Tag: <span>freezer services</span>

[ad_1]

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has been described as the oldest new technology! It has been around for about fifty years, its value in identifying Aircraft in flight during the Second World War was quickly realised by the British Air force. The following forty years the technology was mainly used in security applications, building access, road tolls and key fobs.

RFID is an infrastructure technology, which will have a impact on almost every business process. However RFID is still a new technology, and thus we are waiting to see where it will lead in many applications. The case for RFID is well documented within specific business scenarios, but the benefit to the consumer are still little known apart from Londoners with their Oyster cards and Parisians with their Navigo cards. However, most people have used RFID without realisation it in their key-fobs, and one or two have found this facility so convenient that their home doors are locked the same way.

What is sure however is that RF is here to stay, with major pilots and positive proofs of concept across many industries: food and drink, aerospace, libraries, government, transport, retail, pharmaceutical, healthcare, logistics, auto industry, security etc. The IT and Building Industry have an enormous opportunity here.

Because of the need to identify vital equipment quickly, the Military were naturally interested in technology that could help take the guesswork out of inventory and logistics. Wars fought in foreign lands create massive logistic problems; soldiers need bullets, food, etc when necessary, regardless of price or location. Battle readiness is key to military success.

RFID use by the US Military was identified quickly by major retailers like Wal Mart, Metro Group, Target and Tesco who felt that the ability to “see” stock in their supply chains would help eliminate delivery error, stock-outs, shrinkage, human error etc and also help in building consumer driven demand chains. Inventory cost money, and uncertainty causes stock build up by all stakeholders in the supply chain. High stock levels, or empty retail shelves simply reflect a lack of knowledge. Awareness of goods flying off the retail shelf by manufacturer is extremely useful when creating production runs. However for now retailers are focusing on the benefits of pallet and case-level tagging. Manufacturers and retailers are working very closely together to remove inefficiencies from their supply chains. This helps consumers by keeping the right stock on the shelf at competitive prices, and in America where item level prescriptions are being rolled out by a major pharmacy group (CVS Pharmacy), it will enable better management and control of drug stocks. Hence if a drug in one pharmacy is within three months of its shelf life it can be dispatched to another pharmacy where demand for that specific drug is greater. Also it will flag up any unusual drug sales or errors.

But to speak only about RFID in terms of supply chain is to miss the point.

Emerging technologies: sensors, (mots or smart dust), Nanotechnology and community-wide wireless broadband, GPS, are changing the landscape for business applications and life style generally. Some argue that this is the biggest technological transformation of the 21st Century. It will transform our Cities, our work processes and our lives.

A number of RFID applications together with innovations such as EPCGlobal and standardisations around wireless spectrums are actually enabling cyberspace to interface with the real world. Concepts such as the expression “Internet of Things” will mean that every object in our physical environment can be identified and its status confirmed in real time. Soon everything that you own including your household assets will be aware that you own it! Theft is going to be difficult!

We are witnessing the rise of “Real World Awareness”, which will have massive implications for us all. This is not just about identifying a packet of frozen peas in a walk-in freezer, but enabling the freezer to tell the operator its status in real time.

Does the freezer need maintenance? Are the doors shut, lights off, stock accounted for. Are there fresh raspberries in that freezer? The ability to flag potential problems, remove errors, cut costs and drive efficiency.

RFID sensors are playing a big part in airline safety. Airbus and Boeing have endorsed RFID wholeheartedly and mandated their supply chains to incorporate this technology into their product offering. If you ever glanced at the first aircraft cockpit you will see a couple of dials on the dashboard. Early pilots required the help of flight engineers, navigators and radio operator to fly. Pilots flew “by the seat of their pants”, using their skill and experience. Look now at the latest Airbus 300 series! Around 600 sensors all automatically working in harmony to insure engines and aircraft are all in good working order. Risk are constantly being reduced. Pilots alone would not be able to deal with all the complexity currently handled by wireless sensors and onboard computers.

To be able to identify a foreign object like a bird caught in an aircraft engine following a successful flight can also save massive amounts of fuel.

Again, to identify a minor fracture on a rotor blade prior to a major crack can prevent a nasty accident. After every flight a full log of the aircraft engine activity is downloaded to a preventive maintenance crews who search for irregularities.

This data is key to safety and efficiency in the airline industry.

These sensor innovations are also happening in Formula 1 racing. McLaren Mercedes have around 50 sensors throughout their car engine and chassis to help them improve performance. Cars racing along at 200 mph plus are giving their mechanics back at the racetrack vital data about their engines performance . Mechanics are even aware that drivers are about to change gear! This new sensor technology works well despite a very difficult environment with massive security challenges.

The British Nuclear Group is deploying Ubisense sensor solution to map and identify radiation levels and the location of each worker to increase employee safety and efficiency.

