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(ARA) - Considering that up to 72 trillion allergens find their way into your home every day, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it’s no wonder so many Americans are suffering from asthma and allergies. As the season changes, now is a good time to move dusting to the top of your seasonal cleaning checklist.
Here are some tips for reducing dust mites and pet dander – and the allergy symptoms that come from it – in your home:
* Cover mattresses and pillows with zippered, dust-proof covers.
* Choose cleaning products, like Pledge Furniture Polish, which removes up to 84 percent of allergens from dust mites and pet dander found in dust.
* Wash bed sheets and blankets weekly in water at least 130 degrees.
* Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and professionally clean carpets regularly.
* Upholstery can harbor dust and dust mites, so choose furniture made of wood, vinyl, plastic or leather, which is easier to clean.
Go to www.pledge.com to learn more about allergen-reducing Pledge products and for more tips on reducing allergens in your home.
(ARA) – The warmer weather is a reminder that it’s time to get lawn equipment out of storage and back in working condition. But what do you do if you pull your lawn mower out, turn the key and nothing happens?
The professionals at Kohler Engines, a global manufacturer of small gasoline and diesel engines, offer these maintenance tips to help keep lawn equipment running at its best:
1) Clean Out Debris
Look for grass and other dried plants as an indicator that critters have built a nest.
2) Fully Charge the Battery
A battery should be fully charged before you turn the key again.
3) Clean Battery Connections
Remove the wires from the battery and clean connections by scrubbing with a wire brush and a baking soda and water solution.
4) Change Oil
If you didn’t change the oil before the equipment was stored for a period of time, it’s important to do it now before using it again.
5) Check for Proper Functioning
While the machine is off, check to make sure the moving parts operate smoothly.
6) Use the Right Fuel
Make sure you use the correct fuel that is meant for the warmer months.
7) Clean the Carburetor
If fuel has gummed up in the carburetor you can purchase an additive that can help solve this problem.
For more information visit www.KohlerEngines.com.
(ARA) – Living green doesn’t mean yielding your yard to birds, bugs and critters that can be both a nuisance and a health hazard. It’s possible to keep unwanted animal guests away from your gardens, landscaping, lawn and outdoor living areas without contributing to the groundwater contamination associated with many chemical pesticides.
With drought conditions expected to persist in many areas of the country, the issue of groundwater contamination is drawing plenty of attention. Many communities are moving to curb products – including pesticides and fertilizers – known to cause groundwater contamination. When it comes to protecting your property from common summer pests, non-lethal, all-natural methods that rely on sound, sight, taste deterrents and roost inhibitors not only protect the environment, they’re more effective as well.
“These methods are not only green for the environment and human for the animals, they’re benign for humans as well,” Zemsky points out. “You won’t need rubber gloves to use them, they have no warning labels, you don’t need to store them in child-proof places or wonder what they might do to you after decades of exposure.”
Visit www.bird-x.com or call (800) 662-5021 to learn more about green pest control.
Everybody wants to be healthy, right? Although there are some things we can't control about our health, there are many things we can. By developing healthy habits that we practice on a daily basis, we can tip the odds in our favor for living a long and vibrant life.
1. Drink more water. Most people don't drink nearly enough water to properly hydrate their bodies. If you simply consider the fact that the human body is about 75% water, it helps to understand the importance of drinking the recommended daily amount of 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses. The problems associated with improper hydration and the benefits of proper hydration are too many to list here, but consider this one: Inadequate fluid intake and dehydration increases the risk of developing kidney stones. If you've ever suffered the pain of a kidney stone, that knowledge alone could be enough to prompt you to drink up.
2. Eat less food more often. Many people believe that the best way to lose weight is by skipping meals and eating less often. The truth is that when you skip meals, the metabolism slows down and you burn less calories and fat. It's better to eat five or six small meals and snacks (eat every three hours throughout the day) to keep the metabolism going. Include a protein (cheese, fish, lean meats, nuts, eggs, milk, etc.) with each meal or snack to help prevent glycemic (blood sugar) spikes that can lead to weight gain.
3. If it's white, don't bite. White bread, white rice, white sugar--these are all processed (refined) carbohydrates that have been stripped of their natural vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Stick with more natural foods like whole wheat bread, brown rice, and stevia (a natural sweetener). Processed foods that contain limited amounts of natural fibers and nutrients may fill you up, but they can still leave your body malnourished. Natural foods contain the fibers and minerals your body needs to function properly.
