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choose the perfect cabinets cabinets can account for as much as 40 percent of the budget for a full kitchen remodel
features drawers and doors attached to a box and face frame. Frameless, or European-style, cabinets drop the face frame. Instead, drawers and doors connect directly to the box. European-style offers improved accessibility and a fresh look, but Consumer Reports says the absence of a face frame could affect rigidity. Choosing a full-overlay door that covers most, if not all, of the face frame can give framed cabinet a European look.
By Voya ger Me dia Cabinets are crucial to designing your new, dream kitchen. Cabinets are important to the overall functionality of a kitchen, and they are the most important part of how well your kitchen looks to others. However, the coolest cupboards come with a price. According to Consumer Reports, cabinets can account for as much as 40 percent of the budget for a full kitchen remodel, likely making them the most costly expense. The consumer advocacy magazine reccomends that anyone planning a kitchen remodel follow three simple steps to choosing the right cabinets.
Mo n ey Mat ter s The first step is setting a budget. There are three types of cabinet (stock, semi-custom and custom). With 25 to 30 linear feet of cabinets
F e atu r e s Matte r
in the typical kitchen, this choice will have a big impact on your bottom line. Starting around $70 per linear foot, Consumer Reports says stock cabinets are the cheapest way to go. Limited in styles and sizes, these cabinets are typically sold fully assembled at furniture stores and home centers. Semi-custom cabinets cost between $150 and $250 per linear foot. Because they are sold in a wide range of configurations,
semi-custom cabinets will give your kitchen a unique look and fit more precisely into the available space. Custom cabinets are the most expensive, typically costing more than $500 per linear foot. These costly cupboards are made to your specifications and offer customers a bevy of personalized options.
Sty le Matte r s Customers next big decision will be framed or frameless. A framed style
There are many different ways to accessorize your cabinets, increasing how well they function and boosting your budget by 20 percent or more. Common accessories include builtin charging stations, a pull-out trash can, integrated lighting, or touch-to-open door and drawer releases. Consumer Reports says one popular option, appliance garages, don’t always offer the best way to organize. Instead of these countertop compartments, the magazine points to lift cabinets that feature a springloaded shelf and offer easy access to heavier devices, such as mixers or food processors.
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choose the right paint color the colors homeowners choose for their walls can give rooms their own unique feel and even affect moods Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space. The colors homeowners choose for their walls can give rooms their own unique feel and even affect the moods of the people within them. Finding the right shade for a bedroom or kitchen involves more than just selecting the first color that catches your eye. Design experts and psychologists alike say it may be worthwhile to choose a color that helps you feel good rather than just following design trends. The paint color you pick may add energy to a space or create a tranquil retreat where you can unwind at the end of the day. To create a spa-like environment and a more serene space, look to shades of blue in soft variations. Cool
blues are soothing colors that can help lower stress levels and promote sleep. That’s why blue is a frequent fixture in bedrooms and bathrooms. Orange is considered a shade that expands creativity and imparts a youthful appeal to a space. Consider an orange accent wall or a burst of color with orange throw pillows. Red stimulates energy and appetite, which is why the shade is so popular in restaurants and home dining spaces. Green can evoke composure and tranquility and works in any room of the house. Since green is the primary color of nature, it also works well for those people who want to bring some of the outdoors inside and work with the fresh starts and new growth that green can inspire. Few colors are more vibrant than yellow, which can help stimulate conversation and make thoughts more focused. A luminous shade of yellow is an ideal way to make any space more welcoming and bright.
start a career as a Commercial Driver opportunities to train locally for this career path If you’re looking for a new career that offers high pay and plenty of opportunity for advancement, look no further than 160 Driving Academy! 160 Driving Academy is a truck driving school that serves students across Illinois, including Chicago, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and surrounding states. We help prepare students for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exams with 40 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of training behind the wheel. Pursuing truck driving careers in Illinois is a wise investment. When you pass your CDL exam, many major commercial trucking companies will cover 100% of your tuition. You will be making a salary of at least $40,000 right away – with zero debt to drag you down. 160 Driving Academy can guarantee you a job after graduation with a starting salary of at least $40,000, even with no prior experience One of the best things about the trucking industry is the opportunity for advancement. Drivers endorsed for specialized cargo such as HazMat or double/ triple trailers can earn upwards of $100,000 a year.
