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Thursday, October 19, 2017

Natural Carpet Cleaning Can Help the Princeton Environment And You


Regardless of whether you are a stay-at-home Princeton parent or a parent that works all day, keeping a home, pets and youngsters safe is a major concern.You do your best to keep your home spotless and free of  poisons and chemicals to keep your living condition sound. Keeping rugs clean can be a battle with a bustling family; an awesome alternative for you to consider for your floor coverings is natural cover cleaning.

Natural cleaners are made of 100% citrus components , dissimilar to some cleaning formulas that are brimming with  chemicals that can be destructive to you, your family and pets. When you switch your cleaning  to  natural solutions, you are likewise helping the earth. When regular cleaning chemicals are employed, those chemicals  will be discharged into the air, water or soil. When this happens, the nature of the earth will diminish, making it hard for vegetation to develop and grow.

Utilizing natural cleaners will help the future ages of your family.  In this day and age numerous pesticides are utilized as a part of our cleaning items, as well as in the nourishment we eat each day. Bringing down the measure of pesticides utilized will help our bodies. From the time we are babies our bodies are presented to the pesticides found on nourishment we eat. Natural agriculturists don't utilize pesticides on their crops, improving the taste.

Here at Allstate, we utilize a low dampness, plant construct natural cleaner in light of your floor coverings and textiles. This cleaning arrangement has been intended to haul out any soil, microorganisms, smell or stains that have been set into your carpets. As the solutions interacts with your fibers, the natural chemicals inside the cleaner will enact and pull the stains up easily. The most valuable part, your rugs will be dry in around 60 minutes. The reason your rugs will dry so quickly is because of the low measure of dampness the cleaner contains.

Natural carpet cleaning is being utilized increasingly by Princeton families, not only for the well being and security it gives, yet additionally for the cost and the short measure of time it takes to  dry their rugs. Once your rugs and textiles are cleaned naturally , you won't need to stress over your family being exposed to  cleaning companies that use harsh chemicals. Sparing nature is the future for our youngsters. Begin helping now by utilizing natural items in your home having your floor coverings professionally cleaned by a certified natural textile cleaner. For more details about non-toxic carpet, upholstery , floor and drapery cleaning in Princeton and the surrounding areas  visit  www.AllstateCleaning.Com

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Brain Dead Easy Ricotta Cheese Recipe You Can Make At Home

  • 2 cups whole milk

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat milk and salt over medium-high heat. Scrape and stir while milk is heating to avoid a cooked milk layer on bottom of pan. 

 

2. When milk begins to simmer (or registers 165-185 degrees on an instant-read thermometer), add vinegar, reduce heat to low and stir constantly until curds rise and separate from liquid whey, 1-2 minutes.

 

3. Remove pan from heat and spoon (don’t pour) curds into a sieve lined with a double layer of paper towels. Drain to desired consistency: 5 minutes for a more liquid result, up to 2 hours for something firmer.

Sunday, September 3, 2017

How To Avoid Fake Olive Oil

Do you know that your extra virgin olive oil is probably fake, thanks to the Mob? Did you know that the Mafia is making a small fortune selling fake olive oil or that olive oil is a $1.5 billion dollar industry in the United States alone? In fact, olive oil is currently Europe’s most adulterated agricultural product! 70% of the extra virgin olive oil sold is adulterated — cut with cheaper oils.

Many olive oil scams involve straightforward mixing of low-grade vegetable oils, flavored and colored with plant extracts and sold in tins and bottles emblazoned with the Italian flags or paintings of Mount Vesuvius, together with the folksy names of imaginary producers. More sophisticated scams,  typically take place in high-tech laboratories, where cheaper oils of various kinds, made from olives, but also from seeds and nuts, are processed and blended in ways that are extremely difficult to detect with chemical tests

Mob Controlled Olive Oil


Olive oil racketeering is one of the Italian Mafia’s most lucrative businesses. Their success can be measured by the fact that most olive oil sold is either adulterated or completely fake. In fact  two-thirds of all extra virgin olive oil is fake!


Since genuine olive oil is costly and time consuming to produce, yet easy to adulterate but difficult to detect the real from the fake and in high demand, producing fake olive oil would prove to be an enormous moneymaking enterprise for Mafioso fraudsters. In the original Godfather novel, protagonist Don Vito Corleone was known as the " olive king" but did you know his character was based on a real-life olive oil mobster named Joe Profacani?

