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		<title>Tips When Using a Deep Fryer</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/tips-when-using-a-deep-fryer/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/tips-when-using-a-deep-fryer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:44:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bigoak</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home & Garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[candy thermometer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deep fryer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[frying pan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hot oil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[olive oil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saturated fats]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=2015</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/family/food-family/" title="Food">Food</a><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/home-garden/food-home-garden/" title="Food">Food</a><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/home-garden/" title="Home &amp; Garden">Home &amp; Garden</a></p>The deep fryer is a quite useful appliance. One of these devices will make frying foods quick and painless. They also are quite a bit easier to clean up than a plan old frying pan. But for you to get good results with your deep fryer, you need to pay close attention to the following [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/tips-when-using-a-deep-fryer/390104_blog/" rel="attachment wp-att-2017"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2017" title="Deep Frying French Fries" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/390104_blog.jpg" alt="Deep Frying French Fries" width="300" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>The deep fryer is a quite useful appliance. One of these devices will make frying foods quick and painless. They also are quite a bit easier to clean up than a plan old frying pan. But for you to get good results with your <a href="http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/kitchen-appliances-deep-fryers.html" target="_blank">deep fryer</a>, you need to pay close attention to the following tips:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Select the Proper Oil:</strong> You really need to have good oil when you are using a deep fryer. You should select oils such as sunflower, peanut and canola. They have a high smoke point and will not fill your kitchen with smoke and odors. If the oil is smoking too much, the oil is just too hot and is also likely to burn your food. Also, different oils have different tastes. Canola oil has a neutral flavor, but olive oil has a stronger, fruity taste. When it comes to taste, it is up to you, but generally a more neutral flavor is preferable. Of course, using oils that are lower in saturated fats also is healthier for your heart.</li>
<li><strong>Use Plenty of Oil:</strong> Some people will try to use less oil than is necessary to save money or expense. However, if your oil will not totally cover the food in your deep fryer, the food will not cook evenly.</li>
<li><strong>Use the Right Temperature:</strong> For best deep frying results, you should fry when the oil is around 365 degrees F. The only way you can accurately gauge what the temperature is, is to use a candy thermometer. Also, by having the right temperature, your food will not absorb as much oil. It is healthier if your food does not absorb tremendous amounts of oil. Besides, having your food with too much oil makes it soggy and not very appetizing.</li>
<li><strong>Be Careful When You Put in Food:</strong> One of the most important parts of using a deep fryer is to make sure that no one gets hurt! To prevent yourself from being burned by popping oil, use great care when you are putting in food. We recommend that you use long tongs to put the food in the hot oil. Do not ever drop the food in, or you could be seriously burned. Stand back as far as you can and wear long sleeves. You should not be deep frying food with young children around, and make sure that the deep fryer is well away from the counter to avoid any problems with your little ones. Wait until the oil is completely cool before you dispose of it.</li>
<li><strong>Do Not Leave the Fryer Unattended:</strong> <a href="http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/recipes/buffalo-chicken-wings.html" target="_blank">Fried foods</a> really cook fast in hot oil. You rarely need to deep fry any food more than a few minutes, so you should never leave the deep fryer as it is cooking. If you forget that you are using it, you could have a fire in your kitchen.</li>
<li><strong>Do Not Allow Water Near Your Deep Fryer:</strong> There is no worse any of oil than water. These two liquids do not mix, but adding water to hot oil can actually create a very nasty explosion. Do not have any type of water or faucet near your deep fryer. Also, make sure your foods are not wet when you gently put them into the oil, or you can get nasty burns from the resulting commotion.</li>
<li><strong>Hold the Salt:</strong> Salting fried foods is essential, but you should do it AFTER the frying. Salt will draw out moisture and will cause nasty splattering.</li>
</ol>
<p>Follow these easy tips the next time you pull out your deep fryer, and you are sure to have a tasty snack or meal.</p>
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		<title>Beginner&#8217;s Guide to the Glycaemic Index</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/beginners-guide-to-the-glycaemic-index/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/beginners-guide-to-the-glycaemic-index/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:49:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bigoak</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Beauty & Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1987</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/health-2/" title="Beauty &amp; Health">Beauty &amp; Health</a></p>What’s a Glycaemic index and why should it be low? You’ve probably heard the term glycaemic index kicking around when talking healthy diets and food choices. But what is it and how do you use that information? What is a Glycaemic index? The glycaemic index is a number assigned to foods that contain carbohydrates (proteins [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>What’s a Glycaemic index and why should it be low?</strong></h2>
<p>You’ve probably heard the term glycaemic index kicking around when talking healthy <a title="Weight Training For Beginners" href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/weight-training-for-beginners/">diets</a> and food choices. But what is it and how do you use that information?</p>
<h2><strong>What is a Glycaemic index?</strong></h2>
<p>The glycaemic index is a number assigned to foods that contain carbohydrates (proteins and fats like meat, fish, cheese and oils are not given glycaemic indexes because they are inherently low-GI). Foods are assigned their glycaemic index based on a scale of 1-100, where 0-55 is low, 55-69 is intermediate and high is 70+.</p>
<p>The number correlates to the impact these <a title="How to Survive in the Desert For Beginners" href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-survive-in-the-desert-for-beginners/">foods</a> have on blood sugar levels in the 2 hours after you’ve eaten them.</p>
<h2><strong>Why is it important?</strong></h2>
<p>Low-GI foods release sugars more slowly and evenly, giving the body energy over a longer period of time, whereas foods with a higher GI release the sugars very fast into the bloodstream – called a glucose spike – which stimulates hunger. Lower GI foods mean that you feel fuller for longer.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/beginners-guide-to-the-glycaemic-index/glycaemic-index-pyramid/" rel="attachment wp-att-1988"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1988" title="glycaemic-index-pyramid" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/glycaemic-index-pyramid.jpg" alt="glycaemic-index-pyramid" width="500" height="399" /></a></p>
