Vacuum before you dust
Believe it or not, your vacuum emits a little bit of dust back into the air when it’s turned on. Vacuum the entire apartment first and let that dust settle on surfaces before you swipe over them with a Swiffer Duster.
Sweep debris from your hard surfaces on to your carpeted surfaces
You can save a step by doing this. Instead of collecting all your kitchen crumbs into a pile and sweeping them into a dust pan, kick it all over to your carpeted surfaces that you plan to vacuum anyway. Do the same for entry or bathroom rugs. Shake them out onto carpeted areas so they can be sucked up quick and easy.
Work your way from the top down
Start with shelves or light fixtures and dust those first. Dust has a way of getting kicked up and redistributed when dusting your home. By starting at the top, it will settle on surfaces below which can be more quickly and easily cleaned.
Remove everything from your shower before you clean it
Yes, this will actually save you time. Lifting and cleaning around your shampoo bottles is not only less effective, it takes double to time to pick it up, spray, grab the sponge and clean the area. Remove everything so you have an empty canvas you can simply wipe and go. Put everything back and you’re done.
If there’s one meal at which family drama is on full display, it’s Thanksgiving. Expectations and emotions run high, and there are a lot of moving parts to cause friction. Even the late great Anthony Bourdain, who was seemingly immune to the criticism of others, felt the pressure to pull off the most anticipated meal of the year. In fact, he dedicated a whole chapter to Thanksgiving in the book Appetites: A Cookbook. There, you’ll find recipes from Tony that are capable of distracting from any and all uncomfortable conversations. Below, a list of exactly what you’re doing wrong for the big day.
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1. Don’t start cooking on Thanksgiving Day.
Preparing your whole meal in one day— even two—is a recipe for system failure. Order your fancy farmer-raised turkey now. Or, if you are going to buy a more plebian bird from a regular market, get your hands on it no later than the Monday before Thanksgiving.
2. You’re not planning well enough.
Plan for three days—that’s right, three days—of full-on Thanksgiving prep. Make a list of everything that needs to get done and follow it. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, you should be organizing your supplies and tools, making sure you have enough roasting pans, mixing bowls, and storage containers ,and banging out advance vegetable prep.
3. You’re not giving yourself enough time to thaw everything out.
Do not wait until Thanksgiving to lay out your non-perishables and frozen items. The vast majority of holiday turkeys are sold frozen, and it takes about six hours per pound to defrost in the refrigerator. No amount of prayer, salting, or hastily applied hairdryers can speed up this process if you’ve waited until Wednesday to thaw a 12-pound bird. Your microwave isn’t big enough. You can jolly it along a bit with a cold water bath, which thaws the meat at approximately 30 minutes per pound, but do not float your turkey in your bathtub.
4. Don’t forget to make stock when it’s all over. It’s liquid gold for cold weather.
Stock is the underrated superhero of the Thanksgiving meal, the product that comes out of nowhere to save almost everything except your pie. You should make stock out of your Thanksgiving turkey carcass—but the use of a good, dark, gelatinous-when-refrigerated stock that you have on hand before the meal is what’s going to upgrade your stuffing and gravy. Buy about five to seven pounds of turkey wings and necks as the base for a deeply-roasted stock, or invest in a couple of quarts of the best-quality turkey stock you can find a few days (or weeks) before the holidays. Use the stock made from your Thanksgiving birds for winter soups and stews.
5. You only make one turkey? That’s hilarious.
My top Thanksgiving rule: Prepare a stunt turkey and a business turkey. My motto is “never let ‘em see you sweat.” To impress guests, roast and artfully arrange a small turkey, using any and all manner of garnishes and props, including (but not limited to): chop frills, rainbow pinwheels of skewered citrus fruit slices, maraschino cherries, curly kale, lit sparklers, and crisp, new $100 bills and/or gold leaf. While guests admire your artistry (and drink your Burgundy), carve the larger, roasted business turkey in the kitchen. The stunt turkey should be edible, of course. Use it to supplement the meal as needed, or lean on it entirely for care packages and day-after leftovers. (See below.)
6. Don’t throw away the fat.
Do not discard the copious amounts of grease your bird has generously provided you with; use it to boost flavor. Butter is good, but turkey fat is better for delivering quintessential flavor. Save the grease that runs off the roasted birds and use it for the gravy and as a moistening agent for your stuffing.
7. Don’t try anything crazy. This is not the time for wild experimentation.
Stick with tradition on Thanksgiving . You have 364 days of the year to experiment with the cuisines of the world, your dehydrator, and your sous vide machine. Give the people what they want on Thanksgiving: the likes of buttery mashed potatoes, savory stuffing with mushrooms or chestnuts or oysters, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry relish, bacon-enhanced Brussels sprouts, creamed onions, pumpkin or apple pie with real whipped cream, and above all, a straight-ahead bronzed turkey, roasted in the oven.