 Olive oil has been highly valued as a food and as a medicine in Mediterranean culture for over 2,000 years. During Roman times, per-capita consumption of olive oil was estimated to be up to fifty liters a year.The most coveted type of olive oil is extra virgin. 

In chemical terms extra virgin olive oil is described as having a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.8 grams per 100 grams and a peroxide value of less than 20 milliequivalent O2. It must be produced entirely by mechanical means without the use of any solvents, and under temperatures that will not degrade the oil .

The following brands which were labeled extra-virgin failed to meet extra-virgin olive oil standards:


 Bertolli• Carapelli• Filippo Berio• Mazzola• Mezzetta• Newman’s Own• Pompeian• Rachel Ray• Safeway• Star• Whole Foods

These brands did meet extra-virgin olive oil standards:

 Corto Olive• California Olive Ranch• Kirkland Organic• Lucero (Ascolano)• McEvoy Ranch Organic


Sunday, August 27, 2017

How To Increase Your Home’s Value By $16,0000 For $200

A new analysis of more than 32,000 home pics showed a home value increase just by painting the walls in popular colors.

Paint  your front door navy blue and watch your home value rise by $1500. To rack up another $1500, make sure the home exterior is and mix of gray and beige. Then pocket an extra $1800 in value by painting the kitchen walls in light blue or soft gray blue.

Switch our your living room walls to light beige, pale taupe or oatmeal and watch your home’s value soar another $1800. Then cover the bedroom walls in light cerulean blue or cadet blue and score another $1800 in worth.

Then do the dining room walls in slate blue, pale gray blue or navy blue and notch up another cool $1900 in value. Then paint the bathroom in light powder blue to periwinkle and watch your home’s value jump another $5400. A few hundred dollars in paint, some elbow grease and  get ready to score an extra $16,000 when you sell your house.   

 

5 High Paying Jobs You Can Get Without A College Degree

5 High Paying Jobs You Can Get Without A College Degree

Not everyone wants to go to college.

The mere idea of spending four or more years trudging between university lecture halls, writing papers and taking exams is more than some people can bear — not to mention the cost of tuition, and the burden of student-loan debt.

While it’s often thought that those who opt out of college limit their employability, career options and earning potential, that’s not necessarily the case.

“There are plenty of great jobs that pay well for people who don’t have degrees. At the end of the day, she  college degrees don’t make or break careers. When people ask managers what was special about their best hires, the answers tend to be things like “she’s a team player” or “he shows initiative.”
“It’s never about whether they went to college, or where.

What jobs are we talking about? We looked at data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, Indeed.com and LinkedIn, and then cross-checked the data with hiring managers to make sure they had actual vacancies.

So here are the hottest jobs that don’t require a degree.

App developers

There are more than 3 million apps available in the Google Play store and more than 2.2 million in Apple’s app store, never mind the millions on Facebook. Each one has been coded by someone. Someone who doesn’t necessarily have a college degree or even a reputation for being a geek.

Everyone can, and should, learn to code in 15 weeks or less. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an app developer is $97,789.

Administrative services managers

It pays to excel in minding other people’s business — their calendars, agendas, mail, meetings, priorities — and orchestrating details so that everything runs smoothly. It’s not the kind of thing you study in college, but something that you learn to do on the job..

You might start as an executive assistant or in customer services, and then become an office manager.
The people who get to the next rung of that ladder are especially in high demand, reports Indeed.com.

Administrative services managers can earn as much as $110,000 in big cities..

Loan officers

Sure, to work in banking you have to be good at math, but what you learned in high school may be enough to start you off in the lending industry.


And while the starting pay might be under $20 an hour,  Glassdoor data says  loan officers can earn more than $139,000.

Certified computer professionals

It’s an absolute myth that you have to have a degree in computer science to earn a healthy living working in the tech industry.

Not only that, but having the right certification will give you a leg up on people who only have bachelor’s degrees because passing the exam is proof that you have the skills.

Anyone can sign up and take a course, although six to 12 months of actual lab experience is recommended. Workers who have the basic CompTIA+ certification, for example, earn around $50,000. Add a second certification, and your paycheck goes up to $80,000. Pre-certification courses are available nationwide and online. The average salary in the industry is $108,900.

Sales managers

Good business-to-business salespeople are hard to find. Those who consistently meet their quotas are rare. So while some companies list a degree as a prerequisite for employment, they will sometimes forgo the requirement for recruits who are perennially successful and can deliver.

“If a hiring manager is in a hurry to fill a role and needs to choose between a person who can eat the competition for lunch and a person who has a degree, they’ll choose the closer.

