Home & Family Newsletter August 2019

Have you been thinking about curling up in front of a nice warm fire lately? More than likely not, especially as summer temperatures reach their peak and the pool is more inviting. In fact, you probably haven’t thought about your fireplace in months – but it’s time you should.

As the steamy days of summer come to a close with the promise of chilly weather around the corner, this month is the ideal timeframe for a chimney inspection and cleaning. Not only will you get a major home maintenance task out of the way to have your home safe and ready for comfort on the first cold day, but you’ll beat the rush of other homeowners that suddenly realize this need come Fall!

Depending on how often you use your fireplace or heating system, your chimney should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year. If you’ve recently moved into a new home and haven’t needed the chimney yet, it is always a good idea to have it inspected before your first use.

Of course, the easiest option is to schedule a cleaning and inspection through a professional service for the fastest and most thorough results. Do your research online or ask neighbors which service they recommend, and always be sure to check reviews to make sure your home will be protected from damage.

It seems like summer break only just arrived, but now that August is here it’s time to start planning for another year of school! The stores have stocked their shelves with back-to-school supplies and supply lists for all ages will be out soon. Now that the stores are stocked – have you thought about your back to school shopping yet?

Getting ready for the school year can often times be overwhelming, especially if you have several children. The flurry of summer activities doesn’t slow down until the first day of school begins, and you may still be busy organizing child care and pool parties while holding down a job yourself.

As with any daunting task, the best way to get started is to prepare beforehand by making a list. You can start with one large list of everything your child will need for the year. Don’t forget – back to school shopping includes more than just school supplies. Your children may need new clothes for the year, a haircut for first day photos and a grocery store trip for lunchtime snacks. With this in mind, it may be helpful to create smaller lists based on what types of item and what type of store you need to go to in order to get these purchased. With your lists in hand, you’ll be able to get in and out of stores quickly without forgetting items or overspending.

Next, plan your course of action. You can get your children involved and make a big day of it, getting all of your shopping done in one go, or choose to visit one store every few weeks leading up to the first day of school to make it feel less stressful. As August comes to a close, stores will become busier, so plan accordingly if you prefer to avoid crowds.

Lastly, once you have your back-to-school shopping completed, make sure to sort, label and have everything ready and packed for the big day! 

How often do you clean the bathrooms in your home? We aren’t talking about the “once a week wipe down,” we’re talking REALLY clean them. Are you disinfecting the doorknobs? Dusting the light fixtures? The reason we ask is because having a clean bathroom is a key component to living a healthy life and feeling good. It’s truly the one space in your home that you can be completely alone, and the spot where you store all of your essential wellness tools including your toothbrush, makeup and medicines.

Set aside some time this month to really look at the “cleanliness” factor of your bathrooms. Here are some tips that will help you keep your bathrooms clean and healthy:

Choose Your Cleaners Wisely

Some people choose their household cleaners based on scent, while others may choose a product out of familiarity and brand loyalty. However, the most important part of a cleaner isn’t in the name or lavender scent – it’s in the ingredients. The healthiest bathroom is cleaned with products that have clean ingredients: compounds that will get the job done and disinfect, without harming your body’s chemistry or your pets. Check out this list of options if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices.

Put A Method To The Madness

Even the smallest bathrooms can seem large when you’re deep cleaning. Plan ahead and choose your method to make tackling the space easier. It’s wise to make a checklist to follow and cross items off, or start in one corner of the bathroom and slowly move your way to the doorway. By sticking to a method and following it each and every time, it will help to ensure that you won’t miss any areas every time you clean.

Don’t Skip The Details

You may scrub the toilet bowl each time you clean your bathroom, but what about the flusher handle where germs can gather? Or the shower curtain liner where mold loves to grow? The countertop cup that holds your toothbrush? Your bathroom may LOOK clean, but skipping these details means it may not actually be healthy for you and your family. 

Recipe Courtesy of: All Recipes

Ingredients

·  1/2 pound bulk pork sausage (optional)

·  1 (1 pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed

·  4 slices hard salami

·  4 slices thinly sliced ham

·  4 slices American cheese

·  1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

·  Salt and ground black pepper to taste

·  1 egg white, lightly beaten

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

2.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir sausage until crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease.

3.  Pat out bread dough on an ungreased baking sheet, to 3/4-inch thickness. Lay salami, ham, and American cheese slices in center of dough. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, and cooked sausage. Wrap dough to cover ingredients, pinching and sealing edges to prevent leakage; brush top with egg white.

4.  Bake in preheated oven until dough is baked and lightly browned, 17 to 20 minutes.