Really easy recipes from the woman who cooks for her man and your man, too.
When quarantine strikes and your man doesn’t know you’re leader of the cooking impaired, don’t fear the kitchen! Enjoy this easy to follow recipe from the down-to-earth home chef who will walk you through, step by step! Beginner friendly recipes that’ll impress yourself and even keep him around!
Try this recipe out and elevate your cooking experience today!
If you’re anything like me, you can appreciate an easy travel experience. I travel at least once a month and every single time, I dread the airport experience. I seriously think I have some type of anxiety, believe it or not, because I find myself wanting to shed tears each time I’m waiting in the airport for hours for my flight.
These days, traveling back and forth to my home town will be an experience I can actually look forward to. My sister forwarded me an email she received about Jet Suite X and without much context to exactly what I was looking at, I reluctantly went to the site and started pricing flights. Living in Arizona but frequently driving back and forth to LA has a taken a toll on my patience so I knew that if I found a decently priced flight, I would probably take it.
I have to say that the website was very simple and everything I read online (which wasn’t much) seemed legit. But of course, I would never know the legitimacy of the company until I actually experienced it for myself so I was a bit nervous after I booked my flight, to say the least. I ended up paying about $136 roundtrip for a flight from Phoenix to Burbank. It was a smoking deal after a referral promo code for 20% off that I found online, so I couldn’t pass it up.
When I arrived at the departure location near Sky Harbor Phoenix airport, it was very quiet. There were several cars parked out in the lot but the large “JetSuite X” sign to the entrance was easy to find.
As soon as I entered, I noticed a nice photo op (we love those!) with a fancy step and repeat in the right corner. There was an open seating area and in the back left corner I spotted the check-in counter.
The waiting area was very spacious and clean with rustic decor throughout. There was also a small counter with complimentary snacks (pretzels and nuts) as well as water, tea, and a Starbucks machine that dispensed various coffee flavors and hot chocolate. No complaints here!
I arrived about 40 minutes before my flight to provide ample time to check-in and I learned that it was more than I needed. I had one bag to check and after providing my ID for check in, the attendant swabbed my bags and placed my checked bag onto a cart. When it was time to board, a flight attendant politely called for our flight and most people in the waiting area quickly jumped up, ready to board.
Getting on the plane was a breeze. No long, unsteady corridors here! You walk outside and right up to your 30 passenger jet. The plane was very clean and still had that “new” smell to it.
On this flight, I was greeted by the very lovely, KC, our flight attendant and shortly after departure, asked for my drink order. One thing to note, the “fun” drinks are free on all flights! Sounds like a nice pregame before a Vegas flight, if you ask me. She also came around with a nice assortment of snack options. All complimentary!
I ordered the Mango Margarita which was actually a powdered mix that you had to add water and tequila to make come alive. After mixing for a good 2 minutes, it turned out pretty darn good. Not sure if it was the tequila or the mix, but I was satisfied upon completion.
The flight was smooth and I could barely tell that I was on a smaller plane. I know there is a common notion that flying in a smaller plane automatically means you will feel more turbulence BUT not on this flight. I actually felt like this flight was smoother than most I have experienced in the past few months with commercial airlines. (It was a clear night so weather could have played a part in this.)
A short hour passed before we safely landed at the Bob Hope Burbank Airport. The Jet Suite X terminal is about a mile away from all the other main terminals and is located in a nice discreet space with no traffic that really makes you wonder why you can’t use Jet Suite X for ALL air travel.
Getting off the plane was super simple and not time consuming at all. I walked off of the plane and right into the Jet Suite X Hangar.
Luggage retrieval is somewhat equivalent to what it is like when you ride the GreyHound (don’t judge me). You literally wait in the hangar as they unload your luggage onto a cart and you grab what is yours from there.
Overall, this experience has got me hooked. From the easy booking to inflight treats to arriving on time and being able to leave the airport without traffic? Flying commercial is a faux pas at this point!
If you’re looking for a hassle-free and cost effective option to flying somewhere, I have to say, Jet Suite X is the BEST option.
I vote 10/10 to Upgrading your Travel Experience!
(use referral code: XHNC7Z at jsx.com to get discounted rates)
Okay guys, I did it. I gave into my Taco Bell craving and decided to try their new Toasted Cheddar Chalupa. You heard that right, a chalupa (the best thing on their menu—fight me) made with a fried shell coated in cheddar and toasted to perfection. Let’s face it; I HAD to do it.
I have to admit, I was fairly impressed with the weight of this thing. It felt pretty hefty and sturdy. Upon opening it, I noticed the ingredients were in full supply and I quickly understood where the sturdy came from— there is a cardboard shell holding the chalupa in place. You know, like the ones they use for the Doritos Locos Tacos. You have your standard choice of protein so I opted for the beef because who gets a chalupa with anything other than beef?