Sales managers in big cities earn an average of $89,238, reports Indeed.com, with a few superstars making more than $200,000.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Nine Things Happy People DON'T Do

1. Happy people DON’T blame other people for their problems.
If we take responsibility for our problems, then we take responsibility for
solving those problems.

2. Happy people DON’T react to the present moment.
If we catch ourselves fearing that a negative recent event is devastating or
is? permanent, we should ask ourselves, what can we learn from this? Or
how can we become wiser and /or stronger from this?

3. Happy people DON’T use negative language. If we catch ourselves
using negative language toward ourselves and others, we should mentally
re-write the story we’re telling.  An example would be if we think we look
awful each time we notice wrinkles, we should learn to respect the wrinkles
as signs of wisdom and experience.

4. Happy people DON’T feel trapped. When we feel trapped by circumstances
we should ask ourselves how we can manage ourselves better.

5. Happy people DON’T focus on a single passion or relationship. They
usually have multiple hobbies, belong to multiple clubs or organizations ,and
socialize with a broad range of different friends and acquaintances.   

6. Happy people DON’T dwell on past failures. When an old failure comes
to mind, we should think about how we re-bounded from it, when we learned from
it or what we could learn from it.

7. Happy people DON'T spend more time than necessary around unhappy people.
We should avoid unhappy people. When we must spend time among them, we should
 it as a learning experience . Then we should try to discover what makes these people so
miserable so we can manage and identify similar tendencies in ourselves.

8. Happy people DON’T gossip. If they are told something in confidence, they keep
it secret. If they have something critical to say about a person, they either say it directly
to the person or they  don’t say it all. Instead, if we feel the urge to talk about someone
behind their back, we should ask ourselves, How can we use this time to improve our
own lives? 

9. Happy people DON’T procrastinate. They usually get unpleasant tasks over with
so they can move on to happier things.  They understand that putting off an unpleasant
task doesn’t make it any more unpleasant.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Impress Summer Picnic Guests With No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

This airy, mousse-like treat blends the tartness of Key lime pie with the richness of cheesecake. Its graham-cracker crust sets in the freezer rather than the oven, and the traditional whipped-cream topping is folded right into the filling, along with fresh citrus juice and zest, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk. Chill it overnight, and wake up to a world of bliss.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely ground graham crackers (from 9 crackers)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/3 cup fresh Key lime juice, plus 2 teaspoons grated zest (from 16 limes), and thinly sliced lime rounds for serving                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

    Directions

  • Whisk together cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Stir in butter until mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when squeezed. Press evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until firm, 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and condensed milk on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add lime juice, zest, and vanilla. Beat 1 minute more.
  • In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into cream-cheese mixture. Pour over chilled crust; smooth top with an offset spatula. Cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 3 days.
  • Run a knife along cake's edge before releasing sides of pan, then under bottom to loosen. Serve, garnished with lime rounds.                                                                                   

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Organic Carpet And Rug Cleaning - Healthy, Safe, Organic Ingredients To Improve Your Life

Organic carpet cleaning is gaining popularity as many people seek safer, more natural alternatives to chemical products. Traditional cleaning products for carpeting are full of harsh chemicals, which are not only bad for the environment, but also bad for the health. People suffering from allergies, sensitivities, and breathing problems are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of toxic cleaners. Organic carpet cleaning offers a safe, eco-friendly solution.
 
Organic Ingredients Provide a Safe Alternative
 
The types of ingredients that are found in organic cleaning products can include aloe, citrus peel, natural minerals, vegetable fibers, cider vinegar, botanical extracts, soybeans, and more. The combination of safe, all-natural ingredients offer an effective way to remove stains, dust mites, and dirt from carpeting through a simple steam cleaning process.
 
The process of cleaning carpets with natural enzymes is actually simpler and more effective than cleaning with traditional harsh chemical formulations. The ingredients are gentle enough for regular use, while still providing the same level of cleansing effectiveness. Carpets dry quickly and remain in great condition, with no strong chemical odors left lingering.
 
Best for the Environment
 
For eco-conscious homeowners, organic carpet cleaning is the ideal alternative to typical chemical cleaners. The safe ingredients do not pose a threat to the environment. Since they are natural, there are no harsh processes required in order to create an effective cleaning product. The right combination of ingredients will clean the fibers of a carpet just as well, or even better, than traditional chemical cleaning solutions. For those seeking a healthy and environmentally friendly option, organic carpet cleaning is the answer.
 
