Tag: <span>cooling plan</span>

[ad_1]

When was the last time you took stock and organized your kitchen? Now is a great time to do it. Start with the refrigerator, and then move on to the pantry and cabinet shelves. Finally, clean the whole room.

First, literally empty the refrigerator, one shelf at a time, then the doors. Use a cooler to keep foods cold while you clean. Wipe shelves down with a kitchen disinfectant spray, working from top to bottom, including doors.Sort the food you removed from the refrigerator, check dates, determine if it should go back in or not (or on another shelf). Continue this process until you’ve emptied everything out, checked, sorted, and put back.

Move open items to the front. If there’s only a few tablespoons left in a jar, use them up in the next day or two, or figure out a way to work it into a recipe. Take note of any cheese or cream cheese that’s expiring and plan a meal around it before expiration.

Staying organized can also help reduce food waste. Once you see what you have, and what you may donate, you can plan out a few meals with things that are ready to use.

Do you have a leftover veggie tray or the bag of broccoli you never got around to cooking? Now is a great time to whip up a stir fry or make veggie soup. Leftover fresh herbs? Blend them into a herb pesto for pasta. Keep cut tomatoes, peppers, onion, or citrus in produce-keepers that keep them fresh longer. Have frozen cooked shrimp in the freezer? Chop it and make our salsa. If you have several cereal boxes open, consider using a container for cereal. These have air-tight lids that help keep cereal fresh longer, reducing waste. If you overbought canned goods or other pantry ingredients, consider donating them to your food bank or church. Make the donation now while the “best buy” date is still good.

Keep Counters Clear and Clean

Sanitizing isn’t just for flu season, it’s important to keep your kitchen and home safe all year. Once your refrigerator and cabinets are cleaned, wipe down everything. Use a multi-purpose kitchen disinfectant spray (or bleach wipes) on all counter tops and faucets, cabinet knobs/handles, and wipe down the outside of your cabinets with a damp cloth. Fill the sink with hot, soapy water, and clean things that are sticky or marked (microwave turntable, utensils, toaster oven ‘crumb catcher’, coffee carafe). Don’t forget to wipe down all appliances, including the top of the refrigerator or microwave, and vacuum and mop the floor.

A clean kitchen keeps food safe, and so does proper hand-washing. Always remember to wash your hands frequently when handling and cooking food, and be sure your children do as well (it’s always a good idea to have your children wash their hands right after school).

Keep your kitchen sanitized and organized, and you’ll waste less food as well. A clean kitchen also helps prevent food borne illness. That’s my idea of clean eating!

[ad_2]

Source by Rosanne Rust

[ad_1]

A home isn’t quite a home without functional and useful appliances that allow you to easily go about washing your dishes, cleaning your laundry, and even keeping your food from spoiling. Having functional appliances makes a home livable and also increases the retail value when you go to sell. But what do you do when arguably your most important appliance, the refrigerator, stops working? Here are the best ways to save money on fridge repair.

1. Identify the issue

When something goes wrong with your appliance, the first thing you need to do is identify what the issue is in as specific a way as you can. Has the unit stopped cooling or producing ice cubes? Are there strange noises coming from the compressor? Look at what function is no longer working properly and do a little basic troubleshooting first. Sometimes you may even be able to fix the problem in this way, especially if the problem is as simple as a fuse, filter, bulb, or electrical malfunction, ie the power cord is not plugged in.

2. Check to see if it is in warranty

After you have identified the issue you are dealing with, check to see if that specific problem is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Some issues will be covered from a year or more and can be handled directly through the company or a service provider designated to replace and repair that particular brand of appliances. Do not pay for a repair if you can have it replaced or repaired for free under warranty.

3. Call repair services

If the problem is something you cannot fix yourself or requires disassembly, it is advised you call a repair service company rather than try to do the job yourself. In some instances warranties can be voided without officially approved service providers doing the job.

4. Select a reputable company

There are many ways to find a reputable company for your appliance repair and servicing needs. You can use review sites online, check in your phone book for recommended companies, use word of mouth from other home owners or from your home owners association, or call the store you purchased the appliance from for recommendations. Often times, the store you purchased from will be contracted with an in-house repair shop or outsourced with one.

