| How to Make Vegetarian Pho Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST Pho is a delicious noodle soup that you can enjoy in a Vietnamese restaurant, or you can prepare it for yourself at home. The most challenging part of this soup is the broth, which can take a few hours to make from scratch. However, the result is well worth the wait. If you want to make your own vegetarian pho at home, then you will just need to make the broth, prepare the noodles, toppings, and garnishes, and then put it all together for serving. EditIngredients - Vegetables of your choice to make the broth, such as onions, leeks, carrots, and turnips
- Water
- 1 large onion, halved and peeled
- Whole spices of your choice to season the broth, such as star anise, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, and ginger
- 1 pound of tofu, faux beef, mushrooms, broccoli, bok choy, or napa cabbage (use more than one topping if you like)
- oil for sautéing
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon of Chinese five spice
- 1 package of rice noodles, thick or thin
- Garnishes of your choice, such as limes, bean sprouts, Thai basil, crush peanuts, and sriracha sauce
EditMaking the Broth - Chop the vegetables. Making a vegetarian pho requires lots of vegetables. Peel and chop your vegetables into large chunks. You can use any combination of four or more vegetables. Use about 1 pound of each kind. Some good ones to use include:[1][2]
- Leeks
- Carrots
- Corn
- Turnips
- Onions
- Apples or pears (not vegetables, but will add some nice sweetness and dimension)
- Add the vegetables, water, salt, and sugar to the pot. Add the chopped vegetables (and fruits if you used them) to the pot and cover them completely with water. Then, add about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar.[3]
- You can add up to 1/2 tablespoon more sugar if you want the soup to be a little on the sweeter side.[4]
- Turn the burner on high heat and allow the water to come to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium heat and let the vegetables simmer in the water.
- Char the onion, ginger, and other spices. While the vegetables boil, char a halved and peeled onion, some ginger slices, and some other spices of your choice. To char the onion and spices, place them on an open flame, such as on a grill, or place them in a nonstick skillet over high heat for a few minutes. Turn them over after a few minutes to char both sides.
- Scrape away the burnt bits of the onion and then place it into the pot of boiling veggies.[5]
- Some other good spices to use in the broth include 6 whole pieces of star anise, 5 whole cloves, 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns, or a cinnamon stick.[6] Use them all for maximum flavor.
- The onion can go straight into the broth, but it is a good idea to contain the other spices in a spice sack. To do this, take the ginger slices and other spices and place them into a tea bag. Then put the spice sack into the pot.
- You can also place the ginger and spices straight into the pot if you plan to strain the broth before serving it. Otherwise, you might accidentally serve whole spices to someone.
- Simmer the ingredients for a few hours. Let all of the ingredients simmer in the pot for a few hours. The longer the ingredients simmer, the more flavorful the broth will become. When the soup has finished cooking, use a slotted spoon to remove the large chunks of vegetables and the spice packet.[7]
- You can also pour the broth through a sieve and into a separate large pot to separate the vegetables and spices from the broth.
- Taste the broth before serving. It is important to taste the pho broth before you serve it to determine if you need to add any more salt or sugar. If it does not taste salty enough, then add some more salt. If does not taste sweet enough, then add more sugar.[8]
- Add only a small amount at a time (1/2 tablespoon of sugar or ¼ teaspoon of salt) and taste the broth as you adjust it to avoid over seasoning the broth.
EditPreparing the Noodles, Toppings, and Garnishes - Pan fry the tofu. Tofu is a popular protein choice for vegetarian pho. However, you can use a different vegetarian protein, such as vegetarian "beef" slices, or just use some mushrooms instead. Slice up your tofu, faux beef, or mushrooms and place the slices in a non-stick oiled skillet.[9] If you prefer, you can also use additional vegetables for your toppings, such as bok choy, napa cabbage, or broccoli.[10]
- If desired, you can add some chopped garlic and ½ teaspoon of Chinese five spice powder while the ingredients are cooking.
