5 Ways to Save Money at Your California Beach Home

By Doug

Nov

1

It is no secret that living in a beach house is costly and is often seen as only an option  for the affluent. Whats more, if you are intending to live in a beach house in California, which is considered as one of the most expensive places to live, it can be a wonderfully privileged lifestyle, even though it is admittedly pricey. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can save up on your dream home near the beach and enjoy the breathtaking California sunset.

Read on as we discuss the 5 best ways to save money for your California beach house.

1. The first step in saving money for your dream beach home in California starts by reducing your monthly expenses.
Cut back on unnecessary miscellaneous expenses. Although it isn’t noticeable, little miscellaneous fees can greatly reduce your savings per month if it accumulates. A simple money saving trick you can use is to order water when you are eating at fancy restaurants. Free ice water can be requested when eating outdoors instead of those expensive yet regular sodas and other beverages that you usually accompany your meals with when eating out with your family or friends at a restaurant. Another way to save money wisely is to reduce your trips or night-outs with your family. Although it is important to spend quality time with them, you should minimize it to once or twice per month in order to save more money for your future home. Additionally, though admittedly this is a difficult one for many of us, cut back on unnecessary shopping. Also, be sure you are getting the best rates on insurance by checking in with sites like Policy Expert.

 

2. You should canvass houses in advance in order to plan the budget for the home you wish to buy.
It isn’t ideal to shop for viable options of a house to invest in in only a short period of time. This may result in the purchased property to be of less value to you as well as does not appeal that well to your individual preference.

3.  When canvassing for a house, assess the condition of the property from top to bottom.
Look for significant damages or imperfections of the house that may be passed on to you as a liability you will have to compensate for. If the house is severely damaged from its interior walls to its exterior layout, then look for another one that is in mint condition in order to save up on repair and replacement expenses.

4. When you’ve already bought the place but is still financially held up by loans and credit card debts you’ve accumulated over the past few months of your struggle to save for the house, you can save up a significant amount of cash by modifying your lifestyle.
For example, instead of buying paper napkins and towels for home use, buy heavy-duty rags that can last for longer periods of time. This will save you a hefty amount of money.

5. You should make it a point to regularly assess your home’s condition.
It is imperative that you do regular cleanings in order to restore your home and to fix parts before it goes beyond fixing.

Personal Preference and Standard Considerations in Purchasing a Safe

By Doug

Apr

19

If you are in the market for a new safe for your home or office , you’re in good company. Sales for safes for private and small business use continue to increase and greater numbers of people have them in their homes now more than ever before. In addition to the numbers of people buying safes, the technological advances in the industry have provided for large leaps in their security as well as user friendliness. It’s a recent trend to emphasize user friendliness when considering a home safe purchase. And yes, model design and aesthetics are also coming into play. This is due in part to the diversity of users and sometimes even strategic placement of the safes within one’s home.

Regardless of your specific priorities with safes, there will be some standard questions that will need to be addressed during the purchasing process. For instance, you will need to have a pretty thorough knowledge of what all you intend to store in the safe. This will determine your size requirements, and sometimes specific shape designs. In addition, the location where you intend to store the safe can have an impact on the type of safe you purchase. Sometimes environmental factors come into play, though usually this too is related to the size spectrum. These are the primary considerations and after this the personal preference factors can come into play. The standard decision here will relate to types of locks and locking devices, though sometimes this will be specific to safe models.

Swing Set UpKeep

By Doug

Jan

3

Many parents are intimidated by the idea of assembling equipment for their children. Once they have set up the new swing set to manufacturer specifications they may feel an immense sense of relief that their work is done. However, if they want to ensure the safety of their children over the years they will be using the set, parents will need to establish a regular schedule of maintenance to keep the equipment in the best working order.

The best way to do this is to refer to the equipment manual. Manufacturers will provide guidelines for inspecting, maintaining, and replacing parts. This will include instructions on when and how to oil Swing Set Hardware as well as information on the normal lifespan of components such as seats.