8. Don’t give it all away at the end of the meal.
A good turkey sandwich, enhanced with a layer of stuffing and gravy, eaten in peace after your guests have gone, is the whole point of hosting Thanksgiving in the first place. By all means, send your friends and family home with care packages—but first, make sure you’ve tucked away enough additional stuff for yourself.
The following may seem like no-brainers, but the reality is most people don’t properly take care of their teeth and gums. It’s one of those things that if we don’t do it now, we’ll regret it when we’re older. Wise up! Brush twice a day. Floss. And read on….
Tooth Decay (Cavities)
Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can protect them for years to come. Tooth decay is not just a problem for children. It can happen as long as you have natural teeth in your mouth.
Tooth decay ruins the enamel that covers and protects your teeth. When you don’t take good care of your mouth, bacteria can cling to your teeth and form a sticky, colorless film called dental plaque. This plaque can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Gum disease can also cause your teeth to decay.
Fluoride is just as helpful for adults as it is for children. Using a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse can help protect your teeth. If you have a problem with cavities, your dentist or dental hygienist may give you a fluoride treatment during the office visit. The dentist also may prescribe a fluoride gel or mouth rinse for you to use at home.
Gum Diseases
Gum diseases (sometimes called periodontal or gingival diseases) are infections that harm the gum and bone that hold teeth in place. When plaque stays on your teeth too long, it forms a hard, harmful covering, called tartar, that brushing doesn’t clean. The longer the plaque and tartar stay on your teeth, the more damage they cause. Your gum may become red, swollen, and bleed easily. This is called gingivitis.
If gingivitis is not treated, over time it can make your gums pull away from your teeth and form pockets that can get infected. This is called periodontitis. If not treated, this infection can ruin the bones, gums, and tissue that support your teeth. In time, it can cause loose teeth that your dentist may have to remove.
Here’s how you can prevent gum disease:
Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste).
Floss once a day.
Make regular visits to your dentist for a checkup and cleaning.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Don’t use tobacco products.
Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums
Knowing how to brush and floss the right way is a big part of good oral health. Here’s how: every day gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Small round motions and short back-and-forth strokes work best. Take the time to brush carefully and gently along the gum line. Lightly brushing your tongue also helps.
Along with brushing, clean around your teeth with dental floss to keep your gums healthy. Careful flossing will remove plaque and leftover food that a toothbrush can’t reach. Rinse after you floss.
If brushing or flossing causes your gums to bleed or hurt your mouth, see your dentist.
Your dentist also may prescribe a bacteria-fighting mouth rinse to help control plaque and swollen gums. Use the mouth rinse in addition to careful daily brushing and flossing. Some people with arthritis or other conditions that limit motion may find it hard to hold a toothbrush. It may help to attach the toothbrush handle to your hand with a wide elastic band. Some people make the handle bigger by taping it to a sponge or Styrofoam ball. People with limited shoulder movement may find brushing easier if they attach a long piece of wood or plastic to the handle. Electric toothbrushes can be helpful.
Dentures
Dentures (sometimes called false teeth) may feel strange at first. When you are learning to eat with them, it may be easier if you:
Start with soft non-sticky food;
Cut your food into small pieces; and
Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth.
Dentures may make your mouth less sensitive to hot foods and liquids. They also may make it harder for you to notice harmful objects such as bones, so be careful. During the first few weeks you have dentures, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure they fit. Over time, your mouth changes and your dentures may need to be replaced or adjusted. Be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments.
Keep your dentures clean and free from food that can cause stains, bad breath, or swollen gums. Once a day, brush all surfaces with a denture care product. When you go to sleep, take your dentures out of your mouth and put them in water or a denture cleansing liquid.
Take care of partial dentures the same way. Because bacteria can collect under the clasps (clips) that hold partial dentures, be sure to carefully clean that area.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small metal pieces placed in the jaw to hold false teeth or partial dentures in place. They are not for everyone. You need a complete dental and medical checkup to find out if implants are right for you. Your gums must be healthy and your jawbone able to support the implants. Talk to your dentist to find out if you should think about dental implants.
Dry Mouth
Doctors used to think that dry mouth (xerostomia) was a normal part of aging. They now know that’s not true. Older, healthy adults shouldn’t have a problem with saliva.
Dry mouth happens when salivary glands don’t work properly. This can make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and even speak. Dry mouth also can Alzheimer’s Diseased to the risk of tooth decay and infection. You can get dry mouth from many diseases or medical treatments, such as head and neck radiation therapy. Many common medicines also can cause dry mouth.
