3 Thanksgiving Turkey Tips You Need to Know!

Before you start cooking for a big meal for the holidays,take these pro tips from Celebrity Chef Mark Kalix. These tips will help you make sure that you have your turkey ready on time for dinner.



1. Prep your oven before hand by taking out all the extra racks and putting the rack about 3/4 down in the oven. You can also save time by cutting all of your produce and herbs the day before.

2. When deciding when you should start cooking the turkey, work backwards. Think about the time that you want it done and on the table. It takes about 15 minutes per pound to start with. Add an extra hour for resting and an extra 20 minutes for carving.

3. Before you put your turkey in, make sure to over preheat. Set your oven at 500 degrees Fahrenheit and put it on induction bake. Roasting it for a long period of time will burn it.  The reason why you want to have the preheating so high is because when you put in your oven it actually shocks it because it is so big and cold. The temperature of the oven will actually go down to almost 90-120 degrees and will take about an hour to get back up to the temperature that you want to cook it at, usually 350 degrees Fahrenheit. By having the heat higher it will drop down to the correct temperature and can save you about an hour of cooking time.

We hope that with these simple tips, you will save time and make sure you start eating the meal right when everyone arrives.

6 Benefits of a Steam Dryer

The latest trend in high-end laundry (as well as dishwashers and ranges) is steam. While some of the benefits of steam are obvious, there are some added qualities that you may have not thought of.

1. A conventional dryer applies heated air to your wet clothes. This causes the moisture to evaporate. A steam dryer uses hot air to dry clothes, but takes it one step further with steam. The steam cycle allows the moist air to penetrate the clothes and soften the fabrics reducing wrinkles.

2. There is a wrinkle release cycle which is similar to the steam refresh cycle, but it happens at the end of the cycle and will periodically tumble the load until you take the clothes out. This helps prevent wrinkles that caused by your clothes to sitting in the dryer for a while.
3. Steam is used to sanitize items. This works great for killing germs in kid's toys, dog beds and toys, or just to keep your family safe during the flu season.

4. Steam is used to freshen up items that should not be washed. Things like shoes, hats, pillows, camping equipment, and sports equipment. This can also be used as a way to freshen a shirt up without having to do a complete load of laundry.

5. Purchasing a new laundry pair with steam technology is a little more expensive, but it can save you time. If you use steam, you won't have to iron ever again.

6. Using steam cycle can actually make your clothes last longer. With all the benefits, including refreshing your clothes without using detergents and skipping the ironing board can actually help for fabrics not break down as easily and keeping strong and less likely to rip and separate.

Steam allows you more flexibility and improve the drying quality. All of these benefits make steam the hot new feature and is a great option when selecting your new laundry set.

LG vs Samsung Laundry

If you are in search of a new washer and dryer you will probably look at a couple of different appliance brands before making a purchase. There is a lot of new technology innovations in laundry than you may realize. If you are in search of an appliance that has great technology and is stylish you will probably be wanting to look at LG and Samsung.

LG and Samsung are both Korean manufacturers that blasted into the appliance industry during the last decade. They both show no signs of slowing down. LG hit the market hard about 15 years ago and Samsung about 10. Both companies are known for their innovation, style, features, and technological advances.

Both companies are always rated highly in leading consumer publications. The LG brand attempts to be the leader in home appliance innovation. Samsung also  strives to become number one in the home appliance industry. Seeing that they have similar goals and are great rivals, makes it exciting for consumers to find the best machine. You know that no matter which company you choose, you know that you are going to get amazing technology and features like smart appliances or other advanced features.

The two companies both have very similar machines and branding strategies. The two companies were initially in high-volume stores, but switched to being independent stores  which creates an even more competitive pricing advantage for customers.  Most companies will first sell to independent retailers and then when they have processes and systems sell to larger retailers to support the volume.

A buying tip is to purchase during promotional times like holidays will save you 10% to 20% or even more.

We like both brands for different reasons. They both have similar cubic feet and interesting features. Their large capacity, over 5.0 is very impressive in both brands and often rate very well in consumer magazines. Because of the large capacity it is crucial to do site checks in your own home before delivery to see if they would fit in your basement or laundry room. They both have great advanced features like anti-vibration systems or sensor drying technology. Both brands are making their machines connected appliances meaning that you can control them directly with your smart phone to save consumers time and money.

