Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Figure out your goals. Keep practicing. Set up an off-ice practice area at home. Compete.

Answer: If you’re getting stronger and better at the basics of skating, it’s time to figure out where you want your skating to take you. Get out a sheet of paper and ask yourself:  Do I want to compete? At what level? Am I willing to give up other sports to do this? What kind of commitment can I show this? What are my and my family’s limitations? (For instance, your sister may only be able to drive you to the rink once a week, or you may not be able to afford private lessons as often as you want.) Even if you’re getting coached by a wonderful professional, you still need to hone your own skills. Half an hour of practice for every fifteen minutes of coaching you receive is often recommended. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see consistent improvement--plateaus happen. If you continue to practice, you should get better and better. Remember to take a day off from exercise once a week. Your body needs time to rest. This will help you if you can’t make it to the rink. You can still work on the tricks that are giving you problems, and hopefully improve! Try setting up in the basement or garage, but make sure you ask permission first.  Gymnastics mats can help you practice jumps. (Don’t wear your skates, or you’ll tear them up.) If you can’t get those, just try to practice on a soft surface.  Mark a spot on the floor with painter’s tape, and then practice spins and jumps using it as a starting point. When you’re done with your trick, look back and see if you traveled a lot. Keep stretching. To get to major competition level, you will probably have to pass several skating tests. These will vary depending on your country, but professional coaching, lots of practice, good fitness, and flexibility are essential. Different competitions may have slightly different requirements, but they will all demand a lot out of you.  Your coach and rink may be able to assist you in finding competitions. They should also be linked on your national or local figure skating association's website.  You and your coach can work together to choreograph your first routine, which will show off your skills and push you to learn new ones. Remember: If you do not pass on your first try, keep trying. No figure skater wins every time--what’s important is that you keep practicing and doing your best.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Resist the temptation to do a home cut. Steer clear of harsh treatments that damage hair. Facilitate hair growth with a healthy lifestyle.

Answer: We've all looked in the mirror and made the hasty decision to use a pair of craft or kitchen scissors to take off some of that unruly length. When the urge hits, do your best to resist. Cutting your hair will just set you back, and chances are the cut won't look right so you'll have to fix it by going even shorter. While a home cut is usually not the best idea, it's fine to have a trim now and then while you're growing out your bangs. Just be sure to tell the stylist that you're trying to grow them out, and he or she will be sure to just take off a little bit. Any time you're focused on growing hair, it's a good idea to treat your hair with extra care. That means forgoing harsh treatments, tools and techniques you might usually use to create the looks you love. When your hair gets dried out, damaged and broken, it takes longer to grow back in. Avoid the following until your bangs are fully grown out:  Excessive use of a hair dryer (limit it to once every few weeks) Excessive straightening or curling (limit it to once every few weeks) Dyeing or bleaching Exposure to chemicals (including chlorine and other pool chemicals) Healthy hair starts on the inside, so do your best to live a lifestyle that facilitates faster growth. Eating nourishing foods and staying hydrated are two great ways to help your bangs grow out. Focus on the following:  Eat plenty of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and b vitamins. These are found in fish, nuts, olive oil, eggs, and leafy greens. Drink plenty of water so your hair doesn't dry out. Dry hair tends to break more easily than hair that is hydrated. Stop smoking, since smoking is tough on hair.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Keep your hat dry. Handle your hat carefully. Brighten your hat.

Answer: Straw hats can seem more durable than they actually are. However, wetness and dampness can misshape the hat. This means that when your hat gets wet, you should attempt to dry it as quickly as possible. Try to put water repellent on your hat every now and then. Not only will this keep your hat safe from water damage, but it will protect it from stains as well.  When you’re not wearing your hat, place it in a dark, dry area. Put a hat with a curved brim on a mannequin head to keep its shape. You can also simply the tilt the hat upside down and store it in a hat box. Don’t let your hat get too hot! If your hat is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, then the straw can be damaged. The heat will make the straw rigid or cause the synthetic material to melt. You want to make sure that your hands are clean before you touch your hat. This is an easy way to prevent your hat from getting dirt and oil on it. When you are taking off your hat, try to hold on to the brim. Too much contact with the crown of the hat can destroy the fibers. Sometimes the straws in your hat can become discolored. To refresh the colors, wipe your hat with cloth dipped in alcohol and water. After you do this, use a piece of black or red velvet to polish the hat.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Purchase freshly roasted, whole bean coffee. Purchase your own coffee grinder, or grind it in the store. Use good water.

Answer:
If you can’t purchase it directly from the roaster within a week or so of it being roasted, opt for a vacuum-sealed bag from a reputable national coffee-bean roaster. If possible, choose a burr grinder in place of a normal blade grinder. For best results, grind the coffee fresh right before brewing each day.  Experiment with different ground size. Although finer grounds are generally preferred, they can result in a bitterer brew than coarse grounds. Many people recommend that you aim for grounds the size of coarse sugar. If you like the water taste of the water that comes out of your tap, it’s likely to make good coffee. Softened or distilled water should never be used, but carbon-filtered water can reduce the chemical taste of some tap water. Minerals in water are important for the brewing process.