Tag Archives: Basil & Salt

Pairing of the Week: Spicy Sapporo Chili and a refreshing Summer Shandy

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It’s been a long, hot summer already this year and one pot meals are the way to go to keep the kitchen cool. Drop it in the crock pot and leave it. This dish can be made as mild or spicy as you like, twist, tweak it and make it your own.

Sapporo Chili

Sapporo Chili / Sapporo

Sapporo Chili / Sapporo

Ingredients

  • Olive Oil (enough to coat the bottom of a large sauté pan)
  • ¼ cup of Minced Garlic
  • 1lb of ground turkey 85/15 (or other ground meat of your choosing. You can also combo other meats also like pulled chicken, ground beef, ground pork, etc.)
  • 1/8 cup of granulated garlic
  • 1/8 cup of granulated onion
  • 1/8 cup of paprika
  • 1/8 cup of ground cumin
  • A pinch of Italian seasoning
  • A pinch of ground coriander
  • A pinch of smoked sea salt
  • A pinch of ground pepper
  • 2 16 oz cans of organic vegetarian chili (if you cannot find organic canned veggie chili, a nonorganic one is fine also.                *Note: if you prefer and have time, you can use dried beans
  • kitchen-cutting-board-cooking-bell-pepper-large (2)1 16 oz can of cannellini beans (rinse and drain)
  • ½ of a 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 6oz can of tomato paste
  • ½ cup of homemade or jarred tomato sauce of your choosing
  • ¼ cup of BBQ sauce (homemade or brand of your choosing)
  • ¼ cup of Heinz ketchup
  • ½ of a 12 oz bottle/ or ½ of a 16 oz can of Sapporo Premium

Instructions

  1. Cover bottom of large sauté pan with olive oil and add minced garlic
  2. Season ground meat with a pinches of granulated garlic, onion and chili powder and salt and pepper
  3. Brown ground meat in large pan with heat turned up about half way so to not burn meat and spice mixture
  4. Once meat is browned, transfer to slow cooker
  5. Add canned chili or soaked beans, rest of all spices, sauces, pastes, beer and stir in crock pot to blend all ingredients together
  6. Set cooker to low and timer to 8 hours. After 8 hours, cooker will switch to warm if you are not serving right away
  7. Make sure to stir every hour or so, so chili doesn’t stick and tomato based products don’t burn
  8. Feel free to top with chopped up cooked bacon, fried onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, scallions or anything you like
  9. Serve with tortilla chips and an ice cold Sapporo!

**Note: We tweaked the recipe just a bit, adding one medium bell pepper, and added one small roasted chili pepper for garnish on top of each bowl filled with chili.

Morphing Sapporo Summer Shandy

Sapporo Morphing ShandyRaspberry ice cubes keep this shandy cool and never diluted for a 2-for-1 cocktail experience, as the ice melts so does the raspberry flavor adding a new layer to your cocktail’s flavor profile.

  • 4 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 oz. simple syrup (3 for a sweeter cocktail)
  • Sapporo Premium Beer
  • ​Raspberry ice cubes*​

Add raspberry ice cubes, lemon juice and simple syrup to pint glass or beer mug, top with Sapporo and gently stir with a bar spoon. 

*Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of fresh raspberries to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Once water begins to boil, turn heat to a simmer and let steep 15-20 minutes or until raspberries begin to lose their color. Strain the raspberries and fill ice cub tray with flavored water and freeze until solid.

Vimeo and TikTok Partner to Drive Small Business Success With Video Ads

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The partnership connects Vimeo’s powerful creation tools with TikTok Ads Manager; Vimeo is the first video software company to join the TikTok Marketing Partner Program

Vimeo (NASDAQ:VMEO), the world’s leading all-in-one video software solution, and TikTok, a leading destination for short-form mobile video, today announced a new partnership that integrates Vimeo’s powerful video tools with the TikTok platform. The partnership gives small and medium businesses (SMBs) everything they need to make effective video ads to engage customers, while enabling them to take full advantage of Vimeo’s suite of video tools and the broad reach of the TikTok platform. In pre-release tests of the combined capabilities participants saw up to 50% higher clickthrough rates compared to previous campaigns on other platforms and were able to double the number of videos they created in a short timespan. 

