Using the Five Senses to heighten Your Writing

Sight

This is the one sense that provides most of the detail for our stories. Our words come to be our readers' eyes, giving us a blank canvas upon which to paint a photograph to tell our story. From the sight of a coarse fear, such as a spider creeping silently along the floor to the glimpse of a shadow on the stairway... Sight is our many source of horror inspiration and description. When describing the sight of something frightful there's a huge reserved supply at the writer's disposal, because we can use our other senses to add glorious, gory detail to our descriptions. Here's an example of how all five of our senses can be used to recapitulate a easy scene:

Refrigerator Side By Side

The apple was bright green, its skin polished and shining as it nestled in the fruit bowl (sight). The scent was fresh, as though the fruit had just been plucked from the tree (smell). She took it from the bowl, her fingers conclusion nearby the firm level skin (touch) as she lifted it to her lips. The apple crunched loudly (sound) as her teeth cut through the skin into the tart, juicy flesh (taste). As the fresh juice ran down her throat she noticed a small black speck bright moderately in the creamy flesh. Closer inspection revealed that she hadn't just taken a bite from the apple - she'd bitten through a fat, juicy worm.

Sound

Remember when you were a small child, and your parents put you to bed? possibly there was no nightlight, and the Tv room was at the other end of the house...

You're lying in your bed. All alone. Desperately waiting for your eyes to accustom to the dark you hear it - a soft, scratching noise - and it seems to be coming from under the bed. It lasts only a occasion before it stops. You wonder if you were hearing things, and you're so desperate for the darkness to lighten you forget to blink. The blackness seems to swirl nearby you, cloaking you in a thick, black fog through which no light can penetrate. Suddenly it's there again, only this time the scratching seems closer. And louder. It seems to last a bit longer this time. So you hold your breath, because that darkness doesn't seem to be lifting. You've lost the sense of sight, so by not breathing you hope to hear the sound more clearly, and recognize its location...

The record above relies on the complete absence of the sense of sight. This is where fear comes in and can play a major illustrated role - in this case blind fear. To compensate for loss of sight the sense of hearing becomes more acute, so the writer can introduce other horror-inducing thoughts and impressions. Where is the sound coming from? How close is it? Will I be able to feel it if it decides to climb on the bed? When will my eyes get used to the darkness? Should I start panicking now? If I get out of bed will it jump on top of me?

Touch

This sense conjures up record of things most us will probably try to never touch, like slime, frogs and warty skin. All these items are excellent for the horror/scary genre, but writers can also take the more commonplace touch phobias and use those items to horrific effect. Some people cannot bear to touch velvet, while others are terrified of touching paper. Still others find their skin crawls when they encounter cotton wool...

Opening the wooden box in the hotel bathroom, she recoiled in horror. Nestling quietly in the lowest of the box, white and shining, was a clump of cotton wall balls. She stepped back, collapsing on the side of the bath. The mere opinion of feeling those soft fibres squeaking as the ball pressed against her skin was sufficient to induce goosebumps. She wrapped her arms nearby herself in a subconscious endeavor to protect her body from the fear she'd had her whole life. Just mental about cotton balls made her skin crawl. She moaned quietly, remembering the silent noise they emitted when squeezed; a noise that seemed to pass right through her skin. through her panic she wondered if she'd remember to pack her facial sponges...

Descriptions of this single sense can been embellished with the use of bodily reactions to feeling clear items; goosebumps, stepping away from the source of horror, collapsing with fear, subconscious act of defence (hugging the body) and a noise of fear (moaning). All these reactions add to the reader's imagination, while adding to the photograph your words are "painting".

Smell

Bad smells in the horror/scary genre normally mean something bad is about to happen or has already happened. The smell of rotting or burning flesh is probably the most coarse record applicable to this genre, and the record of the smell can also be used to indicate how the death occurred. Bad household smells range from two week old pizza languishing in the refrigerator to potatoes burning in a pot on the stove. Adjectives include: smelly, reeking, fetid, malodorous, rank, putrid and noxious.

