Article: Traveling is a whirlwind, and it is easy to get swept up in the excitement. Find a way to make your memories permanent by taking some time to write them down. Even jotting down a list of the things you did will help you remember the stories, events, and locations that made your trip memorable. Many solo travelers find that writing a travel blog a great way to connect deeply with their vacation and keep friends and family back home in the loop. Walk to the big attraction instead of taking a taxi. Rent a bike and go exploring on the city streets. Take a trail that your fellow hostel mates are about to hike. Traveling alone gives you the freedom to explore now and make plans later. Get on the ground, then, and start exploring -- you'll never know who or what you'll find. If you're the type that likes organization and firm plans, hop onto a tour group. Ask the hotel/hostel staff if they know any pre-planned walking routes or good tour companies. The foods, people, and sights off of the beaten path are usually the most memorable. So get off the path and get on your own two feet. They can be fellow hostelers, a ranger at the campground, or the bartender at your nearest pub. A friendly smile and hello is usually all you need to start conversation. Most people are happy to give some guidance to a traveler on the road. Start with the staff at your hotel, asking them for recommendations or advice, and see where it leads you. You'll find no better guidebooks than the people who live and work in the place every day. Being alone means it is easy to pick up and drop plans. Keep your ears open for events at your hostel or hotel, or any parties or group activities with other travelers. A deck of cards is a great way to break the ice. Travel is perhaps the best time to expand your horizons, so don't cut yourself short by acting picky. Dive into a local dish you wouldn't otherwise order. Go see a local concert in a genre you've never heard before. Hike to the top of a mountain in your flip-flops. Whatever it is that interest you, even a little, is worth exploring. At the very least, it almost always ends in a great story. Bask in the freedom of solo traveling. Do what you want to do, see the people and sights you want to see, and keep moving. If you wake up one day and decide you want to read by the pool all afternoon instead of seeing the museums, do it. Traveling alone means the experiences are all yours, allowing you to find the "right" trip for you. So use the guidebooks as guides, not the law, and stay flexible. With the right attitude and willingness to experiment, your trip will turn out amazing.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take time every day to journal or write down your thoughts. Just start moving, following your instincts. Make a few friends. Push yourself to try new things. Remember that there is no "right" way to travel.
Article: If you are looking for a healthier option, then plain Greek yogurt and plain yogurt are similar in texture and consistency to sour cream and are excellent substitutes in recipes likes dips, salad dressings, marinades, and your favorite baked treats. For most dishes, you can use the same amount of yogurt as you would for sour cream, making the swap a simple one. Be aware that the flavor of your dishes may a slight tangy taste that is not as strong in sour cream. Make a cool dip for your next party by swapping out sour cream for yogurt. Mix a cup of Greek yogurt or plain yogurt with a tablespoon of chopped dill, a chopped garlic clove, and a teaspoon of lemon juice for a creamy, zesty dip that is perfect for dipping vegetables or pita chips. Plain non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt is lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than sour cream, making it a healthy replacement. One cup of regular sour cream can contain around 480 calories, while a cup of full-fat, plain Greek yogurt contains around 220 calories. Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein and helps fuel your body and metabolism, and it is full of probiotics, which can help aid in digestion. Greek yogurt comes in a variety of flavors. Choose plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream as it is most similar to sour cream's flavor, texture, and consistency. Top a baked potato with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to cut back on calories. Mix some yogurt with a pinch of salt, pepper, and some chopped parsley or chives to create a tasty, healthier garnish. Plain yogurt is also an excellent and healthy substitute for sour cream. When using plain yogurt, select a full-fat yogurt over a non-fat variety. Non-fat yogurts contain added thickeners and stabilizers which can make its consistency very different than the consistency of sour cream. Because Greek yogurt has a higher protein content and a lower fat content than sour cream, it is more likely to curdle when it comes into contact with hot foods. To avoid this, wait until you are about to eat your meal at the table before you layer the yogurt on a baked potato, a taco, or a bowl of soup. If you are adding yogurt to a hot sauce, keep the temperature low and add the yogurt at the end to prevent it from curdling.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Switch sour cream for plain yogurt. Use low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt for a healthier substitute. Opt for full-fat yogurt instead of non-fat. Prevent Greek yogurt from curdling.
Article: Take a deep breath. Don't take the other person's anger personally. Instead, focus on keeping an emotional distance from them. Keep that intention in mind as this person acts out in anger. Avoid becoming agitated, raising your voice, or fighting with the person. Instead, actively think about skills you can use to help the other person regulate the situation enough to have a balanced conversation. Remember that anger is always rooted in someone's personal pain. It's not about you, even if the person is taking out their feelings on you. You are not responsible for diffusing their anger. If they are not willing to work toward calm, disengage as soon as possible. People tend to mimic the behavior of those around them. Keeping calm may help the other person to slow or stop their anger. Even if the other person is shouting at you, respond to them as calmly as you can. If they are too worked up to communicate rationally, don't say anything until they quiet down a little. If you raise your voice, you'll only fuel the person's anger. Don't encourage them to fight. Saying something like "Settle down" or "Relax" will probably just make the person angrier. They may resent being told what to do and feel like you are brushing off their problem. Create a connection with the person by acknowledging their anger instead. Say something like, "It seems like this is really bothering you. Can we talk about it?" or "I want to understand how you feel and I think that would be easier if we could talk instead of yelling." If you are in a public place, ask the person if there is somewhere you can go to work out the issue. If you feel nervous going on your own, ask someone along to act as a moderator and serve as your witness. When the person tells you what's wrong, empathize with them. Make them feel like you're on their side, even if you don't agree with them. They will be less likely to turn violent if they feel understood. For instance, you might say something like, "So you're hurt that no one told you about the change of plans ahead of time, is that right? You feel like no one wanted to include you." Maintain an open, relaxed posture. Make eye contact with the angry person, but keep your expression non-confrontational. Don't make animated gestures, put your hands on your hips, or fold your arms. Move slowly and calmly. Give the angry person plenty of space. This also gives you some protection if they do become violent.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Stay calm. Keep your voice down. Avoid telling the person to calm down. Reflect the person's feelings. Use non-threatening body language.