There are some features and options than you will probably rarely use, but can be very convenient when washing delicate clothing. It's hard to believe where the technology has gone to with how specific each cycle can be.

Some time ago, LG used to be one of the statistically worst appliances to buy, but in the last decade they have vastly improved. Samsung has always been a great trusted brand. Unfortunately, they recently had a large recall, but have taken precautions to improve their production for the future. Both companies have received a lot of feedback about difficulty in getting parts in a timely manner. LG pays the lowest labor rates in the industry. Many service companies don’t want to fix these machines in warranty and risk a huge loss.

Now that you know a little more about both LG and Samsung. It's time to compare some of their models. Here are a couple of options to choose from:

Samsung Washer WF45M5500AP and Samsung Dryer DVE45M5500P

Washer Features:

• Steam Wash
• VRT Plus Technology- reduces vibration for quiet washing
• Large capacity
• Self Clean+ to keep your drum fresh and clean
• Smart Care with your smart phone

Dryer Features:

• ENERGY STAR ®  certified
• Multi-steam Technology
• Sensor Dry
• Vent Sensor
• 10 Preset Dry Cycles
• Smart Care with your smart phone

LG Washer WM9000HVA and LG Dryer DLEX9000V

Washer Features:

• TurboWash® makes your big loads require less time
• SmartThinQ® Technology to connect to your smart phone
• Steam Technology
• TubClean to keep your washer fresh
• Electronic Panel

Dryer Features:

• TurboSteam Technology
• SmartThinQ® Technology to connect to your smart phone
• NeveRust™ Stainless Steel Drum
• Elevated angled door for easy access
• Dial-A-Cycle™ drying program

Only you can decide on which washer and dryer is best for you and which brand you will ultimately go with. Let our team know if you have any questions when comparing any laundry set or other appliances.

5 Steps to Clean Smooth-Top Cooking Surfaces

The sleek design of a smooth-top stove can be very appealing to have installed into a kitchen. Choosing this option can make your kitchen have a modern and clean look. It will provide extra countertop space and can be easier to clean than traditional coil burner options.

Cleaning the surface will take a little bit of effort, but after every clean your cook-top will look sparkly clean just like when you first installed it.

We recommend to wipe down your cook-top after every use to help keep it clean, once of course, the surface cools down. We know that spills can happen and that you can get busy after cooking and forget to wipe it down. Here are a couple of steps to get the gunk off and have your smooth-top shine!

1. Use a cleaner specifically recommended for cleaning smooth-top cooking surfaces as some substances may harm your cook-top with chemicals like ammonia and bleach. We recommend using Cerama Bryte as it is the best choice when trying to remove tough stains. It is formulated for heavy-duty cleaning without making scratches on glass surfaces. When used regularly, it helps maintain shine and performance.
2. Wait until the cooking surface is cool to the touch.  To remove any burnt on food residue use a single edged razor blade scrapper. Scrape off the thick areas and wipe it off of the cook-top with a paper towel.
3. Use a quarter-sized amount of cleaner and a nylon cleaning pad to remove residue.  DO NOT use a metal abrasive cleaning pad such as steel wool. Don't be afraid to rub hard on the surface with the right materials as it won't scratch the surface.
4. After cleaning with nylon pad, use a dry paper towel to remove any remaining cleaning residue.
5. The last step it to take a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface to give your cook-top that shine.

Following these simple tips will keep you smooth-top looking just as it did when your first purchased it. These steps are great to follow before having family or friends come over for dinner.

Bosch Black Stainless Steel Dishwasher

We have seen many color changes in appliances over the years such as stainless steel, slate, white ice, and black stainless. Black stainless steel finish options are very popular and for good reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that black stainless steel resist fingerprints and smudges. This option makes cleaning much easier, especially when having young kids.

LG, Samsung, KitchenAid, GE, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire all have kitchen packages available in a Black Stainless. Each of the appliance brands have their own unique finish when it comes to black stainless steel and it is hard to mix and match the black color with the different brands.  Many of our customers might want a kitchen package in one of these brands, however, they tend to want their dishwasher to be quieter and better.

Bosch has always been recognized as a leading manufacturer of dishwashers.  Unfortunately, they have not had a dishwasher in a black stainless to compliment the black stainless offerings in the other brands…..UNTIL NOW!! Bosch does in fact have their own black stainless kitchen suite.

