Not all items freeze well, so if you are making your soup with the intention of freezing it, you might want to exclude these items. You can add them in fresh when you are reheating the soup later.  Items that don't freeze well include: cream, eggs, fresh herbs, and pasta.  Veggies freeze well, but you may want to slightly undercook them to better preserve texture.  If you are freezing soup that already has these items in it, don't worry. There are a few things you can do to preserve their texture and flavor. You will have to chill your soup first before you can place it into the freezer. If you put hot soup into the freezer, you will risk thawing the other items in there. The soup also won't freeze evenly, or fast enough to prevent bacterial growth. Plan ahead. The ice bath needs to be level with the soup, once you put the pot in. Metal loses heat a lot quicker compared to other materials, such as glass or plastic. If you have a lot of soup, consider dividing it into smaller metal containers, and sticking all of them into the ice bath. The ice bath must be level with the soup. If it is too deep, drain some water/ice. If it is too shallow, add some more water/ice. This will help distribute the cold throughout the soup. It will also help it cool more evenly. You can use an ordinary spoon, or for even faster results, a cooling paddle. Cooling paddles are plastic paddles that are filled with water and then frozen solid. Commercial kitchens use these to stir hot soups to make them chill faster. Consider placing a fan next to the soup. This will help move warm air away from the soup. As the soup cools, the ice will begin to melt. When this happens, you will need to drain the excess water, and add even more ice. The ice bath should always be level with the soup. It should also always be filled with ice, and not just cold water. Use a clean, meat or cooking thermometer to gauge the temperature. Once the soup reaches 40°F (4°C), you place it into the freezer.

Summary: Plan ahead when making the soup. Fill a sink with ice, and add enough water to turn the ice into a slush. Pour the soup pot into new, metal container and place it into the ice bath right after you take it off the stove. Stir the soup every 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the excess water and add more ice when necessary. Check the temperature often.


Before dyeing, wash and dry the fabric as you normally would. This removes any dirt and oil that could keep the rub from penetrating evenly.  You can wash the fabric with the rest of your clothes or just wash it by itself, depending on your preference. Be sure to follow the washing instructions of the fabric, if provided. The amount of coffee that you should brew will depend on how dark you would like the fabric to be. Stronger coffee will achieve a darker tint.  If you are looking to create a darker tint with the coffee, use more coffee or use a dark/very strong roast. If you would like a lighter tint, use less coffee or use coffee that is a light or medium roast. As an alternative to preparing several batches of coffee at home, you can use instant coffee or you can purchase brewed coffee from a local store or coffee shop. You can put it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or simply wait for it to cool for a couple of hours at room temperature. This is so you can pour the dye onto the sections without spilling anything into other sections. Reserve different squeeze bottles for different types of roasts (i.e. one squeeze bottle with a dark roast, another bottle for a light roast). You can twist the fabric and use the rubber bands to section the areas. This will ensure that you know which sections should be dyed and will also prevent the dye from sinking too far into the fabric.  Spread the fabric out completely. Take your finger, place it in the middle of the garment, and begin turning your finger and hand clockwise. The fabric will start to bunch up as you twist. Be sure to keep the fabric orderly and create a circular shape, like a very wide and short cylinder, similar to the shape of a pie. Once the fabric is shaped like a pie, rubber band it in sections as if you are dividing the pie into eighths. Use the squeeze bottles to pour the coffee onto the fabric. You may want to use more or darker coffee on certain sections to create a color variance. Once you have finished dying the top part, flip it over and dye the bottom. Depending on the size of the fabric, you can use a plastic container or a ziplock bag. Seal the bag or container and place it somewhere warm for 24 hours. If you have a lot of fabric, you can use a plastic storage container. They vary in size from a shoebox-size to large enough to store kitchen appliances and other large items. Once the coffee dye and fabric have set, open the ziplock bag or the container and remove the fabric. Rinse well under cold water, until the water runs clear.

Summary: Wash the fabric beforehand. Brew coffee. Let the coffee cool. Pour the coffee into the squeeze bottles. Section off areas of the fabric. Dye the sectioned areas with the coffee. Place the fabric into a sealed container. Rinse the fabric.


Honey will solidify in cold liquids, while agave will not. Agave can also be used to sweeten iced tea by drizzling the desired amount into the beverage and stirring.  Experiment until the desired sweetness is reached. If honey is called for in a cold salad recipe, start by replacing half the recommended amount with agave and add as needed.

Summary: Use agave to sweeten cold drinks. Sprinkle agave to the top of yogurt, and stir. Sweeten your cold foods, such as fruit salads, with just 1 teaspoon of agave.


If your body is properly hydrated, you’re less likely to become constipated and develop fissures as a result. You should be drink at least 2 US quarts (2,000 ml) (8 cups) of water each day. You can drink more than that, if you like. Fiber and leafy greens will help keep your digestive system healthy, which in turn prevents hard stools. This can help prevent fissures. Good sources of fiber include whole fruits, vegetables, and beans. Eat leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and cabbage. Delaying a bowel movement can cause constipation or make it harder for you to go later. That in turn can cause fissures. So as soon as you feel the urge to go coming on, go! Because constipation can cause fissures, taking foods out of your diet that can cause constipation can help prevent fissures. Cut out cheese and other dairy products, chocolate, and fried foods. It can also help to cut back on red meat. Getting 30 minutes of exercise in each day can help prevent fissures. Regular physical activity promotes regular bowel movements, which can prevent fissures.
Summary: Drink more water. Incorporate more fiber and leafy greens in your diet. Don’t delay going to the bathroom when you feel the urge. Avoid foods that cause constipation. Exercise regularly.