Best kitchen utensils & gadgets according to redditors
We found 20,494 Reddit comments discussing the best kitchen utensils & gadgets. We ranked the 6,486 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 20,494 Reddit comments discussing the best kitchen utensils & gadgets. We ranked the 6,486 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Banana slicer. https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-3571-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/
$25: Digital food scale from Amazon. You think you know what a portion size is until you actually weigh it out :)
This thing is absolutely indispensable.
They're cheap as hell here is the one I have
Dude here you go
7 bucks, free shipping. Mine has lasted me well over a year with no problems
You can just eat below your TDEE everyday and lose weight. No need to worry about exercise until you're thinner.
Edit: TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It's how many calories your body burns each day doing what it does. Everything you do from chew food to jog a lap burns calories, TDEE is the sum 24hr total of all that. The weight loss/dieting world is so overblown with bullshit and "market everything" that it's no surprise that TDEE isn't too well known. But it's fucking gospel in the bodybuilding world because it works. Actually, I don't even want to say it's gospel because it works. It is bodybuilding because it is how the body gains/loses weight, including muscle growth.
So if you want to lose weight I'll spell it out right here with ItsDijital's no exercise weight loss diet:
If you follow this without cheating and still gain weight you are either cheating or breaking the laws of thermodynamics.
I would get a scale. I thought the same thing before I got my scale and it proved me so wrong. Invest in a scale and use it for a few weeks - if you come back 3 weeks later after using it (with 100% honest and accurate logging) and still haven't lost then I'll stick my foot in my mouth.
I highly recommend this one
Edit: linked to wrong one
If your bottle top diameter is 1.75 inches/4.5cm https://www.amazon.com/Froz-Ice-Ball-Maker-Food-Grade/dp/B00H8W54EK/ref=pd_aw_lpo_79_bs_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H9WTD2Q76ZVVYSR82FF5
If it's 2.5 inches/6.35cm
https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Leak-Free-Sphere-Molds-Silicone/dp/B007ACTN54
I bought a Thermapen and I love it. But back when I was living with my folks, my mom also really liked using it from time to time. For Christmas I bought her a Lavatools Javelin because it was cheaper but still looked good. I also found that I liked that thermometer as well. Plus, it has a magnetic back so it hangs out on the fridge, so I found that more often than not I was reaching for it instead.
Again, I love my thermapen, and it's absolutely worth its price, but for those balking at the cost, that $25 Javelin is a really good buy.
Amazon reviews oftentimes aren't actually helpful, and people may just use "helpful" as an upvote button (i.e. when they find it funny).
I mean, the top review for this banana slicer currently shows that 58,215 people found it helpful. Yes, nearly sixty-thousand for a banana slicer.
I've owned this one for awhile now and love it. Never had an issue with it maxing out at 100g.
You're not seriously advocating that the OP go without a banana slicer, are you?
Hario V60+Filters, Bonivita Electric Kettle (or any goose neck kettle), a kitchen scale that reads in grams, a stop watch/timer, and some coffee. Done. If you have the extra money get an electric burr grinder, if not just have the roaster or wherever you buy the coffee pre-grind it for pour over.
edit: Added some Amazon links in so people can see prices.
This digital scale! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004164SRA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I lost 70 lbs eating mostly pre portioned foods. I got this so that I can trust myself to portion out things like grilled chicken. I mostly use it to weigh cheetos, and liquids. I weighed one ruffle the other day but it just keeps me honest, so I don't second guess the numbers I put into My Fitness Pal.
No, but this thing sure can!
i've been paged for my link dump, so here it is. the first three links are detailed care sheets, then a tub tutorial, and the rest are product recommendations. read everything thoroughly, come back with any questions. let me know if any of the links don't work.
glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. it's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
Or you could just go buy a set of two molds for $10.
Stay at home Dad here. I cook for six every night. Prior to about four years ago the most cooking I did was on the grill. I started with the Betty Crocker Cook book. Literally. Red book in binder format. It has simple comfort food and the recipes are simple. I now have 30+ cookbooks, some better than others. (Giada's are only good for the pictures.) Once I started cooking, I then started watching Alton Brown for other ideas and other techniques, but without a firm base of at least six months of trial and error, it won't help much. Without that, it'd be like watching a Michael Jordan video having never even picked up a basketball and thinking you could play like him. Get used to the environment first.
Start simple. Do a chicken breast and a vegetable from a can. Maybe rice. But note what works and what doesn't. Get a feel for what a "done" chicken breast looks like and feels like. Same with a pork chop. Same with some pasta. Get yourself used to the chemistry and physics of cooking first, then work on more complicated techniques and dishes.
Starter Supplies:
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008M5U1C2/182-6325493-8824318)
Clean while you cook.
Salt and butter are always your friend. And cheese. If something sucks, add cheese. Good luck!!! Report back please.
TL;DR Just start cooking. Keep it simple, but start cooking.
Thank you for posting this. I think they've assumed their users already know how to use it.
If I were a winner (which I am, actually, but do know what I'm doing) I would make some test batches with 0 nicotine, using the drop method. It's not even close to 100% accurate, but with what they're sending you, it's enough to get a feel for if you like DIY or not.
Mix up some 0 nicotine juice with what they send you. If you like it, order more. At that point, you'll want to invest in some actual equipment because by drops is inaccurate, but acceptable so long as you aren't using nicotine.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1482206345&sr=8-4&keywords=american+weigh+scale is a great scale for small scale users. I remember it being much cheaper when I started than what I've linked, so maybe you can find it cheaper somewhere else, but that scale is what you need.
These are good pipettes for measuring with your new scale: https://www.amazon.com/Disposable-Plastic-Graduated-Transfer-Pipettes/dp/B00W4QJNYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482206554&sr=8-1&keywords=disposable+pipette
You can, as OP said, measure by volume, using syringes, but it's messy. It's hard to convince someone who hasn't tried mixing by weight to actually invest in the equipment, but trust me, if you're even somewhat interested in DIY, you want to do it by weight, not volume.
Also, really visit the forum OP linked. I never posted much there at all but I promise you VIAB wouldn't be around without the knowledge from that forum. Read, read and read some more.
How am I supposed to use my Hutzler 571 banana slicer with this?
As a motorcycle racer, we pay a lot of attention to track temps b/c we get different tires depending on the heat. I have my IR surface temp thermometer for reading tire and track temperatures
Hot days can mean ridiculously hot surface temps... as in hot enough to blister your feed in a single step or two
Amazon started selling smoking accessories. At one point, they didn't. The prices are bomb af and the OP is not even the tip of the iceberg. Check it:
200 glass screens for $20
bomb ass tree perc handheld bubbler with 19mm f for $20
1 ft glass bong with 2 honeycomb percs, a splash guard, and ice catch 19mm f for $40
AND CHEAP
GRINDERS OUT
THE WAZOO
-
-
-
and yeah, you can get that classic little six shooter grinder we've all come across forn $5.50 and free shipping.
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---
And that's just a couple of the things I've come across.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, we live in the future.
Food scale.
$11 on Amazon- I have two of these and highly recommend it.
If you already have a food scale learn how to use it- if you tare out between each ingredient they are fast and easy to use.
Everyone thinks they are going to be too much trouble until they start and see how easy and efficient it really is.
>How can I estimate how much food I am eating more accurately?
You can't.
Eyeballing doesn't work.
People will say things like 'screaming hot cast iron'. I disagree.
Let me recommend one of these. Then buy a bunch of high quality unsalted butter and make ghee (just cook the butter very low, crockpot even, until all the layers are seperated. Scrape the fat off the top, then pour the middle layer into a container, do not let the stuff at the bottom get in. You will lose a tiny amount of ghee but it's just butter so don't worry about it.). Ghee won't smoke till like 485. anything between 400 and 450 is plenty hot enough for a good sear.
Cast iron doesn't heat evenly. It retains heat exceptionally well. So what I do is preheat the pan for about 5 minutes on a 4/10 on my stove (flat glass stovetop). By then, at least half the pan's about 400. I throw in the fat, wait for the fat to get up between 400-450 (takes seconds), then drop the seasoned steak on a part maintaining that heat large enough to cover the steak. I do 3 minutes a side at that temp.
Sear's great. I can leave up the smoke alarm. I don't even need to open windows. I don't even put the overhead fan for the stove on...cause there's next to no smoke.
Here's a steak I made last night (half eaten).
I've yet to try, but I will next week; putting a cast iron weight on the steak while it vacuum seals. This, in my head, should keep the steak perfectly flat instead of getting 'scrunched' a little by the vacuum sealing. The only part on my steaks that haven't seared well were where the steak got 'scrunched' and wasn't flat and even. I think that will solve that.
EDIT: Quick note since people like this comment...Someone made a comment that changed my life a bit with sous vide. They said to just cook the meat sous vide, ice bath, then fridge. You can then keep it in the fridge for like 2 weeks (I've never let it go that long, usually within a week) but it ends up being like 75% meal prep'd. Searing takes all of 10 minutes with the pan preheat. Pop steaks out in no time flat.
Applicable point about searing is that from cold is key (3 minutes per side from hot will 100% overcook it).
I've got [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00) - it's the one recommended on the LoseIt sub and I've been happy with it so far, especially for the price.
First of all, quit closing the doors. That right there is a big part of this problem. If you want nice cool air to flow into a room, you must also let it out. Blocking the air movement leads to stagnation and high humidity.
Second of all, you might want to try to balance the air flow.
Balancing the system only requires two inexpensive things, an anemometer and a non-contact thermometer.
First, open all the registers. Set the A/C about 5 degrees lower for this test, so that it stays running. Then walk around the house and record the air speed and temperature at each room's vent(s).
Now comes the balancing. Start closing the registers closest to the air handler (A/C fan). Is it in the basement or on the first floor? Restrict it way down. Maybe 25% of fully open. Don't worry, you can adjust it later.
Take a reading of the air flow. Now go to the next register in line. Greatly reduce it. Move on to the next....
As you do this, all the air is now being forced upstairs. The general rule of thumb is that you do not want to reduce the total air volume delivered by the A/C by more than 25% to 30%. More than that can make the fan work harder which means it could run hotter, which could shorten it's lifespan.
Your goal is to get maybe 60% of the airflow upstairs, and perhaps 40% downstairs. Some homes require 70% - 30% (depending on how it is built). Split levels can be a bit tricky, but I think you know what I am getting at.
Re-directing the air so more blows upstairs is not restricting it. A better term would call this a re-distribution of the available air.
Your goal with the anemometer and the thermometer is to get uniform air speed and temp across the entire upper levels. Just a reminder; all doors must be open, please.
AWS Gemini-20 is the gold standard. It's the most common .001 scale by far.
Amazon link if you're American.
Edit: More links for convenience.
[UK][CA][DE][FR][CN]
Congrats! You can now expect one of these in the mail! http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Have you read the reviews?
First google result i got for ice sphere -
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54
~$10 for 2 without a death star (if that isnt your thing).
Your friend is incredibly irresponsible and should seriously be talked to. You don't dump an animal on someone who 1) isn't expecting it and 2) doesn't even know how to take care of it.
Get rid of the sand, it's not an okay bedding. You want shredded aspen or coconut mulch for a milk snake. You can find either of these options at most pet stores. Make sure you don't get pine bedding meant for rodents. Give him at least several inches of bedding because milks do love to burrow.
You want to give the snake very small, tight places to hide. They like to be squished, it makes them feel secure. So the coconut hide is too big and open to function as a safe space for a baby milk snake. Look at the pet store for small caves and hide boxes that will just barely fit your snake. You'll need at least two, one for the warm side and one for the cool side.
For the heat, a heat lamp is great but only if used correctly. You'll need an infrared temperature gun to check what the surface temperature of the bedding below the lamp is. You can get one from Amazon, this one is great and cheap. You want the temperature of the bedding to be around 85°f directly below the lamp. You'll want to put one of the hiding spots close to the warmest spot so he can choose to warm up while being hidden. As for bulbs, the one you have is likely going to be too hot but it depends how big your tank is. It might be some trial and error with dimmer bulbs. Have the bulb on for ~14 hours a day, really whenever it's naturally daylight where you live.
Milk snakes are easy and room temperature is fine for the rest of the tank during the day. The light will be off for night and as long as your house stays warmer than around 70° it's okay for the snake to have a night time temperature drop.
You might need to add a humid hide if you notice trouble with shed getting stuck. This is as simple as a Tupperware container with a hole cut into it and filled with damp sphagnum moss. It's just to offer a more humid place for the snake to use.
Grab some silk plants and fill the tank. Snakes like to feel invisible so don't worry if the plants take up a lot of space, he'll love crawling through them.
Milksnakes should be fed once a week as babies and once every 10-14 days as adults. You'll want frozen mice the same thickness as the snake or a little smaller. Thaw it in cold water or in the fridge before meal time and then warm it up with warm water right before feeding. You'll need feeding tongs, snakes like to "accidentally" grab fingers when in feeding mode. Don't pick the snake up for at least 48 hours after feeding to allow him to digest in peace. Also, there is a myth that you should feed in a separate container to avoid cage aggression. This is false and outdated information, just feed him in his enclosure.
Snakes don't require handling and would be perfectly fine without any. But they will tolerate it to some extent. Generally, only handle once or twice a week for 5-10 minutes maximum.
Clean up poop/urates as you see them, clean and refill the water dish at least every few days. Eventually you'll want to replace all the bedding. Depending on the snake and size of the tank, this could be every 3 months or every 9 months, just judge when the bedding is getting smelly.
This is the one I have and I like it a lot
edit:link format
I dunno if they're real reviews though. I don't know where all the people come from, but there's some sort of Amazon Funny Reviews Brigade that posts a lot of comments on a lot of obscure and absurd items (for example the banana slicer, "For Her" pens, and Tuscan Whole Milk)
http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Make sure you read the reviews.
Paderno is the one I bought a few weeks ago. I did a bunch of research and watched YouTube videos of all the top rated ones. This was the one I picked and it's already paid for itself in massive deliciousness. Oh the creamy cheesy sauces and homemade pesto!!! I'm looking forward to trying some Greek salads with the flat slicer on some cucumbers next. :) So much versatility and lots of online recipe ideas for those not inclined to making up their own. Highly recommend!
EDIT: I came back now that I'm not on my phone to add a link to the one I bought. I've been extremely happy with it. Dishwasher safe, easy to clean.
Like many of the others in this thread, I, too, loathe single use kitchen gadgets but despite the impression that this one only does one thing, it's extremely versatile. I'm about to post a bunch of links to recipes I found under someone else's comment asking for recipe ideas so search this thread for some more ideas. It does a lot more than "just" zucchini noodles! But, really, at this point now that I've tried it, even if that was all that it could do, I'd still be extremely happy with my purchase. :)
Seriously! You must try this-
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371068095&sr=8-1&keywords=spiral+slicer
It works great with sweet potato, zuchini, and turnup (at least those are what I've tried so far!)
Also makes carrot and cucumber look badass for a salad ;)
I've used a AWS SC-2KG for many years. It's 0.1g precision and has always been spot on when I've used a calibration weight on it. They're cheap and I've seen a number of cafes using them.
Powdered caffeine isn't something you want to guess the dose on. A scoop is at best a guess since you don't know how dense the powder is.
You can get a milligram scale from Amazon for $20 and do it by weight.
I’ve used this one for 3 years. No complaints. It was essential to my weight loss
Whatever scale you end up getting, make sure it has a TARE function. Makes life easier
I would strongly recommend picking up a kitchen scale and learning these things first hand.
Hi there... just a note to say it's okay ...
Let's just log Calories for now. Don't worry about your Calorie goal yet. Make a week of complete logging your "baby step"
How to get started using MyFitnessPal: https://redd.it/3didtl
That's the method that I'm advocating, except for you and your hypoglycemia or blood-sugar volatility, I'd like you to set MFP to lose 1 pound (½ kg) per week and to treat the calorie goal as a GOAL and not as a limit. Over the long term, you're going to try to eat at about that many calories -- it's equally okay to be 100 over or 100 under.
BUT FOR THIS WEEK, just log and get good at that and figuring out the amounts (weight, measures) that you're eating. Buy a digital food scale if you don't have one. Estimate well when you can't use a scale.
> And getting super discouraged and hating yourself?
100% calorie counting works. It's not religion and doesn't care how much you believe in it. However, we are emotional beings and psychology is a large part of weight loss. So those two words at the top -- "it's okay" -- I'd like you to make those words part of your regular vocabulary.
It's okay if you have a bad day. It's okay if you caved in at a moment of weakness. We're still going to log it and use that information to do better in the long run. Success at weight loss doesn't hinge on any one weekend, it's a process and a set of habits that we are developing. That will bring better control and that better (not perfect) control will bring the weight loss.
^M52 ^5'11½"^^/182cm ^SW:298lb^^/135kg ^Maintaining ^~185lb^^/84kg ^for ^12^mo. ^Goal:18^mo. ^[recap] ^with ^MyFitnessPal+Walking/Hiking+TOPS
Relevant: http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/product-reviews/B0047E0EII/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Sir please sit down and let go of my hand, I'm here to help. That's a Thermapen by Thermoworks, it's one of the world's fastest and most reliable digital thermometers, but it comes at a price. - a cheaper option is the Thermopop, and an even cheaper option is the Lavatools Javelin - I haven't tried it myself, but the reviews on Amazon are stellar.
Yup!
You're worried that you don't have a right to care about what he eats, but this is a potentially-long-haul relationship, right? You do have a vested and legit interest in him staying healthy so you two can live a long, healthy, and active life together.
You go to the gym, right? Or go for runs? Just invite him to work out with you (doesn't have to be every one of your workouts, but at least reasonably often). Also, start counting calories together using MyFitnessPal and a food scale (I use this one). You don't even have to nag him about his daily goals - if he sees he's regularly ingesting 3500 calories, that'll spur him to action, at least to cut out whatever junk food he's eating.
Approaching health and fitness as a thing you do together is going to make it easier for you guys to keep each other accountable without coming across as nagging. Good luck!
spend the other $49 on weed
dried mealworms have no nutritional value. leopard geckos need live bugs.
here's an affordable thermometer. you really need one so you can make sure they're able to digest their food. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00837ZGRY/
AWS 2kg. $20.50. Has 0.1g resolution. Mine works great! Its often recommended here by others.
I use this one and I love it. It's so easy to switch between units and to zero it out. Best ever.
​
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1536031363&sr=1-4&keywords=food+scale
Decided to test this. Went here (posted in this thread earlier) and looked at the "customers also bought" section.
Baggies, grinders, screens, rollers...heh.
Hello and welcome... Many people have, inded, found kratom to be useful for quitting opiates including heroin to manage withdrawals so you are not alone and you CAN do this. The Kratom 101 has a lot of good general information about kratom and its uses. Finding what works can take some time, patience, and trial and error but it can be worth it. Many times people starting out think that it is not 'working' at first. Some of that is about managing expectations. Your best course of action is to try a handful of different strains and keep notes - dosages, effects, pros & cons, etc. It is best to use a scale and read about figuring out dosages
Here are some previous discussions that may you might find useful/helpful as well:
Some Outside Resources:
I hope that you will be able to find helpful things here and I sincerely wish you the best
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3PrCzbEJ53R4V
That's what I assume and I think it's fantastic. I further assume with a vessel that large there are a couple of these clinking around inside. It almost makes me want to go get a pineapple.
There are lots of other things I use daily:
etc.
But the point I guess I'm making is that you can get lots of good, cheap stuff to start with.
Fuck dem kids who say they can't help you. If I can't help you it's because you're not willing to do what I say.
PHYSICAL
Follow its routine consistently.
FINANCIAL
SOCIAL
JOB
If you do all this you won't have time to masturbate to porn all night like I know you are doing right now. It'll be worth it.
I didn't include a dating category because if you do all of this you're going to meet a woman eventually. It won't be immediate; it might not be until you are 200lb lighter. But you will eventually meet someone who appreciates your drive to improve yourself.
You might be 30 before this pays off in ways that you consider valuable right now, but by the time you're 27.5, you'll be appreciating how it has changed you.
In my experience there are two things to look for, taring and resolution. Most kitchen scales can tare (zeroing out what is on it) however not all digital scales have the same resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1373151593&sr=1-1&keywords=food+scale
I have bought this twice already, it goes down to 1 gram of resolution, which is nice if you have OCD. I had to buy another because I was dumb the first one. I spilled soy sauce in it during a move and got the buttons sticky, however it still worked properly after I opened it up and cleaned out the circuitry. Then a year later, a liqueur bottle fell on it from 4 feet up and cracked it. If anything were to happen to my new one, I would probably buy another one again.
That's very cool! I should warn you though, caring for a baby beardie isn't easy or cheap. They need to eat at least twice a day, have salad made every morning, have poops cleaned every day, and have baths regularly, which is a lot to do and can be overwhelming. Their food is also pretty expensive because they can eat over 100 insects per day, it often comes to $20-40 a month. Plus the initial setup will cost a few hundred dollars. I say this not to scare you off (I always love when people get their first reptile) but to warn you. Reading it again it sounds more complicated than it actually is, but you should definitely be prepared to deal with those things.
For now make sure he/she is in a place where they can get to 75-80f. You can worry about high temps later, right now I don't want to risk overheating. Don't worry about feeding for now, they need specific temps to be able to digest, just give some water for now, maybe a place to hide. This should be fine for a few days while you gather the materials you need.
Read through the sidebar and ask questions if something is confusing.
The basic list of stuff you'll need is here:
Enclosure: minimum adult size is 36" x 18" x 18", but 4' x 2' x 2' is better. Can be an aquarium or a wood/pvc enclosure. You can get a 20g tank and upgrade, but there's no point in spending extra money, they don't get scared by big spaces.
Heat: a heat lamp is the best heat source for beardies, it doesn't have to be reptile branded. As long as it gives off bright white/yellow light and gets the temp to 100-110f it works, I have a 90w halogen flood light.
UVB: proper UVB light is essential. The best/only guaranteed good UVB lights are either Mercury vapor bulbs (heat and UVB combined) or fluorescent tubes. Compact bulbs can cause eye problems. Tubes are used much more often and are cheaper and better for beardies. You'll want either a reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia 12% tube, roughly 2/3 the length of the enclosure. They come in two sizes, t5 and t8, t5 is newer, stronger, and better. It gives you more options for where to place it and is lasts 12 months instead of 6 so it's cheaper. Basically, you want either a reptisun 10.0 t5 or Arcadia 12% t5.
UVB fixture: heat lamp fixtures are easy to find, but for uvb it's a bit tougher. This is what I use for my 22" t5: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKUBDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_as8FHHQMbU3iD
Timer for the lights
Substrate: tile is the best, imo. Paper towels and reptile carpet also work, just stay away from sand.
Basking spot: a large, flat object that absorbs heat well, a tile on a platform works well.
Hides: personally I've never seen my Beardie use a hide, but they're good to have.
Other decor: totally up to you, just make sure it's safe. Reptile hammocks are popular.
Dusting powder: you'll want calcium w/D3 and vitamins, calcium should be used more often.
Thermometer: analog thermometers are inaccurate, you want either a probe thermometer or a temp gun. This is what I have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_L679M528XRDNl
Some housing for feeder insects to stay alive for a few weeks and to gut-load them.
Let me know if I forget anything or if you have any questions. Good luck!
Holy shit! That scales "Acceptable Tolerance (+-)" is 200mg! Source
In case I'm not being clear: 100%, you cannot trust that scale.
If you're measuring anything below 1g, it requires extreme accuracy, which that scale cannot provide!
Here is the recommended scale of /r/nootropics:
American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G
I have this scale. Even though it measures down to 1mg (.001g), the acceptable tolerance is still +-5mg. It also measures up to 20g, so that's an overall accuracy of +-0.025% compared to the max weight, which is extremely accurate for a scale (note: your scale comes in at 0.033% compared to the max weight)
If you have any questions, let me know. Good luck!
Get a scale. This one is like $6. Then look for ShadeTree's taper technique in the sidebar.
this is a pretty common/inexpensive scale i use for coffee. 2kg max, 0.1g sensitivity, works great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RF3XJ2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Generally speaking around here the Thermoworks Thermapen (and the other Thermoworks products) is considered the gold standard. And there is no reason why it shouldn't be. It is accurate and fast. But it is also somewhat pricey. Especially for people just getting into grilling.
Personally, especially for people just getting serious about grilling, I tend to recommend the LavaTools Javelin ( https://smile.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ/ ). The price is nice and low and the performance is fairly comparable to the Thermapen. (source: http://www.brewunited.com/index.php?blogid=150 ) Note that the tester ( u/sufferingcubsfan ) thought he was testing the PRO model when in fact he was just testing the standard.
While the testing wasn't exactly vigorous or scientific journal worthy, it was enough in my book to save myself the $75 and go with the Javelin. That was @ 1.5 years ago and I haven't looked back yet. I've also given it as a gift to friends that either grill or brew beer (or both) and haven't heard a complaint yet.
Pretty sure it's this one! I have it too, it's great for the price.
Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113UZJE2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I got this one. I can keep it in my purse and use it at work or wherever. No excuses!
Sounds like you were getting outdated or flat-out incorrect information and those 'experienced snake owners' are likewise misinformed. There are very few snakes that legitimately have evolved to thrive on sand-based substrate (irony being the Sand Boa is not one of them; they live in sandy soil which is very different composition than straight sand). The Ball Python is native to the svannah/jungles of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its dirt, soil, and burrows. Not a majority or even significant amount of sand.
Additionally, if I extrapolate correctly from this singular picture, your BP is also in a glass enclosure and has a log-style hide. The former makes keeping humidity in the 55~80% range a difficult exercise, and the latter, is a stressor as BPs do best with a hide that has a single-entrance or is cave-like; the more points of contact, the better, and a single entrance means they can feel safer.
I'm going to steal _ataraxia's ball python dump and toss it below:
i'm going to dump a bunch of links to get you on the right track. the first three links are detailed care sheets, the rest are product recommendations. read everything thoroughly.
glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. it's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
I believe it's this:
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ
Nigga if you can't buy this $10 grinder off Amazon and have it sent to your house in 3 days you're doing something wrong
Chromium Crusher 2.5 Inch Zinc 4 Piece Tobacco Spice Herb Grinder - Gun Metal Color https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00700W0TW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kFMQAbXCGN882
sharp stone. chromium crusher. space case. diamond grind. cali crusher. sweet stone
http://www.amazon.com/Chromium-Crusher-Piece-Tobacco-Grinder/dp/B00700W0TW/
both the chromium crusher and sharp stone are on amazon, with free shipping. the sharpstones are about ten bucks more
Here's the short and dirty list:
That's the quick run down. It's a blast to do, and a helluva lot cheaper than buying at your local B&M! The up-front cost is a little steep, but for about $100 you can get to making some great juice.
Based on the look of it in the Pizza video it looks like this one:
https://smile.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1519225794&sr=8-4&keywords=kitchen+scale
When I'm overwhelmed I find it best to break up a big task and do small things one at a time. These are a lot of valid questions, but some of them you might not need to worry about just yet. Maybe some steps like this will help:
You do not need to cut out things like fast food, chocolate, homemade meals, etc., cold turkey unless you really want to. I haven't, though. I still eat sushi, pizza, sub sandwiches, etc., just not nearly as often and most of the time I make it fit into my 1500 calorie/day budget. You just need to make sure you're logging everything accurately (most calorie apps have a recipe function that helps you with homemade food). And then most of the time you make it so that those foods do not put you over your calorie allotment for the day by making your other meals smaller, or something like that.
Cheat days help some, hinder others. The thing you need to remember is that this is a process, there is sometimes experimentation. You can try cheat days or meals; if you find they're not working for you for some reason, don't have them as often or at all. There is not a deadline, so if something sets you back a little that's okay, you can just get back on track and adjust.
Take a deep breath! You can do this! Post in the daily Q&A threads if you have any questions! And don't forget to celebrate your victories in the SV/NSV daily thread. We are here to help!
I second the food scale specifically, the one I have and has worked for 5 years is this one and get a foam roller with the remainder. This foam roller is $13.51 and is the same style that my gym has.
That said, this food scale is only 11 bucks with the same rating as mine, so I would recommend buying that one! The most important thing to me for a food scale is idle time -- if I leave it for 2 minutes, will it turn off? I don't want it to, sometimes I am mid-weight and still chopping and want it to remain "on".
Because you said you're just starting, you might find this helpful.
 
The very basics:
In order to lose weight, you must use more calories than you take in. This is called a caloric deficit. If you do this, you will lose weight over the long term. This is often summarized by the term "Calories in, Calories out."
|Step 1: Calculate your sedentary TDEE. |
|-|
|Your sedentary Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) is a crucial number for your weight loss. It represents the total number of calories your body uses in a day. Go to this website and fill in the information, then make a note of your sedentary TDEE.|
|Step 2: Create a MyFitnessPal account. |
|-|
|Go to this site and create an account.|
|Step 3: Count your calories.|
|-|
|To count your calories, you will need a food scale, like this one. Read the information on your food packaging, weigh all of the things you eat and drink, and accurately record the amount of calories you consume in your MyFitnessPal account.
To lose about 1 lb/0.5 kg per week, your daily intake should average about 500 less than your TDEE from step 1. To lose 2 lb/1 kg per week, your daily intake should be about 1000 less than your TDEE. It is not a good idea to lose faster than this.|
|Step 4: Add some exercise (optional).|
|-|
|If you would like to add some exercise, there are a lot of options, and your choices are largely based on your own preferences and resources. /r/fitness offers a wealth of information, and a quick Google search for "bodyweight workout" will show you options for strength training you can do at home with limited equipment. Alternatively, you can do things like walk, run, or swim for exercise as well. Use your imagination! Please note that we say that exercise is OPTIONAL. You do not need to exercise to lose weight. Exercise has many benefits, but creating a caloric deficit is best accomplished by controlling your diet.|
I fucking love amazon reviews. Seriously the most random stuff has the best reviews. Check out the banana slicer or a unicorn mask's customer photos.
ETA: links
Banana slicer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B0047E0EII/s=sd/ref=mw_dp_cr?qid=1397533674&sr=8-1
Unicorn mask: well damn I can't find it but there was an epic slide show of people who attended a wedding wearing one and had so many professional photos of them doing weird shit in a tux/dress and unicorn mask.
You want a fast reading digital thermometer, by the way. Something like this will do the job.
There's an amazing instant read that's even better, but they're like $100. But temperature is your main concern, really.
Also, an excellent technique for cooking meat that's quite forgiving is braising in a slow cooker. It's stupid simple, cheap, and you end up with something tender and delicious.
You can stick on in the oven on a baking sheet under the broiler to crisp up a bit. With some salt and other seasonings of your choice that can go great on tacos.
Or you can combine with BBQ sauce for a pulled pork sandwich.
Am I winning?
Item
Personally I'd toss it, drinking glass makes me nervous. Buy a $20 digital thermometer as a replacement.
I use this one and love it http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0021AEAG2?pc_redir=1408766971&robot_redir=1
These awesome popsicle makers. They come and go but should pop up for about $17.
A butter bell... never deal with hard butter again
A probe thermometer... it's changed my cooking accuracy like no one's business
A safety razor and 100 blades... shave like your grandfather and stop paying $8 for shit blades
15 bucks over budget. Maybe skip the popsicles.
How about this thing
https://smile.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GPR4D777NF91JHTH6HFG
Banana slicer
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Best white elephant gift ever.
Read the reviews.
>Not yet
NO NO NO NO FUCKING NO.
NEVER. REPEAT NEVER PUT A HEAT SOURCE IN WITH A SNAKE THAT IS UNREGULATED. It can burn or kill your snake. Go and order one, or go to a reptile store immediately and get one. Its literally one of the most important things in snake husbandry. And get a digital thermometer to keep track as well.
I dont mean to sound mean but this is something that needs to be done NOW for the health of your snake.
What is the wattage of the bulb and how long do you leave it on ?
EDIT: get the following (or equivalent) immediately
thermostat
temp gun
thermometers. one for hot and cold sides
That AC is broken. You should temp the air coming out of the vents, it should be in the '50's mid-range.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M18KZBV4SKQ18QAJTZH3
You could be taking 100 micrograms or 10 milligrams really. Powder can get compacted or fluff out making dosages look different to the eye.
Etizolam is one of the more tame thieno/benzodiazapines compared to some others. But if you are gonna take it regardless of my advice, without a scale, be with someone who is sober to smack some sense into you if you take too much and start acting like a bartard.
[Here is a cheap scale] (https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486605821&sr=8-1&keywords=gemini+20) that is commonly reccomended on this website. If you are going to continue researching chems, I HIGHLY suggest you buy A milligram scale and a reagent test kit. It might save your life one day, who knows!
Get some L-Theanine, it works synergistically to eliminate some of the bad effects of caffeine. It also promotes better brain function, as seen in this research paper: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/138/8/1572S.long. For further reading, see this longecity article.
Buy a scale and a pill bottler, i recommend this bottler and this scale.
Not exactly at your desk, but I've manged to drop 20+ pounds just making some basic changes at work.
Taking stairs to my floor (16 flights), utilizing a treadmill desk (walking) 2x a day for 30 min each time, packing a decent lunch 3x a week instead of eating out 5x a week (knowing Friday is my cheat day helps).
In regards to lunch buying a scale like this for kitchen use helps immensely with portion control. Typical lunch would be a deli sandwich, apple, diet pop. Sometimes subbing chips for an apple.
I'd have to recommend looking away from a pod based machine. Because it's pre-ground the coffee is stale already when you buy it. In addition to using stale coffee these machines aren't capable of producing enough pressure (9 bars) to produce real espresso. Instead of opting for a machine I'd get an aeropress.
An [Aeropress,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS/) [grinder,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PE85xb5KY6678) [scale,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NG85xb8VP81H3) and [kettle] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8J85xbF33PVD0) will be cheaper than the Nescafe and will produce significantly better coffee.
The nice part about the aeropress is its simplicity and versatility. You can use it as an espresso substitute for Lattes and milk drinks, drink it black for a clean, bold cup, or dilute it to an americano for a traditional cup of coffee. Make sure to get some fresh beans from a local roaster too!
If you want to try and find where they are coming in, or locate the nest by yourself, you can rent one of these from the Tumwater Home Depot for about $50 and look for hotspots:
https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Thermal-Camera/FLIR-i7/
This is a pdf example of how to use an IR camera to find wasps.
