Wondering how to create a private story on Snapchat? Here are some easy ways to create, post and delete a private story on Snapchat.
You’ve come to the right place to learn about How to Make A Private Story on Snapchat.
Today Snapchat is a household name, as common as the camera app. Many people use it interchangeably with their phone camera apps and some even prefer to use only Snapchat to capture their memories. And honestly, why shouldn’t they? While a camera app can provide only a few altering specifications, this social media app not only delivers filters and more interactive features but also allows users to share their memories with friends and families with a click of a button.
First launched in 2011 in the market with the name of Picaboo, It quickly rose to popularity namely because of a popular and one-of-a-kind feature of disappearing stories. In the new age, for us, the feature of a disappearing story is not new or novel, but back in 2011, snapchat was the first company to come up with this feature.
Presently, the company holds a majority stake in the market because of its “coolness” as the younger demographic is attracted to the app. The company in its 11 years of inception has continued to come up with new and trailblazing features like Spectacles, lens, geofilters and more. And yet, stories remain the most popular feature till date so much so that it led to Facebook incorporating it as one of Instagram’s features to remain competitive.
Let’s take a deep dive into this feature and look at some easy ways on how to make a private story on Snapchat. Read on to learn more about shared stories, how to delete the private story and other useful snapchat tips and tricks.
Stories are the best way of showcasing a piece of your day-today with your followers whether it be in the form of a photo or a video snippet. Users can update and add stories to share with their friends. The best part? After 24 hours, the story automatically disappears and you have the freedom of determining whether you would like the story to be viewed by everyone in your contacts or create a private story on Snapchat.
Now that we know why stories are such a popular way of being social on the internet, let’s understand what exactly is a private story.
What is a private story on Snapchat?
Imagine you want to post a memory to your stories feed but don’t want to share it with all your friends and contacts, then you will post a private story.
A private story can only be viewed by people who you have approved. It is a space wherein you can share snippets of your life to a select number of people and be rest assured that none of your other contacts will be any wiser.
How to post a Story on Snapchat?
Now that you are all familiar with the concept of a private story, let’s look at how to create one on snapchat. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to post a story.
Posting a story via your Phone and iPad
Open the snapchat app by clicking on the icon on your screen.
Tap your bitmoji profile icon that you can see on the top left corner of the screen.
Under the My stories tab, you will find an option to create a private story. Click on it.
If you are creating a private story for the first time, you will have to add and approve contacts who will be able to see your story. There will be a small check on the right side of every contact you select.
After you have created a list of contacts, click on the Create Story button that will appear on the lower centre of the screen.
Now, you can give a name to your story. After you have successfully decided on a name, click save and proceed further.
You will be redirected to the profile icon page and under the my stories tab you will find the option of adding to your private story.
Add photos, videos to your private story without a hassle.
Posting a story via your browser
Open the snapchat app in your browser
Sign in if you are not already logged in.
Create a new private story following the same steps as detailed above.
Click choose video or drag and drop your photo/video to the appropriate tab heading.
Select My Story before sending it.
You might encounter some terms and conditions if it’s your first time, read and agree to the terms to continue further.
Click the button and post it.
Now that you have learned How to Make A Private Story on Snapchat, let’s move on to other things.
How to delete a private story on Snapchat
A lot of times, we post stories or snaps that go against our better judgement. In cases like these, snapchat’s easy story deleting process is a much needed relief. The process of deleting a private story on Snapchat is even simpler if that’s possible. Follow the aforementioned steps and you’ll be golden.
Open your snapchat app.
Click on your bitmoji profile at the top left corner.
Under the My Stories tab, you’ll find your private story you want to delete.
Click on the three little dots right beside the private story.
You will be presented with a plethora of options. Choose the delete story option and click on it.
Edit viewers
This feature of editing who has access to view your private story is important for many. The process of editing your viewers ensures that you don’t have to go through the hassle of creating a new story every time you want to add or remove certain contacts.
Let’s take a look at how one can achieve it by following the below steps to the tee.
Open your snapchat app.
Click on your profile at the top left corner.
Select the three dots beside your private story.
Select the option to see viewers.
Now, you can add or remove viewers as per your wish. When you are done, click the save button.
Shared stories
Shared stories are the new way of collaborating and creating content. The concept behind this invention is to foster interaction and connection by making sharing and adding more memories with friends easier and more engaging. By making a shared story, you can not only share your videos and photos with people of your choice but the added members can also add and contribute.
The difference between shared stories and custom stories, a feature that was introduced a while back from snapchat, is that the people you add can add other people as well. The idea is to connect to as many people with a shared interest as possible.
Since it is important to stay safe online, Snapchat has taken measures to ensure that this does not develop and snowball into anything harmful. Community guidelines are in place to ensure that the fun doesn’t get out of hand.
Let’s see how to create a shared story on Snapchat.
Open the snapchat app.
Click on your profile bitmoji on the left side of the screen.
Find the new story option under the My stories section.
Choose the shared option story.
Choose friends you’d like to add to your shared story.
Share your snaps and encourage other members to participate.
Things to keep in mind:
If the creator of the shared story deletes it then all the snaps will be lost to the void.
If you are a member and want to delete your contribution, you are free to do so. Other snaps will not get affected by this.
Other useful Snapchat tips
Now that we have learned How to Make A Private Story on Snapchat, let’s talk about some useful tips and tricks. Snapchat is not just used for personal but also for business purposes and no matter your intention, all of us could do with learning more about the hidden or slightly lesser-known tips and tricks that will definitely boost our Snap-chatting experience!
Below is a list of some of these coveted tips that will ensure that your snaps are unique and crafty, and a far cry from boring. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to know more about them.
1. Filters
While you can certainly find an array of filters on snapchat, sometimes you might struggle in selecting a perfect one. What to do? Well, you could easily just create a new filter. And no, I’m not talking about the filters wherein you have to spend time. There are few snapchat hacks that are sure to give you that edginess that you might be missing from your usual options.
Select an emoji of your choice and enhance it till it forms a translucent film on your snap. This is an easy go to hack for when you want to retain a certain amount of mystery. It’s easy and takes only a few seconds.
Another way is by creating a border by enlarging an alphabet and encasing your image or video in it.
2. Zoom-ins
The usual way of zooming in is by pinching the screen using your index finger and thumb. But that’s the way the oldies do it. Not you. The easiest way of zooming in and out is by sliding one finger up and down the screen. Try it!
3. Increase traffic to your website
For business purposes, adding your website link on your snaps increases traffic to your site. Which in turn will help you improve your conversion rate. The easiest way of adding your website link is after you have taken your snap, click the paperclip option on the panel on the right side of the screen. You will be able to add the link and all that is left to do is share it!
4. Homework
Do you struggle with boring and repetitive homework? Mainly do you suck at maths? Well, not to worry as snapchat comes to the rescue. This snapchat feature allows you to click a picture of the maths question and provides you with the solution. Cool, right? Now at least doing maths will be fun.
5. Battery saving mode
It’s not just your phone that has a battery saving mode, snapchat also allows you to conserve your phone’s battery by switching to travel mode.
Conclusion
Snapchat is not new to the digital game and is certainly not going anywhere. Even during the pandemic, Snapchat benefitted as its digital consumption rate increased tenfold. Hence, it is important to remain abreast of changes or new additions within the space of this app.
If you need ideas on how to make your snaps more creative, do check out this youtube short.
Now that you have learned everything about how to Make A Private Story on Snapchat and shared story features on Snapchat, what are you waiting for? Go try it for yourself and level up your snapchatting game. Keep the other useful Snapchat tips in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about private story on Snapchat
How to post a private story on Snapchat?
To post on your private story, go to your profile and under the My stories tab, you’ll find your private story. Click on it and take a snap. Next, press the send button and share your snap on your private story.
How to create a private story on Snapchat?
Open your snapchat app, go to your profile and click on the create private story option under the My stories tab. Select and add friends who will be able to view the story. Take the snap and share.
What are good private Snapchat story names?
Some good private snapchat story names should be creative, witty and snippy. Some potential names are code blue, snap like you mean it, backstage pass, and chamber of secrets. You can customise popular shows like keeping up with the kardashians with your name as well!
How to see private stories on Snapchat?
To view your friend’s private story, open your snapchat app and go to the stories tab. To know if you are viewing their private story, look for a lock icon. Click on their name and view their story countless times.
What does a private Snapchat story mean?
Private story on snapchat is a unique feature wherein you can share snippets of your life in the form of either images or videos with a select few people. You can add and remove people who have access to your story.
Cleansing crystals is not exactly rocket science. In this post, we’ve elucidated a list of some of the best ways to clean and maintain crystals and stones at home.
Introduction
Do you know that healing crystals need to be cleansed from time to time to retain their powers?
This blog is an ultimate guide that explains everything on cleaning crystals the right way and the necessary precautions required during the cleaning process.
In this article, we shall learn what are the various types of healing crystals and their benefits, the need to clean crystals, and how to cleanse crystals.
There are various procedures available for cleansing your crystals. Depending on the hardness or the brittleness of your crystal, you can choose the cleaning method accordingly. How can you determine the hardness of a particular crystal? You can make use of Mohs’ Hardness Scale to find out the hardness level of your stone.
If your stone ranks anywhere between 1-6 on the Mohs’ Hardness Scale, then it is soft. If the ranking is between 7-10, then it will be hard. You need to follow a few precautions when you are dealing with soft crystals.
These crystals should not come in contact with their harder counterparts as they are likely to get scratched. Also, you cannot use water for cleaning soft crystals and they ought to remain dry at all times. Failure to follow these tips can spoil your crystal and they could lose their benefits.
Mohs Hardness by Crystal
From the above image, you can see that the Diamond is the hardest and the Turquoise is the softest. Hence, choose your crystal cleansing methods wisely.
1. Water cleansing technique
When we associate anything with cleaning, water automatically gets featured in the list. Specifically, crystal cleansing is done with running water. Simply hold your crystal under a tap of running water to clean it. If you live close to a stream or a lake and you have access to water out there, then all the better.
Ensure that you wash the crystal thoroughly under running water. Your crystal should get completely drenched. Once you are satisfied with the cleaning process, use a clean cloth and dry it out.
A few things to remember while using this method:
Do not use this technique on soft crystals like Turquoise and Opal.
You can clean hard crystals like Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Quartz, and Amethyst using this method.
You can put the stone under running water for about a minute.
Can Amethyst go in the water?
To answer this question, notice that Amethyst ranks 7 on Mohs’ Hardness Scale. This implies that it is a hard crystal. Hence, you can safely clean Amethyst with water as well as salt water.
Can Rose Quartz go in the water?
Crystals falling below 5 on Mohs’ Hardness Scale cannot go in the water. Observe that Quartz ranks 7 on Mohs’ Hardness Scale. This applies to Rose Quartz also. Hence, like Amethyst, Rose Quartz can also be safely cleaned in water.
Can Carnelian go in the water?
Carnelian mainly consists of Quartz. Since Quartz is quite safe to use in water, the same logic applies to Carnelian too. Hence, you can safely use Carnelian with water.
2. Saltwater cleansing technique
Salt is said to have cleaning properties and can flush out all unwanted elements. Hence, it is a very good practice to use salt while cleansing your crystals. If you can get access to pure salt water from any water bodies near your place, then nothing like it.
Alternatively, you can add roughly 1 tablespoon of salt (either rock salt, common salt, or even sea salt) to a bowl of water and stir it thoroughly till the salt granules completely dissolve in the water.
Once the saltwater bowl is ready, dip your crystal into it. Let it remain submerged in the water for a day or even a couple of days. Once it is done, remove the crystal from the bowl and dry it out using a clean cloth.
Points to remember:
Employ this cleaning method on hard stones only.
You may need to leave your crystal in salt water for about 2 days.
3. Brown Rice cleansing technique
Brown rice is also a good method to safely cleanse your crystals. This method can be used for cleaning all crystal types, however, it is most effective for crystals that depict a protective nature, like Obsidian.
This cleansing method is extremely simple. You need to fill a bowl with brown rice and immerse your crystal in it. Let it remain inside the rice for a day. Once the cleaning process is done, remember to do away with the rice and not use it at all. During the cleansing process, brown rice soaks in all the negativity out of the crystal, and hence, it is advisable to not use this rice.
Points to remember:
The crystal should remain in brown rice for a day.
There aren’t many restrictions and conditions that come with this method. You can employ the brown rice cleaning method on any crystal.
4. Light cleansing technique
Light refers to the moonlight or the early morning sunlight in this context. You can cleanse your crystal under natural moonlight or early morning sunlight. However, do not place it under the hot sun for a very long time. Strong sunlight can ruin your crystal surfaces, so be careful.
