6 Lucky Dishes to Serve Up for New Years

If there’s one holiday that most of the world celebrates in one way or another it is New Years!  The ringing in of a new year brings out many traditions and where there are traditions you will most likely find food.  Below are a list of the luckiest foods new years has to offer.  Who knows popping a few of this dishes may make your 2016 that much better.

Beans:

I’ve heard of beans being called the “Magical Fruit” but the “Lucky Legumes”? Apparently in many parts of the world legumes are seen as a symbol of money.  The swelling of legumes represent financial rewards.  In Italy you will be hard pressed to not see a family that indulges in Lentils and Sausages for New years. 

Cooked Greens:

When you think of cooked greens your first thought may be “Down South”.  Truth be told eating greens for New Years can be found in numerous countries around the world.  The reasoning behind this you ask?  Simple cooked greens resemble folded money.  Gives a whole new meaning to “making that cabbage”.

Grapes:

If you’ve ever visited a South American country during New Years you will most likely experience the eating of the grapes which takes place at Midnight.  For each stroke of the clock you are to eat a grape which comes out to a total of 12 grapes, one representing each month.  Although this tradition started off in Spain it quickly spread to other countries such as Portugal as well as former Spanish and Portuguese colonies. 

Pork:

The pig is a symbol or prosperity, or over indulgence.  Its rich high fat content signifies wealth and abundance.  It’s no surprise then that pork is eaten in many countries.  The United States is well known for serving up delicious Roasted Ham for New Years.  Countries like Germany, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain and Austria serve up the delicious swine in a variety of ways as well.

Fish:

Long before refrigeration made meats king of the holidays fish could be found in many households as the main entrée for a holiday meal.  Fish especially Cod had the ability to preserve well, this led to it becoming one of the most popular proteins being served up during major holidays.  Fish ‘s scales are also said to resemble the shimmering of coins representing wealth. 

Cakes:

It might be the shape but cakes have been showing up on New Years dinner tables for quite some time.  Ring shaped items comes into play a lot when discussing the ending and beginning of a year.  The cake with its circular shape represent this idea perfectly. 

Wherever you may be this year for New Years make sure to partake in that countries food customs.  You’ll be surprised what new traditions you may end up making your own. 

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10 Tips to Make Your Kitchen More Family Friendly

The kitchen is the heart of a home, a gathering point and the place where we feed our bodies with delicious food and homemade treats; but we also feed our souls with heart-to-heart conversations with our loved ones, a hot cup of coffee or cocoa on a cold day, with our closest friends and sharing laughter with the children on a playful Sunday brunch. These are more than enough reasons to consider in high regard the possibility of undertaking a kitchen remodeling Woodstock NY project to make the kitchen more family friendly, providing the members of our households with an even cozier and more intimate space to share at home.

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·         Safety First

The most important thing when it comes to family friendly kitchens is, of course, ensuring the safety of children. Most kids love to bake or at least, they’re more than eager to eat what you’ve baked. But a hot oven door or the alluring chocolate chip cookies that are cooling off on a scorching oven rack represent a real hazard to children, if you add knives, blades, hot pans, heavy pots or any other kitchen utensil you could end up thinking the kitchen should be off the limits to your kids. Well, that’s not necessary if you follow these tips when doing your kitchen remodeling Woodstock NY:

1. Keep the oven out of reach. When remodeling the kitchen try to set the oven at a convenient height is not only more comfortable for you but is also safer for the children; you don’t have to bend every time you use the oven and the kids won’t get burned by accident if they touch the hot oven door.

2. Multilevel counter tops and cupboards. Kids aren’t the most patient creatures; muffins, cupcakes, cookies, pies or any other appealing treat sitting in the kitchen is calling the children to try it. But if this treat is sitting in a hot rack, pot or even a glass container, it would be much safer to keep it out of reach. A multilevel counter top is a practical solution, so you can place anything dangerous on the higher levels while the kids can cook and play in their own lower and safer work surface in the kitchen.

3. Safety-lock cabinets. Knives, blades, glass, heavy pots and pans, as well as any utensil or appliance that is meant to be handled with care should be put away in a cabinet with a safety lock in order to avoid unnecessary situations that might risk the safety of your children or the lifespan of that expensive food processor.

·         Practicality Is Key

Your kids deserve a little independence and you deserve a break, so making the space practical is just as important as making it safe. A kitchen where the kids can grab a glass of water on their own or use the microwave to heat leftovers by themselves when they’re feeling hungry is a must.

