Your home's heating and the cooling system act as the lungs of the property as it works to take air in and exhaust air out of the structure. And...just like the rest of your house, it can build up with mold, mildew, dust and debris. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living in a typical six-room home. Additionally, the Environmental … [Read more...]
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Time to Show Your Home Some Love
As the saying goes, home is where the heart is. And, there's no better time to show your home some love than the month of February. You don't need to spend a lot of money to show your home that you care. Five simple ways to give your home some much-appreciated affection Shed extra weight. You don't have to wait for spring to roll around to get rid of the junk that may be piling up in your closets or garage. … [Read more...]
The Evolution of an Industry: How Property Insurance Has Changed Through The Years
Disasters and property insurance go hand and hand. We know disasters are nothing new, but did you know property insurance is not either? The property insurance industry has been around for centuries but continues to evolve as we enter the modern landscape of coverage. What is Insurance? First, let's take a look at what insurance actually IS. Insurance helps address the reality of risk. The risk is unavoidable in … [Read more...]
Where There Is Smoke, There is Damage
'Tis the Season for...fires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, "Winter is the peak season for U.S. home fires; cooking and heating are the leading causes." In addition, candle, decoration and Christmas tree fires peak in December." That does not mean your business is safe either, how many of your employees use space heaters under their desk (if I'm being honest, I have one on right now)? There are … [Read more...]
Christmas Sweet Treat Recipe
In search of a dessert recipe for the Christmas holiday? Not only is this festive mix great for pleasing a crowd, it's also a perfect party favor, teacher gift or potluck dessert. Snowflake Mix Prep Time: 10 minutes Cool Time: 1-hour Yield: 16 cups Ingredients 3 cups bite-size rice square cereal 3 cups bite-size corn square cereal 1 cup small pretzel twists or sticks 1 cup honey-roasted … [Read more...]
Christmas Savory Snack Recipe
Crostini is one of the easiest things you can make in your kitchen and the sky's the limit in terms of what you top them with. The word literally means “little toasts” and it doesn’t get much more complicated than a slather of butter and a short journey in the oven. Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini Total Time: 25 minutes Yields: 12 Crostini Ingredients 2 Tablespoons butter, melted 2 … [Read more...]
Christmas Family Fun
Christmas is a time for family, joy, and fun! Here are a few ways to maximize family time during the holiday season: Start a new Christmas Tradition Make a quick switch from everyday to holiday by swapping out your throw pillows. It’s an inexpensive and easy way to redecorate a room and change your look for the Christmas season. Start an annual holiday tradition of taking family members to pick out a Christmas … [Read more...]
Decorating your Home for Christmas
If you love to be crafty and do-it-yourself projects, we've got some great ideas that will help dress up your home for the holidays! Peppermint Christmas Tree This sweet Christmas tree was made with a Styrofoam cone, onto which peppermints were glued. Displayed on pillar candlesticks, they would make great table or mantle decorations. Mix it Up! Have a certain color theme you want to match? Substitute the … [Read more...]
Decorating your Home for Hanukkah
Looking for some ideas to add some glitz and glamor to your home for the Hanukkah season? Embellish your Mantel to Shimmer and Shine This mantel proves that all the pieces don't have to match in order to achieve an overall stunning design. Mixing winter white hydrangea's with silver, gold, and mercury-glass to create a truly timeless look. Item #1: Target.com Item #2: Walmart.com Item #3: … [Read more...]
Hanukkah Family Fun
Trying to find ways to get the entire family excited and ready for Hanukkah? Check out these fun crafts that kids of all ages will enjoy! Star-Punched Paper Hurricanes Hurricane vases and votive candle holders are wrapped in star-punched paper - an easy way to spread warmth throughout your home or office spaces. Allow the kids to embellish the wrapping and get … [Read more...]
Hanukkah Savory Snack Recipe
Fried foods are a highlight of Hanukkah meals, especially foods fried in olive oil. Both are a nod to the holiday, which celebrates a lamp in a destroyed Jerusalem temple that burned for eight days on very little oil. This recipe is based on a preparation that originated in Rome’s Jewish ghetto. Fried Baby Artichokes Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 10 Ingredients 20 baby artichokes (about 4 ounces … [Read more...]
Hanukkah Sweet Treat Recipe
Rugelach, doughnuts and cookies – oh, my! There are many delicious recipes that end your Hanukkah meal in the traditional way or with a sweet twist. I for one am obsessed with cupcakes. They are easy to eat, already portioned out so I don’t overindulge…and they are just adorable! Cupcakes have always been popular, but in the early 2000’s, gourmet cupcakes started exploding in terms of popularity. And today, the … [Read more...]