5 Amazing Food Pairings Champagne Lovers Can Swear By
Champagne is usually quite the perplexing drink when it comes to pairing with food and snacks, but it doesn't have to be that hard.
There are two ways to make it an easy ensemble - Either consider making a snack having a texture that complements that of the champagne, or select a food which can counter the acidity of the champagne. And we’re not talking about the same old pairings like caviar and champagne or smoked salmon and champagne.
It’s 2016 so let’s try something new and fun.
1. Cheese (El Classico!)
Cheese and champagne can go very well together, provided you match them right. Lighter blends of champagne work best with soft, creamy cheese foods. Smoked gouda could be a good flavor at that with roasted breadcrumbs for toppings. With more vintage, stronger champagnes though, a rich cheese such as parmigiano (aka parmesan cheese) or stilton go well. You can also prepare standalone snacks such as Mac & Cheese and Cheese Canapes to accommodate those in the room who don’t drink champagne, while enjoying them with your favorite sparkling drink.
2. Batter-dipped Deep Fried Mushrooms
Who would have known that deep fried mushrooms can go well with champagne! But hey, it does. In fact, much like a best friend, contrasting in texture but extremely complementary as well, when their relishing flavors meet in the mouth. Mushrooms have a raw, earthy feel to them and when fried in batter, it becomes crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It goes especially well with champagnes having extra fruity tinges. Fried chicken, for those who don’t like mushroom, can be a good alternative as well.
3. Red Bean Chili (Gravy) topped with cheese shreds
This one is an experimental pairing, but also a simple one to make. Unload a can of chili on a bowl, mix red beans with it, and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Voila, you’re ready! Snack on it, and follow it up with your champagne or even Cava, and you’ve just made the food-champagne pairing the Gods would feast on. Surprise your friends with this magic of a thing!
4. Truffle
Yes yes, we know. The very thought of pairing your favorite champagne with truffles is so alluring it automatically puts you in a celebratory mood. And that’s why we’re suggesting it. Whether your champagne is light or vintage/strong, you can enjoy it with truffles. Black truffles (aka Tuber Melanosporum) are densely earthy, and when aromatized with vanilla can be a perfect match with champagne aged in wood. Richness all over! This pairing is not be missed.
5. Barbecue Chicken Sandwich
Make chicken sandwich using a smoky BBQ sauce that’s tangy but not very spicy. For an added earthly flavor, you can garnish the insides of the sandwich with caramelized onion shreds. Now pair this filling yet flavorful sandwich with vintage Champagne or even a value champagne alternative such as Cava. This pairing will give you the best bang for your buck, and for that reason is our personal favorite. Oh, and avoid pork or beef, and stick with chicken. Just trust us on this one! ☺
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Tips to Lose Weight Naturally
If you’ve been trying to shed those extra pounds or kilos fast and find that the best methods out there are expensive to buy and try, you’ve now come to the right place. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be ready to lose weight naturally and quickly, with our tried and tested top 3 weight loss tips. Since these are natural ways to lose weight, you won’t be digging deep into your pockets as these exercises and diet programs can be carried out at home, or around your home (in the park).
1. Walk, Walk, Walk (Read that 365 times):
Jokes apart, walking (brisk walk) for as little as 30 minutes a day can work wonders if you’re looking at losing weight naturally. This exercise is best done in the morning, when you can just drink a glass of hot water (another effective tip) and set out to breathe clean air. Walk faster than normal if you can, in loose clothing so as to avoid muscle cramps and such.
2. Balanced Diet is a good key to weight loss:
Send all your oily food and potato chips to the hungry people who are, unfortunately, thinner than size zero. Try some vegetables and fruits – preferably the green foods, and yes, drink a lot of water (about 8 glasses everyday, but not more). Eat foods that are rich in proteins, as proteins will help you build muscle and also aid in weight loss. The idea is not to stop eating delicious (junk still) food forever; but if you want to lose weight and become slimmer, you have to burn the calories you take in. Vegetables and fruits are low-calorie foods, and you can burn those calories easily since they can be digested easily. Besides, your daily exercising regime will help you.