To clean your crystal under the moonlight or early morning sun, place it at a suitable location outside your home before the sun sets completely. Let the crystal soak thoroughly under the moonlight and let the early morning rays fall over it. Remove your crystal before the sun’s rays become strong. You can place the crystal outside until 11 am. Clean the stone, wipe off all the dirt and dry it off. Your crystal is now free of impurities.
Points to remember:
To achieve maximum benefits out of this cleansing method, place the crystal directly on the ground preferably. However, check the area thoroughly before placing your crystal.
The area where you place your crystal for cleansing should be free from any sort of disturbances like pedestrians walking, vehicles moving, or even animals like dogs and cats. Ensure that your crystal does not move from the area you place it in.
The stones would have to be placed on the ground for about half a day, i.e, about 12 hours.
Avoid cleaning soft crystals using this method as there are high chances of them getting damaged. Also, do not expose highly energetic crystals like Amethyst to sunlight.
You can also clean tumbled crystals like Quartz using this method.
5. Sage
Sage is a holy plant used in quite a few spiritual practices. Healers recommend burning the sage plant and then using it to cleanse your crystals. A few members of the sage family like the salvia sage and the white prairie sage have thujone in them. Thujone contains certain stimulating properties which can be used to remove the impurities within your crystal.
For cleansing your crystals using the sage plant, you need to burn the sage and expose your crystal to the smoke released. For this, you need to follow all the safety procedures, since you will be using fire.
Make sure you use fire-safe bowls or plates to burn the sage plant.
If you do not have an appropriate place outside your home to conduct the smudging process, you can choose a safe place inside your home, like a balcony or near the window.
Light the edge of the sage plant with a match or a lighter. Now, blow the fire off the sage and you will see smoke coming out.
Expose your crystal to the smoke coming from the sage plant. Ensure that your crystal is surrounded by this smoke for about half a minute. If you feel your crystal has become impure or you haven’t carried out any cleansing procedure for a long time, you can expose it to the smoke for about a minute.
You can cleanse any type of crystal using this method.
6. Sound cleansing technique
This might sound unbelievable but it is quite true. Sound has crystal-cleansing powers. The vibrations coming from the sound waves can remove all negativities within the crystal. To generate sound waves powerful enough to cleanse a crystal, you can use a bell, a tuning fork, or even chant a few spiritual hymns. Ensure that your crystal is exposed to a sound volume powerful to clean it.
Points to remember:
Expose your crystals to sound waves for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
This method can be applied to multiple crystals at a time, especially those that are stationary and cannot be moved easily.
You can cleanse any kind of crystal using this method.
7. Cleansing technique using big-sized crystals
Big-sized crystals can be used to cleanse the smaller ones. You can use big chunks of quartz clusters or amethyst geodes to cleanse smaller crystals of their impurities. Just place your smaller crystals over these big ones. The belief is that vibrations coming in from bigger crystals are strong enough to cleanse the smaller ones.
Points to remember:
The smaller crystals need at least a day to cleanse themselves of their impurities with the help of big crystals.
You can cleanse any small crystal using this method.
8. Cleansing technique using tiny crystals
Even smaller crystals can aid you in cleansing your crystal. You simply need to place the impure crystal on top of the other crystals that perform the cleaning process. And your job is done. Just follow the following steps.
Fill a bowl with bit-sized crystals that will help in the cleaning process.
Place the crystal that needs cleansing on top of these crystals.
Leave it for a day.
9. Cleansing Crystals with your Breath
Did you know that your breath too has the power to cleanse a crystal? Yes, you heard it right. The vibrations in your breath can cleanse a crystal. However, the right breathing technique is required here.
Just follow these steps to cleanse your crystal with your breath.
Hold the crystal in the hand in which you are comfortable.
Bring the crystal close to your nose.
Inhale deeply and exhale forcefully. Allow the crystal to completely sink in your breath.
The vibrations coming out of your breaths are good enough to cleanse your crystal.
Carry out this operation for about half a minute on each crystal.
Note that this cleansing technique is ideal for tiny crystals.
10. Visualization technique for Cleansing Crystals
Experts claim this to be the safest technique for cleansing your crystals. The visualization technique depends on your internal willpower to divert your energy towards the crystal. You need a lot of focus here. Your imagination power has a major role to play here.
Before you begin this cleansing technique, relax for a while and take a couple of minutes to feel the energy rush within you. Then take the crystal in your hand and imagine your hand full of white, bright light.
Now, feel this light providing a glow to that crystal in your hand. You should be able to feel the crystal letting go of all the unwanted elements within itself. Such should be your visualization and concentration power.
Carry out this operation till you feel the crystal attains its required energy levels. You can spend about a minute on every crystal requiring cleaning. This visualization technique can be applied to all crystals.
What are healing crystals?
What are crystals?
What are crystals? When molecules arrange themselves in a fixed pattern, they form a crystal. Structurally, the crystal molecules can be monoclinic, trigon al, hexagonal, or even tetragonal.
What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you picturise a crystal? That a crystal is a precious stone. Crystals have various applications. They are used in pieces of jewelry. Some of us use them to attain inner peace and solitude when we meditate. Some prefer keeping certain crystals on their holy altar and believing it will bring them good luck and happiness. Not just these, there are industrial applications of crystals as well.
Diamond is a well-known crystal used in jewelleries. Women love to adorn themselves with diamond necklaces and rings. However, did you know that diamond has industrial uses as well? We all know that a diamond is sharp enough to cut through glass. Industrial saws make use of diamonds to cut hard stones. In the jewelry industry itself, jewelers use diamonds to shape other precious stones like jade and sapphire.
Crystals are used by watchmakers as well. Rolex watches make use of sapphire to manufacture watch glasses. Moreover, watch bearings make use of synthetic ruby so that they are tough and sturdy. We all know how famous quartz watches are, thanks to the accuracy of this crystal.
Now, coming to the main question. Have you ever heard of healing crystals? Many people believe that during stressful times in our lives, healing crystals can bring about a lot of internal peace and calm our minds. Some of these crystals are powerful and can control our minds. Not just these, healing crystals also bring about good luck and positive vibes.
History of Healing Crystals
History of Healing Crystals
Where did the concept of healing crystals originate? During earlier times, Chinese, Greek, and Egyptians believed that these stones possess healing powers to relax a stressed mind and soul. A few people even thought of these crystals as a mechanism to wade off karmic energies and negative thoughts within their bodies and bring positivity. However, looking at these aspects from a scientific perspective, there is no evidence to support these facts.
Then how exactly do these crystals work? And why are these called healing crystals? Are healing crystals nothing but just pseudoscience? Certain evidence concludes that healing crystals exhibit a placebo effect. Back in 2005, the University of Waterloo, based in Canada researched these healing crystals. The facts revealed that our minds have a lot of power to heal and drive away negativity.
A few experts in this area believe that our bodies can exchange energies with a crystal when we establish contact with them. Crystals are composed of minerals that have a lot of energy within them. This energy is transferred to us humans when we hold them.
Crystals are also used in watches, plugs, lasers, and equipment in hospitals so that they work well and display excellent results.
To summarize, you can use crystals to calm your anxious mind and give you immense peace. However, remember that no crystal can be a substitute for medical treatments and practitioners.
Let us talk about the types of healing crystals, how crystals work, and why some crystal master healers recommend them.
Different types of healing crystals and their applications
Why do people wish to wear or possess a healing crystal?
There could be various reasons for this. Some might want it for the sake of good health. Others believe that possessing these crystals could bring them loads of luck in terms of wealth. Moreover, people who have difficulty maintaining interpersonal relationships also tend to bank upon healing crystals so that their fate changes.
Different types of healing crystals
Healing Crystals for Good Health
Have you been suffering from health and anxiety-related issues? Or do you have a hard time controlling your emotions? Crystal healing masters recommend these stones for health benefits:
Clear Quartz
Like its name, Clear Quartz looks extremely clear. If you are finding it hard to control your energies and stabilize your concentration levels, then Clear Quartz is the one for you. This white-colored, helical spin crystal is said to establish complete control over your energies and concentration levels and direct you towards the path of positivity.
Some benefits of Clear Quartz:
It helps to absorb, store and release energies. Your complete energy structure is regulated since Quartz is known to conserve energy.
Improves your attention span and focus. It also helps in increasing your memory power.
Clear Quartz is known as the master healer as it aids in most health conditions.
It helps to relax your mind and get rid of all the stress surrounding you.
Clear Quartz healing crystal
How can you use Clear Quartz crystal?
You can attain the benefits of Clear Quartz crystal by incorporating it into your daily life in the following ways.
Keep it in your fridge or along with your cosmetics: This might sound absurd to you but Clear Quartz can uplift the energies of the components in your fridge or your cosmetic kit. You can get the utmost benefits from the food you eat or the cosmetic treatments you opt for.
Improves your concentration while at work: Have a deadline to meet and you are only halfway through that presentation of yours? Maybe, having a Clear Quartz crystal on your office desk can help you focus more. It can help you a lot with your work productivity.
Use it while you are meditating: Apart from concentration at work, where else do you require concentration? Of course, while meditating!
Could there be any other way to improve your concentration in your meditation session? Use the clear quartz crystal while you are meditating and see the results.
Use it in your jewelry: Want your clear quartz crystal to remain with you throughout the day or wherever you go? You can embed it within your jewelry piece so that you remain energized. A few people also like to keep this crystal within their dresses — another good way to ensure that it remains with you at all times.
Crystal master healers advise using Clear Quartz crystal with Rose Quartz to achieve even better results. Many well-known celebrities have admitted to using the Clear Quartz crystal and have admitted to experiencing a lot of positivity in their lives.
Jasper
Are you having a bad time and undergoing a lot of stress at the moment? Try using Jasper, a crystal with a very smooth and shiny finish in its exterior portion. This is considered to be the best stressbuster among all gemstones. It is said to remove all the negative energies from within.
Jasper comes in many variations like Red Jasper, Black Jasper, Yellow Jasper, Green Jasper, Blue Jasper, Brecciated Jasper, Zebra Jasper, Picasso Jasper, Fancy Jasper, and Leopard Jasper.
Each of these Jasper stones is used for a different healing purpose.
Jasper healing crystal
Benefits of Jasper:
Provides a lot of power to your mind and soul
Prepares us to face any kind of negativity and stress
Eliminates and neutralizes negative energies and prevents them from taking control of our minds
Boosts mental strength and confidence levels
To summarize, Jasper can be used in situations where one faces obstacles in tackling crucial affairs. To receive maximum benefits out of this crystal, you can house it within your jewelry drawer or simply place it in a suitable location within your home where you believe this crystal will draw maximum positivity. Some people even choose to place this crystal under their pillows so that they get a relaxed sleep.
Like Clear Quartz, you can use Jasper during a meditation session. To reap maximum benefits, ensure that you place the crystal on the correct chakra while meditating. To explain further, there are seven chakras in the human body. Each chakra does its job of providing energies to various organs within our bodies, minds, and spirits.
For best results, you need an appropriate space within your home to place these crystals and carry out your meditation or any such practices.
Obsidian
Do you know how Obsidian is formed? It is formed when the magma of a volcanic eruption cools down. Although the Obsidian stone is born out of a volcano, it feels quite cool to touch.
Obsidian comes in various forms like Black, Mahogany, Apache Tear, Midnight Lace, and Snowflake. Obsidian is called the ‘Protective Stone’ as it protects us from unwanted elements.
Although Obsidian comes in many colors, it is the Black Obsidian that stands out and looks exceptional. The Black Obsidian is the most powerful and protective one.
Obsidian healing crystal
Benefits of Obsidian:
Obsidian keeps us away and protects us against harmful elements.
It helps us to accept situations and let go of our emotional baggage.
Obsidian assists us in discovering our true inner self.
Makes us stronger from the inside.
Embeds compassion qualities within us.
We become clearer without goals and what we need to expect and achieve from our life.
Helps us to discover our true inner self.
How to use Obsidian?
Use Obsidian to remove the effects of harmful energy from your body. Just rub the Obsidian stone against your whole body or you can roll it over a certain chakra.
Place an Obsidian under your pillow to get a peaceful sleep.
Alternatively, place the Black Obsidian stone near your front door according to the feng shui.
Use the Obsidian crystal while you meditate or you can even choose to keep it in your pockets or purses while you venture out. As Obsidian is an extremely protective stone, you can place it in that particular chakra.