Today, I would like to introduce the new Black Stainless available in Bosch.  The new SHPM78W54N has all of the latest innovations in dishwashing technologies from Bosch, and is now available in a beautiful Black Stainless finish.

The unique thing about Bosch's black stainless is that the unique black-graphite tone color actually reflects light back into the kitchen. This makes the room feel more spacious and inviting when compared to other black stainless steel made by other brands which traditionally absorb light.

The dishwasher unit features 42 dBA which is a measurement of sound and makes this dishwasher one of the quietest dishwashers on the market. This dishwasher also has a stainless interior which make it last longer, handle higher water temperatures, and absorb sound better making  the unit quieter compared to plastic interiors. The other great feature is that this unit has a third rack for your utensils or other odd shaped items This also allows more space on the bottom rack for bigger items to fit. 

If you are needing a high performance dishwasher to compliment your new black stainless kitchen, you should consider the new line in Bosch available in black stainless.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to hear from you soon.

Refrigerator Options

Refrigerators are usually the first appliance to choose when purchasing new appliances for several reasons.  Because of unique refrigerator sizes, it is difficult to choose other appliances before your refrigerator because you want to make sure that the biggest appliance will fit and match all other appliances that you get. Many times the brand will be determined by the size restrictions of your kitchen or any home restrictions.  Sometimes, even your front door or access to your kitchen can be the deciding factor on the size of your fridge. The majority of full size refrigerators have a height of about 70 inches to the top of the hinge and about 68.5 inches to the top of the case behind the fridge where the cabinet above the fridge will be located. There are also options for counter depth units.  The width of most full size refrigerators is about 36 inches and the depth is usually around 32 inches without handles.

Because of refrigerators large size in comparison to other appliances, it takes up a lot of visual space. Think carefully about how much room you’ll actually need for storing food before you start shopping. Unique sizes like 33 inch wide, counter-depth, 72 inch high, and built-in refrigerator models are all available. The finish options that are available are top mount, bottom mount, side-by-side, French door, and event 4 and 5 door French Door options. Many of these choices will be determined by the type of food you typically put in your refrigerator and if you have a secondary freezer that may make your freezer space less important.  Other factors to consider are water and ice dispensers that are available on the door, inside, or you can choose units without any dispenser.

Most if not all, French door units have an ice maker in the freezer, if it doesn’t have one on the door.  Most side-by-side units will have a dispenser on the door only a very small amount of those do not.  Counter depth units will decrease capacity by about 20% with a maximum of about 24 Cu. Ft.  Some full depth models of French door and four or five door units can get up to about 33 Cu. Ft. inside.  One thing to be very aware of is what you would determine as usable space for what you would put in your refrigerator which may be different from someone else. For instance, a 27 Cu. Ft. side-by-side might not be able to handle platters of food for someone who likes to entertain often. If you do like to entertain often you may want to look more into a bottom mount fridge, French door, or four or five door.  Also to consider is that most people use their refrigerator 85% versus their freezer 15% of the time.

In the end, there are many options to choose from, probably too many, but it is likely that you will find the perfect one that will accommodate for your kitchen and home needs. Give us a call if you have questions and stop by one of our stores to see them in person.

How to Pick a New Laundry Set

In today’s modern appliances there are so many more options then years past. You have your standard top load units with an agitator wash, top load unit with the HE non agitator wash, and lastly your front load wash systems.  Each has a variation of washing clothes based on the system within.  Let us take a look at some of the pros and cons of each to better help understand what will work best for you.

Traditional Top Load Systems

 These units are smaller in size and fit in most closets and laundry rooms.  There is less vibration in these units from the way the agitator is set in the unit. There is much less work in loading and unloading due to overall capacity of these units.  There can be shorter wash cycles based on more water consumption and the way the agitator pulls the clothes through the tub.  However, they may struggle with larger heavier items and have a much more limited capacity than all other types.

High Efficiency Top Load Systems

These units are larger overall with capacity and more wash cycles such as steam and sanitize. This is a better option for washing larger items like blankets and comforters. There is more energy saving from reduced water consumption and a higher RMP on the spin cycle leaving clothes dryer. On the other side, all though there is more capacity from not having an agitator, these units are only allowed to use X gallons of water so you have to gauge how much you load and what cycle setting works best for your needs.

