Abstract Home Vol. 4 Issue 9 2013

LIVING QUARTERS

Furniture makes your home finer. In fact, a house is largely uninhabitable

without some form of furniture. Apart from the functionality of the furniture there are aspects of aestheticism which govern your furniture fabric choice. This is a guide to helping you make a decision beyond the ba-sic look of the fabric.

Your choice of furniture fabric may rely on several things. For instance, you may choose a particular material for its fade resistance. This is im-portant especially if furniture will be placed in a room that gets plenty of sunlight, or will be placed close to a window. The same goes for mildew re-sistance. Look for fabric that is mildew resistant if you live in a humid climate that fosters mil-dew. If your family has a history of allergies, consider fabric such

as microfiber because it is lint free and does not attract dust. With that said, pet friendly ma-terials are options for those who may have issues with fur. There-fore, fabric such as silk, or any fabric with lots of texture should be avoided.

Notwithstanding there are several other more important factors which lend toward your choice of furniture upholstery. For instance, the amount of traffic in a room would lend to how durable your furniture fab-ric would be. For places that are subject to heavy wear and tear every day, choose tough, tightly woven fabrics for pieces. High thread counts will indicate more tightly woven fabrics, which is a sign of better ability to sus-tain wear and tear. Remember also to choose fabrics that offer stain resistance if furniture will be exposed to constant direct

sunlight.Another important con-

sideration to note is the fabric should complement the style of the furniture and add to its character. You will also want to be aware of the room size as you don't want to choose an over-whelming pattern for a small space. Make sure the fabric fits the mood of the room. Colour is usually the main criteria for choosing furniture, but don't choose a fabric just for its color. Be sure to use something fitting for the room and atmosphere.

The range of fabric choices is stupendous. Cotton, leather, linen, silk, wool, ramie, hemp, acrylic, microfiber, nylon, rayon and vinyl all come to mind easily, while there are several modern blends available as well. Finding the right upholstery fabric just depends on what the buyer plans to achieve.

Cleaning furniture can be a chore for those who don’t know how to go

about it. However, proper pre-vention and a little know-how

can have you’re your furniture fabric fine in no time.

Much like with clothing, upholstery manufacturers have a system of cleaning 'codes' that they label each piece with. Knowing these codes can help you to determine if a piece is actually fit for your home and the kind and amount of use you intend to put it through. Below are a list of the most common furniture care codes.

• W: The code "W" means that your furniture should be able to be cleaned with water.

• S: The code "S" means that a furniture cleaning solvent can be used on your piece.

• SW: The code "SW" means that both water and solvent can be used to clean your furniture.

• X: This code means that you should not apply water or solvents to this particular

piece of furniture, and in-stead should clean it using a soft brush, or in the case of deep staining, by taking the upholstery to be dry cleaned.

From an overall perspective, it is important to note that mois-ture is not your friend. Use as little water as possible to clean upholstery. Try a spot remover first, but if you must use a water-based approach, use it sparingly for best results. Baby wipes are surprisingly effective for clean-ing upholstery because they de-liver the right amount of soap and water, are quite gentle, and evaporate quickly.

Whatever the case be sure to remember the first rule of cleaning a spill. Get to it quickly before it has time to set. Use a blotting motion with either a paper towel or clean white cloth. Rubbing can smudge the spill into a larger stain - an effect

that upholstery cleaning pros call "blossoming". Work from the outside of the spot towards the centre. Blot dry.

However, prevention is al-ways better than cure so try put-ting measures in place to reduce the need for cleaning your up-holstery. Take cushions outside and beat them by hand month-ly. This will help prevent dust from settling into the fibres. When replacing cushions, ro-tate and flip them as you would a mattress to ensure even wear. Plus vacuums can actually pro-long the life of your furniture. Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum soft furnishings on a weekly basis. The angle-tipped crevice tool is great for reach-ing sneaky areas where the evi-dence of daily use - dirt and oils - like to set up shop: namely, creases, fabric folds and tufted areas. Your hard work will show dividends.

Choosing Furniture Fabric

Upholstery Cleaning Tips

www.abstracthome.com JUNE 2013 ABSTRACT HOME 1

So half of 2013 is gone and you feel like nothing has changed in the bedroom,

pun not inteneded, but fits in so nicely! Too much of the same, recession stalling that massive remodling dream of yours? Here are some old tricks of the trade, cutting corners to rejuvenute the love life you once had with your ex-favourite room.

Layout of the LandStart with the big stuff. The bed, the wardrobe - if its not built-in, the night stands, these domi-nant items more or less sets the entire layout of the room and moving them around can get your juices flowing. Even with limited space, just twisting the angle of the furniture can the start of something big.

BeddingOk so now you’ve strained your muscles moving the bed around, but the bed still looks like uh-mmm… The answer could very well be be changing the bed cov-ers. Consider a duvet or com-forter set with maching shims and shams that helps to create

a whole new look. This could be going super frilly-girly, modern – bold prints, classic - flowers, to primary pastel alll possible in a snap. Careful with the over-population of pillows, they re-ally shouldn’t take up more than half the bed.

Clear the ClutterRid your slowly transforming bedroom of anything that isn't conducive to relaxation or ro-mance, including the TV. Work desks, even if you eat and sleep

work at least find a divider that seperates it from the rest of the room. For all the other ‚must have‘ knick knacks at least, hide any stress-inducing clutter in a stylish container.

Handles Replace existing drawer han-dles, door knobs and pulls with decorative ones. This easy low-effort trick adds personality and style to nondescript or inexpen-sive furniture. Think brass or black or varnished woods.

Drapery Yes, curtains, they have as much leeway as bed spreads and just as much say. They make loud or light breezy statements and dramatically change the tone of the room. Add some depth with a layers and experiment dramatically with textures and tones.

