark carpeting, consider area rugs of a lighter color to help open up the space.
When choosing furniture for small spaces, heavy, bulky furniture designs, such as a large sofa in the living room, quickly eats up your available floor space. If you must have the overstuffed sofa look to satisfy your personal comfort and taste, look for corner sofas which make good use of typically wasted space. Contemporary furniture, such as Scandinavian and some Mission-style furniture, tends to have a slimmer profile and smaller footprint. A Queen Anne dining room table, or coffee table takes up more floor space, but also detracts from a spacious feel. Choosing furniture for small spaces comes down to a matter of scale.
In the dining room, a drop-leaf table can be a good answer to a small space. These tables are easily set up to accommodate a family meal, yet when the leaves are dropped, the table may be just two feet wide. This is a great solution for single people, or a couple who don't often entertain. It takes just a minute to pull up one leaf and set the table. When you've finished eating and cleared the table, you drop the leaf, leaving your candlesticks, vase of flowers or the fruit bowl in place, for a tidy, attractive and spacious look when not in use.
A futon is a great piece of furniture for small spaces. You can use the futon as a comfortable, small footprint chair. When you have an overnight guest, just unfold it for a cozy bed.
Many newer homes have open floor plans, with the kitchen, dining area and living room open to each other. Given the right floor plan, a wrought iron baker's rack can serve as a room divider between the kitchen and living room, while providing extra kitchen storage space for larger gadgets such as the microwave on the table portion, with cookbooks and attractive serving pieces occupying the shelves. You can hang a wreath on the back side of the baker's rack, decorating it with ribbons and dried flowers, according to the season. The wrought iron posts allow light to come through to the other living space, again avoiding a closed-in feel to either room.
Corner desks and bean bag chairs are a couple of other good pieces of furniture for small spaces. Browse online, in furniture shops and decorating magazines for ideas. Measure your rooms and use home design software to plan your design before you buy. It's truly amazing to find how many beautiful solutions there are to the small space problem!
A terrific way to introduce kids to nature: the fresh
A terrific way to introduce kids to nature: the fresh water aquarium
Most parents with young children feel a certain amount of reluctance to bring home a little kitty or puppy for the kids ... very young children tend to be rambunctious with each other and don't realize the fragility of small animals. There's a difference between a three year old tumbling around on the floor with his four year old sibling and a three year old using the little kitty as a pillow! There's also inherent dangers in the little animal using his natural survival instincts to ward off a child kitty may take a swipe with his claws, while Rover may decide to take a little nip.
Nonetheless, kids have a great deal of natural curiosity of the animal kingdom. Setting up a gold fish bowl is one safe way to teach kids about pets and pet care. The gold fish bowl doesn't require extensive equipment. The bowl and a little food keeps everyone happy. Gold fish are fairly sturdy creatures and young kids can begin to learn that they need to provide some care and develop some respect for the needs of other living critters. With appropriate supervision, toddlers learn not to overfeed their little creatures and watch them thrive.
By the time those toddlers have learned about the goldfish needs, they're ready to graduate to a more complex fresh water fish environment a 5 or 10 gallon fresh water aquarium is an ideal transition to your kids knowledge of animal life. Unlike the gold fish bowl, the fresh water aquarium can accommodate a dozen or more little fishies, with different habits, along with additional requirements for care. The new and larger aquarium becomes an exciting project for youngsters. Both you and the kids have acquired confidence in their ability to take care of this more advanced foray into the world of animals.
The equipment required for a fresh water aquarium is minimal: a 5-gallon to 10-gallon tank, a hood, filtration system, pump and lighting is about all you need for this project. Shop the classifieds and garage sales for used aquariums. You'll find some real bargains there. If you're buying a used fresh water aquarium setup, be sure the tank has no leaks or cracks. An acrylic aquarium is a safer bet than one made of glass, as the chance of breakage is eliminated.
Before you purchase any fish, you'll need to create a habitable environment. This phase involves thoroughly cleaning the tank, whether new or used. Rinse the aquarium well with fresh water several times, scrubbing down the sides and bottom, to clear out any dust or algae. Now it's time to pay a visit, with the kids, to your local aquarium shop. You'll need aquarium gravel sufficient to cover the bottom to a depth of two to three inches. As with any aquarium, the fresh water aquarium occupants need to have some plants in which to hide or doze. For the beginning aquarium enthusiast, plastic plants are preferable to live plants, requiring little maintenance. When it's time to clean the aquarium, it's an easy matter to remove, clean and replace the plastic plants. Let the kids pick the plants, along with a few ceramic accessories, such as a bridge or little 'house', which in addition to being decorative, provide additional hiding spots.
