The list gives you context on what kind of desserts you should try to alter for the holidays. Different religions and families practice different beliefs and have different traditions. Think about your traditions and make a list of customary desserts that your guests or family are used to eating around the holidays.  Cookies, pies, and cakes are conventional desserts in the United States.  Pastries, crepes, and semolina cakes and cookies are customary holiday desserts in North Africa.  In South America chocolate cake, ice cream, and brigadeiro are popular desserts.  In Korea, boiled fruits, and sweet dumplings are common holiday desserts. Visuals are important with desserts and can help evoke a feeling of the holidays. Decorate your cakes and desserts to reflect the holiday that you're celebrating. Use the color scheme for your holiday on cakes or other desserts. Add candy canes and snowmen for the winter holiday. Warm apples or eggnog are tastes that are usually associated with the winter holidays. Flavors like peppermint or gingerbread are also American winter holiday classics. Think of ingredients that remind you of your holiday and utilize it in your desserts.  During the winter holiday in Hungary, traditional ingredients include poppy seed paste and walnuts.   French macaroons consist of raspberry or lemon flavor with vanilla.  In Mexico, citrus pumpkin flan is a favorite during the holidays.
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One-sentence summary -- Write down a list of desserts for your specific holiday season. Decorate your desserts according to the holiday. Use ingredients that create memories of the holidays.


One reason cats scratch furniture is to wear off the ends of their nails, which in the wild would wear down naturally from climbing and catching prey. If you keep her nails trimmed, she will have less of a physical need to scratch.  You can use special cat claw clippers from the pet store, or a pair of human nail clippers or small scissors. Cat claws are retractable, so you have to access the claws to trim them. Holding your cat's paw, gently press on the knuckle just behind the claw to cause the claw to extend from the paw. Very carefully trim off the very tip of the claw, but no more than that. Be sure to do both front paws about every ten days and both back paws as needed.  If you are uncomfortable with trimming her nails, ask a groomer or veterinarian to show you  how. The cat likes the feel of your furniture under her claws, so you can deter her by covering it with something less appealing. Try double sided tape, sandpaper, aluminum foil, or even a plastic carpet runner. Cats naturally avoid certain scents like citrus or menthol, so you can use this to your advantage by putting these types of scents near the area she likes to scratch to deter her behavior. You can use essential oils on a cotton ball, or you can even buy spray products that are specifically formulated to deter cats and spray items you don't want your cat getting on. There are even natural products in health food stores. Sometimes cats scratch simply from boredom, so provide plenty of cat toys and other stimulating activities to keep her occupied. You don't have to spend any money; cats are fascinated with simple things like a cardboard box or paper bag. Set out a box or paper bag for her and watch her have fun.
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One-sentence summary -- Trim her nails. Cover the sides of the furniture. Deter her with scent. Give your cat interesting things to do.


Many people suffering from MS experience painful muscle stiffness and/or muscle spasms. This may target any part of the body but seems to be most prevalent in the legs. Taking muscle relaxants can help reduce spasms and ease the pain associated with muscle stiffness. Commonly-prescribed muscle relaxants for MS patients include baclofen (Lioresal) and tizanidine (Zanaflex). A common symptom of MS as the disease weakens the nerves and muscles is the loss of bladder and bowel control. How you manage these symptoms will vary, depending on the severity and advancement of your MS. To help manage bladder and bowel problems, your doctor may advise you to:  Stay on schedule - a daily schedule can be extremely helpful for bowel problems. But it can also be helpful for managing urinary problems. By staying on a regular schedule and "training" your bladder to prolong the need to urinate until the next scheduled bathroom break, you may be able to increase your ability to control your excretory needs.   Do Kegel exercises - Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles in your pelvis, which can help improve bladder control. To start out doing Kegel exercises, you'll need to squeeze/tense the muscles you use to control the flow of urine. Hold the squeeze for three seconds, then release. Repeat the process 10 to 15 times per session, and try to practice at least three times each day. As you strengthen your muscles, add one additional second each week until you're able to tense the muscles for 10 seconds at a time.  Take medication for your bladder - there are a number of medications that can help control the muscles which may be contributing to your bladder problems. Common medications for bladder problems include Darifenacin (Enablex), Fesoterodine (Toviaz), Imipramine (Tofranil), and Oxybutynin (Ditropan).  Eat more fiber - Adding fiber to your diet, in conjunction with drinking more fluids, may help manage some bowel problems. Try eating whole grain breads, cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables, or ask your doctor about taking a fiber supplement.  Use stool softeners - if you experience frequent constipation, talk to your doctor about taking a stool softener to help facilitate bowel movements.  Talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medications you're considering, especially if you experience diarrhea. Though the symptoms of MS may limit your ability to engage in physical activity, some patients find that physical activity can help improve physical and mental wellbeing. Common activities include exercise, yoga, and meditation. You may find some relief of your muscle spasms and pain by trying cannabis, if you live in a place that permits its medical use. The American Academy of Neurology recognizes that medical cannabis, when smoked or taken orally (extracts as well as synthetic cannabinoids), can help patients suffering from a number of MS symptoms. However, marijuana is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of using marijuana.  In the United States, 23 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that allow patients with qualifying conditions to legally purchase or grow, possess, and use medical marijuana. The use of medical marijuana is also permitted in Canada.  Find out if your state, province, or country permits the use of medical marijuana by searching for medical cannabis laws in your region. If you live in a place that permits the medical use of marijuana and you believe that it may help with your MS symptoms, talk to your doctor about the benefits and side effects of medical marijuana.
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One-sentence summary -- Take muscle relaxants. Manage bladder/bowel problems. Get more physical activity. Try medical cannabis.


Fill a sock with silica cat litter. Tie off the end with a piece of string, and then place one or two full socks near the front of your dashboard. This should absorb the moisture inside your car over night, preventing any fog buildup. Use the type of shaving cream that foams up when you squirt it out of the can or bottle. Spray a small amount of cream onto a soft cotton cloth and spread it over your entire windshield. Use a clean, dry rag to wipe it off. This should create a moisture barrier on your window, preventing fog build up. If your car is in a secure area, roll your windows down about a half inch or so. This allows some outside air to get in to the car, and can prevent the windshield from fogging. This method is best for the summer time, since you don’t want to risk any ice or snow getting into your car during the winter.
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One-sentence summary --
Use silica cat litter. Apply shaving cream to your windshield. Roll your windows down if you can.