Helpful tips for February 2022 – a bit of this and a bit of that

Hello there and welcome to our = monthly feature of all kinds of tips.

We at the business desk are pleased to bring you our = monthly feature of a plethora of tips that cover a wide range of = topics.

All of our tips are designed = to help you save time, cut down on your research, and help you get = ahead.

So go ahead and read = on.

This week we bring you our = monthly tips.

It’s what we do for a = living!  We help you to help yourself!

Enjoy!

From the = business desk team at http://www.sterlingcreations.co= m.

Follow us on Twitter = @accessibleworld

 

+++++++++++++++

 

Helpful tips = for February 2022

In this issue:

=

General tips

Articles of the day

* What Causes the Air to Smell Nice After it Rains =

From the pages of Donna’s travel = diary

* Can I travel = safely?

 

_________________________

 

Important:  In time for the Olympics in Beijing =

See how you can use Alexa to help = you!

Hey Alexa

A) Don’t miss any of the action in the 2022 Beijing = Winter Olympics. Ask Alexa when the games start, when closing and = opening ceremonies will be happening and more. Just say, "Alexa, = when is the Opening Ceremony?"

B) Alexa can tell you when specific sports begin. Get = ready for curling, snowboarding, speed skating and all your favorite = winter sports. Just say, "Alexa, when is Figure = Skating?"

C) Hear insider = coverage leading up to the games. Learn about the stories that have = defined past games and those that will shape this year’s event. Just = say, "Alexa, play The Podium Podcast."

D) Once the games begin on February 4th 2022 Alexa can = give you daily updates on what’s happening. Ask about a specific sport = or country too. Just say, "Alexa, what’s my Olympics = update?"

 

_________________________

 

General = tips

Courtesy of the research team at = http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

 

Scams of the month:

Before giving you our scam tips of the month, here are = some very valueable tips.

You need to = remember that scams come in the following formats:

As emails, as phone calls both recorded and via a live = caller, and o yes!  It can even show up at your door and in your = mailbox.

And now they are targeting = us through texts being sent to our cell phones.

 

Before = giving you the latest scams making the rounds; we have some do nots to = share with you.

Do not respond to = emails that look strange to you.

Do = not download attachments from unknown senders.

Do not share your username and password to your online = banking and any other online payments facilities with = anyone.

Do not give out any banking = or personal details on the phone to unknown callers.

Do not pay any attention to threats from automated = phone recordings or from live persons with regard to your credit card or = that you owe money to any revenue agency.

Do not entertain any offers either via email or by = phone from senders and callers offering incredible service packages as = they may pertain to cable and tv services, prizes that you have won, or = any sort of any type of service package.

Do not answer the door to unknown = callers.

Take extra caution to make = sure that the details of your credit cards and debit cards are fully = protected when you make payments at restaurants or at stores, = pharmacies, and elsewhere.

Do not = enter your password for Facebook or Twitter in response to a text = request on your cell phone.

The same = if you are asked for your Apple ID.

Do not fall prey to a text message telling you that = your banking details have been compromised online.

 

From = Donna:

Hey Alexa

A.) Create an Alexa Voice ID for a more personalized = on-device experience. Just say, "Alexa, learn my = voice."

B.) Let loved ones know = they’re on your mind by sending them a hug message with fun sound = effects. Just say, "Alexa, send a hug."

C.) Share your dietary preferences with Alexa and get = personalized recipe ideas. Just say, "Alexa, open my food = preferences."

 

Washing or = cleaning greasy pots and pans?

Before = you apply water to said pot or pan, take a paper towel and wipe the = surface.

This will help to avoid lots = of scrubbing and washing.

 

From Melanie = mama Peach with huge thanks!

 

1) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Temperature Control Part 2: Keeping The Cold Food = Cold:

In Ice Chests

* If you’re going camping, solid frozen foods should = keep frozen for 2 to 3 days and very cold for at least one more day if = they’re packed snugly in the ice chest. They should keep longer if = packed with no air spaced between foods.

