With winter upon us, many of you probably already have your furnace running. If you haven’t turned it on yet, or haven’t done the maintenance yet, here are some quick tips. 1. Turn off the gas and electricity to the furnace. 2. Vacuum the furnace interior everywhere you can reach. 3. Change the air filter. 4. Check the fan belt for wear--glazing, cracking, or fraying. The belt should be taut. Tighten by loosening the attachment bracket and moving the... [read more]

You depend on your car, and you take good care of it. But you don’t have to throw lavish amounts of money at it. Take heed of this money-saving advice: · Stick with normal tires. Don’t let dealers talk you into super-grip performance tires unless you drive a sports car and really need them. Most high-performance tires are more expensive and don’t last as long as regular tires. · Don’t change the oil more than you need to. Check your... [read more]

Refried beans are only fried once. The reason for the misconception around the name is a translation error. The originals are frijoles refritos which actually means “well fried beans” – not re-fried. Worcestershire sauce, the popular English sauce, is made from dissolved anchovies. The anchovies are soaked in vinegar until they have completely melted. The sauce contains the bones and all. Coconut water can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma. The... [read more]

Wills and powers of attorneys aren’t just for the wealthy - they are essential legal documents everyone should have, as they dictate how you or your assets are to be cared for or dealt with in the event you pass away or become incapacitated. A properly drafted and executed will (or wills) ensures that your assets are distributed, and your minor children are taken care of, according to your wishes in the event of your death.  Powers of attorney are equally important documents that... [read more]

When people share their goals with you, do you help them launch their dreams—or try to bring them back to Earth? In his book The Man Who Listens to Horses (Ballantine), famed horse trainer Monty Roberts tells about the time one of his teachers in high school assigned a paper called “My Goals in Life.” The teacher, Mr. Fowler, was interested only in practical goals—not fantasies about going to Hollywood to become a movie star, and the like. But young Monty had a... [read more]