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Showing posts from October, 2017

Making the Rounds: How to Shop for a Mattress in Stores

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10/29/17 Shared from our friends at Serta . We’re proud to offer a wide-variety of mattress options to suit a wide variety of sleep preferences, from those who like memory foam to those who want a mattress with the most technologically advanced innerspring coils. But sometimes, more options make for difficult decisions! That’s why we list all of our retail partners online — so you can research what you like best on our website and then go experience mattresses in person. To find the best bed for you, follow these steps:   Find your local Serta retailer Check out our  store locator . Simply input your zip code and find the mattress store nearest you that carries Serta mattresses. But before you go, make sure to plan ahead. If you’ve thought through your mattress decision and done a little research, your trip to the store will be much easier. Pre-plan your visit Before you show up to test a new mattress, think about what you’re looking for. Consider the ...

Meal Prep Sunday - by GE Appliances

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10/22/17 Shared from our friends at GE APPLIANCES . Meal Prep Sunday: How Your Kitchen Can Help ·          Plan, plan, plan.  Make a list, figure out what you need, and put time on your schedule to stock up on groceries. ·          Search for recipes that share a main ingredient.  For example, if you find casserole and pasta faves that feature noodles as a main ingredient, it's easy to cook that ingredient all at once. ·          Work your freezer.  The freezer is a meal-prepper's best friend. Choose recipes that can easily double, and freeze the extras for super-busy weeks. ·          Give your fridge an organization makeover.  Designate a dinner-prep spot for chopped-up ingredients, storage containers, and extras. Stash things using the front-to-back method: First part of the week goes u...

The Surprising Science Behind the Changing of Seasons and Your Sleep

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10/19/17 Shared from our friends at Simmon's Beautyrest The seasons are changing! In addition to back-to-school prep, wardrobe changes and falling  leaves, autumn, like other seasons, has an effect 1  on your sleep performance. Whether you realize it or not, part of gearing up for the fall months means considering what you can do to maintain optimal sleep performance amidst the changing seasons. LIGHT'S EFFECT ON MELATONIN The shorter days of fall and winter mean less sunlight, which directly impacts melatonin production. 2  This is a key sleep hormone that affects you throughout the day. In fact, increased darkness and associated melatonin levels are directly related to the sluggishness or tired feelings many people report in the winter. Lack of sunlight exposure also means you get less vitamin D. This impacts your mood as well because vitamin D levels directly affect serotonin production. Serotonin is the hormone responsible for feelings of joy, and lo...

13 Favorite Kitchen Shortcuts from Paula Deen

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With school back in session, the lazy summer days are over, and our schedules are jam-packed with activities. That’s why we’re always looking to save time and make our lives a little easier. These are some of our favorite shortcuts in the kitchen to help us do just that. Cool Drinks Faster :  Add your drinks to a cooler or bucket, and pour ice over your drinks. Add some cold water and spin it a bit if you’re really in a hurry. Then, add more ice and top it all with course salt. Prevent Brown Sugar from Hardening :  Placing a few marshmallows into your sealed brown sugar container will help prevent your brown sugar from hardening. Peel Garlic Quickly & Easily :  To quickly and easily peel garlic, remove your cloves from the bulb, and place them in a bowl. Top that bowl with another bowl, and SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE! When you’re finished, the garlic cloves and the skin should be separated. Grate Fresh Mozzarella:  Fresh mozzarella is delicio...

Remodeling Trends of 2017 - England Furniture

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10/12/17 Shared from our friends at England Furniture . When you’re refreshing your home, try to pick up some trends to incorporate into the new look. Today’s home trends are less modern and more traditional, so you won’t be stuck with something you won’t like in a few years. Here are some great home trends: Exposed Wood and Brick This element can make a space look more true to its architectural roots. Exposed elements like wood and brick are reminiscent of a farmhouse vibe, but they can also look upscale when accessorized with other more modern elements. Contrasting Crown Molding This trick actually makes your room look bigger. Thick white crown molding contrasting with a darker color, like gray, are an interior designer’s go-to look. Furniture can pick up on the gray in the wall, as featured in this photo.  This  England Furniture  piece, the EZ Motion Reclining Sofa with Nails EZ1C01N is perfect for a space that needs a little improvement. Arched Wi...

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Dip Recipe

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10/11/17 THIS MILDLY SPICY DIP IS SURE TO PLEASE AT YOUR NEXT GATHERING. SHRIMP AND AVOCADOS ARE COMBINED WITH A CREAMY SAUCE AND THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF HEAT AND LIME. SERVE WITH TORTILLA CHIPS OR VEGGIES FOR A GREAT APPETIZER. Shared from our friends at GE Appliance . Servings: 8 - 10 Prep Time:  25 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil ½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced Kosher salt 1/3 cup sour cream ¼ cup cream cheese, room temperature 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon lime zest 2 tablespoons lime juice, divided 1 avocado 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped 1 jalapeƱo, minced 3 green onions, thinly sliced METHOD: Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the chopped shrimp and garlic with a large pinch of kosher salt. Cook over medium-high heat until the shrimp is fully cooked (about 2 minutes). Set aside to cool. In a ...

Keeping New Sneakers Clean

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10/5/17 Shared from our friends at Speed Queen . Tips for Keeping New Sneakers Looking Nice How To Wash and Protect Your Shoes You just bought the kids new sneakers for the school year—and those shoes look absolutely perfect in the first-day-of-school photo. But, if history is a good teacher, you know their shiny newness won’t last. Take heart! We’ve got a few tips for keeping back-to-school shoes in tip-top shape, all year long. Keeping Sneakers Clean Keeping your kids’ tennis shoes clean can be a challenge, especially when they are running around the playground and jumping in puddles at the bus stop. Use these tips will keep your child’s shoes looking fresh: Spot treat.  Remove small stains easily with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser® or a stain remover pen. Change the laces.  Changing out dingy laces with new ones, or washing the old laces, is an easy way to brighten up shoes. Protect your shoes.  Avoid water stains and dirt by spraying shoes with a ...