Tips For Making Flawless French Press Coffee

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You may have heard that one of the best ways to make delicious coffee is with a French press - and if you have heard this (especially if you are a big fan of coffee), you may have gone out and made sure to pick up a French press yourself; one thing to realize before you get started with your French press, however, is that there are some specific things you will need to know in order to make your coffee as good as the French press has the ability to make it!

The manner in which the beans are ground will be the most important aspect of making good French press coffee; you need a coarse, even grind for your beans, and realize that this cannot be accomplished using a blade grinder, so if you do not own a burr grinder yourself (even though beans are best ground immediately before the coffee itself is brewed), you should get the beans ground for you when you buy them.

After you have prepared the water (bringing it to the edge of a boil), you will want to scoop one rounded tablespoon of beans per four ounces of water; pour the water slowly, and evenly over the beans, trying to cover them completely as you pour, as this will help to bring out the flavor, and then use a plastic spoon or a wooden chopstick to stir the beans into the water.

Check out the Bodum Brazil for the best French press coffee out there!

Allow the beans to steep in the water for about four minutes, and then push the plunger down slowly and evenly (slowly, so that the scalding water does not burst out onto you; evenly, so that the grounds do not get lodged in the filter), pour the coffee into mugs, and serve right away!

When you take the time and make the effort to prepare your French press coffee in the proper manner, you will not have problems with thick residue at the bottom of each mug, and you will have a flavor that surpasses anything you could get from a conventional coffee machine!

Great Hiking Boots: The Columbia Switchback Mids

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One of the most important things, when it comes to hiking, is making sure that you have the right equipment on your feet. There are a lot of options out there, and a lot of them boast that they do a lot of things, but your best bet is to buy a proven model from a proven manufacturer. Columbia has been among the leaders in outdoor apparel for over seventy years, and they make items that are always high quality and durable. The Columbia Switchback Mid Hiking Boots are no exception; they give ultimate support and comfort to the wearer, all with a sturdy build. And furthermore, this hiking shoe can be found for a great price - which is always a big consideration when shopping for shoes.

There are several places where you can find the Columbia Switchback Mid Hiking Boots, but the best place to shop for them is on Amazon. Even though the regular ticket price of $85 is already a great deal, you can find them for as much as $20 off by shopping on Amazon!

When you shop for hiking boots online, remember that you do not want your shoes to fit too tightly, as this will cause discomfort on the trail. But you also do not want your feet to rattle around inside your shoes all day, which means that you cannot buy them too large either. In order to find a good hiking shoe - one that fits snugly and comfortably - you should order your Columbia shoes in the size you usually buy. For anyone who is between sizes, however (for instance, if you usually wear "a ten and a half or eleven"), make sure you order the larger size.

You will also be able to save on shipping of you shop for these shoes on Amazon, as they qualify for Amazon's free Super Saver shipping.

You will be able to walk for hours with these shoes on your feet, ruling the trails without worrying about your feet hurting or your shoes falling apart!

The difference between good hiking shoes and bad hiking shoes can often be the difference betwen a good hiking experience and a bad one; make sure you pick the right side!

A Look At Three Things To Know About French Press Coffee

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If coffee is something you are a pretty big fan of, someone may have told you at one point or another that one of the smoothest cups of coffee you can enjoy is coffee made in a French press, but while this is certainly true, this statement comes with an "only if"; French press coffee is some of the smoothest and most delicious coffee you can enjoy, but only if you make it the right way!

As is the case with any type of coffee you venture to drink, the beans you use will be an important part of the equation, but in addition to making sure you are only using high-quality beans for your French press, it will also be important that the beans are ground properly; if the beans are ground too fine, your coffee will not only taste too bitter, but will also be grainy, as pieces of the grounds will make their way into your cup, so either have your beans ground coarse when you buy them, or purchase a burr grinder and do the grinding on your own!

It is easy to make French press coffee, but it will be important to make sure you are not skipping any steps in making it, or it will not turn out right; when you pour the hot water over the beans, pour slowly and evenly, so that all the beans are hit directly with the hot water, then stir using a plastic spoon (so as not to scratch the glass) and let your coffee concoction sit for about four minutes to get the full flavor.

Finally, you will should understand that French press coffee is the ultimate "drink it black" coffee - but even if you are not a fan of black coffee, you should drink your French press coffee right away, as it is best enjoyed fresh, rather than stored in a thermos and saved for later.