- Sauté the tofu, faux beef, or mushrooms until they are golden brown.
- Then, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
- Cook the noodles. Cook the rice noodles according to the package's instructions. You will need to boil them in a pot of water, but the amount of time that the noodles will need to cook will depend on the thickness of the noodles.[11]
- For example, if you are using thick rice noodles, then they will take a little longer to cook than thin noodles.
- After you finish cooking the noodles, strain them with a sieve and pour cold water over them or hold them under cold running water for a few minutes. This will stop the cooking process and help to prevent the noodles from sticking together too much.
- Prepare your garnish plate. The last thing you will need to do is prepare a garnish plate so that you can customize your pho experience. You can add any variety of add-ins and condiments that you like. Place your garnishes on a plate just before you are ready to serve the pho. Some popular choices include:[12][13]
- Bean sprouts
- Thai basil leaves
- Cilantro
- Chopped scallions
- Sliced jalapeno peppers
- Lime wedges
- Crushed peanuts
- Sriracha sauce
- Hoisin sauce
EditServing the Pho - Put some noodles in a bowl. To assemble a bowl of pho, place about a cup of rice noodles into a large soup bowl.[14] Pho is normally served in a big bowl, so use something larger than you normally would. A bowl that will hold about four cups is ideal.[15]
- You can use a smaller bowl if you don't have any large bowls, but you may want to put only ½ cup of noodles in instead. Otherwise, your other ingredients might not fit.
- Add the tofu, faux beef or mushrooms. Get some of your sautéed tofu, faux beef, or mushrooms and add them to the bowl. Place them on top of your noodles.[16][17]
- Don't worry if they are not hot any more. The broth will heat them up again!
- Ladle the broth over the noodles and toppings. Next, ladle the pho broth over the noodles and toppings.[18] Add lots of broth! The broth should cover the noodles and toppings completely.[19]
- Add your garnishes. Finish up your bowl of vegetarian pho by adding the garnishes of your choice.[20] You can add as much or as little of the garnishes as you like depending on your preferences. Add some sriracha or hoisin sauce to adjust the spiciness or sweetness of the broth.[21]
- You can also prepare a couple of bowls of sriracha and hoisin sauce for dipping. You can dip your tofu or faux beef slices into the sauces as you eat the soup.
- Use chopsticks or a fork to eat the noodles and other larger items in the soup and use a large spoon to drink the broth.
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| How to Write a Disabled Character Posted: 07 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST As a short story writer, novelist, or poet, you want to include characters with disabilities in your work. For some authors with first hand experience, it is easy. For others, it can be challenging to figure out how to write them accurately and respectfully. But with a few tips, you can make all your characters shine. EditUnderstanding the Disability - Recognize that a lot of what you know about disability may be wrong. Consider each "fact" you know about a given disability, and ask yourself where it came from. If the answer is "pop culture," then that information may not be accurate.[1] Turn researching a given disability, and the tropes associated with it, into a project.
- Choose disability-friendly language. People with disabilities are often very careful about what terms they prefer to use. What do they call themselves, and what do they want not to be called? Respecting their language preferences will please disabled readers, and encourage non-disabled readers to do the same.
- For example, the word "cripple" has a very different connotation than "amputee".
- Not all disabled people prefer the same terms; there is often diverse opinion within a given population.
- Read from the disabled community. What are their lives like? How do their symptoms affect their experiences? What sort of character would they love to read a book about? Understanding their perspectives can help you build a believable character with a disability like theirs.
- Recognize that disabled people are very diverse and have different experiences. Many disabilities are a spectrum: for example, many blind people are not completely blind, and simply have some degree of low vision.[2] Some disabilities are stronger on some days than on others, based on stress and other factors.[3]
- The spoon theory[4] covers how some people need to budget their energy.
- Remember that people with disabilities learn and grow. A girl with Down Syndrome will be able to do much more at age 15 than she could at age 5. Disabled characters, including characters with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDDs) will be able to learn new things and gain skills. They will simply do so at their own pace.