_____

 

2) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Temperature Control Part 2 – Keeping The Cold Food = Cold

In Icy Bowls

* Filla large bowl with crushed ice and embed a bowl = of potato salad or whatever in the ice up to its rim. Add a little = kosher or ice cream salt to the ice to make it colder.

* Use an ice bowl; put the serving bowl you’ll be = using, weighted down, in a bowl filled with water (no water in serving = bowl). Freeze. Use the empty center bowl for serving salads or = dips.

_____

 

3) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Blender

* Fill part = way with hot water and a few drops of detergent, cover and turn it on = for a few seconds. Rinse and drain dry.

_____

 

4)  = Best Of Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Cutting = Boards

* To rid cutting boards of = onion, garlic or fish smell, cut a lime in two and rub the surface with = the cut side of the lime.

* Make a = paste of baking soda and water and apply generously. = Rinse.

_____

 

5) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes: Cutting Boards

Broiler Pan

* = Sprinkle the hot pan heavily with dry laundry detergent. Cover with a = dampened paper towel and let the burned food steam for a while. When you = get around to washing up, the pan should require little = scouring.

_____

 

6) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Broken = Egg

* If you break an egg on the = floor, sprinkle it heavily with salt; after 5 to 10 minutes, sweet the = dried egg into the dustpan.

_____

 

7) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Broken = Glass

* Use a dampened paper towel or = cotton ball to pick up all slivers of glass.

_____

 

8) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes: Burnt Pan

* = Fill pan immediately with cold water (for starchy foods and milk) or hot = (for greasy foods) water. Soak for an hour or so.

* Sprinkle burnt pots liberally with baking soda, = adding just enough water to moisten. Let stand for several hours. You = can generally lift the burned portion right out of the = pan.

* Loosen burnt foods by boiling = water in the pan for a few minutes.

_____

 

9) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Can = Opener

* To clean blades or cutter on = your electric can opener, run a paper towel through the cutting = process.

_____

 

10) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes:

Cast Iron = Skillet

* Clean the outside of the = pan with commercial oven cleaner. Let set for 2 hours ad the accumulated = black stains can be removed with vinegar and water.

* After cleaning pan, take a piece of waxed paper and = while the skillet is still warm, wipe around the inside to prevent = rusting.

* When clean, rub a small = amount of oil on the inside of the pan to keep it = seasoned.

_____

 

11) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Dishes

* To quickly = remove food that’s stuck to enamelware or to a casserole dish, fill with = boiling water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

* Remember, when loading your dishwasher, be sure that = the silver and the stainless steel do not touch each other, as pitting = may occur.

_____

 

12) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Copper = Pots

* Try = toothpaste.

* Dip lemon halves (after = the juice has been extracted) in salt and rub. Rinse.

* Rub with Worcestershire sauce. Or another good = substitute is ketchup. Rub and the tarnish will = disappear.

_____

 

_________________________

 

Articles of = the day

Chosen by the Business Desk = team

 

What Causes the Air to Smell Nice After it = Rains?

by Daniel = Ganninger

 

It’s a smell that anyone with a working olfactory = system will immediately

recognize, = the smell of fresh rain. What happens after a new rainstorm to =

make the air smell so pleasant? It = all comes down to plants and a little

chemistry.

The = pleasant odor after a rain is called "petrichor". It comes = from the

Greek words = "petra", which means "stone", and "ichor", = which was the fluid

that flowed in = the veins of the mythological Greek gods. The term was first =

used by a pair of Australian = scientists in 1964 as they studied the odor

after a rain.

The = scientists discovered that during a dry period certain plants secrete =

oils that are absorbed into the soil = and rocks. When the first rainstorm

comes along after one of these prolonged dry periods, = the oils are released

into the air = and combine with a substance called geosmin. This is a chemical =

produced by a soil bacteria called = actinomycetes when it’s producing spores.

