Author Archives: jeremyassistant
5 Useful Tips For Smoking BBQ
It is critical to select the best wood for smoking. Avoid chemically treated wood in favor of cured hardwoods; picking the best smoking woods for your next BBQ will significantly impact the color of your meat. If you’re unsure what wood to use, experiment with different types. Here are some tips you need to consider when buying smoking wood:
Avoiding Chemically-Treated Wood
Chemically treated wood can impart a bad flavor to meat, so you should avoid it if you plan on smoking food. Chemically treated wood can also contain toxins that can make your food unsafe to consume. Fortunately, you can use tree branches instead, as long as they do not have mold or pest infestation.
Smoke from wood is composed of trace amounts of syringol and guaiacol. These compounds are emitted into the air after the wood has been exposed to heat. The composition of the smoke is affected by the type of wood, humidity, and amount of oxygen available.
Generally, wood should be seasoned for at least a year before smoking. Fresh green wood is not suitable for smoking. Some hardware stores carry woods such as hickory and mesquite, while others offer expanded barbecue supplies. You can also buy wood from an online supplier.
Cured Hardwoods
The flavor of barbecue can vary greatly depending on the wood used. While there is some overlap between hardwood and softwood, there is also a difference in the amount of flavor each imparts. Hardwood has a higher percentage of guaiacol, a compound that gives a smoky flavor. Softwood lignin contains only guaiacol, while hardwood lignin contains both guaiacol and syringol.
Hardwoods have more compact cell structures than softwood. This means there is less room for air or organic matter to escape from the wood during combustion. In addition, hardwoods release more carbonyl compounds, which give food a natural caramelized flavor. Most hardwood used for cooking has been dried and cured either in a shed or outdoors. Some wood is even stored in heated kilns, though pitmasters prefer air-dried wood with less than 25 percent moisture.
Hickory
When smoking meats, hickory adds a distinctive dark color and strong flavor. Its smoke is often associated with the richness of bacon. Hickory is one of the most popular woods used for barbecue in the Midwest and South. It comes in several forms and the best wood to use depends on the smoker and the type of meat you’re smoking.
When smoking meat, you should choose seasoned wood. If the wood is not seasoned, it will require a lot of fire and generate undesirable flavor compounds. In addition, seasoned wood will add a deep, earthy flavor without overwhelming the meat’s natural flavor.
Orange Wood
Using orange wood is a great way to add a slightly sweet, smoky flavor to your barbecue. It can be used alone or mixed with other types of wood. Its sweet flavor can help balance out other woods that are more pungent. However, you should always dry the wood before using it to smoke your meat.
Orangewood is available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common shapes are chunks and chips, ideal for electric and propane smokers. You can also purchase orange wood pellets for pellet smokers. However, if you’re looking to smoke delicate foods, consider using planks of orange wood instead.
Adding Wood Chunks
Adding wood chunks to your barbecue is an excellent way to enhance the smoky flavor of your food. First, however, it is important to choose the right type of wood. While wood chips or pellets work well for short cooks, chunks the size of a golf ball or slightly larger will produce a consistent smoke over longer cooking times. Also, never use wood that smells bad, as it will not burn away and impart a bad flavor to your food. Also, avoid burning any moldy wood, as it is not safe to smoke.
Choosing a Major and Getting on the Right Career Path at University of Phoenix
Choosing a degree program begins with understanding your strengths, interests and career aspirations. University of Phoenix helps prospective students, or anyone interested in answering these questions for themselves, with an online Career Interest Assessment tool. The tool walks users through 60 statements with answer selections to indicate how strongly they agree or disagree with the statements. At the end, the tool indicates a users’ leading strengths such as creative, social and investigative skills and indicates which career and degree programs are a strong fit for those traits.
Those interested in discovering more about the best degree program for their interests can also use University of Phoenix’s online Career Hub to look at the top 10 careers aligned to University of Phoenix degree programs. This also includes crucial information like salary range, projected growth and estimated job postings.
At University of Phoenix, prospective students can rest assured that they are learning career-relevant skills in every degree program. This way, they can turn their focus to exploring what they enjoy doing andthe type of role they see themselves in. Job Markets with the Best Growth and Earning Potential
Some of the top careers are in IT and healthcare based on growth and earning potential. A fact sheet from the Pew Research Center confirms that workers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers earn more than their counterparts in other industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.” Relevant jobs include information security analysts, software developers and web developers.
And the BLS has reported that jobs in the physical, engineering, and life sciences are projected to more than double from original projections, leading to 55,600 new jobs by 2029. They note that similar job growth is projected in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industries to accommodate vaccine manufacture and production. With increased healthcare needs due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, retiring nurses and an aging population, the American Nurses Association reports that by 2022, there is projected to be more available registered nurse jobs available than any other occupation.
