INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Some storms arrive suddenly, but usually the local weather team can give you some warning that there is a chance of a storm. In addition, during a storm, the radio can give you information on storm intensity, storm tracking and other emergency information. Have enough medication, food, water, fuel, toilet paper, diapers, and so on stocked in your home. Make sure you have enough supplies to last at least a week. Ensure your first-aid kit is well stocked. Have plenty of extra sheets and blankets available. Get plenty of candles and matches. When the power goes out, you will need to have light to see. Be sure you have extra batteries. Always use caution when using candles. Purchase self-powered radios and flashlights. Some of these models will also charge your cell phone. Also purchase light sticks as well. Make sure you have water. Cleaning, then filling the bathtub is a good way to store water. You can quickly pour water directly into the toilet bowl to flush it. If bad comes to worse, you can melt snow to get water. This will prevent water from freezing in the pipes and rupturing them, thereby avoiding future expensive damage. Have a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater available to keep you warm. You could also buy a generator for backup electricity. Be sure you know how to use these sources safely, and have appropriate fuel at hand. Be careful to conserve energy if you're anticipating a long power outage.

SUMMARY: Watch the local news. Stock up on supplies. Turn off the main water supply and open faucets. Have a backup heat source.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Unfortunately, mosquitoes live on every continent except Antarctica. However, they're generally more common in warmer, wetter areas, which tend to be close to the equator. If you really want to avoid mosquito bites, stay out of tropical climates entirely. Mosquitoes are especially common in jungles and swamps in Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, Sub Saharan Africa, and Oceania. If you're unsure about whether it's safe to travel to a certain part of the world, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Malaria Travel Information website. This site gives a country-by-country breakdown of malaria prevalence, as well as any noted malarial drug resistances. Mosquitoes are often attracted to water, especially standing water, so lakes, stagnant creeks, bogs, marshes, and swamps are mosquito havens, especially during hot months. Most species of mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water and some have even adapted to lay their eggs in salt water. Stay away from any bodies of stagnant water, whether they're small puddles or vast swamps, to reduce your risk of encountering mosquitoes. Many species of mosquito stay fairly close to where they hatch and breed. If you can give these wet, standing areas a wide berth, you'll avoid these species entirely. It's easy to unintentionally create habitats for mosquitoes to live and breed in. For instance, a kiddy pool left out in the summer sun for several days can soon become a hotbed for mosquitoes. Get rid of any standing water around your home or campsite. If you have a pool, cover it when it's not in use and treat the water with chemical additives like chlorine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Here are just a few places water can accumulate: Discarded tires or industrial containers Construction ditches or trenches Pools Natural low points on a piece of property Clogged storm drains In the tropics, differences between seasons are minimal, so mosquitoes are able to thrive in warm weather year-round. In temperate areas, however, mosquitoes are only active during warmer months. In colder periods, mosquitoes hibernate and new adults do not mature past the larval stage. For example, parts of the American Midwest have cold, snowy winters which eliminate mosquitoes entirely, but also have hot, humid summers, which cause mosquito populations to swell. "Mosquito season" varies depending on the locale - generally, it's the hottest and/or most-humid part of the year. Another seasonal factor which can influence mosquito populations is flooding. Some parts of the world, like Egypt's Nile River, experience periodic flooding. Standing water from the flooding can cause a dramatic boom in mosquito populations. This advice is especially important if you're in a hot, humid climate. Mosquitoes are thought to be attracted to warm bodies, so staying cool is one way to avoid bites. Dark-colored fabrics absorb more heat from the sun than light-colored alternatives, so avoid them. Also avoid excessive exercise when possible. Not only will exercise cause you to radiate heat, it will also cause you to breathe heavily. Carbon dioxide, one of the gasses you exhale, can be smelled by mosquitoes even at relatively long distances.

SUMMARY: Avoid parts of the world where mosquitoes are common. Avoid standing water. Don't let water stand near your home or campsite. Avoid certain "mosquito" seasons. Avoid getting too hot.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There is no reason why the beans need to sit without flavor for 2 hours while they cook! After you've covered the dried beans with water and have the heat set to boil, toss in the following to cook alongside the beans for 1-2 hours. When done cooking, remove and discard before proceeding: 1 half white onion, whole 2-3 cloves garlic 1 large sprig epazote or Mexican oregano Kick up the flavor with some of the most popular additions to a good pot of refried beans. Each of these flavors can be added after the onions, with the garlic, depending on how long you want them to cook. They will all mash up wonderfully with the beans. Can of fire-roasted peppers Can of green chilis Chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce 1/2 fresh green bell pepper, chopped sauteed alongside the onion. Cooked, chopped bacon bits. While some people love the simple, but rich, flavor of plain beans, every now and then you'll want a little extra kick to your dish. You can add a flavored stock or broth in place of the bean liquid to give a little more flavor to the beans, omitting the bean cooking liquid. Refried beans are a decidedly Latin American dish, but at their heart the are just a smooth, cooked bean paste, which has inspirations from across the globe. If you want to use navy or cannellini beans, nothing is stopping you, and some adjusted spices can make them an appealing dish in their own right: When cooking the beans the first time in the water, add half an onion, a sprig of rosemary or thyme, and 2-3 cloves fresh garlic. You can also add bay leaves, celery, and whole carrots as the beans boil. Fry up onion and garlic, like normal. Discard anything boiled with beans and add to pot. Replace cumin/chili with any combination of the following spices: Rosemary Thyme Oregano Basil A touch of cumin (1/2 teaspoon) Drizzle finished beans with fresh lemon juice. Beans love to cook slowly, absorbing liquid as they do to stay tender and creamy as they cook. Once cooked, all you are really waiting for are the flavors to marry and develop without the beans drying out. This makes refried beans perfect for the moist, warm environment of a slow cooker, and they couldn't be easier: Add dried beans, finely chopped onion and garlic, and 2 teaspoons of salt to the pot. Add any desired spices, such as 1 tablespoon cumin and chili powder. If desired, add pork/ham bones or bacon strips for a richer flavor. Cover everything with water. Cook for 8-10 hours, adding more liquid if the beans seem to be drying out.

SUMMARY:
Add some flavor to the beans as they boil for a rich, nuanced dish. Add other vegetables or additions to your pot before adding the beans. Substitute chicken, vegetable, or beef stock for your bean liquid while cooking for more flavor. Try an Italian-inspired refried bean dish with white beans. Try the whole dish in a slow cooker for an easy, all-day recipe that just have to heat.