Popular Posts

Friday, June 10, 2016

Carpet Cleaning in Robbinsville NJ
" If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Robbinsville NJ 08691 then you came to right place.That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. 
Plus no matter where you live in Robbinsville NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. "And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Robbinsville NJ, then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Robbinsville NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833 or email us at allstate@usa.net
Carpet Cleaning in Princeton Junction NJ
" If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Princeton Junction NJ 08550 then you came to right place. That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Princeton Junction NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. "And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Princeton Junction NJ then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Princeton Junction NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833 or email us at allstate@usa.net
  Carpet Cleaning in Pennington NJ
" If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Pennington NJ 08534 then you came to right place.That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Pennington NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. "And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Pennington NJ then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Pennington NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833 or email us at allstate@usa.net 
Carpet Cleaning in Lawrenceville NJ
 
" If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Lawrenceville NJ 08648 then you came to right place.That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Lawrenceville NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. " And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Lawrenceville NJ then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Lawrenceville NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833 or email allstate@usa.net  

Monday, May 16, 2016

Carpet Cleaning in Yardley PA

 
" If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Yardley PA 19067 then you came to right place. That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Yardley ,  we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. "And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Yardley  then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.
If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in your neighborhood  with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833.

How To Avoid Sticker Shock When Buying Eyeglasses

One company controls 95% of the designer eyeglass and sun glass market worldwide. They even own several large eyeglass and department store chains throughout the US and the world! So they make  and sell them too.  And a $300+ pair of designer eyeglass frames cost around $30 to make. In addition, if the designer glasses say "made in Italy" they are usually made in China. That's because Italy has a law that allows eye glass manufacturers to have all the components made in China as long as the eye glasses go through a minor assembly process in Italy.  To add more fuel to fire, some states require you to visit an optician to determine the pupillary distance between your pupils. So that means that by law, your optician or eye glass store doesn't have to tell you what that distance is. That's how they insure that you don't go to another store or chain to buy glasses. If you do, you'll need another eye exam to determine you measurements. Yet, there is one company that is making sure everyone has the right to see. They have a zillion high quality designer eyeglass and sun glass frames for just $95 and you can shop at home. Or you can visit a store in Philly or NYC , order your glasses and then have them shipped to your home.  Plus it's all backed by a 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee and and one year no scratch lense warranty. And no, we don't make a penny from recommending this company. We just like the fact that they put people before profits.So go ahead , avoid eyeglass sticker shock, beat the system and  shop at https://www.WarbyParker.Com    

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Carpet Cleaning in Hopewell NJ

 If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Hopewell NJ then you came to right place. That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Hopewell NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too.And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like a  free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Hopewell NJ then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.
If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Hopewell NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Carpet Cleaning In Princeton NJ

 If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Princeton NJ then look no further than AllstateCleaning.Com  That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. 
Plus no matter where you live in Princeton NJ and surrounding areas, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too.And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Princeton NJ then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep. If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Princeton NJ with over a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Carpet Cleaning In Lower Bucks County PA

" If you're looking for an exceptional certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Lower Bucks County  PA then you should reach out to www.AllstateCleaning.Com That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. Plus no matter where you live in Lower Bucks County PA, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. "
And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like  a free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Buck County PA then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.If you're looking for a professional  carpet cleaner in Lower  Bucks County PA with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833. 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Carpet Cleaning In Allentown NJ

 If you're looking for an exceptional  certified organic green carpet cleaner and floor cleaner in Allentown NJ then you came to right place.

That's because you get the most sparkling clean, fresh,fluffy, dry in one hour carpets you've ever seen or its free. 

Plus no matter where you live in Allentown NJ, we'll clean and restore all of your upholstery, drapes, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl and wood floors like new too. 

And it's all 100% risk free because you must be happy or its free. If you'd like a  free no charge, no-obligation expert evaluation of your fine furnishings anywhere in Allentown then AllstateCleaning.Com is the company you should keep.

If you're looking for a professional carpet cleaner in Allentown NJ with a quarter century of experience, then call us today at 609-586-5833 or email us at allstate@usa.net for a free no-obligation  onsite, email  or telephone consultation.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

16 Secrets Hospitals Pray You Never Find Out

1. For complicated surgeries, always go to a teaching hospital.
    They  have lower complication rates and better outcomes.

