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8 Delicious Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party Menu Ideas

December 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

01310569932_2220360.jpgMexican food is always a crowd pleaser. Serving Mexican food and drinks at a Mexico-themed birthday party will make the celebration even more memorable. This list of savory Mexican foods features simple, party-friendly eats. While some originated in Mexico, others transform traditional American dishes into south-of-the-border favorites. Many of these dishes can be made in advance, giving you more time to enjoy your margarita.
1. Chips and Dips. Corn tortilla chips alongside guacamole, salsa and bean dip are a must for any Mexican food party table. Also popular is chile con queso, a spicy, hot cheese dip.
2. Mini Tacos. Seek out small, soft corn tortillas. Fillings can include beans, cheese, fish or meats. You can pre-make the tacos or set up a taco bar where guests can make their own.
3. Chile Cheese Tarts.
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There are many reasons why a little kid should have a really nice birthday party. Children remember exciting times in their lives and the way they remember them can govern the way they pattern their lives. Throwing your children a really nice birthday party is very important. There are a lot of ways on how to throw a birthday party for little kids. Some parents are busy buying that favorite toy their child wants, that they forget on how to throw a birthday party. Some basic items in a birthday party for little kids are…1-inch pre-made appetizer pastry shells are the best thing that’s happened to parties since the wine charm phenomenon. You can fill these bite-sized cups with any filling you can think of, savory or sweet. We suggest a combination of fresh green chiles and cheese. Depending on guests’ preferences, you may adjust the heat accordingly.
4. Agua Fria. This refreshing drink can be made from almost any blended fruit. First, liquefy a fruit such as watermelon in the blender. Strain the mixture to eliminate seeds. Serve with a mint leaf garnish if you like.
5. Sliders Mexican Style. Try a spicy take on the slider phenomenon by adding salsa, cornmeal and pepper jack cheese to these much-loved miniature burgers.
6. Quesadillas. Tuck spinach and mushrooms with cheddar cheese between two flour tortillas and saute until brown.
You can use smaller-sized tortillas for individual portions. If you’re using 10-inch or larger tortillas, you may slice the quesadilla into smaller servings once cooked.
7. Chile Spiced Nuts. You’ll find these spiced nuts on many bars throughout Mexico. Roast shelled, unsalted, blanched peanuts in vegetable oil in a skillet. When cool, mix in chile powder. You can add as much or as little as you like depending on your tolerance for heat. Salt nuts to taste and garnish with lime wedges. They can be stored for weeks in an airtight container.
8. Flan. This steamed caramel custard dessert has a creamy texture and is easy to make in advance. It can be served cold or at room temperature in small, individual-sized ramekins.

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Dallas Day 4: Ice Storm, Mexican Food, Sparkling Wine, and a $20 Grilled Cheese

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

11310569932_mangosalsa3inch.jpgDay 4 of Benjy Portnoy’s (SavorMyLife.com) trip to Dallas. Includes a rare Texas ice storm, cheese enchiladas, a swanky Hilton Bar, and $20 Grilled Cheese

Day 4 of Benjy Portnoy’s trip to Dallas. Includes a rare Texas ice storm, cheese enchiladas, a swanky Hilton Bar, and $20 Grilled Cheese

For some reason, the weather gods decided today that Dallas had gone too long without a crippling cold front. That equated to every street and sidewalk being encased in 2″ of solid ice and temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

I’m originally from St. Louis, MO, where that’s par for the course. That probably wouldn’t even equal a snow day for us. However, Dallas shut down. Our museum touring plans were shot for the day, but we did find warming solace in RJ’s Mexican Cuisine, a nicely-appointed downtown restaurant. We bundled into what few layers and hats we’d brought with us, hacked the ice off the windshield with a rubber mallet I had stored in my trunk, and slowly made our way the mile and a half to downtown.

Most of the city stayed home, so we had the place to ourselves. As much as she tried, our server spoke really spotty English, so specifying our vegetarian wants was a challenge. But we wound up with a nice, satisfying meal; I had enchiladas with tangy sour cream dressing and tomatillo sauce with grilled vegetables, and Kat went with the Chile Rellenos. Though the type was not specified, the cheese was a white Mexican melting cheese, landing somewhere around a Chihuahua or asadero. Good stuff. The manager even came over at one point to check that we’d were happy, which we were. Nice people, nice place.

Slip-sliding our way back to the car, we opted to spend the rest of the day near home base. Our meager Sheraton lay in the shadows of the posh behemoth, the Hilton Anatole. About five years ago I helped put on a conference there, and after a few hours of cabin fever, I was ready to brave the quickly-dropping temperatures and trudge across the street for a drink and see it again.

The mammoth Anatole is split into two disparate yet connected buildings. We walked the quarter mile through the Atrium area to the Tower, which housed the swanky Gossip Bar. Walking through the rows of rich crimson leather booth seats and dramatic lighting overhead, we were again the only ones in the place. A mini bottle of Kenwood sparkling wine at $10 each was a steal for the place, which boasted single cocktails averaging closer to $15 a piece.

