Turning a Master Suite into a Cozy Nest

Turning a Master Suite into a Cozy Nest

After the kitchen, the one part of any house that gets the most attention is the master suite. And rightfully so: While the kitchen is the gathering place for family and friends, the master bedroom is just the opposite — a place where quiet and tranquility reign.
Having a cozy nest that creates an escape from the kids, if not the world, is still a high priority with today’s homeowners.
“We’re still seeing a focus on the idea of the master as a haven that’s safe and warm, but with a couple of new things added,” says Bruce Meller, president of the Decatur, Ga.-based Home Forge Remodeling firm. “One of the top things people are asking us to do is to insulate the interior master bedroom and bathroom walls to separate the suite from the rest of the house. It’s a privacy thing.” The added insulation can even extend to the floors to keep any noise from the master moving outward.
“It’s a little bit in both directions,” Meller says. “The parents don’t want to hear the kids, and at the same time, don’t want the kids to hear them. I think part of that may be a reaction to the fact that many homes we remodel are not necessarily huge, and the master isn’t very separate. Extra insulation can help with that.” New-home plans from John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods incorporate privacy aspects into their master suites by separating the sleeping and living areas. At the Braeburn community in Milton, Ga., where 52 homes are priced from the high $400,000s, buyers have taken to master designs that give them room to spread out.
“We had a lot of plans where the owners’ suite with a sitting room was one elongated space, but we’ve had a lot more success when that retreat is more separate, maybe even walled off or on the other side of the bathroom,” says Itanza Johnson, a Wieland custom home agent. “That way, a couple can physically be doing two separate things in their bedroom. If your husband is an early CNN watcher, you can still sleep.” The master suite also affords parents a place where they can be close to the children without being in the same space.
“Since the concept of the two-story family room went away, rec rooms have moved upstairs, and that’s made the idea of a private space in the owners’ suite more popular,” Johnson said. “It gives Mom a place where she can be on the same level when the kids are in the rec room, but she can watch TV or pay bills with a little more privacy.” At the same time, homeowners are tired of the cavernous, poorly lit master. To make the space more functional, they’re adding more lighting than in the past.
“Masters are becoming much more well-lit, with lots of lights with dimmers,” Meller says. “We’re putting them in the whole room — over beds, in the tray ceiling, on separate switches so you can turn on lamps from the wall. Having more lighting also lets you create the mood you want by turning them off or on or dimming them.” Along with the sleeping and sitting areas, the master bathroom has undergone an attitude change in the past few years. While many are still spacious, they’re not quite as ostentatious, with owners opting for a more scaled-back but sophisticated look. And the first thing they say they don’t want is that monster jetted tub.
“For the longest time, people wanted that big bathtub with the jets,” says Charley Hipple, president of Cardinal Construction, a custom home and remodeling firm based in Duluth. “Now, they want the big tub but don’t want the jets, especially if they already have a pool with a spa in the backyard. Instead, they’re creating more of a spa feel with steam showers.” Jetted baths are being replaced by soaking tubs that may be shorter or narrower but are definitely deeper. The smaller tubs have an added bonus: more deck space around them for plants, candles or baskets of towels. Some owners are adding heat elements that keep the bath water a constant temperature without draining the hot water heater. And while a spa tub can cost about $5,000, a soaking tub with a heating element may be $2,000.
Bathroom finishes also are changing, with oversize tumbled stone and marble giving way to elegant porcelain that gives a bath a Roman feel, Meller says. “Porcelain is a lot more finished and consistent and doesn’t give you that ragged look,” he says.
Some owners are adding these elements not just into one master bath but into two. Once the standard for a million-dollar property, a his-and-hers layout is now becoming fashionable with buyers of homes priced below that benchmark.

6 Great Uses for That Spare Bedroom

6 Great Uses for That Spare Bedroom

Here are a few alternative uses for a spare bedroom. Whether you need a new area for work or play, these ideas will transform empty space into a useful room.

1. Home Theater

Families still gather around the TV to enjoy movies or shows together, but large, flat-screen TVs can have problems with glare. Instead of darkening the entire family room, use a spare bedroom. Paint the walls dark and use heavy drapes for a movie-theater experience. The best part is that a special theater room can cut back on your family’s casual TV watching and encourage alternative, more active hobbies.

