July 2010 Newsletter

FOOD & DINING

Home at the Grill: Tips and Tools for this Summer Season

The weather is warm, your spirits are high, and the grill is getting hot. Before you toss on the charcoals or purchase a new propane tank, take a minute to read through some of these fun grilling tips.

A few prepping tips:

• Your grill, gas or charcoal, should be cleaned after every use with a stiff wire brush. The black buildup that forms on the grates could be full of carcinogens.
• Consider an electric starter or chimney starter instead of lighter fluid. These handy devices conserve money and make your meat taste better.
• Brining, the act of submerging your meat in saltwater for several hours before cooking, infuses meat and poultry with additional flavor and moisture. Brine meat for roughly an hour and make sure that your water (or any other liquid of your choice) has 1 cup of table salt to each gallon of water. Creating a brine is only limited to your imagination. In addition to water, mix in juices, beer, wine, or any spices to add extra flavor and punch.
• Consider a cooking spray like the Weber G

  

  rill'N Spray. Safe to use on a hot grill or open flame, this cooking spray helps coat the grill making cooking easier as well as less food residue to deal with at clean up.

Temperature Control: it can make a difference!

• Searing: the way to go for a crusty exterior and cooler center. Start your grill at a high temperature to sear the surface of the meat, then lower the temperature to finish it off. This is a great method for pork chops, chicken, and roasts.
• Slow roasting: slow and low is the way for getting your meat fall off the bone tender. Great for pork butts and chicken, roasting should be done on a grill using indirect heat. If using charcoal you want to bank coals on both sides of the grill, and if using gas or gas powered infrared, use the outer racks.
• Medium/high heat: the most popular and consistent temperature to grill meat. Perfect for steaks, cooking over direct heat is an easy and quick way to get the job done. With a well oiled grate, lay the steak down and cook a few minutes on each side until done to your liking.

Buying Supplies:

• The smartest time to buy a grill, charcoal or gas, is late summer when stores are slashing prices in order to clear inventory space. Try finding these discounted grills at Home Depot through Home Life Perks and receive between 1.5% and 3.75% cash back perks..
• There are a few vital accessories you need to accompany your grill. Try cooking.com's Kingsford BBQ set. Purchase through Home Life Perks and receive between 1.0% to 3.5% cash back perks.
• A brass bristle cleaning brush removes food reside without damaging your grates.Try Sur la Table's Ash and charcoal hoe through Home Life Perks and receive 3.5% cash back perks with this purchase.
• If you use a charcoal grill, a chimney starter is an easy and efficient way to light and heat charcoal before adding it to the grill.
• A durable spatula will allow you to lift and turn food on the grill without losing flavorful juices. Purchase this at Home Life Perks through cooking.com's and earn 2.5% cash back perks.
• Silicone brushes, used for basting, saucing, and mopping food, are heat resistant. Try the La Crueset basting brush through cooking.com's on Home Life Perks and earn 2.5% cash back.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Is it time to go Hybrid?

July, the most expensive month for gas, is the perfect time to discuss conserving fuel. A question some may be asking themselves, is it time to go hybrid? Hybrid technology has actually been around for over 100 years, but only has gained popularity and familiarity with the American public the last decade. Auto makers have answered the demands of consumers to offer more efficient and economical alternative energy vehicles. From electric cars to vehicles running on hydrogen and solar power, alternative technology has grown greatly.

A Hybrid vehicle, simply stated, is an automobile that has two or more major sources of propulsion power. Most hybrid cars currently on the market have both conventional gasoline and electric motors, with the ability to power the vehicle by either one independently or both working together in tandem. The first mass produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius, was introduced to the American market in 2000. However, with the growing popularity of hybrid technology, every major carmaker has hybrid vehicles for each of their models. Coupled with luxury automakers like Lexus, Cadillac, and BMW, hybrid technology is available to a higher income demographic without sacrificing luxury and brand recognition.

Overall, hybrid technology is capable of drastically changing our world. The face of alternative technology is changing daily. Fuel efficient vehicles can offer benefits like tax incentives, cost savings at the pump, reduced carbon footprint, as well as America's dependence on foreign oil. In light of the recent oil spill in the Gulf, we all know how important this is. Although at home and abroad it appears that there have been amazing advancements in green technology, we still have far to go, and the future holds exciting developments.