3. Stretch your body and Perform Workout:
Why stretch the body, you ask?! Well, walking is one thing and exercising is another. When you plan to work out in the gym or even at home, your body needs to become a little flexible for you to tolerate muscle stress and bend them in many different ways. Often overlooked by many, stretching is very important and the absolute best time to stretch your body is before you start working out. There are many simple exercises to help you stretch your body, and many more ways to perform moderate to hardcore workouts, exercises and weight training activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basics of Forex Trading
Before we get down to understanding the basic steps one needs to take while trading in the Forex marketplace, let’s have a look at some facts about the Forex industry. Forex is the world’s largest business, with over $3.98 Trillion being traded everyday. Until recently, the minimum investment to trade in the Forex markets was $200,000 per person/trader. However, now you can set up a Forex trading account for $10,000 (or less) and you can be trading between two currencies, at anytime of the day. Thanks to the internet, the Forex market reaches millions of people at their places 24 hours a day (with weekend breaks of course), and unlike the equity markets, you don’t share your profits with brokers as commissions. All you need to spend is a small transaction fee.
Now, before we hit right to the basics, here’s a benefit about Forex that everyone needs to know – Trader risk is personalized, which means the trader controls his/her risk level, whether trading aggressively or conservatively.
Here’s the first thing to do when considering trading in the Forex markets. Study all the terms related to Forex – Arbitrage, Base Currency, Currency Pair, Day Trading, Fill Price, Hedge, Market Rate, among others.
It is also important to know how to read and understand Forex quotes. They’re usually represented in two ways:
Let’s see how to calculate profits and losses:
Assuming that USD is our base currency, the calculation for profit is given by:
Profit = Price change in Pips x No. of Units Traded / Exit Price
Now, let’s consider USD to be our quote currency. The formula for calculating profit will now be:
Profit = Price change in Pips x No. of Units Traded
In order to understand this in greater detail, please go through our extensive library of Forex related examples at Forex Example for Calculating Profits and Losses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ways to Search Better using Google
Bill Gates once said that “Search Engines Suck!” Have you ever felt so? If you said yes, perhaps you’re right to an extent. However, what better option than Google do we have right now? If you thought of Bing, it’s too early to compare the two search engines. So, for the purpose of this article, we’ll assume that you are a Google-user. Time now to change your thought as well: Search engines may not be what we want them to be, but we can try to use them in smarter ways.
So, let’s head right on to becoming smarter searchers
Smart Search Style #1:
Searching exactly for what you want, and expecting just that. Never happens?! Google (or any other search engine, for that matter) makes it easy.
Try this: Search for search engines need to improve. You will see results with your keywords scattered. If you’re looking for more specific results, try searching this way: “search engines need to improve” with the quotes. Now, you’ll most likely get just what you were searching for. This idea helps with the preparation of that college report too.
Smart Search Style #2:
Searching for similar websites/web pages made easy.
If you like the information available at www.techcrunch.com, you might also be interested in searching for similar information on similar websites, or might just be looking for websites related to what TechCrunch usually covers on their site.
Try this: Enter your search query in the Google search box as related:http://www.techcrunch.com
Smart Search Style #3:
Looking for that pdf or ppt file online, which you think might have expert content inside? Not a problem. Google helps you hunt for it.
Try this: Search for filetype:pdf marketing. You’ll find results of pages containing pdf text/content related to marketing.
Let’s take this style one step further: Search for filetype:pdf marketing site:wharton.edu. This will give you pdf files on marketing found at Wharton.edu only. Now, that’s going to be some expert content.
There are many other ways search engines can help us find exactly what we’re looking for. So, do the search engines really suck? Well, we’ll leave that to you to ponder over, while we’re off to searching on Google.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Marketing
Internet Marketing, which is known by other names like e-marketing or online marketing, means marketing on the internet. Internet Marketing has been gaining growing popularity because of its unlimited reach, low-cost access & promotion, and the time factor. In other words, it is a process of business promotion and expansion using the Internet platform, as it helps connect with a global audience. Internet Marketing has become more prevalent and an important strategic move for almost every organization today, because of its interactive nature.