5. Consider maintenance plans

When all is said and done, consider a maintenance plan on your appliance. Maintenance plans will usually include regularly scheduled maintenance which can keep the issues from becoming a problem in the first place. They usually will also cover a set percentage, if not 100%, of the repair cost in case of failure.

Use these tips for making sure your appliances are running in tip top shape.

[ad_2]

Source by Christopher Rivera

[ad_1]

Built-in hot water dispensers consist of a small heater tank you need to install under your kitchen sink and faucet that can resist the pressure of boiling water. The temperature of the tank stays close to 200 °F as long as you keep the unit plugged in and you do not change the unit settings. This is far hotter than anything you can get from your regular water heater and is as hot as the water in coffee makers get. People install these because of the benefits they offer.

There are a number of benefits in having an under-sink hot water dispenser. First, under-sink hot water dispensers give you what you need instantly so you do not have to stop in the middle of something and wait for the water to boil. This is a serious advantage for those who spend a lot of time working in the kitchen. Next, contrary to the belief that keeping hot water in tanks is inefficient, built-in instant hot water dispensers actually waste less energy than other means of producing boiling water. For instance, with a kettle, you often have to heat more water than you need and the unused water ends up cooling down because there is little insulation. On the other hand, under-sink tanks have decent insulation so there is very little stand-by heat loss. Finally, under-sink boilers take no space on your kitchen counter while kettles or countertop hot water dispensers can prove to be annoyances.

With all the comfort they offer, hot water dispenser tanks can also cause some problems if you are not careful with them. For instance, some cheap units can be prone to leaking because of the immense pressure and corrosive effects of constantly boiling water inside. If they fail when you are away from home, there can be a serious damage to your property. To avoid such accidents, you would do well to drain and unplug any boiling water dispensers in your home if you plan to be away for more than a day. A more dangerous issue about these devices is the scalding risk. Liquids at 140 °F can cause full thickness injury in a few seconds and what comes out of an instant hot water tap is much hotter than that. Any person who puts a hand under that tap will suffer a serious injury and this is especially a problem for persons who cannot fully comprehend the risks. If you want to use these systems in homes with elderly people or small children, you must turn down the unit’s temperature to cut the risk.

In conclusion, under-sink hot water dispensers are useful devices but you have to make sure they are suitable for your lifestyle before you get one and you need to be careful when using them.

[ad_2]

Source by Sol A Patria

[ad_1]

The basement is usually the most neglected part of your home, and the most neglected part is the basement ceiling. It is where you can find pipes, ducts and wires that keep your house running smoothly. Nowadays, a lot people now want to utilize the space and one of their huge obstacles is the ceiling.

There are some common ways to conceal an ugly ceiling that have proven to be effective. Although you have to exert some effort to see beautiful results, it is worth it.

One of the easiest solutions to your unsightly ceiling problem is to install a suspended or dropped ceiling. They consist of a grid work of metal bars in the shape of an upside-down T, which are suspended on wires from the overhead joists.

There are several advantages to the suspended ceiling:

– No need to move wires, pipes or ducts

– Joists don’t need to be straight for the finished ceiling to be flat

– Access to heating, cooling and electrical systems and adding lighting fixtures is a simple matter of removing a panel

– Insulates unwanted noise from above

But if you already have a low ceiling, you probably do not want to sacrifice any more headroom. This is the suspended ceiling’s biggest flaw, it eat ups into head space in your basement.

Another option you can try is to install a drywall basement ceiling. This is not an easy or simple solution but it does give the most professional look. To maximize the headroom in your ceiling, you can relocate some wires and pipes before you install the drywall. Big obstructions such as ducts need to be boxed in for a cleaner look.

Some benefits of using dry wall include:

– It is an excellent base for paint and other materials, such as wood panels

– It has fire-retardant qualities

– It gives the most professional look

– It is relatively inexpensive

It’s worthwhile to take the time to think about what sort of basement ceiling you want or what type of ceiling concealment is best for your basement. There really is a decision to make because the types of ceilings have their own advantages and drawbacks as to their capabilities and appearance.

