Home And Business Tips And Advice

Don't let the recession beat you. Advertise your business!

2009-03-13T23:49:00.003Z

If you have a business you need to advertise Dizcover has the solution for you.

Dizcover.co.uk is a business online directory and advertising site for businesses, which was launched last summer and now has a database of over 42,000 businesses
It’s a very effective low-cost advertising solution. You only pay once and your advertising space is yours for life. You can make any alterations or additions as you wish and you never have to pay again.
On top of this, I'm giving a 75% discount during March and April to anyone who places an advert on Dizcover

You pay once and the advertisement space is yours for life. You add photos and logos and change the content of your advert whenever you wish. You will never have to pay a penny again. With the 75% discount, you can now have an advert from £37.50 But hurry, the offer ends on 30th April.

Quote DIZCO75 on the payment page to get your 75% discount before the end of April 2009.

How do I take care of my skin?

2009-03-13T09:05:00.002Z

Harsh weather strips the moisture from our skins and can cause irritations and chapped skin. Similarly over-heated environments can be dehydrating. Going from a very hot to a very cold environment can be especially stressing to the skin and can result in burst capillaries.

Beauty salons can help repair those damages but you can take steps yourself todeal with these conditions.

1. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated

2. Eat a balanced diet containing sufficient vitamins, minerals and essential fats

3. Place a bowl of water near radiators to combats the drying effect of central heating.

4. Use a rich moisturiser before going to bed and a lighter one for daytime.

Follow these tips and you should be able to protect your skin and stay beautiful. However beauty salons can offer various treatments to repair damage done to your skin. For a selection of salons in the UK check out Dizcover.co.uk

Tights or stockings?

2009-03-02T17:32:00.004Z

After some in depth research I found out that nearly 80% of men prefer women to wear stockings rather than tights or even bare legs. However the same percentage of women prefer to wear tights rather than stockings. As a woman, I fail to see the real reason for the men's preference. Aren't tanned bare legs more attractive?

Comfort versus attractiveness and sexuality means that stockings often win, in spite of being uncomfortable. Women will wear them knowing that men find them a turn on.

Is there a difference for men between hold ups and stockings held by a garter belt? Hold ups are much prettier due to the lace tops, but I'd like to know what men really prefer.

For those of you who like to wear stockings I've seen some lovely ones on www.sexiestplaylingerie.com

To Boldly Go Where No Rice Cooker Has Gone Before

2009-02-19T10:42:00.000Z

Hello! Hello! Hello! As I was updating my blog today, I simply got bored with the usual topics, so today; I will be doing a special experiment just for you guys! Yes, Blogging History!

As I was cleaning the basement today, I realized that I had bought a rice cooker before and until now has remained unused. I even forgot why I bought it before... lol! Silly me, I know. I think it was during a sale online, I think. But all I can remember was that I had bought it online. But anyways, let us move on to the main event.

I searched online about the things I can do to with a rice cooker... aside from making rice of course! Yes, I was bored and no, I do not want to blow it up like the usual tech blogs with their crazy experiments... lol! This is a safe experiment mind you. But alas, nothing was written about it. So I have decided to entertain myself on: ‘What if I was left on an island with a rice cooker?’ Haha!

Ok, let us start with what else I can cook with a rice cooker (Please do not try these experiments kids, unless supervised):

1. Rice. Definitely rice.

2. Pasta and Instant Noodles. (Boiled water, added pasta and noodles on it, added salt, and it worked! Al dente!)

3. Cream of Mushroom Soup! (LOL! Yes, Boiled Hot Water first, added mushrooms, added seasoning, milk)

4. Boiled regular water. Lots of uses.

5. Cooked Canned Corned Beef. (Added: Oil, Garlic, Corned Beef)

6. Used it as a food steamer / heater. (D’oh!)

Hmmm, I’d definitely try more experiments later. I’m writing as I’m experimenting at the moment so if anyone of my current readers have a request or an idea of what else can I do with a rice cooker, feel free to message me! My own online experiment show! Talk to you guys later!

Online Shopping

2009-02-17T11:10:00.000Z

Every time I need something, the first thing I do is to go online and find what I am looking for.

Sad but true, I have now realized that the internet is a vital part of our daily lives. It is so powerful that it connects us to potential clients for our businesses, chat with relatives overseas, find a cool blouse whenever I need one and even bid for collector’s items that are on auction from different websites!

Amazing isn’t it?

Well, it only took me 5 minutes to look for the right tiles that I needed so badly to remodel my kitchen floor and to actually match it with the entire kitchen setup!
Gone are the days when I have to actually travel a few hours to the nearest malls to go and find the right fit. But now, all it takes is to choose from the online brochure from the website of the tile supplier and to actually order it from them at a cheaper price and they would deliver it on the spot. It even has a money back guarantee and an exchange policy in the terms and agreement which is absolutely stunning as it really frees up a lot of time since I could spend more time with the family or during busy weekdays.

Make sure though that you are dealing with the right company. There are also many scam websites which I have seen and they even have nice aesthetics! I usually check the better business bureau if I am dealing with an unknown company but right now, I go to the usual trusted sites. I have so many ideas to write to and discuss with you but unfortunately, I have to go... lol. See you soon!

A wedding day to remember

2009-02-01T20:14:00.000Z

A friend of mine just announced her engagement to her long-time boyfriend and I was so happy and excited about the great news! I never thought she would be the marrying type but it looks like she changed her mind and decided to settle down. What was even more unexpected was when she asked me to be her maid of honor and help her plan her wedding. I said yes immediately, of course, but I also told her that I wasn’t sure that I have time to help her with all of the wedding plans – my day job has been keeping me so busy these days! Not to mention that they set the wedding date six months from now. If we’re going to plan this thing, we have to start as early as now!

I suggested that she hire a wedding planner instead, and she asked me if I knew any. Unfortunately, the most helpful response I could give her was that we could attend a bridal fair and look for one there. She wanted a wedding planner as soon as possible though, so I came up with an even better idea.

That evening, I went online and did a search for a wedding planner in our area. It didn’t take long for me to come up with several numbers that my friend can call. In less than a week, my friend decided which wedding planner to hire and we’re meeting her for lunch to discuss her concept for the wedding. I can’t wait!

A brand new experience!