We grabbed a quick bite to go from Media Grill + Bar, the hopping, dimly lit restaurant back in the center section of the complex. Mixed reactions on this end; I ordered a mozzarella/provolone grilled cheese with onion marmalade and butternut squash bisque. The seemingly simple request took about 25 minutes to make, and when we got back to the room and opened it up, they’d left out the soup. However, it was indeed one of the better $20 grilled cheeses I’ve had in my life. And to see the Anatole again was justification enough.

None of it, however, came close to measuring up to the tube of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie dough we’d picked up earlier in the day. Between that and the weather, sometimes you can go home again.

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Food and Drink – We Can’t Live Without It

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

01310569803_10-healthy-drinks.jpgPeople nowadays are getting more and more conscious of their body. As a matter of fact many people try several different ways on how to keep their body physically fit. Diets, several exercise regimen, diet pills, diet lotions, diet patches, etc. these have become very famous to those who would want to shed off some unwanted fats or simply lose weight.

In reality, we can actually start taking care of ourselves with the food and drink that we take. How’s this possible? It may sound simple but it is a known fact, what we eat or drink definitely makes a large impact on our health more so in our physical fitness. What types of food and drink could make us energized without us gaining too much weight? Those that do not contain high percentage of carbohydrates, fats and sugar are definitely a safe choice. We can always check the label of the food and drink that we are buying. The nutritional value or content is usually displayed in the packaging. If being fit is really a big deal organic food and drink are suggested.  Eating a balanced diet is also recommended. It is unhealthy to control or keep ourselves away from drinking or eating food that contains fats and carbohydrate, mainly because they are our energy-givers. The secret really is to keep everything in moderation. Know how to discipline yourself.

We need not spend our hard earned money over these highly publicized diet routines or procedures. The intake of healthy food and drink can be a better alternative over the more expensive and popular diets known to people nowadays. Be healthy the natural way.

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Finally there’s a Monday to Sunday Edinburgh Clubbing Guide for all tastes

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

11311077067_gentlejoe.jpgNot only that, it’s downright difficult to find a reliable Edinburgh clubbing guide which regards every night of the week as an opportunity to hit the dancefloor.

For precisely this reason, I put my research goggles on, started pestering lots of people for tips and hints and even cracked out some of my own pathetic Saturday Night Fever-esque dance moves to offer you a comprehensive, Monday to Sunday Edinburgh clubbing guide covering a multitude of musical genres and night scenes!

We have an insatiable appetite for fun in this country. You might not find every dancefloor packed on a Monday or Tuesday night but rest assured that there is an establishment out there playing your style of music to a dance floor of revellers burning off their haggis and black pudding suppers.

I want to make this simple and to-the-point so you have more time to get out there and have some fun. Simply follow the links or scroll down to the genre that interests you most, work out what day it is and read about where the party’s at.

We’ll start off with Edinburgh’s classiest establishments then move onto the best club nights in Edinburgh for students before looking in detail at clubs which offer an eclectic mix of music. There are quite a few options for fans of Indie Rock and alternative music. I’ll tell exactly where to go and when for the complementary genres of Pop, Dance and R’n'B before we descend into the vaults of Edinburgh for some Underground beats.

The Up-Market Scene

Magnificent Mondays

If you’ve got itchy feet on a Monday evening, head over to Lulu at 125b George Street. Their club night ‘Decadence’ does exactly what it says on the tin. Expect to see Swarovskis embedded in the walls and a beat-responsive dance floor. Doors open at 9pm and it won’t cost you a dime to get in before 10pm.

Terrific Tuesdays

The place to be on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays (in fact, any day of the week if you love the place) is the Opal Lounge at 51a George Street. Frequented by celebrities (including the Sugababes, Kate Moss and Prince William, of all people) the Opal Lounge is generally regarded as the place to be seen in Edinburgh. Expect to pay 5 at the door on a Tuesday in return for a range of reasonably-priced drinks promotions.

Wonderful Wednesdays

Expect lots and lots of ‘Chambles’, an extremely potent mix of Champagne, Red Bull and Vodka, on Wednesday nights at the Opal Lounge. Be warned! 2 or 3 of those and you’ll struggle to climb the four steps back up onto George Street! The resident DJs are highly adept at fusing hip-hop, r ‘n’ b and party hits to keep you dancing till the wee small hours.

Top-notch Thursdays

Indigo Yard at 7 Charlotte Lane near the West End of Princes Street is a lovely little bar and restaurant. Enjoy some cracking cocktails and have a good blether with your friends. With the weekend looming large you might not be able to resist the lure of the numerous classy clubs around the corner on George Street. Oh, and you can do it all al-fresco during the summer months. Perfetto.

Unforgettable Fridays

Below Stairs at 16 Picardy Place is one of the newest and most stylish clubs in Edinburgh. Let’s put this into perspective. They serve cocktails in hip-flasks and faberge-style eggs. The club also has a canopy covered outdoor section with cane furniture and shisha pipes. The doors open at 10pm and you must be over 21 to enter.

Super Saturdays

Scott Granger, one of Scotland’s leading Djs, regularly works the decks at Shanghai, at 16a George Street. He has remixed tracks for many top R’n'B and Dance artists and is therefore worth the 10 entrance fee alone. Shanghai will transport you to the Far East for the night and certainly will not disappoint.

