Hosting A Hog Roast

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Are you in charge of organising an event? Whether it’s a corporate occasion or a personal celebration, there is no denying that it can be somewhat stressful. Proper planning is key, which is why we have put together this guide on hosting a pig roast. So, keep on reading to find out more…

You have decided you want to serve a delicious hog roast at the event you are hosting. Great choice! Not only does roasted pig taste exquisite, but it will make your occasion one to remember and your guests will certainly appreciate the fact that you have gone that extra mile to ensure they have a great time. But, you do need to put in some careful planning if you want everything to go smoothly. The first thing you must do is create your guest list. This is imperative, as you need to know how many people you are going to be cooking for. The last thing you want is to run out of meat and/or side dishes for people to enjoy. So, make a list of everyone you are going to invite. Ask all guests to RSVP by a particular date. If you don’t hear back from them you can always follow up by giving them a call.

It is vital to get a good idea of how many people you need to cook for. Of course, it is always better to have too much food as opposed to not enough. However, you don’t want to spend more money than necessary, especially if you have a strict budget to stick to. Once you have completed this step, you can then determine what size hog you are going to require. The great thing about our hog roast catering service is the fact that you can purchase in relation to the number of guests. Generally speaking, it is advisable to multiply 1.5 pounds by the number of guests to get the right size. But this is something you don’t need to concern yourself with.

You will also need to decide whether you want to cook the hog roast yourself or whether you want this to be handled by the catering company. This is entirely up to you. A lot of people like the idea of cooking the hog roast themselves, as they can control exactly how it is cooked and they find it to be quite a lot of fun too. However, with so many other things to plan, it can often be a weight off your shoulders to have a professional taking care of the cooking for you. There is no risk involved – you know everything is going to go smoothly. Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy your event as well. The best companies offering hog roasts also ensure there is a member of staff to carve the meat and another to serve it.

You also must spend some time determining what side dishes you are going to serve with the hog roast. The great thing about this meat is the fact that it goes well with a lot of dishes, so you really can be experimental with the side dishes you serve if you so wish. One thing you will have to consider is whether there are going to be any vegetarians at the event. When sending out the invitations it is advisable to ask for guests to inform you of any dietary requirements and thus you will know whether vegetarian options are essential or not. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to put on a few vegetarian options just to be sure. This is especially the case if you are hosting a large gathering or corporate event, where it is difficult to know exactly who you are catering to.

All quality hog roast catering companies have a selection of side dishes and accompaniments for you to choose from. You also need to think about the drinks you will serve. Why not create your own cocktail? Or, if you have guests who have been in an addiction treatment program, go for mocktails instead! When serving this dish it is always advisable to have the traditional options on offer. This includes the likes of apple sauce and fresh bread rolls. This plays to the simplicity of the dish, which really is the beauty behind it all. No pig roast is complete without delicious stuffing and crispy crackling either. Should you go for traditional sage and onion stuffing or do you like the sound of cranberry or walnut and mushroom instead? The choice is of course yours. If you are feeling unsure, play it safe with sage and onion. This is a real crowd pleaser. Nonetheless, the choice is yours, and something more adventurous may fit in with the theme of your event better. Make sure the flavour enhancing rub and stuffing complement each other well.

Aside from bread and apple sauce, what other side dishes should you consider serving alongside the pig roast? You do have many different options. Think about the season. If the temperature is warm when you are serving the roasted pig, you will definitely want to have a good selection of cold side dishes. Coleslaw, salad and sweetcorn are all examples of dishes that work really well with pork, playing towards the BBQ feel of it. If you are looking for something hot, you really cannot go wrong with potatoes. You may want to create some dishes yourself to accompany the meat? Or, if you are hosting a summer party or a family event you could even ask your guests to bring along a dish each. This will certainly add to the excitement, as there’s no telling what dishes you could end up with.