Turn Down the LightsKeep bedroom lighting sub-dued instead of bright and harsh. Nightstand lamps or wall sconces should be close enough for bedtime reading, but use three-way bulbs so you can adapt the wattage to your needs or mood, also the selective use of candles is both eco-friendly and creates an unmatchable dreamy atmosphere.

Make the Room Come AliveHouseplants generate oxygen and remove toxins from the air, so get some in there. If your thumb is far from green, ask for watering, feeding, and main-tenance tips for the plants you like or else just ask which plants are hardest to kill.

LIVING QUARTERS

Renewing Your Bedroom Action

ABSTRACT HOME JUNE 2013 www.abstracthome.com2

It is undeniable that plants are one of the simplest ways to decorate your home or

office space. They add a level of beauty and sophistication to any room. Plants have a calming ef-fect on us, -unless you have to maintain them. It is for this rea-son that many persons are opt-ing for artificial flora.

Real plants need careful tending. Special dirt and ferti-lizer must be sourced. Failure to do so will result in less than pleasant odors emitting from your plant’s pot. In addition, a sick or dying plant is not a sexy show piece. It tells of some shortcoming in your homemak-ing skills; never something we want displayed.

Pruning is necessary. This can be avoided by spending ex-tra for grafted or dwarf plants. If you are in need of a hobby, dwarfing plants is a skill that teaches patience and gives tan-

gible boastful rewards. If you avoid these points then you must be skilled when pruning. Removing the apex of most plants will stop their growth upwards permanently, produc-ing short wide plants. While cutting stems on other varie-ties will kill your plant. At the very least haphazard cutting will produce odd coarsely shaped

plants with brown tips. I am sure we remember

from Sesame Street that plants need water man. This becomes a bit of a science when indoors. Too much water will rot your plant’s root. It can also collect under the pot and give rise to other nuisances like mosqui-toes; worst case scenario- it spills onto your carpet depos-

iting the materials and their odors from the pot.

Many are not aware that real plants should not be in an enclosed room with a sleeping person at night. At night the plant does not exhale oxygen since there is no photosynthesis taking place. It emits carbon di-oxide just as we do.

A beautiful silk plant is cheaper than the real plant it is imitating. It can be maintained by lightly dusting and even polishing. However, artificial plants only look beautiful while they look real. The moment the aesthetics of the plant diminish it’s time to change it.

Real plants are yours for a lifetime. You can name them and take pride in their develop-ment. Fake plants, however, can change as your mood and décor change. Whichever way you de-cide to go we hope you know what you are getting into.

The right paint colour, art accessory or furniture piece is the perfect ad-

dition to any room. Yet, the power of a well-placed rug can-not be overstated. Rugs do well to tie the entire look of a room together. Here are some tips to decorating with rugs.

Don't assume that a rug has to be a rectangle. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug. Try figur-ing out what shape would look best, and then go with a square, round or oval shape if that seems like the better option than a rec-tangular one.

When using more than one rug, it's better when the rugs complement each other in style. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect. Too many "warring" patterns in a room will do away with any sense of harmony.

Use a rug as the focal point of your room, as rugs can make a huge impact. To do that you can create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug's accent colors. Use a rug as a wall hanging for another way to create a focal point.

Lastly, pay attention to size at all costs. In the family room, select a size that covers at least the length and width of your furniture. A 5′ x 8′ or 6′ x 9′ rug is a good size to cluster furniture around for an intimate area. To expand the space, select a larger size that outlines the pe-rimeter of the area.

In the dining room, a rug should be large enough to al-low space for chairs, even when pulled away from the table. Measure your table and add ap-proximately two feet, or sit in one of your chairs yourself and measure the distance from the table.

If you have a wood floor, try to have at least 18 to 24 inches of flooring around the perimeter of the room.

cuticle remover. Leave it on the stain for a couple of hours and then wipe it off.

LIVING QUARTERS

Which Type of Plant Suits You Best?

Decorating With Rugs


Decorating With Rugs

House cleaning can be quite a chore. Wait a minute… Houseclean-

ing actually is a chore. Well, the arduous task of housecleaning can be made simpler with a little planning and a well-constructed checklist. There are some things which are usually left out of the checklists of cleaners. However, for a really clean abode, these should not be left out.

Refrigerator CoilsRefrigerator coils often remain neglected until the machine stops working. Usually these coils do not need a lot of effort to clean them. After disconnect-ing the refrigerator, you should use a vacuum to remove dust from the coil and the fan. After doing this use a brush to dust away any tough dirt from the coil. That is all you need to do to clean the refrigerator coils.

Clean Your Faucet AeratorsWhen your faucet seems tired and cranky, spitting and spurt-ing water instead of providing a smooth flow, it’s probably just a clogged aerator. Unscrew the aerator with a pair of pliers, but use a small towel or other soft

material as a buffer to prevent scratching the metal finish. Next pull off the rubber washer and pop out the inside parts. Then use an old toothbrush and per-haps a pick or wooden toothpick to dislodge the rust and rinse it away. Once reassembled, the faucet now should run like new.

VacuumIf you notice your vacuum isn’t eating up dust bunnies like it used to while you clean, you may need to give it a cleaning (after unplugging it from the wall). Emptying the bag or canister is the easiest way to improve suc-tion, but other tactics, such as taking out the brush roll and removing all the hair wound

around it can bring your vacu-um back to life. Many vacuums have filters, which can become packed with dust and debris. Take the filter out, empty it and wash it with soap and water to ensure maximum filtration. If it is a paper filter, purchase a new one from your local hardware store. Finally, wash out all hoses and attachments with soap and water to prevent blockage or clogs. That dust won’t stand a chance.

Washing MachinesAfter several rounds of washing laundry, our machine's might start to reek of an unappeal-ing odor. To remove this smell (and ensure that it continues to run smoothly,) all you need to do is empty out the machine's contents and run it on a regular cycle using a washing machine cleaning solution.