As she applied the finishing touches to the client's hair, a sharp smell suddenly assaulted her nostrils. It was a smell she hated and dreaded, because it was an odour so terrible the memory remained burned into the subconscious forever. She froze as the acrid stench filled the air, assaulting her nostrils and her throat with its foul flavour. An instant later her salon filled with gasps and shrieks of horror. She turned towards the three ladies seated underneath the dryers. Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Edgar had managed to wriggle out from underneath their dryers, but poor Mrs Smith was unable to move. One of the pins from her rollers had obviously caught in the dryer, and ignited her hair. Smoke was seeping out of the top of the machine, which had started to spark. Placing her hand over her mouth and nose in a endeavor to banish the malodorous scent she started to move towards Mrs Smith, who screamed as flames began flickering out of the dryer..."

Taste

Most, if not all of us, have an aversion to a clear food. We don't like to eat it and the taste of it makes us feel sick. possibly the mere opinion of tasting it is sufficient to induce some horrible thoughts and feelings.

The candlelight caught the designs on the wineglass, casting a dark crimson glow on the table. He lifted the glass to his lips, the rich musky flavour of the cabernet sauvignon still drifting over his taste buds. At the first sip of the wine he practically choked. There was obviously something wrong with this new bottle of wine, for the liquid in his mouth had a bitter, sour taste. Although the consistency was the same as the previous glass, there was an acidic flavour he could not identify... Although it seemed vaguely familiar. He swirled the liquid nearby in his mouth before swallowing it. It seemed to sting his tongue and burn the roof of his mouth, and when he swallowed the acrid liquid his throat tingled. Suppressing the urge to cough he reached for the glass of water next to his plate and took a sip. As the cool water cleansed the tart taste from his palate his hostess lifted the bottle he'd used to fill his wineglass... And poured balsamic vinegar over her plate of salad.

Writers have a magnitude of adjectives at their disposal when describing the horror of tasting unappetising food. These include: pungent, sour, acrid, bitter, fetid, stinking, putrid, decaying, rancid, reek, stale and bad.

Real life can be far more bright than fiction, and using our senses in our writing proves this truth. So the next time you sit down in front of your keyboard tap in to those five senses, and see just how they can colour your words!

Using the Five Senses to heighten Your Writing

magic circle trampoline

How To Cook A Tender Juicy Steak

You invest a lot of time and money into the steaks for a special opening and when evening meal time comes, they are tough. What happened? How can you cook steaks as tender as your popular restaurant?

The first step to cooking a good steak is to select the right grade of steak. The top potential beef is graded Usda Prime and commands top prices. Usda Prime grade meats are sold to the cafeteria manufactures and specialty markets and are not as likely to be found at your local grocery chain. The next grade of beef is Usda Choice. Usda choice is tender, flavorful and only slightly lower in potential than Usda Prime. The meat is well marbled with fat and will be tender and juicy when properly prepared. Usda choice makes up about 70% of all graded beef and is effortlessly available in your supermarket. Usda Good graded beef is an suitable grade of beef that has only minimal marbling of fat. It is leaner, but may not be as tender as Usda Prime or Choice.

Refrigerator Side By Side

Next, look at the color and texture of the meat. A good steak should be firm to the touch, moist, and entertaining in color. It should be well marbled with thin streaks of white fat throughout and a thin crust of steak on the outside. In our fat conscious society, we tend to look for lean cuts of meat, but the thin streaks of white fat marbled throughout the meat are the key to a tender juicy steak.

The most tender and juicy steaks come from the sirloin, the short loin, and the rib. These steaks contain the sirloin steaks, porterhouse steaks, t-bone steaks, rib steaks, delmonico steaks, and the filet mignons. Steaks containing bone will weigh more than those without, but the bone adds flavor to the steak.

Aging is a desirable process that intensifies the flavors and makes the meat more tender. Aged steaks are more costly and ordinarily only found in high end supermarkets and specialty markets. An aged steak is recognizable by its darker color.

Once you have purchased your steak, you can supplementary increase the tenderness and juiciness by marinating it. Try a marinade made of ½ cup each good wine and olive oil mixed 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice or herb vinegar. Add any seasonings that you like such as garlic, freshly ground pepper, onion, or herbs. Place the steak in a ziplock bag, pour in sufficient marinade to just cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Marinating a steak like this will add flavor and tenderness. If you routinely store steak in the freezer before cooking, try pouring the marinade over the steak before freezing. The steak will marinate when thawing and be ready to cook.

There are meat tenderizers available to sprinkle onto your steak, and they genuinely do tenderize the meat; however, meat tenderizers can sometimes over tenderize the meat, changing the texture of the meat into mush. If you should select to go this route, do it carefully.

