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Sunday, July 27, 2008

L.A.'s Best Prix Fixe Meal Deals

Tracht's 111 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Bch, CA 562-499-2533. Three course menu for $30 from 6-10pm Sun-Wed +25% off wine! Chicken Itza 2501 W. Sixth St, LA 213-380-0051. Seven course tasting meal for $35 on Saturdays. All' Angelo 7166 Melrose Ave, LA 323-933-8540.Four course menu Mon-Thurs for $38. Tender Greens 9523 Cluver Blvd, Culver City, CA 310-842-8300. Sunday pot roast dinner for $10.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

How To Get In A Locked Out Car With Keyless Entry

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot >From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

How To Disable A Stolen Mobile Phone

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This n umber is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM car d, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

How To Sell Your House Fast In A Buyers Market

1. Don't Wait Out The Market List your house as soon as you can since it may take up to 180 days to sell your house. 2.Clean It And Fix it In life, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So don't spend a lot of money for big renovations. Just make sure everything is in good repair. Make sure the door bell works, the carpets and floors are clean, and there are no offensive pet odors. For info on how to choose and outstanding carpet and floor cleaner visit www.AllstateCleaning.com . Then get rid of the clutter. Rent a storage facility and put out only enough furniture out to make it look livable. 3. Price It Right Forget what you think your house was worth three years ago or today. House prices are down anywhere from 14% to 25% all across the nation. Smart buyers will be looking for bargains. So price your house below comparable nearby properties. Keep in mind that renting is still a better deal right now than buying. 4. Hire A Top Gun Realtor Forget the discount brokers, your cousin or the part time realtor down the street. No matter what broker you choose, demand that your house be listed only with the top agent in that office. Interview several agents and ask that they present a marketing plan that goes beyond beyond an internet page, an open house or a yard sign. Also,offer the agent a bonus if he or she sells your house in 30 days at your asking price. Plus make sure your house is listed on website like www.Trulia.com , www.Zillow.com ,www.Cyberhomes.com ,www.Eppraisal.com and www.Realtor.com .Also, list the house on www.Ebay.com and www.Craigslist.org . Think out of the box. Try listing your house in a corporate newsletter or contacting re-location firms in your area and letting them know about your house. 5. Hold The Paper If your house is paid off, consider offering the buyer full or partial financing.This will be in your favor in a tight credit market. Just make sure you use a top real estate lawyer to draw up the papers. If the buyer defaults, the worst that can happen is you take the house back and sell it again. Also to sweeten the pot, you should have your house inspected and market it as a "certified house" like a certifed car. If the inspection reveals problems, you can have them corrected before anybody finds out. To find a certified house inspector, visit www.Ashi.Org and www.Nahi.Org To make your home even more attractive in a buyer's market, you should also offer a home warranty for a $300 to $400 cost. Home warranties are available at www.HomeServiceContract.Org

Sunday, July 13, 2008

How To Avoid Foreclosure

If you're one of the millions of Americans who was sold a high risk mortage without full disclosure you'll find help at www.LoanSafe.Org. There, you'll find links to firms that offer loan modification and document reviews that protect your rights. You'll also find a helpful forum to find help with your particular loan issues.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Top Chow Spots In Jersey

Continental www.ratsrestaurant.org/ratsrestaurant.php?page=1&sub=1 16 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton, NJ 609-584-7800 Seafood Library II, 306 Rout 73, Voorhees, NJ 08043, www.MilfordOysterHouse.com, 922 Rt 591, Milford, NJ 908-995-9411, Jackson Mountain Cafe, 400 Washington Blvd, Cape May, NJ 609-884-5648 American www.daviddrakes.com,1449 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065 732-388-6677, www.55main.com ,55 Main St, Flemington, NJ 908-284-1551, Italian www.scalinifedeli.com, 63 Main St, Chatham, NJ 973-701-9200, www.panicosrestaurant.com ,103 Church St, New Brunswick, NJ 732-545-6100, French www.restaurantpassionne.com,77 Walnut St, Montclair, NJ 07042 973-233-1006, Indian-New Age www.piquantfoods.com 349A George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732-246-2468, Thai www.thaitida.com 236 N. Union St, Lambertville, NJ 609-397-6901,

