Business files live in the cloud now. So do emails, customer records, and often accounting system. That shift happened quietly, and security planning rarely kept pace with it. This is why IT support Fresno business owners trust has moved from a simple repair service into a daily protective layer.
Cloud Growth Rewrote What Local IT Actually Does
Local Teams Monitor What Internal Staff Miss: Cloud platforms do not manage themselves. Someone has to review access logs, revoke old accounts, and confirm that backups are actually completed. IT support Fresno companies build daily routines around this background work. That means fewer surprises when a vendor pushes an update or an employee leaves without notice on a Friday afternoon.
Response Speed Decides How Much It Costs: A ransomware alert at two in the morning means nothing if nobody sees it until the workday starts. Strong cloud security services pair automated detection with real people who answer quickly. Twenty minutes of containment can save a week of recovery work. Most business owners learn that lesson the expensive way.
The Quiet Gaps Attackers Find First
Misconfigured Access Opens More Doors than Malware: Most cloud breaches start with a login, not a virus. Shared passwords, dormant admin accounts, and skipped multi-factor authentication give attackers a clean way in. A quarterly review catches these settings early, and the fix usually takes minutes rather than the days a full recovery demands. Few teams schedule that review on their own.
Patch Delays Turn into Open Windows: Software updates land constantly, and skipping a few feels harmless until one of them turns out to be a security fix. Teams offering IT support Fresno businesses depend on handle patch scheduling quietly in the background, testing updates first so they do not break the tools staff use every morning. The work is invisible when it goes right.
Layered Protection Built for Everyday Business
Monitoring Never Clocks Out: Threats do not respect business hours, and neither should business defenses. Continuous endpoint protection watches laptops, servers, and mobile devices for unusual behavior, then flags it before data moves anywhere. Local teams review those alerts with context, knowing which activity is normal for the business. An out-of-state vendor rarely has that background.
Compliance Pressure Keeps Climbing: Healthcare, legal, and financial firms face rules that tighten every year. Documented cloud security services help demonstrate to auditors what is protected, who has access, and how incidents get handled. That paperwork feels tedious until a client asks for it during contract renewal. A practical plan usually pulls several pieces together:
Around-the-clock monitoring across cloud platforms and on-site equipment
Backup checks with restore tests that actually get run
Access reviews that close old accounts before they turn into entry points
Update scheduling handled outside standard working hours
Onsite and remote help from technicians who know the setup
Build a Cloud Setup that Removes the Worry
Cloud tools are not going away, and neither are the people trying to break into them. The businesses that stay steady are the ones with local help already in place, watching quietly before anything breaks. Book a free IT assessment and find out exactly where your gaps sit. Talk to a local IT expert this week.
End-of-life planning has grown beyond the traditional choice between burial and cremation. More families are now exploring paths that carry purpose, and having a body donated to science stands out as one of them. This route lets a loved one keep selflessly contributing after death, supporting the people who will care for future patients.
Compassion Becomes Lasting Scientific Progress
A Lasting Contribution to Learning: When a body donated to science reaches a teaching program, students gain something slides and diagrams cannot show. They study real anatomy and practice procedures no textbook can teach, building the confidence that later steadies their hands in a hospital. That grounding shapes how well tomorrow’s doctors read and treat the people in their care.
Real Comfort for Grieving Families: Choosing body donation rarely happens in isolation. Coordinators guide relatives through unfamiliar paperwork and answer the late-night worries that tend to surface. They also arrange respectful transport, so no family carries the weight of logistics alone during an already heavy time. Many families say the steady presence of someone who explains each step eased a painful season.
Where Careful Coordination Protects Every Family
Ethics at the Center of Every Case: Respect drives every stage of the process, from the moment someone registers to the day their remains come home. Programs supporting anatomical research follow strict consent standards and clear guidelines about how each donor may be accepted. That honesty, offered before any commitment, lets families trust the choice they are making and understand exactly what happens next.
Clarity from the First Question: People considering having a body donated to science often start with practical worries about cost and the dignity of the process. Good programs answer plainly, explaining what is covered and what is not before anyone signs anything. When cremated remains can be returned, families receive them with a note about the role their loved one played.
The Wider Reach of One Generous Choice
Skills Built for the Operating Room: A single donor can shape the work of many future clinicians. Surgeons refine delicate techniques through surgical training that relies on real tissue rather than models alone. The same generosity reaches nursing students and researchers too, so one family’s decision quietly spreads across an entire teaching community and touches patients those learners will never meet.