Front Load Systems

These units will have the largest capacity on the market and the usability is greater due to the gravity system which makes all the clothes rotate through the water. The ability to stack is also another great benefit when size restrictions apply. Most units will have added cycles and steam features for expanded duties. Again like the HE top load system they also are regulated on the amount of water they can use with the same high speed spin cycles, making you save money, water, and is better for the environment. The down sides are that there are vibrations and there can become an odor in the units from water getting trapped inside the door gasket.  There are some great new cleaning products to minimize that.

All in all there is no true right answer on what works best for you.  Before you purchase, you should really qualify the units by size, features, and benefits and pick the one that is best suited for your needs!

Why You Should Consider White or Black Colored Appliances

White and black appliances have been popular for many years; almost everybody has had them at some point in their lives and are some of the first colored appliances ever in kitchens. In recent years, many people have moved to the industrial stainless steel look. But don’t decide so quickly about getting stainless steel, you should still consider white or black appliances. Here are a couple of reasons why you should think about buying white or black colored appliances instead of stainless steel.

Cost

The materials used in white and black appliances are more affordable than stainless steel finishes in most cases. Because stainless steel is newer and more popular, the appliance cost can be a little more. If you are trying to save $100-$500 on appliances, consider buying white or black.

Durability and Cleanness

It is also more durable and can be easier to clean. Most stainless steel appliances show fingerprints, with having white or black more matte finishes; you won’t have to worry about that at all with these colors.

Lighting in the Room

White appliances give a warmer look to any kitchen. They literally feel warm, compared to other colors like black or stainless steel. Also with white appliances, light will bounce off of the appliance and make the room lighter in appearance.

On the other hand, picking black appliances can make the kitchen have a very dark color. Make sure that you have great lights if you choose to have darker colors in your kitchen. Black colors will absorb in the light and not reflect or bounce off of the room. If you like the idea of black appliances, make sure to have lighter colors in your countertops, cabinets, and/ or floors so you have lights bounce around the room.

Different Hues and Colors

One consideration to take into account is that all appliances should be paired with cabinets that compliment them. Placing these white appliances with white cabinets may give your kitchen a modern look or it may give a washed out look to your kitchen if there are no accents. White or black appliances also look fabulous when paired with a countertop that works with your color scheme.

Another thing to consider is that there is not one specific color that all brands use; there are different tones and hues of white and black available that also have different levels of gloss. Because of this, it is important to try and stay within the same brand so that the hue is the same and matches.

Summary

White appliances are perfect for someone who isn’t interested in the extra cleaning or cost that stainless steel appliances require, but are looking to brighten up the room. Black appliances are perfect for someone who does want to darken or balance out their room colors while also saving time on cleaning and who wants to save money. Only you can decide which appliances are going to be best in your kitchen. Let us know if you have any questions about picking the right finish for your appliances.

6 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

One of the most popular appliance finishes is stainless steel. It can be a very classy look, but sometimes it can seem daunting to clean all of the fingerprints, especially if you have little kids. When you need to clean your stainless steel appliances there are a couple things to consider.

1. Use a cleaner made specifically for stainless steel and a soft microfiber cleaning cloth. DO NOT just use regular water and a paper towel. There can be minerals in your water that can harm the stainless steel and the paper towel fibers can get trapped in the grain.

2. NEVER use steel wool, steel brushes or other metal cleaning pads. Metal against metal will scratch your appliances leaving you with a not so pretty finish. This will also leave small carbon remnants that can be left in the steel which will leave a rusty looking finish which is not what you want.

3. Always wipe with the direction of the “grain” of the stainless steel.  If you look at the material you will be able to see if the striations in the stainless goes horizontal or vertical, whichever way they go that is the direction you want to wipe. This helps clean deep into the microscopic grooves where oxidation happens.

4. Be careful about the cleaner that you use.  Some cleaners leave a “greasy” film on the product and can be harmful to the environment. While some cleaners, such as Ecosential by Smart Choice, are formulated to clean while still being eco-friendly.

5. Pay attention to stainless steel handles. Sometimes the grime can stick to these areas the most. It might be best to take off the handles to get the sparkly shine. You should also wipe the area around where the knobs are as dirt and grime get trapped in these areas.

6. Don’t forget about the hood. If not careful, the hoods can buildup grease and dust very fast in those hard to reach areas. Make sure to get a ladder and wipe down these areas to get the perfect stainless steel look.

Stainless steel does require more cleaning, but with a little elbow grease it can stay beautiful just like it was brand new. Once you have these tips in your head and clean every few weeks, you will be so happy that you picked stainless steel appliances in your kitchen.