Saturday, July 5, 2008

How To Avoid Carpet Cleaning Scams

As soon as the economy takes a downturn, it’s guaranteed to happen. They promise to clean all the carpets in your house for $59.00. Sound too good to be true? It probably is. To make matters worse, they finally show up–three hours late-in a beat up pick-up truck with no company name, and hop out in torn jeans and a soiled tee-shirt. Then you realize it: you’ve been the victim of a bait -and -switch campaign. What is bait and switch? Bait and switch scams work like this: a company advertises cleaning a roomful of carpet of carpet for a ridiculously low price. When they arrive, they inform you the price they quoted is only for the traffic lanes and doesn’t include any cleaning chemicals.” That’s like taking a bath with no soap,” says textile inspector Rodney Mortillaro at AllstateCleaning.Com. So you agree to pay extra for the chemicals because you are thankful someone showed up. In the end, the final bill ends up costing you hundreds of dollars. Another typical scam is hearing that a company will clean a set amount of rooms for a very low price ( like 5 rooms for $49.00). After they begin, you discover a linen closet, hallway, foyer, or regular closet counts as a room, and you wind up paying a lot more than you thought you would. Bait-and-switch scams are especially targeted at the elderly. Seniors are more likely to be intimidated by high pressure tactics and by someone who ”promises" to give them a good deal. Professional carpet cleaning technicians will arrive in a company vehicle with company identification on the side. They may also be uniformed, should be well groomed, and should provide some sort of business or certification card. If they are more like person described at the beginning of this story, then don’t let them in. So how can you avoid a bait-and-switch scam? The best protection against bait-and-switch is to ask some pointed questions before the cleaner arrives at your home. Call several local cleaning companies. If the company cannot answer simple questions, move on to another company. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are 11 tough questions you should ask: 1." Is your company part of a national building supply store, department store or franchise?" Big national department stores, discount building supply stores and franchise cleaners have big employee turn over problems. The technician on your home route will probably change several times a year. So calling a large carpet cleaning franchise is usually a "roll of the dice" when it comes to getting a good carpet cleaning tech. More than likely you'll get a "green" rookie with one day of "training" who will be learning at your expense. Plus they book lots of jobs back to back so most of the time no more than 30 minutes is ever spent cleaning your carpets. Then they pray that their employees will do a good job for you. Some of these large companies even advertise that they are "family owned" but in reality, they may have 100 trucks or more. So to them, you're just a number. And their office may be up to 2 or 3 hours away from your home. But many use toll free numbers so you have no way of knowing that you're not calling a local company. So your chances of getting an owner or a family member to clean your carpets are slim to none. 2. " Are you certified in carpet cleaning? If not, what type of formal training do you have?" Hardly any of the franchise and bait-and-switch cleaners are certified by the Institute Of Inspection, Cleaning Restoration and Certification. In fact, only the top 10% of all cleaners in the nation are IICRC certified. 3. "How many years has your company been in business?" ( the longer, the better) 4. "Can you provide a list of references I can call?" 5. " Is your company drug, alcohol and criminal free?" Many national chains and independent owners do not do background checks and drug testing on their employees. This puts you and your family at great risk. So to be on the safe side, DO NOT deal with companies who fail to pre-screen their employees. 6. " Can you provide proof of insurance and a business license?" 7. " What steps will be included in your cleaning process? Is your company 100% green?" Besides using cheap cleaning solutions that cause rapid re-soling, many chain, franchise and bait and switch cleaners use detergents that may be harmful to you, your family and your pets. Make sure the firm you choose can prove that they use cleaning solutions that are safe for you and the environment. 8. "Does your company sell carpet?" In most cases, you should never have your carpets cleaned by carpet retailers. Reason? Its a lot more profitable and easier for carpet retailers to sell you new carpet than to restore it like new. Plus it's easier for them to tell you that your carpets need to be replaced when it's simply not true. This rule also applies to firms that re-upholster and clean furniture. 9. "How long will it take for the carpet to dry?" 10. " Do you offer free, no-obligation, on-site written quotations?" 11. " Do you offer a written, satisfaction or money back guarantee?" After your questions have been answered, you also may what to check the firm’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org . You can also check the consumer affairs department of your state’s attorney general’s office. “You’d be shocked at the number of companies that have lousy reputations when it comes to addressing consumer complaints”, says Mortillaro. When you have decided on a cleaner, make sure you pay your bill with a major credit card. Sometimes it’s difficult getting a cleaner to come back to fix a problem after you’ve paid the bill. Paying by credit card will give you an option to dispute the bill if the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction. For a free report on how to select a carpet cleaner see, How To Select A Professional Carpet Cleaning Company and the Oriental Rug Guide at www.AllstateCleaning.Com

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Lock In Tomorrow's Gas At Today's Prices!