2009-01-31T15:56:00.001Z

My boss has been piling loads upon loads of work on me lately that I haven’t had time for anything else, much less shopping. It occurred to me just now that I haven’t bought a new dress in almost a month, and that I have been wearing the same pair of shoes to work almost every day for half a year. It’s time for a wardrobe change, but how can I possibly do that when I can barely grab a couple of hours to spend with my friends and my husband?

At work one day, I clicked upon an online advertisement by accident, which led me to this website that sold all sorts of shoes! From casual shoes to fancy evening shoes, that online store had it all. And not only that – they also carried dresses, tops, pants, handbags, and accessories. I bookmarked that site and returned to browse through the shoes and clothes during my lunch break. By the time I had to get back to work, I just spent a couple of hundreds on a new wardrobe. And I didn’t even have to leave my office to do so!

My new clothes and shoes should be arriving within the week, and I can’t wait to try them all on when they get here. As a way to relax, maybe I’ll hold a little fashion show in my bedroom, experiment with my new clothes, and figure out how to mix and match them. I just love how the internet makes everything more convenient, even shopping for clothes!

Life with a soft heart!

2009-01-23T17:50:00.000Z

My husband has a soft spot in his heart for cats and last week, he took on a stray kitten who followed him home from work. It’s the cutest little thing ever – grey with black stripes and the brightest yellow eyes. I fell in love with her instantly. We named her Missy because she was so sweet and pretty, just like a little girl. After making sure that Missy was comfortable, we went out to buy some cat food and a litter box; when we came home, the poor thing was already asleep on the couch. But she sure woke up when she smelled the cat food!
We have no idea how old Missy is and we definitely have to take her to a veterinarian soon so she can get her shots. We also need to make sure she’s in overall good health. Unfortunately, Missy is our first pet and I don’t know any veterinarians. At work the next day, I did a quick search for veterinarians in our area and sure enough, I found a small pet clinic about five minutes away from where we live. I contacted the vet through the website and he responded immediately – if I wanted to, I could take Missy for a check-up that day. I asked my boss if I could leave an hour early so I could bring Missy to the vet, and she was nice enough to say yes.
Despite being a stray cat, Missy was in perfect shape and only needed a couple of vaccines from the vet. She’s sleeping on my lap and purring as I type this…I wish you could see how adorable she is!

My Camera Treasure

2009-01-21T12:56:00.001Z

I have a love for all things vintage, and just recently I bought an Olympus Pen EES-2 from a thrift store for a really cheap price. At the time I wasn’t very familiar with what type of camera the Olympus Pen was; all I knew was that it looked old, it felt old (the whole thing was made out of metal) and it was only selling for a couple of dollars.

The camera didn’t come with a manual but the lady at the thrift store said it should still work. A quick search on the Internet showed me a scanned manual of the Olympus Pen EES-2, with clear instructions on how to load film. I was just about to do that until I realized that the film winder of my new old camera was broken! It looks like I wouldn’t be able to take pictures with my Olympus Pen; I mean, it’s such an old camera. Who in the world could possibly repair this? And where can I find them? I’m pretty sure they don’t set up shop at malls!

I decided to try my luck on the Internet and see if I could find someone who might know a film camera repairman. And sure enough, I found a yellow page listing of this guy who collects and repairs vintage cameras as a profession and hobby. He lives not too far away from my city and he was able to repair my camera! Now my Olympus Pen works as good as new.

Exercises for your arms and wrists

2009-01-09T12:39:00.004Z

I was looking for some easy but great exercises for someone that is glued to the desktop computer. I write for a living and have experienced slight numbness due to sitting in a chair all day. The rest of my body aches too, after some hours especially around the shoulders and elbows down to the wrists. I guess it’s all because when you sit and work on your desktop computer, you are in a position where your shoulders are bent forward, your back is slightly curved and elbows folded at 90 degrees closer to the body.

Spending lots of time writing for a living, you will need to find some exercise tips that are simple to do and yet give you the relief, at least to go on for a few more hours.
This is a simple exercise which will help your wrists and forearms: Hold your right arm straight out, in front of you, with your palm facing up. Use your left hand to pull your fingers back and down to the floor. Feel the stretch on the underside of your forearm and wrist. Now turn your palm round, so that it faces downwards and draw the fingers back towards the forearm, keeping them straight. Swap sides.

Another thing you can do, of course, if you have the time and can afford it, is to find your very own personal trainer. There are lots of them - many advertise online - who are dedicated to helping your achieve your goals of doing some regular moving, when you sit all day. Your body will thank you in the end.

How I Improved my Writing

2009-01-03T00:31:00.001Z

Writing has always been an immense passion for me, I love to write. I write whenever there’s something on my mind. It actually helps clear my mind especially when something is bothering me, I think maybe that is why I started to blog. To be able to write and of course to be able to share with others my views and maybe, just maybe I’ll be able to impart that knowledge and help others as well, it’s an amazing thing. Writing has always come naturally for me and I never gave it a second thought until I realize that writing, especially for an audience requires a certain amount of technical know-how. Sometimes I see my writing as babbling on and on about stuff and more often than not, I had to delete much of what I wrote since I feel I droned on.

So I checked the internet and saw tons of writing classes I can take. I can even order books online about writing, reference and inspirational materials, biographies of writers and stuff like that. The internet is really an astonishing instrument, imagine with the click of a mouse I can order them online and just wait for delivery. Another good thing is that most online stores even offer free shipping. At least I can choose the books I want in the comfort of my own home. I don’t have to go to the bookstore and find that they don’t have the book I want in stock. So ordering online really is a better deal for me.

Embarking on a new hobby!

2008-12-29T05:19:00.002Z

I was thinking I’m bored and after much (or was it really that much?) thought I decided to try something new. I can start cross stitching, crocheting, paper mache, oh the possibilities are endless, and so, what do I take on next?? Then, I saw my nephew drawing some funky robots and super heroes on paper and he was good. Aha! (light bulb flashing) I’ll take up drawing! How hard can it be? You just hold a pencil and start drawing right? Then I saw my first try, whoa! My nephew’s drawing looked much better than mine! It was kind of embarrassing for me. Who would have thought that a 7 year old can outdraw me, a full fledged adult? I thought maybe my nephew was just really that talented. But you know me, never one to back down from a challenge (even a self made one ).