2. Game Room

You don’t need a whole arcade to create a family game room. A pool table or card table creates a great focal piece for a casual space where everyone can get together and play. Collect board games, and stock a mini fridge full of healthy snacks for a room the whole family will enjoy. Families with video gamers can gather together a few bean bags and couple baskets of spare controllers to create a loungy gamer’s paradise.

3. Home Office

More people than ever are working from home. A dedicated space cuts down on distractions and boosts productivity. Repurpose a closet into bookshelves or file storage with separate shelves for work and home papers. Stock up on the supplies you’ll need and keep them apart from the rest of the household items so that you can better track your work expenses. Hang some whiteboards or bulletin boards to keep yourself on track, and let your family know that the office is off limits when you need to work.

4. Home Gym

Home gyms don’t have to be filled with tons of equipment. A treadmill or other cardio machine, combined with a set of dumbbells, will fill most people’s workout needs. If you like gym classes but hate the membership dues, set up a small TV and try following along with some workout videos. Buy a cheap water cooler, set up a shelf of towels, and never worry about having to hit the gym again.

5. Craft or Project Room

Whether your hobby is sewing, painting, drawing or just general crafting, it probably takes up a lot of space. Get organized with a spare room: Use closet shelves to organize supplies, and set up a large table for a workspace. A dedicated craft room will let you leave out unfinished projects without them getting in anyone’s way or being disturbed.

6. Playroom

Kids get messy when they play; why not give them a space where they can leave their toys out without tripping anyone? Fill a playroom with toys and durable children’s furniture, and cover the walls with fun murals. Invest in stain-resistant carpet or just lay down some durable canvas so that messy projects don’t cause a headache to clean. The kids will love their special space!

Whether you want to keep the extra space for yourself or create a room for the whole family, it’s easy to turn a spare bedroom into something more functional. Often, it’s just a matter of moving around furniture or items that you already have. All you need to do is pick an idea for inspiration and go!

Top 5 Things To Buy Used

Top 5 Things to Buy Used

There’s an important life lesson I learned pretty quickly after becoming a mother. It’s as simple as this — not everything you buy needs to be brand new. I figured this out when new clothes and new toys lasted only a few months or even a few weeks. However, this idea that not everything you buy needs to be brand spanking new can be applied to nearly everything in your life. To help you save untold resources and money, Do Your Part and check out my Top 5 List of Things to Buy Used.

1. Home accessories
Home accessories like lamps, vases, art, and picture frames are usually overflowing from the store shelves. Buying these items used is a great way to update your home without blowing your whole budget. When shopping for new decorative accents, look for versatile pieces that can work double duty. For example, a large clear vase is perfect for all seasons since it can be filled with whimsical sand dollars in the summer or brightly colored holiday ornaments in the winter.
2. Books
If you have a voracious reading appetite, secondhand bookstores could be right up your alley. Used books sell for a fraction of the retail price and with a bit of hunting can be found in good condition. And don’t forget about textbooks either. Many college students will attest to the fact that a few highlighting marks are certainly worth the discount. You can find used textbooks in college bookstores and plenty of places online.
3. Sports gear and exercise equipment
Buying used sports gear is always a bargain. Some shops offer discounts as steep as 75 percent off retail prices. Many sports resale shops sell used exercise equipment too. There are also online sites that specialize in gently used equipment for every activity.
4. Kids’ clothes
Kids grow out of clothes so quickly that buying new ones can put a serious dent in your wallet. One way to save money is to buy gently used clothes. There are many resale shops that cater to specific age groups no matter how young or old your children may be. You can also trade clothes online and find the perfect outfit for your child in online auction sites.
5. Wood furniture
Quality wood furniture is a bargain shopper’s dream. Practical pieces like desks, tables, and bookshelves are always rotating through the inventory. Used furniture is more likely to have released any volatile organic compounds used in construction that can pollute your indoor air. Plus quality wood furniture will last for years.

Do Your Part when you shop and first consider whether buying new or used is the better route to go. It’s better for your wallet and your peace of mind.

Planning for the Future: When to Start Saving for a New Home

Planning for the Future: When to Start Saving for a New Home

You don’t have to be the tinfoil hat type to start preparing for the future—it’s coming, after all. And if you’re thinking about buying a new home in the next few years, it’s not too early to start putting money away for it. There’s more to it than cutting down unnecessary expenses and saving up, though—sellers and banks look at several factors to determine your eligibility for home ownership.

