Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2018-06-04T17:01:00

(BPT) – Summer is upon us and that means one thing … grilling. Gather your friends and family for a barbecue with your favorite recipes, including fresh pork! Chef Ernest Servantes officially kicked-off Grilling Season in Miami doing what he does best: cooking up something special on the grill using Smithfield Fresh Pork. Chef Servantes has all of the tips and secrets to help you become the hero of your grill this summer!

Chef Servantes, a self-taught pitmaster and former champion and now judge of Food Network’s hit show — Chopped — is widely known for his one-of-a-kind blends of New American Cuisine with Texas flair. Servantes is world renowned for using Smithfield Fresh Pork because of its quality, freshness and consistently great flavor.

Grilling is a proud tradition in every Hispanic community — from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and even in the U.S., every community uses the grill to create one-of-a-kind flavors. It’s a tradition steeped in history, and the first-ever Smithfield Fresh Pork Grilling Cup, “Copa de la Parrilla,” invites Hispanic chefs to share their unique grilling styles with the world.

Eight Influencer Chefs, each representing a different Hispanic Country, will be competing for the title of the best Smithfield Fresh Pork grilling recipe for this year’s “Grilling Cup.” Follow along on Facebook at @SaborSmithfield and vote for your favorite fresh pork recipe and team via www.saborsmithfield.com/copa for a chance to win one of several great grilling prizes. While you’re there, check out fresh pork recipes from champion pitmaster Chef Ernest Servantes.

Grilling season is officially here, so get your grills ready. In the words of Chef Servantes, “¡Viva BBQ!” You can learn more about Chef Servantes’ delicious recipes at www.saborsmithfield.com.

Costillas de Tejas – Texas Ribs

Costillas de Tejas

2 racks Smithfield(R) Pork Spareribs, membrane removed

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons ancho chile powder

1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Pinch cayenne or chipotle powder

Freshly ground black pepper

Barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 small sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped

3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

1 cup ketchup 1/3 cup cold water

1 chipotle chile, chopped (from can of chipotle chiles in adobo)

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 heaping tablespoon, Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon molasses

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or sherry vinegar)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons ancho chile powder

1 tablespoon sweet Spanish paprika

1. To make barbecue sauce, heat oil in saucepan over medium-high until warm and shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in ketchup and water; bring to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes.

3. Scrape the barbecue sauce into bowl of food processor or blender; purée until smooth or desired consistency. Sauce will be very thick; let cool to room temperature. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Can be used immediately, however flavors will be more complex if kept overnight. Extra sauce can be stored in refrigerator for up to one week.

4. To make Costillas de Tejas, heat oven to 200ºF. Place wire rack on aluminum foil covered baking sheet. Combine brown sugar, ancho chile powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, cayenne and black pepper in small bowl; mix well.

5. Place 2 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil on counter (each about 4 inches longer than ribs). Place each rib rack on a piece of foil; sprinkle generous amount of spice rub over meaty side and massage into the meat. Turn over ribs and repeat on bone side. Seal ribs in foil and place, meaty side down, on rack on baking sheet.

6. Bake ribs at 200ºF for 4 hours; reduce oven temperature to 175ºF and bake an additional 2 hours, until ribs are very tender and just about falling off the bone.

7. Open foil packets and discard juices. Brush barbecue sauce over ribs; cut and serve.

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 6 1/2 hours

Ernest Servantes Recipe (C)2018 Smithfield Foods

2018-06-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you are buying a home for the first time or you are just looking for an upgrade, it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with tips that can make your search go from overwhelming to enjoyable. Rather than learning the hard way about hidden expenses and difficult neighbors, there are things you can do to feel more confident as you begin your search.

With a seller’s market in many parts of the country, these tips are even more important as you battle other buyers for the home of your dreams. The more efficient and straightforward you are in your search, the better chance you’ll have to hear “offer accepted.”

Consider all the costs

When starting the home-buying journey, the first thing to consider is the cost and expenses. When pre-approved for a mortgage of a certain amount, keep in mind that number is not a target — it is a maximum. While a seller’s market often means little wiggle room on price, your best bet is to find a property below that number so you have a financial cushion when negotiations happen.

