‘Outdoor living’ Archive
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 Rochester, New York has already completed the experimental phase of its LED lighting program, and with the help of federal grants, they will expand their lighting grid by more than 400 additional city lights, according to KAALTV.com.
"A little whiter light. Lot of people say it's a cleaner light," Tony Benson, a worker for Rochester Public Utilities (RPU). "Some of the other technologies have more of an orange or yellowish light and the cleaner, whiter light people seem to like."
Residents of the northern New York town have been pleased with the addition of the LED fixtures and the delightful illumination they provide. The RPU has also noted that the new program will save the city at least $17,000 in utility and maintenance costs each year.
Homeowners also looking to save money on their utility bills may want to make use of brown wire light sets. Beautiful and efficient, the bulbs will help illuminate your home and give off a warm, gorgeous glow.
The product is also as reliable as it is aesthetically pleasing – in fact, if one bulb goes out, the rest will stay lit.
Posted in Light Sets, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 According to Forbes magazine, the price of heating a home in winter can vary wildly – but not because of temperature differences. For example, Buffalo and Boston have similar temperatures in the month of February with average lows of about 23 and 16 degrees, respectively. Yet a family in Buffalo can expect to pay over $300 less per month than their east coast counterparts.
The difference comes in the choice of heat. Only two percent of Buffalonians use more expensive oil to heat their homes, compared to 36 percent of Boston residents. To make matters worse, as of 2008 the price of heating oil had risen nearly 40 percent.
This leaves homeowners looking for thrifty ways to save money during the long winter months. This can be as simple as throwing on an extra layer of clothing to carefully insulating all of the windows with plastic sheet.
The Brabantia Drying Rack is another way homeowners can cut back on costs. Rather than footing the bill to run loads through the dryer, simply hang them up and allow them to try. This will allow families to reduce their energy costs over time.
Posted in Drying Racks, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 Starbucks has begun an unprecedented campaign to make their new retail locations compatible with the United States Green Building Council's LEED certification. In addition, the company has started a nationwide initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of existing stores to match the company's philosophy of sustainable living, according to PPTYMag.com.
LEED certification is a highly-sought after distinction bestowed by the USGBC that
advocates for the use of sustainable building materials and energy-efficient power sources. Other rating systems include reducing the building's environmental impact during and after construction, water savings and indoor environmental quality.
Starbucks has set the standard for the rest of the retail industry to follow. In addition to energy-efficient lighting, the company has integrated such features as low-plumbing systems for water conservation and sustainable building products during construction.
The company has also expanded its support for LED lighting by trying to attain the goal of 25 percent reduction in energy consumption, according to JustMeans.com.
Homeowners looking to provide additional illumination for their home and to save some money on their utility bills should consider white wire light sets. These versatile fixtures can be hung anywhere and will provide a decorative and charming touch to your home's interiors.
Posted in Light Sets, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 ABC News is reporting that the northern end of Australia finds itself in the middle of a long and pesky insect infestation. Record-breaking numbers of mosquitoes have descended on the area, forcing residents to stay in their home and endure the hot weather with doors and windows closed.
As if that wasn't enough trouble, officials put out a statement today warning locals of overusing popular insect repellents. DEET is the most common active ingredient in these products, and while normal use will not have any negative effects, extended use can quickly irritate the skin or, rarely, cause a more serious reaction. Healthcare officials say citizens should weigh the pros and cons of using these products and act accordingly.
A safe way to keep insects away from you and your family is with PredaSCENT Garden Masking Agent. A tin of PredaSCENT will last up to a week and simply needs to be left in an area to be effective. The repellent is 100 percent natural and doesn't need to be applied to the skin, meaning there is no risk of irritation
Posted in Outdoor living, PredaSCENT | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 According to the Chicago Tribune, Wisconsin and Minnesota are preparing a large-scale war against the tree-killing gypsy moth. The pests will enter their mating season in June, bringing with them a wave of destruction. Some reports have stated nearly 20 percent of affected trees dying in one season.
"If you had an extensive forest tent caterpillar outbreak," forest health specialist Mike Albers told the news source, "then add on gypsy moth defoliation, that might be too much stress too fast for some of our trees to handle."
Homeowners should also prepare for the possibility of moth control needs this summer. Safer Clothes Moth Traps cover a large area and contain a contain a non-toxic lure that will attract adult moths. This product will quickly alert you to any potential infestations and allow you to act quickly. Safer Pantry Moth Traps serve the same function for those that prefer to spoil your food.
Cedar Oil serves as a natural repellent to all moths. Not only will this keep them at bay, but it has the added benefit of restoring the pleasant smell that comes with cedar wood.
Posted in Moth Control, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
 With the official beginning of spring just weeks away, many are counting the days until the days are longer and the temperatures are warmer.
One of the things that many are looking forward to is firing up the grill to cook their favorite foods outdoors, especially after months of being trapped indoors because of cold winter weather.