A Ripple Effect in Patient Care: The benefits of body donation rarely stay inside the classroom. Every technique practiced on a donor sharpens the care delivered to real patients months or years later. Better-prepared clinicians catch problems sooner and treat them with more assurance, turning one quiet act into countless small improvements in healthcare that ripple far beyond a single hospital.
What Makes This Choice Feel Right
Reasons Families Move Forward: People weigh many things before deciding, and the reasons tend to overlap in ways that surprise them. Some are practical, others deeply personal. The points below reflect what families most often mention when they look back later and feel at peace with the path they chose.
Meaningful support for scientific education and future patient care
Reduced funeral costs during an already stressful time
Respectful handling guided by clear consent and ethical standards
The option to receive cremated remains where applicable
A sense of purpose that helps grief feel less empty
Peace of Mind for Everyone Involved: Knowing the details are handled brings a quiet relief that lingers long after the arrangements end. Loved ones are spared difficult logistics, and the donor’s wish is honored exactly as intended. That reassurance often matters as much as the contribution itself, especially when emotions already run high and clear thinking feels hard to reach.
Honoring a Life by Advancing Many
Every donor leaves behind more than memory. They leave lessons that guide the next generation of caregivers and comfort for the family who said yes to body donation. For anyone weighing end-of-life options, learning how the process works and speaking with a coordinator early can turn a hard decision into a lasting gift worth giving.
Smart renovators have started asking a different question. Not what looks good today, but what still works in twenty years. Curtains fade, vertical blinds tangle, and cheap plastic yellows in the sun. A plantation shutters sliding door setup answers that question properly, which is perhaps why so many recent renovations feature one.
Where Style Meets a Door That Actually Slides
Panels Built Around the Way You Live: A plantation shutters sliding door system is made to the exact opening, so panels track smoothly without a bottom rail catching feet or dirt. Louvres tilt for privacy without blocking the doorway, and the whole arrangement works daily. Off-the-shelf coverings simply cannot manage that on a three-metre glass span.
Real Timber Without the Scary Quote: Automated factory production has changed what buyers pay. Machine cutting and routing brings the cost of plantation shutters in engineered timber below what the big online sellers charge for imported PVC. That gap surprises people. Quality no longer sits behind a premium price tag, and renovators are noticing it quickly.
The Details That Separate Smart Buys From Regret
One Investment, Not a Replacement Cycle: Timber shutters behave like an asset rather than a fashion purchase. Sealed against moisture, the panels stay straight for decades and can be repainted in any colour when tastes change. Compare that with plastic alternatives that fade, cannot hold paint, and end up in landfill within fifteen years.
Fewer Panels, Better Views: Most window treatments chop a wide opening into narrow, cluttered strips. Wide shutter panels, hung on an overhead track covered by a professional pelmet instead of multiple narrow panels with bulky frames, do the opposite. Fewer joins mean clearer sightlines to the garden, and long drops can run as a single clean piece with no mid rail cutting across.
Comfort You Notice Every Season
A Buffer Against Heat and Glare: Big glass doors flood a room with natural light, yet they also leak heat in winter and bake interiors in summer. Closed timber louvres slow both. Rooms hold their temperature longer, harsh afternoon glare softens, and furniture fabrics stop fading. Small change, honestly, but you feel it within the first week.
Practical Extras Worth Asking About: Knowing the full cost of plantation shutters means looking past the square metre rate to what the system can actually do. Made-to-measure production solves problems that stall other projects, and a few options make daily life noticeably easier:
Integrated fly screens mounted within the panel
Bi-fold and stacker door configurations
Fitting into shallow reveals from around 30 mm
Custom colours matched to existing joinery
Arches, triangles and other awkward shapes
Oter prestige window furnsihings offered so you can meet your budget
The Doorway That Sells the Whole Room
Buyers walk into an open-plan space and judge it in seconds, and the sliding door is usually the first thing they see. Shutters built to that exact opening add comfort, privacy and genuine resale appeal for decades. Ready to see what your doorway could look like? Send through measurements or a quick photo today and get honest guidance before paying a cent.
Power outages occur without warning, and to top it all, the electricity costs are increasing. That’s why lots of property owners are rethinking how they will manage their energy requirements. A reliable backup system, paired with solar power, offers both security and long-term savings.
Why Backup Power Matters?
A power failure can stop daily routines within minutes. It may also affect comfort, safety, and business operations. That is why many people are looking for home generators for sale that deliver dependable backup whenever the grid goes offline.