It is important to remember the mortgage is not the total cost of your home. It usually only covers principal, interest, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums. Homeownership involves many other expenses like closing costs, home repairs and potential yearly increases in property taxes.

Last, and something few people think about, if you have a life insurance policy, be sure to review it to make sure your coverage takes into account the mortgage debt on your new home. This ensures that if something happens to you, your family is financially secure.

Be flexible but firm

Finding the right home requires a delicate balance of flexibility and finesse. At the same time, you want to stand firm when it comes to your non-negotiables in your new home (price, school district, a second bathroom).

This is where having a real estate agent can be of enormous benefit. Agents have the expertise and time to devote to your search that allows you to flex when opportunity arises and get a home that doesn’t break your budget. Finding the right agent is a lot like finding the right home — you need to do your research. Get referrals for accredited agents and have meetings with two or three of them before deciding who to hire. Make sure they have experience working with homes in your price point and are familiar with the areas you are looking to buy in. Lastly, do not sign an exclusive broker agreement unless you are certain you have found the right agent for you. There are many resources available to help you find an agent that understands your individual needs, such as USAA’s Real Estate Rewards Network.

Meet the neighbors

While location is important, many factors feed into a great neighborhood. From disputes over pets and parking to personality clashes, neighbors can have a big impact on your happiness as a homeowner. Before committing to a neighborhood, take time to walk the street and gauge compatibility with the neighbors you meet. Talking with the neighbors may also reveal hidden quirks about the home you would not have known otherwise, such as a basement that constantly floods or an ongoing dispute about a property line.

More house is more work

Television shows have glamorized home renovation. Before deciding on a “fixer upper,” make sure you have a full understanding of what it will take — and how much it will cost — to make the house match your vision. Construction projects often take longer than anticipated and can reveal other problems that end up costing more money. If your home is a complete renovation you also won’t be able to live there during construction, so you need to ask yourself, can you afford to pay for two homes for several months?

Similarly, a larger house means more time and money spent on upkeep. A house with a big yard may have great curb appeal but will you truly use all that space? Be realistic, because the money for maintenance on a bigger house is money in your pocket at a smaller house that has many of the features you want.

Lastly, remember that no home improvement project will change your commute or how noisy the nearby traffic is.

Use your head, not your heart

One final piece of advice — do not let your emotions take over the process. Choosing a home can be stressful and overwhelming. It is important to keep a level head. No decision this big should be made on an impulse, so take your time and think through every aspect of the process.

To learn more tips and tricks to buying a home or to find a trusted agent near you, visit USAA’s Home Learning Center.

2018-06-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – From outdoor cookouts to dinner parties on the patio, summer is the ideal season for entertaining guests. According to a recent survey commissioned by Delta Faucet, an overwhelming majority of homeowners (89 percent) plan to host at least one summer gathering this season. To ensure hosts are well prepared, below are tips on how to throw a simple summer soirée.

Embellish with blossoms

Subtle touches such as a fresh floral centerpiece help create a warm and welcoming ambiance. Design a floral arrangement with varying heights for the illusion of a fuller, larger table centerpiece without spending the time or money. As a bonus, create a foundation for your bouquet with foliage — like magnolia leaves — as the framework to provide a leafy contrast to your favorite flowers.

Embrace seasonal ingredients

Incorporate a blend of seasonal ingredients such as garden strawberries and fresh basil into gourmet treats for guests. Highlight fresh raspberries and lemon with a fruit-infused water or make a variety of berry and goat cheese toasts for sweet and savory flavors in every bite. For less time in the kitchen, goat cheese appetizers can be made in advance, so all you need to do the day-of is set and serve.

Stay spotless as you go

To host your dream gathering without the stress, take advantage of the latest and greatest innovations. The Delta Charmaine Faucet with ShieldSpray Technology, available at The Home Depot, ensures quick and easy cleanup throughout the event. Designed with a concentrated jet stream within a protective sphere of water, ShieldSpray Technology powers off grit and grime while containing mess and splatter. This way you can clean as you go to avoid dish pile-up; spend less time soaking, scrubbing and shirt swapping; and have more time with your guests.