Before you start that new savings account, ask yourself a few questions to see if you’re in the market for a home at all:

Do you have a safety net? You should have 3 to 6 months’ worth of regular, fixed expenses saved up—this means rent or house payments, utilities, insurance, loan payment, etc. A safety net is crucial to being able to afford a home.

How’s your credit? If you’ll need a loan to pay for the house initially, you’ll need to work to build your credit above a score of 620. (Yes, seriously.) And for most loans, you’ll actually want something closer to at least 740.

Is your relationship stable? If your partner probably isn’t going to be around for much longer, it’s probably not a good time to start paying for a home. Divorces and splits get really messy—both emotionally and financially.

Okay, so if you’ve got a safety net, good credit, and a stable relationship status, here’s what the timeline for saving for a new home looks like if you’re smart.

Adjust your budget. Print out your bank statements from the past year, plus any receipts you’ve saved, and make a spreadsheet of your spending. Once you’ve got everything entered into the spreadsheet, categorize expenses by fixed (unchangeable) and discretionary (changeable). Think about how you can reduce or get rid of discretionary expenses—making coffee at home instead of grabbing it on the way to work, for example, can save you at least $10/week. Put the costs you cut into a house fund. Whenever you get a bonus at work or a tax refund, put that into the house fund.

Give yourself an advantage. You need to have a savings goal, so make it a minimum of 10 to 20 percent of the estimated price of your future home. As a buyer, you shouldn’t be responsible for closing costs, but having more than the minimum amount ready for a down payment gives you a real edge over other potential buyers—and means your mortgage payments will be considerably less. Try not to rely on the prospect of loans—if you need a loan to make a payment on the house, you probably can’t afford it.

Keep it real. Attend open houses and scour the classifieds. You’ll feel like a real home buyer, and you’ll get a better idea of regional costs of living.

The Importance of Creating an Emergency Plan

The Importance of Creating an Emergency Plan

Emergency action plans keep you and your family calm and safe in case of a natural disaster, fire or terrorist attack. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that businesses have plans in place in case of an emergency. Planning for these events is just as important for families, in order to ensure everyone is prepared when a disaster occurs. Consider these tips from PublicAdministration.net:

Earthquakes
Areas along fault lines are more prone to more powerful and frequent earthquakes than other areas, but earthquakes can occur almost anywhere. People in Alaska and California are well aware of the risk earthquakes pose, and most residents have survived previous quakes.
Those in the Pacific Northwest and along the New Madrid fault line in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, however, are at a much higher risk because they may not be aware they are in an earthquake prone area. The time between the quakes here is much longer, and there are not preparedness drills held in these areas.
Your earthquake emergency action plan should include a meeting spot for your family after the event, communication strategies for other loved ones, where you can seek shelter if your home is uninhabitable and access to clean water and food.
Tornadoes
It is most important to know where you will seek shelter during a tornado. While a storm shelter underground is the safest place, many families do not have one. A basement level in the home is a good substitute, although families without a basement must select another small interior room without windows for shelter. This is often a bathroom.
Tornadoes typically only affect small areas of several square miles, so arranging for shelter with friends or family in case your home is uninhabitable after an event is often easier than with other natural disasters. You should plan for a lack of utilities including electricity and phone service for several days.
Having a weather radio on hand during a tornado will help you to follow your emergency action plan and remain safe. An action plan for schools is also a requirement in all states.
Floods
Most floods occur in floodplains, but can occur in many areas when extreme weather patterns bring several inches of rain in a short amount of time. The most important safety tip in a flood is to have an evacuation plan. Be aware, however, that some roads in low-lying areas may be closed due to flooding. You should never try to cross a flooded area in a vehicle. Try to route your evacuation through areas that are at a higher elevation or have multiple escape routes planned.
Fires
A fire can quickly escalate from a small flame to a major disaster in only a few minutes. Seconds can mean the difference in life and death in a fire. For this reason, it is mandatory for all public buildings to post a map of emergency exits and evacuation routes. Businesses must also have a plan for employees in case of fire.
Fire escape plans are among the most important emergency action plans for families, as well. Teaching children how to crawl in thick smoke, to evacuate the building and where to meet once outside can save lives in the event of an emergency. Having a properly maintained and functional fire extinguisher in a home or vehicle can also help keep your family remain safe.
Hurricanes
Affecting primarily coastal areas, hurricanes combine the dangers of high winds and flooding. Hurricane emergency plans often resemble flood emergency action plans. They do, however, typically include some specific hurricane preparedness actions such as covering the windows of your home with plywood.
The most important part of a hurricane emergency action plan is to know your evacuation plans. It is also important to have a back-up plan if there is heavy traffic, a gasoline shortage or other problems. The best way to stay safe in a hurricane is to remove your family from its path.
Other
Emergency action plans can help you and your family remain safe in many situations, including some that are unlikely to affect others. A food allergy emergency action plan is often necessary for schools, daycares and even homes who have children with severe food allergies. Another example of a personal emergency action plan is the plan devised when you are travelling abroad, or those recommended by universities for students studying abroad.
Source: publicadministration.net

