Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Sprinkle the excess sugar over each crème brûlée. Quickly caramelize the top with the blow torch or a kitchen butane torch. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes before serving (optional). Finished.

Answer: Make sure that the sugar coats the crème brûlée evenly. An uneven coat of sugar will make the caramelization harder. Don't caramelize it for more than roughly 8-10 seconds. If you over-heat it, the sugar will turn black. If you don't have a blowtorch, move the wire rack in the oven to its highest position and turn on the broiler. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet and place them underneath the broiler, twisting the ramekins often for even browning. Letting them refrigerate for any longer may allow the sugar to dissolve back into the custard. This step is optional, as some prefer to caramelize the sugar immediately before serving.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Do a self scan. Drink water or tea. Brush your teeth. Find an exciting activity. Chew on gum or suck on mints.

Answer: Whenever you feel hungry or have the desire to eat, take a pause for a minute or two and do a quick self scan. This will help you determine what the best action is for your feelings.  Many times you may feel hungry when you’re actually not physically hungry at all. You might be bored, thirsty, upset, stressed, or just in the mood to eat a tasty snack. Since there are a variety of reasons outside of true physical hunger that can cue you to eat, a quick self scan can help you out. Take a minute to think: “Is my stomach growling? Does my stomach feel empty? When was my last meal or snack? Do I feel stressed, anxious or upset? Am I bored?” Asking yourself these questions can help you determine whether or not you're truly hungry. If you are physically hungry, have a planned snack or wait until your next meal to eat. You can also apply some tricks to help calm your hunger down. If you're not truly hungry, find another activity to distract yourself with until your craving or desire to eat goes away. Many times, people feel hungry and want to snack or eat but are actually just thirsty. The signals of thirst and hunger feel similar and are easy to confuse.  Water can help fill your stomach, which may help stave off hunger pains. It helps fill your stomach and send signals to your brain that you're full. Drink a full 2 glasses if your stomach is growling. Or consider carrying a water bottle so you can continuously sip throughout the day. This will also help prevent dehydration throughout the day. Warm or hot drinks may make you feel even more satisfied than plain water. The flavor and warmth mimic a meal. Hot coffee or tea are good options. However, if you're watching your weight, stick to sugar-free options. Brushing your teeth is a very quick way to curb your appetite in just a few short seconds.  You're much less likely to snack if you've just brushed your teeth.  Toothpaste provides an intense flavor that can help cut cravings immediately. In addition, most foods do not taste as good right after you've brushed your teeth. Try keeping a travel toothbrush around if you get hungry during a long day away from home. Pay attention to the symptoms of your hunger. If you think you're hungry, but aren't experiencing any typical hunger sensations, you may be craving food for another reason.  Eating out of boredom is very common. Change your mind by participating in another activity. This can help distract your brain and mind for a bit and allow the craving to pass.  Go for a quick walk, talk to a friend, read a good book, do some household chores, or surf the internet. One study even reports fewer cravings when the participants played tetris. Some studies have shown that chewing on gum or sucking on a mint helps immediately decrease feelings of hunger.  The chewing or sucking sensation paired with a flavor tells your brain that you're satisfied and is thought to be the reason why this trick works so well.  Stick to sugar-free gums and mints. These generally have very few calories associated with them and are an appropriate method to stop hunger pangs when you're following a diet.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Search for videos or apps. Avoid eating for at least half an hour before meditating. Find a quiet place to meditate. Find a comfortable, seated position. Rest your hands lightly on your lap. Keep your spine straight. Relax your gaze. Become aware of your physical and emotional feelings. Become aware of your breathing. Practice meditation every single day.

Answer: If you have never practiced meditation before, you can search the web for videos or for apps for your smart phone that can guide you through a meditation session. If you choose to use a video to guide you, skim through several videos to see if you enjoy the tempo of the guidance, the length, and the content of the guidance. You don’t have to listen to the whole thing before you start, but try to look for a guided meditation for beginners as these will be much shorter and include much more verbal guidance. A full belly can make you sleepy and weigh you down. When meditating, you want to be awake, but relaxed. If you can find a nearly silent place to meditate, this is best. If you wish, you can use music to help you focus in your meditation. However, be sure to use music that is suitable for Chi meditation. If you don’t have any such music, you can search sites like YouTube for videos that play the correct music. Simply search for “Chi meditation music” (or try “Qi meditation music”), and you should find suitable music. If you can, sit cross-legged on the floor. If this is not possible for you, sit upright in a chair with your feet planted flat on the floor. Your hands should rest with your palms facing upwards either on each leg or with your left hand cradling your right hand just below your navel. If you choose the latter, have your thumbs gently touching each other. This can be challenging at first, but try not to slouch. Instead, practice sitting with your spine straight. While you should try to keep your spine straight, you should not feel tense. Thus, try to keep a straight, but relaxed position. You can choose to gently close your eyes, or keep your eyes open. Either way, begin by resting your gaze in front of you, not focusing too hard on anything in particular. Notice the way your body feels as it rests on the floor or chair, and take note of the thoughts and emotions you are feeling at this moment. Notice your breathe. Notice the way it feels as you inhale in through the nose (e.g. Is the air cold? Is one nostril more open than the other?) and then notice how it feels as you exhale (e.g. Is the air warmer? Does the air come out slowly or forcefully?). As you breathe in, imagine that you are breathing in good energy. As you breathe out, imagine that you are breathing out toxins and bad energy. With meditation it is best to practice every day if at all possible. This may mean that you have to reduce the time that you meditate, which is OK. It is better to meditate for 10 minutes each day than for 30 or 40 minutes only once per week.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Start with group lessons and see if there are areas where you flourish. Consider the financial obligation. Gauge whether or not you’re able to separate mind from body. Know that figure skating is high-pressure. Decide if you’re willing to give up your social life for the love of skating.

Answer:
Not everyone can be an Olympic-level athlete, so be realistic. Have you shown particular talent in skating classes? For example, stroking - gliding forward from one skate to the other.</ref> Does your family have the finances to support a career that could cost many thousands of dollars? It’s difficult to put a dollar amount on just how expensive becoming an Olympic figure skater can be. Here are some basic costs to consider.  Private lessons Skates and costumes Rink cost for practice Travel expenses for competitions and recitals A successful figure skater doesn’t try to process every movement and technique mentally, but instead relies on muscle memory and instinct. Professional figure skating requires intense training and competition. Even for a young child the training is a full time job. Are you okay with sacrificing your free time in order to pursue this dream? For example, your peers may be playing video games, going to the movies, or attending other social gatherings. Would you prefer to be socializing, or on the ice?