Quite spiffing Sundays

A quite spiffing way to round off a hard week’s partying (you did go out every night, right?) is to sample a couple of Dragonfly’s cocktails at 52 Westport. This award-winning retro hideaway near the Grassmarket boasts a whopping cocktail list and highly-trained barstaff who will come to your table with their ideas and recommendation. It’s certainly not a nightclub, but hey, it’s God’s day, take a break and enjoy this sumptous cocktail bar. And with that, you have your up-market Edinburgh clubbing guide!

For all you insatiable students…

Magnificent Mondays

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but one cannot deny that Monday’s student night Why Not at 14 George Street is mighty popular. 5 for a student might seem a little steep but this is George Street and you can expect decent drinks promotions once you get in. The great thing about George Street is that if somewhere doesn’t quite take your fancy, you are literally a stone’s throw from the next place. Le Monde is next door and the Opal Lounge is on the other side of the street, for example.

Terrific Tuesdays

One of the most unique aspects of the Shanghai nightclub at 16a George Street is the fact it hosts one of the best student nights in town despite its lofty position at the classy end of the Edinburgh night scene. Enigma is understandably a huge hit amongst students who can soak up the buzzing atmosphere of Edinburgh’s sole example of Chinese nightlife in exchange for a few pieces of silver. No Edinburgh clubbing guide would be complete without it.

Wonderful Wednesdays

In a similar vein to Shanghai, the ‘Mansion’ night at Below Stairs at 16 Picardy Place enables students to party, drink and dance at cut-price rates at one of the city’s most up-market clubs. Mansion has gathered quite a following and is considered to be one of the rising stars of the Edinburgh night scene. Doors open at 10pm and keep in mind that the dress code is ‘dressy’. That means no trainers, hoodies or South Park t-shirts.

Top-notch Thursdays

The HMV Picture House on Lothian Road is one of the oldest and most impressive venues in the city. Locals will remember this venue as Century 2000 and then Revolution. Nowadays, the Picture House is host to top-class musical acts and club nights. On Thursdays, the ‘Octopussy’ night offers drinks for as little as 1 and they also have a bouncy castle. Yes, a bouncy castle. Recipe for a beautiful disaster!

Unforgettable Fridays and Super Saturdays

When it comes to the weekend, out-and-out student nights are few and far between for obvious reasons. However, mainstream clubs such as City at 1a Market Street and Stereo at 28 King’s Stables Road offer excellent drinks promotions at the weekend at certain times. In fact, if you are on a tight budget you will be able to find at least one or two drinks which are on offer at most bars and clubs over the weekend. One thing which is difficult to avoid however are the high entrance fees. As always, try to get there before midnight for lower entrance prices and drinks promos!

Quite spiffing Sundays

To wrap up the Edinburgh clubbing guide for students let me say that Lava/Ignite’s student night on a Sunday remains the most popular student night of the weekend by quite some distance. The club is situated just off Lothian Road at 3 West Tollcross and is the largest club in Edinburgh. Lava/Ignite consists of many separate areas, bars, dancefloors and balconies which is relatively impressive on the eye. On a Sunday when the students are in town, you can expect to find a queue stretching back around the corner into the next street. A packed Sunday night at Lava/Ignite can be quite an experience and won’t set you back much at all.

An eclectic mix – for those who want it all…

Magnificent Mondays

To start off the Edinburgh clubbing guide for those who like to mix it up, let’s look at Why Not at 14 George Street. Although Mondays at Why Not are intended for students looking to start a grinding week amongst the books with a bang, you won’t be turned away at the door if you’re not a student, as long as you arrive early enough. You’re guaranteed an eclectic mix of music as the DJs seek to please students with varying musical tastes. It costs 5 to get in and the doors open at 10pm.

Terrific Tuesdays

While being a predominantly student-oriented night, Tuesday nights at Shanghai at 16a George Street are also very popular among non-students keen to take advantage of the cut-price entrance fee and numerous drinks promotions. Edinburgh’s ode to Chinese nightlife is regarded as one of the classiest spots in town at weekend charging a whopping 10 for entry. Tuesday night is therefore a great opportunity to experience what is an impressive nightclub and soak up a mix of easy-going house music and mainstream classics.

Wonderful Wednesdays

The Hive at 15 Niddry Street just off the Royal Mile gets its name from its somewhat beehive-like appearance. The low arched stone ceilings create an intimate, sweaty atmosphere especially when the club is full and the numerous separate sections and alleyways give the club an interesting layout and the scope to have a different vibe in each room. On Wednesdays the clubs runs a night called Bangers and Mash playing anything from Pop to Dance to Rock to Trance to Sesame Street. Entry is free before 11pm and 3 thereafter. Their drinks promotions are also very generous.

