Wednesday, April 20, 2011

10 Tips for a Cleaner, Safer Kitchen

10 Tips for a Cleaner, Safer Kitchen



1. Microwave
Fill a bowl with two cups water and a whole lemon, cut into slices. Place it inside and microwave for two minutes, then wipe it out with paper towels. The hot water softens food spills and the lemon cuts grease and keeps the microwave smelling fresh

2. Stove and oven
Spray stove spills with an all-purpose cleaner and let stand 10 minutes for easier cleaning. Oven spills aren’t a food hazard if you regularly heat the oven to 400. Cover a fresh spill with salt until you have time to clean it.

3. Counters
Clean regularly with an all-purpose cleaner. Spray with a weak bleach solution and air-dry if needed.

4. Dishes and Dishwashers
If you hand-wash dishes, be sure to air-dry them in a rack as dirty or wet dish towels can recontaminate clean dishes. To reduce soap buildup in a dishwasher, occasionally fill the soap dispenser with baking soda or place a small cup of vinegar on the top shelf, then run the dishwater empty.

5. Sink, drain and faucet handle
Clean regularly with household cleanser, especially after washing or rinsing raw meat. Don’t forget to clean the faucet handle.

6. Refrigerator
Every day, wipe down the handles, including the underside. Every week, throw out anything that’s past its date or shows age. Every three to six months, empty shelves and clean the inside with 1/4 cup baking soda in one quart warm water, then spray with a bleach solution and air-dry. Remove drawers and clean under them. Before you return the food, wipe jars to remove drips. Clean the rubber gasket inside the door to ensure a tight seal. Vacuum the coils in the back and empty and clean the drip pan if necessary.

7. Pet bowls
Find a place besides the kitchen to clean turtle or frog habitats and empty pet bowls, or clean and sanitize the sink before you start washing fresh food.

8. Cutting boards
Most scientists believe wooden cutting boards are safest, as long as they are kept clean, sanitized and dry. Studies have shown wood hampers bacteria growth, while bacteria thrive in scars on plastic. Either way, keep them clean by running them through the dishwasher, or sanitize by spritzing with a weak bleach solution. Always change boards or clean with soapy water after preparing raw food—even vegetables. They grow in dirt, after all.

9. Sponges and dish towels
Change dish towels daily, or more often if they’re wet or dirty. You can microwave a wet sponge for two minutes, but the time varies depending on the power of the microwave (and if the sponge is dry, it could catch fire). Instead, put sponges on the top rack of the dishwasher at the end of every day.

10. Cross-contamination
You know you’re not supposed to put cooked food on the same surface you used for raw food. But it’s not just a problem with cutting boards. You touch all kinds of things while you’re handling raw food: Salt and pepper shakers, cabinet handles, etc. Pay attention to what you touch so you can wipe things down. Tip: It’s not necessary to rinse raw meat and chicken—it just spreads bacteria.

From www.Rismedia.com

Thanks to our sources: Benjamin Chapman, the extension food-safety specialist for N.C. State; David Sweat, foodborne-disease epidemiologist with the North Carolina Division of Public Health; Douglas Powell, professor of food safety at Kansas State University; and Dean Cliver and Linda Harris with the University of California-Davis.

(c) 2011, The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.).

Monday, April 18, 2011

Trolley Run 2011



Yesterday was the 201l Trolley Run.

I've done this race before but this was the first year I jogged it! For anyone that knows me, I'm NOT a runner. I've been trying. I started training a few months ago and made it up to 2 miles!! I am VERY proud of that accomplishment!

My friends Jessica & Laura joined me in this years race. We decided we were going to jog as much of the race as possible and whenever someone needed to stop and walk, we'd walk. I think we ended up jogging more than half of the race and finished in under an hour!!

I don't think I'll ever be a runner. Not sure I really enjoy it, but I may attempt another 5k. I don't necessarily enjoy running but I loved the company and the affects on my body! We shall see.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Speed-Clean Your Back Entryway in 15 Minutes

Courtesy of Real Simple Magazine

Minutes 1-2: Clear out the entryway - move area rugs, shoes and umbrellas. Toss non-entry items into a big tote to redistribute later.

Minute 3: Bang the indoor and outdoor mats against a walkway to loosen dirt.

Minute 4: Spot-clean scuffs & mud off walls, doors & baseboards with a moistened Magic Eraser. Go over doorknowbs and light switches, too.

Minute 5-6: Spritz any windows (inside and out). Dust any furniture with a dry microfiber cloth.

Minutes 7-10: Scan the floor and pick up anything too bulky for your vacuum. Give the area a quick once-over with the vacuum.

Minutes 11-13: Swab the deck with a wet mop.

Minutes 14-15: Return everything to its rightful place.

ALL DONE!!

Monday, April 11, 2011

New Uses for Marbles

New Uses for Marbles - Courtesy of Real Simple Magazine



1. Playful Arrangement - Add marbles to the bottom of a vase.

2. Curtain Weights - Keep lightweight drapes in place by cutting a small slit in the seam, slipping a few marbles into the hem and sewing the opening back up.

3. Muscle Soother - Store a handful of marbles in the freezer, drop them into a thin sock, then roll it across your sore spots.

4. Spray-Bottle Aid - To pull the last bit of cleaner from a bottle, drop in a few marbles to raise the liquid's level to the spray tube.

5. Heartfelt Cupcake - After filling a cupcake liner with batter, wedge a single marble between the liner and the pan to create a heart-shaped indent.

6. Soap Saver - Add a layer of marbles to a soap dish to keep the bar from sticking.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Homeowner Tips - Streak-free Windows

Homeowner Tips:

Streak-Free Windows
Use these easy-to-follow tips to get streak-free windows all around!

•Don’t clean your windows on a bright sunny day. Direct light causes the cleaning solution to dry before you can wipe it away. For best results, save window cleaning for a cloudy day.
•Clean, cool water is actually the best cleaning solution for windows, but for tough jobs, try adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar per gallon.
•Use horizontal strokes on the inside and vertical on the outside – or vice versa. This just makes it easier to see which side the streaks are on if you notice any at all.
For best results, use crumpled newspaper for streak-free drying results.

(courtesy AHS)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Check Your AC Today!

Check Your AC today!

To help ensure your home stays cool all summer, it’s a good idea to perform a system check today. It’s easy to do. Simply turn on your air conditioner and let it run for 30 minutes. If you notice any issues or problems, contact American Home Shield and request a service call for your air conditioner.

•Always be sure to change your air filters every 30-90 days based on filter recommendations.
•Each year, check your system’s performance one month before the cooling season begins.
•Keep the condensing unit free of debris and trim back all shrubs and plants,

(courtesy of AHS)