Home, Auto, & Hobbies Articles

Article / Updated 06-23-2022

Before you begin grilling, here are some general tips that you should always keep in mind for the sake of safety, preparation, and getting the best results. Practice patience with your fire. Never put food on a grill that isn't ready. Be sure to take your time getting the fire going, making sure that the coals are uniformly ashy gray. And remember that not all foods take well to the same fire or the same temperatures. Check your recipe or your grill manual to find out what temperature you need for each type of food. Organize your grill space. Set up a small table next to the grill with all your ingredients, utensils, serving platters, and so on. Grilling can proceed quickly, and so you have to be ready to serve food when it's at its peak. Flavor your food. Grilling a hamburger, a steak, or some fish on the grill is simple and wonderful all on its own. But to add flavor to the food and seal that flavor in is the mark of a master griller. Marinating, which is a liquid flavor enhancer, adds moisture and is great for almost all foods. Oils are great for keeping delicate foods moist on the grill, and rubs help create a nice crispy crust. Don't skimp on fuel. Be sure to build a fire that won't lose its heat before you finish grilling. This is especially important with a charcoal grill. Even though you can always replenish your coals, it's better to use too many than not enough. Just remember to spread the coals about 2 inches beyond the edges of the food, and if you do replenish the coals, you must wait until they turn ashen gray — usually about 20 minutes — before you get back to your ideal heat. Police the fire! A fire changes constantly and demands your attention at all times. At the beginning of the heating process, coals will glow and have a flame above them. When you add food, you'll likely have a small to large flare-up, so monitor the cooking closely at that time. If you leave the grill with fire licking the sides of the food, you may come back to a charred meal. Later on, when the fire has died down, you want to maintain a consistent heat so the food cooks evenly. Replenishing the coals if they start to lose their glow and diminish in size is usually necessary at least once. You may need to replenish more times throughout a long cooking time. Figure out when food is done. Unfortunately, overcooked food doesn't have a reverse gear to take it back to rare, and an overdone piece of meat is a crying shame. So be sure to hover over your grill and check the food often. To test for doneness, make a small cut in the center of the food so you can peek inside. Test frequently for doneness a few minutes before the end of the estimated cooking time. Use an instant-read thermometer for thick chops, roasts, and whole poultry. You should also gauge the searing on the outside of the food. Some folks love a black char and others prefer a light one. However, if you let the fire flare up too much, you may just get a coal-black exterior and a blood-rare interior.

Video / Updated 06-23-2022

Making slime with glue is a fun, cheap activity that continues to engross small kids and teens alike. According to CNBC, the craze of making slime with glue is so widespread that stores are struggling to keep glue stocked. Ask any teacher and they can tell you, making slime is an easy way to keep kids working with their hands for hours. Some parents report irritation of the skin as a result of the ingredients contained in common slime recipes. However, Snopes.com investigated the dangers associated with popular ingredients in slime. They determined that there is no concern regarding the use of Elmer’s Glue as an ingredient for making slime and little concern when it comes to other common ingredients. Keep in mind that making slime is an experiment. You can add less or more of each ingredient to play with the consistency of your slime. You can start with a small amount or add extra to make a large amount. The point is to play around until you find a recipe that you love. Have fun! How to make slime with glue and Tide For this slime recipe, you will need the following ingredients: Glue Liquid Tide laundry detergent Shaving cream (Optional) Food coloring (Optional) You can use any kind of liquid laundry detergent. However, we like the consistency created by using Tide. Experiment with different kinds to find what you like best. Get out your mixing bowl and spoon and get started by following these steps: Add some glue to your mixing bowl.This does not need to be an exact measurement. Remember, you can experiment with the amounts to achieve your desired consistency. If you prefer a fluffier slime, add shaving cream. For slime with color, add some food coloring when you add the shaving cream. Keep in mind that the shaving cream and food coloring are optional ingredients and are only necessary if you want fluffy slime or color for your concoction. The amount of shaving cream you will add depends on your preference. The more you add, the fluffier your slime will become. Similarly, a little food coloring will result in a lighter color, while adding more will make a deeper colored slime. Put Tide detergent into bowl with glue.You will add less Tide than glue. Start with a ratio of about 1:4 and modify as necessary. Mix ingredients together with spoon until your slime feels and looks how you want it. Looking for more slime recipes? Check out these cornstarch slime recipes and other slime recipes without borax or glue to continue with the experimenting fun!