Metro Group’s Future Store Initiative in Germany is providing a glance of retailing tomorrow. Shoppers do not notice anything unusual except that each shopping trolley has a PDA which can help shoppers find products. Item level tagging is still a bit away, but the ability of the smart shelves at Metro to identify when an item is removed from the shelf is very useful for back-office staff, and the ability to identify goods about to go out of date and reduce their price helps maximise profits. Additionally there is a whole new industry of marketing and promotional ideas coming together as shoppers walk past products for sale.

Replacing inventory with information is key to improved retail efficiency and enhanced client shopping experience.

Around 7000 American gas stations are enabling clients to fast fuel their vehicles by the simple wave of their RFID fob. Simply fill up and go! The fuel fobs have been so successful that their use is now been considered in fast food outlets where convenience and service are key to happy and loyal clients.

With new sensors based in houses, smart kitchens, hospitals, factories, public parks, highways and parking spaces what will this all mean to Society, to our privacy and to sorting out some of our major social and economic problems?

Are we able to pull these emerging technologies together strategically for The London Olympics to show the world that Business UK is fit and ready?

China is currently building fifty smart cities with sensors embedded everywhere. Sensors to help improve traffic flow, bridge structure, water management, and improved transport networks. At micro and macro level where are the benefits for both industry and citizens. If everything is tagged (people and assets) then a building site can become a safer place to work. Project planners can insure at a glance that materials and tools are in place prior to bringing in the builders. Chemicals can flag attention if positioned with dangerous materials or incorrectly positioned. We can control Air, Water and Waste by tiny sensors, or at least remotely monitor public safety in real time. We can perhaps drive better greener strategies and energy improved housing.

Dentalab are making dental molds with radio frequency tags so that dentists can be alerted if an incorrect dental crown is offer to a client. Implicit here are enormous benefits for efficiency and safety. TrentStar, the beer keg asset management company, deploying RFID, made a fivefold decrease in beer kegs maintenance costs. Imagine if every public utility meter was self read? Would that reduce rates? What if parking meters could chat with cars to update parking charges? Singaporeans use their car tags to pay for parking and road use. Big Brother Technology can be convenient if

managed without abuse. Laws are required that protect the public. Would we like to carry a tag with us everywhere which for example enabled our mobiles to be an oyster card or credit card and booted up our PC when we entered the ground entrance of our 15th floor office? Would that increase productivity for employers? What if employers paid our transport fees in recognition?

The American FDA have endorsed the use of RFID for item level prescription use.

Now “Unit of Use” medicine can be automatically matched to patient at POC( point of care).

The ability to insure the correct drug is dispensed to the correct patient is key.

US hospitals record 7000 deaths per year on average because of medication error.

In addition, 750,000 adverse medical events happen each year causing massive suffering and anxiety to citizens and caregivers. Counterfeit drugs are a major concern for everyone. How can technology remove this menace?

There are countless example of positive proof of concepts showing where Broadband, RF and smart dust-sensors can improve the way our healthcare is managed.

According to most press statements, our Hospitals are in serious financial crisis.

But do you know healthcare supply chains are run like businesses in the 60’s!

We have eCommerce and barcode standards, which will soon give way to automatic data-capture for all inventory movement within our complex hospitals, but we are still a long way away from making emerging technology save us money in healthcare.

We have great technology, but sometimes lack wisdom. Globally Healthcare has incredible economies of scale, but with numerous Local Trusts managing from their individual perspectives we will continue to have massive complexity and inefficiency in the foreseeable future. What is required, in my opinion, is a “monopolistic committee” which can mandate some good economic principles to insure long-term patient safety and the adoption of best RFID business practice. RFID healthcare standards will enable a truly efficient medical supply chain, enabling assets, maintenance, resources and people to be better-managed and scarce resources deployed where necessary. The patient will experience a much improved,cost effective and safer service.

Technology however is not separate to Society. No technology exists

outside the influence of people, culture, policy, and economics. Everyone “sees” according to their personal environment, their education, their family values etc. Increased awareness of our cultural mindset is important. We could look at this as a “prison mindset”. A self-locking mindset makes us think a certain way and thus creates our thoughts and confirms our reality. It is a cosy place to be and change is not always invited in!

A friend of a friend once phoned in a panic to request assistance because her car-key fob was flat and she was locked-out of her car. It was explained that the key could be inserted manually in the keyhole of the driver door! She could not believe this and was amazed to find a hole in the door that she had never seen in four years!

The point is our reality is driven by what we do and experience every day; we all have blind spots just like the Ice Merchants of yesteryear who never thought that fringes and freezers would arrive to destroy their business overnight. Anyone hear of innovations where tomorrow’s fridges will be running on sound waves? Goggle thermoacoustic refrigeration!

Smart Granite worktops will soon be in vogue. The granite will carry a number of transponders and a extra large embedded antenna to insure that all food items placed on the worktop will sync with all the other smart utensils, enabling everything in the kitchen to automatically communicate: washing machine, fridge, cooker, extractor, toaster, microwave, radio, lights, central heating, wall tiles, floor, all door locks etc etc. See Do Stone Smart Granite worktops at http://www.dostone.co.uk. Nasty bacteria on the cutting board will self clean as will the sink and recycle basket. No child in this kitchen will ever pull a boiling pot of rice upon herself. In-build safety / security will be a standard module in every smart kitchen. Energy efficiency also should save household fuel costs by 20% .