Skills-Aligned Degree Programs at University of Phoenix
Once prospective students have reached an understanding about their own strengths and the landscape of the current job market, they can begin an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program at University of Phoenix that best aligns with their goals. Those interested in a career as an Information Security Analyst, for example, can pursue one of several degree programs in Cybersecurity at the University. Those interested in nursing can pursue an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing, among other degree programs.
University of Phoenix offers both generous transfer credit options and Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs) that help reduce the time and cost of reaching a degree. With transfer credit options, students can cover up to 75 percent of the credits needed to complete their bachelor degree program. Using the University’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits, students can earn nontraditional credits for skills developed through professional roles such as IT certifications, military service, police academy training and real estate licenses. There are also options for students to receive PLA credits for life experiences, submitted via journal-style essays, for skills such as stress management, parenting and communicating in a virtual workplace. Some 65 percent of undergraduates at University of Phoenix are eligible for PLA credits, helping them to save on college costs and graduate faster.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is committed to advancing the educational goals of adult and nontraditional learners and provides maximum support for transfer students to reach their goals affordably. The University makes transferring credits easy and offers Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs) to provide credit for a number of employer-based trainings and life skills including IT skills, police and military work, retail experience, parenting, horticulture, arts, sports and other non-traditional skill sets, helping to reduce time and money toward a degree program.
In addition, University of Phoenix supports working adults and nontraditional learners with numerous scholarship opportunities, flexible schedules, online learning, career-guided degree programs. The University’s Career Services for Life® commitment to active students and graduates help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
Overseas Korean Nurses Association Conference Features University of Phoenix Nurse Leaders
Several University of Phoenix nurse leaders were among the featured speakers at the Sixth General Assembly and Conference of the Overseas Korean Nurses Association held in Phoenix on October 22-23. The gathering was the first the group has held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the theme of the conference was fittingly titled “Superheroes: Rising Above the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
A Life Dedicated to Care: Sun Jones, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Sun Jones, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, the current president of the Overseas Korean Nurses Association who serves as the Systematic Plan for Evaluation and Curriculum Leader at University of Phoenix. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, Jones led an effort to secure 20,000 surgical masks for frontline nurses from the Korean Nurses Association in South Korea.
Jones, who gave the closing remarks for the 2021 conference, was led to nursing to better understand and care for her child who had a debilitating illness. But she has since used her experience and position to help many other immigrants, particularly of Korean descent, to learn about their healthcare options, schedule appointments and talk to someone who understands their struggles.
Jones experienced firsthand the extraordinary care nurses provided during her daughter’s short life, who died tragically from complications of a neuromuscular disorder at age three. “Becoming a nurse was a life-altering change for me and took me on a path that I am grateful for every day,” Jones said. “I believe that my daughter’s passing and the challenges that I faced throughout my life made me more passionate about paying it forward through community services and striving to be compassionate and empathetic when taking care of my patients.”
Conference Keynote Featured Celebrated Nurse Kathleen Winston, PhD, RN, Dean of University of Phoenix College of Nursing
Kathleen Winston, PhD, RN, and the dean of the College of Nursing at University of Phoenix, provided the keynote address for the conference. Her presentation was titled “Nurses: The Original Superheroes.” Winston was recently named a finalist for an ATHENA Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber and is a recognized leader in the nursing profession. She has over 30 years of career experience as a clinician, educator and academic dean.
Winston has also played an important role in shaping policy and curriculum standards through her work with the National Institutes of Health and the California Healthcare Workforce. University of Phoenix Provost John Woods, PhD, has called Winston “an extraordinary mentor and advocate for up-and-coming nurses and nursing educators alike.”
Available Online Nursing Degree Programs at University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix has a well-established nursing degree program with a number of affordable and flexible options. Students can learn online in programs that emphasize both theory and contemporary practice including evidence-based practice, quality and patient safety and leadership.
Degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). All nursing programs allow students to complete their degree one online course at a time to accommodate their busy lives and schedules. In addition, the Nursing Bridge Program at University of Phoenix can enable working nurses with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field to finish their MSN degree program faster.
About the Overseas Korean Nurses Association
The Overseas Korean Nurses Association was established in 2011 following a meeting of Overseas Korean Nurses in Seoul, South Korea. The Association seeks to promote unity and networking among Korean nurses living overseas and to provide information to overseas Korean nurses’ organizations. The Association plays a role in unifying Korean nurses, supporting their professional advancement and promoting the nursing profession to Koreans living outside the country.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is committed to providing affordable, accessible higher education opportunities for working parents and adults. This includes online nursing degree programs that prepare students for careers in the high-demand field of nursing with flexible course options to fit into busy schedules. Degree options in the University of Phoenix Online Nursing Program include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as well as a Nursing Bridge Program to help working nurses accelerate their path to an MSN.