Or Amazon has cheap IR thermometers without cameras that you could do the same with.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/
-----------
But, insects are specifically a landlord duty by Washington State law, so you should read up on that to know your rights, then find legal help at that last link:
https://www.atg.wa.gov/tenant-rights
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.060
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.070
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.090
https://www.atg.wa.gov/residential-landlord-tenant-resources
I use cast iron daily, let me address your problems here:
>First issue- stuff sticks to it all the time. I used to be able to cook eggs without even touching a spatula, but I can't shake them loose anymore, and of course the yolks break when I try. If I nudge them with a spatula, they come off clean, but then there's just one more thing to wash in the morning.
Are you putting down any butter or oil before you fry your egg? If your eggs are sticking, you're probably cooking them on too high of a heat. Since your pans are brand new, I'd hold off on frying up eggs just yet and just cook tons of bacon and other greasy foods in them to help build up the seasoning or put the pan through another seasoning process.
>Oh wait, you're not supposed to wash cast iron, are you? Except you can, except you shouldn't, except that's a myth, except it etc. etc. etc. No one has a straight answer and it's annoying.
The "no soap" myth hearkens back to the days when most dish soaps contained lye (this is what strips the seasoning). That isn't the case with most soaps anymore. You can use soap, but I wouldn't recommend it on a pan that isn't sufficiently seasoned. If you can get away without using soap when you clean the pan, do that instead.
>Okay fine, I think, so the bottom of the pan is rough which apparently isn't how it's supposed to be, and I've heard people like to grind the surface down to make it smooth. Let's try it. I got some sandpaper and sanded it down, not baby-ass smooth but still a major improvement. Time to re-season it.
The smoothness of the pan isn't super important in the "non stick" properties of the pan. I've been cooking with modern lodge pans for while with the rougher texture and haven't had an issue.
>I have tried several times now, both on the grill and in the oven, to re-season this thing and it just goes to shit. I tried more heat, less heat, different amounts of oil... but it's frustrating to have to wait several hours only to find out that it didn't work, again.
Follow this guys guide instead. I have no idea how you were seasoning them before, but this should yield some excellent results as I use the same process.
>"You have to really use it for a few years to get it really non-stick and working well."
Whoever said this is very wrong. As long as the seasoning build up is good, you use plenty of oil and not cooking on too high of a heat you shouldn't have things sticking.
Edit: I like to use a infrared thermometer to make sure I'm getting my pans up to the right temperture before I start cooking.
I'm sorry you've had such a bad time with cast iron. I for one tossed out all my teflon and non-stick pans due to the fact the coating would come off due to how much I cook.
I won't ever go back to teflon pans.
http://www.amazon.com/Raytek-MT6-Non-contact-MiniTemp-Thermometer/dp/B000O80B5M
No joke. I use it all the time when cooking. It stays in my kitchen. It really opens up your eyes on how uneven the temperature of your cooking surfaces are. SURFACE TEMP ONLY! to temp meat like chicken, use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/CDN-DTQ450X-ProAccurate-Quick-Read-Thermometer/dp/B0021AEAG2
Also: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_11?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=chainmail%20scrubber I don't know which one I have, I think the knappmade one, but these are also awesome. Work great for cleaning stainless steel pots and pans also.
yup. The reason anybody buys this at all is because the ice that it forms is completely clear. The cheap molds always end up cloudy. Also, buying the press is cheaper than buying a month's worth of pre-formed spheres. It also looks cool.
Many cheaper sphere ice molds available on Amazon but they don't turn out this clear
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds - Set of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LKYIzbYRP7X6J
Get this and NEVER take an unknown amount of any substance. This is simple stuff, really. You need to do a lot more research about this stuff.
These thermometers read accuratley in about 1 second and also leave a very small, non leaking hole.
I'm a huge Kenji fan myself. I've cooked nearly half of the Food Lab book, and dozens of his recipes from the website, great stuff!
My thoughts on gifts
Lavatools PT12 Javelin
A Nice carbon steel wok
A good Dutch Oven
A torch for searing, or Creme Brulee
An awesome knife
Another awesome, but cheaper and well rounded knife
The list could go on, and on, and on....just some thoughts though.
I've lost 140lbs This year, about 1/3 of my body weight, and there's no secret. Just hard work and discipline. But there are a few things that I personally could not have done without.
Calories in/calories out is KEY. Be vigilant and over estimate when you can't weigh or have to guess on a food input. I use MyFitnessPal to track calories in and a Fitbit to track calories out.
I started just walking my dog for about 30 minutes. I found as it got easier and enjoyable I worked my way up to running. I found that using my Fitbit to measure I would burn almost the same calories (under 200 calories difference) walking or running the same distance walking just takes longer. I went from barely being able to walk a quarter mile without my back hurting or having to rest to running a 5k every day.
My fitbit: https://www.fitbit.com/shop/blaze I love gadgets so of course it was a new toy for me but getting a more accurate count of the calories burned throughout the day is key. Plus, it's very motivational when i'm close to my goal for the day or a new record of steps or calories burned for the day.
Shoes: http://www.dsw.com/shoe/new+balance+410+v4+trail+running+shoe+-+mens?prodId=324685 super comfortable lets me run as long as my body will allow
headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0132YHU0I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Cheap, but they work AMAZING. I specifically chose this model so that they could not fall out while running.
phone case(?) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JF9DU4U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I dont like the idea of an arm band. having something clunky on my arm would be distracting. This thing keeps my keys and phone snug to my body so nothing is shaking around. Again it's about minimizing distractions while running.
Food Scale: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Keeping an accurate calorie count is key and this battery operated scale is perfect. I like that it can handle up to 10lbs and is pretty accurate with smaller increments as well.
Meal prep: https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Food-Storage-Containers-Entree/dp/B0014D0SWW/ref=sr_1_cc_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468187303&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=glad+containers These guys keep me on my diet. one day a week i make a ton of meals and these are the perfect size that they let me fill them and when im done eating I feel full. I eat all my meals at home and work, out of these to prevent me from over eating.
I use my slow cooker to cook my meat (usually chicken) and a rice cooker to cook a bunch of brown rice. My meals are usually 1 cup rice, 4oz chicken, an apple, and 3 oz carrots for lunch and dinner and a half cup of fiber one and 1 cup almond milk for breakfast. From there I just change the type of meat and fruits and veggies from week to week to keep from getting bored.
This sub also keeps me motivated!
Hope this helps! Good luck.
These are the best Amazon reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Honestly, I think you guys should get her one of these: Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_NqiPDbTDTHA3M
The reviews are hysterical. :-)
Long time smoker, recent convert to concentrates here. My thoughts over the last few months:
You don't want to season a quartz nail, just heat it with a torch to clean it before you use it.
I like to always keep my banger clean. If you heat it up enough with a good-size torch, everything will burn off and it will look new again. No need to dunk in ice water or anything crazy, just torch it until it's crystal clear. Any residue will burn off and leave nothing but a fine layer of white ash. There is no reason to leave any icky buildup like a regular pipe, it will just taste bad later.
I initially bought a little butane creme-brulee torch. It sucks. Takes way too long to heat a banger. I grabbed my propane plumbing torch from the garage, and haven't looked back.
Unless you're dabbing one of those crazy-strong concentrates like distillate, you will have liquid residue left in the banger after you hit it. That's NOT the "good stuff", it's the other stuff that doesn't vaporize at THC- and terp-temps. Wipe it out with a q-tip after you take the hit, it saves you cleaning time later.
As far as getting it to the right temp, I had some trial and error. Too low, and it melts slowly and doesn't all vaporize. Too high, and it immediately turns black when you put it in the banger and tastes like crap. With metal nails, I can see getting it "red hot" and then timing the cool down, but with quartz is NEVER gets "red hot", at least with a brand-new banger. Quartz is insane... it just takes the heat with no complaints.
You could definitely learn your rig and torch as far as heating/timing, but I got tired of imprecision and bought one of these infrared thermometers. AWESOME PURCHASE, money well-spent. It only reads a high temp of 850 degrees or so, but you can monitor the cool-down, and as soon as it drops to 600F or so, you'll get a great dab. Plus, it has a built-in laser pointer! You can take a dab, and then lay on the couch and torment your cat! For only $17! But seriously, it makes for perfect dabs.
About the cleaning, I usually clean the banger right after the hit now (with the torch), after wiping with the q-tip. It's already half-hot, torching it makes it look brand-new, and who knows, maybe you'll be inspired to do another dab while it's still hot! (wash rinse repeat)
Have fun!
should just get one.
also good
It's fine, busts and CD's tend to happen because of frequent and regular large deliveries in or out, ie Supertrip's big ships of pills going through a Chicago postal processing center regularly, NOD's packages going out of the same postage center every day.
However, a lot of the shit you are buying is better bought clearnet or elsewhere.
The best scale for the value you can get is the AWS Gemini-20. It's a 20g scale that measures to the milligram (most say it's tolerance is around 3-5mg): http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
Only $25. To get much more accurate you need to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Really, if you need much more accurate than this, you should spend thousands of dollars.
> 1 glass pipe for smoking DMT 0.03491245 BTC
Overpriced and risky, just get your pipe from the clearnet or from real world vendor. I mean smoking DMT is really straightforward, I'd just buy some piece of shit from the gas station, even a weed pipe and use ash or choreboy.
> es-light AGO White Dry Herb Vaporizer 0.09399505 BTC
Clearnet...
> $300+ Headset
Which headset are you getting? For that price range imo the best buy is the Phillips X1.
> iPhone 6 - 128 gb
er... okay.
> $2000+ laptop
why the fuck do you need a $2000 laptop? You can make a $300 desktop that would kill it in performance. You are better off buying a decent, cheap ~$500 laptop (and just replace the HDD with an SSD rather than buying one with an overpriced SSD - seriously, for general usage, SSD is the most important component nowadays), and then build a strong desktop for $500 for your gaming.
You literally only buy a $2000 laptop because you need to game or encode on the move... like you are away from home every day and have to play while away, like just a book or your smartphone can't keep you entertained. Doesn't make much sense at all to buy a $2000 laptop.
> $100+ Mouse
Which one? You really don't need an expensive mouse... What kind of hand grip do you have?
The Razer Deathadder is still to this day one of the best mice you can buy, and super cheap, if you are a palm gripper. If you are a claw gripper, I'd recommend the $50 Steelseries Spawn. Also, many people swear by the many high quality Logitech mice, which are around $50 or less.
I just don't see why you'd buy a $100+ mouse unless you are connoisseur of sorts and know what you are doing and specifically have used high quality ~$50 mice. Like, a $100+ mouse isn't nicer than a $50 mouse, it's usually just full of overmarketed bullshit that don't mean anything. It only takes about $40 to make a really nice mouse, that's why it's weird.
I mean if you really know your mice, and have used a Spawn or DA or other popular mice, then go for it, I just want to make sure you are making an informed decision here.
my guess is that you're not tracking your food intake correctly. It's good that you've made healthier choises...but a calorie is a calorie...and if you eat too many of them it'll hinder your progress.
get yourself a food scale and start weighing in your food.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1484273831&sr=1-6&keywords=digital+scale
I've had this scale for a year and it works great.
I like that it doesn't have a bowl. ;) It fits in the back of my silverware drawer just fine
Buy one of these, make some zucchini pasta, and add your favorite pasta sauce. I'm a fan of this sauce, but you can do anything from pesto to pad thai.
less than $11
If you’re unable to afford this $11.75 scale please let me know. I’ll be happy to pitch in some money to help you. -
American Weigh Scale AWS-100 Digital Pocket Scale, 100g X 0.01g Resolution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/
Spiral vegetable slicer. This thing is freaking awesome. I love noodles and pasta, and we use these "noodles" in paleo pad thai and pasta dishes. For the pasta, i just heat olive oil, throw in garlic and red pepper flakes to infuse it, toss in the noodles and cook through quickly...server meat and veggies and sauce over it or eat as is, the bomb! We also use it to shred all the cabbage, and will probaby use it to make sweet potato fries soon...stay tuned.
Check out getting a vegetable noodle peeler! I just bought this one and made zucchini noodles with it a few days ago. They are pretty tasteless, but have a good texture and soak up other flavors well. You can use just about any root veggie out there. Going to try and make a beef stew with carrot, rutabaga, and turnip noodles in the crock pot this weekend!
Here is the one that i bought. Super simple and cleans easily.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=oh_details_o07_s02_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Edit: oh and to cook them just microwave it for a few minutes or boil it. I'm sure you could make some awesome potato or whatever you like fries with this too!
I'd highly recommend getting an instant read thermometer. You will never overcook a steak again. Here is the one I use. Pull your steaks off at about 130-135 degrees for medium rare.
Also, let them rest for 5-10 minutes before you cut into them. Also, salt them generously about an hour before you cook and pat off any excess moisture on the surface before you throw them on the grill. They will be a lot juicier, and you'll get a better sear on the outside this way.
The Thermapen is awesome, for sure, but I'm not entirely convinced most cooks need it when something like this can give similar results at maybe a second or two slower and fractions of degrees less accuracy for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price.
Do you have a photo of the second boa? BCI and BCC aren't THAT different in size, though BCC average a foot or so larger.
I use thermometers like this, and place the probe on the substrate in the center of the hot spot. I have a temp gun like this to make sure the temps in other areas are within acceptable ranges.
You ALWAYS want to know the temperature of your hot spot, since the heating element can get hot enough to cook your snake. I just noticed this, but you need to get that lamp out of there - she can reach it, and she will burn herself on it. Boas LOVE climbing and they are dumb at registering pain.
Take out the lamp and replace it with an under tank heater or heat tape regulated by a thermostat (unregulated UTHs are dangerous). You can get a decent and affordable thermostat here.
First of all. It's very good you recognize that you need help in learning how to care for the snake.
Second, here is a big link dump created by another regular user u/_ataraxia all credit for this goes to her.
the first three links are detailed care sheets, then a tub tutorial, and the rest are product recommendations. read everything thoroughly, come back with any questions.
glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. it's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
Buy a scale.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_v7ASybFCZC5YK
BUY A SCALE. Non negotiable. You don't want to get ripped off.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480190483&sr=sr-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=American+Weigh
Target and Walmart sell cheap and all different size mason jars that work great. Biggest I've seen would easily hold 2 lbs.
Watch how to roll a joint with Wiz Khalifa on YouTube. (Or Seth rogen, your choice)
Buy a grinder with a pollen screen (I would recommend you splurge if you can and get a quality one with a lifetime warranty. You will use this object every time, and cheap grinders will break, I've broken 3. I now own a large Phoenician and it's the best thing ever.)
Buy papers and practice rolling, raw filter tips are awesome but optional. (Shout out to organic OCB papers, they're the best)
Optional, buy a rolling tray. (Rolling practice will be messy for beginners, and why lose that precious green.)
Doob toobs work very well for carrying joints/blunts and are smell proof, float and will not break.
Rolling machines are great if you want to cheat ;)
You should always use smile.amazon.com! Same price, same everything, except 0.5% of your purchase goes to the charity of your choice!
Here's your link using Amazon Smile
Cheap one also available on Amazon w/ various shapes: sphere, cube, highball etc
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds - Set of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_inJxxbRKX50FZ
meh. if anyone on this thread needs instant pick me up please try the following Amazon Banana Slicer
You are trying to save your own life right now. It will take a few dollars and a lot of dedication (maybe some tears)
http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1405488024&sr=8-3&keywords=food+scale
that is the food scale i have (have maintained a 50 lbs weight loss for over a year now I am 5'10 165lbs M)
I use myfitnesspal http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
create your profile, put your life as sedentary. Do not EVER log what you do as your normal day as exercise. Dont eat back the calories. Myfitnesspal is great, but it overestimates workout calories (in my experience)
my stepdad has used myfitnesspal and lost about 30 lbs for over a year now. He has never been able to keep it down until i showed him that site. He does eat back the calories, but only on days he goes for his 4 mile walk. It usually nets him a dessert.
Throw away your condiments that have calories... become good friends with yellow mustard, horseradish, hot sauce and pepper. Become great friends with grilled chicken, broccoli, eggs and water. I swear condiments were my own personal "secret eaters" episode.
I drink a lot of water It helps me nix my cravings.
join /r/loseit the community is really nice, and helpful.
people who really love you want you to LIVE. Sometimes that means tough love.
edit: once the weight is off you set myfitnesspal to maintenance and then get some of your cake with steak... just now it will be 1 slice instead of teehee size.
The scale is fine, however I would recommend one with a larger capacity.
Something like this American Weigh 2kg will let you fit most brewing vessels on them with no trouble, and it's a workhorse. I've had mine for more than five years no problem.
Edit: Just noticed you specifically said shots. Oops. I'll leave this here for anybody else though.
It's only $20. I have one of these and it works fine. If you can afford to buy pills you can afford to buy a scale.
American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mGKjybT7FW9MQ
I have this scale: Gemini-20
TL;DR warning
Are you willing to invest in some tools? Do you like Five Guys? (skinny burgers) The fastest burger procedure that I know of is Kenji's Ultra-Smash technique, which makes a pair of thin patties in no time. Takes about a minute per burger (two patties with cheese). Details here:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/03/the-food-lab-maximize-flavor-by-ultra-smashin.html
You can also do a regular smash burger, which is thicker (McDonalds-thin), but takes longer (~1.5 minutes per side, about 3 minutes total per burger):
http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2012/09/the-burger-lab-smashed-burgers-vs-smashing-burgers.html
The advantage of the ultra-smash is that it's super quick & you can toss a piece of cheese to melt between two patties, so you can pump out a ton of burgers in no time. You will need a few tools, namely:
It's not rocket science, but getting a proper setup will let you have a workflow that makes cooking for a crowd a breeze. I have a big extended family, so I cook in bulk a lot, but I also use this for just my immediate family because it's so fast to get setup. There is an up-front investment required, but everything you'll buy will pretty much last forever, so it's worth it if you like to eat burgers!
So the first two things you need are a metal cooking surface & a heat source that can pump out a lot of heat. I don't recommend a regular grill because they simply don't get hot enough; you need 600 to 700F to do this. You can either do a compact setup (a 2-burger surface with a single burner) or invest in a quality flat-top setup (more expensive, but lets you do more burgers at once). The ideal surface to do this on is a Baking Steel, which is very expensive. There are knockoffs for cheaper, but I like BS because they have a Griddle version with grooves to catch the grease:
http://www.bakingsteel.com/
You can also do it with cast iron. Lodge has a griddle for $25:
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-LDP3-Double-Reversible-Griddle/dp/B002CMLTXG
If I'm just doing a single regular smash burger at a time, I use a 12" cast-iron pan. $28:
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Skillet-L10SK3ASHH41B-12-Inch/dp/B00G2XGC88/
If you do get into cast-iron, read up on this seasoning procedure (i.e. the way to keep it smooth & slippery without Teflon). It's a bit of a pain, but it's worth learning because anything you buy in cast-iron can be handed down to your kids because it lasts forever:
http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/
You will want a heavy smashing tool as well. I have this massive 2.5-pound cast-iron press. It fits inside the 12" pan above (but not the 10"). $13:
http://www.amazon.com/Update-International-Heavy-Weight-Hamburger-Commercial/dp/B002LDDKZ6
If you plan on doing ultra-smash burgers, you'll need a scraper. This is the one Kenji recommends, but you can probably find something locally: (Home Depot or Lowes)
http://www.amazon.com/Plextool-Wall-Paper-Stripper/dp/B00AU6GQLQ/
Anyway, getting back to the cooking part: you'll need a hi-temp burner. I like Bayou Burners, they sell them on Amazon. I have an SP10: ($50)
http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ
I use that with my 12" cast-iron pan for when I'm just doing a few burgers for the family. 15 minutes = 5 burgers. You can also slap a flat surface like a cast-iron griddle or Baking Steel on that puppy. Also comes in a square version (not sure how the BTU's compare). I also have some KAB4 burners that I use with my Baking Steel, among other things. More expensive, but larger shell & burner: (more even heat over the cooking surface)
http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-KAB4-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B0009JXYQY/
For cooking more at a time, you can get a cooktop. Blackstone has a 36" cooktop available, but it doesn't get very hot (don't get me wrong, it's an awesome tool, but I've had trouble breaking 500F on mine, which means you're not cooking 1-minute burgers on it, plus the heating is kind of uneven, so you have to work in the hot spots for faster cook times). Also comes in a slightly smaller 28" version (but it's only like $50 less, so it makes more sense to get the full-sized version because you get so much more cooking area). The nice thing with this setup is that for $299 (or a bit less if you shop around at places like Cabela's), you can cook like 20 burgers at a time, it's absolutely insane! I make epic breakfasts on it. Plus it folds up for transport, which is really handy. We use it for all of our family events & holidays:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYN0438
A better version is from Tejas Smokers. They make camping stove carts that have burners built-in & have griddles available separately. They get super hot, downside is the cost: you can easily spend $700 on a nice setup.
https://tejassmokers.com/Camp-Stove-Carts/23
Oh yeah, Blackstone did just come out with a compact outdoor griddle which can run off those little one-pound green tanks if you want. They go for around $99 ($79 if you have an Ace Hardware near you). I have not tried this, but it gets good reviews. I'd be curious to see what kind of temperatures it can achieve:
http://www.amazon.com/Blackstone-Portable-Griddle-Outdoors-Camping/dp/B0195MZHBK
So that's a basic introduction to the cooktops: you need some kind of decently-sized metal surface, a hi-temp burner, a smashing tool, and optionally (but recommended) a scraper. You will also want to get a strong, high-quality spatula. A good one is $32:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/07/equipment-the-due-buoi-wide-spatula-my-new-fa.html
Available here:
http://www.duebuoi.it/x/uk_usd/catalog/p/spatulas~805-16x10.html
If you opt for cast-iron, get an infrared temperature gun (doesn't work too well on shiny metal surfaces like steel tho). $17:
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/
A cheap digital kitchen scale is useful too, for measuring out the proper amount of meat. $14:
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Kitchen-Capacity-Stylish/dp/B003E7AZQA/
This collection of tools ensures that you have the proper workflow: a metal surface to cook on, the ability to bring the surface to a high temperature (and know what that temperature is for precise control), the ability to weigh your meat so you can pre-measure out what you need, the ability to smash the burger down, and also to properly scrape it off. Again, it's not rocket science, but if you have a wussy grill or a crappy surface or weak smashing/scraping tools, you're gonna have a bad time. You just need the right setup to pump burgers out fast!
So on to prep. For ultra-smash, you do a pair of 2-ounce ground beef balls. In the tutorial above, they use a mix of meat for 25% fat. I just grab some regular 80/20 ground plus some salt & pepper. For regular smash burgers, do a single 4-ounce ball (optionally 5 ounces...useful if you have a big cooktop for a bunch of burgers at one time & are only doing a single patty per burger). The nice thing is, there's no special prep required for the meat, so you can make all of your burger balls ahead of time. If you have 10 people & are doing ultra-smash, let's say half of them get 2 burgers, so 15 burgers total, or thirty 2oz balls. If you have 20 people & are doing regular smash, again with half getting an extra burger, that's 30 burgers total or thirty 4 or 5oz balls. So that takes care of prep...adjust as needed. If you're feeding mostly dudes, you'll want to add more seconds (and thirds) to the equation.
There are a variety of buns you can get. Crap buns will make for a crap burger. See if you can find potato buns or brioche buns. Those are pretty soft. Buns aren't overly hard to make, but I have yet to find a decent recipe that takes under 40 minutes, so I usually only doing fancy home-baked buns for my family rather than a crowd. Buying 5 or 10 pounds of ground beef & making smash balls out of them will take you all of ten minutes, but making buns can take forever. Here's a good recipe if you want to try it out tho:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/07/light-brioche-burger-buns/
Or this, if you wanna get crazy:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/05/fresh-cemita-rolls-mexican-sandwich-burger-bun-bread-food-lab-recipe.html
Or this one, nom nom nom:
http://amazingribs.com/recipes/breads/brioche_hamburger_buns.html
But eh, just hit up Sam's/Coscto/BJ's and buy some hamburger buns in bulk, problem solved. Or find a local bakery that has good rolls. There's a good shootout of buns here:
http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/04/the-burger-lab-whats-the-best-bun-for-my-burger-taste-test.html
(continued)
At my last pastry job they used this Now I can't live without one. I use it for everything
I love my spiralizer. I also really like having my own Popsicle molds so I can make healthy/low cal frozen treats. I also drink black coffee and I've found that a french press and a hand-turn burr grinder (all the decent electric ones are hundreds of dollars and I'm too busy buying Halo Top to drop that kind of dough to save myself less than a minute each morning) make the best black coffee, plus they don't take up room on the counter top. You do have to grind your own beans with a french press and you have to use a burr grinder to get a course, consistent grind, which one of those electric things with a spinning blade can't provide.
Having a mandolin can be nice for thinly and evenly slicing veggies for baked chips and the like (mine is Oxo) but I would recommend buying one of those cut resistant glove things to use with it as the hand held thing that comes with the mandolin to slide food across is annoying as all hell, but I think that's a universal when it comes to mandolins.
I also love my food scale (again, Oxo). I have the one that weighs heavier weights at home and the little baby 5 lb limit one at work which is great because then I can measure out a serving of crackers, dip, whatever out of a larger container at work and I don't have to pre-measure everything at home and use a bunch of containers and then have to haul it all to and from work.
There's no sure relationship. Go buy a scale. This one is good
Nigga get a fuckin scale
AWS-100
edit: I use the above for hops/salts. I use our kitchen scale for weighing out grain.
Let me start of with the legality of MXE. It seems that you are planning to buy it for consumption. You have to know that all research chemicals are strictly not for human consumption and only to be used in research environments with proper handling and care. They should NOT be consumed. If used in research and you are not administering MXE to an animal, you should be fine.
You can double check a trustworthy site by checking to see if it's a Safe or Scam. Google helps as well.
An acceptable price can range from $25 a gram to $50 a gram, depending on where you purchase it from (Domestic vendors generally are a bit pricier for the convenience).
Shipping shouldn't be an issue if it's domestic, if you are receiving it internationally there is always a chance for customs to open your package, deem it unsuitable for your purposes and send you a love letter. This does not happen too often though, but it's a risk.
Anonymity can be used by using Tor, if you really feel you do not want your actions traced back to you. PGP encryption for any email messages help with that as well. Generally though, make sure if you are purchasing your chemical on Paypal or something, DO NOT leave a message in the notes. Many vendors have been barred from Paypal due to dumb cunts putting "thanks for dat shit to git me high lgeally ;))" or other messages which reveal to Paypal what they are selling. Just don't.
Nothing else, MXE is a great RC to work with and I wish you the best of luck in your research. In regards to the mg scales, although I don't necessarily want to coerc you into buying a mg scale online, offline they are expensive. Headshops will carry them if you are lucky, and if they do they will be marked up. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Gemini-20-Portable-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM This is an amazing scale for the price, does everything it should.
I use this one, it's pretty good.
Anyone who wants to try this at home it is very simple. It helps to have a temperature gauge like this one for $16 on Amazon.
Put any water based liquid in the freezer and get it to just below freezing. Depending on the liquid, the optimal temperature might vary to get the reaction to work.
If you don't mind wasting $3.00 on a 40oz of Highlife, those are my favorite. Get it down to about 30 Freedom Units, put it on the counter and open it. Watch the bottom and you can see the ice lattice forming all the way to the top. Super cool looking, but then you have frozen beer :-(
Here's an info dump, courtesy of u/_ataraxia. It has pretty much everything you're asking about and more.
The first three links are detailed care sheets, then a tub tutorial, and the rest are product recommendations. Read everything thoroughly, come back with any questions.
Llet me know if any of the links don't work.
Glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. It's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
The MyFitnessPal app is very helpful, as the other response said. That alone got me on the right track. Most food scales you purchase, I use this one, will come with a calorie guide. It will have a list of foods (vegetables, pastas, breads, fruits, meats, dairy and common preparations) each with a number next to it; you multiply the weight of the food by that number to get the calorie count in that serving.
When buying new gear like this, I often find it worthwhile to buy the good stuff from the beginning. It'll cost more upfront, but in the long run you save money by not sinking it into gear that you're just going to upgrade away from. I know you're looking for a starter kit, so I'll outline some entry level stuff and then some recommended upgrades.
For a burr grinder, a decent entry level manual grinder is the Hario Skerton. One complaint with this is inconsistent coarse grind size, which is what you'll be using with a French Press. Orphan Espresso makes an upgrade kit that fixes this problem, but personally I feel that if you're going to spend $40 on the Skerton and $15 on the upgrade kit, you should just spend a few more bucks and get something like the Capresso Infinity. This grinder is going to be way more convenient, versatile, and consistent than the hand grinder. For one last option, there's the Baratza Encore. This is probably the best grinder you'd want for French Press, because anything better / more expensive would just be overkill as they're primarily aimed at espresso.
The Press itself isn't too important. Bodum is usually the recommended brand.
You'll also need a way to heat water. You could go with a stovetop kettle, but I think electric kettles are more convenient, and are roughly the same price anyway. You can get a pretty standard one for less than $25. But getting a gooseneck kettle is going to help control your pour better and ensure the coffee grounds are completely saturated. If you don't want to worry about getting the perfect temperature for brewing, a variable temperature kettle will take care of it for you.
Other than that, you might want a kitchen scale to get the right coffee-to-water ratio, and a thermometer to check your water temperature.
You won't see abs until you lose your belly fat. And you won't lose your belly fat by doing ab exercises, only by counting calories and eating below your daily maintenance calories.
Your best bet to show your abs is to get to 10-12% body fat and then start doing ab exercises.
How do you do this?
If you're looking for a slightly more advanced take on this, I recommend /r/leangains.
I'm into week 4 of the above plan. I've lost ~6lbs and I'm down from 15% bodyfat to 13% bodyfat. My goal? 9%. I'm on track and should be there in the next 2 months.
To summarize,
You write beautifully. You are a valuable person no matter your weight. Seriously.
I won't give you any cliches about how there's other fish in the sea or whatever. Doesn't matter how many fish there are, that shit hurts. I know it does. And I'm sorry you experienced that.
But you are a rockstar. Nothing can hold you back if you don't let it. You've done this before and you can do it again. You will get there. You just can't give up, even through the road blocks. We're all behind you. Take it one day at a time.
I second the recommendation for the FAQ. Most important things to start: Calculate your macros (https://keto-calculator.ankerl.com), keep your electrolytes up (more info in the FAQ, check out recipes for keto-aid) and get a tracking app (recs in FAQ) and consider a food scale.
Food scale: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537847744&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=food+scale&dpPl=1&dpID=51GsiHLfDrL&ref=plSrch
Good luck! You can do this! 👍
Here you go OP a food scale for $11 now it's as scalable as you want.
You don't need to touch them, just buy a temp gun. I don't recommend touching them anyway, it gets dirty ape scent all over the prey items, and that probably won't be an issue with a Ball Python but once you start getting into species with very strong feed response it can become an issue with certain animals who start to associate human scent with rat scent.
u/ataraxia has amazing information for ball pythons. You should definitely read it through. Glass tanks are not ideal for Bps, so this should help. Here is her normal dump of information I took from another post.
i'm going to dump a bunch of helpful links on you. the first three links are detailed care sheets, then a tub tutorial, and the rest are product recommendations. read everything thoroughly, come back with any questions.
glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. it's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
This scale is mine. It's excellent and is twelve bucks, tares and does conversions on the go. Simple and easy to use, works fantastic.
This is a thirteen dollar food scale
It comes down to accurately measuring calories in and out (mostly in.) If you weigh it there's no subjectivity involved. Use a notebook to log everything you eat for a while to get used to what that takes. Calculate your total calorie requirement. If your logged calories are less than your calorie requirement, then you will lose weight.
But seriously, try a food scale.
This is the one I have, currently $12.50. It works great!
Banana slicer is the way to go
Propylene Glycol - From Lubrisolve
Vegetable Glycerine - from Lubrisolve
Nicotine - From Pink Mule
Concentrates
HDPE Bottles - For PG/VG Base
HDPE Bottles Boston - For PG/VG Base (If you prefer Boston type)
American Weigh Scales LB-501 - Scale
Graduated pipettes - I use these to transfer my nicotine to the E-liquid bottle. I also use these for flavor bottles that doesn't come with a nozzle. These are extremely cheap, and you won't feel bad about tossing them after.
---
Use Natural Nozzle and Captive Cap 28mm or Natural Nozzle and Captive Cap 24mm for you VG base. These nozzles are designed to be cut, and the more you cut, the wider the bore will be which is perfect for VG since VG is a very thick base.
For E-liquid bottles, whatever you prefer. iBottles has LDPE and PET bottles in various different sizes.
I have the Aria by fitbit for my main scale.
My "double check" scale is this one here. Just to make sure.
I also use: This food scale as my in house food scale.
I have this one for my purse.
I also have these at home for use during the day: Fit Desk 2.0 wanting to get the extension desk for it at some point soon.
Elliptical/Bike Trainer in case I would prefer to "run".
Fitbit HR Charge Love this.
For hydration purposes: Electric kettle stainless steel with no plastic parts touching water ever. Love it.
Primo water pump with a two interchangeable 10 gallon jugs for easy no excuse water drinking.
My coffee maker right now is pretty... meh? I want to replace it this year with the ninja coffee bar.
That's what the Hutzler 571 is for...
The watermelon slicer, lol. I already own to many single-food tools as it is. I saw that listed and was like no, totally unnecessary for the 1 watermelon I talk myself into dragging up the stairs once every 2 years. Besides, I just had to box up a drawer full of things such as; pineapple corer, meat tenderizer, vegetable steamer, rolling p citrus squeezer, egg slicer, garlic press, and a pastry cutter because I use them once, realize a knife or a fork would have been just as easy and I never use the tool again. I do use an apple slicer a lot as well as onion chopper and potato masher (use it for mashing up avocados for guacamole, perfect consistency). When I bought the veggie steamer I had big plans to steam veggies every night! Times I've actually used it = 0.
The watermelon slicer reminds me of the reviews of the banana slicer that crack me up every time I read them. I'm convinced these were all product testers before the disclaimer became mandatory. The one about his banana curved the opposite direction of the slicer kills me.