Illuminate your space

The perfect lighting can take your party décor to the next level, night or day. If you’re planning an evening event, use string lights or scented candles around the space to create a cozy environment. For daytime gatherings, hang details tailored to your party décor like foliage garland, paper lanterns or colorful ribbon.

For more design inspiration, visit DeltaFaucet.com/InspiredLiving.

2018-05-30T07:01:01

(BPT) – If you’re like many people, the warm months of summer are when you are most active outdoors. You’re not alone. The same is also true for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. New findings show these pests are more than just an annoyance, they can pose a health risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illnesses caused by these pests are on the rise, and in recent years, nine new germs spread by ticks and mosquitoes have been identified or introduced into the U.S.

Now more than ever, it’s important to be proactive by putting a plan in place to protect your home and outdoor space from these pests, and any of the other 200 insect types that could inhabit your lawn and enter your home. Start with these five tips:

* Narrow down your summer guest list. Different pests are drawn to different things. Mosquitoes can breed and thrive in even the smallest amount of water, and yellow jackets enjoy spending time around trash. Many stinging insects are also drawn to the bright bulbs of certain flowers. Remove these appealing targets from your space to keep these unwanted guests away from your family.

* Protect your home inside and out. When creating your indoor and outdoor pest control strategy, a few preventative measures go a long way. Apply Ortho(R) Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter early in the season to protect your home from ants, roaches and spiders and create a long-lasting barrier around your home to keep bugs out. To protect your yard and keep pests at a minimum, apply Ortho(R) Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules to your grass. A 10-pound bag treats up to 10,000 square feet and provides three-month protection against listed insects before they can ruin your fun. As always, follow the label directions for any products you apply.

* Keep your yard clean. Insects love dark, moist areas, many of which can be found in your yard if you don’t keep it tidy. Mow the grass at least once a week so insects have less room to hide and remove debris or clutter as soon as it accumulates, particularly in areas like your wood pile. If you put off these tasks, unwanted visitors may have already moved in.

* Check your screens. With the windows shut all winter, it’s easy to forget about the condition of your screens when you open them once again. However, even the smallest hole in one of your screens can be all an insect needs to get inside. Check each of your screens — no matter how high the window is off the ground — to be sure it still works, and don’t delay if a replacement must be made.

* Be proactive about infestation. When you’re outside, take a moment to look for signs of insect infestation on your property. For example, wasps tend to build their nests in the crooks of your roof and carpenter ants will set up shop in old wood if left to their own devices. Clear these infestations yourself or contact a pest control expert to prevent the problem from growing worse. Don’t assume they’ll go away on their own, or you’ll be dealing with these pests all season long.

The summer months can be some of the best times of the year, and you should be able to enjoy your summer on your terms. Apply the tips above and you and your family will have a home and yard to enjoy all season.

2018-05-29T10:15:00

(BPT) – With Father’s Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to tackle a new project with your dad, one you both can enjoy. This cane seat chair re-covered with ties is made from a simple design so anyone can finish it regardless of skill level. When you’re done, you’ll have a lasting memento of your work together that you can enjoy seated or standing. And, the tools used in this project, as well as other DIY staple guns, nailers and hammer tackers, are great and practical gifts for the special person in your life this Father’s Day.

Before you begin: Assemble your tools

The Arrow 5700 PowerShot Forward Action Staple Gun and Nailer, along with Arrow T50 Staples, will be integral parts of your project. In addition to these tools you’ll need a drill and drill bits, screwdriver, utility knife, fabric scissors, foam padding, plywood backing, 8-12 screws and enough ties to cover the frame and length of the seat.

Step 1: Remove and re-cover

Remove the cane seat and any jagged fragments from the seat frame in preparation to re-cover. Turn the hand-woven cane chair upside down and cut the connecting cane pieces. Pull all the strands from the chair.