I picked up mine from my local Taco Bell— which is NEVER busy by the way (and I don’t want to know why *side eye*). It cost $3.39 plus tax which is either the same or a little less than an original Chalupa Supreme would cost.
The Toasted Cheddar Chalupa comes with meat sour cream, lettuce, shredded cheese, and tomatoes. Now, onto this marvelous shell. The toasted cheddar was clearly visible and in great abundance on the outer parts of the normally deep fried shell.
First bite was amazing. You might want to keep that cardboard holder handy because there is a slight grease factor when you bite into the cheddar crisps. The restaurant boasts that they use 6-month aged cheddar to make this masterpiece and while I can’t tell the difference between 1 week or 1 month aged cheddar, the cheddar flavor can definitely be tasted, although it isn’t overwhelming. It actually compliments the rest of the ingredients very well so don’t be that person who asks for no tomatoes because they are scary. I promise you, you have to get it as is, for the FULL EFFECT.
This chalupa is pretty filling and can be compared to eating a burger without the guilt so just one of these definitely held me over. In fact, I got full while eating it because it was very hearty but I couldn’t stop myself because of the taste. Unfortunately, I probably won’t get to experience it again because of my strict diet however it was definitely worth the pleasant encounter.
Overall, I would say if you like cheddar and you like chalupas, don’t miss out on trying this gem that might not be around for long. I’m sure it will be a hit, but just like the Nacho Fries, nothing good lasts forever.
Rating: 10/10 Upgrade Your Tastebuds!
Home of the infamous and original, “Black Card,” American Express credit cards are arguably a status symbol that represents wealth and financial freedom. While American Express has a history of catering to the more affluent population by providing luxurious benefits, in recent years, the company has made significant efforts to make this sumptuous lifestyle attainable for Millennials. If you have one of their card products, you understand why it would be foolish to leave your house without it. If you don’t, you’re probably thinking it will never happen until you get your credit and finances to that A1 status your future dream job will support. By promoting their cards on social websites like Facebook and Twitter, AMEX is making it known that if you are a financially self-sufficient Millennial, you too could enjoy the benefits of card membership. Here are the top reasons Millennials choose AmEx to upgrade their lifestyles:
1.The brand comes with prestige– Maybe it’s the exclusivity of being a “member” but when people see you pull out an AmEx card they will automatically recognize that you belong to a loyal family of people who enjoy the finer things in life.
2. AMEX is easier to get than you think– Don’t fall victim to the belief that you have to have an 800 credit score to qualify. The score qualification actually depends on the card type. With over 30 different card products to choose from, you cannot only find a card that fits your needs but one that you can get approved for.
3. Benefits and perks of being a card holder– You might not get an invitation to hold a Black Card like Beyoncé, but you do get a myriad of benefits to compliment your lifestyle and make the card worth every use. These benefits include presale and special seating areas to sporting and music events, discounts at thousands of merchants when you use your card, and the ability to dispute any charge you made with a high probability of winning (even if you were completely at fault). You even get the feeling of superiority when you check into a hotel and they upgrade you for free when they realize you are paying with an AmEx card.
4. The card pays for itself– Contrary to popular belief, many of AmEx’s credit cards have no annual fee and yet still provide the opportunity to earn points or cash back for eligible purchases. So if you find yourself spending beyond your budget, the great news is, you have the ability to use your points/rebate to help pay down your bill!
References
American Express cards. Retrieved from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/view-all-personal-cards/?inav=menu_cards_pc_viewallcards
BI Intelligence.(2016). American Express taps Buzzfeed to reach Millennials. Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-taps-buzzfeed-to-reach-millennials-2016-7
CreditCardForumStaff. 2016). Minimum credit score needed for American Express. Credit Card Forum. Retrieved from http://creditcardforum.com/blog/credit-score-needed-for-american-express/
Whether you are actively sharing your thoughts on Twitter or going through your distant cousin’s pictures on Facebook, social media has given people a way to connect and interact with anyone, at any time. The popularity of social media is riveting as Facebook has seen about 1.05 billion users per day in 2016 alone. The simple click on a profile has made this popular form of communication easy and convenient to learn all the details of a person without any face to face contact. While most people might believe that the information they share on these accounts are solely seen by whom they choose, in many cases, this information is available to a wider audience than expected. In fact, this easily accessible information has been used by organizations in the recruitment and hiring process, as many employers have admitted to accessing social media accounts in efforts to screen potential employees with and without their knowledge. As social media remains mainstream, the presence of this social avenue in the hiring process has the potential to thrive and become a routine screening method.