<h2><strong>What foods should I eat?</strong></h2>
<p>The great thing about low-GI is that they’re foods you already know are good for you. It’s not a fad diet, it’s real science that is based on good food knowledge and common sense.  Eating foods with low-GI can help keep energy levels up and avoid spikes in blood sugar. Here’s a few tips on how to maintain a low-GI diet throughout the day.</p>
<ul>
<li>Muesli, All-Bran and porridge all make perfect low-GI breakfasts.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>When it comes to choosing bread, stick with whole wheat and whole rye.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Most fruits generally have low-GI and are ideal for snacking between meals; in particular peaches, cherries, plums, apples, pears and grapefruit. Nuts also make a good snack.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Pasta and rice are typically low-GI, but avoid instant white rice. Instead opt for brown rice or long grain white rice.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Cooking with a mixture of low-GI foods is a guaranteed winner. Try searching for low-GI recipes online. Or better yet, take some of your favourite recipes and replace the ingredients with low-GI alternatives.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you have a sweet tooth try making a fruit crumble using fresh fruits like apples and pears with whole grain flour and oatmeal.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>What foods should I avoid?</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Foods that are high in processed carbohydrates such as breads, pancakes, bagels, pretzels, tortillas, popular cereals</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Sweetened drinks: sports drinks, fruit juices, soft drinks</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Desserts – cakes, pastries, ice-cream, donuts.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Carbohydrate ‘dense’ fruits – bananas, mangos, dates and raisins</li>
</ul>
<p>This is not to say that you should never eat the above foods, (fruits obviously have other benefits to your diet; eating desserts as a special treat or having a soft drink occasionally is okay).  Certain high-GI foods such as bananas make great post-exercise snacks when you body is craving a quick intake of carbohydrate.</p>
<p>If you are looking to lose weight, you might want to be more stringent about what you <a title="How to Housebreak Your Puppy for Beginners" href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/beginners-guide-to-housebreaking-your-puppy/">avoid</a>. If you simply wish to improve your diet and maintain your current weight, just make simple replacements.</p>
<p>Kristian Bannister is a writer for <a href="http://www.fhr-net.co.uk/airport-parking/">BookFHR.com</a></p>
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		<title>11 Tips for Tennis Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/11-tips-for-tennis-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/11-tips-for-tennis-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:09:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bigoak</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sports & Recreation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beginning tennis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[footwork]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public courts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roger federer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tennis court]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tennis players]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tennis racket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tennis rackets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tennis shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wimbledon championships]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1982</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/entertainment/recreation/" title="Sports &amp; Recreation">Sports &amp; Recreation</a></p>Every year in late June and early July, thousands of people across Britain dust off their tennis rackets and head down to the public courts, inspired by the action of the Wimbledon Championships. During those two weeks of the year it can be almost impossible to secure a tennis court during daylight hours which can [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Every year in late June and early July, thousands of people across Britain dust off their tennis rackets and head down to the public courts, inspired by the action of the Wimbledon Championships. During those two weeks of the year it can be almost impossible to secure a tennis court during daylight hours which can be frustrating for regular players like myself.</p>
<p>You can always spot these once-a-year tennis players a mile off; they are the ones who still have the manufacturer’s stencil branded on the strings (they just don’t play often enough to ever break a string and need to get them changed!).</p>
<p>That said, everyone has to start somewhere; so here are some tips to help make you look like, and play, like a pro!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/11-tips-for-tennis-beginners/tennis-beginners/" rel="attachment wp-att-1983"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1983" title="tennis-beginners" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tennis-beginners.jpg" alt="tennis-beginners" width="500" height="335" /></a></p>
<p><strong>[Photo by Matteo Bagattini]</strong></p>
<h2><strong>1. Get the right racket</strong></h2>
<p>Buy your tennis racket from a proper tennis shop rather than a petrol station or toy shop! Look out for the top brand names; trust me they really do make the best rackets. It’s not a bad idea to base your choice around which famous tennis player you’re hoping to emulate. If you want to hit the ball fearsomely hard from the baseline then consider buying a Babolat (as used by Rafael Nadal). If you want touch and finesse to be part of your game, then a Wilson (as used by Roger Federer) is worth considering. Bear in mind that a racket with a large head will generate a lot of power without you having to swing too much, rackets with smaller heads will give less power but more control. The larger the racket head the easier it is to find the sweet spot – the point in the centre of the strings which will generate the most powerful and reliable hit.</p>
<h2><strong>2. Movement and footwork</strong></h2>
<p>Before you hit the ball you will have to get close enough to ensure that you get a decent hit. This is where footwork comes in. Your footwork preparation should start as your opponent is hitting the ball – this is your cue to jump up and land on the balls of your <a title="The Best Running Advice for Beginners" href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/the-best-running-guide-for-beginners/">feet</a> just as they complete their shot (a move which is known as the split-step). This will give you a spring platform so that you won’t have to run from a flat standing start to get the ball. After you have hit your shot try and recover your position so that you can stand on the centre of the baseline and not present too much of the ‘open’ court for your opponent to hit at.</p>
<h2><strong>3. The ground strokes</strong></h2>
<p>The ground strokes are your bread-and-butter baseline shots: the forehand and the backhand. Even the world’s best serve and volleyers have to play these shots sometimes. One of the biggest mistakes that beginners make is to just use their arms when playing a shot – this makes people look a bit like a Zombie from Michael Jackson’s Thriller video when they play. You really have to use your whole body weight when playing a shot – you might not be kicking the ball but a lot of your power will come from your legs and having a slight knee bend when you ‘address’ the ball will help with this.</p>
<h2><strong>4. Timing</strong></h2>
