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Tip of the Week: Control Bread Additives

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:32:23 +0000

You can drastically reduce the amount of preservatives and additives your family eats in prepared foods, by making one or two loaves of bread in your bread maker every week. ...

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Would You Keep This Fan in Service?

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:45:06 +0000

Every once in a while I come across an appliance that has more value for metal scrap than its function or condition. Don't get me wrong, I have some old kitchen appliances that still work very well and that I rely on heavily, even if one button or feature no longer works. And I'm a strong believer in taking good care of appliances to extend their life and save money - it's the smart, frugal thing to do.

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Save Money Heating Water With a Timer

Sat, 18 May 2013 06:05:55 +0000

In order to reduce our electricity bills, we installed a GE 24-hour mechanical timer on our water heater. It's a process a handyman can do by following detailed instructions or securing the help of an electrician. I expect the timer to pay for itself in a couple of months as energy savings add up.

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Lenox Opal Innocence Silver - Elegant Styling

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:02:52 +0000

Fine china tends to exude a certain amount of elegance even with a rather plain design. That's why basic white china is such a popular choice for a formal table. Let's call it neutral tabletop finery, where you can dress it up or down simply by adding colorful table linens or plate chargers and it never becomes 'old'.

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Canning - Getting Started Checklist

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:07:25 +0000

Before you know it, canning time will be here. Some start their canning cycle with jams and jellies, as soon as the local berry harvest is ready. Whether you're new to canning or have been preserving foods for eons, you'll want to have all the supplies you need, when it's time to start. So this is a good time to take stock and review your supply of canning jars, lids and other preserving supplies.

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Tip of the Week: For Temporary Shelving, Use a Folding Rack

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:31:08 +0000

If you only need storage shelves during certain times of the year or a rack that is super easy to close and transport or store, an Origami Rack is the perfect solution. It's a shelving unit that folds taking very little room when stored.

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Yonanas - Guilt-Free Frozen Desserts

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:05:10 +0000

Yonanas - my new best friend. A Yonanas machine is a great way to make dairy-free frozen treats and you can make a nice dessert even with only one frozen banana. This machine was a joy to use and I also found it pretty quick to take apart and clean. It performed as advertised with a soft-serve output that rivals some gourmet ice creams, but without dairy.

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True or False: All Blenders Can Crush Ice

Mon, 13 May 2013 06:38:18 +0000

False. Not all blenders can easily crush ice for smoothies or icy drinks. A blender must be designed with ice crushing in mind, have enough power and a strong blade mechanism to crush ice without burning out. The blade should also be designed for optimum blending with ice. Power requirements can vary by design. For a counter blender, look for at least 500 watts of power, the more - the better.

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Dehydrate Herbs, Fruits, Veggies and Make Jerky

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:30:19 +0000

While some use their range oven to dehydrate fruits or make jerky, it's not really the most energy efficient method. It's also not always the best when it comes to drying foods evenly, nor convenient since it ties up your oven for several hours. A dehydrator is more convenient and generally does a much better job in less time.

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A Better Reach for Windows

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:02:39 +0000

At this time of year, windows generally need a cleaning to remove the winter dust and grime. But climbing can be downright dangerous for some, so it's important to make sure that you climb safely or use cleaning tools that reduce the need to climb. This extendable window washer extends your normal reach and makes it quicker and safer to clean windows. While it can't help you clean the second level windows, it certainly can give you a better reach to the main floor glass. Learn more about this Mallory extendable window washer.

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