[ad_2]

Source by Casey Torren

[ad_1]

The secret to good Alfredo sauce is a combination of ingredients and technique. Unlike many Italian dishes, Alfredo sauce is extremely rich, with the base ingredient being cream. This makes this dish an excellent alternative to the standard red sauces and meats normally associated with Italian meals.

When you go to make your Alfredo sauce, you should make certain you have all of your ingredients prepared in advance. The process of making the sauce goes by very quickly, so you will want to make certain you have everything nearby so that you do not risk scorching your cream as you cook. As scorching the cream is the most common cause of ruin of an Alfredo dish, this simple preparation can prevent disaster.

The common ingredients of standard Alfredo sauce are:

– Heavy Cream

– Parsley

– White Salt

– Pepper

– Butter

– Parmesan Cheese

Cooking times and amounts may vary from recipe to recipe. Also, ingredients may be altered depending on whether or not there are attempts at making the Alfredo more healthy. As Alfredo is so heavy on cream, butter and cheese, it is often viewed as a treat or avoided on many diets.

Once you have your ingredients prepared, there are several things that you can do to prevent ruining your dish.

1: Prepare your Pan

Scorching Alfredo is only the first of the risks. By properly preparing your pan by preheating and cooling the pan slightly with water, you can prevent the cream from scorching. When the cream is added to the pan, it should be done off of the heat, with the cream being returned to the heat after it has been warmed in the pan.

2: Remember to stir frequently

Reducing cream by half requires patience and dedication. Alfredo is not a sauce that you can leave alone for long. Plan to make your Alfredo sauce when you can dedicate time to it. This will prevent your cream from burning.

3: Do not add cheese while sauce is on the burner

A common mistake is for individuals to add the butter and cheese to the sauce while it is still on the burner. Do not make this error unless the recipe calls otherwise. The most common recipes do not add cheese or butter while the cream is on the heat, as this can cause the cheese to stick to the pan or the butter to cause the cream to separate. While mainly affecting aesthetics and lengthening cleanup time, it can also affect the flavor of the dish.

4: Have your pasta pot prepared in advance

Alfredo sauce is best eaten immediately. Before you begin cooking, have your water for your pasta already prepared, and the amount of pasta you want cooked put to the side. Start boiling the water part way through the sauce making process so that your Alfredo sauce and pasta finish at the same time.

5: Add toppings

Alfredo sauce is flexible. Great with meats and seafoods, as well as with vegetables, you can easily turn Alfredo into a one course meal. Prepare any toppings in advance, and warm them on a grill prior to serving. In the case of zucchini and other vegetations that do not sit well, put them on the grill or in the frying pan just as the sauce is nearing completion.

[ad_2]

Source by Ferdinand Okeke

[ad_1]

Landscaping ideas form the basis of landscape architecture. Landscape designers are commissioned by clients who have the land and budget to experiment with different design ideas and create landscapes that compliment their home and status. Landscaping ideas are the basic ideas which the designers keep in mind while planning the landscape.

Plants in landscaping ideas-Plants are widely used to give the natural feel in the landscape. While choosing the plants one must be careful; it should be most appropriate plant for the area and climate

Rocks in landscaping ideas- Rocks are important to any landscape. They give functional characteristic and they also have a distinct beauty.

Contractor in landscaping ideas-Included in the investment is the search for the best professional landscape contractor available who can stay within your budget and yet do an acceptable job.

Energy Efficient Landscaping ideas-Many experts have proven that efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs.

Environment Friendly Landscaping ideas-It is recommended to use the view of the sky or big trees as the background for the scene and to frame the house.

Fire Resistant design for Landscaping ideas-Fire problem is the most dangerous problem that one has to keep in mind. A properly landscaped property can be a good defense for surviving destruction or damage.

Habitat Restoration and Landscaping-Most gardeners always set up a well-organized and well-maintained habitat for a balanced life cycle in their bioscope.

Landscape Designs-It is more than just beautification and enhancing of a garden to fit to an individual’s taste and preference through landscape design.