Safer and Healthier for Humans and Pets
 
Homes with animals and small children often have carpets that get more wear and tear over the years. Regular cleanings will help carpeting to maintain a fresh appearance and smell. Organic ingredients in cleaning solutions make it much safer to clean carpets often, and allow pets and children to play on and around them at any time. Since the ingredients of organic cleaners are all natural, they are also ideal for people suffering from allergies and asthma.
 
Unfortunately, most carpets are made from synthetic fibers which have been treated with harsh chemicals. Such chemicals are not directly harmful to the health on a daily basis, but over time, carpeting can produce emissions which are hazardous. Cleaning carpets with even more toxic solutions only makes the situation worse. By using organic cleansers, the amount and toxicity of the emissions can be lessened.
 
The Benefits of Professional Organic Carpet Cleaning
 
Professional organic carpet cleaning is the safest way to maintain carpeting and remove dust and dirt build up. Creating a healthier environment inside of the home is an easy way to keep children, pets, and family members safe. It offers an affordable alternative to toxic cleansers and cleaning processes that take longer to dry. Carpets and the padding below will not get soaked through with harsh chemicals, so most carpets dry fully within a few short hours.
 
Satisfaction Guaranteed
 
Many people today are recommending professional organic carpet cleaning because it is an environmentally friendly, safe, and effective option. Remove dirt, dust, and tough stains easily without the use of toxic chemical ingredients. Customer satisfaction with organic carpet cleaning is guaranteed. The results are so good that customers will not want or need to return to traditional cleaning products in the future.
 
 
 

Monday, May 29, 2017

Organic Carpet Cleaning Can Help the Princeton Environment And You

Whether you are a stay-at-home Princeton  parent or a parent that works full-time, keeping a home, pets and children safe is a number one priority. You do your best to keep your home clean and free of bad toxins and chemicals to keep your living environment healthy. Many times the carpet in homes is the one item that will get looked over. Keeping carpets clean can be a struggle with a busy family; a great option for you to consider for your carpets is organic carpet cleaning.

Organic cleaners are made of 100% natural products and ingredients, unlike some cleaning solutions that are full of toxins and chemicals that can be harmful, if not fatal to you, your family and pets. When you switch your cleaning products to all organic products, you are also helping the environment. When cleaning chemicals are made, those chemicals will be released into the air, water or soil. Once this happens, the quality of the environment will decrease, making it hard for vegetation to grow and develop.

Using organic cleaners will help the future generations of your family and many other families. In today's world many pesticides are used in not only our cleaning products, but in the food we eat every day. Lowering the amount of pesticides used will help our bodies. From the time we are infants our bodies are exposed to the pesticides found on food we eat. Organic farmers do not use pesticides on their produce, making our produce taste better and last longer.

Here at Allstate, we use a  low moisture, plant based organic cleaner on your carpets and area rugs. This cleaning solution  has been designed to pull out any dirt, bacteria, odor or stains that have been placed into your carpet. As the  solution comes in contact with your carpet, the organic chemicals within the cleaner will activate and pull the stains up with ease. The most beneficial part, your carpet will be dry in about an hour. The reason your carpet will dry so fast is due to the low amount of moisture the cleaner contains.
                                        
Organic carpet cleaning is being used more and more by Princeton families, not just for the health and safety it provides, but also for the cost and the short amount of time it takes to clean and dry your carpets. Once your carpets and area rugs are cleaned organically  , you won't have to worry about your family being exposed to the chemicals and toxins used by  non-organic carpet cleaners. Saving the environment is the future for our children. Start helping now by using organic products in your home having your carpets professionally cleaned by a certified organic carpet cleaner.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

How The Latest Bait And Switch Carpet Cleaning Scam Can Lead To Burglary, Home Invasion And Identity Theft



Just as sure as the sunrise, it’s guaranteed to happen every Spring. They promise to clean all the carpets in your house for $59.00. Sound too good to be true? It probably is says the top exec at AllstateCleaning.Com in Hamilton, New Jersey. To make matters worse, they finally show up–three hours late-in a beat up pick-up truck with no company name, and hop out in torn jeans and a soiled tee-shirt. Then you realize it: you’ve been the victim of a bait -and -switch campaign.