EditWriting Disability Realistically - Read personal accounts from people who have the disabilities you wish to portray. What are their lives like? Where do they struggle? Are there any gifts that come with their disability? What do they feel are common misconceptions?
- See if any people with disabilities would be open to being interviewed. There is no substitute for face-to-face time with real people.
- If you are polite and clear, many disabled people are willing to offer advice and answer questions. Try asking questions via social media.
- Remember that disabled people are diverse. No two people are alike (whether it's two blind people or two people with Down Syndrome).[5] Symptoms can vary between individuals.
- Write a character first, and the disability second. Every disabled person is a unique individual, with interests, strengths, and flaws. Although a disability is a character train, a disability is not a defining character trait.[6] It will influence their life, but their personality (likes, dislikes, relationships, skills) is far more important. Spend plenty of time developing them as a person.
- Avoid the mystical disability stereotype.[7]
- Most disabled people are quite ordinary: they wake up, eat breakfast, go to the store, and live fairly average lives. Portraying disabled people as "beautiful tragedies" ignores the fact that in fact, most people with disabilities are not any more or less tragic or beautiful than anyone else. [8]
- Explore what goes on in your disabled character's head. Some writers make the mistake of portraying people with cognitive disabilities as irrational or mysterious beings whose thoughts and behavior make no sense. The reality is that everyone has a reason for what they do, and the clarity of disabled people's thoughts is often underestimated.[9]
- If your disabled character isn't the main character, that's fine. You can still attribute thoughts to them, and have the main character recognize what's going on in their head. (For example, "Lucy visibly relaxed as soon as the Christmas music came on. She loved happy song lyrics, so I kept a playlist of songs with good messages.")[10]
- Consider intersectionality. Not all disabled people are straight, cisgender, male, white, middle-class, thin, et cetera. Readers have been calling for diversity,[11] and an easy way to satisfy that need is to write more than one deviation from the privileged "norm" at a time. Try writing a black woman with cerebral palsy, a chubby boy with Down Syndrome, or a blind lesbian.
- Recognize that illness recovery (when possible) is often an arduous task. This may require medication, therapy, and/or lifestyle adjustments.[12] It may take years of hard work. Recovery is not a straight line, and there will be good days, bad days, and relapses.
- Mental illnesses such as depression and psychosis are sometimes possible to recover from completely, with enough time and effort. This often involves a combination of pills and therapy, along with a loving and supportive environment.
- Some illnesses have no cures. In this case, the individual's best outcome is to manage their symptoms and understand their limitations better.
- Some disabilities, such and deafness and autism, are not illnesses. The goal is not fighting the disability, but adapting.
- Recognize that in real life, getting disability accommodations can be very difficult. Many parents of disabled children, and disabled adults, have to fight for necessary accommodations.[13]
- Faking a disability for accommodations would actually take a ton of energy. (The idea of fakers also makes it more difficult for real disabled people to get the help they need.)[14]
- Portray seeking help and self-advocacy as positive things, not as signs of weakness. Admitting that you have a problem and need help (especially involving medication) is a very difficult task. Many disabled people struggle with the idea that it's "all in their head."[15][16] You can help people with disabilities by showing that it's okay, or even heroic, to ask for help. This can help them have the courage to do this in real life.
- Stay far away from stereotype that mental illness medications are for the weak.[17] These medications may be the only way to have a decent or functional life.
- For some people, a diagnosis and the subsequent accommodations are an enormous relief.[18] It also affirms that it isn't a moral fault or "not trying hard enough."
- Show disabled characters asking for help, and non-disabled characters ask the disabled character what they need.[19] This can encourage the idea of people with disabilities asking for and receiving help when they need it.
- Try exploring the tension between meeting one's needs and blending in. People with disabilities (especially teens) may feel insecure about being different and not "passing" as non-disabled.[20][21] If disability is a significant part of the story, then this may be an interesting dynamic.