So I thought to do something about it… What you say? Go where I always go, to my computer and surf the internet. For drawing lessons, and all that I can find about drawing, sketching, everything! I saw some tutorials online and some sites that taught drawing, some asks for donations, while other are for free. You can even find drawing tutors willing to teach you to draw. Wow! Was I psyched! You can even order your art supplies online, from pencils to brushes and paints, to paper and canvass where you can start your drawing.

Now, I’m studying to draw and finding great satisfaction that one day I might just outdraw that nephew of mine.

Shorter is sometimes better!

2008-12-03T02:48:00.000Z

Lengthy is not always the best when it comes to great recipes. I’ve seen recipes that have three ingredients and some that have 20 and more. There are some recipes with directions as few as four and some lasting two pages.

Which would you think would be the best recipes? The shorter ones or the longer ones? Well, I have to say I have some really good recipes that take just a few minutes to cook and some really good ones that take hours to prepare.

I personally like the recipes that take fewer ingredients and take less time to cook. You would be surprised that some of the fanciest restaurants in town will use the simplest of recipes. If the food is plated properly, you would never know the difference.

I tried an experiment on my hubby. I made two dishes, one with just a few ingredients and directions and the other with 17 ingredients and almost two full pages if directions. It took only forty-five minutes to make the easier dish and almost four hours to make the other one. I put both dishes in front of my hubby and had him taste both and try to guess which one took the longest to prepare and which one was the best to him.

By the looks of both dishes, he could not pick the quickest to prepare, but decided that the one I made in forty-five minutes was the best. I also agreed with his taste buds. The forty-five minutes dish tasted so much better. They both were chicken and pasta dishes, but the lengthier dish just didn’t make the cut. It looked good, but didn’t taste as well.

So, when you need that special recipe for a super special meal, hit the internet and give some of the simpler ones a try.

The dead cell phone

2008-12-02T01:20:00.000Z

I called my hubby this morning and it rang and rang and rang. He doesn’t work and hasn’t driven since his stroke, so he should be home. He always has his cell phone close by, so I don’t understand why he’s not answering.

A million things go through you mind, thinking all kinds of things have happened. But, I made myself slow down and not think the worse. I finally get off work and headed home. I walked in the door and there he sat, in his favorite recliner, with his cell phone next to him on the table. I asked him why he didn’t answer his phone, he replied, “It never rang.” I picked up his phone and the battery was dead as a door nail. I know he had put the phone on to charge the night before and now it was dead. I tried charging it again, but with no luck, so I sat down in front of the computer and shopped for a new phone. You see, I’m lazy when I get off work. I work as a medical assistant and on my feet all day.

So, the computer was the perfect place to shop for a new phone. My phone company has a huge site and even has better prices than when I called over the phone. I’m so glad my mobile phone company advertises on the internet, which makes it so much easier for my busy life.

Freelance Writing

2008-12-01T00:51:00.000Z

I have been a freelance writer for 30+ years of and on. I have a great imagination and know how to do the research. I recently accepted an assignment in a different state than I live in. It was only a 7 hour drive away from home, so it wasn’t bad. I spent three two days driving and one full day doing the research for three articles. One was a restaurant review, one was about the antique shops in town and one was about the churches. Not hard to do, but I did need to do lots of research online.

A computer can be so awesome in the right hands. I have a desktop, my hubby has an old laptop, and I’m getting ready to get a new laptop. Since I will be traveling to Tennessee to do more restaurant reviews and articles for the magazine up there, I really need to have a laptop at my fingertips. On the last trip up, I used my hubby’s laptop and hated it. The M key sticks, think about how many time in one sentence you will need to hit the M key. There were four in the last sentence I typed.

You have to have a computer to buy things online, send emails, IM with friends and do your research if you are a freelance writer. I would say that one-half to two-thirds of my work for the Tennessee Magazine was done online. The rest was done in person, asking questions, taking lots of notes and tasting some wonderful food. These three articles will be published in the middle of December, being released to every resident in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee.

Twas the night before Christmas

2008-11-29T03:18:00.002Z

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not
even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter’s nap…….nap! Wait, I haven’t done my shopping yet, how could I take a nap?

I have so many people to buy for, it’s not funny. There’s grandma and pa, mom and dad, two sisters and four brothers. Then there are seven cousins and two sets of aunts and uncles. And please don’t forget my own three sons, their wives, the four grandsons and one granddaughter. Oh me, oh my, what shall I do? That nap sounds very nice right now, but it won’t get my shopping done. I really don’t have time to go out shopping, but I do have a good idea of what everyone would like to have this year.

When I was on the computer the other day, I saw some really neat items at my favorite online store. I wonder if I search the site more, I’ll find things for everyone? Well, you go take that nap to wait for St. Nicholas and I’m going Christmas shopping while my feet are propped up!

Now What?

2008-11-28T17:18:00.002Z

Now that thanksgiving is over, what in the world will you do with all those left overs? Most families have turkey for dinner, and we usually do, but this year we had a ham. Something different, but now I have a whole pan of sliced ham. I know I will have ham sandwiches for lunch everyday for a while, that won't no where near use up all that ham. I have to come up with some different recipes to use it up, as I don't want to waste it, it cost too much money.

I thought about ham salad, mac and cheese with ham casserole, creamed ham and peas, ham and potato casserole, split pea soup with ham, and even eggs benedict using ham. But the recipe that looked the best was:

Ham Tortillas

* 4 large flour tortillas
* 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 8 oz thinly sliced ham, or smoked turkey
* 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
* 2 tablespoons chopped green onion (optional)
* pepper to taste
* vegetable oil for brushing tops

Preparation:

Lightly spray a cookie sheet with vegetable cooking spray. Arrange 2 tortillas on the cookie sheet, then evenly top with 1/4 cup of the cheese. Top the cheese with the sliced ham or turkey, the diced tomatoes, green onion, then the other 1/4 cup of cheese. Sprinkle each with a little pepper, then cover each with another tortilla. Brush tops with vegetable oil and bake in a 425° oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, until browned. Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with mustard or mayonnaise.

This is what I am going to try today for lunch!

