INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In a natural environment, your snake will move between areas that have different temperatures.  Snakes are cold-blooded and the temperature will change their level of activity.  To replicate this, you will need to maintain your ball python's enclosure with a temperature gradient.  The basking area should be 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The overall temperature of the cage should be 78 to 80 Fahrenheit. Use two thermometers to monitor both the cool and warm areas of the cage. You can heat the cage with under-cage warming pads or heating lights. Supplemental lighting can be used in your ball python's enclosure.  However, it is not a requirement.  If you want to use additional lighting, try using a full-spectrum UV light. Consider adding supplemental lighting to help make your enclosure feel even more natural and comfortable.  Use 12 hour cycles of lighting.  Keep the light on for 12 hours during the day and off for 12 hours at night. Do not leave the light on at night.  Leaving the light on too long will stress your snake out. Creating and maintaining the right level of humidity is very important for your snakes health.  Humidity will help keep your snake healthy and allow them to easily shed their skin.  Always keep a close eye on the humidity levels in the cage to best care for your ball python. Humidity needs to be between 50% to 60% Your ball python will need to have the right substrate in order to be comfortable and safe in its home.  Certain substrates will work better than others, keeping your ball python happy and making the enclosure easier to clean.  Take a look at some of the following examples of substrates to learn what's okay to use:  Aspen shavings will work well. Cypress mulch is okay to use. Most other mulch based substrates can be a good pick. Never use substrates that contain cedar or pine. Your ball python will want a place to hide and be alone.  If your snake is forced to be left out in the open, it will become nervous and stressed out.  Always provide a hide box for your ball python to help them feel comfortable and at home.  Make sure you clean the hide box whenever you clean the cage. You can buy premade hide boxes from pet stores. Make your own hides by cutting a small, round door out of a plastic Tupperware container or bowl.

SUMMARY: Keep a temperature gradient. Consider additional lighting. Maintain the right humidity. Provide a quality substrate. Provide hide boxes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you prefer working with fresh shrimp, go ahead and peel, de-vein, and cook 1 lb (450 g) for this recipe. If you’re short on time or prefer not to work with fresh shrimp, buy them pre-cooked at your local grocery store. You’ll find them in the frozen seafood section. Be sure to thaw frozen, pre-cooked shrimp before you begin. If you like chunky salad, cut each shrimp into about 2 pieces. If you like a smoother consistency, cut them into 3 to 4 pieces. If you’re working with jumbo shrimp, you may want to cut them in 5 to 6 pieces. Place the shrimp pieces in a large bowl. Aim for chunks of crab meat that are about the same size as your shrimp pieces so your salad will be consistent. Place the crab meat chunks in the large bowl with the chopped shrimp. This recipe calls for imitation crab meat, which is very common for recipes that call for a large amount of crab meat. Imitation crab meat is still made of seafood, though! Finely chop the celery and onion with a sharp knife. Add the veggies to the large bowl with the seafood. Measure out the mayo and place it in the bowl. Season with black pepper, MSG, salt, and garlic salt. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Place a lid or plastic wrap on top of the bowl. Place the seafood salad in the fridge and let it chill for about 4 hours. During this time, the flavors will blend and set. Give the mixture another stir before serving. Seafood salad makes a great dip when served with crackers or pita bread. You can also serve seafood salad as a sandwich filling. Use a crusty French bread or hoagie style buns. Store leftovers in the fridge and consume within 2 days.

SUMMARY: Cook 1 lb (450 g) of shrimp or buy them pre-cooked. Cut each shrimp into 2 to 3 pieces with a sharp knife. Chop up the crab meat into chunks. Add the chopped veggies, mayo and seasonings to the bowl. Cover the bowl and chill the salad for 4 hours. Serve the seafood salad with crackers or sandwich bread.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are many possible goals you could set, but the type of goal refers to how you'll measure your progress and success. The two main types are process goals and outcome goals.  Process goals focus on the work that you'll do within a given time period. An example of a process goal would be to complete and submit all of your assignments on time this week. Outcome goals focus on the results of your work. An example of an outcome goal would be to earn a grade of at least 90% on your next test. Having a goal may not be enough to keep you motivated. If that's the case, it may be important to remind yourself of why that goal is meaningful to you, and why you hope to achieve it. Reflecting on the outcome of that goal - both the positive results if you succeed and the negative results if you don't - may help you stay more focused and driven over time.  Do you need to do well in a class to pass? Are you trying to improve your grades overall? Perhaps you want to do well in a class so that you can eventually seek employment in a related field. If this is the case, you'll want to learn as much as possible in that class. Some people work best when they know there is some type of reward to be had. Having a self-imposed reward system helps you stay motivated and track your progress so you'll know whether or not you deserve your "treat" for the day, week, month, or semester.  Consider setting incremental rewards. Set smaller rewards for minor mile markers and bigger rewards for accomplishing the hardest parts of your goal. Imagine climbing a set of stairs. Each stair is a mini-goal that essentially leads you to the main goal at the top. Decide on some type of reinforcer that will help you stay motivated. It can be a favorite snack, an event you want to go to, a physical object you'd like to buy, or even a vacation or time off from your normal schedule. Use that reward to motivate you. Agree in advance that you won't get to enjoy your reward unless you accomplish your goal. Consider asking a close friend to either help you stay motivated or prevent you from indulging in your reward without success.

SUMMARY:
Determine what type of goal you want to set. Identify the reasons why your goal is important. Set up a reward system to stay motivated.