2. Avoid those "pop up" ERS you see everywhere for anything
    serious since they don't have anywhere near the resources of
    a hospital ER.

3. Ask for bleach and alcohol hospital wipes to clean bedrails,
    remotes, doorknobs, phones, call buttons and toilet flush levers.
    That way you'll have a better chance of avoiding super bugs
    that live on your doctor's white lab coat and everywhere else.

4. To avoid complications, make sure your surgeon will be doing
    the whole procedure and will be closing the incision themselves. 

5. Always ask whether you've been admitted or under observation.
    Medicare won't pay your bills unless you were admitted.

6. 8 out of 10 hospital bills contain errors so check your bill
    carefully.

7. Make sure your surgeon isn't doing someone else's surgery
    the same time he's doing yours.

8. Studies show that patients forget 40 to 80 percent of what
    doctors and nurses tell them. So have a loved one or friend
    take notes or use a tape recorder. The most critical time
    to pay attention is to discharge instructions.

9. To reduce your chance of re-admission, make sure your
    follow up appointment is already scheduled with your MD.

10. Bring a clear printed list of all your medications and vitamin
      supplements and when you take them.

11. Keep a bedside notebook to write down your questions
      and track conversations with docs and nurses. It will come
      in handy when you get the bill to determine who you talked
      to an d when. 

12. Always schedule surgery early during the week. On weekends
      and holidays, lab tests and other services may not be available.
      Also, less experienced docs and nurses usually work on week
      ends and staffing is lighter.

13. Get copies of all your lab tests and scans before you leave
      the hospital.

14. Costs at a surgical center are up to $1000 less then at a
      hospital. Procedures takes about 25% less time and you
      may get home quicker.

15. Less well trained docs will call on you for consults. If those
      specialists call on you everyday, your bill is being padded.
      Ask if the visits are necessary.

16. If you go to a smaller hospital and they transfer you to a
      bigger medical center, demand that you be sent to a facilty
      that can handle your care.Lately, community medical centers
      and sending patients to hospitals that they are affiliated with
      even if it's farther away. It's happening even if a patient is
      bleeding to death or having a heart attack that needs
      emergency care.


 

    
 

 
 
 

Friday, November 20, 2015

13 Amazing Ways To Make Food Last Longer & Save You Money

1. Make Onions Last 8 Months -Take a  nylon stocking put an onion in it, then tie a knot. Repeat until the stocking is full. By doing so, the onions will last up to 8 months because they're in fresh air and not being squashed by each other.

2. Make Berries Last Longer When you buy fresh berries, put them in a bowl of 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Let them sit for 5 minutes then drain in sieve and dry. This process kills off the micro-organisms  and makes them last longer.

3. Freeze Eggs by cracking them into an ice cube container, add a pinch or salt or sugar to each cube so it keeps them from getting grainy, and use as needed.

4. Freeze Tomato Sauce by putting in a freezer bag. After one hour, take out of freezer, used the back of a knife and make indentations to make separate portions of sauce. Then just cut one off when needed.

5. Make Herbs Last For Ages by coating them with olive oil before you freeze them

6. Make Bananas Brown Slowly by wrapping their stems in cling wrap.

7. Celery & Broccoli last longer and stay crunchy if wrapped in aluminum foil

8. Lettuce Lasts Longer when wrapped in a paper towel since the towel absorbs moisture.

9. Carrots Last Forever if stored in the dark in sand

10. Cottage And Other Cheeses last twice as long if the plastic container is stored upside down.

11. Food Stored In A Glass Jar lasts a lot longer than food stored in a plastic container

12. Store Cheese in wax paper then place in a plastic bag. It won't sweat, it will last longer and never taste like plastic

13. Keep Cake From Drying Out after it's been sliced  by placing slices of bread on each side of opening cut with tooth picks.      

Monday, November 16, 2015

Thanksgiving 911

Anyone who has cooked a Thanskgiving meal know that it is fraught with potential kitchen disasters.So here are some tips to fix them:

Dry Or Undercooked Turkey - Slice breast and then make a gravy or just put it in stock or canned chicken stock and let it slowly simmer. Let it steam so the stock goes into the meat. The same advice works for turkey that is not cooked enough.