Top-notch Thursdays

The first day of the week at Ponana at 43b Frederick Street is Thursday. Set slightly below ground in cavernous vaults in the New Town, Ponana has become one of Edinburgh’s most popular clubs in recent years. The dance floor at the rear of the club is one of the most intimate and electrifying I’ve experienced. On a Thursday the doors open at 10.30pm and it will cost you 5 to get in. A crazy cocktail of House, Electro and mainstream chart hits is the order of the day. Consult the bar staff for drinks promos including the deadly Jaegerbombs…

Unforgettable Fridays

The Hive at 15 Niddry Street (see above) also runs an extremely popular and reasonably priced night on a Friday called ‘Misfits’. If you get there before 11pm you’ll get in for free and most likely avoid the lengthy queue which builds the later it gets. After 11pm it will cost you 4 to get in which is reasonable for a Friday night considering there are many great drinks offers available inside. As with every night at the Hive, expect a very diverse range of music. The Hive is the most eclectic club in Edinburgh.

Super Saturdays

So where do I start with Electric Circus? This place has become very well-known in the Edinburgh area for its uncompromising approach to the karaoke-bar concept. On the left side of the building you will find a number of karaoke ‘booths’ (small padded cells) where you and your friends can perform your rendition of a dying cat. After someone cracks out that song from Titantic, head next door into the bar/club area for some live music, a drink and a dance. Electric Circus is the type of place that tries to offer it all and somehow pulls it off. Be warned that the karaoke booths should be reserved in advance and are not cheap…although that probably won’t deter the groups of wannabe divas.

Quite spiffing Sundays

While intensely popular amongst the student population, the ultra cheap night at Lava/Ignite on a Sunday attracts a significant number of non-students due to its multi-area layout and impressive mix of musical genres. On a Sunday, you can expect Pop and cheese upstairs on the beat responsive dance floor, Dance and Trance on the main dance floor downstairs and R ‘n’ B in the back room. Oh, and expect a monster of a queue out the front when the students are in town. My tip – get there early on! The doors open at 10pm.

Indie Rock and Alternative Music

Magnificent Mondays

I believe it’s fitting to start the Edinburgh clubbing guide for rockers with the old stalwart that is Opium, at 71 The Cowgate. Opium has always been and most probably always will be one of the most popular Rock and alternative music joints in this city. So why Monday you say?? Well, Opium is open every night of the week and it’s always free to get in, so why not on a Monday!! If you like your spirit mixers and Jgerbombs, you’ll be happy to know they are regularly on offer. Oh, and they have a jukebox. Spiffing.

Terrific Tuesdays

There’s a reason why I’ve suggested three different nights at The Hive in this Edinburgh clubbing guide. The setting, inside vaults in the Old Town is very Edinburgh, it’s always dirt cheap and their eclectic music policy keeps people coming back for more. On a Tuesday they specialise in every aspect of the Rock genre, whether it’s Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Metal or Punk. I can imagine a couple of warm-up drinks at Opium in the Cowgate and a two minute walk up the hill to the Hive would be a rocker’s dream.

Wonderful Wednesdays

Interestingly, Espionage at 4 India Buildings, Victoria Street, tends to divide the masses. It seems you either love it or you hate it. The bar/club is laid out over 5 floors in an old building not far from the High Street. Espionage tends to be very popular with tourists and foreigners which lends a real multicultural feel to the place. Each floor has a slightly different vibe which enables various events to take place on each floor. In the top bar there’s a karaoke night on a Wednesday at 9pm enabling you to show the world (or at least the Old Town of Edinburgh) what you can do.

Top-notch Thursdays

The recently renovated Liquid Room at 9 Victoria Street has been a local favourite for around 10 years. It will be interesting to see how the locals react to the club and live music venue’s new look. Thursday’s ‘Scream’ night will please fans of Electro, Dubstep and House and also those operating on a showstring. If you do in fact have a great time at the Liquid Room, keep an eye out for upcoming gigs featuring some of the world’s greatest acts. The Liquid Room will always be a special place for me having seen the wonderful Suede there many years ago. Unfortunately Bernard Butler had left the band by that time…

Unforgettable Fridays

There aren’t many places where you can hear Showaddywaddy, Michael Jackson and Bachman Turner Overdrive on the same night. You will not be disappointed by The Citrus Club at 40 Grindlay Street does not disappoint when it comes to musical diversity. If you can get there before 11pm, you’ll get in for absolutely nothing while latecomers pay 6. If you grew up in either the 70s, 80s and 90s you’ll hear some tunes that will take you right back to your golden years.

Super Saturdays

El Barrio at 119 Rose Street is the place to go if you’re the proud owner of Latin hips. This cracking little latin club is unique in the fact that they blend Latin music with Pop and chart hits while also offering free salsa beginners classes at 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays! Throw in some mojitos or any of their cocktails for that matter and you’ve got a fairly high-octane Saturday night! What’s more – it’s free to get in.

Quite spiffing Sundays

Got a guitar? A washboard? Any kind of instrument? Espionage (see above) runs an open mike night in their top bar starting at 9pm. If you’ve had enough of listening to the professional rock stars and fancy cracking out a few of your own tunes, this is the night for you. Once your performance is done, you can spend time with your adoring fans and groupies exploring the 5 floors Espionage has to offer.