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/product-reviews/B0047E0EII
But yes the beauty products are what drew me in. I'm turning 40 in less than 2 months and fighting the aging process every step of the way. Hyaluronic acid really does work, when used right. I'm obsessed with skin products but I try not overdo it on these sites.
Part of me is disappointed because I keep hearing how sellers will contact potential reviewers.......I've yet to receive a single solicitation from a seller. Why wouldn't they want me to review their products? I'm the right age, right spending habits, right amount of disposable income, right ethnicity, I'm their target audience. What am I doing wrong, I ask myself. But then I stop and think only my ego wants the attention. It would be nice to be asked but I really don't want to be contacted or pressured. I do things the way I see fit and that is good enough for me. One day would be nice to be offered mid to high end products but I'm not holding my breath.
For the boxes, cut them down and get them recycling ASAP. Clutter is stressful and getting rid of them is a nice physical way to reduce stress. Do a few at a time, take them to recycling and then you'll be motivated to do a few more.
Welcome to the future.The reviews on this look great!
I'm going to be purchasing a MFLB very soon and wanted a recommendation on a grinder off amazon. Would something like this work or what?
You can buy a nice 4 piece metal grinder on amazon for 7.01
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0023X32MA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-1595815-3963344
Impossible to tell. Buy a scale. Here's one for $8. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SC3LLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Home: For the heating pad, you need a thermostat, which will turn it on and off automatically around a specified heat range. Mine is set to 86 degrees with the probe placed between the heat mat and the bottom of the tank. This keeps the glass on top of the tank around 83-85, and the paper towel I have over the glass is around 81-83. You may need to have a different temperature setting, depending on your setup. You shouldn't turn the heat mat entirely off, unless you notice it is malfunctioning and overheating.
To make sure that your temperatures and humidity are decent, you will want a digital thermometer/hygrometer and a temperature gun. The cool side should be in the low-mid 70s and the warm side in the low-mid 80s. The humidity should be 30%-60%. If it isn't, you can make or buy a humid hide, block off some of the venting on the screen top with aluminum foil or acrylic panels, or switch substrates to something that can be misted. This last measure will likely not be necessary unless you live in a low-humidity area.
You should have two identical caves, one on the warm side over the heat mat and one on the cool side.
Diet: What you were told may be appropriate for an adult snake. If possible, weigh her and post pictures. Do a quick Google search on how much adult corns should be eating and how often. I only have a hatchling, and don't want to lead you astray with my lack of adult corn experience.
Handling: If you got her recently enough that you haven't fed her yet, you shouldn't be handling her yet. You should feed her at least once, preferably twice before handling her the first time, and wait 48 hours after feeding to handle her.
Depending on the snake, many can be held multiple times per week. Some are conservative and say only once a week for 15 minutes. Some people allow for more handling than this. But 3-4 times a week for 'extended periods' is almost definitely too much, and as she's new to you, you should be slowly working your way up to longer periods of handling. You also should never be handling her in the 48 hours after she eats.
Shedding: Their color will usually dull and their eyes will turn milky or blue. They might have some minor changes in behavior, like more resistance to handling or possibly even refusal to eat. Mine just shed, and hid for three days prior to that. Note that the shed should come off all in one piece -- if it doesn't, it may be a sign that your snake is dehydrated and doesn't have sufficient access to clean water or the humidity in the tank is too low.
Another quick note on water: You should be changing it at least twice a week, plus any time the snake soils it. I buy filtered spring water from the store, which doesn't have some of the chemicals in tap water that are fine for humans but not so good for snakes. It's kind of a pain in the butt, but it's only about $2 a month, so whatever.
I can't tell you, but your health costs $19.
This reply is longer than I wanted, but I do have some experience in this area. Hopefully this will help you come up with a workable plan.
First of all, microdosing might help you see the harm that the adderall is doing to you, and may even help you with the motivation. But, to succeed, you'll still need a plan and a certain level of self-discipline.
 
Although, I have never taken adderall, I have managed to get myself off of addictive medication (benzos, various psychiatric meds etc) a number of times in the past. Many of these meds had horrendous side effects, even if you skipped just even 1 or 2 doses. The best approach, in my opinion, is to taper off of them slowly. This requires discipline, a plan of action, and a continual review as to how you are feeling. Tapering slowly minimizes the side effects and gives you the best chance of remaining functional during the process.
 
You can google the best way to taper off of adderrall, but here's an example of how I got myself off of Duloxetine. Note that Duloxetine is known to have really bad withdrawals, and the company even got sued because they understated just how bad they were. I started this process when I was taking 120mg a day.
Note that the capsules I was prescribed came in a minimum dosage of 30 mg. Once I got to this point, I had to open the capsules and calculate the number of balls inside each one. I did this using a set of reasonably accurate scales. I worked out that each 30 mg capsule contained 320 balls. So when I got down to 3.75 mg, I was counting out 40 balls for my daily dosage. I then reduced this as follows:
This approach worked well for me, and I although I still experienced some withdrawal effects, I felt that they were manageable. These side effects lasted for about 4-8 weeks, but lessened each week.
A couple of points to note about tapering:
 
Let me know if you have any questions, but good luck with it anyway.
I don't think anyone should include microscoops. It promotes the idea that volumetric dosing is accurate, which cannot be further from the case. A milligram scale is ALWAYS needed to accurately measure lower dosages. Not to mention all the plastic waste is causes. The only things I use scoops on are products that need larger dosages, have a low side effect profile, and that I have already calibrated using an accurate scale. So things like creatine or mushroom powder extracts I will use one of my stainless steel scoops to dose my powder, as I have already determined which scoops deliver a specific weight for that batch powder, and I know a little variability in the dosage is not going to cause any issues for me. I can wash the stainless steel scoops, and make sure they are sterilized. Plus, they can be used forever, instead of me wasting tons of them by throwing them out. Even with the stainless steel ones, I do not use them for things that need small dosages, like Noopept or Tianeptine. Those ALWAYS get weighed on an accurate milligram scale every time. Accuracy matters. The Gemini-20 is an inexpensive scale that you can get for like $20 on Amazon. There is no reason to not get one.
These are the stainless steel scoops I use: https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-3080-Stainless-Measuring-smidgen/dp/B0009X1P9S/
Here is the Gemini-20: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/
Bracelet
Tofu Press
Scale
These are items that Maggie would either use or would enjoy. I love looking at people's lists.
Gemini 20, aka. the scale of choice for Psychonauts on a budget.
It's great you're taking the time to figure out the best way to do this. I recommend that you get a better scale, though, as the one you have just doesn't have the accuracy to safely measure low doses, even with dividing the dose up by hand afterward.
The Gemini-20 scale is about $25 and seems to be the most popular one here:
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
This lil thing is amazing
American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_FwrMwb8FMEHG5
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Gemini-20-Portable-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM
You shut your whore mouth. That $13 laser thermometer is fucking awesome.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ
I have this one, highly recommend. Only downside is it turns off after like 30 seconds of not using it. That's what most of the negative reviews are about.
MFP has me at 1200 for now, but because of my running, I usually eat more like 1400-1500. However, I've noticed that there are lots of recipes on www.cookinglight.com and www.eatingwell.com that I can make for about 350 calories for a pretty satisfying serving. I eat breakfast around 7AM, lunch around noonish and find that I generally need a snack (usually greek yogurt, I second Jackal904's love of the stuff) before dinner.
For specific recipes, one of my favorite tricks is to do a "pasta" recipe and sub zucchini "noodles", which cuts the calories down like crazy. Then I can eat a really big portion for my alloted number of calories. I have this thing which I use a lot and really love. Makes zucchini noodles in 30 seconds, whee! Another favorite snack: deviled eggs. Use a tiny bit of low-fat mayo just to get the yolk mixture creamy enough, and use mostly mustard instead, and you've got a snack that's about 90-100 calories for the full egg. A lot of times, one egg will get me through to dinner!
I like to cook, and have decent amounts of time to do it, so I always look for recipes that are around 350 calories for a serving that isn't pathetic (like a half cup of something - like I could possibly feel full on that) and has lots of protein and/or fiber, which is going to make me feel a lot fuller.
Oh, and I recently stumbled across this collection of soup recipes and some of those look like good candidates for dinners, etc. You can view all to circumvent the annoying slideshow format.
I've actually found myself pleasantly surprised at how many things I can still cook and eat (and enjoy) without having to break my calorie allotment.
I've been coveting a vegetable spiralizer so I can noodle-ize ALL the vegetables!
This scale is $8.68 and has good reviews - it can measure small amounts (under 1g).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TT.NDbQX3SFXG
They're fine and they'll make you trip, younger mushrooms are anecdotally more potent. Get a scale if you want to know weight or figure out what the dry weight equivalent would be.
I used to use these for that purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_9xuJAb547DBHM
Purchased the Lavatools a couple months ago and have used it on a handful of brews since. Perfect choice for my needs. https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1488199480&sr=8-20&keywords=kitchen+thermometer
You should get an instant read thermometer to check for doneness so you don't have to cut into them like that.
People like this one, but I haven't used it. I use a Thermapen:
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499449239&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=instant+read+thermometer&psc=1
There are a bunch of tips here on sealing gaps to prevent infiltration. I used one of these to find out where the worst spots were that cold air was coming in. Just point and shoot! If you are trying to save some $$$ then targeting the worst areas should give you the best bang for the buck.
Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~ 716℉ (-50℃ ~ 380℃), Yellow and Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XkjXBb2ZTAQV1
i have this (http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342291038&sr=8-1&keywords=food+scale)... i like it a lot.
Part of making a good cup is repeatability--eliminating variation wherever possible. You'll want a burr grinder and a scale. It's tough, especially with an inconsistent grind, to correctly measure coffee by volume. Any idea on your general brew time? That might be a good indication of what's going on. Let's experiment with technique a bit!
It sounds like you're pouring all of the water in at once after letting it bloom; instead, why not pour about a cup at a time, let it drain for a bit--never letting it get completely dry--and then add the next cup. Rather than pouring in the center, continue pouring in circles the entire time to ensure an even extraction. These are all super minor, and I'm honestly unsure if they'll make any difference. Still, worth a shot!
Maybe try a finer grind, if you can. Shake the blade grinder, grind it for longer--whatever works! A finer grind will prolong the brew time.
> Yeah not 100% sure how to describe the flavor. It's kind of sour but also very "planty" tasting. Sorry if that's unhelpful.
Nah, don't worry about it! I have a tough time describing taste, too. It sounds underextracted to me. If ya have any spare money, a scale goes a long, long way. I use this scale. If you're interested in a grinder, my first--and I'm sure most people's first--was the skerton. I currently use a Baratza Encore, but that might be more than you're willing to invest in a grinder right now.
If you're interested, I can make a video of myself making coffee in my little Chemex.
Hi there and welcome to r/Coffee! So based on what you've told me I think your most cost effective option right now to make great coffee would be to master your roommate's French Press instead of spending money on a new brewing method. I'm assuming you have a kettle to boil your water in and a smart phone with a timer so all you need to buy is a digital scale, which costs $15 on Amazon [digital scale] (https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468429307&sr=8-1&keywords=American+Weigh+SC%E2%80%932KG).
 
Next I would find a local coffee roaster or coffee house that sells 1/2 lb or 12 oz bags of coffee instead of the 1 lb bags they sell at Starbucks. The reason I'm recommending the smaller amount is because you're going to ask them to grind the coffee beans for a French Press and you don't want to bring home a 1 lb bag of pre-ground coffee beans because it's going to go bad quickly. If you want to grind your own coffee beans be prepared to spend $100+ on a good burr grinder. As for the type of coffee to buy, you can always ask the barista for recommendations.
 
So once you've got everything you need it's time to measure your dosage. I personally like a 1:17 coffee to water ratio but most people here like their coffee stronger so feel free to adjust according to taste. So based on my ratio, if you measure 25 grams of ground coffee beans you would need to use 425 ml of water (1 ml = 1 gram). Put the FP on the scale and tare the scale. Put 25 g ground coffee in the FP and tare the scale again. Start the stop watch on your phone and pour your water off boil until about 1/3 of the French Press is full. Let the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds, stir the slurry, then pour in the remainder of the water til your scale reads 425 g. Put the lid on the French Press but don't plunge just yet. After 4 minutes you can plunge gently and serve your coffee.
 
Now from what I've read about the French Press some people say blooming isn't necessary but I haven't use mine enough to experiment and come up with my own conclusion so feel free to skip that part and just pour in the entire water. However, you do need to stir the mixture in to get all of the beans wet so don't skip that part.
 
Good luck with your coffee journey and I hope you're able to make great tasting coffee on your own!
We use these in the shop. As long as you're not reckless in your espresso routine you shouldn't be getting more than a few drops of espresso on them, which you can just wipe off.
A scale that reads to 0.1 will be extremely beneficial, worlds of difference.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=sr_1_21?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1422533237&sr=1-21&keywords=scale
throw this in your cart and you'll thank yourself :)
Heres a not-so-easy-to-find wiki page for this sub with gear recommendations. I used this one multiple times a day. It's fast, accurate, good battery life, and doesn't time out too quickly.
That grinder will possibly give you issues with pour over. V60 is really picky too, and you will probably want a gooseneck kettle to use with it to make it much easier to get a good cup. The potential issue with that grinder (or similarly priced ones, which are all knock-offs of another hand grinder) is that it might give you a really inconsistent grind with a lot of fines, which could cause your pour over brew times to vary wildly and take far too long (ruining your coffee).
How much coffee do you want to make at once? If only one cup, here's what I recommend:
If you want a larger amount of coffee (though you might find making your own coffee with fresh beans gives you more of a kick of caffeine than a cup from McD), then pour over is a good way to go, but will probably require more and better equipment in order for it to not suck. The V60 is the pickiest pour over about grind consistency. I don't make large batches, so maybe someone else can chime in with recommendations for devices that might handle a lower quality grind. But no matter what, a better grinder will improve both your ability to make pour over, and the taste of the coffee. If you want to stick with pour over, here's what I recommend for equipment in order for it to not be hard and get coffee that doesn't suck out of it:
And I would recommend going with white/bleached filters instead of the natural/brown ones. The nat/brown ones always have a strong paper taste you can't really get rid of.
American Weigh SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale
I just replaced my first one... which only lasted about 9 months. The LCD screen was no longer legible. However, I used this thing 2-3 times a day for 9 months. I was satisfied enough to purchase another.
I'm a fan of Bull City Flavors- http://www.bullcityflavors.com/
They have pretty much every flavor from all of the major companies, plus pg and vg for a fair price. Also have a 6% discount code - VU6.
You'll also need some nicotine from either Nude Nicotine or Vape Clarity. I like getting it in 100% VG to help cut down on VG usage.
You'll also need a scale accurate to .01 gram - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UGBG20/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mixing beakers - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AU6Y6X6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
PET bottles - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plastic-Squeezable-Dropper-Bottles-5-10-20-30-50ml-Liquid-Juice-E-Eye-PET-USA-/182439458891?var=&hash=item2a7a3d384b:m:mzrhDE22jYZfB8vMJhsQZiA
And very importantly, a milk frother that will mix your juice in under 30 seconds and save your sanity vs trying the shake method- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0158P72L6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
Then go find yourself some juice recipes that look tasty to you- http://e-liquid-recipes.com/
And install the "ejuice me up" program to do all of the calculations for you-
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
And you'll need the weights from this thread to put into the ejuice me up settings- https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY_eJuice/comments/2iq3km/botboy141_guide_to_mixing_by_weight/
This is also a great starting point to read how to mix by weight. Or if you're a visual person here's a fan-freaking-tastic guide on it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RdboUVCROs
So yeah, you're looking at a $100-150 investment to start off with, depending on how many flavors you order. But then the juice is a few cents per ML instead of like, a dollar+. Most of your cost from then on will be replacement bottles and VG and flavoring.
Here's a protip: don't even bother with mixing by volume. Using syringes, cylinders, pipettes etc are a huge messy pain in the ass. Buy a scale and mix by weight. Here's a good one.
You definitely don't need syringes.
Get this scale, learn mixing by weight and thank everyone who suggested it later.
You will have no mess, mix faster, mix much more accurate, be able to reproduce your results exactly (consistent), and have better tasting mixes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005UGBG20/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479593220&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=AWS-LB501&dpPl=1&dpID=41M3TE8qG8L&ref=plSrch
Own these, work great
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54
Not enough thermal mass to cool off anything.
I really like the 2.5" ice balls - you can find them here:
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380899755&sr=8-5&keywords=big+ice+ball+maker
Cool looking but not super practical—only one part of the bourbon is being cooled at any given time.
A good ice sphere will chill the whiskey more efficiently and melt nice-and-slow. I use these molds with distilled water and they work pretty well. (When the ice sphere finally cracks, I end up fishing out the smaller chunks so they don't dilute the drink.)
There are some organizational things you can get for kitchen cabinets.
I have one of these for my spices so that I can see what's in the back.
Something like this can help, too. I have a full size lazy susan in my pantry, because I have a habit of pushing stuff to the back and letting it sit there for a decade or two.
You can add extra shelves with something like this.
Good luck!
Get the food scale. Measuring cups and spoons can be big liars. My big moment of WEIGH EVERYTHING was when I compared one serving size of pb2 (a pretty low calorie item). A 2tbsp serving is almost double what the weight of a serving is. So instead of a 50cal snack, I was adding on another 50 cals. Just think how many more calories other, more calorie dense, items could add to your day.
Also, I have the scale the other person posted and I love it. It's my work food scale. The one I use at home is this one - https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485872513&sr=8-3&keywords=food+scale
Both are great!
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396446690&sr=8-2&keywords=paderno+spiralizer
Get this. Buy zucchini. Make pasta.
For meatballs, use pork rinds instead of bread crumbs. Get a sauce with as low a carb count as you can get. Spaghetti is still possible, you just have to think outside the box.
If you are interested in the spiralizer, this is the one I got :)
The vegetti is inexpensive and works fine. The Paderno is slightly more expensive but easier to work with
Paderno World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer.
First you're going to need tools. I assume you have a 12oz mug.
. Pay attention to U.S. vendors. Nearly all of the have sample packages and that's where I would start. Adagio Tea is a good beginner's tea shop.
Sounds like the wobbles. Kratom can vary immensely depending on how its ground, where it was grown, how it was harvested, what the growers put in it (not anything nefarious, stuff like matcha). The wobbles aren't fun, and you get it from taking too much. You won't die, but it sucks.
I HIGHLY recommend getting a cheap scale to weigh your stuff out. Find your dose and you can fine tune it. I've been taking kratom for 5-6 years now and I can tell a difference between 10.1g and 10.2g.
Seriously, get a scale and weigh out spoonfuls and you'll get different results just about every time, even from the same bag. One spoon could be 1.5g and the other could be 2.3g and then down to 1.6g.
[Here's one that's $10 and well reviewed.}(https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AWS-600-BLK-Nutrition/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=gram+scale&qid=1564754125&s=gateway&sr=8-3)
It's worth it.
ProTip ™ : Buy a small digital scale. Amazon has excellent options. I bought this one and it's totes awesomes. https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AWS-600-BLK-Nutrition/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1536284257&sr=8-4&keywords=small+digital+scale
It helps keep your dosing accurate and consistent.
I used to not weigh my doses....I would just "measure" by size of scoop I was taking with my spoon....totally unreliable and inaccurate way of measuring dosage. I would get upset when I wasn't getting consistent results/got the wobbles when the day before I took the "same amount" and it didn't make me sick etc...
Scale is a game changer, dude.
ALSO: Less is more (to a certain extent): Find your effective dosage range, and try to stay in that range.
Mine is 6.5-8.8 grams per/dose. No more, no less. I took me a long time to figure this range out...lots of vomiting from taking too much....and a lot of disappointment/being a sad panda because my silly leaf powder wasn't helping.
This helps keep your tolerance at bay, adhering to a dosage range...as long as you're not dosing excessively (frequency wise). This is just my personal experience, however. Your mileage may vary. Your mileage might actually be kilometers. That's ok too. Just be mindful of your dosing, keep a little log book to record dosage, effects, duration, symptoms relieved etc. I did that for a while and it helped me figure out dosage, as well as the vendors I choose to purchase from (don't worry I'm not gonna name names, I'm cool man, I'm cool....), and preferred strain color (kinda...they're pretty much the same tbh...except some Red veins are waaaay more sleepy than any white, green, yellow etc.)
Alright done ranting.
Welcome to the family!
*everybody high fives awkwardly* :)
If you really want to know weight you'll need a scale. Here's a good scale for $8. If you want to keep doing drugs maybe you should be able to dose them accurately. A 3.5g trip and a 5g trip is a HUGE difference. This looks like about 4-5g. Good luck!
What you want is a digital thermometer like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473889665&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+thermometer+infrared
Is this still happening when you turn the bike on today?
To confirm it's only running on one cylinder, check the temperature of the exhaust headers while it's running. I use this thermometer, but you can just hover your hand over and figure it out.
I'm going to try to be as detailed as possible.
The best way to take crystals:
Preparation:
-
Dosing:
First of all: do some research about the specific dosing you want to take. I know of the two most common ways:
If you have 1g (1000mg) of MDMA and you dissolve it in 1 litre (1000ml) of water, every 100ml of water will contain 100mg of MDMA
-
Methods of taking:
 
I hope this helps, let us know if you have any other questions or unclarities.
Roll safe.
[I just purchased this one!] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I had searched a bit on here and read some reviews. I really like it. It's simple, runs on batteries, small enough to put away (I have a small kitchen with limited counter space), AND! the screen stays on for 2 whole minutes. The previous one I had plugged into the wall. The display would shut off after maybe 20 seconds. That caused problems when I was constantly taring and adding stuff to the same bowl. NOT ANYMORE!
I don't have super intense weighing needs but I use this one which goes up in 1 gram increments and has worked just fine for me!
I never saw that one!! LOL!!
The other good one is the banana slicer https://smile.amazon.com/Hutzler-3571-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII?keywords=banana+slicer&qid=1539125106&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5
Gives me the giggles every time, guaranteed
A banana chopper.
That way you can threaten your boyfriend to chop his dick into 18 pieces if he ever fucks up
If you're looking for a banana slicer, you should check out the 571 by Hutzler. It's the pinnacle of fruit puck perfection. Check out the rave reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0047E0EII?pc_redir=1405944855&robot_redir=1
If you do it like that, I can see your math. However, if you do it like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WUPUYCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YptHxb7EHCH6V
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005F5OJG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KqtHxbP3G3QW7
http://www.carolinaxtract.com/#!product/prd12/3738421821/120ml-sample-100mg-ml-nic-html
http://store.flavorah.com/All-Vaping-Flavors_c_8.html (Or Bull City or ECX or Gremlin, etc. - let's call it $50 in flavoring)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGBG20/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TxtHxbBFM078P
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B9V20W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NBtHxb23GQ99V
You can make ~4L/4000ml of 3mg/ml for ~$150 or a little under $0.04/ml, so ~$4.50 per 120ml with supplies left over.
Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking ~$150 isn't large scale but I'm sure many people on here spend at least that much in a six month period (five 250ml of Blue Dot will run you $187).
You could just learn how to make them at home. That's what I did.
Tools needed.
Edit: you can YouTube and Google all the keywords I gave, there is lots of information out there. I think the cold grate technique video gives a great example of how to reverse sear a steak. But all the tools in the world can't turn a bad steak into a good one, focus on buying a proper steak, then focus on how to properly sear.
Forget the stop watch. Get yourself a good thermometer. This one http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0021AEAG2?cache=5d1e5c0c4c68e20ef8478543341af466&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1405258313&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1. Time is not reliable.
The Sweet Home highly recommends this one as it is really cheap compared to the Thermapen but works nearly as well.
Now where are my bonus points?
Anything else you might need?
Cali Crusher- $24.95
Chromium Crusher - $15.95
Ballin' on a budget 4 pc - $4.62
Do you understand why people don't use volume measurements, though? 1 tbsp of packed vitamin powder could easily be 2 tbsp of unpacked powder. Do you really want to risk an overdose because you scooped your ingredients out with too much force?
This is $8: http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-AWS-1KG-BLK-Signature-Digital/dp/B002SC3LLS
Just get a scale and do it properly. It isn't that difficult. Once you better understand your components and preparation method you can take shortcuts like volume measurement.
Scale, accurate to at least one more digit than what you're measuring. Something like this. Containers to measure with and potentially store prepared powder or oil in. Blender is generally unnecessary. Just get something to shake it up in. Blender bottles and similar protein shake paraphernalia are popular but just about anything will do.
For me, I've found the best value in having two scales. I have this one for smaller items. It goes to the nearest tenth of a gram, so that's good enough for me for smaller quantities. This is good for jewelery, small coins, etc.
For weighing a whole stack or something, I also have one of these. It's only accurate to the nearest gram, so the small one is better for small quantities, but this one supports up to eleven pounds and is definitely the best you'll find for the price. I also measure stuff other than my stack on it as well, so this is a decent multipurpose scale.
This one
This is the scale I use.
I don't grind mine up, I just swallow it like a pill - that amount of mushrooms usually is just a cap and a stem, at most. I haven't experimented with grinding them up, I'd be curious to hear your experiences with it.
I find that sometimes on the days I microdose, it brings up a lot of strong emotions that I need to sit and process. Not sure if this will happen to you - everyone is different - but for your first try you might want to do it on a day you have fewer commitments than usual, at least for the first few hours after you dose.
Edit: I forgot to say, good luck! I've tapered off psych meds before and it's unpleasant in a very unique kind of way. I hope things get better for you soon.
NSI freebase 20mg sublingual is a good starting dose, imo.
I can be pretty irresponsible with my drug use but not using a scale is plain stupidity. Do not take any until you purchase a mg scale.
The gemini-20 is about $20
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
If you cant justify that cost you shouldnt be buying the drugs.
I bought the gemini 20 scale on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
Acurate around 5mg up or down. The 10g thing shows up as 9.995g on it.
You can def measure 10mg accurately, if measuring smaller doses like 1 or 2.5mg it won't really work. I don't really see it change until 4mg at least.
For smaller doses I would measure out 10mg and then "eyeball" it into 4 equal doses in four different capsules, and hoped it would be accurate enough.
Will work for things like caffeine or normal noots/drugs that you just need to measure in mg.
Powder city has a scale that's like 11 dollars I think, but idk how good it is.
Most recommended: Gemini 20
Here what I use. It's very accurate and comes with 10g calibration weights. You can literally blow on the scale and it will register the shift in pressure.
American Weigh Scale Gemini Series Precision Digital Milligram Scale, Silver 20G X 0.001G (GEMINI-20) (Silver)
This scale is probably the best bang for your buck. I have one and haven't had any problems with it.
has anyone tried with success to use a Temperature Gun? I'm thinking of picking up one and try it https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523456285&sr=8-3&keywords=temperature+gun
Here is a checklist to track your amiibo collection: http://amiibochecklist.com/ (most popular) or https://www.scribd.com/mobile/document/341048988/iJustine-s-Amiibo-Checklist-2017
Buy NEW amiibo from: TRU is the best retailer with a diverse group of amiibos. Other than that: Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Game stop and Nintendo store. To get more rare amiibos, Beat the Bomb is an Australian retailer that ships to the US. The Australian dollar is worth less than US dollars so when you convert the prices, it is competitive. There is also NinNin but that one is more expensive and shipping is high.
Buy resale/used amiibo: Craigslist. Other places similar to Craigslist: Facebook marketplace, OfferUp, and Let Go. People have also reported being successful on Amazon Warehouse.
Use r/amiiboswap to view and exchange amiibos.
Twitter accounts to follow for more amiibo info: @AmiiboAlerts and @AmiiboNews
If you’re looking for ideas on how to display amiibos: Bat cases at Michael’s are pretty popular https://www.michaels.com/studio-decor-baseball-bat-display-case/10174362.html. Three tier rack on Amazon (I just use a spice rack from Bed Bath and Beyond) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036OQU56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5we8ybSAV243Z. Or a picture ledge at IKEA http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=MOSSLANDA+Picture+ledge
I mean... if you check the lower reviews, you're going to get a much higher concentration of people who had one-off issues and other problems that aren't typical. I did a quick search and this one seems to have overwhelmingly positive feedback from 13,000 or so people.
You can get an amazingly accurate portable food scale on Amazon for $15 shipped free. This is the one I use and it's lasted me over 3 years so far (haven't even changed the battery!). That's $5 a year, or just over 40 cents a month. Get one! No excuses!
I’d start with the most important kitchen tool if your aim is to meal prep for weight loss: the kitchen scale. This is the most important tool you’ll need if you’re going to count calories in each item you’ll be eating. As a recommendation, I’ve use this one for over 18 months and it’s going strong even though I’ve dropped it a couple of time from a few feet, the Ozeri Kitchen scale: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=kitchen%2Bscale&qid=1572956808&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1. The only downside to this scale is that if you have a super large bowl on top, it might be a bit hard to see the weighting screen. But it’s not too big of a deal.
The second most important tool is knowing how much calories are in a food item. Lots of people use an app called My Fitness Pal. You can find it on both the Apple App Store and in Google Play Store. They have a really large database filled with food items and their basic nutritional facts.
An alternative to the app is the FoodData Central US gov site here: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/. It’s a bit more manual than My Fitness Pal, but I prefer this site over the app because I can definitively know that search for both chicken thighs with skin on, bone on, all 3, or just the thighs as skinless and boneless.
To know how much calories you should be reducing, I would check out Jordan Syatt’ YT video “How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Fat”: https://youtu.be/7YwoqxaxMbQ. He has other great videos like, “How to Make Weight Loss Sustainable”: https://youtu.be/fixSEmNb_3.
When you first start out going in a calorie deficit, I would take it easy the first month or two. You’ll need to let your body get used to the calorie reduction. Every week only reduce by a 100 calories or so until you hit your target calorie deficit number. If you go all in immediately, you’re not going to be a happy camper at all.
For actual meal prep recipes, I like to use Budget Btyes site: https://www.budgetbytes.com/. There’s a larger variety of recipes to choose from, majority of them are beginner cooking friendly, the list of ingredients are easy to find and reasonable (long a super long list of things to buy), and relatively quick to make (depending on how quick you can cook).
The only downside to this site is that, like most recipe authors in the US, it’s not always 100% clear to someone starting to cook from recipes if the food item is supposed to be in dry goods measuring cups or in liquid measuring cups. I personally prefer to use the metric system for recipes because doing everything by weight or volume in grams or milliliters is more precise. It also makes calorie counting go by faster.
I know it’s a lot to take in and looks extremely time consuming, but ease yourself into it. It’s going to be a bit of a trial to get into the groove of counting calories and getting used to what food items works for you/doesn’t work. Go slow, take it week by week, and remember that you got this. Welcome to meal prepping!!
(I’ll come back and format this better soon; on mobile right now.)
Practice your fork put-downs fatty.
To lose 6-8 pounds in a short period of time, go see /r/keto and sign up for for MyFitnessPal. Buy a food scale and be brutally honest with your portion sizes.
What is your current height and weight?
one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE
makes things much easier, and the batteries last a good year or so with occasional use. 15g seems to be what many people use per cup of coffee.
you'll find more things to use it for as well, like weighing postage :)
Do yourself a favour and get an inexpensive digital scale so you can see how much coffee and water you're actually using.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/
There's loads of scales that go up to 2kg with a 0.1g resolution on amazon just fyi. This one gets recommended here a lot:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2
I can't see many coffee brewing scenarios where you'd need a scale larger than 2kg.
I have an American Weigh SC-2kg.
I previously had an Ozeri Pro, which was similar in price.
I love the American Weigh because it is accurate to 0.1g, which is great for espresso. However, it sacrifices maximum weight, which came in handy a few times on the Ozeri (mainly for other things in the kitchen).
If you're doing the regular 6-cup chemex (I do this with the additional weight of ice for japanese cold brew), you should be fine with the American Weigh. I'd suggest it anyways as I found the build quality a bit better, and the auto-shut off isn't triggered as quickly. It also has an awesome blue LED screen. If you're doing heavier stuff though, the Ozeri is certainly sufficient!
I'd prioritize a scale over thermometer or bean vault, not that it's bad that you're getting those things. Many will tell you water just off boil is fine, but I think it's worth being able to experiment with water temperature to decide that for yourself.
EDIT: oh and if you end up anything like me when I started going down this rabbit hole, you may find yourself itching for a better grinder (e.g. Baratza Encore) sooner than later. Just something to consider. Upgradeitis is a real thing.
I have the Javelin by Lavatools, (amazon link) that is currently $25.99. I've had it for over a year, use it for brewing and cooking (with good sanitation practices) and haven't had an issue. Some report the hinge breaking though. Lavatools also makes a stick version for less than half the price and has the same precision.
Speed/accuracy, but cheaper alternatives are catching up quickly.
I have not used the one you linked to, but I use this guy and it is only slightly slower than a thermapen and plenty accurate. A couple years ago, thermapen was by far the fastest "instant" read thermometer. That is no longer really the case, and now they are overpriced compared to the competition.
eh, its probably a throw away. I personally use the Lava Tools Javelin, both for brewing and grilling.
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496853976&sr=8-1&keywords=lavatools+javelin
A heads up for people shopping for meat thermometers on Amazon. There's a lot with fake reviews that make them look better than they are.
Use a site like Fakespot to make sure the reviews are legit. I found this one that has honest reviews and works great.
You're talking about two completely different issues here.
For weight, the only thing to consider is calories. Compute your TDEE, buy a kitchen scale, and use MyFitnessPal to accurately track your intake.
Reduce your TDEE by the amount you want to lose. 3500 is one pound, so set your limit to your TDEE - 500 per day to lose one pound a week, etc.
As long as you're honest with your tracking, it's extremely accurate.
For nutrients, you generally don't need to think about it if you have a typical American diet. Multivitamins are a complete scam.
Your doctor will tell you if you have any deficiencies. I assume that's how you found out about your iron level. Just work some high-iron foods into your diet. A cup of spinach is great, but even a single hamburger will have 5x the amount of iron as the same size piece of fish.
Oh oh I love coffee! Some cool products to check out on the cheap:
Hario Mini Mill Slim Hand Coffee Grinder: It's a hand crank grinder, but it's a burr grinder so it produces a more consistent grind which in turn produces a better cup of coffee.
Chemex 3-Cup Classic Glass Coffee Maker: Not as cheap as the french press, but since it uses a paper filter so there isn't as much sediment in the cup. I find that I prefer it over the french press.
Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker: Classic french press.
Optional:
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale: Scales are helpful in getting a consistent cup every time. You can measure out the water and coffee and dial in the perfect ratio.
Also check out Pinewood Roaster's coffee. I think they're on Franklin and 11th in the same building as Alpha Omega. Grab a bag of Ethiopian Beriti and enjoy!
Tips.
You want a scale that can read down to .01 grams. Check out the American Weigh Labs LB-501, it's on amazon as well, runs about $24.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20
Easier, cleaner, and quicker to get a scale and mix by weight. I use the American Weigh Scales LB-501. It has the 0.01g resolution you need for mixing by weight, and it's a steal at $23 rather than cleaning a bunch of syringes every time you mix up a batch of e-liquid.
this is a very popular flower piece i think youd like its very smooth hits
https://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Bridal-Glass-Fliter-14-5mm-Transparent/dp/B075CTGFLN/ref=sr_1_194?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1511838449&sr=1-194
also this grinder fits in the budget and has a high review score
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00700W0TW/ref=psdc_289781_t2_B00W18BAVM
I have these and I love them, they work like a charm.
It's doing to depend out the range more than anything. Every range will be a bit different, and the burners on the same range will probably be different as well.
It only takes $16 to find out how hot your pan is getting
https://www.amazon.com/American-Precision-Digital-Milligram-GEMINI-20/dp/B0012TDNAM?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-fpas-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0012TDNAM
Just buy powder. I get it from ▼
Star Nootropics.
This scale is great too
get a scale .. they are cheap .. (if you are using these drugs .. a scale is a MUST) https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia?keywords=milligram+scale&pd_rd_i=B0012TDNAM&pd_rd_r=6d337ea4-5e42-495b-aa80-673765557c87&pd_rd_w=NckuT&pd_rd_wg=A6GhU&pf_rd_p=f0479f98-a32d-45cd-9c12-7aaced42b1ec&pf_rd_r=N9M5W1GB732SB9KNET1C&qid=1557848707&s=gatewayThis one many people use.
American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G
By eyeballing "less than half" of your original ~100mg, which could be off by as much as another ~15-20 mg, you most likely gave yourself a heroic dose. When I was really into psychs I would use 15-25 mg and blast the fuck off.
Invest in 0.001 scale, if this were any of a wide range of nondescript powders (vendors do fuck up, the bromo-dragonfly fiasco is a good example) it could have killed you.
Please get a more accurate scale.
I'll just leave this here
Scoops measure volume, not mass. A given volume of one substance could weigh significantly more than another.
If you want to be somewhat accurate you should get a milligram scale.
The best method is to make a solution or suspension with a larger amount of powder and liquid and measure that out as needed.
We do not include any type of scoop as they are not reliable nor do they measure in mg. We always suggest using a balance/scale for dosing as scoops are highly unreliable in measuring. All powders have different densities and therefore they shouldn't be measure using one.
We do not carry scoops, as we feel they promote the misuse of products. You should never use any compound without accurately weighing it with a milligram scale. It's for your own safety. Our customer's safety is priority #1.
We have found that the Gemini 20 is a decent scale at a decent price. Of course, this isn't an official endorsement of it. I have provided a link below.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422903756&sr=8-1&keywords=gemini+20+scale
As far as the packaging, the company name is listed in the return address field on the shipping label but that is it.
Cheers!
That's a tough one. Most of the crew over on the MDMA sub go with the [Gemini 20] (https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506100464&sr=8-3&keywords=gemini+20) but it's only REALLY accurate to 5-10mg, which is less of an issue with MDMA than 2CB.
Gemini-20 and Gemini-PRO on Amazon!
I found this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=1%2C3-Dimethylamylamine&_sacat=0&_odkw=1%2C3-dimethyalmaine&_osacat=0
But thats freakin expensive. If you're from the US they have DMAA on
[smartpowders.com] (https://www.smartpowders.com/p-5366-13-dimethylamylamine-200-caps-20mg.aspx) 5.95 shipping - the more you buy the higher shipping cost SmartPowders 1,3 Dimethylamylamine - 200 Caps - 20mg $13.99 (286mg/dollar)
[nutraplanet.com] (http://www.nutraplanet.com/product/primaforce/1-3-dimethylamylamine-20mg-200-caps.html) 5.95 shipping 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (20mg/200 caps) $19.95 (201mg/dollar)
Lockoutsupplements.com $6 shipping SNS: Adrenea-G, 240 Caps 25mg/cap $17.95 (334mg/dollar) [I know of a coupon code: lockout05, 5% off?]
---
If you want JUST DMAA, lockoutsupplements will be cheapest. If you're going to be purchasing more things in the future, I suggest you bundle it in with the DMAA order to save on shipping.
Edit: Anekin007's link has it for about 913mg/dollar. And its like $2 shipping. Would recommend unless you don't have a milligram scale as it is in free form powder, not in capsules. A scale like this is effective and pretty good with the money: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/
This is where those cheap infrared thermometers really come in handy. Just point it at the pan. Also great for grilling. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY
I have https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but any cheap IR gun should work. Also for taking temps ignore the laser light and put the opening/sensor area right over the top of the banger for accurate readings.
If you’ve only had her for 6 days and have tried feeding 3 times, it’s way too much. On top of being in a new environment, having food presented over and over is stressful. When bringing a new snake home, you should leave them completely alone for a week- no handling- and then offer food. From now, wait a week before you offer food again, and don’t handle her between now and then. You should make sure she’s eaten at least 2 times in a row before handling, and wait 48 hours after she’s eaten so she has time to digest.
In the meantime, make sure her enclosure is set up correctly- correct temperature (78-80 cool side, 88-92 hot spot) with heat sources controlled by thermostats, humidity at least 60% or higher, at least 2 secure hides and other clutter like fake plants and branches. As others have mentioned, aspen is bad for holding humidity- cypress mulch or coco fiber/chip is better. Read through the care info in the group stickied post if you haven’t already.
Both of my BPs ate F/T right away despite being fed live at the breeder. To warm it up, thaw in the fridge overnight in a ziplock bag. When it’s thawed, fill a bowl with the hottest water from the tap and put the mouse (still in the bag) in the water. I usually have to change the water out a couple times as it cools. Warm it like this until the temperature measures at least 100 degrees measured with an infrared temp gun like this one . I would also use feeding tongs not your hand.
Hope this helps, congrats on your new baby. 😊
I was just searching amazon for it
Either way, there are similar ones (same brand, actually, for $17.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI?psc=1
You can buy a scale for relatively inexpensive, but if you buy 1 gram then the whole bag would be added to your pg. this is a popular one for under $29
Do some searching with the sidebar and you can find people's recipes for solutions and homemade nasal sprays.
To be honest with you, just buy heroin if you want to get that high. It's better for your body and lasts longer. I'm not kidding when I say U4 is worse for you than heroin. I played with one gram and I'll never touch the stuff again, although I'm not big into opioids. It's tolerance spike is insane, is caustic as fuck so the only relatively safe way is to take it orally, and if you shoot it it will fuck your veins almost immediately. I'm not trying to tell you what to do or anything because I do a shitload of drugs, but you gotta pick your poison and this is about the worst thing I've come across.
Smart Weigh GEM20 High Precision Digital Milligram Scale 20 x 0.001g Reloading, Jewelry and Gems Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_3eCM9DygIZRrd
This is my scale. I love it.
Veggie noodle maker = spiralizer. /u/186394 bought me this one, and it works amazingly!
Edit: Thanks for the gold!
TL;DR A vegetable spiralizer.
My favorite tool I've been using almost daily since last week (when it arrived from amazon) is a vegetable spiralizer. Had I known about this when I started keto, I would have been able to get a lot more veggies into my diet (and helped appease my spouse who gets bored with the same foods easily).
If you are someone who loves pasta, I cannot recommend this nearly enough. I've made a version of shrimp alfredo (avocado garlic sauce is great with zucchini noodles), noodle sidedishes, and last night spaghetti was back in the house.
I also use it to make apple chips and curly fries for the kids. There are all kinds out there, with loads of recipes as well. This is mine.
Other tools that I use pretty much daily: cheese grater, bullet mixer, food scale.
Other tools I have on my amazon wishlist for my keto kitchen: dehydrator, grease catcher/container, whoopie pie pan.
Not sure how good these deals are, but they're things I'd love as a vegan
Instapot for $90
Vegetable spiral slicer for $22
Cuisinart Food Processor for $180
Blendtec total blender classic for $400
* edit - it isn't amazon, but Fry's also has a 7/11 sale and has the Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer for $90 (after a promo code you get if you sign up on their website). I hear this is the best rice cooker out there.
https://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-Countertop-Mounted-Spiralizer/dp/B0007Y9WHQ
It's called a Spiralizer.
There's other uses but zucchini noodles are my favorite.
It's a kitchen tool that lets you make spiral all the things! My favorites are broccoli, butternut squash and zucchini is my easy go to.
This is the one I have:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501551474&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=spiralizers&dpPl=1&dpID=51ozEgFtqdL&ref=plSrch
My friend has a 20$ one from Wal-Mart that seems to be the exact same quality thus far too.
And this is the website I use for alot of my recipes if you're interested in trying it!
inspiralized.com
All three can be had for cheap from amazon, which is where I got all mine. Check out the links below... It's the setup I have for even cheaper than I paid (closer to $15). Acid is pretty standard and you can't really get "bad" acid (Gerry Garcia may say otheriwse). The scale has been awesome to me (the reviews on amazon are good too). The loupe is pretty cool and has been pretty helpful. It's just a magnifying glass. As such, it's hard to fuck up.
Acid Test Kit
Scale
Loupe
Haha bunk police is about reagent testing. Its more for powders and pills. Actually I don't know if you can reagent test shrooms but my first thought would be probably not. Honestly I've always just trusted my shrooms were psilocybin and they've always been psychedelic (at different potencies). As far as scales go for something like shrooms you probably won't weigh out less than a gram. something like this would be more than fine.
Good Luck, my first mushroom trip was way fucking intense, I'd definitely recommend less than an 1/8th for your first time.
No idea why you ended up with bananas in your scale searches.
I love this one for measuring hops, priming sugar, etc (i.e. accurate to one gram): digital kitchen scale
For water chemistry (i.e accurate to .01 gram), I love this one: precision digital scale
Can heartily recommend both.
In my experience, any substance that can cause withdrawal symptoms should be tapered. No need to drive yourself crazy dropping it all at once, unless other factors force you to do so.
You can certainly try going down one gram a day or one gram a dose.
Another method may be to try taking half a dose and see if it evens out the symptoms without giving you any other positive effects. You may be able to dial in an amount that gets you to your goal more quickly this way.
In any situation, I’ve successfully tapered off of caffeine and nicotine with little ill-effect. I wasn’t so lucky when my prescription for tramadol (an insidious drug in my opinion) ran out and my doctor thought I would be ok cold turkey. Restless legs all night, switching between feeling far too hot then far too cold, no appetite but knowing I needed to eat; I got withdrawal symptoms like it was a job and it was sheer hell. So I know where you are coming from and feel for you man.
Take some advice on supplements from the others in the this thread, get yourself set up on a good taper schedule, and stick to it. You’ll be fine, just make sure you start weighing you powder. It can vary greatly in density, depending on grind and how it gets settled in a container. I’ve seen the same ½ teaspoon scoop give me anywhere from .5 grams on a super loose scoop to 2 grams on a tightly packed and heaping scoop. I’ve been rocking this little guy for as long as I can remember, but anything similar should be fine. https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ
Yep. But if you build the kit yourself:
This press
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Reloading-Press-Md-90045/dp/B002SF4X5I/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1497553125&sr=1-1&keywords=lee+press
Dies
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-30-RGB-Die/dp/B000N8LHQK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1497553143&sr=1-4-fkmr0&keywords=lee+press+RGB
Scale
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1497553166&sr=8-3&keywords=digital+scale
Calipers
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01407A-Electronic-Digital-Caliper/dp/B000GSLKIW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1497553204&sr=8-3&keywords=calipers
Priming Tool
https://www.amazon.com/LEE-LP90106-Lee-Precision-Prime/dp/B00162UGQE/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1497553314&sr=1-7&keywords=priming+tool
... and a few other small things, you should be under $100 dies included.
$20? Try this one for $12. Once you calibrate it with nickels (standard weight of 5g) it's pretty damn accurate!
I've been using this one for a few years. Never had any problems. [4]
Got that Amazon Link here, get your amazon's heyah.
You can buy a really swell scale that measures to the hundredth of a gram on amazon. For about $10.
Here is a link.
This is what I take. It's better and a 6 month supply costs the same as an alpha brain 45 day bottle.
http://www.powdercity.com/products/l-theanine-side-effects
http://www.powdercity.com/products/cdp-choline-powder-sodium
http://nootropicsdepot.com/piracetam/
http://www.powdercity.com/products/l-tyrosine-supplement
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01I5TPU02/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484385854&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+capsules+000
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484385883&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=digital+scale+.01g&dpPl=1&dpID=41AKYOLyaDL&ref=plSrch
This is what I use :-) cheap and has lasted me a long time
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1483505440&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=scale&dpPl=1&dpID=41AKYOLyaDL&ref=plSrch
$10.39 American Weigh Digital Scale, 100g [0.01g sensitivity]
Use clean table, pour bag on table. 2g in pile, make two even piles, those are 1g each, then make 2 more .5g then .25g then .125g.
Also, "I don't have a scale and am an experienced IV user." smh :) https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485294750&sr=8-1&keywords=gemini+20
Just so you know, food scales are very economical!
https://smile.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479488857&sr=8-3&keywords=food+scale
That's just the one I have, there are other options.
Water retention is going to be part of it for the first week, but that's not usually something that's going to have long term effect.
Simple but reliable. Nice for baking and pickling too
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/
Diving with a banana seems like it might draw unwanted attention from things looking for food. Try this instead
The Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer was still the best $2.43 I ever spent /s . Now if only Hutzler came out with a banana slicer cleaning brush to save time cleaning those individual slots.
I'm going to assume you already have a smaller scale with a high resolution (say 0.01g or 0.001g) for small items. A scale that will weigh kilo items is usually going to have 1g or 0.1g resolution and no better.
This brand is my go-to for cheap scales - this particular one has a weight capacity of 2kg and resolution of 0.1g
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RF3XJ2/ref=s9_acsd_simh_hd_bw_bjuwvb_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=VH67V0E8RS2K0BGBRZ6F&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=9d24518a-e817-5b28-92dd-ef38520d4d25&pf_rd_i=678508011
Not sure - I don't think anyone would say the thermapen isn't a great thermometer.
Although I WOULD say that you can get 95% of the benefits at a fraction of the cost with something like the CDN DTQ450X: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021AEAG2
That's $17 for a water proof thermometer that gives you a reading within about a 1 second difference of the thermapen. I've personally been using mine for 3 years now regularly for food and beer making. I've dropped it in the mash, had it soaking in the sink by mistake, dropped it, left it outside - pretty shitty conditions and it still rocks on.
I have nothing against the thermapen but I personally wouldn't pay the money for one when something like the CDN is so much cheaper and effectively works exactly the same.
Amazingribs is great. So is America's Test Kitchen. And Serious Eats also gives great basic background on how to use a grill.
Examples:
It's really not that hard. If you want some basic advice from me:
Sigh
Key terms
Pipe - a handheld dry smoking device Bong - a smoking device which contains water or ice.
Vaporizer - a smoking device which heats up to vaporize THC, producing no smoke.
AVB - already vaped bud, meaning marijuana that has already been vaporized. It still contains trace amounts of THC and can be smoked later, made into hash, or edibles.
Kief - the THC-rich substance that will collect in the bottom of your grinder. It falls and breaks off bud, goes through a screen and is collected.
So, basically, I recommend a bong. There isn't a ton of drag if you just use a regular one with cold water. Plus, it catches tar, carcinogens, and hot ashes from getting into your mouth. Also, you're less likely to hack up a lung.
Do you know the grades of weed?
Dirt - lowest quality of marijuana. Brown, full of seeds, stems, smells nothing like marijuana, very faint smell. Very low THC concentrations, often gives headaches. Also called: schwag, bobby browns.
Mids - mid quality marijuana. Usually green, a couple seeds or stems may be common, smells as you would expect. Medium THC
concentrations. Also called: reggie
Dank - high quality marijuana. Usually green, maybe be purple, or contain orange/brown hair-like outgrowths. High THC concentrations. Also called: goodie, fire, beasters.
To smoke, you should light the bowl for about 2 seconds, just until it is cherried and can burn on it's own while you're sucking. Slowly inhale. Don't suck too hard or you may get weed in your mouth or suck it through the bowl and waste it.
Here are some supplies I recommend to smoke
Grinder: http://www.amazon.com/NEW-STYLE-Tobacco-Pollen-Grinder/dp/B0023X32MA/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370566595&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=metal+ginrder
Bong: couldn't find the product on Amazon anymore which is really weird. But anyways look up the Molino Mini Glass Bong. There are two styles for $20, the tube and zong. They are small, easy to hide and good for a beginner.
I'm assuming you don't want to spend that much so here:
A super cheap one: http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Tobacco-Pollen-Grinder-diameter/dp/B0023WXZ1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406656505&sr=8-2&keywords=grinder
Slightly more expensive one but it'll probably get there sooner than a month: http://www.amazon.com/Piece-STYLE-Tobacco-Pollen-Grinder/dp/B0023X32MA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406656505&sr=8-1&keywords=grinder
And lastly, this is the one I have. Its pretty nice IMO but I've had the others too and they're not that bad. Just preference and how much budget you have: http://www.amazon.com/Chromium-Crusher-Tobacco-Lifetime-Warranty/dp/B00700W0TW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406656505&sr=8-3&keywords=grinder
Does it happen to be this? If it is, I'd really like to hear how good/bad it is. :]
AeroPress, for sure. Here is probably the cheapest setup you can do, and still get the best flavour/experience.
Aerobie AeroPress + Able DISK Fine - $40 (I strongly suggest the DISK Fine over paper filters, but the AeroPress does come with a bunch of filters.)
Pocket Scale - $7
Carafe - $7 (so you press straight into this, and measure yield, as most mugs will not fit on the scale; also great for serving two)
Hario Slim burr grinder - $34 (if you'd rather go electric, the Bodum Bistro burr is a great buy and can be had for $120 new or under $100 used/refurbished)
Bonavita Gooseneck kettle - $50 (You do not need a gooseneck for the AeroPress, but you do for any type of pour over, so why not?)
Good luck, and have fun! Give my video a gander to see how to prepare with the AeroPress. It is fun! Almost as fun as an espresso machine. Ha! Yeah, right! But definitely worth the small coin.
I found something similar on Amazon. It's not great since you can't see the entire kit if it's on the second or third level, but I don't have a proper display case or anything. This guy really saves me a lot of space on my desk.
Edit: I forgot to mention, Masurao's on the stand that came with the kit.
>Bonus* She just squirted the syringe to hard, juice shot everywhere and in her eye.
if you love her, get her a scale. no messing around with with syringes means less steps, less time, and less clean up.
I would recommend not upgrading to a graduated cylinder, but to a scale. This is what I use and I can mix about a batch up in about 2 minutes. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGBG20/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463618218&sr=sr-1&keywords=digital+scale
get a scale like the LB501 you need a scale that weighs down to .01g
also it helps that it has a plug and wont turn off on you
This is a good video to watch as it goes over most details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L18sa1DJJw
I would highly recommend against mixing by eye sight. You should write down your recipe and use weights. This way if you make something you like you can repeat it. Also while adding nicotine you're going to want to be really fucking exact with how much you're adding, as you can give yourself too much.
A scale like this is super helpful and is accurate to 0.01 grams:
https://www.amazon.ca/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20
Depending on how much you're making you could be adding 0.12 grams of a flavor. The only way to do that reliably is with a scale.
The thing is, VW is fucking stupid. They offer a DIY flavor pack, some pg, and some vg with no real way to mix. Now, you may be thinking that winning this giveaway is super cool, but let me tell you why it might not be all peachy.
First, you need bottles to mix liquids in and they didn't provide any of those. You can reuse empty glass bottles you have lying around if you'd like. Remove labeling, take pipette out of the cap, boil the bottle and pipette in distilled or filtered water for about 10 mins and then let dry. If you want to buy some cheap plastic bottles, you can get them on amazon for any size you'd like.
Second, no one uses VW flavorings because they are either Flavor West flavorings, VW specific flavorings, or they are just given a VW name despite being a Flavor West flavoring. I think it's the latter of what I listed. The reason this sucks is because the majority of us here have never used VW flavorings so we cannot help with recipe suggestions.
Third, they didn't provide any pipettes or syringes to accurately measure out flavorings that you'd like to mix with. You have two options here. Buy some syringes or disposable pipettes to mix by volume or buy a scale to mix by weight. If you feel that you want to go further into DIY, then I'd suggest getting a scale with a resolution of 0.01g and a 500g capacity. If you just want to mix with the flavors that you won, then buy something similar to this
Fourth, this may not be a big deal to some, but most people that vape want their liquid to contain nicotine. This flavor pack does not contain nicotine so you're gonna have to buy some if you want your mixes to contain nicotine. Here is a guide that is all about nicotine.
So as you can see, if you want to be able to properly use what VW gave you, you will need to either already have items that will allow you to mix liquids or you will have to purchase additional necessities.
I'm sure we will all help as much as we can, but the knowledge and use of the VW flavorings is lacking and we all prefer to use flavor concentrates from the more popular and widely used companies.
Fuck you, VapeWild!
This is the version of the "blade" scale that you would want... 0.01g resolution... but it's only good for mixes up to 100g.
Unless you're ok limiting yourself to batches of like 80mL at a time, you should consider a different scale.
The typical scale used around here are 500g limit with 0.01g resolution, like this one.
When I first got into DIY 2 years ago, my first goal was to craft a green tea recipe from scratch. I've probably put more study into green teas than any other type of flavor, but this was the verdict in the end:
After a ton of experimentation, I came up with this recipe: Shinto
If you're planning on creating a new green tea recipe, stay at or below 1% FLV Eisai Tea. It is very strong.
--On your question when it comes to flavor retailers, one of the very best is bullcityflavors.com. They stock nearly everything and at very competitive prices. If you ever can't find a particular flavor you're looking for, there, check ecigexpress or the flavor manufacturer's own website.
--On nicotine: the most cost-effective and simple to use mix is 100mg/ml nicotine in a 100% PG base. You'll find this mix on most nicotine retailer's sites. Nicotine does not mix well in VG, so you end up with a lot of hotspots if you get it in a VG base. The best nicotine comes from Carolina Xtracts, period. Second best is Liquid Nicotine Wholesalers.
--Stop mixing your flavors at 10% or some arbitrary number, or you're going to end up with a lot of shitty mixes. Every flavor has a particular percentage that works best, either by itself or in a particular recipe. FW Blueberry, for example, is great at 6%, but if you put 6% FLV Eisai Tea in a bottle you would probably throw up.
On that note, the greatest thing that changed everything about how I mixed was getting a scale. A huge amount of people on this sub are currently using this scale.
The next best thing was finding the best recipe calculator available, which is EjuiceMeUp. Free, offline software that simply works.
Starter kit pick up from /u/TheBrokeVaper. Best deal by far. It makes a ton of juice. Recipes can be found in many places but the most popular is [ELR]
(http://forum.e-liquid-recipes.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-making-the-most-highly-rated-recipes/83612)
That is a good starting point!
EDIT: [and you'll want this scale for mixing]
(https://www.amazon.ca/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20)
These are two sites I would recommend you take a look at. I would also recommend you check out this scale that is recommended in Botboy141's guide if you are gonna want to be mixing by weight. I'm an amateur mixer and everything I know is from the great people of this subreddit or my limited experience.
EcigExpress:
(Nicotine over 60mg limited to ground shipping.)
This site's prices bother me because I mostly use Bull City Vapor but to my knowledge Jungle Flavors are sold here exclusively so I've been pushed into making a purchase (for that Sweet Strawberry). I haven't received my recently made order and do not have much to say of them.
Bull City Flavors:
This place is a little cheaper than EcigExpress but doesn't have free shipping unless there's some sort of event. I've ordered from this place more often than other sites because they have great processing times and customer service.
Both sites can be have products to mix by weight if scale is purchased separately.
To give you a representation of how their prices differ here's an example of one flavor's two prices:
EcigExpress TFA Strawberry Ripe: $1.49 10ml $3.95 30ml
Bull City Flavors TFA Strawberry Ripe: $1.29 10ml $2.99 30ml
I for one got sucked up a bit. You find a million different recipes and you want to try a good 30-50'ish or so but you need one or two different flavorings that you don't have and it piles up. Now I have so many TFA flavorings that most will last me 6-9 years with how little I use some of them. Don't get sucked into deals too as I have quite a bit of 30ml's also. WTF am I going to do with 30ml of papaya flavoring???
At 3% flavoring, 70/30 VG/PG, PG Nic, which is common, It'd take me literally 1,000 ml to finish the bottle.
Here's a protip, stick with very few and go through gremlinDIY as you can get it in 5ml bottles cheap. 5ml will go A LONG way and if you run out then you know that's your profile and then step it up to 10 or buy it in bulk cheap at nicotineriver.com as they have the best price when you want a lot.
Go ahead and get the VG/PG from Amazon and not from a DIY place as it's too expensive and all their shipping prices are out of control. The Essential Depot versions are the ones to get which are proven and will save you money.
For nicotine you don't want to skimp out. Go through either or vaportek or nudenicotine at 100mg (know what you're doing first) in PG as VG can be hard to work with, but go VG if you have an allergy or want max VG for example and 120ml of it will last you ages. Take that bottle, spread it out in 3 different batches and throw those bitches in the freezer.
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RdboUVCROs - Order the 501 scale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UGBG20?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01
Go to http://e-liquid-recipes.com/ - Register, then set your preferences to grams.
You're welcome for this btw:
EcigExpress - 10% off code: ELRECIPES
Bull City - 6%, discount code: ELRECIPES
Nicotine River - 10% off code: ELR
Gremlin DIY - 5% code: ELRECIPES
Those are the places to hit and what most use. If anybody else has a better code or another place they go through feel free to share. That's just a simple little guide as there's a lot more, but soon you'll be busting out the 'nana cream clone in no time. All the info you need is in the DIY sidebar, and yes, it's really that easy, especially when doing it by weight. Also, when you order plastic or glass bottles, get double of what you think you need. That might be the most important tip of them all :-)
A scale will make your life a lot easier. It is a expense, but will the money saved by making your own liquids it will pay for itself after a batch.
You will need one that measures down to .01 gram increments.
And don't do as suggested and "throw everything else away". That would be incredibly stupid.
You WILL find yourself needing a syringe with a blunt tip or pipettes every once in a while. Not all bottles from all flavor companies come with a dripper top.
EDIT [This] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UGBG20/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is the scale that most of us use.
I always charge friends $5 per 30ml, which seems to be the norm around here. I will sometimes lower the price a couple bucks if they get a 120 or larger, just so i dont have to make them juice as often lol.
For the scale, get the AWS LB-501. It is the most commonly used around here and for good reasons.
Hope this helps.
Here's a link to one that a lot of us use. The LB-501 link
http://amzn.com/B005UGBG20
No timeout when it's plugged in.
If you're looking for something of a higher quality but willing to spend more money, check out the two other commenters recommendations.
If you're on a budget, the Amazon Chromium Crusher is a great little grinder. I've had it for about 2 years now and it has never failed me. A little bigger (2.5 inches) but well worth the value. I bought it as a temporary until I was of age and could get a good one at a head shop but once I got it I didn't feel the need to upgrade.
Link
Also 10 bucks, except you get two. Not a motherfucking death star, though.
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp
This is the one I have. It's really good!
I saw a great travel kit on this sub several months ago which included (IIRC) an AeroPress, a Porlex Mini Grinder (which fits inside of the AeroPress for easy packing!), and the BonaVita 0.5 liter Travel Kettle. I'm probably missing a component or two, but I'll poke around and see if I can find the OP.
EDIT: Here's the link!
This setup doesn't meet all your requirements, specifically the desire to make multiple cups at once, and it doesn't include a scale. I use this little bugger, as do some others on the sub, and I love it. It's super portable and I've banged it around a bit without issue. It does have an auto-shutoff feature, which can be a pain for some brewing methods.
EDIT II: Oh snap! /u/unix04 mentioned the Able Kone, which reminded me to mention the Able Disk, should you end up going the AeroPress route.
These work. Not as fast as some, but you can very good results with a little practice.
American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2
(edited for typo)
I've been using the AMW-SC-2KG for ~4 years. I love it.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=pd_sim_79_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001RF3XJ2&pd_rd_r=8AB1VHEAG8VV9BYPQVDJ&pd_rd_w=sEcWs&pd_rd_wg=pFl2D&psc=1&refRID=8AB1VHEAG8VV9BYPQVDJ
This scale has served me well over the last few years. Can't recommend it enough.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2
I assume you're talking about an IR thermometer? I got one because, like you said, it's a novelty and pretty cheap. I use it for things like taking surface temperatures of foods (melted chocolate, meat that I'm curing, etc.)
A lot of TV chefs (cough...Alton Brown) use them for things like taking surface readings of pan's temperatures. Unfortunately, many times an IR thermometer can't accurately measure temperatures in this situation. They rely on a property called emissivity. Emissivity had to do with how a material emits its energy as heat. Long story short, light/shiny objects have low emissivity which means that an IR thermometer will read a temperature lower than the actual temperature. So using the IR thermometer will work much better on dark, matte finished (some types of teflon or cast iron) cookware than stainless steel/aluminum/copper. So buyer beware...
If you're trying to wrap your head around the whole shiny vs. dull situation and why that matters. Think about it like this. A shiny object will reflect the ambient energy/radiation to a greater degree and not so much emit its own.
Even medium is probably hot enough if you let the skillet warm-up long enough. If you get a cheap infrared thermometer, you can start to figure out what temperature your stove dial settings equate to. I shoot for around 550 F fo searing steaks.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036OQU56/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1421054678&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036OQU56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
as far as stores go, Im pretty sure you can find one at Walmart, Target, or Bestbuy
online (amazon) is usually a really good place to find them as well.
You can read reviews and find better deals sometimes.
Here are a couple links to ones that i have seen recommended on this sub :)
https://www.amazon.com/Mosiso®-Digital-Kitchen-Scale-Capacity/dp/B00JRFB2YM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
here are a few links to threads about food scales
https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/537f97/the_importance_of_a_food_scale_1700_vs_2900/
https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/3cp23p/if_youre_thinking_of_buying_a_food_scale/
https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/55dci3/the_importance_of_a_food_scale/
No issues at all with the post, it's just that the FAQ has a lot of tips for people getting started that you should read through.
Start out with MFP (it's free) and see what happens. It is stupidly simple to use and will track everything you need. A food scale is nice (this is the recommended one, $12) but it is really only particularly needed if you are dealing with bulk food. On that note - if you want to get into "cooking", try starting out with chicken. Get some bulk chicken (unbreaded) and you can just pop it in the oven for a while. If you get raw chicken, make sure you get a meat thermometer ($10-20). Chicken gives you tons of protein and it's really difficult to screw up. I've focused on it so far and it has worked really well - I'm a picky eater, at that.
Frankly, you can get a kick start with some microwave meals and go from there. They are easier to track calories on and are stupid simple to make. Just keep in mind, microwave meals can really start to add up in price. If you're truly limited to food banks, try pasta to get some variation from the traditional canned food - just be aware that pasta is loaded with carbs and has quite a few calories, so eat in moderation. You can usually find cans of tomato sauce and dried pasta - it's no Olive Garden, but it will do. You can try adding some garlic powder and onion powder to the sauce to pump up the flavor a bit.
You should also actually calculate out your TDEE here. MFP's formula overestimates if you are truly sedentary like you say. I would recommend 1.1 for your activity level. It'll probably spit out a number a few hundred less than your MFP goal - follow that instead (although your MFP number will get you there, just slower).
One benefit to just simply using MFP is realizing how calorie-intense your foods are. I used to have a bag of chips or some cookies half of the time whenever I was at the computer and I don't want to imagine how many calories I mindlessly snacked down. When you start actually metering your snacks, the shock kicks you into gear and you really do just avoid them.
And most importantly - find something interesting to do. Anything. If it's just walking around town, great. Hell, if it's just sitting outside and people-watching, go for it. Getting your mind focused on something you enjoy will distract you from eating. I've found myself at the end of the day having not eaten anything and not even noticed because I've been so engrossed in something. On top of that, a social net is really helpful as well - if you're comfortable with the idea, find people with similar interests nearby and just visit, even if it means zoning out on their couch playing video games. If you don't want to, that's fine too - /r/loseit is more than enough of a social net.
Welcome!
If you're on mobile, don't forget about the sidebar! The FAQ is really helpful for beginners, and you should also check out the Keto Calculator for Macros. When using the calculator, set your activity level to sedentary to start with.
In the beginning, I would recommend getting a food scale (I use this one - it's less than $12, but any similar one will work), and weighing out all your food, and logging it in an app like MyFitnessPal. Once you're certain you have a good grasp on portion size and such, you may find you don't need it (though I still weigh and log everything).
I personally try to avoid substitute foods like fake breads or muffins or pizzas or sweets. I think it's best to work to break the addiction to carbs, rather than reinforce them with disappointing facsimiles. That said, there are people who rely on those substitutes, and would disagree strongly with me, which brings me to I think the most important tip - don't be afraid to experiment with what works for you. You'll hear conflicting advice on this sub, and it's not because anyone is wrong, it's because we're individuals, and we respond differently to different things. The FAQ will walk you through the things that are relatively non-negotiable (like eating more than a minimal amount of carbs), but a lot of what gets discussed here is not set in stone. That's one of things I find most useful about this sub - we're all trying to refine the process, and it's good to hear other perspectives.
Just a general comment. Going LW/UL was so much easier once I got a scale. This one from amazon has been great. Often times manufacturer specs are off a little, both lower and higher. Much more accurate clothing weights too.
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_1/185-5056572-4211323?ie=UTF8&qid=1409348752&sr=8-1&keywords=kitchen+scale
It sounds like you're on the ball. The only thing I would recommend doing if you're really frustrated with the lack of progress would be to invest in a kitchen scale (this one is probably best for you in terms of your limited funds). You might be miscalculating how much you're eating which can be why you're stalled.