<p>When starting out it is a good idea to practice hitting the ball after it bounces and just as it starts to drop. You can get more spin on the ball if you hit the ball at this stage of its trajectory. Keep your eyes open and on the ball as you hit it and breathe out as you make contact – I don’t know why but this really helps with timing! And – as in other sports like snooker and football – always try and keep your head exaggeratedly still as you make contact.</p>
<h2><strong>5. Body weight</strong></h2>
<p>Just as you hit the ball try and put your <a title="Weight Training For Beginners" href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/weight-training-for-beginners/">weight</a> on your front foot (the one furthest up court). If you’re a right hander hitting a forehand this will mean putting your weight on your left foot.</p>
<h2><strong>6. Standing position for the serve</strong></h2>
<p>Okay, so you’ve mastered the basics – it’s time to tackle the serve. When standing on the service line stand with your feet shoulder-width apart – this will help you get more of your body behind the shot.</p>
<h2><strong>7. The ball toss</strong></h2>
<p>When tossing up the ball, hold it on the ends of your fingers rather than throwing it from your palm. Using your fingertips will ensure a more consistent throw. Throw the ball just as your hand is at chin or nose-height and keep your throwing arm up in the air (as if trying to hail a cab) for as long as you can after you throw – this will help your balance. Throw the ball up at an angle so that if you didn’t hit the ball it would bounce near the crown of your head.</p>
<h2><strong>8. Hitting the serve</strong></h2>
<p>Keep your grip on the handle loose not tight. This will help you swing the racket towards the ball with a (powerful) knife throwing-style motion rather than a slower pushing motion. The Williams sisters used to practice throwing old tennis rackets the length of the court to perfect this style. Imitate the action of scratching your back with your racket face when the tossed ball is in mid-air to lengthen your swing and generate more effortless power.</p>
<h2><strong>9. Shot selection</strong></h2>
<p>If you’re trying to get into a rhythm then it’s a good practice to hit cross- court to allow yourself greater margin for error. Try to get the ball over the middle point of the net (this is the lowest point of the net). If you’re going to come in for a volley, approach the net at the same angle as you hit the ball – this will cut off the available angles for your opponent. Bend your knees as you volley and the point will be yours!</p>
<h2><strong>10. The smash</strong></h2>
<p>After a few months of play you should find that you are often at the net ready to conclude the point with a winning smash. When doing so approach the ball side-on and keep your non-hitting arm raised to ‘measure’ out the shot. Hitting a smash face-on is another of those beginners’ habits you want to get rid of early in your tennis career!</p>
<p><strong><em>James Christie enjoys playing tennis all year around, not just during Wimbledon! He works as a freelance writer for </em></strong><a href="http://www.thomsonlocal.com/"><strong><em>Thomson Local</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;"><a style="box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-sports-rivalries-of-2012.php" target="_blank"><img style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;" src="http://i.zemanta.com/102257539_80_80.jpg" alt="" /></a><a style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-sports-rivalries-of-2012.php" target="_blank">Top 10 Sports Rivalries Of 2012</a></li>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;"><a style="box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/smash-it-like-serena-williams-on-the-tennis-court-7888246.html" target="_blank"><img style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;" src="http://i.zemanta.com/96536201_80_80.jpg" alt="" /></a><a style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" href="http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/smash-it-like-serena-williams-on-the-tennis-court-7888246.html" target="_blank">Smash it like Serena Williams on the tennis court</a></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;"><a style="box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;" href="http://summerandsundays.com/2012/08/09/suck-spectacularly/" target="_blank"><img style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;" src="http://i.zemanta.com/105720149_80_80.jpg" alt="" /></a><a style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" href="http://summerandsundays.com/2012/08/09/suck-spectacularly/" target="_blank">Suck Spectacularly!</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Off Road Biking For Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:03:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1958</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/family/" title="Family &amp; Lifestyle">Family &amp; Lifestyle</a></p>Biking on road and off road are completely different animals, and you will need to keep some important tips in mind when you get off the beaten path and go off road. 1. Choose the Right Bike Off-road biking has completely different requirements than on road biking. Of great importance is to select the right [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Biking on road and off road are completely different animals, and you will need to keep some important tips in mind when you get off the beaten path and go off road.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/mountain-bike-delta-7-arantix/" rel="attachment wp-att-1959"><img class="size-large wp-image-1959 alignnone" title="mountain-bike-delta-7-arantix" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mountain-bike-delta-7-arantix-550x403.jpg" alt="mountain-bike-delta-7-arantix" width="550" height="403" /></a></p>
<h2>1. Choose the Right Bike</h2>
<p>Off-road biking has completely different requirements than on road biking. Of great importance is to select the right bike. You will want to have wide, knobby, hard to puncture tires, 36-spoke wheels, a front suspension that is both strong and reliable, gearing for mountain biking, and a handle bar position that is upright.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Keep It As Simple As Possible</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/mountain-bike-racing/" rel="attachment wp-att-1960"><img class="size-full wp-image-1960 alignnone" title="Mountain-bike-racing" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mountain-bike-racing.jpg" alt="Mountain-bike-racing" width="425" height="324" /></a></p>
<p>When you are off road, your bike is going to get punished quite a lot more than on smooth, paved roads. So when you are thinking about which components to buy, get the best in your price range. However, you do not want to buy really fancy, proprietary and complex systems that are difficult to repair.</p>
<p>You are going to want to have basics that are easier to fix and replace: cup and cone bearings, schrader valves, standard bolts, steel frame. You don&#8217;t want to have an air sprung fork, an overly complex drivetrain, internal hub gearing, and other complexities. We like the Shimano ET shifting system because it is both affordable and durable in the bush. If you are looking for a good suspension, consider both Magura and Fox.</p>
<h2>3. Get Comfortable With Fixing Your Bike</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/bike-repair/" rel="attachment wp-att-1961"><img class="size-full wp-image-1961 alignnone" title="bike repair" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bike-repair.jpg" alt="bike repair" width="550" height="329" /></a></p>
<p>Your high performance mountain bike is going to break eventually, and it probably is going to happen when you are about as far from a bike shop as can be. This means that you should have all the basic tools and supplies with you so that you can fix simple problems with your bike. You will want to have all of the tools &#8211; and the acquired skills &#8211; to take the bike apart and put it back together again. You will need to be good enough with repairs so that you can at least get the bike functional enough to get you back to your stating point.</p>