Who in your organisation / company or home are responsible for looking into the horizon to anticipate the changes and innovations coming fast forward? To be able to exploit technology we must be open to the idea of new technologies, new business processes, changing the way we work, think, and live.

People always come first and our perspective will determine how future technology will be adopted. Thus a big RFID / emerging technology debate needs to happen to insure we don’t waste this opportunity before us. I am working with Two Four Productions to bring this debate to our TV screens, so if anyone wants to get involved please do contact me.

We need to discuss the privacy issues much more, the benefits to humanity the trade off between lack of privacy and benefit. No one for sure wants to see George Orwell’s vision become reality, but ubiquitous sensor and emerging technologies have the ability if deployed correctly to make a positive contribution to our lives. And we need to appreciate that other parts of the world, hungry for success are less concerned with privacy issues and are fast exploiting these technologies.

Healthcare absorbs a lot of taxpayer’s money. Globally around 14% GDP!

There is little doubt that healthcare services are moving back to the community where it used to reside. Hospitals will be places for focused operations and all other healthcare issues will be dealt with from the home perspective.

Most elderly people prefer independence and deserve dignity. But it is not always possible for relatives and friends to pop in daily to insure all is well. Imagine if your elderly Grandparents lived hundreds of miles away?

With sensors creating real world awareness, it is possible to have a traffic light system on your PC which will flag up the occasion when Mr X did not get up or make a cup of tea at 7am or any major break to the natural flow of activity in their daily lives. Any change in social interaction, for example, may indicate a change in well being, or impending illness reflected early by failure to eat.

Lights automatically coming on when a elderly person visits the loo at night, for example, can help eradicate the thousand of hip operations required per year in the UK!

Smart packaging can indicate if the correct drug is taken at the correct hour and help people to better manage their medication.

No one will believe in ten years time that mobile phones were used for voice only.

In Sweden, Norway and Denmark RFID mobile phone are becoming an essential tool for the automatic capture of critical medical data in the community. Thus an internal sensor implant could forward key data via your mobile to your doctor.

However, improved national security safeguards are essential.

Sensors in doctor’s surgical gloves can help prevent accidents or assist a surgical procedure. Most operations are carried out in a standard way and the use of sensor networks can reflect the current state of an operation, assist with options, issue reminders, alert other professionals etc. Risk and error can be reduced. Work on this is currently being done at the Danish Centre of Pervasive Healthcare and Intel Research Seattle. This may lead the way to fast track medical training and open up better on-line training to less wealthy nations.

Again in Healthcare the ability of all hospital staff to be aware of impending operations, surgical and post-operational equipment and identify people and assets

quickly is a massive daily task. Time searching for people and assets within hospitals is enormous. Decontamination needs to insure that the correct equipment is at the correct theatre and in fit condition for smooth operational delivery. The reality is that Admissions do not talk with Theatre who do not speak with Decontamination, and cancellation of an operation at around £20K a go is not an infrequent occurrence. No wonder, some Healthcare Organisations has been described as a family of hostile relatives! Against this background stock is hard to identify and some hospitals phone their suppliers to ascertain how much business was initiated the previous month! eCommerce has been around for ages with platforms like UK HealthLogistics ready to deliver value. Surely a modern supermarket approach here to supply chains efficiency is required.

Who in EU Healthcare are authorised to mandate this wisdom? Once this simple decision is mandated who is ready to deliver the first connected hospital?

It will not happen overnight, but problems like hospital cash flow, supply chain efficiency, MRSA, adverse medical events (with their massive liability payouts) may be greatly reduced by sensors and emerging technologies.

Soon we will have free community-wide broadband.

Sweden last month gave free broadband access to all their citizens, with speeds 100 times faster than that available to us in the UK. Recently Milton Keynes followed suit, and The City of London promised free business broadband to everyone within the Square Mile. This emerging infrastructure is important as we start to realise that Broadband is not just a tool for Internet access and free VOIP, but an essential infrastructure for real world awareness.

From an IT perspective one of the most salient facts of these emerging technologies will be the massive amount of additional digital data to collect and the need for new hardware, software and robust standard networks to collectively make it all work.

A whole new infrastructure will be necessary to capture, control, provide consistency, and context to massive amounts of new data flowing faster. Global standards and interoptability of systems and data will be necessary. Again EPCGlobal, Gen2 Tags, improved Readers etc., are making great headway here.

However, we may need to rethink the way we teach our engineering, medical, in fact all students. Ten years ago it was sufficient to teach a civil engineering student about programming in addition to their core subjects. But now with massive technological change and real world awareness how do we insure our professionals are up to speed in the multiplicity of knowledge required to make strategic policy decisions.

We are at the dawn of integrating convergent technologies, and if we get it right we can offer future global cities some great solutions. Emerging environmental problems may be solved by emerging technologies. Let’s just do it!

