(ARA) – What winter traveler can resist the attraction of a small cabin deep in snow-swept woods at dusk, lit and warmed by a crackling fire and framed by two overstuffed chairs and a tray of snacks on the hearth? Indeed, a welcome sight on any blustery evening. This could be the site of a well-stocked bird feeder to the feathered visitors of our wintry backyards.

Winter provides a unique opportunity to attract various wildlife to your yard while lending the chance to be a small but integral contributor to the local food cycle.

The winter view from your home does not need to be bleak. As you move indoors for the season, the time is right to either place or reposition backyard or porch bird feeders within an easy sight line of windows to provide comfortable inside viewing of birding activity. Providing more than one type of feeder at differing heights will invite a greater variety of birds. For example, a raised feeder, five to 15 feet above the ground, will attract evening grosbeaks and finches, while feeders closer to the ground tend to draw doves and sparrows.

Whatever the season, however, always remember to consider the ever-present competition from the local squirrel population for the food you put out. Descending chain feeders are a more ready squirrel deterrent than poled platform feeders. Regardless of the feeder you use, you can often retro-fit a variety of squirrel guards to your feeder to tilt the food competition toward your small flying friends.

Once you have positioned your feeders for easy viewing from the inside, then comes the all-important enticement of food. Not unlike us, different foods attract different types of birds. And higher quality foods lend even more reason for feathered visitors to make your feeders part of their daily stops.

When considering what type of foods to put out, try to stay away from common generic mixes. Lower-priced mixes are often not a bargain, as they contain various fillers, like red milo, which almost all birds discard. Buying higher-quality seed mixes or individual seeds that end up being a complete food to birds are the best value. Sunflowers are a universally popular choice. They attract cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. Black sunflowers are a particular treat for birds, as the oilier shell is easier to crack and they are also usually cheaper than the traditional gray and white striped sunflowers we most often recognize.

The use of safflower seed will further differentiate your visitors as this small white seed attracts chickadees, downy woodpeckers, cardinals and titmice, while repelling grackles, blue jays and starlings who often keep smaller birds away from feeders. Another excellent individual seed is niger or thistle. While this seed is a bit more expensive, it provides a high-energy meal full of oil and calories. Thistle is often the meal of choice for finches, one of the most colorful of birds to observe. If you don’t want to mess with putting out individual seeds, the best option is to simply buy a good premium blend of wild bird seed. Premium blends contain quality ingredients and are an appealing food source.

“Providing high-energy bird food is more critical in the winter, when natural food supplies are not as accessible, and no food is better suited to high-energy winter feeding than quality suet,” says Tony Vahedian, vice president of ScottsMiracleGro’s wild bird food division. Suet is a high-fat food that is readily affordable in various size cakes and easily inserted in matching wire-mesh feeders to keep larger tree animals out. Scotts Songbird Selections suet, available in February 2008, is an example of a new high-quality suet bird food. You can be sure to see colorful woodpeckers and blue jays visiting your suet feeders.

Finally, if you like to attend to your feeders daily, remember to sprinkle affordable white millet along the ground and you’ll be sure to spot snacking mourning doves, sparrows and juncos.

Winter doesn’t have to be a dreary, bleak landscape outside our windows. This year, provide some winter entertainment by making your yard like that little cabin in the woods — an enticing stopover spot for the nourishment of our feathered backyard friends.

For more information on bird feeding, visit www.scotts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Check-up and cleaning take little time, and effects last for years

(ARA) – Brisk mornings and crisp evenings, long shadows and a quicker-to-fade sun all say it’s time to store garden tools and hoses, tidy up the shrubs — and winterize your home’s wooden outdoor structures.

Caring for decks, gazebos and pergolas, often made of Western red cedar, should be a regular part of the fall checklist. Routine maintenance like removing seasonal and ornamental pots and plants, cleaning the wood of dirt and other debris, and getting rid of mold and mildew can be done easily in a weekend.

“Many people choose Western red cedar because of the natural durability and beauty of the wood,” says Paul Mackie, or “Mr. Cedar” as he’s known in the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. “Preparing your outdoor living structure for winter is an important step to help maintain that beauty.”

Properly preparing wooden yard structures for winter protects them in much the same way as winterizing plants and water features and helps maintain their original appearance. Western red cedar contains natural preservatives that make the wood very durable and basic maintenance relatively simple. A broom and a garden sprayer, a little bleach and a hose are all that are needed.

Winterizing the deck
Start with the deck. Inspect it for buildups of dirt, water and pollen, and sweep it clean of debris the way you would with any wood, plastics, composite or cement surface. Take special care to clean between the planks and boards of horizontal surfaces so water can drain and air can flow between the boards. Reducing standing water and increasing airflow will limit the amount of moisture that can collect and stay on the surface of the plank.