<h2>4. Slow Down</h2>
<p>Going off road is not about how far you go. You should expect to have your daily mileage cut in half if you are on roads that are not paved. How far you can get in a day can vary a great deal based upon the conditions and the type of track you are dealing with. You could easily go only a few miles in a day in really rough terrain, or 50 miles on a good gravel road.</p>
<h2>5. Try to Stay Flexible</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/off-road-biking-for-beginners/mountain-bike/" rel="attachment wp-att-1962"><img class="size-full wp-image-1962 alignnone" title="Mountain-Bike" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mountain-Bike.jpg" alt="Mountain-Bike" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>If you are going on a multiday off road trip, you will not be able to plan a precise itinerary. And you should not worry about doing that. Some of the adventure of an off road trip is to learn as you go and for things to change as you travel.</p>
<h2>6. Self-Sufficiency Is the Key</h2>
<p>When you are going to be in the bush on your bike for a few days, you are going to need to have some survival skills. A good book is the SAS Survival Guide, which will help you to learn about basic health and hygiene. You want to make sure that you have a water filter, and iodine or chlorine tablets to purify any water you come across. It also is very important to eat as well as you can every day. Eat food that is high in protein, fat and carbs to keep your energy up.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Model Rocketry for Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 22:29:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[estes rocket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inexpensive hobby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[model rocket kit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[model rockets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new rocket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rocket and launch pad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rocket engines]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/hobbies/" title="Hobbies">Hobbies</a></p>If you want to build model rockets, you should know that this an incredibly fun and usually inexpensive hobby, which has two major components. The first is the assembly of the rocket, and the second is the launching of the craft. Both of these components can be a great deal of fun for your family, [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you want to build model rockets, you should know that this an incredibly fun and usually inexpensive hobby, which has two major components. The first is the assembly of the rocket, and the second is the launching of the craft. Both of these components can be a great deal of fun for your family, friends, and of course &#8211; you! Read on to learn how to get started in model rocket building.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/launching-model-rocket/" rel="attachment wp-att-1976"><img class="size-full wp-image-1976 alignnone" title="launching-model-rocket" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/launching-model-rocket.jpg" alt="launching-model-rocket" width="471" height="696" /></a></p>
<h2>1. What You Need To Build Your First Rocket</h2>
<p>Back in the day, you had to build your own rockets from scratch. Fortunately, times have changed! These days you can buy all sorts of model rocket kids, depending on your skill level. All you need to get started are the following;</p>
<ul>
<li>A basic model rocket kit, which has everything in it that you need to build your first rocket</li>
<li>Engines that you insert into the base of the model rocket</li>
<li>Fireproof wadding</li>
<li>A pad to launch from</li>
</ul>
<p>Your model rocket kit will probably look something like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/packaging-of-the-rocket/" rel="attachment wp-att-1971"><img class="size-full wp-image-1971 alignnone" title="packaging-of-the-rocket" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/packaging-of-the-rocket.jpg" alt="packaging-of-the-rocket" width="258" height="401" /></a></p>
<p>Many kits come with two or more rockets so that you can build several and use it with your launch pad. This is a very cost-effective way to get started in your new rocket hobby.</p>
<p>The engines look like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/bulk-engine-packs/" rel="attachment wp-att-1972"><img class="size-large wp-image-1972 alignnone" title="bulk engine packs" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/bulk-engine-packs-550x1002.jpg" alt="bulk engine packs" width="550" height="1002" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You only use each engine once, so you will need to buy a bunch of them; you normally buy them in 3-packs.</p>
<p>And here is what the wadding will look like:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/model-rocket-recovery-wadding/" rel="attachment wp-att-1973"><img class="size-full wp-image-1973 alignnone" title="Model-rocket-recovery-wadding" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Model-rocket-recovery-wadding.jpg" alt="Model-rocket-recovery-wadding" width="500" height="375" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Wadding will have the same consistency as heavy paper, but it is completely fireproof. You have to have wadding in your rocket to stop your rocket and parachute from going up in flames.</p>
<p>Your launch pad will look something like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/launch-pad/" rel="attachment wp-att-1974"><img class="size-full wp-image-1974 alignnone" title="launch pad" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/launch-pad.jpg" alt="launch pad" width="226" height="288" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>This launch pad is the simple one that comes with a typical Estes rocket kit (one of the big brands). You will find that it is about 3 feet high. Your rocket will sit on a plate of metal, and when you launch it, it shoots up the rod of metal and into the air. Your rocket and launch pad will come with a controller so you can launch your rockets. You run the wire from your kit to the controller, just press the button and off the rocket will go. You&#8217;ll also need to have about 4 AA batteries to operate your controller.</p>
<h2><strong>2. Build Your Rocket</strong></h2>
<p>There are tons of different model rocket kits on the market today, depending on your age and skill level (and budget!). Generally speaking, there are two basic types: balsa wood/cardboard, and plastic. The balsa/cardboard ones take more work. The plastic rockets are usually made for beginners to assemble quickly. In either case, both types of rockets come with detailed instructions, so you should be able to assemble either without major incident. Usually, you should take maybe an hour or two to build your first model rocket.</p>
<h2>3. Launch Your Rocket!</h2>
<p>Now the real fun begins! First of all, you need to find a really safe field where you can launch your rocket. Model rocket company Estes recommends that you have a field with at least 500 feet in all directions, and there should be no dry grass/weeds that can catch on fire. You also want to have a clear field so you can easily recover your little rocket.</p>
