You should cut the stems at an angle while submerged in either a basin of water or running water. Exposing the cut end of your flower to open air can be damaging, especially since this is one of the points when flower tissue is most hungry for water. Additionally, you should try to cut your flowers in the early morning or late evening, as these are the best times to cut flowers. If you notice that your flowers, when cut, exude a milky liquid, you can prolong the life of these with a quick boil in water. Soak the bottom two inches of your cut stems in boiling water for ten seconds before putting into a vase. Two common flowers that can benefit from boiling are poinsettias and poppies. If your flowers have leaves all the way down the stem, these can rot in your water and cause mold to grow. Remove all leaves on your stems that will be below the waterline. You can determine whether your water is hard or not by noting mineral deposits on facets and kettles. These will often look like a white, scaly film when dry. If this is the case at your home, your plants will fare better with demineralized water, to which you can add vase preservative. Demineralized water is sold at most supermarkets and should be used in your vase solutions as well if you have hard water. Your homemade plant preservative will likely work even more effectively than commercial recipes, but these are an easy to use and inexpensive substitute if you lack the ingredients for the DIY recipe. Many times, a commercial preservative requires only a clean vase and warm water, though you should always follow the directions on the packet.
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One-sentence summary -- Cut your flowers under water. Boil the stems of flowers with sap. Prune leaves below the water line. Use demineralized water if you have hard water. Add a commercial vase preservative to your water.

Q: Keep your supplies in an easily accessible spot, such as a hall closet or garage. Make sure every member of your family knows where your emergency supplies are located. Keep the following items on hand: Enough bottled water and non-perishable food to last 3 days. A first aid kit, including gauze, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, ibuprofen or another pain reliever, cotton swabs, anti-diarrhea medication, sanitary napkins, and eyewash. Medications that any members of your family take regularly. A flashlight and extra batteries. Tools, including a screwdriver and adjustable wrench. A whistle, to alert first responders in the event you become trapped. Clothes and blankets. Your pet's food and medication, if you have one. You and anyone you live with should have a plan to quickly get to safety in the event of an emergency. Instruct every member of your household to drop, cover, and hold on, then to head to a designated meeting location when the shaking stops. Designated spots might be a clearing near your home, a school, community center, or a shelter. Make a plan to reunite ahead of time, as phone service may be limited and should be used only for emergencies. Conduct practice drills every 6 months to ensure you and your loved ones know exactly what to do in the event of an earthquake. Look for tall cabinets, televisions, dressers, bookcases, hanging plants, and other objects that could fall and cause injury. Go room by room with your family members, and note spots that offer protection and those that are potentially dangerous. For example, if there's a heavy desk in your child's bedroom, tell them to take cover under it. Advise them to stay away from their windows and dresser. Avoid storing heavy objects high up, and install brackets to secure tall furniture to walls. Keep any dangerous items, such as sharp objects, glass, and flammable or toxic substances in locked or low cabinets. Objects such as knives or corrosive liquids can cause serious injury, especially if they fall from a high storage spot during an earthquake. If someone nearby is hurt in an earthquake, basic knowledge of first aid can be a lifesaver. A CPR certification will prepare you to respond if the worst happens. Look online for nearby classes, or check with a local clinic or Red Cross chapter. Earthquakes can damage utilities and cause flooding, fires, or explosions. If you're not sure how to shut off your utilities, call your service providers for specific instructions. To shut off electricity, turn off individual circuits or fuses at the main box, then turn off the main circuit or fuse. Your gas main should be near your gas meter, but locations vary. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve 1/4 turn clockwise. Your water main should be at your water meter by the street or sidewalk, but it may be inside your home. Turn the valve 1/4 turn clockwise to shut off your water.
A: Make an emergency supply kit. Create a family survival plan for your home. Identify safe spots and hazards in each room of your home. Store dangerous objects in a secure cabinet or on lower shelves. Take first-aid and CPR classes to become certified. Learn how to shut off the water, the electricity, and the gas.

Article: Your body needs time to store the water, and trying to chug a water bottle right before you leave is ineffective and uncomfortable. Aim to drink one glass of water every hour up until you set out on your run. You need to drink water to stay hydrated and energized. Aim for 8-16oz of water 1-2 hours before running. You don't need to eat a lot unless you plan on running more than 12-13 miles. A bagel with honey or jam, a granola bar and fruit, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich will provide fuel that your body can digest quickly. Avoid slow to digest foods like thick pasta sauces, fried foods, or cheeses. Aim for a simple combination of carbohydrates (bagel, toast, granola, oatmeal), natural sugar (jelly, banana, apple, honey), and protein (peanut butter, yogurt, grilled chicken). This is especially important if you are just beginning to run regularly. Use a map or a running specific app, like MapMyRun, to plan out a route that works for you. A good start for your first few weeks is 20-30 minutes, running 2-3 miles at a time. As you progress, listen to your body -- if your muscles and joints are hurting after every run, slow down and do less mileage until you are better prepared. You should wear light, breathable clothing that doesn't trap sweat. If you are going for a short run, then a cotton shirt will be fine, but you should use synthetic athletic wear for longer runs. Your body will raise it's temperature by 10-15 degrees, so dress as if the weather is 10-15 degrees warmer. Make sure your sneakers fit by trying them out on short runs. If you get any blisters or feel numbness in your toes, you need better fitting shoes. Your heel should stay snugly in the shoe. You should have room to wiggle your toes. The balls and arches of your feet should be comfortable but not tight. There is a growing movement to run barefoot for it's supposed health benefits, but only try it if you are sure you will not step on anything dangerous.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Hydrate throughout the day. Eat a simple meal 2-3 hours before you plan on running. Set a reasonable goal. Dress to exercise. Buy running shoes.