You can use new, clean, heat-treated pallets to make simple, neat raised beds. You can take the pallet apart to make a deep raised bed from the timber, or just lay one on the ground to make a shallow raised bed.  Keep in mind that you won't be able to raise the bed too high with just one pallet, but it's a good start. Raised bed gardening means you don't need to bend down as much to tend plants, need to dig less and it really helps improve drainage. Ideally, you should start by eliminating weeds underneath where your raised bed will go. Try chemical controls, or lay down some newspaper or cardboard.  You'll want to close up the edges of the pallet all round the narrow sides, to prevent weeds from poking through. To do this, you can nail thin planks around the 4 edges, or use strips of weed control fabric. Plant it up through the slats and water well. Because you are raising the bed very little, this method will work best for shallow-rooted plants such as lettuce and strawberry.
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One-sentence summary -- Decide what kind of raised bed you want to achieve. Eliminate any weeds and close up the edges of the pallet. Lay the pallet on the ground and fill with compost.


If an elegant thigh gap picture is what you are after, you do not necessarily have to starve and put your body through agony. By trying this simple trick, you could get the look you are after with a whole lot less work. Pretend they are stiff as straw and hard as rock. Not too much, or what you are doing will become apparent. A little goes a long way here. Tip the back part of your heels apart, making sure to keep the front part of your toes together. Remember to do this subtle or it will not look natural or believable. If your camera is facing a downward angle, all the better. You should have recreated the thigh gap without much fuss and with minimal effort. Use this pose to enhance your thigh gap if you naturally have one.
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One-sentence summary -- Know that you may be able to get the thigh gap in pictures by repositioning your body. Straighten your legs. Stick your butt out a little bit. Bend forward with your heels apart. Take your picture.


There are several resources available to help you prepare for both certification exams.  The NCBDE certification exam handbook has an appendix with an extensive list of resources.  The AADE handbook also offers a list of useful resources in its appendix.  Appendix 3 in the NCBDE handbook offers a content outline.  The content outline describes broadly what the diabetes education test will cover.  Examine this content outline closely.  Seek assistance from a mentor or consult diabetes education literature to answer questions you might have about the material. Appendix 5 in the NCBDE handbook offers a list of suggested references.  Look over these references, taking notes as necessary, to sharpen your knowledge of specific content areas.  Focus on areas that you are less familiar with in order to remedy any gaps in your understanding. For a $55 fee, you can take a practice NCBDE examination through Psi/Amp.  A practice AADE test is available online for $95.  A test tutorial to help you familiarize yourself with the computerized testing system is also available online. Visit the test center at the time and date you selected.  Arrive early so that you have plenty of time to find a seat and settle in.  The NCBDE test consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.  You’ll have four hours to complete the exam.  The AADE test consists of 175 multiple-choice questions administered over three-and-a-half hours.  Bring at least two types of valid, government-issued photo ID.  You might bring a passport, driver’s license, military identification card, or state identification card with photo. You should also bring a printout confirming your test site, date, and other relevant information. Do not bring your phone, hat, electronics, or other personal items into the test center with you. The AADE exam results are mailed six to eight weeks after taking the exam.  NCBDE scores are reported in two ways: raw scores and scaled scores. The NCBDE exam’s raw scores will give you your score as a percentage of the total number of questions you got correct out of 200.  For instance, you might get a raw score of 150/200.  Scaled scores are reported as a percentage of correct questions on a scale of 0 to 99.  You must score at least a 70 on this scale in order to pass the exam.  Using the above example — 150/200 — you would earn a 75, giving you a passing grade. You must recertify your NCBDE and/or AADE credentials every five years.  Recertification for the NCBDE requires that you accrue at least another 1,000 hours of DSME and that you hold the same position in the same medical field that you held when you obtained certification originally.  If you cannot meet the 1,000-hour practice requirement but wish to maintain your certification, you can substitute the practice requirement for 75 clock hours of continuing education. When your certification is close to expiration, the NCBDE, and/or AADE will send you a reminder notification along with directions outlining how to renew your certification.  Renewal costs $250 for NCBDE certification and $500 for the AADE certification (or $800 if you are not an AADE member). With your new credentials, you’ll have a legitimate claim to expertise in the field of DSME.  With your certification, you should be eligible for a pay raise.  Broach the subject discretely with your employer.  You might ask, for instance, what kind of financial benefits you’re eligible for as a certified diabetes educator. Many medical professionals find that they are more confident, respected, and financially secure as a result of earning their certification.
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One-sentence summary --
Prepare for the test. Take the test. Review your scores. Renew your certification. Use your certification.