Fresh Smoked Salmon Online From Scotland

Smoked salmon is a luxury that has become surprisingly affordable in recent years. With a rich deep flavour, it has become a popular ingredient in a variety of appetisers as well as a food eaten in its own right. With a variety of health benefits too, smoked salmon is one luxury that could be even good for you! So let's have a look at the reasons why you should eat smoked salmon and also the benefits of buying it online.

What is smoked salmon?



Smoked salmon is made by taking fresh salmon through the smoking process which helps keep the fresh fish longer. It is done through a cold or hot smoke which affects the taste and texture of the salmon making it a distinctive food product and coveted for its taste and richness as well as preserving it.

Health benefits of smoked salmon

sushi with salmon

Smoked salmon is rich in omega 3 oils. Omega 3 oils have a variety of benefits to health, including helping to prevent heart disease. Oily fish like salmon is also rich in Vitamin D which helps make healthy bones and teeth. The evidence for the health benefits of oily fish is so strong that the NHS recommends the majority of people to have a healthy balanced diet to incorporate two portions of fish a week and one of those oily fish. Check the recommendations if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as they may be different.

How to use smoked salmon



Smoked salmon is often eaten simply in the UK, with some brown bread and butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice, but there are a variety of ways it is eaten around the world. It is eaten with scrambled eggs as a popular brunch dish around Western Europe. Another way to eat it, popular in Jewish cuisine, is on a bagel with cream cheese. Smoked salmon can also be used as an ingredient in quiches, salads, and pasta sauces as well as used in sushi too.

Buying smoked salmon online

bagel and smoked salmon

Buying smoked salmon online is a convenient way of getting the best salmon to your doorstep from Scotland. Why Scotland? Scotland has a reputation for some of the best smoked salmon in the world with the freshest salmon coming from the award-winning producers around Scotland, and with many artisan smokers with years of experience in smoking this fine fish. Ordering Scottish smoked salmon online from a RSPCA accredited farm is a quick and convenient of getting the best to you without having to hunt it down in your local area.

Let me know, do you enjoy smoked salmon? What's your favourite smoked salmon dish?

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Choosing Wood Flooring - What Should You Look For?

Wood flooring can be a gorgeous style statement in your home and it also has lots of added benefits too. 

wood flooring in bedroom

Cost

Although the initial outlay is more than carpet, wood flooring can last much longer. Typically carpets are changed every 5 to 7 years but wood flooring can last decades. It, therefore, has the durability that carpet does not. Today's modern production processes also mean that engineered wood flooring is cheaper than it used to be, making it more accessible to those that could not afford it before.

Hygiene

Wood flooring is hygienic and easy to clean. With carpet, smells and dirt can get trapped in the fibres. If you have young children who spend time on the floor this is an obvious consideration. Cat and dog owners too will appreciate the ability to keep the floors hygienically clean. If you have allergies, wood flooring is also an obvious choice as solid wood flooring is easier to keep clean than carpet and doesn't trap dust and mites like carpet can.

Maintenance

wood flooring in kitchen

Wood flooring is minimal maintenance. Most floors can be cleaned by a dry brush to collect the dust and then washed with a simple mop and wood floor cleaner, being careful not to saturate the wood, and always following manufacturers instructions. Use floor protectors under furniture to prevent marks. Scratches and damage can occur, but because the wood has a uniqueness, each piece with its only markings and knots, minor scratches and damage are easy to overlook.  Greater damage can be repaired with sanding and refinishing, and this is cheaper than a new carpet that's for sure.

Ecological 

Wood is a natural renewable and recyclable resource. Many floors are made from reclaimed wood and recycled from barns, churches, railway sleepers, warehouses and ships. It's can be a sustainable option if you choose wisely, look for the FSC certificate. 

Adding Value

Wood floors in a house can add value to your home. When buying a new house many people replace carpets but hardwood flooring is almost always kept due to its timeless appeal, durability and classic good looks. It can make your home more saleable and desirable.

Lower Utility Bills

Solid wood floors have insulating properties as they trap warm air. This means a warmer environment and lower heating bills. We all want lower energy bills, don't we!

Style 

wood floor

Wood flooring never really goes out of fashion like carpets and lino can.  If you are having a new wood floor fitted there is a good choice of wood available to fit in with the look and style of your house including oak, maple, walnut and Scottish elm. If you get tired of the finish you can also sand and refinish the wood to get a different look.

As you can see there are many reasons why you need wood flooring in your home, including great looks, easy maintenance and lower bills. An initial investment in wood flooring will mean long-term benefits for the future for the home-owner.

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Important Things To Consider When Choosing A Shower

Have you been thinking of updating your bathroom recently? If you have, have you decided whether you want a shower or a bath? In this busy day and age, more people are opting for showers over baths and it is easy to see why. Showers are quick, showers are efficient and showers take up less space. 