This produces the scent of petrichor, but how does the = scent get into the

air after a = storm?

MIT scientists in 2015 used = high-speed cameras to determine how the scent

got into the air. When a raindrop lands on a porous = surface, it traps tiny

areas of air = in the raindrop. These air pockets travel up and burst from the =

drop’s surface, releasing = microscopic particles called aerosols. It’s

believed these aerosols, when dispersed by the wind, = are what enable us to

smell the = pleasant odor after a rain.

But = that’s not the end of the smelly story. Lightning can split oxygen and =

nitrogen molecules during a = thunderstorm, and these molecules will commonly

form into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide then combines = with other chemicals to

form ozone, = another odor you can smell in the air.

Why do we find this particular odor so pleasing then? = It may come down to

evolution. The = hypothesis by scientists is that the smell after a rain has =

been passed down by our ancestors = who relied on the signal for rain to

survive. Plants grew and animals were healthy when it = rained which allowed

people to eat. = This association may have been hardwired into our brains. Now =

think about that the next time you = get a good whiff of petrichor.

Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Wikipedia, Live Science = (1), Live Science (2)

Daniel = Ganninger

 

________________________

 

 

To learn = more about me as a sight loss coach and more, visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

 

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with = some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you = go!

In the car, on the plane, on the = bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!

Affordable, portable, (computer or i device) and you = could either purchase or Subscribe for unlimited access to my library at = www.donnajodhan.com/store.= html

and you can now take = advantage of our free downloads here.

 

If you enjoy = podcasts then check out my weekly one called take another 5!  From = recipes to apps, and from mystery moment to tips for entrepreneur and = scam alerts!

Available for download = at http://www.donnajod= han.com/takeanother5.html

 

Follow me on = Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan= and at www.facebook.com/autho= rdonnajodhan

Hello there and = welcome to our monthly feature of all kinds of tips.

We at the business desk are pleased to bring you our = monthly feature of a plethora of tips that cover a wide range of = topics.

All of our tips are designed = to help you save time, cut down on your research, and help you get = ahead.

So go ahead and read = on.

This week we bring you our = monthly tips.

It’s what we do for a = living!  We help you to help yourself!

Enjoy!

From the = business desk team at http://www.sterlingcreations.co= m.

Follow us on Twitter = @accessibleworld

 

+++++++++++++++

 

Helpful tips = for February 2022

In this issue:

=

General tips

Articles of the day

* What Causes the Air to Smell Nice After it Rains =

From the pages of Donna’s travel = diary

* Can I travel = safely?

 

_________________________

 

Important:  In time for the Olympics in Beijing =

See how you can use Alexa to help = you!

Hey Alexa

A) Don’t miss any of the action in the 2022 Beijing = Winter Olympics. Ask Alexa when the games start, when closing and = opening ceremonies will be happening and more. Just say, "Alexa, = when is the Opening Ceremony?"

B) Alexa can tell you when specific sports begin. Get = ready for curling, snowboarding, speed skating and all your favorite = winter sports. Just say, "Alexa, when is Figure = Skating?"

C) Hear insider = coverage leading up to the games. Learn about the stories that have = defined past games and those that will shape this year’s event. Just = say, "Alexa, play The Podium Podcast."

D) Once the games begin on February 4th 2022 Alexa can = give you daily updates on what’s happening. Ask about a specific sport = or country too. Just say, "Alexa, what’s my Olympics = update?"

 

_________________________

 

General = tips

Courtesy of the research team at = http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

 

Scams of the month:

Before giving you our scam tips of the month, here are = some very valueable tips.

You need to = remember that scams come in the following formats:

As emails, as phone calls both recorded and via a live = caller, and o yes!  It can even show up at your door and in your = mailbox.

And now they are targeting = us through texts being sent to our cell phones.