Sink DrainsPour a cup of baking soda, fol-lowed by cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Once it stops bubbling, pour a kettle of hot water down the drain. Clean your garbage disposal the same way. To sharpen the blades, run

a few ice cubes (or those lefto-ver eggshells from breakfast) through the mechanism.

Ceiling Fans and FixturesOften overlooked are ceiling fans since they are constantly running. Many of these fixtures are never turned off, but when they are, it can be very surpris-ing to see how much dirt, dust and grime has built up on the blades swirling overhead. After the fans are cleaned, take a look at the light fixtures. These fix-tures gather plenty of dust and dirt throughout the year and soon they lose their glow. An all-purpose cleaner, sponge and cloth will quickly and easily get these fixtures back to their origi-nal sparkle.

Your SewerThis may be the most dreaded, but it’s certainly worth the ef-fort. Maybe you’ve never even considered the fact that a sew-er must be cleaned, or maybe you’ve been avoiding the task since you purchased your house ten years ago, but there’s good news. There are folks who can do this nasty task for you, they’re called professionals.

Often Overlooked Household Chores

LIVING QUARTERS


All of your life you’ve dreamt of being in-dependent. You have

dreamt of the time when you could be free from financial hin-drances and embrace the abil-ity to pay your own way. Forget about career aspirations, and future targets. You just want the paycheck at the end of the month. You’re young and you’re smart, and you’ve managed to land yourself a job that you actually like. You’re good at it, your peers respect you for your contributions and you really feel some level of satisfaction after a hard day’s work. There is only one problem. Your boss is an ass./;’. He has the uncanny ability to dance across your last nerve, give you heartburn, and influence you to use every ex-pletive that you’ve ever heard and would never utter in your mother’s presence all before a week’s end. He frustrates you to the point where you get a head-ache the minute you see his car in the parking lot. Your noctur-nal bliss is often interrupted by dreams of discovering new ways to ‘whack’ your boss. Your boss is indeed, an ass;’.,/. But don’t despair. At some point we’ve all faced an impossible boss. Let’s see if we can peel away the lay-ers of horror that you have to deal with on a daily basis by first examining what type of boss you have. There are really four main types or a combina-tion of all.

A. The clueless.It’s a miracle. How did they ever end up being the boss in the first place? You really don’t want to call him stupid, but the fact is… he is! The brainless solutions he comes up with for the company’s problems leave you dumbfound-ed. Deal with this boss by catering for his stupidity. Have prepared answers for problems before you bring then to his attention. Don’t try to come off as if you’re smarter than him though. Make him feel smart by requesting his advice, and then expertly lean his advice more towards your liking. He’ll eventually sanction your idea without even knowing it. One thing he’ll know for sure is that “he” thinks more clearly when you’re around. Be his muse.

B. The workaholic.Never seems to leave the of-fice. Never takes a vacation. Al-ways stays late. Works on week-ends. Sounds familiar? Nothing is wrong with the fact that these strange creatures from another planet don’t seem to have a life, but the problem is that they ex-pect you to live the same way. They burden you with unreason-able deadlines; expect you to do ten things at the same time-even if you have to take work home-and question every minute you’re away from your desk. After doing all that work, the glory and recog-nition never seem to leave their office. They take all the credit for the work that you do. Even while

you’re standing right there. This one can be tricky, but you’re not a machine so don’t act like one. Do your job and do it well, but never go over board because this will be taken advantage of. Expect to get the lecture about his giving you all these tasks because of your com-petence and you’re the best per-son for the job and yaddah yaddah yaddah, but let him know – ever so politely – that your compe-tence is hinged on your ability to keep burnout at bay. Introduce him to pictures of kids that you don’t even know and tell him how much fun you had at the mall with them over the weekend. Brag about the hikes and beach cleanup campaigns and charity events that you volunteer for. None of this has to be true of course, but your message is clear. Your navel string is not buried under your desk, and you have a very active social life. Don’t mess with it.

C. The bullsh.#^tterShells out empty promises just to appease your concerns. Months down the line you realize that they are just what you thought: full of sh$%. Bonus at the end of the year? Yeah right! The solu-tion for this one is simple. Get everything in writing. Commu-nicate using e-mail, so that you can refer to your correspondence at a later date.

D. The penny pincherThey expect you do your job ef-fectively, but won’t allocate the

resources for you to get it done. We all know that old Chinese saying “cheap ting no good”. They can hardly be expected to last long. Make sure that they don’t. The next time he buys the cheap-est electric pencil sharpener… Don’t break it you vandal! Abuse it till it fails. Then complain that the quality was no good in the first place and draw reference to the other department’s more ex-pensive version that they’ve had for years and it still works like new. He’ll get the hint. When submitting quotations eliminate the cheaper ones and only put forth the ones of the highest ca-liber. Convince him how much research you had to do to find one that’s affordable. When he sends you out for more, make sure that he only sees the ones that are more expensive than the one you’ve chosen.

All difficult bosses have one thing in common. They have the need to fluff their feathers every now and then so that all and sundry could be reminded of who’s in charge. Let the peacock strut. Don’t ever resign yourself to just one thing in life. Update your skills and send out resumes. Your exit strategy may come in handy and you’ll have the option to leave. If, however you encounter a new ass, at your new job, maybe it’s time to consider opening up your own business. That way, you can be the ass, but let’s hope that by now you’ve learned.