So where to start when choosing a shower?  You want to ensure you are buying the best shower for your needs so it is important to do your research.

Not only have you got to work out the measurements but you’ve got to think about all of the different elements of the shower such as the shower basin, the showerhead, the shower filter, the shower controls and the different spray options. 

Here are just a few things you should be looking for when choosing a shower.

What water system do you have?


This is important to know as the type of water system you have in your house could affect the selection of models you can choose from. An electric shower will work with any water system but others such as mixer systems will not - a mixer shower would be well suited to a high pressure water system whereas a low pressure water system would be better suited to a power shower.

If you choose an electric, shower you need to consider the kW rating - the higher it is, the more powerful your shower will be.

What features do you want?

A shower may seem pretty simple but there are actually a few different things to consider when it comes to the features available. Do you want a thermostat which keeps the temperature steady to stop that horrible feeling when it hits a scalding hot temperature followed by ice-cold? What about a maximum temperature or a variety of spray options? 

These are all things you will want to think about before choosing a shower. A shower head with one of the top shower filters purifies your water and prevents limescale build-up and is another thing you may want to consider.

What look do you want it to have?

shower

Another consideration is the design of the shower itself. You are going to want one that not only has the relevant features but also fits in with the design of the rest of the room. Whether you go for super modern and minimalist, or chic and luxurious, or Victorian and traditional there is a style for you. 

When giving your bathroom a new look you will want the shower to fit in seamlessly. That is why it is important to think about how it should look.

What budget do you have?

Finally, and perhaps some would say, most importantly, you need to think about the budget you have available. It is all well and good choosing a shower with a specific look and specific features but if you can’t afford it, then there’s just no point. Work out what funds you have readily available and find the best value for money you can with the features and design you want. You may be surprised to see what is out there that you'll love!

I hope this guide helps you to choose the perfect shower now you know what you want!


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Top Fashion Trends for the Rest of 2020

As the strange summer of 2020 winds down to a close, 2020’s overall weirdness has become a matter of course for most of us. We’re left wondering if this is the new normal or if things will return to how they were.

Update

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease with even those shielding able to get out now, sweatpants and all-day pyjamas have finally been banished to the back of the cupboard. Even if nightclubs aren't opening anytime soon and the office Christmas party shows no sign of happening, we still need to update to appropriate clothing. Hush Style can help you update the wardrobe without breaking the bank especially if you are looking for designer brands.

Avoid

Avoid being arrested by the fashion police. That means don’t try to squeeze into last year’s autumn and winter wear. I mean who hasn't put on a few pounds extra? Being out of style is bad enough, but being out of fashion in clothes two sizes too tight is even worse. It isn’t very good for your health either. Tight clothing cuts off circulation.

Don’t try to find something that fits in the High Street sales either. Brick and mortar retailers were ordered to shut their shops in March, only being allowed to reopen in summer. It may be tempting to grab a bargain leftover from last winter, but times have changed. 

Bargain boxes of clothing aren't always a good choice. If you are going to order one, be sure it's an ethical choice and supports workers in poorer countries. However, there’s no way of knowing what brands or styles you’ll be getting. Each brand runs their women’s sizes differently. Clothes could be too small or too big by a large margin. Also, it's often better to buy one item that lasts longer than 10 that won't.

Pockets

Women’s clothing is well known for not having appropriate pockets. Global pandemic or not, this hasn’t changed. Without pockets to carry around the basic phone, wallet and keys plus the new essentials of masks (with a few to spare), gloves and hand gels, women need a good sized handbag. It needs to be large enough to fit at least all of that and possibly more. Cross body bags leave you hands-free while keeping your bag close. If you’re walking to the office to avoid the virus on public transport, a rucksack can carry everything plus your office shoes.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are a must if you plan on entering any shop, building or are in close proximity to others. Only a handful of exceptions exist. That doesn’t mean your face covering needs to be ugly. A scarf can meets regulations while protecting others. It is a stylish way to cover your nose and mouth. Better still look to get one of the three-layer face coverings you can buy and wash after use.

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Say It With Champers - Personalised Champagne And Prosecco For All Occasions

I love to support small businesses and today I am interviewing Didier Penine who owns the company Say It With Champers. Didier has a passion for his personalised champagne business, so let's find out more about the Say It With Champers brand.

How did you get the idea for your business? 

champagne

About 12 years ago when I married my wife, my father brought some bottles of personalised Champagne themed around the wedding over. I had never heard of personalised Champagne and the idea captivated at that moment. I kept thinking about it and wanting to do it but never dared take the plunge. Circumstances a couple of years ago meant the timing was right and then the business was finally set up! We are an online-only business that caters for both the general public and also businesses. 