If you have a French press, or if you have been thinking that you might pick up a French press, follow these tips when you make coffee in it, and you will be able to get the most out of the wonderful flavor and experience afforded by this type of coffee.

Tips For Training Your Children In The Fundamentals Of Communication

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Most parents have as one of their goals "raising the best children they can raise," but while most thoughts toward "raising great children" deal with raising children who make good choices, and who have happy, successful lives, one of the big aspects of raising great children (in fact, one of the catalysts toward those other areas) is raising children who know how to communicate effectively. Many parents tend to make the mistake of imagining that good communication is something that comes naturally to someone as they grow older, but for most children, good communication must be taught to them by their parents rather than learned through observation and conditioning.

Showing politeness and gratitude through "please" and "thank you" is the basic foundation of good communication; again, it will be important for you to realize that children will not simply "pick up on" the fact that they should say "please" and "thank you," but that this behavior will have to be taught to them by their parents - that is, by you!

Additionally, lots of children tend to look anywhere but at the person who is speaking to them, and they tend to exude the sense that they are "trying to get away" when an adult is talking to them, but while this is passable for a while, it will carry over into adulthood if you do not train it out of them; the best way to make sure your children leave this path is to have your children tell you, after they have had a conversation with an adult, what color eyes the adult has!

Finally, you will find that most children have a tendency to answer questions from adults with a "yes" or a "no" (or at least, with the shortest answer possible), but you should practice your children at responding to questions with full sentences, and at making sure they are listening to what the other person is saying.

Training your children in these things can be a long road, but when your children grow up and are able to carry themselves in the manner of respectable adults, you will also realize that the time and effort spent was more than worth it!

Saving Energy In Your House

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Although there are certainly many "green" reasons to save energy in your house, one of the big personal reasons for becoming energy-efficient is that you will be able to save yourself a lot of money in the long run; if you follow these simple tips to make your home more energy-efficient, you will soon notice your bills shrinking and your disposable income increasing as a result!

One of the best things you can do to save energy in your house is to replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps; while compact fluorescent lamps will cost you more money initially, these new light bulbs will actually save you lots of money in the long run - in fact, while a typical light bulb last  about a thousand hours, a compact fluorescent lamp lasts for about ten thousand hours, which will save you as much as $80 over the life of the bulb!

Another thing you will want to do is check to see whether or not your house has good insulation in the walls and attic, as effective insulation will allow your house to retain its heat in the winter, and to retain its cool air in the summer; many houses have unfinished attics, or hardly any wall insulation (or both!), and such houses tend to lose lots of money for their owners - so look into this in your own house, and see what you can do differently.

Another big key to saving money on your energy bills will be replacing your windows, or upgrading the ones you have, as cold and heat are transferred through windows more than through any other part of your home; if you are replacing your windows for any reason at all, upgrade to replacements that are Energy Star-rated, and you will find that the extra cost at the time is off-set in the long run.

It might seem like you will be stuck doing lots of work - in exchange for very little instant gratification - as you try these new things, but in the long run you will be able to not only have a positive impact on the environment, but will be able to save quite a bit of cash in the process!

A Great New Desktop from Gateway Computers

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New technology trends have the computer moving away from its traditional format. Computers have been traditionally stationary and involved bulky parts. Taking your computer around the world with you now is a very possible scenario. Notebook sized computers and cell phones that have computers inside are more prevalent than ever. The best buy in computers remains the ones that are meant to stay stationary at home. Since their beginning they have gradually evolved into the point where they have amazing features.

Gateway has always been a leader in desktop computers and they still are. Their 23 inch all in one desktop is one of the best on the market. This computer is very innovative and it starts with the monitor and the computer itself. No longer do they come separately. You can save space in your home now since these two pieces now come in one compact package. It still comes with a keyboard and mouse, but both can now be used wirelessly.

The monitor works off of a person's touch as well. This allows many new innovations to be utilized. In the past having to do everything with only a mouse could be very painstaking. Fingertips are now all that is needed for the user to navigate the screen of their computer. Full 1080p high definition is the resolution that this screen displays in. If you want to watch your newest blu-ray or an old DVD this screen will really make it pop. The HD stereo system provides a perfect complement to the amazing screen.

Don't jump into the newest computing trends just because everyone else is. In some cases smaller is better, but for most people who need a powerful computer the desktop is the way to go. Unless you are constantly on the road, you will get more for your money in a desktop. Decades of great computers are behind Gateway and they come through once again with this all in one desktop computer. A portable machine cannot match the specs this one delivers for a similar price.

