Activated Plant Charcoal: How Do I Use it?

Some people already know the charcoal for its absorbing properties, especially in case of digestive discomfort, but it can be used for many other things. My favorite use is mostly in beauty, but I also use it in the kitchen. Here are my different tips.

Activated charcoal (also known as active charcoal) is made from wood or coconut shells (more efficient), calcined for the first time at very high temperatures, in the absence of air, then calcined again for activating it, this time with pressurized water vapor. The coal becomes more porous and therefore more absorbent.

In the bathroom

Purifying mask & detox: in a small bowl mix 2 tbsp of white clay + 1/2 tbsp powdered activated charcoal, then add water or hydrosol (rosemary verbenone, lavender, rose ...) to form a paste. Then add a piece of aloe vera gel and mix everything. Option: 1 drop of lemon essential oil.

It is applied with a brush (it is so much simpler and more pleasant) on the whole face, and it is allowed to pose 5 to 10 minutes no more!

The coal will absorb toxins, bacteria, and pollutants on the skin, and also clean it. Aloe vera is moisturizing, purifying and soothing. White clay purifies, heals and softens the skin. A mask that can be used several times a week for a detox action.

To have white teeth: put some bamboo charcoal toothpaste on your wet toothbrush, then brush. So yes I warn you will have teeth, gums, tongue and black lips, but only brushing time. Rinse your mouth and brush normally with toothpaste.

Teeth are instantly whiter! This brushing is done 1-2 times a month, no more.

The charcoal also captures the odors of bad breath, your mouth is cleansed. You can also use the bamboo charcoal toothpaste in mouthwash to fight against bad breath more effectively.

For health

In case of gas, bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea ...: 1/2 tsp diluted in a glass of water, drink at each meal (ask your doctor for advice).

I advise you to drink it with a straw, to avoid having black lips!

It is recommended to drink a lot when consuming coal, being very absorbent, it can constipate. If you are taking any medication (including pill), take it off for at least 4 hours with the plug of the charcoal.

Wasp bites, hornet, bee, spider, scorpion, snake ...: form a small dough with powdered charcoal and water. Then apply on the thick layer sting. The coal will absorb the venom.

In the kitchen

Place a cup in the bottom of the refrigerator, it absorbs bad odors. You can also put one in the bottom of the fruit basket to slow ripening and rotting fruit.

Wash the vegetables: pour a tablespoon of powdered charcoal into the washing water of the fruits or vegetables. Soak for 10 minutes, then rinse with clear water to rid the fruits and vegetables, bacteria and pesticides.

Stick: in this form activated charcoal, used in a carafe or gourd, to purify water, reduce chlorine, balance pH, and mineralized water.

After 3 months of use, it must be boiled in water to reactivate. 3 months later, recycle it: grind to put on the feet of the plants, it is a good fertilizer! Deposited in the litter of the cat or in a pair of shoes, it absorbs bad odors. It also helps reduce humidity.

Maintain the Grass of the Pampas

A magnificent, large-scale grass, the grass of the pampas, adorns with its wavy presence and feathery inflorescences the center of a lawn or an open corner of the garden. Let's see how to maintain it so that it remains splendid for many years.

Get to know the pampas grass better

Cortaderia selloana, better known as 'Pampa Grass', is a large grass native to the temperate zones of South America. The plant can reach nearly 3 meters in height. It forms a large clump of about 2 meters spreading with linear leaves, thin, green slightly arched and sharp edges.

At the end of the summer silver feathery inflorescences, gradually tingling with pink or purple, emerge from the center of the tuft. They continue long months floating gracefully in the air.

How to maintain the grass of the pampas?

Once properly installed this sturdy plant does not need any watering or fertilizer. Only a few large operations will serve to make it look good.

Bring sharp pruning shears and protect yourself with gloves so you do not cut yourself with the leaves.

In early winter, cut the flower stalks at their base, you can keep them in dry bunches. To do this, dry the head upside down and spray them with hairspray.