HoME oFFICE

Dealing With A Bummy Boss


Well laid wall and floor tiles with a hanging lamp amid

recessed down lighters create the coziest of kitchens

ELEGANT IDEAS

Delightful Decorating

Ideas

11www.abstracthome.com JUNE 2013 ABSTRACT HOME

Create the luxury dining experience at home with flowing fabric furniture coverings

ELEGANT IDEAS

12 ABSTRACT HOME JUNE 2013 www.abstracthome.com

These elaborate accessories give this

bedroom the feel of an ambassadorial suite

ELEGANT IDEAS


Floral arrangements and clear glass table top add a soft touch to this room

ELEGANT IDEAS

14 ABSTRACT HOME JUNE 2013 www.abstracthome.com

This modern and spacious bathroom has all the right accessories

ELEGANT IDEAS


When it comes to kitchens there are always new innova-

tions to aid us in preparing food quicker and easier. However, there are some tools and acces-sories which have stood the test of time that must not be forgot-ten.

We begin with an old school favourite that has declined in popularity over the years. The thing is… we’re not sure why people aren’t still raving about this. The mortar and pestle are great tools for handling some of your kitchen duties. With it you can smash, mix and blend things by hand. This way of preparing ingredients goes back thou-sands of years and gets the max-imum amount of flavour out of herbs and spices. Have you tried putting meat into your mor-tar? Add pork mince to your crushed Vietnamese flavours

– chili, lemongrass, garlic, lime – add honey, continue bashing and then turn into tiny, sticky meatballs and cook through in a frying pan.

A good pair of kitchen tongs sure does come in handy. They should always be close by when cooking in a frying pan, barbe-cue or grill. They in fact become

the perfect extensions for your hands-preventing them from being burnt. They are great for flipping steak, checking chicken and more!

Electric mixers are definite-ly the way to go for big jobs or if you happen to whip and beat ingredients on a frequent basis. But an assortment of whisks

can make small jobs a breeze. Whisks are an invaluable kitch-en tool that can be used for both wet and dry ingredients. A small whisk can mix up a brown sugar cinnamon topping for muffins and be used to beat the eggs needed for the muffin recipe. A larger whisk can combine the dry ingredients for a cake then be used to make whipped cream.

Next up is the speed peeler. This tool is the perfect time saver. You will be surprised how much you use it once you get it. Trini homes utilize ground pro-visions more than most and us-ing a knife to peel them can be time consuming and dangerous. Even apples can be peeled for your salads and desserts with a speed peeler. They are cheap as chips and completely brilliant. It is the simple gadgets that are often the most useful in the kitchen and this is a must.

KITCHEN

Grilling Don’tsWhile we have our

own native signature flavours and recipes,

the great old American pastime of grilling should not be left out of our cooking methods. Make your meats and even vegetables even more delightful with that smoky charred flavour. How-ever, be careful not to make the mistakes we are about to high-light when grilling. Don't flatten burgers, steaks, and chops with your spatula; it will only press out flavorful juices and cause flare-ups. Flip the food only once if possible.

Do not crowd the grill. Too much food on the grill restricts your ability to maneuver. Grill-ing often calls for split-second decisions such as in the case of a flameup. With a packed house, there’s nowhere to maneuver, resulting often in burnt and un-

desirable food preparation.Don't use metal-handled

utensils on the grill. They can transfer heat to the palm of your hand. Opt for wooden handles or use a flexible, heat-resistant glove.

Refrain from leaving the grill unattended. Food can flare up and burn quickly. Try to prepare as much of your meal in advance so that you can carefully watch the grill.

Don’t Touch the Food So Much. We all like barbecue

when you see a nice seared, dark brown and charcoal bits and such. So many times I see folks moving their food around so much, the meat can’t rest long enough to pick up great flavor and color. Leave it alone. In al-most all cases, there is no need to turn your food more than once or twice.

When cooking directly over the fire, never use a basting sauce that contains sugar un-til the last 10 minutes of grill-ing. Basting earlier will result in crusty, singed food that you can-not resurrect.

Don’t squirt water on flare-ups. Those spray bottles stir up ash, and it will land all over your lamb chops. You can't prevent flare-ups, but you can control them; just move your food to the cool part of the grill until the flames calm.

Often Overlooked Kitchen Accessories


When the rainy weath-er has you feeling down, there is noth-

ing like a good ole warm bowl of soup to get you feeling right. These tasty semi-liquid treats are the perfect remedy for the rainy weather blues.

CoW HEEL SoUp

Ingredients2 Tsp oil1 cup diced onions6 sprigs fresh thyme, divided2 lbs cowheel, cut upSalt and pepper to tasteWater1/2 cup yellow split peas6 ochroes2 carrots cut into 1-inch roundsDumplings

DirectionsHeat oil in pressure cooker then add onions and thyme and sauté until the onions are translucent, 2 - 3 minutes.Add cowheel along with salt and pepper to taste and sauté with onions and thyme for 3 minutes.Add 5 cups of water, stir, cover the pressure cooker and let cook for 30 minutes. Time begins from the first whistle.Release the valve of the pres-sure cooker to let out the steam. Open the pressure cooker and add the peas and more water. There should be enough water to cook the peas and make soup.Add thyme and let the peas and cowheel cook on high heat until the peas melts.Add ochro and dumplings to pot, cover and let cook for 6 - 8 min-

utes or until the dumplings are cooked through. Taste soup for seasoning - salt and pepper and adjust accordingly.

FISH BRoTH

Ingredients1 lb sliced fish of your choice3 small limes, juicedEqual parts celery, chive, chadon beni, thyme, garlic –(Processed together in a blender)1 onion, diced2 pimentos, diced3 cups water2 tomatoes (diced)6 ochroes, sliced (optional)1 lb green fig, peeled and sliced1 lb potatoes, peeled and diced3 tsp all purpose seasoningPinch of salt and black pepper

DirectionsSeason fish with all purpose sea-soning and 1 tbsp of grind sea-soning. Refrigerate for half hour.Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tbsp grind seasoning.Add potatoes, green fig and ochroes.When half cooked add tomatoes, lime juice and fish.Simmer for 20 minutes until fish is cooked. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

BRoCCoLI ANDCHEESE SoUp

IngredientsCooking spray1 cup chopped onion2 garlic cloves, minced3 cups low sodium chicken broth1 pound broccoli florets2 1/2 cups low fat milk1/3 cup all-purpose flour1/4 teaspoon black pepper8 ounces light processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta Light)

DirectionsHeat a large nonstick saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add on-ion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add broth and broccoli. Bring broccoli mix-ture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 minutes.Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to broccoli mixture. Cook 5 minutes or un-til slightly thick, stirring con-stantly. Stir in pepper. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts.Place one-third of the soup in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return pureed soup mixture to pan.