Amethyst
If you are looking out for something that can protect, heal and purify your thoughts, then Amethyst is the one for you. This purple-colored crystal looks extremely vibrant and elegant.
Amethyst healing crystal
Benefits of Amethyst:
Crystal master healers claim that Amethyst contains loads of healing properties. It is said to boost your immune system. It also helps in uplifting your skin health and digestive functionality, reducing the frequency of headaches, tackling hormonal imbalances, improving endocrine functionality, and much more.
Amethyst crystals, when used appropriately, are known to imbibe a sense of calmness and serenity within us.
According to some experts, Amethyst crystals are said to guide us towards our third eye. This is just a claim by practitioners in this area, there are no scientific theories to justify this.
How to use Amethyst Crystals?
You can use Amethyst crystals by:
Embedding it within your jewelry. You can use it like a pendant or even wear an amethyst finger-ring or bracelet.
You can place it on your holy altar or you can even keep it like a showpiece.
You can carry it with you in your bag wherever you go.
Amethysts are also placed around your body or at the particular chakra which needs healing.
Bloodstone
Don’t imagine the looks of Bloodstone going by its name. It is dark green with red spots. However, when it comes to healing purposes, Bloodstone is quite strong like its name. The reason it is named Bloodstone is that it is used in connection with blood-related activities occurring in our body, like the menstrual cycle.
Bloodstone healing crystals
Benefits of Bloodstone
People in possession of the Bloodstone crystal are less likely to get irritated. They can also notice a significant reduction in their aggression levels and their perseverance and tolerance powers improve.
Bloodstone helps you in discovering your creative self. It also provides you with a sense of selflessness.
Helps in circulating and uplifting energy levels.
It drives away negative energies and prevents them from attacking you.
Selenite
Selenite is another crystal that gives you good health along with mental calmness.
What does Selenite do?
Selenite nullifies all the negative vibes around you.
It gives you a lot of mental strength.
Selenite Healing Crystal
How to use Selenite
Wear it in your jewelry.
Use it while meditating.
Healing Crystals for Wealth
Are you facing any financial issues? Or is your hard-earned money going down the drain? For people who have a hard time with money matters, and those who believe in the power of healing crystals, you can use any of these crystals. They will benefit you in some way or the other.
Tiger’s eye
Are you feeling low off late? Then try using the Tiger’s eye crystal. Coming in a lovely golden color with a shiny finish, this crystal is suggested to those people who need a motivational boost in their lives.
Tiger Eye Healing Crystal
Benefits of the Tiger’s eye crystal:
Helps in wading off that evil eye.
Improves your self-confidence and decision-making abilities.
Helps you in discovering the right path to achieve your goals.
How to use the Tiger’s eye crystal
You can use it in your jewelry. Since the stone is very pretty, it will add a look to your piece of jewelry.
The Tiger’s eye crystal is good from the perspective of constructing a Feng Shui atmosphere. It gives out the appropriate vibes. Place it in an appropriate area on your office desk or at your home.
People in possession of the Tiger’s eye crystal invite good vibes and luck. Hence you can place it near your front door or window.
Citrine
Citrine owners can feel bouts of joy and happiness in their lives now and then. That is the power of this crystal.
Citrine Healing Crystal
Benefits of Citrine:
Omits bad thoughts and brings positivity.
It improves the self-confidence of an individual and promotes clarity.
Citrine also goes by the name ‘Success stone.’ This implies that people owning this crystal can feel and witness good luck factors in their professional and personal lives.
It promotes the creativity of an individual.
It helps increase concentration levels.
How to use Citrine
Like other crystals, citrine shines brightly when included in jewelry.
For achieving the desired results, place the Citrine stone over the appropriate chakra.
You can structure a citrine grid and place it at the right location in your workplace or home. A crystal grid, when designed properly according to the results you desire, can do wonders. You can consult an expert for creating this grid.
Turquoise
If your mind, body, and soul are expressing signs of anxiety, then opt for Turquoise.
Turquoise Healing Crystal
It helps in bringing all chakras on the right track.
It brings about good luck and prosperity into your life.
It keeps emotions under control.
Helps in spiritual alignment.
Turquoise applications
It is normally used in jewelry. Turquoise can replace yellow sapphire.
Sapphire
Sapphire embeds wisdom and royalty in the person who owns it. They support improving learning abilities and attaining mental calmness and spiritual satisfaction. Hence it is rightly called the stone which imparts wisdom.
Sapphire Healing Crystals
Benefits of Sapphire
Brings positive feelings into your mind.
Brings success, joy, and mental peace.
Improves clarity in thoughts.
Helps you with your mental instincts.
Healing Crystals to reset your love life
Are you facing relationship issues? Or do you feel your married life is hitting the rocks? Well, don’t lose heart. If you are a believer in healing crystals, then you can opt for any of the following.
Rose Quartz
As the name suggests, the Rose Quartz crystal can guarantee positivity in your love life. Just as a rose symbolizes love, the Rose Quartz crystal can get your love life back on track.
Improves your relationship with your partner or spouse.
Both of you begin to trust each other and there is less scope for misunderstandings and differences.
You and your partner start respecting each other.
The relationship becomes stronger.
Rose Quartz Healing Crystals
How to use Rose Quartz
You can incorporate Rose Quartz into your daily life using the following methods:
Use them in your spiritual practices.
Use rose quartz as decorative pieces in your home. However, ensure that you have placed them at an appropriate location.
Put them under your pillows while you sleep.
Use them in your meditation routine.
Add them to your jewelry pieces.
Add them to your worship place in your home.
Moonstone
If you are embarking on a new journey, then Moonstone is the one for you. It helps you in your new beginnings.
Moonstone Healing Crystals
Benefits of Moonstone
Improves your internal strength.
Reduces your stress levels when you are opening a new chapter in your life.
Promotes positivity.
Moonstone can patch up a rift between lovers.
Moonstone also tackles hormonal imbalances in women, especially during the menstrual cycle.
How to use Moonstone
Embed it in your jewelry.
Place it in your vicinity when you sleep.
Moonstone, when placed on the third eye (located around the center of your head), provides excellent healing results.
Ruby
This beautiful red crystal gets its name from the Latin word ‘Ruber’, which implies red. Ruby strives to improve your love life along with your health. Ruby activates the chakra associated with our hearts. So now you know why Ruby is required if you are having troubles in your relationship.
Ruby helps to uplift your moods and energy levels.
From a health perspective, it improves your heart’s functionality and tackles problems related to fertility.
Women who own ruby can find their menstrual problems easing out. This crystal also helps those who are having issues conceiving a baby and so on.
It improves your knowledge power.
If you have ruby crystals with you, it will bring you good luck in terms of your family-related matters.
Ruby Healing Crystals
How to use Ruby
Ruby undoubtedly adds that extra shine and glamour to your jewelry piece apart from benefitting you. Hence, you can use it in your jewelry. Ruby crystals are commonly used in finger rings. You can also wear a ruby pendant around your neck.
You can place the ruby crystal at any suitable location in your home or office. Along with the good things, it adds a lot of glamour to your home and office desk.
Fun Fact: Ancient Chinese medicine used healing crystals about 5000 years ago. This practice is rampant even today.
Why should you clean crystals?
We have read about various healing crystals and their benefits above. We have also understood how to use them so that we get maximum benefits. Now let us understand why there is a need to clean these crystals.
Do crystals require cleaning? Of course, they do! Along with cleaning, you need to recharge these crystals as well. You may wonder what good could happen by cleaning and recharging these crystals as they are already so powerful. Well, the cleaning process ensures that the crystals revert to their original state so that they remain beneficial.
Many times, it so happens that crystals are touched and handled by different people before coming to you. This is one reason why you need to cleanse them. Since there are chances of certain negative energies attracting these crystals, crystal master healers recommend crystal cleansing before commencing a healing session and once again after the session.
Why should you clean crystals?
How to Activate Crystals
If you feel your crystal is losing out on its powers, maybe it is time for you to activate it. Just like we tend to go low on our energies at times, the same goes for crystals too. A mild energy boost from your end can do wonders. You can follow the tips below to get your crystal working again.
You can energize your crystal by transferring some of your energy to it. Confused? Well, try saying some good things to it or sing something nice and soothing to it. Even your breathing technique can activate your crystal.
You can also activate your crystal by giving it outdoor exposure. Taking your crystal to a calm and serene location like a beach or a park, away from the usual crowds and pollution, can do wonders.
Just like we become energetic when we are surrounded by lively people, crystals get activated in energetic surroundings. Surround your crystal with other lively and activated crystals. You can construct an activation grid. Crystals like ruby, clear quartz, selenite, and carnelian are good candidates for your grid. If not these, you can use other crystals too that have benefited you.
Conclusion
Well, we now hope you have an in-depth understanding of the various types of healing crystals and how crystals work. We have also seen how to cleanse crystals and how to activate crystals. If you are a firm believer in healing crystals, then this article will help you out in many aspects. So go ahead, choose your crystal, cleanse it, take care of it, and put your complete mind and soul into it. You are sure to prosper and do well in life.
You can use crystals in your jewelry or you can place them at an appropriate location within your home or office. You can also use them while meditating.
How to charge crystals?
Try saying positive things to your crystal, sing something beautiful, or expose it to the wonders of nature. Your crystal gets charged up. You can also place it in between charged crystals.
How to cleanse rose quartz?
You can cleanse rose quartz by any of the following methods:
Cleaning it in water/saltwater and then drying it out. Exposing it to the moonlight. Exposing it to moonlight and even sage smoke. Breath, sound, and visualization techniques can also cleanse rose quartz.
Can rose quartz go in the water?
Yes. Rose Quartz is a hard crystal hence it can safely go in the water.
How to clean headstones?
You can clean headstones with water along with an appropriate detergent. Just mix the required amount of detergent in water. Apply this water gently to the headstone and start scrubbing gently with a brush. Take care that there is no damage to the headstone. Once the scrubbing is done, slowly rinse it with clean water. Check out the stone once it dries up.
Your best friend has gifted you a T-shirt featuring your favorite color on your birthday. However, you discover that it is too big for you.
Well, don’t get disappointed. Every problem has a solution and this problem also has an ample number of solutions.
In this article, you will learn how to shrink a shirt. Apart from shirts, we will also go through the steps for easy ways to shrink a shirt, t-shirt pants, jeans, shoes, and socks. Moreover, will also see how we can shrink clothes made of different materials.
Many of you out there may be thinking as to why should someone shrink their clothes in the first place. The simplest way to avoid the hassle of shrinking your clothes could be to purchase one that is an exact fit for you. However, there could be a few situations wherein you might have to shrink your clothes.
One could be, of course, as we have stated earlier, a gift gone wrong in terms of size. You love it, but it does not fit you properly. None of us like to wear ill-fitted clothes, do we?
Another reason could be you have shed all that extra fat and have dropped down a couple of sizes. However, some of the best clothes in your wardrobe have become so loose, that you cannot wear them. Of course, you cannot give them away since they are amongst your favorites. Then, the best thing you can do is to reduce the size of your apparel.
Some fabrics shrink naturally and some don’t. So you may have to follow some steps to make them shrink at home.
How to shrink a shirt?
1. How to shrink a shirt and a cotton T-shirt
Shrinking a cotton shirt and a cotton T-shirt is easier than you thought. The processes followed for shrinking a cotton shirt can be applied to a cotton T-shirt as well. Given below are some simple techniques that you can apply to shrink them so that they look just perfect on you.
The Boiling Water technique
This is a very simple technique that can be used for shrinking cotton apparel. Cotton material shrinks when subjected to water and heat.
It often happens that the cloth needed for producing a shirt is stretched so that the size looks big while minimizing cloth usage. Putting this in hot water enables the material to shrink. Follow the below-mentioned steps carefully to achieve the desired results.
Shrink your cotton shirt or t-shirt using hot water
Step 1: Take a big water vessel (big enough for your shirt to fit in) and set it to boil.
Step 2: Bring the water to a boil. Once it starts boiling, switch off the heat.
Step 3: Dip your shirt in this vessel. This step will depend on how far you want to shrink your shirt, dip it accordingly in the hot water. The higher the temperature, the more will be the shrinkage.
If you want your shirt down by a couple of sizes, dip it immediately into the vessel once you switch off the stove.
If you want your shirt down by only half a size or a single size, wait for the water temperature to go down a bit before immersing your shirt in it. You can wait for about 5 minutes and then dip your shirt in the water.
If you aim to shrink your shirt just by a quarter or half a size, then wait for roughly 15 minutes before dipping it in water. By this time, the water temperature would have gone down considerably.