Then remove all the faded leaves, then cut the leaves that you estimate in excess to maintain a beautiful silhouette to the plant;

If you live in a cool area, tie the leaves together to form a straight tuft so you can easily cover it with a wintering veil or make a coat around it with dry dead leaves. This one will then be maintained by a fence placed all around the plant.

In spring it will be enough to remove the protections so that your plant regains all its vigor!

Tip: in the sweetest areas like the south of France or the Breton coast, no need for protection.

The grass of the pampas, invasive plant

The purple pampas grass is considered an invasive species; It has established itself in many regions thanks to its exceptional adaptability and its particularly efficient reproduction. Indeed, a single plant can disseminate seeds over a radius of 25 km. It monopolizes the site and captures light and nutrients to the detriment of species already present. Some municipalities of Morbihan, Finistere or Ile and Vilaine are trying to destroy it. It is the pure and hard pulling of the plant and its roots then the sheeting of the zone so that residues of roots do not develop.

The size of the inflorescences is a gentler way of fighting, but only against the spread of the species. The flower stems will be cut off as soon as they develop before they have time to go to seed.

Did you know?

A large tuft of purple pampas grass from the pampas can serve as a refuge for many animals, including hedgehogs. Go easy on size operations and do not put fire especially as it is sometimes recommended!

Xiaomi Smart Home - Where to Start?

Would you like to introduce a little automation into your home, but you do not know how to do it? Xiaomi's Smart Home system may seem complicated at first glance. You need to know what are the possibilities offered by the data of the device, how they communicate with others. I will present basic information about the system, how to start your adventure.

Unfortunately, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, everything is not clear, some things work, some have a regional blockade and only work in China. At the moment, Xiaomi's Smart Home is mainly geared towards the Chinese market, but it is coming out more and more, an example may be big smart vacuum cleaner which already speaks English. Xiaomi is not the producer of all its products, it often finances start-ups from crowdfunding platforms. Sometimes, twin products, mostly seen on the example of cameras, do not work with the MiHome app, which is the heart of virtually everything from Xiaomi. At MiHome, we virtually add and manage all Xiaomi devices, creating links between them. Yeelight light bulbs and lamps are already Yeelight application level, however, we can still create scenes with other Xiaomi devices in the Mi Home app.

Differentiation of devices

Xiaomi devices combine in three ways:

Bluetooth - you cannot create scenes from the communicating device via Bluetooth

Wifi - we can connect from anywhere on the earth if only the device to which the device is connected has an internet connection.

ZigBee - the devices are connected to ports, the so-called Gateway and the gateway connects to the router and we can also control from anywhere in the field. However, without a gateway, devices that communicate with Zigbee will be useless. Zigbee devices are powered by a battery, and through the use of this transmission, the battery lasts a year or two. A very energy efficient connection.

I created three lists, in which there is a list of all devices communicating in a certain way:

Bluetooth devices

WiFi devices

Zigbee devices.

If a device is missing please let me know in the comment, I will add.

When you log in to the Mi Home app for the first time, you must select Region. Probably the majority of the choice of American or Chinese bushes will choose the United States. You must choose China, By choosing the United States, some devices will not be displayed at all. If you are only interested in, for example, Yeelight bulbs, after selecting the Singapore location, we will be able to associate the bulbs with the IFTTT.com portal. The door has a built-in lamp and a radio, the radio has only Chinese radio stations by default, but a very simple way you can also add polish.

The two most important rules of Xiaomi Smart Home, we choose the location of China and a gateway is required for Zigbee devices.

Part 2: 10 Ways to Wake up Earlier in a Good Mood

6.CHOOSE THE RINGTONE CAREFULLY

Remember to change your phone's ringtone from time to time to prevent your brain from getting used to it and starting to stall it. Choose a ringtone that you particularly like and which is soft enough not to attack you on waking and rhythmic enough to arouse your attention. If you like to wake up to music, schedule a compilation of your favorite songs or your favorite radio.