Article / Updated 06-23-2022

Many people think that the most effective way to develop a consistent golf swing is to stand on the range whacking balls until you get it right. But the best way to develop a consistent golf swing is to break the swing down into pieces. Only after you have the first piece mastered should you move on to the next one. Miniswings: Hands and arms Position yourself in front of the ball and, without moving anything except your hands, wrists, and forearms, rotate the club back until the shaft is horizontal to the ground and the toe of the club is pointing up. The key to this movement is the left hand, which must stay in the space that it’s now occupying, in its address position. The left hand is the fulcrum around which the swing rotates. After you get the hang of that little drill, try hitting shots with your miniswing. Let the club travel through 180 degrees, with the shaft parallel to the ground on the backswing and then back to parallel on the through-swing; your follow-through should be a mirror image of the backswing. Test your rhythm for your golf swing One effective way for your brain to master something like the golf swing is to set the motion to music. When you start to move the club and your body into the swing, think of a melody. The golf swing should be a smooth motion, so your song should reflect that smoothness. Think of Tony Bennett, not Eminem. Follow these steps to begin adding body movement to the hands-and-arms motion: Stand as if at address, with your arms crossed over your chest so that your right hand is on your left shoulder and your left hand is on your right shoulder. Hold a club against your chest with both hands. Turn as if you’re making a backswing, letting your left knee move inward so that it points to the golf ball. Turn so that the shaft turns through 90 degrees, to the point where the shaft is perpendicular to a line formed by the tips of your toes. The real key here is keeping your right leg flexed as it was at address. Retain that flex, and the only way to get the shaft into position is by turning your body. You can’t sway or slide to the right and still create that 90-degree angle. Your backswing should feel as if you’re turning around the inside of your right leg until your back is facing the target. That’s the perfect top-of-the-backswing position. Unwinding From the top, you must let your body unwind back to the ball in the proper sequence. (Your spine angle must stay the same from address to the top of the backswing.) Uncoiling starts from the ground up: Move your left knee toward the target until your kneecap is over the middle of your left foot, where it stops. Any more shifting of the knee and your legs will start to slide past the ball. A shaft stuck in the ground just outside your left foot is a good check that your knee shift hasn’t gone too far. If your left knee touches the shaft, stop and try again. Slide your left hip targetward until it's over your knee and foot. Again, a shaft in the ground provides a good test — a deterrent to keep your hip from going too far. Pay special attention to the shaft across your chest in this phase of the swing (work in front of a mirror, if you can). The shaft should always parallel the slope of your shoulders as you work your body back to the ball. Finishing Swing through the impact area all the way to the finish. Keep your left leg straight and let your right knee touch your left knee. Get yourself together Practice each of these exercises for as long as you need to. After you put them together, you’ll have the basis of a pretty good golf swing, one that combines hands/arms and body motion. Coordinating all these parts into a golf swing takes time. The action of the parts will soon become the whole, and you’ll develop a feel for your swing. But knowledge, in this case, does not come from reading a book. Only repetition — hitting enough balls to turn this information into muscle memory — will help you go from novice to real golfer. So get out there and start taking some turf!