- Some people with disabilities are very nervous about others knowing they are disabled. Others choose not to care what others think of them, and spend less energy on blending in.
- Some people can "pass" as non-disabled, while others cannot.
- Consider how the character has handled ableism. All disabled people experience mistreatment related to their disability (including before they are diagnosed). Many have difficult childhoods, and get treated differently from their peers.[22] Whether they experience constant ableism or are mostly shielded from it, it will affect them, their coping skills, their ability to ask for help and trust others, and how they handle conflict. Consider your character's past and how it has shaped them. They may have dealt with...
- Bullying, being left out (few or no friends, very little media representation)
- Being talked down to, or talked about as if they weren't there
- Trying and failing to perform to non-disabled standards; seeing adults' disappointment
- False "helpers" who don't listen and get discouraged or angry when the disabled person fails to stop being disabled[23][24]
- Abusive therapies meant to "cure" deafness or autism symptoms
- More[25]
- This depends on the severity of the disability, the quality of the community, how charismatic the disabled person can act, the family, and other factors.
EditAvoiding Fiction Stereotypes This part applies to novels, short stories, poems, and other works that involve fictional characters. - Give your disabled character something to contribute. Many writers portray characters with disabilities as dead weight, giving them nothing useful to do. Disabled people aren't helpless.[26] Let your character have meaningful skills and positive points to their personality. Show that the world is better off with them around.
- Even a minor character can contribute something small to the plot: the observant autistic boy who notices that something is wrong, or the sister with cerebral palsy who has incredible computer skills.
- Avoid having characters refer to the disabled character as a burden, tragedy, etc. (unless you wish to show that this character is cruel)
- Let the disabled person be a character in their own right. Sometimes writers make the character exist only to reflect upon another character (to show how nice/evil the character is, or to burden them with a poor disabled family member).[27] Or the character may be a Manic Pixie Dream Girl/Boy, who only exists to further the other character's development.[28][29]
- Name the disability.[30][31] Just as queer-baiting (hinting at homosexuality or bisexuality without outright using it)[32] is frustrating, hinting at but refusing to mention a disability is frustrating to disabled readers. Do them a favor and outright say the name of the disability. Your disabled readers will love it, and your non-disabled readers might learn a thing or two.
- Aliens and fantasy creatures can have the names of human disabilities. The same disability existing in two worlds isn't going to be the least improbable thing in your story.
- Avoid making disability evil. Some works have one character with a disability: the villain. The villain might be a brainiac in a wheelchair, or the dangerous psychotic person with a mental illness. Most disabled people are no more evil or threatening than your average person, and also want to imagine themselves as awesome protagonists. Let people with disabilities be heroes for once.
- If you absolutely need a disabled villain, then make several good disabled characters. That way, the villain is the exception and not the rule.
- Otherwise, have no disabled characters at all. No representation is better than bad representation.[33]
- Don't make disability be the problem. Too often, books pose the idea that the person's disability is their key barrier, and they need to overcome their disability in order to be happy.[34] This can be alienating to people who will be disabled for life, and suggests that they cannot be happy unless they become someone they are not.
- Instead of showing the person becoming less disabled, show them learning to handle their disability better, and others learning to accommodate them.
- Make characters inspiring because of what they do, not who they are.[35] Most disabled people don't consider themselves heroic for walking or rolling down the street. If you wish to show that a character with a disability is strong, then give them non-disability challenges to face. Maybe they won an election, spearheaded a project, or defeated the supervillain. Avoid falling prey to "inspiration porn."[36][37][38]
- Disabled people don't exist solely to inspire non-disabled people.
- Don't let disability stop romance. A common myth is that all disabled people are aromantic and asexual, like children. It is assumed that they cannot fall in love, kiss, or have sex (or that even if they could, they are not desirable). This is incredibly damaging to disabled people's self-esteem and romantic prospects.
- If your story involves love and romance, then let characters with disabilities be included in that. This helps show that they desirable and worth dating.