Get rid of mold, mildew
Killing mold and mildew is another important piece of deck maintenance in wetter climates, particularly for materials that have rough textures such as composite decks. Mackie recommends a simple solution of three parts water and one part oxygen bleach applied with a simple garden sprayer. Rinsing the treated areas with clean water once the solution is applied should eliminate mold and mildew.

Don’t pressure-wash
Don’t pressure-wash wood, says Mackie, because “you can make it look like your grandfather’s corduroy pants.” Pressure-washing also can disrupt Western red cedar’s natural moisture resistance by forcibly pushing water into the wood. If you just can’t resist using your pressure-washer, keep it below 800 pounds per square inch.

Empty and store planters
Many outdoor living spaces are decorated with planter pots and boxes. Setting and leaving planters directly on surfaces can stain the wood. Moisture accumulates below the planter, leaving insufficient airflow for the moisture to dry.

The Web site realcedar.org, recommends people remove dirt from pots and planter boxes in early fall and store them in a covered area until spring. If moving the planters is not possible, it is especially important during the cold, wet months to elevate them from the surface with planks that will allow moisture to more easily evaporate without the benefit of the hot summer sun. Adequate airflow keeps the area drier and allows Western red cedar’s natural preservatives to preserve the wood.

Care for gazebos, siding
Check gazebos and pergolas, as well as any wooden siding on the house itself, for dirt, mold and mildew. Clean away any dirt, and treat the siding or structures with the oxygenated bleach solution if needed.

Water, pollen and mold tend to collect and sit on horizontal surfaces throughout the spring and summer. Left over the winter, they become a harmful cocktail that can speed up the deterioration of otherwise healthy lumber.

Preparing an outdoor structure is simple and well worth the minimal time invested. Following the easy steps is a sure formula to protect your wooden structures during the winter and maintaining their natural beauty for years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – In these times of severe drought in many parts of the country, consumers are desperate for plants that will make their gardens shine, in spite of water restrictions. The secret is selecting plants that are naturally not thirsty.

Many of our own native plants, water-storing cactus and succulents for example, have evolved over time to tolerate dry conditions. Typically such plants are found in areas with strong light, good air circulation, and poor soil such as parts of the Southwest. Often they display one or more adaptations, including deep taproots or shallow but wide-reaching root systems to maximize the chance of finding water, gray green waxy or hairy leaf coverings, or reduced leaf surface to cut down on water loss through transpiration.

Prudent gardeners select companion plants with similar water needs, both in the landscape and in containers. In either location, avoid rich soil and fertilizer that encourages soft, water-thirsty growth. The trick is to keep young plants watered during the first two to four weeks while they become established, and after that they will be fine. After planting, spreading a layer of gravel or organic mulch on top of the soil will help reduce surface water loss through evaporation.

To try low-water planting in your own garden, here are a few suggestions:

* Top your list with “Diamond Frost” euphorbia, an easy-care, deer-resistant plant from Proven Winners. Its 10- to 12-inch-tall, mounded plants can reach up to 2 feet across. Even in extreme heat they sparkle with clouds of airy self-cleaning flowers all season long; in frost-free climes they are evergreen. In containers water “Diamond Frost” as little as once a week, but when planted in the ground it seldom needs additional water, even during very dry spells.

* Self-cleaning Cuphea llavea “Totally Tempted” displays a profusion of 1-inch wide, lavender-throated, fiery red blooms that attract hummingbirds throughout the season.

* Chrysocephalum apiculatum, “Flambe Yellow” and “Flambe Orange” are Australian shrubs that sport clusters of brilliant yellow or orange knobs of flowers at the end of silver-hairy trailing stems.

Try a large container with shrubby shiny-leaved ”Petit Bleu” Caryopteris as the “thriller,” surrounded with ”Diamond Frost” and ”Flambe Yellow” or ”Flambe Orange” spilling over the edges.

* Another good trailer for containers or as a ground cover is Lantana, “Luscious Grape.” The new low-water, heat tolerant selection with heads of large bright purple flowers attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves have a strong fragrance or odor, depending on your nose. Their rough-to-the-touch surface cuts water evaporation. Pair this with 2- to 4-inch tall lavender pink Cleome “Senorita Rosalita” and ”Diamond Frost” for a long-blooming designer-look.

While periods of dry weather are nothing new, the frequency and degree of drought that certain regions are experiencing are critical. We may need to confine our old favorite annuals to containers where they can be babied, possibly with recycled household water. Change is always unsettling, but gardeners must adapt their mindset and search for plants that laugh at the sun. The palette is broader than we think.

For more information on plants for low-water gardening, visit www.provenwinners.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Yurts Provide Year Round Enjoyment without Costly Additions

(ARA) – Do you like to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile? Maybe you just enjoy the outdoors, even during the colder months. If you are looking for a way to enjoy nature in all seasons, but don’t want to build a costly cabin, vacation home or addition, you do have options.