Can you tell my readers more about what you sell, please.


For the general public, we have a range of designs covering all the popular occasions like anniversary, birthday, wedding and so on. All the designs are unique to ourselves and make a great gift to make the special occasion. For businesses, we design a label from scratch around the company branding - they will then typically use them as gifts to staff, gifts to key clients, or to toast corporate anniversaries for example. This side of the business has taken off massively since June, previously companies would wine and dine for staff for an occasion but with social distancing, they are now opting to send gifts to those concerned,

What's your best selling item? 

personalised champagne

The bespoke label design for businesses account for about 90% of my turnover and is proving increasingly popular as business look for gifts that are different but also ones that people will enjoy. For the general public, our birthday range is the most popular which makes sense due to the number of birthday gifts we all give and receive on a yearly basis.

What makes your company unique? 

special occasion champagne

Presently, we are the only personalised Champagne company that has a family produced Champagne. The Champagne producing side of my family are based in Festigny, and they are a 7th generation grower/producer. their yearly production is around 30,000 bottles or so which is fairly moderate but at the same time quite typical for many smaller Champagne producers.

Who or what inspires you? 

Champagne

People who are self-employed have always inspired me, whether they are a decorator, musician or owner of a large corporation. Until I started my business I was always unhappy working for others and knew being self-employed was a path I wanted to go down myself. It can be tricky however and needs careful thought before taking the plunge.

What advice would you give to someone starting their own business? 

Vegan champagne

Be prepared to go without an income for a good few months, and even worse be prepared for some loss-making months, I think the majority of businesses that fold are due to lack of cash flow, and if that business had been able to stay afloat for a few more months may well have succeeded. It takes time to get things up and running, much more than people think and longer than I certainly anticipated. It also takes a lot of work and late nights, but if you can take some leans months and are prepared to put the work in to set it up then it will be worthwhile in the long run.

Thanks, Didier for answering my questions. You have a great business that's perfect for the big celebrations in life. Don't forget to check out the Say It With Champers website if you are looking for a bottle of personalised champagne or prosecco. They also do vegan champagne too!

Some Ideas For Your Neglected Garden

If your garden has been neglected for a while and you’re finally looking to do something about it, you may not know where to start.  It can be a little overwhelming with so many options out there. So here is a post to give you some garden inspiration. Enjoy!

Split the Garden Into Distinct Sections

garden patio

First of all, you should think about splitting the garden up into a series of distinct sections, each with its own purpose. For example, one area might be dedicated to flowers and flower beds, while another might be more about relaxing and dining outdoors with family. Creating zones in your garden in this way is definitely a good idea and can make your garden multi-functional.

Pick a New Theme

butterfly in garden

Every garden should have some sort of theme or stylistic approach if you want it to all come together. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. It could be as simple as sticking to a particular colour combination or you could take things a little further than that, such as a wild garden, a butterfly garden or an edible garden, it’s entirely up to you. Once you have a theme, make it your aim to stick to it for a cohesive approach.

Invest in a New Shed

shed

If you’re looking to make gardening an activity that you do regularly, it’s a good idea to invest in some tools and a shed where you can store them. You can find garden sheds for sale very easily and once you have one, it’ll make it easier to stick to your plans of gardening regularly and staying on top of essential garden maintenance. It could be just what your space needs.

Weed and Prune

weed and prune

If you want to first of all tackle the situation that your garden is currently in, you’ll need to tame it and get it back under your control. Doing that is often easier said than done, but it all starts with the process of weeding and pruning the garden. That allows you to cut out the dead parts of the bushes, plants and shrubs while making space for healthier regrowth going forward.

Deal with Any Issues

As you're weeding and pruning your yard, keep your eye open for any issues you may have missed, or ignored, over the last few months. For instance, if there is an abundance of pests like wasps or ants lurking about your patio, or you find rodent droppings in one corner of your garden, it's definitely time to call in a pest control expert so they can effectively address any infestations. Similarly, if you notice any standing water or the erosion of your soil from rainfall, it may be worth speaking to a yard drainage service near me to see if there is a system that can be installed in order to ensure the integrity of your garden well into the future. Dealing with problems as soon as they arise, or before they cause any more damage to your property, is a sure-fire way to set your new gardening venture off on the right foot!

Start Planting

flowers

For your garden to really feel full of life and vibrancy, you need to add some plants and flowers to it. It really is as simple as that. So eventually the time will come when you simply need to start planning out your flower beds and get planting. It can be a little daunting at first if you’re not much of a gardener, but there are plenty of guides out there that make the steps clear.

If you’re not sure where to take your neglected garden, starting with the ideas I've discussed here is definitely a good place to start. You’re not going to fix it overnight, but with the right approach you’ll eventually be able to create a garden that offers all the things you want it to.


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