The Ultimate Moving Day Checklist

The Ultimate Moving Day Checklist

Moving home can be very exciting, but also very stressful at the same time. If you are methodical and organized you can make the transition easier and save time too.

Planning

Once you have exchanged contracts, you can decide on a completion and moving date. In this interim period, begin throwing away all that junk from the attic, shed and garage you haven’t seen for years. Go through your possessions and use the opportunity to discard or sell the items you never use. Clean cupboards and pack systematically as you sort.

Decide if you are going to undertake the move yourself with a van and friends or use professional removers. Obtain quotes and book the van or removal firm. Make sure a firm is a member of the British Association of Removers and ascertain what level of insurance is available and who is going to be responsible for the packing, especially if you have any precious or valuable items.

Seal boxes as you pack, and then label them on the outside with marker pen. You can use a simple number system with each number corresponding to a number on a room plan which you can give to the movers on the day. Alternatively a more sophisticated plan is to construct a spreadsheet with a list of individual items, or types of items, to correspond to different numbers or symbols.

Make arrangements with the post office to have your mail redirected for a specified period of time.

Compile a list of all the people you will have to contact when you move house. In order that you can do this soon after moving without actually having to hunt out the paperwork, the list should include provider policy numbers and telephone numbers, so you can just tick off the list as you speak or write to car insurers, banks, DVLA etc.

Make arrangements for your children and pets to be looked after on the day- you won’t have time to give them any attention at all.

Find all the hidden keys to your home and outbuildings and give these to your estate agent just before you move- you won’t have time on the day.

On the day

·         Pack some items in your car so you don’t have to wait for them or wonder where they are.

·         Keep aside tea, coffee, kettle, milk and biscuits so you can motivate the movers. If this is safe you can access it at the other end as soon as you get there.

·         If you pack a box of cleaning materials, you can clean up each room as the movers empty it and you will be ready to use it in the new house.

·         Also keep aside a few plates, knives and forks so you can eat your first takeaway later on in your new house.

·         Have your bedding with you too so you can at least make up the beds.

·         Pack towels, personal toiletries and a change of clothes.

When you arrive

·         Take meter readings when you leave and also read the meters at the new house.

·         When you first arrive, quickly check everything works, then open the windows to air the property because a great deal of dust will be generated when you start unpacking.

·         Ideally you would clean the house thoroughly before moving in, but if this is not possible, do not unpack everything until you can clean the cupboards etc.

Later

·         Change the locks as soon as possible because you don’t know if anyone still has access to the keys.

·         Investigate if it is cost effective to remain with the current energy supplier.

·         Organise new telephone and broadband services if you have not been able to do so in advance. In the meantime find out where free WiFi services are available.

·         Speak to neighbours and find out where the best GP and dentists are and register the family.

·         Find out where the local tip is and continue to declutter as you unpack. 

The Basics of Homeowners Insurance

The Basics of Homeowners Insurance

Once you buy a house, there is chaos, stress, and excitement. But as the moving boxes are being unloaded and you’re deciding how to decorate, there is still an important item on your to-do list: obtain homeowners insurance.

There are two basic parts to homeowners insurance: contents and building insurance.

Contents insurance refers to all the “things” in your house. Furniture, computers and other electronics, clothing, household supplies, toys. Basically it means all your stuff.

Building covers involves the actual house. Insurance for the building aspect of your house is how much it would cost to rebuild it. Some people get this confused with the market value of the house, but for insurance purposes, you want to have cover for how much all the supplies and labor would cost to build again should your house be destroyed, such as by fire.

Building also covers fixtures in the house like toilets, fitted kitchens, cupboards and attached enhancements, such as wallpaper. Structures like garages, greenhouses and sheds are usually covered under a building policy. However, insurers have varying policies for things like fences, gates, paths, drives and swimming pools.