4. Give your liver a daily cleansing. For most of us, our livers are working overtime to filter toxins from the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the things we drink. For a good natural detoxification, squeeze a half a lemon in 16 ounces of water and add stevia to taste first thing every morning. The lemon juice helps clean out the liver and balance blood sugars naturally.
5. Get moving. There's no way around it-if you really want to get and stay healthy, exercise is a key factor. Research has proven that consistent aerobic exercise prevents obesity and insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes. Exercise has proven to be just as effective as a particular oral diabetic medication in sensitizing the insulin receptor sites to allow glucose into the cells-and you don't need a prescription! Of course, the benefits of exercise reach much farther, including cardiovascular health, stress reduction, muscle toning, and sleep enhancement.
6. Get your sleep. Sleep rejuvenates cells and helps in the healing process and also helps to maintain and boost the immune system (e.g., the chances of catching a cold increase if you haven't had a sufficient amount of sleep). Lack of sleep also leads to stress, which leads to increased cortisol release, which leads to weight gain. How much is enough? For most adults, approximately 7-8 hours of sleep a night is about right. As we all know, there's no time like the present to start on the road to better health. Start these healthy habits today and in no time they will be a natural part of your daily routine!
Blue garden flowers can add a splash of unique color to your yard. You can buy blue and blue purple perennials and annuals to enhance your garden design. Plant them in a section for all blue flowers or mix them in with your other colors for a more varied look.
When planting flowers, be sure to follow the instructions for planting locations and maintenance. Buying plants that thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them will give you a much fuller and easier to care for garden. A plant that needs full sun will not grow to your expectations if it is planted in the shade.
Make sure you water and fertilize you're your blue garden flowers according to the instructions and you will be rewarded with big luscious blooms. Pinching off the dead flowers will help the plant to grow fuller and produce more flowers.
Other things to consider when planting blue garden flowers include:
Below is a list of some blue and purple colored flowers for your garden:
Verbena - Babylon Blue - Purply blue flower petals on this early bloomer that is great for window boxes and planters.
Catmint - Walkers - This blue flowering perennial shows deep lavender blue flowers on long spikes. It graces us by blooming from June to September and grows to about 10" tall. It does best in a fully sunny spot but can withstand some afternoon shade. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.
Corydalis, Blue Panda - This plant produces fragrant stringy sky blue flowers. It blooms in late spring, and sometimes again in fall. Can grow to 12” and likes partial shade with a rich soil.
Caspian, Blue Indigo - Blue pea shaped flowers bloom on stalks that grow up to 5 feet tall. The flowers that bloom in mid to late summer can last for several weeks. Plant in full sun or partial shade and sandy soil.
Cascade, Purple Rockcress - This ground cover grows 3 to 6” tall and is perfect for growing between rocks and in crevices. Deep blue flowers bloom in early to mid spring. Plant in moderate soil in the full sun or partial shade.
Scabiosa - Butterfly Blue - This bushy perennial is more of a lavender blue perennial plant with 2" flower petals that bloom from June to October. Plant in the full sunlight, deadheading after first bloom will encourage repeat sports. This flower attracts the most fabulous creatures - butterflies and hummingbirds.
Bachelors Button - This has bright blue thistle like blossoms and will grow to 24". It shows its blooms in late summer to early fall - cut down after first bloom for another bloom later in the season. Plant in the full sunlight or they wont grow the same.
Campanula, Blue Carpet - Flowers in
bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. A low growing perennial, this grows to 2 – 4” and prefers full sun and a well-drained soil.
Bellflower - Enjoy bright violet blue blooms all summer with this plant that grows to 30” tall. Can grow in partial shade or full sun and likes well drained soil.
Penstemon, Blue Buckle - Tubular shaped blooms in blue to purple from mid summer to early fall. Plant grows 12” to 15” and prefers well drained soil with either full or partial sun.
Balloon Flower - Sentimental Blue - This shorter plant has medium blue flowers that puff up before It blooms in. It can get to about 8" and likes to grow in a fully sunny spot.