Take these goodies home and let the kids help set up the fishes new fresh water aquarium home. Install the filtration system and place the rocks on top. Set up the pump. Place the ceramic figures, distributing evenly around the aquarium. Fill the tank with water, leaving a couple of inches leeway at the top. Now put your plants in place, seating the 'roots' firmly in place, well into the layer of rock. Turn on the pump and be sure everything is in working order.
Now, back to the aquarium store. Ask the staff for advice on the most durable of fish which are also compatible house mates. Get a can of appropriate food. Bring the fish home and let 'em loose gently. Put the hood on and turn on the light. Your fresh water aquarium is a success! The kids will be transfixed!
Most parents with young children feel a certain amount of reluctance to bring home a little kitty or puppy for the kids ... very young children tend to be rambunctious with each other and don't realize the fragility of small animals. There's a difference between a three year old tumbling around on the floor with his four year old sibling and a three year old using the little kitty as a pillow! There's also inherent dangers in the little animal using his natural survival instincts to ward off a child kitty may take a swipe with his claws, while Rover may decide to take a little nip.
Nonetheless, kids have a great deal of natural curiosity of the animal kingdom. Setting up a gold fish bowl is one safe way to teach kids about pets and pet care. The gold fish bowl doesn't require extensive equipment. The bowl and a little food keeps everyone happy. Gold fish are fairly sturdy creatures and young kids can begin to learn that they need to provide some care and develop some respect for the needs of other living critters. With appropriate supervision, toddlers learn not to overfeed their little creatures and watch them thrive.
By the time those toddlers have learned about the goldfish needs, they're ready to graduate to a more complex fresh water fish environment a 5 or 10 gallon fresh water aquarium is an ideal transition to your kids knowledge of animal life. Unlike the gold fish bowl, the fresh water aquarium can accommodate a dozen or more little fishies, with different habits, along with additional requirements for care. The new and larger aquarium becomes an exciting project for youngsters. Both you and the kids have acquired confidence in their ability to take care of this more advanced foray into the world of animals.
The equipment required for a fresh water aquarium is minimal: a 5-gallon to 10-gallon tank, a hood, filtration system, pump and lighting is about all you need for this project. Shop the classifieds and garage sales for used aquariums. You'll find some real bargains there. If you're buying a used fresh water aquarium setup, be sure the tank has no leaks or cracks. An acrylic aquarium is a safer bet than one made of glass, as the chance of breakage is eliminated.
Before you purchase any fish, you'll need to create a habitable environment. This phase involves thoroughly cleaning the tank, whether new or used. Rinse the aquarium well with fresh water several times, scrubbing down the sides and bottom, to clear out any dust or algae. Now it's time to pay a visit, with the kids, to your local aquarium shop. You'll need aquarium gravel sufficient to cover the bottom to a depth of two to three inches. As with any aquarium, the fresh water aquarium occupants need to have some plants in which to hide or doze. For the beginning aquarium enthusiast, plastic plants are preferable to live plants, requiring little maintenance. When it's time to clean the aquarium, it's an easy matter to remove, clean and replace the plastic plants. Let the kids pick the plants, along with a few ceramic accessories, such as a bridge or little 'house', which in addition to being decorative, provide additional hiding spots.
Take these goodies home and let the kids help set up the fishes new fresh water aquarium home. Install the filtration system and place the rocks on top. Set up the pump. Place the ceramic figures, distributing evenly around the aquarium. Fill the tank with water, leaving a couple of inches leeway at the top. Now put your plants in place, seating the 'roots' firmly in place, well into the layer of rock. Turn on the pump and be sure everything is in working order.
Now, back to the aquarium store. Ask the staff for advice on the most durable of fish which are also compatible house mates. Get a can of appropriate food. Bring the fish home and let 'em loose gently. Put the hood on and turn on the light. Your fresh water aquarium is a success! The kids will be transfixed!
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