Benefits of Home Generators
Keep essential lights running
Support heating and cooling systems
Secure refrigerated food
Prevent unnecessary spoilage
Power medical equipment
Keep internet services active
Reduce business interruptions
Safeguard valuable electronics
Maintain security systems
Improve comfort during outages
Choosing the Right Generator
Every property has different energy demands. So, selecting the right generator requires careful planning. The right system delivers reliable performance and helps avoid unnecessary operating costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable electricity generation is projected to exceed 17,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, reflecting the growing demand for cleaner and more reliable energy worldwide.
Things to Consider
Estimate total power usage
Think about future needs
Select a trusted brand
Check available fuel options
Compare fuel efficiency
Review transfer switch features
Look for remote monitoring
Consider operating noise
Choose professional installation
Follow routine maintenance
Features That Add Long-Term Value
Modern standby generators include practical features that improve reliability. As a result, they require less manual effort while delivering dependable backup power.
Modern Generator Features
Automatic power restoration
Remote performance tracking
Durable weather protection
Quiet operation
Smart diagnostic alerts
Scheduled self-testing
Long service life
Low maintenance needs
Reliable all-season performance
Added property value
These features simplify ownership while improving day-to-day reliability. They also help reduce unexpected downtime over the long term.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that global renewable power capacity reached 4,448 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, with solar accounting for the largest share of new installations. This highlights the continued growth of renewable energy worldwide.
Why Solar Energy Complements Backup Power
Generators provide electricity during emergencies. They create a balanced solution that delivers both savings and dependable performance. Many people now invest in North Bay solar systems to reduce dependence on the grid. At the same time, they gain greater control over long-term energy expenses.
Benefits of North Bay Solar Systems
A well-designed solar system offers decreased utility bills. It also supports cleaner energy and improves long-term efficiency.
Advantages of Solar Power
Lower electricity expenses
Reduce grid dependence
Generate clean energy
Increase property value
Lower carbon emissions
Improve long-term savings
Require little maintenance
Produce reliable daytime power
Support battery storage
Why Does This Combination Work?
A properly planned system generates more usable energy throughout the year. It also leaves room for future expansion as energy needs grow.
Reliable backup power.
Lower yearly energy costs.
Greater energy independence.
Improved system reliability.
Better weather protection.
Together, these technologies create a stronger energy solution. They reduce operating costs and help properties stay ready.
Conclusion
Reliable energy protects daily activities. It also keeps essential systems running. Combining standby generators with the North Bay solar system creates a dependable solution. It delivers reliable power today and supports future energy needs.
Indeed, Egypt offers lots of fun during visits that will stay in your memory for eternity. Ancient temples, big pyramids, and quiet deserts all tell different stories. That is why private Egypt tours are becoming a better choice for many visitors. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, your own plan is followed. More time can be spent where your interest grows.
Why Private Tours Egypt?
Travel at your own comfort.
Flexible daily schedules.
Private vehicles improve comfort.
Local guides share deeper historical stories.
Family trips become easier to manage.
Romantic holidays are more relaxed.
Solo travelers enjoy greater convenience.
Many travel worries are also reduced if things are planned before arrival.
Places That Deserve a Spot on Your Itinerary
Egypt has much more to offer than the pyramids. Every city has its own history, whereas each attraction keeps people enticed. According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, nearly 19 million international tourists visited Egypt in 2025, showing a growth of about 21% from the previous year.
Some destinations worth adding include:
Pyramids of Giza
The Sphinx
Egyptian Museum
Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple
Valley of the Kings
Abu Simbel
Aswan
Nile River Cruise
Nubian Villages
Old streets can also be explored. Local markets may be visited. Traditional Egyptian food can be enjoyed while local culture is experienced closely.
Plan Your Trip to Egypt Before You Travel
A better holiday starts with good preparation. When you plan your trip to Egypt, many travel problems can be avoided. Hotels get booked early. Popular attractions fit easily into the schedule. Extra travel costs are also reduced. A simple travel plan brings more comfort because every day is used wisely.
Things to Prepare Before Leaving
Select the best travel season.
Finalize the number of travel days.
Reserve hotels early.
Arrange airport transfers.
Check visa requirements.
Keep local currency ready.
Pack light clothing.
Carry comfortable walking shoes.
Confirm guided tours before arrival.
According to the OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 Report, Egypt welcomed 15.8 million international visitors in 2024, while tourism revenue reached nearly USD 15.3 billion. These numbers show how important tourism has become for the country’s economy. Early planning also gives more choices. Better hotels remain available. These small preparations help avoid unnecessary problems. At the same time, more time is spent enjoying the places that truly matter.