Vimeo is joining TikTok Marketing Partners, a group of vetted experts who create, implement, and measure TikTok ad campaigns. Vimeo is the first partner to be badged under TikTok’s all-new Creative Tools subcategory of Creative Partners, who help brands produce creative assets that leverage TikTok’s best practices.

With this first-of-a-kind partnership between TikTok and a video software company, SMBs can now use Vimeo Create, an advanced AI-driven video production tool, to produce and publish ads directly into the TikTok Ad Manager in minutes. The companies also collaborated on developing custom video templates exclusively available in Vimeo Create, optimized for the TikTok platform.

Pre-Release Test Advertising
Ahead of launch, Vimeo and TikTok invited small businesses to try Vimeo Create and advertise on TikTok for the first time. More than 85% of participants reported successful campaign results and plan to run additional TikTok campaigns. NaturalAnnie Essentials, a family-run, Bridgeport, CT-based soy candle company, saw a 5.5x increase in conversion rate within the first two weeks of the trial campaign when compared with other forms of online advertising.

“We’ve saved thousands of dollars, the stress of shipping candles to a production studio, and lots of headaches by using Vimeo for our TikTok ads,” said Annya White-Brown, CEO of NaturalAnnie Essentials. “Vimeo Create made it super easy — it was as simple as adding your assets to the templates to fit your brand. Now we create anywhere from 30-75 videos per month.”

TikTok gives small businesses opportunities to reach and attract wider communities where they spend their time today. However, the high level of user engagement on the platform creates a challenge for marketers who need to publish new content and ads with far more frequency than on other online channels. It’s recommended that businesses test new TikTok ad creative on a bi-weekly basis, and that they post new organic TikTok videos multiple times a week – if not every day – to maximize their engagement.

“Vimeo and TikTok are solving one of the most significant pain points for SMBs in reaching customers — how to easily and affordably create professional-quality content at scale,” said Richard Bloom, SVP, Business Development, Vimeo. “We’re thrilled to be the first video creation platform to integrate with TikTok For Business and to expand the reach of Vimeo Create, so more businesses can engage even more customers online.”

“As small businesses recover and rebuild after a challenging year, TikTok is working on ways to make it easier to reach their community and grow their business,” said Melissa Yang, Head of Ecosystem Partnerships, TikTok. “Our partnership with Vimeo provides small businesses with simple, effective video tools that rival what the biggest brands in the world have access to — and they drive real results.”

Following the launch, Vimeo and TikTok plan to find more ways to join forces in helping every SMB succeed with video. This integration is available immediately to all Vimeo users.

About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

About Vimeo
Vimeo (NASDAQ: VMEO) is the world’s leading all-in-one video software solution. Our platform enables any professional, team, and organization to unlock the power of video to create, collaborate and communicate. We proudly serve our growing community of over 200 million users — from creatives to entrepreneurs to the world’s largest companies. Learn more at www.vimeo.com.

SOURCE Vimeo

Quick Bites: 10 Bath Spaces That Will Inspire You to Create Your Own At-Home Sanctuary

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While treating yourself to the spa or a nice massage is a happy occasion, having a dedicated room inside the home to disconnect and rejuvenate is essential. Many could agree there’s nothing more satisfying than unwinding in a hot bath after a long, hectic day, and a well-designed bathroom with a statement bathtub can be the perfect retreat for indulging in some much-needed self-care. 

To give you the inspiration you need to create the relaxation space of your dreams, I have shared several swoon-worthy bath spaces below. From marvelous bathtubs to luxurious materials, these sumptuous bathrooms double as private getaways.