Petunia, Blue Spark Cascadia - Lavender blue flowers adorn this long blooming plant that produces flowers from early spring until frost. Grows 6 to 8” but can have longer cascades when grown in planters. Will grow in partial shade or full sun.
by Lee Dobbins
Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can learn how to build your dream garden. Find out more about garden flowers at http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com/garden-flowers.html
When Robert and Rosalinda Wells moved into their new home in West Linn, Ore., last Thanksgiving, it was the realization of a dream. After a three-week trip back to California to pack up their belongings, they were looking forward to enjoying their new home.
Instead, thanks to a faulty rubber hose, the first months in their new house turned out to be more of a nightmare than a cause for celebration. “It was dark when we got in, so what I noticed first was the musty smell and the way the hardwood floor felt sticky,” says Wells. “Then we turned on the lights and saw that water had run down the walls from upstairs, covered most of the first floor, and dripped on down into the basement.”
At some point during their three weeks away, a simple $5 rubber hose connected to the washing machine in the upstairs laundry had started to leak, soaking everything in its path. Water damaged the Wells' maple hardwood floors and the subfloor beneath. It soaked carpet padding all over the house and insulation in the walls, all of which had to be torn out and replaced.
“We were fortunate because the repair costs were covered by our homeowners insurance policy,” Wells says, “but what should have been a happy and exciting time for us ended up filled with disappointment and stress. We had contractors in the house making repairs for months, and for a week we even had to move out and into a hotel. We lost two months of our introduction to Oregon because of a $5 item.”
Water repair costs soar
The Wells experience is a common scenario, and it's one that more home owners need to prepare for, points out Jim Swegle of Safeco Insurance. “Water is the most common cause of home damage today -- even more likely than fire; and of all the appliances found in the home, the water heater and washing machine are the most likely to cause serious damage. Some water damage is covered under homeowners insurance, but some damage is not.”
To help home owners pinpoint trouble spots, Safeco analyzed information from more than a million customers in 44 states. The company found that hot water tanks and washing machines were the appliances that caused the most damage, followed by refrigerators with water or ice units, dishwashers and air conditioners located in attics. The survey also found the cost to repair water damage is getting steep -- typically about $5,000.
“This is a huge hassle,” Swegle says. “Home owners who fail to maintain appliances and plumbing systems may face thousands of dollars in repair costs and weeks of invasive home repairs.”
Home upgrades one reason for the rise
The biggest difference today is where we're putting our appliances, he notes.
The hot water tank and washing machine once relegated to the basement or garage are now found in utility rooms right off the family room or near finished living areas. When leaks occur, water runs through ceilings and walls, damaging finished areas of the home. In addition, as home owners upgrade kitchens and bathrooms, water damage repairs become more expensive. “In the 1980s, we had stock cabinets and vinyl floors in our kitchens and laundry rooms,” Swegle says. “Today, the kitchen is an entertainment center, with hardwood floors and expensive cabinets. When the dishwasher hose fails, it's more expensive to fix the damage.”
Home owners can identify potential problems and avoid costly losses by logging on to Safeco's online water damage prevention guide at www.safeco.com/drip.
“In most cases, home owners can save themselves a lot of time and money by adding a few simple protective devices and doing routine maintenance,” says Swegle. “These tasks usually take just a few minutes and the parts often cost less than $20."
Courtesy of ARA Content
Gardeners, it's time to put your gardening skills to the test. If temperatures are cooperating, the merry months of May and June will be your busiest until September, with planning, planting, and patio projects to lead the way into summer. Don't be fooled by a late frost; find out the mean freeze date in your area, and be sure soil is warm and workable—not too wet, not too dry—before putting tender plants in the ground.
By the time your garden is prime for planting, you should already have a plan of attack in place. Are you going to be planting bulbs, annual, more perennials, or a vegetable and herb garden. Maybe even all of the above if you are blessed with a big yard. Once you have a plan, its time to acquire your new plants. The quickest and easiest way is to buy your plants online. Everything you need from seeds, bulbs, and tools can be found through online merchants, and many sites even offer online coupons for increased savings. Small starters usually cannot be shipped directly to you, but can be sent to a store close to home for pick-up at your convenience.
If you are going to be putting in sensitive vegetables like cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and melons, you may wish to wait a few weeks after the last thaw to ensure they don't get damaged by an extra cold night. If you want to plant early, consider sowing heartier vegetables like potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, and lettuce. Not sure about when to plant, then ask an expert at your local gardening center.
