MumHut

A FEW CAKE DECORATING IDEAS


Did you know that the first cakes baked in America where small loaves of sweet bread? Look how far we have come. Home bakers should not be intimidated by the elaborate cakes being made today. You do not need to be a pastry chef to make beautiful cakes, you just need the know-how and practice. Of course the right tools will go a long way in your cake decorating endeavors. Here are a few ideas you might like to try.



Every cake worth merit starts with a smooth icing. The cake needs to cool completely before they are iced and decorated. To keep crumbs from ending up in your icing and ruining the look of your cake, start with a thin base coat of frosting that is not quite as stiff as the regular layer will be. Once this coat is on, set the cake in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will set the icing and any crumbs will be caught in this first layer. Now you can spread a regular layer of icing without worrying about crumbs.



Use an icing spatula to apply and smooth the second coat of icing. Once the icing is on the cake, start smoothing on the sides by running the spatula around the perimeter of the cake. One trick for smoothing the frosting is to dip the metal icing spatula in cold water, this will aid in smoothing the frosting. To smooth the top, dip the spatula in cold water and holding it horizontally over the top of the cake. Start at the point farthest from you, holding the spatula in both hands, skim the top of the icing by bringing the spatula straight toward you.


Simple Designs

Some cake decorators say learning to smooth the icing is the hardest part of cake decorating. Practice will make you a pro in not time. Once you have it down, show it off, even a cake without many decorations that is clean and smooth will make an perfectly elegant offering.



Instead of icing, cake tops can be dusted with powdered sugar. You can choose to use a stencil for a more decorated appearance, or just the powdered sugar for a clean look.



Edible decorations are a beautiful yet simple cake decorating technique. The use of sprinkles, candy, nuts, and coconut pressed into the icing before it sets, will make your cake stand out.


To apply a textured look for your cake decorating, use a small cardboard comb, available in baking supply stores.

Piping is achieved by using a pastry bag fitted with a metal tip that is held on by a coupler. This is your most important tool for cake decorating. You can make lines, words, shells, flowers, and many other designs on the top or sides of the cake. Fill the bag with no more than 1 cup of icing at a time, twist the top of the bag and keep steady pressure when piping the design. Use your other hand to guide the tip. It is wise to find out everything you can about piping before you begin.



Fondant a smooth white paste, is used in complicated cake decorating. Fondant is kneaded and rolled to cover cakes with a sleek smooth layer of icing. It is also used to make designs that are 3-D. It is less tasty than buttercream, but the cake will look sleek and elegant.

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

MumHut

Making a happy family: 5 simple tips



Many families now are suffering from issues such as separation, divorce, turmoil and even domestic violence. So how are you going to make your family a happy one? Here are five simple tips.


1. Focus on teamwork
In any successful sports team, teamwork is extremely important and forms the backbone of the team. A happy family need that too. You could start by doing simple things together like chores and move on to planning a vacation together. If your child has a problem at school, both of you could sit down together and try to solve that problem together.


2. Spend time together
Try allocating time everyday to spend some quality family time together. Try having activities together like a jog in the park or game night on Friday where all of you could sit down together and play board games.


3. Enjoy each other’s company.
While spending time with each other, don’t treat it as a chore. You need to learn to enjoy each other’s company. When you enjoy each other’s company, it creates a happier and enjoyable environment at home.


4. Have dinner together
This may sound simple but families hardly do it! The parents might come home late or the children may be busy with their after school activities. You need to start doing this. Family dinners are absolutely essential. When you eat together, you will be able to spend time together and know how each other days went. You may learn what went on during school and you can tell them what happen in yours. So you are actually encouraging your kids to share.


5. Be understanding.
Try to be understanding of each other. You need to accept each other for all your talents and limitations. By understanding each other it will create an environment of warmth and trust.

Most importantly, you need to remember, friends may come and go, but your family will always be there for you. So start creating your happy family now.

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

MumHut

10 simple ways to living a happy life.



Everyone strives to be happy but the mistake that everyone makes is that they think that happiness is some kind of finishing line in a race. Once you crossed that line, you will live happily ever after. That is not true. Happiness is a choice! You can choose to make your life happy. So here are a few ways you could try.


1. Let go of past memories.
Everyone has both sad and happy moments. So forget about your painful memories. What’s in the past stays in the past. Instead focus on your good memories and move on.


2. Be optimistic.
Always try looking on the bright side of things. Look for the silver lining behind each dark cloud. For example, if you had an unfortunate accident and your car is badly dented, but on the bright side is that nobody got hurt and that dent in your car can be repaired. There is always a bright side to look on so be optimistic!


3. Be close to your family
Try and maintain a close relationship with your family and friends. Our relationships with them have a greater impact on our happiness than anything else. Human beings are made to be social creatures. So appreciate the existing relationships that you have.


