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When redoing my kitchen I wanted to add a chair rail border midway on one wall. I wanted something different, not your usual wood rail. So I looked at the different raised stencils thinking that they might make a nice rail and thought about using flat painted borders but decided that they were not the effect I wanted.

It then came to mind to do something very different. I created a faux solid stone rough rail 2 wide by a little less than thick.

I used a water based patching plaster compound (Spackling) to create this effect.

First I measured and marked way down the wall, then measured and marked 2 below that.

For edge guides I used a cut cardboard box for my bottom edge and a yardstick for my upper edge, taping them to the wall as I needed them and removing them and replacing them as I went. This allowed the thickness to be a little less than a . Be sure to remove any spackling build up to the edge guides as you go either with a wet rag or a putty knife.

I used a putty knife to apply the spackling and then wetted the putty knife to swirl the spackling to the stone finish that suited me. If it got to dry as I was going I applied a bit of water to the top. You can also use the wet putty knife to define the top and bottom edges the way you want them. I have mine with a rougher uneven edge.

If any spackling gets where you dont want it, use a wet rag to remove it while it is still wet and sanding can remove any that has dried. After applying the spackling I let it dry at least 24 hrs then sand any that might of gotten on the wall where it wasnt wanted.

Before applying the first base coat of paint make sure the spackling is completely dry (at least 24 hrs). I used the same color and type of paint (flat latex in bone white) as was used on the bottom portion of the wall for the first base paint. This covered any smudges of spackling that might of gotten on the bottom wall.

Next I allowed the base coat of paint to dry completely.

Using acrylic craft paint I mixed a color of flat dark sage for the second coat. This accented the colors in the rose floral wallpaper that was to go up and also the new curtains that I’d picked out for the kitchen. I applied this second coat of paint, covering most of the base paint, only allowing small amounts of the base to show through. Then I used metallic acrylic paints in silver and copper and pearlized acrylic paint in white satin, applying them in sweeps and swirls to give the rail more depths and accents.

Everyone says it turned out great and best of all I like it :-).

Pictures of Faux Raised Stone Wall Rail =>http://www.shopazeche.com/faux-rail.html

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The Recommended Diet For Menopause

By: Nathalie Fiset

You are what you eat?especially during menopausal years. As people?especially women?get older, the digestive tract becomes less and less efficient leading to a longer digestion process. This is why knowing the proper and balanced diet is quite significant so you will know how to select foods that your body needs.

Nutritionists advise women nearing menopausal years to do everything possible to ensure that they eat a diet that is balanced and can provide the nutrients their body might need.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIET DURING MENOPAUSAL YEARS

Experts say that knowing the proper diet for menopausal women is one excellent way of fighting the emotional, physical, and spiritual changes they experience. They also agree that to be able to manage menopause, women must be meticulous in the food they take in and they should keep in mind the important food group for their age like proteins and protein alternatives, adding up servings of grains and carbohydrates, dairy products, fats, and tons of fruits and vegetables.

Knowing the proper diet during menopausal years will help you manage the distressing symptoms of menopause. Keep in mind that good diet nutrition does not only minimizes the possibility of physical, mental, emotional, and health risks during menopausal years. If you are determined to combat the symptoms of menopause even before it gets worst, try some these healthy menopause diet suggestions.

1. Take in as many fruits and vegetables in your every meal. Fruits like melons, bananas, and citrus fruits that are rich in potassium along with veggies like spinach, yam, cabbage, and broccoli can be a perfect source for the nutrients you need and can even help balance your body?s sodium and water retention.

2. Go heavy on soy. Known to contain phytoestrogens?a chemical that has the characteristics of estrogen?soy is recommended in the diet of every menopausal woman because it reduces the possibilities of hot flushes. The bets sources of soy include tofu, soy nuts, tempeh, soy yogurt, and soymilk.

3. Take in a lot amounts of fiber?especially soluble fiber?on regular basis.

4. Delete the entries of junk or fried foods in your list. Instead of munching junk foods, take in broil or baked products instead.

5. Forget about white bread/flour in your bread. Eat products that include wholegrain bread, oats, rye, and wheat germ.

6. Stop eating white rice?with basmati or brown rice as an exception.

7. Veer away from regular potatoes. Instead switch to sweet potatoes or pasta.

8. If you?re not suffering from arthritis, add beans and lentils to your regular meals.

9. Opt for virgin olive oil, canola, wheat germ, or flaxseed oil instead of processed cooking oils when cooking.

10. Oily fish as salmon or mackerel should be a regular part of your diet because these are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids that have wide range of health benefits.

Experts also recommended the addition of Vitamin C, D and E, bioflavonoids, isoflavones, B-complex, calories, calcium, Lignans (a form of phytoestrogen), Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc to your diet to help fight the symptoms of menopause.

Indeed, having a balanced diet is just one of the so many things that men and women can do to reduce the discomfort brought by the symptoms of menopause.

Experts say that healthy eating wouldn?t only prevent weight gain but will also help alleviate the more challenging symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, irritability, and mood fluctuations.

Although there is no proven or concrete diet plan for menopausal men and women today, nutritionists believe that dietary recommendations containing the right amount of foods from a specific food group can be an effective way to treat the burden caused by menopause.

Remember, having a healthy menopause diet will not only maintain optimal health of the menopausal individual but will also decrease the risks of developing more complicated illnesses brought by the hormonal changes of the body.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_2386.shtml