Home & Garden - Summer 2016

A special advertising publication of Valley Community Newspapers

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Home & Garden • Summer 2016 • A special advertising publication of Valley Community Newspapers • To advertise, call 916-429-9901 • www.valcomnews.com

GREEN LIVING 5 Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (StatePoint) It might not feel like you alone can have an impact on the environment, but over time, small lifestyle changes can make a substantial difference.

Need some ideas to get started? Draw inspiration from the collective efforts of one California olive company working to run operations in an eco-friendly way.

“Our employees are vital to our zero waste efforts,” says Dennis Leikam, environmental manager at Musco Family Olive Company.

“Through monthly sustainability topics and a compost program, they’re encouraged to reduce not only our corporate environmental impact, but also their personal impact away from work, as well.”

Over 75 percent of residential waste is recyclable, but most people only recycle 30 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While it may be unrealistic to produce zero waste at home, you can get closer to that goal.

Such commitment to sustainability is achievable in your own home. Here are some simple actions you can take.

Buy the Right Stuff Musco has an ethical sourcing program to ensure that every part of the olive production process meets their sustainability goals. Do your own ethical sourcing by: • Buying local.

• Buying products with minimal, recyclable packaging.

• Reducing your use of disposable items.

• Choosing products from companies with a commitment to sustainability.

Drive Less and Bike More In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities by five percent, Musco is tracking emissions through Carbon Disclosure Project, the leading non-profit working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can lower your carbon footprint by consolidating car trips, and walking or riding your bike to work and on errands.

Conserve Water In the last 10 years, Musco has recycled almost 1.5 billion gallons of water onsite in a closed-loop system. They even grow a special grass that pulls salt from the soil, is harvested and becomes a tasty supplement for local cattle.

Here are ways you too can conserve water: • Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.

• Use the dishwasher. Unless your dishwasher is more than a decade old, it uses less water than washing by hand. Really.

Consumers can take cues from eco-friendly brands like Musco to go green at home. - (c) highwaystarz - Fotolia.com

• Put a brick in your tank to get a low-flow effect without the cost of a new toilet.

• Add aerators to faucets. They cost less than $10 and the accumulated water savings is substantial.

• Limit watering outdoors to the coolest times of day, use a moisture sensor, and landscape with native, drought-resistant plants.

Bring Your Own Bag Remembering to bring your own bags to the supermarket is hard at first, but is a great habit. Keep market bags in the back of your car and get a foldable tote bag to store in your purse.

Feed the Soil

Take advantage of municipal compost programs. Most allow whole pizza boxes, paper plates, plate scraps, and bones in the green bin -- all no-no’s for a backyard bin.

Or, get yourself a worm box and compost small food scraps that will help your garden grow. You can also toss veggie scraps into a freezer bag until you have enough to make veggie broth.

To learn more about sustainability leadership, visit www.olives.com.

Remember every small step makes a difference.

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HOME & GARDEN How to Stay Safe When Digging on Your Property (StatePoint) Whether you are a “doit-yourself ” homeowner or a contracted professional, before starting landscaping or home improvement projects, it is essential to protect yourself and stay safe when digging.

Most people are surprised to learn that there are more than 100 billion feet of

underground utilities in the U.S. This equates to more than one football field’s length of buried utilities for every man, woman and child in the country, according to the Common Ground Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting the safety of people who dig near underground utility lines.

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Every six minutes in the U.S., an underground utility line is damaged because someone did not call 811, the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number, or connect online at www.call811.com.

Each year, August 11 (8/11) is a reminder to dig safely and lawfully. It’s important to dial 811 or connect online to have the approximate location of underground utilities and pipelines marked, whether you’re installing a fence, deck or swimming pool; planting a tree; or beginning any excavation project at home or on your property.

Protect yourself and those around you from injury by contacting 811. Not only is it the law, but knowing where pipelines and underground utility lines are buried prevents unintentional damage, service interruptions, potential fines and costly repairs.

You must contact 811 every time, even if you have done so previously for a similar project, as the depth of utilities can vary, and there may be multiple utilities located in the same area.

Contacting 811 When you contact 811, information will be collected about your digging plans, and local pipeline and utility companies will be notified about your project. Representatives will be sent to mark the approximate location of underground utilities using color-coded paint, flags or stakes. If there are no underground utilities in the area, they will mark “clear.”

The advance notice required to have underground utilities marked varies by state, although most require 48 to 72 hours (excluding weekends, holidays and the day the call was made). You can find state-specific

information or place an online request to have utilities marked at www.call811.com.

Project Planning • Regardless of the depth of your digging or your familiarity with the property, always contact 811 before starting a project that involves digging.

• If a contractor has been hired, confirm they have done so. Don’t allow work to start until all utilities have been marked.