We all know that building a home is costly. Even a small cabin, cottage or addition on an existing home comes with a price tag that will make most of us cringe. Because so many people are looking for options but don’t want to spend the money for traditional construction, yurts are growing in popularity.

What is a yurt? A yurt is a tent-like structure that has been around for hundreds of years. They are recognized by their round shape and lattice frame. Used to this day by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia, yurts are very sound structures used for living in a variety of seasonal elements.

Today, yurts are embracing the demands of modern living and can withstand intense weather conditions. Elegant integration of tension and compression components allows the yurt to withstand heavy wind, rain and snow. Acclaimed by Architectural Digest as an “architectural wonder,” the yurt is remarkably strong yet lightweight and as versatile as your imagination.

In the United States, yurts are made with traditional elements that have been enhanced by modern technology. For example, Rainier Yurts in Seattle, Wash., use the ingenious and beautiful design of traditional yurts, but have refined the construction details and added many options and features, including a skylight, large windows, tall walls, locking doors with insulated glass windows, high-quality, fire-retardant materials, insulation and excellent hardware.

The price is attractive as well. Building a traditional structure of similar size could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Rainer Yurts start at about $5,500. Easy to set up, yurts can be wired or plumbed and are designed to stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Many people have discovered the versatility of these outdoor living structures. They are used as beach houses in ocean communities and cabins in thick wooded areas.

Even in harsh winter climates, yurts are popular. They are used on ski hills as warming houses or as vacation homes for winter hobbies. When Ross Mayfield was looking at housing options for his property in McCall, Idaho, he needed something that would work for all seasons. He decided that a yurt was right for him.

“We looked at a number of different ideas but we had some problems getting a building permit. A resort near the area was using yurts while they developed the property. We saw them and decided to search for information,” explains Mayfield.

He looked at the various sizes and decided a 24-foot yurt would fit his needs. He ordered the materials through Rainier Yurts and erected it with the help of his family. A road was built so that during the summer he can drive to his property, but during the winter, he accesses it by snowmobile.

Mayfield says that during the winter the temperatures get as cold as 31 degrees below zero. He heats his yurt by propane, which powers his stove and outhouse.

When he purchased his yurt he decided to get the maximum insulation and heavy-duty roof to accommodate the snow fall. He says that the yurt works great for all weather conditions, and often during the winter the snow slides off the roof, “slick as a whistle.”

He also commented that he has a terrific view of nature, one thing often embraced by yurt owners. People tend to like the round shape and the positive energy of having an open space. Because yurts leave such a small footprint in nature, many conservation-conscious people enjoy them as well.

For more information on how yurts are an easy and affordable way to enjoy nature all year round, visit www.RainierYurts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Shopping, wrapping, prepping, cooking and cleaning are time-consuming activities any time of year, but these tasks reach a new level of intensity as harbingers of the holiday season. The very thought of the hubbub that approaches with cooler weather and Halloween treats and ends with the remnants of New Year’s confetti is enough to put even the most prepared and placid among us on edge.

But, if you get a jumpstart now, devoting a day or two to preparing your home, you’ll ease into the celebratory cycle with a lot less stress than ever before and enjoy the festive mood that permeates the atmosphere October through January.

First thing first: Get started by creating specially designated activity and storage areas. If you set aside space in the kitchen, dining room or mudroom, you’ll be guaranteed easy access to your holiday wares. Consider the following zones:

Wrapping Zone

Stock with wrapping paper, cards, tape, scissors, ribbons, etc. so you’re ready to present gorgeous presents after a big trip to the mall. Also, consider stocking up on last-minute hostess gifts such as books, journals, stationery or gourmet goodies in case you receive and need to reciprocate an unexpected gift. You can store them, along with any used wrapping paper and ribbon from received gifts (for future use), in this area.

To Do Zone

Convert your regular desk/media area to seasonal record keeping and storage by updating with appropriate organizers, holiday stamps and lists. Keep a copy of your master shopping list of everyone you want to buy for, complete with interests, sizes and styles, in this zone. Record what you gave each person directly onto your master shopping list, including how much you spent, so you’ll have something to reference next year.

Place a copy of your final address list in a holiday cards file. If you receive cards this year from people not on your list, toss their return addresses into your file and blend them into your current list for next winter. Keep track of expenses by using one credit card for all purchases. Be sure to hold on to all receipts and confirmations of gifts purchased online.

Cooking and Baking Zone(s)

Once, you’ve stocked up on seasonal ingredients including dry baking goods, decorative sprinkles, candies, herbs, spices, nuts and more, get ready to play chef and pull rarely-used items such as roasting pans, gravy boats and serving platters from your dusty cupboards, wash them, and get them ready to go. Get your favorite recipes out and place the cookbook with the first recipe you plan to prepare on Diamond Cabinet’s Logix Cookbook Recipe Organizer.

