text:
Any woman who has had a video gamer for a boyfriend likely has suffered from a bit of neglect when they get engrossed in a game. One girl found a way to make everyone happy, however, gifting her boyfriend with Call of Duty, but requiring him to sign a contract as well. While they received many comments both for and against the idea of the contract, titled "Rules for Your New Gift," the couple assured everyone on Twitter that it was simply a joke.
Ashley Davison gave boyfriend Blake Perry Call of Duty with a few simple rules to protect both parties. Giving it a readthrough, you can definitely see it's pretty cheeky – and Blake even signed off on it, so it's safe to assume that he thinks it's pretty funny too.
He did, however, tweet a look at the contract, writing: "Little does she know these rules will be broken."
Here are the rules:
1. If I call you must pause the game and talk to me with full attention.
2. No starting another match if we are planning to hang out or I ask to hang out.
3. You must ask if it is okay for you to play while I am over at your house with you. Make sure I have something to do while you are in battle.
4. You must reply to a text no longer than 11 minutes.
5. Do not forget to give me just as much attention.
At the bottom, she wrote this agreement for her boyfriend to sign:
"I, Blake Perry, will follow these rules and in return I will be enjoying my new game and loving my girlfriend at the same time. But if I do not follow these rules my girlfriend, Ashley Davison, can take this game away from me at anytime for the rest of my life. So I will follow these rules and not forget about my girlfriend."
Clearly, it's not meant to be a serious contract, but this couple still took a bit of heat, with Ashley pegged as the crazy girlfriend type.
Blake tweeted: "In case you couldn't tell this is obviously a joke" and Ashley tweeted: "Are you serious? It's a joke."
One person, however, tweeted a caution in response, writing: "Nah bro… I've been through this before, she wants you to think it's a joke but in reality if you don't follow those rules she will go postal on you. Just beware."
Ashley responded that her boyfriend shouldn't be concerned in the least, tweeting: "Don't worry I'm not going to go postal on him. it 100% was a joke! Thanks for looking out for him though!"
Some thought the contract was a clever idea, with one person tweeting: "just now seeing this… and umm… can u send me a copy with the name blank?? ask for a friend aka me."
One person wasn't impressed, however, tweeting: "Joke or no joke this isn't funny. Like I am tired of seeing dumb stuff like this promoting the crazy girlfriend. I play call of duty and I am a girl. My friends know I am not pausing anything and I will not be checking or replying to any text until after the game is over."


text:
Forgetfulness, common for the old age, also happens in menopause. That, and a whole lot of other things that make you suspect you've lost your marbles.Read more
vaginal moisturiser
Moisturise your wrinkles – down there!
Before you start thinking that I've lost the plot, let me assure you that moisturising our vaginas is as important, if not more, as keeping our face, hands and legs nurtured and smothered in lotion.Read more

subset: commoncrawl


text:
South Central Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- Employment Agencies
- Non-Profit Organizations
Leading People. Leading Organizations.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world?s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.


