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Odd Ball Sh$t

Boondocking With Your Electric Vehicle

by The Sicilian No Comments

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and affordable way to travel, boondocking with your electric vehicle is the perfect option! 

We will tell you everything you need to know to take a long road trip in your EV. We’ll cover topics such as charging options, campsites, and how to enjoy the great outdoors without relying on fossil fuels. 

Let’s get started!

What is Boondocking, and Why Should You Try It?

For many people, the appeal of camping is getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoying some time in nature. If that sounds like you, then you might want to try boondocking.

Boondocking is a type of camping where you stay in a remote location without hookups for water, electricity, or sewer. While this might sound daunting at first, boondocking can actually be a great way to connect with nature and disconnect from the world.

One of the best parts about boondocking is that it allows you to camp in some of the most beautiful locations. Since you’re not limited to established campgrounds, you can find a spot that suits your needs and interests, whether it’s next to a lake or in the middle of a forest.

Boondocking also forces you to be more self-sufficient, which can be a great learning experience. And since you’re not relying on amenities like showers and laundry facilities, boondocking is often much cheaper than traditional camping. 

Tips for Camping in Your Electric Vehicle

Bear in mind that your electric car will need a reliable power source to recharge its batteries. So, if you’re planning to camp in a more remote location, you’ll need to bring along a portable charger or generator.

Pack wisely and try to keep your camping gear as light as possible. Remember that you’ll need to transport all of your gear in your EV, so don’t overdo it. A few basics – like a tent, sleeping bag, and cooler – should suffice.

Finally, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to recharge your batteries before hitting the road again. Electric cars can take a while to charge, so plan accordingly. 

The Best Electric Vehicle Models for Your Camping Trip

You’ll need to make sure your EV has enough range to get you to your campsite and back, or know where charging stations are located on your route. 

You also need to consider what kind of camping gear you’ll need to bring, as some EVs may not have enough storage space for everything. And, you will want an EV that can handle off-road conditions, as some models are better equipped for this than others.

One of the most popular options is the Tesla Model S, which offers plenty of space for camping gear and can easily recharge on the go. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Nissan Leaf is a great choice. With a range of up to 150 miles, it can handle most camping trips without needing to be recharged.

How to Find Charging Stations While on the Road

Electric car owners have to think about charging their vehicle before embarking on a long journey. If you’re driving an electric car, it’s essential to know how to find charging stations while on the road. The best way to do this is by using a charging station locator, like EVgo. There are several websites and apps that can help you find charging stations in your area.

Once you’ve found a few possible options, you can check the reviews to see what other drivers have said about them. You can also call the stations ahead of time to make sure they’re open and available. By taking these steps, you can be sure that you’ll always be able to find a reliable and convenient place to charge your electric car.

How to Reduce Your Environmental Impact While Boondocking

For many people, boondocking is the best way to experience the great outdoors. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact that your activities can have on the environment. There are a few simple steps that you can take to minimize your impact while boondocking.

First, be sure to dispose of any garbage or food waste properly. Don’t leave anything behind that could attract wildlife or interfere with the natural ecosystem. 

Second, be mindful of your water usage. If possible, collect and reuse rainwater for washing or watering plants. And third, be careful with fires. Only build them in designated areas, and be sure to extinguish them thoroughly before you leave. Use only dead wood that you gather on site. Don’t cut living vegetation. 

Boondocking can be a great way to experience nature and save money on camping fees. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact your activities can have on the environment. By following these simple guidelines, you can help protect the environment while enjoying all that boondocking has to offer.

 

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Reading time: 4 min
DYI Home

How To Plan For A Kitchen Remodel

by The Sicilian No Comments

Deciding to remodel your kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. The kitchen is where people spend most of their waking hours while at home. It is where they cook, eat, and gather with the family. It is also where they talk and share ideas about the latest trends and fashions. Consequently, it is not surprising that the kitchen would be on the top of the list of home improvement projects. Having an up to date, modern kitchen, allows people not only to function better with new cabinets and appliances, but also enables them to feel that they are indeed living in modern society.

Kitchen remodeling however can be a very messy and disruptive home improvement project. And the length of the disruption can take as long as a month or more, even when well planned out.

To mitigate the disruption of a kitchen renovation project, planning is absolutely essential. The first item to consider is whether you will do it yourself, or hire a general contractor. Regardless of what route, a homeowner needs to first sketch out some kitchen remodeling ideas to ensure the kitchen design and costs will meet their targeted functional requirements and budget. If a general contractor is to be hired these initial sketches will be helpful in communicating your kitchen remodeling plans and ideas.

During the planning phase, the homeowner should identify the main objectives of the future kitchen. They should research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.

It is also important to consider any structural changes to the existing kitchen area. Is a new kitchen island desired, or will walls or doorways need to be moved or installed?

When developing your kitchen remodeling plan, it is important to note that professional kitchen designers like to think of a triangle when starting a new kitchen design. The three points of the triangle include the Sink, Refrigerator, and Stove. Make sure your sketches consider this, as it will ensure a good functional kitchen. Also, consider adequate walking areas and space for an eating area, such as a table or center island, with applicable space included for chairs. I would suggest that the walking areas be wide enough for two people to walk through at the same time.

The sketches should also include dimensions, as these will be needed when meeting with the general contractor or kitchen designer. Finally, consider where the existing outlets and power for the stove are, and assess if additional outlets will be needed or old outlets relocated.