For all the beautiful colors of spring, consider planting both annual and perennial flowers. Although your perennials will still be around from last year, you may want to add a few of your favorites to replace flowers lower on your list. Annuals are an important part to every garden. They bring some of the richest, most vibrant colors to your garden. Plant your annuals from starters if you want an early spring bloom. Make sure that you plant annuals in areas of your yard that get at least five hours of direct sunlight per day. Don't be cheap on the plant food and watering, and you will ensure your flowers get the right ingredients for full, healthy blossoms.
Once the initial preparing and planting are finished, you can sit back and relax, letting your sprinklers do the rest of the work. If you work hard early on, your hardest task in summer will be choosing which flowers to make cuttings of and create bouquets for the kitchen and dining room. Enjoy the fruits of your labor… until next spring.
By Josh Gray
Josh Gray, President of UC San Diego's Gardens Club, is the Home and Garden consultant for CouponChief.com. This discount shopping and online coupon website features coupons and deals for most gardening merchants on their home and garden page. Find huge discount savings like coupons for $20 off $50! Visit CouponChief.com today!
by Stephen Canale
When it comes to finding new sources of business, most people don't really enjoy the task of prospecting and having to continually develop new business leads. On the other hand, just about everyone in business loves to receive referrals, as these leads don't appear to require any prospecting effort.
Despite the obviousness of these statements, few business people ask for referrals frequently enough. This is most likely because asking for referrals feels too much like prospecting, and the fear of rejection prevents many from initiating such requests.
However, business referrals are the life-blood of those who are considered to be truly successful in their chosen professions. These individuals not only outperform their peers, but they typically enjoy their business much more than average, as well. Let's face it, having an endless stream of new leads without having to prospect or wait for the phone to ring is much more pleasant than the alternative.
The first lesson here is simple: you probably need to ask for referrals much more often than you already do.
This is, of course, easier said than done. While anyone can simply begin asking for referrals, many questions will likely cause you to hesitate.
As with most things in business, and life, it's best to have a plan. Rather than thinking of the request for a business referral as an event, you should consider it a process. Successfully generating referrals as a regular business practice can be easily achieved through a simple five-step procedure.
1. Plant the seed
The next time you begin a business relationship with a customer or client, make sure you emphasize that you prefer to do business on a referral basis. If the prospect has come to you through a referral of some kind, then reinforce that the reason you're willing to work with them is because of the referral from the mutual acquaintance.
For instance, "I'm glad Jerry gave you my number. He might not have mentioned it, but I generally only work with clients who are referred by someone I know and respect." "How is Jerry, by the way, I haven't talked with him in a while?"
On the other hand, if the customer came to you from some other source, an incoming call for instance, then point out your willingness to work with them as a special exception. "I should tell you that I usually only work with clients who are referred by someone that I personally know. However, I do have some extra time in my schedule this month, and knowing the area as well as I do, I really believe I can help the two of you get the most money for your home."
In either event, and regardless of how you say it, letting the new prospect know that your time is valuable and that you generally prefer to work with referred clients will reap great rewards down the road.
2. Obtain a commitment
We all know that getting someone to commit to an action on the spot can be both uncomfortable and difficult. However, you'll likely find that obtaining a commitment for a "future event" is much simpler than you realize.
The difference is in the lack of resistance most people feel toward future commitments.
For instance, if you ask this brand new client for a referral right now, there are plenty of reasons why this could feel awkward for both of you, and that you might not receive a referral. They may not be able to think of anyone to refer to you on the spot, or may not yet trust you enough to do so. Additionally, the request to act immediately is likely somewhat of an unwelcome surprise.
On the other hand, if you ask them to provide referrals at some future time, you'll find that resistance to your request will not only be diminished, but will likely not exist at all.
Example: "Mr. and Mrs. Tandy, if I agree to go to work for you now, and can successfully handle this transaction to your satisfaction, would you be willing to refer business to me in the future?"
Few people will resist this request. There's no pressure or immediate need to act, and their obligation is contingent upon you doing a good job for them, which of course is something they want. If they do decline or resist this very reasonable request, then it's a pretty clear signal that you probably shouldn't invest your time into working with them in the first place.