Gateway ZX6900 23 Inch All in One Desktop

Helping Your Kids Get Organized

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Getting children to clean up their rooms can be a monumental task. Cleaning is not fun for anyone but children find it particularly daunting. One great thing parents can do is give their children a system that can work for them to use. There are a number of products that can really help with this.

If your child has a closet to tend with, think about getting a closet organizational system. Put a hanger bar (or a set of hanger bars) just at their level. Rubbermaid configurations 4-to-8-foot deluxe custom closet kit is a great organizer for kid’s rooms, because it is so adjustable. With hanger bars being able to be dropped to your childs level, not only should you have less broken hangers, but you probably won't end up with as many clothes on the ground. Your children can begin to easily put their own clean clothing away with the hanger bar so low.

Rubbermaid Custom Closet

You can purchase any number of very neatly colored fabric baskets for clothing that can’t be hung such as underwear and socks. Baskets can also be purchased that are larger for things like blankets and stuffed animals. There are a number of different colors of fabric baskets.  Your child can help to pick the baskets that fit their sense of style the best. These boxes are eye catching and may make organization a bit easier for your child.

Fabric Storage Cubes

Toys are typically a big issue for kid’s rooms. Having a toy storage system can be of great help in keeping the toys under control. Storage systems that have different bins can help kids see their toys more easily. This may make it less likely that every toy in the toy box needs to come out and onto the floor. Smaller bins can help make it less likely that every toy will end up on the floor. You can encorage your children to create their own organizational system here.

Dora Toy Storage

Teaching organization is a must, as so many people struggle with this simple concept. Many kids will take to this fairly quickly if you show them what you expect. Your kids will enjoy having the room to play in their bedroom verses their mess migrating to other rooms.

Places To Honeymoon In The United States

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When you are getting married, one of the things what will be most fun will be the planning of the honeymoon; but even though most people think of "traveling out of the country" for their honeymoon, staying in the States - either to save money, or to save time, or even just "because you want to" - can be a great way to spend your honeymoon! Of course, there are plenty of places in the States where you can honeymoon, but three of the best places are detailed here, and if you are still trying to decide on the right place for your honeymoon, you just might find that one of these places is perfect for you!

Cape Cod: The Cape of Massachusetts will give you some of the most scenic views you could find anywhere in America - but in spite of the rural feel of the Cape (a place that is truly "removed from it all"), you will be less than an hour from Boston, and the rest of the gorgeous New England region will be at your fingertips.

Florida: While there are endless possibilities for Florida, one of the best places if you are wanting to "get away from it all" is Saint George Island; situated in the Gulf of Mexico, this island is a quiet and serene jewel that is relatively affordable, and that is packed with endless beauty.

Colorado: While most people think "ocean" or "historic cities" when they think of a honeymoon, many people actually find that spending time in the mountains of Colorado is a great way to relax for a week away from it all; regardless of whether you are getting married in the summer or winter, you can find plenty to do and to enjoy in the quiet mountains of Colorado.

Consider taking a look at locations in the States as you start planning your honeymoon; you will be able to save a bit of money by exploring some of these options, and you just might find that you also have far more fun than you would by going anywhere else!

Exploring Rock Climbing Equipment You Will Need To Get Started

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Rock climbing is one of the best ways to enjoy some time outside, as it can be a fun and challenging experience that also will help to strengthen and tone your entire body; one of the problems with getting into rock climbing, however, is that there are some perceived barriers to entry, as people do not want to go to a rock climbing park for the first time, without the proper equipment! If you have thought about getting into rock climbing yourself, the great news is that there are really only a few specific items you will need to make sure you have in order to get started - and if you have not thought about getting into rock climbing, it is certainly something worth considering, as it can be great for your body and can also be a great deal of fun!

The first thing you will need in order to get started rock climbing is some climbing shoes; when you try on climbing shoes, make sure you get someone in the store to help you, as climbing shoes should fit more snugly than regular shoes - and if you are planning to purchase your shoes online instead, take the time to go to a store first, and ask for help in getting sized and in understanding what you will need to buy!

A chalk pouch and some chalk are the next things you will want to make sure you have; some people do not end up using chalk when they climb, as their hands do not perspire enough for this to be a necessity - but most climbers find that chalk is absolutely necessary, and it would be better to find that you do not need it than find that it would have been nice to have it!

