Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Identify poison oak plants. Cover yourself from head to toe. Dig out the plants by the roots. Discard the plants.

Answer: Poison oak has green, shiny leaves that turn red in the fall and die off in the winter. The leaves are thick and have a rumpled surface. They have a similar shape to oak leaves and grow in groups of 3 (hence the "leaves of 3, let it be" adage). In open sun, poison oak grows in the form of bushy shrubs. In areas with partial shade, it can grow as a vine, climbing up trees and stumps.  Look for poison oak along trails, near the edges of woods, and in abandoned lots. Left to grow, poison oak plants can become quite large, but you'll also see baby plants sprouting from the ground. Look for the classic leaves for positive identification. Even when a poison oak plant has lost its leaves, the dry sticks left behind are still poisonous, so don't dismiss a plant just because it doesn't have leaves. Manual removal requires actually touching the plants, so you need to make sure you're completely covered to protect your skin from urushiol, the toxic oil they produce. Put on thick gloves, several layers of long shirts, long pants, socks, and heavy boots. Since some people get affected by simply breathing the air near poison oak, you should cover your face as well.  This is the most effective removal strategy, but it's also the most dangerous. This method is not recommended for people who are  severely allergic to poison oak. Either find someone who's immune (15% of the population can touch poison oak without getting a rash) or try another method. Be aware that if you only had a mild rash in the past, it's possible that another exposure could have a worse effect. Be very careful when you remove your clothes after the job is done. The oils from the poison oak plants will be on your gloves, shoes and other clothing. It should all be promptly washed using the hot cycle in your washing machine. Smaller plants may be pulled out by hand, but you might need a shovel to dig out larger ones. It's very important to get the entire plant, including the roots. Otherwise the plant will grow right back.  It's easiest to manually remove plants in the spring, when they're green and the ground is relatively soft. Waiting until the ground gets dry or cold will make it difficult to get all the roots, since the plants will tend to break off at the stems. After removing the plants, disinfect all your gardening tools. Once you've collected all of the plants and their roots, either stack them in an out-of-the-way area or put them in garbage bags to be thrown away. Dead poison oak plants are still poisonous, so don't leave them in a place where other people will come into contact with them.  Don't use the plants as mulch or compost. Again, it's just too risky, since they're still full of the oils that can cause an extreme rash. Don't burn the plants. Breathing the smoke from burning poison oak plants is extremely dangerous.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Talk openly about any expectations the two of you have. Share your thoughts and feelings with the person you’re dating.

Answer: Ask them questions about your relationship so you know what they expect from you as a girlfriend. Even if you're worried it’ll be an awkward conversation, remember that talking openly will keep extremely awkward and uncomfortable situations from happening in the future. For example, you might ask, “Do you think we should plan to go on a date every weekend?” or “How often do you think we should talk on the phone?” A relationship is all about communication, so speak openly about what you’re thinking and feeling. It will also open the door for them to share their thoughts and feelings with you, which will strengthen your relationship.  For instance, if you’re feeling upset about something at home, you might say something like, “I feel kind of depressed because my parents have been really mad at each other all week. Do your parents fight a lot?” Don’t say things you don’t mean (like “I love you”) just because you think it’s what a girlfriend should do. Be honest about your feelings! Don’t think you have to share all of your deepest darkest secrets with them. If you really trust them, share away! But if you have any doubts, keep it to yourself.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Make eye contact when listening. Ask her how particular situations make her feel. Give her your undivided attention, ignoring distractions. Let her know you are listening through your gestures. Don’t offer solutions to her problems. Resist mocking, laughing or being sarcastic.