To calculate home cooked meals, I count the calories, by weight, of everything I put into a dish until I have the grand total for the whole thing. Then I divide the food into tupperware, by weight so everything is equal, and of course some for my plate for dinner that day. I take that grand total and divide it by the servings I've portioned out. It takes a little time, but usually the math is super easy as long as I have that grand total and number of equal serving sizes. I eat really well for two or three days on the leftovers, because I'll purposefully make extra and I know exactly how many calories are in each.
Honestly, just stay the course and if you're still not seeing results, consider getting the scale. It really helped me. Also, if you haven't already, take pictures of yourself and measurements. If you're not seeing the number on the scale go down, you may see results in the pictures or measurements! If you want you can friend me on MFP: Liluth. Good luck! I hope you start seeing results soon. It sounds like you're working really hard at it.
I have this one because it had loads of 5* reviews and was pretty cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=food+scale&qid=1569522565&s=gateway&sr=8-6
3 years later, it still works like the day I got it.
Yes I love my scale. I measure everything because even though a serving size may say 4 cookies (28g) that doesn't mean it's actually 4 cookies for a serving size, it's usually always above or below the weight. I use this scale, it's always accurate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gs06CbED1JSAW
I've used this for about three years now. Cheap, easy to use, and measures accurately down to the gram.
Now that I do BIAB, I would highly recommend everyone starts at BIAB over extract, personally. It's not much harder, and requires barely any extra equipment, if any. And you get much more control when you want it.
Well, where do you plan to brew? Can you do an outdoor propane burner for 5 gallon batches, or are you limited to your stove? If you have to stick to the stove, I think you can really only do 2.5 gallon batches.
I personally do 5 gallon batches on a propane burner, so I can give you a rundown of what I use, at minimum:
Boil Kettle: 10 gallon minimum. I have an 8 gallon, get 10 or bigger
Propane burner (like a turkey fryer)
Propane tank
Thermometer, digital prefered. I have the Javelin
Stainless steel spoon or mash paddle
6.5 Gallon Glass Carboy, but you can start fermenting in buckets
Bottling bucket
Auto siphon
bottling wand (spring tip recommended)
Wing capper to start, bottle capper if you keep brewing
Bottles and bottle caps
StarSan sanitizer
PBW cleaner
Hydrometer w/ test tube
Other: hose for siphon/bottling wand, airlock, funnel,
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
I like this one. Gets the temp fast and not as expensive as the Thermapen. I checked it in ice water and boiling water when I got it and it was accurate.
I agree. I have this one and love it.
The kit isn't bad, however, I'm not crazy about the scale, it can only hold 3kg. I'd much rather see you get a scale that will hold 5kg. (they're not expensive).
Also not crazy about the "blend of oils". You'll get much more for your money if you choose a recipe that has some common oils used and buy them separately (olive, coconut, shea butter, palm/castor).
Also you will certainly want a stick blender, which is $15-20. This is a must have, not sure why the kit doesn't include it.
Anyway, if you think this is something that you will stick with and want to make more, I suggest buying your own quality stuff.
Stick Blender - $15 (Proctor silex at Walmart)
Digital scale $12 (linked above)
Digital Thermometer - $9 (Taylor waterproof - look on Amazon)
Goggles - $2 (amazon)
Isopropyl Alcohol - $3 (Walmart)
Spoons/silicone spatulas/bowls/cups - Dollar store - maybe $7?
Gloves (box of disposables) $4 (Walmart)
Mold $12 (Amazon)
Lye $10
Distilled water $1 (Walmart)
Oil will cost you less per oz if you buy in quantity, but even "regular" sizes of olive/coconut/shea butter/palm (Palm oil is a bit controversial because of sustainability concerns, all you can really do besides avoiding it altogether is buy from reputable companies that state that their Palm oil is RSPO certified) will cost you around $50 (Walmart and Amazon).
All told you're still under $100 and you've got a great kit that's got a lot more in it (more oil, blender, thermometer, bowls, etc).
It doesn't come with fragrance or lavender buds, but you can add some essential oil for a few dollars more and for what it's worth, I strongly suggest your first batch should be scent-free and color-free. Get your basic soap recipe the way you want it, then add scent, color, etc.
This is my list:
Total = $620 (no tax)
add in an awesome workbench table for 300 and you are good to go.
My favorite thing about coffee as a "hobby" is that, like some have said, it's a hobby that isn't just a waste of money. Fresh beans are a huge 1st step, they really just have tons of flavors that change almost as you work through the bag, and sometimes I feel like the first sip of a french press is different than the middle, etc. For me the different methods I use just work better for different beans, I'm still figuring that out myself. I prefer to french press african beans, pour over on more typically "harsh" beans, and I'm still dialing in aeropress, but I feel like it takes a lot out of the coffee so it seems to work best if I'm like "hmm I'm not sure I like this bean", aeropress... oh nevermind it's great.
You could buy:
Good grinder ~$140
Scale $15
Kettle $25
And three interesting and different types of brewers:
Aeropress ~$30
V60 ~$20
French Press ~$20
That's all the gear for now, you're SET until you become a crazy coffee nut, but for me 90% of the coffee I make is in one of those 3 methods. I have a moka pot, and they're cool too. But that's $250 for gear, and you could probably save a bit with different grinder options but plan to drop the biggest amount of that.
Add in $20 for some high quality beans (S&W is great and their reddit discount is on this page somewhere) and you're around $270 to be brewing great coffee a few different ways. Now you have 4+ different coffees, 3 ways to make it, and the equipment to make sure you're doing it "right".
Okay that's a lot and I hate this "if you buy a cup of coffee a day" crap, but let's just say you drink work swill most of the time, but get a cup of coffee out 3x a week. At $3/cup maybe you tip a quarter each time, you pay off this stuff in 6 months and these things pretty much last forever.
The point is, yes, some of the costs of entry (specifically the grinder) can be a little daunting, and sometimes we get carried away, but overall, the cost of making great coffee at home is significantly less than going out. You're actually getting BETTER coffee too, trying different ways to make it, and enjoying yourself. Wow, okay rambling there. Good luck!
I said 10.000$. Not 10$.
And here you go
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00ESHDGOI/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Iam not going too answer any of you shit again ahahaha ignorance is a bliss, I guess.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00ESHDGOI/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i1?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ESHDGOI&pd_rd_r=10619a15-5c79-11e8-a97a-9ba70c80a3ad&pd_rd_w=9vPgo&pd_rd_wg=qNa4X&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=K24B8K5RB8NJNAX1CH2M&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=07871b8e-d32a-4963-b98f-ba712077f7f5&pf_rd_i=desktop
Wait, Home Depot sells homebrewing specific items? Awesome! And congrats on the first brew, looks great. Welcome to the addiction!
Edit: for the thermometer, I highly recommend a Javelin or Javelin Pro. Great thermometer and significantly cheaper than the competition. You'll find other folks on here singing their praises as well. I love mine.
Charcoal grilling is great! The only additional purchase I would make is for a chimney starter, if you haven't already. Weber makes a great one that will last you a while and is like $15. You can use newspapers, balled up paper towels, or the little chimney lighter cubes to start the chimney, whichever is easiest for you. I like the cubes, they're very consistent and easy.
This article from Serious Eats talks about several different two zone charcoal setups. They're all fairly basic, but they are good to know.
When you purchase charcoal, don't buy any of the stuff with the lighter fluid on it. And don't add lighter fluid. If you get the chimney starter right you'll never need it. It imparts a yucky chemical flavor in the meat. I prefer briquettes. They are more consistent for me and they are much cheaper where I live. Lots of people love lump charcoal but it's a lot harder for a beginner I think.
Learn where your grill vents are. They're much more important to charcoal grilling since they are how you control the heat.
These are all great resources that have been posted. Read through them and keep coming back here! This is a great community.
Edit: If you don't already have an instant read thermometer, you should definitely buy one. It's one of my most used tools in the kitchen and on the grill. There are a ton out there. I've had the Lavatools Javelin for a while now and love it. It reads the temp quickly, it isn't crazy expensive, and it looks nice. It really stepped up what I was pulling off the grill.
I have this one.. which works very well and is 1/6th the cost of a thermapen.
I don't really understand your question: you want a hot cold brew? You want a cold brew but want it warmer than it currently is?
If you're looking for a solid cold brew, I have the 1000ml Hario Cold Brew pot and this recipe is golden:
Pour 108g of coffee into the filter then place the filter in the pot. Pour filtered water through this filter until it reaches about a quarter inch from the top. Let it sit for 12-18 hours in the fridge. Remove the filter and discard the coffee. You now have a good concentrated base for iced coffee.
I plop a square ice cube in a glass, pour the concentrate and filtered water into the glass at a ratio of 1:1. I drink mine black but if you add cream/milk/flavoring, then change up your water with a whatever mix you want. Add sugar in at the end. Since this is cold, I recommend syrups over crystal sugar as you may find the crystal sugar settling at the bottom.
Been doing this for a year and have settled on this recipe being my fav. Good luck!
i like this one on amazon. cheap, cheerful, the batteries have lasted over a year and i bought a second one to use at my parents' home.
the only features i care about are a clean surface, the ability to "tare" (reset the scale to 0) and switch between and metric units.
There’s nothing wrong with the recipe in principal - if that’s the bread you like, it’s the bread you should make. But if you plan to continue to progress as a bread maker, IMO the first thing you should do is learn about baker’s math, and begin measuring your ingredients by weight as opposed to volume. Here is the King Arthur Flour introduction to baker’s math. They use pounds, but I recommend using grams, as it makes the calculations a bit simpler. Besides weight being a much more precise way to measure ingredients than volume, the reason baker’s math is important is that it creates a standardization for comparing formulas, so that bakers can determine some characteristics of a dough before they decide to mix it.
If you don’t already have one, a food scale is under $20 and worth having around just for baking but I use mine for other cooking purposes regularly.
Ohmigosh yes you 100% need a food scale!! This is the one that I have and I really recommend it. I love it so much that I bought a second one for my parents so that I can use it when I visit them lol.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004164SRA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Honestly the hardest part for me about maintaining is eating enough and keep myself from losing more (or gaining weight back when I've accidentally lost too much). Maintaining a very low weight while eating 1000+ a day is completely possible :)
My kitchen scale
It's a very basic accessory, but you'd be surprised how indispensable it becomes.
I've been happy with mine. Bought it a little over a year ago, and I don't have any complaints.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Looks like a job for the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer!
http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Hopefully they can crack down on the "Didn't arrive on time - one star" reviews but those fuckers better not delete the reviews from my beloved banana slicer!
You've clearly never used the hutzler 571 This beautiful product has done it all! From saving marriages, to allowing a disgraced ninja to restore his honor! Truly a miraculous product.
The banana slicer.
How dare he mock the infallible Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer!!! just look at the Amazon reviews! with over 2300 5 star ratings, it is the clear winner among banana slicing aficionados.
http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/product-reviews/B0047E0EII/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Here's a complete list of all the diy vendors in Canada
The Broke Vaper is a good place to start but you'll prob want to branch out if later if he doesn't have all the flavors you (eventually will) need.
Also, buy more than 5 flavors to start, you WILL want them believe me. Hop on ELR and type some flavors in the search bar that appeal to you. Can be as simple as "banana". Then sort by rating. Pick out a few recipes that look tasty to you and buy the flavors based on the recipe. Most people mess up their first order by buying flavors randomly without a recipe in mind. That's a pro noob tip for ya buddy.
A note on ELR, make an account and use it. You can save all your recipes there. It has an ejuice calendar and a bunch of cool features. You can log all your flavors and search recipes based on the flavors you own. You can follow your favorite mixers to be updated when they post new recipes. Other stuff too so poke around there a lot.
Also, https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY_eJuice all day everyday. Read the bloody side bar! Don't post on that sub til you've read the entire sidebar and most likely you should put your initial questions in the "Weekly New Mixers Questions Thread" which is always at the top. But ya, the sidebar will teach you everything you need to know to get started and save you from making dumb mistakes. Def worth the time to read.
Important, I highly recommend buying a scale to start. Don't waste time, money, energy mixing by volume. The broke vaper starter kit does not come with syringes, graduated cylinders, etc anyway so by the time you purchase all you need to mixing by volume, you could've spent a few extra bucks and just bought the bloody scale. So here's the link for the scale everyone uses.
I'm almost done here.. bare with me. You'll also want to grab some Nitril gloves. I linked you the black ones in case you feel like doing some cat burglaring on the side.
Last, here's 3 fantastic tutorials to get ya started..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L18sa1DJJw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RdboUVCROs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkOE-blQBtc
Also go ahead and subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFoe3PEb1_7sAY1ZgehNP3A, your main source for YouTube DIY mixing knowledge and entertainment.
Welcome, see you around :)
Ps. I did an unboxing of The Broke Vaper starter kit if you want to see what you'll be getting.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xsa_TwVUrc
if you have been buying juice commercially then save your old bottles and you can wash them out to start. If you pick up a scale (lb-501 comes recommended) you can use an online calculator like https://alltheflavors.com/ or https://e-liquid-recipes.com/ to figure out how much to add of everything by weight.
​
definitely read the information in the sidebar if on desktop or in the 'about' if on mobile.
Yep
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1467908210&sr=1-2&keywords=infrared+thermometer
I use mine all the time, and it has lasted for years.
Refined avocado oil does actually have a high smoke point. I personally use Safflower oil, which also has a very high smoke point.
I would recommend getting an infrared thermometer (this is the one I have) so you can more accurately control the temperature of your pan.
Get a "Brew in a bag" bag, if you want to do BIAB. They're resilient and worth the extra money. You won't find them on Amazon.
If you want to start going to all grain you can buy a large Coleman / Igloo cooler (60 quart is what I use, can do up to 10 gallon batches). Ball valve and fittings, some pipe tape too. Don't forget a pulley to help get the bag out of the cooler!
You can get a flask, stir bar, and everything else you need to start making yeast starters.
Grab a large spoon and/or a flask wisk to help mashing.
Amazon also sells immersion chillers to help with the post boil. I bought mine for $50 and I think it's the 25' one. Works like a charm for 5 gallon batches.
Get a good pair of insulated gloves for your brew day!
Amazon also sells thermometers to help track mash temperatures. I have this one and this one. They're both great. An IR thermometer is great to have for yeast starters too...but definitely not needed. Would put that at the bottom of my purchase list.
Oh! A sterile siphon is also awesome. Bought that from Amazon too.
And so I don't keep rambling, Homebrewfinds as a good list of filler stuff from Amazon. Things like campden tablets, hop bags, pieces to make hop spiders....etc. http://www.homebrewfinds.com/homebrewing-related-amazon-fillers
Congrats on your new baby! Since you're new to the world of beardies, please read up on their care with these wonderful guides:
Comprehensive Care Gudie, Nutrition Guide, A wonderful Cheat Sheet!
You will want to get in an Infrared Temp Gun for the most accurate readings for your basking/warm/cool areas. The sticky thermometers on the side are severely inaccurate. This will help guarantee your beardie's temps are where they need to be for proper digestion and health.
I cannot tell from the picture, but mealworms should be avoided until your dragon is over 6 months old as they're very hard to digest and can cause compaction- as should adult superworms.
Micro super worms, pheonix worms/black soldier fly larva, dubia roaches, silkworms, and crickets are all safe options for your baby.
What does your lighting setup look like?
I just received it from ND today as well.
1: It's a typo, 100mg is the dosage.
2: Get a scale. You should not be eyeballing substances. Especially when it's a substance like Polygala. Scale on Amazon
An infrared thermometer, closely-followed by a Polder probe.
Take the guesswork out of cooking, and use these so that you aren't afraid to apply heat!
Hello! We have a C&C (similar to a hamster cage) cage and these are the products we use to keep it warm:
stand
thermometer/switch that will click on and off to keep the temperature from getting to high or low
Ceramic heat emitter
Porcelain clamp lamp
You should also pick up a temperature gun because the thermometer switch isn't that accurate. Also, because the switch isn't great you may find yourself needing to adjust it every so often, but that isn't too big of a deal.
Depending on the size of your cage you may need to double this set up (we do for our 8 sq ft cage).
I would imagine that an aquarium may get to hot/not provide enough ventilation, but can't say for sure because I've never used one. It may also not provide enough square footage, but not sure about that either.
Also, be sure to check out /u/VolcanoView 's page on hedgehog care to get more info about temperature.
You should try to get this issue resolved immediately as you do not want your hedgehog to try to hibernate. See the section on hibernation in the link above.
Yeah, you can't measure small doses on that. You're going to want to invest in a better precision scale. This is a great one for the price on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
I’m sure it can be done, but the amount of drops of alcohol would undoubtedly be different. I assume that you’d need less initially to get the proper ratio because the tablet contains more mass overall. Check out my other comment for the final amount of drops you want after dilution is complete. I would start low, let it dissolve and then count how many drops you have afterwards. You can always add more drops afterwards to create the proper ratio.
Edit: on second thought might not really work with tablets. If I only had access to tablets I’d weigh them with this scale (American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6ORSBbDJYKZC4) to get an average weight in milligrams. Then I’d crush the tablet and turn it into powder and put into medicine bottle. I’d then weigh out the amount of powder in mg for the equivalent amount of suboxone mg (based on simple calculation of mg of suboxone per mg of tablet weight). This scale is awesome and very accurate and would probably be the best way to precisely dose a tablet in the below 1mg range.
Definitely MDMA or speed if you're in the college scene. 20g amphetamine paste (So around 15g dried) for $60 and you can sell that for around $100 a gram as powder or $10-$15 for 80mg in a cap.
So $65 for the tools to make good capsules. From here you can either spend $60 on 20g of speed paste or buy some ecstasy. If you do the 20g of paste you'll likely wind up with 15g of powder, enough to make 187 80mg speed capsules. If you sell for $10 each, that's $1,870. Minus the initial investment of around $140, you're left with at least $1,730.
American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20
Amazon Link
A hand press kit, a scale, and dies will cost you a little over $90 with free shipping, and will fit into a shoebox. Add components (brass (you said you already have some), bullets ($0.20/rd or less for good ones), primers ($0.05/rd or less), and powder ($0.03/rd or less)) and you can be loading fairly easily and cheaply, the only hard part will be finding pistol powder.
This one works great for kratom level of accuracy (0.01g). It's around $10
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1502111243&sr=8-7&keywords=digital+scale
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=mh_s9_acsd_top_bjuwvb_c_x_3_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-12&pf_rd_r=PVJJW3A37SWDT24QVX2Q&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=7e1d90d8-cbc0-5725-8f0d-95bf8c11cd7b&pf_rd_i=678508011
I use this one. It works well for my needs and appears to be very accurate.
dude, if you're looking for a scale recommendation, I bought this thing for about the same price its listed right now. Keep in mind though that you might want to buy a calibration weight, too. If not, you can use 20 nickels. I think each one weighs exactly 5 grams. If you're across the pond, I think 20 pent coins weigh exactly 5 grams, too. If you're in the EU, you could use 12 0.50 euro coins, 1 0.10 euro coin, and 1 0.01 euro coin for exactly 100 grams. I'm sure there are other combinations too, you guys just don't have nice round numbers for your coin weights.
Good luck, dawg
Low key
I have a couple of these kicking around, they weigh in .01g increments. I check them every once in a while (just use spare change, you can google the weight of whatever coin you find) to make sure they're still pretty accurate. I also have one of the same brand that weighs up to 1,000 grams.
Different batches can have different consistencies/densities. It would be irresponsible for anybody to tell you anything other than this - get a scale. If you can afford $20 of ethylphenidate, you can afford a milligram scale.
Edit: Okay, so you got 25 grams of Ethylphenidate, but not a scale. Good game.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
---from skyhighler on TC forums---
"The results so far of the 'homie' tests:
Power (0X) had 0.021g of residue
Power (0X), Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "130819"
Power 5X #1 had 0.02g of residue
Power 5X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "130820"
Power 5X #2 had 0.019g of residue
Power 5X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "130731"
Power 7X had 0.029g of residue
Power 7X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "120716"
Newport #1 had 0.01g of residue
Newport, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 24.04.13 20:33"
Newport #2 had 0.004g of residue
Newport, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 26.03.13 19:09"
Vector #1 had 0.03g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013.04.06"
Vector #2 had 0.02g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013.04.06"
Vector #3 had 0.028g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013.04.06"
Vector #4 had 0.028g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013.04.06"
Vector 14X #1 had 0.019g of residue
Vector 14X, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013 09 10"
Vector 14X #2 had 0.018g of residue
Vector 14X, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "AUTHENTIC VECTOR GAS 2013 09 10"
Lucienne #1 had 0.03g of residue
Lucienne, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 16.07.13 13:28"
Lucienne #2 had 0.002g of residue
Lucienne, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 16.07.13 13:28"
Lucienne #3 had 0.001g of residue
Lucienne, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 16.07.13 13:28"
Lucienne #4 had <0.001g residue
Lucienne, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 16.07.13 13:28"
Ronson #1 had 0.01g of residue
Ronson, USA, 300ml/165g can, reads on the bottom "I1713"
Ronson #2 had 0.001g residue
Ronson, USA, 300ml/165g can, reads on the bottom "I1713"
Ronson #3 had <.001g residue
Ronson, USA, 300ml/165g can, reads on the bottom "I1713"
Spark 7x had 0.04g of residue
Spark, Korea, 7x 300ml can, reads on the bottom "120404"
King had 0.033g of residue
King, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "12.04.25"
Fasfil #1 had 0.030g of residue
Fasfil 5X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "120718"
Fasfil #2 had 0.032g of residue
Fasfil, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "120718"
whip-it! 9X had 0.025g of residue
whip-it! 9X, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "130708"
whip-it! Premium had 0.003g of residue
whip-it! Premium, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "239 M 17:25 1"
Neon #1 had 0.004g of residue
Neon, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 20/12/2012/ (00488)" (no added odorant/mercaptan)
Neon #2 had 0.005g of residue
Neon, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 20.02.1200413" (this seems to be an early version which is unusable due to added odorant/mercaptan, check the date for old stock)
Neon #3 had 0.001g of residue
Neon, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 25/05/2012(00446) (no added odorant/mercaptan)
Neon 5X #1 had 0.001g of residue
Neon 5X, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 20/05/2013(00506)" (no added odorant/mercaptan)
Neon 5X #2 had 0.015g of residue (stinks, odorant/mercaptan?)
Neon 5X, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 11/05/2012(004236)"
Neon 5X #3 had 0.004g of residue
Neon 5X, China, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "Manufactured On 25/5/2013(00505) (no added odorant/mercaptan)
Lava had 0.033g of residue
Lava, Korea, 5.3oz/150g can, reads on the bottom "070321"
Zippo had 0.001g of residue
Zippo, USA, 5.82oz/165g can, reads on the bottom "H1513"
Colibri had 0.001g of residue
Colibri, UK, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 18.04.13 06:35"
Stok FYR had 0.023g of residue
Stok FYR, UK, 5.8oz/165g can, reads on the bottom "DOM 07.08.13 15:57"
Iolite had 0.010g of residue
Iolite, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 30.07.13 22:45"
Gasone 5X had 0.028g of residue
Gasone 5X, Korea, 5.8oz/165g can, reads on the bottom "130511"
Xikar #1 had 0.010g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, USA, 8oz/225g can, reads on the bottom "CC26/0947"
Xikar #2 had 0.007g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, USA, 8oz/225g can, reads on the bottom "CC26/1153"
Clipper 7X had 0.004g of residue
Clipper 7X, China, 4.89oz/139g can, reads on the bottom "26.03.2012"
Lotus had 0.002g of residue
Lotus, England, 400ml/13.4oz/222g can, reads on the bottom "DOM 03.10.12 14:03"
Jetline had 0.027g of residue
Jetline, Korea, 330ml can, reads on the bottom "130410"
Capital N-butane #1 had 0.008g of residue
Capital N-butane, USA, 6.6oz/187g can, reads on the bottom "13337"
Capital N-butane #2 had 0.009g of residue
Capital N-butane, USA, 6.6oz/187g can, reads on the bottom "13337"
Puretane #1 had 0.006g of residue
Puretane, USA, 300ml/167g can, reads on the bottom "13339 (1) 34623 06332"
Puretane #2 had 0.006g of residue
Puretane, USA, 300ml/167g can, reads on the bottom "13339 (1) 34623 06324"
Clipper 12X had 0.025g of residue
Clipper 12X, Spain, 170g can, reads on the bottom "QT31E"
Comoy's had 0.015g of residue
Comoy's, UK, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 23.05.13 05:28"
Smoke It's had 0.007g of residue (stinks!!! don't use!)
Smoke It's, 300ml with no country or date of manufacture on the can
Meteor 7X had 0.030g of residue
Meteor 7X, Korea?, 165g can, reads on the bottom "130517"
Cloud 9X had 0.003g of residue
Cloud 9X, 300ml can with no country or date of manufacture
Blazer 3X had 0.016g of residue
Blazer 3X, Korea, 150g can, reads on the bottom "131023"
Bernzomatic had 0.028g of residue
Bernzomatic, "Made in U.S.A. of Global Components," reads on the bottom "13130 011288"
Magnum 5X had 0.035g of residue
Magnum 5X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "120405"
whip-it! 5X had 0.005g of residue
whip-it 5X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "130610"
Ultra Pure had 0.001g of residue
Ultra Pure, England, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "DOM 27.09.13 06:58"
whip-it! 7X had 0.017g of residue
whip-it! 7X, Korea, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "131011"
Special Blue 5X had 0.004g of residue
Special Blue 5X, country of manufacture?, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "131024"
Special Blue 9X had 0.005g of residue
Special Blue 9X, country of manufacture?, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "130702"
Special Blue 7X had 0.001g of residue
Special Blue 7X, country of manufacture?, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "131028"
Iwatani #1 had 0.03g of residue
Iwatiani butane fuel, Korea, eight ounce can, reads near the top of the can "130506" (unusable due to added odorant/mercaptan)
Iwatani #2 had 0.010g of residue
Iwatiani butane fuel, Korea, eight ounce can, reads near the top of the can "130506" (unusable due to added odorant/mercaptan)
Those were my results, here's jackgastche's:
Vector #1 had 0.04g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "5/12/2012"
Vector #2 had 0.04g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "5/12/2012"
Vector #3 had 0.06g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom 5/12/2012""
Vector #4 had 0.03g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "5/13/2013"
Vector #5 had 0.04g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "5/13/2013"
Vector #6 had 0.04g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "5/13/2013"
Vector #7 had 0.02g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "12/15/2011"
Vector #8 had 0.02g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "12/15/2011"
Vector #9 had 0.03g of residue
Vector, Korea, 320ml can, reads on the bottom "12/15/2011"
Colibri #1 had 0.03g of residue
Colibri, UK, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "8/16/2011"
Colibri #2 had 0.03g of residue
Colibri, UK, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "8/16/2011"
Colibri #3 had 0.03g of residue
Colibri, UK, 300ml can, reads on the bottom "8/16/2011"
Xikar #1 had 0.002g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "3/13/'12"
Xikar #2 had 0.002g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "3/13/'12"
Xikar #3 had 0.002g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "3/13/'12"
Xikar #4 had 0.003g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "3/13/'12"
Xikar #5 had 0.003g of residue (chemical smell, avoid)
Xikar, UK, 400ml can, reads on the bottom "3/13/'12"
My first tests were weighed with this inexpensive .01 gradient scale,
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Signature-AWS-100-Digital/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1385146222&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=.01+scale
My later results to the .001 digit were weighed with this inexpensive .001 gradient scale,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
The results from jackgastche were weighed with a .001 gradient scale, but rounded off to the .01 digit.
How the test was done,
http://www.tokecity.com/forums/showthread.php?51333-Lube-inside-canned-butane-Mystery-Oil&amp;p=1334342&amp;viewfull=1#post1334342
Best to Worst list extrapolated from the above,
http://www.tokecity.com/forums/showthread.php?51333-Lube-inside-canned-butane-Mystery-Oil&amp;p=1338141&amp;viewfull=1#post1338141"
-skyhighler,tc
Digital Thermometers are basically instant, think of the hand-held ones like this (great to use as a high-powered laser pointer since it's powered by a 9volt, can keep your dog running at a dog park for hours).
The only real issue seems to be that they're using a type of thermometer that is supposed to be plunged into the product to check internal temperatures, and they are simply putting it next to the product. Not enough of an issue that you're likely to end up with food that was out of temperature, as long as it was fully heated and checked before being placed in the holding pan. Also an issue if they're plunging it in far enough to be touching the metal bottom of the holding pan. That's where you can easily have food that's out of temp and not caught, because the pan is always slightly hotter than the food inside.
That sounds like a faulty sensor to me. But I'm no expert, just know the basics and learn as I go. But shooting up immediately makes it sound like the sensor has a wire crossed and can't read the right base level. Thermocouples are very simple devices, but anything can fail.
Also, just as another line of investigation, do you have an OBD2 reader that works with a phone or computer to read the stats? It could be that the computer is seeing the real temp and the gauge might be shot.
Also, maybe an IR temp gun, like this? You could watch the heat rise in the radiator and if it starts getting dangerously high, then shut down. It could be the right temp, but the sensor or computer is borked.
Instead of a second pad, pick up a thermostat. A temperature gun is useful to have as well. The thermostat will control the temperature of the mat, preventing burns and overheating, and a temperature gun will tell you the precise temperature of any spot in the enclosure.
Judging temperature by hand is as good as taking a wild guess. A mat at the right temp usually feels barely warm to the touch, but can also feel hot or cool depending on whether your skin is hot or cool.
I throw remnants away and slice in utter fear. It's worked for me so far. I got the same one before Christmas last year. Recently I purchased this spiralizer and I really like the fact that I never have to slice in fear. It doesn't do the same things but the stuff it does is amazing.
If you would like to do this with other vegetables like Zucchini instead of Shirataki, I highly recommend a spiralizer. We finally got one of these after reading about it on the /r/keto forums and it's pretty remarkable how close to noodles many vegetables can be when spiralized.
I have this one and love it! It does spiraled noodles and straight noodles. It's easy to use and clean. Those are always my top priorities when looking for this kind of kitchen stuff.
I don't think it would work very well. At best, it would waste a lot of squash. I've got one of these and am quite happy with it for making squash noodles.
Get a spiralzer and make zoodles aka zucchini noodles! You can spin though a couple of zucchini in minutes and have a full plate of noodles to cook quickly.
This is the spiralizer I have: http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ
Easy recipie to cook the zoodles: http://elanaspantry.com/how-to-make-zucchini-noodles/
Actually, scratch that I'll address it right here.
After waking up I might make some White Tea using manuka honey as a sweetener. Sometimes I'll add this or some other mix, either at this point, or with a good coconut water at some other point in the day. Then I might have a parfait made with Sprouted buckwheat, apples, and figs. I make the yogurt out of either brazil nuts or macadamia nuts. As snack I might make this pesto and put it on a raw/ live cracker. Or I might make a trail mix using similar ingredients. Entrees might include my own version of sushi. I make the paté with cauliflower (opposed to rice) tahini and dill. Fillers might be carrot, cucumber, and bell peppers. Although I mostly avoid soy, sometimes I'll top it off with a good tamari. Another Entree might include a pasta made from spiralized zucchini. I'll include tomatoes and either the pesto I mentioned prior or a brazil nut cheese. These are also amazing. For desert I might have a sort of raw cheescake.
This item may help.
Courtesy of /r/TheBestOfAmazon
American Weigh Digital Scale is pretty cheap on amazon
.01g sensitivity
Oh my. Call him on it PLEASE! IF you keep letting it slide, they'll continue ripping you off. Invest in a $10 scale from amazon and weigh all of your shit. If it's light, tell him "I only got [x]g" or next time you ask for a hookup "please weigh it more carefully this time".
What state are you from?
Anyone who says they can tell you weight from a picture is lying.
Get one of these
I've never had good luck with those. Use this, you can throw it in your purse. Mine is 8 years old and going strong. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462141610&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=pocket+scale
yes
My hunch is that the pan is too cool. Try using an Infrared Thermometer Gun to measure the temperature of your frying pan. When the pan is too cool the meat tends to get grey and yucky instead nicely browned.
I like to heat the pan up to 450-550 F. Then you get a nice brown sear.
You might also try cast iron. Two reasons. The first is that it holds a lot of heat so it stays hot even when you pop the cool steak on it. Second is that you can safely heat up cast iron to higher temps than many non-stick pans will handle.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3dXhzbX2XTSD8
15 bucks on amazon and will give you instant temperature readings unlike a dial or probe thermometer
looks pretty good to me, he may not be moving around because he’s cold, so just be sure you’re around 85 warm end with a basking spot of up to 120 (while they’re still young) and then cool end around 75 and drop the temperatures by ten degrees at night. i always recommend getting a thermometer gun as it tends to be more precise than a dial, and you can tell the temperature of several different locations without multiple dials, the stick on one you’re using is usually pretty inaccurate as it’s telling you the temperature of the glass. this is the thermometer gun i use and it works pretty well, it’s within 1-2°F of the actual temperature, there are certainly more expensive ones but i haven’t had any issue with this one. i always recommend having more hides, at least one on the warm end and one on the cool end, and while the extra food bowls look cool, it’s usually easier to have them out of the enclosure and put them in when you’re putting food in. congrats on your new pal, and i wish the two of you much fun
This is the one i got
The plastic tray that comes with this one allows you to put the whole portafilter plus basket on top.
American Weigh Scales SC Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Silver, 2000G, 2KG x 0.1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0Y.lDbSDA802E
Ditto everyone else on the scale. Volume is a completely unreliable way to measure coffee. Any digital scale with at least .1 gram accuracy and a tare function will do. I got this one for less that $20 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1495556703&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=american+weigh+scale
That said, if you're not wanting to spend extra money and go down the rabbit hole trying to brew the perfect cup, then just experiment with the number of scoops until you get something that tastes good to you. That's all that really matters anyway, right?
Dont get one that closes with velcro straps, it makes it really hard to get weird shaped thing in the bag and close it. Straps are only long enough to go around a few knives laying flat ontop of each other. I used this bag. Inside I had everything, even this scale, plus my shirt and apron rolled up in the middle, butane torch, sometimes my mandolin, and any other odd thing.. I used a carabiner to hook the two hand loops together worked better than the velcro. Now working as a butcher i just throw my scabbard into my chrome messenger bag and call it a day. So glad i dont need all that shit anymore.