- A small portion of disabled people are aromantic and/or asexual (just like a small portion of non-disabled people are). If you have an aro/ace disabled character, consider showing other disabled characters who are in love, to make it clear that disability doesn't negate sexuality.
- Show that characters with disabilities have adapted. Most disabled people are used to their disabilities, and can function pretty well on a day-to-day basis. (Newly disabled people may still be adjusting.) They have had plenty of time to learn what their body needs and get used to it.
- In most cases, seeking a cure would be a poor use of time. It would be much more efficient to get accommodations (e.g. support at school, a better wheelchair), and focus their time on projects that use their talents and yield actual results.
- Research individual disability stereotypes. How do writers often fail when writing disability? How could you succeed in those areas? Look up tropes, and ask disabled people what annoys them most in the media.
- Autistic people are often represented as clinical, unfeeling, cold,[39] and/or intensely super-powered.[40]
- Mentally ill people may be portrayed as intensely creative,[41] or as dangerous people who deserve anything that happens to them.[42]
- Medication doesn't always "cure" ADD; it is still a real disability even after treatment.[43]
- Let your character be disabled at the end of the book. Miraculously curing a disability reeks of lazy writing.[44][45][46] Too many characters with disabilities end up cured or dead, suggesting that a happy ending and disability are opposite each other. This message is disheartening to people with lifelong disabilities. Instead, let your character be happy and disabled at the end.
- A happy disability-related ending could be getting the accommodations they need: an awesome power wheelchair, a fun and helpful new therapy, their dad learning sign language, etc.
- Or give them a regular happy ending: acceptance into their dream college, a sweet boyfriend, being elected to the senate, or a group of awesome friends.
- Not everyone recognizes right away that they are disabled. This can be especially true for mental illness,[47] alexithymia, and autism. Sometimes disabilities are not diagnosed until months, years, or decades after they develop.
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| How to Care for Pink Eye Posted: 07 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Pink eye can be caused by an allergy or it can be a bacterial or viral infection. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are both highly contagious and steps should be taken to stop the spread of the infection as quickly as possible. It is important for the heath of your eyes to identify and treat cases of pink eye quickly. EditDiagnosing Pink Eye - Know the symptoms of pink eye. Before beginning treatment for pink eye, you should ensure that you actually have pink eye. There are some symptoms that are common to all types of pinkeye. These common symptoms include:
- Gritty, crusty buildup in or around the eyes
- Pain in the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Itching in the eyes
- Redness
- Increased tearing
- Differentiate between types of pink eye. Though there are commonalities in symptoms, the types of pink eye also present some symptoms that differ. The following are symptoms unique to bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis:
- Bacterial pink eye usually produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge and can cause the eyelids to swell. The infection often starts with only one eye, but can spread to the other eye after several days.[1][2]
- Viral pink eye can cause a more watery discharge.[3]
- Allergic pink eye affects both eyes at once and is characterized by excessive itchy and watery eyes. [4] Both eyelids may swell as well.[5]
- See your doctor for an official diagnosis. If you are not sure whether your problem is pink eye, if you think you may have a foreign body in your eye, if you wear contact lenses regularly, or you have a history of serious eye infections, go see your doctor.
- Your doctor will talk to you to determine when the symptoms began and find out if you have a history of allergies. She may also examine your eyes and may take a sample of puss or fluid for testing.
- Although some conjunctivitis can resolve on its own, a doctor may prescribe oral antihistamines or eye drops to help control symptoms.
- Determine whether your pink eye is viral or bacterial. Viral and bacterial cases of pink eye are treated in different ways. Knowing which you have is therefore vital to ensuring proper care. Your doctor should be able to tell you which kind you have; do not attempt to self-diagnose.
- Stop wearing contact lenses. If you regularly wear contact lenses, you need to stop wearing them and switch to glasses until your eyes have completely healed.[6] Discard disposable contact lenses that may have been exposed to the pink eye infection, and sterilize any lens storage equipment. Ask your eye doctor about disinfecting extended use or hard contact lenses.