Separated Or Lumpy Gravy - Put a few bread crumbs in the gravy -bring to a boil- then strain.

Overcooked Green Beans -  Add fresh herbs and toasted nuts, some lemon zest and olive oil to add crunch.

Too Tart Cranberry Sauce - Just add some apple or orange juice.

Cement Like Mashed Potatoes - Just add scalded milk and stir.

Cold Turkey & Stuffing -After you cook the turkey, let it rest for an hour. Then have hot chicken stock on the stove and ladle it over the turkey so it brings back the moisture and the heat. To heat up stuffing, make slits in the dressing with a knife so the stock goes into the stuffing.

Ugly Turkey Skin - Brush balsamic vinegar on the turkey the last 20 minutes.

Pie Or Cake That Stick To The Pan - Take pumkin or sweet potato puree , mash up the pie or cake,
add pumpkin spice add whipped cream, mix  and turn it into a trifle.

Gooey Stuffing - If your stuffing is too loose or needs more structure, stir in some toasted croutons to give it more body.

Underseasoned Turkey Just add seasoning to the stock and put it the cavity even if your half way through cooking. Or you can do this when you slice and serve. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Five Remarkable Ways To Winter Proof Your Car

1. Stop Icy Buildup on wiper blades by placing a sock on each blade and secure it with a rubberband
overnight
.2. Prevent Car Window Ice Buildup by  spraying a mix of  3 parts white vinegar and 1 part water on  on  windows before freezing rain or snoew starts. You still might have to brush off snow but you
won't have to scrape of any ice. 
3. Cover Your Windshield with an old area rug and tuck the edges under the wipers.
4. Unfreeze Door Locks by squirting hand sanitizer on the lock and insert the key. If it doesn't
open wiggle the key a bit. Or dip your key in petroleum jelly, put it in the lock, and turn the key
back and forth a few times. Also, try coating the rubber strip around your car doors with cooking
spray to stop ice from forming and making doors easier to open.
.5.  Keep Windshields Fog Free filling a sock with kity liter and tying of the end. Then just leave it on the dashboard overnight. It will help asorb moisture and prevent fog from clouding windows.
 

 

Sunday, September 6, 2015

57 Best Online Resources For Home Decorating

Beddingabchome.com    thecompansytore.com  kerrycassill.com   serenaandlilly.com 
                

Bedroom Furnitureballarddesigns.com   overstock.com    westelm.com


Blankets, Quilts & Throwsbrahmsmount.com   robertarollerrabbit.com


Bookshelves & Storeage Units:    cb2.com     ikea.com    potterybarn.com   


Consoles, Coffee Tablesallmodern.com  candelabra.com  ethenallen.com   zincdoor.com 
Desks, And Side Tables

Curtains & Drapes:  loomdecor.com    restorationhardware.com     theshadestore.com 

Decorative Accents furbishstudio.com  johnderian.com  jonathanadler.com  kellywearstler.com

Dining Tables & Chairs: worldmarket.com  dwr.com  wayfair.com 

Hardware, Knobs & Pullshouseofantiquehardware.com   lahardware.com  rejuvenation.com

Kitchen Essentials: broadwaypanhandler.com   brookfarmgeneralstore.com

Lighting: cedarandmoss.com   circalighting.com  schoolhouseelectric.com   ylighting.com

Ottomans, Poufs & Benches: onekingslane.com    williams-sonomahome.com   

Pillows: johnrobshaw.com  judyrosstextiles.com  luluandgeorgia.com  urbanoutfitters.com

Rugs: aelfie.com    dashandalbert.com   madelineweinrib.com    safaviehhome.com   

Sofas & Accent Chairs:  jaysonhome.com   mgbwhome.com   monarchsofas.com 

Tabletop Accessories: canvashome.com   fisheddy.com    globaltable.com   

Towels garnethill.com   scentandfeel.com     target.com  

Wallpaper: hyggeanwest.com   iloverwallpaper.co.uk   spoonflower.com  walnutwallpaper.com 




 


                                                                                        

      

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Sensational Simple Salad Dressings

It's brain dead simple to make sensational salad dressings that are cheaper and tastier than store bought dressings. Here is the recipe:

BASE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 round teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon each of salt & pepper

6 Tablespoons of canola or olive oil

Whisk the vinegar and mustard together until well blended and creamy. Add the salt and pepper. Add half the oil, whisking briskly until well-blended. Add the remaining oil and continue to whisk until the dressing is thick.