3 Reasons to Buy A French Door Fridge

There are so many different options for refrigerators. There are top-mount, French doors, bottom mount, side-by-side, and more. It is hard to distinguish which one is the best choice. Here are three reasons why people like the conference of having a French door refrigerators.

1. Do you hate bending down to find things in crisper drawers way at the bottom of the fridge? And do you sometimes forget what is in there because you can't easily see into it? Not with a French door refrigerator. The crisper drawer's are high enough for you to reach in and see into the refrigerator more easily. You can find your food easier and you do not have to bend down.

2. Usable space is optimal in a French door style fridge. With the 2 main doors up top, the width of the fresh food section is the best possible set up! You can easily reach for a deli tray, cookie sheet, or a large pizza box right in the middle of the fridge.

3. Options!  French door fridges come in a variety of set ups that are more customized to your needs. You can choose 3 door, 4 door, or even a 5 door set up. Another great option that is nice with French doors is having temperature controlled drawers. This allows you to change the temperature of the drawers that can either be used as a fridge or a freezer.

Ultimately the decision is up to you with what type of refrigerator is best for your space and family size. Hopefully, we have answered some questions about the French door option that would make you want to pick this option.

Have any more questions about different types of refrigerators? Leave them in the comments section or give us a call and we can help!

5 Trick-Or-Treat Tips for Parents

Boo! Halloween has certainly snuck up on us this year, and your little ghouls and goblins are gearing up excitedly for their big trick-or-treating adventure. Here are some helpful hints for you and your kids to get the most out of your big Halloween night out so you can have a safe and happy Halloween.

1. Wear Comfortable Clothes- Parents, keep in mind that your little ones are full of excitement and energy (not to mention candy!) so you can anticipate at least a couple hours’ worth of roaming around your neighborhood during trick-or-treating time. Make sure to wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes so you aren’t howling like a werewolf with every step of your Halloween journey!

2. Light Up the Night- Halloween is a dark and spooky night full of fun and mischief! Just make sure you don’t let it get TOO dark- keep yourself and your children well-lit and easy for passing motorists to spot as you cross the street. You can purchase cool glow sticks or adorn your children with light-up accessories to make them highly visible when crossing to the houses on the next block.

3. Skip Masks- Yes, we know Batman is nothing without his mask, and we admit that a Darth Vader without his iconic black helmet lacks a certain something, but masks can get in the way of safety and comfort during trick-or-treat time. Encourage your children to opt for mask-free costumes, or to use makeup in lieu of a mask for the desired effect. Not only will this increase their visibility as they walk through the neighborhood, but it will also help them to breathe better.

4. Inspect the Loot- Once trick-or-treating is through and it’s time to head home with your candy haul, make sure to look over all of your kids’ treats carefully. If you spot any unwrapped candy, or see anything that looks suspicious, remove it from your children’s stash and dispose of it. Stick with the mini candy bars and non-candy treats that are obviously still in their original wrappers, for safety’s sake.

5. Limit the Props- Unless you want to be stuck carrying Captain America’s shield, a couple of lightsabers AND a basket with Toto inside all evening long, encourage the kids to leave handheld props home. Your children will have their hands full with their trick-or-treat bags, and you can guess who will end up carrying all of their accessories! Not only that, but long props such as swords or a Grim Reaper scythe can pose a tripping hazard for both your kids and random passers-by.

The Interstate Appliance staff wishes all of you a safe and happy Halloween!

5 Ways to Help Organize Your Refrigerator for the Freshest Food

Are you sick of your milk spoiling a few days before the expiration date? The problem could be where you put your milk in the refrigerator. Take the extra time to stock your fridge carefully to cut down on food waste.

Depending on how old or new your refrigerator is or even the special features of your specific model or brand there can be areas that you should watch out for.  Areas like door bins and upper shelves tend to be a little warmer than the middle of the refrigerator or the bottom shelves.  Here are a few steps to help you with placing your food and drinks in the best possible areas to maintain freshness.

1. The Refrigerator Doors

The temperature in the doors can be a couple of degrees higher than the main compartment. This could be too warm to store milk and eggs in. Here are items that you should place in the doors that can handle the slight change:

• Condiments
• Juice
• Soda or soft drinks
• Water
• Butter
• Cooking oils

2. The Lower Shelf

The very middle of you fridge is one of the coldest areas to store food. This spot is best for foods that are more temperature-sensitive. Here are the foods that should be on the lower shelf:

• Milk
• Eggs (in their carton)
• Raw fish, meat, and poultry

Extra tip: You can use little trays to separate the meat from the other foods and they will also catch any drips or spills falling down into the rest of the refrigerator.