Dermott Reilly

Strategic RFID Consultant

Do Stone Ltd

London

www.dostone.co.uk

[ad_2]

Source by Dermott Reilly

[ad_1]

Nutritional snack bars are a popular consumer product – meeting the growing need for on-the-go healthy snacks. For manufacturers, improved dietary components such as no added sugars and high fruit and fibre content are increasing the appeal and variety of snack bars in the market place. However formulators face difficulties with hard to source fruits, and with fruit formats that impose constraints. Typically, the requirement for high quality fruit filling ingredients can’t be matched with bake stability and low water activity and manufacturers have had to resort to imitation and / or artificial products.

Fortunately today, the URC range of pieces and pastes provide cereal bar manufacturers with a versatile and robust way to add real fruit to their products in a great range of fruit and flavour blends. The unique formulation and design can provide a full portion of fruit per serving, as well as meeting the needs of manufacturing functionality of bake stability and low water activity.

Bake stable fruit bar fillings have increased integrity under heat and won’t boil out of the end of the bar during baking therefore preventing burning or caramelizing issues. Water activity levels of under 0.65 ensure minimal moisture transfer occurs to prevent spoilage and extends shelf stability. URC fruit bar filling pastes are a convenient option when superior fruit flavours and fruit content claims are critical.

Fruit bar fillings are manufactured via a proprietary Ultra Rapid Concentration process which reduces raw fruit materials to less than 10% moisture in under 60 seconds. This means the fruit ingredients experience minimal residence time and the rapid cooling process preserves that fruit flavor, colour and goodness of fruit – naturally. Unlike freezer, barrel or sun-dried fruits, the texture remains soft and delicious – with out the use of artificial additives or preservatives. Easy to use and available in pumpable drums Ultra Rapid Concentration is creating a new way to include real fruit bar fillings in snack and baked bars.

URC fruit bar fillings can be used as a soft fruity centre in a baked bar, as a sheeting paste to create a visible fruit layer, or as blending paste in formed bars to reduce added sugar content and provide cleaner ingredient listings.

[ad_2]

Source by Amy Wright

[ad_1]

How does honey affect the growth of mold? First, let us analyze what

mold is, how it operates and what honey consists of that makes it a fighter of

bacterial growth and why. Mold is a multi-cellular, wool-like growth made up of

tiny colonies of microscopic spores that feed off dead matter. The way that mold

works is by applying a coat of “slime” that decomposes food by breaking down

food into smaller particles.

There have been many studies on the life of a mold spore and how it operates

in order to create mold preventers that would help in preserving health as well

as mold destroyers to act as a cleaning agent in cases

when one would need to know how to clean mold from antique wood furniture or

even studying the life of a mold spore to create mold preventers for the

purposes of protecting food from decay in restaurants and homes. Honey has been

scientifically studied and proven to inhibit bacterial growth for the following

two reasons:

1. Honey has a high concentration of sugar so that it reduces water activity and

reduces the growth of bacteria.

2. Honey produces hydrogen peroxide that fights mold as it acts as a cleaner.

Honey is an invert liquid sugar. Mold absorbs water and uses that for the slime

while honey reduces water activity. This shows how and why honey can be

effective in slowing the growth of bacteria.

In addition to honey as a bacteria preventer, there have been studies that have

shown that colder temperatures for storing food such as in a refrigerator and

freezer very greatly reduces the growth of mold. When placed in the freezer,

the mold did not grow at all, while in the refrigerator, the life of a mold spore

was only perpetuated at a growth rate of .4%. When left at room temperature,

the mold growth was increased at a whopping 24%!

This proves that temperature has a lot to do with mold growth. If you ever

discover mold growing on maple syrup, you should discard the bottle. There are

four main types of mold. Various forms of the molds have been known to smother

its matter before decomposing it and to cause health problems in human

respiratory functions. This is due to the harmful pathogens that produce

difficulty in breathing. One of the type of molds is the green mold

aspergillius. It causes breathing problems. Penicillium is a blue and green mold

that contains the same anti-biotic drug that is found in the drug penicillin and

can cause breathing problems if inhaled.

Mucon is another type of mold. It is in the group of white molds in color.

Rhizopus is a bread mold. It is part of the black molds group.

Instead of the most common mold-like structures of multiple web-type mold spore

groups, the rhizopus has tiny tube-structured spores and is single rather than

in many webs. The study of how the mold growth is affected by temperature was

conducted by a student of science who was conducting the experiment in order to

see how various temperatures affect the growth of molds on honey potato bread.

The results are typical of most mold growth on bread as well. The human body,

thankfully, has developed a strong defense immune system that protects

it against most of the mold toxins, but there are still a few allergic disorders

that can result from the molds once it begins to make its way to the breathing

passages. The most common is shortness of breath.

