Archive for the 'Green Living' Category
Sep
14
Tips to stop drafts, save money and improve your home
September 14, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Can you imagine keeping your windows open all winter long? The heat loss, cold drafts and all that money spent on wasted energy would be staggering. But if your home has folding pull-down attic stairs, a whole-house fan, a fireplace or clothes …
Sep
12
Secrets to marrying style, eco-sense and luxury in any bathroom
September 12, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – When you’re improving a bathroom, do you assume that luxury upgrades may look good but aren’t always good for the environment? Or that sensible, eco-friendly fixtures, finishes and materials will lack the aesthetic of more luxurious ones? Just …
Sep
6
5 ways to prepare your outdoor living space for fall
September 6, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – While everyone eagerly waits for spring each year and wishes summer could last a month or two longer, when it comes down to it, fall just might be America’s favorite season. It’s warm but not hot, the air has that clean crispness that’s hard to describe and perhaps the biggest draw, pumpkin-flavored everything. And let’s not forget about all those bright, beautiful leaf colors that come with the change in weather. So why start shutting down your outdoor living space with the first sign of fall?
Packing it in early is something dynamic design duo, Colin and Justin, would never consider. The home improvement stars of “Cabin Pressure” and “Game of Homes” make the most of their beautiful Western Red Cedar deck all year around.
“Oh my gosh every single day, we’re on the deck — whether it’s summer, spring, fall, winter or whatever,” says Justin. “A deck isn’t just for three months of the year; a deck is what you want it to be. And if you love the great outdoors as much as we do, you can make it work.”
Here, then, are Colin and Justin’s top five design solutions to help extend your outdoor living well into the autumn months:
Start with the right deck
Just because you procrastinated, doesn’t mean you need to wait until next spring to build or start designing a show-stopping deck. Whatever your plans, though, one thing almost everyone agrees upon is that there’s nothing quite like the rich, textural warmth of a Western Red Cedar deck to create a beautiful all-season outdoor living space. Low maintenance, surprisingly affordable and easy to work with, Real Cedar can’t be beat.
“We recommend getting your big ticket items first, around which you can seasonally adjust and tailor your look with different smaller and more affordable purchases,” says Colin. “And with decks, it’s worth investing in a really good product to start with like Western Red Cedar, which will last and last and last. Honestly, it just gets better with age, improving as the years pass, and it really is a showstopper.”
Screen it in
Unless you’ve got a screened-in porch, you may still have to shield your outdoor living space from the occasional nippy breeze. For Colin and Justin, this is easily rectified with movable wicker screens that they store inside during the summer months.
“They’ve got a lovely weighty bottom to them,” says Justin. “The wind passes right through them and that’s a good tip for anyone using freestanding screens on the outside. If they’re too solid, the wind can catch them. But if they’re fretwork or open panels or cutout work, they’re good.”
Heat things up
Paradoxically, as the days grow shorter, you’ll wish they would last longer. There’s no more perfect way to cap off a perfect fall day than by sitting around a fire with friends and family.
“In the autumn, we have two propane operated fire bowls that sit smack dab in the center of our Western Red Cedar deck,” says Colin. Their gas-powered fire is safely contained in a stone bowl and leaves no ashes or embers. “And those fire bowls help us stretch out our summer a little bit. We also have two big patio heaters, which we can direct inward at either end of our terrace and they really makes a big difference.”
Bundle up with textiles
Sometimes all it takes to warm up your outdoor living space is some simple, yet chic, soft furnishings and yes, maybe even a change in wardrobe. (But don’t worry — you don’t have to say good-bye to your beloved flips flops, just “until we meet again next spring.”)
“We take out lots of really lovely textural throw pillows and rich woolen blankets – think Pendleton and Hudson’s Bay striped blankets — and we cozy up,” says Justin, adding, “And don’t forget your winter woollies. When the weather is changing, sometimes it’s less about what you add and more about what you put on in terms of clothing.”
Install a BBQ cover
If you’re like Colin & Justin, you enjoy the thrill of the grill year round. This is where an easy-to-build, Real Cedar BBQ Cover really earns its keep. Made from nature’s most resilient building material, this sturdy and beautiful structure is going to last you a very long time. Just think of all the cookout possibilities!
“We BBQ all the time,” says Colin, “So we got a cover. That way we don’t have to worry about weather.”