Article / Updated 06-23-2022

Pit stops are one of the most tense and exciting features of a Grand Prix or other formula one auto race. In fact, auto races are frequently won and lost because of the pit stops and pit crews. In just a few seconds a huge number of actions are carried out by a Formula One pit crew. Here they are broken down: Pit-stop actions explained Pre-programming: Once the strategists have agreed on when the driver is to make a pit stop and the intended duration of the next stint, the driver's fuel rig is programmed to deliver the precise amount of fuel required. Timing: The driver's race engineer tells him over the radio, usually on the preceding lap, when to pit. At the same time, the team manager — listening in to all team radio communications — scrambles the driver's pit crew, who gather their equipment and tires and move from the garage into the pit apron in front of the garage. The lollipop man — a crew member with a big carbon-fibre lollipop — stations himself in line with where the nose of the car will stop and holds out his lollipop directly in the driver's path, giving him a clearly visible guide for his precise stopping place. Pit lane entry: The driver enters the pit lane at full racing speed but brings the speed down to the pit lane speed limit of 80 km/h (60 km/h in the very tight pit lane of Monaco) before he crosses the white line that denotes the start of the speed limit area. As he crosses the line, he engages a pit lane speed limiter that electronically prevents the car from accelerating above the speed limit. Selecting the limiter automatically pops open the fuel filler flap. Although the pit lane limiter helps, the driver is the one responsible for being under the speed limit as he crosses the line entering the pits. The limiter only prevents the car accelerating beyond that speed once it's already below it. Hitting the marks: The driver stops the car in the appropriate spot. As the car stops, the lollipop man brings down his lollipop in front of the driver. Imprinted on the face of the lollipop is the word "brakes" to remind the driver to keep his foot on the brake pedal so that the wheels don't turn as the wheel nuts are spun loose. The driver must also prevent the engine from stalling, which they can be prone to. It is essential that the driver stop at precisely the same place that his crew are awaiting him. Failure to do so means that the crew have to drag their equipment and tires up to the car, costing valuable seconds. To help the driver hit the mark, the stopping place for the front and rear tires and the lollipop man are marked out by extremely tough-wearing adhesive tape. Front jack: Crouching next to the lollipop man is the front jack man. The instant the car stops he levers his jack under the nose of the car and lifts it into the air. The jack is made from steel tubing and has a quick-release button to bring the car back down. In most cases the car only needs to be jacked-up around two inches though at certain tracks the pit lane is on an incline and the jacking height has to be increased, which is done by giving the jack bigger wheels. Because teams have different nosecones giving different aerodynamic characteristics, they need also to have specific jacks to suit them, with specially tailored mating points. Rear jack: The rear jack man has to wait until the car has passed him before getting into position. He then places his jack beneath the car and raises the rear of the car. Starter motor: The rear jack has a fitting incorporated into it for a starter motor. The starter is there ready to bring the engine back into life if the car stalls. A car may stall due to driver error or trouble with the gearbox, clutch, or hydraulics system. The starter is fitted with an extra-long lead as a precaution in the event that the car stalls after jumping forward a few feet. Wheel changing: Each wheel has two crew members. One operates the compressed air-driven gun that removes the single, central retaining nut. The other removes the old wheel and fits the new. The gun man then re-attaches the nut and tightens it to around 500 lb/ft (pounds per foot). The wheel nut and the socket of the gun are magnetized to prevent the nut falling to the ground. This whole process takes around three seconds. To prevent the nuts working loose, the right-hand side of the car uses right-handed threads, the left-hand side of the car left-sided threads. This means that the guns of the right and left sides have to work in opposite ways. Teams usually color code them to denote which is which. Each wheel man has a spare gun with him and usually a couple of spare wheel nuts too, just in case. Refuelling: A transparent plastic shield is fitted between the filler and the rear of the car to prevent any spilt fuel reaching the hot exhausts. (It's transparent so that the lollipop man can see through it and know when the right-rear tire has been attached.) Two refuellers attach the hose to the car's filler. One handles the hose itself, the other presses on the "dead man's handle" which has to be kept down in order for the fuel to flow. As soon as this handle is released — as it would be by the man running away, for example — the fuel stops flowing. The rig delivers the exact amount of fuel that's been programmed in, at the rate of 12 liters per second. Fuel shrinks in volume when it is chilled, enabling more of it to be contained within each liter. The regulations allow the fuel to be chilled to 10 degrees Celsius below the ambient temperature. The rig is standardized and provided by the governing body to the teams who are not allowed to modify it in any way. Attached either to the hose or to the refuellers' helmets are indicators showing when the fuel is flowing and when the process is completed. As soon as these indicators tell the refuellers that the car is full-up, they release the latch that holds the nozzle to the filler and then use a second handle to release the nozzle from a connector on the car. Overseeing the whole operation are two crew members, each with a 60-liter fire extinguisher. Larger capacity fire hoses are at hand in the garage. An additional safety feature on the fuel rig are earthing strips that are wired to the refuelling rigs and reduce the chances of static electricity discharging — highly undesirable with all that fuel around. Lollipop up: The lollipop man, who's been watching the whole operation intently, lifts the lollipop. He does so only when he's satisfied that all four wheels have been attached, the refuelling completed, the nozzle removed from the car, and that another car isn't about to be in his man's path. Only then can the driver leave. Pit lane exit: The driver, while waiting for the crew to finish, will have armed his launch control. The launch control, in concert with his pit lane speed limiter, governs his getaway. As he crosses the line denoting the end of the pit lane speed limit he disengages the speed limiter and accelerates hard back up to race speed, taking care not to cross the next white line — the one that denotes the exit lane back onto the track — before he reaches the end of the pit lane itself. Failure to respect this will incur a penalty.

