Measure yourself in three places: while wearing shoes or boots, measure the distance from the nape or your neck to the floor; stretch your arms to the side and measure the distance between your finger tips; and measure the circumference of your neck at its base. Bring them with you when you go to the fabric store, and ask someone to help you determine how much fabric you need to purchase.  Allow yourself extra fabric, about 2.5-3 inches on two sides, for hemming. Fabric is usually sold by the yard. You can find patterns for a basic super hero cape online or at a fabric store. If you don't know how to use a sewing machine, there are a variety of cape designs available for different skill levels. Additionally, Darth Vader's cape is different from a standard super hero cape in that it doesn't "swoosh". You want to use heavy fabric to weigh the cape down. For a basic cape design, you will need:  At least 1 yard heavy black fabric (this is to make a child's costume, adults will need more based on height and weight) At least 1 yard additional fabric if you decide to include a lining. Pattern paper All-purpose black thread 2-3 inches of velcro Erasable fabric marking pen or chalk Sewing machine Using chalk or an erasable fabric marking pen, transfer the pattern from the paper onto the fabric. Adjust the pattern to accommodate your measurements (height from nape of neck to floor, and width of outstretched arms). Measure the width at the base of your neck to determine the collar size, adding several extra inches for comfort. When finished, cut-out the fabric.  Repeat this step if you want to add a lining to your cape. Alternatively, you can draw, cut-out, and then sew two semi-circles together. Fold the fabric in half and pin together. Double your neck-to-floor measurement and mark it on the fabric, leaving about 2 inches from the base of the semi-circle to the edge of the material. Use a piece of chalk attached to a string to draw a perfect arch. Cut the material out. In the center, draw and cut-out a smaller semi-circle for your neck. Use a sewing machine to stitch the two halves together. Use a sewing machine to hem the collar and bottom of the cape using a simple double-fold hem. Fold the fabric over about 1/2 inches, and then fold it again another 1/2 inches. Secure with straight pins. Sew the hem about 1/8 inch from the second folded edge. When done, flatten the hem with an iron.  When taking initial measurements for your cape, you want to add several extra inches for a hem. Hemming your cape will make it more durable and prevent the edges from fraying. Secure the collar together by sewing or gluing a 2-3 inch piece of velcro on each side. If your cape is heavy, you might need a slightly larger piece of velcro.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Take a few basic measurements. Select a pattern and purchase supplies. Draw the pattern onto the cape and then cut it out. Hem the collar and bottom of the cape and add velcro.


If you want to cut fat off your body, you should figure out your starting point. Weigh yourself and measure your body with calipers. Once you have the body fat measurement from your calipers, you can do body fat calculations that take into account your height and weight.  When cutting, you want to maintain your muscle mass while losing fat. This means you need a way to measure whether the weight you lose is from fat and not muscle. Calculating your body fat percentage is the easiest way to assess this. There are a variety of body fat calculators you can use online. You simply input your caliper readings and the other information requested and they will tell you your body fat percentage. When you start cutting you should make a goal for weight loss. This could be an overall goal but many people use a weekly goal. This allows you to track your progress weekly, make changes as you go, and set an end point for cutting.  Many people set a goal of losing 1 pound (16 ounces) per week while cutting. This is typically a reasonable goal that can be attained through dietary and lifestyle changes. A goal of losing more than 1 pound per week would likely require crash dieting or other extreme measures that are not healthy. Calculate when you need to have reached your target weight and work backwards. Make sure that you have enough time to safely lose 1 pound a week and meet your goal. As you begin cutting, don't be afraid to change your program. If you are not losing the weight that you want to, reduce the number of calories you are eating, make changes to what you are eating, or increase your exercise. Figuring out what works for you may take some fine-tuning.  If your cutting routine is not working, consider consulting with a fitness professional for some advice. They may have good insight into what you can do to reach your goals.  Self-discipline is important for cutting. Try to avoid temptation and stick with your new diet until you reach your goal. You need to reduce your caloric intake so that you are eating fewer calories than you are burning. Everyday, write down what you eat as well as the portion size and the number of calories that you consumed. You can keep a journal or use a nutrition app, like MyFitnessPal or SuperTracker.  You can use the same app or journal to keep track of your daily exercise. This will let you see if you are burning more calories than you are eating.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Assess your current weight and body fat percentage. Make a weight loss goal. Change your routine and diet if you don’t meet your goals. Track your calories.


First, finely slice two chipotle peppers, if not already sliced, into thin strips. Place that in a small mixing bowl. Then add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir until they are evenly mixed.  For extra spice, be generous with the amount of adobo sauce you include from the chipotle peppers’ can. To reduce spice, pat the peppers with paper towels to remove as much sauce as possible. Put 4 chicken thighs or 3 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) into a large sealable freezer bag. Then pour in the marinade. Seal the bag shut. Hold it by two corners and flip the bag over and over to soak the chicken. Then put the bag in the refrigerator and leave for one hour so the marinade soaks into the meat. Set your indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (roughly 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 Celsius). Once it reaches the desired temperature, set your chicken on the grill. Cook each side for five to six minutes. The Food and Drug Administration advises cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) before consuming. Use a meat thermometer to verify each piece is safe to eat. Once the chicken has cooked, remove it from heat. Let it sit for about ten minutes so it can be safely handled without burning yourself. Once it’s cool enough to touch, cut each piece into bite-sized portions.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Make your marinade. Marinate your chicken. Grill your chicken. Cool and chop your meat.