We all know the importance of consuming enough water daily. But, do you know the importance of drinking the right type of water? Or how much better purified water is compared to the general tap water you’ve been drinking for years? Thankfully, you can easily purify the water in your home without hassle.

The following are several ways to do this.

1. Water purification systems

Installing a water purification system in your home is the best and most convenient way of ensuring that the water you are using on a daily basis does not contain any harmful substances. This method won’t be too expensive and when done by a reputable company, won’t be of any hassle. It’s the easiest way of guaranteeing a clean supply of water.

Get in touch with an expert like Jim McMahon from Cleanairpurewater.com who is a professional ecologist with extensive knowledge on what makes water unhealthy, and what you need to do to make yours more drinkable. He deals with all customers individually, starting off with a phone call, to ensure they get what they need.

2. Boiling

Boiling is one of the oldest forms of water purification and is considered to be a fail-safe method to purify water at home. The process doesn’t require any special instruments, simply heating water until it reaches its boiling point and then letting it boil for five to seven minutes will kill most of the impurities and make the water drinkable. Adding a pinch of salt to the water will give it a little taste as boiling kills oxygen in water.

3. Iodine tablets or liquid tablets

Small amount of iodine tablets or liquid iodine is sufficient to purify water and kill all contaminants that are harmful for your health. As iodine is also a chemical, using it in small amounts and only as a temporary purification solution is recommended if you want to ensure you stay healthy.

4. Solar disinfection

This is an inexpensive way of purifying water when you do not have the option of boiling water. As hinted by the name, the sun’s energy is used to purify the water. Fill plastic bottles with water and put them in the path of direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours to kill all impurities before consuming it.

There are numerous methods of purifying water to make it drinkable. While installing a water purification system is the easiest way of purification, there are also some free options to consider such as boiling the water (however these could be seen as more of a hassle as you have to wait for it to be done each time). Use the method that is easiest for you and don’t side-line the importance of having purified water in your home!

Summer is coming and many will be looking to fire up the grill. Most people dream of having a perfect barbecue that their friends, neighbors and family talk about for ages, but few know how to create such an event. In order for you to make thing memorable, you need to have a plan so that by the end of the day people are applauding your perfect barbecue. Here is that plan.

Get Your Grill in Top Shape

The key preparation item for the perfect barbecue is to properly prepare your grill. To ensure the best taste for the meats you cook, be sure your grill is clean of any food particles and rust. So scrub it until it shines and has no residual smells. This is really important because delicate meats like grass fed lamb, can easily pick up the tastes from a dirty grill. So you want it clean to enjoy the lamb’s amazing flavours. Then apply a coat of cooking oil to get it ready for grilling. If you’re cooking on a charcoal grill, using wood chips is a simple trick to add extra flavor to your meat and veggies.

Set a Killer Menu

Set out your guest list and when you know how many will attend and what types of foods they prefer, you can make your food list. Remember, the menu is the main attraction at a barbecue so make sure your food rocks. This starts by contacting your organic butcher and ordering a range of meats that will satisfy all of your guests. Keep things simple for the most part with the staples of hamburgers, beef ribs, and chicken thighs and drumsticks. Think out your marinades because some will require giving the meat an overnight soak. Match your meat up local or exotic vegetables from a farmer’s market. Look for vegetables with interesting colors and tastes in addition to staples like corn and potatoes.

Now that you have the staples covered throw in some gourmet selections that will appeal to the more discerning guests. How about some a beef brisket or steaks made with aged beef. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope and serve them things they might not expect from your backyard barbecue. In the end it will have everyone talking.

The Side Salads Complete the Menu

What completes every barbecue meal is a range of side salads to accompany what you grill. There are variations on the traditional green, potato and macaroni salads and cole slaw recipes to make them special. How about adding grilled chicken to your potato or macaroni salads, or instead of the standard lettuce options in your green salad, choose arugula, endive, micro-greens, or shredded purple cabbage. A little bit of minced basil, sage, thyme, or your favorite fresh herb can add a new dimension to your salads. Also look at tofu, tempe and dried fruits as options. The goal is to bring more complex tastes to the traditional fare, so again be creative.

Keep the Drinks Coming

The second most important thing to have at your perfect barbecue is a variety of drinks for all of your guests. Yes, you need to have plenty of beer and wine and soda, but also you need to create some special cocktails for the occasion. Since there will be a crowd, look to make drinks that you can provide in large quantities rather than individual servings. Break out the pitchers and make a few summer punches with different alcohols as the base. Make one each for rum, vodka and gin and add fresh fruit and lots of ice. Expect they will be very popular so keep extra amounts prepared and ready to serve quickly.