4. Storage space for children. A cabinet or chest destined especially for your kids and their stuff is the way to avoid having toys and crayons scattered around your kitchen.

5. Accessible cabinets and work space. For your leisure time sake and your children’s autonomy, accessible cabinets and other kid’s designated areas, like the work surface of a multilevel counter top, are perfect to store things that your kids can use, prepare and eat without your help such as cereal, snacks or fruits that don’t require fridge storage, and of course plastic bowls, plates cutlery and glasses that are safe to manipulate.

6. Easy-to-use appliances. Microwaves with preset options for heating mac and cheese, making popcorn or warming up a cup of milk before bedtime as well as refrigerators with a water and ice dispenser on the door or accessible faucets with safety settings are great choices to keep your kids safe without being overprotective.

7. Child efficiency. Some kids are really into cooking, if that’s your case, help your kid explore his talents in the kitchen, under your supervision, care and in the right kitchen your kid could prepare luxurious meals. A non-slippery stool set in front of the stove, plastic or wooden utensils and that multilevel counter top are very helpful when it’s time for you to enjoy a meal made by your children.

·         Playful Design

Design must be functional and beautiful, but why not playful too? Easy to clean surfaces are definitely a must as well as non slippery floor. But what about bold colors, interesting design, flowers and plants or “custom features” such as message boards, pull-out shelves and organizers for the fridge and the cabinets? There are millions of options for you to choose from and make your kitchen beautiful and fun.

8. Message boards. Chalkboards, whiteboards, cork or foam pads whatever works best for you and your family. Having a place where you can post notes, messages, grocery lists or even display your kids’ artwork is a great way to make your kitchen more interactive and kid-friendly.

9. Colorful walls and flooring. A plain white or beige kitchen is kind of boring; a nice splash of color gives a boost to the space and makes it more inviting and playful looking.

10. Green living touches. Plants and flowers are a nice touch to any space. They keep the air clean, provide color and texture and sometimes fragrance too; if it wasn’t enough they can also be a nice project for you and your kids, planting herbs that you can use for cooking like rosemary, parsley or basil.

A family friendly kitchen is a space that guarantees lasting good memories of moments shared with those closest to you. So why not investing in a kitchen remodeling Woodstock NY that will add not only market value to your property but will also increase the chances of spending quality time with you loved ones in a well-designed, professionally-built space? Contact Brian Hommel Home Improvement, their team of highly qualified experts is always ready and eager to undertake any home improvement project, ensuring that you will be more than satisfied with the results. Call them on (845)338-2211 and make your kitchen remodeling Woodstock NY a dream come true.

The Sandwich!

Where would my life be without the sandwich.  Ever since I can remember this treat has been a major part of my life.  From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches stuffed into my school lunch box to greasy sloppy Philly cheese steaks to an everything bagel with lox and a smear of cream cheese the sandwich possesses many faces. 

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So where did it all begin?  Rumor has it that John Montagu, 4^th Earl of Sandwich is considered the father of the sandwich.  I find it hard to believe that he was the first person to ever consider slapping some tasty meat in between some type bread but I digress.  According to the Wall Street Journal the sandwich is considered the biggest contribution to gastronomy that has come out of Britain. 

It’s amazing how the sandwich has changed since its introduction to the world.  There is literally a sandwich for every moment in the day.  On the run in the morning and want a quick bite? then you should consider trying a New York classic, the bacon egg and cheese on a roll. 

Had a rough night of drinking? then go for a Cheese Steak Sandwich.  The fat content will be sure to line your stomach against those harmful shots of tequila you took earlier. 

Feeling a bit exotic? then you might want to take a bite out of a Banh Mi a traditional Vietnamese sandwich which contains a wide arrange of foods.  Anything from sardines, tofu, pate, eggs, pickled vegetables, roasted pork and hot peppers can be found in this sandwich. 

At the end of the day though nothing beats my classic, hot piping corned beef and pastrami on a toasted piece of rye with just a touch of mustard and sauerkraut.  Now that’s living.  A sandwich is truelly mans best friend giving us much needed energy at a fraction of the cost of most meals.  Plus it is completely portable. 

If you’re throwing and event and want some unique and classic sandwiches for you guest you may consider contacting Brindle Room catering.  They have a wide variety to choose from or you can always just build your own!  For their following services contact Brindle Room Catering today.