text:
World Markets Live - May 25
We'll be updating you throughout the day with essential breaking news, data alerts, earnings reports and all the major market movements.
Khalid al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, says compliance with oil cuts has been very impressive.He says all options have been considered, from how long the cuts should last, to how deep.We found out that 9 months with the same level of production that our member countries have been producing at is a very safe and almost certain option to do the trick.
3rd & 7 37yd
3rd & 7 37yd
Our top headlines as we get underway:
- In Vienna, oil ministers from Iran and Iraq tell CNBC they back a 9-month extension to the output deal but say deeper cuts are only up for discussion.
- Fed minutes show policymakers agreeing to wind down the central bank's $4.5 trillion balance sheet while signalling a rate hike "soon" despite soft data in the first quarter.
- US lawmakers demand information from Deutsche Bank to determine whether the bank facilitated financial links between President Trump and the Russian government.
- Donald Trump's arrival in Brussels is met with protests, as he prepares for tough talks with EU and Nato leaders in a test of transatlantic ties.
Barclays says a nine-month production cut extension is the most likely outcome from today's OPEC meeting, pointing out that a six-month extension would mean members begin to increase output when demand is at its weakest point.Oil prices are higher ahead of today's OPEC meeting that is expected to extend a production cut.
Bijan Zanganeh, the Iranian oil minister had an exchange with Steve Sedgwick yesterday who asked if Iran was ready to extend the 9-month production cuts?Zanganeh said both a 6 or 9-month extension was acceptable.Bijan Zanganeh: 9 months is acceptable.Iraqi oil minister Jabbar Al-Luiebi also told Steve that he was "very happy" with a 9-month extension.But is it all in vain? Steve highlights that OPEC efforts to manipulate supply could be undone by U.S. shale oil production.Goldman Sachs says the production for U.S. shale is set to rise.
Treasury yields ticked lower and the VIX fell back below 10 last night.This after the minutes from the latest Fed meeting showed policymakers are on the same page about unwinding the central bank's $4.5 trillion balance sheet, a process which has been a key concern for the market.Odds of a June rate hike remained unchanged at around 78 percent.U.S. markets closed higher on Wednesday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve's plan.The central bank sees a system where it will announce cap limits on how much it will allow to roll off each month without reinvesting, according to the minutes from its May 3 meeting. Any amount it receives in repayments that exceed the cap limit will be reinvested.
On set, Simon Derrick, Chief Currency Strategist at BNY Mellon says the market is currently ignoring the Fed as it continues to hunt for yield.When asked to nail down what might cause a crack in the market, Derrick says it is impossible to know hat might burst a bubble but he says China and a slowdown in its growth "seems to be a major story but the market is not focussing on it".Derrick: Market is ignoring Fed in favor of hunting for yield
Senior Russian intelligence and political officials discussed how to use Donald Trump's aides to influence his decisions, according to a report by the New York Times.The conversations specifically focused on Michael Flynn, the now former-National Security Advisor and Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman.According to the report, American intelligence discovered Russian officials bragging about how well they knew Flynn, who is now the center of multiple investigations into his connections with Russia.Separately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have asked Deutsche Bank to release a number of documents related to President Donald Trump, to determine whether loans made to his businesses had any links to Russia.Letters from Democrats to Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank has been fined 10 billion euros for its part in a Russian money laundering scheme with a Department of Justice settlement still pending.
All eyes are on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ahead of a highly-anticipated meeting later today when the oil group looks set to extend their crude production cuts but is the big downside risk coming from China?
If you wanted to know where the downside risk is, it is not in OPEC's decision or in U.S. driving demand or in global inventories rebalancing. I think China is the big source of concern.
- Prestige Economics President Jason Schenker.The OPEC and 11 non-members will be negotiating whether to extend an agreement reached in December to cut oil production by about 1.8 million barrels a day in the first half of this year.
UK scolds US 'friends' for leak of Manchester bomb intelligenceCNBCRelations between the U.K. and U.S. have been strained after details about the Manchester bombing reached U.S. news outlets.
U.K. government officials are warning that repeated intelligence leaks by U.S. security services stand to undermine their hunt for the network behind the Manchester terror attack.It was a breach of information-sharing protocol that allowed the New York Times to obtain images of the remains of the bomb detonated outside the Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to broach these leaks when she meets U.S. President Donald Trump later today.
A lawyer for Fiat Chrysler says a software update can help fix the company's diesel excessive emissions. This after the US Government filed a lawsuit against Fiat, accusing the carmaker of emissions violations.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fiat has cheated emissions tests by intentionally using software to bypass controls on more than 100 thousand vehicles.Anna-Marie Baisden, Head of Autos Research at BMI Research says it doesn't look good for Fiat Chrysler as there is very little evidence to see how the issue differs from the Volkswagen scandal.Baisden says Fiat, who are facing multiple legal issues, would likely be better served if they accepted fines and carried on with business.Baisden: Not looking good for Fiat Chrysler on emissions
If you expect a boom in the U.S. economy you will be disappointed. The reflation trade is not going to materialise. The U.S. economy is doing a little bit worse than most people realise but the Fed wants to hike.Maratheftis says fiscal policy is not doing anything to change economic dynamics and monetary policy and central bankers remain in everyone's focus.He says the Fed can raise rates 3 times this year and run down the balance sheet, but he doesn't foresee a multi-year hiking cycle.He claims the Fed's tightening will be "short and front loaded".
Low-cost European carrier Wizz Air has posted a record profit in its latest full year results as increased passenger numbers and lower fuel costs boosted earnings.The airline said that there are no signs of demand weakness on routes to or from the UK despite the vote to leave the European Union.
Jozsef Varadi, CEO at Wizz Air is on set and he says 45 percent of short-haul flights are now catered for by budget airlines. With competition remaining stiff, he expects prices to match those witnessed last year.On fuel, Varadi says the company is 18-months hedged and he doesn't expect to see much volatility in the price of oil and its variants.
European futures point to a higher start at the open after Fed minutes show policymakers agreeing to wind down the central bank's $4.5 trillion dollar balance sheet while signalling a rate hike "soon."
Other top stories this morning:
- Oil ministers from Iran and Iraq tell CNBC in Vienna they back a 9-month extension to the output deal but cast doubts on deeper cuts.
- US lawmakers demand information from Deutsche Bank to determine whether the bank facilitated financial links between President Trump and the Russian government.
- Welcome to the "hellhole!" Donald Trump's arrival in Brussels is met with protests, as he prepares for tough talks with EU and NATO leaders in a test of transatlantic ties.
British police have made a string of additional arrests as part of on-going investigations into the Manchester Arena attack. The latest evidence from the crime scene points to the involvement of a terror network linked to the bomber.NBC's Richard Engel has the details. Click or tap play for his report.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed President Trump's budget proposal to increase military spending in Europe. Trump plans further investments into the European Reassurance Initiative, a special fund created by President Obama to counter Russian aggression.CNBC's Hadley Gamble is in Brussels, where the president will head to NATO's headquarters later today. She says Trump may have talked tough about NATO on the campaign trail but hasn't decreased the amount of spending on NATO.At the end of the day he's planning, or at least proposing to add an additional $1.4 billion to this Reassurance Initiative for European countries and the question going forward is how much more is he going to be willing to give?
Oil prices continue to climb higher as investors expect OPEC and non-OPEC members to agree on a production cut extension of 6 to 9 months in today's meeting.
Johannes Benigni, chairman of JBC Energy Group, thinks this cut may need to carry on for even longer to rebalance the market.We see the market not balanced before the end of 2019, so really OPEC now giving a signal they are going into 2018 is great, but you will see they have to roll-on with their cuts. They have to go until the end of next year and beyond.
A bill passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month would cause 23 million people in the U.S. to lose health insurance by 2026.According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would also destabilize health insurance markets, limiting providers and making it more difficult to buy coverage.Senate Republicans are currently writing their own bill which is expected to be unveiled in the next few months.Meanwhile, members of the Trump Administration testified before Congress Wednesday, defending the White House budget proposal which has drawn fire for its drastic cuts to Medicaid.NBC's Blayne Alexander has more from Washington.
Marios Maratheftis, chief economist at Standard Chartered Bank, discusses the impact of an OPEC production cut extension on prices.Demand is strong and the way we see the global economy it's probably going to remain strong. It's all about supply when it comes to prices.I think it will be positive for oil prices; we see them gradually moving higher as the market gradually moves into deficit.Maratheftis says this is important for the global economy, which is oil-based. He says the $50-$60 range is the "Goldilocks" range for the economy.
Barclays says a nine-month production cut extension is the most likely outcome from today's OPEC meeting, pointing out that a six-month extension would mean members begin to increase output when demand is at its weakest point.Oil prices are higher ahead of today's OPEC meeting that is expected to extend a production cut.A 5-year chart tells the story of repricing across the second half of 2014.
Zodiac Aerospace has accepted Safran's revised takeover bid, which is 15 percent less than originally agreed upon. This after the French aircraft seat-maker reported a series of profit warnings, which severely dented its share price. Despite the cut, Safran said it was confident of overcoming Zodiac's problems, adding plans to create the world's third-largest aerospace supplier were still well on course.
Weaker Sterling has helped sweeten profit at Tate and Lyle. The British ingredients maker saw sales rise 17 percent in the year-end to March. When the currency impact is stripped out, profits rose 20 percent with improved margins boosting the business.A lawyer for Fiat Chrysler says a software update can help fix the company's diesel excessive emissions. This after the US Government filed a lawsuit against Fiat, accusing the carmaker of emissions violations. According to the DOJ, Fiat has cheated emissions tests by intentionally using software to bypass controls on over 100 thousand vehicles.BNP Paribas has paid a 350 million dollar settlement to New York's banking watchdog in a bid to close a probe related to misconduct in its FX business. According to New York's Department of Financial Services, dozens of local traders manipulated rates while the French lender failed to stop the illegal activity. BNP said it "deeply regrets" its past misconduct.
Marios Maratheftis, chief economist at Standard Chartered Bank, says a Federal Reserve interest rate hike is priced in as far as emerging markets are concerned.We went through a period of re-pricing earlier on when the Fed was going ahead with tapering, and when the Fed was signaling the beginning of the hiking cycle we saw a lot of volatility in emerging markets.I remember writing a paper in April 2015 and I said who's vulnerable if the Fed shocks? And if the Fed shocks, the main shock absorber in emerging markets is the currency, and I find the most vulnerable currencies from Fed shocks are the Turkish lira, the Indonesian rupee, the Brazilian real and the Malaysian ringgit.
Democrats on Capitol Hill have asked Deutsche Bank to release a number of documents related to President Donald Trump, to determine whether loans made to his businesses had any links to Russia.CNBC's Annette Weisbach, says Deutsche Bank is not going to do a lot to answer this request.Legally they are not obliged to do anything for that request. The request is asking for an answer until June 2nd. So what could happen of course behind the scenes, what I'm hearing is they could meet with Democrats, perhaps now or perhaps a little bit later when that whole thing gets elevated to a higher level of the Democratic Party.That could happen in the future but for now nothing really of substance will happen to that request.Democrat Party letters to Deutsche Bank
The UK government is said to be considering scaling back its intelligence sharing with U.S. security services. The move comes after a string of leaks by American security agencies to domestic media regarding the Manchester terror attack.In the latest breach of information sharing protocol, The New York Times obtained pictures of the remains of the bomb detonated outside the Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will meet Trump today.
Hadley Gamble is in Brussels at NATO where Donald trump will visit today to speak with Secretary -General Jens Stoltenberg.He was keen not to get in the middle of the U.S. and U.K. spat.
The issue related to the Manchester attack, it's a bilateral issue between the US and UK, it is not for me to comment on that. But in general, intelligence is of great importance to NATO. We are stepping up our efforts and work to sharing intel. We have just established a new intelligence division here at HQ to better analyse and share intelligence. We are also today announcing a new fusion cell related to fighting terrorism, especially addressing issues like foreign fighters.
Stoltenberg has said that how to treat Russia will be on the agenda in discussions with the U.S. president.
Russia is on NATO's agenda always and Russia will be discussed later today. As part of our discussions relating to the trans-Atlantic bond and burden-sharing because one of the reasons we are investing in our collective defence, increasing our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance, is of course as a response to the aggressive actions of Russia in the eastern Ukraine.
Commenting on the Trump budget proposal, Marios Maratheftis, chief economist at Standard Chartered Bank, says he does not buy into the Trump administration narrative that it can cut taxes, cut the deficit and increase spending.It's not going to happen. The growth assumptions in the budget are way too optimistic. I don't think the U.S. economy will be going at 3 or 4 percent to help with balancing the books or not balancing the books but keeping the budget deficit relatively steady.There will be some form of tax cuts; I think that will actually happen. The cuts in discretionary spending, such as on Medicaid, will be negative for growth, and I also think they will not be enough to fund the tax cuts either.Maratheftis says the net effective on growth will be neutral or even negative. He says spending on Medicaid is a form of fiscal stimulus for the poorer part of the population, which spends more of their income on consumption.
Oil prices are higher in session.A nine-month extension of the deal is the most likely outcome to be announced at OPEC's post-meeting press conference due to be held at 5:00 p.m. local time in Vienna, according to analysts at Barclays.A key risk to OPEC only agreeing a six-month extension is that it would expire shortly ahead of the seasonally weak first quarter in 2018, bringing idle capacity back online at a time of poor market demand, said the Barclays' note.Brent and WTI futures prices have tracked 13 percent and 14 percent higher respectively since this month's lows were reached on May 4, as hopes for a nine-month extension have risen on the back of increasingly supportive comments from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq for such a result.
These are the top headlines this hour.
- European stocks trade cautiously higher after Fed minutes show policy makers agreeing to wind down the central bank's $4.5 trillion dollar balance sheet, while signaling a rate hike "soon."
- Oil ministers from Iran and Iraq tell CNBC in Vienna they back a 9 month extension to the output deal but cast doubts on deeper cuts.
- Petrofac on a slippery slope! Shares in the oilfield services provider hit an 8 year low after the COO is suspended amid allegations of fraud.
- EU leaders roll out the red carpet for President Donald Trump in Brussels - amid new tensions between the US and UK over intelligence leaks.
President Donald Trump is meeting with EU leaders this morning, in the latest leg of his inaugural overseas trip. The atmosphere amongst the delegation is expected to be tense, given the derogatory remarks President Trump has made about the European Union in the past.Gina Sanchez, CEO of Chantico Global, says Trump is travelling with a cloud above his head.It was already going to be a difficult first trip because he has his past to contend with, which is to say he has been very inflammatory in the past with regard to Europe and to Brussels.So he was already coming into this situation with a past and what's happening right now in Washington just makes it even harder for him to turn over a new leaf and start new relationships.
Treasury yields ticked lower and the VIX fell back below 10. This after the minutes from the latest Fed meeting showed policymakers are on the same page about unwinding the central bank's $4.5 trillion dollar balance sheet, a process which has been a key concern for the market.
Odds of a June rate hike remained unchanged at around 78 percent.
Gina Sanchez, CEO of Chantico Global, says the Fed showed less conviction for a June rate hike in the latest minutes.Obviously they reaffirmed it, markets are expecting it, so I think that if we didn't see a June rate hike it would be a surprise, but I found it interesting that they to some degree left the door open for the possibility that the next three weeks of data are going to carry more importance than we expected, particularly the jobs numbers next week.
Carl Bildt, co-chairperson of the European Council on Foreign Relations, has tweeted about the mood in Brussels ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with EU leaders this morning.This is the latest leg of the president's inaugural overseas trip. The atmosphere amongst the delegation is expected to be tense, given the derogatory remarks President Trump has made about the European Union in the past.
We'll have data about the U.K.'s GDP growth rate for the first quarter at 09:30 GMT.Ahead of the release, let's look at how sterling is performing and what Gilt yields look like.Sterling is up against the dollar and yen this morning, but is a little lower against the euro.U.K. bond yields are down between 2 and 3 basis points. Yields move inversely to prices.
U.K. GDP growth for the first quarter is estimated at 0.2 percent quarter on quarter. That's revised down from a previous reading of 0.3 percent. It's the weakest quarter of growth since Q1 2016.Q1 GDP growth is revised down to 2 percent year on year, from 2.1 percent.Also, Q1 business investment grew 0.6 percent Q/Q versus a fall of 0.9 percent in Q4. This is better than the 0.2 percent expected. Year on year it grew 0.8 percent, the strongest since Q4 2015.
Here are some more U.K. data announcements.Services output for Q1 was revised to 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent quarter on quarter. That's the weakest since Q1 2015.Household spending grew 0.3 percent for the quarter, versus growth of 0.7 percent in Q4. That's the weakest since Q4 2015.The ONS says U.K. consumer-facing industries and household spending slowed in the first quarter, partly due to rising prices.
Oil prices fall sharply as the Saudi Arabian energy minister says OPEC and non-OPEC producers are likely to rule on extending production cuts for 9 months, but keep them at the same level.Prices have swung into negative territory from a more than 1 percent gain earlier today.
Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas, thinks markets are reading too much into oil price movement following the latest OPEC meeting.It's the normal sort of ebb and flow of the price with the ebb and flow of the news. I think perhaps the adverse reaction was a little bit more pronounced because dismissing the idea of deeper cuts was said by the Saudi oil minister as opposed to one of the other delegates.
CNBC's Steve Sedgwick says the latest OPEC meeting has been well-orchestrated.9-months was the message we were getting ever since we first started speaking to ministers, from the Venezuelans to the UAE, the Iranians, the Iraqis who I've spoken to yesterday. All of them were talking about 9 months and no one wanted to go off message.
Khalid al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, told reporters that a 9-month option was a "safe bet" for rebalancing the market.However, he did add that the 9-month deal could be prolonged if needed, and that there will be no oil output cap for Libya or Nigeria.These announcements have knocked oil prices this morning into negative territory, although they are now paring back losses from a session low.For more on this story, click here.