What is bait and switch? Bait and switch scams work like this: a company advertises cleaning a roomful of carpet for a ridiculously low price. When they arrive, they inform you the price they quoted is only for the traffic lanes and doesn’t include any cleaning chemicals.” That’s like taking a bath with no soap,” says a senior textile inspector  at  www.AllstateCleaning.Com

So you agree to pay extra for the chemicals because you are thankful someone showed up. In the end, the final bill ends up costing you hundreds of dollars. Another typical scam is hearing that a company will clean a set amount of rooms for a very low price ( like 5 rooms for $49.00). After they begin, you discover a linen closet, hallway, foyer, or regular closet counts as a room, and you wind up paying a lot more than you thought you would. Bait-and-switch scams are especially targeted at the elderly. Seniors are more likely to be intimidated by high pressure tactics and by someone who “promises” to give then a good deal.

The latest carpet cleaning ruse is promoted through deal-of-the-day websites. That’s where you’re offered 3 rooms of carpet cleaning for $50. To take advantage of this offer, you have to prepay for a non-refundable certificate that expires in 90 days. Also, the website that makes the offer IS NOT responsible for the quality of the work. Plus all sales are final. What you don’t know is that most companies that do this went into business yesterday.

Then, they have to give half of the $50 or $25 to the deal-of-the-day websites. Do you really think that they can afford to clean 3 rooms of carpets in your house for $25 and still make a profit? Of course not. Most of the time, they don’t even show up for appointments. If they do show up, then they'll tell you that you're going to get a quick dash and splash job that just uses water.

If you want a better job, you'll have to fork up more money for them to use a cleaning chemical. Or they get so many calls, they’ll book you out three months in advance and then the certificate expires. If they do show up, the job won't be guaranteed. If you complain about them to the Better Business Bureau, , Yelp or Google+, that’s OK. They’ll be in business tomorrow under another name as quick as you can change your socks. Then they’ll do it all over again.One reason why they may clean for such a low price is the cleaners might be gang members or illegal aliens with criminal records.  Entering your home allows them to "case" your home to plan a future burglary or home invasion. Also, they may sell your credit card information to an identity theft ring.

So how can you avoid a becoming a crime victim or being scammed by a bait-and-switch carpet cleaner ? The best protection against bait-and-switch is to ask some pointed questions before the cleaner arrives at your home. Call several local cleaning companies. If the company cannot answer simple questions, move on to another company. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are 9 questions you should ask:

 1. Are you certified in carpet cleaning? If not, what type of formal training do you have?
 2. How many years has your company been in business? ( the longer, the better)
 3. Can you provide a link to consumer online reviews or references I can call?
 4. Is your company drug, alcohol and criminal free? ( Companies that don’t screen their employees can put you and your loved ones at risk. To be on the safe side, DO NOT deal with companies or cleaners who don’t pre-screen and drug test their employees and who are not bonded )
 5. Can you provide proof of insurance and a business license?
 6. What steps will be included in your cleaning process?
 7. How long will it take for the carpet to dry?
 8. Do you offer free, no-obligation, on-site written quotations?  Do you offer a written,   satisfaction or   money back guarantee?
 9. Can you verify that your cleaning solutions are safe for my family and my pets ?        

” When you have decided on a cleaner, make sure you pay your bill with a major credit card. Sometimes it’s difficult getting a cleaner to come back to fix a problem after you’ve paid the bill Paying by credit card will give you an option to dispute the bill if the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction.” 

About AllstateCleaning.Com:  Based in Hamilton,  NJ, www.AllstateCleaning.Com is Central Jersey's leading certified organic carpet cleaning ,upholstery cleaning, drapery cleaning and  floor cleaning company. The firm is a family owned, criminal, drug and alcohol free organization. The company is a member of the Institute Of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification , the International Cleaning Restoration Association and the Carpet & Rug Institute’s green seal of approval program. Over the last three decades, almost every major carpet mill, hard flooring manufacturer, and nationally recognized concerns across the nation has engaged it’s services. They have an IICRC Certified Master Restorer and Senior Textile Flooring Inspector on staff and offer certified textile and flooring inspections, lab analysis and court testimony.               
                                   

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

How To Spruce Up Your Kitchen For Under $1,000

A full kitchen renovation can cost north of
20,000. Besides a new coat of paint and some
new hardware, here are some dandy ways to
spruce up your kitchen for under $1,000.

1. Replace undepowered bulbs and flush mount
ceiling lights.

Insufficient lighting is a big reason why many older
kitchens look dated and dingy.  So, for a few hundred
dollars, you could replace "flush mount" overhead
lighting fixtures with "semi-flush fixtures. They extend
down a foot from the ceiling. They are more attractive
and do a better job of distributing light in the room.
One example is the Feiss.Com Boulevard Indoor Semi-
Flush Mount light in oil-rubbed bronze for $159.

