(BPT) – Whether you’re a trained chef or simply enjoy cooking at home, there’s always a certain amount of trepidation at the thought of having guests for dinner. Do you go out on a culinary limb and serve something impressively daring, or do you play it safe with a tried and true menu? If you decide to take a chance, how daring are you? And, if your menu is an adventure for the taste buds, what wine do you pair with it?

Recently, malbec received praise for being a versatile wine and a great choice for food pairing. In fact, when surveyed, more than half of culinary professionals agreed that malbec pairs with many types of foods. Whether you’re serving something wildly daring, such as five-spice crusted short ribs with miso black garlic jus, or something mildly daring, like rigatoni with spicy salami and tomato sauce, you can’t go wrong pairing it with malbec.

Alamos Malbec, America’s most preferred malbec, is grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. The result is grapes that combine bold layers of flavor and excellent natural acidity for a wine that pairs beautifully with just about any meal.

“Our unique growing conditions of intense sunlight and cool evening temperatures produce malbec grapes with incredible flavor making the wine highly versatile for pairing with food,” says Alamos Winemaker Felipe Stahlschmidt.

Entertain with confidence by leaning on malbec’s versatility. Consider pushing the culinary envelope, and pair malbec with daring cuisine, such as this recipe for Manchego and Chorizo-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. Your guests will be impressed (and your reputation in the kitchen preserved). For more daring pairings, visit http://www.tastingtable.com/alamos.

Manchego and Chorizo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

Pair with Alamos Malbec

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 pound smoked firm Spanish chorizo, chopped

3/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup seeded, chopped tomato

1/3 cup Alamos Malbec

1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese, plus extra for topping

12 canned or jarred piquillo peppers, well drained (may substitute roasted red bell peppers if piquillo peppers are unavailable)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F. Cook chorizo, onion and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat for 10 minutes or until onion is soft, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato, malbec, yellow bell pepper and seasonings and cook for 10 minutes more or until all excess liquid has cooked off. Stir in cheese. Fill piquillo peppers with equal amounts of filling and place stuffed peppers in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired, and cook in preheated oven for 5 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese is melted.

Makes 6 appetizer servings.

Courtesy of BPT

Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower and biomass are some examples of renewable sources of energy. Using renewable sources of energy is good because these sources offer a more environmentally friendly option than utilizing fossil fuels. There will be an improvement in energy security and energy independence if people use renewable sources of energy. Also, renewable sources of energy are the cleanest and safest energy sources.

One well-known source of energy, solar energy, is an environment-friendly and endless renewable source. Also, solar power doesn’t result in the emission of harmful carbon dioxide, unlike the use of fossil fuels. The sun will be the unlimited source of energy and with the right technologies can provide sufficient electricity that could be used in every single household or even in commercial and industrial properties. 

The use of solar power has a positive effect on the environment because taking advantage of solar energy does not contribute to climate change, acid rains or any kind of pollution. When transformed from solar radiation, solar energy may be converted to thermal energy or electric power. This may also be employed in a number of applications like in agriculture and technology. At present, solar power is being utilized in two areas, namely for the production of thermal energy which can heat up water and producing of electric power by utilizing the photovoltaic cell.

Photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, capture solar energy then transform it into electricity. These cells convert sunlight into electricity by employing the energy developed when photons from sunlight push electrons into greater state of energy. Yet solar power is not limited to thermal energy and electricity because there are numerous devices which are powered by solar energy already existing in the market.

Solar energy is an excellent source of power for homes and companies, and by utilizing solar power you’re not merely protecting the environment from becoming polluted, but  you are also saving the rest of the earth’s natural resources.

One of the factors why many individuals are still hesitant to make use of solar power is because it is expensive. The initial investment of installing a solar power system for a home is not cheap. The need for a large amount of space is another reason why people aren’t considering solar power. But it is definitely worth the investment.

by: John Daviz

 Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1156.shtml

It doesn’t take much effort to run your household in a more eco-friendly way. You might even be surprised by how much money you can save.

“A small change can make a big difference,” says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president of an insurance company which recently implemented a series of small environmental changes and the savings are adding up. “These are changes anyone could make in their own home. We just did it on a larger scale.”

Here are four simple green changes inspired by the company that could benefit any homeowner:

1. Recycle – and not just the obvious stuff.

Chances are, you’re already recycling glass bottles and aluminum cans. But why stop there? Consider recycling before you throw anything away. You might also consider collecting aluminum cans and bringing them to your local recycling facility where you may get some cash for your efforts.

One business recycles electrical wire, cabinets, shelving, scrap metals and light fixtures. In two years, not only did the company collect $4,000 for non-traditional recyclables, it also avoided fees for disposing of them.

2. Switch to high-efficiency lighting.

For years we’ve heard that high-efficiency lighting is the way to go. But did you know the magnitude of difference this one change could make? Experts report that each compact florescent light bulb can save up to $40 in energy costs over its lifetime.

Another  company’s site converted from halogen to fluorescent light fixtures in its parking garage. This one change is saving 378,554 kilowatt hours per year in electrical usage, totaling $26,575 in annual utility expense.