The concept survives and succeeds because of the internet's technical and creative possibilities. It includes sub-concepts like banner & text advertising, search engine marketing, e-mail marketing, viral marketing and affiliate marketing. Internet Marketing is not the mere creation and promotion of a website, but is a serious business strategy component, which aligns a business' vision with the medium's potential.
A noteworthy benefit that comes along with Internet marketing is access to information. Internet is a haven for information, on just about anything. Besides, Internet Marketing helps in reducing costs as there is no need to use promotion tools and hire a sales agent. In fact, the internet can do the job of an entire sales team. Besides, the global audience not only results in more sales, but expansion of the business if the aim of the game is to play it over a longer term.
Internet Marketing, for now, is the fastest growing form of media. Also, the Web 2.0, as we know the web today, is helping businesses grow with interactive features like Social Networking, Social Media, Business Networking, etc., and a new wave called Web 3.0 is coming soon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-Directed IRA and Real Estate Investment
By the passing minute, more and more people are purchasing property using the self-directed IRA money they have. Some argue that one is prohibited from withdrawing money from their IRA account and investing it in real estate. However, many IRA custodians defend that it’s not the complete truth and there’s no prohibition on property purchases.
However, real estate investing is no child’s play as a lot queues up in the investment procedure. It sure results in high returns though. There might be a need to maintain the property with care, but that takes time and money and eats up one’s profits. Besides, real estate deals take some time to be finalized upon.
More important is to ask yourself if this is where you really should be investing, rather than pondering over IRS’ permission for such an investment and transaction. Consider other options like the stock market, where the returns are fairly high as well. Better yet, keep your real estate investment as a part of your portfolio. If you’re left wondering, here’s a suggestion – It’s always better to discuss your money with a financial consultant.
Let’s take a look at the brighter side though. In an IRA investment, combining your knowledge of the real estate market and the features of a self directed IRA will help you in many ways, one of them being reduction of taxes. Your experience and knowledge with regard to real estate will be the main factors that will decide the return on your IRA investments. The better part is that IRA investments are not dependent on factors that govern the stock market and can hence be less risky.
Champagne is usually quite the perplexing drink when it comes to pairing with food and snacks, but it doesn't have to be that hard.
There are two ways to make it an easy ensemble - Either consider making a snack having a texture that complements that of the champagne, or select a food which can counter the acidity of the champagne. And we’re not talking about the same old pairings like caviar and champagne or smoked salmon and champagne.
It’s 2016 so let’s try something new and fun.
1. Cheese (El Classico!)
Cheese and champagne can go very well together, provided you match them right. Lighter blends of champagne work best with soft, creamy cheese foods. Smoked gouda could be a good flavor at that with roasted breadcrumbs for toppings. With more vintage, stronger champagnes though, a rich cheese such as parmigiano (aka parmesan cheese) or stilton go well. You can also prepare standalone snacks such as Mac & Cheese and Cheese Canapes to accommodate those in the room who don’t drink champagne, while enjoying them with your favorite sparkling drink.
2. Batter-dipped Deep Fried Mushrooms
Who would have known that deep fried mushrooms can go well with champagne! But hey, it does. In fact, much like a best friend, contrasting in texture but extremely complementary as well, when their relishing flavors meet in the mouth. Mushrooms have a raw, earthy feel to them and when fried in batter, it becomes crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It goes especially well with champagnes having extra fruity tinges. Fried chicken, for those who don’t like mushroom, can be a good alternative as well.
3. Red Bean Chili (Gravy) topped with cheese shreds
This one is an experimental pairing, but also a simple one to make. Unload a can of chili on a bowl, mix red beans with it, and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Voila, you’re ready! Snack on it, and follow it up with your champagne or even Cava, and you’ve just made the food-champagne pairing the Gods would feast on. Surprise your friends with this magic of a thing!
4. Truffle
Yes yes, we know. The very thought of pairing your favorite champagne with truffles is so alluring it automatically puts you in a celebratory mood. And that’s why we’re suggesting it. Whether your champagne is light or vintage/strong, you can enjoy it with truffles. Black truffles (aka Tuber Melanosporum) are densely earthy, and when aromatized with vanilla can be a perfect match with champagne aged in wood. Richness all over! This pairing is not be missed.