Also, pull baking items such as cookie cutters, rolling pins, stand and hand mixers and other utensils and place them within easy reach. Next, stash flat items (like cookie sheets as well as trays and cutting boards) in Diamond Cabinet’s Logix Rollout Tray Divider to keep them standing at attention.

Easy Entertaining Zone

First, set the mood for festivities by displaying favorite holiday photos in cute frames on your breakfast bar or island. Next, set this space up as a gathering spot for friends and family and stock it with little bowls and trays of dried fruits, spiced nuts and candies. Keep everything fresh in airtight containers prior to parties, and display snacks right before company arrives.

As guests arrive, fill your home with an inviting scent by microwaving popcorn or even cooking a casserole in Amana’s newest convection microwave, which cooks foods evenly and quickly. It’s like having a second oven at your finger tips.

Finally, create a serving station set with plates, utensils, glasses and napkins. If you intend to serve more sophisticated nibbles, pull your special holiday china and feature it on the buffet. Last but not least, you may also want to make decorative vases, clippers, and other flower-arranging tools easily accessible in case you receive bouquets/seasonal plans from visitors, and display your seasonal vases and bouquets in this zone.

Clean Up Zone

Once the party’s over, make clean up a cinch by designating spaces for washing dishes and fabric. Stack dirty, delicate china and flatware in a handwashing area for special treatment. Place soiled holiday ware (ties, dresses, even festive linens including tablecloths and napkins) on or near Maytag’s Epic Z front-load washer and dryer pair for home laundering or to take to the drycleaner. The Maytag Laundry 123 system includes special work surfaces, drawers and places to hang items for ultimate organization.

Seasonal Storage Zone

At the end of the season, reflect on what a great time you had with family and friends, and start gearing up for next year. Put away all holiday goods, from decorations (spooky knick knacks, Advent calendars, menorahs, Christmas lights, etc.) to special cookware, cookbooks and more. Unexpected storage solutions, such as Diamond’s Logix Base Toekick Cabinet, provide a smart and unique way to store these little-used items and ensure you make the most out of every nook and cranny your home has to offer.

In the end, the point is to remember that keeping calm and remaining collected during the holidays is all about you. If you personalize your zones to fit your needs and taste with storage accessories that play to your preferences and personality, happy holidays are practically guaranteed. And, if you set aside another couple of days post-holidays in early January to organize, clean up and take stock of your home, next season’s prep work will be a snap.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Julie Morgenstern is an internationally renowned organizing and time management expert, best-selling author, corporate productivity consultant and speaker. Her book, “Organizing from the Inside Out,” covers a new way of looking at the task of organizing effectively.

ARA) – People associate lawn care with spring and summer, but the fall is actually the optimal time to take steps toward a healthy, greener lawn.

“Autumn gives lawn owners an opportunity to repair summer damage and prepare the lawn for winter,” explains John Marshall, head of the Scotts Training Institute. “Taking action in the fall will lead to a healthier lawn in the spring.”

Rout the Drought
This summer’s drought has left many lawns across the country straw-colored and dormant. Fall lawn care can help your lawn recover. During a drought, you should continue to fertilize your lawn every eight weeks with a slow-release fertilizer. A lawn that has the proper nutrients grows dense, deep roots and recovers from drought faster. A regularly fed lawn will also be healthier and thicker than an unfed lawn. Couple feedings with infrequent, deep watering to promote deeper roots, which provide a larger reservoir of water to draw from.

After the drought passes, keeping this feeding schedule up through the fall should help your lawn green up quickly. If brown patches remain, fall is the time to consider raking those spots out and reseeding to get your lawn healthy for the following spring.

Feed the Need
Even lawns not stricken by drought need nourishment in the fall – and autumn feeding can make a big difference. Fall feeding can bring a dramatic improvement as the lawn recovers from summer damage. Treatment with a product such as Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard helps “winterize” the lawn, storing vital nutrients so that underground root development can continue until the ground freezes to ready the lawn for fuller growth in the spring. Two feedings — timed around Labor Day and Halloween — are recommended for Northern lawns, while Southern lawns are best-fed four-to-six weeks before the first frost occurs in your specific region.

Let It Breathe
In order to grow, a lawn needs air. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t see the grass due to leaf coverage, then it’s time to remove the lawn debris from the yard. Clearing leaves and clippings in the fall will help by removing clutter that keeps air and sun from reaching the growing grass. Heed caution if mulching leaves, as a thick layer spread onto the lawn actually does more harm than good.

