TikTok Feta Pasta Recipe

Many of you who use the TikTok app or even Instagram might have seen the viral recipe that originated in Finland for Feta Pasta. Apparently this recipe became so popular that grocery stores were completely sold out of feta. The basic idea behind the recipe is to start with cherry or grape tomatoes, a block of feta cheese, and seasonings that gets baked, and then pasta is added.  If you search the #fetapasta hashtag you will see thousands of videos showing so many variations. I admit I don't normally hop on the bandwagon with what's popular on TikTok, but I knew I had to try this dish. 

I was a tad nervous about the idea of using an entire block of feta and wondered if it would be overpowering. Good thing I didn't let that stop me, because the flavor was absolutely wonderful. It was tangy, but in the best way! I did check out several recipes so that I could get a better idea of what I wanted to do to make this dish my own. I shared my results on Instagram and received a lot of positive comments. It turned out that not too many people had heard about it, so I thought I was share a step-by-step recipe with pictures to show you how to make it. 

Here are the ingredients you'll need: 

Cherry or grape tomatoes (one pint per block of feta)

A block of  Feta cheese (can use vegan feta)

Fresh garlic (if cloves are huge, cut in half)

Fresh basil

Olive oil

Seasonings I recommend: Sea salt, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and dried herbs like Oregano, Basil, parsley or Italian seasoning

Pasta of your choice (I used mini Farfalle)

Optional: 

fresh spinach

Grilled chicken or shrimp

How to make it

1. Heat your oven to 400°. Start by adding your tomatoes and garlic cloves to a baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Make sure the tomatoes are well coated. Make a space in the middle of the baking dish to place your block of feta cheese. Drizzle more olive oil and add more seasoning. 

2. Once the oven has come to temperature, place your tomatoes and feta in oven and bake for 30 minutes. If want the tomatoes and cheese to get a little brown, you can broil on high in the last few minutes or turn on the convection feature if you have that option. Cook your pasta in well-salted water while this step in being done, and set aside one cup of the cooked pasta water. 

3. Take a large fork or spoon to lightly smash the tomatoes and mix it with the feta. Make sure to smash up your garlic cloves first so you don't forget, otherwise you'll have huge chunks.  

4. Now add your fresh basil and spinach. 

5. It's time to add your pasta and gradually add the pasta water depending on how saucy you want it to be. The pasta will absorb the liquid so I added the whole cup. I promise it won't be watery. 

6. Top with grilled chicken or shrimp and enjoy! 

Tips and recommendations: 

• Do not skip the fresh basil or red pepper flakes. Both of them add so much flavor! 
• If you can't get a block of feta cheese, crumbles will work just as well. Add it in the middle of the baking dish the best you can. You might need a larger size container, so keep that in mind. 
• If you don't like feta cheese, you can use goat cheese or Boursin 
• If you are making a larger batch, you can double the ingredients. Be sure to use a large enough baking dish to give enough space to add your pasta. 
• I highly recommend reserving some of the pasta water to keep your pasta from being too dry. Do this by using a glass measuring cup or any heat-proof cup and scoop out some of the water from the cooked pasta before draining. You can add as much or as little as you like. 

Check out these other popular recipes: 

Mashed Sweet Potatoes Side Dish

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Greek Pasta Salad

Getting Engaged with Moissanite Gems

It is no news that sparkling jewelry has been the choice adornment of most women for many years. But changing times result in changes in taste as well as changes in trends. Diamonds over time have become increasingly expensive to where most people cannot afford to buy them. The changing times has caused customers, who would consider nothing short of a diamond some years back, to purchase moissanites. Moissanites are unique in themselves and are not fake diamonds or diamond replicas. Moissanites are increasingly being considered due to its characteristic brilliance and reduced overall cost.

Unlike diamonds, moissanites do not raise ethical concerns largely because they are synthetic. In order to resolve the ethical concerns about diamonds, synthetic diamonds are reasonable alternatives to original mined diamonds. Moissanites are more astonishing to behold due to its bright array of colors. What's more? They come at affordable prices as moissanite engagement rings have eased their way onto ring fingers when diamonds simply have not been affordable.

Does That Make Them Fake Diamonds?

While it is easy to say false things about a competitive product, there is no theoretical evidence to back the suggestion posed by some diamond purists that moissanite is a diamond replica. In fact, moissanite is made up of laboratory produced silicon carbide which differs from diamond, which is composed of densely packed carbon atoms. The obvious different in their composition suggests differences in their properties.

