Category Archives: Home Improvement
My hummus is back and better than ever thanks to my food processor
I’ve been making homemade hummus almost every week for years. It’s the dish that I bring to every family gathering and holiday or when I’m introducing myself to new neighbors and it’s become a sort of tradition to make when chickpea season starts (late spring, by the way). I make my hummus pretty traditionally with a nice fresh garnish like parsley. Of course, to make good hummus, the texture is the most important part.
You can mash the chickpeas by hand, which is how plenty of people do it. However, I like my hummus to be as smooth and creamy as possible, which makes doing it by hand a chore. You also have to soak and peel the chickpeas beforehand, making it even more time-consuming. Instead of relying on my hands and always getting a chunky texture, I turn to a food processor.
I’ve been making it this way for years, and I’ll inevitably pass down the recipe to my children someday. It’s incredibly easy to do and almost feels like cheating — it’s a secret that my most famous dish only takes 20 minutes to make! All I do by hand is peel the chickpeas. Then I throw them in the food processor along with garlic and other ingredients to cut and mash up!
While I could do everything by hand, it would take me hours. Given how often I make the recipe, I’m sure that my Cuisinart food processor has more than paid for itself. So, when I accidentally dropped the entire machine once getting it out of the pantry, I was pretty upset. I thought I would have to buy another one or just start making my homemade hummus by hand.
I plugged it in expecting the worst, but it was surprisingly durable. The machine worked fine; unfortunately, my bowl was almost totally shattered. It felt bad to replace the whole unit just because a bowl cracked, so I decided to start digging around for replacement parts. Surely they must account for situations like this?
Turns out, they do! Kitchen Works Inc. is the website I found for my new bowl. They carry Cuisinart food processor replacement parts of all kinds. All of their parts and accessories are official Cuisinart parts, so they’re high quality and you don’t have to worry about their durability. I easily found my food processor on their website and was introduced to bowls, accessories, and blades of all kinds to help me fix my problem. Even better, it was far cheaper to replace the bowls than get a whole new unit. I decided to pick up the original bowl size again and grab a larger one for when I make hummus for everybody.
I had tried making hummus once already before the bowl came in, and I could taste the difference in texture. It was so much less creamy that I almost didn’t want to finish it. Luckily, my new bowls arrived quickly so I didn’t suffer for long – now I’m fully prepared for my brother’s birthday get-together next week!
Deck Dreams: Discovering Creative Decking Ideas for Outdoor Living
Welcome to Deck Dreams! We are here to help you discover creative decking ideas for outdoor living. Whether you are looking to build a new deck or just want to spruce up your existing one, we have the perfect ideas for you. From modern designs to rustic styles, we have something for everyone. We will provide you with all the information you need to make your outdoor living space the envy of your neighborhood. So, let’s get started and explore the possibilities of decking!
Exploring the Benefits of Decking Ideas for Outdoor Living: From Increased Home Value to Increased Enjoyment
Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Decks are a great way to extend your living space and create a beautiful outdoor area for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors. Decks can add value to your home, provide a great place to entertain, and create a unique outdoor living space.
When considering decking ideas for your outdoor living space, there are many benefits to consider. One of the most obvious benefits is the potential to increase the value of your home. A well-designed and constructed deck can add significant value to your home, making it a great investment.
In addition to increasing the value of your home, decks can also provide a great place to entertain. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just having a few friends over for drinks, a deck can provide a great place to gather and enjoy the outdoors. Decks can also be a great place to relax and unwind after a long day.
Finally, decks can provide a unique outdoor living space. With the right design, you can create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. From built-in seating to outdoor kitchens, there are many ways to customize your deck to fit your lifestyle and needs.
When considering decking ideas for your outdoor living space, there are many benefits to consider. From increased home value to increased enjoyment, decks can provide a great way to extend your living space and create a unique outdoor living area. With the right design and construction, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor living space that will add value to your home and provide a great place to entertain and relax.
Creative Decking Ideas for Every Budget: How to Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Living Space
Creating an outdoor living space can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and entertain guests. However, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to decking ideas. Fortunately, there are a variety of creative decking ideas that can fit any budget.