Opinions differ on whether equipment should be inspected monthly or more often. To be safe, a twice a month inspection should check the nuts, bolts, caps, and tubing on the hardware, tightening or replacing anything that is loose, missing, or broken. Once a month parents should inspect chains/cables/ropes, swings, and hardware for wear and deterioration. This includes looking for protrusions on hardware, splintering of wooden elements or rusting of metal frames or chains. Any problems should be fixed or replaced immediately or the affected equipment completely removed until it can be repaired. There is no excuse for allowing children to use broken or worn equipment that could lead to accidents.

A simple inspection, maintenance, and repair schedule will go a long way to ensuring many, many years of safe use of a swing set.

Modern Designs for Your Home Inspired by Next Day Blinds Rockville

By Doug

Sep

5

Modern interior design is rooted in minimalism. Clean lines, neutral colors, and minimal or no decoration. Imagine science fiction views of the future: Houses or apartments with streamlined furniture and lots of geometric shapes and polished surfaces. When designing a home or room to the modern style or even just wanting a hint of that influence, you’ll want to keep all these elements in mind.

Start by choosing neutral colors that suit your mood and personal style. These provide the backdrop for the modern lines, shapes, and textures that will define your space.

Furniture and accessories in a modern design should be functional, not just pleasing to the eye. The reduction of clutter allows visitors to enjoy the clean, negative spaces, so create a chotskies-free environment. Keep accent pieces to a minimum and only pick furniture that you’ll actually need. Remember: in modern design, less is definitely more.

Floors should incorporate the neutral color palette of the space, but are a great place to add some asymmetry in lines or shapes. Consider using something as bold as polished concrete for not only the floors, but countertops or fireplaces.

You won’t want to forget your windows in this endeavor. Consult with experts like those at Next Day Blinds Rockville to make sure the materials, colors, and textures of your blinds, shades, or shutters fit with the overall modern effect.

Lastly, make sure your room is bathed in light , both from natural sources and from well-chosen fixtures and lamps that echo the colors and shapes of the rest of the design.

Landscape Lights should not Remove Shadows

By Doug

Aug

24

Landscape lighting is most effective when planned to synchronize with your indoor lighting and outdoor lighting systems as well. Creating a sense of uniformity between the two will make your yard and landscape become a part of a whole. Your landscape and yard are a part of your home and should be treated as an extension of the entire living experience enjoyed inside your home.

The way to do this is to plan for the landscape lights to utilize shadows to your advantage. Many homeowners feel that shadows are a bad thing, but nothing could be further from the truth. Landscape lights works best as a blend between light and shadow; balancing darkness and light will create all sorts of luminary effects and will put you into different state-of-mind. Using soft ambient light from trees to bath exceptionally dark areas of the yard will mimic the effects on a moonlit night, which creates a very romantic atmosphere. Placing landscape lights inside shrubs and flower beds creates a magical effect and makes the plants appear to glow from their own internal light.

Planning your landscaping lighting layout should also include a landscape lighting maintenance program, which is all about how you would like to feel when you look outside your window in the evening time or how you want to spend a warm summer night out on the patio. Use the plants, trees and gardens for the shadows they already cast to your advantage to create a wonderful place to spend your evenings either by yourself or with friends.

Fire Side Songs

By Doug

Dec

20

Do you enjoy singing with your family by a nice cozy Napoleon Stove? It is a perfect way to enjoy time with your loved ones. Maybe you have a list of songs or a song book that you already like to play together. Well now that you can already play the guitar or piano and sing together, how about creating your own songs to sing together. It would add even more pride to your family time. So what does it take to make your own song? Well, there are a few key things that would help.

