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If you work in catering or you are keen on spending time in the kitchen, you have probably noticed the packs of desiccated coconut on the store shelves. But you’ve probably also wondered what desiccated coconut is used for, and what you do with it. What is desiccated coconut? What does it taste like? And how do you get the best from this ingredient?

Here are a few hints and tips for cooking with desiccated coconut so you can create some standout dishes using this versatile ingredient.

Desiccated Coconut: Definition

Desiccated means to remove all moisture; to dry out. Many people think it means to shred, but the important consideration is the removal of water. The coconut is shredded – this happens before the drying process. You remove the coconut flesh and grate it finely, then dry the flesh in an oven or hot air. You can also find desiccated coconut in flakes or granules. Most desiccated coconut is pure flesh from the nut without anything added. However, some brands include preservatives or sweeteners so it is worth checking the label if you are concerned about these additives.

Desiccated coconut is found mostly in Indian and Asian cuisine. Manufacturers in the UK use it for topping desserts or in cereals. But it is also increasingly used in more inventive ways.

Desiccated Coconut: Health Benefits

Since coconut is technically a fruit and not a nut, there is a lot of goodness in the flesh. Desiccated coconut, as part of a balanced diet, provides some essential vitamins and minerals. Coconut does contain high levels of fat but so long as you don’t overdo it, you get the benefits of its nutritional qualities without having to worry about the fat content. Desiccated coconut is a potent source of manganese and it also contains copper. Food does not commonly contain these minerals, which makes coconut useful for optimum well-being.

Desiccated coconut also encompasses dietary fibre. Fibre is essential for digestion and a healthy gut. It is also useful for helping you lose weight. With plenty of healthful fibre, you feel fuller and you don’t get the frequent urge to snack that can blight a weight loss regime.

Desiccated coconut has lots of iron. You may not immediately think of it as an iron-rich food, but it is a potent source of this mineral, which is useful for maintaining high levels of oxygen in the blood. Plus, the fruit is a source of fatty acids that protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.

Desiccated Coconut: What to Consider

Of course, you need to watch where you sprinkle your desiccated coconut – it’s not going to help your diet if you’re eating it in high-fat cookies or cakes. It is important not to over-consume this fruit since it is a source of saturated fat. Desiccated coconut suppliers sell this product without any additives or added sugar, which is the best way to eat this raw ingredient. Search for a pure coconut product that does not have added preservatives or sweeteners.

A rig is a significant part of the drilling process. More so, it comes in various types, and each one is chosen depending on the precise requirements and considerations of the drill area. Since it is an essential piece for breaking new ground, significant concerns in the rig selection process should be prioritised. Some of these are noise, dust, and appearance.

Drilling rigs are categorised into two, namely, onshore, which is mainly utilised for inland projects; and offshore, which are situated in bodies of water and used primarily in marine operations. Here’s a breakdown of each type and their uses.

Directional drilling rigs

Directional drilling is most widely known as the non-vertical kind of drilling. These types mainly focus on installing underground pipelines, cables and service conduits through trenchless methods. It is used to drill along the chosen bore path accurately and back ream the required pipe. It might seem a little more complicated than other kinds. However, there are directional drilling companies which give a free estimate, 24/7 services and flat rate fees.

Rotary drilling rigs

A lot of drilling set-ups at present consider using rotary drilling rigs. They are flexible onshore and offshore options. Through this, the pilot hole is penetrated by spinning a bit and consequently applying a descending force. The core structures of land rigs are transferability and extreme functioning length. Different components are mounted so the apparatus can be transferred in units and linked quickly.

Jack-up Rigs

The jack-up rig elevates itself and is utilised mainly for offshore deposits that are small in size and near to the shallow part of the shore. Its floating platform is dragged to the spot by using barges, then sinks its back-up legs under the sea floor, raising the apparatus above the water’s surface. Once the depth of the water reaches 350 ft, jack-ups can be utilised. This kind is an underwater-supported rigs, through the use of metallic columns.