BEEF SoUp

Ingredients2 Tsp oil3/4 cup diced onions6 sprigs fresh thyme, divided2 lbs. bone-in stew beef, cut up1/2 cup yellow spit peas

Salt and pepper to tasteWater1 lb. white sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks1 lb. half-ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds6 - 8 okra, tops and tips re-moved2 carrots, diced1/4 cup sliced green onions (white and green parts)Dumplings

DirectionsHeat the oil in the pressure cooker or potAdd onions and sauté until translucent, about 2 - 3 minutes.Add 3 sprigs of thyme and sauté for 1 minuteAdd beef and sauté along with the onions and thyme for 3 minutes. Add split peas along with salt and pepper to taste.Add 5 cups of water, stir, scrap-ing up any bits stuck to the bot-tom of the pot. Close the pres-sure cooker and let pressure for 20 - 22 minutes.Open pressure cooker and add sweet potatoes, plantains, car-rots and remaining thyme and enough water to cook the in-gredients and make soup. Let cook on high heat for 12 - 15 minutes. Do not lock pressure cooker; just let the cover rest on top of the pot.Add raw dumplings along with ochroes to pot; cover and let cook for 6 - 8 minutes or until the dumpling is cooked through.Taste soup for seasoning (salt and pepper) and adjust accord-ingly. Stir in green onions and serve.

Warm Up Your Soul

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Ten White Lies Wives TellTheir Husbands

I think that it’s human nature to lie. Our natural ability to tell the truth seems to get

distorted by the time we are able to talk. Think about it, kids tell lies even when you catch them red handed. I often ask myself when and how they learned to tell a lie or when to use it. To date no one has been able to an-swer this question.

So it seems as if we have been born with this lying ca-pability. Women as well as men lie to their spouses in an ef-fort to try and save themselves from conflict. Telling a blatant lie could be harsh, but I can see the use of a white lie. Now a white lie is not a whole lie, it is what I would consider to be a half truth. With a white lie you cover the truth so as not to cause discomfort or hurt some-one’s feelings. Guys here are ten white lies commonly used by your girls.

I am sure all guys have heard this one before “I called you, didn’t you see the missed call?” This is a common white lie told by wives. The truth is that sometimes they forget or they are just too busy to return a call. This lie can work really well es-pecially since phone companies have a reputation for dropped calls and delayed text messages.

Another common white lie told by wives is “I would never change anything about you”. Guys if you believe this just sit back for a while and observe your

spouse. Notice how she tells you about your style of dress, how you take care of your things and the big one how often you lime with your friends. There is going to be at least some part of your existence that she would want to change. She may not start at it all at once, but slowly and surely she is going to get there. So guys watch out.

This next lie is for those of you guys who have roaming eyes. Yes, those of you who can’t see a pair of pants or skirt past by. Now your chica may not seem to mind where your eyes wander as long as you are with her. She may even tell you the famous white lie “it doesn’t bother me when you look at other women”. I think this white lie is to allow you to think that she is cool and down with everything. This is, however, the opposite of how she really feels. Women are generally conscious of how they look and they feel insecure when you decide to let your eyes roam. Just be aware of her feelings and try keeping your eyes to yourself.

Families are considered to be the strong hold of society so they are very important to both boyfriends and girlfriends. However some girlfriends may not be exactly crazy about their boyfriends’ family. She keeps this to herself however and cov-ers up with the white lie “I love spending time with your family”. This type of lie could have grave con-

sequences, as the marriage pro-gresses. Be sure to observe her when she is around your family. If she acts weird or uncomfort-able be sure to find out what the problem is.

One of the biggest white lies told by girlfriends is that the size of a man does not matter. The main thing about telling a lie like this is to help a man retain his self confidence. If your spouse doesn’t mention anything about your size, try to avoid asking her about it. If you are however conscious about the size and think that it may be causing a problem in your relationship, talk it out with her. Constantly being aware of yourself can cause your perfor-mance in bed to drop. In a situ-ation like this remember that it is how you use your tool that matters not the size of it.

Both males and females have their own set of friends. These friends could be people they work with or people they have known for years. It is okay for boyfriends and girlfriends to have their own set of friends, but sometimes there is that one particular friend that is more than just a friend. A girlfriend is more likely to keep her ex as a friend and still carry on a close relationship. This can be and often is dangerous to rela-tionships. This type of scenario often brings about the white lie “he is just a friend”. If you notice that your boo is a particularly

friendly with another male companion talk to her about it.

Watching weight is a big is-sue with girlfriends. They tend to be conscious of their size and how they look. They want to know that you think they are beautiful at all times. If your girlfriend asks about her size please refrain from giving an answer. She will tell you the famous white lie “I would not get mad if you say I look fat”. Guys please don’t fall for this lie be-cause if you say she looks fat she will get mad at you.

Lies about how many part-ners one has had sex with are often common. They help prevent partners from get-ting scared and create a level of trust. The trust created can hardly be thought of as trust because it came about as the product of a white lie. These lies are often told by the men. The white lies told by women about sex are usually “I don’t feel like having sex I have a headache”. This white lie is one of the most commonly used lies by women of all ages.

White lies are not meant to hurt the feelings of others, but to prevent the other person from feeling bad. So don’t take it personally if your girlfriend has been telling you a bunch of white lies. Instead tell her one of the white lies she loves to hear. Tell her you would not get vex if she tells you the truth about things.

