INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The symptothermal method uses a combination of tracking physical changes and BBT to determine when you ovulate. Tracking your BBT is the “thermal” part of the symptothermal method, and it requires that you track your basal body temperature every day.  Because your BBT will experience a sustained rise two to three days after ovulation, tracking your BBT can help you estimate when in your cycle you’re ovulating. (See the method on Using Basal Body Temperature for more detailed instructions.) It will take several months of daily tracking to establish a pattern of ovulation. This is the “sympto” part of the symptothermal method and involves closely tracking your physical symptoms to determine when you’re ovulating.  Each day, carefully track and record your cervical mucus (see the section on Checking Your Cervical Mucus for more) and any other menstrual symptoms you experience, like breast tenderness, cramping, mood swings, etc.  Worksheets for tracking your symptoms are available online to print or you can devise your own. It will take several months of daily tracking to distinguish a pattern. Use both the information from your BBT tracking and from your symptom tracking to verify when you ovulate.  Ideally, the data will coincide, allowing you to determine when you’re ovulating. If the data conflict, continue your daily tracking of each until a coinciding pattern appears. This method is best used for fertility awareness, and does have certain limitations.  Some couples use this method for natural contraception by avoiding sex during the woman’s fertile period (leading up to and during ovulation). Using this method for contraception, however, isn’t generally recommended, as it requires very careful, meticulous, and consistent record-keeping.  Those who use this method for birth control still experience about a 10% chance of unplanned pregnancy.  This method can also be problematic if you’re experiencing periods of high stress, travel, illness, or sleep disturbance, which will alter your body’s basal temperature, as will working nights or drinking alcohol.

SUMMARY: Track your basal body temperature (BBT). Track your bodily symptoms. Combine the data to determine ovulation. Know the limitations of the method.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Chat about your hobbies or ask what she has gotten up to over the weekend. She may immediately volunteer some information about whether she is single or not. She will most likely tell you if she has plans with her significant other. This is more casual than a formal date but still may be viewed as one. If she hesitates, it may be because she is not single. Better yet, she may say yes because she is single and views it as a date. Make sure you know whether she thinks that it is a date or just something between friends. You can casually ask her, “is this cool with your boyfriend?” She may laugh if she’s single or appreciate how respectful and considerate you are but either way, it can put you in her good graces. While she may recoil, breaking the touch barrier establishes a connection and certain dynamic. She may naturally be flirty or very self-conscious, in any scenario apologize if she recoils. She may tell you exactly why she is not comfortable, which may include that she is not single. Touching lets her know that you want to get close to her.  Touch her casually after a joke or after complimenting her hair or outfit.  You may touch her lower back if escorting her through a door or elevator. You may also read over her shoulder if she is classmate or coworker. While this may seem innocent, subconsciously she will know that you’re trying to get closer to her. If you are in a social setting and she has her arms crossed and does not maintain eye contact, she may not be interested in having a conversation with you. In contrast, if she is touching your arm or leg during the conversation, it is a good sign that she is engaged in the conversation. ” If she seems overly talkative, you may be able to surmise that she is open, friendly, and that she has a busy schedule because she is single. For example, if she never mentions a boyfriend but tells you that she goes to yoga every day, takes French lessons, and she is still looking for more activities, there is a good chance that she is single. If you are obviously probing, she may be turned off and not be forthcoming. Say something similar to, “I was just wondering,” and ask if you could take her out or even just get her number if you just met. If you are going to be direct and straightforward, make sure that you have established a rapport. She might find it offputting if you ask her without getting to know her at all.

SUMMARY: Keep conversations casual. Ask her for coffee or lunch. Break the touch barrier. Read her body language. Ask yourself “how much is she telling me? Be casual and polite.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Cook the steak, uncovered, for 40 or 50 minutes.

SUMMARY:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Place the seasoned steak in a shallow roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven. Allow the steak to rest for 3 minutes before serving. Finished.