When ready to cook, slash straight through the outside fat layer on the steak in a few places to forestall curling, but do not cut into the meat. The more tender steak cuts can be broiled, grilled, or pan fried. Less tender cuts should be pan fried or slow braised. Steak should never be cooked in liquid. When pan broiling, use a very heavy skillet such as an iron skillet or griddle and heat the pan before adding the meat. The heavy metal will hold the heat for allowable heat distribution and not cool down when the steak is added. A hot pan will speedily sear the outside, trapping the moisture inside.

When cooking, try to turn the steak only once. Cook the meat until browned on one side and half done, then turn and quit the other side. Turning too often will stew the meat rather than searing it and furnish a less juicy steak. When the steak is done, remove from the pan and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.

While the meat rests you can make a sauce with the pan drippings if desired. Use your popular sauce, or fry mushrooms and onions in the pan. When nearly done, add a tablespoon each of butter and flour and cook until lightly browned. Add a splash of wine and loosen any bits that may be stuck to the lowest of the pan. Allow to cook until thick, taste and adjust seasonings, and serve over the steak. Enjoy!

How To Cook A Tender Juicy Steak

french door refrigerator refrigerator for sale door refrigerator

Sensational Side Dishes For Pizza

Pizza is of procedure a meal in its own right and side dishes are strictly optional. However, it can be nice to serve tasty side dishes with pizza. Garlic bread is popular, as are dough balls and other high calorie snacks. If you want something healthier you could serve a mixed salad with your homemade pizza recipe. This could be a fruity salad with sweet ingredients like chopped pineapple or peach as well as the lettuce and tomato or a green mixed leaf salad.

Corn on the cob is other good idea if you are production pizza. If you are going all out and production homemade pizza, why not make a few tasty side dishes to go with it? A homemade pizza is an extra special meal from the appetizing homemade pizza dough right up to the toppings and sauce.

Refrigerator Side By Side

If you are going to take the issue to make a pizza yourself, production one or two side dishes will make the meal even more impressive and memorable. There are side dishes you can make ahead, like salad, which are fine in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve your pizza.

The Best Side Dishes

Garlic bread is a great side dish because it is so easy to make. Just mash some garlic into butter, spread it on a French baguette and broil or bake it until it is hot and golden brown. A salad is also easy to make and you just need to toss your salad ingredients together.

If you think about illustrious pizza outlets like Domino's, you might think about cheese bread sticks or buffalo hot wings. These might be good side dishes to order if you want to relax with a takeout or if you want to eat at a pizza cafeteria but when you are inspecting a home-cooked meal, the pizza should be the main focus, rather than high calorie side dishes which fill people up before they have had a opportunity to enjoy the pizza properly.

Recipe for Zucchini and Bacon Salad

If you are serving up home-cooked pizza for your family, you might want to serve a salutary salad on the side. Homemade pizza can be healthy, especially if you use a salutary whole wheat pizza dough method and lots of vegetable toppings but there is no harm in serving up a nutritious salad alongside it as well.

The following salad method features cheese and bacon to tempt every person into having some, as well as nutritious onion and zucchini. This makes adequate to serve eight people. Feel free to substitute natural yogurt for half the mayonnaise to lower the fat and calorie counts.

You will need:

2 zucchini 6 slices bacon 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 red onion, chopped 1/2 teaspoon tomato puree 1 cup mayonnaise Dash Worcestershire sauce
How to make it:

Fry the bacon until it is crispy then drain it on paper towels. Cut the zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Mix it with the crumbled bacon, onion and cheese. Stir the Worcestershire sauce and tomato puree into the mayonnaise, and then couple the zucchini mixture with this dressing. Chill for an hour and serve with your popular homemade pizza recipe.

Sensational Side Dishes For Pizza

black counter depth french door refrigerator sliding door refrigerator fuji scansnap s1500

How to Make Your Own Homemade White Wine

There are usually any steps complicated in development a great homemade wine. The recipe given here
uses grapes but you can also use blueberries, raspberries or any other berries of your choice. If you choose to use berries instead of grapes, just the same directions, adjusting the sugar to taste. You will need more sugar for fruits other than grapes as they are much lower in sugar content.

1. The first step in development wine from grapes (or any other fruit of your
choice) is to pick grapes at the peak of their flavor. Under-ripe or green grapes and fruit will make your wine very acidic and sour which is undesirable. Some of the best grapes for development wine comprise Merlot, Concord, Niagara and Catawba. These are but a few of the many varieties of grapes ready for development wine.