My favorite stuffed turkey recipe

2008-11-25T23:54:00.001Z

I thought I would share one of my favorite stuffed turkey recipes, since Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Ingredients:
12 lbs whole turkey
2 loaves white bread
1 loaf brown bread
1/2 cup margarine
1 medium onion
4 tablespoons sage
1 cup chicken broth

Directions:
1. Tear the bread into pieces, and place back into the bags overnight.
2. Dice the onion, and leave covered on the counter.
3. The next day, saute the diced onion in margarine, stir in sage and chicken
broth.
4. Place the bread pieces in a large mixing bowl, pour most of the onion mixture
onto the bread and stir. The stuffing has enough moisture when you can
squeeze a handful, and when opening your hand, the stuffing stays in a loose
ball. If it falls apart, add a little more onion mixture.
6. If it is soggy and squeezes together tightly, add a little more bread pieces.
7. If the bird has skin, which is binding its legs together, cut this.
8. Rinse the bird, remove and discard heart, neck etc. and pat the insides to
remove some of the moisture.
9. Push the stuffing into the carcass, until you can’t get anymore in,
overstuffing the bird. The tighter you push it in, the
moister the stuffing will be.
10. Stuff the neck cavity. If you have leftover stuffing, that is a good thing. 11. Place it in a sprayed crock pot and cook on low for 4
- 5 hours.
12. Wrap the legs and wings with foil, they will cook quickly.
13. Put a piece of loose foil over the entire bird.
14. Roast at 325°F for about 3 hours.
15. Remove all of the foil, setting it aside and roast for another hour.
16. If the turkey does not have a pop up timer, use a meat thermometer.
17. When done, set the turkey out on the counter and cover loosely with the foil,
let it stand 20 minutes for a moist bird.
18. Remove the stuffing from the bird and mix it in with the crock pot stuffing.
19. Carve the turkey and serve on a platter.
20. Enjoy this time honored tradition with your loved ones.
21. You may use more or less sage, according to your tastes.

Our family really enjoys this recipe for the holidays, hopefully yours will too.

Do you cook to impress?

2008-11-24T01:28:00.000Z

How many times a week to you cook? How elaborate to you make your meals? Do you serve several courses or just one main dish? Do you like serving appetizers and desserts? Do you make your dishes from scratch, or do you use a mix here and there? Are your herbs and spices freshly ground or are them from a jar?

Come visit my kitchen and you’ll be amazed at the meals. I will put before you. I like starting with an appetizer and ending with coffee and a dessert. With everything in-between made from the freshest of ingredients.

One of my favorite appetizers is stuffed jalapenos. You split and clean the pepper under cold running water. Mix some fresh crab meat with cream cheese and bread crumbs. Stuff the peppers with the mixture; roll in your favorite batter mix and deep fry, oh how good they are.

Next, I like to cook some fresh tilapia filets in fresh squeezed lemon juice. You can cover the filets with lemon juice in a glass dish and bake in the microwave for just a few minutes, until the tilapia is tender and flaky. Serve on a bed of wild rice with some steamed veggies. You can also add a little sautéed minced garlic to the rice for an extra punch.

For dessert you can go simple with some fresh in season fruit. Cut up the fruit a few hours ahead of time. Please in a zip lock back with a little sugar sprinkled over the fruit. Seal the bag and place in the fridge. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a mint leaf.

Your guest will be impressed and think you spent hours in the kitchen.

Learning to communicate!

2008-11-22T17:10:00.001Z

Today started like most any day at work, patients checking in, being seen and checking out. Nothing out of the usual, until the phone rang with an unusual call. The person on the other end spoke Spanish and no one in our office spoke Spanish, so we could not communicate with the caller. We had to turn away the new patient without being able to provide the care needed.
We had to come up with a solution. I decided to check out the translation services online. I found a few that sounded like they would fit, so I called each one for a quote. A couple of them even came out to the office to meet with me personally.
I went with one that offered 24/7 translation of 10 different languages over the phone. The even offered services for the deaf.
My doctors were thrilled with the service and the price. Our new patients were happy to find a doctor close to home that could accommodate them. A win – win situation!

My battle during flea season!

2008-11-21T23:51:00.001Z

I have six dogs in my house, all small, but still small. Then there is the occasional foster dog that comes through for a few days or weeks. On top of that, I have three neighbors around my back yard that has dogs and cats. Some indoor and some stay outdoors.

Think of how many fleas that adds up to! Too many! Here where I live, the flea season starts about March and don’t end until November or so. And then it depends on whether we have a cold enough winter or not. If not the fleas just keep right on multiplying.

I hate fleas with a passion, so I do everything I can to keep them off my dogs. I start with having my yard sprayed by a professional pest control service. Then my dogs need a bath with flea shampoo and spray, dust or fog the inside of my house. That takes care of the fleas for one season.

The problem comes when my neighbors don’t take care of their yards or animals. It raises the risk of fleas living in my yard even though I have the yard sprayed.

Picking that perfect TV!

2008-11-20T22:34:00.001Z

Lightening struck a tree just outside my house the other day. The lightening went to ground and since it was so close to the house, it entered through my cable line. The modem is fine, but the TV is fried. Yep fried as in dead!

So, off I go in search of a new TV. I can’t stand the quiet, so I must have a new TV, even if it’s just for the noise. But, what kind do I want and what size? There are so many choices out there, to pick from. I went to one discount department store and got lost in the long rows of TVs. There were so many, one after another, after another. I felt greatly overwhelmed!

I couldn’t decide whether I wanted a flat screen, a plasma one, or the plain old regular kind. I got so flustered, I had to come home. And, come home to a super quiet house with no TV.

I decided to get online and see if there was some kind of sight that I could compare TVs. Lo and behold, there was. Everyone store in town was listed with every kind of TV they carried. The specs and prices were listed for easy comparison. Why didn’t I do this to begin with?

Now, I’m prepared and know exactly which TV I want and which store to visit to get it. I came back home with the perfect size TV and it looks so good. I might get back into watching TV instead of just listening to it.

Are you ready to cook that Turkey?

2008-11-18T23:35:00.000Z

With the holidays right around the corner, you should be deciding what you would like to have for dinner. Most people love turkey for thanksgiving, but are getting bored with the same old way to cook it.

How about checking out the different ways a turkey can be cooked? You know there is the traditional way of baking in the oven, with or without stuffing, putting in a smoker or deep frying it in peanut oil. You can also grill it, microwave it, and even bake it in an oven safe bag or covered with aluminum foil.