Step 2: Set and secure the ties

Arrange the ties on a flat surface with the same number of ties going vertically and horizontally to cover the width and length of the seat area. It may be helpful to use masking tape to secure the ends of the vertical ties to the flat surface so they are secure. Now weave the horizontal ties in an over-under pattern until you have created a woven pattern over the entire surface area of the seat.

Step 3: Staple the seat

Place the seat of the chair upside down over the woven tie pattern and begin to staple the tie ends to the underside of the chair with the Powershot 5700 and Arrow 3/8” staples. You can pull the ties tight across the surface as you staple. Trim the excess material, leaving an inch or two to bend over and staple to the inside edge of the underside of the chair frame.

Step 4: Cut corners. … Yes, this time it’s OK

The corners of the plywood square support piece will need to be cut out to accommodate the four legs at the corners of the chair. With the chair upside down on a hard surface, place the plywood where it will be mounted. Use a pencil or marker and trace the leg corners. The plywood can be scored with a utility knife. However, you could also use a jigsaw. Remove from all four corners.

Step 5: Finish the foam

With the chair upside down on a hard surface, place the foam on top of the backside of the woven ties. The ties will stretch enough to accommodate the padding.

Step 6: Apply the plywood back

Place the notched plywood back over the padding and pre-drill holes (two to three per side) through the backing into the chair frame.

Step 7: The finishing touches

Secure the plywood backing with screws on every side of the underside of the chair frame.

Step 8: A little decoration

Turn the chair right side up and add some decorative touches as you choose. You can paint one of the tie patterns on the chair back and make some final adjustments to the woven patterns of the ties.

Next Step: Tackle the next project together

A well-rounded tool set can help you finish not only this cane chair but any other project you have on your list. Plan your next project — and pick up some practical gifts — by visiting www.arrowfastener.com or your local hardware store or home center for the tools you need to make it happen. With the right tools and the right project partner, there’s nothing you can’t do.

2018-05-25T07:01:01

(BPT) – Across the country as weather heats up, so do the grills. You don’t need to be a pitmaster to enjoy the fresh flavors that only come from grilling. A few simple tips and creative tricks will help you perfectly grill foods so juicy and delicious, you’ll impress even the pickiest of palates.

Keep it closed: If you’re looking, it’s not cooking! When grilling, it’s temping to constantly check your foods, but this mistake can cause items to cook unevenly. While some parts may be overdone, others could be dangerously underdone. A grill does its best work when closed, so let heat build up evenly to cook foods with all those fantastic smoky flavors. Peek in only when necessary to verify doneness or add sauces or oils.

Marvelous marinades: Marinades are a popular way to add flavor to grilled dishes and can be a fun way to experiment with different foods. However, experts caution not to marinade for too long. Two hours should be your max for most marinades when you’re planning to grill. This is particularly important with marinades using pineapple as the high level of enzymes can make foods mushy. Additionally, marinading with citrus or vinegar for too long can toughen some foods.

Please with cheese: The smoky flavors of the grill are the perfect pairing to earthy cheeses like award-winning Salemville Blue Cheese. Crafted in the heart of Wisconsin, this cheese is known for its earthy flavor that perfectly accentuates burgers, chicken and steaks. To delight taste buds with a mingling of rich flavors, try making Blue Cheese Stuffed Fig Burgers. The tangy cheese pairs perfectly with the savory burger and the sweet fig and caramelized onions. For more great grilling recipes featuring blue cheese, visit www.salemville.com.

Let it be: After grilling your choice of meat, remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes. If you cut into that savory steak or succulent chicken breast right after it’s removed from the grill, those precious juices will erupt and end up on the plate. Just three to five minutes allows juices to redistribute throughout the cut and settle so that when served you get a main course just oozing with juicy flavor.

Creative sides: Think outside the box when it comes to grilling sides. For example, Buffalo Blue Cheese Grilled Corn on the Cob is guaranteed to add kick to your meal. Start by heating the grill on low. Then, peel and clean corn. Brush each ear with hot wing sauce and wrap in aluminum foil, being careful to fully seal corn in foil. Place on the top rack of the grill and close the lid, cooking until fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from grill, carefully open aluminum foil and brush with additional hot wing sauce. Place on plates and sprinkle each ear with blue cheese. Serve immediately.