2. Install laminate countertops and backsplashes
that look like high-end stone.

A good pick would be Formica 180fx laminate that
mimics marble, granite or tavertine. Yet, it can be found
for $100 to $200 per 48 inch x 96 inch sheet.You
could have it installed for about $1,000. Granite would
be twice that. If new countertops aren't in your budget
then consider installing a painted bead board backsplash.
They cost around $20 per 48 inch by 8 inch panel.
You could also choose large 18 inch by 18 inch tiles
which mean less tiles and grout work for less than $3
a square foot. 

3. Replace the countertop microwave.
For under $200, you could replace an old or low
end microwave with a new one that looks modern
and stylish.

4. Update the inside of your cabinets with roll-
outs, stacked shevles, and cutlery holders.

Besides painting your kitchen cabinets, you can
purchase aftermarket kitchen products that can
transform old cabinets into modern functional
storage spaces. The ContainerStore.Com has the best
selection.

5. Add a rolling or free standing island.
These are available at home centers for $500 or less
as opposed to permanent islands that cost thousands.
However, they're not right for every kitchen. If there
isn't room to position the island at least 36 inches from
the main kitchen counters, it will make the kitchen
feel cramped. If you decide on a rolling island, make
sure its wheels lock if you have vinyl or softwood
kitchen floors. Also, the island should be relatively
light weight so it won't damage your flooring.

6. Install or expand moldings
Crown moldings, which run along the top edge of
walls, decorative baseboards which run along the
bottom edge, and decorative door and window
casings can make a plain kitchen seem upscale.
An example would be to replace standard two
inch high baseboards with decorative five inch
baseboards. These all can be done for under $500
if you tackle it yourself.

7. Hang colorful window coverings
Brightly colored kitchen curtains or shades can
instantly make a dull kitchen seem more stylish
and interesting. In fact, it is the cheapest and
easiest way to update a kitchen that has mostly
whites and neutral tones.

How To Argue With A Teen

The most formidable adversary in an argument may be a young teen.

Between the ages of 10 and 13, conflicts with parents surge. Children this age become more independent and begin to forge their identities. At the same time, brain development makes them more impulsive, sensation-seeking and sensitive to peer pressure. The tumult can take parents by surprise, especially because the period right before adolescence is often relatively harmonious.

For parents, learning how to effectively argue with teens and young teens is crucial. Navigating disagreements over screen time and sleepovers sets the stage for conflicts over bigger issues—like sex and alcohol—that come up later.

Therapists say argumentative young teens are healthy ones. They are learning how to handle disagreements and advocate for their own point of view, skills that are critical for successfully navigating adult relationships. Arguments also indicate that children are separating from their parents and asserting themselves.

"It is worrying if [arguing] doesn't happen," says Brad  a family psychologist in  Md. More deferential children "may not be doing the hard work necessary to forge an independent identity."

Carl , a counseling psychologist  in Texas, notes that arguments also give parents important information about what is going on with their children and what is important to them. "What you don't want is a mystery child," he says.


What's the best way to quarrel with a young teen? Psychologists say certain strategies are key. First, figure out what you're willing to compromise on. Alan Kazdin, a professor of psychology and child psychiatry at Yale University, advises parents to imagine 10 years in the future. Then, compromise on things that are temporary (like goth makeup or laundry strewn on the floor) and stand firm on things that could be permanent (tattoos).

"Where parents go wrong is they have the view of the slippery slope. If I give in here, it will all fall apart. The opposite is true." When parents are rigid, children are more likely to be more oppositional, he says.

He suggests that parents instead come up with three possible solutions and let the child choose. He also says parents should listen to their child's point of view, banish the sarcasm and name-calling and refrain from bringing up past behavior. But parents shouldn't accept disrespectful language from their children either: Warn them that the discussion will be over if they keep it up. Praising teens when they are being civil is important, too, and much more effective at changing behavior than levying punishments.

While it is obviously tempting, yelling isn't helpful either. Children can feel intimidated or overpowered and they are likely to miss the lessons parents are trying to teach. Teens will also be more likely to resort to yelling in their adult relationships.

Adrienne  says most of her arguments with her daughter Jaylen, 11, revolve around the child cleaning her room (she resists) and taking a shower in the evening (she delays, wanting to watch one more YouTube video or spend a bit more time with Pokémon Go).