text:
Exclusive cartoon: Spring Fescoachella braceletstival travel rushPersonalized Wristbands John Cena on the popular Superstar, higher merchandise sales females began feeling fans. Whether you"re shopping for yourself, a gift giving occasion, or only for no reason at all, you might be looking into different places to find different types of John Cena Solution. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday every Don"t forget national. It is normally a family & friends day, then sharing the things you"ve been thankful for that year. Wristbands can receive play also on this special day by giving your kids some that says "Thank you" or "Thank you God, I"m grateful", and you bet to inspect smiles in their faces. In you may have heard following the shooting, details emerged. A number of them, put together now, are not completely exact. But some of them are. Nonetheless, what remains is a cityscape offers changed perpetually. The fastest way to market principals are to searching online. Any company that doesn"t mention custom rubbers stamps will most likely not be prepared to suit you might have. The trend for rubberband bracelets is similar to the ones from your childhood. There was them too, but had been looking a bit different. Ours were simply round, silicone wristbands that we stacked. Although the colors will not mean much at first, they took on different meanings across the road, many of which were loads of cash nice. Hand calculators still buy this say hello to the stores if you want to relive a little of your a medical history of. Just remember to keep an eye on your teenagers are generally wearing them, because it will likely be code continues to out there, and not every it is PG-13. In the United States, saline breast augmentation are one of the most common used to treat breast implant surgery. The shell is designed to be of rubber bracelets and then saline is filled in the shell to your appropriate weight. Silicone gel implants additionally available, although the saline is the number one choice. Certainly thing about saline will be the event a breast implant does rupture, the answer will be absorbed by the body. Alternatives here . no health conditions associated by using. Let"s in order to product specials. Fundraising cards are the easiest products to sell. You just need place emphasis on your cards have accessible people. For instance, when you purchase to offer pizza discount cards, a banner that states people will have the ability to get 20 free pizzas if they buy these, will surely cause an enormous crowd to swarm up in front of revenue booth in no time. Next in line are silicone bracelets. Items are highly profitable also because may possibly very popular to students. Each of these things are sold at 60 cents as well as every you are available them at $2. That"s more than a 50% profit margin. High profit margins are important to have offering have to lift a good fortune for a significant project. The cause many people start making their own invitations, cards and scrapbooks in the initial place seriously they possess a better choice and more personal control of the finished product. Not a soul starts making their own invitations always be like everything else on the market, or what could well be the guide? It really doesn"t feel creative making anything that looks like what everyone else has made, so having your own custom rubber stamps makes sense if you are someone your own art to face out coming from the crowd. In order to not mention the time you save in searching through the rows upon rows of ready made stamps get that special one that make assembling your shed complete.
Spring Festival travel rush: 40 days. The biggest human migration, with 3 billion trips. Destination: home
Home is where your loved ones are.pink breast cancer silicone wristbandsunder armour silicone wristbandsbracelet silicone montrerubber bracelets cheapcreate your own wristband


text:
There's a great little BBQ spot that I came across and had to share!
In the parking lot of the Wine Connection on Rt 28 in Milford - pretty much every weekend - you'll find Smoker EZ smoking some goodies!
The menu is simple but delicious! If you get there early enough they also have ribs.
The jalapeno poppers are so great and they're not very spicy! They take the seeds out and fill them with cream cheese, wrap them in bacon and smoke them. So good! They're smoky but it's not overpowering.