Most policies will cover loss or damage from myriad sources, according to the Association of British Insurers. Covered losses include fire, lightning, earthquake, landslip, storm and flood, malicious damage, theft or would-be theft, water leaks from tanks and pipes, falling trees and branches, riot. Impact by aircraft, vehicle or animal and oil leaking from heating systems is also covered.

Things that are not included in most policies are: normal wear and tear, maintenance costs, faulty workmanship, breakdown, and any amount over your cover limits, damage done when the home has been unoccupied for more than 30 days, or when tenants are in the home.

Most insurance companies also offer extra cover for various items. For example, Swift Cover offers extra coverage for accidents other than those caused by fire or flood. If a tap is accidentally left running, for example, both contents and building fixtures could potentially be damaged. Extra accident coverage would cover these types of misfortunes.

Other extra cover choices include bicycle coverage, garden coverage, and valuable personal possessions that you take with you to and from your house — jewelry, laptops, mobile phones. Coverage for students away at school, family legal protection, and home assistance are also available extras.

In general when you buy a homeowners insurance policy, you choose an amount for excess. This is the amount you pay before insurance covers the rest. If a fire causes £1000 in damage, your excess might be set at £100, so the insurance company will pay £950 to repair the damage.

Oftentimes, you’ll have a lower premium if you carry a higher excess on your claims.

Some insurers may offer a reduction in premium if you accept a voluntary

For extra excess on all claims – the bigger the excess, the bigger the discount. Those who live in a flat or maisonette can opt to insure the building together to include living space and shared areas like stairs and entrances. Then residents can get their own individual contents policy.

Credit Do's and Don'ts!

Credit Do's and Don’ts When Securing a Mortgage

When it comes to securing a mortgage in today’s challenging lending environment, your credit rating is more important than ever before. Good credit is integral to obtaining the best interest rates and terms on a mortgage.

Credit expert Peter Nagy offers the following helpful dos and don’ts for making sure your credit standing is in good shape before pursuing a mortgage:

Don’t apply for new credit. Every time you have your credit pulled by a potential creditor or lender, you can lose points from your credit score immediately.

Don’t pay off collections or “charge offs.” If you want to pay off old accounts, do it through escrow, making sure that the debt is yours. Request a “letter of deletion” from the creditor.

Don’t close credit card accounts. If you close a credit card account, it may appear that your debt ratio has gone up. Closing a card will affect other factors in the score, including credit history

Don’t max out or over charge credit card accounts. Try to keep your credit card balances below 40 percent of their limit during the loan process. If you pay down balances, do it across the board.

Don’t consolidate your debt. When you consolidate all of your debt onto one or two credit cards, it will appear that you are “maxed out” on that card and you will be penalized.
Don’t do anything that will cause a red flag to be raised by the scoring system. This includes adding new accounts, co-signing on a loan or changing your name or address with the bureaus.

Do join a credit watch program. Then, you may check your own credit reports regularly (you won’t get dinged for a “hard” inquiry). Plus, if something unexpected does show up, you can address it promptly.

Do stay current on existing accounts. Like your mortgage and car payments, one 30-day late notice can cost you.

Do continue to use your credit as you normally would. Red flags are raised easily with the scoring system. If it appears that you are changing your pattern, it will raise a red flag and your score could go down.

Do consult your financial advisor or accountant. Find out what resources are available to you to help stop any derogatory reporting to the bureaus.

Can your Mortgage Lender really ask that?

Hey! Can your mortgage lender really ask that?

Mortgage applicants expect to be asked to prove their income, verify their employment and provide permission for their tax returns to be reviewed, but these days, lenders frequently demand more and more answers to questions that may seem out of bounds to borrowers. Questions about exactly where every dollar comes from in your bank account may seem excessive, but lenders must document everything about an applicant's finances in order to prove to underwriters that the borrowers will repay the loan.

Questions You Should Expect From a Lender

Job History. Most lenders want to see a two-year history of employment and will need a contact where your job can be verified. In some cases, according to a recent article in MarketWatch, lenders can ask to see your diploma or college training order to verify that you were in school when you said you were.

Income. Typically, two recent paystubs are required, but some lenders will also require tax returns, particularly if you were self-employed. Discrepancies in income can trigger extra questions, especially if your income has declined for some reason such as a reduced bonus or commission. If you receive child support, Social Security or some other payments other than wages, you'll need to provide documentation that the income will continue.