Grilled dessert: No need to turn off the grill come dessert time. Use that heat to transform fresh fruit into a satisfying dessert! Many fruits do well on the grill and offer a fantastic and healthy dessert alternative. If you’ve never grilled fruit before, stone fruits like peaches and nectarines are a good place to start. Simply cut in half, take out the pit, brush with olive oil and place on the grill cut-side down. Once warm, remove and drizzle and add a sprinkle of cinnamon or dollop of yogurt, if preferred. Other popular fruits to grill include pineapple, bananas, cantaloupe and even watermelon.

2018-05-25T07:01:01

(BPT) – When it comes to outdoor entertaining, making sure your space is ready is critical for enjoying summer — from its “unofficial” start over Memorial Day weekend all the way through Labor Day.

Lowe’s recently partnered with Julia Engel, lifestyle influencer of Gal Meets Glam, to style her new Charleston porch with affordable, effortlessly chic accents so it’s ready to welcome family and friends. The result is a cool, refreshing space to entertain and show off her home’s curb appeal.

If you’re getting ready to celebrate the weekend like Julia, follow these simple tips to turn your backyard or patio into the perfect, affordable, outdoor oasis you can enjoy every beautiful day of summer.

* Get the furniture right. Finding the right furniture for your outdoor space can be tricky. Striking the right balance of ample seating while not overwhelming a space is key. Julia opted for a table that was big enough for four, but not so big that she didn’t have space for other entertaining items, like a bar cart and bench with plenty of potted plants. If you’re having trouble piecing together a patio look, Lowe’s has plenty of patio set options to choose from, including 3-piece and 5-piece sets, as well as trendy daybeds, conversation sets and more.

* Choose your landscaping. Landscaping is crucial for upgrading your outdoor space as it brings a necessary curb appeal or wow factor to your patio or backyard. In Julia’s front porch, she added boxwoods in varying shapes, sizes and placement patterns. For added interest, she included variegated pittosporums spaced between the boxwoods for some leaf color, and agapanthus for their lovely blue flowers in early summer. These plants all love well-drained soil and bright full-sun exposure. In the more shaded areas, Julia planted pink hydrangeas, acanthus and African iris, all lending foliage and flowers to the garden. If you’re not sure what to plant in your outdoor space, live nursery specialists are available at your local Lowe’s to help you get started.

* Select the right containers. A container garden is an easy landscaping solution that can be transported place to place, and is completely customizable. On Julia’s porch she used a variety of pots to include some more seasonal plants that can be changed out through the seasons, but anchored most of the pots with at least one evergreen so she wasn’t tied to re-potting every time the seasons change. When the tree-form hydrangeas flanking her front door in square planters are done with their spring and summer bloom, Julia plans to transplant them out into the garden for their permanent home — that’s the beauty and ease of container gardening!

* Bring the outdoors indoors. For the outdoor dining portion of Julia’s patio, she wanted a natural transition from inside the home, so she added details like an outdoor rug and outdoor lighting, plus some more homey accents like a table lamp to style her bar cart, bringing indoor elegance to her outdoor entertaining space. By giving your outdoor space a cozy touch of home, it will quickly become your favorite spot to relax in the morning with coffee, or with a glass of wine at the end of the day.

2018-05-23T10:13:00

(BPT) – Whether they’re rustic or contemporary in style, sliding or barn-style doors have become a much-sought-after element of American home décor.

Often designed to feature rich hardwoods and decorative metal trim, the versatile gliding doors are frequently featured on home renovation TV shows such as “Fixer Upper” and “Extreme Makeover.” Part of their popularity lies in their ability to conserve living space, since they don’t require extra room to swing in and out like traditional doors. But they also offer privacy, durability, ease of installation and improved accessibility. And with the variety of styles available, they can add a unique design statement to any home, serving as a kind of functional art form.