Now you pretty much have the hog roast catering side of things covered. You will of course need to ensure all of the arrangements are sorted with the company in question. What time will the caterers arrive? What is entailed in the service? You will need to set aside a space for serving the pig roast. Other finishing touches include acquiring all of the plates and cutlery you need for the number of people in attendance. It is always advisable to have slightly more than necessary. Decorate the venue to create the right ambience for the occasion you are hosting. Moreover, if the event is taking place outside, it is always a good idea to purchase diffusers. This will help to keep the bugs away from the food.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of what it takes to host the perfect pig roast. If you follow the steps that have been provided you should find the occasion runs smoothly. You simply need to be aware of how many people are expected to attend and cater to this. Moreover, when it comes to the side dishes and accompaniments, it is vital to try and cater to everyone’s tastes by ensuring there is a diverse set of options for people to choose from. Finish off with all of the extras, such as cutlery, decorations and diffusers, and you cannot go wrong. 

Seven Signs You're Ready for a New House

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If you’ve decorated, and bought new home accessories, or even just returned from a vacation and look around your home and feel a bit, well, meh, then it could be that you’re ready for a change. Even if you hate the packing and organizing process which comes hand-in-hand with moving, where you live can really impact how you feel. Especially if you homeschool your kids, or have a new arrival on the way and are desperately seeking alternate storage solutions, it’s worth looking at the signs below to see if you need a change in your living environment.

Before we dive in, check out these 27 Ultimate Packing Tips for Moving Items into Storage.

Easy Ways to Improve Your Health

As the end of the year approaches, many of us are reflecting on the year that has passed. We're wondering what we'd like to change in the New Year, and congratulating ourselves on the things that have gone well, or that we are happy about. You might also be thinking about things that you'd like to change. For many of us, our health is something that we'd like to improve. 

Whether you've been struggling with your weight, aches and pains, your immune system or recurring illness, or you'd just like to feel less fatigued, stronger, and healthier, there are some easy changes that you could make to improve your health in the New Year. 

Give Up Some Bad Habits

Ok, giving up bad habits isn't necessarily easy. It's probably by far the hardest thing on this list and something that many of us spend a lifetime struggling with. But, while some bad habits are relatively harmless, others could quite literally be killing you. Frankly, even the harmless ones can have a negative effect on your well being, or they wouldn't be bad. 

Think about your own bad habits, the things that you know are bad for you, or that you spend too much time or money on, and think about ways that you could cut down or quit. There's always help available from places like a men's drug rehab center, and you never have to do it on your own. 

Invest in a Reusable Water Bottle

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Water is so good for you. Sipping water from a reusable bottle all day can rehydrate you, making up for any water that you naturally lose, keeping your organs functioning well, your skin bright and your digestive system in check. Drinking water like this also means that you are less likely to drink high calorie or sugary drinks, or reach for an unhealthy snack. It's such an easy thing to do which can have a tremendously positive effect on your health and wellbeing. 

Get Your Steps in

Doing more exercise isn't always easy. If you are short on time, or struggling with your fitness, exercise can be tough. But walking more usually isn't. Even parking further away from the office, or getting off the bus a stop earlier can improve your fitness and health. 

Add Yoga to Your Daily Routine

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There are so many benefits to yoga, not least that it improves your posture, coordination and core strength. Practice a simple yoga routine every morning to start your days more positively. 

Talk More

What about your mental health? It's something that many of us neglect. You might bottle things up and avoid talking about your worries. Improve your mental health by talking about your worries and concerns. Talk to loved ones or even a therapist. 

Stand Up Straight

Standing up straight isn't always easy. If you aren't used to it and have poor posture, standing tall can be a challenge. But it's worth it. Standing tall will improve your posture and core strength, as well as helping you to feel more confident. 

5 Reasons To Consider Going Back To School In 2020 As An Adult

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It’s never too late to continue your education, and although going back to school can be intimidating it can also be immensely rewarding. So whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career, are a parent who has just sent your own children off to college or simply want to learn something new, then here are 5 reasons to consider going back to school in 2020 as an adult.