Assets. Lenders want to know where your assets have come from in order to ensure that you are not borrowing money from someone for the down payment. Gift letters are required and must meet lender restrictions if you are getting help for your home purchase.

Debts. Your debts will show up on your credit report and will be calculated as part of your debt-to-income ratio. It's a good idea to review your credit history before applying for a mortgage because any disputed debts or debts that you believe have already been repaid will require proof and may need to be erased from your credit report before you can qualify for a loan.

Credit History. Your credit score is an important part of your loan application, but lenders will also look at your report to check for credit inquiries and past credit problems. If you have a number of recent credit inquiries, lenders may ask if you have taken out other loans or new credit cards that have yet to show up on your report.

Unexpected Lender Questions That Are Still Legal

Ethnicity. In order to avoid discrimination based on someone's ethnic background, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) actually requires lenders to ask about borrowers' race. HUD can then review lender records to make sure they aren't routinely turning down minorities or charging them higher fees.

Lawsuits. While it may seem as if a lawsuit (especially if you are the plaintiff) should not impact your home financing, lenders always require applicants to ask if they are involved in a lawsuit because of the potential cost and the possibility of a judgment that goes against the borrower.

Divorce. Lenders are particularly concerned about the financial details of a divorce because of the possibility that a borrower could be held responsible for an ex-spouse's debt. In addition, if you are trying to include child support or alimony as income on your loan application, a lender will need some hard proof that the income will continue.

Questions You Can't Be Asked

While it may seem that a lender can ask a borrower anything, there are two topics that are forbidden for lenders to investigate: family planning and health issues. According to HSH.com, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders are not allowed to ask if you are planning a family. In the past, this question was used to discriminate against female borrowers because lenders assumed women would quit work when they became pregnant. You can, however, be asked about how many dependents you have and about your marital status, because that is information that can be used to qualify you as a first-time homebuyer and for special loan programs that have income limitations.

Under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, lenders are prohibited from discriminating against borrowers who are ill or disabled, so they are not allowed to ask you any questions related to your physical condition.

The Bottom Line

Every borrower today needs to be prepared to answer almost anything a mortgage lender asks, but if you feel you are being asked inappropriate questions you should ask your lender some questions in return and perhaps find another lender.

