. If you want to make the shake immediately, buy a ripe, brown, ready-to-eat avocado; if you plan to make the shake in a few days, buy a firmer, greener avocado.  To tell if it's ripe: Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand. Gently squeeze the avocado, being careful not to press with your fingertips, as this can cause bruising. A ripe avocado will be soft and will yield to the gentle pressure, but will not be overly squishy. If it's suspiciously squishy, there's a good chance that it's beginning to go bad; when avocados are overripe, the insides decay and go brown. If it is still hard, then it is still under ripe and will take a few days to ripen. You may still opt to purchase under-ripe avocados, and ripen them at home. Store unripe avocados in a paper bag at room temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33 and 23.88 degrees Celsius) for up to 5 days, until they are ripe. To slow the ripening process, store the avocado in the refrigerator until you make the shake. Buy certain varieties of avocado based on their flavor profile: The Hass, Lamb Hass, Gwen, Reed, or Sharwil varieties tend to have a nutty taste, whereas the Bacon and Zutano varieties are lighter in flavor. Half an avocado makes about two servings; a full avocado makes four. If you want an especially rich, thick smoothie, use more avocado per serving--say, use the whole avocado for two people. Bear in mind that if you use less avocado, your shake will be thinner, and it may not be so rich. uy milk. The richer the milk, the thicker the shake.  If you want an especially rich shake, use whole milk or half-and-half. For a lower-fat option, use 2%, 1%, or skim milk. Consider using almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, or any other non-dairy milk options. Nut milks, especially, may complement the naturally nutty taste of some avocado varieties. Bear in mind that these choices may not be as thick or rich as dairy milk. For an especially thick, rich shake, consider substituting ice cream for the milk. Bear in mind that this may make a shake that's too thick--you may only want to substitute ice cream for half the milk that the recipe calls for, or you may want to add an extra half-cup of ice cream to the recipe for a larger, thicker shake. If you're adding ice cream, you may want to compensate by using a lower-fat variety of milk. Any type of sugar is fine: brown, white, granulated, etc. Avocados can be bitter, but sugar will mitigate any hint of bitterness.  If you're on a no- or low-sugar diet, feel free to forego the sugar and let the natural richness of the avocado shine. Consider using natural sweeteners like honey and agave nectar. These ingredients will keep your shake sweet without exposing you to processed, industrially-refined sugar. Add natural sweeteners to taste; as a rule of thumb, start with the same amount of sweetener that's listed in the recipe, and work up or down from there. Consider substituting 1/4 cup condensed milk for the sugar or sweetener. This will keep the shake rich and sweet without using pure, processed sugar. The brand doesn't matter: pick your favorite. The chocolate, again, is not an absolutely necessary ingredient, but it will add dimension to the taste of your shake.  Consider substituting another dessert sauce--such as caramel or butterscotch--for the chocolate syrup if you cannot (or don't want to) eat chocolate. Be careful not to use too much chocolate syrup, or the shake might be too sweet. If you love chocolate, use more; if you're hesitant to rock the choc, consider adding less. You can buy ice from a store, but it may be cheaper to make your own.  If your refrigerator dispenses crushed and cubed ice, hold a measuring cup below the dispenser until you've captured 3/4 of a cup. This is not a hard, fast rule for the amount of ice. Feel free to experiment. Blended, crushed ice will give your shake a thicker consistency, and it may temper the richness of the avocado and the milk.
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One-sentence summary -- Buy an avocado . Buy sugar. Buy or make chocolate syrup. Use crushed ice.


To become a Freemason, you must proceed through the process of obtaining three symbolic degrees. The Entered Apprentice is the first degree, and introduces candidates to the basic principles of Freemasonry.  Moral truths are impressed upon new candidates by the symbolic use of building tools. Apprentices must become proficient in one catechism before they can move on to the next step. The second degree continues to instill in candidates the principles of their new membership, especially their close association with the arts and sciences.  Candidates are tested on their mastery of knowledge learned as an apprentice. Candidates must memorize the second catechism to complete the degree. The Master Mason degree is the highest degree a Freemason can earn, and the most difficult.  Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the values of Freemasonry. Completion of the degree is celebrated with a ceremony. In the US, the average time elapsed from the initial petition to the Lodge to receiving the Master Mason degree is four to eight months.
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One-sentence summary -- Begin as an apprentice. Proceed to the Fellow Craft degree. Become a Master Mason.


Bleach can corrode and discolor stainless steel. You should not use liquid bleach if you are cleaning a stainless steel dishwasher. Use a measuring cup to measure out exactly a cup of liquid bleach. Transfer the bleach into a bowl or a glass and place it in the top of your dishwasher. Once you're done, close the dishwasher door. Run a full cycle on the highest heat setting. The bleach will be tossed throughout the interior of your washing machine during the cycle. This will remove any mold or mildew on the inside of your dishwasher.
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One-sentence summary --
Ensure that your dishwasher isn't made with stainless steel. Place a cup of liquid bleach on the top rack. Run your dishwasher on the highest heat.