Whether interested in nursing or other careers, University of Phoenix provides a pathway for working adults to realize their academic goals with convenient schedules, online learning options, financial support and scholarships, transfer credit opportunities and dedicated staff to help students complete their degrees programs.
Cheapest Options for Getting a Degree Online
In many countries of the world, getting a university education is a notoriously expensive and time-consuming undertaking. The rise of internet technology has, however, made it possible to acquire valuable knowledge in a structured setting without spending so much time and money. This article examines some of the most affordable online schooling options on offer today.
University of the People
A dream come true for cash-strapped people wishing to obtain a degree, not only is University of the People tuition-free, but course materials are also provided at no cost. The yearly cost for running a degree program at this institution is less than $1000, being payment for application and assessment for each completed course.
This fully accredited American university is completely online, having no physical structures. The institution offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs and provides scholarship options for the indigent.
Great Basin College
Based in the US state of Nevada, Great Basin College is among the cheapest online colleges around. Besides the affordable tuition, this public higher institution has been ranked among the best and most liberal in the United States. The $3000 tuition provides access to associate degrees and certificate programs across a wide range of educational fields, from science and technology to arts and humanities. What’s more, many of these programs are fully online and Great Basin college boasts a 100% acceptance rate.
BYU-Idaho
Brigham Young University is a non-profit college owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While the renowned University has physical structures in the US, more than 15,000 of its 50,000 strong student population run online programs. BYU-Idaho’s Pathway WorldWide offers more than 50 degree and certificate programs to students across the world. Taking advantage of BYU-Idaho’s Pathway WorldWide is advisable for other reasons beyond the affordable tuition of $4000. The University was recently named first among the most innovative schools in America and is popular with employers.
Western Governors University
A private non-profit educational institution, Western Governors University is an accredited school with over 70,000 students. While the school’s academic activities are fully online, there is a physical headquarter located in the US state of Utah. Western Governors University offers 60 degree programs in collaboration with six other schools. Tuition costs roughly $6000 and the institution records an admission rate of 100%. While there are several courses on offer, studying nursing at Western Governors University is particularly beneficial as the institution is ranked third best for nursing in Utah and 69th in the United States. What’s more, a majority of students testify to the positive influence a degree from the university had on their careers.
Due to a wide range of reasons, online schooling is the practical, and sometimes the only choice for many people. Deciding which particular option to pursue depends on many factors, most of which are personal. Take advantage of tools like Straighterline to find the option best suited to your needs.
Banking More Effectively With Student Debt
When you have student debt, it’s going to impact your entire life. However, many people don’t fully understand how they can manage student debt, and especially not how they can do it through elements like their bank account. As a matter of fact, the bank account you choose could have a direct impact on your student debt, and choosing the right bank account could be the key. Here are four things to do when it comes to banking with student debt.
Understand Direct Deposit Benefits
Many bank accounts push direct deposit, with some of them giving access to a kind of “rewards program” when you add direct deposit to your bank account. Direct deposit is a way to get money directly from one bank account to another, and in this case, it typically has to do with your job. Usually, if you give your direct deposit information to your boss, they can directly deposit your paycheck. Use it to your advantage to get more from your banking experience.
Check for Minimum Monthly Balance Requirements
Many people with student debt have very low amounts of disposable income, often because they’re funneling a lot of their income into paying off student debts. In these situations, even monthly balance requirements as low as $400 or $500 can be insurmountable, sometimes causing people to have to take on fees just to keep their account open. It’s a much better idea to opt for an account that doesn’t have any minimum monthly balances.
Look for Information About Fees
Fee information can be what makes you decide whether or not to sign on with a specific bank. Many banks are doing away with a lot of fees, including overdraft fees and monthly maintenance fees. These fees just cut into your monthly paycheck, and that can be extremely frustrating. Instead of just dealing with the regular fees, it might be a good idea for you to find a bank account that doesn’t charge you any of these fees.
Find the Best Sign-On Bonuses
An ideal bank account isn’t just about avoiding bad elements of accounts; it’s also about actively pursuing the good elements. Sign-on bonuses can be a great way to save more money through your bank accounts, because it’s often like basically getting free money – many banks don’t require a lot of prerequisites for sign-on bonuses. If you want the best sign-on bonuses, you’ll want to look into a Sofi bank account, where you can find full reviews of some of the best sign-on bonuses in the industry.
Conclusion
One of the most important things to do when you’re paying off student bills is to make sure that you’re banking as effectively as possible. It’s not always easy to do, but it’s also not as difficult as it may initially seem. Bank accounts are extremely varied nowadays, and there are plenty of ways to find a good one. No matter how much student debt you have, the right bank account can be a great way to minimize its impact on your life.