Article / Updated 06-21-2022

Football is the ultimate team game, and you need to motivate your players to work as a team. Although the sport allows individuals in some positions (such as quarterbacks, who can elude defenders and scramble downfield) to create plays on their own, you and your team are much better off if you can get everyone to work together as a cohesive unit on the field. Finding a surefire route to teaching the essence of teamwork among your players is difficult. Try getting the players to begin seeing the enormous benefits that accompany working as a team (rather than as a bunch of individuals) with the following pointers: Praise team efforts in practices and after the game. Recognize the efforts of the team whenever possible. If you're conducting a passing drill and the offensive unit scores a touchdown, you may tend to acknowledge the youngster who caught the touchdown pass or the quarterback who delivered the ball. But what about the other players involved? How about the blocking by the offensive line? How about the wide receiver on the other side of the field who ran such a good pattern that they lured the safety over to cover them, providing an easier target for the quarterback on the other side? When you spread your praise among all the players who play a role in scoring, players begin to understand that each of them plays a very important role on the team. Get the kids to praise one another. Encourage the kids who score touchdowns to acknowledge the teammates who helped get them to the end zone. Getting kids in the habit of giving one another high fives or telling each other "great pass" or "nice block" forges bonds and strengthens team unity. Promote sideline support. Encourage players who aren't in the game to stay involved by cheering and supporting their teammates. This role keeps them involved in the action instead of glancing over to see what their parents are doing or what kind of food their friends are buying at the concession stand. Hearing teammates' cheers also provides extra encouragement for the players on the field. Allow individual freedom — at times. Although you should sometimes give players individual freedom to create plays on their own, you need to do so within the team setting. At some point during the game, you may want to give your quarterback a chance to run the ball after dropping back to pass, and calling these types of plays are part of the game. But when that player ignores an open teammate they could have passed to because they want to run, they threaten team chemistry. Remind that player that they have teammates for a reason and to be sure to look out for them. Avoid the captain syndrome. Continually relying on two or three players to serve as team captains throughout the season elevates them above the rest of the squad. Instead, giving every player the opportunity to lead warm-ups in practice or head a drill infuses the team with the sense that everyone's equal. In most youth football programs, "official" team captains usually aren't required until around the age of 14. Naming temporary captains is just another tool you can use to build kids' self-esteem and make them feel like valued team members. Here are a few general tips you can employ to help spur your players on to become the best they can be after they buckle the chin straps: Love what you're doing. If you have a sincere passion for football and for teaching it to children, your excitement and enthusiasm will rub off on the team, and they'll respond accordingly. Set attainable goals for youngsters. Forget about trying to win every game or having the league's highest-scoring offense. Those aren't realistic goals for kids, some of whom are just learning how to properly put on all the safety equipment. If a child senses that your expectations are far-fetched, they wonder what's the point of even trying, and their play on the field suffers. This negatively impacts the entire team. Recognize the good things happening on the field. Stop practice to point out when a player does something really well, not just when a player makes a mistake. Being positive is simply one of the best motivational tools around. Don't motivate through fear or threats. Making a child run a lap for failing to perform at an expected level has no place in youth football. Kids are there to learn and to learn from their mistakes, not be humiliated or punished for them. This motivation-through-fear tactic is likely to chase members of your team away from the sport in the years to come. If they're giving everything they've got and it's just not clicking for some reason, find another method or take a different approach to teach the skill.