For those on a tight budget, a simple deck can be a great way to get the most out of your outdoor living space. A basic deck can be constructed using pressure-treated lumber and can be customized with a variety of features such as benches, planters, and railings. This type of deck is also relatively easy to maintain and can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
For those looking for something a bit more luxurious, composite decking is a great option. Composite decking is made from a combination of wood and plastic and is designed to be more durable and resistant to the elements. Composite decking also comes in a variety of colors and styles, making it easy to customize your outdoor living space.
For those looking for something truly unique, a custom deck can be a great way to get the most out of your outdoor living space. Custom decks can be designed to fit any budget and can be customized with features such as built-in seating, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens. This type of deck can be a great way to create a truly unique outdoor living space.
No matter what your budget is, there are a variety of creative decking ideas that can help you get the most out of your outdoor living space. From basic decks to custom designs, there are plenty of options to choose from. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can create an outdoor living space that is both beautiful and functional.
Conclusion
Deck Dreams: Discovering Creative decking ideas for Outdoor Living is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to create a beautiful outdoor living space. It provides a wealth of information on decking materials, design ideas, and construction techniques, as well as helpful tips for maintaining and caring for your deck. With its comprehensive coverage of the subject, Deck Dreams is an essential guide for anyone looking to create a beautiful outdoor living space.
What are Some of the Key Elements of Residential Fire Damage Restoration Fairfax VA?
Looking at the damage caused by a recent fire, you wonder if the home will ever be habitable again. In many cases, help from a professional cleanup and restoration team will make a huge difference. Quite a bit goes into the typical project for residential fire damage restoration Fairfax VA that many people don’t realize. Here are a few examples of what those professionals will do.
A Thorough Inspection of the Premises
One of the first steps is to inspect the premises and see what safeguards need to be put in place. This helps to identify floors that may be weakened as well as other issues that could hamper the restoration effort. It also give the team a chance to bring in any equipment that may be needed to ensure they work in relative safety.
You also get some peace of mind from the inspection. That’s because the professionals use the assessment as a chance to draft a plan of action for the restoration effort. By the time they’re done, you’ll know what tasks are included, when each one will be managed, and even have an idea of how long the process will take.
Removal and Cleaning Of Everything That Can Be Salvaged
Salvaging as many of your belongings is an important part of the cleanup. This can include clothing, wall art, appliances, furnishings, and just about anything else you can imagine. Anything that can be saved will be deep cleaned to ensure there are no lingering scents of smoke or other related issues.
This is good news for you, since belongings that can be successfully cleaned won’t have to be replaced. See it as one more way to hasten getting things back to normal.
Disposal of Everything That’s Beyond Saving
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that some of the belongings in your home may be beyond salvaging. If the team recommends letting it go, the best move is to provide your permission. You can rest assured that the team will arrange to transport anything that is beyond saving away from the site.
Experts in residential fire damage restoration Fairfax VA know what methods to properly and responsibly dispose of anything that can’t be restored. This is good news, since you don’t have to be concerned about those belongings taking up space in landfills or otherwise causing issues for others. This process will also provide you with a list of items to include on the insurance claim.
Dealing with Ash and Smoke Damage
With furnishings and other belongings either being cleaned or hauled away for disposal, the team can concentrate on cleaning what remains. That includes removing soot and ash from every square inch of the home. At the same time, steps are taken to deodorize the space so there’s no lingering scent of anything burning.
Once the cleaning is done, there’s likely to be some structural and other damage that needs to be addressed. Damaged walls can be repaired as well as damaged flooring. After ensuring the home is structurally sound again, it will be possible for you to move back into the space.
Remember that fires can cause damage that’s hard to spot. Hiring a professional team to handle the restoration ensures that nothing is overlooked. Thanks to their efforts, you’ll be back in your home sooner rather than later.
How to Create More Awareness for Your Crime Scene Cleanup Business
Whatever business you start, the right promotion and marketing strategies are the key to creating awareness about your new brand. While marketing a crime scene cleanup seems grim, it is a necessary thing to do to reach your target audience rather quickly. Crime scene cleanup Houston Texas is a lucrative business but to keep up with the competition you need to know where your target audience is and how to reach them.