Landscaping Plans-Landscaping is an art. It is something that takes some time to do, some effort, and some patience. Landscaping – if done properly – becomes a masterpiece.

Landscaping Maintenance-Maintenance is something that has to done properly. The blooming flowers or the green trees can not be only left out without care.

Landscaping ideas also changes with the geography of the land. In China, landscaping ideas originated with Feng Shui, which is translated into English as ‘wind and water’ and is used to describe a set of general principles for the planning of development in relation to the natural landscape. In Europe, the history of landscaping ideas can be traced to the work of Vitruvius.

Landscaping ideas are not set in stone. The best ideas come with the fluid imagination of both designers and home owners. Landscape planners are concerned with the ‘health’ along with the beauty of the landscape.

[ad_2]

Source by Bill McRea

[ad_1]

LIC’s Jeevan ANURAG is a with-profits plan purposely intended to cover the educational requirements of children. It is not mandatory to take the policy for the child it can be taken by a parent. Reimbursement under the policy are payable at particular durations as introduced in the policy neglecting whether the assured person stays alive to the end of the maturity or expires in the tenure of the plan. In fact, this plan also provides for an additional instantaneous imbursement known as Basic amount, if the assured person expires before the maturity of the policy.

The eligibility for the basic plan of LIC’s Jeevan ANURAG is that the applying person has to have an age ranging from 20 to 60 years. The insurance plan will go till 70years, which is the maximum age limit for the term of the policy. The minimum assured sum is INR 50,000 and maximum assured sum has no limit and is in the multiples of INR 5000. The premium mode is yearly, half-yearly, quarterly, and monthly. The Jeevan anurag term assurance rider has the maximum age eligibility of 50 years, and maturity is 60 years in respect to the age of the insured person. The minimum sum assured here is 1lakh and has a maximum limit of 25 lakhs taking everything. There is no specific premium mode of LIC’s Jeevan ANURAG. The third type of plan is the Critical Illness rider. It also has the same age eligibility and maturity age to the term assurance rider. It has no specific term but the maturity in respect to the age limit of the life assured is 60 years.

A person will receives assured benefit around 20% of the Basic Sum Assured at the initiation of every term during last 3 policy years before tenure expires. At maturity, 40% of the Basic Sum Assured along with waning additional benefits that are issued every time on complete Sum Assured for the full tenure and a closing bonus, will be given if any. For example, if tenure of the plan is 30 years, 20% of the assured sum will be payable at the end of the 27th, 28th, 29th year and 40% of the Sum Assured along with the waning additional benefits and the closing bonus, if any, at the completion of the 30th year. Along with this the Jeevan anurag policy boast other benefits grace period, fifteen days cooling off period, paid up value and loan and revival of the bonuses.

All in all Jeevan Anurag is a very healthy policy which takes care of life till departed stays.

[ad_2]

Source by Pankaj Kumar Singla

[ad_1]

If you already have the vehicle that you plan to tow with, you need to find a trailer that is within the weight range of your vehicle. This was a common problem I ran into during my days as an RV Sales Manager. Customers would come in to purchase a travel trailer only to find out that their tow vehicle did not have a very good tow rating. It can be extremely frustrating to go out and find the perfect travel trailer or fifth wheel and then be told that you can’t tow it. On the other hand it can be worse if you go to a less reputable RV dealer and the sales person tells you that you can tow it! This happens every day, and this is why you need to be armed with the right information before you buy.

It is not my intention to upset any RV dealers, but if you go to a dealership and they don’t ask you for information about the tow vehicle it would be wise to go elsewhere. The first question my salespeople were required to ask was if you already had a tow vehicle. If so, they would look in our towing book and identify the tow capacity for your particular vehicle. Then we would inform you of your options. We lost many sales because the customer could not safely pull the camper they wanted, but we did not allow them to jeopardize themselves or their family.

If you don’t already have the tow vehicle, it’s a good idea to find the camper you want first and then buy a vehicle that is capable of safely towing it. I will caution you again, be careful if you listen to the salesperson at the auto dealership. They are only interested in selling you a vehicle, and a large percentage of salespeople do not understand vehicle tow ratings. Call a reputable RV dealer and ask them to check the vehicles tow rating before you buy it.