Pick the Right Music

The summer has its own vibe and it needs to be reflected in your music selection. Set up a continuous playlist of all the great summer songs from the generation of your guests. If all ages are attending, mix things up but be careful about music that has profanity or off-colour topics. You should intermingle styles and genres as long as the music makes people smile and dance.

Plan Some Activities

Everyone loves to have fun in the summertime so your guests will be delighted that you’ve set up games for them. Think croquet, horseshoes, corn hole, bocce ball, or badminton in the backyard. You can also have friendly card games for those who like a little competition (but no poker or gambling).

There you have it. The recipe for the perfect barbecue. Enjoy!

Monaco is uniquely located to enjoy some of the finest wines on the French Riviera and beyond. Its proximity to the Italian border and fantastic links by road, air and sea also ensure that those who reside in the Principality get the best selection of imported wines too. Monaco’s luxury real estate market has always attracted foreigners with its tax-free living and abundance of sunshine, but wine connoisseurs are also flocking to the Principality to pick up the best vintages and partake in decadent degustations.

1. Wine Palace

Wine Palace Monte-Carlo is undoubtedly the most popular wine house in the region. In fact, it is so luxurious that it has been upgraded to palace status and the wines proffered in its hallowed space are fit for royalty. Situated in the exclusive Yacht Club de Monaco, Wine Palace has an unrivalled cellar offering more than 2,300 wines, champagnes and spirits in a sophisticated setting.

Both Old World vintages and New World modern wines are available and have undergone a rigorous selection process. Sample the wine on the elegant terrace or within the chic interior with its plush burgundy leather seats. Enjoy sumptuous tasting platters of salmon, charcuterie and cheese chosen to perfectly accompany each recommended wine. The highly-renowned interior design company Sabrina Monte-Carlo supplies the glassware and tableware. Wine Palace Monte-Carlo is a firm favourite with yacht owners and sommeliers since it can deliver to your home or yacht at no extra charge.

2. Caves et Gourmandises

This is the shop to visit for rare Italian and French wines. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will certainly help you make a selection if you are overwhelmed by the choice. It is in a good location at Boulevard Albert Ier by the port and has a seated area for champagne and wine tasting with various condiments and accompaniments. Caves et Gourmandises has a wonderful selection of local Provence wines and delivery is free in Monaco and Nice.

3. Dionysos Wines

Having opened just two years ago, this wine cellar is the newest in the Principality. Dionysos Wines is situated at 4 Rue Princesse Caroline in La Condamine district. The contemporary boutique wine shop offers courses and wine tasting events with different themes in its stylish tasting room. The expert sommelier can advise you on the best wine and gift boxes for all occasions and personalities and there is shelf upon shelf of enticing options from as far afield as South Africa and Australia. They offer free delivery in Monaco and its surrounding communities.

4. Caves Nicolas Monaco

Nicolas is in a central location at 29 Boulevard de Moulins. It is a liquor store that savvy locals visit when they want to pick up something special from a good selection of wines and spirits. The fifteen-year-old store is well established and part of a European chain. It offers seasonal tasting, gourmet tips and online ordering.

5. Maison del Gusto

This virtual delicatessen is an online shop dedicated to supplying the most refined international products to customers. Its unique approach and sophisticated gourmet gifts have earned it numerous admirers. Maison del Gusto can certainly find the most exclusive and elusive wines from France, Spain and Italy, which are ideal for impressing guests.

Try the Spanish tapas gift box (€400.00) with small plates for a culinary experience from Iberia’s top producers coupled with the 2011 Macán and Macán Clásico Riojas. If you get bored of fine wines, try the 32 Via dei Birrai, the first Italian artisan brewery (and non-Belgian beer) to earn the prestigious Houblon Belge distinction.

Sticking to a strict vegan diet can be a challenge to some, especially if you’re just starting out. Many vegan practitioners tend to look for substitute meat and dairy products that can fill in the dietary gap that they left behind. However, not all faux meat and dairy products do a good job of standing in as a viable alternative.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert cook to find the right kind of vegan dishes to satisfy you. There are many creative options out there that can do the job. Here are just a few vegan options that you might want to consider:

Vegan Pasta

Normally, pasta has loads eggs, cheese, and meat that make it difficult to convert into a proper vegan meal. This is especially true for pasta dishes like carbonara. However, it’s possible to find some creative substitutes that can still give you the same taste profile as legitimate pasta.

King oyster mushrooms are meaty enough to substitute pork while not strong enough to make the entire dish taste like mushrooms. Similarly, there are many tofu-based sauces that can be used along with miso and nutritional yeast to give it a richer quality. Finally, to get the signature taste of Pecorino Romano, you can use sauerkraut brine.