Although moissanites 'diamond' engagement rings can be obtained at a reduced cost in comparison to diamond, it would be inappropriate to consider them an inferior class of jewelry. Moissanites have a hardness of 9.5 while diamonds have a hardness of 10 on a scale that measures the hardness of different gemstones. The refractive properties of moissanite gives off a light spectrum which is twice that produced by diamond. 

Understand Moissanite Discovery

Silicon carbides were discovered in 1906 by Henri Moissan. This carbide was erroneously said to come from space due to its closeness to a meteorite crash site around the time of its discovery. But the silicon carbide has been noted to exist naturally on Earth. Silicon carbide cannot be used as jewelry in its raw form. Subjecting the compound to laboratory procedures yields the jewel known as moissanites. Unfortunately, fraud is prevalent in the jewelry industry. In order to make sure the moissanite purchased is not a fake or stolen product, there is a form of hallmark or paperwork which is linked back to the only company permitted by law to produce moissanites; a company owned by Charles and Calvard.

Should I Spend My Money on Moissanite?

Moissanites is worth the cost. Making a choice between diamond and moissanite seems to be an already made choice. Based on your budget and your concerns with ethical processes, you can choose which gemstone works for you. The violence and environmental hazards involved with diamond mining have long been in existence. Moissanite poses no such threat. Not to mention the excellent brightness, sparkle, and rainbow glow. Undoubtedly, moissanite is a gemstone worth your money.

Slip and Fall in a Hotel? What to Do Next

Whether you are a guest at a hotel or a visitor, it is the hotel's responsibility to ensure that you are safe while on their premises. This means that the hotel must do its part to prevent injuries to its patrons. If you had a slip and fall during your visit to a hotel, here are some things you should know. 

Determining if a Hotel Is Liable 

Just because you have an accident or sustain an injury while you are on a business’ premises doesn't necessarily mean that the business can be held responsible. When it comes to slip and fall injuries, you must prove that their negligence caused you to be injured for the hotel to be liable. Some instances where a hotel might be negligent would be:

• Spills left unattended
• Failure to place wet floor signs
• Inadequate lighting. 

While many more situations could result in a hotel guest being injured, the above mentioned could lead to a slip-and-fall accident.  

Proving the Hotel Was Negligent 

Because a hotel has a duty to ensure that guests are in a safe environment, they must ensure that repairs are done in a timely fashion, spills are cleaned up, et cetera. If a quick fix is not possible, the hotel must place signs in a conspicuous area so that guests are aware of any dangers. 

When a hotel or even their workers fail to take all reasonable measures to ensure guests’ safety, this is where they could be liable if someone were to be harmed on the hotel premises. 

Their Negligence Caused the Injury 

Although there might be some obvious negligence on the hotel's part, such as a light being out, a crack in the ground, or a spill on the floor, it must have been the direct cause of your injury. 

For example, if you fell because your shoe was untied while there was also a spill on the floor, your fall was not directly caused by the spill. However, if you were walking and slipped on a wet floor with no wet floor sign in sight, this could fall on the hotel's shoulders. 

There Must Be an Actual Injury 

To have grounds for a personal injury case, you would need to have sustained some substantial injury that required medical treatment, hospitalization, time off work, etc. In other words, the fall must have caused you some kind of loss, such as lost wages, impaired mobility, or disability to receive compensation. 

Find an Experienced Attorney 

The hotel industry is big business, which also means they typically have a lot of money to spend on top-notch legal representation. After sustaining an injury at a hotel, one of the first things you should do after getting medical treatment is to contact an attorney. 

It would help if you chose an experienced attorney dealing with claims against hotels, especially regarding slip and fall injuries. This is because no matter how clear cut you think your case is, you must be able to prove it.

Final Thoughts 

While it is vital to seek legal representation for slip and fall injuries, the first thing you should do is go see a doctor. Not only is this important so you can make sure you are okay, but you will need this documentation later on if you plan to file a lawsuit against the hotel.

Remember, there is no real "injury" unless the loss was substantial, and only a certified medical professional can truly assess the extent of your injuries. 

5 Imperative Things to Do in a Family Law Matter

Going into family law can mean disruption in the workings of your family and regular life. Whether you’re moving towards a divorce or child custody battle, things can soon get messy and out of control. You can lose your rights, assets, and finances if you aren’t able to construct the case well. The last thing you want may be to agree with your spouse and even look at them pleasantly. 