Slightly over your budget but I can highly recommend this one. Used it daily 2 years and it’s good as new. Only had to change the batteries once that I can think of.
American Weigh Scales SC Series Precision Digital Food Kitchen Weight Scale, Silver, 2000 x 0.1G (AMW-SC-2KG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VYmXDb0YH6YNF
http://imgur.com/hpvDWrh
Try weighing your ingredients instead of measuring volume. Volume-based measurements don't work well for repeatable results. This $18 scale weighs fractions of a gram/oz close enough to dial in the amount of salt you prefer while still using enough to encourage lactic acid bacteria:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RF3XJ2
Very accurate and very fast. I have one for brewing and cooking, but honestly, I don't think it is worth it just for brewing when you can get a Thermopop or CDN for ~$20. However, for cooking, the thin probe and quick read speed is really, really nice.
I've been using this one for several years now without a problem.
I ordered this one from Amazon a while back, and it works just as good as $50 grinders. http://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Grinder-Lifetime-Warranty-Packaging/dp/B0023X32MA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396591281&amp;sr=8-9&amp;keywords=aluminum+grinder+herb
5-Pc Grinder
4-Pc Grinder
Havent tried these myself, but they have good reviews.
The money you'd have to spend to actually make that into something usable could just be put towards a grinder with a kief catcher.
Check this shit out, 84% off.
Is Amazon ok? Cause this is only $3 :)
This one
You can find them on Amazon for $8 a piece at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Copco-2555-0188-Non-Skid-Cabinet-Organizer/dp/B0036OQU56.
I've bought quite a few for my collection and absolutely love them. In my opinion, these are a very cost-effective way to display large collections given that each display holds 18 amiibo comfortably.
OH wow i totally misread your question xD
i have totes seen tiered displays like that on amazon. since i was so useless with my last comment and deserving of downvotes, here's a similar one, usually "tiered spice rack" works, and there's nice clear acrylic tiered displays that i've seen people use in the detolf shelves too.
I diy too, I get my flavors from either bull city or gremlin diy, the bottles under 120 are dropper bottles so they're nice for mixing by weight.
nicotine from nude nicotine, their time from order to ship is rather long, about 4-7 days for both orders I placed. You can get a 15ml sample for a few bucks from them, which is enough to make 500ml at 3mg. I recommend a small dropper bottle for nic if mixing by weight, and keeping it in the freezer when not in use. I've heard vaperstek and carolina xtract nicotine are also good quality, and there are cheaper options but I've had a pretty bad experience with liquid barn so I spent a little more on nic. Some nicotine vendors have their own line of flavors as well, I wouldn't recommend getting them because they're usually hit or miss and aren't really used in any recipes you will see posted in various places.
I don't recommend full vg nic, especially for a first timer. It's hard to work with and needs to be shaken VERY well because nicotine will separate from vg more easily, leading to pockets of higher nicotine. A 50/50 or 100% pg nic base won't add much to the end product at 100mg if mixing to 3mg, 1.5% and 3% pg respectively.
I split my nic into 60ml glass bottles with normal caps that I got from bull city, and top it off with this inert gas spray to displace the oxygen since 100mg will oxidize pretty fast.
For vg and pg, I just get essential depot pg and vg from amazon, 1 liter bottles of each are around $12 with prime shipping. I use large hdpe squeeze bottles from liquid barn for dispensing pg and vg, but any large squeeze bottles that are air tight when sealed will work fine.
I use this scale to mix by weight, but any scale with .01g resolution that is fairly accurate can be used. Mixing by weight is easier for smaller batches, and you don't have to deal with syringes and other measuring equipment.
e liquid recipes will give you both weight and volume measurements when you input a recipe, I enter recipes on my pc and bring it up on my phone for mixing since I usually mix in the kitchen.
There's tons of great information on the sidebar on the DIY ejuice subreddit including a mix by weight tutorial, just make sure you read before posting anything that isn't covered there. The up front investment for DIY can be high, especially when buying a scale, but it's way cheaper than even budget ejuice companies in the long run.
I was looking for a similar scale a couple years back for making e-juice. The issue that I had with local places is that most scales only display 1 decimal place (when weighing in grams), you need two. Also any scales I found locally had very limited weight capacity at that sensitivity level.
I know you are looking locally, but the one I settled on was from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.ca/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20
Thing works like a champ! It does not weigh directly in mg but will weigh in grams with two decimal places.
nic river has a pretty great starter kit, but since you seem like you are already mixing I would suggest looking into mixing by weight rather than mixing by volume.
the lb-501 is probably the most popular. good capacity for large batches, but still accurate down to .01 g's. You can mix right in the bottle and cut out a lot of other steps.
Maybe lost, but [this](American Weigh Scales LB Series Precision Digital Kitchen Weight Scale, Gray 500 x 0.01G LB-501 is the one I was recommended for mixing vape juice. It's been great for two years now for me. If you need higher precision, I think their 3000 series is more accurate at the same price. I didn't look like it came with calibration weights like this one does though.
This is the one I use. It was recommended by a large number of DIY e-juice mixers. I use it for both that and kratom. Also for kitchen needs. I've had it for about a month and its great so far. Rarely becomes offset but is easily corrected. Has an AC adapter as well as battery power. Previously I'd used something crummy like you're describing that needed to be turned off and on repeatedly to get a good read. Check it out and see what you think.
American Weigh Scales on Amazon
You want this one. The one you linked has a 2min auto off. It can work as I used it for a short period of time but you have to be fast and you can't do very large batches with it either.
or spend >$30 and get this. Makes DIY life soo much easier than syringes IMO.
This is the usual recommendation
This is not meant to be snarky. To get accurate syringe measurements - buy a scale.
I'm guessing no one actually enlarged your photo, since it's hosted like it's 2004. To host in a way the RES (Reddit Enhancement Suite) can display here you must post an url that ends in ".jpg" or whatever file type. Imgur is the best free site for this.
Second Your grind is bad. I don't want to make you feel bad, but you are severely limiting the performance of your box by using herb like this. It should be ground as close to kief consistency as possible.
This picture Demonstrates what your grind should look like. The grind on the left is from a normal 4 piece, the grind on the right is from the Finishing Grinder. Basically Kief. Think it's like $20 on Amazon.
This picture shows a normal 4 piece grind, upside down 4 piece and the FG grind. Just without comparison objects.
As you can see an upside down 4 piece is nearly FG quality grind. Less consistent, but totally usable. If I held the grinder upside down for longer I could probably get all the way there. Or very nearly.
Alternately people will put herb in a pill bottle with a coin and shake it up, to get a fine grind.
If you don't have a grinder This is a great 4 piece that is about as affordable as fancy coffee.
/u/mflbninja we REALLY need a stickied grind post in this sub man. with example pictures. Let me know if there's anything you want me to do in order to help.
I got this for $15:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00700W0TW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_4Pzuub0DXC057
Time for a new grinder! I just got a new one and within a couple of weeks I had a ton of kief. Heres what I bought and its only $10. http://www.amazon.com/Chromium-Crusher-Piece-Tobacco-Grinder/dp/B00700W0TW
If you can spare $10, you can be making them in your freezer. They are indeed cool (and a staple of any drink I make that I want on the rocks), but not cool enough to make up for the way that drink was served. Wrong glass... ehh ok I could give that a pass if they're going for style. Understirred... ehh ok it's being served on the rock
s, could get a pass for not wanting to water it down too much before serving. But come on man, unless you're Gaz Regan finger-stirring a Negroni, your fingers have no business anywhere near the rim of my glass. This is Day 1 drink serving etiquette.Believe it has to do with the the pressure applied by the weight of the ice press (and possibly the heat conductivity of the metal itself). If i remember from chemistry class, this is akin to how ice skating works. The increased pressure from your weight turns the ice below the blade to water so you can glide on it, and it refreezes as you move off that spot. In this case, the metal pushing on the ice block melts it, the water drips away so more of the ice can melt, until the shape & temp of the metal change enough so something about physics stops working (as you can see, not a lot of post-HS science education for me, so that's not very technical)
here's a site with a video, and they cite some problems with the device, i.e., that you need to get it back up to room temp before you can make a 2nd sphere
and an additional edit, I could never afford this sort of thing, the Tivolo ice spheres work well for me at home (my nephews find them hilarious)
Just a cool box and some of these the actual brand doesn't matter they're all the same. Water is tap water (we have good tap water in my area though, I'm UK) and it's best warm. Then I basically flip the moulds upside down so the air hole is at the bottom (forcing impurities out as it freezes) Also finally the cool box has to be deep so as to not have the moulds near the bottom of it and leave the lid off so it freezes from the top down. Sorry for wall of text, it took a while to get the process down so thought I'd save you the hassle. Oh shit yeah freezer on lowest setting, freeze time of approx 30 hours. Don't be tempted to peek lol. When you're done you'll have cloudy ice at the bottom and the balls should be crystal clear. Should. Lol
With this! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ACTN54/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
I've used these for the same purpose.
Kinda pricey now and no longer sold direct by Amazon for some reason. They were $7.99 when I bought them.
But you can search for "shelf organizer" or "spice rack" and find plenty of similar shelves, though they might not be as pretty as the Bandai versions.
EDIT: The 10" version is really cheap so that's a better option than the 15" one I linked above.
I imagine they’re mostly not double stacked and are on a riser something like this
If you're going to be doing any molecular gastronomy, I would highly, HIGHLY recommend buying a digital scale. Really, it's a good idea if you're at all serious about any cooking or baking, particularly baking. It's a small investment, and it makes life a lot easier.
What I use for coffee now is https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Drip-Coffee-Scale-Timer/dp/B009GPJMOU/, has timer for pourover and is accurate to tenth of a gram. Little lag but not enough to make me really want anything else any time soon. I know that price is above what you asked for but wanted you to know the price of one that could very well last quite a while.
The one I used for years making french press with a blade grinder (calm down it's just a spice grinder now), and still use for other kitchen tasks, is https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/. It's cheap, it works, and mine has lasted I think 5yrs now. It does not read to a tenth of a gram and does not have a timer though. And, it just doesn't look as cool.
Grab yourself one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550500548&amp;sr=8-5&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=digital+scale+food&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51GsiHLfDrL&amp;ref=plSrch
I love mine, and it’s super accurate. Can be zeroed with any container, and does grams, oz and lbs.
I have this one: Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, Elegant Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ULemub09048S0
It's only $15 right now!
Buy a kitchen scale. Weigh out 2-2.5 ounces of dry pasta. THAT is a good single serving. 3 ounces is a little much, unless youre super hungry. good luck.
I have this one, but you can get away with this one for $16
Those are rookie numbers. Personally wouldn’t listen to his advice, he’s fuven you a bit of bad advice. Which i will apologize that those are total junk, if you can return it. What would probably be the best thing for you guys and similar pricing is a temp gun, you can use them for all the reptiles and get the temperatures anywhere in the tank. Those only poorly measure the air temperature, but your using a heat pad which doesn’t heat ambient, but surface temps. Here’s a really good one. You’d both be able to use it. You just point and shoot, it has a little red laser to show where it’s reading the temp from. Also a care guide that can go into more detail on some of this stuff than I can in a comment section.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=temp+gun&amp;qid=1563412077&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1
Also no reason to get so upset because people are giving you solid advice to care for your animal. Bit of hostility towards us on this.
If you want to make MCT oil, here's the method I use for extraction:
You should have enough to fill 16 - 20 bottles. Depending on the strain, the oil should contain 15 - 20 mg/ml THC.
Some items you may need:
Turkey Bag for decarb
MCT Oil
Lecithin
Digital Thermometer
Honey Strainer to remove the particulate
Large syringe for transferring oil
Dropper Bottles
Definitely keep a heat source on one side of the tank all night. Make sure the hot side is maybe around 80 at night and the cold side at 70. As for the matt burning him, you should purchase a light dimmer.
Lutron Credenza C.L Plug-In Lamp Dimmer for dimmable LED, Halogen and Incandescent Bulbs, TTCL-100H-WH-C, White https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FRD2GHA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6Qm4AbD5SB2F5
This is what I bought, it works for a heating pad so you can keep it warm. I noticed it was way too hot for my skink. You should also buy a thermal digital thermometer (alongside digital thermometer on each side of the tank and a hydro meter) to check surface temperatures.
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Digital Temperature Gun Non-contact Food Laser Thermometer for Kitchen Cooking BBQ and Bath Water, -58℉~716℉ (-50℃~380℃), Yellow and Black https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8Sm4AbFESMM21
This is what I use. I usually make sure the glass where the matt is is never over 90 degrees and his basking spot is never over 105 degrees.
As for the substrate it’s really up to you, I use aspen too, I’ve tried other substrates and he just doesn’t seem to enjoy them cause he can’t burrow. I change my substrate once a month and spot clean daily. If you keep it clean it shouldn’t be a problem.
Source: Northern bluey owner for only a year. My information is only from my own research.
I bought one of them Laser Thermometers. Can't wait to use it for the perfect temps. Also great to have on hand if you cook.
Oven thermometer is a must, but IR guns are also a fun and cheap investment.
I'd get rid of the lamp, bright light can hurt their eyes. The under tank heater should be enough for heat, and whatever the lighting in the room is should be enough for light.
You'll need a thermometer that measures ground heat, digital thermometers with probes are best. You can also use a temp gun.
You're also gonna need more hides for him to make him feel more secure, at least one on the cool side and one on the hot.
Check out /r/leopardgeckos too, they have tons of helpful information and a lot of cute gecko pictures.
Those measure air temp, are are needed for general monitoring, but if you want to measure surface temps, you need something like this. It's a non-contact IR thermometer that measures the actual temperature of surfaces. The temperature of surfaces below your heater are going to be hotter than the air around them, sometimes significantly so, and these let you measure that.
I use my IR thermometer so much. I use it to monitor surface temps in enclosures, but I also use it to measure the temps of rats and mice that I'm warming for feeding. I think I've gotten more mileage out of it than anything else I've bought for my snakes and inverts.
I haven't used this specific combination before, but here's some things I know about the components:
Who told you that this was appropriate? Listen to u/arcticrobot. His advice is spot on! Insect only diet and hot basking surface! 140 degrees F! Use this to measure it: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1C2DMUP0STUE&keywords=ir+temperature+gun&qid=1569642081&sprefix=ir+temp%2Caps%2C264&sr=8-3 It's cheap and it works. Get it now.
Do not feed it any more rodents!
I would aim for something like 350F myself, 400F strikes me a quite hot for fish. FWIW I just use a dutch oven and check the temp with one of these infrared thermometers.
Also, are you dredging the fish in flour before the eggwash? If not you'll have a hard time getting the batter to stick.
edit: just so we're clear, the order would be flour -> eggwash -> batter
I cannot agree and recommend an IR thermometer enough. I believe I purchased this one from Etekcity on Amazon and it works like a charm.
Have you measure the temperature of your hotend with some external measurement source? I picked up a cheap IR thermometer from Amazon while I was building my Mendel90, and it had been super useful in the "should I touch that yet" department.
It could be that your thermistor is improperly installed, causing your hotend to not be as hot as you think it is.
Here's my el-cheapo IR thermometer:
Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer -58&#x2109;~ 716&#x2109; (-50&#x2103;&#xFF5E;380&#x2103;), Yellow and Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GjrTyb6KAX0F6
I have been recommended a temp gun as a just-in-case for areas that become too hot or too cool, but it doesn't sound like you'll need any other heat emitters, if there are no issues like that. Edit: I think she hasn't gone into the log because hides that only have one opening do their job better/are generally better/half-log hides suck as hides. I wouldn't remove it, but maybe put another box in for maximum hide-age.
About the tank: aquariums have been known to be the escape artist's dream, and difficult to keep the humidity right with. (You didn't mention what the humidity was at! Has it been manageable?) If you don't have proper clamps to keep the top down (no rocks or weights), you should definitely invest in some. I don't actually know where you could get those, because I never looked into getting an aquarium for my ball, but I'm sure someone here could tell you if you asked. And If you do, prepare to be blown away with alternative enclosure options. Aquariums aren't generally ideal. (As a side note, do you have decorations for the tank aside from the log? At that size, it may need lots of clutter to help your snake feel comfortable. I've been assured sanitized rocks and branches could work.)
Ataraxia's comment might help you figure out the enclosure situation, if you're interested in changing it. (Assuming you haven't seen it before.)
> chill the entire fitting then heat the outside with a torch
Reverse that process. Heat the entire fitting first, then use a freeze spray to drop the temp of the cartridge.
Use a small torch flame on the fitting, mostly on the threaded area around the cartridge; conduction of heat will heat the rest of the fitting to a lesser degree. Have a fire extinguisher handy, of course. Buy or borrow a non-contact IR thermometer to monitor the temp. Walmart has a similar thermometer if you don't want to wait for delivery by Amazon.
Once it's around 250F, use a freeze spray to rapidly cool the cartridge, while applying a bit of torque with a wrench on the cartridge (you might need an assistant to do this safely).
Walmart has a freeze spray that's almost identical, but without the penetrating lubricants. I'd use the non-lubricant spray, as the lubricants hitting a 250F fitting might cause issues or a possible fire.
I've been happy with this one. It also has a lit screen option.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Are you just setting the rat in front of him? Because it can often help if you make it do the rat dance (take a pair of tongs and wiggle it in front of your snake) and then once he strikes, keep pulling on the rat after the snake as struck, so he thinks the rat is trying to get away and will constrict it. Also are you sure you're getting the rat all the way up to temp? It should be about 90 degrees. You can use something like this to be sure: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this one :)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00837ZGRY/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Yep. I should mention that it only displays one temperature at a time, but a quick button press will switch back and forth between temperature at the unit and temperature at the probe.
You should also grab a temp gun for spot checking temps directly above the UTH.
the only thing I can think of is give her a week or two to settle in before trying to feed her (goes for handling as well), and you might want to pick up some more hides. Shes still a small snake so the more clutter you have in the tank the more secure she'll feel (paper towel tubes buried in the bedding is one of mines favorite). Oh and you might want to pick one of these up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1 (just to do surface spot checks, and if you get other snakes that are a bit more picky this would be pretty handy to have)
Heat mat is the way to go for sure, but you MUST also get a thermostat for it. Otherwise it will be too hot. Set the thermostat to keep it at 90°. The heat mat goes under the tank, definitely not in it. The heat mat has a sticky surface and you stick it to the bottom of the tank. There’s very little risk of fire. Ours is on a wood table and has been for years.
Here’s a pretty good thermostat that we use:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S
Make sure the temperature sensor is against the floor of your substrate (I recommend paper towels for the substrate. Cheap and easy) so it reads more accurately. To be extra safe get a laser thermometer to read the temp on the surface of the tank. This one is good and inexpensive:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00837ZGRY
Use it to verify that the surface temperature is about 90°
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00837ZGRY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520056166&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=infrared+thermometer&amp;psc=1
Open lid, give the pot o’ wax a quick stir, zap it with this. Instant and accurate af.
*Bonus red dot laser fun if you have a cat.
I picked one up in preparation for my first snake. Be prepared to try and temperature sense all the things.
u/_ataraxia recommended this one to me and it seems to be a nice unit. If nothing else, it will come in handy for some of my other hobbies too. I've yet to try a ice bath test with it like I did the two digital thermometers I also purchased, but that is planned for tonight when I get home.
&nbsp;
Also, just as an aside, the laser is just there to help guide you. it doesn't actually do any sensing.
I use a laser thermometer instead (~$15). More accurate, and many more uses. Strike water temp, see how close wort is to boil, toy for your cat to chase, wort chilling monitor, finding a fermenting area, stop it cat I'm trying to make beer, checking fermenting temp.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/
A temp gun is your friend. For under 20$ at that.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://amzn.com/B00837ZGRY As is a IR thermometer.. Got one just for the kitchen.. since were bringing up things that are damn handy in a kitchen.
Hot is one of the more subjective words in the dictionary. What's hot to you may be warm to me. Fortunately, they make a thing called a laser thermometer that will tell you exactly how "hot" your grasshopper is. Here's one for example. Take measurements of the parts in question.
Get an infrared thermometer. Not perfect, but it gives a ball park pan temperature.
Link
I’ll link what I use.
For water.
https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-digital-thermometer/dp/154874?utm_source=google-product&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=hg&amp;utm_content=Zoo%20Med&amp;utm_term=&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgoWLsNql4wIVUYezCh0pQQS7EAQYASABEgJScPD_BwE
For basking area.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-Contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=temp+gun&amp;qid=1562602149&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1
Sturdy step stool ($40) - not the rickety tubular kitchen chair ones, I mean one where you can stand on the top. a Buy it for Life item, not inexpensive, but safe. https://www.amazon.com/Louisville-Ladder-AS3002-6966014-2-Foot/dp/B00182TWL2
Leatherman multi tool (around $50), which i keep in the junk bowl because I can never find a screwdriver fast enough. Pricey new, less expensive when you buy it second hand or in a pawn shop. they don't really break, but you do have to clean and oil them once a year. https://www.amazon.com/LEATHERMAN-Wingman-Multitool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005DI0XM4/
Cordless drill (under $50), mine basically has the screw driver bit in it 90% of the time. the rest of the time I drill lots of pilot holes. pay attention to the battery... if you can get one with a battery that is shared by other tools in the line, then it is easily replaceable and if you buy another tool in that line you can swap batteries. I like to have 1 battery in the charger and one in the device. https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-Cordless-Driver-BDCDD12C/dp/B0111N8L7I/
Spirit, bubble or torpedo level. (under $10) the Hanging kit usually contains just the wires and hooks, but you need a small spirit level for hanging pictures and shelves evenly. doesn't matter the brand they all work the same https://www.amazon.com/WilFiks-Leveling-Resistant-Different-Visibility/dp/B07M62GJYP/
Small tool boxes vary in quality. I don't know if this is for you or someone else. But don't buy anything unless it's a NAME BRAND, cheap metal tools bend and can break with too much torque. Even the Stanley line that Walmart sells isn't fabulous, but it's better than a nameless brand. I don't like SETS of tools, but you need to start someplace, buy GOOD tools one at a time, I love finding $$$ tools at thrift stores. https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-94-248-Piece-Homeowners-Tool/dp/B000UHMITE/(i bought a cheap socket set 4 years ago to replace my stolen ones and they already have rust)
Bucket organizer. (around $15) If you buy a SET of tools, take the plastic blow molded container and put it in the recycling. You will never bother putting the tools back in and when you get more tools they won't fit. Bucket Organizers are pockets that fit around a 5 gallon bucket. You shove your tools into the pockets and everything else in the middle. And keep it in the bottom of your closet and carry it to where you need the tools. https://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Boss-10030-Bucketeer-BTO/dp/B00GK4TOWK
Tack Hammer. (under $15) You won't need a big 22 oz hammer, but a smaller 16 oz one with a normal handled and then a Tack hammer, these have a narrow head and sometimes are magnetic and hold the nail in place. Tack hammers are easier to use for hanging things exactly where you want them. https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-54-304-5-Ounce-Magnetic-Hammer/dp/B00002X1XD
Stud finder.(under $20) uses a battery, and lets you know where the studs are behind drywall. BEST PURCHASE EVER. https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Stud-Finder-Wall-Detector/dp/B07VLDTVFQ/ any brand will work fine.
Digital Infared Thermometer (under $20) Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun - ALSO BEST PURCHASE EVER... works in the kitchen for food and oven temp, fridge temp, and for locating drafts and cold spots around doors and windows. https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-Contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G
Toilet Plunger - the sort with the extra bit on the end. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Bats-Out-Plunger-Bathroom/dp/B00ODD5MD0 you do NOT want to be waiting around for someone to unblock your toilet. It may be disgusting but scoop out some of what's in the toilet before you start plunging, it's less disgusting than having to mop it off the floor. You want the plunger that makes a seal around the bottom.
BUCKET. (under $10) mine is constantly in use, i keep it in the tub and toss wet things into it. I have gone through EVERY TYPE on offer...I was so sick of plastic buckets, that warped and stained, where the handles ripped out. But the BEST and cheapest one I have ever found is a flat back duraflex bucket for watering horses. Not kidding. Made of a hard polyethylene these things are designed to be flung around and stepped on by 2000 lb animals. https://www.amazon.com/LITTLE-GIANT-Flat-Back-Dura-Flex-Plastic/dp/B000HHLHPS/ these are cheap if you buy them in a feed store, but even with the shipping on Amazon it is WELL WORTH the money. You will need a bucket when you empty the back of the toilet tank to change the flushing flapper or gasket, and you will need it when you empty the commode itself, if you have to change out the wax seal underneath.
Blanket hangers. (6 for $27) yeah this is obscure, but when I moved I lost a LOT of storage space. These saved my sanity. I use them to hang up quilts and sleeping bags in the back of the closet OFF SEASON. I also use them to hang blankets, sheets curtains and stuff once they come out of the laundry aren't quite dry. I didn't even know there was such a thing before now I wouldn't give them up. https://www.amazon.com/Stock-Your-Home-Comforter-Organization/dp/B00EUG51JU
Flashlight. ($30-50) I've written about these before. Until I bought a GOOD one, I had no idea how bad the others were. Cheap flashlights are great to have scattered about in the cellar, or in the junk drawer. but if you really want TO SEE, get a great flashlight. I gifted myself one for christmas one year and I love it. It hangs by the door and if I am going to be out very late or the weather is bad, I shove it in my bag. It will also illuminate Well past the end of the porch and into the yard if I hear a noise. https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Carded-SabreLite-Flashlight-Yellow/dp/B01CKAIYV4 any very good brand will do, but I found Maglites to be dangerously useless.
I highly recommend one of those laser guns that takes temps. Oven/hotpot temps are notoriously +-50 degrees. or even more. https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-Contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/
We just got a laser thermometer like this, and have found it great so far. There is a slightly cheaper model as well. Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1487966083&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=laser+thermometer
Model #332 $ 349 - click order online - http://visionproducts.us/vp12wp/?page_id=18
Herpstat 2 $195 - http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=1&amp;products_id=26
80 watt radiant heat panel $89.99 - http://www.reptilebasics.com/80-watt-radiant-heat-panel
Ultratherm Undertank Heater $19.99 - http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-undertank-heater-uth-11-x11
Large Hide Box $6.99 x 2 - http://www.reptilebasics.com/large-hide-box
Large water bowl $3.99 - http://www.reptilebasics.com/large-water-bowl
Reptile Prime substrate $15.99 - https://www.reptileprime.com/purchase-here
Tweezer 18 " - $9.99 - http://www.reptilebasics.com/tweezer-18
acurite 06066m temperature and humidity probe $49.99 - https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-06066M-Temperature-Humidity-Monitor/dp/B01MD1DJPY
Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 $18.88 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMI632G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;psc=1
Just to throw in some decoration...
Koyal Wholesale Grapewood Branch $20. 89 https://www.amazon.com/Koyal-Wholesale-Grapewood-Branch-24-Inch/dp/B00C0PCK2O/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_199_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=HWE88KCVEHPM6K9ZW057
Rounding up to the whole dollar this comes out to around $781 before taxes and shipping so yes, less than the price of a biopod grand (these are not even shipping yet)
$999.95
https://www.thebiodude.com/products/biopod-grand-price-does-not-include-freight-shipping
more sites with prices
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/biopod/
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/biopod-world-s-first-smart-microhabitat-animals-pets
Just posted this in another thread, if it doesn't work you either are using the laser to aim, which doesn't work, or you got one that doesn't go to a high enough temp. Anyways heres the post:
I have this. Turn off the laser and aim with the big hole. You can easily find them at a depot store in your town too instead of waiting on shipping. Just ask for infrared thermometers.
I have the WAOAW. In grains it has 10th resolution. I also have this GEM20 which has 2/100ths grain resolution.
I use the GEM 20 for pistol and the WAOAW for rifle. The WAOAW has a much faster sample rate which I like a lot but that GEM20 is gnats ass accurate. RF from ignitions and cell phones seem to effect the GEM20 more than the WAOAW.
http://www.amazon.de/Smart-Weigh-GEM20-Precision-Milligram/dp/B00ESHDGOI
This has served pretty well.
This is all very true, but I'm surprised you didn't even mention a scale when you're dealing with a substance that's active at 5mg. 4-AcO is literally impossible to eyeball cause you're dealing with small amounts of powder, when I bought mine I bought this with it. You NEED an accurate MILLIGRAM 0.000 scale for this substance.
you're on the right track. don't buy a kit. they save you like $20, but you end up with $50 of their worst selling crap.
speaking of crap, lose that scale. this is a much better one. and if you ever get a decent powder measure, or trickle, it'll help keep you from going insane.
you might also want a trickler.
if you're not cleaning the brass by hand, you'll need a tumbler and media separator.
nothing wrong with that press, so long as you're not reforming cases. if you do upgrade the press, go to a turret or LNL-AP. not the Lee turret though. not for big rifle cases. it can do it, but you'll be happier with something bigger.
Die hier hab ich, ist ein Gemini 20 - knockoff. Funktiert seit zwei Jahren einwandfrei!
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hIevCb158YR9Y
Pick up a [milligram scale] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Z08vub1K7NCQ4), pop open that capsule and measure out a smaller dose! Try 20-50mg and see what you think.
I actually like 20mg more than the 30mg I was originally prescribed, but I have ADHD, and I use it as needed to do my homework (not everyday).
I got you friend
This works great for me. Smart Weigh GEM20 High Precision... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I bought a mg sensitive scale and picked and chose what raw powders i wanted from NutriVitashop to make my own preworkout dosed how i like it. They sell DMAA also. Currently i'm mixing 400 mg caffeine, 120mg DMAA, 7g beta alanine, 5g creatine hcl, 4g L-Arginine 3 x per day. Feels better than any brand name pre-workout i have tried. If you aren't used to stimulants this will get you wired though, also lower bodyweight people would want to take lower doses, im at 255 bw and am a construction laborer so i need a good kick for energy after work.
I paid just under $20 for 15 grams (15000 mg) and the average dose is between 10mg and 30mg. 30 mg was a bit much for me, unless you dose only once a day then it might be better. I take about 10-15mg twice daily.
From what I've read, addiction is unlikely, at least on a chemical level. I strongly suggest using a digital scale that is accurate down to the 0.001g, or 1mg. I use this scale http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESHDGOI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
This is what I use for measuring out my oregano
I have the Lavatools Javelin. Absolutely no complaints a year in.
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-Javelin-Digital-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
Ive got these but it looks like they're not on amazon anymore. I think most well rated quick read thermometers should be just fine though. I'm not a huge fan of the fork style, they don't seem as quick as the ones like I just linked. this one looks great, but ive never used one
For grilling or cooking in the oven I use my iGrill all the time. I had an original and it broke on me, but then I picked up the 2 after seeing them at CES (before Weber bought them) and hearing how it was all new etc. etc. and its been rock solid for me since. Ive picked up a few minis for friends for Christmas as well and they all unanimously love them. I see the 3 is out now, but I have no experience with that.
Edit Looks like the igrill 3 is just crappier and only works with some grills. How dumb is that. If you're going to get one in that case, get an iGrill 2 or a mini
I use this quick read one. It’s similar to ThermoWorks, which is what people with money to spend buy. It’s just a little slower and less fancy I guess.
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-PT12-Javelin-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
For long smokes though, I will admit, I use a Fireboard. And it’s the Cadillac of wireless temperature monitoring.
If your meat's not juicy, it's almost certainly because you are overcooking it. As others have pointed out, cubed chicken takes very little time to cook. It's probably better to cook them as larger pieces and then cut them up.
BTW, cooking to correct temperature doesn't mean that long cooking times are bad. For example, when stewing beef or chicken, it's entirely possible (and sometimes required for tougher cuts of beef) to cook for hours at a time - but the key is that this is done at a low simmer.
For burgers, you want to cook them at a relatively high heat so the outsides get a nice brown crust while the center is a nice medium rare. Some people will say "only flip it once", but I think that is a myth. I've flipped steaks and burgers multiple times without any ill effects. In fact, my preferred method of cooking steak is to use a lot of oil, flip it every 30 seconds while basting it continuously in the oil with a big spoon.
Another important point if you are forming your own burgers. DON'T OVERPACK THEM. If you are squishing them together very firmly, you will end up with hard bricks of meat. Just enough pressure to hold them together (at least a half inch thick. I like them thicker) and you will get nice juicy crumbly burgers.
Lastly, let the burgers rest for 5 minutes (longer for big cuts of meat). Otherwise, a lot of the juice will leak out when you cut into it.
Get something like this thermometer to help you cook steaks and burgers.)
Edit: I've never read this book, but America's Test Kitchen is an awesome resource. LINK. I think I'll buy this myself!
When I was looking for a new digital thermometer, I was a little put off by the price of the Thermoworks. I think they are great devices but I just didn't want to spend $100. I also was weighing the difference between the models, like you.
But then I found the Lavatools Javelin.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GRFHXVQ
It had everything I wanted and was only $25. I gave it a shot and it's been in my pocket while cooking ever since.
I've got one, but it's from back when they called it Thermowand. Got it in 2014 and it's still doing fine.
Oh, and the price seems to be down to $25 on Amazon now.
I recently had to replace my old scale - I swear by using a scale. Its unreal how much of a difference some things are (weight to volume)
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485870813&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=food+scale&amp;psc=1
This is the one I bought, its been weeks since, and my fiance and I both use it daily, with no problems. So far its been incredible, and the price point is absolutely perfect!
I would suggest getting two of them:
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518359747&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=food+scale
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Signature-AWS-1KG-SIL-Digital/dp/B003STEJ4S/ref=sr_1_11?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518359787&amp;sr=1-11&amp;keywords=food+scale&amp;refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_three_browse-bin%3A7932983011
Note, it doesnt have to specifically be those two, but those two illustrate what you want to look for.
Basically, it comes down to accuracy. The first one is for large weight type things. If you are weighing how much ground beef to put in your weekly meal prep chili, you want a scale with a large weight limit. This scale has an accuracy of only 1g, so if the scale reads 10g it could really be somewhere between 9.5 and 10.4g, but that is close enough for big volume items.