Submersible Rigs

An offshore type—a submersible rig showcases a posted barge that is larger in size and capable of 18ft-70ft water depths. It also consists of a floating drill unit which is composed of pontoons and rig columns that, if filled with water, cause them to sink to a predetermined depth.

Semi-submersible Rigs

Semi-submersible rigs are the most typical sort of offshore drilling rigs, integrating the vital elements of submersible ones with the capability to drill even in deeper water depths. Moreover, they don’t usually keep steady on the sea floor. Submersibles are floating platforms supported by sunken pontoons and kept stable through a set of mooring cables and anchors, and, in some cases, propellers. They operate in a water depth range of 20ft-2000ft.

Although drilling rigs differ significantly in outward appearance and method of deployment, they are the most visible part of a drilling project. Still, the most crucial part is how it operates underground. Study all of its types to be aware of which rig will suit your project best.

In earlier years, people simply had their trash burnt in their backyard after piling it up. Today, people handle their trash differently. They call in junk hauling companies to take charge of such a task. Property owners call professional services to get rid of various waste the right way, including commercial or demolition waste and hazardous materials.

Today, there are plenty of companies that offer such services. To find one which can best cater to your needs, you check some crucial factors.

Availability

Parties, social gatherings, revamp projects, and other similar things tend to generate large volumes of waste within a short time frame. Surely, you immediately want to get rid of the trash from your event or project. Hence, you should hire a company that can provide you the required service as soon as possible. A good junk hauler can respond to requests within 24 to 48 hours.

Resources

It’s also useful to ask about the available equipment, tools, and vehicles of your target hauling company. Knowing this will help you determine if they can dispose of your trash without any difficulty. You may need to throw out heavy and massive construction debris after working on a house renovation. Do they have large trucks that can transport your trash from your project site to the dumping area? Can they handle corrosive substances?

Outline any specific demands you have for your trash disposal needs and match these with the deliverables of your prospective hauling companies.

Certification and licensing

Aside from the key factors enumerated above, it’s also crucial to ask about their license and certification to operate. These documents will help you assess the credibility of a company. It will also help you determine if their staff has the necessary training and background to handle special types of waste, such as clinical and hazardous waste.

Policies concerning recycling

A lot of junk removal companies these days make use of eco-friendly processes in removing and recycling household junk and construction debris. Hence, you should consider hiring one that has clear and concise recycling policies. How do they handle recyclable waste? Do they have recycling centers? Read through their policies and ask questions when needed.

Quality of customer service

Make sure to hire a company that can provide a solid customer support service. Check out their website or social media pages and see if they have an active customer support number. You should also read through the customer reviews. Do they generally have positive or negative customer feedback? What do their customers say about their services? How fast do they respond to queries? How do they handle complaints posted online?

Handling trash correctly is no simple feat. It requires special skills, equipment, and industry experience. Hence, you should only entrust your trash removal needs to a professional service provider. There are hundreds of companies that offer garbage removal services in a city. Choose one that can best cater to your needs by using the factors enumerated above as your guide.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/plastic-cups-garbage-disposable-cups-973103/

 

Tree removal is definitely something that most people can do on their own, but may need a certified arborist for. Another common term that people use for arborist are tree trimmers, tree removal services, and even groundsman. While you may need to get ahold of a professional company for things like clearing power lines, and other areas that require a specific license, you can literally do some manual tree removal yourself. In this guide we’ll give you some tips that may help you.

Having the Right Gear

First off, you need to have the right gear in order to remove trees with the most efficiency. This requires proper PPE (personal protective equipment), which should always be safety glasses, leather gloves, and possibly leather sleeves. Also be sure to have right gear for the job you’re needing. And believe it or not, you might even want to have an axe handy for emergency situations. For cutting down trees, you’ll most likely want a standard 20-inch bar chain saw that is long enough to cut through most small to medium trees. This is how far the blade can penetrate the tree’s trunk.