BRIDAL


Creating a family and maintaining that which you have so craftily cre-

ated can be quite an adventure. It is a long, sometimes arduous and sometimes exhilarating ride on a road that seems to have no end of twists and turns. Your parenting partner is there to provide much needed support-ed and assistance (after all, it’s their child too). However, the help they offer can sometimes prove problematic as you may not see eye to eye on decisions regarding your child and its fu-ture. Therefore a compromise must be met. Parenting styles must be merged so that there is one common ground that caus-es less or no conflict between parents as they deal with their child. Conflict-free co-parent-ing can be achieved and these tips are going to explain how.

Differences in parenting styles are not only related to how strict or lenient one parent is in regards to the other. It also deals with understanding each other and being able to share the same views so as to create set rules for governance of the household. If there are no rules, your children have nothing to abide by. When making the rules, there must be commu-nication. Take time to discuss

each other's parenting styles and values. Work on listening to your partner as carefully as you would like them to listen to you. Develop general rules based on the basics of right and wrong. Do not try to get too intellec-tual with the rules. After all, you are making rules for children so be basic. It is also important to be aware of yourself an oth-ers in the rule-making process. Consider if your own childhood is influencing how you are re-acting to your child or your co-parent, and assess if your reac-tion is a fit for today's situation.

Once the rules have been formulated, the next step is be-ing consistent when enforcing these rules. Consistency is re-assuring. Where discipline and rules are concerned, consistency is also effective to keep children focused and be more obedient. If parents keep contradicting each other, the children will not only become confused, they will stop listening and the sneaky ones will even play Mum and Dad off each other. Statements like “But Mum says it’s okay to watch TV first before dinner” or “Dad always lets us jump on the couch” will become com-monplace if parents fail to be consistent with household rules.

With that said, work out

which parent deals with which aspect of parenting. For in-stance, decide who’s going to have the birds and bees con-versation with which child. Is the mom or dad better suited to talk to the son or daughter? Understand each other's needs for the vital resource known as control. Strive to be more flex-ible and to not have to always be in control. When issues arise do not play the blame game. Examine what role your ac-tions or non-actions played in the conflict. Once that is done, make sure to achieve some sort of resolution. Unresolved issues are a sure course to dissolution. Don't put off dealing with the important conflicts.

Since communication and consistency are the keys to par-enting success, it should be no secret that arguing over rule enforcement is a definite no-no. This should never be done in front of your kids. Talk it over with the spouse and agree on how to discipline children. Come out with solutions on how to handle children when they break certain household rules. They will see it as one parent siding with them while the other is looking for ways to punish them. Arguing in front of the children for any mat-

ter is bad enough. It sets a bad precedent of disharmony in the home. Keep the argument be-hind closed doors and not with-in hearing distance of little ears. How can you discipline a child for fighting while you are having a fight at the same time?

Another tip is to avoid in-terfering with an on-going so-lution. Very often, one partner will try to be helpful when the other partner is trying to handle a difficult situation, for instance Bobby hitting his little sister or Bobby caught lying for the 10th time since morning. Take a step back and try to be quiet. Resist interfering with the ongoing situation. Ideally, let one par-ent handle a situation as hav-ing both parents jumping into it will look as if mum and dad are deliberately ganging up on the child. Only offer to help the spouse if he or she is having real difficulty managing the child and the problem.

Parenting can be tough, but it can also be infinitely reward-ing. What one parent has the ability to do can be twice as effective with a partner. How-ever, there must be a thorough understanding of parental roles and obligations between both parties. Enjoy travelling the road of co-parental bliss.

Co-Parenting TipsMerging Parenting Styles

FAMILY


Some may say we don’t celebrate “summer” in T&T. However, we draw

most of our clothing options and styles from countries which do have a designated “summer” period. Therefore, our trends will continue to be Universal. Here are some of 2013’s hot summer style choices.

Dresses…dresses…dresses!Easy, breezy pieces are always a hot fashion trend in the va-cation period and a dress is a definite must-have item this season. If you love to wear dresses, now is the time to buy. The variety of fashion-able summer dresses available is mind-boggling, and one (or more) of them is sure to suit your body, budget and person-al style.

Dresses with a hemline at or just above the knee work for daytime and nighttime, and should be a wardrobe sta-ple. For a work-appropriate look, choose from a great as-sortment of wrap dresses, shirt dresses and jersey knit dresses. Show your trendier side with a kimono-sleeve or babydoll dress, and if you've got great curves don't be afraid to don a fabulous mi-cro-mini dress. Women with toned arms will find lots of chic tunic styles to pick from this year.

Give summer fashion trends a nod by opting for bold floral and botanical prints, sheer fabrics and “fashion-y” touches like a wide belt. Some summer dresses have a vintage vibe, but they can also be fresh and feminine. For the full-on romantic look, choose a sum-mer dress with tulle tiers, girly ruffles, bows or pleats.

Color your wardrobeColor always plays an impor-tant part in each season's of-ferings, and is an especially key fashion trend for summer 2013. Dazzling colours can make even the most basic sil-houette come alive. Balance tart candy colors like hot pink, electric blue, vibrant yellow and tangerine with the lushest grays, and use splashes of coral, purple and tangerine to cre-ate a summer wardrobe in full bloom. Also in this summer are soft, powdery hues like sky blue, apricot, silver and earthy putty.

Romantic Elegance On the other end of the spec-trum is a look that's still old-fashioned yet updated enough for today's woman. Victorian-inspired touches are popping up everywhere, from jewelry to apparel. Try pairing a sleek, modern blazer with a lacy white blouse. Or, add a cameo brooch to any jacket for a little romance. A strand of pearls is the perfect way to incorporate this trend into any outfit, from casual to formal. The perfect addition to any Victorian in-spired look is an upswept hair-style secured with bejeweled combs or pins. For this trend, keep makeup feminine and light with soft pink cheeks and neutral eyes and lips. A sheer gloss in a soft pink or nude shade is preferable to heavy lipstick.