7.SET AN ALARM TIME

In more or fewer minutes, your light alarm clock must sound exactly at the same time every day. In the long term, your metabolism will develop a sensitivity that will allow it to naturally go into the waking phase at the approach of the time in question. You will come out much more rested and cooler to attack the long day ahead.

8. DO YOURSELF A LITTLE COCOONING ROUTINE

Do not get up at the same time as your family. Generally, it's a "shotgun" hour that generates a lot of stress. You do not have to feel all the pressure when you have just woken up. Remember to get up a half hour before everyone else and take the time to pamper yourself, take a shower or drink a nice glass of hot coffee ... This quiet moment will allow you to put your ideas back, comfortably in place.

9.AVOID ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCES BEFORE BEDTIME

About 1 hour before bed, remember to stay away from all devices emitting artificial light. The blue light emitted by all these technological tools disrupts the secretion of the hormone responsible for sleep: melatonin. Leave aside television, mobile, tablet ... Exposing yourself to this type of technology will keep you awake much longer than expected.

10.BE CAREFUL

There is nothing more pleasant in the morning than to find the coffee already ready, the table set, your chosen outfit of the day ... You only have one thing left to do, slip into your clothes and eat a good breakfast. lunch. Even if it takes time, consider preparing everything you need in the morning at sunrise.

Part 1: 10 Ways to Wake up Earlier in a Good Mood

Every day of the week (and even weekends for some people), you have to get up to go to all your occupations before going to work. Hard to do daily especially when you have only one desire: to get under the comforter and play lazy for the rest of the day. Rouge We offer you 10 ways to not only start getting up early but also to do it in joy and in a good mood!

1.PROGRAM YOUR ALARM CLOCK BEFORE THE TIME

Well, it may not be a solution to consider if your companion is a light sleeper, but it is extremely effective. Indeed, by scheduling your alarm one or two hours rather, you give your body the opportunity to emerge slowly taking advantage of this latency time to resume its benchmarks. Psychologically, you are more prepared for the ringing which, this time, signals you that it is time to get up!

2.WRITE SMALL MESSAGES

Personalize your light alarm clock by choosing, for example, a phrase or a saying that gives you the fishing and the desire to enjoy life to the fullest. If you're using your phone's wake-up application, make sure to record a nice message that will appear on your screen when you wake up. Give free rein to your imagination and think of one or more phrases that will make you want to jump out of bed.

3.THINK OF THE DIFFICULT FUTURE

Can you never get to bed early enough? Just think of the difficulty of getting out of it tomorrow morning. Indeed, thinking about the consequences will certainly encourage you to leave programs on TV, social networks, books ... to slip into your bed at a convenient time.

4.PREPARE FOR YOUR WAKE-UP THE NIGHT BEFORE

Remember to tidy up your room before going to bed. There is nothing more disturbing than waking up in the middle of a room upside down. There is enough to give you a headache when you wake up. Try to organize as much as possible the day before to have the least things to do the next morning. Otherwise, you may get stressed (needlessly) and taken by the urgency of going to all those occupations left on hold.

5. NEVER GIVE YOURSELF A FEW MORE MINUTES OF SLEEP

The easiest way to get late and in a bad mood is to give yourself a few extra minutes of sleep. Indeed, even if you go back to sleep only for a little while, your body remains on the lookout for the ring. Moreover, if you make it a habit, your brain will learn to ignore the sound emitted by your light alarm clock. The result of the races: your alarm will not manage to get you out of sleep anymore.

Part 2: What Grasses We Can Plant to Decorate Our Garden

The massifs entirely composed of grasses are also of the most beautiful effect. To make your decor a success, place a tall grass such as Miscanthus 'Giganteus' with deep green foliage in the bottom of the massif. Then alternate grasses with soft and dancing port, like Stipa tenuissima, which will give life to the heart of your massif to erect species like the Helictotrichon. And for an explosion of color, opt for a Pennisetum 'Fireworks' with exceptional foliage variegated with green, pink and purple-red, whose intensity varies depending on the sun.

Tip: Avoid planting grasses in straight lines, prefer a staggered planting, to the effect much more natural!

A giant grass: a show alone!

