How to Use a Chinese Conceiving Calendar

How to Use a Chinese Conceiving Calendar



The Chinese conceiving calendar can be used as a gender predictor by pregnant women who want to predict their baby's gender or those who are trying to conceive a certain gender. The calendar uses the age of the mother at conception and the month that conception occurred in order to predict the gender.









1


Determine how old you were at the time of conception or how old you are now, if you're trying to conceive. Look down the left hand side of the calendar, until you find the correct age.





2


Establish what month you conceived or what month you are planning to conceive. Look across the top of the chart until you find the correct month.





3


Find out where these two meet. If they meet on a pink square, you are having a girl. If they meet on a blue square you are having a boy. This chart is said to be over 90 percent accurate.








Tips & Warnings










The conception ages for this calendar are 18- to 45 years old. This calendar is not intended for those under 18 or older than 45, who have or are trying to conceive.








If you are trying for a certain gender, find your age and then determine which months would be best to try for a boy or which months would be best to try for a girl. Schedule your "baby making" for those times. You may have to plan very carefully, if you ovulate on the first or last few days of the month.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2078477_use-chinese-conceiving-calendar.html

How to Understand Spiritual Truths

How to Understand Spiritual Truths



Ah, the great question of "What are spiritual truths?" Questions like this one take much thought and meditation to get an answer. Fortunately signposts and writings from throughout the centuries are available to guide you through the questioning process.









1


Begin living a more healthy life. This will help you be more sensitive to what is true. Cut back on TV and junk food, and drink lots of water from a natural spring that is rated well for purity.





2


Exercise. Be positive. Read good books. Keep good company. These are foundational steps that will prepare you to recognize the answer to the spiritual questions you are asking.





3


Pick up a few books about spiritual health. Look up things that interest or inspire you about constructive and positive ways of thinking, as being spiritual means being sensitive to the spirit or "inner being." It also means exhibiting reverence and a certain sense of sacredness.





4


Read and study to gain a broader view of all the different ideas about the great truths.Think about the Ten Commandments, the Noble Truths, and the Golden Rule. Look up the great spiritual tomes. Read stories and parables from the Dhammapada (Buddhism), the Bible (Christianity), and the Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism). Be mindful of who and what you really admire in people past and present. Is it the kindness of the Dalai Lama, the selflessness of Mother Teresa, or the wisdom of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln?





5


Know that there are as many answers to this question as there are people asking it. Be level headed and practical. Try on a few different "philosophies" to see how they fit or if you like them.





6


Be well-read, knowledgeable and sensitive. Listen to your conscience and develop a capacity to show kindness. These things will only help you understand the deep and meritorious truths of life. To see and recognize an attribute, whatever it may be, you need to have something of it inside of yourself. Your understanding may go through many levels and stages in your life, so the sooner you start, the greater the opportunity for deeper understanding.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2088818_understand-spiritual-truths.html

How to Treat Warts With Banana Peel

How to Treat Warts With Banana Peel



Warts are stubborn, embarrassing and sometimes even painful. There are many commercial treatments available to treat warts, ranging from home cryotherapy kits to salicylic acid. These treatments are expensive and some make the wart appear even uglier and more conspicuous than the untreated wart. Forgo expensive traditional remedies and use the most gentle and inexpensive home remedy available, the banana peel.







Things You'll Need:





Unripe bananas




Adhesive bandages




Emery board




Nail trimmers









1


Use fresh banana peel pieces each day on the affected areas. Some people recommend freezing chunks of banana peel and thawing pieces as needed to avoid going through so many bananas, but fresh peel has a higher efficacy.





2


Cut a fresh square inch-sized piece of banana peel. Use bananas that are just turning from green to yellow, as the active healing compounds degrade with age. Wash the affected area with soap and warm water.





3


Prepare the wart by soaking it in warm water to soften the rough surface. You can also abrade the surface with an emery board to disrupt the surface of the wart.





4


Secure the inner side of the peel to the wart with an adhesive bandage. Leave the bandaged peel in place for at least eight hours overnight.





5


Wash the treated area with soap and warm water in the morning. Allow the wart to air dry, and then apply a clean bandage to the wart during the day. Change the bandage whenever it gets wet, as the virus that causes warts thrives in moist environments.