How to Cut 101

First off, this is actually a special skill that takes some getting used to, but it’s a lot like riding a bike. Of course, you have certain things like different cuts, and how to handle the saw of course that are important. Most importantly, you need to know your gear works the way it should. You should never have to fight with a chainsaw while cutting a tree and it should just flow like butter. There are a lot of tricks that you can use when cutting as well. Here’s the best way to down the tree:

• Figure out the tree’s height.
• Decide the direction it should go down.
• Tie one end of a rope to the tree at the middle or above to help direct it.
• Have a friend hold the rope far from the fall-zone so they can pull the rope.
• Make the notch in the side of the “fall-zone” so your tree can pull that direction.
• Cut through the tree on the other side all the way towards the notch.
• When the tree starts to fall, walk away from the back of the tree off to the side about 45 degrees.
• Have your friends pull the rope in the direction you want the tree to fall.

Conclusion

The biggest thing you need to be concerned about in any tree removal situation is definitely safety first. You don’t want to stand in the wrong place and stand behind, or in front of a falling tree. If the stump snaps it can kick the tree back to you. Also, you don’t ever want to take a chainsaw to an already falling tree. If you do, the pressure could snap the tree causing all sorts of injuries, including kicking the saw back at you which can result in severe or life threatening injuries. All in all, though, if you don’t think that removing a tree yourself is the ideal way to go, don’t hesitate to call your local arborists for tree removal services Central Coast.

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Do you remember the zestful excitement of being a young child? Creating fantastical narratives with your bunch of soft toys, shouting and screaming until it was finally time for bed. Life was idyllic back then, there is absolutely no question about that. Many keen gamblers will argue that only spinning the online slots can really take you back to that level of happiness. Well, Fluffy Favourites does this and brings the nostalgic value of soft toys into the exhilarating world of slot-based entertainment. Click here now to play this classic online slot game.

Fluffy Bonuses for everyone

Fluffy Favourites is developed by the esteemed company Eyecon; they have always had a pungent for nostalgic and heart warming themes, so it’s no surprise what they have gone for here. The atmosphere here is definitely one of comfort and harmless fun – the colourful display makes use of soft tones, with a wonderful rainbow and sun streaks whizzing across the screen. And the inviting nature of this online slot does not just stop at the background, as you might expect, all the symbols are wonderfully reminiscent of the glory days of being a child. You will encounter a variety of toys across Fluffy Favourite’s reels – a lion, a turtle, a gorilla, a panda, a pink dragon, a blue rhino, some clown fish, a duck, and a purple hippo, to be precise.

Eyecon’s great example of a soft toy themed online slot doesn’t just stop at the wonderful aesthetics though. The game operates across a format of 5 reels and 25 paylines, and you can bet in between 1 and 20 credits per line, giving this slot a great nuance of customisation. The really exciting part of Fluffy Favourites, however, is the various bonuses on offer. For instance, the Gamble Bonus can be activated after a win; all you have to do is hit the button once you’ve won. This will take you to a different screen where you will be granted a 50/50 chance to double your winnings. Pretty good eh?

About NetEnt: Slot Developers

Any seasoned online slot player will have most definitely heard of Eyecon, the Australian Brisbane-based developers have been making serious inroads in the online slot world since their inception in 1997. With over 6 billion spins being completed across their various games every single year you simply cannot argue with their pedigree. Let’s take a look at some of their other titles:

•         Fae Legend Warrior
•         Riding Hood Riches
•         Sands Of Fortune
•         Fiddle Dee Dough
•         Secret Garden II

And we’re only scratching the surface there. Eyecon are without a doubt developers to look out for in 2019 and beyond.

The Verdict on Fluffy Favourites

This game scores immensely highly because of its wonderful nostalgic factor alone. But this should not fool you into thinking it is all this online slot has to give; there are a great number of bonus features that will leave your proverbial pocket getting heavier and heavier in no time at all. Who said soft toys were just for kids?  