Variations.....

ROQUEFORT DRESSING

After mixing in the oil, add 1/2 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese. This is best done in a food processor or blender for a smooth dressing.

CREAMY ONION DRESSING  

Make the basic dressing, and add 2 tablespoons of chopped onions and 1 tablespoon of cream. Mix.

MIXED HERB DRESSING 

Add  1/4 cup of chopped mixed herbs such as parsley, basil, tarragon or chives to the basic dressing.  

      

No You're Not Crazy - Food Doesn't Taste As Good As It Used To

Most meats and vegetables and some fruits has way less flavor than they did decades ago. That's because large scale industrial  farms strive to produce as much food as possible on the cheap. For instance, animals are feed bland feed that produces bland meat. Then animals are butchered very young which results in less flavorful meat from mature ones.

Also, today's chicken are bred to be plump not tasty. Actually, they don't even look like chickens chickens of the past and their breasts are much larger. The story is similar with other animals and crops. Pigs are 25% younger but 25% larger when slaughtered as they were in 1948. Beef cows are 50% younger but produce 60% more meat. Hens lay twice as many eggs. So all the food from these animals are bland.

If you go to Europe, you'll  noticed that everything tastes better. Even the milk. That's because all GMO crops and some pesticides and antibiotics used in the US are banned in Europe. Also, European slaughter houses  have more stringent  sanitation, inspection and humane handling standards than US slaughter houses. Also, there are more small family owned farms that produce quality crops and livestock.   

Meanwhile, one acre of American farmland produces three times as much rice, four times as much corn, two and one half times as much wheat, and five and one half times as much strawberries.

Eating bland food isn't just less enjoyable, it's less healthy. A study published by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that an assortment of 43 garden crops contained  20% less vitamin A and C as the same crops grown in the 1950's.

So if you want to buy food with flavor, buy meat from mature animals that ate natural diets. Seek out grass-fed beef from cattle that lived at least 22 months of age. Ask any small farmer and they'll tell you that it is unnatural for a cow to eat anything but grass. Cows that are raised on small dairy farms that graze only on grass  live and average of 14 years. Cows that are force fed grain and antibiotics on industrial dairy farms live an average of 14 months. So buy pork, ham and bacon from pasture raised pigs at least six to seven months old. And buy chicken from pasture raised birds at least 9 to 18 months old.



Unlike the premium prices charged by supermarkets like Whole Foods, these types of meats are usually available at a reasonable prices  from www.FreshDirect.Com ,  farmer's markets and Amish food stands.  Just keep in mind that they may not be 100% organic, but the livestock was raised and fed in a natural small farm environment and butchered humanely.

When buying seafood, you'll find that wild-caught fish tastes as good as it ever did. Just try to avoid buying farm raised seafood if you want great flavor. 


 Also, when shopping for produce, keep in mind that organic produce will sometimes not be more flavorful. That's because it has to be trucked in from long distances to reach supermarkets like Whole Foods. So you're paying a premium for organic produce that may be a month old or more.

The produce you buy from farmers markets may not be organic, yet it's a lot fresher and more flavorful  than what you would find a supermarket. Plus farmers who sell at these markets often prioritize flavor over crop yields. But sample the goods before you buy since something sold at a farmers market does not mean it will taste great..   

The absolute best way to obtain just picked organic produce is grow your own  or  join a CSA ( community supported agriculture) To find a CSA or organic farm stands near you visit http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Sunday, July 12, 2015

How To Make Organic Homemade Weed Killer That Won't Kill Your Lawn Budget

Like to use Roundup?  We'll, you can save a bundle on weed killer by making your own simple  safe  and effective hebicide.  Just mix one gallon of white vinegar, 2 cups of Epson salts, and  1/4 cup Dawn dish soap. Then pour the mix into a sprayer, spray on weeds, and its a done deal.  Here's another hot summer  tip: To check the level of propane for your grill when you don't have a gas gauge, just boil a cup of water,  and pour it over the side of the tank. Feel the metal with your hand. Any area where  the water has warmed the tank is empty. Areas that remain cool to the touch have propane. We'll folks, that it for now.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Seven Snags To Avoid When Buying A Mattress

Mattresses might be soft to sleep on, but they are notoriously hard to buy. Various stores sell very similar mattresses under different names, thwarting attempts to compare prices. Salespeople often steer shoppers toward ultra-expensive products. And manufacturers highlight features that consumers can’t easily evaluate. As a result, many shoppers pay hundreds of dollars more than necessary—or end up sleeping for years on mattresses that they hate.

