Monthly Archives: January 2013

The Machine

Car buying, minus the dealership Tred, a new Seattle-based company, brings the test drive to you

test-drives-delivered-to-your-door.jpg&maxW=630from Autoweek, by Sherrice Gilsbach
Test drives delivered” is the motto of Tred, a Seattle-based startup that’s taking the car dealership out of the car-buying process — at least from the shopper’s perspective.
Wired.com reported Thursday that by accessing Tred via the Web or an iPad app, shoppers will be able to select the cars they want to test-drive and have them delivered to the location of their choice. Each car is then delivered by a Tred staffer rather than a dealership salesperson.
The beauty of this setup is that not only do you avoid wasting your free time in a dealership, you also get to test the cars in your day-to-day environment, determine how they fit in your driveway or garage, and how they handle the bumps and such on the roads you travel regularly. Also, Tred lets shoppers test more than one car at a time, allowing for real-time side-by-side comparisons.
Tred is set to launch in Seattle this spring, and according to Wired.com, recent infusions of seed money, including $1.7 million from former General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner and other investors, will help make this happen.
Fear not, sales personnel and dealership owners, the Wired.com article also pointed out Tred is not trying to steal business from dealerships, but does want to provide a service that meets the needs of both consumers and dealerships. The question now is, what will it cost?

 

The Machine

Stabilize that Fuel

Did you know most fuels today contain at least 10% ethanol? Did you know ethanol can lead to corrosion problems? Stay ahead of the spring time initial start up drama by using Spectro FC stabilizer. Formulated specifically for use in high-performance motorcycle and other small to mid-size high output engines, Spectro FC Premium helps you ensure top performance and easier maintenance from season to season. It is suitable for all forms of gasoline-fueled engines, from everyday lawn equipment to superbikes. It fights corrosion and varnish build-up, and counters ethanol-accelerated corrosive problems within your fuel delivery system. Inhibits corrosion and provides lubricity. prevents the formation of fuel-related gums and varnishes for easy starting after storage.

The Body

Slow Cooker Recipe for the New Year!

Getting back into the swing of things and finding ourselves with not much time, means it’s time to bust out the crock pot and get some quick but healthy meals going. Check out this recipe for Mediterranean Beef with Pasta

ingredients
1 1/2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 medium yellow sweet pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup lower-sodium beef broth
1 1/4 cups zucchini and/or yellow summer squash halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces (1 medium)
6 ounces dried whole grain penne pasta
1 recipe Basil Gremolata

directions
1. In a large skillet cook meat, half at a time, in hot oil over medium-high heat until brown. Drain off fat. Transfer meat to a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Add carrots, sweet pepper, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Pour tomatoes and broth over mixture in cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 9 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.
3. If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in zucchini and/or yellow squash. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
4. Serve meat mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with Basil Gremolata.

Basil Gremolata

Yield: about 1/3 cup
ingredients
2 tablespoons finely shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
directions
1. In a small bowl stir together cheese, basil, and garlic.

nutrition facts
Servings Per Recipe 6, cal. (kcal) 371, Fat, total (g) 13, chol. (mg) 64, sat. fat (g) 5, carb. (g) 31, Monosaturated fat (g) 6, Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1, fiber (g) 5, sugar (g) 6, pro. (g) 32, vit. A (IU) 54, vit. C (mg) 1, Thiamin (mg) 0, Riboflavin (mg) 0, Niacin (mg) 6, Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 1, Folate (µg) 97, Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 4, sodium (mg) 403, Potassium (mg) 889, calcium (mg) 81, iron (mg) 4, Mark as Free Exchange () 0, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet