Problem: Article: You can wash the jars by hand, or you could sanitize them in the dishwasher. Make sure to thoroughly rinse away all the detergent so your batch of pickled beets isn't compromised. Because the jars will be submerged in a hot bath and filled with hot liquid, there shouldn't be any issue with them being disinfected. Put a reminder on your calendar, and wait at least 2 weeks before you crack open a jar. You can definitely let them sit for longer, even for up to 1 year. You could give jars of beets as gifts. Create cute labels and stick them on the jars and give them away at the holidays. Once you open a jar of beets, it'll need to be stored in the fridge to help keep them good for longer. After you eat some, just make sure to refasten the lid tightly. If you notice any mold or odd smells when you open the jar, discard the beets.
Summary: Clean the glass jars and lids with hot water and detergent. Let the beets marinate for at least 2 weeks before you enjoy them. Store opened beets in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Problem: Article: If you're not sure what to bring, ask your host. They may tell you not to bring anything out of politeness. In this case, respect their request; although, you could still give them a card or a thoughtful note. If you can't bring a gift, a bottle of wine or vase of flowers are good options. Potluck: a dish to share. Birthday party or baby shower: a gift suitable for the recipient. Dinner party: a bottle of wine or a hostess gift. Casual high school or college parties: no gift, unless specified. Try to get plenty of rest the night before the party. That way, you'll be able to stay up late if it's a late night party. Even if it's a daytime party, you still want to have the energy to be sociable and feel your best. Some people will drink coffee or another caffeinated beverage before going out for a late night party. Eat a protein-packed meal before going out. Even if there will be food at the party, you don't want to arrive starving. Listening to some of your favorite music is the perfect way to get excited about a party. It can get you energized and ready to dance, or just put you in a good mood. You can listen to music while you're getting dressed, or while you're driving to the party! Sing along. You'll feel confident and expressive, which is a great way to feel when you arrive at a party. Think about who will be at the party and how you want to interact with them. This can be especially useful if you're shy or don't go out very much. You can make small goals, such as, "I will talk to two new people," or "I will introduce myself to my new coworker that I have a crush on." You can even practice in the mirror if you're really shy. Practice introducing yourself to someone by saying, "Hi, I'm ___. How do you know the host?" Think of topics you can talk about with other guests. Do you follow current events? Have you been working on an interesting project? Can you share a humorous story about the host? Usually, it's assumed that people will arrive at a party a little bit after it's supposed to start. This is called being "fashionably late." If you're shy, you may want to arrive well after the party has started so that you can avoid having to make conversation if there are only a couple of people there early on. Don't be late to dinner parties, children's parties, or parties where a space has been rented for the occasion. Doing so is considered to be rude. Aim to arrive on time.
Summary: Prepare anything you need to bring. Get energized. Listen to music. Plan for socializing. Decide when you'll arrive.

Problem: Article: Plastic trash often kills birds in the wild, either because they eat it or they become tangled in it. By using less plastic, you can help reduce the dangers to birds in the wild. Simple changes you can make include using reusable cloth grocery bags instead of plastic, and switching to a reusable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water. When you do use plastic items, be sure to recycle them. Over time, this will decrease the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced. Millions of birds are killed by cars every year. Unfortunately, there's no way to completely eliminate the danger posed by vehicles, but there are things you can do to help reduce the risk. When you're driving the speed limit, you may be able to safely slow down or stop, giving the bird time to escape. If you speed, you might not have the reaction time needed to avoid hitting a bird that's standing in the roadway or flying low to the ground. If you're passionate about saving birds, choose a nonprofit conservation organization whose mission you feel passionate about, then donate to that charity. Private donations help these organizations continue to operate, so you'll be doing your part to support their mission. Some of the more well-known nonprofits working to protect birds include the National Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy, and Partners in Flight. You may be able to find regional organizations dedicated to protecting birds specific to your area. Local conservation efforts might include protecting nesting areas threatened by urban growth or tracking endangered bird species. Often, conservation programs will have opportunities for people to donate their time to helping protect birds. These might include spending time at a wildlife rehabilitation center or assisting with rescues after a disaster, like helping to clean birds after an oil spill. You can be alerted to volunteer opportunities by following different non-profit organizations on social media or signing up for their emails. If volunteering at a non-profit isn't a good option, or if you're looking for more ways to contribute on your own time, consider becoming a citizen scientist. Many conservation organizations rely on data like bird identification and population counts, and a lot of this information can be tracked simply by watching, classifying, and counting the birds that come to your feeder. You can then upload that information to the appropriate organization. If you can't be physically present to watch the birds, consider setting up a motion-activated game cam instead. For more information about becoming a citizen scientist, check out an organization like the Cornell Lab or Ornithology's Project FeederWatch. You can learn more about Project FeederWatch at https://feederwatch.org/learn/. Some coffee and chocolate farms in Central and South America have started growing their plants in a forest-like environment, rather than clearing out the ground to grow them in full sun. This provides a safe environment for birds that would have been displaced by deforestation. You can help support their efforts by purchasing shade-grown coffee and chocolate whenever you see it. The "shade-grown" designation will typically be clearly stated on the packaging. By maintaining a healthy ecosystem, including a natural habitat for birds, these farms are helping to increase the sustainability of their harvests.
Summary:
Switch to cloth grocery bags and reusable bottles. Drive the speed limit. Donate to an organization that works to conserve bird populations. Volunteer with a program to have a more hands-on impact. Become a citizen scientist by tracking bird data yourself. Buy shade-grown coffee and chocolate.