4. Try finding a job that gives you happiness.
If you are feeling stressed out in your current job and not getting the job satisfaction that you want, perhaps it’s time for a career change. Job satisfaction plays an important part in your happiness. So give your job a chance. Try having a positive attitude in your job. If that doesn’t work, it may time for a change of jobs.


5. Make friends
You need to make friends with people who share a common interest. Find something that you are deeply passionate about. It could be a hobby or an organization you can volunteer in. There you could meet people who the same interest and passion as you.


6. Exercise
Exercising releases endorphins. So, not only you are taking care of your body but you will automatically start to feel
good about yourself.


7. Change your thinking
You have to start living life to the fullest. Don’t delay your life a second longer. Try something new everyday or pick up a new skill!


8. Don’t let the small stuff bug you.
Remember all the small petty stuff that used to bother you? Forget all about it and focus on the bigger picture. Life is too short to be worry about trivial stuff.



9. Live your life for yourself.
Stop trying to live your life up to other people’s expectations. You are your own person. So start living it for yourself!


10. Lastly, remember to love with all your heart. You have all these love to give so give your love to something and start feeling happy today!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

MumHut

10 Myth Of Exercising You Don't Know About


There are many misconceptions regarding exercise that exist till today. Here are some of the most common exercise myths as well as the not-so-common facts based on current exercise research.


Exercise Myth 1. Low intensity workout burns more fat
In general, low intensity exercise has its place -- it's less stressful on joints. However, one should know that fat reduction depends on the total energy cost or how many calories burned during the activity. The faster you move, the more calories you use per minute. However, high-intensity exercise may be difficult to sustain in the beginning, so you may not exercise very long at this level. In such cases, it is safer and more practical to start out at a lower intensity and to gradually work your way up.


Exercise Myth 2. Spot reduction works for tighter abs or toner arms
All those crunching may have been done in vain. You will not see a nice muscle definition despite how many crunches you do because it lays hidden beneath all the layer of fat. Thus, when exercising, do not focus on a body part. Whole body exercises work better. This kind of thinking keeps a lot of people from maintaining or even starting an exercise program. Research continues to show that any exercise is better than none. For example, regular walking or gardening for as little as an hour a week has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.


Exercise Myth 3: Stretching will help prevent injuries
There is little evidence stretching prevents injuries. Current research show that muscle stretching does not reduce delayed onset muscle soreness in young healthy adults. In another study, it is found that static stretching (staying in one place during stretching) lasting more than a minute can be detrimental to performance. Athletes often swing their arms and warm up before a game. That type of dynamic stretching such as high knee jogs, walking lunges can help move your muscles through different ranges of motions.

Exercise Myth 4. If You Exercise Long and Hard Enough, You Will Always Get the Results You Want.
In reality, genetics plays an important role in how people respond to exercise. Studies have shown a wide variation in how different exercisers respond to the same training program. Your development of strength, speed and endurance may be very different from that of other people you know.


Exercise Myth 5. Exercise Is One Sure Way to Lose All the Weight You Desire.
As with all responses to exercise, weight gain or loss is dependent on many factors, including dietary intake and genetics. All individuals will not lose the same amount of weight on the same exercise program. It is possible to be active and overweight. However, although exercise alone cannot guarantee your ideal weight, regular physical activity is one of the most important factors for successful long-term weight management.


Exercise Myth 6. If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay Away From Strength Training Because You Will Bulk Up.
Most exercise experts believe that cardiovascular exercise and strength training are both valuable for maintaining a healthy weight. Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and decrease body fat percentage.



Exercise Myth 7. Water Fitness Programs Are Primarily for Older People or Exercisers With Injuries.
Recent research has shown that water fitness programs can be highly challenging and effective for both improving fitness and losing weight. Even top athletes integrate water fitness workouts into their training programs.


Exercise Myth 8. The Health and Fitness Benefits of Mind-Body Exercise Like Tai Chi and Yoga Are Questionable.
Research showing the benefits of these exercises continues to grow. Tai chi, for example, has been shown to help treat low-back pain and fibromyalgia. Improved flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, strength and stress management are just some of the potential results of mind-body exercise.


Exercise Myth 9. Overweight People Are Unlikely to Benefit Much From Exercise.
Studies show that obese people who participate in regular exercise programs have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than sedentary individuals, regardless of weight. Both men and women of all sizes and fitness levels can improve their health with modest increases in activity.


Exercise Myth 10. Home Workouts Are Fine, But Going to a Gym Is the Best Way to Get Fit.
Research has shown that some people find it easier to stick to a home-based fitness program. In spite of all the hype on trendy exercise programs and facilities, the “best” program for you is the one you will participate in consistently

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

MumHut

‪@mum_hut‬

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

MumHut

‪@mum_hut‬

2 years ago | [YT] | 0