Now, the next question that arises in your mind would be, how long should the shirt remain in water? Again, this depends on how much you want to reduce the size of the shirt. The rate of shrinkage is directly proportional to the temperature of the water or the time it is present in hot water. The longer the shirt is exposed to warm or hot water, the more it shrinks. You can immerse the shirt in hot water for roughly about 20 minutes.
Step 4: Take the shirt out of the water. When you are removing the shirt from hot water, be careful such that you don’t burn your hands. Do it slowly and carefully.
Step 5: Squeeze out all the excess water from the shirt and let it dry. If you want your shirt to shrink considerably, then put it into a dryer. Else, you can leave it out under the sunlight.
Step 6: Once the shirt completely dries out, you can try it out. Your shirt will fit you well this time. If you still feel it is a little large for you, you can repeat this procedure all over again.
The Washer and Dryer technique (also known as the Tumbling technique):
If you are assuming that the heat generated within the dryer while drying the shirt causes it to shrink, then you could be wrong. It is the tumbling technique that does the trick here.
The design of your washing machine also plays a major role here. If your machine is a front-load one, then the clothes inside it move in such a way that they do not shrink much. In a front load type machine, there is less turbulence between clothes. On the other hand, clothes that are washed in top-load type machines tend to shrink more as the turbulence is also high.
Read on to know how you can shrink your shirt using the washer and dryer method.
Shrink your shirt in the washer or dryer
How to shrink a shirt in the washer?
Step 1: Fill your washing machine with hot water.
Step 2: Set the appropriate wash cycle. The wash cycle should be a lengthy one.
Step 3: Wash your shirt in hot water.
How to shrink a shirt in the dryer?
Once the shirt is washed, switch it over to a dryer. Do not use too much heat here. The tumbling action is responsible for reducing the shirt size. The high heat of the dryer tends to affect the quality of the fabric, hence be careful.
Once your shirt dries out completely, try it out. It would be a much better fit than before.
How to shrink a shirt fast?
If you want your shirt to shrink fast, ensure the water you use for washing is quite hot. At the same time, dry it under the highest temperature dryer settings. Your work will be done pretty well.
The above methods will work on shrinking a cotton T-shirt as well. Do try them out and see the difference in sizes before and after.
How to shrink different clothes
You might have various clothes whose sizes require a reduction. Most cotton, polyester mixed fabrics, and woolen garments shrink when they are subjected to washing and drying under intense temperatures. Let us see how we can reduce the size of different kinds of clothes.
1. How to shrink a T-shirt with prints on it
Most T-shirts have some prints on them. While shrinking a T-shirt, there is a high chance of its print getting damaged owing to the extensive heat applied. This could give it a wrinkled look and spoil the whole T-shirt. So, what can be done? Well, you need to keep a few things in mind.
Step 1: Reverse the T-shirt before you put it for washing. This means the print does not directly come in contact with the water.
Use normal water for washing such T-shirts. It is best to avoid using hot water.
Step 2: After the washing is complete, dry it in a dryer under a high temperature.
Step 3: Your T-shirt is good to wear now. Its print also remains intact.
2. How to shrink a sweatshirt
We have seen the process of shrinking a cotton shirt and a cotton T-shirt. Let us now see how we can reduce the size of a sweatshirt. If you are planning to shrink a cotton sweatshirt, more or less, the methods of shrinking it are quite similar as described above. However, certain sweatshirts might be a little delicate and proper care must be taken to ensure that the apparel is not ruined.
If you are planning on shrinking a rayon or nylon fabric sweatshirt, hot water treatment may not be enough to shrink it. This will work if your sweatshirt is either made of cotton or cotton mixed with polyester.
The hot water method
Washing your sweatshirt in hot water can shrink your sweatshirt to your desired size. If you are lucky, you might not have to do anything post this activity for reducing your apparel size. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Take a clean bucket or use a clean sink to place your sweatshirt.
Step 2: Pour hot water over it or leave it under a tap running hot water.
Step 3: After about 5-10 minutes, remove the sweatshirt from under the water.
Step 4: Leave it out to dry and try it on. See if you are satisfied with the garment size.
Watch out if your sweatshirt is made of wool. Wool shrinks considerably under hot water. So you need to be careful or your garment could become too tight.
The boiling water method
If you feel that you can further reduce your sweatshirt size, then try to increase the water temperature this time. You can use boiling water.
Shrink your sweatshirt using boiling water
Step 1: Take a big pan of water and set it to boil.
Step 2: Once the water starts boiling, switch off the heat and immerse your sweatshirt. You may even choose to pour this boiled water on your garment.
Depending on how much you want to shrink your garment, let it remain accordingly in hot water. The more you want to shrink, the more time it should be in hot water.
Avoid using extremely high temperatures for polyester fabric since the maximum permissible temperature for such materials is 178 F.
Step 3: Dry your sweatshirt and see the difference.
The Washer/Dryer technique
Shrink your sweatshirt in the washer or dryer
This method is a continuation of the technique explained above.
Step 1: Instead of drying your shirt as explained in step 5 above, you can directly put it in the machine.
Step 2: Choose the hot water setting.
You can even add some of your other garments that need to be shrunk along with the sweatshirt.
Step 3: Set an appropriate wash cycle time depending on how much you wish to shrink the garments. The more you wish to shrink your apparel, the longer should be the duration of the wash cycle.
Step 4: Add the required quantity of detergent and start the wash cycle.
Step 5: Once the washing is complete, set it out to dry. You can either air dry it or choose to dry it in a dryer under a high temperature.
Be careful with this step since too much heat can either damage the clothing material or shrink it way too much. You can skip the dryer step if you feel your sweatshirt has shrunk up to the desired size and choose to air dry it instead.
Step 6: You will look smart and dashing in your sweatshirt now!
The ironing technique
Ironing also helps in shrinking your sweatshirt. This is a simple technique, however, you need to take care while ironing since the fabric could be delicate in certain cases. Let us see how we can shrink a sweatshirt by ironing it.
Shrink your sweatshirt by ironing
Step 1: Sprinkle a decent quantity of warm water on your sweatshirt. Your garment should be wet.
Step 2: Squeeze out the extra water if required. Take care to ensure that water does not drip from the garment, this could damage your iron.
Step 3: Move your iron over it.
Step 4: Set the heat on your iron box according to the garment fabric. If it is a cotton sweatshirt, the heat can be a little high, however, set it as suggested on the ironing appliance.
If you are ironing a polyester or polyester mixed apparel, ensure you have a cotton garment spread out on top of your sweatshirt. A towel or a cotton T-shirt can serve this purpose.
Avoid ironing on a single spot for a long time, this can damage it. Also, apply the required amount of pressure. Do not press your iron too hard against the cloth.
Just like very high heat can burn your garment, using a very low heat might not serve your purpose of shrinking it. Hence, use the required amount of heat.
Step 5: Continue ironing till your sweatshirt almost dries up. When you iron any wet apparel, steam is produced. This is responsible for shrinking your garment.
Step 6: Once most of your sweatshirt is dry, you can stop ironing and try it on. If there is any more wetness, use a dryer or hang it under the sunlight.
The ironing technique can reduce your sweatshirt by a single size.
3. How to shrink a pant
You have lost a few inches on your waist. Do you feel your pants are not fitting you correctly and you have to keep pulling them up? All of us may not like to wear those belts as they could be uncomfortable at times. Then the best thing to do is to shrink your pants down by a size or two so that you are comfortable wearing them.
The techniques applied for shrinking pants are very much similar to the ones we saw for shrinking your shirts and sweatshirts. These techniques will work if your pants are made of cotton, wool, denim, or cotton jeans. They will also work on fabrics partly containing polyester and nylon. However, you will not be able to apply these methods on 100% nylon or spandex clothing.
Let us see a few methods by which you can shrink your pants.
The Boiling Water Technique
This is similar to the technique explained above for shrinking a shirt and a sweatshirt. Take a big vessel such that your pants accommodate comfortably within it. Else, the best thing to do here is to use a basin.
Step 1: Ensure your basin is clean before immersing your pant in it.
Note – You can choose to dip more than one pant, however, take care to see that none of them leaks out any color. Hot water can cause garments to shed their colors. When using more than a pair of pants, it is better if they are more or less of a similar color. Using one dark-colored pant along with a light-colored one could hamper the latter.
If using a basin or a tub, ensure its drain is locked with a plug, else all the hot water will go down the drain.
Step 2: Fill out hot water in the tub or the sink. If using a container to immerse your pants, ensure that you have sufficient boiled water. This will cover your pants completely.
Step 3: Immerse the pants in hot water for a while till the water temperature comes down. This could take about half an hour. Even if it takes about 45 minutes, there will not be any issue.
Step 4: Remove your pants from the sink and transfer them into a dryer under the highest possible temperature setting. You can choose to run two dryer cycles if required.
Step 5: Once your pants dry out completely, try them on. It should fit you properly now.
The Washer/Dryer method
Cotton and denim apparels tend to shrink considerably when subjected to extensive heat and the tension arising within a washing machine. You can shrink your pants with the help of your washing machine. The wash cycles for denim pants will more or less be lengthy even otherwise, considering the fabric quality. The hot water used within the machine aids in the shrinking process.
Step 1: Fill in hot water in your washer tub.
Step 2: Put your pants into the machine. You can opt to add multiple sets of pants as mentioned above.
Step 3: Add about 1 – 2 spoons of ammonia if you are wary about your garments leaking out their colors. This is optional and you can choose to avoid this step.
You can choose to add in a little soap powder. Again you can skip this step if not required.
Step 4: Once the washing is done, dry it out in a dryer under the highest heat setting. However, avoid applying intense heat on pants containing synthetic fibers.
The tension stimulated during washing and drying aggravates the shrinking process.
Step 5: Try out your pants when they dry 100%. You will no longer require those belts now.
Getting into a bathtub wearing your pants
This method seems absurd, however, it does work on trimming down your pants size. You can walk into a hot bathtub with your pants on and stay put in there for about 20 minutes. You will enjoy this technique, especially during harsh winters. Just follow the below-mentioned steps.
Step 1: Fill your bathtub with hot water. However, ensure that you can tolerate the water temperature, else, you could harm yourself. You can test the water temperature by dipping your finger into it.
Step 2: Get into the bathtub with your pants on. Stay in there for a while. This could take to about 20 minutes to half an hour.
If you are uncomfortable in the water, you can step out for a while and get in again.
Step 3: The pants are quite likely to fit you well if you decide to dry them out by wearing them on. However, this could be too tedious, hence use a dryer.
Step 4: Once dried, check how they look on you and repeat the process if needed.
4. How to shrink your shoes
What if you fail to find a shoe of your actual foot size? Having a bigger-sized or a smaller-sized shoe can make you uncomfortable. Well, it is better to go for a bigger-sized shoe and shrink it, rather than settling down for a smaller-sized one. Yes, you read that right. It is possible to shrink shoes. Read on to know more.
Shrink your shoes
The easiest way to shrink your shoes could be by cushioning them. That way, they are likely to fit you better. Shoe sizes can also be reduced by wetting the area that needs a reduction and then using a blow dryer to dry them out. Let us have a look at each technique individually. The methods for shoe reduction depend on the material. Let us have a look at each of these.
Shrinking canvas, leather, and suede shoes
These types of shoes shrink in size when subjected to heat. You need to moisten those areas on the shoe that need shrinking. Follow these steps carefully to achieve desired results.
Shrink canvas, leather, and suede shoes
Step 1: Put on your shoes and check which areas need a reduction.
Step 2: Moisten these particular areas with water. Take care to see that the shoe is not damp beyond limits.
Ensure that you don’t wet the insides of the shoe. This could give out a foul odor later, especially from leather shoes.
Leather shoes tend to be oversized around the toe cap area. Hence focus on wetting only that portion. In case they are loose around the heels, you can cushion them up.
Step 3: Now, with the help of a blow dryer, blow the wet areas dry. The dryer should be at least 15 cm away from the shoe. Use moderate heat to dry the shoe.
Touch and feel the shoe. If it is still a little wet, continue the blow drying process or leave it under the sunlight.
Take care to not use too much heat while drying. Canvas fabric tends to lose its original color when subjected to excessive heat. Your shoe could lose its overall look.
Likewise, leather shoes tend to develop cracks when dried extensively. In such situations, it is best to dry shoes naturally.
Step 4: Apply leather conditioners to prevent cracks from showing up.
Drying could take a day or two in certain cases, but the outcome is always better.
For certain leather shoes, it is better to use internal padding so that they fit you better. Always check these facts from the shoe manufacturer before performing any action on them.