Travel With a Trusted Local Team
A good travel partner makes every part of the journey easier. Transport gets arranged. Hotels stay ready before arrival. Entry tickets can also be managed in advance. Because of this, unnecessary delays are avoided, while every destination gets enough time. Local knowledge also adds value. Stories behind every monument are explained. Hidden places are suggested. Your experience becomes richer without making the journey feel rushed.
Conclusion
Egypt has a strong history and several cultural and historical places. All these places are timeless landmarks. When your stay and food are planned carefully, every destination can be explored with greater comfort and flexibility. A personalized journey leaves enough room for meaningful experiences, making every part of your visit more rewarding.
A temple is not just a place of worship, it is each area that evokes tranquillity, piety, and religious intimacy. Over the centuries, marble has been among the most popular construction materials to use in constructing temples due to its beauty, resistance, and perennial nature. The combination of its beauty, natural and crafted with skill, produces spaces which are sacred and they are beautiful to the generations.
Marble shrines appear nowadays in big religious centers, but also in the family house, where a special place is taken by the family to recite prayers daily. Is it an old-fashioned or a modern style, a properly made marble temple integrates spirituality, beauty, and durability.
The Art Behind Marble Temple Carving
Making a marble carving temple needs a lot of attention and perfect workmanship. All designs start with the selection of quality stone and then elaborate pillars, arches, floral and religious designs are created by experts through the traditional methods of carving.
Every hewn detail represents patience, precision, and many years of an artist’s experience. Lattice work as well as finely crafted domes, all contribute towards the complete spiritual atmosphere of the temple. The art of marble carving had been taught through the ages, and the carvers were able to keep many of the same techniques and choose to alter the design to fit the modern trends.
The fine grain of marble also enables the works of artisans to make highly detailed carvings that can last decades. Stone-carving within the conventional stones is still very significant in maintaining both the architectural and artistic legacy of India.
Why White Marble Remain a Preferred Choice?
White marble remains one of the most popular stones to use in building a temple due to its purity, beauty, and capacity to reflect light well, out of the numerous varieties of natural stone that are available. Its polished appearance produces a relaxing and peaceful environment, which is suited to the prayer rooms and holistic areas.
A white marble temple is beautifully made and can be used in both the traditional houses and the interiors. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, white marble is applauded as being long-lasting and therefore can be used in the daily worship, and on the other hand, the maintenance needs of the marble are simple to carry out.
Many homeowners appreciate white marble because it:
Creates a bright and peaceful environment
Offers timeless aesthetic appeal
Complements different interior styles
Resists wear when properly maintained
Allows intricate handcrafted detailing
These qualities make white marble an enduring choice for families looking to create a dedicated place of worship within their homes.
Choosing the Right Temple Design
Marble is a metamorphic natural stone composed primarily of recrystallized calcite or dolomite, valued for its strength, durability, and distinctive appearance in architecture and sculpture. The space requirements of every home are different, and marble temples come in a variety of different sizes and designs. Other house owners might want miniature wall-mounted ones to fit in apartments, or they can have fancy floor-setting temples, carved pillars, domes, drawers and ornamental arches and so forth.
In choosing a temple it is useful to consider:
Available space within the home
Overall architectural style
Preferred carving patterns
Ease of cleaning and maintenance
The Indian marble market size reached USD 3.5 billion in 2025. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 6.1 billion by 2034.
Final Thoughts
A marble temple is not just a decoration, but it is a symbol of worship, customs, and great workmanship. Be it a small prayer nook or a pooja room, marble still remains a timeless source of beauty and constant strength. With a blend of craftsmanship and stone material, handmade temples offer serene environments, which evoke the belief and give chances to retain one of the most independent artistic traditions in India.
Gas Safe registered engineers cover the whole of Cheltenham responding in 30–90 minutes from receipt of a call-out and carry out emergency boiler repairs to all parts of Gloucestershire including postcodes from the centre to neighbouring villages. Whether it is a routine check-up or emergency repair, Servicing is available at fixed prices without call-out fees.
This guide to gas boiler service in Cheltenham will explore what is generally included and how pricing works across the industry, helping homeowners looking into options.
This means that most jobs are same-day available, covering both of two distinct needs.
Emergency call-outs — for when boilers have completely stopped working
Scheduling — for ensuring compliance and avoiding recurrence of failure
Engineers that is qualified and insured to work on the different makes and models found in Cheltenham homes.
