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Articles by Conferencía Official

5 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy during the Winter

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The cold winter months are just around the corner, and that means it is time to get your house ready for the chilly weather. There are many things you can do to make your home cozy during these long winter days. Here are five ways to make your home cozy during the winter:

1) Add a fireplace – A nice fireplace in your living room will help warm up the whole space.

2) Ditch heavy blankets – Instead of using thick, heavy blankets on top of your bed or couch, switch them out for lighter ones that won’t weigh down any furniture pieces and cause them to fall over!

3) Use a rug – This one may seem like an odd suggestion, but adding a rug underfoot can really help to keep your feet and legs warm. Plus, rugs add some extra personality and style to any room in your house!

4) Hang curtains – Curtains can help keep the warmth in your home by trapping it between the fabric and the window. Plus, they also add some extra privacy to your space. If you don’t have any curtains, now is a great time to invest in a few sets! Window treatments are a quick and easy way to make your home more cozy. Plus, they are a great way to add some style and personality to any space in your house!

5) Hang a few wall hangings – Adding some nice art to your walls is an excellent way of making your home cozier in the winter. If you don’t have any art, now may be the perfect time to buy yourself something new! Bright and colorful paintings can help brighten up even the darkest corners of your house during these long winter nights.

Bonus Tip: Use a humidifier – Adding extra moisture to the air in your home is an excellent way of keeping it warm. The cold winter months can draw out the dryness from both you and your house, so be sure to use a humidifier during this time! In addition to that , a humidifier also helps keep your skin healthy and moisturized.

While doing all of these things can make your home cozier, you also want to keep in mind that it is important to stay warm! Drink lots of warm drinks, wear cozy clothes, and snuggle up with a loved one to help keep you warm during the winter.

Do you have any other tips for making your home cozy during the winter? Share them in the comments below!

Happy Cozying! 🙂

How To Cook When Your Traveling In A Foreign Country

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Traveling to a foreign country isn’t easy for different reasons, being the first one the fact that you won’t be at home at all, which means that everything will be different, the culture, the food, the locations and probably the language depending on the location. For that reason, you should be aware of how to survive different problems, one of them is your food, how do you plan on preparing your food when you don’t even know where are you located? Well, to solve that problem you will need some equipment like a hot plate to solve your problems, stay tuned to learn more in the next explanation.

HOW TO COOK WHEN YOUR TRAVELING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY:

First, you should always stay with your culture and meals even in foreign countries, because when you arrive you will not have any idea about the local food, at least that you have investigated something, but since that isn’t always the case, you can prepare some global foods like pasta, some salads or even fried chicken, which is seated by millions of people around the world, but how will you be able to cook that? Well, there are some minor and practical equipment that can help you to cook your meal even if you’re very far away from home.

One of that famous cooking equipment is called a hot plate, which is commonly used for a chemistry lab to heat some samples, but it’s partially designed to provide heat, right? This means that is also used for cooking on some occasions, and don’t worry about causing a disaster if you don’t know how to control it because the amount of heat is not that big and it’s very compact, so you just have to get the food to cook. However, you’re not working with an oven, so stay with small foods that can fit in the plate of the heat provider to avoid eating raw food that can lead you to different health issues.

WHAT CAN BE COOKED IN A HOT PLATE?

Since it’s not big equipment, the different recipes and available plates aren’t that big, however, if we consider the fact that you’re very far away from home, then this will be more than enough, at least until you manage to dive into the local culture and adapt to the food taste. In these hot plates, you can cook some things that are canned for beginners, but also you can build your intelligence and prepare some salads out of the heat while providing the vegetables or fruits with some heat to destroy the impureness of their composition and also to maintain it heat and consumable. Another famous recipe is some types of fried or steamed chicken and steaks that will not be at the same quality of a 5 stars restaurants but it will do the work without any complication, and finally, if you’re more tricky, get some potatoes and you can do marvelous things with them like mashed potatoes, or even some other things like steamed potatoes, it’s up to your technique.