When you’re ready to create your own, visit the following links for shopping and inspiration:

Native Trails
Original BTC
The Fox Group
Bakes & Kropp

  • Native Trails Avalon 72 Tub in Pearl
  • Featuring: Native Trails Mendocino Tub in Earth
  • Bathroom Designed by The Fox Group | Photo: Scott Davis
  • Featuring: Bakes & Kropp custom cabinetry
  • Featuring: Native Trails Avalon 72 Tub in Charcoal
  • Featuring: Native Trails Aurora 72 Tub in Antique Copper
  • Bathroom featuring: original BTC Hampton Pendant
  • Bathroom Designed by The Fox Group | Photo Scott Zimmerman
  • Bathroom featuring: Original BTC Wall Light
  • Featuring: Native Trails Santorini Tub in Brushed Nickel


The Daily “Did You Know?” – A Basil & Salt Quick Bite

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Season Three of “NASA’s Curious Universe” Podcast Takes Listeners Into Deep Space

Season three of “NASA’s Curious Universe” podcast debuts July 12, and will explore the wild and wonderful places on our home planet and beyond.

NASA Logo. (PRNewsFoto/NASA) (PRNewsFoto/)

This summer, Host Padi Boyd, a NASA astrophysicist, guides listeners through NASA’s missions, projects, and people. Season three visits a wide range of tour stops along NASA’s journeys in science and spaceflight, and each episode is an invitation to an adventure with a NASA expert.

Listeners will traverse the Antarctic ice sheets with climate scientists, go “planet-hunting” with exoplanet researchers, and spend a day living and working in space with NASA astronauts. New episodes will be released every Monday through August 30.

NASA’s Curious Universe first debuted in March 2020 and has previously released 15 episodes focused on a range of topics, from asteroids to solar science. In February 2021, the show became the first podcast to feature microphone-recorded audio from Mars, collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover during landing.

NASA’s Curious Universe is for everyone and doesn’t require any prior knowledge of NASA or its missions. First-time explorers welcome!

Find the NASA’s Curious Universe trailer now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Soundcloud.

Discover all of NASA’s podcasts at:  nasa.gov/podcasts

Record Demand For Private Jet Flights To Continue, According To A New Survey of Private Aviation Users

69% of current private aviation users expect to fly more post-Covid than prior to the pandemic; 53% of new private aviation users will continue private flights on a regular basis after the pandemic; 100% retention rate for new users

Demand for private jet travel will continue at record levels, according to a new survey by Private Jet Card Comparisons

Half of the current private aviation users said they had started or re-started private flying due to Covid, and 100% of these new private flyers say they plan to continue after the pandemic. More than half (53%) said they would fly privately regularly even after the pandemic, a 29% increase from 41% who said they would continue private flights regularly in a January survey of subscribers.

“If the question is, will new users stick with private aviation even in a post-Covid world, the answer is a unanimous yes, with many (53%) saying they will now use private aviation regularly,” said Doug Gollan, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of buyer’s guide Private Jet Card Comparisons.

‘The Flight Of The Monarch Butterfly – The Pollinator Project’ To Air On Discovery, Science Channel And Animal Planet

Most known for their winter and spring migrations spanning more than 3,000 miles, the monarch butterfly is a small but key component to the ecosystem in terms of food and its role as a pollinator. “The Flight of the Monarch Butterfly – The Pollinator Project” will explore the latest science, learnings and the species’ survival issues in its world premiere Sunday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Discovery, Thursday, July 29 at 5 p.m. (ET/PT) on the Science Channel and Saturday, July 31 at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Animal Planet.

A Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed

With exclusive access arranged by the Mexican Minister of Tourism, the program highlights the monarchs’ dramatic journey throughout North America and examines scientists’ concerns about the species’ diminishing numbers due to pollution and climate fluctuations. It also addresses what the declining population could mean for the future of the broader ecosystem. 

“Sustainability is at the heart of our decision making,” said Kevin Butt, Toyota Motor North America’s environmental sustainability director. “As we plan, build and manage our facilities across North America, we proactively learn about local species and study how to minimize the disruption of their natural habitats – environmental stewardship then helps drive a culture of conservation beyond our company walls.”

The program also examines what American companies have created in the pathway of the butterflies’ northern flight pattern – a habitat rich with milkweed plants – and issues a call to action for interested people to get involved through local and national clubs and organizations that make their journey easier.

Presented as one example helping to save, protect and nurture the monarch butterflies migration to North America, the program explores Toyota’s 17 pollinator gardens throughout its North American operations and shows how they provide food and shelter to critical pollinator species, including the monarch butterflies at various stages of their life cycle along the seasonal migration path.