The second scale is more for small weight type items, like if you are measuring out your salt substitute for your ketorade. That scale has a 0.1g accuracy, so if the scale says 10.0g it is really somewhere between 9.95 and 10.04g, which is super accurate. but when you increase the accuracy, you reduce the weight capacity, so it isnt practical to use this type of scale for measuring your ground beef.
note that I do own and use both of those scales. they work fine, but there are many other products in the market that can fill their roles.
Something like this is more than sufficient. All you need is to make sure that you can set grams, ounces, and tare.
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale, 11 lb 5 kg, Silver, Stainless Steel (Batteries Included)
I like this one because the numbers are backlit, it’s easy to clean, and most importantly the batteries last forever.
Calories in, calories out (CICO). The best method is to count calories, and make sure that you're at a calorie deficit. Use a calculator to figure out your daily caloric needs. If your only goal is to lose fat, you might want to start at /r/loseit/wiki/faq.
Beyond that, everyone has their own preferences. The key is to find foods/methods that allow you to stay at a calorie deficit. For example, eating veggies, full fat dairy, and things with high fibre will make you feel full, while high sugar/carb foods like candy and chips won't. Another example is doing intermittent fasting, in order to (among other benefits) control your intake.
Focus on your diet first, and make small changes to your lifestyle.
A few things to get you started:
That's all I can think of right now.
I have this food scale which I love... scale
A full size mirror was helpful before i fell off the wagon(got sick and was put on medications) because even if the body scale wasn't showing progress the mirror does. I know you probably share finances, but it may be helpful to get her a gift card for the grocery store or costco or something because I know it was hard for me to splurge on ingredients and foods i needed to stock my pantry because the initial cost is pretty high. the giftcard will help because she won't feel guilty 'treating herself' to these foods! A wok was also helpful!
Grab a digital kitchen scale like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2/
Batch cook: weigh out ingredients and save them as meals in the MFP app. It's super easy to recall the meal when you eat it and all the macros are auto-entered.
When it comes to dining out, as others have suggested, you can search the MFP database using the name of the restaurant and dish.
Side note: if you want results, cut out most dining at chain restaurants and make 90%+ of your meals yourself.
https://www.reddit.com/r/fitmeals/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MealPrepSunday/
...are great resources too. :)
This is just a generic one on Amazon.
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale, 11 lb 5 kg, Silver, Stainless Steel (Batteries Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_To3JzbA859S8S
I bought mine at a local Walmart. You turn it on, place the food on, and it can spit out the exact ounces or grams of your food for accurate tracking.
For example I can only have 8oz of ground meat for my first meal. If I eyeball it, I will probably go over or under. The food scale helps me measure out the 8oz before I cook it. You would be surprised how much you over/underestimate food weight without a scale. Highly recommended if you want to get serious about tracking macros.
The ones I have specifically are no longer available, but get a kitchen scale and a fish\luggage type hanging scale.. The hanging scales seem harder to get an as accurate reading (well mine seems to move by .1 oz) but are helpful for large heavy things, such as total pack weight or if you want to find the weight of your old heavier traditional backpacking tent. Helps to verify accuracy of all items individually.
This is the one I use. Cheap and works. Has 4 different measurements, and tared easily.
I use this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1f4IzbCDEF5BT
And a big bowl and weigh 5 lbs at a time. Works great and is cheap
FWIW: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2
Highly rated and $10 on Amazon today.
Food scale made a huge difference for me. Blew through my previous stall when I actually started weighing out what I was eating vs eyeballing or using measuring cups/spoons. You can get a decent small one on Amazon for like $10 and I promise it will make a difference.
ETA: I have two, but this one is my favorite of the two: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0113UZJE2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Hmm... not sure where you're getting that number. As you can see here it's 2939 for maintenance:
https://tdeecalculator.net/result.php?s=imperial&amp;g=male&amp;age=30&amp;lbs=320&amp;in=72&amp;act=1.2&amp;f=1
Don't overthink the foods you're eating at the beginning. What you mentioned is fine, really. If you're truly at 2200 cal per day, then you're definitely going to lose weight. You have to be tracking that accurately, though. You may want to invest in a food scale as somoene else mentioned for when you prepare your own food. I have this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0113UZJE2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Also, our bodies aren't robots. You may not see results right away, but be careful and stick with it, and you definitely will.
Definitely get a digital kitchen scale. I have this one and it works fine. Weigh everything when you cook, including oils and sauces. The volume-based or per-package calories on items can be pretty inaccurate so it's best to go by weight when possible.
MyFitnessPal can scan barcodes to look up nutrition information. You can also save recipes, add up the ingredients and divide by the number of servings.
The other option is the clever coffee dripper at $19-$22 depending on whether you get a small or a large. Gooseneck not needed, common filters, fairly forgiving on grind size, and a kitchen scale isn't perfect but can be cheap.
Yes they do!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0113UZJE2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I bought this one because it's cheap and it measures in everything I would need to measure in oz, mo, g, lb.
And the company is REALLY customer friendly, so if you have any problems they are quick to help you and replace your possibly broken scale if you're having problems with it.
if you're in the us:
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/
> to improve coffee. Probably second only to using fresh quality beans. Right now as you change your techniques you are really just pissing into the w
I wouldn't necessarily say 'pissing in the wind', but rocky's got a point. It makes a big difference. I bit the bullet and replaced my MrCoffee blade grinder with a Baratza Encore and I've fallen in love. 100% Worth the money, unless you're willing to mill your beans by hand.
--
I would argue that one of the biggest, easiest changes to make is to pick up a scale and to get a goose-neck kettle w/ a thermometer. I went years eye-balling the water:grinds ratio, and this (even moreso than the grinder) changed the game for me.
Amazon has a ton of scales that run the gamut - but you could very easily get away with something as simple as the $10-15 Ozeri Kitchen scales.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520608047&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=food+scale
A food scale and a facial cleaner spinny thing. I also got a bikini area trimmer thing but it sucks so I'm not linking it.
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452542333&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=food+scal
Hasn't died on me with over a year of use.
Really depends on how much you pack it in there, I guess.
For future reference, it's SUPER cheap to pick up a digital food scale. I got mine for $12 off Amazon and it's pretty versatile and works flawlessly. http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=pd_sim_79_1?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=51RcCqW6n8L&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR151%2C160_&amp;refRID=0P7TEA31XQCSAVVP5A82
There are plenty on Amazon or Walmart in the $10-$15 range. I would get a digital one that holds at least 11 lbs., is easy to tare, and switch between grams, ounces and pounds. This one is random one that looks decent and it only $11.10 after coupon if you have Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA
Eyeballing a cup or tablespoon is not accurate for almost everyone. See this video (and a ton of others on Youtube) for an example why
Get a cheap food scale. It will save you unintended calories in the long run. I understand it is annoying to bring around places, but there are many small enough to fit into a small backpack/handbag.
That’s what they’re getting at. A lot of packaging will say something like “approximately 13 crackers”, and/or just give you weight. This is why, for people using CICO, a food scale is a godsend.
Edit: Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is my fav.
I've been using this one since 2013, love it.
https://smile.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=eatsmart+precision+pro+digital+kitchen+scale&amp;qid=1554142673&amp;s=kitchen&amp;sr=1-7
I would weigh the total finished product in grams on the food scale and set "one serving" as 100g. Then, you put your plate of food on the food scale, zero it out, add your cilantro lime cashew cream, and if you add, say, 20 grams of sauce, you would enter 0.2 servings into MFP.
If you don't have a food scale, Consumer Reports was aaaaaall about this sucker and it's less than twelve bucks - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
This is a good one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/
Nearly 14k reviews with a 4.6 average. I have no affiliation with this scale but love mine.
Yay! So happy for you! I LOVE my spiralizer and use my scale at least once a day! This is the scale I have - it's simple and gets the job done.
I like this scale https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004164SRA?psc=1&amp;ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Try r/ketobabies for breastfeeding on keto
Yes! It's called an ozeri, lots of people on this sub use it (it's how I found out about it). Food Scale
Check the batteries, but if you need a new scale this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004164SRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
is only $11 and I love it. I mostly bought it because it looked like it was weighing out weed and I like a company with a sense of humor about how their products are used. But I find that it's accurate and quick to react. I had bought a different food scale in December from Bed Bath and Beyond and it took forever to register a change on the scale. Fine when I'm just weighing 1 thing, but when you are mixing and it takes more than 30 seconds to accurately measure a new item added, it's frustrating.
Eggs,
butter,
bacon,
Almonds (no sugar added to the seasoning if their not plain),
any plain meat at all,
any plain fish at all,
plenty of no sugar added seasonings like seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder
garlic (I like the pre-minced in evoo in squeeze bottles),
real cheese shredded or otherwise (if it says "processed" then that's not real cheese),
those pre-wrapped individual Mozzerella or cheddar sticks make great snacks when you feel the urge to graze,
Salad fixings (make sure to include spinach for the potassium)
For tomatoes for your salad, I prefer Roma tomatoes because they are perfectly pre-portioned to have an entire tomato with your salad
Newman's Own salad dressing - There's are Caesar and Creamy Caesar varieties that have 1 carb per 2Tbsp
If you are having trouble giving up pasta, try spaghetti squash - super good!
buy a food scale like this one and record everything you eat in My Fitness Pal
Also, make sure you get some Morton's Lite salt, zero calorie drink mix and magnesium citrate to make yourself some ketorade to help avoid the keto flu. Magnesium citrate's in the pharmacy area and it's dirt cheap, and you only use very little. Simple ketorade recipe is something like 1 20-32oz bottle of water with 1/4tsp of Morton's Lite Salt, 1tsp-1Tbsp of Magnesium Citrate and some zero calorie drink mix add-in like a packet or a couple squirts of 0-cal Mio
Their app on iOS is pretty slick. Once installed, you “share” a product to the FakeSpot app while browsing in the Amazon app, just as you would share it to a friend via SMS or email.
It’s assessments have generally tracked pretty well with my own spidery-sense gleaned from actually reading the product reviews. It does give amusingly straight-faced assessments for products who’s reviews have become memes, like the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer or the Haribo Gummi Candy, Goldbears Gummi Candy, 5 Pound Bag.
This banana slicer. Seriously, a banana slicer?? Why? Because I don't have the 10 seconds it takes to slice a banana with a knife, that's why.
Every home should have one of these...
(Read the reviews)
If you haven’t read the reviews and the Q&A’s on this thing, you are missing one of the best treasures of the internet.
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII
Possibly the most related and hilarious set of amazon reviews ever. Scroll down and read the reviews if you have a few minutes. Pretty fuckin' funny.
Banana slicer
> The doors to the room that holds sensitive files?
No, the front door, and they left the sensitive files sitting in the waiting room with the other reading material.
> Argue all you want, the case law supports me.
I'm not saying that it doesn't. I'm saying that it is dumb.
----
Edit:
I went to Amazon for a banana slicer: http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII//ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1454012554&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=banana+slicer
I wanted a shorter URL to share with a friend over text message so I modified it to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047E0EII
OMG! I just hacked Amazon!? If my friend opens the link, is he a hacker too?
Oh man, time to lock me up and throw away the key: http://54.239.25.208:80/dp/B0047E0EII
I've always enjoyed these Banana Slicer reviews.
[This] (http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII) is a classic, but the hilarious reviews are just amazing.
Flintstones
By far my favorite Amazon Item. All about those reviews.
Also, Do I get to meet the Flintstones? They are the modern stoneage family, you know.
My all time favorite one link
Eh, I enjoyed it, so for me, thats all that matters. The only time reviews matter are for banana slicers
This is always a good review
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B0047E0EII/R2XV0DBIL2KQU4/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&amp;cursor=1
People should check out this as well. I don't know which one's better.
These product reviews will surely have you in tears from laughing so much. :)
I want a thing!
> Invest in a 20$ scale.
You can get one for half that
Relax, don't worry. Have a home brew. Just compensate for the amount you over did it. Buy a better scale. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
American Weigh Scale AWS-100... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
$13 worth it. When MD, you shouldn't feel it though, 0.15g was good for me, 0.2g was too much. For MD, you need a scale. It's "micro dosing" you have to get down to the micros.... Lol...
Edit: spelling
I use a jewelers scale for measuring small ingredient quantities. They are cheap and accurate. Something like this http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_2?ie=UTF8&amp;refRID=1A5Q4BQYS3198Z33N6YZ will let you measure yeast in a small batch pretty well.
I use this one and it works great. Simple and inexpensive.
Here's a good one. Accurate to two decimal places. And it has an attached lid. And it's only $10 plus shipping (unless you have Amazon Prime).
American Weigh Digital Scale, 100g [0.01g sensitivity] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WhZmzbVM6C6M4
PS: There's two options for that listing. One is the scale only, the other one is the scale with a calibration weight. It's only $15, and the weight is a good thing to have on-hand just in case.
AWS is good
I got one from Amazon that was only $10 and measures both. I'll find the link.
Edited:
American Weigh Digital Scale, 100g [0.01g sensitivity] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LXXSzbCKCGT04
This AWS scale has always worked for me.
I asked a pretty similar question to this on here a week or two ago and someone recommended this scale to me that I ended up buying!
American Weigh Digital Scale, 100g [0.01g sensitivity] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0YhtybH05BC49
For starters, make sure you only measure at room temperature. Also, stop measuring with teaspoons and get a scale like this.
The best scale for you depends on what amounts you're measuring.
If you're dealing with large amounts for cooking, you only need a scale that's accurate to the gram.
If you're measuring amounts in grams you need something that's accurate to 1/10 of a gram or 0.1.
If you're measuring amounts smaller than a gram, the best scale is accurate to 1/100th of a gram or 0.01.
For accuracy with tiny amounts, I like this one because it is accurate to 1/100th of a gram.
yeah I do buy a scale off of amazon, 10 bucks http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ
I have this scale, works great.
Scale. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1451967354&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=digital+scale+.001
Invest in one of these when you purchase your scale.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-100WGT-Calibration/dp/B002SVUBYE/ref=pd_sim_79_3?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=71XQ-JQBcKL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR114%2C160_&amp;refRID=0HV20GZ384XMBZV68JKM
I think you're really only option is to dump them all out and mix them really good to make sure there is an even balance between filler and adrafinil and use a scale, then just buy powder from now on which is widely available and cheaper.
I use this scale for adrafinil https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Digital-Scale-sensitivity/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1505399726&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=american+weigh+scale
You'll probably have a hard time finding one that will meet both of those requirements. Your standard digital kitchen scale will easily measure up to 2kg, but won't be able to measure accurately below 1 gm., if that.
For really small measures (spices, etc.), I bought a small folding digital scale from Amazon (made by a company called AWS), that reads down to 0.01 gm, but only has a capacity of 100 gm. I think I only paid about US $10 for it.
edit: Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Signature-AWS-100-Digital/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376025090&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=aws+digital+scale
At some point, you'll want some CAP Sugar Cookie. Other than that, some might recommend a scale rather than syringes. It will definitely pay for itself in terms of time and less stuff to clean.
This seems to be the scale of choice for most mixers.
I believe this is the one I use, cost less than $10. Only drawback is with the 100g capacity, I can't use my beakers, but it works fine for mixing 100mL or less in a plastic bottle.
My beginner battle station.
Traveled down the coffee rabbit hole november and most of this stuff is from Christmas. The gear is, from left, a 250 ml graduated cylinder, a discontinued-found-at-thrift-store copco tea kettle, under it an old continental electric hot plate, next to it a hario slim mini mill grinder, an aeropress, and an aws 100 gram scale. I usually use 250 ml of water with 13-15 grams of coffee, grinded medium-fine, at 15 seconds off boil, steeping for 15 seconds and pressing twice that long. I'm planning on getting a bonavita variable temp soon too.
Cj4000 only does half gram increments, not good enough for me for espresso. Sc-2kg does 0.1g, which is good, but it’s spendy.
I’ve used this one for years. Rock solid, works great and nice and tiny to boot (plus it’s cheap!): American Weigh Scale AWS-100 Digital Pocket Scale, 100g X 0.01g Resolution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ/
Get a scale like this and take the guesswork out of it.
Quantity of leaf is really a personal choice, but I typically use 2-2.5 gm per 6-8 oz of water. That could mean 3 teaspoons of a light fluffy tea, or a 1 teaspoon for a dense tea. Really depends on the kind of tea you're drinking, which is why for me a scale works best.
$10.29 at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012LOQUQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
$8.67
FermCap. No more messy boil overs
http://www.northernbrewer.com/fermcap-s-1-oz
Also a cocaine scale for measuring hops/salts.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1479937386&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=milligram+scale
I just have a cheap one, it's been over a year and it hasn't failed me yet
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012LOQUQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1478877927&amp;sr=8-6&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=scale&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41AKYOLyaDL&amp;ref=plSrch
Get This
Thing is VERY precise. I just put a Solo Cup on it since you obviously can't fit an oz, much less a lb, on just the plate. Also have this card board piece, square on the bottom then goes out like an upside down pyramid at like 150 degrees. A solo cup should work fine for you though.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483565324&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=milligram+scale bought this one for 20, its $14.98 now! Works very very well
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
I've used this scale for like three years now and never had a problem
Here is everything you need to know about Yohimbine HCL
You can get it in pills, but it tends to be a rip off when you look at actual Yohimbine content vs filler. I prefer to buy it in bulk powder (careful, very potent), and weight it with an accurate mg scale. That 3g bottle gets you about 150 servings for $7.
Dosing is all in my first link (0.2 mg / kg body weight), but as a ~200lb male I take about 20mg Yohimbine with 200mg caffeine, 30 min before fasted morning cardio. Something low impact like incline treadmill walking, otherwise your heart could explode.
Definitely legal, but has its limits due the inconvenience of needing fasted cardio along side it to work. EC is probably more effective, but ephedrine is a little harder to get these days ;)
I have the same scale and mine has been working fine for over a year now. From my observations I'd say it's exact to about 3mg.
It's unclear if this is really a knock off or just the same model sold under a different brand. That's pretty common for Chinese manufacturers.
The Gemini 20 costs around 23 $ as well. So no big difference there.
You can try buying a Dipse FB-20 or a G&G 20g scale for about the same amount. I've also had this G&G 50g/0,001g scale which sadly couldn't even stay calibrated within 5mg. I've recently looked at the JScale JSVG 20 for 139€ hoping to get better precision out of it. The GemPro 250 is also recommended in Psychonaut Wiki, but costs over 200€.
The truth is though, that these cheap scales just aren't very accurate. If you read the amazon reviews on any of these (US and Germany) you see that there are a significant amount people with broken or unreliable scales.
If you absolutely need better precision than 5mg, then you need to invest more than 1000$€ or rely on volumetric dosing. Also keep in mind, that the scales are more accurate in the middle of their range. So place 5g or 10g onto the scale when you weigh a substance.
Maybe you can return yours under warranty.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Gemini-20-Portable-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319166427&amp;sr=8-1
It's cheap. It works to within 1-2 mg. Take care with it and it lasts.
This scale is awesome and really cheap, too.
I'm hoping that when he says "I don't have an accurate mg scale", he means "I have an innaccurate mg scale," which is what most users of RCs have. In any case, no scale under $1000 (and no mg scale, period—you need ug accuracy) is going to be able to weigh out 500ug.
If he has no scale at all, I have only this to say: GET A FUCKING SCALE. If you have the money to buy RCs, you have the money to buy a cheap milligram scale. Do not trust that your vendor has weighed your sample accurately—I don't think this has ever happened to anyone ever anywhere. Besides the normal 10-50mg discrepancy, it's not unheard of for vendors to ship 2-5x what was ordered.
I highly discourage using micro scoops for 3-MeO-PCP because of its high potency (a strong dose is 10mg without tolerance) and potential for psychosis and manic behavior. Since a red scoop is often said to hold 10mg, the recommended dose would likely be much less than a full red micro scoop.
A decent milligram scale, the Gemini-20, is $17 on amazon.
If you want to learn how to volumetrically dose (a scale is required for this), then I recommend looking at these two websites:
You want one more digit after that. The scale you linked is 0.00g, you'll want one that's 0.000g.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/American-Weigh-Scales-Gemini-20-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM
I personally use this model and it hasn't failed/killed me yet, though by the looks of it it might actually be made by the same manufacturer, just under a different brand name.
It would probably vary a bit depending on your specific model of stove. The only way to know for sure would be to use something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1451863683&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=temperature+gun
The last time I looked, the infrared thermometer was about $15. And it's one of the handiest things you can have, even if you don't use cast iron.
It is certainly worth waiting for the right tools. It is actually quite rare that the section on this pen was shellaced as Sheaffer did not do that at the factory. 95% of all Sheaffers I have had come loose with a good water bath. If you are going to keep doing restorations, it is certainly worth acquiring a temp gun to keep your pens safe during heating. I have one similar (same brand as) this one and it works great.
> the coldest month last year cost me close to $400.
> I've also gone around sealing up cracks in the year I've lived here
If you don't have one of these yet, I highly recommend it. Super cheap and you can pinpoint exactly where the hot/cold spots are. You'll probably find quite a bit around the windows and floorboards, but if you've got single-pane windows that aren't covered there's likely a massive amount passing right through.
Reposting the famous u/ _ataraxia info:
Glass tanks can be very challenging for ball python husbandry due to the high amount of air flow with the screen top and the total lack of insulation with the glass walls. It's generally recommended to use tubs or pvc reptile cages instead. wood enclosures can also be suitable if they're designed well and sealed properly to protect the wood against moisture. glass tanks can work, but they require a lot of modification and maintenance, which you'll find tips for in the second link. i'll give you product recommendations to cover options for tanks, tubs, and pvc/wood enclosures.
I think your numbers are off. This scale goes to single milligrams and it costs under $25. I'm not sure I'd trust it down to the individual milligram, but it's definitely a lot more accurate than 100 milligrams.
I got this one.. American Weigh Scales AWS-Gemini... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It depends on what your measuring - if its 'flour like', 'sugar like', flakes, etc
Most good vendors will have a serving size on the package or give you a scoop - before I got my scale that's what I went by.
That said, its totally worth it to buy a scale. I got mine for like 20 bucks on amazon (it has a 20 gram limit). The thing to keep in mind is that when you measure small amounts, it can get really hard to get good measurements unless you're buying lab-grade equipment (and even then its not great), so if you use supplements that are dosed under say, 50-100mg, and its really important that you are accurate, read up on geometric dilution.
edit: this is the exact one I bought - at the time it was only $23. American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale
Here is a $20 scale on Amazon -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM/ -- please get this or another scale to make sure you know how much you're using. That's the first step to debugging your problem.
Buy a milligram scale from amazon for $25.
EDIT:
For clarification. We are talking about a scale accurate to .001 grams or one milligram.
One like this would work:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1416768457&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;keywords=milligram+scale
Way cheaper, works great:
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https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_13?crid=Z3L6DHTW9CA&keywords=aws+scale&qid=1549744711&s=gateway&sprefix=aws%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-13
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These are considered pretty good bang for buck over in the rc sub: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
I'm sure it's not as nice as $100-$200 scale but it measures to 0.001g, +/- 0.005g (only 20g max though). It's worked well for me so far.
You can buy this 0.001 scale for $25, I use it, it's excellent and comes with a tray and two calibration weights. It's a good investment and you'll be able to safely dose the next ever-so-potent substance you try.
Dont use that scale, I have the same one and you can easily be 100-200mg off.
This is the one I use and it works perfect
https://www.amazon.ca/American-Weigh-Scales-Gemini-20-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3OHDXRY77K6WR&keywords=milligram+scale&qid=1558300237&s=kitchen&sprefix=miligram+sc%2Ckitchen%2C124&sr=1-6
Insufflation isn't that common, but sometimes I like to indulge myself in that psychedelic rush.
For a proper dose, the answer is yes, you absolutely need a scale, the Gemini 20 is a common choice, but it should be mentioned that this scale is not very accurate under 20mg. However, you can maximize accuracy by waiting a few moments after the scale turns on for it to "warm up," and then placing the 10g calibration weight on the scale. If it doesn't read 10.000g exactly, turn the scale off and try again. If it has a stable reading of 10.000g (+-1mg is also acceptable, provided the number is doesn't keep changing), then you can place the weighing dish on top of the calibration weight and record the scale's measurement. Add your desired substance, subtracting the final number from the one you already recorded to determine the mass of substance you are about to consume.
Another note: when I say the scale isn't accurate under 20mg, that means if you put the weighing dish on the scale, zero it, and then add your substance, you won't get an accurate measurement unless you are above this number. However, the scale can accurately determine the difference between 13.721g and 13.722g in ideal conditions. Ideal conditions mean you're not breathing on the scale, you aren't touching or leaning on the surface that the scale is resting on, it even means that you should turn off any fans or air vents in the room. Personally, I still notice small fluctuations of 0.002g or so, though I'm sure that there's a factor I'm missing. But 2mg doesn't really matter with this chem. If you're working with something that is active at this dosage, you shouldn't even be using a scale anyways, you should use volumetric dosing
I use a Gemini 20 and a Redding #5 trickler, but I'm a cheap SOB. The scale is accurate to .02 grains.
It is best to learn about a substance before you put it in your body. You've come to the right place! Drugs can be used safely and responsibly when you educate yourself and learn how to properly use them. Websites, such as this forum and www.erowid.org are great places to start.
In the case of MDMA, here is it's erowid page:
https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma.shtml
Use that page to learn about proper dosing, being safe while rolling, and what to expect from the drug.
As a quick overview, don't do MDMA more than once every 1.5-2 months, ideally three. It is neurotoxic and doing it more often than that has been proven to cause brain (serotonin receptor) damage. For your first time, assuming you don't have cut MDMA, which I'll get to, 100-125mg will probably get you to a nice place your first time back to the substance. Yes, wrapping it up in toilet paper (aka 'parachuting') is a good way of consuming MDMA, although you may have to split up your dose depending on how much you can swallow at once, no big deal. Stay hydrated during the experience(try to consume electrolyte drinks like gatorade), and watch out for clenching teeth! Have something like gum or mints on hand. Trust me, waking up the next day after taking a stimulant and having your entire mouth and teeth badly ache because of teeth grinding absolutely sucks.
If you want to go the extra mile, and don't mind spending a few extra dollars at a supplement store, then refer to this guide to further minimize risks: http://www.reddit.com/r/DrugNerds/comments/15m9sf/mdma_supplementation
After you have done all of that, buy a test kit.
It is always crucial to know what you are putting in your body. Even if you trust your friends, mistakes happen and there are combinations and other substances, which are also white/off-white powders or crystals that when taken in the 100-125mg range, are often deadly.
You can never be too sure about this kind of thing. Test kits have saved and continue to save many lives.
If you're in the US, here is a link to a reliable, popular test kit: http://www.dancesafe.org/product/marquis-reagent-testing-kit/
As long as it tests as MDMA, it doesn't matter if it's a crystal or powder, although if it is a crystal(s), crush it up before swallowing it. It goes down easier that way.
One more word of advice, which is not absolutely crucial when dealing with MDMA , but is still HIGHLY reccommended. (especially if you are planning on experimenting with more potent substances in the future) You should consider buying an accurate milligram scale. Eyeballing doses is never really that accurate, and using a milligram scale to know exactly how much you are taking is a smart thing to do. It's especially harder to eyeball with more potent drugs, where a few mg makes the difference between having a light headspace and having full-blown, earth shattering ego death experience.
EDIT: Forgot the damn scale link! http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
That's a reliable scale that me, along with many other people here reccommend. And it's only like $30 with shipping.
Finally, enjoy the experience! Don't be nervous, know it's a safe and highly regarded substance. You will have an amazing experience!
Have a good day!
I really do like stimulants :p
EDIT: Something to add. You asked about buying it in the thread title, if you're in North America, MDMA generally goes for $20-$45 (maybe $55 in some states) per gram, and not much more than $10-$15 a point (100mg). Don't pay much more than that, as you're probably getting ripped off unless it's some lab-tested, very pure, probably darknet sourced MDMA
hey man eyeballing is reaaaaally bad. you probably smoked 15-20mg. 30mg is a suprisingly heft amount of powder. when i first started experimenting with spice i was eyeballing and when i finally got a scale that could measure .000 , turns out i was only smoking 15mg when i thought i was loading up 25, and i was always TERRIFIED to try to eyeball 35mg dose( which is as high as ive been comfortable going), but once i got my scale i was set. so yeah, just a tip from my experience.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
that scale is the truth for how cheap it is.
A few excellent resources:
https://rollsafe.org/ - this website contains pretty much everything you need to know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4fK7Tg2a4Q - psychedsubstance on MDMA
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A few rules of thumb:
1 Test your stuff (even if it you trust your friend). Many "ecstasy" is cut with adulterants which is what causes most of the problems and its bad name in media. If you can, try to get crystal as a pill is harder to measure and has more chance of being cut with something. You can get test kits at https://testkitplus.com/product/mdma-test-kit or https://azarius.net/smartshop/drug-testing-kits/purity/ez-test-for-mdma-purity/
2. Get a milligram scale if you can. You can find these on amazon (the Gemini series is excellent) https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
3. Start with a dose (in mg) of 1.5 times your body weight in kg. This is a safe dose with maximum effects and is highly unlikely to cause any problems. For most people the right dosage is in between 90-150mg. After a certain point you have reached maximum euphoria and taking more MDMA will increase the risk of adverse effects, or brain damaging. With doses of 1.5mg/kg you really don't have to worry about damaging your brain.
4. If you wish to do it again, try to stick to a 3 month interval. This is to allow your brain to replenish its happiness reserves. It's wise to stick to this.
5. Supplements are advisable, though not 100% necessary. Some ginger extract and magnesium are nice to make the roll more comfortable (for nausea and jaw clenching respectively). Antioxidants reduce neurotoxicity. Full list of supplements at https://rollsafe.org/mdma-supplements/.
6. Even if you get very thirsty, don't drink too much water. 2 glasses of water every hour is a good rule of thumb.
7. Things to enjoy the roll:
good company (ideally people who you care a lot about and don't mind spilling your life story to)
music (make a playlist beforehand, any music will sound absolutely amazing, so make sure you have a playlist of at least 5 hours. you don't wanna be operating electronics on MD, that's a waste of a roll, trust me I speak from experience haha)
menthol (vicks inhaler)
blankets
nitrous oxide (though perhaps not for your first time if you are rather inexperienced)
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM
This is the one I have been using for a couple years now, mainly with 4-aco dmt and molly. The one I bought was actually from wish.com for like $8 USD and it came in like 45 days from China lol. But it comes with a weight to make sure it's weighing properly. I've never had a problem as far as thinking the weight is any different than shown on here. I'd recommend.
Does not look like 3gr to me. More like maximum 1.8g. You should get a mg scale at any rate, they are super cheap to get, and lasts you a long time. It's a small investment to make to not be bent over by your dealer for a gram every purchase.
Here is the most recent one I got, which is working wonderfully.
Gemini 20
this is what I have used for 7 years and have never had any problems
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https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=milligram+scale&qid=1556222339&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Those don't do milligrams though. These are the ones I recommend.
Some substances, that extra accuracy is very important.
This one. You need to weigh things a few times to make sure you've got an accurate measurement, but it's suitable for experimentation with RC's so long as you keep that in mind. You can't find anything better for that cheap.
I've used this one for a little over a year.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I personally use the Gemini-20. It's cheap, accurate enough for most purposes, and includes two calibration weights and some tweezers. I picked it up since I've seen it recommended on several psychedelics forums.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TDNAM?pc_redir=1410772984&amp;robot_redir=1
This is a good, inexpensive scale that measures in hundredths.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TDNAM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1456873669&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=gemini+20
I wouldn't be weary. People order stuff like this to weigh gold and weigh out supplements all the time.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0012TDNAM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1488018734&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=Mg+scale
This one isn't the cheapest but it's my favorite. It goes 3 decimals so great for any powdered supplement where accuracy for small doses is important. It's been a workhorse for 8 months and is still good as new. My last cheapy crapped out in under a year so I went with this one as a replacement.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TDNAM/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1496439229&amp;sr=8-4&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=milligram+digital+scale&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41XAsyqMKqL&amp;ref=plSrch
>I reached the Threshold/Light experience?
Yes, very light, it sounds. Great call on your part for getting a feel for it first!
>Also, can you guys show me any photo of how much powder of crystals people use to get the Medium/Strong experience?
Dude, you need a scale. You can't afford the $20?
A picture simply won't work for something so small. The powder could be the result of a different extract or be piled in such a way it looks smaller/bigger than it actually is.
Just buy a mg scale, they're only like $25.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TDNAM/ref=pd_aw_sim_79_3?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=414FjlVRRQL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&amp;refRID=0BX1KQ5CPPVAJSY7336D.
I bought this one off Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
What I used:
Cabinet - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10119206/
Lighting - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20119418/
Stands - http://www.amazon.com/Copco-2555-0188-Non-Skid-Cabinet-Organizer/dp/B0036OQU56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1458739913&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=spice+rack+copco
Setting up the lights was not difficult. There's a predrilled hole at the top of the cabinet where I ran each cable for the lights. I zip-tied the cables inside the cabinet on the shelf frames. On the next one, I might try out a different Ikea light kit. I used LED strips on this one and the front row of figures on each shelf aren't lit as well. It looks fine when the room light is on so it's not a big issue.
I'm thinking of getting a small table or something to set this on so the bottom shelf will be more visible. I have more figures to put in there but since it's on the bottom, I didn't bother and just put the belt in instead. I have an IC belt to put in as well. That will have to wait until the next Ikea trip :D
I use this on my shelf. Works great.
I've been using this to display my loose figures on my tv stand:
http://www.amazon.com/Copco-2555-0188-Non-Skid-Cabinet-Organizer/dp/B0036OQU56
It fits 18 perfectly, which is enough for waves 1 and 2 completely. Not sure what I'm gonna do when wave 3 hits, but it was 7 bucks or so at bed bath and beyond, and I think it looks pretty good for a low cost solution:
http://i.imgur.com/B7qzf4p.jpg
I don't have it myself but from what I've seen they hold about eighteen, six per tier.
Example
These are a lot cheaper, by the way.
Edit: I didn't see at first that the one you linked is expandable so what I said doesn't completely answer your question, but two of the shelves I linked put together would be cheaper and wider than one of the shelves you linked to so I would go with a couple of those instead.
