Posts Tagged ‘Home’
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
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Feng Shui is the practice of arranging one’s environment to allow for the free flow of energy, known as Chi. Originating in ancient China, the principles of Feng Shui may be used within the home to increase happiness, health and prosperity.
Clear Clutter
To allow energy to flow freely, it is essential to dispense with clutter. This free flow of energy, or Chi, is especially critical in the space beneath the bed. To maximise the flow of Chi within your home, work toward eliminating clutter and freeing up as much space as possible. (more…)
Tags: chi, Energy, Feng Shui, Home, home tips, WATER
Posted in Home, Interesting | No Comments »
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Winter is a time of little activity in the garden. As the cold, short days are usually spent indoors, the garden is often neglected. There are a few basic tasks that need attention, however. To prevent damage and ensure enjoyment once warmer weather arrives, prepare your garden to survive the harsh winter weather conditions.
Clean Up
If you haven’t done so already, clean and put away all yard and garden tools. Once they are clean and dry, apply a coat of WD-40 to the metal parts of tools to help prevent rust and coat wooden handles with linseed oil. Drain hoses and wrap faucets to protect against freezing.
Attend to Plants
Thoroughly inspect all vegetation. Remove annuals that need replacement. Cut perennials to a height of 7-15 cm. Remove loose broken limbs but wait until the end of winter to actually prune shrubs and trees. Rake fallen leaves. For potted plants that will winter outdoors, bury the container, if possible. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Home, Perennial plant, Shrub, tips, Tree, WATER, winter
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Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Stretching your food budget is not difficult. There are a wide variety of ways in which to save money on food. No special skill or equipment is necessary. Just get back to basics and give these key money-saving tips a try.
Convenience Can Be Costly
Avoid convenience foods and cook from scratch. Many packaged side dishes contain nothing but inexpensive fillers, such as noodles or rice, and flavouring or sauce mix. Save money by cooking plain noodles or rice and making your own flavourings or sauce from herbs, spices and other simple ingredients already in the kitchen. (more…)
Tags: Cooking, food budget, Home
Posted in Home, Kitchen | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Small kitchens present a special organisational challenge, as there is rarely adequate storage space for needed kitchen items. Creative use of the space that is available is the key.
Countertops
Regardless of kitchen size, the only items that should be stored atop the counter are those that are used daily. Keep frequently used utensils in a decorative holder. Purchase the smallest size countertop appliances that will meet your needs. Use canisters to house tea, sugar and other food items.
Drawers
A variety of dividers are readily available for maximising drawer space. Consider dividing deeper drawers into layers. Simply stack drawer dividers or use flat boxes with lids placed within the drawer to house less used objects with more frequently used items placed on top. (more…)
Tags: Cabinet, Cupboard, DIY, Home, home decor, Kitchen, small space, tips
Posted in Home, Kitchen | 1 Comment »
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
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Ensuring the efficient heating of your home is good for your budget and the environment. There are several steps that can be taken to increase home heating efficiency.
Eliminate Draughts
Cold air often seeps in around windows and doors. Check for draughts throughout the home and fix any problems that are found. Weather stripping and other products are available to easily and inexpensively correct problems. This will also prevent heat from escaping. (more…)
Tags: Business, Heat, heater, heating, Home, home tips, Temperature
Posted in Eco, Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
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For people who love to stay fit and active, the garden offers a way to trim the foliage, as well as the waist. By digging up the soil or tending to vegetables, gardeners are also giving their bodies a great workout. Using the major muscle groups, gardening exercises the legs, arms, neck, back and stomach. The 2009 National Trust’s survey, A Space to Grow, states that the same number of calories is burned by either 30 minutes of weeding or 30 minutes of walking.
Considering the various movements needed while gardening, it is not surprising that outdoor work provides excellent fitness opportunities. A 150-pound adult burns close to 280 calories with only 60 minutes of active digging, weeding and tilling. For 60 minutes of planting, this same adult can burn approximately 238 calories. Moderate garden chores, such as water plants or pruning, burn close to 200 calories. With increased activity levels, the more calories are burned. In addition, people who weight more burn more calories than their thinner peers. (more…)
Tags: Burn, Garden, Home, Lawn, Lawn mower, Soil, WATER
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
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Splatters from food and spilled sauces quickly build up making your microwave look untidy and smell bad. Thankfully, by using this simple technique, you can have your microwave clean and fresh again. All you’ll need is a microwave-safe bowl, some water, and a washcloth.
First, fill a microwave-safe bowl with water. Try to use the largest bowl that you own that fits in your microwave. Place the water-filled bowl inside and set the timer for about five minutes. Watch carefully as the water heats and allow it to steam for long enough that it fogs up the microwave door. Once it is steamed up, turn the microwave off but do not open the door. The goal here is to let the steam soften up any dried-up food on the walls of your microwave. Without letting the steam dissipate completely, open the microwave door and remove the bowl. (more…)
Tags: Appliances, cleaning, Cleaning Tips, Cooking, Home, Kitchen, Microwave, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, Kitchen | No Comments »
Thursday, August 13th, 2009
How often do you hear someone say that they love to move? For most of us, never. Though it marks an exciting time in our lives, moving is a very stressful experience, regardless of whether you’re staying in the same town or trekking across the country. Following are the top three tips for keeping the stress down during your next move.
1. Plan. Write out a schedule for moving day, with specific time tables and assigned helpers and movers. Delegate, and know who will be helping you with what and when. It’s also important to plan out your new living spaces prior to moving day. Decide what items will go into which room, and put them right into their correct room on moving day to save you more moving and headaches later. (more…)
Tags: Home, Moving, Moving and Relocating, Moving Day
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Eco friendly gardening - sounds redundant, doesn’t it? But if you’re reading this, you probably already know the potential ecological risks involved in home gardening. The most well-meaning gardener can easily go wrong with plants that don’t belong. However, with a little research and ingenuity, you can create an eco friendly garden in your own back yard.
First, think about what type of garden you want: flowers? shrubs? vegetables? This will determine the focus for your research on native plants. Use the internet to find out what vegetation is native to your area; these are the things you’ll grow in your garden. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Garden, Home, Invasive species, Plant
Posted in Eco, Garden | No Comments »
Monday, July 27th, 2009
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Garden parties are great vehicles for celebrating on a budget. Whether it’s a warm-weather get-together to show off your blooms or a birthday party, anniversary celebration or other event with a garden theme, you can capitalize on the beauty of your own yard to make an impression your guests will never forget.
Beautiful landscaping? Set up a table and chairs near the most pleasant part of your yard or garden. Fill a watering can with freshly-clipped blooms. Decorate with economical favors like balloons, or set each guest’s place with seed packets.
If your party will stretch into the evening hours, use lanterns or spare Christmas lights to decorate and illuminate. A low-cost citronella candle will help keep insects away from your guests. (more…)
Tags: Garden, garden party, Home
Posted in Garden, Home, Interesting | 1 Comment »