<p>All you really need to do now is to put the igniter into the engine, and make sure the wires are secured on the igniter according to the directions. Then you put the engine into the rocket, and put the rocket on your pad. Stand back at least 50 feet, and press the button, and off your first model rocket will go!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/model-rocketry-for-beginners/rocket-launch/" rel="attachment wp-att-1975"><img class="alignleft size-large wp-image-1975" title="rocket launch" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/rocket-launch-550x733.jpg" alt="rocket launch" width="550" height="733" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Graduate School Tips for Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:03:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[assistantships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career placement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fellowships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial aid office]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grad school]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[graduate school program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[graduate students]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scholarships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workload]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1945</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/education/" title="Education">Education</a></p>The entire process of figuring out whether to attend graduate school, where to attend, and how to pay for it, is one thing. How about when you actually enter your graduate school program and have to balance all sorts of obligations: work, family, homework and more? Take a look at our tips below to learn [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The entire process of figuring out whether to attend graduate school, where to attend, and how to pay for it, is one thing. How about when you actually enter your graduate school program and have to balance all sorts of obligations: work, family, homework and more? Take a look at our tips below to learn how to balance your workload when you enter graduate school.</p>
<div id="attachment_1946" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 560px"><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/gradschool/" rel="attachment wp-att-1946"><img class="size-large wp-image-1946" title="gradschool" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/gradschool-550x494.jpg" alt="gradschool" width="550" height="494" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">gradschool</p></div>
<h2>1. Have Realistic Expectations</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/expectations/" rel="attachment wp-att-1947"><img class="size-full wp-image-1947 alignnone" title="expectations" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/expectations.jpg" alt="expectations" width="249" height="241" /></a></p>
<p>If you are a busy adult, you cannot expect yourself to be able to do everything perfectly all the time. If you have a house and a family, you definitely need to ask other members of your family to pitch in while you are in graduate school. If you are going to graduate school full time and just cannot balance your work, family and school needs, you may need to think about cutting back to part time graduate school. Is it really worth trying to graduate in two years if your grades and family suffer?</p>
<h2>2. Always Look For Financial Aid</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/financial_aid/" rel="attachment wp-att-1948"><img class="size-full wp-image-1948 alignnone" title="financial_aid" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/financial_aid.jpg" alt="financial_aid" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>Just because you have started graduate school does not mean you cannot continue to be on the hunt for scholarships and grants. Always visit your financial aid office with regularity and see if there is any new support available. You also can be on watch for work-study programs that recently became available and fit your schedule. Also check with your grad school department to see if there are any more assistantships or fellowships available this term. You also should review the school&#8217;s website regularly to see if there is any more private funding available for needy graduate students.</p>
<h2><strong>3. Visit Career Placement</strong></h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/career-counseling/" rel="attachment wp-att-1949"><img class="size-full wp-image-1949 alignnone" title="Career-Counseling" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Career-Counseling.jpg" alt="Career-Counseling" width="540" height="360" /></a></p>
<p>It is not advisable to wait until right before graduation to find out where this office is on your campus. The career placement staff should be able to help you with preparing your resume, preparation for interviews, employer information, recruiting events, and to just generally answer questions about future employment.</p>
<h2>4. Don&#8217;t Be Reluctant to Ask for Help</h2>
<p>If you are having a great deal of stress with your classes or with balancing school and the rest of your life, you should not be hesitant to ask for professional help. You always can visit on-campus psychological counselors who can help you to balance the various demands of your busy schedule.</p>
<h2>5. Do Not Be Overly Obsessive About Grades</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/graduate-school-tips-for-beginners/reportcard/" rel="attachment wp-att-1950"><img class="size-large wp-image-1950 alignnone" title="reportcard" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/reportcard-550x521.jpg" alt="reportcard" width="550" height="521" /></a></p>
<p>You also should not be overly concerned about the reputation of the graduate school you are attending. Once you have made the decision to attend there, do not worry abut it further. You are going to find that your career after graduate school is largely defined by who you are and your accomplishments. Employers want to know how well you match with their current needs. Of course, your grades do matter somewhat, but they are not the sole factor. Also, the rankings of graduate schools always fluctuate, and once again, that particular factor is not the most important when employers are making a hiring decision.</p>
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		<title>Teaching Languages for Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:21:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1936</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/family/" title="Family &amp; Lifestyle">Family &amp; Lifestyle</a></p>If you are a teacher, it may be that you prefer to teach a foreign language (or English) to students who are relatively advanced learners. This is understandable because it can be easier and more interesting for a teacher to teach more advanced language concepts than the very basics of grammar. However, if you really [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are a teacher, it may be that you prefer to teach a foreign language (or English) to students who are relatively advanced learners. This is understandable because it can be easier and more interesting for a teacher to teach more advanced language concepts than the very basics of grammar. However, if you really want to have a major influence over how someone learns a language, you would be wise to work with the beginner.</p>
<p>For example, beginner language learners often have more enthusiasm than students who have been learning the language for years. Also, they can make a great deal of progress quickly, unlike the more advanced students who can plateau.</p>
<p>Some good tips for teaching beginners in foreign languages are below!</p>
<h2>1. Plan Out Your Course</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/plan_first_hz_164024_7/" rel="attachment wp-att-1937"><img class="size-large wp-image-1937 alignnone" title="Plan_First_hz_164024_7" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Plan_First_hz_164024_7-550x190.jpg" alt="Plan_First_hz_164024_7" width="550" height="190" /></a></p>
<p>You need to have a very defined idea of the amount of material you intend to cover. You need to provide your students with a total overview of the language class and what you expect of them. However, it is a good idea to not make your course outline set in stone and overly rigid. You need to have some flexibility so that you can alter the course material as you discover more about the students in your language class.</p>