If you want to keep on step ahead of rising gas prices, then join www.MyGallons.Com For a $29.95 annual membership, this company lets you buy gasoline at today's prices that you will use in the near future. If you don't save big money, the membership comes with a money back guarantee.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

How To Open A Swiss Bank Account

In Europe, the US dollar is now referred to as the "American Peso". It appears that the dollar keeping losing its value and purchasing power compared to other currencies around the world. If you want value and safety for your dollars,and you are concerned about the liquidity of your US bank, then perhaps you may want to keep a portion of your savings in Swiss francs. Under Swiss law, 40% of all Swiss francs must be backed by gold. But it's actually around 56%. That's what makes it one the most stable currerncies in the world. Several Swiss banks have offices in the US but they only offer accounts in US dollars or asset management for clients who have $200,000 or more to invest. If you want a "retail account" or a "numbered account", you must do it through the bank's headquarters in Switzerland. You can find bank names and contact information from the Swiss Bankers Association at www.swissbanking.org/en/home.htm Credit Suisse, http://www.credit-suisse.com/global/en/, and UBS are the two largest Swiss banks and they control 50% of the bank market share in Switzerland. They also have the most branches around the world. Once you've picked a bank, you can apply by mail or go directly to the bank in Switzerland. The minimum to open an account is usually $250. Forms and applications vary among banks, but for a mail application, you'll need a send a signature cettification form and an authenticated copy of your passport. If you ever have to report a problem with your Swiss account, you can contact the bank's legal department and file a complaint. If your claim is denied, you can contact a mediator at www.bankingombudsman.ch/english If you still get no satisfaction and want to sue, you'll need a Swiss lawyer. You can search for one at www.swisslawyers.com As a US citizen, you can have a bank account anywhere in the world. However, as a US citizen, you are required to report income from those accounts on your tax return. Besides reporting your bank account income to the IRS, you must also disclose the existence of those foreign bank accounts to the US Treasury Department. For more information, consult the IRS, the Treasury Department, your accountant or tax attorney.

Best Summer Vacation Value

The Jersey shore is way too crowded, the Hamptons have too much traffic, and Europe is way too expensive. Your best bet? The Caribbean. Although the threat of hurricanes is real, only one has hit the Carribbean in 10 years. That was hurriance Dennis, a category 3 storm, which passed by most of the islands. Plus you can get hurrricane travel insurance at www.insuremytrip.com in case you have to cut your trip short. At www.TravelZoo.Com you can get a 7 night round trip air and room deal in Barbados for $389! Plus they'll throw in breakfast. So check out TravelZoo for all inclusive air and room deals plus cruises for Anguilla, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos before you even think about going any place else this summer.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Plan Your Wedding On The Web & Save Time & Money

To Start Off go 2: www.Weddings.Alltop.Comand www.ManoloBrides.Com for creative ideas. Price Out Your Dayat www.CostOfWedding.Comand www.CostHelper.Com to get a breakdown on low-end, mid-range and high-end weddings. Get Reviews On Vendors at www.WeddingWire.Com, www.TopWeddingQuestions.Com then get photographer, DJ, and band samples at www.ADJA.Org , www.WeddingMusicUsa.Com and at www.WPJA.Com . Order Wedding Invitations at www.Carlsoncraft.Com or at www.MomentalDesigns.Com Get Money Saving Tips at www.Cheap-Chic-Weddings.Com and out them in a spreadsheet from www.NumSum.Com Order Wedding Gown & Brides Maid Dresses at www.BridalOnlineStore.Com, www.BrideCouture.Com, www.GownSales.Com and www.VintageGown.Com. Create A Free Wedding Website at www.Ewedding.Com. Start A Wedding Registryat www.WeddingChannel.Com, or have guests contribute to your honeymoon at www.SendUsOff.Com or to your favorite charity at www.JustGive.Com. Shop For Wedding Favors at www.Beau-Coup.Com, www.Etsy.Com and www.Save-On-Crafts.Com Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon at www.TravelZoo.Com and www.BookingBuddy.Com Get An Online Map Tool fro out of town guests at www.WeddingMapper.Com. Find Dance Tutorials on ballroom dancing at www.YouTube.Com Check Out The Marrige Laws In Your State at www.MarriageLaws.Com Order Gifts For Attendants at www.MyGroomsMenGifts.Com or at www.BlueFly.Com. After e-mailing your wedding announcemnet to your local paper Finalize Your Reception Seating at www.SimpleSeating.Com