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Ever wanted to go to the moon? Well now you can. Go deep inside space where no man or woman has gone before with the ultimate in slot games – Starburst, which you can play at DreamJackpot. Home to the place where you can explore a plethora of bonus games, symbols, scatters and wilds. With Starburst slot you can get inside your own rocket into space and into a whole new galaxy of gaming.

Renowned as potentially one of the best slot games out there on the market that any galactic gamer can play today, Starburst slots offers a whole new world of vibrant colours and bright bursts of joy that anyone can get their head around, making it a great choice for beginners and the more advanced players looking for something dazzling and easygoing that can still be enjoyed and transport you to a world of fun.

Bonus Features

Featuring multiple free bonus rounds, Starburst has set a standard for industry players in the gaming world across the globe, with excellent bonus features and humungous jackpots to be won, its a traditionalists heaven having been around for a long time now, it’s came back time and time again proving it has stood the test of time for loyal players everywhere.

NetEnt Slots

From the experts at NetEnt, Starburst slot game displays the regular 5 reels and it has 10 paylines, the inspiration behind a number of newer games, Starburst slot showcases a range of dazzling jewels and colours and combines this with a smooth and encouraging gaming experience.

The Gameplay

You can bet your amounts from between the value of 1p to £100, which makes the Starburst slot game ideal for all budgets. Match the jewel symbols to win huge jackpots and immerse yourself in a whole new world from behind the screen while you relax on your sofa with fun music featured whilst you play, but if this doesn’t appeal to you, you do have the choice to turn that off.

The Starburst Slot game hosts a range of special features, including the Starburst wild symbol which swaps between others to trigger a wider range of winning variants. Starburst has less symbols than most other slot games, which is a good thing, as this increases your chances of having them match up and winning.

Another fantastic feature from Starburst – get a square of four symbols in a cluster together and you’ll win a jackpot.

Over the years Starburst slots has proved itself to be one of the games out there with the most loyal playing fanbase to date, proving it can hold its weight in the gaming industry for years more to come – for a reason. It’s fun, glitzy and it’s dazzling, with a whole host of symbols and simple features making for the ultimate gaming experience and taking you to a whole new world of enticing excitement.

Starbust is part of NetEnt’s portfolio of successful and most established games, having left a leading mark in the gaming industry and stands as the guiding light for newer games due to the simple nature of the game and immersive quality.

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Blackjack is the American version of the popular banking game Twenty One, other names for it are Pontoon or Vingt et Un. This gambling game can be played with several players but the players compete against the dealer and not each other. The object of the game is to beat the dealer by not going over twenty-one and therefore being declared bust. The aim is to defeat the dealer and not be the one closest to twenty-one.

An ace is classified as either one point or eleven points and face cards, the King, Queen and Jack are each worth ten points. Every other card is as per their face value.

A Blackjack is the highest hand but has to consist of an ace and any ten-point card, which then in turn beats all other twenty-one combinations.

The dealer deals the players in a clockwise rotation a card at a time but initially stopping at two and then himself two cards, however, one of his cards is face up allowing the players to see one of his cards.

If players hands are short in terms of overall value then they can request for additional cards but it is usual to stand at seventeen as anything in addition to this may take them over twenty one and make them bust. However, this is not guaranteed and they may even find themselves still reaching twenty-one.

Once all the players have all their cards it’s the dealers turn to issue his cards. The dealer’s hand, however, will not be completed if the players hands have either busted or blackjacked in other words have exceeded twenty one or reached twenty one.

Remember the dealer still has a hidden card which at this point he will reveal and will continue to ‘hit’ in other words draw further cards until the total cards reach the value of seventeen or more and then the same rule applies as it does with the players in terms of drawing more cards. Again, if there is an ace within the dealer’s hand then this can be either a one or an eleven.

Some terminology around Blackjack:

Stand – Player remains with his cards and doesn’t draw any further.

Hit – Player drawers another card and more if necessary but if this card them exceeds his total points beyond twenty one then he declares himself bust and has then lost.

Double – A risky but adrenaline rushing move, allowing the player to double his bet on the draw on only one other card. If a low card is received you cannot hit again and therefore one usually loses.