<h2>2. Plan Out Your Lessons</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/writinglessonplans/" rel="attachment wp-att-1938"><img class="size-full wp-image-1938 alignnone" title="writinglessonplans" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/writinglessonplans.jpg" alt="writinglessonplans" width="430" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>This is important no matter if your class is 60 or 90 minutes long. It is a good idea to think in terms of segments. That is, think of a good starting activity for the class to get them warmed up. Next, do your main activity, and then a final activity to wrap up the class. You may need to modify this during the actual class session, so be prepared. What you think of as a &#8216;warm up&#8217;, for instance, may prove to be more challenging for your language students.</p>
<h2>3. Review Your Textbook Before Every Class</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/book/" rel="attachment wp-att-1939"><img class="size-full wp-image-1939 alignnone" title="book" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/book.jpg" alt="book" width="400" height="356" /></a></p>
<p>What are you going to cover in the textbook in your next class? If you look like you do not know the course material in front of the class, your language students will question your knowledge. You need to know what is in the book, so that you know what material the students need to know before they dive into the book during the class. Perhaps you will need to do some vocabulary review or review some grammar points.</p>
<h2>4. Give It a Try</h2>
<p>If you plan to do a new language activity in your class, it would be wise to try it out beforehand if you can.</p>
<h2>5. Carefully Sequence Your Activities</h2>
<p>You will generally have better success in your beginner language classes if you begin with more defined and controlled activities, and then have the class go into freer activities later in the class.</p>
<h2>6. Allow Time For Activity Set Up</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/time/" rel="attachment wp-att-1940"><img class="size-full wp-image-1940 alignnone" title="time" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/time.jpg" alt="time" width="400" height="368" /></a></p>
<p>It is very common for teachers of language beginners to try to cram too much activity into one class. You need to account for the time it takes to explain the activities to the students.</p>
<h2>7. Don&#8217;t Go Too Fast</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/teaching-languages-for-beginners/slow-down/" rel="attachment wp-att-1941"><img class="size-full wp-image-1941 alignnone" title="slow-down" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/slow-down.jpg" alt="slow-down" width="300" height="296" /></a></p>
<p>You&#8217;re probably an expert in the language you are teaching, but remember that your students are beginners. Do not cover essential material too quickly. Of utmost importance with new language learners is to give them much practice with simple language drills.</p>
<p>If you follow these easy steps, we think that you will find that your beginner language students will catch on much faster.</p>
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		<title>Counting Cards for Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/counting-cards-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/counting-cards-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:15:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blackjack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blackjack bets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[card counting system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counting cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[easiest card counting system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mathematical advantage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rain man]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[statistical advantage]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/entertainment/games/" title="Games">Games</a></p>Card counting is a strategy in blackjack that will track the ratio of high cards (cards that are worth 10 or 11) to the low cards that are still in the dealer&#8217;s shoe. A deck with a lot of high cards is good for the player because you are more likely to score a blackjack. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Card counting is a strategy in blackjack that will track the ratio of high cards (cards that are worth 10 or 11) to the low cards that are still in the dealer&#8217;s shoe. A deck with a lot of high cards is good for the player because you are more likely to score a blackjack. A blackjack pays out at three to two. So, when you up your bet when your chances of a blackjack are higher will give you a slight statistical advantage over hundreds of hands.</p>
<p>This mathematical advantage can increase because the dealer has a slightly higher chance of busting when the deck has a lot of high cards. Also, doubling down becomes more profitable for you when the shoe has a lot of high cards.</p>
<p>There actually are many card counting systems. This article focuses on the easiest card counting (<a href="http://www.galorath.com">estimation</a>) system for beginners.</p>
<p>Card counting tips are below. Enjoy!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/counting-cards-for-beginners/count-values/" rel="attachment wp-att-1919"><img class="size-full wp-image-1919 alignnone" title="Count-values" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Count-values.jpg" alt="Count-values" width="400" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1. Counting Cards Doesn&#8217;t Require <a class="zem_slink" title="Rain Man" href="http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Man-Dustin-Hoffman/dp/0792833260%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dmathli-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0792833260" rel="amazon" target="_blank">Rain Man</a>-Like Genius</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/counting-cards-for-beginners/rain-man-full-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-1920"><img class="size-large wp-image-1920 alignnone" title="rain-man-full-1" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/rain-man-full-1-550x297.jpg" alt="rain-man-full-1" width="550" height="297" /></a></p>
<p>You don&#8217;t need to be able to count how many toothpicks are on the floor, like in the movie, to be able to count cards well. It is important to be able to really focus your mind in a distracting situation (loud casino). Also, you will need to have the self-discipline that is needed to master the essential skills at home before you ever try it with money at stake.</p>
<p>Most casinos do not look kindly on card counting, so you need to be able to do your counting without looking like you&#8217;re doing it. This can be the hardest skill to master of all.</p>
<h2>2. Counting Cards Does Not Mean You Count Every Card Played</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/counting-cards-for-beginners/counting-cards/" rel="attachment wp-att-1921"><img class="size-full wp-image-1921 alignnone" title="Counting-Cards" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Counting-Cards.gif" alt="Counting-Cards" width="504" height="468" /></a></p>
<p>A typical card counting system is going to assign a value to certain important cards. This usually is +1 or -1. You will keep a running total in your mind. Based upon the total at a given moment, you will increase or decrease your blackjack bets. How hard a particular card counting system is will affect its accuracy. That is, the harder the system, the more statistical advantage you will gain.</p>
<h2>3. The Easiest Card Counting System For Beginners</h2>
<p>Card counters generally agree that the easiest system is Wizard&#8217;s Ace Five Count. You start your count at zero. And every ace you see played counts as -1, and ever five you see played counts as +1. The idea is to bet one unit when the count is zero or less. When the count is above zero, you bet two units times the number of the count. So, you would bet two units at +1, four units at +2, and so forth.</p>