Most of the arguments between Jaylen 11, and her parents, Adrienne and Paul, occur when Jaylen resists cleaning her room and delays taking her shower.

Try This at Home

  • MOM: Time to turn off your phone.
  • TEEN: But I just need to finish this game. And all my friends get to stay up later. Five minutes later.
  • MOM: You need sleep. Remember, we've already agreed that this is the time the phone goes off. You know the consequences: no phone time tomorrow.
  • TEEN: That's a stupid rule. You never let me do anything. You're mean.
  • MOM: I'm sorry you feel that way. But that's not how we talk to each other in this family. If you keep using disrespectful language, the conversation is over. TEEN grumbles and rolls eyes but acquiesces.
  "I'm really tired and I really don't feel like getting up," says Jaylen, a sixth-grader  about her evening showers. Raising her voice, mom  finds, doesn't work. Jaylen "turns it around and asks, 'Why do you always have to yell?' "  Instead, Mom  has found that Jaylen is more likely to listen and not yell herself if she keeps her voice low and almost monotone.

When things get particularly heated, mom  has found that the most powerful parental move of all is to keep cool and walk away. A victory in an argument with a teen likely won't feel that satisfying to parents. Don't expect a "you're right."

Psychologists say that parents need to walk a fine line between being too lenient and too strict with young teens. If they are too permissive, they won't have the authority later on to set limits on activities that can be potentially dangerous. And if they quash arguments and require complete compliance, teens won't learn how to advocate for themselves and negotiate with others.

"They are more susceptible to peer pressure because they are not used to having any input," says Joseph P. Allen, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia. "When their peers say, 'Let's go get a six-pack and drink it behind the school,' they say, 'OK.' "
Maya and Jeff  say they give their sons Mark, 13, and Tom 11,  a good amount of say in how the boys spend their free time, accommodating trips to the mall and meetups with friends. But the couple does have a few nonnegotiable rules. The boys aren't allowed to associate with children who use alcohol or drugs. And the brothers are required to attend important family functions, including each other's sporting events.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

The Seven Germiest Spots In Public Spaces

About 80% of all infections are caused by touch. That's why colds, flu and contagious disease go viral.  The biggest offenders are:

1. Coffee Cup Lids The University Of Arizona found that about 17% of disposable coffee lids placed on cups by coffee shop workers were contaminated with fecal bacteria. So skip the lid and pour the coffee into your own thermos cup or use self-serve coffee bars at convenience stores.

2. ATM Machines   A British study found that ATM machines were contaminated with the same level of bacteria as public toilets. So bring a disposable wipe to wipe the key pads or touch screen or clean your hands with a disposable wipe after using the machine.

3. Supermarket Checkout Conveyor Belts  A study by Michigan State found that most super market belts have mold, yeast and staph bacteria. So when you get home, wash your hands before opening cabinets and the refrigerator. Also, wash your hands again when you're done unpacking groceries. And don't forget to wash off the tops of cans before you open them.

4. Hotels  60% of all hotel bathtubs are contaminated with staph. Rinsing the tub doesn't help so you need mechanical action to remove the bio film. If you think you want to take a bath in a hotel room, then carry a small scrub brush and a few ounces of bleach with you.A solution of one part bleach and nine parts water plus a few drops of soap with kill most microbes in a few seconds.Hotel pillows are rarely laundered. So when you travel, always bring anti allergy  protective covers that you can wash when you come home.As soon as you check in, remove the bedspread and toss it to the side.To stay warm, request extra blankets which are laundered more often then bedspreads.

5. Tables If a serve wipes your table in a restaurant with a damp cloth, there's a 70% chance that the wipes table is contaminated with E. coli and other fecal bacteria. So when you go to a restaurant, wipe the table yourself with a disposable wipe.

6. Toilets The tops of the toilet seat might be clean, but your finger tips will become contaminated when you lift the seat. So use a disposable wipe or a thick layer of toilet paper to lift the seat. Also, if its an old style toilet that has a lid, close it before you flush. Flushing an old style toilet can spray bacteria droplets up to 20 feet. The new low flush toilets spray no more than one foot.

7. Carpets The carpets in public places can harbor some 200,000 bacteria per square inch.  That's thousands of times more than the average public toilet seat. Since hotels don't clean their carpets very often, then always wear socks,  request a pair of disposable scuffs, flip-flops or bring your own slippers.
If you work in any office in either Bucks County or Mercer County, and the carpets smell stale and are stained, and you can't recall the last time management cleaned the carpet, then the carpets are loaded with bacteria. Have your office manager or supervisor give us a call for a free no-obligation commercial carpet cleaning consultation. We'll green clean and restore the carpets like new and your boss must be happy or its free.