Viewers will have the opportunity to see it on the following broadcasts. Check local listings:

Discovery:Sunday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT & PDT)
Science Channel:Thursday, July 29 at 5 p.m. (EDT & PDT)
Animal Planet:Saturday, July 31 at 8 a.m. (EDT & PDT)

“The Flight of the Monarch Butterfly – The Pollinator Project” is produced by Bader Media Group for Discovery. Mike Leventhal is executive producer for Bader. Jay Foot served as producer/writer. Toyota funded the production.

We hope you enjoyed our daily “Did You Know?” quick bites – questions? comments? Story Idea?

Please fill out the form below, we would love to hear from you.

Classic Beef Kabobs

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The three day weekend has finally arrived and America’s favorite way to cook for Independence Day is on the backyard grill. Heat up the outdoors instead of the kitchen and create a memorable culinary experience that suits your guests and family’s style, taste and love of the grill.

The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, has you covered with beef recipes for the entire grilling season.

Our summer favorite that everyone can customize, is the  Classic Beef Kabobs recipe from Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Whether you source your veggies at the local farmers market, produce section at the grocer or your own backyard, the kids can help by washing the vegetables and threading beef and veggies on the skewers (depending on the kids’ ages), leaving small spaces between pieces. The seasoned, tender steak is mouthwatering and the grilled veggies bring out the delicious sirloin flavor that much more. Lay out all the choices and everyone can create their own masterpiece. I’ve included a few photo samples | possibilities below, so take a tour of the inspirational and delicious photos below the recipe.

NOTES: You can substitute bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes before using, so they don’t burn on the grill.

MORE NOTES: Thread steak peices onto skewers leaving small spaces between them. Loose or tight spacing can cause been to cook unevenly.

Classic Beef Kabobs

Ingredients

Classic Beef Kabobs | beefitswhatsfordinner.com
  • 1 pound beef Top Sirloin Steak cut 1-inch thick
  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 1 medium red, yellow, or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into1-inch pieces
  • salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Cut beef steak into 1-inch cubes. Combine seasoning ingredients in large bowl. Add beef, mushrooms, bell pepper pieces and onion pieces: toss to coat.
  2. Alternatively thread beef and vegetable pieces evenly onto eight 12-inch metal skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces.
  3. Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill kabobs, vovered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning once. Season kabobs with salt, to taste.

For more grilling inspiration, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

And check out Basil & Salt’s grilling inspiration gallery below!

Encore At Wynn Las Vegas Introduces Dog-Friendly Resort Program

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Luxury Resort Now Offers Five-Star Service For Four-Legged Guests Featuring Exclusive Array Of Puppy Pampering Amenities

Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is extending its renowned level of luxury service to canine clientele with the launch of a new dog-friendly resort program. BeginningJune 3rd, guests of Encore can enjoy their stay in any room or suite with up to two furry friends, and indulge in exclusive amenities that meet the needs of this new breed of resort VIPs – Very Important Puppies.

Pampering begins at check-in with a complimentary doggy bag of welcome gifts that includes a fetching Wynn-logoed neckerchief, fun toy for playtime, and an all-natural dog treat. To keep puppy busy and feel more at home during times the owner may be occupied, guests can work with Encore’s Concierge team to arrange a schedule of dog walking or sitting services.

Bone Appetite, the new room service doggy dining menu, elevates canine cuisine to an artform. In addition to a selection of snacks and dessert, guests can choose from several meat, fish, and vegetable dishes to satisfy discerning puppy palettes. Highlights include the Best In Show, with lamb, steamed potatoes, and squash; Healthy Bites, with seared salmon, green beans, and brown rice; and the Puppy Patty, with Black Angus beef, broccoli, and farro.

Guests are encouraged to tag social media posts of their dogs at the resort with #WagForWynn for a chance to be featured on Wynn Las Vegas’ social media accounts.