Refrigerator Side By Side

To test whether your fruits are ripe sufficient mash up a good double handful,strain the juice and then measure the sugar level with a hydrometer. A hydrometer is a device that is used to accurately measure sugar levels and they are ready from any winemaking contribute shop near you. You should aim for a sugar density colse to 22° Brix - this equals 1.0982 exact gravity or 11 percent inherent alcohol - and the fruit should have a sweet, ripe and slightly tart flavour.

You will have to make sure that the grapes are clean and free of insects and other debris. Get rid of any grapes that look rotten or not usable. You also need to make sure that all the stems are removed before mashing the grapes otherwise it will give your wine a bitter taste.

2. Rinse the grapes under running water to thoroughly cleanse them. Next you will need to crush and press the grapes to detach the pulp and juice from the skins. A good way to do this is to place the fruit in a mesh or nylon bag and press the juices out by hand, or, if you are development a large batch, stomping on them with your feet using clean Wellington or gum boots.

3. If you prefer a sweeter wine, you can also add purchased juice or juice concentrates to your mixture. These juices are ready online or from your local wine development shop.

4. Next, add sugar, acid nutrients and yeast to accomplish your desired ratio.

Here is a basic white wine recipe:

1 gallon of the fruit of your choice (crushed)

5 pounds of sugar

1 gallon of water

1/8 teaspoon of wine yeast (can be purchased from a winemaking supply
store or ordered online)

Campden tablets

Tartaric Acid

Let the yeast dissolve in a cup of warm water. Use a holder of 2-gallon or larger to concentrate the remainder of the ingredients in. Stir until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved. Next, add the yeast and stir until mixed in properly. You can add more sugar at this stage if you prefer a sweeter wine.

5. Next you should add some ingredients to help you control the process and enhance the flavor of your wine. At this stage you should ad a crushed Campden tablet to your must; this is a sulfur tablet which helps control the growth of natural yeast by slowing it down .

6. You can buy a extra acidity testing kit to test the acidity of your wine if you desire. Following the instructions that come with the kit, check the titratable acidity (not the pH) and adjust with tartaric acid if necessary. You should aim for colse to 8 to 10g/L.

For the purpose of good winemaking it is also recommended that you purchase a hydrometer to check the sugar levels. This is used to check the Sg (specific gravity level) gravity level on the hydrometer.

Normal table wine has a exact gravity reading of 1.090. Desert wines will have a higher reading, and dry wines, lower. The hydrometer is also used to measure alcohol levels.

Consult the instructions that comes with the hydrometer for doing permissible readings. Both the acidity testing kit and the hydrometer can be purchased from a winemaking contribute store near your or you can order it online.

You should also use small taste tests throughout the winemaking process to decree if your wine is developing without problems.

7. Ensure that all packaging and utensils you use have been cleaned thoroughly and sterilized. Unsterilized and dirty equipment will supervene in fermenting bad bacteria with your wine which will give it an off taste.

The usual holder used for fermenting wine is called a carboy or demijohn. These come in glass or can also be purchased in plastic. Just make sure that if you elect to buy the plastic one that the plastic is food graded. Using any other plastic may cause chemicals to leach into your wine that will make you sick as well as turn the flavor of your wine.

8. Cover the holder loosely and allow the must to ferment 7 to 10 days at room temperature (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or a slight above). The holder should be glass, ceramic or food grade plastic. Metal packaging should be avoided could cause a negative chemical reaction due to the acids in the wine. Stir the must at least once a day.

9. Once the customary fermentation stage is complete, strain the liquid and place in a jug filling the jug nearly to the top to ferment. You will need to put an airlock on the mouth of the jug to allow the gases caused by the fermentation process to escape. (An airlock is a device made specifically for winemaking and can be purchased from any winemaking contribute store. This airlock allows carbon dioxide to freely escape the wine while preventing oxygen from entering) Place the jug in a warm place to allow fermentation to continue. While this process, bubbles will rise out of the must blend for six weeks or longer. When the bubbles have ceased, the sugar is all gone or the yeast have finally expired.

10. At this stage you can take a taste of your wine if you are involving about the taste, but do not drink a whole glassful. The wine is still fermenting and will probably supervene in an upset stomach! It is Ok to taste slight bits of wine as you go, but not drink too much of it the whole process is faultless and the wine has had a occasion to age.