The emergence of social media in the personal sphere has also brought forth the presence of social media in the business sphere. Companies can take advantage of social networking sites for marketing and advertising of their products and services as a fast and convenient way to reach their audiences. Outside of the advertising for the company, social media has been helpful in finding employees. Organizations who seek to find potential candidates use this resource to “…Maximize dependable role behavior and ensure applicants are trustworthy…” (Black, Stone, & Johnson, p 115). Popular sites like LinkedIn and CareerBuilder were created with the job and business realm in mind since their primary use is to look for jobs and professionally network. Being able to pique the interest of the top talent in a given industry is a great advantage for sustainability and competition for many companies. Therefore; employers use these sites to find the most highly qualified candidates. Something important to note here is that the potential employee presents themselves accordingly—Business site, business behavior. While these sites are still considered social media sites, an argument can be made that there is a fine line drawn between a companies using LinkedIn profiles versus Facebook profiles to collect data on prospective candidates. There is a line that separates personal from business. In practice, it would beneficial to gain an understanding of what information the company in interested in attaining from either profile to assess the longevity of this way of screening applicants.
The interview portion of the standard hiring process gives an employer the ability to get to know more about their candidate in a face to face interaction. It helps the employer get to know things about that person that cannot necessarily be written on a resume, like how a person manages their body language and common business etiquette. The growth of social media has given people the ability to share more than just the written aspects of their personal lives online. Here is where the employer might find benefits in finding out more about potential candidates by viewing their profiles. Considering my previous mention of the types of social media used, business versus personal, an employer might decide to use both to get a more well rounded view of exactly who their candidate is and what he or she represents. When a personal site is used, the employer is then privy to information about their candidate that reveals more than a professional networking site would display. Other researchers have studied the effects of social media in the hiring process but few articles have been written in regards to the major caution of privacy rights and implications that lies within the data that companies actually use to judge their employees.
A company that looks to use this practice has to take into account the potential negative reactions by applicants because the information shared on these sites usually reveal protected classes like age, religion, race, and familial status. Patricia Sanchez Abril argues that “Employer intrusion into an employee’s personal life threatens the employee’s freedom, dignity, and privacy…” (Abril, 2012, p. 69). Studies have shown that applicants do, in fact, perceive companies that use social networking sites as part of the selection process as being less fair in their decision making, therefore frowning upon this practice. Even with the privacy concerns of such a screening process, a business professor at Saint Mary’s College, James Rogers shared with several students that, “In most states…it is legal for an employer to ask for a prospective employee’s social media passwords,” in hopes to warn prospective employees about the nature in what they post on their personal social media accounts.
As research and articles are developed that speak on various aspects of the connection between social media and the hiring process in organizations, this paper seeks to contribute to the study by exploring how the presence of social media has impacted the hiring process and whether or not this presence is trending to become an influential and necessary aspect to acquiring a job. As Joos, suggested, social media tools would work as supplements to the traditional hiring practices. A main question to consider is” Will screening potential employees through social media become a normal practice in the recruiting phase of employment?”
References
Abril, P. S. (2012). Blurred boundaries: Social media privacy and the twenty‐first‐century employee. American Business Law Journal, 49,63-124.
Black, S.L., Stone, D. L., & Johnson, A.F. (2014). Use of social networking websites on applicants’ privacy. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 27, 115-159.
CareerBuilder survey finds companies use social networks to research potential job candidates. (2012). Manufacturing Close-Up.Retrieved from Business Insights: Essentials
Delarosa, J. (2015). From due diligence to discrimination: Employer use of social media vetting in the hiring process and potential liabilities. Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review, 35, 249-280.
Dery, K., Tansley, C., & Hafermalz, E. (2014). Hiring in the age of social media: New rules, new game. University of Auckland Business Review, 17, 44-51.
Facebook Company Info. (2016). Retrieved from http://newsroom.fb.com/company-info/.
Joos, J. G. (2008). Social media: New frontiers in hiring and recruiting. Employment Relations Today, 35, 51.
Madera, J. M. (2012). Using social networking websites as a selection tool: The role of selection process fairness and job pursuit intentions. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31, 1276-1282.
Mccutcheon, C. (2014). How social media can affect the hiring process. Chronicle-Herald, B9. Retrieved from ProQuest
Rodgers, N. C. (2012). Tread carefully when using social media in the hiring process. ColoradoBiz, 39, 8. Retrieved from ProQuest
Sameen, S. & Cornelius, S. (2015). Social networking sites and hiring: How social media profiles influence hiring decisions. Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 7, 27-35. Retrieved from ProQuest
Snyder, S. (2016). Professor examines role of social media in hiring process SMC panel examines social media in the workplace. University Wire. Retrieved from ProQuest
You would be surprised to learn that there is only one thing you need to do in order to lead a peaceful life. I like to call it rule number one: protect your energy.
Elevating Experiences 