Press the skin side of the plum firmly down against the chopping board. Carefully glide the knife as close to the skin as possible to remove the skin from the flesh.Compost the plum skin or use it in smoothies.
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One-sentence summary -- Trim the skin off each plum wedge.


At the end of the evening, escort your date to their place of departure, whether it be their front door, their car or the bus stop. Most first kisses happen right before you go your separate ways, so your first step is to put yourself into the proper setting to take advantage of the moment. If you don’t even manage to make it that far, there’s a much smaller chance that you’ll part with anything other than a friendly word. It’s best if the two of you are somewhere dark, quiet and private. That way, you can focus all of your attention on one another. Move in close to your date by bridging the distance between the two of you. Try to stand about an arm’s length away, or closer if circumstances allow it. If they don’t pull away as you get closer, you’re on the right track. The cozier and more personal you and your date get, the more likely you are to share a smooch.  Standing face-to-face almost guarantees the prospect of a kiss. Don’t, however, hover unnecessarily close or violate their personal space. This will make you come across as more creepy than charming. Look your date square in the eye and smile warmly and flirtatiously. Making constant eye contact helps to form a connection between two people and opens channels for unspoken communication. If he or she steadily returns your gaze, there’s a good chance that they’d be receptive to a kiss. Keep an eye out for what’s known as the “lover's triangle”: glancing from one or both your eyes down to your lips and back. It’s a nearly foolproof clue that your date foresees a kiss in their future. Assuming that the two of you are still chatting and haven’t cut straight to staring into each other’s eyes, pay attention to frequent, pronounced lapses in your dialogue. It might mean that you both have something on the brain other than talking. Gaps in conversation often make a great cue for locking lips.   The best time to act usually comes after either you or your date has said something along the lines of “I had a really great time tonight.” When you’ve run out of things to talk about but you’re both still standing around expectantly, there’s a good chance your date is waiting on a kiss.
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One-sentence summary -- Walk your date to the door. Get close. Maintain eye contact. Look for breaks in the conversation.


Aim for 1/4 inch rounds (0.6 cm) or slightly smaller. Larger slices won't cook as well, while smaller ones burn more easily. Use a generous amount of pleasantly flavored oil such as olive or coconut oil. Place the banana slices on the plate with space between each one. The bananas should start turning soft and releasing moisture. You can also add additional flavor at this point. A sprinkling of sea salt or kosher salt adds a great savory flavor, while grated nutmeg or ground cinnamon works well with the bananas' sweetness. This might take a couple of minutes depending on your microwave. Unlike other drying methods, these will only stay fresh for about a day.
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One-sentence summary -- Peel and slice the bananas. Oil a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for one minute. Turn each slice over. Continue microwaving for 30 seconds at a time. Serve immediately.


This might seem like a strange suggestion, but swallowed air is one of the biggest causes of bloating, which contributes to a rounder midsection. Simply reducing the amount of air you swallow throughout the day can trim down your tummy measurements.  Avoid carbonated beverages, even those with zero calories like carbonated water. Beverages with air in them fill your abdomen with air, which causes a bloated appearance. Avoid smoking. Smokers who inhale smoke also tend to swallow it, which bloats their stomachs. Avoid chewing gum and talking while eating. Both of these habits lead to swallowed air. Changing the way you carry yourself and sit won't make stomach fat disappear, but it will make you look slimmer by helping your body fat distribute properly across the torso rather than gathering at the midsection. Try to keep your upper body straight, your shoulders pulled back, and your head high.  When you sit, your buttocks should touch the back of your chair, and all three normal back curves should be present in your back (meaning a small towel or washcloth rolled up should fit above your buttocks).  When you stand, keep your shoulders back, pull in your stomach, and keep your feet about a hip-width apart.  If you're willing to do a little exercise, movements that strengthen your core and back can make it easier to maintain your posture while tightening up the muscles around your midsection. Try adding a few light crunches and easy back exercises to your schedule as you improve your posture. Sleeping doesn't burn fat on its own, but it is a crucial part of weight loss efforts. This is mainly because sleep deprivation (not getting enough sleep) makes most aspects of weight loss more difficult. When you aren't well-rested, it's hard to motivate yourself to get up and move. It's also hard to control cravings: you're more likely to act on impulses to eat junk food when you're already drained of energy. While everyone's sleep needs are different, the majority of adults need about seven to nine hours per night. Children and elderly people tend to need more. Surrounding yourself with people who are committed to healthy living can help you live healthier. Hanging out with health-conscious people gives you more opportunities to participate in activities that lead to weight loss. Make an effort to spend time with people who enjoy hobbies that promote healthy living, like walking, sports, cycling, nutritious home cooking, and so on. Limit your time with people who have unhealthy hobbies like eating junk food, binge-drinking, and watching hour after hour of television. If you don't have anyone in your family or circle of friends who is interested in health-conscious activities, don't be afraid to make new contacts. Join an intramural sports team or start participating in pickup games at your local park. Take a healthy cooking course or join a spin class at your local community center. There are many healthy ways to meet people — it's up to you! Some nutrition experts suggest that having an accurate idea of your own weight can promote healthy living. Keeping track of your weight forces you to think healthy — if the numbers on the scale start to go up, you'll know that it's time to reconsider your habits. A person's weight can fluctuate by as much as 10 pounds from day to day. To get an accurate average, measure yourself at the same time every day (like right after you get up). At the end of the week, add up your measurements and divide by seven. The number you get will be close to your "true" average weight.
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One-sentence summary --
Avoid swallowing air. Practice good posture. Get enough sleep. Find a fitness-positive support network. Start tracking your weight.