INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Hold it the same way you would a banana, gripping the bottom with one hand and holding the stem with the other. If the plantain has turned brown and is fully ripe, the peel should come off easily.

SUMMARY: Grasp the plantain by the stem. Finished.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Ask your friend or relative to set each day’s tone by reviewing the 2 or 3 things they appreciate most. Before they even get out of bed, they should stretch their arms out and breathe in as deeply as they can. As they stretch and breathe, they should concentrate on what or who makes them most grateful.  Suggest that they think or say something like, “I am so fortunate to have people who love me, that I’ve slept in a warm bed, and that I didn’t go to bed hungry. No matter what happens today, my life is filled with goodness.” You might also recommend a gratitude app, such as Insight Timer, to help make it easier for the person to practice gratitude meditation. They could start by decorating a box or large glass jar. Each day, they should write things that they’re grateful for on small strips of paper, then place the strips in the jar or box. As the jar fills up, it serves as a visual reminder of all the good things in their life.When they’re feeling down, suggest that they reach into the jar and read a few notes. You and your loved one could send each other a daily text or email expressing something you appreciate about the other. You could each save the notes in a file on your phone or computer, then read them when either of you needs a pick-me-up. If noting qualities that you appreciate about each other seems awkward, you could express your gratitude indirectly by reminiscing about your friendship. You could send each other regular “throwback” texts or emails, like, “Remember when we went to that concert and you got to go up on stage?” or “The funniest picture of us came up on my social media memories today. We’ve had so many great times!”

SUMMARY: Advise that they start each day with a gratitude meditation. Suggest that they keep a gratitude jar or box. Exchange regular gratitude notes with each other.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you're worried about how to write your love letter's header, how many lines to indent before you start writing, or which corner the date goes in, don't be. Love letters aren't exercises in formal writing. In fact, they can be some of the most casual, personal, and intimate documents written in a person's lifetime. The content of your letter is much, much more important that the way it's organized, so feel free to play fast and loose with the standard rules of letter-writing.  If you're looking for a conservative option, simply write the reader's name on the left edge of the top line, followed by a comma. For instance, if you're writing to Rebecca Samson, your secret crush from math class, you'd just write "Rebecca," in the top left of the page. If you want something more bold, don't be afraid to bend the traditional rules of formatting as you see fit. For instance, if you want to include the day's date like you would in a traditional letter, you might want to make the most of the opportunity by writing something like, "September 29th, 2014, 145 days since I first met you..." In letter writing, the salutation is the greeting that begins the letter — usually, it's something like "Dear John," "To whom it may concern," or something similar. Depending on the purpose of your letter, literally dozens of salutations can be appropriate. While you can use an ordinary salutation for your love letter, getting creative here is a great way to show you care enough about your reader to put some thought into it. If you want to, you can even leave out the salutation entirely — it's up to you! For example, if you're writing to John Ramirez, the hunk you met at the local book store, you could try referencing this in your salutation by writing something like, "Dear John, my bookworm beau," Love letters can be many things (sweet, sassy, sincere, or salacious, for instance), but they should never be boring. A love letter isn't just your chance to tell your secret crush how you feel — it's a chance to actually get this person interested in being with you! Your first line should reflect this — be witty, funny, or even scandalous, but whatever you do, don't begin with, "I'm writing to inform you that I am very fond of you. Here is why..."  Here's a good example of an exciting opener: Let's say that we're writing to Susie Jackson, a "total babe" you know from debate club. There are a million different ways to go with this — here are just two: "The hardest thing about debate club isn't having to deal with Mr. Nelson's rules — it's having to argue with someone I'm so crazy about." "Last week, when you stepped up to the podium, you fought hard for a flat tax, but it felt like you were fighting for my heart." While lovers in ages past may have used stilted, formal language to court each other, modern lovers can usually get away with having a little more fun. Don't shy away from being goofy or even gently teasing your partner in your letter. If you already know each other well, this sort of informal approach will usually lead to laughter or flirtation — not hurt feelings.  For example, as long as you eventually make it clear that you're joking, you can get some serious mileage out of playfully using flowery, archaic language. Don't be afraid to "go big." For example, you might start off with "My dearly beloved — the one for which my heart continues its dance. You enchant my each and every day. I would be honored to take you to the sock hop." On the other hand, you don't want to be too wild. Beyond one or two soft teases, don't be rude or disrespectful and don't use curse words unless you already have a history of using them with this person. Remember, you're trying to win this person's heart, not crush this person's ego. Your love letter shouldn't read like a form letter. Ideally, your writing should make it clear that you've written your letter with one person (and only one person) in mind. Try including specific details about your partner, like the way they look, the way they make you feel, and the ways they make your life better to show you've put some thought into your writing. For example, if you're writing to Stefan Burnett, the star of the swim team, you might take a tongue-in-cheek approach and include the following details: "Stefan, you make my heart skip five beats every time you climb out of the pool. Your eyes are bluer than chlorine, your abs are harder than locker room tiles, and your hair is blacker than your speedo. Marry me." Confessing your love to someone is tricky — no matter how elegant you are with a pen, it's easy to make mistakes. Luckily, some mistakes can come across as sweet, endearing quirks. On the other hand, other mistakes can come across in very unflattering ways. Below is just a short list of things you may want to leave out of your letter:  Self-deprecating humor (i.e., making fun of yourself or putting yourself down). While some people have mastered this tricky skill, it can often come across as insecure.  Poems. Unless you're a master poet or you're already with your reader, your masterpiece may be shared with friends and family (and not in a good way). Mention of other people. Try to write only about two people: yourself and your reader. Now is no time to be making your crush jealous. Crass, dirty, or overly sexual references. Wait until you're dating.

SUMMARY:
Forget traditional formatting rules. Pick a salutation that shows your reader is special. Aim to intrigue or excite with your first line. Use a playful but respectful tone. Heighten the romance with personal touches. Know what to avoid.