5. Barbecue Chicken Sandwich
Make chicken sandwich using a smoky BBQ sauce that’s tangy but not very spicy. For an added earthly flavor, you can garnish the insides of the sandwich with caramelized onion shreds. Now pair this filling yet flavorful sandwich with vintage Champagne or even a value champagne alternative such as Cava. This pairing will give you the best bang for your buck, and for that reason is our personal favorite. Oh, and avoid pork or beef, and stick with chicken. Just trust us on this one! ☺
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Tips to Lose Weight Naturally
If you’ve been trying to shed those extra pounds or kilos fast and find that the best methods out there are expensive to buy and try, you’ve now come to the right place. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be ready to lose weight naturally and quickly, with our tried and tested top 3 weight loss tips. Since these are natural ways to lose weight, you won’t be digging deep into your pockets as these exercises and diet programs can be carried out at home, or around your home (in the park).
1. Walk, Walk, Walk (Read that 365 times):
Jokes apart, walking (brisk walk) for as little as 30 minutes a day can work wonders if you’re looking at losing weight naturally. This exercise is best done in the morning, when you can just drink a glass of hot water (another effective tip) and set out to breathe clean air. Walk faster than normal if you can, in loose clothing so as to avoid muscle cramps and such.
2. Balanced Diet is a good key to weight loss:
Send all your oily food and potato chips to the hungry people who are, unfortunately, thinner than size zero. Try some vegetables and fruits – preferably the green foods, and yes, drink a lot of water (about 8 glasses everyday, but not more). Eat foods that are rich in proteins, as proteins will help you build muscle and also aid in weight loss. The idea is not to stop eating delicious (junk still) food forever; but if you want to lose weight and become slimmer, you have to burn the calories you take in. Vegetables and fruits are low-calorie foods, and you can burn those calories easily since they can be digested easily. Besides, your daily exercising regime will help you.
3. Stretch your body and Perform Workout:
Why stretch the body, you ask?! Well, walking is one thing and exercising is another. When you plan to work out in the gym or even at home, your body needs to become a little flexible for you to tolerate muscle stress and bend them in many different ways. Often overlooked by many, stretching is very important and the absolute best time to stretch your body is before you start working out. There are many simple exercises to help you stretch your body, and many more ways to perform moderate to hardcore workouts, exercises and weight training activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basics of Forex Trading
Before we get down to understanding the basic steps one needs to take while trading in the Forex marketplace, let’s have a look at some facts about the Forex industry. Forex is the world’s largest business, with over $3.98 Trillion being traded everyday. Until recently, the minimum investment to trade in the Forex markets was $200,000 per person/trader. However, now you can set up a Forex trading account for $10,000 (or less) and you can be trading between two currencies, at anytime of the day. Thanks to the internet, the Forex market reaches millions of people at their places 24 hours a day (with weekend breaks of course), and unlike the equity markets, you don’t share your profits with brokers as commissions. All you need to spend is a small transaction fee.
Now, before we hit right to the basics, here’s a benefit about Forex that everyone needs to know – Trader risk is personalized, which means the trader controls his/her risk level, whether trading aggressively or conservatively.
Here’s the first thing to do when considering trading in the Forex markets. Study all the terms related to Forex – Arbitrage, Base Currency, Currency Pair, Day Trading, Fill Price, Hedge, Market Rate, among others.
It is also important to know how to read and understand Forex quotes. They’re usually represented in two ways:
- EUR/USD = 1.1096
- EUR/USD = 1.1098 / 1.1099
Let’s see how to calculate profits and losses:
Assuming that USD is our base currency, the calculation for profit is given by:
Profit = Price change in Pips x No. of Units Traded / Exit Price
Now, let’s consider USD to be our quote currency. The formula for calculating profit will now be:
Profit = Price change in Pips x No. of Units Traded
In order to understand this in greater detail, please go through our extensive library of Forex related examples at Forex Example for Calculating Profits and Losses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ways to Search Better using Google
Bill Gates once said that “Search Engines Suck!” Have you ever felt so? If you said yes, perhaps you’re right to an extent. However, what better option than Google do we have right now? If you thought of Bing, it’s too early to compare the two search engines. So, for the purpose of this article, we’ll assume that you are a Google-user. Time now to change your thought as well: Search engines may not be what we want them to be, but we can try to use them in smarter ways.
