INPUT ARTICLE: Article: First, figure out whether you should address your letter to both of your parents or start by coming out to one. You might feel more comfortable writing your letter to one parent, who can then help you come out to the other. If you address one letter to both of your parents, it might be a good idea to make a copy of your letter, print two copies, or send each of them an email. That way, they'll each have their own copy to read at their own pace and in their own time. Before you come out to your parents, find a trusted friend, and come out to them first. Ask this person for support throughout the process so that you have someone you can rely on if you need it. Be clear and direct, but use terms that you're most comfortable with and that will be easiest for your parents to digest. Sometimes, telling your parents that you're attracted to men or women is easier than saying, "I'm gay." Further, sometimes the most specific terms are hard for parents to understand. For example, they might be able to understand that you're transgender, but you might confuse them if you start by describing your specific trans identity using terms they've never heard. Be confident, and let your parents know that discovering who you are has been a process. Tell them that you want to be honest with them, but you aren't asking their permission to be yourself. For example, you could write, "I hope you understand that this isn't just a phase, and that it's taken some time for me to discover and accept myself." After writing about who you are and how you've come to accept yourself, you should include specific, actionable steps that your parents can take. Let them know exactly what you want and need from them. For example, let them know that you want to have an honest relationship with them. Write that you hope you can continue to rely on them for support and guidance. If you're writing to one parent, tell them that you'd like them to help you come out to your other parent. You could also ask them to keep this to themselves and mention that you'd like to come out to other family members on your own time. If you'd prefer to continue the conversation in writing, ask them to reply with letters of their own. If you're writing to a parent who lives far away, ask them to write back to you or to set aside some time to talk on the phone. If you don't have a preference, you could write, "I'm not sure what steps we should take next. You can write me a letter if it would help you make sense of all this, or we could talk face to face." After composing your letter, set it aside in a secure place and take some time away from it. Get a good night's sleep, then read it back to yourself. Look for spots where you could be clearer, more confident, or more respectful, and revise it accordingly.

SUMMARY: Decide whether to come out to one or both parents. Use simple, approachable language. Explain that you know who you are. Tell them what you need from them. Propose ways of continuing the conversation. Reread and revise your letter.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When your clothes smell bad, you (hopefully) wash them, so why not use the same method for your shoes? For best results, remove the soles and laces from the shoes, then put all the pieces in a pillowcase or laundry bag to keep them together. Wash on warm or hot with your standard detergent. Repeat the wash cycle for especially-smelly shoes. If you can, let the shoes air dry in the sun. Not only will this expose them to plenty of fresh air so that they can "air out" the sun also acts as a natural disinfectant for odor-causing bacteria. Note that this is not a good choice for shoes that can be damaged by water (like leather shoes). Shoes that have been exposed to sweat, moisture, and foot odor for years can have bacteria and fungi living deep within their fabric. To kill these organisms, a strong disinfecting soak may be necessary. This method uses bleach, so it's not a good choice for dark-colored shoes. You also won't want to use it for moisture-sensitive materials like leather. Follow the steps below: Soak the shoes in rubbing alcohol. Let it saturate the outside and inside fabric completely for about five minutes. Let the shoes air dry in the sun. If the weather isn't being cooperative, use a dryer set to low. Mix equal parts bleach and water. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and mist the inside and outside of each shoe carefully. Pull out the tongue, sole, and laces to make sure the spray gets everywhere. If you have an anti-fungal spray, use this like the bleach mixture. Otherwise, let the shoes air dry again before wearing. If your shoes smell especially bad, you can try replacing parts of them to eliminate the source of the odor. A new set of insoles it probably the most effective thing you can buy. Insoles are sold as accessories at most of the same places where you might buy shoes and are usually fairly cheap. They can also feel great many are made to provide extra comfort and support to people who spend lots of time walking or standing. Heat is a great way to kill bacteria this is one of the reasons why meat is usually cooked before eating. You can heat your shoes in the microwave to kill bacteria, but if you do, you need to be cautious. Heating for too long can damage your shoes or the microwave itself. As with some of the methods above, this is not a good method for shoes made out of leather or water-sensitive materials. It should also not be used for shoes with metal pieces. Follow the steps below: Soak a rag in water. Rub the inside and outside of the shoe so that the material is damp all the way through, but not soaking wet. Put the shoes in the microwave. Remove the rotating plate if your microwave has one. Heat the shoes on high for 30 seconds. Stop and carefully check their temperature with the back of your hand. If they aren't hot, heat for another 30 seconds. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the shoes are quite hot. Use a set of tongs to remove them and let them air dry. A great way to get rid of smelly shoes is to fight the odor at its source your feet. Keeping your feet as clean, dry, and odor-free as possible will make it much harder for your shoes to get smelly in the first place. One way to keep your feet fresh is to use talcum powder. Sprinkling a little on your feet and in your socks once you start sweating will help absorb moisture and prevent the bacteria that cause odors from forming. See our article on foot odor for more ideas.

SUMMARY: Run the shoes through the washer. Use a disinfectant treatment. Get a new pair of insoles. Carefully microwave to kill bacteria. Treat your feet.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A zester is a great tool for peeling only the exocarp (outside layer of the lemon's skin), and comes with several sizes. See Making and Freezing Lemon Juice, below. Placing the portions in a glass mason jar, rather than a plastic bag, will ensure that the small portions are not crushed or crumbled in the freezer.

SUMMARY:
Using a citrus zester, shave off lemon peel from lemon. Use lemon fruit for juice and piths for pectin. Place lemon zest in a glass mason jar and freeze.