If you think you have dry mouth, talk with your dentist or doctor to find out why. If your dry mouth is caused by a medicine you take, your doctor might change your medicine or dosage.
To prevent the dryness, drink extra water. Cut back on sugary snacks, drinks that have caffeine or alcohol, and tobacco. Your dentist or doctor also might suggest that you keep your mouth wet by using artificial saliva, which you can get from most drug stores. Some people benefit from sucking hard candy.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer most often occurs in people over age 40. It’s important to catch oral cancer early, because treatment works best before the disease has spread. Pain often is not an early symptom of the disease.
A dental check-up is a good time for your dentist to look for early signs of oral cancer. Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, you should still see your dentist for regular oral cancer exams. See your dentist or doctor if you have trouble with swelling, numbness, sores, or lumps in your mouth, or if it becomes hard for you to chew, swallow, or move your jaw or tongue. These problems could be signs of oral cancer.
Here’s how you can lower your risk of getting oral cancer: don’t smoke; don’t use snuff or chew tobacco; if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation; use lip cream with sunscreen; and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Green Cleaning
Simple ingredients from your pantry can be used to make cleaning products that are kinder to the environment at a fraction of the cost. Take a look below at some of the incredible uses for vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, and ammonia. See bottom for recipes on Green Cleaners.
Diluted White Vinegar
Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet it's gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad. Any acid aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar also makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin. In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas. In the bathroom, spray countertops, floors and exterior surfaces of the toilet. For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls generously with the warmed solution, allow to stand for 10–15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
Undiluted White Vinegar
Used straight from the jug, undiluted white vinegar makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum. Use it to clean the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.
Clean showerheads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag over the showerhead with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse, and buff the fixture.
White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue. For family members with sensitive skin, add 1 cup to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener.
For general cleaning purposes, you can substitute lemon juice for white vinegar. Use the outer rind to polish porcelain surfaces and release fragrant lemon oil. If you have a garbage disposal unit, grind the rind in it while running cool water down the drain. The oils in the rind clean the disposal unit and sharpen the blades.
Baking Soda
Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanity units or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink.
For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10–20 minutes until the deposits have softened and can be removed.
Keep bathroom drains running freely and smelling sweet by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, and then flush thoroughly with hot water (do not use on blocked drains).
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use it on windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles.
Ammonia
An alkaline solution, clear ammonia creates stronger window and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar. Choose a non-sudsing type: Suds may look as if they're working, but they're tough to rinse and remove.
Green Cleaners
Homemade cleaning products offer many advantages to cost-conscious households. Using on-hand ingredients can be far less expensive than buying commercial cleaners, won't generate discarded product packaging, and the household avoids exposure to harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients. Try these cleaning recipes as a starting point, increasing or decreasing their strength as your household's cleaning needs require.
Homemade Spray Cleaner
Try this recipe to harness the cleaning power of white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Homemade Glass Cleaner
Try this recipe to harness the cleaning power of rubbing alcohol. Mix in a spray bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Try the following formulations for spring cleaning or tough chores.
Strong Glass Cleaner
Mix in a spray bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia
Strong All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix in a spray bottle:
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia
1 tablespoon clear dishwashing liquid
2 cups water
By: Jack Skolnik If you haven't figured it out by now, I will tell you one very important fact about me, I am a diehard basketball fan. So with the regular season at a close and the NBA playoffs beginning this week, I couldn't think of a better topic to write about. This year's playoffs will definitely be interesting to say the least. There were numerous big time headlines during the season that will continue to be big as we get into the playoffs. Starting in the East you have the Raptors at the #1 seed as a lock. They have defied the odds all season and after some major changes to their style of play made by Coach Dwayne Casey, they look to prove the doubter wrong after years of underperforming in the playoffs. At the #2 seed you have the Boston Celtics who without Gordon Hayward have been one of the best teams in the league. However injuries may prove costly in the playoffs as they will be without superstar Kyrie Irving. After the #1 and #2 seed the rest of the east gets a little bit less defined. You have the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers battling it out for the third seed. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have been unbelievable in their first full season in Philadelphia. However if basketball fans have learned one thing over the years, it is to never bet against Lebron James and the Cavaliers. Then rounding it out in the bottom half are the Indiana Pacers at the #5 seed, the Miami Heat at the #6 seed, and then the Milwaukee Bucks and my Washington Wizards battling it out at the #8 seed. I must say this was a huge year of disappointment for my Wizards, a team that was projected to be a top 3 seed just could never put it together. I don't see a lot of these bottom half teams making much noise in the playoffs. However a first round 2 vs 7 matchup will be interesting. With the Celtics taking on either the Bucks or the Wizards. I will say that either Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks or John Wall and the Wizards will make for a very entertaining series against Boston. Although a tough choice I can't bet against the King, as I believe Lebron James and the Cavaliers will once again make it to the NBA finals. Then you have the West. Boy oh boy are things getting interesting out west. Coming in at the #1 seed are the Houston Rockets who have finally dethroned the Warriors as the top team in the West. Watching James Harden and Chris Paul play together this year has been unbelievable. Plus with Clint Capela playing the way that he has been playing? Man are they scary. Coming in at the #2 seed are the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors. With how good they have been the past couple years it is hard to bet against them making it back to the finals. However without Steph Curry to start the playoffs they will have to rely heavily on Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and the rest of the gang. The Portland Trail Blazers are clinging on to the #3 seed after a red hot second half of the season led by all-star point guard Damian Lillard. An even bigger surprise is the 4 seed where we see the Utah Jazz. After starting the season 19-28 the Jazz have gone 29-7 since the return of Rudy Gobert. The last four seeds however are where things get crazy. With five teams battling for the final four seeds. Right now all five teams are within a gamer of each other. Right now if the standings were to hold we would see the New Orleans Pelicans at the #5 seed. With an injury to all-star center Demarcus Cousins, the Pelicans will have to rely heavily on their other all-star, Anthony Davis. At the #6 seed we have the always dangerous San Antonio Spurs. Although without Kawhi Leonard all season the Spurs have proven how good they can be without him. Coming in at the #7 seed are the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although thought of by most to be an underwhelming season, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Thunder will look to regroup in the playoffs. Rounding out the West is the Minnesota Timberwolves, looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. With newly acquired all-star Jimmy Butler, a first round Timberwolves vs. Rockets would be fun to watch. So with that you have the playoff race in both the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. As usual I am sure there will be no shortage of great playoff basketball to watch. With all that being said I already said I have the Cleveland Cavaliers making the finals out of the East and I am going to take the Houston Rockets out of the West. I think this is the year that the Golden State Warriors finally go down. If the Warriors are going to lose at all I think it will be against the Rockets in Western Conference Finals. Then in the finals I am going to take the Rockets to be crowned as champions this year. With the roster that they have I feel that if they can get past the Warriors than the Rockets have a great chance of winning it all. Regardless of who makes it there I think we are all in for an entertaining 2018 NBA playoffs.
Downsizing ain't easy. Moving from a house to a new apartment can provide you with a brand-new start, but it may also come with many changes that can feel foreign or overwhelming. Change doesn't have to be scary, though, here are a couple of the biggest things you can expect when you make the leap from house to apartment - and a look at how you can make the most of these opportunities! Planning to Downsize All you need to do is go on Pinterest or browse the magazine rack at the local market to find thousands of ideas about how to improve your life through downsizing. Lucky for you, downsizing is just part of the deal when you move from a house to an apartment. Here's a closer look at how your new lifestyle embraces this trend. Less space: One of the most obvious changes you'll encounter when you move from a house to an apartment is less living space. Apartments are designed for efficiency, which means that overall square footage will be less and individual rooms will be smaller. Rethink your furniture - that oversized sofa may need to be traded for a sleeker version that fits better in your new space. The upside is that you have the perfect excuse to go shopping and play with a whole new look for your new home. Limited storage: You'll probably have to take a good, hard look at everything that's currently living in a closet, cupboard, or drawer, and decide whether or not you can live without it. Some new renters use this opportunity to declutter their lives, while others learn to love the world of storage units. It can be revitalizing to get rid of extra baggage you've been holding on to simply because you have a place for it to hang out. But if you have items you can't bear to part with (Grandma's china), it's pretty affordable to rent a storage unit where your precious mementos will be safe and sound. Consider Community Perks If you're conflicted about saying goodbye to your house, our sweet apartment bonuses may help you greet apartment life with open arms. Amenities: A pool, hot tub, fitness room, and someone else to worry about landscaping and lawn care - what's not to love? One of the biggest perks of going from house to apartment living is the resort-like amenities that many communities offer. Be prepared to take full advantage of these extras. Community amenities provide the chance to relax, stay in shape, and make new friends who live just down the hall. Security: Living in close quarters with neighbors adds a lot of extra safety. It's easier to get to know neighbors and spot when someone is lurking around who doesn't belong. In addition, some rental communities have security guards or extra measures like pass cards or security codes to enter buildings and communal areas. Ask the landlord what sorts of security is in place when you take a tour of the premises; you may be pleasantly surprised at the safety measures you'll get for little to no added cost. No matter the reason you're moving from a house to an apartment, this change can be exciting. Prepare yourself to embrace apartment living and know what to expect by doing some thorough research before signing that lease.