Remember that a hot plate 9s not the only option for cooking in a foreign country, however, it’s one of the most reliable and safe while you’re making your way to the local culture at your own pace, so don’t try to rush things, with your hot plate everything will work fine and the situation will be under control, also, consider getting some recipes and more useful and compact cooking equipment that can be used in any part of the world to avoid ending with non cooked food or even with canned foods 24/7 while they are handy, your body will need some vitamins, proteins, and minerals in big quantity, so don’t forget your recipes and equipment!

3 Ways To Warm Up Your Home’s Aesthetic

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We want our homes to feel warm and welcoming. When we come home for the day we want to feel comfortable, safe, and secure. Much of this obviously relies on how calm and collected we are and our families are throughout our daily lives, but we can also structure and design our surroundings to have a positive impact on the way we feel.

By choosing the right color schemes for different rooms in your house, for example, and making sure that they are consistently implemented throughout the home we can subconsciously invoke different moods as we walk from room to room. Blue is often soothing, new, and trusting, If we’re looking for warmth on the other hand, we’ll want to invoke reds, browns, and oranges.

Aside from establishing basic themes however there are also a few different fixtures you can add to a room to really drive the point home. If you’re looking to make a certain room particularly warm and cozy, here are a few things you could add to help boost the appeal:

A Wood Stove

A traditional wood stove or even a pellet stove alternative is a great way to go. Not only will it pump out tons of heat and make the area that surrounds it quite warm, it also has a visual appeal that will bring you back to your childhood (if, of course your family had a wood stove when you were young, our you knew someone who did).

One thing to keep in mind about a wood stove is that they do create a distinct smell when you use them. It can be a bit strong, and as such some people are simply not a fan of the smell. I personally find it somewhat soothing itself, so it’s a bit of a matter of personal preference.

An Electric Fireplace

Another route you could go these days is with an electric fireplace. They’ve come a surprisingly long way in recent days, and now you can find models that are quite realistic. The great thing about electric fireplaces is that you get all of the warmth and even some of the visual appeal of more traditional alternatives like a wood stove, but you don’t have the smell, you don’t need wood, and you don’t have an actual fire in your home.

You can find them in a number of different styles and designs as well. From inserts for a traditional fireplace to wood stove-like designs to even wall mounted designs. One cool way they’ve been implemented is as a TV stand, making them a functional piece of furniture. You can see a few of these few options at this site, and see if it’s something you’d want to consider for your home.

An Infrared Heater

If you’re into the warmth aspect but don’t care much about having a visually appealing centerpiece, an infrared heater can go a long way and save you some money at the same time when compared to the previous two options we’ve discussed. You can find them for relatively cheap money and they look rather sleek, so you can easily blend them into a corner of your room.

They’ll put out plenty of heat to give your room a little extra warmth to really make it a cozy place to spend your time. There are of course other types of space heaters you could use instead, this is just one of the more modern technologies that seems to be preferred these days.

Do you have any other ideas along these lines? If so, please share! I’d love to hear what you have in mind.

How To Keep Your Yard and Home’s Exterior Sparkling Clean

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Keeping your home and yard clean will not only make it more inviting, but it will also have more curb appeal. There are a number of ways to keep the exterior of your home sparkling and in good condition. The key is to keep up on it and to do it annually.

When cleaning your home, an electric pressure washer will become your best friend. It will make even the toughest and grimiest tasks easier and in much less time than if you tried to clean with a sponge and bucket of water. Plus, it will make it possible to reach hard-to-reach places. If you don’t already have one, an electric pressure washer is a great investment. According to TBEPW, you can use it for many different jobs, and you can even use it to clean off your car. Most pressure washers will come with different nozzle types so you can pick the best one for the job.