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5 Simple Ways to Spice up Your Power Point Presentations

If you work in the corporate world chances are you are very familiar with Power Point Presentations.  I myself have sat through at least 100 of them in my lifetime.  After a while of sitting through these mundane presentations you start to notice a trend. 

They are all pretty much spitting images of each other.  It doesn’t matter if the speaker is talking about office politics or how to lower the spending budget of the next quarter, these presentations are all regurgitated information that we have heard time and time again. 

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If you want to captivate your audience here are 5 simple techniques you can implement in your next presentation to ensure your presentation is more appealing:

NEVER EVER USE A TEMPLATE:

You see that template you’re using?  Well guess what so have your colleagues.  The same way you have sat through hundreds of Power Point Presentations your colleagues have had to endure the same background template.  Customizing your own template does not mean having to go to the far left in design just tweak it up a bit.  Trust us your colleagues will notice and it will be refreshing to see something unique. 

A PHOTOGRAPH IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS:

Yes we get it, a shoot of someone with a white background who is expressing the point you are trying to make in your slide is great but some images do not lend themselves.  Remember it is always better to have no image than one that represents your point negatively. 

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!  SOLID COLORS ROCK:

Nothing depicts class better than a solid background color. You may thing this is boring but it allows for your audience to really concentrate on the point you are making.  Just remember to work along the lines of a proper color palette to ensure you don’t blow out your audience’s eyes. 

IS THAT THE FONT YOU’RE GOING TO USE?:

Just like a proper color palette is important to your audiences eyes so is a font.  Using the right type of typography will ensure you get your message across properly.  For more formal meetings you might want to consider using more professional fonts where as for informal meetings you might use fonts that are not so rigid. 

WHAT DOES THAT SAY?:

We cannot emphasize this enough.  Watch your readability guys.  This brings us back to our point of how a proper image must be used.  Some images just do not lend themselves.  If you have white font you might not want to put an image that is bright, instead you may want to go with a darker image so your readability does not suffer. 

Although most of us have mastered the art of Power Point Presentation there are still some amongst us that need help.  For those, I advise the help a virtual assistant company.  Companies like VA Personnel provide Virtual Assistant Services that will keep your business ahead of your competition and an affordable price.  

Find Out the Benefits to Holding a Webinar

It’s amazing how times have changed.  Just a few years back if a business owner wanted to convey a message to his audience he would go about setting up a conference or seminar.  The major obstacle with a seminar is bringing your potential client out of their comfort zone.  People are not keen on having to travel in order to join a meeting.  Fast forward a few years and we now have webinars. 

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Virtual Assistant companies such as VA Personnel have been helping their clients come into the future with new marketing techniques.  Their Virtual Assistant Services will help you grow your online footprint in no time. 

 So what is a Webinar?  A Webinar is a way for a business to get its message out to a large audience.  The best part, your guests will not have to spend any money traveling to where it is being held.  A Webinar can be used for the following:

·         Hosting Online conferences

·         Lectures

·         Sales and Marketing Presentations

·         Seminars

Just because you are a small business does not mean you cannot reach out to a large audience.  If you aren’t tech savvy there are various Virtual Assistant Companies which can supply you with a talented Virtual Administrative Assistant.  Most Virtual Personal Assistants are qualified for setting up a webinar. 

Your business may prosper from the use of webinars by:

Building up Business Contacts: 

Webinars allows you introduce your business to the world as well as put a face to your business.  This in turn helps with the branding of your business. 

 Showing your Authority:

Nothing says professional like a well done presentation.  A webinar allows your business to build up its image as an expert in your particular field. 

Promoting your product line:

A webinar is the perfect platform to promote upcoming books, products, videos, etc.  During your presentation you can refer to specific clips or pages of a book or video you are trying to promote.

Keeping your expenses low:

With a Webinar there is no need to rent out a place for a seminar.  No need to supply your potential clients with food or drinks.  A webinar is relatively low especially if you use a Virtual Personal Assistant to set you up. 

Capturing Sales leads:

Most Webinar require you to add your contact info such as an email to register.  This information gathered can be handed over to your sales tem as warm leads which will result in a follow up email which can potentially turn into a new customer. 

When it comes to setting up new ways of reaching out to your potential clients your best bet is to hire a trusted company like VA Personnel who deliver the following services:

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5 bad cooking habits you should break

Bad cooking habits can be the culprit for a dish that you were hoping to come out perfect, but instead came out be a total mess. You followed all the recipe’s instructions precisely, and now you’re just wondering what could’ve gone wrong.  The following are 5 bad cooking habits that could be the cause.