The traditional way is to bake it in the oven. You can add stuffing or not, your choice. But to insure a moist turkey, it must be basted very often. The turkey must maintain 165 degrees for a whole turkey and for turkey parts, as measured with a meat thermometer. You can cover the entire top of the pan with aluminum foil to help keep the juices in the turkey or put the turkey in an oven safe bag, so that the turkey will cook in it’s own juices. The juice in the pan makes a great addition to dressing and to gravy.

Another popular way is to deep-fry your turkey. You must have a turkey fryer and lots of peanut oil. The key to not setting anything on fire though is to not fill the fryer up too full. There is a line to add oil to, so don’t go past it. When the oil reaches the right tempter, you lower the turkey in and let it cook to a golden, crispy brown.

Your turkey can also be cooked in a microwave. This is a less traditional way and you must have a large microwave to cook that big whole bird. If you were cooking just a turkey breast, this would be perfect. A small whole turkey will cook 7 – 9 minutes per pound and should be checked when finished to make sure the inner most part of the turkey is 165 degrees. When it reaches that temperature, it is done.

A smoker is a neat way to cook a turkey. They meat comes out with a slight pink color and a slightly smoky taste, my favorite. A smoker cost about $50.00 or less and uses charcoal. You put the charcoal in the bottom pan, water in the top pan, then there are two racks for food. While your turkey is smoking on the top rack, you might want to cook a ham on the bottom rack or put the turkey on the bottom and some ribs on the top. You much keep adding charcoal and water through a side door, about every two hours or so, to keep the smoker at the best temperature. You will be very pleased with the taste of whatever you cook in a smoker.

Whichever way you cook your turkey please be careful not to dry out the white meat and have a great holiday.

Life as a Chef!

2008-11-18T03:23:00.001Z

If you are already a chef, you know what it took to get there and how hectic your day and nights can be. If you are not a chef, and want to be one, be prepared for work, work, and more work.

You think I have it hard as a writer, think again. I get to sit behind a computer all day and type in thousands and thousands of words. No sitting for a chef! A chef is on their feet all day and most of the night.

During school, you get to sit, as some of the courses are classroom taught, but most are done right there in the kitchen, with hands on demonstrations and lessons. Trust me, its no piece of cake…no pun intended for those wishing to be a pastry chef. As well as classroom and kitchen work, there is an externship to be completed before you can graduate.

Before you graduate too, you need to know what kind of chef you want to be. You can specialize in being the pastry chef, the executive chef, the sous chef, an expeditor, Chef de Partie, or even the head chef. Lots of choices, so you may want to start out a little lower on the chain and work your way up. If you are really good, go for the gold.

Once in the work-a-day world, you will be faced with lots of challenges. Depending on your position, you may be required to purchase fresh ingredients on a daily basis. A lot of restaurants do this to ensure that the dishes that are prepared are made with the freshest ingredients possible. You will be responsible for such things as cooking and plating dishes. It’s up to you to make sure the dish looks it’s best before being put in front of a customer. If the food doesn’t look appetizing, you customers probably won’t be back and you want your customers back and to spread the word that you serve some of the best dishes in town.

So if you want to be a chef, plan on working hard, but also plan on reaping in the wonderful rewards of seeing the happy and satisfied faces and well as the reviews of your customers and peers.

So, you want to be a caterer?

2008-11-15T21:16:00.001Z

It's not that hard, you already know how to cook, right? Well just think a little bigger, upgrade your cooking utensils, have some business cards made and you're almost set. Of course, depending on where you live, you will need to contact you county or city government, to see what regulations and rules if any there are to follow. If you do the cooking in your kitchen, you will have to go through an inspection and obtain a business license. There will be a fee for the license.

Next, sit down and decide what kind of food you would enjoy cooking, and then be prepared to experiment with all kinds of dishes. Why you ask, because everyone has different taste and what you like, someone else may turn their nose up at. You can put together sever menus for each meal of the day, for tea parties, birthdays, and for dessert get togethers.

You can start small, by printing your own flyers, leaving them on mail boxes and bulletin boards. Then as business builds, hopefully from word of mouth since I know you will do good, you can place ads in the printed newspapers, magazines, as well as online. Remember though, don’t get in over your head, and schedule your engagements correctly by giving yourself enough time to prepare those wonderful dishes, so your business will boom.

Now, let’s talk about those utensils in your cabinet. Of course, you will need to upgrade them to a nicer quality, if you don’t already have them. You will need extra muffin pans, cookie sheets, serving platters, tea cups, serving utensils and lots of linens. Yes, real linens, customers love that fabric and hate the paper and plastic. Your fridge may need to be a little larger or have a spare in the basement or garage. I personally like having an extra just to hold completed dishes waiting to be delivered. Speaking of delivering, think about your vehicle too. It’s a little hard to cater a wedding for 600 with a VW….just a thought.

When it’s time to go shopping for ingredients, buy in bulk, it’s cheaper and besides, you are going to need the larger quantities. The wholesale clubs are a great place to get everything you need, food wise, but you might want to check out the farmer’s markets for those hard to find ingredients. Oh, and yes, please use as many fresh ingredients as possible, your dishes with taste heavenly. In just about every major city, you will find a restaurant supplier, check them out for you linens and utensils. You can usually get in with your business license.

Ok, you’ve got the basics, think about it some more and take that step to becoming a super star of a caterer! All of the things mentioned here are things your can research online for help.

I can paint!

2008-11-13T23:37:00.000Z

Sure, I can paint, but where do I start? I want some neat colors, but I don’t know what colors look good together. I want my walls to look warm, inviting, while having some excitement showing through, too.

So, I headed out to the local paint store to check out the paint color swatches. I found so many colors I loved, but then the thought hit me, how do I really know that these colors I love are going to match my furniture or the rugs. I surely can’t bring my sofa to the paint store, and if I could the lighting wouldn’t be the same.

What a dilemma I’ve gotten myself in! I called my neighbor and cried for help. She came running, thinking that I had been injured. I just laughed and laughed. I told nothing that bad, but I did need her help. I explained the situation and she then laughed at me and called me silly. She asked why didn’t I have an interior design person to come over and help me decide? The designer would bring all the color swatches to the house and under my own lighting; we could pick out exactly what I wanted. The designer could also suggest some wall hangings and new pillow colors to match. How awesome would that be?