If you can already play an instrument then you have already learned a few musical chords. It also helps if you can read a bit of music and know some of the theory of music. But let’s just say you want to make a song with the knowledge of the few chords you do know from learning other songs. That is doable. So take three or four chords and start some sort of progression with them. Which means put them in and order. Then add a rhythm to it. This would come with how you strum your guitar or play on the piano in a certain time. Then listen to the combination of rhythm and chord progression on its own for a few rounds. Do you hear any melodies in your head? Just listen and let any melodies come to your mind. Then start to sing. Even if it is just La la la la. Just get an idea of where you melody wants to go.

Now it is time to pick a topic. To get an idea of what to write about just soak up your moment. Who you are with, what you are talking about, where you are, maybe the fire itself can all become apart of your special song. You can rhyme your words if you want to but it is not necessary. Let everyone add a line or two so that everyone feels included. Top it off with some fun harmonies and Wa La you have created a song together as a family.

The Ambiance of Wood Burning Stoves

By Doug

Dec

14

What is one of the things that makes trudging through the snow in the colder states, climbing the stairs in your apartment building, and stepping into your home, so delicious?  It is the warmth provided by well crafted fireplaces and wood stoves.  Add to that that having an efficient model will serve to lower your monthly electric bill, the warm scent of burning wood such as cedar will have a soothing effect on your soul, and create a homey and very cozy atmosphere, something that is necessary when the world outside is cold, and black and white without the green leaves on the trees or flowers lining the trellis.

What you need to know about wood burning stoves is that the right wood makes a difference in the heat that they will provide, and should you need more circulation of the heat, blowers can add this feature without creating much of an added expense.  Many people have recently made the switch to the gas fueled fireplaces and stoves, and while this is convenient with a flip of a switch, and is less of a clean-up, there really is nothing that is so aesthetically appealing as a fire in a wood burning unit.

The ambiance that is produced is just very difficult to match, even though the “logs” in a gas fireplace may look realistic.  They do no snap and pop like the real thing does.  One aspect of the “right” wood, is that you simply need to make certain that that wood is dry.  Also, if you are trying to burn green wood, be aware that it is just about fifty percent water, so lighting it and keeping it burning may be a bit of a challenge.

The wood must be cut in advance and given proper time to dry out thoroughly.  If you do manage to get the green wood lit, the creosote fumes will build up faster and thicker in your chimney, and not only means that you will need to clean the chimney more often, it could become in and of itself, a fire hazard.  It just takes a bit of time, to learn about a fireplace should you choose to add one to your home, and it is well worth the investment.

Hot Tubs and Your Own Private Idaho

By Doug

Dec

12

Connecting with the larger worlds around you is a part of every journey, and it’s what makes a job fulfilling, and a relationship vibrant.  It’s the ability to leave your small spheres of concerns and let go of the ego enough to enter into another realm for at least a little while.  It’s nothing less that opening up your world to allow for other ideas and perspectives to come into play.  To enter, you have to be able to suspend judgement, in order to see things as they really are.  It’s a beautiful process, but it can also be very difficult, because sometimes it’s difficult to tell if you’re sleeping or awake.

However, the interesting contradiction here is that in order to enter into another world that’s outside of your ego, you have to be able to replenish the personal reserves, and that means having access to solitude and quiet time.  A personal spa in your own home can be like a portal to another world, in a sense, and often it’s the portal to your own world, or your own private Idaho.  Deciding which spa is right for you, then, is very important, because it will become a touchstone for your personal growth, and it’s certainly going to be a place of respite and regeneration.

Working with choosehottubsdirect.com is a great way to go, because of the excellent customer service and selection.  You can leave your worries behind, because you’re working with a company that works closely with their customers every step of the way.  This means you can focus on the serenity you’re looking for, and spend time considering what it will look like.  You can also start to daydream about the days to come, when you can climb out of the world of responsibility and into your own space again, and let the relaxation carry you away to a very splendid place.