One great way to let your lawn breathe is through core aeration, which promotes deep root growth. Aeration removes cores of dirt, thatch and grass and reduces soil compacting that can keep grass from developing roots deep enough to absorb rainwater. For best results, choose an aerator that removes plugs of soil, with the remaining holes at least 3/4” in diameter, 3” deep and no more than 3” apart.

Overseed
Once the lawn is aerated, look for weak spots in it. Drought, thatch, insects, disease or seeding too lightly at first planting can make lawns thin or patchy. Overseeding — the spreading of grass seed directly onto soil within an existing lawn — can improve a lawn’s appearance dramatically and eliminate the need for a total lawn renovation.

Fall is the prime time to overseed because the warm soil promotes rapid seed growth and typically, fewer weed problems emerge at this time of the year. If the thatch layer of dead roots and stems below the green blades is more than 1/2” thick, you should de-thatch the lawn before overseeding. If the presence of tree roots has resulted in an inadequate topsoil layer, spread a layer of topsoil, like Turf Builder Seeding Soil, no more than 1/4” over the lawn.

The day before you overseed, mow the lawn slightly lower than normal. Be sure to use fertilizer when you seed. For the next several weeks after overseeding, keep the top inch of soil moist to permit growth.

“People often neglect these steps for fall lawn care, but when they finally try them, they’re amazed by the difference in the spring,” says Marshall. “The old saying, ‘Beautiful lawns are made in the fall’ is true.”

For more information on fall lawn care and tips on preparing your lawn for winter, visit www.scotts.com or call 800-543-TURF (8873).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – When planning a trip to “wine country,” many think of California’s Napa Valley first and foremost. But what would the reaction be if you told your friends you were taking a trip to wine country — in Arkansas, Texas, or Indiana?

You won’t be alone if you venture to one of these rapidly-growing wine regions, or to one of the many popular food and wine destinations in Washington, Ohio, Oregon or Michigan. Just to name a few.

You could call it a classic example of supply and demand, as it appears the number of vineyards and wine-themed travel destinations are growing along with the number of food and wine enthusiasts. More and more travelers are using the enticing combination of food and wine as the focal point of a vacation getaway.

In fact, online travel agency Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) recently identified the fastest-growing food and wine destinations in the United States. It may come as no surprise that Napa Valley is still king, almost doubling its growth in Orbitz bookings since 2005, but there’s growing competition from its neighboring states to the north, as well as others in the south and Midwest.

Other regions graded highly include the second-ranked Texas Hill Country, Arkansas Wine Country (3rd) and Ohio’s Grand River Valley (6th). Aside from perennial favorites including Sonoma and a handful in Washington and Oregon, these destinations may be lesser known to those outside of their home state. But lesser known does not necessarily translate to smaller quantities when it comes to the number of wine touring options for travelers.

For instance, it may come as a surprise to folks not hailing from the Buckeye State that Ohio alone features 97 wineries.

A few travel tips for budding wine enthusiasts:

1. Book your flight and hotel as a package versus booking ala carte for added savings.
2. Think outside the box and do your homework. You might be surprised to learn of a number of good wine regions that could be within short driving distance.
3. Plan to road trip? Book a pre-paid hotel room to manage your costs up front.
4. Don’t drink and drive! Online travel agencies like Orbitz.com now let customers book car service within certain destinations for their wine sipping excursions, or ask the hotel concierge about a local car service they trust.
5. Pack light. When touring vineyards and wineries, you’re surely going to want to take some of your favorites home with you. Save the shipping costs and take home what you can readily pack or carry.

As wine producers’ high season approaches, thousands will pack their bags and fire up their taste buds for a pilgrimage to a favorite, or perhaps a new food and wine destination. And whether that brings them to New York or Florida, Rhode Island, Missouri or Virginia, or points in between, they can travel the country and probably never run out of harvest celebrations or elegant wine tastings.

For more information about booking a wine-tasting excursion, log on to www.orbitz.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – The table is set, the fire is lit and music is playing. But when friends and family are coming over for a holiday celebration, how do you make sure the food you’re preparing, serving and storing is safe and delicious? Experts say there are five easy steps you can follow to prevent making common food safety mistakes when feeding a crowd.

“The good news is that our food is safer than ever. In fact, multiple reports show a substantial decline in the overall incidence of food borne illnesses,” says Sam Beattie, Ph.D., a consumer food safety specialist in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. “But there are still many opportunities to improve food safety in your own kitchen by being more conscious of food preparation habits.”

Consumers can greatly increase food safety and reduce the possibility of food borne illness by practicing these five easy-to-remember steps:

Step 1: Sing Happy Birthday for the Holidays

Before beginning food preparation and after handling raw meat, always wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds, which is about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Cutting boards, utensils and countertops should also be washed with hot soapy water and rinsed with hot water after coming in contact with raw meat. If possible use two cutting boards, one for raw meats and poultry and one for ready-to-eat foods such as salads.