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Grill Times For Chicken, Meat, Fish & Veggies

CHICKEN Bonless chicken breats should be cooked on direct heat 5 to 6 minutes per side. Cutlets should be cooked 2 or 3 minutes per side. Chicken wings should be cooked covered on indirect heat about 25 to 30 minutes. Bone-in chicken breasts should be cooked on indirect heat 40 to 50 minutes. All internal chicken temepratures should average 165F on a food thermometer. BEEF For 1/2 inch to 1.5 inch steaks cook on direct heat 4 to 6 minutes per side, then on indirect heat covered for 4 to 10 minutes for medium rare. For 1 inch hamburgers on direct heat 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium doneness. For tenderloin steaks, cook on direct heat turning occasionally 6 to 8 minutes. Then cook on indirect heat, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes. All internal beef temperatures should average about 145F to 160F on a food thermometer. PORK For 3/4 to 1 inch pork chops, cook on direct heat 4 to 6 minutes per side. For baby back ribs, cook on direct heat, covered, 4 to 5 minutes per side.Then cook covered on indirect heat for 15 to 20 minutes. All internal pork temepratures should average 160F on a food thermometer. LAMB For 1/2 inch to 1.5 inch thick chops, cook on direct heat from 3 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare. For bonless leg of lamb, cook on direct heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, then cook covered on indirect heat for 15 to 20 minutes formedium rare. All internal lamb temepratures should average 145F on a food thermometer. SEAFOOD For 3/4 to 1 inch thick pieces of fish fillets or steaks cook on direct heat 3 to 5 minutes per side. For shrimp and scallops, cook on direct heat 1 to 2 minutes per side. VEGGIES Cook just about all veggies 4 to 6 minutes per side on direct heat.

Hot Summer Marinades, Rubs And Sauces

To Grill With Marinades combine all ingredients in a large 1 gallon resealable plastic bag, shallow bowl or baking dish. Never marinate in reactive metals like aluminum or cast iron. Add up to 2 pounds of chicken, meat or seafood or veggies and refrigerate covered from 20 minutes to overnight. The longer time the better. For seafood and veggies, marinate for no longer than 15 minutes or the seafood or veggies may become mushy. Turn the food occassionally so all surfaces are exposed to the marinade. Before cooking, remove food from the container and shake off excess liquid. Cook on a lightly oilled grill to the desired doneness. Then toss the marinade when you're done with it since it may contain bacteria. Lemon Rosemary Marinade 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 lemon sliced thin, 6 sprigs rosemary, 4 garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Ginger Sesame Marinade 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 scallions thinly sliced, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. South West Marinade 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 jalapeno halved and sliced, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. RUBS To grill with rubs, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Coat 2 pounds of chicken, meat or seafood with the rub by presssing gently to help it to stick to the food. Cook on a lightly oiled grill to the desired doneness. For best results, apply the rub several hours before cooking. Then refrigerate the food covered until you're ready to cook. Since rubs are easy to keep, you can make double or tripple batches to have them handy when you need them. Just keep then stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool dry place and they will remain fresh for a month. Mediterranean Rub 2 tablespoons dried basil, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 taespoon dried sage, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt,1/2 teaspoon pepper. Use it on bonless chicken and turkey breasts, skirt staek, lamb chops, shrimp and striped bass. Barbecue Rub 3 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon dried oregano,1 tablespoon ground coffee, 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper. This rub is best with strip steak, bone-in chicken, and babyback ribs. Cajun Rub 1 tablespoon mustard powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons celery seeds, 1.5 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. This rub gos best with chicken wings, london broil, pork tenderloin, pork chops, shrimp, and salmon. Parsley & Pine Nut Salsa 1/2 cup extra virgin oilive oil, 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1 chopped scallion, 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Mustard Herb Sauce 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like dill, thyme or parsley. 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Sweet Relish 1 medium red onion cut in half and thinly sliced, 3 tablespoons fersh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons honey, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Relishes, sauces and salsas go with any type of chicken , meat or seafood. For best results, they work best after the ingredients have a few hours to meld. But they should be discarded after 2 days.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