Step 5: Once the shoes dry out completely, try them on. You should be able to walk comfortably with them.
Ways to fit perfectly in formal shoes, boots, and sneakers
The blow dryer method cannot be used effectively on formal shoes, boots, and sneakers. Hence, you can adjust the size of these shoes using the following methods.
Ways to fit perfectly in formal shoes, boots, and sneakers
Use a thick pair of socks: Sometimes, a thick pair of socks is what you need to solve this issue. You can make use of crew socks or hiking socks, which fill up the extra space between your shoes and feet. Or if you do not have any thick varieties of socks, you can put on 2 sets of thinner socks on each of your feet. However, before you resort to this method, keep a few things in mind:
Thick socks won’t look good on heels. This method is for those shoes which cover most of your feet.
See if you are comfortable wearing shoes with these types of socks. This may be difficult in hot weather conditions as thick socks along with shoes can irritate your skin. In such cases, you can check out other methods which are comforting.
Using heel cushions: You can also try using heel cushions. They not only provide a soothing feeling for your heels but also improve the fitting of your shoe. These cushions measure about 0.42cm in thickness, hence, they are hardly visible between your heels and shoes when you put them on. Heel cushions are easily available in most shoe stores.
Using foot and toe cushions: Foot and toe cushions also help in giving you that perfect fit for your shoes. Foot cushions improve your grip between your soles and shoes.
On the other hand, toe cushions are ideal for those shoes which are pointed towards the front, thereby filling out a little extra space between your toes and shoes. This will prevent your toes from slipping while you walk. You can find foot and toe cushions in most supermarkets.
Shrinking clothes of different materials
In the earlier section, we learned the steps to shrink various kinds of clothes, be it a shirt, T-shirt, sweatshirt, or pants.
We have also seen how to make your shoes fit you perfectly. So, let us summarize how what techniques can be employed to shrink clothes of various materials.
Cotton, woolen, and denim materials shrink when subjected to intense heat. They have to be soaked or washed in boiling water, followed by a high-temperature drying treatment. In certain cases, you can even choose to dry in under the sunlight instead of using a dryer. You can even iron your clothes if you are unhappy with the fit. Repeat the procedures if required.
Denim is of thick quality. Hence extensive heat needs to be applied to them for best results. The remaining methods remain the same.
Wool shrinks rapidly under heat. Hence, take care when applying heat to sweaters, woolen socks, etc. It shouldn’t happen that you are unable to wear them later on, since they have become too tight for you!
For fabrics involving polyester and spandex, you can subject them to a similar heat treatment as you do for cotton garments. However, keep in mind that the rate at which artificial fibers shrink is quite less compared to natural fibers. You can expect a 5% to 25% reduction in size for polyester spandex mixed fabrics.
If you are planning on shrinking a nylon garment, you could have a little bit of tough luck here. Nylon does shrink with heat, but not as easily as natural fibers. If nylon is blended with cotton, you can expect some shrinkage. However, pure nylon fabrics need high heat to shrink. The best you can do is to get them altered by a tailor.
For shrinking corduroy garments, you can use any of the below-mentioned techniques.
Corduroy is quite delicate, hence sometimes, simply soaking it in hot water and drying it out should do the work for you. You can even skip using the dryer here.
Ironing a damp corduroy also helps. Just wash your corduroy garment in a washing machine. Use a gentle cycle preferably. You can set it out to dry. When most of the water has evaporated and it is a little wet to the touch, iron it until completely dry.
If your corduroy is too large for you and a lot of size reduction is required, wash it with hot water and dry it under a high heat setting. It should be fine now.
Velvet fabrics can also shrink when put into hot water or subjected to drying under high heat. However, not all velvet fabrics are suitable for washing and drying.
Some velvet garments strictly require only dry-cleaning. While some can be washed, it is generally not advisable to put velvet garments into the dryer. Hence, the best thing you can do here is to get your velvet clothes altered by a tailor.
Precautions to be taken while shrinking your clothes
We now know how shrinking a shirt, t-shirt, pants, and sweaters work. We also know that different fabrics tend to behave differently when heat is applied to them.
Most fabrics require heat to shrink. You mustn’t end up spoiling that lovely gift of yours or ruining your favorite T-shirt in the process of shrinking it.
Hence keep a few important things in mind before trying to shrink your garment.
Check the label of your garments before you attempt to shrink them. Some of them are pre-shrunk and some garments cannot sustain too much heat.
Some fabrics start wearing off when washed multiple times in the washer and dryer. Hence the best thing to do would be to physically alter the size of these clothes.
Apply the correct amount of heat and pressure when ironing. If the heat is high, your garment will get burnt. Also, do not directly iron on the T-shirt print as it could get damaged. Always put a cotton cloth over it before ironing. Follow similar precautions for other delicate fabrics.
Do not be too harsh on your apparel. After all, it’s a gift from a loved one or it could be your favorite piece. So take care!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you shrink shirts down a size?
Yes. You can shrink your shirts up to size or even two sizes down. Heat is an essential factor when it comes to the shrinking of shirts.
How do you shrink a shirt without ruining it?
You need to take precautions and ensure that you do not apply too much heat as it tends to spoil the fabric. Make sure you follow all instructions on the garment label before proceeding.
Can you shrink a shirt in the dryer?
Yes. Putting a shirt in the dryer with high heat settings can cause it to shrink.
Does polyester shrink?
Polyester when blended with other fabrics like cotton tends to shrink faster. However, shrinking any apparel made of 100% polyester could be a little difficult and time-consuming. You might have to repeat heat treatments time and again.
Does rayon shrink?
Rayon is a mix of natural and artificial fibers. Hence it tends to shrink when it is put in hot water, washer or dryer. Rayon garments can get damaged when put in a washer and dryer, hence it is advisable to refrain from shrinking rayon fabrics using washer/dryer techniques.
How do I shrink XL to L?
You can shrink from XL to L by immersing the garment in hot water for about 15-20 minutes and then drying it. You can also wash it in the washer under a high heat setting and dry it in the dryer at a high temperature.
Read this article to learn about the health benefits of cashews, a feeding guide for feeding cashews to your dog, foods that are safe and unsafe for your dog and more!
Introduction
Before coming to the question ‘Can you feed your dog cashews?’. It is important to understand that cashews are excellent and versatile snacks. They are guilt-free because of the large number of health benefits they offer in the form of antioxidants, proteins, healthy fats, and many other nutrients.
Cashews have a considerably low amount of sugar and carbohydrates, which makes them perfect for people who want to prevent diabetes or are suffering from type 2 diabetes. It is helpful in reducing not only bad cholesterol in your body but can also reduce the chances of a stroke or heart disease due to the high amount of magnesium found in cashews.
So if these nuts are so healthy and tasty for human beings, it is only natural for us to want to share them with our beloved pets so that they may reap the benefits of these protein-filled snacks too. However, many human foods (such as chocolate, alcohol, candy, coffee, etc.) are harmful, and even toxic, to dogs. Even certain fruits and vegetables contain some natural chemicals and sugars such as tartaric acid and monosaccharides found in raisins and grapes that are toxic to a dog’s health.
Thus, it is extremely important to thoroughly examine the nutritional information or ingredients of any food item that you want to give to your dog.
Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of cashews, ways in which cashews can be harmful to your beloved pet, a feeding guide for feeding cashews to your dog, nuts that are safe for your dog to eat as well as those unsafe for dogs, and other treats for your dog that are simple and healthy!
Can dogs eat cashews?
These nuts have not been deemed harmful or toxic for dogs and thus, can be given to dogs. However, they are also not considered to be the healthiest treat for dogs. So a middle ground needs to be found with feeding any dog cashews.
They are not necessary for a dog’s diet and too many cashews may be harmful to your pet. Therefore, for dogs, cashews are only good if they are given to them in moderation and once in a while.
Can dogs have cashew butter?
Dogs are infamous for being die-hard fans of peanut butter, but is it the same for cashew butter? It depends!
Your dog may or may not like cashew butter but chances are that if they are a fan of cashews, your pet will also love cashew butter. However, most store-bought cashew butter jars contain a lot of sugars, salt, fatty acids, and xylitol that are not meant for a dog’s consumption.
The simplest way to feed your dog cashew butter that is safe for them to eat is to make it yourself at home out of a dash of honey and plain, unsalted cashews. Dog-safe cashew butter can be made by blending these two until smooth. However, just like peanut butter, dogs should not be fed more than a spoonful of cashew butter each day.
Dog-safe cashew milk can be made by blending water and some plain, unsalted cashews, but this should not be fed to dogs in large quantities.
Just like store-bought cashew butter, any cashew milk found in a store meant for humans is likely to contain a lot of ingredients that are not safe for dogs to consume. So only give your dog some cashew milk if you have made it yourself using a dog-safe recipe.
Can dogs eat cashew yogurt?
Since yogurt is completely safe and even healthy for dogs to eat, it won’t hurt them to have a little bit of it with cashews.
However, cashews contain a lot of fatty acids that may lead to some health issues for your dog, if eaten in bulk so moderation is the way to go.
Can dogs eat cashews and almonds?
Almonds are never safe for dogs to eat as their bodies cannot properly digest almonds and their esophagus, windpipe, or intestines can get obstructed.
Eating almonds can also lead to serious health problems such as pancreatitis in dogs, so they should never be given almonds whether they are with cashews or without cashews.
Health Benefits Of Cashews
Cashews contain a lot of nutritional and health benefits for not just human beings, but also dogs. A single ounce of cashews can contain around 165 calories, 14-15 grams of fat, 9-10 grams of carbohydrates, and less than a gram each of sugar, protein, and fiber.
Cashews also contain the following compounds and various vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for a dog’s health:
1. Antioxidants
Oxidation is a process that takes place within the cells of an organism and results in the production of free radicals which can further lead to disease or even cancer. Thus, antioxidants prevent oxidation from happening and free radicals from being formed and protect the cells and thus, the organism to a certain degree.
They also help in reducing bacteria and improving the immune system. Therefore, dogs can benefit from a small number of cashews, especially if they are in need of strengthening their immune system such as in the case of a bacterial infection, allergies, inflammation, or arthritis.
2. Minerals
Cashews have a ton of minerals in their tiny sizes. They contain copper, which is considered to be excellent for increasing red blood cells, improving the overall immune system, and also helping in absorbing iron, which is another mineral that cashews contain. Cashews are also filled with calcium, which is an essential part of most dogs’ diets.
Calcium is the mineral that helps in growing (in the case of puppies) and strengthening (in the case of adult dogs) bones and teeth, building and functioning of muscles, as well as maintaining a healthy heart and nervous system for your pup.
The magnesium content in cashews can also help in making your dog’s bones and teeth stronger and their heart healthier. Moreover, it helps in regulating the amount of glucose and producing energy and protein in the dog’s body as well.
3. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an important vitamin as it helps in the healthy coagulation of blood in the dog’s body and thus, helps in blood clotting after an injury.
Vitamin K plays a huge role in regulating the amount of calcium by helping metabolize calcium and can even prevent calcium from depositing in crucial parts of the body such as the heart, muscles, and arteries.
Vitamin K is also helpful in the case of ingestion of an anticoagulant rat poison by a dog, which can lead to an acute Vitamin K deficiency and in extreme cases, cause bleeding.
Protein is perhaps one of the most important parts of a dog’s diet. Normally, dog food or kibble contains enough protein for their daily requirement but it can also be supplemented by eggs, meat, dairy products, etc, where it is also found in abundance.
Cashews contain a small amount of protein that can be beneficial for dogs. It helps in the overall smooth functioning of their body but is also really good at building or repairing muscles, as well as new hair or skin growth. It provides energy and regulates the production of the required hormones and enzymes in the body.
5. Fiber
Fiber, for dogs, helps in the healthy digestion of food and the removal of any bacteria that are harmful if it enters the body.
It is an important part of their diet and the small amount of fiber present in cashews can certainly help your pet’s digestive tract.
6. Fats
Fat is found in cashews in the form of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in fish oil and are considered to be very healthy for our skin and hair. Similarly, for dogs, these fatty acids help in maintaining the quality of their fur and skin.
They also soothe areas that feel irritated and inflamed.
Good always comes with some bad and so do cashews! They have their own risks and side effects when it comes to feeding them to your dog and it is better to consider these risks before feeding some cashews to your dog in order to keep them healthy, active, and playful as ever.
1. Difficulty in Digestion
Cashews contain a lot of fatty acids, which can be hard for your pup to digest and can give them an upset stomach as a result of eating more cashews than is safe for dogs to eat at a time.
