by Milcarsky's Staff | Jan 15, 2022 | Food
Your food doesn’t just impact your waistline, it can also affect your mood. Consider that everything you eat is broken down and absorbed by your body. Of course, it can certainly have an effect on your mood. The food you eat impacts how you feel.
For example, consider how eating a piece of chocolate impacts your mood differently than consuming a plain baked potato.
See how what you put into your body matters to your body and your mind:
1. Fermented foods. Fermented foods are great for the health of the good bacteria in your gut. There is evidence that these bacteria play an important part in mental and physical health. Some examples of fermented foods include sauerkraut, yogurt, tempeh, and kombucha.
● If none of those foods appeal to you, there are over-the-counter probiotic supplements that are likely to provide the same benefit.
2. Salmon. Not just salmon, but other cold-water fatty fish including mackerel, herring, sardines, and tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown in some studies to boost health.
3. Chocolate. It only takes one bite of chocolate to know that it makes you feel better than you did right before eating it. Dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa (70% or higher) is actually quite healthy when eaten in moderation and can give your mood a great boost.
● Chocolate reduces cortisol, too, which is a primary indicator of stress.
4. Leafy green vegetables. Those green leafy vegetables are high in magnesium, which has been shown to reduce anxiety. As a general rule, darker greens like spinach are healthier than lighter greens like lettuce. Try a mixture of greens to get the greatest benefit.
5. Nuts. Nuts are loaded with healthy fats, proteins, and even some fiber. The most important nutrient found in nuts regarding mood is tryptophan which is used to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is one of the positive-mood brain chemicals.
6. Fruit. Bananas in particular have been shown to boost mood, but all fruits are worth trying out as a mood enhancer. Fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and can give your blood sugar a boost.
7. Coffee. Caffeine in moderation can certainly boost your mood, but there’s a lot more to coffee than just caffeine. Coffee is loaded with a variety of naturally occurring chemicals that are quite healthy and good for your mood.
● You can even skip the caffeine and consume decaf and get a similar mood-boosting effect.
8. Green Tea. Like coffee, green tea can be a healthy beverage that also boosts your mood. One of the chemicals found in green tea that induces calmness is EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate. The small amount of caffeine found in green tea is also good for your mood.
9. Oysters. Many people are low in zinc and oysters are loaded with zinc. There are a couple of studies that show eating oysters regularly reduces anxiety and depression. Oysters are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids and many vitamins.
If your mood is sourer than you’d like, changing your diet might have a positive impact. The foods you eat do have an effect on your mood, focus, and emotional health. Be sure to eat at least one food each day that is likely to have a positive impact on your mood.
Track how your mood is influenced by the foods you eat. It won’t take long before you know which foods to eat and which to avoid.
The Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' team wants to help answer any questions you may have. We'd also like to let you know when we publish a new blog post or have some great news to share.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 30, 2021 | Design
You did it! You found your dream home and now you are a homeowner. You have officially arrived. Now, it is time to fix up your kitchen to match. Before you get too far settled in, be sure that your kitchen is exactly what you want it to be. Here are three things that every new homeowner should include in their kitchen remodel.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are the future of cooking. Not only do smart appliances offer more functions, but they can also communicate with you through your phone. This means that you can know right away if the refrigerator door was left open or that your chocolate chip cookies are done. Smart appliances are also more energy efficient, which is good for both the planet and your pocketbook. Smart appliances can even make you a better cook. For example, a smart oven knows when your food is done before you do. Finally, you can program your appliances while you are away from home. Forgot to start the dishwasher before you left for work? No problem, you can start it from your phone. Left the oven on? Just turn it off from wherever you are.
Granite Countertops
If you purchased an older home, chances are your countertops have seen better days. If so, consider replacing them with granite. Granite is attractive, comes in a variety of colors, is low maintenance, and lasts basically forever. If you want your granite to stay current for longer, consider selecting a neutral tone. Popular colors are blacks, whites, and browns. Your new granite countertops will be a cinch to take care of. All they need is a daily wipe down with a neutral cleaner and non-abrasive cloth. While there are a lot of granite cleaners on the market, you don’t have to buy anything special. You can combine dish soap with rubbing alcohol to create a solution for cleaning countertops.
New Cabinets
Every kitchen should have beautiful, spacious, and functional cabinets. Many older kitchens are lacking in this department. The cabinets are often deficient in both height and depth, are misaligned, and tend to exhibit a lot of wear and tear. New cabinet designs offer more space, cabinet lighting, and attractive finishes. Nothing makes a kitchen look new like updated cabinets. Look for features like a pull-out trash can, a Lazy Susan, sliding shelves, and drawers for easy storage.
You deserve a kitchen that you want to spend time in; you shouldn’t put up with a dated kitchen. Adding a few upgrades and personal touches are the best way to make your kitchen new and truly yours.