For free downloadable project plans, visit RealCedar.com or for more fast facts on building with Real Cedar, download their free DIY app — available on the Apple App Store for iOS and at Google Play for Android.
Aug
5
Get adventurous before busy fall routines set in with these 5 fun family activities
August 5, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Summer is fleeting and schedules are filling up quickly, so take advantage of the free time you have to partake in fun activities with those you love the most: your family. It’s tempting to stick to the same routine of going to the local playgr…
Jul
20
Creative ways to take your raised bed and planter gardening to new heights
July 20, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Generations of space-challenged gardeners have relied on raised beds and planting boxes to grow a harvest of vegetables, fruits and herbs – even in the tightest spaces. Vertical gardening gave us a whole new way to garden in tight spots, by enc…
Jul
13
(BPT) – You get your fill of vitamins C and D by eating oranges and soaking in a little sun each day, which is good for your body and mind. Small habits like these can have a big impact on your overall health and help you feel your best each day. However, vitamins C and D aren’t the only vitamins your body needs to thrive. Take vitamin E, for example. This overlooked vitamin is essential to our well-being and yet, many people don’t know anything about it. Let’s take a moment to learn about the super vitamin, and what you can do to get your daily intake.
What are the benefits of vitamin E?
Vitamin E, like vitamin C, is an antioxidant and therefore helps improve immunity levels. Here are the possible benefits of vitamin E, and how it can specifically enhance your health.
* Fights summer colds: Winter isn’t the only time you can catch a cold. In the summer, vitamin E can boost your immunity to prevent sickness during the warmer months.
* Extends cell life: What’s the secret to aging well? While there are many factors that can influence aging, vitamin E can extend cell life to keep skin in great shape for years.
* Repairs damaged cells: With vitamin E oil, you can also repair damaged cells. Specifically, vitamin E can be used to treat sunburns and scars.
* May reduce risk of heart disease and cancer: There’s still much to be discovered about vitamin E. Currently, doctors and scientists are testing whether vitamin E can reduce the risk of serious health conditions, like heart disease and cancer.
* Reduces risk of cataracts and other eye issues: Maintain eye health and prevent serious eye diseases by getting your daily intake of vitamin E.
* May slow down cognitive decline: Studies have found that a higher intake of vitamin E in older individuals can reduce cognitive decline and can even slow down the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
How can I get more vitamin E in my diet?
The US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin E in individuals 14 years and older is 15 mg. Instead of taking supplements to get the recommended daily dosage, however, save your money and add vitamin-rich foods to your diet. “The simplest way to increase your vitamin E intake is to follow a healthy diet that focuses on eating vitamin E-rich vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and lean forms of protein,” says Lyssie Lakatos, a registered dietitian. Lakatos lists these five foods as examples of what you can include in your vitamin E-rich meal plan.
* Pistachios: A protein-packed snack, pistachios are also a rich source of vitamin E you can take on-the-go.
* Spinach: When preparing salads, toss some spinach into the mix. This dark, leafy green is also high in calcium.
* Eggs: Eggland’s Best eggs contain 10 times more vitamin E than ordinary eggs, which is equal to 25 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin E. They are also packed with omega-3s, vitamins like B12 and D, and contain 25 percent less saturated fat than other eggs.
* Avocados: Add an avocado to your salad or make guacamole to get the benefits of this healthy, vitamin E-rich fruit.
* Olives: Whether you like to eat olives as a snack or use olive oil when cooking, you can expect to increase your vitamin E intake by including olives in your diet.
Making Vitamin-E focused meals is simple and delicious. Here’s one recipe you can try at home today!
EBLT Bowl
Ingredients:
*2 Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs
*1 bag spinach
*½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
*6 pieces of turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
*1 avocado, sliced
*salt & pepper to taste
*½ cup whole grain croutons (optional)
Dressing:
*1/4 cup light mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt)
*1 tablespoon water
*1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
*Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
*In a large bowl combine spinach, onion and tomatoes.
*Place all of your salad dressing ingredients together in a jar and shake until completely combined.
*Top spinach mixture with two hard-cooked eggs per bowl, sliced avocado and croutons.
*Drizzle with dressing and enjoy!
All vitamins, from vitamin C to vitamin E, are essential to your overall health. Visit Eggland’s Best to learn more about the nutritional benefits of vitamin E.