Article / Updated 06-14-2022

Who doesn’t love saving time (it allows you to do other things, like eat more cheese)? Check out the handy table below and take the guesswork out of wine and cheese pairings. Time-Tested Wine and Cheese Pairings This Wine Goes Well with This Cheese Sparkling wine Fresh cow or goat milk cheese, triple-crème cheeses, or Parmigiano Reggiano Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc Mold-ripened goat milk cheeses Buttery Chardonnays Buttery, creamy cheeses; try a triple-crème cow milk or an aged Gouda Sweet or crisp Riesling Washed-rind cow milk cheeses Lighter red wines, such as Pinot Noir and Sangiovese Semi-firm sheep or goat milk cheeses; try Ossau-Iraty, Manchego, or younger Gouda Syrah Comté Big red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend, full-bodied Zinfandels Aged cheddar or another cheese with some bite and heft, such as an aged pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Grana Padano Dessert wines (port, Sauternes, or Late Harvest Riesling) Blue cheeses and triple-crème cow milk cheeses

Article / Updated 06-09-2022

Have you ever looked through the photos you shot during a vacation or important family get-together and wished you had better pictures to frame, share online, or use in a photo book? For example, that really cool picture you took of your husband in front of the Eiffel Tower? Not so cool after all. You can’t really see him; he’s way too small in the frame. And in another shot, he has horns sticking out of his head because of some strange, unidentifiable object in the background. It's frustrating when you end up with less-than-ideal pictures. But you can improve your photo-taking skills by incorporating a few simple techniques. Give the following tips a try. Pay attention to the whole frame As illustrated above (the horns), it’s important to pay attention to the entire frame of your photo when you’re getting ready to click the shutter button. Whether you’re using a smartphone or something fancier, what’s around your main subject and in the background matters. You might have to change your position, your camera angle, or wait a few seconds, but it will be worth the trouble. Fill the frame This tip is related to the first one because it’s also about paying attention to the entire frame of your photo. One of the best pieces of advice for better photos is to get closer to your subject and fill the frame with it, or them. The photo below shows an example of this. The photographer moved up close to the woman and filled the frame with her and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Identify your focal point and compose around it Before you snap a picture, first, identify your focal point, or main subject. It could be a person, a fountain, a tree, a building , or anything you’re interested in. Then, compose your shot with that focal point in mind. Even in scenes where a main subject isn’t obvious, try to identify something. For example, in a busy outdoor market, is there an interesting person or eye-catching tapestry you could use as your focal point? In the photo below, the photographer noticed the wacky shaped, bright-colored peppers and chose them as the focal point. If the photographer had stood way back and shot more of an overview of the scene, with nothing in particular as the main subject, the result would have been a much less interesting picture. In this shot, the photographer also chose a fairly shallow depth of field to blur the background. This further emphasizes the focal point, while also showing the environment. Dummies.com has many articles and books on photography, including lots of books on specific cameras. Use the rule of thirds Often, if we don’t take a moment to consider composition, we end up placing our main subject right in the center of the frame. The result, most of the time , is a boring photo. You can significantly improve your photos by using the rule of thirds when you compose your shot. The rule of thirds is a method of composition. Imagine a grid (see image below) over your viewfinder (on many cameras and smartphones, this is an option you can actually turn on) and place your subject along one of the lines or at a point where the lines intersect. As you can see in the image of the golden retriever below, the dog’s head is near one of these intersecting points, and it results in a beautifully balanced shot. This photo would be far less dramatic if the dog was placed right in the center of the frame. Keep in mind, the rule of thirds is a guideline. There are many examples of beautiful photographs featuring the main subjects in the center of the frame (like the next photo featured in this article). This decision, like so many aspects of photography, is an artistic one. Where is the light coming from? Take note of where the light source is, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. For example, if you take a photo of a person with the sun coming from behind them, it’s likely their face will be darkened and they might appear silhouetted. This is because your camera’s light meter is trying to simultaneously deal with the very bright and very dark areas in the scene. That’s not to say that shooting toward the sun is wrong. Many photographers do this intentionally for artistic effect, which requires a bit of technical know-how and some experimentation. Also, pay attention to whether there are harsh shadows falling across your main subject. Try changing the angle of the shot by moving yourself or the subject, if possible. Meter the light on your main subject Digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, and others, include different ways to measure light coming into the lens to ensure a good exposure — meaning the picture will not end up too dark or too light. Make sure you are measuring the amount of light on your main subject. Even smartphones allow you to do this by tapping a specific area of the image on the screen. The point on the screen you tap is where the phone’s camera will measure the light. It will then adjust the exposure for that point rather than trying to balance the exposure for the entire scene, which can result in your main subject looking too dark or light. Try playing with this on your phone, and you will soon understand how to make it work for you. Keep your camera level and hands steady This tip may seem obvious, but we all sometimes forget to do these two simple things when we’re shooting photos. You can easily ruin what would have been a great shot by not holding steady and making sure you have your horizon straight. Look for leading lines and patterns In photography, leading lines are shapes in the scene that help lead a viewer’s eyes to your focal point. These could be train tracks, a line of trees or lampposts, a fence, buildings, or even shadows. In the photo below, the planks and rails of the pier lead your eyes out to the clouds and mountains beyond. You can also look for other elements, such as shapes and colors, that make patterns in a scene to add interest to your photo. Frame your subject Many times, if you look carefully, you can find ways to frame your main subject with other elements in the scene. For example, a rowboat just offshore in a lake could be framed by the trees on the shoreline. In the photo below, the photographer saw an opportunity to frame the subject with the arched window. Try a different angle For fun, try framing your subject with a different angle. In the photo below, a different perspective, shooting up toward the statue’s face, and using the architecture on the ceiling to frame the head, creates a much more interesting picture than it would have been just shooting this static subject from farther back and straight on. (Photo credit: Home page image by Dylan Hargraves, Unsplash.com)