6


Remove the black and brown parts of the damaged wart daily with nail trimmers. You must expose the fresh, undamaged wart root to the peel to enhance the treatment. You should begin to see progress after 3 days of treatment. Most warts disappear after 14 days.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2079056_treat-warts-banana-peel.html

How to Treat Varicose Veins With Herbs

How to Treat Varicose Veins With Herbs



Varicose veins are not only ugly, but can be dangerous. They can lead to stroke, heart problems or blood clots. Many herbs have been found helpful in the treatment of varicose veins. Follow these steps to treat varicose veins with herbs.









1


Use Horse Chestnut, available in a tincture, and apply it externally. Experiments have supported its use and it has been cited as the most effective herbal treatment for varicose veins.





2


Try Butcher's Broom to strengthen veins and improve blood flow. It can be used internally or externally and also reduces foot swelling.





3


Eat Violet flowers or pansies. They contain rutin which strengthens capillary walls. They are safe when eaten up to 100 at a time and look great in salads. If you don't want to eat violets or pansies, try buckwheat pancakes which are also high in rutin.





4


Apply witch hazel externally in water or alcohol extracts. It has a tingly astringent effect and is also good to treat for bruises.





5


Check out calendula as a tea or in a sitz bath for anti-inflammatory effects. A tincture of calendula can also be used in a compress to apply externally.








Tips & Warnings










Many other useful herbs are useful to treat varicose veins-try out others to see what works best for you.








Horse Chestnut is poisonous in large doses.








Don't take any herbs without reading the manufacturer's directions and warnings.








Don't take any of the above herbs if you have harvested them yourself, except for the violets and pansies. The other herbs can be dangerous, and you cannot determine their potency if you harvest them yourself.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2078392_treat-varicose-veins-herbs.html

How to Take Kava Kava for Health

How to Take Kava Kava for Health



Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a tall shrub that grows on western Pacific Islands and has been cultivated since ancient times. It is believed to have originated from Melanesia and the dried roots are used medicinally. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.









1


Read up on the historical uses of kava kava. It has been used for thousands years as a ceremonial drink and for its sedative effect.





2


Look at the results from modern scientific testing of kava kava. Its sedative effect is well-established and it had long been considered relatively safe and non-addictive. However, concerns were raised about its toxicity because of some liver-related deaths of kava users in 2001.





3


Consider that kava kava has been banned in France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration both expressed reservations about its use in 2002.





4


Study the side effects of kava kava. If you appear to be suffering from liver damage, you should seek immediate medical attention. Kava should not be taken recreationally or if you are taking medication that affects the liver.





5


Take no more than the recommended dosage. Kava supplements should be standardized to 30 to 70 percent kavalactones. Capsules contain 150 to 300 mg and may be taken one to three times per day as needed for anxiety. Kava kava should not be taken continuously for more than three months.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2068083_take-kava-kava-health.html

How to Repair Jump Rings on Jewelry

How to Repair Jump Rings on Jewelry



Jump rings hold pendants to chains or attach the pieces of a clasp to the ends of a necklace or bracelet. When these jump rings fail, your precious

jewelry


is in danger of becoming junk.







Things You'll Need:





Jump ring



Two pair of needle-nosed pliers









Step
1



Identify the ring type. A jump ring is a simple circle or oval with a cut on one side. Jump rings are easy to replace. A soldered ring has no cut in the side (it has been soldered closed), and a split ring is shaped like a key-chain ring.




Step
2



Purchase a replacement ring. Jump rings are commonly available in craft stores. Look in the beading and jewelry-making section. Choose a style that will coordinate with your jewelry.




Step
3



Remove the old jump ring if it is still in place. Be sure not to damage the remaining chain, clasp or pendant.




Step
4



Prepare your tools. Jump rings need to be held while you work with them, but metal tools can scratch the ring and the jewelry. The solution is covering the ends of your pliers with a layer of duct tape, which prevents scratching.




Step
5



Open the new jump ring. Twist the cut ends of the ring away from each other to create a gap. Try not to open the ring by spreading it apart directly. If you spread the ring, you ruin the shape and weaken the material.




Step
6



Attach the new jump ring. Hold the jewelry with one set of pliers and use the other set to twist the ring closed again.







Tips & Warnings









If your jewelry is attached with a soldered ring, you can snip the ring with wire cutters, creating a split jump ring.








For connecting jewelry pieces that need extra strength, consider using a split ring (a key-chain style ring). The extra overlapping wire gives the split ring more strength.