Here you go buddy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036OQU56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I actually had cases like these when I started getting into anime in high school for trading and capsule figures. I will say they are nice but they start to show their age pretty quickly if you are constantly getting in and out of them. They can attract fingerprints like crazy, and will get fine scratches like a cd/dvd on the clear plastic. Personal opinion, I would go with this simple 8 dollar spice rack.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036OQU56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
The shelf is the cheapo Room Essentials cheapo bookcase from Target ($29.99 on sale when I bought it, very Ikea-esque) and the little stairs are actually custom-made using two of these, some poster board, some cheap red fabric, and some packaging tape!
I would recommend getting a kitchen scale and measuring everything by weight as listed in the recipe. It will give you much more consistent results!
This one is affordable and works well. A lot of people here use that one.
Just to be a bit more clear about what vondahl has said: Buy a Food Scale and weigh your food to get an accurate amount. Here is a video explaining the basic way to use one and here is a bit more in depth on how to get an accurate calorie count (just use MFP instead of USDA)
Here is a much cheaper option. I've use this one almost every day for over a year now and it's worked perfectly, still on the original batteries.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this, but get a food scale! It's like $12 on amazon, and pretty essential for CICO. Volume measurements can be so inaccurate, I bet if you start weighing your food you will start to see the pounds go. This is the one a lot of us use: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468379761&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=food+scale
Also, do not eat back the exercise calories! They way overestimate how much you burn and you can't trust it.
I'll lead into this reply with - you aren't doing anything WRONG. You are losing weight. You just mentioned being dissatisfied with results and are asking us for what to adjust, but you can't adjust what you don't measure to begin with.
Now, because it appears you're asking for real solid advice, I'm going to be straight out honest with you and give ya some tough love:
Having a food scale does not really matter. Eggs, almonds, and avocados can be counted. Most everything else can be put in a measuring cup or counted based on the serving size on the package. Meat can be sectioned out - when you buy 1lb ground beef, split it into quarters and you know its 4oz per quarter. Real calorie counter apps will let you input the weight of the food before cooking, so you don't have to figure out what it weighs after, such as "4oz 15% fat ground beef - weight before cooking"
(EDIT: I see now below that you are sectioning out your foods - please record for the week in a quality tracker and report your intake for the whole straight week - I believe you'll be surprised).
If your calorie counter does NOT track fat and protein, you're flat out cheating yourself. If your fats range by say, +-30g in a given day to the next, and you cheat very minor usually 1, but sometimes 2 days per week, that alone can be ruining your progress. To give you an example: a change as minor as 1/4 cup of coconut shreds, a handful of almonds, a very small amount of pepperonis from trader joes, or a snack-sized breakfast sausage patty can be 30g of fat. Added daily, that counts for another 1/2 lb of weight loss progress LOST every single week. A couple very small "snacks" off your exact routine every day, and that could account for a full 1lb EVERY WEEK.
TL; DR - here's what you need to do, if you want better results (NOTE: you're already getting results, so this isn't a must):
You don't need a scale and you can be almost exactly on point without one. But if you DO really want one, here's one on amazon for $10:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kqguDbATNTPQ8
Shit. This one.. Sorry, I was just trying to find the spices in Grey Lady for some guy in the recipe formulation thread.
Yes, it's at least internally consistent. And from what I've seen the last couple days, and from the reading i've done, I think scales are inherently more accurate than measuring cups anyways. Not that they are 100% accurate without a calibration procedure, but it can be trusted more.
About a year and half ago I went from 0-60 with this setup:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSV-Buono-Drip-Kettle/dp/B000IGOXLS
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Dripper-V60-Clear/dp/B001RBTSMM/ref=pd_sim_k_6
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-White-Filters-Brewer/dp/B001U7EOYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1349906139&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+v60+filters
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1349906080&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=hario+hand+grinder
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1349906101&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=kitchen+scale
Here is a video I found about how it all works:
http://vimeo.com/34182806
The big thing is to use FRESH roasted beans (we're talking ~3 weeks old or less). If you are buying beans that don't have a date on em, try again. Hopefully there is a coffee shop around you that will sell their own roast (usually comes in a 12oz package). If not you can try the grocery store or order online (http://ceremonycoffee.com/ is a good start), it really depends on the city you live in.
I had always liked the aroma and taste of coffee in other things (ice cream specifically) but it wasn't until I got into beer that I really started to appreciate it. Hopefully this finds you well, feel free to send a message my way if you have any specific questions!
Kitchen scale i'm using: 12 bucks, meaures in grams, oz, lbs and oz.
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Hi there! Congratulations on the birth of your kiddo :)
Take a look at the links the automod posted - they're very helpful and will give you the knowledge and tools to get started. You'll want to purchase a digital food scale like this, and download a calorie tracking app like MyFitnessPal or Lose It. Weight loss is mostly about cutting calories, but being active is wonderfully helpful not only for toning your body but also in making you feel better about yourself. Walking is a fantastic activity for new moms - that was exactly how I started getting back into exercise after having my daughter last year.
For healthy recipe inspiration, take a look at SkinnyTaste, Sprouted Kitchen, and OhSheGlows. You can import the recipes directly into your calorie app. There are many, many more low calorie/healthy cooking blogs to discover and explore. Find one or two you like and have fun cooking!
One important note: If you are breastfeeding, take a look at this article and talk to your lactation consultant/doctor before you start cutting calories. Restricting calories too much can lower your supply.
Good luck with the weight loss, the exercise, and the kiddo!
I would recommend getting a scale they are around $13 it is not a must though. I realized after this summer that I was really underestimating my intake in terms of calories especially on things like cooked meats and grains, so I switch to a pretty vegetable heavy diet. I can eat a few pounds of carrots and broccoli and other vegetables and feel stuffed for less than 1,000 calories.
Get this one. It is a best seller with tons of reviews & takes two triple aaa batteries so when it runs out of juice you don't have to buy weird special batteries.
I got this digital food scale from Amazon and it was the best $12 I've ever spent.
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, Elegant Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_B50nzbGX5PDWR
If I'm going to have chicken salad for lunch tomorrow, I will weigh each individual ingredient before dumping it into the bowl, and enter them each into the app I use to track my macros (Cronometer). If I'm going to have pork rinds for a snack, I will weigh out the exact serving size listed on the package, and enter it into Cronometer. Don't freak out, it's incredibly simple.
I'm not saying you have to do this, but it is very easy to let things get away from you when you don't know exactly how much you're eating. Good luck!
/r/loseit likes this one https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA
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Just pick up the highest recommended one on Amazon such as this one :) There's many brands but the basic end product is the same; all have a tare function and many also let you switch between ounces and grams.
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I'm on my third one (dropped one, housemate drowned another) and I haven't noticed any sort of difference between them, despite all being different brands.
This is the one on the sidebar of /r/loseit.
Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, Elegant Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qnt8CbGNC83F5
I've had mine for over a year still working well,however it is not heavy duty so you have to be a bit gentle with it
I bought this one off of amazon because is was cheap, and it works fine. Sorry for the gross link, I'm on mobile.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1539637424&amp;sr=8-3&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=food+scale&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51GsiHLfDrL&amp;ref=plSrch
To some extent, they should all be the same. I like having multiple units, though (my last scale was analog), it makes logging stuff into MFP easier.
I have two. This was the first one I bought last year. It still works great. It's scuffed up a bit, though.
I bought this to keep at work. It works pretty well too.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493471946&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=ozeri+food+scale
12 dollar scale, weighs to the gram, batteries last forever, I fucking love this scale.
Amazon's top seller food scale is $12 i think
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, Elegant Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_P8Ybzb9JWQ6D1
Here you go, same one I use.
I'm a little late to this party and having read through some of the conversations already posted here, i've got a couple thoughts/ideas.
-my personal experience-
For me, to lose weight, I have to do all of the following: reduce my carb intake to ~50g per day, 30-40+ minutes of cardio every other day, and 3-4 days of heavy weight training per week. If I skip out on any one of these I'll stall out and just maintain. The scale put me at 13.7% body fat/49% lean muscle this morning just to give an idea of my physique.
-my thoughts-
You mention that you reduced your carbs but largely didn't calculate the rest of your daily intake. Considering weight control is, in a nutshell, calories in vs calories out - I have a few recommendations.
Figure your TDEE using an online tool, I like this one. Use this to help you calculate a deficit. It sounds like you're interested in super low carb so I'll echo other's recommendation of /r/keto. They're a pretty decent community and love to help out. After you've got some macros figured out, buy a food scale. Boom. $13 on amazon. Use this scale to actually measure your foods so you can actually know close to what your actual caloric intake is like.
Don't be afraid of dietary fats. It sounds like you might not have been getting enough during your cutting phase if you were left fatigued and lethargic. Dietary fats are critical components of many body processes as well as rich in energy. This could be a limiting factor in testosterone production as well as other hormones/chemicals/etc.
Why weight lifting is critical to losing fat. I'll keep it super simple, and it'll probably come off like common sense. When the body is faced with a caloric deficit, it has to get energy to function from somewhere. It typically won't rob the organs as a first line of defense. That leaves body fat and body muscle. The body knows that muscle is expensive to maintain and the proteins in it can be used to perform other bodily functions. If the body has no need for maintaining muscle mass it will consume the muscle mass as a priority. If you exercise with heavy weight lifting your body will produce hormones and chemicals that signal your metabolism that the muscle is critical for survival, get the energy from somewhere else...body fat.
Supplementation to help fat loss - People have been losing weight for years just by modifying their diet and exercise. There's no reason (assuming you are a typically functioning human) that you shouldn't be able to get as lean as you want without trying to artificially regulate your systems. There are some supplements that can help especially if you're deficient in some area but that should show up on blood tests. I would recommend putting supplementation out of your mind unless you get a blood test that clearly shows that you're deficient in something.
-what next?-
Consume less calories than your body needs but make sure to get enough protein and fat since they're the most important. Perform heavy weight training several days per week to keep your body in a mode that will prioritize keeping your muscle and using your body fat for energy. You don't have to be trying to get huge in the gym, just make sure you're not curling the 2.5lb dumbbells and calling it a day. Starting Strength is a great program for beginners that would probably fit your bill pretty nicely assuming you have access to a gym. Cardio is great exercise and can really boost your cardio-pulmonary health. Use cardio as a tool to drive up your TDEE and make your caloric deficit more efficient. I know you said you're more interested in looking at the mirror instead of the scale, and I 99% agree that this is the best measure of success. However, a scale that can measure your body fat% would be very useful in measuring progress. You might not see the .5% body fat loss but the scale will tell you. It might not be super accurate to an exact body fat % but after owning this one for a few months, I can say it does a good job of showing my ups and downs.
-as far as supplements go-
daily multi-vitamin - for obvious reasons
daily psyllium husk - start with 5g and that's probably enough. helps with appetite, makes bathroom time effortless, helps with digestion, and overall leaves you feeling good and fresh.
caffeine - dont overdo it but sometimes some caffeine or a preworkout can give you that boost of energy you need to get through something.
whey protein - if you physically have too much difficulty eating enough protein from food, this can be useful. it's not a magic muscle saving serum or anything...just another form of dietary protein.
Probably less than you think.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1478286261&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=cooking+scale
is accurate to a gram it says.
I tossed a candyland piece on my kitchen scale out of curiosity (not that model) and its 3g.
If it becomes you an issue you could make that part of check in and check out. Just put an index card listing the pieces and the weight in each game and a bag to keep them in. When they check out you dump them in the scale and let the customer see it is all there. When they return you do the same and have an actual list of what should be there so if it doesn't match you can say "hey one of the blue pieces is missing" or whatever
Yes. But in English it generally refers more specifically to "weight of the container" (usually to be deducted when weighing something out) rather than to container itself.
See second definition here:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tare
You can see this word used a lot on kitchen scales (some scale call this "Zero" instead):
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/ref=zg_bs_678508011_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=KX1SFGDM9SGA1GY64SMF
https://www.amazon.com/INEVIFIT-Accurate-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries/dp/B01MRT3EGJ/ref=zg_bs_678508011_11?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=KX1SFGDM9SGA1GY64SMF
It's a probably a bit of false-friend mis-translation.
Background: I was in a similar situation last year, albeit a bit lighter. 5'6" 175lbs, 27 years old, hadn't exercised at all since a weight training class in high school. I'm now a regular solo gym-goer ... still nowhere near being a fitness expert, but I do know some things and I did go through the "noob" phase very recently.
Diet
I can't emphasize enough the importance of good eating habits. In your current situation, losing fat is a major priority, and therefore it is absolutely essential that you adjust your eating habits accordingly. All the exercise your body can handle (at least, in its current state) can't make up for eating at a major calorie surplus every day. (Anecdote: I once lost thirty pounds in four months by maintaining a calorie deficit, and no exercise beyond walking 1mi twice a day.)
Use a TDEE calculator to find out how many calories your body is using, and multiply that number by 0.8 to find out how many you should be eating. Some say subtract 500 instead; you can experiment a bit and figure out what works for you, but the important part is to settle into a healthy and sustainable calorie deficit.
It can be a huge, gigantic, unbelievable pain in the ass to count calories, estimate calories, and deny yourself treats because they have too many calories, but ultimately none of us can escape physics: To lose weight, calories-in must be less than calories-out. It definitely gets easier with time, as what are now strange and inconvenient methods become almost instinctive processes.
Keep a special eye out for liquid calories - it's okay to have some, but make sure they're counted! Coffee with cream and sugar, juice, and alcohol are the three big issues I've seen with people who claim to be counting calories perfectly, setting a healthy deficit, and still not losing weight. It also doesn't help that getting drunk makes it really easy to eat a lot of junk food.
If you don't cook, start cooking. If you do cook, start cooking healthy things with known calorie quantities. A simple $20 kitchen scale is incredibly helpful in putting together meals to target calorie goals.
Exercise
Hiring a personal trainer was incredibly helpful for me. If you can afford it, do it. If you can't afford it, ask if your gym offers any complimentary or discounted "intro" sessions. When I got back into the gym, I had no idea what to do, and I was afraid that whatever I might do, I would get get wrong. Having a professional helping me out made all the difference in getting me started and establishing the right habits. I used to have the same issues you did - not knowing what to do, not being confident that I could do it right, etc. - and I now work out three times a week on my own with full confidence that I'm "doing it right."
You should definitely decide on a routine and stick with it. The getting started section of the wiki has links to some good programs. I highly recommend either Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5. I'm doing SL5x5 now and I really enjoy both the simplicity and the results.
As for needing a spotter: Well, it's helpful, but it's not strictly necessary. Let's use SL as an example. It has five exercises: squat, deadlift, overhead press, bench press, row. If you can't make it through a rep of deadlift, row, or OHP, you can just put the weight back down. If you can't make it through a rep of squat, let the bar sit on the rack and crawl out from underneath. If you can't make it through a rep of bench press, considering the low weights you'll be starting with, just lower the bar to your chest, and roll it down and off your body. (I'm mostly parroting the SL5x5 site right now. It describes this all in much better detail.)
It's also worth noting that you'll be starting at very low weights and gradually increasing them. This will help you develop a sense of when to go for one more rep and how to recognize that your body can't handle another one.
As for your girlfriend's ability to spot you: You'd be surprised. Until you get up to really high weights, a spotter won't have to do a ton of work to help you through a rep you can't finish. Let's say you're trying to do a set of five bench presses at 100 lbs. You make it through four reps but are struggling with the fifth one. At that point, you're still probably capable of pressing something like 80-90 lbs, so she'll just have to help you with the last 10-20 lbs. And of course, if you need your spotter to help you finish a rep, that means the set is over.
Best of luck with your fitness journey, and please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
>Question everything you can - don't take no for an answer, have it explained to you step by step. Learn to count carbs, learn what to look for, question every bit of advice you get and make sure it's completely accurate.
This, 1000 times over.
Some more practical advice (assuming you're in the States):
edited to add: if you have other children, ask for them to be enrolled in Trialnet
EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_8U-Qwb8C7G7XF
I've beat the shit out of mine. Still good. Still accurate.
Hello! I, too, am a female in my early 20's, have always been a fat kid, and came from a family who didn't give a shit about fitness and food. My heaviest weight was over 270lbs, and I have lost a total of 62 pounds since October by simply counting calories. That's all that is really too it.
Start slow, make gradual changes, and stick with it. Once you have a set calorie goal (myfitnesspal will help you with that) you will realize that your current food choices are no longer keeping you satiated and under your calorie goal, and you will soon learn that healthy foods will keep you going longer and keep you under your calorie limit. And allow yourself one cheat day a week!
Expect hunger pains and cravings for the first few weeks as you start to settle into your new, healthy routine. Once you get actual good food into your system and cut out all the junk, these cravings will diminish. However, be aware that once you eat 'junk food', you will find yourself craving it for a few days afterwards.
A few awesome things:
Water-Drink a lot. Coffee (watch the cream serving size and sugar!) helps control hunger when you are starting to shrink your stomach.
Veggies-Steamed or raw, have them EVERYDAY.
Non-Processed foods-learn to cook!
Eggs-Awesome source of protein to keep you going.
Lean Cuisine Dinners-With a steamed veggie on the side, perfect for a busy or lazy day.
Don't buy trigger foods-Those bag of chips look good? How about all of those cookie choices? DON'T BUY THEM. If it isn't in the house, you are not going to cheat or binge on it.
FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Experiment, change things up. What works for one person won't always fit the next person.
I've always liked this scale but haven't really tried anything else. It works pretty well. I bought a new one recently because the one I have that's a couple years old has been acting a little finicky (I'm assuming from getting splashed w/ water or food). I looked at the Ozeri one the other person posted but was dissuaded by a few of the negative reviews.
This is the one I've had since 2013. Accurate, takes up little counter space, clear display in grams, ounces, kilograms, or pounds and I've only had to replace the battery once in the last 3 years. Eatsmart also makes this awesome bathroom scale, which I also have.
I bought this one last week. So far I have no complaints, it had plenty of good reviews on amazon as well. It seems accurate, I'd say it does the job fine.
[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N07KUE/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1) is the one I have. It's easy to use, accurate, and comes with a little reference guide to get you started. I'm kind of obsessed with it.
Yes. This is the best scale I've ever owned for this purpose. No, I do not work for American Weigh.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396921433&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=american+weigh+2000
LOVE the 155. You only see 185s out there, but those are designed for large volume brewing (20oz.+ yields). Way to get the right device for the brewing you're doing! Here's my (professional barista and coffee educator 5 yr.s+) take on your 3 questions:
For espresso, we use these and they're great. They have a .1g resolution, fit comfortably on a drip tray, and they're backlit.
Here are some alternatives:
Bonvita variable temp gooseneck kettle
Hario [scale]
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GPJMOU/)
American Weigh scale
You know, I really don't know where the ratio came from! I just read it in many places, including Sweet Maria's, SomethingAwful's coffee thread, Reddit, and probably some product pages or random tutorials/videos scattered throughout the web. It seems to be an ideal ratio that gives you just enough of the flavor without wasting beans or making it difficult to get a proper extraction, with the coffee ending up too sour as a result of too short a brew/too coarse grounds or too bitter, as a result of too long a brew/too fine grounds. Adding more grounds means you need a longer brew time, and from what I've experienced, most people's brew times revolve around the 1:16 ratio (or at least seem to work best for it). By all means, play with the ratio, but 1:16 should serve as a good starting point. I've brewed 1:14 ratio and 1:18 ratio and they both taste great. 1:14 has a real punch to it with something like the Aeropress, but can be hard to brew without a little sourness or bitterness, and 1:18 is sometimes a little watery/muted through something like a V60 or Chemex.
Get a scale like this one for under $20. Take notes when you start brewing, so you can keep a consistent grind size, water temp, grounds mass, and water mass. Water is 1g per mL so it's really easy to measure it out without a measuring cup - just throw the kettle on your scale, tare it, and fill the kettle! Take note of what time you stopped pouring (or how long until you ran out of water), and the time it finished draining. Aim for ~3min brew time on pourover, usually "blooming" for first 30sec, then finishing pour around 2min. Like I mentioned in the OP, the Aeropress brew takes about half that time. Once you make a really great cup, draw tons of circles and arrows and make sure you don't lose that recipe! You can put it into a text document on your computer of course. I have about 6 pages of notes, front and back, from when I was really into coffee and was brewing it every day or every other day. I don't need to mess with settings anymore because I've got my whole setup dialed in.
Edit: Sorry to whomever downvoted me... trying to help someone who said they just got into coffee.
I'd forgo the steel filter, at least for the time being - paper filters produce great coffee and are dirt cheap. I'd put the money you save either toward a scale or an electric grinder. I use a Capresso Infinity grinder, which is about $93 on Amazon at the moment and an American Weigh Scales digital pocket scale, which is about $20 on Amazon.
Until recently, coffee was just a means to an end for me- an unpleasant beverage to be endured for warmth and caffeine. Now I know that coffee is very diverse and capable of being fantastically delicious.
I want to start brewing great coffee at home, and I currently have ~$150 to put towards gear. I have an electric kettle and a digital food thermometer, and I just received a French press and a pour-over cone. It looks like a decent burr grinder should be my first priority, then a scale, gooseneck kettle, and other brewing methods.
As far as grinders go, I've been trying to decide between the Baratza Encore and the Capresso Infinity. If I get the Encore, the only other thing I'd be able to get for now is a cheap scale like the American Weigh SC-2KG. I can get the Infinity for $70, and then I'd have more options. Which grinder would you go with? How would you spend the money? I'll be able to pick up other things later, I don't need or expect to get everything right now.
I've been using this AWS scale with my Chemex for a while now.
Pretty cheap, accurate to 0.1g, and the 2kg max weight is more than enough (Chemex weighs ~600g with rinsed filter IIRC).
The temp controlled one is great because it can hold the temperature for up to an hour and it gives you precise temperature control (obvious) which is good for teas or using different brew methods (some aeropress recipes use 175 degree water for instance). Whist I love the variable temp I wouldn't say its needed. As for scales the one I would recommend is the Hario Drip Scale for its water resistantness and its built in timer, but the American Weigh Scale or the CJ-4000 will also work well. The Kalita Wave is also a good recommendation and is more beginner friendly than the v60. I'd still say go with the v60 though, I think it produces a better cup.
Baratza grinders are hard to beat. If you can manage to wait a little while, they offer refurbished models for sale too (I think they update on Thursday mornings US Eastern time) - https://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&amp;category=RFRB
For a scale, I use and love the the American Weigh 2Kg scale. It has 0.1g resolution to measure your beans and because it can measure up to 2Kg you can put the Chemex right on it and measure your water while you brew! Plus, it's under $20USD. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-SC-2KG-Digital-Pocket/dp/B001RF3XJ2
If you have an iPhone, Intelligentsia has a great app that has guides for all sorts of different brew methods. It includes timers and calculators to let you know how much water to use for a given amount of coffee. (Sorry, I can't help with android apps). http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/content/iphone-app
I haven't gotten a gooseneck kettle yet and have been using a 2L electric kettle without any temp control. I use a thermometer every year or so to measure how long it takes for the amount of water I put into it to cool off from a boil to ~200F (which is around 2 minutes) and then just set a timer when I use it. That said, this kettle is on my wish list: http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
I make a pot of coffee with the Chemex almost every morning before going to work. I use a Klean Kanteen insulated bottle (http://www.kleankanteen.com/products/wide-mouth-insulated-20oz?variant=1605388483) and some generic travel mug. Before brewing I pour boiling water through the filter of the Chemex and also into the bottle. Then when it's time to brew I pour the water from the Chemex into the travel mug and brew the Chemex as normal. Post brew - empty the warming water from mug and bottle, and pour in the coffee. The mug doesn't keep things warm for very long, but the bottle works pretty well for several hours.
Happy brewing!
This guy right here.
Easy to read, has tare function, accurate withing 1 gram, comes with two weighing trays (uh...cause you don't own any small cups or bowls, right?), and 10 year warranty. Also weighs up to about 4.5 lbs, so I can use it for other stuff.
Had for a little less than a year and tested it with a 50g calibration weight recently and it was still dead on. So far so good. This thing has been a functional champ so far.
Waiting for friday so I can buy this damn thing. Thanks OP!
I splurged and got a spiral slicer and made them last night- they were so good!
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ just bought that, no complaints
I think we need to know a little bit more about your friend ... does s/he like cooking? - a recipe book or some kitchen gadgets (raw food being all the rage, why not try find a Spiraliser or juicer or something?
You definitely need the stand version if you want to spiralize harder vegetables like butternut squash. America's Test Kitchen did a review of the best spiralizers and they picked the Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer as the best. It's only $24 on Amazon
A few ideas:
Vegetable spiralizer:
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418732728&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;keywords=vegetable+spiralizer
Dehydrator:
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-06300-Dehydro-Electric-Dehydrator/dp/B008H2OELY/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418732701&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=dehydrator
Macadamia nut oil:
http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Oil-Extra-Virgin-Macadamia/dp/B0002PPW6A/ref=sr_1_cc_5?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418732659&amp;sr=1-5-catcorr&amp;keywords=Macadamia+nut+oil
Grass-fed Ghee:
http://www.amazon.com/Grassfed-Organic-Ghee-7-8-Oz/dp/B0032RPLSY/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418732778&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=ghee
I don't know what your budget is, but maybe a spiralizer -- super fun cooking. If your budget is smaller, there are these. I have one, and it works okay.
Spiralizers are great for this if you're making it regularly or for a large group of people. I have one of these which is awesome.
These are two common options that I know of:
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1482496/?affsrcid=Aff0001&amp;CAGPSPN=pla&amp;CAWELAID=120120820000073821&amp;catargetid=120120820000119765&amp;cadevice=c
A link
Was looking at your mandoline link and then I was browsing and then I found this.
I think I want this.
Hey OP i think you may have made a mistake in your title i get from your edit that you don't want advice on beans but in english legumes refers to beans and pulses where in french legumes means vegetables.
sorry i don't really have any advice on prepping vegetables. a worth having tool that i use often is a spiralizer, i use it to make spaghetti out of zucchini it is very quick and makes healthy delicious noodles.
I've heard great things about http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375330057&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=spirooli and its cheaper. I just use a cheap Hand held peeler.
I'm a big fan of using a spiralizer to turn zucchini and yellow squash into long spaghetti-like strands which can be blanched or cooked in the microwave with no added moisture for a few minutes or until soft.
I love them...I stole this vegetable spiraler from my mom that she had in her garage gathering dust...a bit bulky but it does the job
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I have this one. Have used it for years; does its job well; no complaints.
For those asking about good spiral slicers (zucchini pasta machines), here's the awesome one that I use, from Paderno: http://amzn.com/B0007Y9WHQ.
This is basic gear for so-called "Western-style" brewing for one person. If you decide you want to scale up with this method, there are pots that work with the same principle.
> I've ordered a scale ($20) because I've realized how important it is to know your exact GPD. You cannot get that by using spoons. Just knowing your intake is a step forward. From there you can taper
This is THE best advice for getting started. Forget cutting back or your plan. Just start by getting stable at a standard dose for the day (and you have to measure to know what that standard is). Just getting to a point where your intake is stable and not dictated by "well I'm going past the bag, I guess I'll get another scoop" or "I feel like taking another", is a good first step.
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And you don't even have to pay $20 for a scale. This one works perfectly fine for $7!
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Get started today. Keep a written log. You'll feel better getting it out of your head and onto paper, and that paper can help keep you accountable. You won't know how to get where you're going until you know where you are currently.
American Weigh Scales AWS-600-BLK Digital Personal Nutrition Scale, Pocket Size, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_eF1yzbAWXBF81
American Weigh Scales AWS-600-BLK Digital Personal Nutrition Scale, Pocket Size, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_vnTURcDBwNe8o
It does up to 500g, has been SUPER accurate for me, and does Troy oz. Love it
No worries at all, I'm more than happy to help as much as I can. I'm super passionate about tea and love seeing new people want to try it out, especially gongfu!
Because you've expressed interest in having a full gongfu set up, below I'm going to give you a couple examples of starter-packs consisting of a tea table, gaiwan, pitcher, strainer, and tea cups (and a tea pet if you're really feeling like going all out).
Nearly everything I'm going to list below is from Yunnan Sourcing's US-based website, because that way you won't have to wait for China shipping. Although, don't get used to US shipping. The deeper you get into this hobby, the more you're going to be ordering from vendors who ship directly from China, which generally takes anywhere from 10-15 business days. It's best to accept that fact up front and just get used to it--honestly, now I don't even notice. It shows up when it shows up.
Okay, without further ado, here's the full gongfu package that I'd recommend for one person just getting into gongfu.
Tea Table: ~$45.00USD (US Shipping)
https://www.amazon.com/Tasteful-Bamboo-Gongfu-Table-Serving/dp/B00M3Y8LNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1503637708&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=gongfu+tea+tray&amp;psc=1
Gaiwan + Teacup: $10.00USD (US Shipping)
http://www.yunnansourcing.us/store/index.php?id_product=1074&amp;controller=product
Cha Hai (Glass Pitcher): $6.50USD (US Shipping)
http://www.yunnansourcing.us/store/index.php?id_product=86&amp;controller=product
Strainer: $3.20USD (US Shipping)
http://www.yunnansourcing.us/store/index.php?id_product=89&amp;controller=product
^That will have all the brewing utensils that you'd need to get started with gongfu (though some would argue you don't need the tea table, just use a cloth or a dish or something, but since you seem interested in the full package, that's what I'd go with...that's actually the table I use now!)
Now...when it comes to tea...
I'd first highly recommend picking up a scale (this one from Amazon is only $9.00USD and works really well: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AWS-600-BLK-Nutrition/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1503639369&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=American+weigh+scale
As for strong sweet flavor that doesn't need sugar, I'd recommend starting with oolongs, which are typically very smooth, sweet, floral, and somewhat creamy.
Here are a couple of my personal favorites that are extremely budget-friendly, ship super fast, and are all from Eco-Cha.
Four Seasons Spring Oolong: https://eco-cha.com/collections/all-tea/products/four-seasons-spring-oolong-tea-1
Dong Ding Oolong: https://eco-cha.com/collections/all-tea/products/dong-ding-oolong-tea
Alishan High Mountain Oolong: https://eco-cha.com/collections/all-tea/products/alishan-high-mountain-oolong-tea
If you're feeling adventurous, then I'd definitely pick up some puerh as well. The Basics Puer Tea Sample Set from White2Tea is
one of the best introductions you can ask for. It's $39.99USD for 400g of solid tea (4x100g cakes of Spring, Autumn, Huangpian [large leaf], and 10-year-old tea), and it always comes with a free puerh pick, and ships anywhere in the world for free, which is super nice.
If you purchase everything I listed, you'd spend ~$130.00USD, which would set you up with a tea-set you would grow into, and enough tea to last you roughly 2 months, and that's assuming you drink 10g of tea every day, which is highly unlikely.
If you're on a super tight budget, then I'd recommend ditching the tea table and just getting the gaiwan+teacup, the scale, and the teas. Everything else isn't nearly as important, though if you have the money, it's certainly nice to have the full setup.
One idea is to prepare your lunch at home and bring it in.
Amazon has a few possibilities searching for portable scales
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AWS-600-BLK-Nutrition/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1526663128&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=portable+scale
Love that you're seeing improvement and a higher degree of consistency! Some super simple steps to up your game on a budget would be to time your brewing times on your phone.
In addition, I recommend picking up the American Weigh pocket scale for $6.
Equipped with a scale and a timer you will be able to further improve consistency and avoid over/under extractions.
Hope this helps you out!
Link to the scale: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AWS-600-BLK-Nutrition/dp/B000O37TDO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1526391144&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=american+weight+scales
For those who don't know :)
[600g (0.1g increments) scale $7.90 w/prime delivery] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000O37TDO)
$7.99 - 500g calibration weight (MUST HAVE)
Coming from a professional: Try weighing your ingredients. It’s common to be a little heavy handed with measuring flour by volume, and more water makes a crust tough. Your problem sounds like too much flour to butter, since liquid should be kept to a bare minimum and you really don’t need much.
Try a vodka crust (look for recipes online), you get to use a little more liquid since the vodka cooks out and it lends to a much nicer crust (NO vodka taste, and the crust is more tender)
Keep ingredients cold. Use ice water. Watch some YouTube videos.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000O37TDO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1511506338&amp;sr=8-3&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=American+Weigh+Scales&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41jRR6dsBiL&amp;ref=plSrch
This is my favorite scale. It’s $8 and extremely accurate
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O37TDO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
i got that one mate
Don't worry too much about the particular strain, because you never know which one will work better. I would say that a red, gold, Bentuangie, and green vein would be good options. Gold Bali, Red Maeng Da, Royal Bentuangie, and green hulu kapuas are some of my favorites. I highly recommend getting the Royal Bentuangie from herbal-Rva, as it is one of the best pain relieving strains, and is very popular. Other great vendors are socal herbal remedies, canopy botanicals, or Gaia ethnobotanicals. To find their Kratom, search "speciosa" in their shop. You might want to order an ounce of a few different strains to see which one you like best, then order more as some might not work for you at all, while others work great. I highly recommend getting a scale like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000O37TDO/ref=pd_gwm_psimh_0?pf_rd_p=cc000f63-21ee-4dc4-b9b6-9082ebacae63&amp;pf_rd_s=blackjack-personal-1&amp;pf_rd_t=Gateway&amp;pf_rd_i=mobile&amp;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_r=05T0HCY3Q9DQDTP26KWD&amp;pd_rd_wg=4JzCE&amp;pd_rd_r=05T0HCY3Q9DQDTP26KWD&amp;pf_rd_r=05T0HCY3Q9DQDTP26KWD&amp;pf_rd_p=cc000f63-21ee-4dc4-b9b6-9082ebacae63&amp;pd_rd_w=dubzY&amp;pd_rd_i=B000O37TDO to know how much you're taking, what dose works best, and to avoid taking too much and getting nauseas because of it.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468340474&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=scale
Honestly almost any digital scale will work fine but something like this will probably be your best bet especially considering how cheap it is.
This has served me so well.
Works on strike water if you stir the water while heating, and it works to check in on fermentation temps. I've been using mine for about 2 years and its still on the first battery. Only downside is not getting a super accurate mash temp, but if you grab the temps on your grain and strike water, your mash should be fine.
Plus the laser is super fun.
Get yourself a laser temp gun (https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY)
I find it handy to know what temperature the pan is before I add food. so I can tell it's warm enough, or possibly too hot.