Key points to consider regarding a Gas Boiler service provider
What to Look For When Choosing A Provider:
Guarantees & Accreditations
No However, there are indeed some standard credentials that you should verify before hiring a service:
Gas Safe Register (all engineers working on gas appliances must be registered with the Gas Safe)
Approved installer and service provider with leading boiler brands
CRB/DBS-checked staff
Parts and labour guaranteed workmanship with insurance backup
Verified credentials, response times and transparent pricing influence the safety and longevity of a heating system directly so it makes sense to confirm them before booking any provider.
What Does a Gas Boiler Service Include?
This is the procedure a typical correct Gas Safe registered engineer would follow:
Visuals inspection – Inspecting the boiler casing, flue or pipework around and covering the locations for damage or corrosion
Remove the casing — allow internal parts to be observed
Component inspection – Fuel wash, heat exchanger, burner examination, and main injector wear
Electrical safety inspection — Testing if the connections are up to date
Check pressure and flow – confirm factory specifications have been met
Flue gas analysis: monitoring combustion for leaks or bad burning
Check the burner shut off – ignition and safety device test
Documentation – a service report and, if applicable, an updated Gas Safety Record
02 Gas Boiler Prices Cheltenham Average Cost of a Gas Boiler Service
4 (system/back boiler average) | Medium range
National range (all categories) | £60-100
Cheltenham Average| £70—£120 |
If replacement parts or a full flush are required, or if the engine has to be stripped down with an emergency call-out fee then costs increase. The price can also rise for older properties where access to the loft or cupboard is limited.
Faults You Might Come across During a Boiler Service
Loss of pressure, often due to minor leaks or defective pressure release valves
Kettling — limescale accumulating in the heat exchanger which causes banging or rumbling sounds
Ignition failure – filthy or used ignition parts limiting dependable start-up
They are diagnosed during the regular service in order to avoid chews and to prolong boiler life.
What Is the Frequency of Boiler Service?
It is generally best to have the servicing done annually, tending to it slightly before winter is beneficial. This interval also corresponds directly with manufacturer warranty terms.
With rental properties, annual maintenance is a requirement, not an option.
Servicing Frequency and the Validity of Warranty
Fixed, capped price servicing – Manufacturer warranties for up to 12 years are subject to annual proof of service by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The warranty is usually invalidated from the date of a missed service appointment, no matter how many years are left on paper. It is also recommended to keep service records, as they may be requested by the manufacturer when dealing with claims.
Indications a Service Will Need to Happen Sooner Than Expected
Strange sounds – banging, gurgling or whistling indicative of kettling or air in the system
By Andrei Frangetis Increasingly Expensive Energy Bills — Prior to a complete failure, there is usually a reduction in efficiency
Pilot light problems – pilot flame yellow or flickering which can produce carbon monoxide
Regular pressuring-up — could indicate an imminent leak
We think all of these should be checked out rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.
Repair, Service, or Replace?
Replacing An Existing Gas Boiler: A Few Points To Remember
Older boilers, in the region of 15 years old, tend to have a running efficiency of around 70–80% while modern condensing models can run at upwards of 92%. Conditions that normally encourage substitutive replacement Implemented
Repair quote exceeds £300–400
Second break down at less than 12 months
Due to discontinuation of older lines by the manufacturers, replacement parts are no longer readily available or are expensive
The most common barrier to replacement is not the decision but the upfront cost. Finance allows even a £2,000+-outlay to be made into manageable payments and modern units tend to have lower running costs as well as less likely to break down.
Why Are Some Repairs Better?
| Parts availability | Components supplied for 10+ years | Mainstream brands (Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi) cartoon often keep parts available for 10+ years.
This type of annual servicing provides data to identify issues as they develop, and gives a diagnostic history that can be used in favor of repairing or replacing the vehicle, rather than having to base that decision on a winter breakdown.
Schedule Gas Boiler Servicing in Cheltenham
To book a gas boiler service – Telephone 01242 XXX XXX Typically, you will receive a response within the hour and appointments are usually available for same week.
Areas Covered Across Cheltenham
Charlton Kings (GL53)
Pittville and Prestbury (GL52)
Leckhampton (GL53)
Up Hatherley and Hester’s Way (GL51)
Bishop’s Cleeve (GL52)
Information about Whaddon and St Marks (GL51)
Cheltenham town centre (GL50)
They cover all of Gloucestershire, but please confirm if we can get to your postcode.