For example, “Barn doors are now becoming a staple in homes from new construction to renovations for their unique appeal and space-saving properties,” writes Jaymi Naciri in Realty Times. “If the word ‘barn’ is turning you off, rest assured there are a variety of styles that can bring a fresh look to your home along with new function.” She points to a U.S. real estate study showing homes incorporating such doors sell as many as 57 days faster than homes without, fetching prices that are 13 percent above projected values.

The right set-up for the right doors

When choosing the right hardware for a sliding door, it’s important to consider which configuration you’ll need — pocket, bypass or wall mount — and whether you’re selecting a quality brand. For example, longtime manufacturer Johnson Hardware rigorously tests all its hardware for strength, durability and functionality, ensuring the doors it supports will operate smoothly each time without jumping off their tracks. The 60-year-old company offers styles to match any interior door design from farmhouse to mid-century to modern.

Wall mounts create focal points

This versatile style simply mounts horizontally across the top of a wall. You can use a single door, or two converging doors. A decorative valance spanning the upper track is optional. Wall mounts can generally support doors up to 400 pounds; just remember to choose a hardware set tailored to the correct size, and make sure it contains doorstops that prevent the doors from sliding off track when they’re fully open.

Rack ’em and stack ’em with bypass doors

Many homeowners replace bi-fold closet doors with these sliders that hang side-by-side when open, but slide behind or in front of each other when closed. The hardware utilized includes two to three parallel tracks that allow for the panels to move soundlessly back and forth.

Picking a pocket door?

As their name suggests, pocket doors are panels that cover your doorway when they’re closed but disappear into a recess of your wall when they’re open. Quality hardware allows them to move smoothly and quietly, and in some cases they can be retrofitted to replace traditional doors — freeing up as much as 14 square feet of living space that would have been needed for the swinging motion.

Smooth as silk

When shopping for sliding door hardware, look for Johnson’s Soft Close products that function like the closing mechanisms in kitchen cabinets, allowing your sliders to open or close seamlessly with just a light touch. The specially designed systems ward off slammed doors and pinched fingers while minimizing noise.

For more information on sliding hardware , please visit johnsonhardware.com.

2018-05-10T08:31:00

(BPT) – Home improvement projects aren’t constrained to a single season, but during these warmer months, your focus is no longer simply on your home’s indoors. Now there’s outdoor yard work to do as well, and if you’re looking to recreate your outdoor space, your outside projects may include some landscaping. If you have landscaping as part of your to-do list this season, the right strategy can ensure that you get the most benefit from your landscaping goals with the least amount of headache.

To that end, here are five tips to simplify your landscaping projects this year.

* Plan for the entire year. Landscaping projects can be hard work, and because of that, you deserve to enjoy them for as long as possible. That’s why it’s important to plan your landscaping layout with the entire year in mind. Research your plant and flower options based on bloom periods and plant a variety so your yard is always being introduced to new pops of color. You should also add evergreen shrubs and other such plant life to your overall plan to give you a spot of color in the winter and preserve your landscaping look.

* Be mindful of other tools outside your home. When developing your landscaping strategy, you need to be aware not only of your home but the other vital components outside as well. Many homeowners are not mindful of their home’s HVAC units and may place landscaping solutions too close to the unit, which makes it difficult for techs to service the unit and exposes your system to the harmful effects of debris. Instead, plan to keep all landscaping at least two feet away from your HVAC system. This allows units like the Champion Momentum Variable Capacity Residential System to operate at peak efficiency and allows service techs to utilize its built-in advanced monitoring system to provide accurate readouts for faster annual service, maximized service life and improved comfort in your home.

* Touch every corner of your yard. Your home is naturally the focal point of your yard, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Creating a berm — a mound-type space that you can fill with rocks, wood chips or a flower garden — can add a pop of color and visual appeal to an otherwise plain area. These visual attractions can be placed anywhere, but adding one to an otherwise deserted corner of your yard is a great way to tie the entire space together and make the most of an unused area.

* Add plants that fit your lifestyle. When planning your landscaping project, it’s important to remember this isn’t just a one-time solution. Your landscaping will need continual work, and as such, your landscaping plan should be based partly on the time you have to dedicate to the project. For example, if you’re a person who appreciates beautifully colorful flowers but doesn’t want to replant them every year, you should start your project by planting perennials instead of annuals. Your time commitment in year one will be roughly the same, but you’ll ease your time requirements in the years ahead.

