INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Leave to soak overnight. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, or until the apricots become soft. Stir occasionally during one hour, or until the jam gels when tested. Pour into sterilised hot jars. Let stand until cold and then seal. Add a label so that the new owner can identify it, along with the date you made it.

SUMMARY: Place the dried apricots in a large bowl and cover with water. Pour the apricots and water into a large saucepan. Add sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and let the jam simmer. Decorate if presenting as a gift by giving the jars a professional and elegant touch by using a piece of fabric over the lid, tied down with a thin satin ribbon matching the fabric. Finished.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Most slab leaks can only be fixed by breaking concrete, so look for general contractors that specialize in remedial plumbing. If possible, go with a plumber that lists slab leak detection or repair directly on their website, indicating that they have experience. Expect to pay around $65 per hour or a set price based on the specific job. Hourly contractors may be cheaper for small fixes, but they can cost significantly more if the plumber encounters unexpected problems. If you can't find good plumbers online, ask friends, family members, and neighbors for personal recommendations. Using specialty equipment, plumbers can confirm that you are actually dealing with a slab leak and will isolate the problem to a specific area. Though some plumbers may offer detection services for free, expect others to charge up to $400. Once you confirm that the problem is a slab leak, ask your plumber for a repair estimate. The estimate will depend largely on your specific problem, but expect a standard repair to cost around $2000. To ensure that the price doesn't change, make sure you get the estimate in writing. Before committing to a plumber, call other plumbing companies and ask for repair estimates. Since you've already had the leak examined, simply relay the problem as it was described to you. Once you have multiple estimates, choose a plumber that seems reputable and offers their services at a reasonable price. Though the lowest offer may seem enticing, make sure it's from a plumber that has a legal operating license and good user reviews online. Though pricey, pay for the slab leak repairs as soon as possible. Slab leaks can cause far more expensive problems down the road, and a little money now can save a lot going forward. Some homeowner's insurance policies cover the cost of essential pipe repairs.

SUMMARY: Search online for local plumbers. Hire a plumber to detect slab leaks. Ask for a repair estimate. Compare the estimate with other offers. Pay to have your pipes repaired.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: How long this ends up taking depends on how light or dark you want your highlights to be. The longer you leave bleach in your hair, the lighter the highlights will be. Do not cover your head with a shower cap, or you will mess up the foil. Most bleach kits will have recommended times for highlights. Use these times as a guide; your own hair might process faster. Once the processing time is up, remove the foil pieces. Step into the shower, and tilt your head back. Rinse your hair with cool water until all of the bleach comes out. Wash your hair with shampoo first, then rinse it out with cool water. Next, apply a deep conditioner, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water as well. If your highlights turned out yellow or brassy, use a purple shampoo to neutralize the yellow tones. Follow the directions on the bottle to determine how long to leave the shampoo on your hair before rinsing (usually 2-10 minutes). You can use regular conditioner instead of a deep conditioner, if you wish. In this case, you only need to let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Bleach is harsh on your hair, even if it is just highlights. As such, you want to treat your hair as gently as possible. The safest drying method is to pat your hair with a towel to get rid of excess moisture, then let it dry on its own. If you must use a hairdryer, use a low-heat setting.

SUMMARY: Allow the bleach to process for about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the foil pieces and rinse the bleach out. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Allow your hair to air dry, if possible.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A warm body will sweat in order to cool itself. Staying hydrated is important because it allows your body to regulate its temperature. More than that, though, cold drinks, rather than room-temperature or warm drinks, can prevent excess sweating, as the intake of cold fluids keeps your core body temperature down. Water is best, but you can drink chilled teas or other non-calorie drinks that taste good--the better they taste, the more likely you are to drink them. You can drink sports drinks as well, but such fluids are designed for use by athletes engaging in vigorous activity. These drinks contain carbohydrates and electrolytes you may not need if you aren't exercising. Sugar-laden foods can boost blood sugar, which can lead to dizziness, sleepiness, and sweating. If you are sensitive to sugar, eating more than you need may lead to increased sweating. Additionally, conditions such as reactive hypoglycemia may lead to sweating, jitteriness, and headaches after ingesting sugar. Other foods composed of simple sugars, such as white bread or potatoes, may aggravate such reactions even if they don't contain added sugar. Cut these out of your diet, or replace them with alternatives, such as wheat bread or yams, that contain more complex carbohydrates. These should be especially avoided on warm days. Spice and caffeine activate specific neurotransmitters that tell your body to produce sweat. Choose milder foods and reduced-caffeine drinks and treats. Remember that even decaf coffee contains trace amounts of caffeine, which may be a problem for sensitive individuals. These are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help regulate bodily functions. Whole foods promote stable blood sugar levels, which can prevent sweatiness of the palms. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain water, which can help regular body temperature, especially if chilled. You may consider including a multivitamin in your diet if you cannot eat many different kinds of plant foods. Contrary to popular conception, fruit and vegetables diets do not "detox" your body. It is better to include such foods as part of a daily diet rather than as a crash diet. These foods include turkey, onions, cranberries, dairy products, potatoes, broccoli, beef, and asparagus. Though these foods are healthful, consuming too much iodine may contribute to hyperthyroidism, a metabolic dysfunction. One symptom of hyperthyroidism is excessive sweating. Only a doctor can diagnose hyperthyroidism. If you are concerned about developing metabolic syndromes, consult your primary care provider. Excessive sweating can be more common in those who are overweight, obese, or otherwise unfit. Though exercise, especially strenuous exercise, causes one to sweat, you will sweat less in your everyday life if you are at a healthy weight and commit to a healthy activity level.

SUMMARY:
Drink lots of water to cool down your body. Avoid foods with added sugars. Stay away from spicy foods and caffeinated liquids. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your intake of foods that are high in iodine. Keep your weight at a healthy level.