I once had a customer that found the camper they wanted and went to purchase a new truck. The salesperson told him the truck could tow 10,000 pounds. He went on to show my customer where 10,000 pounds was stamped into the hitch receiver on the back of the truck. The 10,000 pounds stamped in the receiver is what the receiver itself is rated for. It has absolutely nothing to do with the tow rating for the truck. My customer bought the truck and brought it to us to have the brake control and wiring done. I looked the truck up in my book and it was rated to tow 5,400 pounds. The camper weighed 6,000 pounds. I could write a book about stories like this, but our goal is to prevent this from happening to you.

There are many things to consider before you buy a tow vehicle. How often do you plan to tow? Where do you plan to tow? Is this vehicle going to be used strictly for towing, or will you be using it for everyday driving too? Are you interested in a pop-up, travel trailer or fifth wheel? How much does the camper you want weigh? Once you have answered these questions you can start looking for that perfect tow vehicle.

The manufacturer determines a vehicles tow rating. It is the maximum amount of weight that the vehicle can safely tow. The manufacturer takes many factors into consideration when determining a tow rating. They look at the vehicles engine size, transmission, axle ratio, chassis, suspension, brakes, tires, cooling capacity and many other things. Now this may all sound complicated, but the bottom line is how much can the vehicle safely tow. Do not assume that just because you’re buying a truck it can tow a lot of weight. Most manufacturers offer vehicles with tow packages. A tow package upgrades the vehicles suspension, brakes, tires, and cooling system. They also add items like engine and transmission oil coolers to protect the vehicles major components when you are towing.

Happy Camping,

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101

[ad_2]

Source by Mark Polk

[ad_1]

[ad_2]

Source by

[ad_1]

We can talk and think about something until cows fly! But it’s what we actually DO, that matters; that creates results. If you’ve been thinking and talking about eating and using more organic products and creating and sustaining an organic lifestyle for your family, now is the time to take action. Here are 12 steps, one for each month of the year, that will get you started on the road to an organic lifestyle and keep you moving forward in the months ahead.

Step 1 (January): Make the decision to start living a healthier organic lifestyle.

Talk to your family. Share any information you have so far and your reasons for why you think organic living is a good choice. Ask them to share what they know or think, and then do some research together.

Step 2 (February): Incorporate one organic product into each of your daily meals.

Think about the things your family eats on a regular basis and try some organic alternatives. This will help everyone become familiar with organic varieties and show them the taste is better, if there’s a noticeable difference at all.

Step 3 (March): Plan an organic vegetable, fruit and/or herb garden.

Again, get your family involved and plan an organic garden that everyone can have a part in. Plan out the space you’ll need, the plants you’d like to grow, the materials you’ll need and the maintenance roles for everyone.

Step 4 (April): Start an organic compost pile.

Once your organic garden is growing, you’ll need a continuos source of organic soil and you’ll have plenty of organic scraps to discard. As your organic lifestyle grows, so will the materials you’ll be able to add to your compost as time goes on.

Step 5 (May): Try 3 new organic cleaning products or methods.

Think about the products you’re using to clean your house with and how you can eliminate some and replace others.

There are many harmful chemicals in the everyday traditional cleaning products on the market today. When we use these products, we are exposing ourselves and our families to these chemicals on a daily basis. We’re also impacting the environment with many of these non-organic products, in a negative way.

Try 3 organic or all natural cleaning alternatives. You can start with learning more about some very common household items that are great natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda and lemons.

Step 6 (June): Drink more water.

With summer comes the need for more hydration. If you’re family is used to reaching for the sweet drinks; soda, lemonade, sweet tea or sports drinks, introduce and encourage them to drink more water.

Consider a water cooler for your house. The cost is reasonable and the benefits are significant. It will become the “in-between-meals” drink of choice, for everyone, before you know it.

Keep bottled water cold and take it with you when you’re going outdoors or traveling for any length of time in the car. A small cooler can easily be toted along with a bottle of water for everyone.