There’s a certain ring to the words “Do It Yourself (DIY)” that compels us.

We are drawn in by the thought of independence and cost ef-fectiveness and inevitably the results of doing it ourselves vary. Some of us enjoy first-timers luck, while others are born natu-rals. The rest of us are all but a disaster waiting to happen. This is all too evident when dealing with our hair and hair products. How do we prevent the impend-ing danger and embarrassment to be caused by our own hands? These three tips should help.

1Understand your risks - if you’ve never colored, cut or

chemically altered your hair be-fore, you will have a higher risk of problems than if you’ve al-ready successfully gone through the process. Think carefully of the possible risks before you proceed. If you decide to move forward, try to do the treat-ments during a day and at a time when help is available if you have a problem. So many hair consumers take on new DIY hair treatments in the middle of the night or on weekends when professional help is not readily or easily available.

2Get as much advance help as possible - if you’re

a newbie be sure to gather as much information as possible before you start. There is tons of information about hair care treatments on the Web or in books and magazines. Read and research before you begin your DIY journey. Also, if you explain to your regular hair colorist that money is tight, they may be will-ing to sell you a small amount of touch up color for your roots for in-between visits. Or they may help you slightly alter your color to prevent the need for constant touch-ups.

3Go slow - if you’re going to color your hair, only color a

small hidden section first to test the outcome. If all goes well, you can always go back and color your entire head. Consider buy-ing a product from a company known for their help. Some companies go as far as to offer toll free product assistance. If not, ask in advance what type of correction service might be available if you encounter a problem. Most companies will not guarantee assistance but many will do their best to help.

Disasters are bound to happen, but many can be prevented. Do yourself a favour by taking these tips to heart before you end up like the chick in the pic.

Surviving The DiY Hairdo

poWDER RooM WARDRoBE

Make Your Wardrobe Work

in 2013

www.abstracthome.com JUNE 2013 ABSTRACT HOME 23

With only 24hours in each day and so much to do it’s no

wonder why people constantly try to extend their existence on the earth. Not only that, but they aim for a high quality of lifestyle to go along with the longevity. There are habits which are sure to add quality and longevity to your life and we are being kind enough to share it with you.

Eat Breakfast Every MorningPeople who have a morning meal tend to take in more vita-mins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cho-lesterol count, and less chance of overeating. It is important to eat at other periods of the day as well of course. You know the drill – 10 servings of fruits and veggies a day (the more colourful the better), lots of whole grains and cut down on salt, fat and sugar.

Exercise for Better HealthThere is nothing like proper diet and exercise to get you in tip top physical shape and feel-ing and looking fitter. Not only that, but physical activity has a bounty of other benefits.• Maintains healthy bones,

muscles, and joints• Reduces risk of developing

high blood pressure and dia-betes

• Promotes psychological well-being

• Reduces risk of death from heart disease

Drink Water Water is essential for all healthy body functions. Cen-tenarians from around the globe cite their native water as the source of their health and longevity - and the scientists agree with them. What they all have in common is pure water sources located far from any city, free from chemicals and toxins.

Get Sufficient SleepGetting between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night can make a tremendous difference. Get-ting enough sleep also helps you learn new skills more eas-ily and maintain your mental focus. Plus you’ll feel physi-cally well rested and that in turn makes you less bothered by stress.

These tips are the types of hab-its you need to get addicted to. Try them and see for yourself. A Fabulous life awaits you.

The first exercise is called the floor squat. Stand with your feet wider than

your shoulders and place hands on the floor, chair or exercise ball. This action should be done in relation to your flexibility. Bend your knees while keeping the weight on your heels. Low-er your butt to a point at least parallel to the floor or as low as possible. Keep your abs in mak-ing sure that your toes are vis-ible. This should help get those thighs and glutes in shape.

The next exercise is the wall pushup. Place your hand on a wall or high railing wider than shoulders. Keep your back straight and pull your abs in. Very slowly bend your el-bows until they are at a 90de-gree angle and lower your body. Repeat when you have achieved this and your face is close to the wall or rail.

The bicep curl with lat-eral raise is the next exercise. Stand with feet hip-width apart holding light dumb-bells in front of thighs. Your palms should be out when in this stance. Without swinging, bend elbows bringing weights

toward the shoulders. Lower back down, turn palms until they face each other and lift straight out to the sides stop-ping at shoulder level and keeping elbows bent slightly.

Assisted lunges are great leg toners. Stand with feet about three feet apart in split-stance. Use a firm rail or chair for balance. Keeping your torso straight bend knees and lower your body towards the floor allowing your front knee to extend past the toe. Push through the heel to come back up. Both legs should be treat-ed individually and the reps should be the same for each.

Four Healthy Habits To improve And Extend Your Life

HoME GYMMEDICINE CABINET

Four Figure Fixing Exercises

We Swear By


A supplement should be just that –something additional to your diet

to help your pet if there is a deficiency of some sort. Due to the poor nature of pet food and general lack of care given to pets and animals in general, there may be more need for supplements than you would think. Here aare three of the more popular supplements.

GlucosamineLarge-breed puppies are prone to mineral imbalances that cause developmental problems in the growth and strength of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. A building block for cartilage and ligaments, glucosamine makes joint fluid slick and ef-fective as a lubricant. A large dog, should receive 1,000 mg daily or 500 mg twice daily, reducing the amount propor-tionally to the dog’s size. Be sure to give glucosamine in conjunction with fish oil.

Vitamin CA good supplement for dogs is Vitamin C (ascorbic fo-rum). Mega doses can curtail skin allergies, help in collagen production, and boost the im-

munity system. Of all animals, the dog is the worst producer of vitamin C. The levels pro-duced by a dog naturally are barely enough to cover what is needed when in perfect health.

AntioxidantsThe high use of conventional tick and flea products, antibi-otics, and harmful chemicals and pesticides in commercial dog food, plus air and water pollution, causes many ani-mals to eventually develop liv-er, kidney, and heart disease. Antioxidants help protect and repair the body from the DNA damage that leads to these conditions.

Trinidad is becoming more like its foreign counter-parts every day. Pastimes

like camping are becoming more common and this is a great trav-el option for those who want to be away from home without the big bill. If you are one of those looking to go camping, here are some tips.

Be Ready For AnythingNothing could be truer than the Boy Scout motto "Be pre-pared." Carrying a survival kit when you venture away from your campsite is an indispen-sable camping tip. You'll want to have a water filter and a metal bowl. Then, add a sur-vival knife, which can be used to hunt, to protect yourself and to signal for help. Not just any blade will do; it's worth investing in one from a camp-ing or outdoor goods store.

Another must-have in your survival kit is waterproof matches stored in an airtight container. You can make wa-terproof matches by dipping regular ones in either nail pol-ish or paraffin. A plastic medi-cine bottle or 35 millimeter film container makes a handy caddy for your waterproof matches. Keep a flashlight in your survival kit, and store ex-tra batteries in an airtight con-

tainer similar to the ones you store your matches in. Having a flare gun and a mini LED torch isn’t a bad idea, either.

Don’t Forget the FoodGood food is an important part of a great camping trip. Although it is possible to cook gourmet meals over a camp-fire, it's best to start simple. You can prepare food at home and reheat it at the campsite or purchase tasty premade, freeze-dried meals which are becoming much more popu-lar these days. The variety will amaze you. Get your fair share of quality snacks in there as well (especially if you are camping with kids). As a backup, bring some no-cook options such as sandwiches, bread, cheese, fruit and canned goods.

Clean UpAs you're living it up on the open range, keep this next camping tip in mind; it will help you protect and preserve nature so that you and future generations can enjoy it again and again. Leave no trace, meaning pick up after yourself to leave the ecosystem undis-turbed. Clean up thoroughly after meals and secure your food high above the ground.

pETS

Three Supplements Your Dog Might Need

TRAVEL

Camping Trip Tips


When was the last time you looked over your auto insurance poli-

cy? Looking over all the particu-lars and the fine print details? Over the years your insurance needs may change; if you have had the same policy for years, now might be a good time to re-read all the details of your policy and have a chat with your insur-ance agent or with any one of the company’s representatives. Chances are that you may be paying too much for insurance, maybe for services you no longer need or require. In this period of recession every cent counts, therefore you need to find ways to save a little extra money. If you already have insurance few of these tips may be applicable to you but for first-time drivers and new policy owners, try these to help lower your premiums.

1Purchase a ‘simple’ car. Simple here means low-profile; a car that is not

too flashy to attract thieves or too expensive which would make the repair costs high. Also, purchase a car that has a track record for safety as insurance agents consider this when calcu-lating premiums.

2Avoid extra medical coverage. If you already have a medical insurance

policy, whether personal or one

offered by your company, then purchase only the minimum personal injury protection re-quired by your insurance com-pany.

3Become a better driver. Insurance agencies put a higher cost on premiums

for young or inexperienced driv-ers. But that price can be slashed by at least 20-25% if they see that an advanced or defensive driving course was done. These courses will equip you with techniques that can assist you when driving in rush-hour traf-fic or on highways.

4Fully comprehensive or third party- your first car may not necessarily be a

new car but it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be insured. But for older or cheaper cars, choose 3rd party insurance. That way if an accident occurs, you can ensure that the other driver’s car is re-paired, even if you choose not to repair your own.

5Combine policies. If there are 2 or 3 cars in the household, consider

insuring all with the same insur-ance policy. The company may offer one low premium for all vehicles insured. Your premium may also go down, if you pur-chase life or homeowner’s insur-ance from the same company.

6Roadside assistance. It may be cheaper to pur-chase roadside assistance

from another company, since taking roadside assistance with your current insurance agency might cause your premium to increase.

7Try carpooling. Some insurance agencies offer ‘low mileage discounts’

to policy owners who carpool or drive a lower than average num-ber of miles each year. Ask your agent about this discount.

8Ask about discounts that you can take advantage of before purchasing your

policy and discounts that can be enjoyed during the life of your auto insurance coverage. Some insurance companies offer safe-driving discounts that can be given after several years of driv-ing accident-free or discounts

for teenagers who are insured under their parents’ policy. Get all the information upfront also to avoid hidden fees.

9Get safety gear. Ensure that your car is parked off the road and in a ga-

rage. Insurance agents may put a higher cost to cars that are not well-kept or guarded when not in use. Also, get car alarms, anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices installed in your car, as these can help garner additional savings.

10Request higher deductibles. A deductible is the

amount of money that you need to pay after an accident, before the insurance company comes to your rescue. The higher the deductible, the lower the cost of your collision and comprehen-sive coverage, resulting in a re-duced insurance premium.

The number one key to finding a reasonable insurance premium is to shop around. Be guided by the advice of others but know that your insurance needs may differ from that of your friends. Seek out the best deal and be hon-est when presenting your docu-ments such as credit scores and job positions. In these situations, honesty is the best policy when seeking a reasonable premium.

Get The Most Out Of Car insurance

GARAGE


Abstract Home Is Published By Abstract Media Group, Premium Commercial Complex, San Juan, Trinidad, W.I. • Tel: (868) 638 1156/9 • Fax: (868) 638 1160. Printed By The Office Authority - Printing Division And Distributed By AMG

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Abstract Home Vol. 4 Issue 9 2013