The Tao of the Hot Tub

By Doug

Dec

1

Our planet consists mainly of water.  Our bodies are made up, mainly of water.  Without it we would not be capable of surviving.  The tides have conjured emotion, and the many people, depending on their belief systems and ideologies, consider the earth to be one living being.  And as we as humans are extensions of this planet, many cultures throughout history have contended that because of the similar elements, we are all just part of the one big whole.  This has led many to the shores of bodies of water, one of the four basic elements,  along with fire, air, and earth, to worship, to participate in rituals and celebrations, and to be affected by the healing properties of that water.

One scientist from Japan, has created scientific studies on water and the crystal elements in water.  When the water taken from all parts of the globe, are placed under his microscope, the patters of the crystals will change, forming complex shapes when spoken to with kindness and love.  Now, whether one believes this is up to each person, but throughout history, the healing properties of water, be it in the salt waters of the seas, the fresh waters of natural springs, or the warm waters of hot tubs and spas, the health benefits of water can simply not be denied.

Many people now are able to afford their own personal hot tubs, and check the site choosehottubsdirect.com to check out the options and learn more about home hot tub installation.  By adding this elegant appliance to you home and to your life, you will experience what people throughout the ages have, and that is the calming and peaceful effects of immersing yourself for a soak, in the quiet and the privacy of your own backyard.  You will be relaxed and rejuvenated, all at once, your concerns will melt away, and your slumber will be filled with perhaps…thoughts of delicate and complex crystal sculptures.

Choosing a Theme for Your Home Décor with Next Day Blinds Virginia

By Doug

Oct

12

All you have to do is walk into a home décor store and you can see the many various home themes.  You could decorate your home to look like a beach house or Chinese temple; the options are endless.  Whether you realize it or not, each piece of furniture and decoration plays into the décor theme of your home.  So if you are decorating for the first time or just trying out a fresh new look, it is important to realize the many different aspects of home decorating.
Before choosing a theme for home, consider the what type feeling you want your guests to have when they are in your home.  Do you want it to be warm and inviting? Cool and classy? Fun and festive?  It can also vary from room to room.  Once you have decided, you can begin to decide on colors and patterns (
The furniture is the central point of any room, be it an end-table, chair, or piano.  Because furniture is expensive, we tend to use it until it wears out.  However, you can buy inexpensive slip covers to give your couch and chairs a fresh new look and paint or re-finish wood items to make them shine.
Painting the walls will also give your home a fresh new look.  It will also contribute heavily to feeling others get when they are visiting.  If are using a darker color it is usually best to paint just one wall.  Not only does it look more creative, but it also prevents the room from appearing too small and dark.
Window treatments are good way to express your style and enhance the theme and look of your room.  From swags to valences, there are many different options of window treatments to fit your home.  Of course the type of blinds or shutters you have will affect the types of window treatments you can use.  Shutters from www.NextDayBlinds.com often don’t need any enhancement.  With Next Day Blinds Virginia, reviews are usually limited because of the excellent service and custom made products that they offer.  Investing in window treatments from Next Day Blinds will not only increase your home’s value but enhance the style.
The final step is to add some finishing touches.  You can make a nice display on an end table or the fireplace mantle. You can often find nice pieces for affordable prices at thrift stores or garage sales. Just keep in mind the size and functionality of your room.
With just a few small changes you can give your room, and home, a whole new look.

Great Fun in Owning a Hot Tub

By Doug

Oct

1

Add a home hot tub to your backyard and you are investing not only on your property, but in your well being as well.  Hot tubs such as those online at choosehottubsdirect.com, will provide your life with fun, health and an investment in your financial future.  One of the best things to do at the onset of spring or the beginning of autumn, is to set up outside and watch and old movie projected onto the wall.  Any wall, side of the house, side of the wall.  It’s all romantic in nature.  And you can have that, in your own backyard.

Rebel Without a Cause or Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a movie with a grill and and a hot tub?  Well what a great night will be had by all.  On top of the fun, there a financial aspect…everything these days seems to need a financial aspect to be valid.  That said, the value of your property will be greatly increased when you decide to add a hot tub.  Whether you decide to add a hot tub to the design of your backyard garden, or whether you decide to have it installed inside your structure, the property value will rise.  Homes currently under construction, include this addition.  Standard now, is the hot tub spa.  Once an accoutrement of the rich and famous, just a part of the deal, thanks to advances in technology, manufacturing and distribution.