HOT SUMMER WINES UNDER $13

REDS: 2006 Valentin Bianchi Elsa Malbec $9,
2006 George Duboeuf Beaujolais $12, Begeda Septima 2005 Argentina $12, Pascul Toso 2005 Argentina $12 , Montes Classic Series 2006 Chile $12 , Trivento Select 2005 Argentina $12.
WHITES:2006 McManis Family Vineyards Viognier $11. PINO GRIGIO: 2007 Yellow Tail Australia $8, 2006 Talus Collection California.ROSE: 2007 Yellow Tail Australia $8, 2006 Big House Pink $10.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

World's Best Gin & Tonic & Margarita

Gin & Tonic: First, use ONLY Plymouth brand gin. Second, use ice cubes made ONLY from Schweppes tonic water. And last, top off the drinks ONLY with fresh Schweppes. Margarita Ingredients: 4 tsp grated lime zest, 1/2 cup lime juice from 2 or 3 medium limes, 4 tsp grated lemon zest, 1/2 cup lemon juice from 2 or 3 medium lemons, 1/4 cup super fine sugar, pinch table salt, 1 cup 100% reposado agave tequila, and i cup of Tripple Sec. Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, sugar and salt in a large liquid measuring cup. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate from 4 to 24 hours. Then divide 1 cup of crushed ice between 4 to 6 Margarita or Old Fashioned glasses. Strain juice mixture into 1 quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, Triple Sec and remaining crushed ice. Then stir or shake until completely combined or chilled for 20 to 60 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Check The Ratings Before You Buy Anything

In this age of corporate greed and profits, consumers can no longer depend on the historic performance of a particular brand. Before making a major purchase, you check all the following websites for consumer ratings: www.Buzzillions.com , www.ConsumerAffairs.com , www.ConsumerReports.Com , www.ConsumerSearch.com, www.Epinions.com, www.Inods.com , www.MyProductAdvisor.com, www.Ratings.net , www.HowStuffWorks.com, www.Wize.com, www.Cnet.com, and www.Viewpoints.com .

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Get Free Health Care With Clinical Trials

If you're one of the 50 million Americans that don't have health insurance for one reason or another, then perhaps there is a free clinical trial available to treat your condition. Visit all of the following websites for more information: www.EmergingMed.com,www.ClinicalTrials.gov , www.CenterWatch.com , www.SearchClinicalTrials.org , & www.Cancer.org

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Best 7 Chinese Restuarants In Beijing, China

1.Liqun Roast Duck , 11 Beixangfeng Alley,Zhengyl Rd, Chongwen district. Phone (86-10)6705-5578. Reservations a must. All major credit cards.Whole duck about $20. 2.Guo Yao Xiao Ju, 58 Jiaodaokou Bei Santiao,Dongcheng district, (86-10)6403-1940,major credit cards, about $15 a person.3.Jun Qin Hua,88 Meishuguan Houjle, Dongcheng district, (86-10)6404-7600. Cash only. About $7 a person. 4. Xian Lao Man ,(dumplings are a specialty) 252 An Nei Da Jie,Dongcheng district, (86-10) 6404-6944. Cash only. About $4 a person. 5. Jade Garden,(seafood specialties) 6 Jiqingli Chao Wal Ave, Chaoyang district,(86-10)6552-8688,major credit cards, $25-$40 a person. 6. Hong Zhuang Yuan ,has 24 branches around Beijing open 24/7, Panjia Yuan Rd,(near Panjia Yuan antique district)Chaoyang district,(86-10)8771-8029,cash only,about $7 a person. 7. Hua Jia Yuan ,(menu in English),235 Dongzhimen,Dongcheng district,(86-10) 6405-1908,major credit cards, about $20 a person.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Two Easiest Bread Recipes On Earth

