INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Mix 1 tbsp. of kosher salt, 1 1/4 cups of white vinegar, 2 tbsp. of coriander seeds, and 1 minced garlic clove together in a bowl. Keep mixing the ingredients until the salt and sugar dissolve. Heating the brine will help ingredients dissolve, if you wish. Stir the ingredients together a bit more. The blossom end has the small brown circle on it. The end has an enzyme that can make your pickles softer, and a bit more soggy, which inhibits the pickling process.  Place 3 cucumbers into each jar.  Make sure that the pickles in both jars are completely submerged in the mixture. If there is not enough brine, add a little water until the cucumbers are completely submerged. Close the lids on the jars tightly. Refrigerate the pickles for one night or up to one month. Enjoy the delicious flavor of these simple dill pickles anywhere and at any time.

SUMMARY: Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Add 2 cups of water to the mixture. Cut off the blossom ends of the cucumbers. Tuck 3 dill sprigs into each jar, enough to layer the bottom of the jar. Place the cucumbers into two jars. Add the remaining dill sprigs on top of the cucumbers. Pour the mixture into each jar. Tightly seal the jars. Refrigerate. Serve.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The pods will appear within 2 months of pollination, but they take 6-9 months to mature. During this time, care for the plant as you normally would. Then, when the pods, normally green, are just starting to turn yellow, carefully pluck them off the plant. Heat a pot of water to 158 °F (70 °C). Submerge the beans for 2-5 minutes, then carefully remove them. This kills any germs or bacteria, and also prepares the beans for curing. After blanching the beans, transfer them to a box lined with a blanket. A bamboo box and woolen blankets are best, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Allow the beans to “sweat” inside the blankets and box for 36-48 hours before removing them. The beans will sweat out moisture due to the heat, helping them to dry out. Spread your beans on trays and place them in direct sunlight for 3 hours each day. Then, fold them in a cloth or blanket and put them in a box to allow them to sweat overnight. Repeat the process of drying and sweating each day until the pods turn a deep brown. To further remove moisture from the beans, they should be allowed to air dry fully. Hang them up or spread them out on trays in a drying room. Keep the room at 95 °F (35 °C) and 70% humidity for best results. The beans are done drying when they have a soft, leathery texture and lots of length-wise wrinkles.

SUMMARY: Pick the pods when they begin to turn yellow at the bottom. Blanch the beans for 2-5 minutes in 158 °F (70 °C) water. Sweat the beans for 36-48 hours in a blanket-lined box. Alternate drying the beans in the sun and sweating them for 7-14 days. Allow the beans to air dry for 8-20 days at 95 °F (35 °C) and 70% humidity.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You'll need raffia or ribbon (2-4 large packages), scissors, a measuring tape, and a sturdy string, such as yarn or twine. You'll also need a sink or bowl to soak your raffia / ribbon in, and a flat surface where you can lay the raffia / ribbon out to dry.  If you want an extremely dense hula skirt (one that you cannot see through), you'll probably need about 4 large packages of raffia or ribbon. If you want a lighter skirt, 2 large packages should be enough. All of these supplies can be purchased online or at your local craft store. While the raffia / ribbon is drying, take your measuring tape and measure the length from your waist to your knees (or however long you want your hula skirt to be). Write down this measurement so you don't forget it. Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your waist to see how long you need to cut your string. Then, take that measurement and add 12 inches. This added length will be used to tie and untie your skirt. This string will be your waistband. For example, if your waist is 30 inches, cut your string so that it is 42 inches long.

SUMMARY: Gather up your materials. Measure the length of your hula skirt. Measure your waist to determine the width of your skirt.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Crosswalks and corners exist for a reason. Many adults put themselves at greater risk by scurrying across the street whenever they want. That’s a very dangerous lesson to show a child, so guide them to the crossing zones even if you have to go out of your way a little. Getting to rule the crosswalk lines is fun and makes you more visible to motorists.  Model good behavior by always using crosswalks yourself. If you witness someone else crossing improperly, remind your child that this is incorrect and dangerous. If you have younger children, hold their hand while you cross. Instruct older children to cross when you do. Crosswalk lights can be tricky for younger children. When they see the the blinking hand pop up, they may freeze in the middle of the street. That’s why you’re there to guide them. Play games with them such as “I Spy” or “Guess the meaning of the sign.” For example, you can ask, “What does this sign mean? Should we stop or walk?” Praise them for getting it right. “Look left, right, left.” Your parents probably hammered a similar song into your head when you were young. Before you step into the street, have them look for any danger. Continue looking and listening even after you begin crossing. Cars that appear distant may reach you faster than expected. Drivers make mistakes too, so it’s up to you and your child to protect yourself by waiting until the coast is clear before crossing.  Try asking the child what they should do during different situations. At a crosswalk, expect them to answer with something like “I stop and look both ways.” Eventually, they’ll be able to say this back in their own words, proving that they understand. Listening while crossing is almost as important as looking. Newer cars and hybrids can be very quiet. A road is an ever-changing place. Even a situation that appears safe can quickly develop into an accident. Have your child search out the eyes of drivers they approach. Drivers you look in the eye are more likely to stop. Your child will soon recognize drivers who aren’t paying attention. Some vehicles, such as those with tinted windows, make eye contact impossible, but it’s always worth trying. Anyone who has been in the presence of a young child knows how much they enjoy running ahead of you. Many children also lack the attention span required to get across the street promptly. At least until age six, lead them by the hand. Grab your teenager too when they’re too distracted to be street safe. This is a golden opportunity to let them decide when it’s safe to cross. Ask them “is it safe?” and don’t move until they say yes. This can also be helpful for developmentally disabled children. Besides driveways, parked cars are a leading cause of accidents. This sounds weird, but think about it. It’s very difficult to see someone when they come out from between two cars. Even adults make this mistake, but children are much smaller and harder to see. It’s very important your child knows to go to a street crossing! Never try to scare children with street dangers. Instead, calmly explain them so they learn the lessons rather than get distracted by your tone.

SUMMARY:
Have children always cross at a crosswalk. Remind your child to stop and look both ways before crossing. Have children make eye contact with drivers while crossing. Hold a young child’s hand as they cross. Explain the danger of crossing between parked cars.