Requesting a Quote
It typically takes three steps:
Contact — Boiler make, model, and date/time you would like the appointment
An additional point of confirmation — a flat rate price quote is provided once upfront, and it also features appointment times and evenings as well as weekends.
Completion of Services — An engineer registered with Gas Safe conducts the service and provides a certificate on-site
No hidden charges are incurred after work has started, pricing is fixed and knowledgable before commencing.
I was at home one night looking for a snack with no success. My Twitter feed was filled with pictures of Vegan Cuts snack boxes. I signed up for one a few weeks prior, but it hadn’t yet arrived. With the possibility the mail carrier didn’t ring my bell earlier that day, I decided to check my mail one more time. And there it was!
The contents: Simply 7 Lentil Chips Surf Sweets fruity hearts Merry Hempsters spearmint lip balm PureFit Peanut Butter Toffee Crunch Bar Dang! Coconut Chips Budi Sunflower Star Chai Bar Serengeti Tea Sticks …and a couple of heart-shaped chocolates
So far, my favorite snack out of the box was the lentil chips (and the chocolate and candy, of course). Light and crispy with just a bit of salt! I don’t normally seek out protein or fitness-type bars because so much nutrition packed into such a compact space often tastes a little off, but I enjoyed the peanut butter toffee and star chai bars. The flavors were more delicate than intense and kept me satiated for several hours. I’m keeping the individually-wrapped tea sticks for on the go!
More info on the snack box subscription can be found here!
My ice cream maker was in hibernation through the very long Midwest winter this year. So rather than valuing the simple things in life, it was ravenous for over-the-top flavors when I pulled it out for the warmer months. This is peanut butter butterscotch maple chocolate chip (PBBMCC) ice cream. Coconut milk-based, this ice cream is full of peanut butter, pure maple syrup, butterscotch extract, and two kinds of chips. It’s extra decadent and also extremely simple to make because it’s not an exact science and there’s nothing to heat up. Lazy ice cream, if you will.
Here is how you make peanut butter butterscotch maple chocolate chip, PBBMCC, ice cream (see, I pulled a Rachael Ray* there) or a variation thereof:
1. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 can of full-fat coconut milk, at least 1/3 cup maple syrup, a few heaping spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter, and a splash of butterscotch extract.
2. Add a few splashes of non-dairy milk to make your ice cream go further. A little goes a long way. Too much will make your ice cream less creamy because fat=delicious. Taste and adjust the flavors as necessary. The two reasons I used maple syrup are (a) this is maple ice cream, and (b) it would be so much work to heat up the coconut milk and dissolve granulated sugar in it. You could do that though, especially if you want to mix up the flavors. Start with 1/2 cup sugar since maple syrup is concentrated sweetness.
3. Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, you’ll toss in the add-ins during the last 5 minutes of freezing (check your instructions). I added about 1/2 cup total of butterscotch and chocolate chips.
4. Done-zo! Eat that ice cream! Store in the freezer in an airtight container.
You can use these guidelines for a myriad of ice cream flavors. The basic formula is 1 can of coconut milk, 1/3-1/2 cup sweetener, and your flavors. There is much room for experimentation as ice cream is very forgiving.
*I don’t have anything against RR’s tendency to refer to an ingredient along with its clunky acronym over and over in speech (à la EVOO, extra-virgin olive oil). It’s proof that if you consistently say something odd and gratuitous, it can become your brand. In fact, I even have her orange tea kettle.
And finally, I’m so excited for Vida Vegan Con this week and can’t wait to see those of you who are also attending! The agenda looks fantastic and of course, the food will be out of this world.
This week I’m finishing up preparation for the two classes I’ll be teaching:
Artful Food Photography, Sunday at 1:45pm I’ll be talking about the blog as a space where you have complete creative control to develop your own style. Having recently completed my degree in photography, I spent the last few years working with fine arts in school, producing commercial work for books and print media, and making photos for this blog that fall somewhere in between. We’ll discuss influences, designing your photos around the food, and presenting your own voice through the photos on your blog.
Finding Balance: Blogging & Personal Life, Saturday at 2:15pm Jamie J. Hagen, Gena Hamshaw, and I will be speaking about the importance of setting realistic schedules and boundaries while juggling a full-time job or going to school, writing a blog, and maintaining a personal life.
I’ll be back following the conference to recap the weekend, the food, the classes, and what I learned!
During the weekend of Vida Vegan Con II, Portland was a 24-hour vegan playground. It was raining when I hopped off the plane and continued until it was time to head home, but it would’ve taken much more than a little rain to faze the excited attendees of vegan summer camp! The classes were engaging and inspiring, the food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing, and fun was most certainly had!