1. No-Knead Bread This recipe takes about 1 1/2 hours and any where from 14 to 20 hours rising time. Ingredients: 3 cups all purpose or King Arthur brand bread flour, 1/5/8 cups of water, 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 1/4 teaspoon salt, and some cornmeal or wheat bran. In a large bowl, mix, flour, yeats and salt. Add in 1 5/8 cups of water and stir until blended. Dough should be shaggy andf sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rest from 12 to 18 hours at room temperature or about 70 degrees. The dough will be ready when it is dotted with bubbles. Now lightly flour your work surface and place the dough on it. Sprinkle it with a little morer flour and fold the dough over on itself once or twice. Then cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes. Using just enough flour from sticking to the work surface or your fingers, gently and quickly shape the dough into a ball. Then gently coat a cotton towel,( never terry cloth) with flour, cornmeal or wheat bran. Then put the dough seam side down on the towel. Dust the dough with either more flour, cornmeal or wheat bran, Then cover with another cotton towel and lt it rise for about 2 hours. When its ready, the dough will be about double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with your finger. A half hour beforedough is ready, pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6 to 8 quart heavy covered pot like cast iron, pyrex or ceramic in the oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven. Then slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot seam side up. Shake the pot once or twice if the dough is unevenly distributed. Don't worry since it will even out as it bakes. Cover the pot with a lid, bake 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes until the loaf is golden brown. The cool off the bread on a rack. This recipe will yield about a 1.5 pound loaf. 2. Simple Crusty Bread This recipe takes about 45 minutes and about 3 hours of rising time.It calls for 6.5 cups of unbleached all purpose flour, 4 cups of water, 1 1/2 tablespoons of yeast, 1 1/2 table spoons of kosher salt, and some cornmeal. In a large bowl, mix the yeast and salt into 3 cups of lukewarm water about 100 degrees. Stir in flour, and mix it until there are no dry patches. The dough will then by quite loose. Cover the dough but don't make your cover airtight. Let the dough rise at room temperature at least 2 to 5 hours. Then bake it or keep it refrigerated for as long as two weeks. When you're ready to bake, sprinkle a little flour on the dough. Cut off a grapefruit size ppiece with a serrated knife. Turn the dough in your hands to lightly stretch its surface. This will create a rounded top and lumpy bottom. Now put the dowh on a pizza peel or other work surface and sprinkle it with cornmeal. Then let it rest 40 minutes. Repeat this process with the remaining portion of dough and refrigerate it. Now place a broiler pan on the bottom of the oven. Then place a baking stone on the middle rack of the oven and put the oven on 450 degrees. Let the baking stone heat up at 450 for 20 minutes. Dust the dough with flour and slash the top with a serrated knife 3 times. Slide the dough onto the baking stone. The pour 1 cup of hot water into the broiler pan and shut the oven quickly to trap the steam. Bake about 30 minutes or until it is well browned. Then let the loaf cool completely. This recipe will yield about 4 loaves of crusty bread.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

How To Sell Your Gold Jewelry Without Getting Fleeced

If you've got old gold jewelry you'd like to sell, then forget about going to local jewelers or coin shops to get the best price. Most likely, you'll only get 50% of what it's really worth. If you deal directly with a gold broker or refiner, you can expect to get 90% of your gold's value. For starters, gold prices are quoted based on pure gold which is 24 karats. Most jewelry is 14 karat, and is valued at about 59% of the 24 karat price. Also, gold is measured in penny weights and 20 penny weights equals an ounce. To get 90% of your gold's value, you should deal with a reputable gold broker like www.USGoldBuyers.Com To deal with them , you don't have to visit them in person. Just call 877-977-GOLD and they'll arrange to have your jewelry picked up by FedEx and insured for $5,000. If you need more insurance, let them know. Once they receive your gold jewelry, you can can have them call you with a quote or have them send you an immediate check. If you don't like the price offered to you, they will ship your gold back to you at their expense. If you wish to visit them in person, US Gold Buyers is located at 62 W. 47th St, Suite 610, NY NY 10036. The local phone number is 212-764-7586.