Every day can feel like a vacation at home with a new collection of doggy clothing and accessories available for purchase exclusively at the resort. The fun and functional Wynn-branded line features essential items like leashes, collars, blankets, and bowls; to the more extravagant like hoodies, a pet tee pee, and champagne bottle chew toy. At the center of the collection is a perfectly puppy-sized Wynn Resorts signature robe. A guest favorite for its silky soft fabric and ultra-plush comfort, the doggy version is an exact replica of its human-sized counterpart, and is sure to become a collector’s item.

For more information including nightly fees based on room type, fees for additional amenities, weight restrictions and other policies, and frequently asked questions, please visit Wynnlasvegas.com Pet Policy

Please take a moment to browse the video and tiled gallery below.

The Morgan Resort & Spa, St. Maarten’s Newest Luxury Boutique Hotel

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Stay steps away from St. Maarten’s famous Maho Beach, Sunset Beach Bar and St. Maarten Princess Juliana Airport

The island of St. Maarten is world renowned for its beautiful beaches, festive nightlife and epicurean experiences galore. With last week’s grand opening of The Morgan Resort & Spa, travelers now have another great reason to visit the destination, just in time for summer.

The newest five-star luxury boutique hotel in St. Maarten, The Morgan Resort & Spa is minutes away from famous Maho Beach, Sunset Beach Bar and the most photographed airport in the world, the Princess Juliana Airport, where guests can watch large and small aircraft glide into the runway at heights so low they can practically touch them.  Guests will also appreciate the close proximity of The Morgan Resort & Spa to Maho Village, with exhilarating watersports, recreational activities, casino gaming, upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. 

“We are thrilled to introduce St. Maarten’s newest luxury boutique hotel and welcome guests as they enjoy a summer vacation like no other,” said Stewart Weiner, COO of The Morgan Resort & Spa. “Watching the property come together over the past few years, I find myself more excited every day for the amazing experiences our guests will enjoy, whether they are visiting for business or pleasure.”

The 124 ultra-contemporary guestrooms and suites feature private exterior entrances and balconies or terraces, and are furnished with chic, modern furniture and nautically inspired accents and artwork. Guests will enjoy bright, airy rooms with pillow top bedding, luxury spa-style bathrooms with glass walk-in showers, intuitive technology including 55-inch flat-screen televisions, iHome docking stations and free Wi-Fi, and top-of-the-line amenities.

Other amenities guests will enjoy at The Morgan Resort & Spa include:

  • The intimate Salt Restaurant + Bar, helmed by executive chef David Seeman and consultant chef, Afro Caribbean cuisine expert and renowned “Top Chef” competitor Ron Duprat. Guests will be treated to the finest French Caribbean cuisine in the world for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with bold flavors, healthy dishes and seafood fresh from the Caribbean waters. Expertly crafted cocktails and an impressive selection of rum flights complement the dining experience.
  • A beach-style infinity-edge pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, featuring a waterfall, slide, grotto cave, underwater music system and the Bar M Pool Bar, a swim-up bar with a blackjack table. Private poolside cabanas are conveniently located nearby.
  • A Rooftop Observation Deck offering 360-degree unobstructed views of the jets landing at Princess Juliana Airport for unparalleled plane-spotting opportunities.
  •  Four distinctive indoor and outdoor wedding and event venues including an outdoor banquet tent with a gazebo on the Great Lawn, poolside at The Patio, and the Rooftop Observation Deck.
  • A 24-hour state-of-the-art HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) fitness center.
  • A full-service salon and spa featuring a hair and nail salon, wet and dry sauna and treatment rooms for massages and other services (scheduled to open Fall 2021).
  • A variety of on-site activities and special events for guests of all ages, including water aerobics, morning yoga, volleyball, bocce, badminton, croquet, cooking classes, happy hour specials, wine and rum tastings, Sunday brunch, Caribbean BBQ nights, live bands and DJs, and more.

The Morgan Resort & Spa was designed by award-winning interior architectural design firm DiLeonardo. Simple, clean and modern materials and textures blend seamlessly into the island’s breathtaking scenery, with natural wood tones and sleek interiors featuring cool blues and whites. The lobby’s light, airy space features comfortable and casual flexible seating and large ceiling fans that contribute to a never-ending flow of air and warm ocean breezes.