Split – This is usually carried out when a player has a pair of cards and wishes to double his bet and separate his cards into two individual hands. The player then continues as normal hitting, standing or doubling.

Surrender – Exactly as it says and therefore not many players like this option as it is, in essence, stopping play. The player also then loses half of his bet and does not carry on playing.

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Buying a car does not have to be the dreadful task many people believe it to be. If you have reasonable expectations and are willing to do your homework, you’ll actually find great cars at even greater prices. The following are all points worth considering to help you be more relaxed and confident during the car-buying process.

Your budget

When looking to purchase a car, the obvious first step is to determine your budget. What is the total amount of money you have available? This should be a firm and fixed number so that you will not be tempted to exceed your budget during the purchasing process. As a rule of thumb, try to put down at least 10 percent cash or cash value, such as through a trade-in if financing, and do not let the total car investment exceed 10 percent of your monthly take-home pay. This leaves room in your income to cover costs such as fuel, insurance, and regular maintenance.

You should also leave a cushion for emergencies. Even if you purchase a car new off the lot, you may encounter a reckless driver who does excessive damage to your vehicle. Now, not only do you have to worry about finding the best auto body repair in Newport, OR or your local town, but you may also be in physical pain following the accident itself. In such situations, it may be best to consult with an experienced car accident attorney to find out if you are entitled to monetary compensation. Regardless of the outcome, having money set aside for such emergencies is a smart move and one that should be heavily considered when planning out your budget.

Financing

Making the right choices during the financing process is very important, as these decisions will follow you throughout the term of your loan. Your FICO score is possibly the most impactful variable of the financing process. The higher the score, the lower the interest rate and terms. If you are planning on buying a car in the near future and are saving for a downpayment, it may be best to use that time to work on your credit score.

There are numerous resources available to help with that. In Improve and Increase Your Credit Score by author Jason Rich, you can learn the basics of credit scoring and ranking, and the steps you can take to improve your number, as well as the many things to keep in mind when applying for and using your credit as part of your purchasing power. Good financing decisions will be important in your ultimate deal making.

If you can get prequalified by your bank or credit union, you will enter the dealership with considerable leverage. In such a scenario, you will be negotiating as though it were a cash sale. Dealers are incentivized to have their customers use the dealership’s’ or manufacturer’s preferred financing vendors such as Toyota Credit, GMAC Credit, etc, as it adds to their bottom line. Although there is nothing wrong with financing your car through one of these major lenders, negotiating with cash or pre-qualified financing is advantageous. Given the opportunity, you can shop around for the best financing just as you would for any consumer product. Kelley Blue book offers a simple auto loan calculator to help with advance planning on payment amounts and compare financing options based on down payment amounts and interest rate. This is an excellent tool to use when shopping for your best financing deal.

The car itself

When choosing the best car for your needs, it is imperative that vanity take a “back seat” to common sense and practicality. That does not mean that you should buy a minivan if you are a single student, or a compact sedan should you work in construction. Simply stated, the buyer should take the following things into consideration: Their lifestyle, which can dictate size and style, their job, which can dictate the design, and where they live to help determine whether a heavy-duty car or convertible would be better.

It is most certainly possible to choose a car that fits your lifestyle and is still pleasurable to own and drive. Once again, being prepared to shop smart will dissuade you from the temptation of impracticality.

New or used?

Today’s pre-owned car market is more robust than ever, and there is a reason why. Cars are being built better than ever before, therefore lasting longer. It is not uncommon for a car that has been well maintained to reach over 100K miles or last between seven to ten years. The primary considerations are mileage, maintenance history and, of course, any history of accidents. The advent of companies such as CarFax, Vincheckup, and Autocheck, among others, make it simple for a prospective buyer to learn the history of any pre-titled car. It is always preferable to have an independent mechanic check out a used car before your purchase, and of course, a reasonable warranty should accompany any used car. You may even consider purchasing an extended warranty for a used vehicle for additional peace of mind.