Those who love the spectacular will see their desire filled with giant grasses, whose inflorescences sometimes culminate up to 4 m high. Planted in isolation, these grasses become the real focus of your garden, offering alone a remarkable identity, and noticed!

In this category, the purple pampas grass is undoubtedly the best known with this giant stubble in the form of silky feather dancer swaying more than 2 m from the ground. This giant grass can, however, be an invading strand and seem a little outdated to some.

Purple pampas grass can then turn to the original Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', probably one of the most beautiful varieties of its kind. Standing at nearly 2 m, its green-gray foliage is dyed purple in summer, before turning to coppery orange in autumn. The contrast with its pink and silver spikelets is superb.

Grasses to put the movement in your aisles

With their silky blossoming, waving at the slightest breath of wind, grasses are excellent plants to energize the borders.

The cascades of creamy white feathery ears of Pennisetum villosum or the misty clouds formed by the pink ears of an Eragrostis are thus the most beautiful effect along a garden path.

For a more rustic look, even wild, border your paths of perpetual waves of Calamagrostis acutiflora with long bright yellow panicles or a Stipa ichu. Guaranteed effect!

You'll understand, if grasses are in vogue in our gardens, they deserve it! The extraordinary variety of their foliage, as well as their flowering, allows multiple and lively compositions, far from the frozen massifs of yesteryear. Alone or associated with annuals, they offer a show in perpetual change, which is not about to stop inspiring gardeners, beginners !

Part 1: What Grasses We Can Plant to Decorate Our Garden

Herbs, cereals or bamboos, grasses, or Poaceae, are a large, very variegated family. Very popular in our gardens, the many species of ornamental grasses offer an immense diversity of size, shape, and color that never ceases to amaze.

By the way, in another article, I'm talking about Miscanthus Gracillimus here if you want to know more about a particular grass.

Not to mention the many qualities that make them the friend of all gardeners, even amateurs.

Grasses: plants with cascading qualities

Between blooming flowers and exuberant foliage, deciduous and evergreen grasses provide decorative interest for much of the year, while being very simple to grow. Ornamental grasses such as purple pampas grass are indeed easy hosts in the garden. They are satisfied with an ordinary land and even settle for a poor soil, without requiring fertilizer.

Not content to be undemanding, grasses do not require special maintenance outside a winter size. And between spontaneous seedlings and underground rhizomes (depending on the species), their multiplication is effortless.

The hakonechloa macra or grass of Japan, bears pretty arched tufts, linear leaves

Highly resistant to diseases, grasses are a valuable ally of the gardener because they attract auxiliary insects. Left on the spot, the dried stems of deciduous grasses also form a valuable winter shelter. They can also be cut to provide mulch protection for other non-hardy plants.

With such qualities, the question is not whether to adopt them, but how to choose among all the species of grass!

Give relief to your massifs with grasses

Grasses are ideal plants to animate the massifs. With them, finished decorations frozen and no question of having to staggeringly sow his seedlings or plantations to ensure a continuous decoration.

Associated with annual flowers, the grasses come to underline the brightness of the flowering and ensure the spectacle once this one completed. Focus on contrasts by blending, for example, the golden flowers of Carex 'Aurea' or the almost black purple of an Ophiopogon 'Black Beard'.

The Five Criteria to Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner

Many people may be puzzled at how to choose the best one when they are choosing the first vacuum cleaner. Therefore, we are here to share some tips with you. Please read it patiently, and you will get the technique about choosing the best vacuum cleaner.

Suction power: to suck carpet and carpets

The first criterion to take into account when choosing your smart vacuum cleaner: its suction power or using power. Especially if you have rooms with carpeting and you spend your time sucking hair and dog hair! To calculate the useful power, the two indicators taken into account are the vacuum (the ability of your device to take off the dust from the ground) and the air flow (how quickly it carries it to the bag). The higher these are, the more powerful and efficient your vacuum cleaner will be.

A silent vacuum!