“Especially when you have several cooks in the kitchen, it’s critical to ensure everyone washes their hands often,” says Beattie. “This will greatly reduce the risk of cross-contamination of your food.”

Step 2: Keep Frozen Food off the Countertop

Busy cooks often freeze food for later use, but defrosting food safely is important. Beattie says meat should never be defrosted at room temperature. Instead, the safest way to defrost is in your refrigerator. If you’re making a roast for your family’s holiday meal, plan ahead to allow enough time for the meat to defrost overnight in the refrigerator rather than on the countertop or in the sink.

Step 3: Use a Food Thermometer

The most accurate and reliable way to ensure safety and determine if meat and poultry is cooked appropriately is to use an instant-read meat thermometer, which can be found near your supermarket’s meat case. An instant-read thermometer should be used towards the end of the cooking process. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, and the temperature will register within several seconds.

Cook beef roasts to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and ground beef to 160 degrees F. Steaks and seafood need to reach 145 degrees F while poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F.

Step 4: Keep Cold Foods Cold and Hot Foods Hot

To discourage the growth of foodborne bacteria, perishable foods should spend as little time in “‘the danger zone’ — between 40 degrees and 140 degrees F — as possible and for no more than two hours,” says Beattie. “If your holiday meal includes a buffet, set a timer so that the alarm will alert you when it’s time to put the food in the refrigerator or reheat it.”

If you and your family are traveling with perishable food that may support the growth of bacteria, you will need to plan ahead. Consider cooking ahead of time, transporting your dish cold and reheating when you arrive. Make sure to fully chill foods in your refrigerator and then use cold packs to fill the cooler of food.

Step 5: Enjoy a Great Roast Today and a Safe Sandwich Tomorrow

Once the celebration is over, leftovers are as much a tradition as the holiday meal itself. Choose shallow containers (2 inches or less) for quick cooling to prevent bacterial growth. Make sure you freeze or refrigerate your perishable leftovers within two hours or less after eating.

By avoiding food safety mistakes in the kitchen, you can enjoy safe and healthy meals during the holidays and year-round. For more information on food safety, and for holiday beef recipes, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visiting Nurse Associations of America, Families Fighting Flu and The Clorox Company Team Up to Vaccinate Thousands of Children in October to Make Flu Season Less Scary

(ARA) – Ghouls and goblins are not the only things to be afraid of this Halloween; October is also the start of flu season. Influenza is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths for children, but according to a recent survey more than 75 percent of moms are still not vaccinating their entire families against the flu.

For the second year, the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), Families Fighting Flu (FFF) and The Clorox Company joined forces for the national Say “Boo!” to the Flu program to raise awareness of the importance of flu prevention and vaccinate children starting in October, before flu season peaks. Nationwide Say “Boo!” to the Flu events will take the ouch out of flu prevention with games and free giveaways — like T-shirts, trick-or-treat bags and Clorox Disinfecting products — and families will also learn other tips to help prevent the spread of the flu virus all fall and winter.

“Nearly 100 American children under five years of age die every year from influenza — the goal of this program is to give parents the tools to help protect their families,” says Richard Kanowitz, president of Families Fighting Flu. “We know families have a lot going on during this time of year, so this program makes it easy to get a vaccination and the activities add some fun for the kids, too.”

Many Moms Need Flu Fact Check-Up
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all children six months to five years old get vaccinated against the flu. They also recommend the vaccine for anyone in frequent contact with this group — meaning moms, dads and child care providers. A recent survey from the VNAA found moms of children in this age group need help fighting the flu. Say “Boo!” to the Flu will make flu prevention so easy, it’s almost scary!

Survey says…
* More than 75 percent of moms of children under five don’t get their whole family vaccinated against the flu. Many moms nix the needle because they don’t have time or their children are too afraid.
* The majority of moms say they are not very concerned about their child developing serious flu complications.
* Only two percent of moms are concerned about a member of their family catching the flu at home.
* 43 percent of moms say their approach to the flu season is to “let nature take its course.”

BOO Answers…
* Say “Boo!” to the Flu events make it easy and fun to vaccinate the whole family, all in one place.
* The CDC says children are at high risk of serious flu complications.
* With just one sick family member at home, more than 60 percent of household surfaces can harbor the flu virus, making it important to disinfect germ hot spots.
* Vaccination is the first step in flu prevention, but parents should also take these simple steps at home:

Sing & Scrub: Make sure kids wash their hands the right way. They should wash frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

Disinfect Hot Spots: Kids can touch up to 300 surfaces in 30 minutes, so be sure to disinfect the surfaces kids touch most frequently — like doorknobs, light switches, faucets or toys. Use a disinfectant designed to kill cold and flu viruses, like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

Do the Elbow Cough: Teach kids to cough into elbows, not hands where they’re more likely to spread bacteria and viruses through touch.