Choosing the dealership

Dealerships can be as different as night and day — so can their prices. Be patient and prepared to visit several in order to compare deals. Some considerations to keep in mind are proximity to your home for maintenance trips and customer service. You should also have an overall good feeling about the dealership, how it is managed, its service department, and the level of professionalism and personal attentiveness. Always ask to tour the service department and meet the service manager. Popular, established hometown dealerships often turn out to be the best option, as they usually have a proven track record of happy customers. For instance, if you live near Pittsburgh, a popular local car dealership in Washington, PA may be a perfect fit. Research the reviews on the dealers you are considering to see what kind of buying experiences others have had, just as you would do for any consumer product. Remember that you will be developing a relationship with the dealership when you buy a car from them, especially the service department.

Alternatives to dealerships

An alternative source for finding a good used car is a car auction where you can find very good prices on cars that dealerships chose not to sell on their lots as used cars. Auto auctions will also have salvage cars for sale, which may be great options to those looking to purchase their first cars. Auto auctions have been around for quite some time, and have become a leading alternative to buying from dealerships, used car lots, or individuals.

In fact, there are now online auctions for even more added convenience. Some auctions are open to the public, others open to dealers only. However, if you do some research, this is a viable option to consider. In any case, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the process and automobile before jumping into a bidding war. All of the pieces of the sale should be right before committing to buying a car from an auction, including price, clear title, insurable, condition, and all of the other normal considerations. Warranty on an auction car can be tricky as it can sometimes depend on its age. If the age or miles has gone beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, you may want to purchase a warranty separately.

As a general rule, whenever purchasing a car at auction, do your research, know the process, and if possible find someone who has the experience to help you.

The buying process

As you walk onto the lot of a dealership or enter the showroom, you will be approached by a salesperson. It’s important to know that in most cases, car salespeople work mostly on commission, so they need to sell to earn their living. Let them know what you are looking for, and be specific. After all, you have done your homework. You can also tell them up front what your max budget is if you wish. If they are conscientious, they will only show you vehicles that match the criteria you have provided. If you are shown more expensive vehicles, remind the salesperson of your budget and requirements. If you continue to be shown cars that do not match the general description in price and style you requested, simply say thanks and walk away, or, if you want, ask to speak to the sales manager to remedy the situation. It is possible they do have a suitable car for you which you are not being shown because it is less expensive.

Once you have found the right dealership, salesperson, and have chosen a car for the right price, you will enter the financial phase of the purchase. Usually, you will deal with a financial person for this process. This individual will go over the bill of sale, finance paperwork, title application, and more, ultimately taking you through the signing process. Short of hiring an attorney to read the fine print, you just have to accept the words on the contracts as boilerplate, but the numbers are a different story.

Study the numbers on the sales contract and the financing contract (if you are financing) to make certain they match what you were previously told during negotiation. Look for any hidden charges on the sales contract that were not disclosed up front. Some of these may be dealer preparation, destination charge, documentation charges, undercoating, floor mats, etc. These extras are items the dealer has added once the car hits their lot and are used to increase the cost of the car. Try your best to get these costs removed whenever possible.

Another item to be prepared for is the pitch for an extended warranty. Some newer cars come with excellent warranties, deeming the extended protection options quite unnecessary. If you want more peace of mind, know that you can purchase an extended warranty later if you choose to, so you do not have to make up your mind that very moment.

Finally, expect a clean, detailed car full of gas when you drive away from the dealership. Those are small things to ask for when you have just given the dealership thousands of dollars.

There are a lot of things to know before buying your first car and a million pieces of advice that can be offered, but the key points to remember when you embark on the car-buying journey are all common sense. It’s surprising how many first-time car buyers go out to buy a car without either a plan or the knowledge needed to make a sound decision. This is true not only for first-time buyers, but also for those who have bought cars in the past but keep making the same mistakes time and time again. With these tips in mind, you can rest assured you will find a top-quality car while getting the most bang for your buck.