INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The design of your deck will depend a lot on how much you can spend. Consider the cost of materials, labor (if you won’t be building the deck yourself) and any landscaping that needs to be done. Make a budget before you start designing your deck so you know what you can and can’t afford. Do you have a lot of outdoor parties at your place? If so, you’ll probably want a large, wide-open deck. If you just want a spot to sit outside and have a glass of wine or read a book, you can cut costs by going with a smaller deck. Really think about what function you want your deck to serve so you can design it accordingly. If you know you want to have a couch, a table, and a fire pit, make sure you include space for those in your design. Leave adequate room around furniture for walking so your deck is maneuverable. Pay attention to the decks at your friends’ and family's houses. Note what you like and dislike about them. Search online for deck designs for a greater range of styles. Just search “deck designs” or “backyard deck ideas.” Pick and choose what you like about the decks you see and consider adding those things to your design. Use deck designing software through websites like Trex or Lowe’s to plan out the shape of your deck and get an estimate on the materials.

SUMMARY: Make a budget. Determine what you’ll be using your deck for the most. Decide what kind of furniture you’ll put on your deck. Look at other decks for inspiration.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Breadcrumbs are often called for in recipes to help firm up mixtures. Nutritional yeast is a low carb, savory substitute for breadcrumbs. Use yeast in veggie burgers and other patties.  Breadcrumbs are used to bread chicken. Use nutritional yeast in place of breadcrumbs to create a crispy outer layer around the chicken when it finishes cooking. Stir nutritional yeast into hot sauces and soups. As you stir in the yeast, the mixture should thicken. Continue adding yeast to the mixture until you reach the desired consistency. Savory sauces, like red sauces, and hearty soups, like clam chowder, often have flavor profiles that are suited for the nutty flavor of nutritional yeast. Add a tablespoon (15 ml) of nutritional yeast to salad dressing to give it a vitamin and protein boost. Thicken dressings that are thin by stirring in yeast.  Many kinds of vegan dressings use nutritional yeast to add a non-dairy cheesy quality to the dressing. Position a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup (118 ml) of nutritional yeast to the skillet and toast the yeast while stirring constantly until you can smell the yeast. Then:   Add 1/3 cup (79 ml) of vegetable oil to the yeast. Whisk the mixture. It should bubble and brown. When golden, add 1½ cups (355 ml) of water to the mixture while continuing to whisk. Stir in 2 tbsp (30 ml) of soy sauce into the mixture when it reaches gravy thickness. Add salt and pepper to taste.

SUMMARY: Substitute nutritional yeast for breadcrumbs. Thicken sauces and soups with nutritional yeast. Add nutritional yeast to salad dressings. Make gravy with nutritional yeast.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: While the actual interviewing process will tell you a lot about your candidate and their abilities, one of the best ways to vet a candidate is to observe them working.  If at all possible, allow the candidate to demonstrate themselves in action. While this might work for some positions, it may be impossible for others. But if it is possible, consider inviting other management or potential co-workers to observe the candidate. Establish clear metrics for performance before you observe the candidate at work. Part of the process of assessing the candidate is figuring out if the person is compatible with other employees and with the culture of your business. This is because ultimately the compatibility of your team will promote cooperation. If your team is not compatible and does not cooperate, your company culture and productivity will suffer.  If your business culture is inclusive, consider whether a candidate will thrive in that environment. If your business has a very top-down, production-focused culture, consider whether a candidate will thrive in that environment. Think about if the candidate gets along with other employees, including their immediate managers. An important thing to consider is whether your candidate is truly committed to the job and your company for the long-run. This is an important thing to assess, as employees who are not committed to the job may not put as much effort into the job as others. They can also undermine your company’s culture and potentially cause other problems. Think about whether:  The candidate is using the position as a stepping stone to another position. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as they may be looking to move up within your company and want to make a good impression in the position for which you first hire them. The candidate is committed to the type of work your company does and that they will be engaging in. The candidate is committed to staying in the location that your company is located. If the candidate says negative things about the community in which your business is located, they might not have long-term commitment to the position. After you’ve found a candidate, interviewed them, and provided opportunity for assessment, you should gather management and others vested in the job search to discuss top candidates. This can be very helpful because others who have been involved in the job search process might have insights into certain candidates that others don’t have. As a result, you should be very inclusive and open to feedback when making the final decision.

SUMMARY: Observe the candidate working. Determine if the candidate is compatible. Consider commitment level. Gather senior management to discuss candidates.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get a doctor’s approval if you are using drugs for high blood pressure, heart palpitations, or diuretics. Mixing nicotine patches with caffeine, alcohol, vitamins, and acetaminophen, or Tylenol, can also be an issue.  Drugs for anxiety and depression, such as Wellbutrin, also interact with nicotine patches. Always let your doctor know any drugs you are taking to avoid adverse reactions. Get in touch with a doctor right away. Although patches are safer than smoking, the nicotine may still cause harm to the child. The doctor can advise you on limiting or stopping the patches. The best option is to stop using nicotine entirely. It’s rare, but nicotine can raise your heart rate or make your heart’s rhythm irregular. Monitor your heart rate and also be aware of any dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, nervousness, nausea, and weakness you experience. Stop using the patches and come up with an alternative plan with your doctor. Anyone allergic to adhesive tape should avoid the patches by default. Note any rashes or swelling forming under the patch. If it is severe or doesn’t fade over a few days, stop using the patch and visit a doctor. A little bit of redness and swelling is normal when first applying patches, but it should go away in time. Nicotine patches are sold at different strengths. Start with the patch you need and, if you feel comfortable after 2 to 4 weeks of use, go to the next lowest dose. Continue doing this until you’re done with nicotine entirely. This slow decrease reduces withdrawal symptoms.  Start with the 21 mg patch if you smoke more than 11 cigarettes in a day, and the 14 mg patch if you smoke less than that.  Since these patches are sold over the counter, this is something you can do on your own. However, contact your doctor if you have any concerns.

SUMMARY:
Research negative drug interactions before using the patches. Speak to a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Call a doctor immediately if you experience a rapid heartbeat. Tell your doctor if you experience severe allergic reactions. Switch to a lower dose after 2 weeks when quitting nicotine.