Never use a jump ring to connect string or beading wire, as the thin material will slide right through the cut in the jump ring.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2072891_repair-jump-rings-jewelry.html

How to Repair Jewelry Clasps

How to Repair Jewelry Clasps



If your favorite necklace or bracelet has a broken clasp, don't leave it languishing in your jewelry box. For most types of clasps, it is an easy matter to replace the broken clasp with a new one.







Things You'll Need:





Pliers



Needle-nosed pliers



Replacement clasps









1


Check that the actual clasp is broken. Many times, a clasp will fall off because the jump ring (a simple metal ring with a small cut on one side) has broken or stretched open. Replace a broken jump ring or crimp a loose ring closed.




2


Identify the broken clasp type. There are several varieties. The most common are spring-rings and lobster clasps. A simple round ring that opens by pulling back on a small, spring-loaded knob is a spring-ring. Lobster clasps are spring-loaded, but open by pushing down on the clasp. Their shape resembles a lobster claw. If the clasp is connected to the necklace by a jump ring, it is easy to replace. If the clasp is soldered on, you will need professional help.




3


Buy a replacement clasp. Clasps are available online and at your local craft supply store. Make sure the style and color will match your jewelry. If you choose, you can upgrade the style of clasp that will be easier to use.




4


Disconnect the old clasp from the jewelry. Use a pair of pliers to hold one side of the jump ring connecting the old clasp. Then use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the jump ring. Open the jump ring by twisting it, not spreading it. Spreading will weaken the ring.




5


Attach the new clasp. Hook the new clasp through the jump ring and twist the jump ring closed. Make sure the jump ring is closed tightly, or the clasp may slip off through the gap. Repeat for the other end of the jewelry.








Tips & Warnings










Magnetic clasps, where two opposite magnets are attached to each end of the necklace, are easy to use, but not all provide excellent holding strength. Test the strength before attaching to your jewelry.








Avoid magnetic clasps if you have health issues such as a pacemaker.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2072892_repair-jewelry-clasps.html

How to Repair Clip-on Earrings

How to Repair Clip-on Earrings



Clip-on earrings used to be a relic of antique jewelry. But with the popularity of long, dangling

earring


styles, some wearers prefer the safety of a clip. Whether the clip is broken, too loose, or too tight, you can follow these tips to adjust the comfort of your clip-on earrings.







Things You'll Need:





Pliers



Needle-nosed pliers









Step
1



Examine the back of earring. If the back is paddle-shaped with a hinge at the bottom, follow these instructions. For other styles of earring, see the additional tips section.




Step
2



Separate the paddle from the hinge. Use needle-nose pliers to gently squeeze the outer prongs on the sides of the paddle just above the hinge. Squeeze just until the points that hold the paddle to the hinge are loose enough to come out.




Step
3



Tighten a loose earring back. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong of metal until it is even with the two outer prongs.




Step
4



Loosen an earring back that pinches. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong slightly further away from the two outer prongs. Making just a slight adjustment will have a big effect on the comfort of the

earrings


.




Step
5



Repair connection points that are bent. Holding the paddle with the flat-faced pliers, use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the connection points back into their original positions. They should be even with the prongs and not twisted.




Step
6



Replace an earring back that has a broken center prong or broken connection points. You can purchase replacement paddles, or salvage a paddle from an old, unwanted or mismatched pair. Make sure the color and style of the new back matches the old earring.




Step
7



Reassemble the earring back. Place the points on the outer prongs back into their holders. If the holders have spread slightly, then squeeze the holders slightly with the pliers to make them tight again.







Tips & Warnings









Earrings that have screws can be adjusted by turning the screw until it fits comfortably.








Simple lever-back earrings and earrings that use friction hinges will need professional alteration.








A standard U-clip, which has a U-shaped piece of metal that runs from the front of the earring to a lever on the back, can be gently spread or narrowed to adjust the fit.








If the earrings are painted, coated or plated, bending the metal may cause the outer layer to crack or peel off. Use gentle force or contact a professional.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2072894_repair-clipon-earrings.html

How to Repair a Watch Band

How to Repair a Watch Band



Repairing a watch band sounds like a task for a seasoned professional. But fixing the band on your watch isn't like taking apart your watch and performing surgery. It's actually a fairly simple process.