Symptoms of an upset stomach in dogs can be vomiting or diarrhea. Your dog will need a vet visit if they have eaten too many cashews and cannot digest them properly.
Weight gain is a result of feeding a dog too many cashews as they contain a significant amount of fats. If your dog has a normal body weight, this can put them at risk of obesity, and if your dog is already overweight, it is recommended that you do not feed them any cashews.
This is because obesity in dogs can lead to a number of problems and put them at risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and most commonly, weak joints, which can lead to arthritis. Thus, avoid feeding cashews to your dog if they are overweight or at risk of being so.
3. Pancreatitis
Cashews should only be given to dogs in very small quantities and feeding too many of them to dogs can lead to a number of problems, one of which is pancreatitis. It is when the pancreas becomes inflamed because of excess fat that cannot be converted into energy. It can happen if your dog has had an increase in fatty acids in their diet.
Since cashews contain fatty acids and if you feed your dog too many cashews at a time, it can put an unnecessary load on their pancreas. The symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, decrease in appetite, etc.
4. Allergic Reaction
Even though this is quite uncommon, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of the fact that just like humans, dogs can have or develop a nut allergy too. Diagnosing an allergy is tedious and so is the treatment for a severe allergic reaction. Thus, look out for symptoms after your dog has eaten any kind of nut, such as peanut, cashew, walnut, etc.
These symptoms can range from severe to mild, such as redness and bumps under the front legs and between the legs, ear infections, hives, itchiness, swelling, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. Even obsessive licking can be a sign of an allergic reaction and should be taken seriously.
5. Salt Poisoning
Cashews are often commercially sold as salted cashews and these are not meant to be consumed by dogs at all. Dogs do not need a lot of salt or sodium in their diet as their body is not designed to process it properly.
Ingesting too much salt can result in too much water in the bloodstream which can make dogs dizzy or even induce a seizure. The most severe symptoms of salt poisoning are convulsions, coma, or even death. Thus, never feed your dog salted cashews, but only plain and unsalted ones.
6. Liver Problems
Cashews and most other nuts can develop mold over time. Liver problems usually happen when the cashews or nuts that have been fed to the dog had mold on them. It is also an uncommon situation but cashews must always be checked for mold before consuming because the toxin called aflatoxin can lead to liver failure in dogs if eaten by them.
7. Bladder Stones
Cashews contain a significant amount of oxalates, which can result in bladder stones. Symptoms of bladder stones in dogs include struggling to urinate, blood in the urine, abdominal pain, change in behavior regarding urination, etc. Thus, if your dog is prone to bladder stones, avoid treating them with cashews.
A Guide To Feeding Your Dog Cashews
Cashews sure are a wonderful snack for us humans but if you want to feed them to your dog, there are some things that should be considered and kept in mind before doing so:
Be careful of the Quantity
Cashews can be a healthy snack for your pet dog, only if it is given to them in a very small quantity, that is, a dog should not eat more than 3-4 cashews each day.
However, if your dog has never eaten cashews before, it would be best to give them an even smaller amount so that you can monitor them for any signs of an allergic reaction or stomach upset that might follow.
Check for molds
Before feeding your dog some cashews as a treat, be sure to check the nuts for mold that can sometimes develop. This mold can be very dangerous to dogs because of aflatoxin, which is a toxin present in the mold and it can lead to liver failure in dogs.
Avoid certain types of cashews
Cashews are most often sold as salted or as part of a variety of mixed nuts. Dogs should never be fed cashews out of such a mix because many other nuts are toxic for dogs and can be fatal for a dog to eat. Similarly, with salted cashews, there stands the risk of salt poisoning as dogs do not need a lot of salt in their diet.
Find out the rightServing size
Cashews can also be a choking hazard for dogs, especially smaller breeds. Thus, cashews should be broken into small pieces so that they are easier for the dog to swallow. Larger breeds of dogs may eat the whole cashew at a time but they must be supervised.
Other Nuts That Dogs Can or Cannot Eat
Let us see what other nuts, besides cashews, you can give to your dog!
Peanuts(Safe for dogs)
Peanuts are very similar to cashews because they also have a high protein and fat content and are not toxic for dogs. Dogs find them extremely tasty and enriching but love peanut butter even more.
However, like cashews, they should also be given to dogs in a very small quantity as they contain fatty acids that could result in weight gain or obesity, heart problems, and pancreatitis.
It should be kept in mind that you give your dog only plain and unsalted peanuts as store-bought salted peanuts can lead to salt poisoning for your dog or contain xylitol, which is toxic for dogs.
Pistachios(Safe for dogs)
Dogs can also have pistachios, which are even considered healthy for them because of the many vitamins and nutrients pistachios contain. These include fiber for digestion, proteins for muscle growth, as well as antioxidants to remove free radicals.
However, they also have their own risks as they are small in size and can be a choking hazard for a dog. They also tend to have a lot of salt sometimes, which is not a part of a dog’s diet and can harm them. Similar to most other nuts, pistachios contain a lot of fatty acids that can give rise to obesity and associated problems such as pancreatitis, heart disease, etc.
Walnuts(Certain types are safe for dogs)
Not all types of walnuts are safe for consumption by dogs. The black walnut is not safe for a dog at all due to the presence of juglone, which is a very toxic and poisonous substance for a dog. It can lead to severe consequences such as seizures or convulsions.
However, the English walnut contains much lower amounts of juglone and your pet is likely to be okay if they eat such a walnut or two. All kinds of walnuts are highly susceptible to mold, which is very dangerous for dogs to consume.
Moreover, there is a large number of fats and calories in a single walnut and dogs should not be given walnuts too often or in large quantities.
Macadamia Nuts(Toxic!)
Macadamia nuts are known for being highly toxic for dogs but it is not clear what makes them so dangerous for dogs to consume.
Signs of macadamia include weakness in the hind legs, lethargy, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and tremors. If your dog eats even a little bit of macadamia nuts, they should be taken to the vet immediately.
Almonds(Not safe)
Almonds are highly nutritious and beneficial for us humans, but even though almonds are not toxic for dogs, they should never be given to dogs as their bodies are simply not made to digest almonds.
Their peculiar size and shape can also get stuck in a dog’s throat and thus, makes almonds a choking hazard for dogs. Almonds are also mostly sold as salted, chocolate covered, or seasoned with spices, all of which make the snack even more dangerous for dogs to eat.
Pecans (Not safe for dogs)
Pecans are important ingredients of popular holiday dishes such as pecan pies or cookies, but these are yet another kind of nuts that are not safe for dogs to eat. A substance called mycotoxin can be toxic for dogs and even lead to severe liver damage.
They also contain juglone, also found in walnuts, which makes these nuts not safe for consumption by dogs. It can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and an upset stomach for your dog if eaten. The mold which can form on pecans can induce seizures or convulsions. Therefore, avoid feeding your dog pecans.
Hazelnuts(Not safe for dogs)
Hazelnuts are a favorite among people due to their many benefits and uses. However, the presence of juglone and mycotoxins makes these kinds of nuts very unsafe for dogs to consume.
If eaten by a dog, it can result in vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal problems for your pet.
If you have decided against giving your dog some cashews, here are some natural and healthy treats for your dogs that you can give to them instead!
Apples
Apples are perhaps the healthiest and most easily found snack in a house, not just for humans but also for dogs. They are full of important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are good for dogs. These include vitamin A, which helps their vision as well as their bones, and vitamin C, which is important for strengthening the immune system as a whole.
Apples contain fiber which is good for dogs‘ digestive systems, and antioxidants that fight against free radicals. So a slice or two of an apple is definitely sure to benefit your dog in the best way.
However, make sure to remove the seeds and the core before giving it to a dog because of the presence of cyanide in it which is toxic for a dog to consume.
Strawberries
Strawberries are awesome as a topping to just about any dessert like pancakes or cakes, and they taste great on their own as well. Fortunately, our dogs can taste and appreciate them too. strawberries have fiber, for smooth functioning of the digestive system, and vitamin C for their immune system.
The only downside to feeding strawberries to dogs is that they have a high sugar content and thus, they cannot be served to dogs in a large quantity. Also make sure that you only feed fresh strawberries to your dog, and not canned strawberries that have syrup in them as that will be too much sugar for dogs to consume safely.
Bananas
Bananas are healthy and delicious fruits. They Are a great source of fiber, potassium, copper, and many vitamins to help the digestion process, regulate blood in the body, and improve the immune system so that it is better prepared to fight all diseases.
Bananas can be a great treat for dogs but like most other fruits, they have too much sugar and only a small quantity is recommended for dogs. Thus, it is best to practice moderation with this fruit as well.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes have many advantages as treats for dogs. They have many beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins B6 and C, Both of which can help in improving the immune system and overall body function.
They also have beta-carotene and fiber, which helps in improving vision and digestive function, respectively. However, raw sweet potatoes can be dangerous to consume, so you should only feed your dog plain cooked or boiled sweet potatoes that have not been seasoned.
Carrots
Carrots are known for being great for our eyesight, and the same is true for dogs as well. Moreover, they also contain a lot of fiber and antioxidants such as beta-carotene that can help their body function better and ward off diseases whenever necessary or even prevent them from occurring.
Carrots can also help against the buildup of plaque in teeth. However, this vegetable should always be cut up into small, bite-sized pieces before being served to dogs because bigger pieces can be a choking hazard to dogs.
Green peas
Peas are an awesome snack for us humans. They are easy to prepare and eat, but can dogs eat green peas too? The answer is yes. These are rich in many vitamins and minerals that are required by dogs in their diet, and also contain a high amount of protein and fiber, which is very beneficial for muscle building and growth, and digestion.
That being said, too many green peas can be harmful to a dog. They contain a chemical compound known as purines, which produces uric acid. Too much uric acid in the body can lead to kidney stones, so only feed your dog a spoonful of peas a day.
It is always good to eat green vegetables that are full of important nutrients. Broccoli is one of many green vegetables that are considered safe for dogs to eat. These vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
These will help strengthen your dog’s bones, heart, and immune system. Too much broccoli can cause stomach upset in dogs, so only small quantities of this vegetable are recommended at a time for dogs. Make sure that you only serve plain and seasoned broccoli to your dog, whether it is cooked or raw.
Watermelon
Watermelons can be a great and refreshing snack, not just for humans, but also for dogs. These fruits are a great source of important vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium, which will keep your dog‘s immune system and overall body function working in their favor.
Most importantly, this red-green fruit consists of 92% water, which can be a great help in keeping your dog hydrated in the hot summer. However, just like apples, the seeds of this fruit, as well as the rind, can be dangerous to consume for a dog and should be removed beforehand.
Celery
Celery is another green leafy vegetable that is safe for dogs to eat. It is full of fiber, and many other necessary vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and manganese.
These vitamins and minerals are sure to improve your dog‘s health and overall immunity. Celery is often recommended to dogs who are overweight because of its high fiber content as well as the fact that it has a low amount of fat.
Cucumbers
Cucumber is yet another kind of fruit that is really beneficial for dogs. They are a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B-1, potassium, copper, magnesium, etc. these nutrients are very useful in a dog’s diet and just like watermelons, cucumbers are also full of water.
The high water content can help your dog stay hydrated and certain nutrients in this fruit can remove bad breath. They are also low in fat and calories, which makes them a perfect treat for overweight pups.
Cashews are a tasty and healthy treat for us but are cashews toxic to dogs? No! Dogs can actually benefit from a few cashews every day, but only if they are served in moderation. These healthy nuts consist of antioxidants that fight off free radicals, calcium that makes the bones stronger, protein that helps build muscle, and other minerals such as copper that help regulate the number of blood cells, and magnesium that strengthens bones and teeth.
However, there are also many risks associated with cashews and dogs, such as the high amount of fat in them that might harm an overweight dog. Salted or seasoned cashews can lead to salt poisoning for a dog. It is better to give your dog some other healthier options as a treat like apples, cucumbers, carrots, celery, bananas, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about feeding cashews to dogs
What nuts are poisonous to dogs?
Many nuts that we love to eat are actually poisonous or toxic to dogs. Macadamia nuts are perhaps the most well-known as being toxic for dogs because even a little bit of these nuts can induce tremors, fever, vomiting, etc. in a dog. Almonds are also very dangerous for dogs because of their strange size and shape, which can easily get stuck in a dog’s throat. Dogs find it very difficult to digest almonds as well. Pecans contain juglone and mycotoxin, both of which are toxic for dogs and can lead to liver damage, upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. Hazelnut is another kind of nut that is not safe for dogs to eat. Like pecans, they also contain juglone and mycotoxin which are really harmful to a dog’s body and are likely to make them very sick.