SNAG: It’s very difficult to compare mattress prices from store to store. With the exception of certain specialty mattresses, each retailer typically uses product names and numbers that you won’t find anywhere else. This is true even when the mattresses are virtually identical, aside from cosmetic changes involving fabric colors and quilting patterns.

What to do: When you find a mattress that feels comfortable, jot down every available piece of information about what’s inside the mattress. Include the coil count and coil wire gauge…dimensions including the height…firmness (based on your judgment of where it falls on a one-to-10 firmness scale with one the firmest)…materials used…how the sleep surface is described…and what position the list price occupies compared with other mattresses at the store from the same manufacturer. When you visit other mattress retailers, examine mattresses that fall in the same general position in the manufacturer’s price scale until you find one that matches up very closely. Start there and compare coil counts, firmness and other characteristics of various models until you find one that seems to match. Lie on this mattress, if possible, to confirm that it feels about the same as the one you tried earlier.

Tell the salesperson that you found the corresponding mattress at the other store, and ask if he/she can beat the other store’s price. If the second store has the lower price, you could return to the earlier store and try the same tactic. Most mattress stores and many furniture stores will negotiate. Their list prices tend to be double their cost, so it’s perfectly reasonable to try to negotiate a price 20% to 40% off list price (which could mean a savings of $400 off a $1,000 mattress). Department stores often won’t negotiate, but they sometimes will honor their price-match guarantee if the customer shows that a mattress at another store is essentially identical despite different names. And the department store might offer a better deal on shipping and better return options if you’re not satisfied, both important considerations. Reasonable price: You should be able to find a good queen-size mattress for $700 to $1,000—for guest rooms, $500 to $800.

SNAG: “Pillow top” softness may not last. So-called pillow-top mattresses feel great when you lie on them at the store. They have thick, soft layers of fiber and/or foam above the mattress springs. Trouble is, these thick layers soon will develop deep, annoying body indentations. The heavier you and/or your partner, the faster this will happen. If you love the soft pillow-top feel, opt for a “plush top” instead. These have perhaps two to three inches of foam and fiber, rather than the four to six inches of a pillow top—and they will be less likely to develop deep body indentations. Plush tops also tend to be $100 to $300 less expensive than pillow tops. Helpful: If there are two separate “tape edges”—ropelike lines—running around the mattress above and below the foam layers, it is called a pillow top.

SNAG: Warranties and satisfaction guarantees are less impressive than they seem. If you voice concern about whether a mattress is right for you, the salesperson might assure you that there’s no need to worry because the store offers a satisfaction guarantee.

Quiz the salesperson about this guarantee. Can you get cash back or only exchange the mattress for a different one—and how much time do you have to return it? Is there a restocking fee for returns? What about a pick-up charge or additional shipping charge for the replacement mattress? And if you purchase a mattress during a sale, will you be able to exchange it for one of similar list price or only for a lesser one with a list price similar to the sale price you initially paid? Caution: Manufacturers’ mattress warranties cover only major defects. They won’t permit you to return the mattress because you don’t find it comfortable. Mattresses generally should be replaced every eight to 10 years.

SNAG: New foundations often are unnecessary. If you buy a mattress, expect the salesperson to push you to buy the matching foundation (what used to be called a box spring) as well. You might be told that this foundation will extend the life of your mattress or make it more comfortable or that not buying it will void the mattress warranty. None of this is likely to be true.

Unlike old-fashioned mattresses, many modern mattresses do not require you to flip them over from time to time, and these no-flip mattresses don’t require springs beneath them at all. Today’s “box springs” really are just simple wood-and-wire frames covered in fabric. These foundations cost retailers very little, yet they’re often sold for hundreds of dollars.

