Last Updated on January 9, 2013
Get Fit. Eat Right. And Finish That Home Remodel Project.
On January 1, when the clock strikes midnight, people all over the world begin the process of completing their New Year’s resolutions. Whether your resolutions are personal or professional this year, the start of the 2013 is a time for reflecting on last year and starting the New Year with a fresh perspective.
Unfortunately, one thing that remains constant each year is that more often than not, individuals don’t make it past February in sticking to their New Year’s resolutions. In fact, the New York Times wrote that a third of all resolutions are ditched by the end of January. One resolution that often gets pushed back is home remodeling, due to the time and energy associated with the project. If you’re serious this year about turning your home remodeling wishes into a reality, choose Granite Transformations to help.
A typical full-scale kitchen remodeling job can take months and cost over $50,000. And, worst of all, whether you’re installing kitchen cabinets, countertops or wall mosaics, a full scale kitchen remodeling job will often leave your kitchen un-operational for the length of the entire project. You’ll also have to live with dust and dirt in your house; replace the floor if it gets damaged during demolition; repaint areas of your house that get nicked by clumsy builders; set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere; and most likely burn money by eating out frequently. For most, this is simply unacceptable. If you are looking to for an alternative solution, you can go the easy route with Granite Transformations.
By using granite and glass counter overlays—combined with advanced remodeling techniques—our team of trained, professional remodelers can get the job done in less time and without the hassle. After measuring your kitchen, our team cuts and crafts custom-fitted granite or recycled glass countertops, wall mosaics or back splashes, cabinet doors, drawers and kitchen hardware. Counter and backsplash installations are usually completed in one day with no demolition, no dust, and very little disruption to your daily routine.
Stay on track in 2013 and knock this resolution off your list! Call us for a free home consultation today!
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
This small kitchen was outdated and needed a quick, modern makeover. Granite Transformations swooped in and provided new countertops, a modern new sink, cabinet refacing and a gorgeous backsplash and accent wall, complete with mosaics. This project only took a couple of days to complete with no messy demolition.
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
Granite Transformations transforms more than home kitchen and baths, it also handles commercial and office remodeling as well. This doctor’s office from the University of Miami is elegant and modern thanks to Granite Transformations’ artistic collection. If you are looking to transform your office, restaurant, hotel or more, let the dedicated design and installation experts at Granite Transformations handle your remodel for you. And if you’re a green company, you’re in luck! We pride ourselves on offering green solutions and practices. Granite Transformations countertops use 65 percent less material than traditional countertops, which reduces energy and resource consumption. In addition, our manufacturing process is designed to use recycled materials whenever possible and our installation process is demolition free, meaning less waste is produced.
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
In the theme of making better choices in 2013, our recipe of the month is a light, healthy and savory dish. For more recipes, please visit our Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/granitetrans.
Ingredients:
- vegetable oil for cooking
- 2 tablespoons [30 ml] peeled fresh ginger root, finely julienned
- 1/2 cup [125 ml] sliced scallions or green onions
- 1 tablespoon [15 ml] fleur de sel or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon [5 ml] coarsely ground szechuan peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon [3 ml] coarsely ground white peppercorns
- 4 (3 ounce) [90 g] pieces of skinless salmon fillet
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- 4 eight-inch [20-32 cm] pieces rice paper, softened briefly in warm water
- 4 large lettuce leaves to line the steamer
- 1/2 tablespoon [8 ml] pink peppercorns, lightly crushed, for garnish (see note)
- juice of one orange
- juice of one lemon
- juice of one lime
- 1 tablespoon [15 ml] soy sauce (clear, if available)
- 1 tablespoon [15 ml] honey (lychee honey, if available)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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Directions:
In a sauté pan coated with oil on medium heat, sauté the ginger and scallions until fragrant and soft, about two minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Wipe out the pan and toast the salt and szechuan peppercorns until fragrant, about two minutes. Grind the peppercorns and salt. Season the fillets on both sides with the salt mixture.
Place one wrapper on a clean dish towel. Spread a thin layer of the ginger-scallion mixture on the wrapper and top with one fillet. Pull the bottom of the wrapper up over the fillet, then fold in the two sides. Continue rolling to finish the roll and let it rest while you package the remaining fillets. The top of each package will be the ginger-scallion mixture.
Arrange the packages in a steamer lined with lettuce leaves so they do not touch. Steam for eight to ten minutes. Ladle citrus sauce on small plates and place salmon on top. Garnish with pink peppercorns.
For the sauce: in a non-reactive pan, combine the juices and simmer over low heat to reduce by 25 percent. Add the soy sauce and honey, heat through. Whisk in the butter. Season to taste.
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
Health Magazine encourages you to choose simple foods, make time for workouts and feel healthier this year than ever before. Please visit this link for more insight on their top New Year’s resolutions for living a healthier life. See below for a sampling of our favorites.
- Give yourself a break – Think about what you’re pretty sure you can do—then cut it in half. So if you want to save 10 percent of each paycheck this year, aim for 5%. And if you don’t always hit the mark, don’t get discouraged: Even if you saved only 2% this month, that’s still in line with your overarching goal (financial health), so onward and upward!
- Simplify your schedule – If you cringe at each ding of your BlackBerry calendar, you might be over-scheduling yourself, says Sherrie Bourg Carter, PsyD, author of High Octane Women.
- Streamline your go-to meals and use no-chop ingredients – All you need for a great homemade meal in 15 minutes is a quick-cooking, minimal-prep protein (chicken or fish), whole grains (whole-wheat pasta, brown rice), and veggies that are already bite-size (snow peas, baby arugula).
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
We know that keeping resolutions intact can be hard when traveling or working each day, however, for the on-the-go individual, below are a few healthy snacks with less than 100 calories. Enjoy!
- 1/4 cup hummus, 3 carrot sticks (80 calories)
- 1 Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original wedge, 3 pieces Kavli Crispy Thin (85 calories)
- 1 oz buffalo mozzarella, 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (94 calories)
- 1 package Original Apple Nature Valley Fruit Crisps (50 calories)
- 1 packet O’Coco’s Mocha cookies (90 calories)
- Whole grain crackers (5) with goat cheese (80 calories)
Last Updated on January 9, 2013
Visit Pinterest this month and pin your New Year’s Resolutions using the hashtag #GT2013. We will randomly choose our favorite resolutions to be featured on our Facebook page! Those pinners we select will receive a free myTable cookbook. Pin Away.