Pop, Dance and R’n'B

Magnificent Mondays

Espionage at 4 India Buildings, Victoria Street, runs an R ‘n’ B, Hip-Hop and Dancehall night every Monday. If this is your musical preference, why not get the week off to a swinging start? It’s free to get in and drinks offers start at 1.50. Espionage aims to promote the freshest tracks from the R ‘n’ B genre and hand the decks over to Edinburgh’s best up-and-coming DJs.

Terrific Tuesdays

The infamous ‘Flirty’ night at Stereo, 28 King’s Stables Road, is based on the unique concept of text-flirting. Upon entering the club you are provided with a ‘flirt’ number with which you can flirt and be flirted with. The messages are then displayed on the screens around the club. If this is not your thing/is too much hassle/you don’t have a phone…strut your stuff on the dance floor to a slick mix of R ‘n’ B, Hip-Hop and chart hits and don’t forget to check out the ber-white ‘white room’ on the second floor. If you are a student, entry is free before midnight and 2 thereafter. For everyone else it costs 4, however, most drinks are 1 all night. Not bad at all…

Wonderful Wednesdays

To be completely honest, seeing as Vodka Revolution at 30 Chambers Street is open every night of the week and has a varied music policy centering around the R ‘n’ B and Pop genres, you could turn up there any night and have a great time. In this Edinburgh clubbing guide, I’ve suggested Vodka Rev for a Wednesday, however, because it’s ‘Steak Night’ and who doesn’t like affordable steaks? Vodka Rev has a bar and restaurant on the ground floor and a pulsating bar with a dance floor downstairs. Oh, and it is always free to get in!

Top-notch Thursdays

Ponana at 43b Frederick Street runs a cracking Thursday night to start off your 4-day weekend (if you’re that lucky…). Party hard on the tight, intimate dance floor at the rear of the club to your favourite mainstream chart hits but expect the DJs to weave in a solid dose of House and Electro as well. The arched stone ceilings really give you the impression you are in a grotto full of treasure. For many, that treasure will be the Jgerbombs that are on offer at the barthroughout the night. Doors open at 10.30pm and the entrance fee is 5.

Unforgettable Fridays

City at 1a Market Street is extremely popular on a Friday night amongst those looking for all things Pop, Dance and R ‘n’ B. You can get in for 2 before 11pm which is pretty darn good for a Friday night and you’ll be greeted by a decent selection of drinks promotions inside. City is one of Edinburgh’s biggest and most modern clubs and boasts an impressive layout with numerous levels podiums, balconies, nooks and crannies.

Super Saturdays

Relax in the upper lounge, chill out in the vodka lounge or grab yourselves a booth next to the dance floor. Vodka Revolution (see above) has all that and more. You could treat yourselves to one of the meal offers upstairs in the restaurant before heading downstairs to the main bar and dancing area. If you are a vodka connoisseur, don’t forget to check out the vodka lounge in the back area. Keep in mind that this bar/club hybrid closes at 1am. Don’t let this deter you however. If you want to keep going, the night clubs City, Stereo and GRV are within walking distance as is the Cowgate and the Grassmarket!

Quite spiffing Sundays

As this section of the Edinburgh clubbing guide is all about Pop, Dance and R ‘n’ B, I would absolutely no qualms about putting forward Lava/Ignite as your clubbing choice for Sunday night. Yes, it is very busy. Yes, the vast majority of the revellers are students. Yet it is bafflingly cheap and has a separate area devoted to each of our musical genres. If you’re in need of some cheese, head upstairs. Fancy an epileptic light show on the Dance and Trance dance floor? Head downstairs to the main arena. Want to relax with a drink and some chilled-out Hip-Hop beats? The back room is for you. Just make sure you get there early to make sure you get in. When the students are in town, it’s extremely popular.

Underground/House – welcome to the vaults…

To wrap up the Edinburgh clubbing guide, those looking for a taste of the grimy underground scene have to…well…get underground! The Old Town of Edinburgh is full of vaults where people once lived, worked and died; many of which are now used for ghost tours, bars and clubs. Changed days! The Underground music scene in Edinburgh is dominated by Cabaret Voltaire at 36 Blair Street, which is open 7 nights a week and The GRV at 37 Guthrie Street.

As is the case with most underground, alternative and live music bars and clubs, the program at The GRV and Cabaret Voltaire is often subject to change and one-off events are common. Therefore I recommend consulting the websites of both clubs to find out exactly what is going on.

On Fridays at The GRV you can expect Techno, Electronica and Dubstep starting at 11pm. Entry usually costs 3 before midnight and 4 thereafter. The GRV is also able to host gigs, DJs and various club nights at the click of a finger. The excellent sound system, stage, creative bar area and air conditioning are all almost brand new.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cabaret Voltaire it’s free to get in all night long. The Tuesday DJs specialise in Drum and Bass whereas Thursday’s ‘Sick Note’ club tends to be slightly more expansive, covering Electro, Indie, Bassline and House. At the weekend the Cabaret Voltaire runs a number of different club nights which tend to take place monthly or fortnightly. It will cost you significantly more to get in at the weekends, typically between 5-10. However, in return you will be entertained by some of Scotland’s most talented Underground and House DJs.