3. The Upper Shelf

This area of the refrigerator can get slightly warmer and you want to be cautious as to what you put in this area. Here are items that you should put on the upper shelf:

• Yoghurt
• Snacks like (fruit cups, hummus, etc.)
• Jelly and Jam
• Peanut butter
• Leftovers (store more in the front of the fridge so you don’t forget about them)

4. Veggie and Fruit Bins

Crisper drawers are designed for produce. In some refrigerators you can adjust the humidity for drier foods or moister climate foods.  If you do not have the ability to adjust the humidity, that is okay and you can organize your bins in a way that low versus high humidity foods are stored together and are separate from each other. Here is a list of fruits and vegetables you can group together:

High- Humidity Drawer

• Carrots
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Broccoli
• Green Onions
• Leafy Greens
• Brussels sprouts

Low-Humidity Drawer

• Apples
• Mangos
• Pears, plums, peaches, nectarines
• Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Summer squash
• Avocados

5. Outside the Refrigerator

There are common misconceptions for a few foods that should not actually be placed in the refrigerator. Here are a few items that you should keep out on your counter-tops or food pantry:

• Garlic
• Coffee
• Bananas
• Bread (Organic bread should be refrigerated. All bread is okay to freeze)
• Tomatoes
• Lemons and limes
• Onions and Potatoes but keep them away from each other

We hope that these food organization tips help you keep your food fresher longer. Let us know if you have other issues with keeping your food fresh or other questions about organizing your refrigerator. 

Keep Up With These 3 Kitchen Trends

There are constant changes coming to kitchen design and it's a struggle to keep up. These changes are fresh and refreshing. Likely they will remain longer than a simple trend.

Horizontal wood grain is becoming huge for cabinetry in kitchens. This new trend is revitalizing traditional wood cabinetry. Less recessing and molding details on this style of cabinet and more flat. Horizontal wood grains actually makes the kitchen seem wider. Hardware is kept simple and understated. The most popular style of hardware is simple metal, horizontal pulls.  A huge benefit of installing this kind of cabinetry is that it can be paired with other types of wood. The cabinet grain is very prominent, easily pair a wood flooring that has a smaller visible grain. Also, run the other kind of wood grain in a different direction, preferably vertical. This will create a focal point with a clean look!

Another trend is to mix two kinds of cabinets to add dimension and interest. You can even add three different materials to create your own unique cabinet design. The key to pulling this off is to keep the cabinet design simple. Refraining from raised panels or ornate moldings on the cabinet doors. Each different cabinet material is in the same flat panel design, same design to link the cabinets together with different wood grain.

2017 is all about contrast which can easily be seen by the newest appliances coming out in dark but classic colors.  Contrast is the key to keeping a design looking unique and interesting. Monochromatic schemes can be great if done well, but beware of washing out the room. Details get lost in a monochromatic setting and everything just sort of blends together. Creating contrast is one of the best ways to add interest and dimension. Details are noticed and appreciated when contrast comes into play!

If you're looking to set yourself apart but still be trendy try out these ideas.

What is your favorite modern kitchen trend? Leave it in the comments section.

5 Summer Travel Packing Tips

Whether you’re hitting the beach with the family or gearing up for a girls’ getaway in Vegas, it’s important to bring a strong suitcase game to your next vacation. With ever-increasing baggage fees, the art of packing a lot into a little bit of space is more important than ever before! Read on for some helpful hints to improve your packing strategy before you hit the road.

This is How We Roll- Ask any travel expert and they will agree- rolling clothes instead of folding them is where it’s at. Not only do tightly-rolled clothes take up less suitcase space than folded clothes do, but they also emerge from the case a lot less wrinkled than their folded counterparts.

Make a List (Check it Twice)- In this world, there are two types of people: those who fly by the seat of their pants, and those who make lists of the lists they need to make. When it comes to travel, the advantage goes to the list-makers: by creating lists of everything they’ll need to be comfortable and happy during their trip, they’re less likely to forget anything important.