Therefore in living conditions such as the case of no ventilation in stucco home

with mold, it is important to kill clean black mold and to clean it from all

known sources where it could be, such as needing to clean mold from antique wood furniture or in the instances of the mold remidiation Miami following the disaster of hurricane katrina and mold that resulted in the combination of the decay in the aftermath and water damage.

Although the honey did fight and stop the growth of bacteria in the experiment, none of the testing proved that honey was an inhibiter of mold growth.

[ad_2]

Source by G. Crandall

[ad_1]

There are many different styles of kitchens available on the market with varying price tags. However, there are a number of factors to take into consideration BEFORE you part with your hard-earned cash.

o What type of budget do you have? Do you need to start from or can you update certain aspects?

o What type of kitchen would suit your lifestyle, home or family?

o Would you prefer a fitted kitchen as oppose to a dresser?

o Is the current position of your kitchen within your home the best place for it or do you need to relocate it to make full use of the space within your home?

o Will a new extension be required to house the kitchen?

o Do you need a separate dining area?

o Does it need to open up into the living area?

o Do you need to provide an area for the children? Are areas for play, homework, needed? Can you keep an eye on the children? Will the areas be safe for them? Are dangerous items out of their reach?

o How much cooking will need to do?

o Do you intend to use the space for entertaining? If so, do you prefer to have your guests interact with as you prepare your meals?

o Do you prefer small diner parties?

o How much storage do you need? Do you shop weekly, monthly etc.

o Do you like to have your utensils on show or do you prefer to everything to out of sight.

o How much work surface area will you require? Make sure you have enough for food preparation, resting saucepans and dishing up.

o Do you prefer these areas to be made of wood, granite, natural stone, slate, splash backs, concrete, laminate or stainless steel? Are you prepared to have the surfaces treated regularly to keep them in tiptop condition?

o Would you like the materials used to be eco-friendly?

o Do you need any additional sinks /draining areas? What style of taps will you need? Is a water softener required?

o Will you be able to access your fridge, sink and cooker in a triangular movement easily? It’s important not to put your fridge/ freezer next to your cooker.

o Are the fridge/ freezer large enough for you and your family’s needs?

o Do you need a dishwasher? You maybe be able to buy a compact one if your kitchen is small. However, they can cost the same price as a full size one.

o Would you like your fridge/ freezer & dishwasher to be built in?

o Would you like a built in oven with a separate hob or would you like a freestanding cooker?

o Does the idea of having a range cooker fit into you scheme or can a basic cooker do? Are you willing to learn how the controls work? Do you prefer gas or electric?

o Dou you need space for the laundry or can you relocate it in a utility area?

o Do you need to change the layout of the electrics or plumbing? If so, factor the cost of relocating them in your budget. Make sure reputable trade people who can provide you with the legal documentation carry out the work. Otherwise, you may have problems when it comes to selling your property.

o Is any new appliance water efficient? Are you on a water meter?

o Is any new appliance energy efficient?

o Will you need extra lighting? You need to consider the different situations that may arise in the kitchen. Lighting for work areas, creating the right ambience and such like will need some thought given to.

o What type of flooring will you need? Do you prefer wood, stone, slate, tiles, lino, vinyl, rubber, cork or concrete? Some surfaces, will not give you a second chance if breakable objects fall on them.

o Will the kitchen be easy to keep clean?

o What colours do you want?

o Do you require any accessories?

When you see you dream kitchen come to fruition- enjoy!

[ad_2]

Source by Bridget Merritt

[ad_1]

Losing weight may seem like a herculean task because the present society we live in is always on the move. You will discover that almost all the food we consume come in a small packages, ready to eat, lots of restaurants are now packing their meals into attractive and travel friendly goody-bags. For people who really want to lose weight, this type of eating will not help matters because the preservatives used in these foods can be quite harmful to the health and not to mention the colossal calorie content – geez!

If you are really determined to shed some excess weight by eating healthy, and you do not have an idea on what to do or how to start, the trick is to come up with a diet plan. With a well planned diet, you will lose weight and stay healthy.

When you plan your meals, you will be able to manage the type of food you eat and it will also help you avoid a situation where you will have no choice but to chow down on unhealthy, calorie packed, fatty foods. Since you planned your meal beforehand, you will be able stick to your diet, thus helping you to lose weight.

Are you wondering how on earth you would be able to execute this weight loss plan of yours with your crazy schedule? Just follow these tips:

a) Draw up a food menu for each week – doing this will help you balance your diet much better, but make sure that meals for the week reduces your total calorie consumption. This way, you also get to save on two of life’s most important things, “time and money” because you only need to make one trip to the grocery store in order to get everything you need for the week.

b) Make out time in order to prepare your food – you will need to take out some time to pre-cook most of your food items such as fish, meat and veggies so that when you need to cook them, you will not need to waste too much time cooking ’em – just bring them out of the freezer and ding, you are done! An effective weight loss plan like this will only work if you pre-prepare your food in advance because you would not have to stuff up on junk foods any more.

c) Make sure you drink lots of water – drinking water has a lot of health benefits, it will help flush your system and keeps your liver functioning at an optimum level. Remember this, when you are dehydrated, your body will store water in unflattering areas.