So, I got on the internet and found an interior designer to come sit with me. She worked miracles and you should see my living room now!

Moving can be a pain!

2008-11-13T23:35:00.001Z

I knew this day was coming, but I kept putting the packing of all my stuff and moving, on the back burner. But, who does like to pack everything you own and move it all? Nobody that I know of, because it is so much work!

Think about it, you have to go buy boxes, then go through each closet and every drawer, clean them out and pack all of it in boxes. Then you have to rent a truck, put everything in the truck, drive to the new place and unload the truck and unpack the boxes. Boy is that a lot.

Well, my day did get here and I wasn’t prepared. I did the routine though and made the trip to the truck rental store. I reserved a truck; hopefully it’s the right size, and bought special boxes. I also went to the market and begged for some of their boxes so I wouldn’t have to buy so many.

After getting home, I started on the drawers fist. I didn’t realize I had so many drawers and so much stuff in each of the drawers. I did well though, I labeled each box with the room name on them and started filling up my garage with packed boxes. I barely got finished when moving day arrived. I went to pick up the truck, returned home and waited for my friends to show up to help me move. I waited and waited and waited, they were late. I started moving things that I could pick up into the truck while I waited, but couldn’t get much done. They finally arrived; about two hours late, but we got it all done in three trips.

Now, if I ever had to do it again, I would never do it myself. I would hire a moving company to pack, move and unpack for me. Yep, they do all the packing and unpacking if you want them to. It cost a little more, but I think it is worth it. Less hassle, less pain and more time to get things cleaned out before they move you. So, when it’s time for you to move, learn from my mistakes and go online to find that perfect moving company.

Oh what a tangled web we weave!

2008-11-09T22:46:00.005Z

What a mess I made of my computer! I got so sick of it running slow and some days not even running at all. So, what did I do, I struck out to fix it myself. How hard could it be to, just push a few buttons, delete a few things here and there, and get it running faster?

Well, let me tell you how bad it was then….lol. I couldn’t even get it to come on half the time after my home repairs were done. And when it did come on, boy was it a mess. My screen would flash, and my mouse cursor would go where it wanted to, like it had a mind of its own. I really think that sometimes our computers do have a mind of their own, because they do things on their on accord, when you least expect it. But that don’t make up for me doing my own home repairs.

I soon discovered that I was stuck and needed to take the computer to someone that knew a little, well maybe a lot more than I did. My computer was down, so I couldn’t get to the internet at home. I ran across the street in the rain to my neighbour’s house to borrow his computer. He just laughed when I told him why. I told him enough from the peanut gallery. I got on the internet and found a computer repair shop close by my house.

I packed up my laptop and took the short drive to the shop. The repaired my computer in just a couple of days. I asked them how much business they got from online advertising. They said there was more business from online than by people driving by and seeing the sign. I guess it works.

Starting a new business, what to do?

2008-11-09T22:17:00.001Z

After much deep, deep thought, I have decided that I want to open up a new business. I love photography and really would like to make money at a hobby that I love. Why not? It can’t be that hard to start up. So where would you begin?

I got on the computer and started looking for a way to advertise. The first thing I looked into was a really neat business card to be able to hand out. I found several sites that seemed to have some sound advice and gave options to have them print my cards. I could either have them design them for me or send them my work ready to print.

Next I needed someone to print flyers to place on bulletin boards, same type of results as for cards.

I also looked into photography sites that allowed advertising. I found some that are very reasonable. I looked at the rankings and customer reviews before deciding on which ones to go with. I picked the top one that was in my price range.

Next I went to the county government site that gave me information about obtaining a license before I officially opened my business. They gave me everything I needed to know, as well copies of the forms I would need to fill out.

So, it goes to prove that internet advertising is the way to go. Put your internet to good use before starting that new business you and just chomping at the bit to open.

A Day in My Life!

2008-11-08T20:42:00.004Z

I start my mornings getting up at 5:30am, letting the dogs out, getting ready for work, then putting the dogs back in their crates. Kiss my hubby goodbye and head to McDonald's for my usual breakfast. I arrive at work by 6:30am. I don't have to clock in until 8:00am so, I spend that time doing a lot of my freelance writing. No one else is there and it's quiet. My work as a medical assistant starts at 8:00am and ends anywhere from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. If I get a lunch at all, I'm sitting in front of the computer writing.

I go home, feed the dogs, cook supper, eat, and work on any cleaning or laundry that needs to be done. Then I'm up till about eleven or twelve pm doing more writing.

Now, looking at that typical schedule, when would I have have time to do home repairs? No, not Saturday or Sunday, as I work dog adoptions and writing on Saturday and then Sunday is full of Church, eating out with friends, more writing and laundry.

No, not any day, that's why I have to rely on the internet to help. I can go online and find a painter, roofer, bathroom tiler, or even a source for art to hang on my wall. I rely on the internet not only to do my research for writing, but for finding any kind of vendor that is needed.

How much is that doggie in the window?

2008-11-07T04:00:00.005Z

How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

Oh my, Oh my! I bought that doggie in the window and brought him home with me. That dog looked so sweet to me, he was just drooling my name on the window, begging me to take him home. I just had to, I couldn't resist.

I got him home, and stared and stared, trying to pick that perfect name. I finally decided on Ripley, yes Ripley fit him so well. I noticed there was a little bit of a strange smell when I put Ripley in the car and then how shaggy he looked once, we got home. I decided Ripley just had to have a bath and a haircut. The problem was I didn't know exactly what kind of dog Ripley was, so I didn't know how he should be groomed. What should I do?

Well, the best thing I could think of and I had to think fast, as Ripley was really beginning to smell up the house, was to find a dog groomer. I looked all through the house and no phone book could be found, so I turned the computer on and started a search for a dog groomer.

I was delighted that I found about 15 groomers in my area. I called a few until I found just the right one. I took Ripley over immediately. They took one look and agreed that he was in bad need of a bath and a trim. They said he was supposed to be shaggy, but nicely done. I left him in their capable hands. When I returned, I asked if they were sure this was my dog? They laughed and of course, it was. He was very handsome!

Thanks goodness for online advertisers!

What kind of floor do you like in your home?