* Monitor your budget. Like many things, a lavish landscaping project can get away from you very quickly in the financial department. Veteran landscapers know that it becomes very easy to get swept up in the project and before you know it, you’ve added a slightly larger tree or another bush or two. Then you suddenly have unexpected costs heading your way. Instead of ending your exciting project on a bad note with a higher bill, plan out your budget ahead of time. Try to get as specific as possible with where you plan to spend every dollar. The more you can hold to each line item in your budget, the better you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary expenses throughout the process.

Making landscaping improvements to your yard can be a fun and rewarding project provided you follow a strategy that makes the best use of your time and money. Apply the tips above and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully landscaped yard that you can enjoy every day of the year. To learn more about the Champion Momentum Variable Capacity Residential System, visit championhomecomfort.com.

2018-05-09T08:01:00

(BPT) – In today’s busy world, we’re continually searching for new ways to slow down and unwind. This has led more people to discover the calming benefits of gardening and how incorporating plants into decor provides a way to reduce everyday stress.

Studies have shown that indoor plants clean the air by removing 87 percent of airborne toxins in 24 hours, and can make people more relaxed. In fact, the very act of planting and maintaining a garden provides relaxing stress relief in today’s busy world.

With such pronounced benefits, there are many reasons people who live in crowded cities and spacious suburbs have taken up gardening. For a closer look, green industry experts at RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) offer these five ways gardening can help you create a stress-relieving sanctuary at home.

Add a fiddle leaf fig to your living room

With large, waxy green leaves that look like a fiddle, the photogenic fiddle leaf fig adds a stunning pop of green to any living space. The trees thrive in bright to medium light and prefer room temperatures. Water them only when the surface of the soil is dry or when the leaves start to wilt; you’ll know your tree is happy when its leaves are perked up toward the sun. Caring for the tree energizes your mood and in turn, its healthy green leaves liven up your home.

Grow an herb garden in your kitchen

Home chefs and foodies alike know how important it is to have fresh herbs on hand. Rosemary, mint, sage and basil thrive in small terra cotta pots on your sunny windowsill. They not only add the finishing touch to a meal or a refreshing drink, but tending your herbs helps to relieve daily stress while enticing you to experiment with new healthy recipes featuring your homegrown harvest.

Monitor the air quality with aloe vera plants

Most people know about the medicinal properties in aloe vera plants. Most of us have slathered some on after getting a sunburn. In addition, they’re great for purifying the air. They can also serve as a monitor of air quality because they will display brown spots if something isn’t quite right. Aloe vera thrives in sunny spaces and at room temperature, so make sure to position it near an interior window to help maintain a healthy plant.

Put a snake plant in your office or wherever you’re most busy

Offices and cubes can be some pretty sterile spaces, which can make it hard to stay motivated or feel content during the work day. There are a million and one reasons for putting a plant in your office, and because you need to focus on the work at hand, you need a stress-free plant. When it comes to caring for a plant, it doesn’t get much easier than a snake plant. These beautiful plants grow in a wide-range of lighting conditions and at any normal room temperature. They offer a low-maintenance boost of zen, producing oxygen and, because sometimes you go on vacation, can go weeks without water.

Liven up your shaded bathroom with a peace lily

The dark leaves and curvy white blossoms on a peace lily are easy on the eyes and easy to grow. Perfect for those less-well-lit areas of the house, peace lilies thrive in shade and can withstand a variety of temperatures. Looks aside, they’re known for reducing both airborne toxins and mold, making them the perfect plant for bathrooms or other damp areas of your home.

The wellness benefits of caring for and being around plants are endless. The next time you’re feeling stressed, spend some time in the garden or take a stroll through a park to enjoy the greenery and the natural comfort that comes with being surrounded by plants. To ensure they stay healthy and vibrant, visit www.debugthemyths.com where the experts at RISE offer more tips and advice on how to care for the plants in your garden and home.