On top of the party aspect, all guests will leave feeling…strangely wonderful.  What ancient cultures have known for centuries, modern cultures are just figuring out.  Water feels good, and water heals.  Imagine having this, your own hot tub, at your disposal, every night, in your own backyard.  It will relieve stress, ease aching muscles, and put you out for a very good, very solid, night’s sleep.   You will wake up refreshed for the next day of work, and bring you home each night for a certain, deep and well rested sleep.

Venetian Style Shades from Next Day Blinds

By Doug

Sep

8

Creating a new look in one’s home or office is as easy as switching out the window treatments.  Getting rid of worn out curtains or drapes, and installing coverings from the vast selection at Next Day Blinds, will not only update one’s space, but serve to uplift one’s energy as well.  Visual surroundings play a role in the way one feels throughout the day, for just as the flickering of fluorescent lighting can affect one’s mood, so too can unpleasant patterns and outdated colors.

The prefect Venetian blinds for the office or for the home give one the opportunity to control the amount of light or air coming through the window, as well as serve to offer privacy when it is necessary.   And perhaps more so with the Venetian style , the quality of their construction is important, as there are so many working parts.  It may be tempting to go for the good deals, and many reputable distributors will offer sales on the quality blinds, but it is important to consider when looking at the lower quality products, that what one may save today, may end up costing them in the long run.

Many choose to go with the wooden Venetian style shades from Next Day Blinds as these are sturdy enough for constant use, and they happen to look very classic as well.  There are other options for the materials which will still prove to be sturdy and structurally sound as well.  There are many styles in faux wood, and plastic.  With the plastic models however, it is best to take a look at the ones that are made with a bit of a thicker slat, as in the wood slats, these will also prove to be more sturdy and long lasting.  The shades come in a variety of colors, and are the perfect option for a quick pick me up of an office space or in one’s own home decor.

What every backyard should have

By Doug

Jul

31

You back yard can be like your home away from home. And if you plan it right it can be just like having a vacation resort in your own home. You backyard should bring you peace and serenity not headaches and work. Here are some things that every backyard should have to make it a fun and relaxing place to hang out, kick back, and enjoy some family fun.

Depending on how big your yard is, no matter what you will have to maximize your space. It’s just not realistic to think that every yard can hold a bevy of outdoor kitchen appliances. But every back yard can have amenities to fit the family that is using them. If you don’t have space for everything just choose what you think your family would use most. If you do a lot of your cooking outside you should think about the many options out there for built in gas grills.

They offer a great cooking experience. It’s like having a full kitchen outside. This may not work for you if you are more the grill over charcoal type of person. If you like that smoky flavor, a gas grill will not give you that option.

If you have children in your family, you should consider having something fun in the yard that they can play with. Consider investing in a trampoline or other type of toy. If a trampoline requires too much supervision for your taste, consider having a badminton net or even a tether ball pole. Having a little bit of the playground in your backyard can be really fun for friends and family alike.

Another option that will be relaxing is a hot tub spa for the yard. They offer great relaxing benefits and could add value to your home if and when you decide to sell.

Have a vacation in your own home

By Doug

Jul

29

What this economy and the current economic situation have done for us as a society is hopefully make up appreciate what we already have. Seriously do you we really need to spend all our time on the weekends in the mall or go out to eat every night of the week? Probably not.

We need to start appreciating what we already have in our lives and summer is a perfect time to spend with family. Summer, not matter if you reside in the country or the city, is all about food and fun. There is Fourth of July fun and cookouts, with fireworks galore. You need to take the time you have to spend with your family now and go back to simpler times.