After my flight was delayed for 3 hours (shakes fist at O’Hare), I arrived in Portland a little later than expected. Melisser‘s flight was delayed as well and luckily, we got to PDX within five minutes of one another and traveled through the rain to our respective accommodations.
I spent the weekend in a rad apartment on Mississippi (I would frequently say M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I in my head in a singsong voice typing it into Google Maps throughout the trip) with Joni, Jackie, Louzilla, and Michelle. Joni and Jackie greeted me at the apartment and within four minutes, we were headed downstairs to the bar. This was the first of many times we would take advantage of the fact we were staying right above a bar.
Oh hey, we were also staying right down the street from Flavour Spot, the waffle cart that sells vegan sausage waffle sandwiches dripping with buttery maple cream. This was “pre-breakfast.” Sidenote: it really turned out to be just breakfast.
We then made a trip to Hungry Tiger Too for lunch (or breakfast, if we’re still going with pre-breakfast), where we met up with Joanna after unabashedly stalking her on Instagram and noticing she was right down the street at that very moment. I got two corndogs and a side of cheese sauce. Saucy.
We then ventured over to the vegan mini-mall and went to Herbivore, where we ran into more friends (hi Lauren!).
The unofficial VVC meet and greet was held at the White Owl Social Club, a new bar from the folks at Sizzle Pie, to which we arrived after a rainy walk. I can’t remember what this drink was called, but it had lemon, sage, rosemary, and bitters, and it was, er, interesting. After another questionable adventurous drink choice, I stuck to the basics.
What everyone was really there for was the wonderful company…and the macaroni and cheese burger! Louzilla and I split this one.
We got dessert at the famous Voodoo. I didn’t make it to Voodoo at the last Vida Vegan Con, so I’ve been eyeing the grape donut for over a year. I can happily say its deep-fried, Kool-Aid(?)-coated exterior lived up to my expectations.
After Voodoo, Louzilla and I met up with Joni and Jackie at The Bye and Bye and put away some of their signature cocktails, the Bye and Bye. A peach-infused bourbon, vodka, and juice concoction served in a quart Mason jar, at $7 it’s an economical choice for a lot of drink.
What, Vida Vegan Con hasn’t even started yet?
Vida Vegan Con was held at the Portland Art Museum. If it wasn’t clear that we’d arrived at the correct place, the Earth Balance car would’ve tipped us off.
After checking in, we ate at Veggie Grill for breakfast. This is the Buffalo Bomber Burger.
From the classes on Friday’s agenda, I attended Gena Hamshaw‘s Blog Writing as Writing, Isa Chandra Moskowitz‘s iPhone Food Photography, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan‘s Why & How to Expand Your Message to Include Animal Rights, and Mo, Kittee, and Amey‘s Vegan MoFo Workshop. The day was so full, I forgot to take photos!
Gena’s writing class covered a selection of problematic habits writers fall into when blogging and how to remedy these mistakes. She spoke about how often bloggers spill their guts without editing their writing, producing sloppy content for the sake of meeting a self-made deadline, and trying to cover ALL THE TOPICS instead of choosing a focus and really honing in on how they communicate these ideas. As the first class of the day, this is where some new idea sparkage began in my brain.
In Vegan MoFo class, we collectively created MoFo themes for each day of the week that everyone participating in MoFo this year can follow. Pick one, do all 7, or none at all! I’m not going to reveal the winners here, so YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MOFO.
Louzilla, John, and I failed to arrive on time to the Upton’s and Chicago Vegan Foods Taco and S’mores Pop-Up. Sad faces all around. We remedied aforementioned sad faces by getting dinner at Sizzle Pie, then dessert at Voodoo (again).
I panicked and got grape again. Loyalty.
On Saturday, Vida Vegan Con greeted us with a Portland Vegan Breakfast Showcase. A.N.D. Cafe, Back to Eden Bakery, Blackheart Bagels, Cinnamon, Divine Pie, Portland Juice Press, Portobello Vegan Trattoria, Sizzle Pie, and White Owl Social Club provided us with an unforgettable breakfast. I got polenta from Portobello, pizza from Sizzle Pie (this actually wouldn’t be the last time I ate Sizzle Pie during the trip), and a donut from Cinnamon.
I followed around Jason Das, Laura Beck, and Leigh-Chantelle that morning attended two panels that morning: Ethics Beyond the Plate, and Vegan Invasion: Community Building, where the discussions went beyond animal issues and food and focused on other social justice movements and creating community.