d) You can include snacks in your diet plan, just because you want to loose weight quickly does not mean you cannot have snacks at all, in actual fact, eating small meals and or snacks all through the day can help with weight loss because it keeps the metabolism steadier. Just ensure that you choose snacks that are not packed with calories and fat and are rich in fiber such as:

– Nuts

– Cherry tomatoes

– Fruits

– Dried apricots

– Baby carrots

– Rice cakes

[ad_2]

Source by Dr. Maulik Vyas

[ad_1]

If you are the one who likes to take their pet each time you go for a vacation, then the Weymouth holiday cottagesare the place for you. This is the perfect break for you and your pet. There are over 100 cottages in Dorset. The Weymouth holiday cottage properties range from traditional thatched cottages to the contemporary newly designed houses.This will certainly be a great place to be for you and your dog. The facility provided in each set has a colored television; the kitchen has an oven with hotplate, rings, a gas burner and a microwave, a toaster a kettle and an iron. Duvets and pillow have been provided in all bedrooms.

There are many cottages available available for you and your pet. One of them is the Lulworth Cove. This is set up in an elevated position, surrounded by terraces and lawns. Its a beautiful walk across the hills to the various bays. Within walking distance once can find the Village Inns and shops.

As far as the accommodation is concerned on the ground floor, in bedroom one, there is a king size bed. In the second bedroom, twin beds have been placed. There is a large lounge with an open fire. The dining table has a seating capacity of ten people. On the ground floor there is a bathroom with a bathing shower and a separate kitchen. In the third bedroom and the fourth bedroom there are twin single beds, without any wardrobe. There is double bed in the fifth bedroom.

Standard facilities have been provided in these Weymouth holiday cottages like a dishwasher, washing machine, and a dryer, fridge, freezer, a pay phone, DVD player. A garage is a also present with unrestricted parking on the road. There is a large garden on the sloping lawns. A garden table with chairs has also been placed. Internet access has been provided for, only for recreational activity and not for business related purpose. The speed or service may vary as per the package obtained by the owner of the property

For booking purposes reservations for these Weymouth holiday cottages are made upon the receipt of a deposit which is one-third of the total cost of the holiday or full payment incase the trip is for less than eight weeks away, plus an additional of twenty pounds, along with a booking form signed by the applicant who has to be over 18 years of age, and he also signs on behalf of all the people who will e staying in the property. Only the number of people specified at the time of the booking will be allowed to stay during the trip. Once the payment has been received and the conformation has been made, any changes to the booking cannot be done. In case the payment is made by a credit card, then an additional charge of 2.5% as the processing fee will be also charged to the guest at the time of the booking. Guests have to be responsible for their own belongings; the management will not b responsible in case of a theft.

[ad_2]

Source by Mary Godago

[ad_1]

It’s that time of year again!  Winter! It can be enjoyable with all the outdoor recreational opportunities it brings. It can also be dangerous when severe winter storms come roaring in bringing freezing temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds and poor visibility.

Snowstorms occur regularly every winter throughout the northern hemisphere. Although the first snowfall can cover the world in a beautiful blanket of sparkling white, as little as two inches (5 cm.) of snow is enough to create serious problems for traffic. (Of course children absolutely love it when a “snow day” occurs and they are forced to stay home.)

Blizzards, massive snowstorms with strong winds, make unplowed roads impassable and every winter many automobiles get stuck in the snow. Snowfalls exceeding 12 in. (30 cm.) can cave in roofs and cause the loss of power when lines are broken from the accumulation of snow. Trees can also be brought down by the weight of wet or very dense snow and winds can form drifts many feet high from only a few inches of falling snow.

A few minutes worth of preparation can go a long way toward keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable when winter rears its snowy head. Residents should keep emergency items on hand in their homes, including at least 3 – 4 weeks worth of drinking water and canned and/or dry food.

If there is a power outage:

• Turn off appliances, tools and electronic equipment (protect sensitive electrical appliances with a surge-protected power bar)
• Turn the thermostat(s) for the heating system down to minimum
• Turn off lights (leave one on to indicate power is restored)
• Only open the freezer or fridge when absolutely necessary
• Never use barbecues, camping equipment, or home generators indoors – they give off carbon monoxide
• Use proper candle holders, out of  reach of children. Never leave lit candles unattended – always extinguish candles before going to sleep
• If power wires are damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters away and call your electric company
• Listen to your radio for information on the outage and advice from local authorities 
• Have a carbon monoxide detector in your home – a hard-wired one should have a battery-powered back-up

Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel. A break down or accident can be disastrous during harsh winter weather. If travel is unavoidable, always leave with a full tank of gas and a good set of winter tires. Be sure to listen for weather updates on local radio stations.