How many cashews can a dog eat?
There are both benefits and risks to feeding your dog cashews. These nut varieties are full of antioxidants, copper, calcium, and magnesium, which can help your dog fight off free radicals that lead to cancer, regulate blood in the body, and strengthen their bones. They also contain some amount of protein, fiber, and vitamin K, all of which will build and maintain your dog’s muscles, and help improve their immune system. However, cashews also contain a lot of fats, and too many cashews in your dog’s diet can lead to obesity, pancreatitis, liver problems, or bladder stones. Thus, never feed your dog more than 3-4 cashews in a day, and avoid giving them cashews as a treat daily. If your dog has never eaten cashews before, it is better to give them only one or two and observe them over the next couple of days for signs of an allergic reaction.
Why does my dog like cashews so much?
It is most likely that dogs like cashews for the same reason as we humans. However, we might never know for sure. Maybe they enjoy the snack for its rich, creamy, and buttery taste, maybe they like the texture. Whatever may be the case, do not let them have more than a few at a time as cashews are not all good for dogs and too many can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, pancreatitis, liver problems, heart diseases, bladder stones, etc.
Want to learn how to hold chopsticks? Check out our guide to master the art of holding and using them at your next social gathering.
Introduction
Love Asian cuisine but struggle with using chopsticks? Don’t worry, you are not alone. While holding chopsticks might be second nature to Asians, it could be a source of anxiety for non-natives dining out at Chinese or Japanese outlets.
If you ever wondered about the incentive to learn how to eat with chopsticks, there is a compelling reason. Over 1.5 billion people in the world use chopsticks for their meals.
Also, with the increasing movement of Asian cuisine to the West and beyond, eating with chopsticks is considered a part of the food experience. Hence, learning how to use chopsticks is a handy skill. If you are sitting at a local Asian restaurant with no idea what to do with your chopsticks, this post is for you!
Source: Giphy
This guide on how to hold chopsticks will help you to get started. Using chopsticks is no less than an art form, but we know that you are a hidden artist yourself! By the end of this post, we hope that chopsticks become an important cutlery for your food experience. Let’s get started!
Before learning how to hold chopsticks, it helps to get a hang of how and why chopsticks were adopted. The cultural evolution of chopsticks from Ancient China to the present day globalized world will expand your understanding of this unique eating utensil.
Let’s start by answering the main question – How to hold a chopstick? What are the different methods of using chopsticks?
If you are a fork and knife person, learning the intricacies of holding chopsticks could put you off. Give yourself space to make mistakes and try not to get frustrated with yourself. Practice makes perfect. Sooner or later, you’ll be eating your food with your new charming cutlery additions.
Apart from following basic chopsticks etiquette, learning how to use them properly is the most important of them all. It will help you have a better food experience and give you the confidence to use chopsticks in a more public setting.
Let’s break down the process of handling chopsticks in five steps.
Step by Step Guide on How to Hold Chopsticks
Step 1 : Inventory Check – Do You Have Everything Required to Practice?
Image Source: Unsplash
Before you even begin learning the step by step process, you need to conduct an inventory check. Do you have a pair of chopsticks to start practicing? If not, then consider purchasing a pair of chopsticks online.
Additionally, it is advisable to buy bamboo or wooden chopsticks. Metal and plastic chopsticks are more suited for people who know how to work with chopsticks. These chopsticks are smooth and might cause your food to slip. Unless you are really confident about your chopsticks skills, it is better to stick with bamboo chopsticks.
Also, if you are environmentally conscious, you could consider purchasing reusable chopsticks. As for practicing with food, you could try using any sliced fruits, popcorn, or even grapes. Finally, place only a small portion of food to practice your skills on.
Step 2 : Hold a Single Chopstick in Your Dominant Hand
Now, we move on to getting a hang of how to hold your chopsticks.We will use our dominant hand to hold chopsticks. Next, place a single chopstick between your thumb and the index finger. This is the nook or the curve between your thumb and index finger.
This bottom will provide you with stability. It should not move and must stay still at the base. The tapered side of the chopstick (or the side that points to the food), rests with support from your ring finger.
Remember, this chopstick should remain firm between your fingers.
Step 3 : Hold the Second Chopstick Like a Pencil
After you’ve nailed the placement of the first chopstick, it’s time to focus on the second one.
The position of the second chopstick is similar to that of a pencil or a pen. If you recollect, we held our pencils with the help of our index and thumb finger. This is similar to the first chopstick but there are some variations.
Our second chopstick should be placed at a position higher in the nook of the thumb and index finger. Moreover, the tapered end should rest and get support from the middle finger.
The second chopstick is the one that does all the work while the first remains stationary. While picking up your food, you’ll move the second chopstick.
Also, make sure that both the chopsticks are parallel to each other. If you don’t think they are, slightly tap the chopsticks on the table (hopefully, a clean surface) to make sure they are aligned and parallel.
Fun Fact: There is a widely believed superstition in China that if you come across an uneven pair of chopsticks at the food table, you are likely to miss your next traveling journey whether it is by – train, plane, or boat!
Step 4: The First Move
Source: Tenor
Now that we have got the placement right, it is time to test our chopsticks’ movement in unison. Slowly, open and close the chopsticks. Also, try to get comfortable with your grip. Finally, don’t forget that the bottom chopstick remains stationary while the top chopstick moves and does all the work.
Step 5: The First Morsel
This is the ultimate part of our step by step guide on how to use your chopsticks – pick up a small piece of food. It’s time to have your first chopsticks-held morsel! You will pick up food and place it between both your chopsticks.
While the upper chopstick moves to grab the food, the lower chopstick provides you with support. Remember to keep your fingers steady and in control. Also, don’t pinch your food too hard – you might drop it.
After you’ve nailed picking up sample food, it is time to graduate and test your skills. You could start testing your chopsticks’ skill on heavier pieces of food.
It will take time to learn the proper chopstick placement! Just like any other skill that has a steep learning curve, making it to the other side of trial and error is what counts.
However, if you continue to struggle with using chopsticks, you could consider another option.
There are many training chopsticks available in the market and you could easily purchase one online. These chopsticks have pre-placed finger rings/props. They are your cheat guide to learning the correct chopstick placement!
We are not yet done! Apart from eating, there are other practical uses for your chopsticks.
Source: Giphy
You could use it to stir or serve your food. If you are cooking a dish that requires delicate plating, you could take the help of your chopsticks. Finally, picking out small food items from pots, jars, and cans is easier with chopsticks!
If you require an actual demonstration, here is a quick YouTube shorts video for you.
If you are short on time and want to learn the placement fast, here is a YouTube video from the ‘For Us Foodies’ channel.
What Are Chopsticks?
If you are familiar with kitchen tongs, then understanding the use of chopsticks is quite easy.
Chopsticks are two sticks of equal length. It is used to pick up food with your dominant hand. Chopsticks are a common sight in Asian restaurants. Moreover, it is considered the primary cutlery in some East Asian countries.
Image Source: Unsplash
You will find that there are different types and forms of chopsticks. Initially, while choosing, it might seem quite confusing to figure out which one to use.
Usually, the type of chopsticks used depends on – the individual and the type of meal one is having.
People use chopsticks of different materials. These include wood, bamboo, metal and plastic. If you were a royalty during the ancient era, then you would’ve used silver, jade or bronze chopsticks!
Where Did It All Start?
History says that chopsticks are more than 3,000 years old. They are widely believed to have their roots in China. In Chinese, chopsticks are called ‘Kuaizi’, written as 筷子, and pronounced as ‘Kweye-zr’.
It is quite unclear as to how the English word ‘Chopsticks’ for Kuaizi came into existence. The earliest mention of the word is in the 1699 book, Voyages and Descriptions. The author, William Dampier, writes that English seamen call this cutlery, ‘Chopsticks’.
To conduct trade with China, the British would use a modified form of English called Chinese Pidgin English. Many believe that the word chopsticks originate from the Chinese Pidgin English word called ‘chop chop.’ This word meant ‘be quick’ or ‘hurry up!’
The first actual evidence of chopsticks date back to the New Stone Age during the reign of the Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122 BC). In the Shang Dynasty, people were fond of using hot pots (or deep pots) to cook their meals. Chopsticks became a convenient utensil to stir and pick up the food in these pots.
As they cooked food in boiling water, chopsticks made sure that they didn’t burn their hands. So, the earliest use of chopsticks was as a cooking utensil rather than an eating tool.
Excavations in the Henan Province of China led to the discovery of chopsticks. Archaeologists found bronze chopsticks in Tombs of the Yin Ruins. However, experts speculate that chopsticks existed way before the Shang Dynasty.
By the time of the Han Dynasty, rice became the main food in China. During this time, chopsticks slowly found their way onto the food table. When the Ming Dynasty started, chopsticks solidified their use as an eating utensil.
How Did Chopsticks Become So Popular?
There were other reasons that worked in the favor of chopsticks. In Ancient China,the population boom caused a food crisis.
With an increasing population, it became necessary for the Chinese to cook food rapidly. Cutting and cooking food in smaller pieces allowed them to save costs and manage the problem of food scarcity.
Moreover, smaller food portions eliminated the use of knives. This became the perfect reason to adopt chopsticks. These sticks allowed people to have small morsels and limited the quantity of food one could consume.
In Chinese culture, eating is a communal activity. With the shared dish kept in the center of the table, chopsticks allowed people to grab and transfer food onto their individual plates.
Philosophical Symbolism of Chopsticks
Also, the use of chopsticks has a philosophical underlining to it. The Chinese philosopher, Confucius, is considered a key figure in making chopsticks mainstream.
Confucius was an influential philosopher in Ancient China. His religious philosophy of ‘Confucianism’ was quite popular 2,500 years ago.
Confucius advocated the use of Chopsticks. According to him, knives and forks symbolize violence and warfare. Chopsticks, on the other hand, symbolized gentle nature and calmness.
Folklores and Legends
However, the exact origin of chopsticks remains unclear. There are many legends and folktales associated with the utensil.
One legend says that the Chinese started using chopsticks during the Great Floods of the Yellow River.
There is another interesting legend involving the Chinese noble, Jiang Tai Gong (12th century BC – 11th century BC). The lore says that a divine bird advised the noble to use chopsticks.
As per the legend, Jiang Tai Gong had a very lazy attitude towards life. It goes on to say that the noble would often go out fishing and return without any catch. Fed up with his lax attitude, his wife sought to get rid of him for good.
One day, she decided to poison his meal. As the noble was about to eat his food, a bird flew down and started pecking his hand. In an attempt to get rid of the bird, he got up and drove the bird away from his house.
As he went out of the house, the bird spoke to him. The bird advised him to use two bamboo sticks to pick up his food.
Jiang Tai Gong went home and followed the advice of the bird. He grabbed his food with two bamboo twigs. When the bamboo twigs came in contact with the poisonous food, it changed color and released white smoke.
Realizing that her plot was exposed, the noble’s wife ran away. When the neighbors heard the story, they started using chopsticks to pick up their food as well. This led to the popularity of chopsticks in China.
Different Countries, Different Chopsticks
Using chopsticks is a common practice in some East Asian countries. However, each country uses chopsticks of different materials and types. Some countries where chopsticks are heavily used include – China, Korea, and Japan. Let’s talk about some major differences in chopsticks in these three regions.
Chinese Chopsticks
Chinese chopsticks are longer than their other Asian counterparts. Moreover, the tapered end of the chopstick is blunt.
As we have mentioned before, in Ancient China, hotpots were used to make food. Additionally, having food in China is a communal activity. Hence, the use of long chopsticks allowed peopleto share, easily stir and pick up food.
Korean Chopsticks
When it comes to length, Korean chopsticks sit in the middle order. Korean chopsticks are flat and long-lasting. The material used to make Korean chopsticks is usually metal.
There are two reasons for the popularity of metal chopsticks in Korea. During ancient times, only the wealthy could afford to use metal chopsticks.
Hence, using these chopsticks is seen as a sign of royalty. Second, there is an assumption that metal chopsticks can detect whether the food is poisoned.
Japanese Chopsticks
When compared to other chopsticks, Japanese chopsticks are the shortest. This is because Japanese people usually don’t share their food.
Also, while eating, Japanese people tend to bring their plates/bowls closer to their mouth. The Japanese diet includes a lot of raw fish and so, their chopsticks are slightly pointy. This allows them to easily remove fish bones. Chopsticks in Japan are usually made of wood and plastic. They also have rounded ends.