The easiest way to go simple is to think how you can have fun in your own home. You should try and plan weekly activities to promote family togetherness. Start having a board game night every Wednesday or Thursday night and I’m sure you have some board games lying around the house. Go for classics like Clue or Pictionary. You could even break your family up into teams for a little friendly competition. Truth is all you have to do is spend a little time together.

Another thing you could do is spend some time in your own backyard. You don’t need a lot of fancy stuff, like a hot tub from choosehottubsdirect.com or a backyard pool. All you need is a game, something as simple as tag or hide and go seek are awesome games to play outside with your family.

The truth is its all about spending time together. It really does not matter what you do, it only matters that you are doing it together. You should have fun no matter what you do together.

Feral Fruit Trees in Sydney

By Doug

Jul

27

I’ve decided what I will do for Earth Day, which is today. I will create a tree map of feral fruit trees during my travel through out Australia. I got this idea while I was staying at a Luxury Sydney Hotel. By happenstance, I was walking around the area by my hotel and spotted a Mulberry tree, quite a few of the Lilly Pilly trees, a rogue Passion fruit vine and a some surprising Warrrigal Greens, although it’s not a fruit, it’s still very edible. Spotting all of these edible and wild trees and plants made me want to use these as my way of showing how much nature is in our backyard, so-to-speak.

My classification of a feral fruit is any fruit the can be glean from a public space, like a park, overhangs from a fence or something along a roadside. They have to be free and hopefully organic. My concept for mapping the feral fruit trees is not original. I heard about it over at Milkwood. I believe it’s been something other people have been doing, if only in their heads, of ages. I remember that I always knew where all the feral mulberry trees and blackberry bushes were to be found in and around my neighborhood.

Even my brothers were called the Hunter-Gatherers by my parents and neighbors because they were always seen picking the berries and the fruit from the hedges and trees randomly growing. But, what I remember best about them was they knew where to find a good feral fig tree. Those fresh figs were so good to eat, yummy.

Now, to remember where the feral fruit trees are on my travels, I not only mark on my map where I noticed them, but if they were in season. I will use a traditional map and mark it with a pen. But, after I finish, I will use Google earth and share it with as many people who are interested in my feral fruit tree journey. I will invite people to share and add any feral fruit trees I will most definitely miss during my travels through Australia. There are already excellent feral fruit tree maps, but this won’t stop me from creating my very own. What a fantastic why to see a country.

Shopping online

By Doug

Jul

22

The internet is a great place to get awesome deals. You should be careful however that you are buying from reputable websites with great reviews. Check with your friends and family to figure out what websites that they trust. It is just so easy to get taken advantage of online. Some sites do not care about customer service and it’s frustrating to be ignored when you have a problem with a product. You can always check business ratings on the Better Business Bureau website.

A great place to get reviews on individual products is Amazon. They carry products from their popular Kindle, the portable electronic book system, to music and workout DVDs and perfume. You can get unbiased customer reviews on the site that can be quite helpful. I have used these reviews several times to decide if I want to buy a specific product. These are real Amazon customers who have bought the products writing reviews. If you are using sites with reviews, you should make sure to do your part on the site and review products you have purchased from the website.

Customer service is so important when doing business, but especially when you do business online. Next Day Blinds has excellent customer service ratings for both their website and their stores. Next Day Blinds sells blinds and window coverings from their website and their showrooms. Their customers have spoken and have given Next Day Blinds a great reputation for customer service.

Always look at return policies for internet websites as well. A company that pays for return shipping is more likely to be helpful and provide quality customer service than those who do not. Shopping online can be very lucrative for customers and help you save money in the long run. Just make sure to do your research before you do so.

Keep your home cool this summer

By Doug

Jul

17

Summer is all about keeping cool. From swimming in a pool, to lemonade coolers and popsicles, it is the time of year to keep cool and comfortable. And that also includes keeping cool in your home, not just outside.  Except air conditioning costs a lot more then a box of popsicles. And jut like you can shop around different grocery stores to find the best deal on a box, you can change how much you pay for your air-conditioning. There are some tools you can use and ways to make sure your summer cooling bills do not break the bank.