In this issue:

• Essential Grilling Tips
• Is it Time to Go Hybrid?
• Debugging Products
• Indoor Air Quality Control

	Summer Fun!
Hello from Home Life Perks, your go-to source for savvy shopping, fantastic discounts and meaningful home and life content. If you have not yet registered for this free program, click here in order to do so. Enjoy your Perks! Sincerely, Jodi Bakst

MARINADE RECIPES

Spicy lime ginger

Ideal for grilled shrimp and fish

• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon or lime marmalade
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Red wine marinade

Ideal for chicken or turkey breasts

• 2 cups dry red wine
• 1/2 cups olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy or teriyaki sauce
• 4 scallions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes in order to combine flavors.

DRY RUB RECIPES

Pulled pork rub

Great for pork butts

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 3 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon (or more) cayenne
• 1 (6 to 8 pound) pork roast, preferably shoulder or Boston butt

For best results, marinate overnight in the refrigerator in a large Ziploc bag.

Ragin Cajun rub

Ideal for chicken or fish

• 1/2 cup paprika
• 6 tablespoons Kosher (coarse) salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper, coarsely ground
• 3 tablespoons basil, dried
• 3 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons oregano, dried
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons white pepper
• 2 tablespoons thyme, dried

• Typically, hybrid cars, depending on the make and the maker, get 40-60 miles to the gallon.
• There are currently close to 3 million personal hybrid vehicles in use worldwide.
• The Chevy Volt is going to be the first mass produced electric vehicle available in the USA. The Volt will qualify for the maximum federal tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles, $7,500.
• Currently, the electric battery can go for 40 miles without using any emissions. 81% of Americans commute less than 40 miles roundtrip per day!
• The Toyota Prius has a 5 year cost ownership 40.3% lower than the cost of comparable non-hybrid vehicles.
• In several states hybrid drivers enjoy additional perks like the ability to drive in carpool lanes and free parking.
• Honda leads the way with future technologies, like solar hydrogen stations for the community and home, that would power fuel cell vehicles.
• Green diesel vehicles, already popular in Europe, are aiming to produce vehicles that can get up to 190 mpg.
• Solar powered vehicles, that run on energy from the sun, allow people to charge plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) through solar panels installed on their homes.

If you can't quite go hybrid... make sure to take advantage of these fuel saving tips:

• Drive with the windows up on the highway. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
• You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
• Keep your speed down. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.
• Avoid rough roads if you can. Gravel and dirt roads can use up to 30% more gas.
• Lighten your load: do not keep unnecessary objects in your vehicle. It causes more gas consumption, esp. while driving on an incline.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN

Control the Pests: How to Zap Mosquitoes this Summer Season

The time has come yet again to arm yourself against the bugs. Swatting, slapping away, bug spray slathered skin and the scent of citronella candles in the air. Yup, it's the height of summer.

Personal Repellents:

OFF Clip-on: The portable device hooks on to the waist of your pants and includes a refillable disk of repellent. Once the device is turned on air is drawn into the device, passes through the repellent disk and exits out the bottom. A battery operated fan circulates repellent around the user creating head to toe protection. Purchase this product at Drugstore.com through Home Life Perks and receive up to 5% cash back perks.

Bug Off! Adult Biting Insect Repelling Wrist Band: Biting insect repelling band lasts up to 180 hours. Easy to use, just slip on wrist or ankle and is ready to go. Non-toxic band is waterproof, DEET free and has no greasy feel. Purchase this product at Drugstore.com through Home Life Perks and receive up to 5% cash back perks.

Bite Blocker Insect Repellent Herbal Wipes: Bite Blocker's proven effective formula will protect you and your family against mosquitoes and black flies for up to 3 hours. This organic formula is safe to use on the entire family. For maximum protection, re-apply every 2 hours. Purchase this product at Drugstore.com through Home Life Perks and receive up to 5% cash back perks.

Outdoor Repellents:

OFF PowerPad Outdoor Lantern: Do you enjoy dining or lounging outdoors during the summer season? If so, try the OFF PowerPad Outdoor Lantern. It provides an area of protection 15x greater than a regular citronella candle, the size of most patios or decks. Refills available, and harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Keep out of reach of children. For outdoor use only. Do not use indoors or in other enclosed areas. Be sure to wash hands after handling. Purchase this product at Drugstore.com through Home Life Perks and receive up to 5% cash back perks.

Yard and Deck Fogger II: Simply spray OFF Yard and Deck Area Repellent II on the area to be treated, including furniture legs and foliage. It repels mosquitoes, gnats, flies and small moths. Environmental hazards: This pesticide is toxic to fish and should not be applied directly to any body of water. Purchase this product at Walgreens.com through Home Life Perks and receive up to 5.25% cash back perks!