Vegan Parmesan Substitute

Finally, for those looking for the unique taste profile of parmesan cheese, there’s actually a way to reconstruct it in a safe, vegan fashion. This requires several herbs that can give you the same rich, tangy kick that parmesan is known for. The mixture includes miso, rosemary, olives, and lemon zest that need to be dehydrated to concentrate their flavor. The result is a savory and aromatic condiment that goes perfectly with any pasta dish or anything that requires you to use parmesan cheese.

Vegan Burgers

If you’re want a veggie burger that doesn’t have a bland taste to it, you should try making your own patties with a little bit of everything in it. Throwing in mushrooms and eggplant along with garlic, leeks, and celery should give your patties an extra kick in terms of flavor. Likewise, if you want to give your patties a good amount of texture, you should consider adding chickpeas, panko, and barley into the mix. And to top things off, don’t forget to add bread crumbs just before cooking the patties to avoid giving it a mushy texture.

Vegan “Bacon”

Mushrooms do a good job as a meat substitute and the king mushroom oyster is perfect when you want to recreate the consistency of bacon. What’s great with vegan bacon is that it can easily be used for any dish that requires bacon bits or bacon slices.

What’s important here is to have a smoker (even a homemade one) that you can use to give your bacon the smoky, signature flavor that you’re looking for. After dehydrating the thinly sliced mushrooms and smoking them until they achieve the desired crispy texture, you can have yourself some smoked mushroom “bacon” that looks and tastes just like the real thing.

Vegan Mayonnaise

One of the many things many vegan miss is mayonnaise. Fortunately, creating a substitute version isn’t that hard at all. The main trick here is the use of aquafaba. This liquid has proteins and starches that can stand in for egg in most cases. Once it’s mixed with chickpeas to help emulsify it, the resulting solution has the same consistency as mayonnaise. Just imagine how much better your sandwiches will taste with some vegan mayonnaise to give it some additional flavor and texture.

Finding the right kinds of vegan dishes isn’t that difficult as long as you’re willing to expand your mind and try to be a little creative. Hopefully, these recipes can help open up your options to accommodate your vegan needs.

What better way to spend a holiday than by enjoying delectable cuisine at some of the most picturesque destinations in the world? That’s exactly what cruise holidays offer, although they might not be the first things that spring to mind when planning for your next break abroad. Both on and off ship however, cruise holidays have a growing reputation for welcoming foodies around the globe to a world of gourmet paradise.

Dining on board

Depending on the size of your ship, you’ll find a wealth of culinary options on board that cater to practically every taste. Buffet restaurants are common features on the vast majority of vessels these days, while gourmet and speciality restaurants, pizza joints, ice cream parlours and American diners are also available across a number of cruise lines.

Ports and excursions

Of course, only once you drop anchor at your destination of choice will you be able to discover the local flavours in all their glory. Cruises typically travel to a range of locations in one journey, so you’re likely to have the chance to experiences a wide range of cuisines during your trip. Here are just a few of the most popular cruise itineraries for food lovers to get you started.

The Mediterranean

Mediterranean cruises offer a wonderful variety of cuisines, from traditional Greek and Turkish dishes in the east to the flavours of Spain and Italy in the west. Some itineraries take in specific pockets of the Med, while others explore this corner of the world in its entirety. Culinary highlights include Croatia’s world-famous goulash and pizza served just as it should be in Rome.

Alaska

Alaska might not be the first destination that springs to mind when you think of iconic cuisine, but cruises here will introduce you to some delicacies that even the most seasoned foodie might not have sampled before. Alaska’s speciality is, of course, fish – with smoked salmon, fresh king crab and black cod taking their place on most of the menus. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there’s always the option to sample the infamous reindeer dog while you’re at it too.

Australia

It’s not so much the food that takes centre stage during cruises to Australia – it’s the wine instead. Australian wine is among the finest in the world, while many voyages here make a point of featuring excursions to local vineyards. You’ll find that many cruise lines offer a great selection of wines back on board too, making cruise holidays the ultimate wine lovers retreat.

South America

Brazil, Chile and Argentina are just a few South American countries that welcome cruise ships to their ports each and every year. Soups and ganache packed with rich flavour are the norm here, while potatoes provide the base for many local dishes. If you happen to drop anchor in Brazil, be sure to sample the country’s national dish – Feijoada – a popular black bean and meat stew.

You’ll find that many cruise lines take your destination into consideration when planning their menus, so make sure you read up on what’s available before you sail. Whether dining on or off the ship, cruises have the potential to open the door to a new and exciting world of cuisine.