Turn your thermostat up. If you are not at home for most of the day then why cool your place for nobody? Keep your thermostat turned up when you are not home and you could save money on your cooling bill. There are even automated thermostats that you can set to only run the air conditioning at certain temperatures at certain times of day. So you don’t have to come home to a hot house after a long day at work.

Install window shades. Chances are you home has at least some sun exposure at some point in the hot summer day. And if you don’t have proper window coverings, your house could be heating up and fast! Blinds are a great way to keep your home cool. Next Day Blinds is a great resource for window coverings. Their website has so many choices that you are bound to find something that will fit your budget and style. Next Day Blinds also has show rooms if you are more into looking at things in person.

Keeping cool in the summer is easy if you have the right tools. So turn up that thermostat and make sure your blinds are properly installed so you can have a cool, comfortable and affordable summer.

Stretching and Relaxation, The Beneficial Effects of Hot Tubs

By Doug

Jun

30

Exercise is a very important element to healthy living, one of the most important in fact.  Exercise is important for keeping the joints mobile and keeping the muscles strengthened, and as people age having a lifetime of exercise behind them will prevent some of the problems most people encounter as the body gets older.  Moving the body regularly also serves to keep waste flowing out of the body, as well as moving  the nutrients through the body.  There are various kinds of exercise that benefit the body in different ways.  One of the elements in exercise is the prevention of injury.  Hot tubs are a great way to accomplish this, as well as should injury occur they are one of the best ways to alleviate pain.  More information can be found at choosehottubsdirect.com.  Soaking in a hot tub prior to working out will loosen up muscles and ensure that one will be able to stretch with the least likelihood of pulling a muscle.  Soak afterward will help the body rid itself of the chemicals that could cause sore muscles in the morning.

When one begins it is best to complete a series of stretches that will ensure a range of motion, the range that will give one the ability to move without injury.  Stretching for any athlete, be it football players or ballet dancers, is something that should be done on a daily basis, whether or not a full work out is in the plan for any given day.  Stretching after work outs, just for a brief time will prevent stiffness as well. Those who suffer from arthritis will also benefit from stretching, and soaking in the hot tub.  This may be difficult at first, as the chronic pain may tend to make some people shy away from movement, afraid to try or in too much pain to try, but with small, gradual attempts the pain will subside.  When one stretches, the muscles will become strong, which will in turn have the effect of the removal of pressure on the joints.  That pressure is the cause for much of the pain, and when the muscles are holding the body up, the joints take less shock.

Coffee Rubs

By Doug

Jun

29

There is little doubt that drop in grills change the way one thinks about cooking.  They open up a world of possibilities for outdoor recipes, and they are enormously versatile.  They add new ways of making meals that are not only fast, but also quite delicious.  No one can walk through a neighborhood that’s got grills burning without their mouth watering just a little.  It’s important, though, to note that outdoor recipes take some preparation and more organization, because the cooking time is shorter than inside.  However, for reasons we can’t quite explain, preparation for outdoor cooking is more like a pleasure than a chore.

There are thousands of interesting recipes for marinades and rubs for meats.  One ingredient that is always fantastic is coffee, and one might wonder why it can’t be used for grilling?  Well, it certainly can.  There are many world-class restaurants that offer meats prepared with coffee flavor, and one is only limited by the types of beans one uses.  Coffee adds a tremendously good note to red meats, and it can also add a splendid subtle tone to chicken dishes.  As a general rule, when grilling with coffee, use darker roasts for darker meats, and lighter roasts for light meats.  But as an exception to the rule, remember that there are always exceptions to any rule, and in grilling, feel free to experiment.  Experimentation will not only teach you about your own technique and your own tastes, but the results are often some of the happiest accidents in your kitchen.