The beach-style infinity-edge pool was designed by local architectural firm DAM Caribbean.

“It has been a challenging year for the tourism industry with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting all hotels worldwide,” said Ray Sidhom, Chairman, The Morgan Resort & Spa. “We are confident that travelers will return to St. Maarten and are thrilled to offer them a premium five-star accommodation and experience.”

Covid-19 safety protocols and procedures are enforced throughout The Morgan Resort & Spa, with high operational standards developed according to the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization and local guidelines. To ensure the continued health, safety and security of guests, team members and partners, the resort has implemented the “SAFESEAL – Clean Standard Seal Certification Program” devised by expert medical and occupational safety professionals and endorsed by the St. Maarten Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor and the Ministry of Tourism. More health and safety details can be found here at The Morgan Resort Covid 19 Health and Saftey.

Nightly rates start at $199 plus taxes and fees. For more information or to make a reservation, visit themorganresort.com or call 1-833-9-MORGAN.

If you’ve thought about starting your own business, the time is now

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4.4 million new businesses were created since lockdown began, far exceeding historical norms

Have you thought about starting your own business or creating a side hustle? If you have, according to the Census Bureau you aren’t alone. More than 4.4 million new businesses were created since the lockdowns began, and while an uptick during a recession is expected, this far exceeds historical norms. In January of this year alone, there were nearly half a million new business started. The side hustle went mainstream.

YouTube, Pinterest and Facebook are huge contributors to this surge. These platforms give entrepreneurs guidance, tutorials, and an advertising medium to reach consumers. Budding entrepreneurs at long last had time to study topics and tutorials they were eager to learn, but didn’t have the time for while working nine to five. Taking their hobbies online to bring in additional funds, they found there was a viable market for their artisan wares.

As expected during lockdown, food trucks and meal delivery services increased by a large percentage and are still on the rise over a year later. Yelp noticed consumer interest in psychics rose 74% over last year and astrologers by 63%. Notaries were up 52%.

As the lockdown continued, families reconnected across the country, and people realizing how burned out they had become working long hours plus added commute times, decided to make some adjustments. A shift began to take place and they looked for options to keep them out of the nine to five drudgery.

Simple medical visits shifted to a virtual experience, private therapy sessions took off and new personal delivery options popped up everywhere. Personal assistants, marketing, advertising, bookkeeping, and business coaching rose to a new level of not only working from home, but also in the creation of home-based businesses with new entrepreneurs consciously pulling themselves out of the workforce. This trend looks as if it’s here to stay leaving previous employee positions, vacant.

As the pandemic continues restructuring the U.S. economy, it’s difficult to peer into the future to see how this will round out, but it looks like the virtual office has taken root. Reports show consumers are making lasting changes to their every-day life to accommodate this, and with home office renovations up by 75%, this is a pace that doesn’t show signs of slowing.

One of the positions new entrepreneurs find themselves in, is investing in their own future. Working for an employer, employees take home a paycheck while the employer handles the taxes, 401k, medical, etc. For a bulk of these 4.4 million new business owners, these are unnavigated waters. Taking time to connect with a professional to map out taxes, investments, growth and retirement planning is essential, and the earlier the better.

Looking for a bit of guidance on this topic, we reached out to Homer Smith, Private Wealth Advisor Konvergent Wealth Partners and asked what trends he has seen over the past year and what possible next steps small business owners might want to look in to as they grow:

“One of the benefits we have seen over the last year was the comfort level that all generations have with technology. Many of these new startups as well as established players focused on information and tools that can be accessed from anywhere. 

This includes a multitude of services aimed at providing access to financial tools that in the past were cost prohibitive for small business. Whether it is as traditional as PayPal for getting paid, Quickbooks for bookkeeping, or a more comprehensive platform like Gusto for payroll and benefits, there have never been more options.

After taking care of the basics and you now have excess cash flow to put to work for your long-term goals, making sure you are building a cash reserve is a minimum requirement to ensuring you maintain liquidity when you need it the most. As you create a foundation of profits and cash flow, it is time to consider how you will invest in your business to create sustainable growth as well as build longer term capital outside the business. These decisions become more complex with growth and may create the need to bring in more resources, whether they are internal or external, to support the fulfillment of your goals.”