Keep those dishes as nice and clean as your new kitchen! Check out our line of dishwashers here!
The Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' team wants to help answer any questions you may have. We'd also like to let you know when we publish a new blog post or have some great news to share.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 3, 2021 | Uncategorized
You are financially secure, interest rates are low, and your investment account is soaring. Maybe it is finally time to realize your dream of buying a vacation home! With a vacation home, you will be able to get away without losing out on comfort. You will no longer have to fight for a hotel room during busy seasons or pay exorbitant fees for rentals. However, vacation homes can become a money pit if you don’t choose and plan carefully. Here are some things to consider.
Picking Your Location
Your vacation home will become your go-to travel destination, so choose the location carefully. You should choose a place that you know well, so that you are already familiar with weather patterns, real estate trends, and activities at hand. You should also buy in a location that you love and will not tire of.
If you plan on renting your vacation home to other travelers, you will have to consider your location even more carefully. You will want your home to be competitive within the market, offering amenities that travelers to that particular destination will likely be interested in.
Cost of Upkeep
As you consider the maximum price you are willing to pay for a vacation home, don’t forget to add maintenance costs. There are a variety of factors that will play into these costs, including utility rates, cost of property taxes, HOA fees, cleaning expenses, pool/spa maintenance, insurance prices, and wear and tear. One way to save money on upkeep is to invest in solar panels. Solar provides an easy source of energy for your home at an affordable cost.
Additionally, the proximity of your permanent dwelling to your vacation home will decide whether you can perform regular maintenance yourself or if you will need to hire out. If you will be renting, proximity will also determine if you need to hire a property manager.
Time Considerations
Owning a vacation home will take some time to manage. It typically takes a few hours a week to answer rental inquiries, work with your property manager, and schedule cleanings. You will also be at the whims of renters who will expect everything to be perfect for their dream vacation. This could involve dealing with emergency repairs, extra cleaning, and even complaints.
Owning a vacation home can provide the perfect getaway spot that you have always wanted. It also has the potential to turn you a nice profit and can prove to be a wise investment. On the other hand, it might turn into a major hassle. Do your homework and be certain that you are fully prepared for this exciting purchase.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Nov 4, 2021 | Appliances
Everyone uses energy every day to power their homes and to make their lives run more smoothly. And many people are considering the possibility of using more sustainable energy options to keep things going. But if you change the energy source you use, will it impact the way you use the appliances you have in your home? That is a question that deserves to be answered carefully and with the thought and care it takes to make sure it is answered correctly.
Different Kinds of Energy
The first thing you should know is that there are many different kinds of sustainable energy available. And that means that those different energy sources can impact your use of energy in various ways. Many people are familiar with solar energy for home use and it is a great sustainable energy source, especially if you are in a sunny climate. One great thing is that if your area experiences varied seasons, you can remain on the grid with solar energy so you can use solar energy when you have easy access to it and you can use traditional energy sources when you can’t get enough solar power.
Wind energy is another energy source that people tend to be familiar with and it is highly sustainable, though it sometimes works best in conjunction with other sustainable power options, especially in residential settings where a huge turbine is impractical. Propane is another more sustainable option that you should look into. Propane tanks allow you more freedom to shop around and choose different companies
One Energy Source
Some appliances tend to be powered by multiple energy sources if you have electric and gas like many traditional homes do. Depending on the sustainable energy source you use though, you will likely only need one energy source to power those appliances. This is nice because it is easier to track your energy use and to know how efficiently your appliances are working. Switching between gas and electric can also cause energy to be lost in the transition, which is not good for your overall efficiency. This means that converting to a single sustainable energy source will do a lot of good for your overall efficiency. And having less energy sources to worry about can make your life as a homeowner much simpler and more manageable.
Upfront Costs
The costs that you spend switching to sustainable energy up front can be a worry for some homeowners. And it is true that these costs can be expensive, especially if you haven’t prepared for them in advance. However, you have some options at your disposal that can help you to mitigate the upfront costs of installing sustainable energy options. One thing you should definitely keep in mind is that you can actually get tax breaks for your sustainable energy that can help to cut those costs down. There are federal breaks available for sustainable energy, but many states also offer tax breaks on top of the federal offers. That means that together these two breaks can greatly decrease your upfront costs. You can also apply for grants to help cover some or all of the upfront fees.
Decreasing Your Costs
One benefit is that sustainable energy will actually be able to help you decrease your costs over time. This means that if you are worried about the upfront costs of installing sustainable energy for your home, there is some good news for you. The savings you will have on your energy bill over time can be an incredible asset. If you are able to produce enough energy on your own that you are no longer required to rely on the grid at all you can essentially remove your energy bill all together. Some homeowners are also able to sell energy back to the grid so that they can actually make money off of their sustainable energy source. This is a huge advantage that can help you to make up for the upfront costs very quickly.