11. At this stage, you can now rack the wine into a holder for aging. Racking is the term used for siphoning the fermented wine into another holder with the use of a siphoning hose. You can use fine mesh or cheesecloth to siphon the wine through. Let the wine sit until it clears.

12. When the liquid is clear and and no longer bubbling, this means that the fermentation is faultless and you can now bottle your wine and cork it.

13. You can originate your own labels and recognize your wine with the year and your house name or you can give your wine a extra brand name. You can handwrite the labels or originate them in a word program and print them.

14. For the first any weeks, you should store your wine on its side - this will preclude the corks from drying out. Your wine should be stored in a clean place that is preferably cool and not field to temperature fluctuations.

15. To produce the wine to best flavor, store it for at least 6 months to a year before drinking. Most wines enhance in flavor if aged longer.

16. Now it is time to practice patience. Winemaking is not a hobby for population who are impatient. Wine can take anyone from any months to any years to reach its full inherent and flavour and you will be fully rewarded for waiting!

How to Make Your Own Homemade White Wine

the best refrigerator photo scanner feeder

Ten Tips For Beating Depression

I heard about a woman who was suffering from depression, so her implicated husband took her to a psychiatrist. The doctor listened to the concentrate talk about their relationship, and then he said, "The rehabilitation I designate is de facto quite simple." With that, he went over to the man's wife, gathered her up in his arms, and gave her a big kiss. He then stepped back and looked at the woman's glowing face and broad smile. Turning to the woman's husband, he said, "See! That's all she needs to put new life back into her." Expressionless, the husband said, "If you say so, Doc, I can bring her in on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

Okay, that's not how to treat depression, but I have a few other suggestions that make more sense. As a supervene of trial and error, over the course of thirty years, I've found ten blues battling strategies that often help me. These are not quick fixes, and this list is not exhaustive. It is also not a "must do" list.

Refrigerator Side By Side

When you're depressed, the last thing you need is a list of expectations to live up to. Don't stress about forcing yourself to accomplish all these things. They're not items to be checked off a list each day. The only one that is crucial is whole one. After that, you can experiment with the others as you feel able to.

1) Get the Facts and Get Help.

Web sites and books on depression abound. Find them and do some research. You need to know what you're dealing with. Learn all you can about depression, so you can make educated decisions about your own health, learn how others cope, and find what curative rehabilitation is available. Many books have self tests to help you settle either you are experiencing clinical depression or temporary sadness in reaction to an event. In increasing to reading all you can get your hands on, one of the most leading things you can do for yourself is seek curative help right away. Depression is much too complicated for you to solve on your own. Clinical depression is a serious curative condition that is very complicated to treat. Often it is a corporal question that requires long term medication. In my own experience, it's taken years of medication, counseling, and practicing varied self help methods to gradually emerge from it, and it's still a daily battle.

Many people suffer needlessly from depression because they won't consult a doctor. If you're waiting for God to heal you, consider this: God gives scientists intelligence, which they often use to generate helpful medicines; and He gives doctors wisdom to treat illnesses. Wise doctors and contemporary medicines are gifts from God and vehicles straight through which He often heals. Doctors can help you settle either what you feel is truly depression, or if you are just reacting regularly to a sad life situation.

If you've experienced depression, you already know it is not an illness you can "snap out of," no matter what others may tell you. It's not something to be ashamed of either. Depression can be a serious corporal illness caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals or other factors. Like any serious curative condition, depression needs to be treated. Without the allowable treatment, none of my suggested coping strategies will do any good.

2) Get Focused.

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness pervade the life of a depressed person. The opposite of depression is a hopeful attitude. Focusing on hope and developing a hopeful heart is a must. It can be fulfilled, in a concentrate ways. One way is to hunt the Bible for the numerous Scriptures that tell how God has helped those who felt hopeless. It's helpful to memorize verses like these: Hebrews 4:15 (For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.); 2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9 (All-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.); Matthew 6:34 (Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has sufficient trouble of its own.); Isaiah 41:10 (Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.); and John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.).

The story of Job and the book of Psalms are the most worn pages in my Bible. While at my lowest, I've read and re-read them more times than I can count. My fridge and the mirrors in my house are covered with sticky notes reminding me of how God intervenes in the lives of His people.