When remodeling your kitchen, remember that you’ll be living with this for many years.

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Food and Drink

Making A Great Espresso

by The Sicilian No Comments

Drinking espresso has become a way of life for most people, particularly those who have heavy schedules and who take time out to relax with a cup of freshly brewed espresso or coffee.

pronounced- eS presso. Many people incorrectly pronounce it expresso.

Coffee is so popular it is believed that it comes next to water as a popular drink. The whole world loves a good cup of coffee that annual consumption can reach to as high as 400 billion coffee cups all over the world.

Most avid coffee or espresso drinkers can have a cup of espresso a day or even more, without knowing where this rousing beverage came from. That heavenly brew comes from coffee beans that are sourced from evergreen trees that are grown all over the world. The evergreen tree is widely grown in Latin America, Indonesia, Hawaii, Southeast Asia and in Africa.

While the word espresso may have come from an Italian word meaning express or fast, it really is a misnomer since espresso or brewed coffee have to undergo a process before one can enjoy its freshly brewed taste. To make a good espresso, one has to start with a good coffee variety that must have undergone proper grinding. A good espresso maker handled by a capable barista can yield an espresso that can taste heavenly. The goodness of an espresso can be determined even from its aroma alone.

Coffee drinkers who are serious about making good espresso should invest in a good espresso machine. Good espresso machines come in a variety of brands, sizes and prices. You need not spend more to get a good espresso machine because there are good espresso makers that are reason ably priced. When making the espresso, always remember to turn on the espresso machine and allow it to heat properly. Establishments that have fast espresso orders do not really put off their machines to make sure it is properly heated for every espresso order.

When buying coffee beans, it is better to grind them as you use them because keeping them even in a tight container after grinding can result to a loss of aroma. Attention should also be placed on the type of grinder being used, with conical burr grinders preferred than flat burr grinders. The grinder with a conical burr is preferred because it can grind the beans without heating them and lessening their aroma in the process.

While the kind of coffee beans used for the espresso must be chosen well, baristas should also make sure that only filtered water is used for the espresso as the water’s mineral content can affect the taste of the espresso.

When one finds a good coffee blend, the tendency is to buy more for storage. When you do this, do not commit the mistake of keeping coffee in the freezer or refrigerator. It is best to store them in a container that is foolproof and clean and place them in a dark and cool area.

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In The Garage Whiskey and Cigars

Cigars 101 An Overview Of Cigars

by The Sicilian No Comments

Cigars have long been associated with the rich and powerful, with relaxation and rich flavor. Cigar aficionados have created a culture around the art of smoking, assembling various theories and accessories to debate and facilitate smoking. Much like wine tasting, cigar smoking has been seen as a diversion of the upper echelons of society.

It is believed that cigars were probably first produced in Spain, and then quickly caught on in other European countries. Although many different countries manufacture cigars, Cuban cigars have long been highly regarded as one of the most flavorful and rich of all cigars. This is due to regional microclimates that are said to produce the highest quality tobacco, as well as the skill of the country’s cigar makers. Other countries that produce significant amounts of tobacco and cigars include Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and the United States. Why have cigars long caught the attention of so many? Many speculate that the cigar’s main attraction is in the way it is manufactured. High quality cigars are always wrapped by hand. Unlike cigarettes, cigars undergo a lengthy process of fermentation and aging (much like wine), resulting in subtle flavors and textures. They are highly individual and the best cigars will provide no smoky aftertaste at all.

The taste of cigars is much more complex than cigarettes. The majority of all cigars are created by wrapping three different layers of tobacco leaves together. High quality cigars usually contain long leaves of nicotine as the filler, although they may also contain a combination of scraps. This results in subtle variations, different textures, and complex flavors. Cigarettes, on the other hand, are mass-produced and generally only contain one type of tobacco. Cigars also come in an incredible variety of flavors. The dedicated cigar aficionado can find chocolate, vanilla, apple, and even coffee-flavored cigars!

Although cigars have long been lauded for their smooth and complex flavors, they can also pose a great health risk. All tobacco contains nicotine. We’ve all heard about the negative health risks of nicotine, but what does it do exactly? Nicotine is a stimulant that produces a sense of euphoria. Even the casual smoker cannot escape the fact that nicotine is highly addictive and contains various toxins, carcinogens, and irritants. Although most connoisseurs of cigars will avoid inhaling the smoke, they are still at risk of developing various types of oral and larynx cancers.

 

How To Choose The Perfect Single

Wondering how to choose the perfect cigar? If you’re a newcomer to the world of cigar smoking, here are a few tips to choosing the best cigar.

First, note the texture of the cigar. Squeeze it gently. Is very soft, or rigid? Ideally, the cigar should give slightly, but not too much. Very gently, squeeze the length of the cigar to check for lumps. A good cigar will have a consistent texture.

Next, inspect the cigar for flaws. Any cracks or discolorations are the signs of a lower quality cigar. The cigar’s wrapper should be wrapped smoothly.

Finally, look at the ends of the cigar. Pay particular attention to the exposed end where cigar is lit. If you’re new to cigars, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the tobacco. The simplest way to judge the tobacco quality of a cigar is to inspect the color of the tobacco. If you note any abrupt color changes, this may indicate that the tobacco leaves were not laid out properly. Look for a cigar with a smooth blend of tobacco.

 

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