Follow Good Health Guidelines: Eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep to help boost your body’s ability to fight the effects of colds and flu.

SayBooToTheFlu.com
Say “Boo!” to the Flu hits the road October 1 in Boston, MA, and will travel across the country, ending in the San Francisco, CA, area on October 31. Visit www.sayboototheflu.com for the complete tour schedule and for other free, interactive tools and games to help families learn how to make the flu virus too scared to hang around their house, such as:

* Flu vaccination locator
* Hand washing reward chart
* “Cinnamon Magic” hand washing game
* “Yummy Bug Cakes” recipe
* “Spooky Soap” instructions

Scare Away the Flu
It is estimated that each year in the United States, more than 20,000 children less than five years old are hospitalized due to the flu, and children less than two years old are even more likely to be hospitalized by the flu. Among children who died from the flu in the 2003-2004 flu season, 44 percent were healthy and had no underlying conditions.

Influenza, or “the flu,” is an easy-to-spread viral infection. The symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, aches and fatigue. A simple cough or sneeze can quickly spread the flu virus from person to person. The flu virus can live on household surfaces, too.

For more information visit www.sayboototheflu.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

La gripe es la causa principal de muertes en niños, evitables con vacuna; Las madres siguen sin vacunar a sus hijos

En octubre, Visiting Nurse Associations of America, Families Fighting Flu y la compañía Clorox se unieron para vacunar a miles de niños para que la temporada de la gripe sea menos amenazante.

(ARA)–Fantasmas y duendes no son las únicas cosas a temer este Día de las Brujas (Halloween); octubre también es el comienzo de la temporada de la gripe. La influenza o la “gripe” es la causa principal de muertes en niños, evitables con la vacuna, pero según una reciente encuesta más de 75 por ciento de las madres siguen sin vacunar a sus familias contra la gripe.

Por el segundo año, Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), Families Fighting Flu (FFF) y la compañía Clorox unieron sus esfuerzos en el programa nacional Say “Boo!” to the Flu que comienza en octubre, para crear conciencia en la importancia de prevenir la gripe y de vacunar a los niños, antes de que la temporada de gripe se intensifique. Los eventos nacionales de Say “Boo!” to the Flu aliviarán el dolor de la vacuna preventiva contra la gripe con juegos y premios – como camisetas, bolsas de “trick-or-treat” y productos desinfectantes de Clorox. Además las familias aprenderán otras formas de prevenir la propagación del virus de la gripe durante el otoño y el invierno.

“Todos los años casi 100 niños norteamericanos menores de cinco años de edad mueren de influenza. La meta de este programa es dar a los padres las herramientas para ayudarlos a proteger a sus familias”, dijo Richard Kanowitz, presidente de Families Fighting Flu. “Nosotros sabemos que las familias están muy ocupadas en este momento del año, por lo tanto este programa facilita recibir la vacuna, y además, las actividades agregan un poco de diversión para los niños”.

Muchas madres necesitan saber más sobre la gripe
Los Centros para el Control y Prevención de las Enfermedades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC) recomiendan que todos los niños de seis meses a cinco años de edad se vacunen contra la gripe. También recomiendan la vacuna a toda persona que esté en contacto frecuente con este grupo—como las madres, los padres y las personas al cuidado de niños. Una reciente encuesta del VNAA halló que las madres de niños de este grupo de edad necesitan ayuda para combatir la gripe. Say “Boo!” to the Flu simplificará la prevención contra la gripe.

La encuesta encontró…
* Más de 75 por ciento de madres de niños menores de cinco años no toman las medidas necesarias para vacunar a sus familias contra la gripe. Muchas evitan hacerlo porque no tienen tiempo o porque sus hijos tienen mucho miedo a vacunarse.
* La mayoría de las madres dicen que ellas no están muy preocupadas de que sus hijos tengan complicaciones serias de la gripe.
* Sólo dos por ciento de las madres se preocupan de que un miembro de su familia contraiga la gripe en el hogar.
* 43 por ciento de las madres dicen que su forma de enfrentar la temporada de la gripe es “dejar que la naturaleza siga su curso”.

Respuestas sobre la gripe…
* Los eventos Say “Boo!” to the Flu de la gripe hacen fácil y divertido vacunar a toda la familia, en un solo sitio.
* Los CDC dicen que los niños corren alto riesgo de complicaciones serias de la gripe.
* Con más de un familiar enfermo en el hogar, más de 60 por ciento de las superficies en la casa pueden albergar el virus de la gripe, lo que hace muy importante desinfectar lugares propicios para la concentración de gérmenes.
* La vacunación es el primer paso en la prevención de la gripe, pero los padres también deben tomar los siguientes pasos simples en el hogar:

Cantar y lavar: Asegúrese de que los niños se lavan debidamente sus manos. Ellos deben lavarse las manos con frecuencia con agua caliente y jabón, por 20 segundos, por lo menos (el tiempo que demora en cantar “Feliz Cumpleaños” dos veces).