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Hit Brighton Bars for a Night Out to Remember

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21311077370_city-night-life.jpgBrighton, a coastal town set within the city of Brighton and Hove, is a welcoming holiday destination suited to all types. With stretching beaches, fascinating historical and cultural aspects and a thriving lesbian and gay scene, there’s good reason as to why this enigmatic town receives upwards of eight million tourists a year.

One thing that Brighton is truly famous for is its lively and entertaining nightlife. Brimming with pubs, clubs and bars, Brighton has hundreds of opportunities for an interesting and diverse night out, whether you’re into the latest techno tunes or prefer to relax in a jazz bar with friends.

With a plethora of some of today’s biggest bands – and bands of yesteryear – hailing from Brighton, you wouldn’t be wrong if you arrived in the city expecting musical innovation. And, happily, that’s what you’ll get. Brighton’s musicians are part of one of the UK’s most up and coming music scenes, where traditional and contemporary musical spheres are constantly being reborn and innovated into the next big thing.

Every night, live music thrums from the town’s various bars and clubs as locals and London revellers make their way to enjoy the latest in fresh new music. Best of all, the town’s musical culture is so diverse that you’re bound to find something to suit your tastes, from lone singer songwriters to the energy-driven underground punk that’s thrashed out in dingy venues, so music fans in Brighton can always be sure of a good night.

When you’re not seeing live bands, there’s always the clubs – and many of them. Encompassing a huge variety of styles, Brighton’s clubs invite revellers to dance the night away to old and new tunes alike, giving the opportunity to meet new people and experience the local Brighton atmosphere up close.

Heading out for a night out in Brighton is certainly an experience you’ll remember. With over 300 bars and pubs, you’ll never be far from your next watering hole and the diversity of pubs ensures you won’t get bored. From traditional ale houses to exciting, intricately designed contemporary bars, Brighton has pubs of all types lining its well-frequented streets.

Even better, once you’ve made your way back to your hotels in Brighton following an amazing night out, you’ll be able to relax on the beach the following afternoon – until it’s time to head out once more and do it all over again.

Filed Under: Best Clubs And Bars Tagged With: , , ,

Does the American government see its citizens as its children?

December 14, 2011 By 1 Comment

f_11311076742_sushi.jpgIn Americas 230 year history the government seems to have forgotten that there job is to run the government as the people see as best and not the government telling the people what is best for them.

The most recent example is the Internet gambling Ban signed into law last week by President Bush. The bill makes it illegal for banks and credit card companies to transfer money to casinos for the purpose of wagering on sports or games of chance, like roulette, blackjack and poker.

These games are harmlessly enjoyed regularly by millions of Americans everyday, but some people become addicted to these games so the government is telling all of its citizens that no one is allowed to play these games in an online casino.

This is not the first case of the government going against the wishes of the people, in the early 1900′s the government decided that the consumption of Alcohol should be banned, because some people were developing health and mental problems related to drinking too much. So rather then educating the people on the ill effects of prolonged Alcohol abuse the American government banned Alcohol.

But instead of reducing the consumption of Alcoholic beverages it increased, and because the government was not allowing the production or importing of Alcohol, organized grime got into the moonshine business, and eventually the Government saw the error of their decision and repealed the law.

Another great example of a failed policy to protect the people is the war on drugs that the government has been aging since the early 1980′s Billions of tax dollars a year goes into the war on drugs, but what are the results?

The price of drugs has risen, and to support their habits many drug addicts have had to commit acts of robbery and murder to get their drugs.

The American prisons are packed full of people whose only crime was possession of these illegal drugs.

Instead of being an industry that is regulated and controlled you have people selling these drugs to kids in school playgrounds, and shooting each other to protect their territory.

Had the government decided not to criminalize drugs but make it a heavily controlled industry, they could use the tax money for social programs like schools ad to give Americans universal health care.

Please do not misunderstand me I am not in favor for legalizing hard drugs, but the current system is not working at all, but I am all in favor for legalizing online casino gambling.

If I choose to play some hands of blackjack or poker from the comfort of my home what rights does the government have to tell me not to, and what sense does it make that I can not play in a casino over the internet, but I can drive down the street to the local casino and play there.

To enforce this ban millions if not billions of dollars of software and computer hardware will be needed to monitor all of the banks transactions and that money will come from taxes instead of the government taxing online casinos or even having all the online casinos government controlled then they get all the profits to be used to improve the lives of the American citizens, millions of which are bellow the poverty line if not homeless.

The American government needs to start re-thinking its policy of treating its citizens like small children, or the American people need to demand a new government.

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Healthy Energy Drink?

December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21310569803_mmm.jpgWhat is Energy?
Energy can be an interesting subject. Scientists had not even agreed on how to define and formulate it until a few centuries ago. Now its generally understood that energy can exist as the energy of the motion of mass (kinetic energy), or the energy of the position of mass (potential energy), or the energy equivalent of mass (atomic energy). It also comes in the form of electrical motion (electric current), and electrical potential (electric voltage), and in the motion of electromagnetic waves (quantum energy of light).
Then there is chemical energy. This is the energy that is bound up in the molecules of physical elements and compounds of physical elements. Some chemical compounds are more energetic than others, and, when their combination of atoms is altered in some way, the energy difference of the combinations is sometimes released as an unbound form of energy, producing physical effects such as heat, electricity and motion.
In organic systems such as plants and animals, these physical processes get rather complex and involved, but they are the essence of physical life.
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What is a Healthy Energy Drink?