There are many excellent recipes for grilling with coffee on the web, and these should be combined with a healthy imagination. Try not only pairing roasts of coffee with types of meat, but combine coffees with other ingredients.  For example, dark french roasts can go extremely well with chile and garlic, and some lighter roasts like kona can pair excellently with ginger or cinnamon.  The rub can be made from coffee grounds, from freshly ground beans (experiment with grinds, too, to determine the most pleasant combination, as fine grindings make stronger notes in the food, and coarse grinds make for a more subtle undertone), and from brewed coffee and espresso, with the meat soaking to absorb the flavors.  It’s all fair game, and all an experiment that will yield heavenly results.

Modern Design of Hot Tubs, Spas, and Saunas

By Doug

Jun

29

Hot tubs, spas, and saunas…heat is good for the body.  Medical doctors and therapists have found that the benefits of warm water therapy not only improve patients suffering from such ailments as arthritis and paralysis not only feel better, but that their conditions improve over time.  Hydrotherapy has long been used in the horse racing and greyhound racing industries.  And now, modern treatments for humans include regular sessions in the warm water of the hot tubs.  Chronic pain is alleviated, from spondylosis or other degenerative diseases in the spine, to sore muscles associated with exercise, to just the stiffness stress causes in day to day life.  Joints become loose, and it allows people of all walk of life, more mobility, more freedom and range of motion.  Not to mention just simple stress relief, the opportunity to sit with friends and have conversation, quiet reflections on life that are so absent in the work place, the friendships and the love lives of people today.

Due to the advancements in modern technology, one can choose the materials their hot tubs, spas and sauna are manufactured with, the size, the color, and the number and direction of the water jets.  Thus allowing them to customize their water therapy.  These specialized features also include not only the number of seats or benches, but the angle in which these seats are set to.  In the past, the seats were set at a uniform length, but with customization, this ensures that those of different heights will get the maximum benefits, without the inconvenience of being totally submerged under water.  The ability of the manufacturers to mold various seat sizes benefits those of varying weights.  All of these adjustments provide all shapes and sizes to enjoy the benefits.  Some companies will even mold seats to the specific bodies of those purchasing the tubs.  The movable jet technology is just one more aspect of the modern designers, creating the opportunity of those in the spas, to move the jet flow, focusing on the neck or back or other parts of the body needing special attention.

Italian Clotheslines

By Doug

Jun

24

I was reminded the other day about my trip to Carroll Gardens when I drove by a teenager standing on top of an empty sign pole. It was around 1970 or so, can’t remember exactly, I was attending a college not too far from Brooklyn. I was working part-time for a printing and boxing company in Queens, New York. My position there was a sample maker which in turn helped me make good friends with the printing foreman. Funny, I don’t remember his name now, but he was a nice tall dark Italian man. One day, while I was busy making samples for a bakery, he came up to me and invited me over to his home for dinner. Yes, he was married with 2 children, but he knew that I’ve never really had a good home cooked Italian meal, but he wanted something in return.

His house was really his mother’s and father’s house. His mom still lived on the first floor garden area. A beautiful garden with with several outdoor sinks, built-in BBQ and refrigerator. I’ve never seen the likes before, absolutely beautiful. My Italian friend lived on the 4th floor. Did I mention that his home was huge? Well, after I met the entire family, hugs, kisses and food stuffed down my mouth, my Italian friend revealed want he wanted me to do. I was to climb to the top of a clothesline pole and replace the pulley wheel with which the clothesline can travel. The original one broke. Now, I know I was young and agile, but climbing a pole? Did I mention that all my new Italian friends were overweight? And the children were too young. I actually didn’t have a choice, they all surrounded me, talking Italian and laughing while they put they pulley and the tools in my pockets, I’m glad I didn’t wear a dress, and they led, prodded and pulled me to the pole and lifted me up. So, before I even realized it, I was climbing a clothesline pole. It was a little scary being 4 stories up, but my Italian friends encouraged me from the open kitchen window giving me instructions from below. I replaced the pulley without any trouble at all and inched my way back down the pole with a nice hot Italian meal waiting for me.