EditTreating Pink Eye - Rinse the area around the eye several times a day with water and a clean washcloth. Carefully blot the area dry using a clean washcloth; do not rub your eye with your hands.[7]
- You can use either cold or warm compresses.[8] If you believe that an allergy is causing your pink eye, it may be best to use a cold compress. If the pink eye is caused by an infection, a warm compress may help reduce swelling and redness.[9]
- Infections can spread from eye to eye, so use caution when you are using a compress. Use a separate compress for each eye and be sure to wash your hands between applications. Use new compresses each time you clean your eyes.
- Start from the inside of the eye (closest to the nose) and wipe outward. Use a different part of the compress for each wipe to minimize cross-contamination.[10]
- Irrigate your eye using an over-the-counter tear solution.[11] Particularly for allergic conjunctivitis, you may need eye drops which contain antihistamines. These can be found over the counter or they can be prescribed by your doctor. Antihistamines will reduce the swelling that is your body's natural reaction to the virus, bacteria, or allergen.[12]
- Be sure to use artificial tears, not a solution such as Visine that has other additives in it.
- Tailor your approach based on your doctor's recommendation. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are treated differently. Here are the main differences:
- If you have viral conjunctivitis, wait for the pink eye to clear up on its own. No medicines are usually used to treat viral conjunctivitis. If the patient is a child, the child can usually return to school after a period of 3 to 5 days, or after symptoms have improved.
- If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, take your prescription antibiotics. Antibiotics usually kill the bacteria within a couple days. If the patient is a child, the child can usually return to school 24 hours after s/he has been treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics for pink eye are usually administered in the form of an eye drop or cream.[13]
- Check for worsening with any home treatment. If you are trying to treat pink eye at home but it seems to get worse, go back to the doctor. It is possible for the cornea to be affected by the infection.[14] Look for the following signs that your pink has worsened:
- Vision worsens (and blinking doesn't make it better)
- Pain in the eye increases
- Sensitivity to light increases
- Infection develops
- Symptoms worsen or become more frequent.
EditPreventing Pink Eye - Use precautions to limit the spread of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis. You can easily spread viral or bacterial conjunctivitis to other people or to your other eye if only one eye is infected. You can also re-infect yourself after your pink eye has cleared. To avoid this, take the following preventative measures:
- Do not share towels, washcloths, or pillowcases with anyone until one week after the symptoms are completely gone.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes as much as possible. If you do touch near your infected eye, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water immediately.
- Change your pillowcase, washcloth and towel daily. Wash the dirty laundry in hot water with detergent.
- Do not use contact lenses until all symptoms of pink eye are gone. Discard disposable contacts or clean your contacts thoroughly following your doctor's instructions before using them again to avoid re-infection.
- Don't use eye makeup until the condition has cleared. Throw away any eye makeup that you used within a few days of the onset of pink eye symptoms, and purchase new makeup after the condition has cleared.
- Avoid getting pink eye. Avoiding pink eye can be difficult if the virus or bacteria is spreading, but there are tangible steps that you can take to minimize the risk of contracting the infection:[15]
- Do not share eye makeup
- Do not share contact lenses, containers, or solutions
- Do not share eye medicine
- Do not share towels, pillows, linens, or handkerchiefs
- Wash hands frequently, especially after body-to-body contact with other people
- Wear protective eyewear in the cold, heat, or wind to protect against irritation
- Viral conjunctivitis is typically caused by the same viruses that cause colds. It can be spread by the same methods of direct contact, or by coughing and sneezing.
- Help control the symptoms of allergic pink eye by avoiding exposure to the allergen that caused it.[16]
- Do not use over-the-counter eye drops that contain decongestants.
- See a doctor if you have eye pain or light sensitivity that is so great you cannot open your eye. You should also see a doctor if your symptoms do not improve within seven days.
- If you have had ocular surgery, you should see an eye doctor immediately upon a suspected infection.
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