Vegan Battle Royale was held during lunch that day. I was called up to play extreme vegan trivia and can happily say that the MOTHERFORKING DESTROYERS won!
That afternoon, Gena Hamshaw, Jamie J. Hagen, and I led a panel on time management called Finding Balance: Blogging & Personal Life. We talked about the importance of setting realistic goals, schedules, and boundaries, and avoiding blogger burnout.
All the tables were scattered with VVC temporary tattoos. And coffee. They had coffee ALL DAY EVERY DAY. With coconut creamer. Be still, my heart.
That night was THE Galarama, which was a benefit for the Chimp Sanctuary NW. Dancing, silent auction, ice cream, tacos, chili cheese dogs, vodka root beer floats, vegan jello shots, long ass bathroom lines, oh my! And the beautiful Melisser was DJ-ing. We forgot to take prom photos beforehand.
The after-party was karaoke. Louzilla and I sang Party in the USA, naturally replacing “LAX” and “USA” with “PDX” and “VVC.” She’s just being Miley!
Ashlee from The Lil Foxes and Melisser:
The next morning (the final official day of the conference!) I got a bit of a late start and snacked out of the swag bag for breakfast and went over my presentation for my afternoon class, trying not to hyperventilate just yet!
The first class I attended that day was Body Image Acceptance & Veganism. Each panelist (and moderator Laura Beck) shared her story and I think most everyone felt feeling inspired and a little teary!
Lunch was a build-your-own sandwich bar. My piled-high open-faced sandwich wasn’t pretty, but it was sure tasty.
After lunch, I gave my Artful Food Photography class. Since I live behind a computer, I started out DYING INSIDE on the nerves meter, but luckily got to comfortable quickly. Louzilla assured me I didn’t seem nervous and we’ve been friends forever so of course I trust her judgment. I focused on the blog as a space where the writer/photographer has complete creative control, and how to use that! We went over lighting scenarios, setting up shots, and a quick editing overview. The Q&A serendipitously turned into pictionary.
This is an example of how you could photograph cat cookies with your cat in the frame:
Or a Chipotle burrito. Complete with chips and guac, a crumpled up bag, and a margarita in a can, because that is how you represent a McDonald’s burrito. Real talk.
One day I will use these sketches and photograph these scenarios for real!
Although the conference was over, the fun was not! We hosted a party at the apartment.
Party decorations:
It’s Portland, so of course the mac and cheese restaurant down the street has a vegan option. Party planning fuel.
After lots of dancing and imbibing, Louzilla and I joined Melisser and Kerry for a trip to Casa Diablo, the only 100% vegan strip club in the country. Don’t Google this at work?
The next day was my final full day in Portland and I played it by ear.
The next morning, a few of us met up at Back to Eden Bakery. I ordered the asparagus cashew tart and soft serve. The tart was flaky, creamy, and flavorful, and the soft serve was like eating a cloud.
After a five minute torrential downpour, Jackie, Melisser, and I met up with the Vegan Cuts crew at the Bye and Bye. This is the meatball sub.
Jackie and I stuck around for awhile longer and sipped some more Bye and Byes. I can’t remember if I ordered one or two. This set the tone for the rest of the day. BAM.
We hopped on a bus to Ground Kontrol arcade. This is the Pac-Man bathroom floor! METAL MONDAY!
I ordered Vodka Tronics, which was a blue-flavored vodka tonic. And of course, there were vegan options all over the menu. Oh Portland, you beautiful foxy rainy town.
After Ground Kontrol and lots of quarters spent, Jackie and I met up with Jared for more Sizzle Pie (see?). We loaded up on pizza, then headed back to the apartment where I proceeded to stay up all night, then quickly pack and head to the airport at 5am. Oh, I slept good on that plane and when I got home.
I arrived at O’Hare and walked right into the rainbow hallway!
My swag bag, Battle Royale bag, speaker bag, and Food Fight! purchases got all mixed up with the packing, so I have no idea what came from where, but here (most of) it all is!
The verdict? Vida Vegan Con II was the best weekend ever! I brought my camera, but it never left the apartment, so I embraced the Instagram for documenting the weekend with no regrets. I left inspired, full of ideas, with new friends, and feeling good. We can read all the blogs and talk to all the vegans online, but nothing beats meeting in real life and celebrating at vegan summer camp. I’ve even taken action and started at least two new projects (details forthcoming) since leaving VVC. That’s what it’s all about, right?! YAY!
