Problem: Article: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine 2 sticks (227 g) unsalted butter that have been softened to room temperature, ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, and ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar at medium speed. Beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, which should take approximately 3 minutes.  The best way to bring your butter to room temperature is to cut it into pieces and leave it out on the counter or table for approximately 30 minutes. If you don't have an electric mixer, you can mix the cookie batter together by hand. It will just take a little longer. Once the butter and sugars are combined, mix in 2 large eggs and 2 ½ teaspoons (12.5 ml) vanilla extract at medium speed. Beat the mixture until the eggs and vanilla are fully incorporated. After you've mixed all the wet ingredients together, it's time to add the dry ingredients to form the batter. Turn the mixer to low, and add in 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt, 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder, and 1 teaspoon (7 g) baking soda. Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated. It may be easier to combine all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients. Then add the dry ingredients in small batches so you can be sure that they're completely blended into the batter. When the batter is formed, you can mix in the chocolate. With a spatula, fold in 2 cups (350 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips so they're evenly distributed throughout the cookie batter. While semi-sweet chocolate chips are traditional in chocolate chip cookies, you can add any type of chip that you prefer. Try milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, or dark chocolate chips depending on your preference.
Summary: Beat the butter and sugars together. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Problem: Article: After brushing the hair, part it in the middle. The part only needs to go from the hairline to the crown of your head. Choose a side to begin. Take a small section of hair near the face and separate it from the rest of your hair. Divide this into three equal strands. Make the foundation braid with a traditional braid - cross the right strand over the middle, and then cross the left strand over the middle.  These braids will be small strands that curve around the back of the head to meet in the middle. You are not trying to braid all of your hair into the strands. An alternate way to do this same style is to create two larger braids. This will give a slightly different look to the style. Follow the same steps, but add more hair. The larger braids will angle downwards more than the smaller braids, which means they will meet just underneath the crown instead of in the middle of the head.  When you start the braid, angle the braid away from the face, towards the back of the head. Don't angle it down.
Summary: Part the hair. Start a foundation braid.

Problem: Article: If you are looking to add flavor to couscous, avoid the instant varieties. They cook too fast to really absorb flavors in the pot. Instead, opt for a non-instant couscous. Israeli couscous, which has larger granules, is especially good for picking up flavors and adding texture. While couscous looks and cooks like a grain, it is actually more of a pasta. Look for whole grain couscous to get more fiber and add some nutty flavors to your dish. Add a tablespoon of olive oil or a nut oil like pistachio or almond oil per cup of couscous. Toast the pasta on a medium-high heat for three to five minutes, until it is a light golden brown. This brings out some of the natural flavors and aromas in the pasta. Have your water or stock boiling in a separate pot before you start toasting. Couscous should go straight from the pan into a boiling liquid. Couscous will cook in water, but it tastes even better in a stock or broth. You want a little more liquid than is necessary to completely cover the couscous. This equates roughly to one and a quarter cups of broth or stock per cup of couscous.  Chicken and vegetable broth both work wonderfully with couscous. They will add flavor and a bit of salt to your recipe without overwhelming other flavors. A broth made from bullion will work, but it will be saltier than a fresh broth. Avoid adding additional salt to a recipe made with bullion. If you don’t have any broth or stock available, add flavor to your water. A couple of tablespoons of butter, and a quarter to a half a teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, coriander, and dill can help liven up plain water.
Summary: Pick a non-instant couscous. Toast the couscous before boiling it. Boil couscous in a broth to make it more savory. Season your water if you don't have broth.

Problem: Article: If you’ve told your friend how you feel, you might as well clue him in too. While sometimes a crush consists of flirting and subtle hints, it will make the situation easier on everyone if you know where your crush stands. For example, there’s no need to do damage control on your friendship if you discover he likes someone else!  Once both of your feelings are out in the open, you are able to decide how to proceed. In other words, don’t betray your friend by blabbing to your crush about her. She may like him and she may be hurt — but that doesn’t mean he needs to know that. Talk to your crush about your own feelings, and let your friend keep hers private if she wishes. Your friend will be hurt and embarrassed if she discovers you’ve been airing her dirty laundry to a boy she has feelings for.  A good rule of thumb is to simply speak for yourself. Talk only about your own feelings and desires, not anyone else’s. If the feelings are mutual and you want to proceed with a relationship, take your time. Let your friend adjust to the idea of you two being together before you change your Facebook status and start bringing him as a date to everything. A slow and steady start can make for a healthy, solid relationship, too.  That doesn’t mean you need to lie to your friend and pretend that things aren’t happening with your crush. It just means letting her cope with the situation at a slower pace. If your crush doesn’t respect or understand your need to take things slowly, he may not be the right guy for you after all.
Summary:
Tell your crush your feelings. Keep the situation with your friend private. Take things slow.