2008-11-05T02:03:00.001Z

Are you a wood floor person, or ceramic tile, porcelain tile, or do you like to go carpet all the way? Think hard before you change you home flooring. Look at all the options and characteristics of each available type of flooring.

Think about things like, do your feet get cold easy, are you on a slab foundation or have a basement. Do you have dogs or cats or both? Having children should even play a roll in deciding on the type of floors you choose.

If you have pets, you might want to consider doing without carpet, real wood floors or linoleum. The dog’s nails will leave marks on the real wood, while cats are notorious for scratching on carpet and linoleum. Dogs too love to chew on carpet. Birds will scatter lots of seed, water and fruits between the bars of their cages and onto the floor. If you have carpet, you can’t easily get the food products out of the carpet.

Children tend to spill drinks more, so carpet might not be the way to go. Not to say that we as adults don’t spill things, but children seem to spill more.

Linoleum is more old school, but more and more, the manufacturers are creating more beautiful patterns to make you think you have more expensive type flooring.

Ceramic tile tends to chip and crack when something heavy is dropped on it. Porcelain is a good bit more durable and comes in some really neat patterns. Sizes range from 1” to 36” tiles.

So really put some thought into what you want to walk on and to see in your home when it comes time to change flooring.

2008-11-03T22:58:00.010Z

Home improvement

2008-10-31T23:25:00.005Z

Where to Start

People want to do home improvement projects all the time to increase the value of their home. Many people, however, do not know which project to tackle first when they have multiple projects to be done. Picking which project to do first can be decided by a number of things. Money and urgency are the biggest factors in this. If you have a hole in your roof, obviously you need to get that fixed before putting a shed up in your yard. But if you need new windows because the old ones are older than you and your bathroom looks like it’s stuck in the 70’s, you have a choice. Some improvements will be more time consuming than others and that should be taken into consideration before starting anything.

Before you Start

Do your research before starting anything. Whether you plan to do the project yourself or hire someone to do it for you, make sure you know what you are getting into before buying anything or signing any contract. Any home improvement job can be done by yourself or a company. Depending on the job will depend on what you need to not only get it done, but also how much it will cost. Check out different home improvement stores for varying prices as well as professionals. Ask your neighbours who did their project and how much it cost, if they are willing to tell you the price. If they did it themselves, ask how long it took and if they ran into any problems they didn’t believe they would encounter. If they did encounter problems, ask them how they fixed them. On the other hand if they used a professional ask what they thought of the work the professional did. Knowing what you might be getting into is the best knowledge of all. And if it is possible, ask more than one home owner about the same project so you can compare notes.

Do It Yourself versus Professional

You have decided what project you want to do. You have done your research and have an idea what it should cost and how long it should take. Now you must decide if you want to do it yourself or hire a professional crew to do it for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Doing it yourself can be much cheaper because you aren’t paying labour costs that are added to the professionals’ prices. However you have to know that you will have ample time to fix complete the project and that you can live in your home comfortably enough while you do finish.
Also if you run into a complication, you have to know how to fix it quickly so as not to lose any more time on completing the project. This can get expensive if you don’t know how to fix it or are on limited time and money. Having a professional do it can cost thousands more, depending on the project, but you will have an estimated time of completion. And, the best part of all, if there are any mess-ups, you are not responsible for fixing them. Well, for the most part you won’t be responsible. You will need to read the fine print on any contract you sign with a professional. Another advantage of having a professional is that the work is warranted.

Using the Professional

Once you decide to go with a professional, you should get multiple quotes before making your choice of who to use. Even if the company that did your neighbours windows comes highly recommended, your house is different and they may have different pricing specials now than when your neighbours had their windows put in. Get at least four or five quotes to see exactly what the professionals cost and the differences in how they do business, their warranty works, estimate for when they can start your project, and completion time frame. Don’t go for just the big ads in the phone book. The smaller companies can be just as good and cost less than a big name. Most places give free estimates nowadays. No matter what, don’t let any professional push you into using them before you have all the estimates you want. They may sound great as the first or second, but their job is to get you sign with them and convince you they are better than anyone else out there. Take everything they say with a grain of salt.

D. Dugan
kandibox.co.uk

Painting tips

2008-10-31T23:02:00.003Z

Home Painting Tips

Remember, everyone starts as a beginner at painting. Just because you have never painted a house doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. The money you save by painting your own house is money you can put into other home improvements. It can also be a fun thing for the whole family to do.

Here are some of the basics. Of course the first thing you need to do is wash down the walls of your house. A pressure washer can be rented at almost any rental yard and is the best way to do that. Now go around with a scraper and remove all loose paint and chipped areas. You don’t have to scrape the entire wall, but any areas where the surface is not flat can cause you problems as you paint your house.
Next, figure out your square footage so you can determine the amount of paint you will need to buy. Buy your paint in 5-gallon buckets, rather than gallons to save more money.

Talk to the helper at your local paint store and tell him about your project. They can help you decide on how many brushes and rollers and other items you will need. You can buy natural or synthetic bristles for oil based paints, but only use synthetic bristles with latex paint. The same rule applies to rollers.

Make sure you purchased some painter’s tape. It’s blue tape that comes in different widths and is easy to remove without messing up your paint job. That brings us to preparation. Tape off all areas you don’t wish to get this colour of paint on. If there are large areas to cover, make sure you pick up some rolls of plastic. You can tape the edges of the plastic down over whatever you need to cover.

Don’t paint out of the paint cans. First reason is that leaving the paint can open will dry out the paint and make it difficult to apply. Another reason is that your brush or roller picks up dirt and foreign objects, which will end up in your paint and may even change the colour as you go along.

Do all of your cutting or trimming in before you paint the walls. Use a 4” brush and with a smooth stroke guide it around the edges where you taped off. Make sure you have plenty of paint on your brush. The biggest mistake people make is trying to stretch the paint too far. Keep drips cleaned up as you go with a small rag. Remember you will be rolling up to the edge of your cut, so don’t worry about that, just make sure you cover the edges well.

Start on the edges of your walls and work your way toward the middle. Most people don’t do this and problems can result. If you start and new can of paint in the middle of the wall and there is any difference in the colour at all, it will show up there more than it would on the edges. So with each new can of paint you open, start at the edges first.