In our society today, the need for energy is everywhere. Not only are we looking for new ways to power our cars and houses, but we are looking for new ways to power our bodies as well. With the need for increased longevity, more extended prowess, and better sensual perception on less sleep have come energy drinks to meet the demands. The results have been successful, including a hand-full of extremely powerful energy drinks that utilize a lot of natural and even unnatural ingredients. Successful, however, might be a term used a bit too loosely. Efusjon – A New Breed of Healthy Energy Drinks With Acai Berry

The Efusjon Energy Club energy drink products feature the Acai Berry, which has been talked about of numerous television programs and research has shown it is one of the most potent new super-foods that contain a high amount of natural antioxidants, Omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals. The new product line development is getting ready to roll out the newest additions to the Efusjon Raw and Edge Acai products. Efusjon Breeze will feature the Mangosteen and the Efusjon Dawn will contain Quercetin, both known as natural energy boosters. A “How To” For Your Homemade Energy Drink

When you are feeling sluggish, an energy drink can help get your juices back flowing. If you are on a diet, the only drawback is all the sugar that most of the drinks contain. You can buy one of the many sugar-free varieties, but for some, the sugar substitutes leave a bad taste in your mouth, not to mention how expensive they can be. Healthy Sources of Energy

In today’s fast paced lifestyle people are always looking for a boost of energy. It’s time to stop relying on unhealthy sources, and time to start being smarter about what we put in our bodies.A person moves and speaks and thinks to the degree these processes are effective in the body. Naturally, then, the thinking, talking and moving person is going to want as much power, or quantity of chemical energy, as he, or she, can get in order to compete effectively with other thinking, talking and moving beings.
Energy Drinks
Personal energy becomes important in one’s performance, in one’s appearance, and in one’s endurance within a social context, contributing in important, vital, ways to one’s eventual status and standing in a given social context. It is no wonder then, that many people look for shortcuts to higher energy levels and become vulnerable to the temptations of short-term solutions, offering temporary bursts of energy, at the expense of long-term health.
Of course, given the economics of modern civilization, marketers have their own self-serving motives for creating and supply the demand for their products, something that complicates the situation even more, since the fog of undetected deception is greatest when these forces grow to very large proportions. As always, in these situations, moderation is the key to survival. Go easy. Things are not always as straightforward as they appear.
Health Risks
Habits, once formed, are difficult to break. This may be good news for marketers, eager for repeat sales, but bad news for consumers, whose health depends on personal environmental factors that are largely determined by eating and drinking habits. If the muscle, lining and brain cells of your body are constantly bathed in blood laced with caffeine and other stimulants, especially artificially manufactured ones, the risk of ill-effects and disease will naturally be higher. It only stands to reason.
Occasionally, one may be able to justify the consumption of an energy supplement or stimulant, for a given situation, but as a rule, our energy needs are easily satisfied by good, nutritious, food and drink. In the final analysis, a land flowing with milk and honey is preferable to one dripping wet with caffeine.

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Chain- A Way Forward

December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

f_01310568985_avalon.jpgA consumer revolution is taking place in India as people change their eating habits and shopping patterns. While fresh foods have long been a staple, more people are putting a premium on speed and convenience. Supermarkets and shopping malls are cropping up everywhere, and sales of consumer-ready frozen foods are burgeoning, from ice cream and frozen entrees, to vegetables, fruits, sea foods and meats.

To meet this rising demand, manufactures and retailers of temperature sensitive products must move their perishable foods quickly, while emphasizing quality, safety, reliability, and traceability. This is a real challenge in a country where the cold-chain infrastructure still needs a lot of work to be done. India’s cold chain infrastructure is fragmented, under funded, and scrambling to keep up with soaring demand. The need of the hour is to address these concerns immediately.

The frozen food distribution is still not stabilized as most of the companies are still finding it difficult for service and are adopting the most rudimentary method of delivery of frozen/chilled foods to the trade. This, basically means that the integrity of the cold chain is being compromised. However, at this moment, the focus seems to be on survival and most of the companies are first interested in building volumes before they can provide high-class facilities for distribution of frozen/chilled products.

We at SNOWMAN, are now looking at expanding our network in terms of scale and reach if we are to compete at the domestic or international level. Our focus is to provide every requisite cold chain related solution to the customers but seeing the opportunity in F&V sector, definitely our focus would be more towards fruits and vegetables sector in the days to come along with new avenues like temperature controlled pharmaceutical products etc.

We are eagerly watching the prospects of large corporate like Reliance, Bharti, Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra & Mahindra , TATA and ITC etc to formulate and implement their retailing plan which will immensely benefit the cold chain industry. In my opinion, the cold chain industry will automatically grow as soon as the organized retail starts fully in place. All other difficulties will get resolved in due course of time. However basically what we need, is the consumer walking into a retail store and looking for chilled/frozen food products. This is the day when the cold chain industry will start moving forward and we have already seen the glimpse of it.