But there will be a lot of that, and you need courage and the right strategies to construct your case and take it to court with family lawyer Denver or a similar family lawyer in your area. All the while, the process can also take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing and can affect your children as well. For this reason, the following are some heartfelt tips to go through a family law case with minimal damage and be the successful party in the incident:

Pick the Right Battles 

Even if family law means stress and anxiety, you need to make sure you can keep it as low as possible. This can be done by choosing the right battles for yourself. This means that you should sit down and realize your main priorities and your primary worries relating to the family law case. Once you have jotted down your immediate needs, you can easily strive to put an end to them. You can also note which fights in divorce or custody issues are worth fighting for and easier. These battles can help you move forward constructively and not cost too much.

Present Yourself Nicely 

Presenting yourself uprightly in court hearings or any other sessions for a family law conflict can actually work towards your chances of winning. It is a piece of advice that proficient lawyers tend to offer, but many forget in the steam of a situation. Besides looking confident and composed, you also need to know your rights well, present evidence neatly, be early, act wisely with your spouse, and much more. Conducting all these traits will take some courtroom practice or a proficient lawyer from firms like Bombardieri Family Law, where you can find lawyers with years of experience and expertise to help you prepare. 

Keep Away from Dispute

It may seem like it’s too late to resolve a case out of court for any kind of conflict, but there is always some chance. Make sure to give it your best try and grip such an instance where you can insert out of court resolution with your spouse, lawyer, and close relatives. Doing this can help you not succumb to too many damages in finances, assets, relationships, and family bond.  

Don’t Chase Away Support

You need to stay strong in your fight against your spouse, but not so much that you don’t even have a shoulder to cry. Emotional and financial care will be necessary as you move throughout the course and do everything orderly. The right kind of support can, in reality, make you stronger in your case and provide constructive help. Be it an online community or your family, take all the helping hands, minus the personal advice, to make your case better. 

Help the Children 

If children are involved in a family law matter, they should be your priority and mostly their mental health. After the dispute and court hearings, kids can develop several kinds of feelings towards the conflict and may or may not show them correctly. Make sure to interpret their behavior throughout the case and assure them that you are still strong as partners. Give them the necessary details, and don’t try to hide the inevitable. Help the children continue with their regular life by not displaying concerning acts and alarming behaviors. 

Things to Consider When Looking For a Pest Control Company

Pest infestation is one of the most commonly encountered problems by people from all over the world. These little unwelcomed creatures can literally destroy your property in no time. Stings from pests can pose serious health issues especially when an allergic reaction is involved. Most of the owners of the house are often seen rushing for home remedies to eradicate these disturbing creatures from their property, but let it be clear that this always isn’t helpful. At times, the situation worsens and the infestation becomes so large that you need a pest control company to take care of the situation. The professionals from these companies know pests better than you and have a better understanding of which treatment to use to effectively treat the problem.

However, before hiring a pest control company, there are some points that you should consider to make sure that the professionals you are calling in are worth your time and money. 

License

Let it be clear that dealing with a pest problem isn’t as easy as it sounds, and not everybody can apply the pest formulas. The chemicals used in the formulas are highly toxic and if not prepared properly using the right proportion of everything, they may pose serious health hazards. Therefore, when choosing a pest control company, you have to be sure that the professionals you are welcoming into your space have the license. 

Check Customer Reviews

Reviews help a lot in making the right decision. It’s always best to check the reviews from previous customers and going through them to get an idea about the company’s performance. If in case you come across any negative reviews, look for how the company responded to them. Most of the companies allow their customers to share detailed experiences with the company, thus making it, even more, easier for others to get to know more about the company’s services. 

Experience 

Pest control treatment isn’t all about just having the knowledge of applying the pesticide and getting away from it. A professional should have a good understanding of the various behaviors of the pests he is going to deal with. This also involves knowledge of their food habits, breeding, and having the skills to control their growth in an effective way. Therefore, it's imperative to connect with a reputable company like Aptive Pest Control, or a company of a similar caliber in your area, to ensure a lasting solution to your pest problems.

Check Price

Keep in mind that a pest control company involves very detailed and service-oriented work, therefore, looking for a company that offers the lowest price might not be a good choice. Short-list all the companies that you think you might hire and compare their prices. Beware of companies that offer you abnormally low prices. Companies like these use half-used, old formulas, and trust me, that is only going to make the situation worse. Be sure that the pesticide is freshly opened and applied the right way.

Quality Guarantee

It is essential that you look for a pest control company that offers you a service guarantee like Quality Affordable Pest Control. Let it be clear that you can’t figure out whether the treatment was effective or not until it’s been two or three weeks. Therefore, the pesticide company should always offer you some kind of work guarantee. Such companies are pretty much confident about their work and go the extra mile for their customers to ensure that the best services are served. The best part about these companies is that most of them have compensation policies in case the pesticide doesn’t show the expected results.