There are a few things you can do to prepare your car for winter:

• Check the coolant for the proper mix of water and antifreeze
• Check the oil recommendations in your car’s owner manual
• Check the battery electrolyte level
• Replace your windshield wiper blades with snow blades
• Keep a snowbrush/ice scraper in the car
• Run the air to speed up window defogging (run AC at least once/month)
• Stock up on windshield washer fluid and top off the washer tank regularly
• Buy good snow tires

A few inexpensive items kept in your car during winter months can increase safety and reduce misery. Your emergency kit should include items that will assist you to get help, stay safe, and keep warm.

A well-stocked emergency winter supply kit should contain:

• 72-hour emergency kit with water and high energy, non-perishable food (chocolate bars are good, especially with nuts)
• First aid kit
• Battery jumper cables
• Methyl hydrate (fuel line de-icing)
• Shovel and tow rope
• Bag of sand and/or salt (kitty litter also works)
• Basic tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, pocket knife, adjustable wrench)
• Compass
• Hatchet or axe
• Signal aids (flares, reflective triangle, distress sign, bright colored cloth)
• Windshield scraper with brush
• Extra window washer fluid and a 5 gallon tank of gas
• Flashlight and extra batteries, or candles and matches/lighter (in a waterproof bag)
• Crank radio (no batteries required)
• Sleeping bags and/or blankets
• Extra winter clothing – hats that cover the ears (30 – 40% body heat is lost through the head), scarves, mittens (warmer than gloves), warm socks, boots
• Money (including telephone change )
• Fully charged cell phone to call for assistance – have a power adapter, extra charged battery and car charger

Store your emergency kit in the trunk if it is accessible from the inside of the car. If not, consider carrying your emergency kit in a small duffel bag and storing it in the passenger’s footwell. This is easily accessed by the driver and won’t become a projectile in a collision.

Getting trapped in a blizzard on county roads seems plausible, but why do city drivers need an emergency kit? In a large metropolis a big snowstorm can block freeways and trap drivers. It could take several hours to get traffic flowing again. Having an emergency kit can make the difference between potentially fatal hypothermia and a long, boring but relatively comfortable wait.

Play it smart this winter. Be Prepared – Before Disaster Strikes!

[ad_2]

Source by Lorrie Streeter

[ad_1]

Corn Bags are all natural heating pads that you warm in the microwave. They are an excellent and inexpensive way to enjoy moist heat therapy.

The absolute simplest way to make a corn bag is to fill a large sock about 3/4 full with dried corn, Tie off the opening with string or a rubber band, and your done! The stretchiness of socks makes it easy to shift the corn around to distribute the heat and conform to your body. A fuzzy sock can be particularly comfy.

If you have basic sewing skills it’s easy to make one yourself. Simply sew a square or rectangular pillow out of a natural fabric like cotton or hemp, and fill it with dried corn. An easy way is to tear off 8-10 inches of 45 inch wide cotton fabric and fold in half. Sew along two of the open sides and then fill bag about 3/4 full of dried corn, then sew shut (the fourth side will be the fold). The results will be a 7-9 inch by 22 inch corn bag heating pad. You can also make pillow cases to fit so you can take them off to launder.

Usually these corn heating pads are warmed in the microwave but they can also be heated in the oven if you use care. Place corn bag in a baking dish and put in a heated oven that has just been turned off. It will take about an hour for them to warm up this way. If you use your oven for cooking supper, place corn bags in it once you turn it off and by bedtime your corn bag will be warm and cozy and ready to take to bed.

These natural microwave heating pad s are great to make as presents and are always appreciated by people who suffer from headaches, neck pain, back pain, menstrual cramping or anyone who enjoys being warm and cozy.

They also make great bed warmers, under the covers, they will stay warm all or most of the night.

You can also put them in a plastic bag and place in freezer for cold therapy. Which is very useful for migraine headaches and acute injuries. The basic rule of thumb is heat therapy for chronic pain and cold therapy for acute pain.

[ad_2]

Source by Viv Murray

[ad_1]

Mangoes are a gorgeous summer fruit which lights up our lives. We have been consuming mangoes for more than 6 000 years, having originated in north eastern India and north western Myanmar and Bangladesh and later spreading to the rest of Asia. They later spread to South America, the Philippines and West Africa and are now cultivated commercially throughout tropical and subtropical areas.

Among all the countries in the world, India is the world’s top mango producer, with countless varieties accounting for an average annual output of 13m tons – 40 per cent of the worldwide total last year. The mango industry supports thousands of farming families there and the fruit is held in great respect, playing a central role in some ceremonies and trade fairs. In several cultures, its fruit and leaves are ritually used as floral decorations at weddings, public celebrations and religious ceremonies.

Of all the other varieties of mangoes, Alphonso & Dasheri mangoes are highly popular. They are so popular that they are even pre-booked online, way before they are ripened. These mangoes are in huge demand because of their rich, sweet flavour and succulent flesh. If you keep an Alphonso or a Dasheri mango in your fridge the aroma will fill your home for days. Whichever variety you choose, this vitamin-rich fruit offers huge versatility in eating and cooking, enhancing both sweet and savory dishes.