And finally, it will be important that you have a crash pad before you begin climbing; if you are not sure you are going to be climbing as a permanent hobby, you may want to first go with someone else and use their crash pad, but in the long run, you will want to have a crash pad of your own so that you can go climbing whenever the mood strikes!

Tips For Stopping A Losing Streak As A Coach Or Player

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If you are the coach of a sports team, or if you are a member of a sports team, and you have been mired in a long losing streak, it can be disheartening, and it can seem like there is no end in sight - but while teams in such losing streaks often end up perpetuating their situation, you can buck this trend and stop the losing streak altogether, as long as you know a few simple things that you should pay attention to!

Many teams make the mistake, when they are stuck in a losing streak, of trying too hard, almost as if they are trying to win back all those games they lost, or as if they are trying to compile a winning streak all in one game, but the best way of all to approach your games at any time - and especially when you are in a losing streak - is to simply focus on winning one game at a time.

As you get yourself into the habit of only looking at the game in front of you - trying only to win that game - you can also narrow your focus down to identifying the things you have been doing wrong (that is, the things that have contributed to the losing streak); once you have successfully identified the problem areas on your team or in your performance, you can start to slowly focus on fixing those areas.

And on top of learning to focus on the areas where you have been performing poorly and trying to fix these, you should also focus on the areas where you have been performing well; when you focus on these areas, you will be able to find ways to accentuate them, playing to your strengths and to the other team's weaknesses, and this will help you to begin to turn things around.

It is sometimes difficult to halt a long losing streak when you are a coach or a player on one such team, but as you take these steps - continuing to focus on one game at a time, continuing to improve, and continuing to compete - you will soon find yourself emerging at the other end of the tunnel!

Tips For Playing Capture The Flag

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If you are looking for a game that you can play this summer with your family, or that you can play if you have a group of friends over who are wanting to do something fun and different, capture the flag is always a great idea to consider!

The first thing you will need for a game of capture the flag is a yard that is large enough for the game, and that can be divided roughly in half; of course, if you do not have a yard that will work for this, you can also go to a nearby park that will work, as it will be important for you to have a fair amount of space in which you can play the game, and for you to also be able to discern one side from the other.

Divide up the group of people into two teams, each with an even number of players, giving each team a rag, shirt, or towel - making sure each of the two "flags" are the same size and color; once the teams have been divided and each team has been given their flag, the teams should take turns hiding their flag on their side of the yard in a place where they think the other team will not find it (and make sure you have a rule that states how much of the flag must be showing - usually a couple inches - or it may never be found!).

You can start the game after each team has hidden their flag, with the goal being to find the other team's flag and move it back to your own side - without getting tagged by the other team! This part of the game usually has different rules depending on who you play with, and nothing is "right" or "wrong" as long as everyone playing knows the rules, but the main components should be that if a player gets tagged, they are frozen until a member of their team unfreezes them, and the game does not end until one team finds the other team's flag and gets it back onto their side!

Do It Yourself: Painting The Inside Of Your House

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You might think painting the inside of your house is no more complicated than breaking a roller out of its package and getting to work. But actually, painting can be quite a task, and there is a reason why a lot of people hire professionals to paint the inside of their home. At the same time, however, you can save money, be in control, and maybe even enjoy it, if you learn how to paint your walls on your own!

Before you get started painting a room, make 100% certain you have the exact color you want. After all, the last thing you want is to work for two straight days, only to find that you painted the walls a different color from what you now wish for.

You also need to keep in mind the fact that removing paint from carpet, wood floors, and furniture is not easy, so you definitely want to protect everything as best you can. In the room you are painting, move out everything that you can move out, and cover everything else with a tarp or with an old blanket. You can be as careful as you want, and paint can still drip, so do your part to prevent a disaster from occurring.

Making sure you have the right equipment for the job will make it a whoe lot easier as well. Get a good, wide, sturdy brush for the edging work, and get a ladder that reaches high enough that you are not straining for the whole job. Make sure you are taking the time to do the edging work right, as well; it might be the most tedious part, but it is also the most important! You can break the rollers out of the package and get to work on the big stuff at last once you finally finish the edging!

The room that you work in for painting should be very well ventilated, and you also need to make sure that pets and children stay away. Painting can be somewhat easy and even fun once you get the hang of it; but remember, shortcuts might seem like they make the job easier, but you will truly be rewarded if you take the time to do the job right!