Vacuum Sunday morning without waking the whole house? It is possible today with more and more silent devices. So be attentive to the decibels. In fact, 3 dB less than a smart vacuum cleaner twice as noisy! Note that the quietest vacuums on the market now have a sound level of 70 dB.

The capacity of the bag: how many m² at your place?

Other data to take into account: the surface of your home. It is she who will determine the capacity of the bag. Indeed, your needs are not the same depending on whether you live in a studio or a house. From 80m ², the capacity of the bag must be at least 4 liters if you do not want to change the bag of your vacuum too often. Less than 50m²? A bag of 2 liters is enough.

Sensitive to dust? Choose HEPA filters

If you are allergic to dust or asthma, be careful about the quality of the filters used. You must choose a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters, which retain up to 99.95% of dust particles and dust mites. Note: HEPA filters 13 and 14 are comparable to filters used in hospitals.

At each floor, its brush!

For optimum suction, the quality of the brushes is another essential criterion. Know that manufacturers now offer a range of accessories to adapt to each type of soil, the classic brush two positions one for hard floors (parquet, tiles, linoleum) and the other for carpets. Some models also come with a parquet brush that sucks the dust without risk of scratches. For carpets and rugs, use the turbo brush, especially if you have a pet. Other interesting accessories: the flat suction nozzle to suck the fabrics (curtains and cushions) or the long nozzle to suck skirting boards and places difficult to access.

Finally, wish you can choose your best vacuum cleaner with this article. If any question, please tell us in the comment and we will try to help you solve the problem. Now have your try!

How to Make a Storm Glass to Predict The Weather?

You can not feel the approach of the imminent storms, but time causes changes in the atmosphere that affect the chemical reactions. You can use your chemistry command to make a storm glass to help predict the weather.

Stormglass materials

2.5 g of potassium nitrate

2.5 g of ammonium chloride

33 ml of distilled water

40 ml of ethanol

10 g of natural camphor

How to make Stormglass

Dissolve potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride in water.

Dissolve camphor in ethanol.

Add the solution of potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride to the camphor solution. You may need to warm up the solutions to get them mixed up.

Place the mixture in a clogged test tube or seal it in the weather predicting storm glass. To seal the glass, apply heat to the top of the tube until it softens and tilts the tube so that the glass edges melt together. If a plug is used, it is a good idea to pack it with parafilm or wax it to ensure a good seal.

How to interpret stormglass

Clear liquid - time should be clear and clear

Cloudy liquid - the weather can be cloudy, perhaps with precipitation

Small dots in the liquid - potentially wet or foggy weather

Cloudy liquid with small stars - thunderstorms or snow, depending on temperature

Large flakes dispersed in the liquid - overcast, possibly with rain or snow

Crystals in the bottom - gel

Son near the summit - wind

How does storm glass work

The premise of storm glass operation is that temperature and pressure affect solubility, sometimes resulting in a clear liquid; other times causing the formation of precipitants. In similar barometers, the liquid level rises or falls in a tube in response to atmospheric pressure.

Sealed glasses are not exposed to pressure changes that would explain much of the observed behavior. Some people have suggested that the surface interactions between the glass wall of the barometer and the liquid content represent the crystals. Explanations sometimes include effects of electricity or quantum tunneling through the glass.

History of storm glass

This type of weather predicting storm glass was used by Robert FitzRoy, the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's trip. FitzRoy acted as a meteorologist and hydrologist for the trip. FitzRoy said that "Storm Glasses" were made in England for at least a century before it was published in 1863 as The Weather Book... He had begun studying glasses in 1825. FitzRoy described their properties and noted that there was a great variation in the operation of glasses, depending on the formula and the method used to create them. The basic formula of the liquid of a good storm glass consisted of camphor, partially dissolved in alcohol, with water, ethanol and a little air. FitzRoy insisted that the glass had to be hermetically sealed, not open to the outside environment.