 

Before = giving you the latest scams making the rounds; we have some do nots to = share with you.

Do not respond to = emails that look strange to you.

Do = not download attachments from unknown senders.

Do not share your username and password to your online = banking and any other online payments facilities with = anyone.

Do not give out any banking = or personal details on the phone to unknown callers.

Do not pay any attention to threats from automated = phone recordings or from live persons with regard to your credit card or = that you owe money to any revenue agency.

Do not entertain any offers either via email or by = phone from senders and callers offering incredible service packages as = they may pertain to cable and tv services, prizes that you have won, or = any sort of any type of service package.

Do not answer the door to unknown = callers.

Take extra caution to make = sure that the details of your credit cards and debit cards are fully = protected when you make payments at restaurants or at stores, = pharmacies, and elsewhere.

Do not = enter your password for Facebook or Twitter in response to a text = request on your cell phone.

The same = if you are asked for your Apple ID.

Do not fall prey to a text message telling you that = your banking details have been compromised online.

 

From = Donna:

Hey Alexa

A.) Create an Alexa Voice ID for a more personalized = on-device experience. Just say, "Alexa, learn my = voice."

B.) Let loved ones know = they’re on your mind by sending them a hug message with fun sound = effects. Just say, "Alexa, send a hug."

C.) Share your dietary preferences with Alexa and get = personalized recipe ideas. Just say, "Alexa, open my food = preferences."

 

Washing or = cleaning greasy pots and pans?

Before = you apply water to said pot or pan, take a paper towel and wipe the = surface.

This will help to avoid lots = of scrubbing and washing.

 

From Melanie = mama Peach with huge thanks!

 

1) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Temperature Control Part 2: Keeping The Cold Food = Cold:

In Ice Chests

* If you’re going camping, solid frozen foods should = keep frozen for 2 to 3 days and very cold for at least one more day if = they’re packed snugly in the ice chest. They should keep longer if = packed with no air spaced between foods.

_____

 

2) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Temperature Control Part 2 – Keeping The Cold Food = Cold

In Icy Bowls

* Filla large bowl with crushed ice and embed a bowl = of potato salad or whatever in the ice up to its rim. Add a little = kosher or ice cream salt to the ice to make it colder.

* Use an ice bowl; put the serving bowl you’ll be = using, weighted down, in a bowl filled with water (no water in serving = bowl). Freeze. Use the empty center bowl for serving salads or = dips.

_____

 

3) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Blender

* Fill part = way with hot water and a few drops of detergent, cover and turn it on = for a few seconds. Rinse and drain dry.

_____

 

4)  = Best Of Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Cutting = Boards

* To rid cutting boards of = onion, garlic or fish smell, cut a lime in two and rub the surface with = the cut side of the lime.

* Make a = paste of baking soda and water and apply generously. = Rinse.

_____

 

5) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes: Cutting Boards

Broiler Pan

* = Sprinkle the hot pan heavily with dry laundry detergent. Cover with a = dampened paper towel and let the burned food steam for a while. When you = get around to washing up, the pan should require little = scouring.

_____

 

6) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Broken = Egg

* If you break an egg on the = floor, sprinkle it heavily with salt; after 5 to 10 minutes, sweet the = dried egg into the dustpan.

_____

 

7) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Broken = Glass

* Use a dampened paper towel or = cotton ball to pick up all slivers of glass.

_____

 

8) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes: Burnt Pan

* = Fill pan immediately with cold water (for starchy foods and milk) or hot = (for greasy foods) water. Soak for an hour or so.

* Sprinkle burnt pots liberally with baking soda, = adding just enough water to moisten. Let stand for several hours. You = can generally lift the burned portion right out of the = pan.

* Loosen burnt foods by boiling = water in the pan for a few minutes.

_____

 

9) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Can = Opener

* To clean blades or cutter on = your electric can opener, run a paper towel through the cutting = process.