text:
Archive for the 'Techniques' Category
Dave Arnold's
Rapid-Infused Orange Bitters
Over the years, we've often found ourselves "on the other side of the bar" – listening to the woes of our bartender friends across the country, and in these extraordinary conversations, we've learned a lot just by listening. But, we don't always "talk shop" about iSi – we deliberate on the best glassware (and the worst), we've had dozens of debates on who makes the best ice (and how they do it) – but mostly we hear, "I wish my hair were as amazing and versatile as Don Lee" (owner of New York's coveted Cocktail Kingdom & New York's newest must-see shining star, The Golden Cadillac).
What can we say? True story. Research it for yourself: the cocktail industry is obsessed with Don Lee (and his hairstyles).
But… back to bitters. Many of today's most inventive bartenders are revamping their own signature versions of old-school classic drinks in which bitters are an essential ingredient (Old Fashioned, anyone?). What's so bittersweet about this evolving revolution is the absence of variety – there are only 5 "mainstream" readily available bitters – despite the fact that bitters have been around since the early 19th century. Growing in presence, availability and popularity, smaller-batch, artisanal bitters have started popping up in top-notch distribution channels and selling their products online, like Dashfire Bitters Co from St. Paul, MN.
Dave, being the experimental whiz-kid that he is, decided he wasn't in love with with traditional bitters – he wasn't even fully satisfied with the smaller artisanal brands. Only his own creations – a methodically calculated combination of unique flavors and sensations – made à la minute from the freshest, premium ingredients could placate his palate.
Constantly seeking precision, purity and evolution, Dave took one look at the iSi Gourmet Whip and he instinctively knew that iSi's Culinary Systems are engineered to create much more than just whipped cream. He first identified the two major components available to him: an air-tight sealed vessel and a gas-powered charger that could be dispensed into it. This simple understanding was fascinating, and led him into a whirlwind of trial & error food-science experiments – you name it, and it's likely that he's tried it. Dave proved that the iSi Gourmet Whip + iSi cream chargers, when used together, could rapidly infuse ingredients under pressure. He has since shared his technical knowledge, recipes, and so much more with Chefs, bartenders, and aspiring culinary students around the world, and continues to experiment with "what else" the iSi Gourmet Whip can do.
Here, we share one of our favorite Dave Arnold recipes with you: Rapid-Infused Orange Bitters. We hope this recipe inspires you to see the world of flavor with new eyes, and unlock your potential for creating any type of bitters you'd like.
Just make sure to use iSi brand cream chargers, an iSi Gourmet Whip, and you're on your way to inspiration-ville.
RECIPE: Dave Arnold's Rapid-Infused Orange Bitters
350 ml · 11.8 fl. oz 40% abv neutral vodka
25 g · 0.9 oz fresh orange peel (no pith, orange only)
25 g · 0.9 oz dried orange peel (Sevilles preferable)
25 g · 0.9 oz dried lemon peel
25 g · 0.9 oz dried grapefruit peel
0.2 g · 0.01 oz whole cloves (3 cloves)
2.5 g · 0.1 oz green cardamom seeds removed from pod
2 g · 0.1 oz caraway seeds
2.5 g · 0.1 oz quassia bark
5 g · 0.2 oz dried gentian root
1) Pulse all the dry ingredients (everything but the fresh peel and the vodka) in a spice grinder until everything is the size of whole peppercorns.
2) Put the dry mix, the vodka, and the fresh orange peel into a 0.5 L iSi Gourmet Whip.
3) Screw on 1 iSi cream charger and shake.
4) Put the iSi Whipper in simmering water (at. max. 75 °C/165 °F) for 20 minutes.
5) Cool the iSi Whipper in ice water for 5 minutes then vent by pressing the lever down fully.
6) Remove the head of the Whipper and pour the infused liquid through the iSi funnel & sieve into a container.
7) The peels will have absorbed almost all the liquid.
8) Put them in a press sack or superbag and squeeze the bitters out.
52% (185 ml · 6.2 fl. oz).
*Upping the yield makes a bitterer product with fewer aromas.
Dave Arnold's revolutionary approach to making better-looking, better-tasting drinks:
For all of our Dave Arnold Fans, you'll be thrilled to know that his cocktail (science) book is coming out this fall, and it's on pre-sale now at Amazon – get it while it's hot!
Please share your comments, experiments and favorite flavor combinations with us – we always love to hear from you! Visit us on Facebook, chat with us on Twitter, or just send us an old-fashioned email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Recipe: "iSi Rapid-Infused Ceviche"
In our last post, we talked about the versatility of the iSi Gourmet Whip and how to rapidly infuse, pickle or marinate virtually anything using the iSi Rapid Infusion technique.
We also promised you recipes! Here is a brilliantly creative recipe for "iSi Rapid-Infused Ceviche", contributed by our friend Chef Jill Houk . This dish is an exceptionally inventive, yet simple, example of Rapid Infusion put to work. Enjoy this modern twist on a classic light dish, splendid for spring & summer!
iSi Rapid-Infused Ceviche
Contributed by Chef Jill Houk*
Ceviche is a seafood dish that originated in Peru. It's a combination of raw fish, citrus juice, peppers, and onions. The citrus juice de-natures the proteins in the fish, giving it the texture of cooked fish. Because the fish isn't actually cooked, it's essential to use ultra-fresh fish that is kept cold at all times. The iSi Gourmet Whip speeds up how quickly you can get your ceviche to the table. Traditionally, the fish would need to sit in citrus juice for 30 minutes to an hour. Now, you can eat ceviche in minutes, simply by using iSi's Rapid Infusion method.
Serves 2-3
0.5L (Pint) iSi Gourmet Whip
1/2 pound firm white fish, such as sea bass, whitefish, tilapia, or mahi mahi
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (the juice of 4-5 limes)
1/4 cup fresh orange juice (the juice of 1/2 an orange)
1/4 cup water
1 small serrano pepper or 1/2 jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup thinly-sliced red onion
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2-3 large leaves of lettuce
1 sweet potato, peeled, diced and cooked
1) Freeze fish 10-15 minutes to make it easier to cut.
2) Remove from freezer. Remove skin (if necessary) and slice into 1/4-inch thin strips. Cut strips into bite-sized pieces.
3) Place half of fish into iSi Gourmet Whip. Add lime juice, orange juice, water, serrano, and onion. Screw the head firmly onto iSi Gourmet Whip.
4) Insert an iSi cream charger into charger holder and screw onto the iSi Gourmet Whip to release the gas into the Whipper.
5) Remove the charger and discard (or, recycle!). Cover the decorator tip with a cup (to capture spray) and, in an upright position, press the lever of the iSi Gourmet Whip to release all of the pressurized gas inside, and remove the Whipper head.
6) Strain fish mixture over a bowl through an iSi funnel & sieve or fine chinois. Set marinated fish aside.
7) Return marinade to iSi Gourmet Whip. Add remaining fish. Screw the head onto Gourmet Whip.
8) Insert an iSi cream charger into charger holder and screw onto the iSi Gourmet Whip to release the gas into the Whipper.
9) Remove the charger and discard (or, recycle!). Cover the decorator tip with a cup (to capture spray) and, in an upright position, press the lever of the iSi Gourmet Whip to release all of the pressurized gas inside, and remove the Whipper head.
10) Transfer contents of the iSi Gourmet Whip into a bowl and add the fish which was set aside in step 5. Sprinkle with salt.
11) Line plate with lettuce. Top with marinated fish. Garnish with sweet potatoes and serve immediately.
*Chef Jill Houk is also the author of "The Complete Soda Making Book", which features over 100 creative recipes to make your own artisanal sodas at home. Jill's book mentions our iSi Soda Siphon as an option for creating bubbly beverages!
iSi Rapid Infusion: Performance Under Pressure
For many decades, Vodka-loving nations such as Russia and Poland have experimented with infusions – made at home, in bars & taverns. Their infusions were simple – similar to the "soaking" infusion method widely used by bars today: flavorful (often pungent or spicy) solid ingredients are combined with Vodka (or another neutral spirit) in a sealed container for several days until the flavors eventually transfer over time.
Our understanding of culinary science has come a long way, veering significantly off the beaten path, and further away from traditional techniques. We're the next generation. We're experimenting. We're creating. We're inspiring. We're pushing the boundaries of creativity in the kitchen and developing new tools, technology, and techniques. We don't settle for something "great", we want more … something brilliant, fascinating, functional and alluring – all at once. Voilà – Rapid Infusion is all of this and so much more.
Infusing glorious flavors of fresh herbs, fruits & spices into the solids, oils or spirits of your preference has never been considered a quick or easy process – until now. iSi's Rapid Infusion technique is a brilliant way to experiment with your own personal taste preferences and discover magnificent new flavor combinations. For instance, who knew that Jalapeño and Watermelon infused with Vodka could be so crisp, refreshing and tasty? Or, that strong flavors like fresh lemon slices or cinnamon sticks transfer flavor very quickly, while less pungent ingredients (for instance, an apple) takes more time for its subtle flavor to develop? We do, because we've tried it hundreds (actually, thousands) of times with the iSi Gourmet Whip, and now you can too!
It All Began with an Experiment…
The "Father" of Rapid Infusion (and renowned culinary prodigy) Dave Arnold of Booker + Dax and MOFAD (Museum of Food & Drink) first discovered the Rapid Infusion technique by experimenting with his iSi Gourmet Whip in 2010 to see "what else it could do", and posted the results of his experiment on his blog, Cooking Issues, calling it "Game Changing". Since then, we've worked very closely with Dave Arnold, and some of the world's best & brightest chefs and bartenders from Leo Robitschek to Don Lee and John Pomeroy – to perfect the Rapid Infusion technique using the iSi Gourmet Whip. After years of research, and an abundance of expert advice from our outstanding friends in the bar industry, we've gotten it just right 🙂
Rapid Infusion, Simplified
Rapid Infusion makes it possible to infuse the flavors of solids and liquids with one another in the shortest possible amount of time by releasing the pressure contained in an iSi cream charger into a sealed vessel (the iSi Gourmet Whip).
Once under pressure, the flavors of the solids become infused (on a molecular level) into the liquid (ie: lemon-rosemary olive oil). Through this process, the flavors of the liquid also become infused into the solid. Vodka-infused cherries, anyone?
Rapid Infusion is like a limitless treasure trove of unique, interesting and undiscovered flavor combinations, right at your fingertips!
Benefits of Rapid Infusion vs Traditional Infusions
— Experiment with infinite flavor combinations in less time – let's say didn't prefer the taste of your chocolate, bergamot and gin infusion? No problem, you can whip up another infusion with completely different ingredients in minutes!
— Fresh ingredients = fresh taste. Fresh ingredients also mean that *you* choose where your ingredients come from (ie: farmer's market, a specific local grower, etc) without having to rely on an artificial flavoring or syrup for flavor.
— Less bitter taste – the slight "sweetness" of the N2O in an iSi cream charger balances the bitterness of ingredients like cacao nibs or coffee beans.
— More hygienic than leaving unattended or uncovered ingredient mixtures out for days to infuse on their own.
— Limitless possibilities: you can infuse liquids into solids, too – think marinades, fruits, or even ceviche! Create your own artisan flavored bitters in no time – a popular trend amongst many of our favorite bartenders. And last but not least … Pickle anything in just a few minutes!
I'm Ready! Where Do I Start?
With your iSi Gourmet Whip in hand, follow these basic instructions and start your culinary engine: Ready, Set, Go!
1) Place fresh, aromatic solid ingredients of your choice into the iSi Gourmet Whip
2) Fill the iSi Gourmet Whip with your liquid of choice to the maximum fill line marked on the bottle
3) Screw on the head of the Whipper – make sure it is screwed on securely
4) Charge the iSi Gourmet Whip with 1 iSi Cream Charger (or, 2 iSi Cream Chargers if you are using a Quart/Liter size Whipper)
5) Shave vigorously a few times, swirl it around a bit, and let the charged mixture sit for 5-10 minutes (depending on the potency of the ingredients, some will take a bit longer to infuse)
6) Place a cup over the decorator tip of the Whipper (There will be some "spray" when you first begin releasing the gas) and in an upright position, dispense the gas from the Whipper until it has been fully released. This ensures that there is no pressure in the Whipper, and it is now safe to unscrew the Whipper head.
7) Unscrew the head of the Whipper. Notice that there may be a bubbling or "fizzy" appearance to the mixture inside. This is infusion, happening right before your eyes!
8) Strain the solid and liquid ingredients through an iSi Sieve (or fine chinois) to separate.
9) Enjoy the flavors, aromas, and colors of your new creation!
Recommended Resources
Seattle-based ChefSteps has developed an online Whipping Siphon course using iSi products to demonstrate Rapid Infusion (and so much more), in 33 short, fun and inspiring videos. The cost for enrollment is just $39, and you participate in the course at your own pace, with the option to revisit any section at your leisure. ChefSteps also offers a fully engaged online community forum with home & professional chefs. Ask questions, exchange advice on equipment, ingredients and techniques. If you are interested in learning the many techniques you can apply using your iSi Gourmet Whip, we give the ChefSteps course a triple thumbs-up.
iSi Rapid Infusion: Best Practices
— Rapid Infusion works best when your liquid ingredients are at room temperature. But, that doesn't mean you can't experiment with infusing spicy flavors into hot chocolate!
— Don't use chilled/cold liquid for your infusion – the molecules in any cold liquid are bound more tightly, providing less room for the solid flavoring agent(s) to "share" its own flavor molecules.
— The iSi Gourmet Whip's professional-grade, sturdy construction makes it ideal for any type of infusion – hot or cold. For this reason, iSi only endorses the use of the Rapid Infusion technique with an iSi Gourmet Whip.
— Stronger flavor profiles take less time to develop (5-10 minutes), so be patient with softer, more delicate flavors of peach, grape, etc. They may take longer to develop (20-30 minutes).
— ALWAYS use iSi cream chargers with iSi equipment. They are made to work together as a system, extremely food-safe, made of the highest quality, guarantee a consistent level of pressure & filling volume (remember: an 8g cream charger is an "ingredient" in your recipe, too!) – plus, the use of any other brand of chargers in iSi equipment is neither recommended for optimal results nor covered by warranty.
The world is your iSi oyster! Experiment with an herb + fruit infusion, a marinade + protein infusion, quick-pickling, make your own bitters, infuse your own coffee, vodka-infused strawberries (and strawberry-infused vodka) – the possibilities are only limited by the borders of your own creativity!
Please share your comments, experiments and favorite flavor combinations with us – we always love to hear from you! Visit us on Facebook, chat with us on Twitter, or just send us an old-fashioned email: email@example.com
We'll share some Rapid Infusion Recipes in the next post, but in the meantime, grab your iSi Gourmet Whip, a bottle of olive oil or Vodka, and experiment with what's in your pantry right now!
The iSi Gourmet Whip: More Than Just Whipped Cream
Now that we've covered all you need to know on making fresh whipped cream in your iSi Whippers, let's explore some other inspirational techniques that will take you beyond traditional whipped cream. It's time to experiment and have some fun – if you can dream it up, you can whip it up!
Important: We only endorse using the iSi Gourmet Whip for these techniques, because it's the most versatile product we offer, and it's specially designed to handle all of the "beyond whipped cream" applications we'll talk about today.
Flavor Injections – iSi Injector Tips
You already know and love your iSi Gourmet Whip. You've tried endless recipes for foams, espumas, batters, and just need that extra "umph" to take your culinary creations to the next level. iSi Injector Tips are an inexpensive attachment for your iSi Gourmet Whip which multiply the versatility of this already marvelous tool. Just attach an Injector tip in place of the decorator tip, and you've opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Quickly inject flavor, brines or marinades into proteins like chicken, turkey or pork. The pressure from the iSi cream charger will do all the work.
To satisfy your sweet-tooth, use the iSi Injector Tip attachment to fill pastries like donut holes or muffins with flavored cream – or even "espesso" (espresso-flavored foam created by the great Ferran Adrià)!
Use the shorter Tips to decorate donuts with a mouthwatering chocolate drizzle, or when you're working with strong flavors that just need a "touch" of iSi magic. Chef Louisa Chu of Chicago recently created a zesty Chive Emulsion – just a few small drops brought the perfect bit of "bite" to top off Roasted Potato Foam on a Roast Beef Crostini.
Made of 100% stainless steel, iSi Injector Tips are a great addition to a product you already have in your kitchen – or, if you don't already own an iSi Gourmet Whip, maybe they'll inspire you to add one to your toolkit just so you can inject, decorate, and stuff away! Plus, they're dishwasher-safe. Just be sure to clean them between uses.
Here's a great recipe for Tabasco-Maple Brined Fried Chicken from our friend Chef Chris Cosentino of Incanto in San Francisco. It's also featured in our cookbook: A Culinary Journey.
Tabasco-Maple Brine:
Ingredients for 1/2 pint (.25 liter) iSi Gourmet Whip using an iSi Injector Tip
1 iSi cream charger
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup Tabasco or other hot sauce
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoons kosher salt
Fried Chicken:
4 chicken legs
Tabasco-Maple Brine (see recipe above)
Buttermilk, for soaking
Seasoned flour, for dredging
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
Combine all ingredients for brine until dissolved. Transfer 1 cup of the brine to a 1/2 pint iSi Gourmet Whip. Charge with one iSi cream charger and shake well. Screw on a long iSi Injector Tip needle. Hold Whipper with Tip pointed downward and inject chicken with brine. When complete, place chicken in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate overnight.
In a deep, heavy bottomed skillet or electric fryer, heat oil to 350°F, using a thermometer to keep track of the temperature.
Drain chicken and dredge in seasoned flour, shaking off the excess.
Working in small batches (to avoid a drastic temperature fluctuations in preheated oil), fry chicken until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes per side. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 180°F.
Drain chicken on a rack placed over a sheet pan. Cover loosely with foil to keep the skin crisp while keeping the chicken warm.
Carbonation – iSi Soda Chargers (CO2)
Did you know that your iSi Gourmet Whip can also carbonate water (or, any liquid) – and also create fizzy fruits? The same (CO2) iSi soda chargers that you use in your iSi Soda Siphon can be used interchangeably in the iSi Gourmet Whip. Just be careful not to carbonate anything cream or milk-based (carbonation and cream don't mix) – but anything else is yours to bubble up!
Carbonation adds zing and zip, and lightens flavors on the palate. Fizz up pure green teas or seasonal fruit juices. Or add all-natural Monin or homemade syrups to water to create your own artisanal, hand-made soda. Add a bit of bubbly to cocktails and wine. While it's still cold outside, try sparkling mulled hard cider! We like Jill Houk's newly released Complete Soda Making Book, featuring 100 all-natural handmade soda recipes – right now, we're stuck on the homemade root beer, but we'll leave the experimenting up to you.
To take your carbonation experiments to the next level, consider carbonating fruit in your iSi Gourmet Whip. Imagine orange slices, watermelon chunks, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, or even cucumber with a fizzy "love at first bite". Why carbonate fruits? Why not! Imagine the difference between a glass of still water and soda water on your tastebuds. Soda water is more crisp, refreshing, and leaves a tingling sensation in your mouth. Plus it's unique, fun, and an easy way to add some pizzazz to your next dinner party (and, of course – impress your guests with your modern cuisine skills)!
For best results, select fresh, juicy seasonal fruits (or, even vegetables). Ingredients with high water content work best (remember, it's the water in the fruit that's actually carbonating to make the crispy bubbles). Juicy pears, grapes, pomegranate seeds and ripe strawberries are some of our favorite ingredients for this technique.
Make sure to peel your fruit first and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If you're using pomegranates, carbonate only the seeds.
For this technique, fill your Gourmet Whip bottle with the ingredient you want to carbonate. Screw on the head securely, and then charge with one iSi soda charger. Rotate/shake the bottle around a bit to mix the gas into the fruit. This process literally happens overnight – so make sure to chill in the fridge overnight for best results.
When you're ready to serve, press the lever down to release all the gas from the bottle. Now the Whipper is de-pressurized, so you can unscrew the head. It's important to serve your fizzy fruit immediately. This makes for a simple and fun garnish – drop into cocktails for an unexpected little surprise, or enjoy the twinkle of carbonated grapes one by one.
Batters – iSi Soda Chargers (CO2)
Whether you're making pancakes or crispy tempura, using your iSi Gourmet Whip to aerate the batter makes it better. In the case of pancakes or waffles, you'll see that they're noticeably lighter and fluffier than a traditional preparation – and, as an added benefit you'll get more yield from your batter since the tiny bubbles that are fluffing your food up take up extra space in the batter mixture.
In the case of tempura, you'll notice an undeniably crispier, crunchier crust. We recently attended a cooking demonstration with Chef Richard Blais and the James Beard Foundation at Sur la Table in Chicago, where Chef Blais said he uses iSi soda chargers to aerate batter for his famously delicious onion rings in all of his restaurants – because they don't get soggy as quickly, and have a crispier crust. Take it from us, or from the pros – this is a technique to try.
The trick to great tempura is keeping the batter chilled and carbonated, both which create a final dish that's delicate and crisp -not doughy. With your iSi Gourmet Whip, you'll make tempura like a master in no time. Here's a simple tempura recipe to start with, although you can aerate any of your favorite batters (just make sure to run the batter through a fine mesh sieve – or the iSi Funnel & Sieve to avoid any particles getting stuck in the nozzle of your Whipper).
Tempura Batter Recipe
Ingredients for a 1 Pint iSi Gourmet Whip:
1 cup cold water
1 cup all-purpose or rice flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1) Pour water into a large bowl. In another bowl whisk together flour and salt. Sprinkle flour mixture over water then barely whisk the batter. There will be lumps – don't worry, this is normal!
2) Strain through a fine mesh sieve, or the iSi Funnel & Sieve
3) Pour the smooth batter into your iSi Gourmet Whip up to the indicated fill line
4) Screw on one iSi soda charger. Shake vigorously about 5 times
Test your batter. It should look like fizzy, soft whipped cream. Dip lightly floured pieces of seafood, veggies or tofu immediately, or you can let the batter chill in your fridge until you're ready to fry.
Preheat your oil to 375°F and fry battered pieces until they are a light golden color. Sprinkle with salt while still hot – serve and enjoy immediately.
Welcome to light & crispy tempura – made the iSi way!
Now, let's talk about fluffy pancakes (and waffles, too!)
1) Prepare your favorite pancake/waffle recipe, or pre-packaged mixture. Pour the batter through a fine sieve (or iSi Funnel & Sieve) into your Gourmet Whip, up to the indicated fill line
2) Screw on the iSi Whipper head, and charge with an iSi soda charger
3) Dispense batter directly onto hot griddle until golden brown
Voila! Fluffy pancakes/waffles served!
Tip: you can keep any unused batter in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Thanks for joining us in exploring some fun techniques beyond whipped cream! Remember, we also have a wealth of recipes in our online database: http://bit.ly/1exNQTa
Next week, we'll get into the science behind foams and infusions using iSi Whippers, so stay tuned!
The Versatility of Vanilla
Late winter. How many of us are still craving stews and pot roasts? With this unusually warm "winter" we've been having, and our daffodils already peeking through the ground cover, we can't help but wonder if spring is right around the corner. It has us thinking about spring fruit and produce more than ever, to just hurry up and get here!
Call us impatient, but we know we're still stuck with winter's produce in the meantime. Maybe some lovely blood oranges or kiwis, pink and red grapefruits, even an Anjou pear or two! With that, we've come up with this delicious, yet versatile vanilla yogurt cream, which works well for every season — even those that are confused (and shall remain nameless, you Winter of 2012)!
Vanilla Yogurt Cream
Ingredients for 1 pint Creative Whip
2 cups vanilla yogurt
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp confectioners sugar
pinch vanilla seeds (from the bean), optional
Mix all ingredients until the sugar is completely dissolved and pour into a 1 pint iSi Creative Whip and screw on 2 iSi cream chargers and shake vigorously after each charge. Chill for at least 30 minutes. To serve, this versatile cream pairs well with any meal: dollop on top of seasonal fresh fruit, oatmeal or pancakes for breakfast, lamb shanks or lobster for dinner and chocolate or poached apples for dessert, just to name a few.
Note: You can substitute or add to the vanilla for any kind of additional flavoring, such as a touch of lemon or orange oil, based on your dish. Really anything pairs fabulously with this cream.
Photo adapted from A Series of Kitchen Experiments


