Archives for December 2014

A structure is only as strong as its weakest component. For instance, a house may be made with the best construction materials but built on an uneven foundation. Once that foundation starts to slip, the house will need serious intervention in order to save it. Similarly, if a high-quality chicken coop is built but the hasps are of poor quality, breaking in would barely be a challenge.

For those involved in designing and building industrial facilities, there are infinite considerations to be made. After designing the skeletal structure of a building, laying out the interior in great detail, and making the exterior both functional and visually appealing, it may seem as though industrial hinges and latches are just an afterthought. However, if poor choices are made in these areas, it can cause problems for a building.

At minimum, poorly-made hinges can become squeaky and/or rust. This can be challenging for an industrial facility. Consider a factory where myriad machines are kept and maintained. In order to keep the factory in working order, the complex machinery must be monitored and any repairs made immediately. Depending in the facility, this can take a large amount of time, and squeaky, rusting, and eventually failing hinges only add to the enormous burden of those responsible for a facility’s mechanical integrity.

Latches may be even more important to a given facility. The intention of door latches is to secure a door – this may mean keeping people or animals out and merchandise in. A faulty door latch can result in merchandise lost, especially if the latch holds the door closed against the outside world.

Industrial components: what you need to know

Moreover, in packed factories and other industrial areas, a latch that breaks can cause serious injury. Consider a warehouse with heavy metal doors secured by latches. In many areas, working areas are crowded, and if a door swings open, it can result in serious injury to a person. This is even more applicable in places where latches hold up doors that rest on the ceiling and can fall to the ceiling. Unlike swinging doors, which can cause concussions or contusions, garage-style doors like this one can cause death if the fall is from a high enough height.

Selecting a well-made item can be difficult, but one important thing to look at is building material. Stainless steel is often the best choice for outdoor areas or those with a good deal of exposure, as steel tends to be rust-resistant. Rust, though it sets in gradually, can eventually compromise a hinge or latch to the point of causing grievous bodily injury to workers.

Essentially, selection of hinges and latches shouldn’t be a rushed, last-minute decisions. These crucial components need to be evaluated carefully – though cheap, poorly-made components may be tempted, a well-made item will last substantially longer and will ultimately earn its worth by keeping the facility running smoothly and by not needing a replacement soon after it is installed.

This post is brought to you by Del Real Foods. All opinions are my own (and Fabgrandpa’s)

Fabgrandpa and I received a Del Real Party In A Box some time ago. To tell you the truth, we both enjoyed these delicious Mexican style frozen meals very much. I am a huge fan of Carnitas, and since I have eaten them in deep south Texas, it has been hard for me to find any that I truly like and felt like they tastes “authentic”, whether bought from the frozen foods section of a grocery store, or from a restaurant. These Del Real Carnitas, though, are the Real Deal!

In case you don’t know, Carnitas is fried pork roast, seasoned and usually served with rice and beans. When it is done right, it is so good!. Pollo Asado is simply roasted chicken. The Del Real Pollo Asado can be eaten as is, or chopped and made into enchiladas. Either way, delicious!

The Arroz is cooked just right, and the container it comes in has enough in it to serve at least six people a good portion of rice with their meal. Seasoned with just the right herbs and spices, with carrots and peas added. The Chicken Tinga was another dish that we loved. And, just in case you need to know, most of Del Real’s foods are Gluten Free (Of course the flour tortillas are not).

From Tamales to Chicken Chile Verde to Sopas, Del Real has everything you need for an authentic Mexican meal, straight from your freezer, to your microwave, to your table! Start a new holiday tradition and serve up some Mexican foods from Del Real on Christmas Eve!

BUY IT: You can find Del Real Foods in Costco and BJ’s.

WIN IT: One Winner will receive a Del Real Party In A Box that contains all of the following:

Carnitas; Arroz’ Frijoles Refritos; Pollo Asado; Pupusas; Salsa; a Mini piñata; a water bottle; and a cooler on wheels. To enter, just use the Giveaway Tools widget to enter.

This post is sponsored by Orchard Choice California Figs

I have wanted to try a pork and fig combination for quite some time. However,  I live in a very rural part of America and none of the three grocery stores around here carry anything as exotic as fig preserves, fig jam, or fig spread. Then one day last week, when the UPS guy came to my door, he had a box of goodies for me from Orchard Choice California Figs. These spreads come in four flavors including California Orange, Port Wine, Organic Mission Fig, and Balsamic Pepper. It was really hard to decide which one to open first.

My husband loves pork tenderloin any way I prepare it, so I decided to pair it with the Orchard Choice California Fig Balsamic Pepper Spread. You will want to go back for seconds of this one!

ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BALSAMIC PEPPER FIG SPREAD AND GARLIC

• (1) 1 TO 1.5 lb Pork Tenderloin
• Meat tenderizer
• 2-4 cloves of garlic
• 1 jar of Orchard Choice California Fig Balsamic Pepper Spread
• wooden skewers
• 4-6 medium red potatoes
• sea salt
• olive oil

Line a 13″ X 9″ casserole dish with heavy duty aluminum foil. Rinse the pork tenderloin and pat dry. Using a very sharp knife, cut the tenderloin into 4-6 equal pieces. (a one pound tenderloin yields 4 servings) . Butterfly each piece of tenderloin. Cut carefully to prevent cutting all the way through. Spread each piece flat. (I use some meat tenderizer, but this cut of meat is tender enough that you don’t need it.) If using meat tenderizer, sprinkle generously on each piece.

Peel the garlic cloves, and mince them. Spread one minced garlic clove over the inside of each piece of pork. Spread a heaping tablespoon of fig spread over the garlic on each piece of pork. Working with one piece of pork at a time, gently bring the cut ends together and fasten with a skewer. Some of the fig spread will squeeze out the ends, but you can just spoon it over the top. Place in the prepared casserole dish.

When all of the meat is in the dish, peel the potatoes and cut in chunks, one potato per serving of meat. Place the potatoes around the meat in the casserole dish. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Then drizzle with olive oil, about 4 tablespoons, making sure all the potatoes are covered.

Close up the aluminum foil, and place in 350° oven. Bake for one hour. Remove casserole from oven, open aluminum foil, and let rest for at least five minutes before serving. Serve with additional fig spread.

If you are looking for a super easy appetizer for your holiday parties, here is a gluten free quick as a wink to prepare recipe using Orchard Choice California Fig Spread.

BRIE & CALIFORNIA FIG ROLL-UPS

• Gluten free flour tortillas
• 1 pkg Brie
• 1 jar Orchards Choice California Fig Spread

Spread softened Brie on one side of a gluten free flour tortilla. Spread Orchards Choice California Fig Spread generously on top of the Brie. Place in a hot skillet, and let the cheese melt, about 15-20 seconds. Slide the tortilla out of the skillet onto a cutting board, and let it cool. Once the tortilla is cooled, roll up, then cut in 1 inch slices. Each tortilla makes about 8 roll-ups.

BUY IT: You can buy Orchard Choice California Fig Spreads and Figs at their online store.

WIN IT: One lucky Fabgrandma reader will win an Orchard Choice California Fig prize pack that contains four flavors of California Fig Spreads.

To enter, use the Giveaway Tools widget below.