Furnaces are kicking in across the U.S. as temperatures sink. Alas, keeping warm comes with a higher sticker price each year, no matter what type of heating system you use. According to CNN Money, the average bill for a home using heating oil is more than $320 per month while gas users fork over $160 monthly.
Comfort Zones
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Turkey Mac Soup Hearty, homemade, family-friendly soup is a welcome warmer on a chilly night—especially during this busy season.
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According to a recent survey by the Cleaning Institute Organization, 96 percent of people think it’s important to have a clean home. But with busy schedules, we sometimes fall short.
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Do you eat enough fruits and vegetables every day? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans should fill half their plate with fruits and vegetables. Most people don’t come near that amount.
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Colder temperatures, snow, and ice can do some damage on the exterior of your home, especially to wooden decks. There are three steps to winterizing your deck: Give your deck a good wash. Start by removing furniture and planters for storage. Moisture caught between the deck and planters or furniture can seep into the wood [...]
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A smartphone app could help people who need to document damages from this weekend’s Hurricane Irene for their insurance claims. The Disaster Recovery Log app helps you record information about damages to your home and property using text, images and audio. Download Disaster Recovery Log from the Android Market—it’s free!
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Severe rain storms can cause electrical outages. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an immediate danger and more prevalent during bad weather. Safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning during bad weather: In the event of power outages, take these precautions: Do not bring portable generators, propane stoves, charcoal grills, and any gas-powered equipment into the home [...]
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Last week’s earthquake on the East Coast was a preview of what to expect when Hurricane Irene approaches this weekend. Many people could not use their cell phones or land lines and had to rely on Twitter and Facebook to communicate. The immediate transfer of information that social networks provides becomes even more important during [...]
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June 20 is Ice Cream Soda Day! Join the celebration by making this bubbly cool treat that consists of ice cream, flavored syrup, and carbonated water (and often topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry). For a twist on the original chocolate ice cream soda recipe, try: Ina Garten’s Raspberry and Chocolate ice cream [...]
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This Fruit Blast Smoothie is just one example of an easy, delicious, and nutritious drink that can be ready in just minutes. Six different fruits provide not only a summery fruit flavor blast, but also all of the vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber that you get from fresh fruit. And eggs* add a protein punch.