Desinfectar sitios con gérmenes: Los niños pueden tocar 300 superficies en 30 minutos, así que asegúrese de desinfectar las superficies que los niños tocan frecuentemente–como los pomos de las puertas, las llaves de la luz, los grifos o los juguetes. Use un desinfectante diseñado para matar los virus del resfrío y de la gripe, como las toallas desinfectantes de Clorox.

Toser hacia los codos: Enseñen a los niños a toser hacia los codos, no en las manos dado que tienen más posibilidades de diseminar las bacterias y virus en contacto.

Seguir buenas prácticas de salud: Coma debidamente, haga ejercicio y duerma lo suficiente para ayudar a reforzar la capacidad del cuerpo de combatir los efectos del resfrío y de la gripe.

Gira de Say “Boo!” to the Flu
El programa Say “Boo!” to the Flu se lanzará el 1º de octubre en Boston, MA, viajando por todo el país, culminando en San Francisco, CA, el 31 de octubre. Visite www.sayboototheflu.com para detalles completos sobre la gira, otras herramientas gratis, interactivas y juegos para ayudar a las familias a aprender a hacer que el virus de la gripe tenga miedo de invadir el hogar, como:

* El localizador de vacunas contra la gripe
* Cuadro de recompensa por lavarse las manos
* Juego “Cinnamon Magic” de lavarse las manos
* Receta “Yummy Bug Cakes”
* Instrucciones “Spooky Soap”

Ahuyente a la gripe
Se estima que todos los años en los Estados Unidos, más de 20.000 niños menores de cinco años son hospitalizados debido a la gripe, y los niños menores de dos años tienen más probabilidades de ser hospitalizados por la gripe. Entre los niños que murieron de la gripe en la temporada de 2003-2004, 44 por ciento estaban sanos y no tenían ninguna condición latente.

La influenza, o la “gripe,” es una infección viral muy fácil de propagar. Los síntomas incluyen fiebre alta, escalofríos, tos, dolores y fatiga. Simplemente toser o estornudar puede propagar rápidamente el virus de la gripe de una persona a la otra. Además, el virus de la gripe puede sobrevivir en las superficies en el hogar.

Para más información visite www.sayboototheflu.com.

Cortesía de ARAcontent

ARA) – The holiday season is a special time for family and friends to gather, and home-baked desserts have always had a place at the table. According to a Baker’s Joy Homemade Holiday survey, more than 75 percent of Americans are planning to bake more this year compared to years past.

But before you break out the sugar and cookie sheets, take a look at these baking and storage tips to make sure your homemade holiday treats will leave family members smiling all season long:

* When baking two sheets of cookies at once, place them on different racks at different angles to allow proper air circulation. Switch racks half way through cooking time to ensure even heat distribution and baking.

* Cookies are less likely to burn if they are baked on a light-colored metal cookie sheet versus a dark metal sheet.

* For soft-baked cookies that have started to dry out, re-soften by adding a slice of apple or a piece of bread to the container where they are kept.

* When rolling out cookies, use powdered sugar instead of flour. The sugar will add sweetness and you won’t have to worry about adding too much flour.

* Experiment beyond the usual holiday gingerbread. Surprise your family this year with a premium dessert; and nothing says gourmet like premium chocolate. With more than 50 percent of American adults preferring chocolate to other flavors, these delectable surprises are sure to become a new holiday tradition.

Chocolate cookies will bring joy to not only your family, but this season they can also bring hope, strength and joy to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant wishes through a $100,000 contribution. Consumers can show their support for the Ghirardelli Make-A-Wish program by baking with Ghirardelli chocolate and visiting www.Ghirardelli.com.

Want to bake delicious chocolate cookies and give back to the community? Try this easy recipe, created by 2004 James Beard Foundation Pastry Chef of the year, Emily Luchetti.

Ghirardelli’s Wish Star Chocolate Cookie

Shortbread:
2 cups flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 bar (4 ounces) Ghirardelli 60 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

Dipping:
1 bag (11.5 ounces) Ghirardelli 60 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
1 tablespoon butter

Melt baking bar on double boiler and set aside. Mix flour and salt together and set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture and mix just until blended. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.

Heat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured board, roll dough to 3/8-inch thick and cut with cookie cutters. If the dough is very soft, chill again for at least 30 minutes. Bake for seven to nine minutes. Cool completely in pan.

Melt chocolate chips with one tablespoon of butter in a double boiler. Dip cooled cookie in melted chocolate mixture and let chocolate set. Makes about one dozen cookies.

Courtesy of ARAcontent