Article / Updated 06-09-2022

A basketball court has symmetry; one half of the court is a mirror image of the other. The entire basketball court (see Figure 1) is 94 feet by 50 feet. On each half-court, painted lines show the free throw lane and circle, as well as the three-point arc, whose distance from the basket varies based on the level of hoops being played. Figure 1: The American court. Indoor basketball courts are almost always made of hardwood. Outdoor courts are most commonly composed of asphalt. The borders of the court have their own commonsense names: Along the length of the court, the borders are the sidelines. Along the ends, the borders are the endlines, or baselines. Separating both halves of the court is a midcourt line. In the very center of the midcourt line is the center circle (12 feet in diameter), where the center toss takes place to begin the game. The free throw lane and free throw line The free throw lane is the hub of the action in each half-court. This rectangle is 12 feet wide — 16 feet at the men's pro level. Its length, as measured from the basket to the free throw line, is 15 feet at all levels. An offensive player may not stand inside the lane for more than three seconds unless he or one of his teammates is shooting the ball. After a shot is taken, the count starts over again. A defensive player may remain inside the lane for as long as he desires. A player fouled by another player sometimes receives free throws, also known as foul shots. She takes these shots (they aren't really "throws") from the free throw line at the end of the lane — 15 feet from the basket. The shots are "free" because a defender does not guard the shooter while she's shooting. When a player shoots a free throw, her feet may not cross the free throw line until the ball hits the rim, or else the shot is nullified. The remaining players line up alongside the free throw lane (or behind the shooter) and cannot interfere with the shot. They line up in order, on either side of the lane, of defense-offense-defense-offense. (Up to four players may stand on one side of the lane.) If a player opts not to take a spot (say, for example, the second defensive spot), then a player from the opposing team is permitted to step into that spot. The fans behind the basket usually scream, jump up and down, and wave their hands to try to distract an opposing team's shooter during free throws. The three-point arc The three-point arc is the other important marked feature of the court. The arc extends around the basket in a near semicircle, and its distance from the basket differs according to the level of play. Even at one level, the distance can change as rules committees grapple with the best distance for the good of the sport. The NBA has changed the three-point distance on two different occasions since first adopting the trey, as the three-point shot is called, in the 1979-1980 season. The three-point distance was moved back to its original 23' 9" for the 1997-1998 season. The college distance is 19' 9", while the international distance is 20' 6". Any shot made from beyond this arc — even a desperation half-court shot at the buzzer — is worth three points. A three-point shooter must have both feet behind the arc as he launches this shot, but either foot is allowed to land on the other side of the arc. The backcourt and frontcourt Thinking of the entire court as two half-courts, divide it into frontcourt and backcourt. The frontcourt is the half of the court where the offense's basket is located. The backcourt is the other half. Thus one team's backcourt is the other team's frontcourt.