Pairing with Efficient Appliances
The appliances you choose will have a lot to do with how effectively you are able to use the sustainable power you choose. Different appliances have different levels of efficiency that can cause issues for your overall sustainability. But if you upgrade to new efficient appliances you can conserve energy and require less to do all the things you do.
While you are working on decreasing your energy consumption, you may as well decrease water waste as well. You want to choose low-flow fixtures so that you can use as little water as possible to keep your home running smoothly.
Improving the Overall Efficiency of Your Home
You shouldn’t simply choose sustainable energy and then leave the rest of your home as it is. Instead, you should work to make sure that your home has the energy efficiency it needs to make the most of sustainable energy. This means investing in things like insulation and modern windows and doors so that energy isn’t able to escape that way. It also means changing some of your habits to be more sustainable. Food waste and general trash is a huge issue for sustainability and working to decrease that waste and recycle whenever possible can help you to live more sustainably. Making sustainable choices every single day will help you to take full advantage of the sustainable energy sources you are using for your home.
Most people want their homes to be as sustainable and efficient as possible. Some people are more concerned about the environment while others are focused on keeping bills low. Whichever type of person you are, it’s important to make smart choices that move you towards a more sustainable life. And with more sustainable homes with more sustainable appliances you can save money and the environment all at the same time. This will put you in an ideal position to live your life more sustainably and fully, no matter how you like to spend your time and your budget.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Sep 8, 2021 | How To's
Having issues with your pipes and plumbing can be very expensive. It’s in your best interest to maintain them well so you can avoid any problems. There are many things you can actively do to help keep your pipes in working order.
Watch for Leaks
Leaks in your home can lead to water damage. If not detected early on, water damage can be very expensive to repair and it can even cause structural damage to your home. In order to prevent this kind of damage, you should be on the lookout for leaks in your home. Often, leaks can be found if you hear a dripping noise or if water is collecting where it shouldn’t. It can be helpful to monitor common areas for water leaks. Such areas include shower heads, the kitchen sink, and the toilet. If you notice any leaks, you should call a plumber as soon as possible to take a look.
Clean Out Your Drain
Your drains will collect many things over time. In the kitchen, there could be food waste and oil building up in pipes. Your bathroom drains will most likely have hair and assorted grooming products that have been rinsed down the drain. Over time, all of these can cause clogs in your pipes. Cleaning out your drains every once in a while can help remove all this build up so you don’t have any serious plumbing problems. Drain cleaners can break down the oil that causes damage to your plumbing. These cleaners are helpful for tough clogs. You can also routinely clean out pipes naturally with baking soda and vinegar or flushing them with hot water.
Check Your Water Pressure
The water pressure in your home should be regulated, but it’s still a good idea to check it regularly. High water pressure can be damaging to your pipes. It can work plumbing too hard and even lead to leaks and flooding in your home. Low water pressure, while not a major issue, will be an inconvenience to you. It can take too long to shower, wash dishes, etc. When you check your water pressure, it can indicate if there is a problem with your regulator.
There is a lot you can do to maintain your plumbing and prevent issues with your pipes. The more you do to take action, the fewer problems you are likely to see. It is worthwhile to stay on top of the maintenance of your pipes.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Aug 18, 2021 | How To's
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by home issues, especially if recovering physically and financially after a pandemic. There are some things which seem like they should be able to wait a while. You might put off re-landscaping, or pressure washing this year, perhaps. But there are some things which cannot be delayed. What are home issues which will worsen if you don’t fix them?
Termite Damage
Termite bonds can seem terribly expensive, unless you’ve seen firsthand the irrevocable damage they can cause to a home. If you have seen tunnels, “sawdust” deposits in closets or on windowsills, or similar issues, you need to have repairs done right away. This includes getting those in who can kill the bugs and prevent more, before they eat your fiscal investment in your home! If you see any of the winged termites, or if you have any which show up in your home, are good warning signs of invasion.
Water Leaks
If there are any leaks in your home, you are in danger of deterioration and mold damage, both of which are difficult to repair and costly. Mold can be caused by excess water due to plumbing issues. Even a slight leak in a pipe, or because of a few missing shingles, can cause ongoing odor, unsightly mold, and, worse, an unhealthy atmosphere. There are many molds which can be dangerous to humans as well, so make sure to take care of any leaks quickly!
Sump Pump
If your home has a basement, making sure your sump pump is working properly is critical to make sure your home is running properly! The time to discover that winter runoff has overwhelmed your home, or when you discover a basement pipe has given way, is not the best time to also realize your sump pump is not working.
Overall, if it has to do with insect or rodent infestation, if it will damage your house permanently, or if neglect of it, like the sump pump could cause ongoing future damage to your home, these are the things which cannot wait. Even if a home has been remodeled, or repainted, if it has foundational issues, it loses in equity. It’s much better to prevent all of the problems you can in advance, which can save you both a great deal of money, time, and frustration in the long run.
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