Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Spring Into Family Fun

March 26 by

We all know spring cleaning the house requites help from more than just one set of hands, so follow some of our tips on how to turn spring cleaning into a fun experience of the whole family.

Start with a family meeting. Confirm a definite date and time for your cleaning extravaganza. Triple check all schedules to make sure you don’t overlap or conflict any commitments or events. Once you set a time, keep it.

Pre-shop. Buy and gather all supplies at least one day before your spring cleaning event. This keeps you organized and prepared for the big day. Breaking the momentum to run to the store can really put a damper on every one’s attitude.

Tourney time. Divide the cleaning and organizing chores evenly and then create even teams of your family members. Create team names, mascots, colors and cheers. First team to finish gets a special prize at the end of the day.

Tune-age. Have each family member give you their top ten favorite songs and create a mixed CD to keep you cleaning, singing and grooving through the day.

Time outs. Schedule breaks with snacks and down time. Serve your family favorites snacks along with some healthy choices to keep energy and blood sugar levels stable.

Photo opportunities. Let each team designate one photographer to take pictures of the days events. Create a scrap book or photo collage for the house. You never know what your kids will use as great family memories for their children.

Everyone is a winner. Treat everyone to a prize at the end of the day. Whether you order a pizza or head to the movies, make sure you have something fun, relaxing and rewarding to share with your family.

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The Health Benefits of Chocolate

March 19 by

Many health gurus and scientists talk about the health benefits of chocolate. However, eating a regular milk chocolate bar every day will likely only make you less healthy.

So what exactly do they mean when they talk about healthy chocolate?

First, it’s important that we differentiate between the health benefits of cocoa, the raw product of the cocoa bean, and chocolate. Chocolate is a processed byproduct of the cocoa bean, and often contains less than 20% cocoa. Any health benefits from cocoa will only be found in very high quality dark chocolate bars. Chocolate bars with 60% cocoa, and no added sugars are a far cry from the sweet milky chocolate that most of us adore. Real cocoa is slightly bitter, and closer to coffee than a chocolate bar.

Cocoa can be found in any health food store, or even in your local grocery store. Cocoa enhances your mood and is a great stress reliever. Cocoa also improves blood flow and lowers high blood pressure.

Next time you crave chocolate, reach for a high cocoa content variety and reap the benefits of this super yummy bean.

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How to Get Sticky Stains Off Your Sofa

March 6 by

Finding gum, candy and other sticky substances on your sofa doesn’t mean that your furniture is ruined. Knowing the right way to remove sticky stains will help you restore your upholstery, without expensive cleaners.

Cleaning sticky things like gum, candy and chocolate all starts with a common household item: ice. Just rub an ice cube over the stain until it becomes hard. Next, use a blunt edge tool like a butter knife to chip the gum or candy off the fabric. Be gentle on the fabric, scraping too hard will rub in the stain and could scratch your sofa as well.

Before using any upholstery cleaner, be sure to test it on a part of the sofa that’s not visible. If the cleaner is safe for your sofa, go ahead and apply a small amount of cleaner to the area with a clean, white rag. Gently blot up the cleaner with a dry, clean, white rag. Continue this process of applying and removing cleaner until all the gum is gone.

Next time you find a sticky mess on your sofa, don’t despair. Cleaning up is super easy when you know what to do.

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Is it Spring, Yet?

February 28 by

With nicer weather and longer days, it feels like Spring is already here. In the Northern Hemisphere Spring starts on March 20th, less than one month away. So what does it mean when we say that Spring is on its way?

The seasons are determined by the tilt of the Earth’s axis towards or away from the sun. Meteorological Spring is determined by the vernal equinox (around March 20th in North America). This refers to the day that the hours of sunlight and daylight are exactly equal; 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night.

In the southern hemisphere of Earth, the Spring comes during our Autumn, and in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia the first day of Spring in September 1st. According to the East Asian Solar term, the Spring starts on February 4th and ends on May 5th, similar to the Celtic Spring which starts in early February. In Sweden, a country with limited daylight, the first day of Spring is considered the day where the average temperature during the day is higher than zero degrees Celcius for one full week!

Even though it’s not technically Spring for almost another month, it’s time to open the windows and let the sunshine in!

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How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

February 20 by

With the rising cost of health care, America’s been turning it’s attention to preventative medicine. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive hand injury that involved pressure on the nerve which runs from the wrist through the forearm. This occurs when our hands are in a flexed position for long periods of time, similar to the position of the hands when you are at the computer or driving.

One of the best ways to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is to look around your work space, and change anything that could be causing excess strain on the wrists. Purchasing a mouse pad with wrist support, and a foam wrist support for your keyboard will greatly reduce your risk of developing this debilitating injury.

Taking breaks when you feel your hands begin to tire is important in preventing injury. There are also many ways to stretch the hands and wrists in order to keep your hands happy. Here is a video of yoga stretches for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Remember, preventing injury now could help you avoid costly surgery later.

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