3. When it’s not in use, turn it off.

Moms all over the world can be heard reminding their brood, “Turn the lights off!” While there’s no doubt it makes sense to turn off lights, some may question when and if a computer should be turned off since it takes a bit more energy to power up than to leave it running.

The experts report that for energy savings and convenience, consider turning off your monitor if you aren’t going to use your computer for more than 20 minutes. Turn off your computer if you’re not going to use it in the next two hours.

A lot of people don’t always shut down their computers at the end of the day. Last year, the company began automatic shutdowns at 9 p.m. local time – saving about $55,000 in energy costs each year. The system gives a prompt 60 minutes prior to the automatic shutdown, allowing employees who are actively working to bypass the shut-off.

4. Paper – who needs it?

Valinotti suggests that taking baby steps toward a paperless existence can be natural and painless. For example, many homeowners already do their banking online – so why not also switch to paperless bank statements? Many utilities, credit card companies and municipalities also offer online billing.

By just moving a portion of its monthly reports online, the company saves 2.5 reams of paper and $11 per day, totaling $2,000 in savings last year.

As you can see, just a few small changes can help you go green – and help you build financial strength as well.

Courtesy of BPT

(BPT) – These days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of sources offering money-saving tips. It seems like everyone has a hot new tip or an old tried-and-true method you just have to try. Unfortunately, trying to keep up with them all can actually be counter-productive to your savings goal because you aren’t able to dedicate enough time and effort to see substantial results.

So how do you choose which tip to focus on? The answer is easy. Look at your personal lifestyle to figure out the savings tactic that will work best for you.

* For the serial over-achiever

Sure, you probably have the energy to coupon “til the cows come home,” but that is not the most efficient use of your time. Try setting a goal. Your first step should be to figure out how much you would like to save each month so you can stop yourself once you hit that goal. Of course saving more than what you estimated would be great, but it’s important to maintain a healthy coupon/life balance.

And don’t be afraid to multitask! “When I was working full time, I would use my breaks and lunch to cut out the coupons I would need to shop and sometimes also shop on my lunch hour,” says Jennifer Williams, founder of “My Frugal Wife” blog. Cutting coupons while you eat or while the kids are doing homework means you aren’t skipping important parts of your day to get couponing done.

The important thing is to manage the time you spend couponing so that it does not add stress to your already-busy life.

* For the rewards program skeptic

You may think that the concept of saving is all well and good, but when it comes to the practice of participating in rewards programs you are not sure that the effort matches the savings.

This can be true, especially if you try to juggle too many programs at once. Participating in more rewards programs does not necessarily mean more savings. In fact, there are an average of 21.9 rewards program memberships per household in the U.S., according to the 2013 Colloquy Loyalty Census, yet individuals are only active in 44 percent of the rewards programs they are signed up for.

Save more by focusing your efforts on the right program for you. “Find a program that allows you to save on your most frequent purchases,” says Heather Brickell, founder of “My Sweet Savings” blog. “A rewards program such as the Fuel Rewards Network(TM) program – or FRN(TM) program – is valuable because your savings pay off at the pump – one of the hardest places to save money or get a discount.”

The FRN program allows you to redeem rewards for fuel savings at participating Shell stations. There are multiple ways to earn rewards through everyday purchases of things like food, clothing and household goods.

Participating in a program that allows you to earn rewards without having to step outside of your normal routine can help you save regularly without the stress.

* For the on-the-go lifestyle

Don’t have time to spend hours cutting coupons or scouring the Internet for deals? No problem. If you are constantly on the go, but still looking to save money, Brickell suggests looking into downloadable smartphone apps that will allow you to save money on everything from clothing, dining out, and travel. “Apps are easy to use and many retailers and even restaurants will scan discount codes right from your smartphone,” says Brickell.

Download a few choice apps and begin scanning them whenever you have a free moment in your day. It’s quick and easy because, let’s face it, your phone never leaves your side.

Just remember, if you are doing something – anything – to save, then count that as a success! You can create a consistent stream of savings without having to spend all of your time worrying about making it happen. For example, Wayne Wesley, an everyday consumer from Florida who commutes 60 miles per day for work, also takes advantage of the FRN program’s ease of use. “I am not the kind of person who would use coupons or spends a lot of time hunting for bargains,” says Wesley, who estimates he’s saved more than $500 using the FRN program over the past year. “But I earn rewards at my grocery store each week and usually save between 35 and 95 cents per gallon when I fill up. It’s an easy way I save money each month without much effort.”

The bottom line is that you can cut costs and save in a way that works for you. Don’t let time or multiple rewards programs and savings tactics overwhelm you; just pick the one that is right for you and stick with it. The savings can really add up over time!

Courtesy of BPT

(BPT) – The percentage of Americans savoring dessert after dinner has increased 5 percent, and 78 percent of treats enjoyed after dinner include chocolates, according to a study by The Hartman Group on U.S. eating habits. If you are looking for a treat to complement your next meal, consider dark chocolate. A little goes a long way, making it the perfect choice to fit a balanced lifestyle.