• After you have waited the required time for markings, if utilities have not been marked, you must contact 811 again to check the status of your request before digging. Also confirm whether the markings have an expiration date and when they will need to be re-marked.

• If your project is located near the paint, flags or stakes, contact the underground operator for the specific steps you should take.

Protect your safety, the safety of the community and the environment by digging with care.

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(StatePoint) Between work and school-year commitments, it can be difficult to carve out time to sit down at the table and enjoy a homecooked dinner as a family, but it is well worth the effort. In addition to offering an opportunity to bond, eating together and engaging in conversation can have a deeper influence on children. Follow these tips to bring the family together and create a lasting tradition.

Mark the Calendar Create a monthly calendar that incorporates a few meals a week in which everyone can be present when there are no sports, activities or after-work functions. Research shows that children benefit when the family eats together at least three times a week. In fact, reported improvements range from healthy eating hab-

its to improved literacy and verbal skills, according to the Family Dinner Project. If three dinners is a stretch for your busy family, consider morning brunches or evening desserts.

Create a FamilyFriendly Menu Integrate family favorites to create excitement around supper, such as a weekly pizza night. Make homemade crust as a team and craft personal pies incorporating fresh toppings, such as bell peppers, onions, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes. To further maximize time, create dishes on a weekend to freeze and thaw when ready. Try a simple tortilla soup that can be prepared in minutes using a highperformance blender, such as a Vitamix.

Have Hands-on Meal Prep

Incorporate the kids into every step of meal prep in a safe and easy way. Drop vegetables into the blender to chop for pizza or salad toppings, tortilla soup or even a Taco Tuesday fiesta. Then, allow kids to add these veggies to the recipe. Engage your children further by having them set timers and watch for meals to cook. As a final step, allow them to add spices and fresh herbs before setting dinner on the table. Fast and tasty family recipe ideas that you can create together can be found at Vitamix.com.

Turn Off Electronics Make the table an electronic-free zone. Turn off cell phones and television shows to make room for face-to-face communication. Removing cell phones from the equation can positively influence the quality of conversation, while helping kids to gain a better understanding of social cues, facial expressions and changes in tone that lead to more fruitful interactions, according to a study by researchers at Virginia Tech. Unplugged conversations can help create memorable family moments.

Think of the kitchen and the dinner table as family gathering places to help instill good habits -- from great communication skills to healthier eating. If you look at meals as more than just food, your family will reap the benefits.

Home & Garden • Summer 2016 • A special advertising publication of Valley Community Newspapers • To advertise, call 916-429-9901 • www.valcomnews.com

Smart Tips for Kids: Eat Right Month (StatePoint) Nutrition is important for everyone, but especially for children, as it is directly linked to all aspects of their growth and development.

Childhood obesity affects one in six children and adolescents in the United States. Though associated with elevated risks of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, bone and joint problems, and sleep apnea, among other health problems, childhood obesity can usually be prevented.

“August, which is Kids Eat Right Month, is an ideal time for families to focus on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles,” says Kristi King, registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson. “Parents can inspire kids to eat healthfully by getting them involved in shopping and preparing your family’s meals.”

Before You Head to the Store Create a shopping list together, so kids feel like they are part of the decision making process.

“Include food items from each of the ‘MyPlate’ food groups from the USDA, which include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy,” says King.

Before you head out the door, grab your reusable shopping bag to reduce waste. Wash your bag regularly to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.

At the Store

Back at Home

Once you get to the store, shop together and encourage children to pick a few new foods they would like to try. “ Talk about foods’ colors, shapes, flavors and textures as you shop,” says King. “And take time to read the food labels. This not only helps kids understand nutrition concepts, but also gives them a chance to practice reading skills.”

When you return home, involve children in putting groceries away -- especially foods that require refrigeration or freezing. Refrigerate perishable food items promptly and properly. “Explain to your kids the importance of refrigerating perishable foods within two hours,” King says. “And remember, the clock starts when you pull an item from the refrigerated case at the store, so head

straight home after your shopping trip if you have perishables in the car.”

To learn more about Kids Eat Right Month and for healthful eating tips, recipes, videos and more, visit KidsEatRight.org.

As role models, parents and caregivers play a vital role in children’s nutrition -- teaching children about healthful foods and making sure kids get enough physical activity each day. “Consult a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area to ensure your family is getting all of the necessary nutrients,” says King.

www.valcomnews.com • To advertise, call 916-429-9901 • A special advertising publication of Valley Community Newspapers • Summer 2016 • Home & Garden

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Offer Expires 10/31/16. Limit one coupon per project. Cannot be combined with other offers. Present this coupon upon receiving your estimate to receive your discount.