Usually mango season starts in early April and ends in early June. Though they are cultivated mostly in India they are eagerly awaited not only by Indians, but by consumers from countries like USA, UK & UAE etc. Rare mangoes such as Ratnagiri Alphonso & Dasheri mangoes undoubtedly spells lucrative business for mango growers. But these mangoes are virtually impossible to find as limited stocks makes them too expensive.

Coming to their rescue are some of the well known online fruit selling portals that facilitate the home delivery of such rare varieties of mangoes to remote parts of the world. Owing to these eCommerce portals, consumers are now able to buy fresh mangoes right from the orchard, onsite or by placing a telephonic order, as soon as their season begins. Most of these portals also have a live chat service that’s very quick to respond. To walk with the digital world, most of these eCommerce sites do accept credit card, debit card & provide net banking and even cash on delivery services.

Taking advantage of this latest eCommerce boom, even farmers are not behind to make the most of the internet these days to trade their agricultural products. Previously, farmers had no alternative but to wait for suppliers to show interest and purchase their goods or go to a nearby market to sell them at whatever price they would be able to fetch, but as the e-commerce industry is flourishing, farmers are discovering new opportunities & growth paths.

Besides, these increasing online stores are also becoming a rage among online buyers who have less time because of their hectic job or business schedules. In order to stay competitive in the increasingly demanding online fruit selling portals are leaving no stones unturned & are looking to conjure up ideas that would set them apart from an actual brick & mortar store and earn them a unique place in the market.

However, you must know some important tips to guide you through whilst making a the purchase of any kind of mangoes online.

Always Buy From A Reputable Website/Seller:

There are lot of websites which sell fruits online, but how to know which one is appropriate? You’ll have to look for points like secure shopping, return policies, shipping methods, and availability of customer service to determine if a site is trustworthy or not. Make sure you’ve done a little research. Running a little research can help you to ensure to get the right seller, variety & quality you expect.

Check For Their Shipment Company:

Make a point to check the shipping and handling of them. Make sure they have tie-ups with a renowned shipping company that they are attached with.

P.S: If you are going to buy mangoes online, ensure that they are returnable. It is important that these online portals have policies, that you can return your goods in case you do not like the quality.

Other Useful Tips for Selection and Storage of Mangoes:

– Smell them before buying. Check they have a nice fruity aroma.

– Check they’re free from bruises.

– Allow them to ripen at room temperature, not in the fridge.

– Store them in a brown paper bag and out of the sun until the fruit ripens.

– They’re ripe when the skin is full of colour.

– Once ripe, they can be stored in the fridge or even the freezer.

A Few Other Mango Trivia:

– The scientific name for mango is Mangifera indica.

– Mango trees can live for over 300 years.

– Government officials in India have proposed to patent the Dasheri mango.

[ad_2]

Source by Mary Jade

[ad_1]

When I wheel my cart past the meat department I often see ground turkey. Magazines and cookbooks contain lots of ground chicken recipes, but few for ground turkey. “Maybe I should try it,” I thought to myself, and tossed a package into my cart.

When I got home I froze the meat. Weeks later, I noticed the package had frost on the top. I decided to use the meat before it developed freezer burn. What could I make? Though I had a recipe for Oriental meat balls and an unusual recipe for meatloaf, I didn’t feel like making them. It was 20 degrees outside, the wind was biting, and I felt like soup. Today’s efforts would be a culinary experiment,.

A few hours later I was eating flavorful, healthy soup. I found nutritional data for ground turkey on the Jennie-O website. The meat is packed with protein, contains Vitamin A, Iron, and calcium. The fat content per serving is 8.0 grams and the cholesterol is 80 milligrams — less than the 96 milligrams per serving in ground chicken.

I think this is a convenient, adaptable product. Ground meat requires no slicing or chopping and infuses broth with flavor. You don’t have to follow this recipe exactly and may add green beans, corn, or spinach to your soup. Just be sure to use several colors of vegetables. I’m happy to share this recipe with you.

INGREDIENTS

1.2 pound package of lean ground turkey

10 3/4-ounce can cream of chicken soup

4 soup cans water

1 chicken bullion cube or 1 packet no-salt chicken bullion

1 rib celery, chopped

6 ounces (half a bag) of pre-washed petite carrots

1 cup frozen peas

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 large Roma tomato, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced (more if you love garlic)

1 teaspoon Italian herb mix

1 teaspoon salt (may be omitted)

1/3 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)

METHOD

Coat bottom of skillet with baking spray. Crumble turkey into skillet and cook over medium heat until opaque. Line slow cooker with cooking bag. Transfer turkey to slow cooker and add all remaining ingredients, with the exception of the orzo. Cover, set on low, and cook soup for three hours. Add orzo to soup and mix with rubber spatula. Turn setting to high, cover, and cook soup one more hour. Serve immediately with salty crackers or hard rolls. Makes 6-8 servings.

Copyright 2014 by Harriet Hodgson

[ad_2]

Source by Harriet Hodgson