You should try to spend some time every year on things such as cleaning off your deck, cleaning out your gutters, and also resealing your driveway. You will also want to fill any cracks with a concrete filler to prevent further damage. It will also make your driveway and sidewalk look better. In order to keep your home looking nice, you should also pay special attention to any potted plants or garden areas. Keep them free from weeds and get rid of any that are struggling. You may also need to thin them if the plants and flowers are beginning to get crowded. This will also allow the remaining plants to become healthier and will give them more room to spread and to mature. 

If you have risers or paving stones that have become crooked or out-of-place, you will want to tidy those up as well. You should also fertilize your lawn twice a year to make sure that your grass gets what it needs to thrive. Treat weeds as soon as you see them sprout up so that they don’t have the chance to spread. You will also want to rake up any leaves that are on your lawn. You should also keep your lawn trimmed. It may be time to reseal your deck or give it a fresh coat of paint. 

Do not forget to check your roof for loose or missing shingles and make sure that the flashing around your chimney to make sure that it is sealed. If your roof is over 10 or fifteen years old, it may be time to replace it. Clean your windows so that you can see out and lest the sunshine it. If you don’t like heights, the good news is that your pressure washer will be able to reach those high windows so you won’t need to haul out the ladder. 

You may also want to give your fence and home a fresh coat of paint or stain. If there are any pickets that need to be replaced you should repair them. Paint can do wonders, and if your home is looking kind of drab, his will give it a facelift. By taking good care of your home, you will also avoid problems such as pests and rodent problems because there won’t be as many places to hide and to make nests. 

It may not seem like any of these jobs will do much, but it is the little details that really count. People notice these things ad you want your home to make a good first impression. You want your home to communicate to others that you take care of your home and that you take great pride in your abode and yard. 

It can able helpful to keep a checklist to make sure that you don’t forget to do anything important. If you take the time to do your maintenance will keep your home looking nice and prevent problems caused by neglect.

Futon or Sofa Bed – Which Will You Choose?

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Have you ever had a call from family or friends saying they are coming for an overnight visit and your first thought was, “Oh no! Where will everyone sleep?” No need to panic. Even if you don’t have an extra bedroom or beds, there are sofas that double as beds and don’t take up too much room or “break the bank”.

There are a couple of choices to consider, the first one being a futon. This looks like a sofa that is actually a mattress or cushion, covered with a futon cover that sits on a wood or metal frame and converts into a bed. You sit or sleep on the same cushion. Some benefits of a futon are:

1. Is great for a small room or apartment.

2. Can open up quickly and easily then folds back up easily.

3. Two people can sleep comfortably.

4. Comes in different sizes and can choose mattresses with various thickness

and sizes.

5. Is light in weight and easy to move.

6. Is reasonably priced.

A second option to consider is a sofa bed which is an actual sofa with cushions and has a metal or steel frame that pulls out into a bed. Here is a good article about sofa beds. Some benefits of a sofa bed are:

1. Looks like a regular couch so no one knows a bed is inside until you

remove the cushions.

2. Can use it in a room you don’t want to look like a bedroom, yet have the

option of extra sleeping space.

3. Can find all sizes, styles and designs to give your room the look you desire.

4. Can easily sleep two people.

To make the right choice, you need to ask yourself, “How much space do I have and do I want a more casual or more stylish look?” To answer your question, let’s look at the downsides. The sofa bed is heavy and difficult to move, so you would need someone to help; they are much more expensive than a futon; and the mattresses are thin and not very comfortable. The futon doesn’t look as nice as a sofa bed; doesn’t have as many choices in design, colors or style; and is not as comfortable as a couch. After careful research, hopefully the choice you make is one that works best for you and your guests for years to come.

Portuguese Barbecue Cooks Beautifully In An Electric Smoker

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Portuguese Barbecue Chicken is one of the most delicious chicken recipes you can find. The combination of spices and tang of lemon makes it mouthwatering. Not only is this dish delicious, but it is healthy too! And when you’re wanting something good but don’t want to go to the store, this dish is perfect. Most of the ingredients can be found in any kitchen.

