In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Pour all-purpose flour for baking into your balloon for your stress ball. This creates a ball that is soft and squishy and will more or less hold the shape you form it into. You can also use other common powdered baking ingredients that you have on hand, like cornstarch or baking soda. Or use sand, if you have it available, for a slightly grainier texture. Note that this filling can be messier if spills occur, but it is popular for its low expense and the satisfying texture it creates for a stress ball. Try small dry beans, lentils, rice, or birdseed to fill your balloon for the stress ball. This creates a firmer, more textured ball, like a bean bag. This type of filling doesn't create as squishy of a ball, but it can be easier to get into the balloon and creates less of a mess if spilled. Note that birdseed or dry goods may have sharp or cracked fragments that could create a hole in the balloon for your stress ball. Prevent this by using several layers of balloons to make a thicker surface for your stress ball, or opting for a smoother filling material instead. You can also mix dry beans with flour for a filling that is a mixture of firm and soft. Try half beans and half flour, or whatever combination creates a texture you like. Use a modeling clay product or playdough to put into your balloon. This creates a stress ball that is very squishy and holds its shape well. Be aware that many modeling clays and play doughs will dry up over time when left exposed to the air. Though you will be putting it inside a tied balloon, it may not be completely airtight and your stress ball could harden after a couple days or weeks. Note that solids like modeling clay or playdough can be more difficult to get into a balloon successfully. Use a funnel as with any other filling, and roll the clay or dough into thin snakes to help get it through and into the balloon.
Summary: Use flour for a soft and malleable ball. Use dried beans or birdseed for a firmer ball. Try modeling clay or playdough.

Does he blow a gasket if someone calls in sick for anything short of Ebola? Does she grouse about notices by text or email instead of a phone call? Use these observations to help you determine when and how to call in sick. Fear of upsetting the boss by calling in sick is one reason why the average American worker takes five sick days per year, even though he/she is entitled to eight or nine. In the best case scenario, you'll find your fears eased because your boss actually responds quite reasonably to legitimate sick day requests. In the worst-case scenario, you'll find that you're going to have to be insistent and persistent to secure a sick day, even when you really need it. If you're lucky, your boss may be fine with a sick-day text or email (see samples below in this article). Realistically, though, you're probably going to have to go through an actual, person-to-person phone conversation. In most instances, calling in sick attaches greater respect, seriousness, and legitimacy to your request. Deciding when to call is important as well. You don't want to call too early you might wake your boss up, or give the impression that you didn't even give coming in to work a chance. However, calling too late may be deemed disrespectful for leaving everyone in the lurch by your last-minute absence. The best time to call is usually sometime between when you normally wake up and when you leave for work. This says "I tried, but it's obvious it's just not happening today." Yes, your boss wants to get the feeling that you're actually sick, but no, he/she does not need the gory details of your morning spent bent over the toilet. Be clear, direct, and brief in explaining why you need to stay home. By knowing your boss and how he or she responds to sick day requests, you'll have a better idea of how much detail you need to provide regarding your particular illness, symptoms, etc. Unless you're certain of your phone acting skills, faking or exacerbating symptoms for effect is probably not a good idea. You're more likely to elicit suspicion than sympathy if your "scratchy voice" or "persistent cough" sound manufactured, even if you actually have those symptoms in a milder form. Apologize for the inconvenience, but don't feel guilty if you are truly sick and unable to come in. Remember, you are actually doing everyone a favor. You don't need to give everyone explicit details about how sick you were, or play up your remaining symptoms as proof of why you stayed home the day before. (On the other hand, you probably shouldn't act like you feel better than ever, either.) Instead, a little extra common courtesy is in order. Be appreciative of any efforts made to pick up the slack in your absence, and apologetic for any inconveniences you caused. Likewise, show you care about your co-workers' health by practicing exemplary hygiene upon returning. Wash your hands like you're a surgeon heading into the O.R., and pump that hand sanitizer bottle on your desk until it's empty. Declare war on any remaining contagion you may have.
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One-sentence summary -- Observe your boss's response to sick days. Assume that you need to call in. Don't milk it. Be thoughtful when you return to work.

Problem: Article: Meat, dairy, and plant foods can all be infected with toxoplasmosis. Avoid eating raw meats. This includes rare meats and cured meats, particularly lamb, mutton, pork, beef, and goat. This includes sausages and smoked hams. If the animal was infected with toxoplasmosis, the parasites may still be alive and infectious. Cook whole cuts of meat to at least 145F (62.8C), ground meat to at least 160F (71.1C), and poultry to at least 165F (73.9C). Measure the temperature with a cooking thermometer in the thickest part. After you stop cooking, the temperature should remain at that temperature or above for at least three minutes. Freeze meat for several days below 0F (-17.8C). This will reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of infection. Wash and/or peel all fruits and vegetables. If the fruit or vegetable was in contact with contaminated soil, it can transmit toxoplasmosis to you unless you wash it or peel it. Do not drink unpasteurized milk products, eat cheese made from unpasteurized milk or drink untreated water. Clean all cooking implements and surfaces (such as knives and cutting boards) that came into contact with raw or unwashed foods. Soil can be infected if an infected animal has recently defecated in that area. You can reduce your risks by: Wearing gloves when gardening and washing your hands thoroughly afterwards. Covering sandboxes to prevent cats from using it as a litter box. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that it is not necessary to give up your cat if you are pregnant. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk including: Getting your cat tested to see if he is carrying toxoplasmosis. Keeping your cats indoors. Cats become infected when they come in contact with the feces of other infected cats or by eating infected prey animals. Keeping your cat inside will reduce both risks. Feed your cat commercial canned or dry food. Do not give your cat raw or undercooked meat. If the cat's food is infected, the cat can become infected. Not touching stray cats, especially kittens. Not getting a new cat with an unknown medical history. Not changing the litter box if you are pregnant. Ask someone else to do it. If you must change it, wear disposable gloves, a face mask, and wash your hands afterwards. The box should be changed daily because the parasite generally requires one to five days to become infectious in feces.
Summary:
Reduce your risk of eating infected foods. Avoid coming in contact with infected soil. Manage the risk presented by pet cats.