<p>We find that the Wizard&#8217;s Ace Five Count will work the best with a six deck shoe and the dealer must stand on a soft 17, late surrender is OK, and the player can resplit the aces. This strategy only nets you a competitive advantage of .22%. However, with free drinks you get and any added perks the casino offers, you may be able to make some money. This counting system is simple to learn and quite easy to implement.</p>
<p>Of course, learning to count cards effectively takes plenty of practice at home. <a href="http://galorath.com/"><br />
</a></p>
<p><a href="http://galorath.com/"> </a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Saving Energy In Your Home For Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:52:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home & Garden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy star]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[front loading washer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[high efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kilowatt hours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laundry room]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save electricity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1898</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/home-garden/" title="Home &amp; Garden">Home &amp; Garden</a></p>Trying to cut down on your use of electricity and gas at home can save you money, conserve our resources and also help the environment. If you want to see that electric and heating bill drop, there are things you can do in every part of your house. See our handy tips below. 1. Kitchen [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Trying to cut down on your use of electricity and gas at home can save you money, conserve our resources and also help the environment. If you want to see that electric and heating bill drop, there are things you can do in every part of your house. See our handy tips below.</p>
<h2>1. Kitchen</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/200px-energy_star_logo-svg/" rel="attachment wp-att-1905"><img class="size-full wp-image-1905 alignnone" title="200px-Energy_Star_logo.svg" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/200px-Energy_Star_logo.svg_.png" alt="200px-Energy_Star_logo.svg" width="200" height="205" /></a></p>
<p>The average house will use about 1,000 kilowatt hours per year to run the refrigerator. That adds up to at least $200-300 per year. If you want to cut that down, try some of these ideas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Keep the fridge at 40 degrees F. Buy a small thermometer to keep inside so you know if you should raise or lower the temperature. Keep the freezer at 5 degrees F.</li>
<li>Do not fill the fridge so much that air cannot properly circulate throughout the unit.</li>
<li>Suck the dust and dirt out of the condenser about every three months.</li>
<li>Check the gaskets that go around the doors every year. Do this by putting a dollar bill up against the fridge frame and then close the door. If you can pull that dollar bill out easily, you will want to upgrade the gasket.</li>
<li>Be sure to cover all liquids that go in the fridge. These will release vapors that require your compressor to work harder.</li>
<li>Buy an <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/">Energy Star</a>-rated refrigerator when it is time to replace.</li>
</ul>
<h2>2. Laundry Room</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/front-load-washer-samsung-wf419/" rel="attachment wp-att-1906"><img class="size-full wp-image-1906 alignnone" title="front-load-washer-samsung-wf419" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/front-load-washer-samsung-wf419.jpg" alt="front-load-washer-samsung-wf419" width="460" height="715" /></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Read the instructions on your detergent. If you use too much, you can hurt the washing ability of the unit. It may need to use more energy to overcome this.</li>
<li>Set the temperature for rinsing to cold as much as you can.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.jea.com/community/education/efficiency/wisely/conserve.html">Wash clothes only when you have a full load</a>.</li>
<li>When you are ready to buy a new washer, try to buy a new high-efficiency, front-loading washer.</li>
<li>Try to buy a washer that has many water level choices, as well as a setting to reduce suds.</li>
</ul>
<p>For the dryer, remember that it will use up to 1,400 kilowatt hours per year. You can cut down on this by doing the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Hang laundry to dry when you can.</li>
<li>Clean your lint filter after every load.</li>
<li>Dry your towels and heavy items as a separate load.</li>
<li>Do not over dry.</li>
</ul>
<h2>3. Water Heater</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/water-heater-drain-valve/" rel="attachment wp-att-1907"><img class="size-large wp-image-1907 alignnone" title="water-heater-drain-valve" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/water-heater-drain-valve-550x479.jpg" alt="water-heater-drain-valve" width="550" height="479" /></a></p>
<p>Your water heater is a big user of energy, and can use up to 4,000 kilowatt hours each year. To reduce this, try these tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cut your water heater load by 10% or so by dropping the temperature to 120 degrees F.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.nmgco.com/water_heater_savings.aspx">Drain a bucket of water from the water heater tank each yea</a>r. This can help to drain the sediment that can waste some energy because the water is somewhat blocked from the burner.</li>
<li>Insulate your pipes for hot water. You can buy these kits at the hardware store.</li>
<li>Use the shower instead of the bathtub so you can cut down on water use.</li>
</ul>
<h2>4. Lights</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/saving-energy-in-your-home-for-beginners/220px-compact-fluorescent-bulb/" rel="attachment wp-att-1908"><img class="size-full wp-image-1908 alignnone" title="220px-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/220px-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb.jpg" alt="220px-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb" width="220" height="242" /></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Always shut off lights when you are leaving the room.</li>
<li>Use task lighting so that you can just turn on the light over the desk or the work bench, not the whole room.</li>
<li>Buy CFL bulbs for the lights that you use more than 2 hours each day. These bulbs will use as much as 75% less electricity. They should last 5-10x longer too.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.cfls_choose_guide">Use a dimming bulb when you can</a>.</li>
<li>Use a timer or a photoelectric device so that your outdoor lights shut off during daytime.</li>
</ul>
<h2>5. Heating</h2>
<ul>
<li> When it is sunny, keep your curtains open that are facing the west and south.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.novec.com/Power_Use_It_Wisely/HomeHeatingandCoolingSystems.cfm">Have your furniture away from the registers</a>.</li>
<li>Caulk and put in weatherstripping for your <a href="http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/doors.html">doors</a> and <a href="http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/windows.html">windows</a>.</li>
<li>Turn down the thermostat as much as you can take. Every degree warmer than 68 degrees F boosts your heating use by 3%.</li>
<li>Buy a humidifier so that it makes your air in the house more humid in winter. This makes it seem warmer and you will not want to turn on the heat as much.</li>
<li>Put more <a href="http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/siding.html">energy efficient siding on your home</a>, so that you can keep heat in in winter and cold air in in summer &#8211; see <a href="http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/">CreativeEnergyExteriors.com</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.makethelist.net/5-energy-saving-appliances-to-save-money-and-the-planet/" target="_blank">5 Energy-Saving Appliances to Save Money and the Planet!</a> (makethelist.net)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://boldstate.com/green-energy-technology-that-is-good-for-the-home-and-the-earth/" target="_blank">Green Energy: Technology That Is Good For The Home And The Earth</a> (boldstate.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/2011/11/vinyl-siding" target="_blank">Save Money on Heating Bills with Vinyl Siding</a> (creativeenergyexteriors.com)</li>