Carbon Dioxide Mosquito Traps: These traps lure mosquitoes by emitting carbon dioxide, drawing them in, and then capturing them by a vacuum or adhesive. These traps produce carbon dioxide by burning propane. Costing between $300- $1,500, they have been known to work, but are not the silver bullet many believe them to be. They do not work on all species of insects, so it is possible to still have a mosquito problem even with one on your property. Purchase through Ace Hardware at Home Life Perks to earn up to 3.0% cash back perks.

HOME

Problem: High levels of humidity and mold in your home

In order to make sure this does not become a problem for you, monitor and reduce the levels of moisture and water in your home. Mold can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. Mold grows when the air in your humid becomes overly humid. Mold in the home can present health problems due to their link with allergens. It can lead to a slew of health problems from asthma to hay fever to skin rashes.

Make sure moisture levels in your home are kept at an appropriate level. Exhaust fans in bathrooms help this problem. Humidifiers can also help by either removing an over abundance of moisture, or by adding necessary moisture to overly dry air. Humidifiers are available in most major stores and can range in price from $30-$200. Whole home humidifiers are touted to be superior to their individual counterparts by also helping to decrease the premature aging of your home's structure.

Problem: Keep dangerous chemicals out of your home.

Dangerous chemicals are found in almost every single home, sometimes where you least expect them. Lurking in seemingly innocent household products like paint and cleaning products, a few preventative measures can help you avoid toxic chemicals in your home.

One of the easiest changes to make is investing in non-toxic paint. New low VOC paints on the market are durable, cost-effective, and better for the air quality in your home. Cleaning products that contain bleach and phosphates can be hazardous to the air quality in your home and the rest of the planet. Instead, use eco-friendly products like Seventh Generation, or make your own eco-friendly cleaning products with household ingredients like baking soda and white distilled vinegar for a more affordable alternative.

Some plastics in your home, such as storage containers, garbage bags and even cosmetics, can contain phthalates. Avoid products with high levels of this toxin, by checking the ingredient list of products through the Environmental Working Group. http://www.ewg.org

Problem: Ventilation

Circulate air by using exhaust vents or fans to reduce condensation. The laundry room, bathrooms and kitchen should have vented exhaust fans. Ventilation, the act of pulling dangerous pollutants out of your home, is a very important exercise. Run the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen. Install ceiling fans throughout your home for proper air circulation. Open your windows and let some fresh air in! Make sure you have a good exhaust system in place for appliances and stoves. Indoor air pollutants and inadequate ventilation are the main culprits in poor air quality in the home. Cleaning your vents and air ducts on a continual basis is vital for clean air.

Suggestions to improve air quality:

New HVAC filters:

Changing out old HVAC filters is the most important and easiest way to immediately improve the air quality in your home. Trapped dust and allergens are removed when a new filter is added. Look for new products from Filtrete™ designed to stop particles, not airflow. Shop for these at Home Depot and earn up to 3.75% cash back perks.

Air Ionizers:

An air ionizer is a device that is intended to purify the air. As its name implies, instead of using fans and filters, an air ionizer creates ions which remove microscopic particles from the air. Ionizers conserve power and run silently, unlike fan-driven air purifiers. Ionizers can reduce levels of histamine in the air, improve your serotonin levels, and enhance the way the body absorbs and utilizes oxygen. Shop these at Ace Hardware through Home Life Perks and receive 3.0% cash back perks.

Air Purifiers:

An air purifier is a device which removes containments from the air. Marketed to mostly allergy sufferers or asthmatics, air purifiers can either be stand alone machines, or hooked up to your HVAC system to penetrate larger parts of your home. When buying an air purifier make sure to ask for the square footage it covers and the amount of time it clears the air in the room per hour. The standard is generally four times per hour.

• HEPA Filter Air Purifier - 99.97% effective at removing particles as small as .3 microns. Good for problems with dust, pollen and other allergens. HEPA filters offer the best purification of allergens.
• UV Air Purifiers - use for mold and bacteria. Emits UV light that kills microbiological contaminants such as mold, fungus, and bacteria
• Carbon Air Purifiers - uses activated carbon that acts like a sponge and absorbs most airborne gases and chemicals. For tobacco smoke or odors.

Air purifiers can be purchased through Ace Hardware. Shop with Home Life Perks and receive 3.0% cash back perks on that purchase!

A few helpful resources to learn more about indoor air purity:

• Read more about indoor air quality: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/indoor-air-quality-47020101#ixzz0poQ6p8pe
• Learn more about healthy air at home from the American Lung Association: http://www.lungusa.org/healthy-air/home/
• Learn more about air purifiers: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/allergiesallergiesairpurifiers.html