Get the 3-1-1- Have you heard about the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule? If not, get in the know: you are allowed to bring a quart-sizes bag of liquids on board, and these liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or less per item. FYI- in this case, “liquids” also applies to toothpaste, aerosol cans, gels and creams, so make sure you only have small, travel-size portions of each item.

Layer it On- Pack your bag in layers so the TSA agents can get a better picture of what’s inside. Not only does this make the security check-in process go much more quickly, but it also minimizes the need for TSA to rummage through your bag to make sure it’s safe.

Hang Onto Your Valuables- Everything of considerable value, from expensive jewelry to electronics, should never be checked in the rest of your baggage- make sure to keep it with you at all times. This also goes for items of sentimental value- TSA is not responsible for lost or stolen items, and you will be absolutely heartbroken if you arrive at your destination and can’t find something special.

Travel enthusiasts: did we forget anything? Add your tips in the Comments section!

What is an Induction Range and the Benefits

Bob is here to share with you what induction ranges are. He has tree main reasons why you should think about upgrading to an induction range.



Three Benefits of Induction Ranges Include:

• Faster over all heating and boiling times
• Better control over your temperature 
• Easier to clean and up-keep

Do the benefits make you want to make the switch? Let us know in the comments section.

Toss It! Things You Should Throw Away During Spring Cleaning

We’ve all heard that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and most of the time that’s true. “Upcycling” has become downright trendy, with people turning their dumpster-diving finds into one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture for their homes. Likewise, repurposed, recycled and reclaimed items are a badge of honor among the younger crowd. The “waste not, want not” mindset behind giving items a second life as something new and unique is commendable and fantastic. Most of the time.

Then there are those things you should absolutely toss in the garbage without delay- things that are so gnarly that they can’t be repurposed by even the most optimistic dumpster-diver. Here are a few household items it’s almost never a good idea to hang on to when you’re organizing your home for spring.

Old cosmetics- If you are or ever have been female, or if you have lived with a female member of society at any point in your life, chances are you are familiar with the Mascara Conundrum. Though common wisdom dictates that a tube of mascara, an eyeliner, or any other cosmetic that touches your eyes should be thrown out once every three months to avoid contamination which leads to eye infections, few women have the heart to actually go through with it. For one thing, cosmetics can be quite pricey, with even the drugstore brands of mascara costing upwards of $6 per tube. Secondly, when you are faced with the possibility of conjunctivitis or the prospect of chucking your limited-edition plum eyeliner sample you received as a free gift with purchase, a good number of women will roll the dice and opt to keep the eyeliner. Hard as it may be, you really need to purge your eye makeup at regular intervals to keep your eyes healthy and infection-free.

Expired food- There are probably no people on earth who need to be told to get rid of their spoiled dairy, meat or produce- at least we hope not! However, dry goods and spices are another story. Since you don’t have to refrigerate these items, people can mistakenly think they never go bad, or that they should be able to keep just fine for indeterminate periods of time in your cupboards or pantry. This is not accurate- there’s a reason for the “use by” dates stamped on most dry goods and non-perishable items. It may seem like a waste to toss out unused food because of an arbitrary date on the box, but you’ll be glad you did.

Broken toys- As your kids get older, it’s natural to want to keep some of their toys as keepsakes or mementos, or even put them away in case they want to pass them onto their own children someday. Additionally, any toys that are still in good shape can be donated to charity so they can be enjoyed by other kids. But there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to keeping toys that are broken. Dolls without heads, trucks without wheels, or puzzles that are missing pieces all need to find their way out of your attic and into a garbage truck ASAP.

If you have any spring cleaning tips, including suggestions for where to toss unwanted items, let us know in the comments below.

Recipe- Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Black-eyed peas have long been a traditional New Year’s favorite. This hearty and delicious soup is a great way to warm up this winter!

Ingredients:

• 1/2  pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound pork sausage
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cups water
• 3 15-oz. cans black-eyed peas, drained
• 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes with green chili peppers (like RO*TEL), undrained
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• ¾ tsp. garlic salt
• ½ tsp. Salt
• 1 4-oz. Can chopped green chilies
• 4 tsp. Molasses
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• ¼ tsp. Ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, cook and stir the pork sausage and ground beef with the onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes; drain off excess fat. Pour in the water, and stir in black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chili, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, salt, canned green chilies, molasses, beef bouillon cubes, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.

Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Prep time: 15 mins. Cook time: 1 hr. Serves 8.