Dip your roller in water (for Latex) or solvent (for oil-based paint), before you start. Whether you use a pan or a 5-gallon bucket with a screen, make sure you roll it out a little to make sure it isn’t dripping. You don’t need to go all the way from the top to the bottom as you paint. Do what you can reach.

Apply the paint in a Y or an N pattern, then apply paint in columns up and down smoothing out all the edges or ridges as you go. Again don’t try to stretch the paint out, make sure you have enough paint on your roller to give it a good coat. If you are applying more than one coat, make sure the first coat is completely dry before applying a new coat of paint.

Corners are a difficult part to learn to paint. If you aren’t careful, this is where you will see paint drips later. Get as close to corners as you can, but don’t scrape the roller against the corner. That will cause drips. If you are unsure, have a paintbrush handy to smooth out drips. That is also a good idea overall. Keep a paintbrush ready for taking care of any drips or ridges you leave behind. Doing this as you go is much easier than trying to fix it after it’s dry or partially dry.

Using tray liners for your paint trays will save you a lot of time at cleanup. Soak your brushes when done for awhile and they will also be easier to clean. For water based paint, soak in water and for oil based paint soak them in solvent.

I hope some of these tips have been helpful to you. Have confidence that you can do this job yourself. You will appreciate and enjoy it much more knowing that you or you and your family completed the job rather than hiring someone else to do it.

D. Dugan
kandibox.co.uk

A comfy way to make those much needed repairs!

2008-10-31T03:20:00.001Z

Are you thinking about making some changes around the house, doing some remodeling or need some repairs? Well, join the crowd, you wouldn’t believe how many of us are in the middle of remodeling and repairs or plan to do them before the end of the year.

Some things as simple as painting a room or as complicated as adding on a room are in the planning stages. On average, the normal homeowner will change the color of at least one room, once a year. Carpet is changed out about every five to six years.

Believe it or not we must be one of those normal homeowners. A couple of years ago we yanked up all the carpet and put down alternative flooring. The next year we had our living room completely redone, another new floor, a new ceiling fan, some new furniture and of course the walls and ceiling were painted. The only thing I could do of all that was pick out the new furniture, flooring and paint colors. The work itself had to hired out.

Where did I go to find the right person, the internet, of course! Most all of the home remodelers and contractors advertise on the internet. Why? That’s because 90% of all homeowners have a computer and use it to do searches, instead of using phone books. We don’t even have a phone book in the house anymore. The other 10% of homeowners usually have access to a computer at work or at the public library. The good thing about using the internet is there are usually reviews from existing or past customers.

So, next time you need to find someone to do those repairs or just to help with redecorating, pour yourself a cup of tea, turn on the computer and find that perfect person to assist you. It’s a lot more relaxing sitting in your comfy chair taking your time to look!

The seesaw of life and business

2008-10-30T23:05:00.008Z

What ever goes up must come down and whatever goes down must come up! This is true in science, in life and also in business. What is also true is that, when three out of four businesses are on the way down, one is on the way up. Many are now seeing the effects of the credit crunch and struggling to keep afloat, but some are finding ways to climb all the way up to the crest of the waves.

Clever entrepreneurs know that they have to take the right steps now to be part of the 25% of businesses who are enjoying financial success at this very moment. Amongst the many things which help a business grow, Internet advertising is right at the top of the list. It's one of the cheapest and most effective ways of advertising a business.

How many people look in the yellow pages or the newspapers when trying to find a business or service provider? In comparison, how many look on the Internet?

What would we do without our computers now? It's now hard to imagine. My niece even has to email her homework to her teachers and one of her homework tasks was to post her views about a history topic on a blog set up by her teacher.

It's called moving with the times
www.dizcover.co.uk

Breaking up, or moving on?

2008-10-29T23:24:00.008Z

The end of a business relationship - Breaking up or moving on?

While it may seem that your job is done when the contracted duties have been discharged, there is still quite a bit of work to do if you want your name to gain popularity! The final handshake is only the beginning of a very intricate dance that you, as an independent contractor, need to learn in order to continue making money.

When you were growing up, did your parents drive you crazy during the holidays, or after your birthday, by forcing you to write thank-you notes to practically everyone who had given you a gift? Mine certainly did. I have not heard the end of it since I told my mother that this note-writing compulsion she drove into me, has been my greatest asset in keeping, and gaining more, clients. The thank-you note seems to transcend the personal versus business boundary.

A short is certainly appropriate – something along the lines of “I enjoyed working alongside you on this project and I hope I get the opportunity to work with you again” is a simple and well-received mental handshake.

However, elaborating on that basic plan, can get you information that could really aid your business. A little more time and effort on your part won’t go to waste. Try constructing a feedback form. Address any problems that might have occurred – was the issue handled to their satisfaction? While this should have been handled when the problem occurred, they may have come up with a solution that no one had thought of at the time. Ask the client if there was anything that your company did that was unexpected, both positive and negative. Leave a space where the client can write a few sentences reviewing your work. This quote (hopefully positive), placed in strategic places in your promotional papers, will work wonders. Most importantly, return the favour. Take the time to let your client know, in no uncertain terms, that you would recommend their firm to others. Should they advertise their business on a website, where it is possible for you to leave a testimonial, this would be an even greater form of thanks and really appreciated.

Taking the time to do all of this “extra credit” work, even when the client might not have been ideal, means at the very least the following:
- You have retained a professional manner that anyone could envy.
- Another client down, another lesson learned. There will have been something to gain by reflecting on your work with them.
- Letting your client know that you would work with them again - officially letting them know, not just implied - means they will think of you when another situation they are ill-equipped for comes up.

Basic rules for social situations really do leak into business circumstances, and knowing how to commute those behaviours professionally will make a big difference.
www.dizcover.co.uk

How can small businesses survive?

2008-10-26T10:09:00.001Z

All over the world, there is a universal truth among small business owners - they depend on each other to stay afloat. What makes this doubly hard to deal with is the fact that big business can promote itself with an almost callous (to its smaller competitors) disregard to money; how on earth can the “little guys” hope to survive when no one knows where to find them – either individuals or other businesses have to dig through flyers, commercials, and other blatant advertisements for the well-established firms in order to see that there are alternatives out there.

Dizcover is a site which has taken this into account and is there to help out small businesses survive and prosper and a world where multi-nationals often have the upper hand. Check it out at http://www.dizcover.co.uk