This is a good time to consider the amount of water you’re using to cook with and where it comes from. A water filtration system for the kitchen can be used for cooking purposes and help to further reduce your family’s chemical intake.

Some other great drink choices you can make at home are organic fruit juices and smoothies, which are always a welcomed summertime treat.

Step 7 (July): Harvesting your organic produce.

Now that you have an organic harvest of maybe fruits, vegetables and/or herbs, you’ll need to put them to good use.

Of course you’ll want to use as much of your organic produce as possible, fresh from the garden to the table, but chances are, you’ll have extra as well.

Consider canning or preserving, where applicable. Think about the many different ways your fruits, vegetables and herbs can be preserved for use later. Again, make it a family project, getting everyone involved in the planning and processing. You’ll be amazed at all the different ideas and solutions you’ll come up with.

Step 8 (August): Review your organic living plan and adjust, if necessary.

Review your family’s organic lifestyle. Is your family involved and are you seeing results? Are there now organic products you buy and consume on a regular basis? Are you consistently introducing new organic alternatives? Is your family “thinking” more about what they eat and the products they use?

Is there room for improvement and can you do more?

Make adjustments, if necessary, and continue researching, talking and doing things that will sustain your organic living plan and lifestyle.

Step 9 (September): Introduce 3 new organic or all natural skin care products.

Our skin is the largest organ and it absorbs 70% of what we put on it. Shampoo, bath soap, make-up, deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, hand soap, etc., and are traditionally full of chemicals and preservatives that our skin absorbs directly into our bodies.

Consider 2 new organic or all natural alternatives to the daily skin care products you use now. You may have to try a few brands, or types to find the products that suit you best, but it’s well worth the effort.

You may also want to consider a filtered shower system. Along with the chemicals and preservatives in our skin care products, the water we shower with also contains unhealthy contaminates that our bodies absorb, daily.

A filtered shower head/system will remove a significant amount of these harmful chemicals, and it will leave your hair and skin healthier than you’ve probably seen it in quite some time.

Step 10 (October): Boost your immune system, organically.

As the summer fades and the colder weather sets in, colds and flu become more frequent. You can actually DO things to boost your immune system, now, and into the winter months.

Eat more organic fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. One of the absolutely BEST ways to get the most nutritional value out of these fruits and vegetables is to juice them, raw.

Drinking 4-6 oz. Of fresh, organic fruit and/or vegetable juice, twice daily, is a great, all natural way to boost your immune system. The vitamins and minerals provided will help keep your body healthy so it can more efficiently and effectively fight off viruses and bacteria.

You may also want to consider some organic herbal supplementation. There are many herbs available that will help support your immune system before, during and after you catch cold.

Sleep, exercise and water. Not organic in nature, but critical to the health and well-being of our bodies, especially during those times when our bodies may be more vulnerable.

Step 11 (November): Plan an organic holiday menu.

There is plenty of opportunity this holiday season to cook and bake with organic products. Plan an entire organic holiday meal and if you’re having guests, see if they even notice any difference other than how delicious everything tastes.

Now is a good time too to have some fun and create some organic desserts your whole family will enjoy.

And don’t forget to incorporate some of those festive organic, all natural fruit juices and/or smoothies you’ve been making all year long!

Step 12 (December): Buy someone an organic gift.

Now is the time to share what you and your family has learned, with others.

Give a gift that will help others create or sustain their own organic lifestyle. Books are always great gifts, or gift certificates to organic stores, and even a shower filter or fruit/vegetable juicer would make for a great organic gift.

It’s really fun to “give” a gift that you know someone will benefit from. And who knows, your gift might just be the one thing that starts them on their own journey to living an organic lifestyle.

BEYOND THE 12 STEPS

Once you begin to make more organic living choices, you’ll start seeing and feeling the many wonderful benefits and you’ll want to do and learn more.

Keep it simple and take action, each and every day, and you’ll find yourself amazed with the results.

Always keep in mind too that what you’re learning and sharing with your family today, about organic living, will serve them for a lifetime. You’re giving them an education that will allow them to make the absolute best choices for their own health and well-being, throughout their life.

[ad_2]

Source by Denise Palmer