3. Reinforce the referral
Once you've planted the seed and then obtained a future commitment, all that's really necessary is to provide them with good service and then set up the collection of the referral. When your immediate business with the client is complete, likely some months from now, you only need to remind them of their agreement to refer business to you whenever the need arises. An important distinction that needs to be made is that this step is not actually a request, and therefore cannot be denied. The commitment to refer business to you was made long ago.
A great way to phrase this reminder is one in which you both reinforce the obligation for referrals and make the client feel good about doing so at the same time. You can approach this in any manner that makes you feel comfortable, but an example would be:
"Mr. and Mrs. Tandy, it's been a pleasure working with the both of you and I hope we can work together again in the future."
"By the way, when you know of someone who needs to buy or sell, after giving out my name and number please call or email me directly to let me know that you've referred them"
"As I told you when we first met, I generally only work on a referral basis, and I'd hate to have your friends leave me a message and not realize that they were referred by you. If you can let me know to expect their call ahead of time, I would appreciate it. And, I'll make sure I do my very best for them."
Not only does a statement such as this gently remind them of their obligation to send referrals, but it makes them feel important in the process as well.
4. Collecting the rewards
While following the first three steps will substantially increase the number of referrals that you receive over the years to come, you should still make it a habit to follow up with these past customers and clients to ask for more referrals.
Two or three times a year you need to make a personal phone call and ask for more referrals. Not only will this generate positive results in response to your direct requests, but also these calls will gently remind past clients of the importance of remembering to refer business to you.
The key to success with this fourth step is in having a good reason to call, besides asking for business.
Simply calling and asking for a referral will likely be uncomfortable for both of you, and will not produce nearly the results that a well reasoned call is capable of. On the other hand, calling to inform the past client of a recent listing or sale on their street will generally be appreciated, as everyone likes to know about real estate activity and values in their immediate area.
A daily scan of your MLS "New Listings" section should provide you with ample opportunities to contact past buyers.
While the dialog will depend on your personality and style, who would object to a call such as:
"Mr. Tandy, it's Stephen Canale calling, how are you and Jean doing?"
After a few minutes of unguided and natural conversation you can then tell them why you're calling:
"You've probably noticed that the Bernards are selling their home down the street, but did you know that they are asking $192,000?"
Again, this may lead to several minutes of conversation about the Bernards, real estate values, other properties in the area or just general neighborhood gossip. Any and all of which is good for building rapport and future business.
At some point in the conversation, likely towards the end of the call, you simply need to ask the very natural question:
"I thought I should call to see if you can think of anyone at the University (or where ever he or she works) who might be interested in the Bernard's home?"
Regardless of the answers you receive, you can be sure of two things:
1) You will receive leads from these calls
2) This casual, yet purposeful reminder of the importance of referrals will generate future referrals to you as well
5. Positive reinforcement
Simple psychology, when someone does something you would like repeated, reward the action.
In this case, the reward for sending a referral should be threefold:
First, you should immediately contact the person who sent you the referral and thank them, while also letting them know that you'll provide the best possible service to the friend, neighbor or relative.
Secondly, you should consider keeping the person who sent the referral "up to date" as much as is appropriate for the situation. Someone who has referred an immediate family member would likely appreciate more feedback than one who simply referred a neighbor.
In any event, you should let them know when the business transaction has been successfully consummated, using this opportunity to again remind them of how much you appreciate their willingness to go out of their way to refer business to you.
Thirdly, a follow-up gift is more than appropriate. While this may be subject to business regulations, a personal gift, gift certificate or even something so simple as a gift-basket with a handwritten "thank you" card will go a long way to generating additional referrals.
What's important to understand about this fifth step is that the whole structure of rewarding the person who sent you the referral centers around clearly communicating how much you appreciate their action of referring business to you. Additionally, you want to reinforce that you will make sure that they never regret referring business to you by providing excellent service to the new client.
Committing to the process
If you follow these five steps to generating more business referrals, you will likely find the process to be a painless and natural extension of providing the kind of personal service that most consumers will very much appreciate.
Rather than feeling like prospecting, these steps really are no more than an effective business process for providing the consumer with reasonable expectations as to your working relationship with them, and then clearly communicating your business needs along the way.William Bronchick
www.legalwiz.com