Problem: Article: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for 30 seconds, then give it a stir. Continue to microwave it in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is smooth and pourable. You can also melt the chocolate over low heat on the stovetop if you don't want to use the microwave. Place the bananas and about 3/4 of the walnuts in a medium-sized bowl. Mix them together with your clean hands or rubber spatula. You can use a metal spoon, but be careful not to break the bananas. Your bananas should be about 1/4 inch (or about 1/2 centimeter) in thickness. Grab four small bowls or parfait glasses. First, place 1/4 cup (60 mL) of pineapple at the bottom of each bowl. Then divide the walnut-coated bananas evenly between them. Top each with a scoop of strawberry ice cream, drizzle with melted chocolate, and top with the rest of the walnuts and a cherry. You can substitute the strawberry ice cream with a low-fat variety, high protein ice cream, or frozen yogurt for healthier options.
Summary: Melt the chocolate. Toss the banana slices with the walnuts. Assemble your parfaits in layers.

Problem: Article: As part of your accounting process, you need to perform an annual stocktaking exercise to determine the value of your inventory.  This means making a list, or inventory, of your stock, noting its location and recording its value.  Tools such as barcodes or radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags help you to keep track of your stock.  You can keep track manually by having staff physically count the stock or electronically with stock control software. This is an important part of inventory management, so you will need to develop a schedule for cycle counting. Many inventory management software systems make it easy to cycle count by category or subcategory, so make sure to prepare what you plan to count each time. Each time you perform a cycle count, you will need to:  Close out any open inventory transactions. Restock all of your overstock, understock, or backstock. Account for all of the received purchase orders and inbound transfers in your system. Put away all items. Close and invoice all completed customer orders. Manual systems work best for small businesses with few stock items.  You can choose from two methods for manual inventory control.  The first is known as the two bin inventory control system.  The second system involves creating a descriptive index and using inventory control cards.  For the two bin system, determine a buying cycle for items and the amount purchased in each cycle.  For example, offices may purchase office supplies weekly or monthly.  To begin, purchase enough of the item to last two buying cycles.  Divide the items into two bundles.  When the first bundle is used up, it's time to reorder enough for one buying cycle of the item.  Materials from the second bundle are used while the materials are being reordered. For the second system, create an index that lists all of the items in inventory and a file of cards for each item.  On each card, record an item description.  When an item is purchased or reordered, someone records the amount received, the unit price and other information such as an ordering description, a catalog number or the serial number. Inventory management software tracks inventory levels and records purchases, deliveries and sales of items in inventory.  Factories can also use it to produce production-related documents such as work orders and bills or materials.  It can perform an EOQ analysis of your inventory to help you keep optimum levels of inventory on hand.  The advantages of using inventory management software include decreased carrying cost and ordering costs, increased efficiency of inventory management, better organization and security and information about trends in how materials are used. The disadvantages are that the software can be expensive, and it can be complex to use.
Summary: Perform regular stocktaking. Make sure to include cycle counting. Use a manual method. Use computer software.

Problem: Article: If you prefer to expend less energy turning your compost, building a “barrel-roll” tumbling composter will help.  This type of tumbling composter sits atop a wooden structure and turns on an axle, such as a PVC or steel pipe, that runs directly through it.  You’ll need to purchase or obtain a plastic or steel barrel, between 20 and 55 gallons (75-200 liters), including a 48 inch (1.25 meter) length of 2 inch (5 cm) schedule 80 PVC pipe, or a length of 1 1/2 to 2 inch (3.8-5 cm) galvanized steel pipe.  You’ll also need:  2X4 treated lumber Nails Circular saw Jigsaw Drill motor, drill paddle bit, and drill bits Hole saw Basic hand tools (hammer, measuring tape, flexible metal ruler, framing square) Hinges Latches Door handle “L” brackets Measure the diameter of each end of your barrel, and then divide that measurement by two to determine the center point.  Your holes should be large enough to fit the pipe you’ll be using as the axle.  If you can, cut off a small piece of your axle pipe, place it over each center mark, and trace a circle along the outside of the pipe.  If you can’t, measure the diameter of your axle pipe and draw a circle of the same size around each center point.  Once your circles have been created, use a drill paddle bit or hole saw of an equal size to create your holes. Using a 1-inch (2.5 cm) bit space 15-20 holes evenly along the sides of the barrel.  This will allow oxygen to flow freely throughout the container. Before you start cutting out a door, trace the shape of the door you want along one side of the barrel using a flexible metal ruler and a framing square.  The measurements for the door will differ depending on the size of your barrel.  If your barrel is on the smaller size, like 20 to 30 gallons, trace a 12” by 12” square.  If it’s a 55 gallon barrel, you can outline an 18” by 12” rectangle.  The longer side should be parallel to the length of the barrel.  Make a couple small holes in one of the corners using your drill to allow space for your jigsaw blade to start cutting.  Continue to use the blade all the way around the outline of the door until the shape is removed. The door will likely be a bit flimsy once secured.  If your barrel is plastic, secure two pieces of wood to the inside of the barrel, one along the side where you’ve placed your hatches and the other on the opposite end where you’ll place your latches and handle.  If your barrel is metal, use two steel plates instead of wood.  Consider flattening two “L” brackets to use for your steel plates.  To secure the door, install two hinges at the top corners, then install two latches at the bottom corners to lock the door.  You can place a handle at the center point of the two latches to help with opening and closing the door. A long spare piece of galvanized sheet metal bent into an “L” shape and bolted to the interior wall of the barrel will do this nicely.  Put the fin opposite from the hatch, so as to weight balance the empty container. When you’re ready, slide the pipe through the center holes.  The length of pipe sticking out of each side of the barrel should be long enough to rest each end on the wooden structure you’ll create.  If you’re using a plastic barrel, the weight of the compost inside your tumbling composter can break the plastic, so before inserting the pipe through the holes secure two slabs of wood to the barrel to distribute the weight of the compost. Take two slabs of wood, such as 2”x4” pieces, and drill into each piece a hole large enough to fit your pipe through.  Line each hole up to the holes on either end of your barrel and nail the boards to the barrel. Alternately, you can secure an “L” bracket to each side of the pipe, which will also distribute the weight of the compost. Nail 2 sets of 2x4s (pieces of wood that are 1.5″ × 3.5″ or 38×89 mm in terms of height and width, respectively) in an x-frame, and nail two 2x4s across the feet at the bottom for support.  If it does, you can now fill your tumbling composter with leaves and other compostable material, and allow your new "garden helper" to do its job.
Summary:
Gather the materials needed to construct a “barrel-roll” tumbling composter. Drill holes in the center of the top and bottom of your barrel. Drill holes into the body of the barrel for aeration. Create a door on the side of your barrel. Attach a sheet of metal inside the barrel to act as a mixing fin to help turn the compost when the barrel rotates. Pass the pipe or post through the center holes. Build a wooden saw buck to support the compost barrel. Set the barrel with the pipe in the wooden 2x4 saw buck. Rotate the barrel in the sawhorse frame using the pipe or post as an axle to ensure it works properly.