So, let’s head right on to becoming smarter searchers
Smart Search Style #1:
Searching exactly for what you want, and expecting just that. Never happens?! Google (or any other search engine, for that matter) makes it easy.
Try this: Search for search engines need to improve. You will see results with your keywords scattered. If you’re looking for more specific results, try searching this way: “search engines need to improve” with the quotes. Now, you’ll most likely get just what you were searching for. This idea helps with the preparation of that college report too.
Smart Search Style #2:
Searching for similar websites/web pages made easy.
If you like the information available at www.techcrunch.com, you might also be interested in searching for similar information on similar websites, or might just be looking for websites related to what TechCrunch usually covers on their site.
Try this: Enter your search query in the Google search box as related:http://www.techcrunch.com
Smart Search Style #3:
Looking for that pdf or ppt file online, which you think might have expert content inside? Not a problem. Google helps you hunt for it.
Try this: Search for filetype:pdf marketing. You’ll find results of pages containing pdf text/content related to marketing.
Let’s take this style one step further: Search for filetype:pdf marketing site:wharton.edu. This will give you pdf files on marketing found at Wharton.edu only. Now, that’s going to be some expert content.
There are many other ways search engines can help us find exactly what we’re looking for. So, do the search engines really suck? Well, we’ll leave that to you to ponder over, while we’re off to searching on Google.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Marketing
Internet Marketing, which is known by other names like e-marketing or online marketing, means marketing on the internet. Internet Marketing has been gaining growing popularity because of its unlimited reach, low-cost access & promotion, and the time factor. In other words, it is a process of business promotion and expansion using the Internet platform, as it helps connect with a global audience. Internet Marketing has become more prevalent and an important strategic move for almost every organization today, because of its interactive nature.
The concept survives and succeeds because of the internet's technical and creative possibilities. It includes sub-concepts like banner & text advertising, search engine marketing, e-mail marketing, viral marketing and affiliate marketing. Internet Marketing is not the mere creation and promotion of a website, but is a serious business strategy component, which aligns a business' vision with the medium's potential.
A noteworthy benefit that comes along with Internet marketing is access to information. Internet is a haven for information, on just about anything. Besides, Internet Marketing helps in reducing costs as there is no need to use promotion tools and hire a sales agent. In fact, the internet can do the job of an entire sales team. Besides, the global audience not only results in more sales, but expansion of the business if the aim of the game is to play it over a longer term.
Internet Marketing, for now, is the fastest growing form of media. Also, the Web 2.0, as we know the web today, is helping businesses grow with interactive features like Social Networking, Social Media, Business Networking, etc., and a new wave called Web 3.0 is coming soon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-Directed IRA and Real Estate Investment
By the passing minute, more and more people are purchasing property using the self-directed IRA money they have. Some argue that one is prohibited from withdrawing money from their IRA account and investing it in real estate. However, many IRA custodians defend that it’s not the complete truth and there’s no prohibition on property purchases.
However, real estate investing is no child’s play as a lot queues up in the investment procedure. It sure results in high returns though. There might be a need to maintain the property with care, but that takes time and money and eats up one’s profits. Besides, real estate deals take some time to be finalized upon.
More important is to ask yourself if this is where you really should be investing, rather than pondering over IRS’ permission for such an investment and transaction. Consider other options like the stock market, where the returns are fairly high as well. Better yet, keep your real estate investment as a part of your portfolio. If you’re left wondering, here’s a suggestion – It’s always better to discuss your money with a financial consultant.
Let’s take a look at the brighter side though. In an IRA investment, combining your knowledge of the real estate market and the features of a self directed IRA will help you in many ways, one of them being reduction of taxes. Your experience and knowledge with regard to real estate will be the main factors that will decide the return on your IRA investments. The better part is that IRA investments are not dependent on factors that govern the stock market and can hence be less risky.