Another way to focus on hope is by practicing distinct self talk. This naturally means telling yourself good things. I made a list for myself of distinct affirmations like "God cares and understands my pain. God values me. God is giving me strength. I am made in God's image. I can choose my attitude. I choose not to put myself down. I'm a worthwhile person. I have a purpose. I enjoy life. I choose to be happy and I am competent." If you struggle with depression, I think you'll find it helpful to write down as many of these affirmations as you can think of and read them every day. Even if they're not currently true or you don't de facto believe them, it's okay. Say them to yourself anyway. Your mind will come to believe what you tell it, so tell it you are already the type of someone you want to become. Be sure to remind yourself often that God is with you and He is pouring his compel on you. "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. ...For You are the God of my strength..." (Psalm 42:5 and 43:2 Nkjv)

2 Corinthians 4:18 says we need to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Focusing on positive, heavenly things rather than earthly things will keep the feelings of hopelessness at bay.

3) Get Friendly.

Fellowship with other people is a mood lifter. Being alone is the worst thing you can do when you're depressed. Unfortunately, it's regularly the very thing I want most. Depression grows best in isolation. I find it very difficult to get out and socialize when I'm depressed, but if I push myself to do it, I'm approximately all the time glad later. Some ideas for socializing contain joining a club, taking a class, involving someone to meet you for lunch, or visiting a nursing home to chat with the residents there. It especially helps me to be with friends who enjoy the same hobbies I do. Shopping, watching movies, and rubber stamping are some of the things I enjoy doing alone, but they're twice as much fun when I do them with friends.

4) Get Giggling.

I gather cartoons and funny newspaper columns. I visit humor web sites online, watch funny movies, and read funny books. Best of all is laughing with friends. One of the reasons I enjoy my grandson so much is because he makes me laugh. I can act goofy with him and let go of my inhibitions. We dance and sing and make up silly rhymes. I have photographs of us wearing funny glasses with big black mustaches. I laugh every time I look at those. Laughing affects brain chemicals. It releases endorphins, which make you feel good. Chocolate does the same thing, but a good laugh is less fattening.

A friend of mine, who had a very frustrating job, told me that one day she was inspired by someone who had a huge, involving smile. She decided to emulate that woman and smile at everybody she encountered. Right away, she realized that smiling was addictive. It seemed to make the time pass more quickly and she found herself less frustrated and more at peace. She told me, "It sounds corny, but it de facto works!"

Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 Nkjv) I've heard that a someone can act her way into feeling better. Act happy, act glad, and it helps you to feel happy and glad. Paul exhibited this truth in his own life. Acts 16 tells how Paul and Silas were attacked, beaten, locked in stocks, and thrown into solitary confinement. Yet, at midnight, what were they doing? Feeling sorry for themselves? request God, "Why?" Moaning and complaining like I do? No, they were singing! Sure they were suffering, but they knew they were children of God. Paul may have even been remembering his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 22:10) They were praising God because they had been rescued from their sins, filled by the Holy Spirit, and added to God's family. No jailer could take that away. That was worth being grateful for, no matter what else happened to them. Even if they were to be killed, it would only send them to heaven. So why should they fear? That's some awesome faith, isn't it?

5) Get Rhythm.

When I feel a case of the gloomies descending, that is not the time to play melancholy music. distinct upbeat tunes are in order -- the sort of music you might hear at a parade or a circus. Music gets your toes tapping and your blood flowing. It makes you want to sing. Singing and dancing sends a message to your brain that you're happy. Your brain is an actualizer. whatever it "thinks" is true, it works to bring about. This is why distinct reasoning works. You tell yourself, "I'm happy" often sufficient and your brain accepts it as fact. It actualizes that truth, development it happen. I've found that when depression takes hold of me, I tend to ruminate on negative thoughts. Listening to good, Christian music with distinct lyrics helps to pour good things into my brain and crowd those negative things out. There's a list of good things to ponder in the fourth episode of Paul's letter to the Philippian church. It says to think about whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, noble, right, or admirable. Philippians 4:8 says, "If whatever is exquisite or praiseworthy, think about such things." Christian music helps me accomplish this.

6) Get Busy

We all need to feel like we're complicated in something significant. We need to share in something exterior ourselves. You might consider volunteering at a local women's security or food pantry. I've enjoyed both and discovered that when I stay busy helping others and concentrating on their problems, I get a break from focusing on my own troubles. This is how Hugs and Hope began. It started with a small endeavor to make a unlikeness for one family and it grew. I've learned that joy boomerangs. When you give it away, it comes back to you. Helping others gives you the heart-warming delight of knowing you are development a unlikeness in the world. That will elevate your mood as well as your self esteem.