Homer Smith is a Private Wealth Advisor with Konvergent Wealth Partners and is not affiliated with Basil & Salt Magazine.

Put Together a Mimosa Bar for Mom

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Give Mom a relaxing Sunday morning “in” with this simple, delicious and customizable “momosa” bar.

DIY Mimosa Bar

  • Difficulty: simple and quick
  • Print

mimosa-barIngredients

  • Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore
  • Assorted fruits, sliced (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, etc.)
  • Assorted fruit juices (orange, mango, blood orange, lemonade, etc.)
  • 10 mint leaves, torn
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions

  • Blend cups of confectioners’ sugar, mint and lemon together in a blender until smooth. Chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
  • Divide the mixture into glasses to add extra sweet flavor
  • Pour Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore into each glass, stir
  • Top with selected juice. Garnish each glass with fruit.

Salmon Deviled Eggs and Crab Cakes in a Tangy Sauce

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From the archives:

Crab Cakes with Mixed Greens and Tangy SauceWith Easter a tad further down the calendar than usual, we have a bit of extra time to prep, plan and create our menus. My traditional Easter menu has always included simple appetizers, ham and a decadent cake for dessert, however this year a change is in the wind. While I haven’t settled on a precise menu to date, I have been collecting ideas.

Art de Fete has an Elegant Easter Dinner on display on its site. The table decor is beautiful and festive, the menu is both exquisite and fresh. What caught my eye first were delightful little Crab Cakes with Mixed Greens & Tangy Sauce.

Ingredients List: Crab Cakes: Jumbo lump crab meat, red onion, bread crumbs, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, egg, lemon, dill, red pepper flakes, freshly ground white pepper and vegetable oil. Sauce: Sour cream, chives, lime, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Salad: Mixed greens, white wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Follow the link at the bottom of the post for full recipe and method.

RossiniA light Champagne or sparkling wine cocktail is on the menu for Sunday celebrations and gatherings. The cocktail of choice this year is the Rossini. It’s elegance, simplicity and fruitful combination of flavors is always a delight to guests. If there is another fruit you have in mind, simply nix the strawberry puree and substitute with flavor of your choice.

Rossini

  • 1 ounce pureed strawberries
  • 3 ounces chilled prosecco
  • 1 fresh strawberry, sliced for garnish

Pour fruit puree into chilled glass and top with prosecco.

Deviled Eggs have made a comeback in a huge way, and we are loving the creativity, ideas and combination of flavors that recipe developers have been posting. Our showcase for today’s post is from Art de Fete, Deviled Eggs with Herbs, Salmon & Osetra Caviar. Caviar is not in everyone’s taste or budget, and can be substituted with salmon roe or simply left out all together.

Deviled Eggs with Herbs, Salmon and Osetra Caviar

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Print

Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Herbs & Osetra Caviar II

Ingredients

  • 12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • squeeze of lemon juice
  • 2 tsp flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 2 tsp chives, chopped
  • 1 tsp tarragon, chipped
  • 1 tsp dill chopped
  • 1/4 cup smoked salmon, chopped
  • sea salt, freshly ground white pepper

Garnish

  • chives, freshly chopped
  • 12 dill sprigs
  • 1 ounce Osetra Caviar
  1. Boil eggs, peel.
  2. Cut eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove yolks. Set whiles aside. In food processor combine yolks, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salmon and herbs. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Blend to combine until smooth.
  3. Fill pastry bag with yolk mixture and pipe into egg whites halves, filling to 1/2 inch over surface.
  4. Garnish with chives, dill sprigs and *caviar

Please print me, I am here for you to keep!

*Caviar is not in everyone’s taste or budget, and can be substituted with salmon roe or simply left out all together.

 

A very special thank you to Svitlana of Art de Fete for today’s content. You can find her entire Easter Dinner Menu (including the crab cakes ) here. ArtdeFete.com

Today’s cocktail is part of a series of 25 Celebratory Bubbly Cocktails at Saveur.com

 

 

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