Clean Green

June 21, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Real Home

Having a family with children and pets makes you care a lot about the kind of things you bring into your house. What’s really in some of those cleaning powders and potions and sprays? Going all-natural when it comes to cleaning makes me feel better—safer. Try some of the cleaning recipes below and see what you think:

  • All Purpose Cleaner - ½ cup of ammonia, ½ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of vinegar, 8 cups of hot water
  • Vehicle Cleaner - ½ cup of dish soap, ½ cup powdered clothes soap, 1 gallon of hot water.
  • Furniture Polish - ¾ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of vinegar
  • Glass cleaner - ¼ cup of ammonia, ½ vinegar, 3 cups of water
  • Disinfectant – 1.6 oz of eucalyptus oil and 1 quart of warm water
  • Carpet cleaner - ½ cup of vinegar, ½ cup baking soda, 1 gallon Hot water
  • Jewelry cleaner - ¼ cup of vinegar, ¼ cup ammonia, ½ cup of warm water

j.

Tap Into the Power of Color Energy

June 21, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Real Home

Have you every wondered why some colors seem to soothe you while others get you fired up? Maybe you have a favorite “power color” that you like to put on when you want to impress?

There’s a belief that colors give off their own vibes. I think it’s fun to learn about color energy, and then use this information to decorate the rooms in your home with purpose! Experts say just a few splashes of color do the trick…so you don’t have to paint the whole room orange to bring cheerfulness into it…a vase of flowers, a pillow, or a picture frame will work just fine.

RED: warmth, love, anger, danger, boldness, excitement, speed, strength, determination, desire, courage

ORANGE: cheerfulness, low cost, affordability, enthusiasm, stimulation, creativity

YELLOW: attention-grabbing, comfort, liveliness, cowardliness, hunger, optimism, overwhelm, Summer, intellect, happiness, energy

GREEN: durability, reliability, environmental, luxurious, optimism, well-being, nature, calm, relaxation, Spring, safety, honesty, harmony, freshness

BLUE: peace, professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honor, boredom, coldness, Winter, depth, stability, trust

PURPLE: power, royalty, nobility, elegance, sophistication, artificial, luxury, mystery, magic

GRAY: conservatism, traditionalism, intelligence, serious, dull, uninteresting

BROWN: relaxing, confident, casual, reassuring, nature, earthy, solid, reliable, genuine, Autumn, endurance

BLACK: Elegance, sophistication, formality, power, strength, illegality, depression, morbidity, night

WHITE: Cleanliness, purity, newness, virginity, peace, innocence, simplicity, sterility, snow

j.

Country Pride

August 6, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Real Home

It was great to see so many families turn out to get an up close look at our country’s birth certificate at the Carnegie Science Center last weekend. A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was on display as part of a Declare Yourself visit to Pittsburgh.
Declare Yourself is a non-partisan organization funded by Norman Lear on a mission to get people—especially young people—interested in our country, and in showing people how easy it is to register to vote.
Listen to Sam Sarnicke, Area General Manager, Cricket Communications, Inc., (a proud sponsor) talk about how how people reacted when they saw the document, and Brent Miller from Declare Yourself, with the cool story behind it. I also asked Brent about the security for this national treasure—it’s intense!

The document is displayed in a special glass case, and it travels with two beautifully produced films, one hosted by actress Reese Witherspoon, who is a descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence! It really provides an interesting look at our country’s history. I think you and your kids will love it. WATCH IT NOW
I got to go to the event as part of Clearview Federal Credit Union’s sponsorship.
j.

Remembering Steelers Great Dwight White

June 6, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Real Home

I was at the pool with my kids this afternoon when I got the news that Dwight White passed away after a short time at a Pittsburgh hospital. The four-time Super Bowl Champion was gracious enough to be a guest on our show as we were just getting started. We talk here and on the TV show about making life easier, but as a player, Dwight’s job was to make life very difficult for the other team’s quarterback…and he did a nice job of that. Last September, Dwight joined us for the whole half hour and besides getting to hear his stories about his time playing with our Pittsburgh Steelers, he had us all laughing with his good natured coaching of some members of our audience.
Click here to watch the clip
Dwight White was funny and charming and kind to everyone on the staff and everyone in the audience that day. He even let me try on the huge Super Bowl ring he was wearing.
Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said this afternoon “Dwight White was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Steelers uniform.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family at this difficult time.
j.

Some Events/Organizations That Could Help You

May 12, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Real Home

It’s only Monday, but I’m looking forward to some events I’ll be at this weekend. The organizations involved offer lots of great tips:

SATURDAY, MAY 17th - The American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania Asthma Fair and Healthy Lung Village
(left: my family and me at last year’s event)
This is going to be held at the Heinz Field Coca-Cola Great Hall in downtown Pittsburgh. It features important information and testing needed to diagnose and manage asthma. It’s also just a fun day with activities for kids and families, appearances from Pittsburgh Steelers, and more! If you’re not in the Pittsburgh area and you can ‘t come and join us, visit HealthyLungs.org for helpful info.
  • SUNDAY, MAY 18th – The 6th annual Wondergirl 5k
    This is going to be held at Sandcastle in West Mifflin, PA at 9:00 a.m. (although groups gather earlier).
    This event is tied in with a wonderful national organization called Girls On The Run which works to educate girls on self-esteem issues and more for a lifetime of healthy living.