Sweet, succulent and a globally loved delicacy, lobsters are enjoyed universally despite their high price. It is a lesser known fact though that lobsters in the 19th century used to be a poor man’s food! The turn of the century saw a shift in the public opinion and lobsters became a prized possession of the fishermen. Now lobsters are hunted, at times killed and sold at highly competitive prices. Lobsters are not only expensive but also intimidating. All lobster lovers who enjoy the white and firm meat often are unable to muster up the courage to cook lobsters at home! This is mostly due to its intricate and complex frame and often due to the repulsion of cooking a lobster that is alive. What is unknown to many is that lobsters can be cooked easily by boiling.
That’s right, boiling is the most popular, easy and healthy method of cooking any and every food. However firm a vegetable or meat may be, boiling makes every food item tender and easily edible. Boiling lobsters too, is a great way of preparing any lobster recipe. The goodness of boiling is not merely restricted to making the meat tender. When it comes to lobsters, boiling makes lobsters easier to pick and clean. Boiling also helps in easily pulling off the meat from the shells when they are cracked. Boiling makes lobsters more convenient to eat and helps retain the flavor of the meat. Boiled lobster is a healthy source of protein, vitamins and minerals when enjoyed in moderation.
Boiling a fresh, dead or alive lobster in sea water is considered the best way to retain its characteristic ocean flavor. It also helps to evenly cook the meat. Those who do not have access to ocean water can use sea salt while boiling lobster. While boiling the lobster, you must make sure that the pot used to cook lobster is large enough so that the lobster is completely submerged in the water. It is also important to note that the lobster is not crammed so that it can be stirred at a later point. To boil, you must place adequate water in a pan and add two spoon full of sea salt and bring the water to a rolling full boil. Once the water is boiled, place the lobster into the pan and bring it back to a boil. You can also poach and parboil the lobster. This is done by simply blanching the lobster into half and repeating the boiling process!
You can also steam lobsters if you have a steaming pot or dish! Steaming the lobster is known to enhance the flavor and bring out a more tender meat. Steaming unlike boiling, cooks the meat slower. You can also avoid overcooking the meat if you steam it.
You can choose any of the boiling or steaming methods mentioned above and add the flavor of your choice to make a delectable lobster dish! You could also store the boiled lobster and make different kinds of recipes out of them. If you are not too inclined to cook elaborately, you could just boil the lobster and season it with some freshly ground pepper and lemon and enjoy your healthy meal with a tasty dip!
Released in August 2017, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is one of the well-received phablets (phone + tablet) in the market. Loaded with some of the best features from Samsung, this device is priced at around $930. The price may vary a little depending on the carrier you have chosen. Although the price is on the higher side, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is completely worth it. Here’s we will tell you why you should buy the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8:
A retirement plan is an arrangement of financing an individual’s income post his retirement. These plans can be set by the employers, insurance companies, trade unions, government, or any other organization. Tax benefits are provided on investments made on some retirement plans based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and regulated by the labor department under the ERISA Act. The retirement plans can be classified as defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans based on the types of payment, investment, and benefits payout method preferred.
What is a defined contribution plan?
An individual chooses the type of investment towards which a portion of the earnings are allocated toward retirement. One might choose either a mutual fund, stocks, or other securities. IRA, 401(k), profit sharing plans, etc. are some examples of a defined contribution plan. These are eligible for tax benefits provided they are not withdrawn before the age of 59.5 or a penalty will be levied on early withdrawal.
What is an IRA?
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a retirement plan that allows the employees to have control over their savings for retirement within an account that will be eligible for tax benefits. IRAs are classified into various types.
Types of IRAs:
Traditional IRAs: The contributions may be tax deductible and the earnings are allowed to grow on tax-deferral. This allows the individual to defer paying taxes until retirement. This gives flexibility to withdraw at a lower tax bracket, depending on the income and the tax rates that apply. These plans are subjected to rules on distribution, investment, and contribution.
Advantage: The tax on the earnings can be deferred until the individual chooses to withdraw.
Disadvantage: There are mandatory withdrawals set for 70.5 years of age.
Roth IRAs: It is a savings account to which individuals can make contributions after the tax on income is paid. Distributions from this IRA may be tax-free if some criteria are met. It supplements an individuals’ retirement plan well. It accumulates earnings on a tax-deferred basis and can be made tax free if certain requirements are met.
Advantage: Contributions are discretionary, and hence the individuals can choose to fund the Roth IRAs whenever they want.
Disadvantage: The contributions are not eligible for tax-deductions and only the qualified distributions are tax free.
SEP IRAs: SEP stands for Simplified Employee Pension which is a plan established by the employer where contributions are made on behalf of individual employees. Here, the tax benefits are on the contributions made by the employer and then may be given to individuals on a discretion.
Advantage: Employee doesn’t have to pay any tax on the contributions.
Disadvantage: Any earnings or distributions made on this plan are taxable to an employee and also requires for a traditional IRA to be set-up individually which is then linked to this plan making the entire process very cumbersome.
Simple IRAs: This is a salary reduction plan which is established by the employer or self-employed persons. Here, the employees contribute a part of their pretax income/salary to this plan which defers the tax on the money until it is distributed.
Advantage: Starting and maintaining of a simple IRA is less expensive as the funding is shared between the employer and the employee.
Disadvantage: Contributions are not taxed but the distributions are taxable.
The best place to find a suitable replacement for your old mattress is the B and M retail. B and M Mattress offers you the best quality innerspring mattress, both in a single bed and double bed sizes. Their mattresses provide adequate comfort and support to your body.
A good mattress ensures that you make optimal use of the hours you spend in bed. If you suffer from back pain, it becomes all the more essential to find a mattress, which helps you in managing the problem. However, there are so many brands vying for your attention that it is easy to get confused by the choices.
The first step to a better buying decision is, obviously, to know what features you are looking for. There is no comprehensive guide or medical journal that can tell you what kind of mattress would be perfect for you, although there are broad guidelines that you can adhere to:
Trust your experience: Mattress is a product that all of us have used. We already have a list of things we like in our existing mattress and the pesky issues we could do without along with a list of desirable features. Make good use of this list and see if you find something that covers all bases.
Consult your doctor: If you have a specific medical condition, it is best to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the issue. They can give plenty of tips on the type of sleeping surface that may be suitable for your condition. You can match and compare this with options available in the market and take a decision.
Test drive: There are no rules, which say you can test drive a car, but you cannot test drive a mattress. If you have taken the trouble to travel to a physical store, you might as well use the opportunity to get a feel of the real thing. Take your time to test the mattress, check for firmness and support.
Mattress firmness: A firm mattress is not always the best choice. In fact, the degree of firmness that is ideal for you depends on the condition of your back and also the position in which you usually sleep.
Soft mattresses, which mold to your body shape, are best for side sleepers.
If you change your position during the night and roll from the side onto your back, then medium soft would be more suitable. This will mold to your shape when you lie on the side while supporting your back when you roll over.
For those who sleep on their back, medium firm mattress offers the best support.
If you are in the habit of sleeping on your stomach, go for a firm mattress, which does not sink in during your sleep.
Warranty: All good brands offer a minimum of a 10-year full replacement warranty.
Any B and M mattress conforms to BS7177 UK fire regulations, is manufactured in the UK and provides an adequate warranty on its products.