Heating oil until it starts to smoke

Oil should never be heated until it reaches its smoking point because it starts to break down and releases free radicals. It also starts to produce ignitable gases that can be dangerous over an open fame. Not to mention, it goes rancid and begins to taste and smell horrible. Never heat oil until it reaches its smoking point.

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Rinsing meat before cooking

Rinsing meat before cooking is not a wise thing to do because this can cause cross-contamination by spreading bacteria to other foods, utensils, and cooking surfaces. Paper towels should be used to remove any unwanted residue.

Not letting your meat rest

If you cut into your steak right away without letting it rest, all the juices will end up on your plate and you will be left with a dry steak. By letting your meat rest, the juices can redistribute throughout the meat resulting in a juicier steak. Large cuts should be left to rest for about 15 minutes, while smaller cuts can be left to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Using nonstick pans on high heat

Nonstick pans should never be used on high heat because this can be hazardous for your health. When nonstick pans are put on high heat, they release PFCs (perfluorocarbons) in the form of fumes. PFCs can cause liver damage and developmental problems. High heat also causes the nonstick pan’s surface to deteriorate over time.

Stirring food frequently

Constant stirring prevents thorough cooking of your food and makes it break apart. Try not to stir your food so much unless the recipe calls for it.

These bad habits should be broken to improve the quality of your food and protect your health. With some care and practice, you’ll be able to break these bad habits and cook meals to perfection.

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Spring Break 2015 Top Destinations for College Students

Cancun, Mexico

Being the number one international destination for Spring Break travel, Cancun’s marvelous beaches and blue waters are sure to leave you in awe. Known as the top spot for beach parties and sun soaking, Cancun has it all.  Lively nightlife, exclusive restaurants and lavish hotels surround this top Spring Break destination. Some of the most popular hotels for Spring Break include Oasis Cancun, an all –inclusive resort where all the insane Spring Break parties hosted by MTV are held. Another student favorite hotel is Krystal Cancun which provides 453 deluxe rooms and nightlife within 100 yards, making transportation in buses and cabs unnecessary.

Punta Cana

 Get away from the cold weather and stroll along 21 miles of some of the most breathtaking white and golden yellow sand beaches in the world.  Punta Cana offers a laid back environment with many private resorts where you can spend your days in a tranquil atmosphere.  Featuring many luxury resorts and unlimited cocktails, along with an abundance of activities to do, Punta Cana is the perfect Spring Break destination.  

Panama City

The number one domestic Spring Break destination as well as one of the largest, Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of white sand, waterfront hotels, late night beach parties and music events with some of the best DJs.  Here you will find tons of other Spring Breakers having fun as well.

South Beach   

Filled with luxurious hotels, palm trees, and white sand beaches with warm blue waters, you will never want to leave this place. South Beach is the city that never sleeps with the hottest clubs, lounges, and parties. With a large amount of options for shopping and dining out, you will never run out of things to do.  

Nassau, Bahamas      

The heart of The Bahamas, Nassau is home to resort areas, countless gorgeous beaches, and a bunch of happy Spring Breakers in March.  With lively nightclubs, exclusive night events in the most popular clubs such as Luna, Aura, and Senor Frogs and a party cruise 

available for Spring Break, Nassau is the perfect pace to have an unforgettable experience.

South Padre Island

Florida isn’t the only domestic place there is to go for Spring Break. More Spring Breakers are turning their eyes towards South Padre Island in Texas. With a variety of beach activities such as fishing, jet skiing, surfing, dolphin-watching excursions, and kite boarding, South Padre Island is the place to be for a fun filled Spring Break.  You can also have a great time in the clubs, restaurants, and concerts South Padre Island offers.

These are the top Spring Break 2015 destinations for college students. Spring Break is a time to have fun and relax, but also a time to reinforce some college material. College may offer the flexibility of time, independence, and fun times but you must stay on top of your academic work and not forget your priorities. Big Apple Tutoring is Manhattan’s most renowned  tutoring company offering services in private tutor Manhattan, tutoring rates Manhattan, homeschoolingi n Manhattan, private tutoring NYC, private tutor NYC, and homeschooling in NYC. Stay ahead in your academic work with Big Apple’s team of expert tutors.