7) Get Physical

This is two-fold. corporal rehearsal is good for us, but corporal feel is equally important. Our bodies need to move to be healthy, and going for a walk is the easiest rehearsal for me to do when I'm depressed. It doesn't need as much energy and motivation as other activities. Breathing the fresh air and looking at the charm of nature can be helpful, and taking my dog along is even better. Just watching his ears flop as he bounces down the road in front of me often brings a smile to my face.

Exercise affects brain chemicals, and the curative touch of corporal closeness does too. If you're depressed, hug somebody - anybody, everybody! A hug is good medicine. It reduces stress and tension and it boosts your immunity to illness. Hugs raise self esteem and lower blood pressure. They feel good and make people happy. And they're free! Hugs are the universal language that communicates love and acceptance. They're healthy for the "hugger" as well as the "hugee."

8) Get Quiet

I need to lean heavily on God's word and spend time with Him. When I pray, I talk things over with God. When I read the Bible and meditate on it, I hear Him speak to me and I search for what He says. I've found this to be one of the best anti-depressants there is. However, I need to add a word of caution here. Too much solitude can worsen depression. Isolating yourself and avoiding people can make depression grow. Don't use meditation time as an excuse to avoid human contact. Time with God is of the utmost importance, but equilibrium between quiet time alone and time spent with others is essential.

9) Get Forgiveness - And Give it Too!

I've read that many psychiatrists agree that depression is guilt or anger turned inward. David is an example of someone whose guilt led to depression. After committing adultery, he wrote, "When I kept silent, my bones grew old straight through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer." (Psalm 32:3-4)

Sin makes you feel bad, but when you receive God's forgiveness, your guilt is removed; and often depression is removed too.

Depression can sometimes be caused from the need to forgive someone else or yourself (whomever is development you angry). Grudges cause feelings of frustration, which aggravate the hopeless feelings of depression. When we forgive, we let go of past hurts and give up bitterness. Then depression has no negativity on which to feed. If you free yourself from feelings of hate and open yourself up to feelings of love, you may feel as if the depression is physically lifting off your shoulders.

My friend Nance went straight through a difficult divorce, which left her bitter about the past, anxious about the future, and miserable in general. She harbored a lot of grudges and guilt, and she worried constantly. She felt the need to control all in her life, yet she knew she couldn't. After attending a women's retreat, Nance realized what her negativity was doing to her.She released her worries, fears, anger, and resentments at the foot of the cross. Then she felt a reparation in her heart. She was happy and at peace.

When she was dying, Nance told me that the most difficult thing she'd ever had to do was forgive - both her ex-husband and herself -- for past mistakes. She said forgiving was even harder than dying!

Forgiveness isn't a easy one time event. It's a process that often takes time (sometimes years), but it's an leading step to healing.

Jesus taught forgiveness when he said we'd be forgiven in the same way we forgive others, and when he told Peter we should forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Of course, Jesus also lived forgiveness. While hanging on the cross, he looked at his torturers and said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

10) Get Thankful.

When I'm depressed, I need to make a conscious endeavor to count my blessings. An attitude of hopelessness and discontent has a hard time competing with an attitude of gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:28 says, "In all give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It's leading to remember that depression is not fatal and it doesn't last forever. You Will survive! Remind yourself that this cloud of despair will pass eventually. It may seem like there's no light at the end of the tunnel, but trust that there is; and be thankful for that, as you wait for the light to appear.

So, while kisses from your husband (or a psychiatrist) may be great, they can't cure depression. But along with medication and the allowable treatment, now you have some practical steps you can take for your own well being. There are times when one of these strategies may be more helpful than the rest. Other times, it may seem that none of them makes a huge difference. But I keep practicing all of them anyway, because I know they are steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Following them on a regular basis may not eliminate depression forever, but they help me to minimize their severity.

These tips can be helpful for people who are not depressed too. They can be beneficial for whatever who is a exiguous discouraged, a exiguous blue, or needs to refocus on more distinct things in life.

I hope that by trying these ideas you may find yourself on the way to experiencing more joy.