If your old foundation has no obvious problems such as sagging or cracking and is the same size as the new mattress, you can continue to use it. If you have an old spring-type box that flexes when you push down on it, you don’t want to use it with a new “no-flip” single-sided mattress.

If you have a platform bed or a bed with slats that are spaced no more than two inches apart, you can skip the box spring entirely—assuming that the resulting mattress height is not too low. If you do need a new foundation, purchase the one that’s matched (brand-wise) to your new mattress. Don’t feel that you need to match the fabrics. A lower-priced foundation of the correct size should be fine if you’re buying a single-sided mattress.

SNAG: A higher coil count doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. For spring mattresses, mattress salespeople often stress high coil count—more springs per square inch—as they steer shoppers toward high-end models. It’s true that having more coils is better than having fewer coils, all else being equal, but all else is not equal when it comes to coils. Coils might be made from different materials or in different ways.
Example: A mattress with independent coils—coils each made from a separate piece of wire—is likely to do a better job of conforming to the contours of your spine than a mattress with coils made from continuous strands of wire, even if the coil count isn’t as high. Independent coils also do a much better job of isolating movement, a big plus for those who share a bed.

SNAG: Delivery and removal charges. Ask about delivery charges before you agree to buy a mattress. Some retailers provide free delivery, but others see it as a way to slip one last sneaky fee into the deal.
Also ask whether removal of the old mattress is included in delivery—there’s sometimes an additional charge for this. Include any delivery and pick-up fees when you compare prices at different stores.

SNAG: An expensive specialty mattress might have drawbacks. Solid foam and dual-zone, air-filled mattresses look great in ads and can feel great when you lie on them—but there might be issues that the salesperson won’t mention. For instance…

Memory foam mattresses such as those made by Tempur-Pedic do a wonderful job of conforming to the contours of the body and providing support—but they also make some sleepers feel too hot.
If you want foam but are a warm sleeper, consider a natural latex foam mattress, which sleeps cooler. Some synthetic foam mattresses have gel embedded in them to keep sleepers cooler, but these mattresses are extremely heavy and difficult to move.

Dual-zone, air-filled mattresses such as Sleep Number by Select Comfort provide separate firmness controls for each side of the bed. But humidity and perspiration tend to build up around the internal air bladders of even the best-made air-filled mattresses. Mildew and mold can spread if the bladders are not cleaned frequently using liquid detergent.These mattresses can be opened up for cleaning and for ventilation—but make sure that the mattress is completely dry before closing it up.

HOW TO TEST A MATTRESS

Lie on a mattress for at least 10 to 15 minutes in the showroom to make sure that it feels comfortable—and that it properly supports your spine.

Doctors used to recommend firm mattresses for back health, but they’ve since concluded that firm mattresses actually provide poor spine support. Backs do best in beds that allow the spine to be straight and supported as you sleep. When you lie on your side on a too firm mattress, your shoulders and hips don’t sink in far enough for your spine to stay straight…and when you lie on your back, your hips don’t sink in far enough for the mattress to support your lower back. A medium-firm mattress is the best choice for the vast majority of sleepers.

The mattress industry uses terms like “firm,” “medium-firm,” “plush,” and “pillow-soft.” It may be more helpful to use a one-to-10 firmness scale with one as the firmest and four- to-six as medium. Ask the salesperson where each mattress falls on this firmness scale so that you can learn what firmness number you like best. Then you can specify this number when comparing other mattresses.Exception to the medium-firmness rule: Side-sleepers prone to hip or shoulder discomfort might do better on a soft mattress.

Helpful: Bring someone along on your shopping trip to make sure that your spine is straight as you lie on your side…and to confirm that there’s no gap between your lower back and the mattress when you lie on your back.




Friday, May 1, 2015

One Minute Quiche

Crack an egg into a microwavable cup or mug, add one tablespoon of  milk,  one teaspoon of  melted butter, a teaspoon of minced fresh herbs ( basil, onions, parsley etc )  and a pinch of salt and pepper.Whisk. On top, toss 4 grape tomatoes halved, one eighth cup of torn bread, and one tablespoon of grated cheese. Microwave for 60 seconds or until quiche is slightly puffed and the eggs are set.