Your number one target audience is law enforcement agencies. This set of professionals request this kind of service regularly. While some states require that all crime scene cleanup companies register their businesses, others are a bit flexible when it comes to registration. If you operate in a state that requires registration, it’s a great plus as it makes your business even more visible to the general public. Also, people trust your business. Private individuals who require crime scene cleanup can easily find you on the health department website of the state. This puts you closer to the people.
For every crime scene cleanup job completed successfully, do not forget to take before and after work pictures. These photos are testaments to the amazing restoration jobs you’ve done in time past. It shows potential customers how well you clean up an area and what it looks like before and after the cleanup up is completed.
Also, customer’s testimonial is another great marketing strategy. A few clients will work with you based on how satisfactory past customers were. These pictures and testimonials speak well of your reputation in this line of work.
You don’t want to face any kind of lawsuit or penalty in the course of doing your job. Hence you must keep your employees updated on the latest OSHA standards. Remember, these standards are reviewed and updated occasionally, so staying up to date with these changes makes clients feel more comfortable working with you.
Ongoing training and education for employees are also very important. If you are insured, your insurance company will not hesitate to compensate you whenever you file for a claim because they are aware of the adequate training you give to your employees.
Take advantage of the internet. Build a solid online presence by creating a beautifully designed website for your business. In this modern world, a business without an online presence doesn’t receive as much patronage. Your website should include a detailed description of your business and services rendered. Create social media pages to get closer to your target audience. Update your pages regularly and respond swiftly to all inquiries. And while interacting with the victim’s family, do not forget to show empathy. Displaying empathy plays a key role in becoming successful.
You need to stand out in your service offerings. Maintain professionalism while carrying out your job. Your primary responsibilities are to ensure the affected areas are cleaned and restored to their pre-condition, and protecting the lives of people living in the building from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Crime scene cleanup service is a lucrative business. However, beating the competition requires you to do something differently. Get your brand out there by promoting and marketing your business.
4 Ways That Owning Residential Solar Systems Makes Life Easier
There’s no doubt that alternative energy solutions are growing in popularity. In some areas of the world, residential as well as industrial and commercial applications have become more common. You may be thinking about looking at residential solar systems that would be right for your home. How would such a system make a difference for you? Here are some examples to consider.
Reducing Dependency on the Grid
One immediate benefit of installing a home solar system is that you can rely less on the main power grid. It’s easy enough to structure things so that certain functions are powered by the batteries rather than power from the grid. For example, you may power a workshop with solar energy alone. Perhaps you decide to power appliances housed in one area of the property with this method.
Whatever the setup, you end up saving money on the monthly power bill. Depending on the policies of your local utility company, it may even be possible to sell some of your excess energy and further reduce the cost of being on the grid.
Prepared for Emergency Situations
Even the most well-maintained grids have issues from time to time. It could be due to some sort of natural weather event or possibly damage to the wires that carry power to the neighborhood. When the grid is down for any reason, you don’t have to be left in the dark or without air conditioning. If you have a residential solar power setup, it can kick on immediately and keep everything going.
Think of what that means. With the right type of setup, you don’t have to be concerned about everything in the refrigerator and freezer thawing. It’s still possible to use the electric range to cook rather than having to use the backyard grill. If your setup is capable of supplying enough power, you can even keep the air conditioner going. That will make things around the house more pleasant as you wait for the grid to be restored.
Minimizing Your Ecological Footprint
The installation of residential solar systems is popular among those who are concerned about the environment. Why is this true? Solar energy involves less of an impact on the environment. Even many of the components needed to set up this type of system can be made from recycled materials.
Once in place, the fact that the system can supply most of the power you need reduces the need to rely on fossil fuels. That will mean a lot for the generations who will follow.
Increasing the Market Value of Your Property
One benefit of residential solar power setups that’s often overlooked is the impact they have on property market values. Simply put, installing the system is likely to increase that value. This quality may not mean much immediately, but it could make a difference if you decide to sell in the future.
How much difference could it make? Depending on the location, the increase in market value could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. It’s easier to get an idea by talking with local real estate professionals. While not a reason by itself to install a solar array, it certainly adds to the reasons that you were already considering.
Talk with a professional today and learn more about today’s solar systems for home use. When you know more about how they work, the cost of the setup, and what solar energy can do to make your life better, moving forward with this project will be a snap.