In addition to this, based on the occasion, Japanese people use a different set of chopsticks.
Why Use Chopsticks?
For beginners, it might seem unnecessary to make chopsticks a staple cutlery in their drawer. You might think of chopsticks as a tool reserved only for a particular cuisine at an Asian restaurant. Does it have what it takes to be a regular in your food experience? The answer is, Yes.
Admittedly, it is difficult to master the use of chopsticks. However, once you get a hang of using chopsticks, it is quite possible that you might ditch your fork altogether!
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There are many reasons to take the chopsticks route. If you are health conscious or believe in mindful eating, chopsticks might just as well be the utensil of your choice.
Some reasons for choosing chopsticks include – it is helpful in your weight loss journey, lowers the glycemic index of your food, improves your dexterity and motor skills, and promotes mindful eating.
Reasons To Make a Switch from Forks to Chopsticks
1. Weight Loss
If you are on a weight management mission, then chopsticks are just the right utensils to help you get started. While eating, we usually pay less attention to our food and have a tendency to overstuff ourselves.
Chopsticks help us slow down and allow for only small food morsels at a time. Eating slowly and taking small bites help in controlling your portion size. Moreover, you become attuned to your body and understand when you start feeling full.
2. Lowers Glycemic Index of Your Food
Eating with chopsticks also helps in lowering the Glycemic Index of your food. What is the Glycemic Index? It is a measure that shows the effect of each measure of food on your blood sugar level.
A 2015 study published in Physiology and Behavior notes that the GI response of eating food with chopsticks is lower than eating food with any other utensil.
When you eat with chopsticks, you have smaller portions of food. This gives you enough time to chew food and helps in better digestion.
3. Improves Dexterity or Motor Skills
Another interesting fact is that chopsticks could help improve your motor skills. Motor skills mean movement of body muscles to perform certain tasks.
As the utensil relies on the movement of your fingers, it can help you get better at hand-eye coordination.
Another plus point is that it could strengthen your hand movements. This could be a great exercise for kids who are just learning to develop motor skills. It could also be helpful for improving dexterity in older adults.
4. Mindful Eating
We are usually chomping our food while scrolling through our phones or watching T.V. In this fast-paced world, slowing down seems next to impossible.
As chopsticks make room for smaller bites, you start eating intentionally. It provides you with a more immersive experience.
With other eating utensils, there is no need to put in much thought while picking up our food. However, chopsticks force you to be an active participant while eating.
This is because you have to make use of your fingers and eyes to strike a delicate balance with your chopsticks. This could help you be in the present moment, savor your food, and appreciate the nourishment that you receive.
What is the Significance of Chopsticks?
These were some health-based reasons for using chopsticks. Now let’s discuss the significance of chopsticks.
Chopsticks also represent ancient symbolism in their structure. Here are five reasons why chopsticks are significant and what their structure says about Chinese philosophy:
The two ends of the chopsticks are different in shape. While the tapered end (from which we pick up food) is round, the other end is square. According to Ancient Chinese philosophy, the round end signifies heaven. The square end represents land and the paddy fields. Together, these two ends symbolize that the food you eat is a blessing from heaven.
Chopsticks also stand for the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. While eating with chopsticks, we use a pincer movement. This means that while one stick stays stationary, the other moves. This shows the balance between yin and yang.
Our five fingers also stand for the five elements of the world. These elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The fingers that we use to maneuver the chopsticks represent our balance with earth and heaven.
Using chopsticks is a sign of showing kindness to your food. When you slow down, you pay attention to that which nourishes you. In a way, chopsticks help you reach a meditative stage while eating food.
What Are The Different Foods You Can Eat With Chopsticks?
Now that we have covered the process of using chopsticks, let’s look at some popular dishes that you could get to try your chopsticks skill on. We will look into our list that includes rice, ramen, and sushi.
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Rice
It might seem hard to believe but eating rice with chopsticks is possible! When it comes to eating rice, there are two chopstick methods that you could choose from – the clump method and the shovel method.
After you’ve learnt the basics, you can move on to learn how to hold your chopsticks for rice. While maintaining a gap between your chopsticks, insert it in your bowl of rice at an acute angle. Then, start picking up the rice and eating it.
Learn how to hold your chopsticks for rice using the Clump Method: For the Clump Method, hold your chopsticks sideways (using your thumb and index finger). Maintain a firm grip over your chopsticks and pick up some rice with your chopsticks. The Clump Method is useful to eat sticky rice. The aim of this method is to get hold of clumped rice.
Learn how to hold your chopsticks for rice using the Shovel Method: The Shovel Method is an informal method. Do keep in mind that the shovel method is considered rude in formal settings as there is a high likelihood that you might drop some rice.
In this method, you bring the rice bowl closer to your mouth. Then, start picking up and transferring it to your mouth.
Ramen
If you conjure up an image of chopsticks, you’ll most probably imagine someone with a bowl of ramen and chopsticks in their hand. This has to be the most popular dish for eating with chopsticks. Let’s learn how to eat ramen noodles with chopsticks.
Eating ramen with chopsticks requires some skill. By now, you are probably aware of how to hold your chopsticks in the correct position! So, keeping that lesson in mind, pick up a few noodles. Also, make sure not to load your chopsticks with too many noodles.
Using the tip of your chopsticks, squeeze a bite-sized amount of noodles. Then lift the noodles so that they are completely de-tangled.
Once they are de-tangled, dip it in the bowl again so that you get additional broth and fat for your helping. Next, to eat the noodles, form a shape with your lips similar to when you try to aerate a hot drink.
Sushi
Sushi is another well-known East Asian dish. For the unaware, it is vinegared rice with added ingredients that include raw or cooked fish. In Japanese, the word ‘sushi’ means ‘sour’. This is because the vinegared rice is sour to taste.
It is acceptable to eat sushi either with your hands or with chopsticks. Infact, if you are eating Nigiri Sushi, it is considered completely normal to use your hands.
On the other hand, Sashimi (fish slices) is eaten with chopsticks. Since it contains no rice, it is easier to grab Sashimi with chopsticks.
To learn how to use chopsticks for sushi, we use the same approach. Place one chopstick in the cradle of your thumb and index finger. Then, proceed to hold the second chopstick like a pencil between your thumb and index finger.
Next, gently pick up the sushi with your chopsticks, and start eating. Also, remember to place the sushi face down on your tongue. This allows you to enjoy the taste and flavor of the fresh fish. Usually, sushi is served in small portions. Hence, it should be eaten in one bite.
The condiments that are offered with sushi include soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger. While sushi is already loaded with soy sauce, if you need extra seasoning you can add the condiment. However, be careful and don’t go overboard with the soy sauce.
In order to cleanse your palette, ginger should be eaten in between bites. As for wasabi, you can add a little amount over your fish. Finally, never mix wasabi with soy sauce. If you do this, wasabi will lose its flavor and aroma.
Chopstick Etiquette and Taboos in Different Countries
We have learnt the art of using chopsticks! Now, it’s time to take it to the next level and familiarize ourselves with some ground rules.
Though chopsticks are common in East Asian countries, you’ll find that different countries follow their own rules and conventions.
However, there’s no need to worry. Once you understand the reasoning behind these rules, following them would be a piece of cake.
By now, you know that the most important etiquette while using chopsticks is to hold it properly. Some other good etiquette rules to follow are – placing your chopsticks in the chopstick holder when not eating or while talking to other diners and taking smaller bites so that you don’t spill your food.
When using chopsticks, there is a list of practices that are considered taboo. The below mentioned list are all complete no-nos. It is better to err on the side of caution by following these rules!
Complete No-Nos while using chopsticks
Chopstick Etiquette 101
Never Place Your Chopsticks in an Upright Position
When it comes to using your chopsticks, holding your chopsticks in an upright position symbolizes funeral practices in some East Asian Countries. This is considered the biggest taboo when using chopsticks. In Japan, during funerals, chopsticks are placed vertically in a bowl of rice.
Never Point Your Chopsticks at Another Person
It is common knowledge that pointing a finger at another person comes across as disrespectful. Similarly, while eating, pointing your chopstick at another person is considered impolite.
Additionally, make sure that when you place your chopsticks in a resting position, the tip isn’t pointing towards the person sitting across you. This is a sign that shows aiming swords or arrows at the other person.
If you have been provided with a chopsticks rest, you can place your chopsticks on it. If not, you could let the chopsticks rest on your plate, but make sure it is angled away from the diners sitting across you. Additionally, when you are trying to decide what to eat, avoid hovering over the dish with your chopsticks.
Never Pass Food From One Chopstick to Another Chopstick
This is another chopstick taboo that represents funeral practices. During Japanese funerals, the deceased person’s family passes bone fragments from person to person using chopsticks. Imitating this practice will be a grave mistake.
Don’t Rub Your Chopsticks
Yet another common blunder is rubbing your chopsticks to remove splinters. Even if you’re dealing with cheap chopsticks, it is seen as a sign of disrespect towards your host.
This is because it gives the host the impression that you do not trust them to provide you with good quality cutlery.
Don’t Use a Shared Dish as Your Own
It is perfectly okay to take food from shared dishes. However, picking up food with your chopsticks from a shared dish and eating it directly is considered bad manners. You have to first pick up the food from the communal dish, place it in your individual plate, and then proceed to eat.
Don’t Knock Chopsticks on the Table
Another chopstick taboo is knocking them on the table or your bowl, plate, or dish like a drum stick. In Chinese culture, knocking or tapping bowls with chopsticks is seen as a sign of begging.
Don’t Suck on Your Chopsticks and Don’t Cross Them
Do not suck or chew on your chopstick. It is considered rude and impolite. Additionally, don’t cross your chopsticks either. In China, it is a symbol that represents death.
Conclusion
From the Shang Dynasty to the globalized world, the evolution of chopsticks has been quite fascinating. Initially used as a cooking tool, it soon found its way on the dinner table. Folktales, Confucius’ philosophy, and the growing population in Ancient China all marked the rise of chopsticks.
With the help of our step by step guide on how to hold chopsticks, you can confidently start using chopsticks. Additionally, keeping in mind common chopsticks etiquette is really important. Hopefully, you’ll go from a chopsticks newbie to a chopsticks connoisseur in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Chopsticks
How to hold chopsticks for ramen?
For ramen, you need to first position your first chopstick in the corner of your thumb and index finger. The second chopstick is placed in the same corner but slightly above the first chopstick and it rests on the middle finger.
The second chopstick should resemble a pencil position. You can then proceed to pick up a few noodles with your chopstick to de-tangle it from the rest. Finally, before eating, you can dip the noodles back in the bowl to soak them in extra broth.
Is there a rude way to hold chopsticks?
Yes, there is a rude way of holding chopsticks. It is considered rude to point your chopsticks at another person. If you are having a conversation with someone, place your chopsticks in the chopstick holder provided to you.
Additionally, holding your chopsticks and hovering over the dishes for too long, passing food from one chopstick to another chopstick are other faux pas that you need to steer clear from.
What are 7 rules when using chopsticks?
While using chopsticks, there are a few rules that you need to follow. Though different Asian countries have their own rules, there are some common conventions followed everywhere.
The seven cardinal chopsticks’ rules are – Never place your chopsticks in an upright position, don’t point your chopsticks at another person, and don’t pass your food from one chopstick to another chopstick.
Also, never rub your chopsticks to get rid of splinters, do not suck on your chopsticks, and don’t cross them. Finally, never use chopsticks to directly eat from communal dishes.
How to hold chopsticks in China?
Chinese chopsticks are longer and thicker than their other Asian counterparts. However, the process of holding chopsticks is quite standard in China.
You need to use your dominant hand to place the chopstick in the cradle of your thumb and index finger with support from the ring finger. Next, place the other chopstick in a pencil position in the same nook but slightly above the first chopstick. The second chopstick will rest on your middle finger. You’ll use the second chopstick to grab the food while the first chopstick remains stationary.
Why do Asians eat with chopsticks?
During Ancient China, the population boom led to food scarcity. In order to resolve this, people started cutting their food into smaller pieces to save cost and fuel.
As the size of the food reduced, it completely eliminated the need to use knives at the table. During this time, chopsticks were the perfect alternative during this time. Its ability to pick up small food pieces made it an eating utensil. Soon, the use of chopsticks spread from China to other East Asian countries
What’s better: chopsticks or fork?
If you are a health-conscious person, you might find chopsticks to be a better option. It helps you in weight management, aids in digestion, and allows you to practice mindful eating.
However, it is quite difficult to use chopsticks while dealing with certain foods. Hence, if you would like to complete your meal faster, you might want to stick to forks.