text:
Car News
Car News
Car Videos
Car Games
Car Pictures
Seat car reviews
Seat news
Seat Ibiza Cupra photo gallery
Seat Ibiza Cupra picture
Seat Ibiza Cupra 2012 wallpaper
At the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, Seat revealed the Ibiza CUPRA concept. The model is a preview of the production variant and combine fun and ... View
2012 Seat Ibiza Cupra specs
Buick Enclave
Buick Enclave was introduced only 9 year ago, in 2008.
Ford F-250 XLT Super Duty
One model of Ford F-250 XLT just received an upgrade from TOPO of TS DESIGN. The model in discussion has been shown at SEMA Motor Show last year.
Audi A8 L Chauffeur
Audi introduced the A8 L Chauffeur edition. It will be limited to five units.
McLaren P1 by MSO
MSO upgrades another P1. It belongs to David Kyte.
Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe
Mansory upgrades the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe. It is faster than ever.
Renault KWID
Renault reveals the KWID. It has a big body with a small heart.
300PS MINI JCW by Krumm-Performance
Krumm-Performance upgrades the MINI JCW. The engine and the inside have received considerable updates.
Lamborghini Huracan by VOS
VOS upgrades the Lamborghini Huracan. The entry-level gets a lot of goodies.
Cars pictures
Seat Ibiza 6J bodystyle from RDX Racedesign
Seat Ibiza Cupster Concept
Seat Ibiza FR
Seat Leon Cupra R
Seat Leon 5F Cupra by Tij-Power
SEAT Cupra GT
Seat Ibiza CUPRA UK
Seat Leon Cupra 280 by JE Design
Buick Enclave
Ford F-250 XLT Super Duty
Audi A8 L Chauffeur
McLaren P1 by MSO
Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe
Renault KWID


text:
Uruguay Time
What is the current local time now in Uruguay Time Zone : Montevideo
Uruguay no longer observes Daylight Saving Time. The official announcement was made in June 2015.
Uruguay Standard Time
Official website of the President of Uruguay: www.presidencia.gub.uy
What is the international telephone dialling code for Uruguay?
The international dialling code for Uruguay is 598.