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Mexican Whines

December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21310569932_images.jpgWe listen to the news and we hear complaints from many people. Politicians are renowned for complaining and hear it from them all the time. Now we are getting complaints from the Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa about the treatment of Mexico, their subjects and their airlines. There are two complaints that are really unfounded.
Quarantine of Mexican nationals
China has recent experience of epidemics that could have easily become pandemics. Bird flu (Influenzavirus A H5N1) seems to come and go with the migration of wild birds through China and so far has only affected humans with direct contact to the birds. The birds are ducks, geese, chicken and turkeys. Scientists keep on warning that it will only take a minor variation in the virus to make it become an epidemic and then a pandemic. Every year there are waves of avian flu that strike in different part of China and the Far East.
SARS spread through Hong Kong and other parts of China because the authorities were too slow to react when the infection started to kill people.
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Presentation swords – awards of honor and not intended for combat are the most popular collectible of all American arms. Almost of these swords are decorated with gold and silver with elaborately etched blades. In many cases, cherished are swords that officers had custom made for themselves with beautifully crafted of costly materials. Some collectors specialize in swords made by a particular swor New York Times Fooled by Mexican Populist Demagogue

In 2006 Mexico averted what would have been a disaster for Mexico, the United States and Latin America. Felipe Calderon of the PAN party narrowly defeated Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador or AMLO of the PRD party in one of the closest and most amazing national elections ever held in the Western Hemisphere. In January 2006 AMLO was ahead in the polls outdistancing his nearest rivals by two to one; an insurmountable lead in a three party race. America- A Mixed Salad?

It goes without saying that America is a mixed salad of population. This is a nation of multi-culture. It may not be a surprise for you to know that a great portion of our population base is thanks to immigrants.However they tried to stop the spread when it was too late. The result was a great deal of criticism of the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities.
When a hospital in Hong Kong was faced with a Mexican national who was suffering from Mexican flu (often called Swine flu) then their pandemic preparation came into force. They put the Mexican into isolation and they put the hotel he had checked into quarantine. There were over 250 people in the hotel and the authorities put them into quarantine for a week.
Is that overkill or a prepared reaction from Medical Authorities?
Stopping of flights to and from Mexico
After a Mexican flew from Mexico to Shanghai and then took a connecting flight to Hong Kong, all seemed well.
The problem is that the Mexican was infected with Mexican flu (swine flu). The Chinese government decided that the threat was too great and would stop the flights from Mexico to Shanghai. Consider how many people were on the flight from Mexico and those that he encountered and infected in Shanghai Airport and finally those on all the connecting flights from Shanghai. I think the response of the Chinese government was measured and calculated.
The complaints simply are a reflection of the problems that the Mexican Medical Authorities allowed to continue. If they had moved in time then the reaction of the Chinese authorities would not have been necessary.
Stop whining.

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Budapest Food And Drink

December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

11310569804_xactivbottle.jpgIntroduction:
Recent years have seen an expansion in the range of cuisines on offer but traditional Magyar cooking still dominates Budapest menus.

In common with most Central European countries, meat dishes in Hungary are the staple, portions are generous and desserts rich. Prices are, on the whole, extremely reasonable even in the best of Budapest’s many restaurants.

Hungarians are especially passionate about their soups, desserts and pastries and stuffed pancakes (palacsinta), with fierce rivalries between regional variations of the same dish, (like the Hungarian hot fish soup called Fisherman’s Soup or halaszle, cooked differently on the banks of Hungary’s two main rivers: the Danube and the tisza). Other famous Hungarian dishes would be Paprikash (stew) with nokedli (small dumplings), Goulash, Gundel Pancake and Dobos Cake.

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Budapest is the most appropriate place for stag weekends or parties. When I say that, it really means it is the ultimate destination for holding or celebrating Stag parties. It has all the things that men need to enjoy the party. Amazing Weekends In Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a beautiful city located in central Europe with the River Danube running through the middle with the one-time cities of Buda and Pest on each side. It is a relatively newly discovered stag weekend paradise.two remarkable elements of Hungarian cuisine that are hardly noticed by locals, but usually conjure up much enthusiasm amongst foreigners, are different forms of vegetable stews called fzelek as well as cold fruit soups, like cold sour cherry soup (hideg meggyleves).

Meat stews, casseroles, steaks, roasted pork, beef, poultry, lamb or game and the Hungarian sausages (kolbasz) and winter salami are a major part of Hungarian cuisine. the mixing of different varieties of meat is a traditionall feature of the Hungarian cuisine. Goulash, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbages or pecsenye (Hungarian mixed grill on wooden platter) can combine both beef and pork, sometimes even mutton. In very exclusive dishes fruits like plums and apricots are cooked with meat or in piquant sauces/stuffings for game, roasts and other cuts. Various kinds of noodles and dumplings, potatoes and rice are commonly served as a side dish. the Hungarian cuisine uses a large variety of cheeses, but the most common are t

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