Why Do Dogs Do That?

Why do dogs walk in circles before lying down?

This behavior is likely left over when dogs slept outside. The theory is that walking in circles tramples down long grass, creating a smoother nest.

Why do dogs kick at the ground after defecating?

They're trying to spread the scent of their leavings over a large area as possible.

Why do dogs rip up paper products?

Soft paper feels like fur and feathers in the dog's mouth and even well-behaved dogs find that irresistible.

Why do dogs buy bones and other things but never retrieve them?

The leading theory is that dogs do not fully remember where they bury things. So if a dog experiences lean times, it will dig in the  general area and hope to get lucky.
 
Why do dogs chase their tails?

Typically, tail chasing happens when a dog is in a brightly lit area. The light causes the dog to notice it's shadow. While investigating the shadow, it notices its tail and a brief chase ensues.

 Why do dogs eat grass?

Dogs eat grass like anything else because they're hungry. Most dogs prefer the tops of new shoots since they have the most flavor.

Why do dogs eat their own feces?

For it's nutrients. Dogs intestinal tracts are relatively short, so they cannot absorb all the nutrients from food before its expelled. Eating feces allows them to run food through their system a second time and absorb the
nutrients that otherwise go to waste.

Why do some dogs bite after wagging their tails?

Because wagging does not mean a dog is friendly and happy. When a tail is held high and the wags are short and quick , the wag actually is meant as a warning - the dog is trying to tell you to back off. Friendly wags
are long and sweeping, with the tail typically held fairly low.

Why do dogs roll in disgusting smelly things?

It's actually a form of doggy camouflage. When wild dogs hunt, their odor sometimes gives them
away, their prey smells the dog and gets away. Rolling in something disgusting can mask the smell of a dog.

You love your pet, but "mistakes" do  happen

We know, because we love pets too. And sometimes there's a problem with pet odor among younger and
older pets. We'll the good news is that we ca help.    Here at Allstate, we've spared no expense in researching  the safest, most effective  organic methods of pet odor removal on the market today. All 100% guaranteed or its free.   If routine  pet odor removal methods just aren't working for you, then  give us a call.  Start enjoying your pet and your home  again today.

Why Men Don't Listen

British researcher Michael Hunter discovered  when women are speaking at great length, men tend to tune them out. Now men have a scientific excuse. Female voices  are more complex than male voices, making men's brains work harder when listening to them. The shape and size of female vocal cords lead women to speak with a greater range of sound frequencies than men. Women also have a more natural melody in their voices. Listening to female voices activates the auditory center of a main's brain, which must analyze the different sounds at the same time he's interpreting words. 

The $5,000 Secret Starbucks Prays You Never Find Out

For starters the average drink at Starbucks costs around $5. It costs Starbucks about 40 cents to make! The average person spends about $1,000 a year at Starbucks. Over 5 years, that's $5,000 you could save to buy a car, put a down payment on a house, invest in your 401K,  or take a luxury vacation. Also, the coffee you buy at Starbucks and other high price coffee shops usually isn't the best. It normally is not organic
and it's loaded with GMOS and pesticides since coffee is the most toxic crop in the world.

But if you really can't kick the Starbucks habit, then you can get your coffee at half price. High price coffee consists of expresso and milk. Some add chocolate or other flavors but the core ingredients are
espresso and milk. A latte is expresso filled to the top with milk.

So the next time you roll into Starkbucks, just order a shot of espresso in a to go cup, and then head for the
self-serve bar to make your own expensive coffee. Just add milk and chocolate and you're good to go. Doing this will save you $500 a year.

If you really like expensive lattes, then make your coffee at home. You can buy the best organic coffee for about $10 a pound. A good place to buy outstanding organic coffee cheap is PortoRico.Com in NYC. They've been around since 1907 and they'll ship right p to your door. Then make it at home with these 3 appliances for under $50:

 Bialetti Stovetop Espresso Maker

Aerolatte Milk Frother

Smart Cooler insulated stainless steel coffee cup

You'll be amazed at how great coffee really tastes when you make it at home with incredibly fresh organic coffee and  ingredients.In addition,  you'll save about 60 hours a year by not having to stop at Starbucks every morning. Plus you'll save at least $1,000 every year to buy a new phone or tablet.In five years, you'll save 5 grand.