text:
Use our design tool for a free quote or get in touch via email or phone
for a design or price on your project or materials.
Laserlite Makrolon
Laserlite Makrolon pricing
Softwoods have a long working relationship with Laserlite so we are able to offer extremely competitive pricing. In addition you can order your laserlite makrolon roofing online in our webstore right now and check out and have the goods delivered directly to you (if you live in a metro area) There's no need to send emails or get on the phone and our pricing is the same no matter where you live.
Laserlite Makrolon information
Laserlite Makrolon are premium high performance twin wall polycarbonate sheets that are available at a great price. They cover most roofing applications and can be used for any purpose, from skylights to roofing or to enclose an outdoor area. Makrolon twin wall polycarbonate roofing offers a far cleaner and more elegant looking finish than standard polycarbonate roofing. Laserlite Makrolon offers 99.9% UV protection for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors and it also has superior heat reduction to ensure you are both comfortable and protected from the elements.
Laserlite Makrolon colours
The Makrolon range of Laserlite polycarbonate sheets are available in 5 distinctive colours: Bronze, Clear, Grey, Opal and Platinum. These colours suit a full range of building applications and they offer different degrees of opacity and heat reflection. Your roofing colour choice will have a bearing on the internal appearance of your patio or pergola and also the level of heat that you feel when there is direct sunlight on the roof of your structures polycarbonate sheets.
Laserlite Makrolon profiles and lengths
Laserlite Makrolon is available in only one profile as it is a flat sheet. This flat sheet roofing means that the look of the roof on your pergola is uniform and seamless. You can adjust the rafter centres on your pergola so the sheets intersect over the rafters and in doing so eliminate the need for purlins in your pergola and give the effect of less overhead clutter.
Laserlite Makrolon is available in a wide range of standard lengths that should be appropriate for all applications. Simply determine the length you need for your job and order it (or the next size up if it's not exactly the same as any of the standard lengths) You can cut sheets to length easily using a jigsaw, a stanley knife, heavy duty shears or a circular saw
Standard lengths for sheets of Laserlite Makrolon are: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0
Laserlite Makrolon Screws and accessories
As a flat polycarbonate roof sheet that doesn't need purlins in order to be fixed to the rafters of your pergola, Makrolon has an entirely different method of fixing to your pergola. You also need to ensure that the two walls of the polycarbonate sheets don't take on water and stay dry and dirt free. In order to do this you essentially need to frame each sheet with custom designed accessories that make the sheets waterproof and give you a surface through which to drill and fix the sheets to your rafters.
In order to seal the top and bottom of the twin wall polycarbonate sheets you need to start with sealing tape. Once affixed, insert the sealed ends into rubber gaskets and then push on an end cap on each side. For the sides of each sheet you will also need rubber gaskets and instead of end caps you can use H Bars or Edge bars depending on where the sheet is in relation to other sheets. You can fix the H bars and Edge bars to the rafters by drilling through them and fixing with screws.
Barge and Ridge capping
Your pergola may also need some metalgoods to finish off its roof effectively. Barge capping covers the end of your sheets and is attached to the end rafter of your pergola to create a waterproof seal. Ridge capping is used on gable pergolas and allows the roof sheets to sit under a cap that again prevents water from getting into the structure.
Laserlite Makrolon delivery to home or site
Softwoods are happy to be able to deliver your laserlite roofing order to your home for $71 This delivery service is for metro area only. Laserlite can be delivered in a matter of days to your home or site. Simply place your order in our web shop
Laserlite Makrolon brochure
Please click on the links below for information sheets for Laserlite Makrolon


text:
Early Years ITT is the only teacher training focused on the birth to five age range.
Find out which NPQ is right for you with our NPQ comparison chart.
Local strategic solutions to CPD
Our first regional event, supporting the North West, takes place in Manchester on Thursday 21st November at Cheadle House. This half-day event explores and provides answers to good practice in strategic local school improvement approaches to CPD and the value of evidence-informed intervention.
Early Years ITT is the only teacher training focussed on the birth to five age range. At Best Practice Network we are proud to maintain a 100% pass rate for EYITT over the past 3 years.
Ideal for learners who are currently employed as a level 3 Early Years Practitioner and are looking to develop leadership and specialist skills for use in their current role, or in preparation to take on a leadership role or specialist role such as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator or Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator.
NPQs are fully accredited by the UK Department for Education and recognised as the gold standard across the globe. NPQs for international schools are suitable for school leaders at each stage of their career, starting with Middle Leadership and progressing to Senior Leadership and Headship.
The National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) is a statutory requirement for all SENCOs appointed new to the role from September 2008 and is an excellent opportunity for professional development for experienced SENCOs.
The National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership provides an opportunity for headteachers taking the next step to executive leadership with responsibility for more than one school
The National Professional Qualification for Headship is the first choice qualification for anyone aspiring to be a headteacher
Our National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership programme is flexible and modular to enable candidates to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to lead high-performing teams and improve classroom practice
The National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership provides recognition of leadership development and professional achievement for senior school leaders
As a founding member of the HLTA National Assessment Partnership (HNAP), we have a highly experienced team of expert trainers who provide preparation to candidates in multiple settings across the West-Midlands, South-West and East of England.
The Ofqual approved Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (QCF) recognises the skills developed by teaching assistants as they prepare to progress to the role of Higher Level Teaching Assistant and beyond.
Designed for existing and aspiring school business managers, the DSBM will enhance both their leadership, management and administrative skills together and their knowledge and understanding of key areas of school business management through a professional qualification.
As a registered End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Best Practice Network is approved to deliver End-point assessments (EPA) for the School Business Professional Level 4 apprenticeship.
In Partnership with Teaching Personnel and Protocol Education, Best Practice Network is launching support for graduate teachers through the Future Teachers Programme.
Best Practice Network, in partnership with the Education Success Partners are delighted to offer high-quality NQT support.
The ECF has been designed to support early career teacher development in 5 core areas.
Best Practice Network is pleased to announce that in conjunction with the National Learning Trust we are now offering our IPQs to the international market. This means that those living abroad can complete our DfE-accredited leadership programmes without having to return to the UK.
The IPQs are available as distance learning programmes, school-based qualifications and through regional delivery hubs worldwide including London, Madrid, Dubai, Singapore and Shanghai in 2018/2019.
To find out more about IPQs visit our International Professional Qualifications page.
A focus on the unique child is key to understanding how cultural capital relates to best practice. Here Sian Marsh of Best Practice Network highlights the approach of Kids Planet Day Nurseries.
Read more →
Last chance to access a fully-funded place on one of our NPQ qualifications.


text:
Many of us are aware of the violence and uncertainty that the city of Monterrey, Mexico has faced in recent months. It was in the midst of these destructive times that 75 startup community members came together for Startup Weekend Monterrey, not to destroy, but to build. In the words of lead organizer Vlad Horbovanu, "There are still a lot of people in Monterrey that build instead of destroy. Once again in my time in Mexico, these people surprised me with their resilience. I felt humbled and proud to be part of it." Companies were wide and varied, ranging from non-profits to a book exchange platform for college students, but all were centered around the common goal of rejuvenating Monterrey's entrepreneurial community and proving that it can persevere.
A recap from facilitator, Santiago Zavala:
- 1st Place: Unibooks
- A book exchange platform for college students
- 2nd Place: Youmine
- Physical storage as a service
- Honorable Mention: Primera Cosecha
- A virtual and physical marketplace for local goods
- Honorable Mention: Brauer


text:
Sorry, Jonas Brothers fans: the musical trio is officially disbanding. The pop stars made the official announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 29, just less than three weeks after they canceled their fall tour due to "a deep rift within the band."
"It's over for now," says 25-year-old Kevin Jonas, who is expecting his first child with his wife, Danielle Jonas. Drummer and vocalist Nick Jonas, 21, echoes his eldest brother's sentiments. "It's really hard to say 'forever,'" he says. "We're closing a chapter, for sure."
The group decided to call it quits on Oct. 3 when Nick shared some serious concerns about their future. "I was feeling kind of trapped," he tells People. "I needed to share my heart with my brothers."