1. To increase your earning potential
   There’s no better way to break the glass ceiling holding you back from taking the next step in your career than boosting your qualifications. Whether you already have expertise in your field and just need the qualification to back you up, or you want to branch out into something new check out some online MBA’s such as an accounting MBA which can be undertaken from the comfort of your own home and will fit around your current commitments.
   
2. To invest in yourself
   There’s a reason why we are told to fit our own oxygen masks before helping others, and that’s because we must take care of ourselves first in order to be able to provide help for other people. Whether you are going back to school to be able to provide more for your family or are furthering your education to achieve a personal goal, by doing so you are investing in yourself. At the end of the day, you need to remember that you are worth it and you deserve to take this time to do something for you.
   
3. To get out of a rut
   It can be all too easy to get into a rut when working full time or being a full-time parent. The days blur into one and you may not really feel like you’re going anywhere or achieving anything which can lead to feelings of depression. Education is a great way to broaden your horizons and get yourself out of a rut, introducing you to new people, new concepts and new ideas which will help to make life seem new again. 
   
4. To set a good example
   We should never stop learning and the ultimate way to demonstrate this to your children is to set a good example by doing so yourself. So whether you want to prove to your family that you’re never too old to learn something new or you want to motivate your children to pursue their own dreams and to go to college then put your money where your mouth is and prove it to them by doing it yourself.
   
5. To take on a challenge
   There’s no denying that learning can at times be challenging but challenges can also be fun and rewarding. Our brains thrive on overcoming problems and making progress so give them some brain food and enjoy the feeling of tackling a challenge head-on and working through it. Working through problems and learning new things can release endorphins in your brain, making you feel happy, reducing your stress levels and improving your mental health.
   
   

Alternative Education Paths for Your Children

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Deciding how to educate your children isn't always easy to do. You can take the standard route and put them in the public school system, but what if you think that it's not the right choice? There are alternative education systems and philosophies out there, and perhaps one of them could be a better choice for your child. To find the best option, you will first need to explore what's out there and understand the benefits that they might be able to offer your child. Here are some of the options that might be available to you if you're considering alternative education.

Montessori

Montessori schools follow the philosophy of Dr Maria Montessori. They allow students to freely explore their interests and the lessons that they find most enjoyable. If you choose a primary Montessori day school for your child, you could help them benefit from a balanced education. Montessori schools help children to develop a passion for learning and knowledge, engaging their senses and encouraging them to think and question. Montessori schools are available at different levels, although most options are for students up to middle school. Some Montessori high schools are also available, although there are fewer options.

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Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an option that many parents consider as an alternative to the standard school system. It allows you to educate your children in the way that you want to, while having control over their schedule. Homeschooling offers many different approaches, so it's not exactly one type of alternative schooling. You can decide how you educate your children, which might include giving classroom lessons, using online materials and various other resources. There are many different ways to teach your children and decide what you want them to learn and why. It allows you to be more involved in your child's education.

Unschooling

Unschooling is related to homeschooling, and some people might say it's the same thing. Unschooling is defined by a lack of curriculum or standards, allowing students to do what they want. It's driven by the child's interests and often doesn't have any routine, structure or schedule of any kind. There is no testing or exams, or other measuring of progress. This might be something that you consider if you are able to devote a lot of time to being involved in your child's education. It could also be a good choice for your child's early development rather than their later years.

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Forest Kindergarten

If you're looking for an alternative option for your child's kindergarten, a forest kindergarten is a great option. This type of kindergarten involves almost entirely outdoor activities, allowing children to explore the outdoors and learn through playing. The American Forest Kindergarten Association is a good place to learn more about where these types of kindergarten can be found and the benefits they offer. They often have smaller class sizes, child-led learning and will run in almost all weathers.

If you think standard education might not be right for your child, especially while they're young, there are other possibilities to help you find the right path.