_____

 

10) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes:

Cast Iron = Skillet

* Clean the outside of the = pan with commercial oven cleaner. Let set for 2 hours ad the accumulated = black stains can be removed with vinegar and water.

* After cleaning pan, take a piece of waxed paper and = while the skillet is still warm, wipe around the inside to prevent = rusting.

* When clean, rub a small = amount of oil on the inside of the pan to keep it = seasoned.

_____

 

11) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Dishes

* To quickly = remove food that’s stuck to enamelware or to a casserole dish, fill with = boiling water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

* Remember, when loading your dishwasher, be sure that = the silver and the stainless steel do not touch each other, as pitting = may occur.

_____

 

12) Best Of = Helpful Hints: The Kitchen

Cleanups/For The Drops And Disasters, Plus Some Of The = Ordinary Dreary Messes

Copper = Pots

* Try = toothpaste.

* Dip lemon halves (after = the juice has been extracted) in salt and rub. Rinse.

* Rub with Worcestershire sauce. Or another good = substitute is ketchup. Rub and the tarnish will = disappear.

_____

 

_________________________

 

Articles of = the day

Chosen by the Business Desk = team

 

What Causes the Air to Smell Nice After it = Rains?

by Daniel = Ganninger

 

It’s a smell that anyone with a working olfactory = system will immediately

recognize, = the smell of fresh rain. What happens after a new rainstorm to =

make the air smell so pleasant? It = all comes down to plants and a little

chemistry.

The = pleasant odor after a rain is called "petrichor". It comes = from the

Greek words = "petra", which means "stone", and "ichor", = which was the fluid

that flowed in = the veins of the mythological Greek gods. The term was first =

used by a pair of Australian = scientists in 1964 as they studied the odor

after a rain.

The = scientists discovered that during a dry period certain plants secrete =

oils that are absorbed into the soil = and rocks. When the first rainstorm

comes along after one of these prolonged dry periods, = the oils are released

into the air = and combine with a substance called geosmin. This is a chemical =

produced by a soil bacteria called = actinomycetes when it’s producing spores.

This produces the scent of petrichor, but how does the = scent get into the

air after a = storm?

MIT scientists in 2015 used = high-speed cameras to determine how the scent

got into the air. When a raindrop lands on a porous = surface, it traps tiny

areas of air = in the raindrop. These air pockets travel up and burst from the =

drop’s surface, releasing = microscopic particles called aerosols. It’s

believed these aerosols, when dispersed by the wind, = are what enable us to

smell the = pleasant odor after a rain.

But = that’s not the end of the smelly story. Lightning can split oxygen and =

nitrogen molecules during a = thunderstorm, and these molecules will commonly

form into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide then combines = with other chemicals to

form ozone, = another odor you can smell in the air.

Why do we find this particular odor so pleasing then? = It may come down to

evolution. The = hypothesis by scientists is that the smell after a rain has =

been passed down by our ancestors = who relied on the signal for rain to

survive. Plants grew and animals were healthy when it = rained which allowed

people to eat. = This association may have been hardwired into our brains. Now =

think about that the next time you = get a good whiff of petrichor.

Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Wikipedia, Live Science = (1), Live Science (2)

Daniel = Ganninger

 

________________________

 

 

To learn = more about me as a sight loss coach and more, visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

 

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with = some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you = go!

In the car, on the plane, on the = bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!

Affordable, portable, (computer or i device) and you = could either purchase or Subscribe for unlimited access to my library at = www.donnajodhan.com/store.= html

and you can now take = advantage of our free downloads here.

 

If you enjoy = podcasts then check out my weekly one called take another 5!  From = recipes to apps, and from mystery moment to tips for entrepreneur and = scam alerts!

Available for download = at http://www.donnajod= han.com/takeanother5.html

 

Follow me on = Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan= and at www.facebook.com/autho= rdonnajodhan

 

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