******************

Ten Tips For Beating Depression

counter depth bottom freezer refrigerator

The Danger of Not Eating sufficient

When we think of eating disorders in America and the rising Obesity epidemic, we often fail to realize that while over eating is a major concern, so is not eating enough. People make extremely poor choices all of the time when it comes to food. Some would blame part of this on Hollywood, while others would still blame it on the fact that some People (especially women) are so obsessed with "looking good" that there is often no other alternative except to cut back on what they eat.

Our bodies need nutrition. If we don't get the proper estimate of nutrients straight through the foods that we eat, then our bodies begin to suffer. What do you think your brain runs off of? When you eat, the food is turned into energy that helps us claim sure functions. If you cut back on eating the estimate of food you should be consuming, you may realize subtle changes such as the inability to focus, problem sleeping, increased irritability as well as loss of energy.

Refrigerator Side By Side

The true way to eat healthy is to make wise decisions when you go food shopping. Before you head to the grocery store, make a list of the things that you need. After you're done production the list, look over it and read it out loud if you have to. Do you no ifs ands or buts need that box of soda? If you feel the need to have your soda fix, why not opt for sugar free and caffeine free instead? How about that bag of potato chips? You could probably just ditch it all together. However, if you feel that you must have potato chips, why not opt for potato chips that are baked and lightly salted versus the other brand? There are always healthy alternatives when you go shopping.

Some may complain that the intuit they eat so unhealthy is because unhealthy food is more accessible and cheap. While this may be true, think about how much more money you'll have to spend in the long run on doctors' bills once it is discovered that you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol! Snacking on nothing is just as bad as snacking on things that aren't good for you. As a general rule of thumb, if you stock your refrigerator and pantry with predominantly healthy foods and snacks, then you're more likely to eat healthier. It just makes sense, doesn't it? The next time you find yourself reasoning about skipping that meal or opting for the fast food restaurant, stop yourself for a second and reflect on whether or not the decision you are about to make is good for you. A miniature understanding can go a long way.

If you are still involved about your diet, reconsider this. The fastest way to get in shape and stay that way is to combine a healthy diet with a moderate estimate of exercise. If you're not the exercising type, there are fullness of other groups out there that get together, which is something that is extremely encouraging. The funny thing of it all is that you burn fat more than you think. Therefore, a moderate estimate of practice (say about 30 minutes at least 5 days per week) is all you need!

The Danger of Not Eating sufficient

double door refrigerator

How To Get Rid Of A Bench warrant

A Bench guarantee is a written order by a Judge directing law compulsion to arrest person and bring them before the Court. Bench Warrants normally arise when person is expensed with a crime and then fails to appear at Court when directed. If you had a Bench guarantee issued against you, it's not the end of the world but you will want to take care of the guarantee as soon as possible. The process of getting rid of the guarantee is called "Quashing the Warrant."

There are any ways to get rid of a bench warrant: contacting the Court, having your attorney file a petition to Quash, or sit back and do nothing. No matter which decision you make, you will at last have to go before a Judge and ask them to remove the warrant.

Refrigerator Side By Side

Contacting the Court

Every Court will have a procedure in place for dealing with Bench Warrants. You can contact the Court, whether by phone or in person, and ask them what you will need to do. Most courts will allow you to call their Clerk's Office and ask about the procedure in your case. Before the Clerk's Office will set a hearing for you, you will need to come down and make a personal appearance. Depending on the circumstances, they may want you to pay a fee or post a bond before they will set the hearing.

Remember that having a Court set a hearing to resolve if a Bench guarantee will get quashed is Not the same thing as surely having it quashed. The guarantee will remain active until a Judge signs someone else order quashing it.

Motion to Quash

The easiest way to get rid of a Bench guarantee is to have your attorney do it for you. He or she can contact the Court and ask for a hearing before a Judge. This is generally accomplished by filing a petition to Quash Bench Warrant. Although some courts will want a personal appearance by the Defendant before allowing any hearing to be set, most won't.

Sit back and do nothing

Believe it or not, this is the most tasteless way of dealing with a bench warrant. The downside of this method, of course, is that you have no control over when you get picked up. The only thing you can be sure of is that it will happen at the most inconvenient time. For example, if you are stopped for a minor driving offense and have kids in the car; who will take custody of the kids while you are on your way to jail?

What happens if the guarantee is not quashed?

If the guarantee is not quashed, then you will be taken into custody and you will remain there until whether the case is accomplished or a Judge grants someone else publish Order.

How To Get Rid Of A Bench warrant

3 door refrigerator reviews ge french door refrigerator best bottom freezer refrigerator