Part 2: Tips from Experts for Decorate a Birthday Cake

By Sébastien Martignac

I am not very good cook, but I like to please my children, especially for their birthdays. I do not go into great preparations and favors simplicity. It's always a success. In fact, the decoration for them is almost more important than the cake itself. For my son who is crazy about chocolate, I prepare a yogurt cake. I cut it in half and spread chocolate and hazelnut spread between the two layers. I close the cake and I cover with a spread, but I put very little otherwise it can be disgusting. Then I leave the center of the cake to make a spiral with sweets of all colors. It's a pretty snail. And each piece of cake has its candy. It avoids little jealousy. For my daughter, who is only 4, I choose a very figurative birthday cake decoration. I make a chocolate sponge cake. When it is cooked, I toast it with strawberry jam in the thin layer, then I roll. I brush the top of this chocolate-strawberry roll with some jam. Then I realize with colored sugar balls a princess face, a cat or flowers. The more color, the more she likes.

By Laura De Carvalho

In the family, we do not necessarily like sweet cakes, even for birthdays. We prefer simple cakes on our favorite cheap cake stands with a refined decoration. What's better than a strawberry pie? For us, nothing. On the other hand, we prepare the well-buttered shortbread dough, the rum-flavored pastry cream and choose very fragrant strawberries. We put small touches of custard in the socket, then we have strawberries corolla, delicately to reveal a little cream. Finally, we sprinkle through a sieve of a little icing sugar. Finally, a nice mint leaf to overhang the strawberry pie and here is a birthday cake with chic decoration.

By Sylvain88

For my son's last birthday, I had fun decorating the cake with toys. I took his Playmobil characters and recreated a scene. The Cowboys were friends with the Indians and everyone feasted around a birthday cake on one of cheap cake stands that you like. Success guaranteed!

By Marina Forestier

A birthday cake without decoration is like a party without music. It's sad and boring. Personally, I like colorful decorations. And here I say a big thank you to food dyes that allow realizations really fanciful. This year, for my best friend's birthday, I bet on a rainbow cake. When reading, it sounds complicated, but not at all. I first prepare several Genoese with a device to which I added dye. Sun yellow, apple green, strawberry red, electric blue and bright orange. I cut them out with a big circle. On each layer of sponge cake, I spread a light buttercream, flavored with Cointreau. I place the last sponge cake on top.

Part 1: Tips from Experts for Decorate a Birthday Cake

BEST RESPONSE by our experts

By Igor Narrine

An anniversary is a special occasion where all the ingredients must be at the rendezvous for a great moment of sharing and pleasure. You have to think of everything: music, decoration, dress. But the highlight of a birthday is always the cake. He has highly anticipated a distinguished guest of any successful birthday party. A beautiful decoration on a delicious cake is always the most beautiful effect. Everyone is sensitive, not just children. A birthday cake can have a simple base, such as a cake or yogurt cake, as long as it is adorned with a festive dress. There are many decorations easy to make for a visual worthy of a great pastry chef.

To decorate a round cake or cake, you can make a glaze. No limit to the imagination. Chocolate icings are very popular, but a natural frosting sugar delicately a yogurt cake, and a colorful frosting is very festive and original. To glaze a cake with chocolate, one melts 200 g of dark chocolate on a low heat in a saucepan. As soon as the chocolate is melted, we add 5 tablespoons of milk and 30 g of icing sugar. Mix well until you obtain a glossy and smooth icing. For a natural frosting, mix icing sugar with a fork in 5 cm of boiling water. For the color touch, a few drops of the food coloring of your choice added to the natural icing are enough. This icing is then spread with a spatula over the entire surface of the cake, in a uniform layer.

We can then arrange on the frosting various elements to finalize the decoration of the birthday cake on the cheap cake stands. Kids love decorations with candies or chocolates. Do not hesitate to create rainbows or circles of different colors. We can put small silver or golden balls, colored vermicelli, grated coconut, banana slices or pieces of strawberry, flowers and almond paste characters.

You can also decorate the surface of a birthday cake with a stencil that is placed on the cake. Sprinkle with chocolate powder or icing sugar. It also allows you to post a personalized message on the cake or just a name. grated coconut, banana slices or pieces of strawberry, flowers and almond paste characters.