Portuguese Barbecue Chicken is made with chicken, Portuguese wine or (any other dry wine) , grated lemon rinds, lemon juice, tomato paste, chopped garlic cloves, olive oil, paprika, piri piri (or any kind of hot sauce), and salt to taste. Before cooking you’ll want to marinate it. Mix the rinds and lemon juice, tomato paste, oil, paprika, hot sauce, garlic, and the salt to taste. Place the chicken in a dish and pour most of the marinade on top. But keep what you have left over to heat and pour over the cooked meat. Cover it and allow it to marinate for at least 4 hours.

Once the chicken has marinated it’s time to get cooking. This can be cooked on the grill or smoker. Grilling is fine and fast, but a smoker delivers the most tasty and juicy meat. This type of dish is excellent for a smoker.

The way technology is constantly advancing, an electric smoker is the perfect method to cook this dish. Some electric smokers are equipped with a thermostat and a rheostat. The thermostat and rheostat maintain a constant internal temperature. This is a big advantage over other smokers and it gives you perfect control over the temperature and you don’t have to watch it. You also don’t have to be an expert to use one. It’s as simple as a microwave. Set it to what you want and turn it on.

Portuguese Barbecue Chicken is a perfect recipe for a smoker due to the paprika ingredient. Smoked paprika really works nicely with chicken. You also want to use Applewood since it really compliments the chicken. Cook the chicken at 225 degrees and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees so you’ll know when it’s done. Generally you will want to cook it an hour for each pound. When the chicken is done you will have the most delicious and juicy chicken ever!!

So when you’re trying to think of something that would be really good and easy to make, this is the perfect dish. The combination of the ingredients, and the smoker will have your mouth watering. This would be great for the weekend or anytime!

The Portuguese Republic

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I’ll bet Portuguese government trivia isn’t a topic that comes up often at your dinner table. As foreign and far away as it sounds, there are several things its government has in common with the US. Memorize these facts and become the center of attention as the mashed potatoes get passed around.

Government Structure

The Portuguese Republic (its official name) is made up of the Government of Portugal, the President of the Republic, the Assembly of the Republic and the courts. It’s called a semi-presidential republic because the president governs along with his prime minister and his cabinet. The President’s cabinet has a Council of Ministers who are given their jobs by him and are recommended by the prime minister. Presidents serve a 5-year term and can have a second term.

Portugal has legislative and judicial branches of their government like the US does. There are 230 people in the legislature which is the Assembly of the Republic. The supreme court has 13 judges who are nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly. Also, they have a constitution and a system of civil laws like we do. There are at least 8 recognized political parties including democratic, the Ecologist Party (nicknamed “The Greens”), the People, Animals Nature Party, the Socialist Party and the Portuguese Communist Party.

People in the Portuguese Government

The President of Portugal is Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of the Social Democratic party. He won the country’s last election on January 24, 2016. The Prime Minister is António Luis Santos de Costa who belongs to the Socialist Party. Other members of the President’s cabinet (his ministry) are:

Augusto Santos Silva – Foreign Affairs

Màrio Centeno – Finance

Francisca Van Dunem – Justice

Tiago Brandao Rodrigues – Education

Adalberto Campos Fernandes – Health

Luis Capoulas Santos – Agriculture

Each minister has one or two secretaries and sometime deputy ministers, too.

Citizenship is one thing about the government in Portugal that is really different from the US. Over there at least one of your parents has to a citizen for you to be one. Just being born there doesn’t make you Portuguese. If you move to Portugal, you have to live there for 10 years before you can become a citizen. However, if you lived in a Portuguese-speaking country for at least 6 years that will work, too. A more direct way is to buy your citizenship by investing a little over $300,000 in business, culture, property or research in the country.