Things You'll Need:





Spring bar tool



Round-headed pin



Calipers



New watch band









Step
1



Measure your old band. Find out the length in inches, and, more importantly, the width in millimeters at the ends that connect to the watch body. Leather watch bands may be measured in inches at the connecting points.




Step
2



Choose a new watch band that matches your measurements. You can choose between leather, plastic or metal. Metal bands come in standard links and the self-expanding type.




Step
3



Remove your old watch band. Many replacement band kits include a spring bar tool, a tiny bar that looks like a screwdriver with a wrench for a head. The purpose of this tool is to slide into the space on either side of the bar that connects the band to the watch. This spring bar telescopes out at either end to fit into holes on the watch body. Use the tool to compress the bar until it is short enough to pop out of the holes that hold it in place.




Step
4



Clean the connection points on the old watch body. The holes that hold the spring bar ends are called lug holes. Grime collects in these holes as you wear the watch. Clean out the lug holes with a round-headed pin.




Step
5



Install the new watch band. Slide one side of the spring bar into a lug hole. Push the band snug against that lug hole. You may be able to slide the bar into the opposite lug hole. If not, use the spring bar tool to retract the bar on the opposite side. Then slide the bar into place. Repeat for the other side of the watch.




Step
6



Adjust the length of the band. A leather band may need more holes at one end or the other to fit comfortably. Professional watch repair companies use a staking tool with a concave point, making a clean cut with no ragged edges. A metal band may need links added or removed. Links that are held together with pins need a special pin-removing tool. Links held together with clips are usually separated with clip-removing pliers. Both these tasks are most easily accomplished with help from your local

jewelry


or watch repair store.







Tips & Warnings









Make careful measurements. A watch band that is not a good fit will not last long. You may be able to install a band that is too wide for the watch, but the stress on the spring bar will cause it to warp or break. A band that is too narrow will not offer a good fit, and will probably loosen or fall out.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2072895_repair-watch-band.html

How to Repair a Brooch

How to Repair a Brooch



Brooches are fine pieces of jewelry that are susceptible to damage or breakage. Typical repairs for brooches include broken and bent pins and damaged hinges. These are fairly easy repairs if you are good with your hands. Follow the tips below for successfully repairing a brooch.







Things You'll Need:





Hammer



Pliers



Solder









Step
1



Straighten the pin with a pair of pliers, or lay the pin on a flat surface and lightly tap it with a hammer. Make careful not to dent or damage the pin if you use a hammer.




Step
2



Lightly tap the rivet at its joint to ensure a tight fit, and then burnish the tip to restore the pin's shape. Tap this ever-so-gently, as the rivet is highly sensitive to heavy taps.




Step
3



Remove the pin from the joint if the joint has become loose. Place the pin aside, but don't lose it--it's a tiny little piece.




Step
4



Solder a new safety or ball catch. Try not to use too much solder as the excess solder may overflow and compromise the safety catch. Be careful with the soldering iron. It doesn't take much solder to solder a brooch joint, because of its small size.




Step
5



If the pin cannot stand the heat of the soldering gun, find a matching piece of sheet metal and integrate it into the back piece. Then solder the pin joint and catch onto the new piece. Wipe off any excess solder. Let it heal and set for a few minutes.







Tips & Warnings









If using a hammer, be cautious and tap lightly as a hard enough stoke could warp the metal or even completely break it off, making it much harder to repair.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2085334_repair-a-brooch.html

How to Rent the Latest Handbags

How to Rent the Latest Handbags



For many women, designer handbags are out of financial reach. However, that doesn't have to stop you from sporting one at your next special event or even on a daily basis. Designer handbag rental allows you to choose the perfect bag and return for another at your leisure.









Step
1



Join an online rental club like Bag Borrow or Steal and select the membership that best suits you. The longer you commit to a membership, the less it costs per month.




Step
2



Talk to specialty boutiques to see if they'd be willing to make arrangements to rent you a bag for a specific occasion. If you approach them with the idea that they'd receive a rental fee and free promotion at your next event, you may be able to strike a deal.




Step
3



Contact fashion photographers or modeling agencies in your area to find out where they get their accessories. Most of the fashions used in fashion shoots are rented or borrowed. By discovering their source, you may be able to tap into it.




Step
4



Read the fine print of any deal. Many luxury accessory rentals come with stringent guidelines. The savings you achieve by renting a designer handbag rather than buying it evaporates quickly if you have to pay for the bag anyway.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2210231_rent-latest-handbags.html