text:
Rachard Johnson released a Razors video on vimeo. We follow the team Razors skating in the temple of roller-skating in the United States: Woodward...
Razors Week at Woodward West Pt.1 from 9TO5Mixtape on Vimeo.
Featuring : Dre Powell, Erick Rodriguez, Julian Bah, Rachard Johnson, and Brian Aragon
Filmed By : Erick Rodriguez, Rachard Johnson, and Dave Lang
Edited By : Erick Rodriguez
Music By : Madison


text:
For the last couple of years, casual relationships have continued to gain popularity. Thanks to the emergence of numerous hookup apps. Actually, it has grown to be a full-blown culture which has been embraced by almost everyone. Recently, you might have observed that many people have set aside serious relationships from it. They have become more committed than ever.
Although many people opt to be casual, there is still considerable stigma around it. You can attest that a large group of daters prefer to point fingers. Both men and women are well known to do this. In most case, men are seen are weird characters with no morals. In short, they are horny boys who have no traceable emotions. On the other hand, girls are viewed as sluts. We are heading to a direction where it will be quite difficult maintaining a healthy relationship.
Moreover, you can attest that many people are not interested in marriage and monogamous relationships. For that reason, there is no surprise when you see more people turning to casual relationships. Then if you are one of those people who have decided to follow that direction, you will learn how to avoid getting ashamed while having fun in bed with your partner.
Have reasons why you are dating casually
You need to analyze things which have driven you into casual dating. This will happen only when you have cleared everything with yourself. Are you so busy with your work such that you find it hard being in a committed relationship? Are you tired of long term relationship? Do you need to take a break from all that while still enjoying quality sex? Have you been cheated in the past such that you can't trust any other person?
These are just some of the common reasons why many people get into a causal relationship. In these ways, you will be in a position to reinforce your will whether to date casually or not. And in that case, you will be able to fight anyone who tries to shame you. Those in hookup culture are perceived as people who don't want to think. Therefore, they get into casual dating simply because they want to make it easy for themselves. But if you know all these things, you will be in a position to explain why you made that decision.
We are Sexual Beings
Sex has always been put as a public secret in many cultures. Talking about your sexuality in public is not accepted. It is an immoral act. There is nothing wrong with having sex. It is very enjoyable. We all need sex for pleasure. Away from that, having sex improves your mental focus. Even if you are not in a relationship you still need to have sex as well. There is a stigma around sex simply because the overall culture is open towards sex. People aren't shy of talking about it.
Believe in yourself
Before you have casual dating, it is better to have a talk with yourself. There are numerous reasons you should to do it. It will help you clear some doubts and come up with relevant conclusions. One of the most important things you need to decide on is whether casual dating fits you. Although many people think they need to have it, they are not very sure about the right time to go through with it. If you and your partner have not decided on whether to have casual dating or not, then you might also be in doubt too.
Be Responsible for what you are doing
Casual relationship is known with a lack of responsibility. Nowadays, there are many people who have casual sex with their partners while lying to them. Even if their intentions are discovered, nobody should condemn them. In the end, their partners feel exhausted being in love which they don't get the deserved reassurance. Which is the best way then? As for now, the most effective way is to simply be the opposite. Having casual sex doesn't mean that you can't be responsible.
Be transparent to your partner if you have other sex buddies. Whether you're a guy or a woman, make sure that you have a code concerning protection. Bring protection at all times.


text:
Hi there! My name is Kelsey and I am a lover of a lot of things! I love my soul mate and amazing husband, Sam. I love my two amazing children with one more on the way. I love owning my own fitness empire, working with people who need support and understanding. I love my friends who support me. I love my beauty products, yep, I'm a girl who likes feeling pretty. I love art and the release it gives me! What can I say? I am a very passionate person with very passionate views on the world and what we put back into it!
I have had a crazy curvy rough road in life and have learned so many incredible lessons along the way. I truly believe that without these lessons, I wouldn't be me today! I also believe that as a human being, we have an obligation to help each other in this crazy journey we call life. Show love to each other, smile to warm someone, create laughter to brighten a day and give with everything you can.
I find my purpose in life by sharing knowledge, showing compassion, being well educated and loving on people. I co-founded HellaBella Athletics over a year ago and it's been a crazy and fun adventure! I have learned so much about me, about people and about business in general that is invaluable. The one thing that will always remain constant, is my passion for my people. I get to change lives every single day and I love it no matter the cost! The time it takes is enormous. The emotional demand is immense. The mental drainage is immeasurable. While it takes so much of everything I have, the sense of fulfillment is beyond imaginable. I wouldn't change it for the world because my purpose is clear. I love myself and I love others with my whole heart.
To learn more about what I do to change lives through health, wellness and fitness…
Visit www.fueledbyhellabella.com
Email me firstname.lastname@example.com OR email@example.com


text:
IRA Inheritance Trust: For many of our clients, their IRA is one of their biggest assets. Given the size of the IRA and the ages of the beneficiaries, a separate Trust for the IRA should be given serious consideration. An IRA Inheritance Trust is a revocable trust designed specifically for an IRA. The IRA Inheritance Trust makes sure that the beneficiary takes advantage of the maximum "stretch out" of IRA distributions and can protect the IRA from the possibility of the beneficiary losing the benefit of the IRA assets due to divorce, creditors, lawsuits, and estate taxes. Our clients often find that aside from income and estate tax savings, one of the most valuable attributes of establishing an IRA Inheritance Trust is that it helps provide a legacy, in your name, for future generations of loved ones, who will always know where those funds are coming from.
The Kiselstein Franckowiak Law Group is one of the very few law firms who have implemented this technique and many financial advisors don't know about it yet or if they do, they are not familiar with its operation and technical requirements. This is a very narrow area of the law. The actual Trust document that we use, was submitted to the IRS for approval and the IRS has issued a written published ruling (Private Letter Ruling), which has approved its use. We know that it will work when set up properly, because the IRS has approved it.
The attorneys at the Kiselstein Franckowiak Law Group have extensive knowledge and experience regarding the federal tax law applicable to retirement benefits. When counseling clients regarding their retirement assets and establishing estate plans for the most tax effective way to distribute all assets, including an IRA, we give close consideration to the overall estate planning objectives of the client. Before we recommend establishing an IRA Inheritance Trust, we consider the size of your IRA, the ages of your beneficiaries, and relevant facts relating to the beneficiary's circumstances.


text:
6 Ways to Renew Your Old Computer: What occurs when you have an older, poor performing computer that blows off your time and creates frustration every day? Here are 6 ways wherein you could make the best of it. 1. Upgrade Did you install an application or game, and your …Read More »
Home / Tag Archives: take care of computer


text:
Teacher: Patty Wilson OB RN, ICEA
Cancellations: A Full refund, minus a $5.00 processing fee per class, will be given
for cancellation requests received 2 or more weeks before the start of
a class series. If you cancel less than 14 days in advance, you will receive
a 50% refund. To request a refund, email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Need to reschedule? Send an email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Sometimes we need to cancel a class due to low enrollment, we will gladly
enroll you in another class or provide a full refund.
Questions? Email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 303-415-7244.
Your email will be added to receive information about BCH community education
programs, wellness events and health news. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Foothills Hospital
4747 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80303
Email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 303-415-7244.
Room: Leo Hill Conference Room B
Registration Type: Online Registration
Registration Info: Cost is per couple.


text:
Columbus Bicycle & Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Common Causes of Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents
While bicycle riders and pedestrians have the right of way, they are often treated as second-class citizens on the road. In fact, based on the recent data from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, over 15% of road fatalities in the state involved a bicycle or a pedestrian. Most often than not, these accidents were caused by negligent drivers on the road.
Some of these negligent acts or reckless behavior include:
- Distracted driving including texting while driving
- Speeding
- Not following traffic signals or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way to bicycles and pedestrians at crosswalks
- Failing to signal when turning
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances
If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of a bicycle or pedestrian accident, make sure to seek the help of The Mark Casto Law Firm, PC. Our Columbus personal injury attorney has been representing injury victims in the local community as well as in Harris County and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We have the investigative resources to determine the exact cause of the accident and the competency to ensure that the liable parties are held accountable for their negligent or reckless act.
To get started, give our firm a call and schedule a free consultation.
Types of Injuries Victims Usually Sustain
Because of the lack of body protection of bicycle riders and pedestrians, they are more likely to suffer from catastrophic injuries and even fatalities in the event of a collision. That's why at The Mark Casto Law Firm, PC, we strive to seek the most favorable amount of compensation possible for the victim's current and future medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Some of the injuries our Columbus personal injury lawyer has advocated for include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Deep lacerations and disfigurement
- Road rash burns
- Wrongful death
Consult with Our Columbus Injury Lawyer Now
Attorney Mark Casto genuinely cares for each of his clients. When you entrust your case to him, you will be treated with dignity and respect. Mark also gives straightforward advice and keeps clients like you informed regarding all significant developments in your case. From case preparation to resolution, The Mark Casto Law Firm, PC is on your side.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our personal injury attorney in Columbus and Harrison today at (706) 940-4002.


text:
The Department of Correction's vision is to effect positive behavioral change in order to eliminate violence, victimization …and recidivism.
Our mission is to promote public safety by managing offenders while providing care and appropriate programming in preparation for successful reentry into the community.
Manage – Care – Program – Prepare