Answer: Don’t be too intense, though. That can look like you’re trying too hard. Also keep your face relaxed without too many animated expressions. If your face is going a mile a minute in everything she says, that can be distracting. Girls usually have lots of feelings about things, and this gives her a chance to express them versus keeping them bottled up inside. If you sense that a situation was frustrating, difficult or upsetting, let her know. Even if she doesn’t say anything, she’ll notice and appreciate it. It’s okay to not understand every aspect of a situation but don’t say that her feelings are wrong because feelings can never be wrong. Be careful to not blame her either when she shares something with you. Strive to be empathetic, not judgmental or overly harsh. Turn your cell phone off. Don’t look around the room or at other people. Listening well is an art form, and many people are poor listeners. Go the extra mile here. It will pay dividends in making her feel good. Females secrete a feel-good hormone when expressing their feelings. By sharing things with you, she can’t help but also feel good about you. The more comfortable she is in talking to you, the safer she will feel, too, in opening up. Along with eye contact, show active listening skills by nodding your head and saying things that confirm you hear her like “I would feel the same way myself” or “I can see why you would feel that way.” Don’t interrupt. Many people also find this difficult when listening to others. You will go far in making her feel good by waiting until she’s completely finished before commenting. This also goes both ways. When it’s your turn to talk, she’ll listen better to you, too. This can be challenging because it’s natural to want to immediately try and solve matters. First and foremost, though, she needs to feel heard. Jumping in with what you think is best could make her feel that you don’t trust her in solving them. So let her express herself and ask what she thinks is best. This will boost her confidence in situations, and she’ll appreciate this quality in you, too. The more you understand where she is with an issue, the more she will trust that you can help her solve it. But wait until she asks before automatically giving your opinion. When you do give it, be thoughtful about it. Think what it’s like to be in her shoes before commenting. Sometimes what people say or how they say it can be humorous to the person listening. Pay attention to her body language. If she’s serious, then trust that it’s a serious matter. If you’re condescending, she could think you don’t understand her at a deeper level, not just that situation.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Choose your approach. Start with a base ingredient. Add colourful veggies. Mix in veggies with strong flavours. Add extra texture. Add your protein. Toss with dressing. Finished.

Answer:
If you feel like inventing your own salad, move on to the next step to begin the step-by-step instructions. If you're looking for something faster, here are a few well-tested ideas that can stand at the center of your meal:  Chef's salad: sliced ham, cheese, hard-boiled egg, cucumber, and tomato on a bed of lettuce. This can stand up to thicker, stronger-flavored dressings such as Caesar salad dressing, ranch, or Thousand Island.  Salad Nicoise: a French salad of potatoes, tomatoes, egg, olives, and fish (usually anchovies or tuna), among other ingredients. Southwest salad: Combine cooked corn and black beans with red peppers, spring onions, and plenty of avocado and/or grilled chicken. Season with cilantro and lime. You can start with lettuce or mixed greens, if you're prepared to amp it up with plenty of protein and starchy ingredients. Another approach is to use a bed of grains, especially something with plenty of texture like brown rice or quinoa. A bed of rice noodles works well for Asian salads. This isn't just for show; a variety of colours means a variety of vitamins. Strips of red, orange, or yellow bell pepper are a great choice. Also try shredded carrot; shredded beets (raw, pickled or cooked); or sliced tomatoes. You can even add edible flowers. Add intensity with roasted garlic, pitted olives, or diced hot peppers.  Use avocado for a creamy texture. Keep it tasty but more casual with chopped asparagus, any kind of onion, or flavorful mushrooms. These little nibbles make a salad much more interesting. There are all kinds of options:  Any nuts or seeds – walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. Breads or grains – croutons, tortilla chips, popcorn, cooked quinoa Any type of fresh or dried fruit, especially berries Snap peas, corn niblets, or other small veggies A salad requires protein to become an entreé. Choose just one or two of the following, chopped into bite-size pieces.  Cooked beans – chickpeas, lentils Cheese – Parmesan Swiss, or feta for more subtle flavor; cheddar or blue cheese for strong flavor Other vegetarian options – soft- or hard-boiled egg, tofu Meat – tuna, chicken breast, ham, grilled fish or steak, shrimp, squid Salad dressing can be purchased or made at home. Whichever you choose, drizzle over the salad and toss until thoroughly coated. If you made the salad in advance, wait until just before serving to add the dressing.  Combine one part Balsamic vinegar with three parts olive oil and add salt & pepper for a classic dressing. This is best on lettuce or tomato salads. You can easily add crushed garlic or any savory herb. Mix Greek yogurt with lemon juice, garlic, oregano and hot sauce for a strong dressing, best on strong-flavored leaves such as arugula or radicchio. Mix freshly squeezed fruit juice, olive oil, salt and pepper for a fresh fruity dressing  Check out this article for more ideas.