</ul>
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		<title>How to Prevent Office Theft by Employees for Beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-prevent-office-theft-by-employees-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-prevent-office-theft-by-employees-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:54:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Pickett</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[asset tags]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[departmental security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Desk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direct access]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee theft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[office lock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[passwords]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scruples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stealing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thieves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wallet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workspace]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bestforbeginners.com/?p=1887</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Posted in <a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/category/business-for-beginners/" title="Business &amp; Money">Business &amp; Money</a></p>Employee theft is a problem that can affect almost any business, whether it is large or small. It is a subject that employers are often hesitant to discuss because no one wants to think about their employees being thieves. Of course, most employees are nothing of the sort. Most people do not think it is [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Employee theft is a problem that can affect almost any business, whether it is large or small. It is a subject that employers are often hesitant to discuss because no one wants to think about their <a href="http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/employee-theft-statistics-infographic/">employees being thieves</a>. Of course, most employees are nothing of the sort. Most people do not think it is right to take things that are not theirs.</p>
<p>However, every company is going to have a few people who have no scruples and will steal property if they can get away with it. Below are some helpful tips to prevent employees from making off with your company property.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-prevent-office-theft-by-employees-for-beginners/employee_theft/" rel="attachment wp-att-1889"><img class="size-full wp-image-1889 alignnone" title="employee_theft" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/employee_theft.jpg" alt="employee_theft" width="250" height="188" /></a></p>
<h2>1. Maintain Personal Security at Work</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-prevent-office-theft-by-employees-for-beginners/stock-photo-man-putting-wallet-into-pocket-36465280/" rel="attachment wp-att-1890"><img class="size-full wp-image-1890 alignnone" title="stock-photo--man-putting-wallet-into-pocket-36465280" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/stock-photo-man-putting-wallet-into-pocket-36465280.jpg" alt="stock-photo--man-putting-wallet-into-pocket-36465280" width="450" height="320" /></a></p>
<p>It is very important that every employee is personally responsible for keeping track of their own property at work. For example, you should never leave your purse or your wallet in a place where others can take it. Keep your wallet in your pocket, or lock your purse in your desk.</p>
<p>You should be sure that your coat or jacket does not have valuables in it. Make sure all personal items of any value are safe when you leave your workspace, and if you have an office, lock the door when you are gone.</p>
<h2>2. Maintain Departmental Security</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/how-to-prevent-office-theft-by-employees-for-beginners/locking-cabinet/" rel="attachment wp-att-1891"><img class="size-full wp-image-1891 alignnone" title="locking cabinet" src="http://www.bestforbeginners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/locking-cabinet.jpg" alt="locking cabinet" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>It is very common for departments at a company to have very little security. You should always challenge any stranger that you see in your work area who is loitering. You should ask if they are not showing their ID, and call security  if they will not produce it.</p>
<p>One of the biggest problems with employee theft is the stealing of office supplies. The fact is that 50% or more of employees nab a pen, note pad, pencils, paper and more on a regular basis for home use. This might not seem like a big deal but it can really add up to a lot in a large company.</p>
<p>The way to deal with this is to only give a few of your employees direct access to supplies for the office. That person is going to be responsible for passing out supplies as they are needed, and he or she should have to keep an inventory.</p>
<p>You also should have passwords given out for your copier. This will cut down on your employees using the company copier to print out their resume, their children&#8217;s reports and so on.</p>
<h2>3. Maintain Organizational Security</h2>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 290px"><a href="http://www.mavericklabel.com/images/asset_ataglance_sm.gif"><img title="Asset Tag" src="http://www.mavericklabel.com/images/asset_ataglance_sm.gif" alt="Asset Tag" width="280" height="125" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Asset Tag</p></div>
<p>You should have policies in place to fight employee theft. For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>Have your policy on security in writing and make sure all employees know it. Communicate the penalties for stealing from the company. Make every employee acknowledge in writing that they have read these policies.</li>
<li>Have <a href="http://www.mavericklabel.com/terms/name-badges.html">ID badges for all employees</a> and make everyone wear ID.</li>
<li>Do background checks on your employees.</li>
<li>Install cameras for security. If you have a place where office supplies are, this would be a great place to put a security camera.</li>
<li>Have an employee in each department appointed as the security manager and have that person communicate policies as they change.</li>
<li>Only allow certain people to have access to rooms where there is expensive equipment. Keep a log book of who goes into these rooms and when.</li>
<li>You also can secure expensive company property (furniture, video equipment, cameras, laptops) with <a href="http://www.easyorderassettags.com">asset tags and labels</a> (see image above). A good example of effective and affordable asset tag technology is at <a href="http://www.mavericklabel.com/asset-tags/">Mavericklabel.com. </a></li>
<li>Have all serial numbers written down for expensive equipment.</li>
</ul>
<h2>4. Maintain Computer Security</h2>
<p>Another big problem with employees these days is the &#8216;theft&#8217; of company time by wasting time on the Internet. You should have a company policy on Internet browsing and enforce it. Many companies block social media sites such as Facebook. You should inform employees in your security policies that email and Internet traffic are monitored and audited periodically. Anyone who is seen to be abusing the use of the company Internet should understand the consequences.</p>
<p>Surfing websites not related to company business can also put the company servers at risk for viruses. So these sorts of activities need to be outlawed in your security policies.</p>
<h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6>
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