Experts say now is a good time to evaluate your grill to order replacement parts, new accessories or to upgrade, if necessary.
Many who own a Big Green Egg Grill already use it all year long, as its kiln-like structure keeps the heat sealed in and chilly wind out.
However, they may consider purchasing one of the many accessories available for this product. These include porcelain cooking grids, grill extenders, plate setters, chicken cans and turkey stands, baking stones and cast iron griddles.
These items will help users prepare practically any food using their Big Green Egg.
The Big Green Egg is a unique barbecue product with unmatched flexibility and capabilities that surpass all other conventional cookers combined. It's a smoker, a grill and an oven that allows users to cook everything from appetizers to entrees to desserts.
Posted in Big Green Egg, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
 Spring is right around the corner, which means that grilling season is about to be here. Those who are looking to shed some pounds and still want to partake in outdoor cooking may want to throw some salmon on the grill.
Luckily, The Foster City Patch had a nifty recipe for those who love seafood. Serve a small portion of salmon on a roll and layer avocados and prosciutto on top of it. What you will be left with is a delectable treat that can be enjoyed all throughout the warmer season.
The Big Green Egg is one way to cook up some delicious salmon with ease. The product allows grill enthusiasts to either grill or smoke lean protein along with a bevy of delicious vegetables.
Additionally, the item helps users grill, barbecue and smoke their food while in the comfort of outdoors and be confident it come out perfect. Big Green Eggs are also made from thick ceramic, material that is excellent at maintaining moisture content.
Posted in Big Green Egg | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
 If topping your hot dog with relish is your idea of gourmet, you may want to check out some of the various condiments recommended by Food Network chefs for this American classic.
Food Network Magazine has compiled 30 different hot dog recipes for anyone who might be interested in enjoying one every day for an entire month. Recipes include a wide range of toppings. The Chicago Dog is topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet pickle relish, sweet peppers, diced onion, mustard and celery salt. The Taco Dog has cheddar cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and a flour tortilla instead of a traditional hot dog roll. And, the Pekingese Dog has is flavored with five-spice powder and topped with plum sauce, cucumbers, scallions and cilantro.
Whether you like your hot dogs with a plain or elaborate topping, many agree that grilling the actual dog is the preferred method of preparation.
The Big Green Egg Grill is an ideal grill for any type of cuisine or course, including appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts.
This product is a unique barbecue product with unmatched flexibility and capabilities that surpass all other conventional cookers. It serves as a smoker, a grill and an oven.
The Big Green Egg also has an extensive line of accessories that makes it easy to prepare your favorite dishes outdoors.
Posted in Big Green Egg, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
 Many people who love outdoor grilling reserve the cooking technique for meat, fish or poultry entrees and head indoors to prepare side dishes. However, Food Network experts say that there's a variety of delicious and healthy sides that can be cooked on your outdoor grill as well.
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis offers a recipe on FoodNetwork.com that is billed as a quick, easy and healthy accompaniment to any meal. Brushing veggies such as red peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and asparagus with olive oil and sprinkling them with salt and pepper before grilling results in a delicious alternative to steamed or sautéed vegetables.
Other popular side dishes include grilled sweet potato wedges, grilled corn and tomato salad and grilled zucchini succotash.
Whatever side dish you choose to serve, the Big Green Egg may be the perfect tool for preparing it.
In addition to serving as a grill, smoker and oven, the Big Green Egg has an extensive line of accessories that make preparing nearly any dish possible. They include porcelain cooking grids, a grill extender, a plate setter, baking stones and a cast iron griddle.
Posted in Big Green Egg, Outdoor living | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
 A last-minute change to the rules on NASCAR cars had a lot of people talking grilles at the Daytona 500.
According to SpeedTV.com, the day before the legendary race, officials agreed to allow expansion of the grille opening on the cars that feeds air to the engine in order to help avoid overheating in the warmer-than-usual race weather.
While die-hard racing fans understand the significance of the rule change, others who attend the Daytona 500 and other NASCAR races may have been talking about another type of grill as they prepared their sometimes elaborate tailgate parties.
According to PitCrewBarbeque.com, the Daytona International Speedway is one of the sport's great tailgating locations. Huge parties complete with fanatical fans and delicious food can be found at tailgates that start days before the big event.
While traditional foods like burgers, steaks and chicken are always popular, many tailgaters choose to add some local flavor to their parties with the addition of fresh crab or other local seafood.
Whatever foods are served, many tailgaters choose to prepare them on the Big Green Egg grill.
The "Egg" is a unique barbecue product, with unmatched flexibility and capabilities that surpass all other conventional cookers combined. It is a smoker, a grill and an oven that allows users to cook literally any food including appetizers, entrees and desserts.
The product features an extensive line of accessories to make cooking on the Big Green Egg simple. They include porcelain cooking grids, a grill extender, a plate setter, a chicken can and a turkey stand, baking stones and a cast iron griddle.
Posted in Big Green Egg, Outdoor living | No Comments »
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