Article / Updated 06-08-2022

Online, cat content reigns supreme — but their internet popularity doesn’t seem to translate into real-world adoptions. According to the Human Society of the United States, just 35 percent of households own cats (versus 54 percent for dogs). So if you’ve been thinking of adding a furry friend to the family, why not consider the kitty? And not just because June is National Adopt a Cat Month — adopting a low-maintenance mouser has perks all year-round. Just imagine the mood boost of watching silly cat videos online 24-7, and you’ll begin to understand just how much a four-legged friend can enhance your well-being. The benefits of cat ownership A pet can be a crucial addition to our support networks, as many first-time pet parents discovered during pandemic lockdowns. The companionship of a beloved pet has been proven to alleviate stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Cats can even help us process grief: Talking to a pet in our time of need can help us sort through our complicated feelings without fear of judgment. Cats are also unlikely to become distressed by our distress, making them more of a comfort than an additional worry. But cats don’t just benefit your emotional heart — they benefit your physical heart, too. One study found that cat owners were 30 percent less likely to die from a heart attack than people who have never owned them, while another found that cat owners were at reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. While these outcomes may be due to overall lifestyle differences, it’s safe to say that cats deserve at least some of the credit: Cat purrs have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even support bone density and healing. Best of all, almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of owning a cat. Unlike dogs, cats are perfectly content with a 100 percent indoor lifestyle (in fact, it’s much safer for them — and the local environment — if they don’t venture out). Cats are also quiet and small, making them ideal for apartment living. And, as long as they have fresh food, water, and litter, cats are relatively autonomous. Their low-maintenance ways make them a great pet for anyone from older adults to people who work long hours away from home. Choosing a cat (or kitten) On average, cats live between 12 and 18 years — so you’ll want to choose your new family member wisely. READ MORE: How to Recognize Good Health in Kittens and Cats Adopting a kitten While kittens are indisputably adorable, they may not be well suited to your experience, lifestyle, or family. That’s because kittens are cats in training: They don’t yet have the grace and self-sufficiency of adult cats and need more attention, patience, and gentleness as they grow. Spending their formative months in a loud, chaotic environment can impact a kitten’s behavior for life, so be realistic about your lifestyle (and keep out of the reach of children). READ MORE: Choosing a Cat or Kitten: Which Is Better for You? Adult cats Cats become adults around the age of 1: still cute, but much less of a mystery. With their personalities generally set, it’s easier to identify the snuggly couch potato or playful hunter of your dreams. Do you want a cat that gets along with other animals? A cat that vocalizes? A mature cat provides the best chance of finding the right fit. Of course, their greatest strength could also be a curse — like humans, adult cats with behavioral issues will be more set in their ways. Be sure to inquire about any potential challenges before committing. And in case you were wondering, adult cats are as capable of developing love and affection for their owners as kittens are (as long as the feeling’s mutual). READ MORE: Cats for Dummies Cheat Sheet Breed characteristics People often fall in love at first sight with their future cat, committing to a life together without knowing much about them. Understanding a bit about the different breeds can help you narrow the field and find the right cat for your household. Some breeds require more grooming than others, for example, while some are more tolerable for people with allergies. READ MORE: Cat Characteristics by Breed When in doubt, lean on the experts: Shelter and rescue workers know which cats hate being picked up, which are suitable for young children, and which will get along with your aging dog. Some cat rescues even have foster programs that allow you to live with your potential cat-to-be for a trial period, giving you both a glimpse of your future together. The fix is in Owners failing to neuter or spay their cats is one of the biggest causes behind the rising number of homeless cats in the U.S. While no one feels good about subjecting their little one to surgery, it’s really in everyone’s long-term interest: According to the ASPCA, fixed cats are at lower risk for all kinds of behavioral issues and health problems, including various cancers. Spaying or neutering is also much less expensive than raising or rehoming a litter of kittens (not to mention, less stressful). While many shelters and rescues perform these and other necessary medical procedures prior to adoption, be sure to request your kitty’s medical records before taking them home. For more guidance on becoming a cat parent, check out the book Cats for Dummies.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-01-2022

To cook truly wonderful Italian meals, it helps to have some knowledge of Italian cooking tradition. This Cheat Sheet summarizes important factors in cooking like an Italian, including cooking terms, pairing flavors, and Italian culture and history. It also includes explanations of ingredient labels, wine labels, and an Italian meal-planning checklist.