Here are a few ways you can savor dark chocolate:

* Workday treat: Take a break from emails and meetings to enjoy a tasty treat and check in on social media. A bite of dark chocolate and a chai latte are a surefire pick-me-up for a busy workday.

* Relaxing ritual: Enjoy a quiet night alone soaking in a warm bath with a good book, or unwind on the couch by catching up with the DVR after a long week. “Me time” calls for comfort food like tomato soup with grilled cheese. Savor a HERSHEY’S BLISS Dark Chocolate to cap off the experience.

* Family dinner and game night: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, star of the TV show Nashville and mother of two, suggests sharing dark chocolate at your next family gathering.

“Pass around a few pieces of dark chocolate for dessert after a home-style dish like chicken and vegetable soup or turkey chili,” says Williams-Paisley. “You can also sweeten family game night by using HERSHEY’S KISSES SPECIAL DARK Chocolates as pieces for board games.”

* Wine tasting party: Host a wine tasting party and entertain friends in a casual setting. Select a few different varieties of wine and accompany with various cheeses, fruits and dark chocolates to bring out different notes in each one. Try pairing figs, manchego cheese and crostinis with a cabernet then finish the tasting with a few pieces of SCHARFFEN BERGER Semisweet Dark Chocolate.

* Girls’ brunch in: Catch up with your girlfriends over brunch for a chance to chat about everything from a good book to the funny things your children said. Invite over your closest friends and serve savory mini frittatas with roasted vegetables and blood orange bellinis. A nugget of dark chocolate with almonds is a delicious way to end the meal.

Dark chocolate is incredibly versatile – there is something delicious for everyone. If you are new to experimenting with dark chocolate, you can do a tasting to select one that fits your taste preference or mood. The cacao percentage can help serve as a guide. A higher percentage cacao typically leads to a more robust chocolate flavor.

For more information on dark chocolate and pairing tips, visit http://www.TheModerationNation.com.

Courtesy of BPT

First: Appreciate their strengths but don’t fear them.

Hedge funds have a lot of capital and if they can show a model that produces a decent return of ONLY 7-9% they will get more capital to continue their acquisition spree.  In addition, hedge funds can leverage technology to the hilt, so they will have more applications and databases than you can shake a stick at, but remember bad data fast is still bad data.

Another reality of their size is their need to buy lots of property quickly.  When they move in for the kill they will buy large pools of properties in short periods.  However, as a small investor, I can focus on a single purchase to add to my portfolio instead of having to find 10, 20 or 50 properties to buy. I have no idea how these buyers can stay up to date with 50 escrows, repairs, and rentals, at one time.  In the end – appreciate their need and ability for frequent acquisition.

Second: Understand their purpose and goals. 

Hedge funds are great at taking advantage of market dislocations.  They use their tremendous capital base to buy distressed assets (of any kind) and then wait for markets to repair themselves and return to long run averages.  This means that most hedge fund buyers will have a clock on their capital and they will become sellers at some point.  The best part is that most hedge funds will likely become sellers, at the same time producing nice buying opportunities in the future – likely 5-10 years from now –  at much higher prices.

Finally: Understand where they are weak.

Most hedge fund buyers don’t live in the markets where they invest.  They may send out a team or two from New York or Boston to live in Atlanta, Southern California or Phoenix for a couple of years but these assignments are rarely given to locals. 

Why would they trust a local with their billions of dollars?

The first thing to do as a small investor is remember to build quality relationships as frequently as you can.  All real estate is local and most of it is sold by local resources, so if you can become the trusted buyer of many different agents and other investors, you will have the inside track to deals that a hedge fund never sees.  Most of my deals come from relationships that hedge funds would pay dearly to have.

Also never (and I mean NEVER) go straight at a bully [hedge fund].  Understand what their strength is and do something different.  In the early example I will admit the football player never saw me coming because he pushed me and just kept walking, as he never thought to make sure I wouldn’t respond.  I dropped everything, jumped on him, and got him on the ground where my speed was a huge advantage and his superior strength and reach was negated.  In short – I won and he lost because I did the unexpected!

When it comes to competing with a hedge fund that has access to millions or billions of dollars, don’t fight for the properties they want, it’s losing proposition.  Instead –  buy around them and let their efforts increase the value of your purchases.  If hedge funds want properties newer than 5 years, then buy the 10, 20 or 50 year old homes at which they refuse to look. If hedge funds want certain zip codes, buy the zip codes adjacent to their neighborhoods.  If hedge funds want single family –  buy multi family.  If Hedge Funds want to buy at the court house steps or want to buy foreclosures on the MLS, then buy short sales or probate deals.

I love to see hedge funds over pay in my market, as they are adding to my net worth by increasing market values across the portfolio. Regardless of their buying – my 10+ years of relationships allow me to find tremendous deals regularly.

In the end – don’t fear the bully; just out smart and out work them. They are 100% beatable.

Author: Michael Zuber

Michael’s Website: http://www.wealthbuildingpro.com