Five Family Health Tips

Five Family-Health Tips

Want to get your family off on a healthier track? It doesn’t have to mean radical change. Here are five little ways to produce big results.
Fitness
The family that plays together stays together.
Everyone knows that regular physical activity will improve your health. Fitness icon Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper is an ardent advocate of exercise who still works out at 81. It wasn’t always that way.
He didn’t exercise when he was a medical resident and had a cardiac incident at 29. He knew he had to change his life, and when he did he brought his wife and two kids along for the run. The result? A healthier family and a closer one.
“Sunday afternoons we all ran together from the time my daughter was 10 and my son was 5. We were known as the running family. … Now I walk briskly with my 6-year-old grandson.”
Cooper’s tip: “Find a game your family enjoys and play together. … I’ve been married 53 years and now to have my son (Dr. Tyler Cooper) follow in my footsteps, taking over the aerobics center, it’s a dream come true.”
Note: The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends exercising four to six times a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time and advises consulting with a doctor before you start. Cooper adds that if you want to go for a family run, do it before dinner because running after a heavy meal can strain the heart. If you want to exercise after dinner, make it a gentle walk.
Nutrition
Swap healthful ingredients for the unhealthful ones.
You don’t need to toss your comfort foods, says Cindy Kleckner, a registered and licensed dietitian at Cooper Clinic. As part of her “recipe rehab” program, Kleckner shows people how to modify cooking techniques to get that “fried feeling” by breading and baking foods in small amounts of oil. She also suggests swapping fatty ingredients in baking, such as oil, for healthier options such as applesauce, mashed banana or mashed prunes.
“I call it revitalizing your recipes for better health,” Kleckner says. “It’s not about taking away foods you love but making them better.”
Kleckner’s tip: Let a professional dietitian get you started. Note: Missy Chase Lapine’s Sneaky Chef series shows how to add healthy vegetable purées to recipes.
Medical
Keep on schedule with these apps.
One of the biggest challenges to keeping a busy family on track for medical appointments, vaccinations and medications is remembering when they are. Dr. Philip J. Aponte, vice president of informatics at HealthTexas Provider Network in Dallas, says there are lots of good apps that can help. He relies on Microsoft Health Vault for his family, which is free here ^[2].
“Inevitably, whether you’re going to a different physician or filling out a life insurance policy, you’re someplace where you need to recall information, and it seemed silly that I had to find a paper folder and search for it. Now I have the app on my iPhone and I can show the doctor all my medications and my laboratory data. I can track my weight and set goals, see if there might be any problems with drug interactions. When I had to register my daughter for kindergarten, it was easy because I had all her medical information there.”
Aponte’s tip: An app can simplify your life, but only if you commit to diligently updating it.
Note: Consider your goals when you decide what medical app is right for you. Some will help you track glucose levels or can be connected with other devices, including scales.
Mental
Just say yes to family dinners.
Teens do better in school and are less likely to abuse prescription drugs, use illegal drugs, smoke or drink when they have regular family dinners, according to a 2007 report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Plus, even if they don’t come out and tell you, 84 percent of teens prefer to have dinner with their families.
Dr. Nancy Donachie, medical director of Seay Behavioral Health Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, says her top tip for parents is to “have dinner with the family with the TV off and take the opportunity to engage in conversation.” Dr. Sarah Feuerbacher, clinic director of the Southern Methodist University Center for Family Counseling, agrees.
Feuerbacher’s tip: “It isn’t just about the tasty food we put into our mouths, although that allows for conversation and even laughter about the guacamole competitions we create or how many dinners in a row I can burn the bread. Just yesterday my 2-year-old said, and I kid you not, ‘This is where mama burns food’ as he pointed to his kitchen playset oven. It is about the dancing that we do while we cook, or recognizing someone is a great flavor inventor, or playing outside with the dogs while our food is on the grill, or watching my baby bounce in his seat and laugh while he takes in his family having fun as one of his first memories.”
Sleep
Turn off the phone — you, too, parents.
If your kids are struggling, consider the possibility that their cellphones are interfering with their sleep. Fifty-six percent of teens bring their cellphones into their bedrooms and use them, with texting especially popular in the hour before trying to go to bed, according to the 2011 Sleep in America Poll from the National Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C.
Before you wag that finger, however, look in the mirror. Parents need to turn off their cellphones, too, says Dr. Kara Starnes, a pediatrician with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Allen.
“I think you have to be a good role model,” Starnes says. “I hate when I see parents come into the room and they have their phones attached. … It makes it harder when you have a teenager and they say, ‘Why do I have to put my phone down when you won’t put down yours?’ You have to sit down and explain why it’s important to change the behaviors together.”

Decorate Your Space: Learn How to Hang Art

Decorate Your Space: Learn How to Hang Art

Transform a blank wall into a distinctive art gallery with these quick hanging tips and decorating pointers. Use these tips and tricks in any room.

Get it Right the First Time

Step 1: Decide the height and width of your art display.
Step 2: Select your artwork, frames and other objects.
Step 3: Figure out how many hangers you’ll need and whether you have drywall or plaster walls (newer homes tend to be built with drywall).
Step 4: Trace outlines of your objects on sheets of brown paper, and mark where the hangers are located. Group and move the shapes around on the floor until your arrangement feels right.
Step 5: Use painter’s tape to stick the papers on the wall. Once you’re happy with the arrangement, screw or hammer the hangers right through the paper (if you have plaster walls, drill pilot holes before inserting anchors or nails).
For a bold statement, define the section you want to decorate with painter’s tape. Then paint the section a bright color that contrasts with your existing wall color. The painted zone gives definition to the space, and the bright background causes artwork to stand out.

For a Symmetrical Arrangement

• Size matters. Hang similar-size art in pairs or small groupings.
• Use a level to line everything up; use a ruler to make sure each piece is evenly spaced.
• Think outside the frame. Small groupings of tiles, postcards, sconces, or whatever can still be arranged symmetrically. Hanging artwork in a grid creates a feeling of unity between the individual pieces.

For an Asymmetrical Arrangement

• Pick a color palette. Colors should include a few main shades and some bold accents.
• Look for big, small and in-between. Large objects anchor a collection; smaller objects fill out the space.
• Think beyond framed art. You’ll get more interest from unusual objects—think plants, tools or a special trophy.
Arranging an assortment of random art can be tricky. Start with your largest piece or pieces and work out from there. Add a shelf to display items that you can’t hang.