text:
And then the news arrived that my 79-year-old grandmother had chosen to spend her Valentine's Day with her sweetheart. My grandfather died a little over a year ago, and we've all missed him terribly, but no one more than Grandma.
I remember, when I was a little girl, cuddling on the couch with Grandma as she told me about going to dances with Grandpa, and how he swept her off her feet.
She was only 16 (Grandpa was 17) when they ran off to get married. They didn't "have to" get married (no shotguns involved in this love story), but they were so in love that they didn't stop to think about the fact that they were much too young or that the odds were against them. They simply knew they didn't want to spend another day without each other. And so they didn't.
Even as they grew older, and their health began to decline, they were an inseparable pair, full of life and imagination. (Grandpa even built a trailer to tow behind his electric scooter, so he and Grandma could still enjoy nature together.) It's no wonder Grandma was anxious to be reunited with her sweetheart this Valentine's Day. And so my Flirtilicious blog post is dedicated to the couple who taught me that true love can last forever, as long as you keep working to grow together.
Speaking of timeless love...
I have an excerpt from Rachel Harris' A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES to share with you:
Austin Michaels thinks I'm perfect.
And if that is true, then it has to mean he cares for me.
Drawing on every ounce of courage I've attempted to build within myself during this time-travel adventure, I grip the hard muscles of his arms and say, "But Austin, you did teach me. In the last ten days with you, I learned more about what it means to live than I have in the last sixteen years. But even more, you make me feel as though you can see all the tiny pieces of who I truly am inside, the real Alessandra that no one else knows—the woman who lives behind the girlish act of perfection I wear for the world. You may not agree with me all the time, and you exasperate me far more often than I'd like, but you respect me…and Austin, that means more to me than you'll ever know."
When I finish speaking, I realize I am trembling, but it's not from the night air. In the distance, I hear the faint sound of music seeping from Lyric, but neither that nor the cars whooshing past just a few feet away on the street breaks the roar of silence between us.
Though I did not profess the full extent of my affection, I have no doubt Austin knows how much I care for him. And as his silence lengthens, I begin to think that perhaps I was mistaken. That he does not feel the same, and that he is now preparing to let me down gently. Pondering that thought, I fortify my heart for another man's rejection, but even while I do so, I cannot regret sharing my feelings.
My faith remains in the truth I have fought so hard for my cousin to believe: the pain of not having Austin return my feelings may be excruciating, and it may not be worth the turmoil of heartache, but choosing to take a chance and living life always is.
Austin interrupts my somewhat dark and profound introspection by dipping his forehead to touch mine. And just like that, all thoughts are whisked away, and my senses are filled with the scent of mint.
With our gazes connected, we share a breath, one now sharpened with the same sting of awareness from the beach. My pulse quickens with the realization that this does not feel like rejection…this feels like desire.
And I'm so ready to experience another one of Austin's kisses that I almost explode from the anticipation.
His darkened gaze drops to my mouth for a long moment, and the skin around it prickles to life, already tasting him. But instead of lowering his head and capturing my lips, he looks into my eyes. The fullness of my yet unspoken affection reflects back at me.
Then, with eyes so dark they blend into the night, Austin whispers, "I do see the real you, Alessandra." He smiles. "And I think I'm falling for the girl I see."
And don't miss the amazing giveaway going on as a part of this Flirtilicious blog hop! You could win one of 13 BOOKS, a gift card, swag, & more. I will be sending signed TWELVE STEPS bookmarks to five people, as well as this gorgeous, hand-made, eco-friendly bracelet to one lucky winner.
Grandma and Andi (the main character in my upcoming debut novel, TWELVE STEPS) share a love of daisies, and Grandma was the queen of repurposing things that others would throw away to create beautiful works of art. So I thought it fitting to donate this daisy bracelet, handmade from recycled plastic bags, to the giveaway. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, watching soap operas with her grandmother and staying up late sneak reading her mom's favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain
She homeschools her two beautiful girls and loves watching reality television with her amazing husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult Fun, Flirty Escapes, and LOVES talking with readers!


text:
Please enter a genuine postcode.
Your nearest pickup points will display below. Choose up to 2. Note that the nearest one to you will be treated as the primary departure point.
Seating will be chosen at the booking stage
Searching for holidays...
Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North', Bruges is a medieval city that has been suspended in time and is now one of the most visited destinations in Northern Europe.
see more
The picturesque market squares and stunning, winding canals all set to a back drop of one of the most beautiful cities you can imagine, to visit on a coach holiday. Lose yourself for a few hours on one of the canal boats as they take you through a real taste of history in this most preserved historic city.
You can't take a coach break to this fantastic city without checking out two of Belgium's most passionate pastimes; chocolate and beer. Both are certainly looked after in some style in Bruges- with fine chocolatiers for your indulgence to the quaint cafes and bars from which to watch the world go by, with one of their famous brews! Whether you choose a mini cruise to Bruges or one of our Bruges based coach trips you are assured an enjoyable and memorable experience!
To find your next coach holiday or short break to Bruges simply use our Holiday Search above.
Our Gift Vouchers are an excellent way to take a National Holidays' short break or holiday. They make excellent presents for Christmas, Birthdays or a special Anniversary. You can order Gift Vouchers online now.


text:
Hello my Bunnies,
I'm back with (yet) another review from the Lush Christmas Collection.
Once again, the bath bomb I'm talking about isn't new and has been part of the winter collection for a few years now.
It's actually a reusable bubble bar called Magic Wand.
If mine looks a bit brown around the edges it's because it's one that's left over from last year, but this year's version looks the same apart from the fact that it has a bit of silver glitter (if I'm not mistaken) but it smells the same and is essentially the same product.
As it is a reusable bubble bar, you use it slightly differently than you would a bubble bar. Indeed, you don't crumble it under running water but use it like you would an actual magic wand and swirl it in the water while the bath is running and under the tap to create bubble until you're satisfied with the amount of bubble, the scent and the colour.
It's hard to say how many baths you can make with one but I'd say at least 3-4 depending on how much bubble you want.
I also like to use reusable bubble bars in addition to other bath bombs and bath melts to add a bit of bubble to an otherwise «flat» bath.
The scent of this bubble bar is the same as the Snow Fairy shower gel, a delicious candy smell that some might find sickening but that I looove.
It is a bubble bar that would make a great gift for a little girl and a big one too ! It makes you feel like a bath fairy and then you can relax in candy pink water with loads of bubble and a matching scent.
I'm a big fan !
How about you, do you like candy baths ?


text:
Our bodies go through a cleansing process every day. The intestines, liver, and kidneys are all involved, whisking away toxins from the environment, stress, and the food you eat—waste products that, if left in your body, can build up and cause you problems Therefore flushing them out is very important.
If you've been going through chemotherapy or radiation treatments, however, most likely your system is overloaded with waste products. Excess toxins in our systems have been known to cause fatigue, stomach bloat, headaches, muscle aches, poor memory, and they suppress your immune system.
Chemotherapy drugs are toxic to all cells in your body and cause cancer all by itself. Radiation can damage healthy cells and create toxic buildup; even cancer cells themselves become toxins as they wither up and die.
Hot water opens the pores, allowing perspiration to take toxins away, as well as increasing absorption of nutrients such as magnesium (improves blood flow and reduces inflammation), and sulfate (in the salts), which help generate enzymes that clean up the body. Baking soda helps neutralize the effects of radiation.
If you weigh 100 pounds, use one cup of Epsom salts. Use an additional ½ cup for each additional 50 pounds. For example, 101-150 pounds = 1 ½ cups. 151-200 pounds = 2 cups. 201-250 pounds =2 ½ cups. The detox bath is for a full 40 minutes. The first 20 minutes pulls out toxins. The second 20 minutes absorbs magnesium and sulfates.
The fastest way to eliminate the toxins after chemotherapy is to sweat. In a 2011 study, noted in the Archives of Environmental and Contamination Toxicology, "Many toxic elements appeared to be preferentially excreted through sweat. Presumably stored in tissues, some toxic elements readily identified in the perspiration of some participants were not found in their blood serum. Induced sweating appears to be a potential method for eliminating toxic chemicals from the human body."
- Try a combination of kale, spinach, carrot, cucumber and a bit or ginger and parsley.
- Juice ginger, turmeric, cranberry, and lemon. CHECK OUT OUR JUICE RECIPES
- Milk Thistle supplement (Amazon)


text:
Hey you gotta love a guy that can wear a pink shirt for his senior pictures, right?
Here are some more great blog hops to join!
Since this is turning out to be such a fun contest each week. Here are the rules:
1. Take a black and white picture (or convert one you have taken to black and white). It should be a picture YOU have taken, since it is a contest, but I am relying on your honesty on this one. And really, how would I know, right? Just don't claim someone else's work as your own.
2. Post about it on your blog. Tell us as much or as little as you want to about the picture.
3. Link up after you post.
4. Please be sure to enter the PERMALINK to your blog POST! (don't just link to your blog address bloggityblog.com. . . go ahead and click on the blog title and get that WHOLE THING and paste it in the URL field. . . it's okay we'll wait.)
You have from
(or midnight Tuesday to midnight Thursday – CENTRAL TIME USA)


text:
As the city of Loveland moves forward in partnership with a national developer, one property owner says he's prepared to fight for his prime, historic downtown location.
At the corner of First Street and Lincoln Avenue, the 1930s former gas station that Gene Stires now uses for his private car restoration business is the southernmost tip of the development project proposed by the New Jersey-based Michaels Development Co. In that project, everything between Lincoln and Cleveland Avenues from First Street to Third Street would be razed to make way for new construction.
"In my mind when you come up this hill, this is a landmark," Stires said Thursday outside of the garage, which he ran for years as Honnda Doctor. "Why would you tear this down?"
In January, the City Council entered a right-to-negotiate agreement with the Michaels Development Co., voicing enthusiastic support for the proposal that could include a new Larimer County office building, retail, apartments, a movie theater and parking structure.
The Second Street block where Stires' property is located would become the site of the 44,000-square-foot Larimer County building, according to the proposal.
"It's the desire to have a project that's impactful to the community and impactful to the downtown and that's the location that was selected. It's also an opportunity to promote a significant private investment along with the county building," said Loveland economic development manager Mike Scholl.
But Stires said the city has failed to factor an important element into its plans: History. His building and most others on the Second Street block between Lincoln and Cleveland Avenues were surveyed by the city in 1999 as part of an effort to collect information on properties that were potentially eligible for historic registers.
The report on the former gas station completed by the Cultural Resource Historians in Fort Collins stated that the property would qualify for the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed around 1937, the building stands as "a locally rare example of pre-World Ward II gasoline station architecture in Loveland," the report states, with significance also as "an extremely rare example of Art Deco architecture in Loveland."
"For them to come in with the attitude that they just want to tear it down and it doesn't matter how old it is, that doesn't cut it," Stires said.
None of the properties in the Second Street block are listed on the Loveland Historic Register, though Stires said he intends to submit an application for the gas station.
The city of Loveland owns some of the property in the development area — north and south of Third Street along Lincoln Avenue — but Scholl said they're currently working to purchase private property in the rest of the zone. There are about 12 property owners within the development area who knew as early as last May about the city's plans, Scholl said.
Through its real estate broker, the city has made formal offers on all of the properties in the zone, with tentative agreements in place for some. All contracts would have to have final approval from the City Council.
"The hope is that we can get everything locked up in the next three to four months and close by the end of the year," Scholl said.
But Stires, who also has a vintage diner on the property that he intends to open there, said he can't think of anything that would make him sell, including the city's offer to have the building moved.
Ideally, he would like to see the Second Street block — which includes residences and two businesses — designated as a historic district, preserved as "old downtown," he said.
"I'd love to save the whole block," said Stires, who has plans to start a petition for the effort.
A local historic district designation would require buy-in from all impacted property owners, according to city planner Bethany Clark.
Contact Reporter-Herald Staff Writer Jessica Maher at email@example.com. Follow her at twitter.com/JessicaMaherRH.