Created + Published By Voyager Media Publications Michael James >> General Manager, VP Advertising & Marketing
Andrew Samaan >> Creative Director Pat Ryan >> Advertising Director Shelley Holmgren >> Publication Designer Laureen Crotteau >> Marketing Director sales associates >> sheri lhotak, dena conn
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find the right personal trainer a mismatch between client and personal trainer can prove both ineffective and costly Men and women hoping to get fit often benefit from working with personal trainers. Experienced personal trainers can inspire and motivate their clients to take fitness seriously while also providing support as men and women make the sometimes intimidating transition from sedentary lifestyles to more active ways of life. While the right personal trainer can make a world of difference, a mismatch between client and personal trainer can prove both ineffective and costly. But finding the right personal trainer need not prove an expensive exercise in trial and error. The following are a few helpful hints for men and women looking to hire a personal trainer who can help them reach their fitness goals.
I nquire ab ou t c er tification a n d education Numerous organizations certify personal trainers, and these certifications help men and women rest easy in the knowledge that their trainers are fully qualified to instruct them about fitness and plan exercise regimens. Organizations such as the National Academy for Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise are two of the most trusted and reliable certification organizations, but additional organizations also certify trainers. In addition to requesting prospective trainers’ certification credentials, ask about their educational history and if they have continued their education even after graduating, which may indicate their commitment to providing their clients with the most up-to-date information regarding physical fitness.
Ask for rec omm endati o n s Another way to find a personal trainer is to ask friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors for recommendations. You might already know someone who achieved great results with a particular trainer, and he or she can provide you with an accurate idea of what it’s like to exercise under the tutelage of that trainer. If you are already an athlete but feel a trainer might help you take your fitness to the next
level, ask others who compete in your sport if they recommend someone, as they might be able to recommend a trainer who specializes in helping athletes in your particular sport. For example, some trainers may be skilled at building endurance athletes who compete in marathons, while others might specialize in helping CrossFit competitors.
Di s cl o s e a n y l imitati o n s o r co n d i ti o n s y o u mig h t h av e Personal trainers are not mind readers, so it’s important that men and women disclose any medical conditions or limitations they might have with regard to physical activity. Some trainers may specialize in working with special needs athletes, while others may have little or no experience in such situations. While a trainer does not necessarily need experience working with special needs athletes to mesh with such clients, you may feel comfortable working with someone with such experience. If you are a special needs athlete, ask your physician to recommend a trainer if possible.
Don't rush your d e ci s i o n Both trainer and client are happier when they make a connection. Allow yourself ample time to find the right trainer, avoiding any long-term commitments until you feel fully comfortable with the person. Many gyms offer free personal training sessions to new members, so take advantage of any such offerings when looking for trainers. Personal trainers are a great asset to men and women looking to get in shape, and the right trainer can be just what such men and women need to make their fitness goals a reality.
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shop for an assisted living facility Assisted living facilities can meet the needs of people who cannot live independently The decision to move yourself or a family member to an assisted living facility can be difficult. When men and women begin to experience difficulty with everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing or getting around, families may need to explore assisted living facilities. Millions of people in North America reside in assisted living facilities. The majority of residents in senior living are those who may need assistance with one or two daily activities, but who are otherwise mobile and self-sufficient. Families faced with moving relatives into assisted living facilities can consider the following pointers to find facilities their loved ones will enjoy.
Consider the arrangement s and ser vic es off ered Some facilities offer single rooms, while others provide apartment-style living. Most assisted living facilities provide a variety of services, such as housekeeping, laundry, exercise and wellness classes, and social activities, for their residents. Investigate the offerings at each home you visit, looking for a facility that best suits your loved one’s needs.
I nquire ab out staff and their sc hedules It is important to know how many staff members a facility has and how many people are working at any given time. Do staffing schedules differ at night? If a resident has a particular rapport with one staff member, can he or she be requested? Look for a facility that is well-staffed and adept at dealing with elderly men and women. Learn about individual service plans Many assisted living facilities create individual service plans, or ISPs, for their residents to ensure
individualized care is given. These plans are important for the safety and comfort of residents and also can help maximize a person’s independence. Some communities offer memory care programs for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive disorders.
C o n s i d e r th e s e cu r i ty i n pl a ce A good assisted living facility has a 24-hour support system in place and immediate access to care. Rooms may be equipped with emergency phones that can be accessed day or night. Many homes have check-in desks so that residents are accounted for when going on outings and for announcing guests.
C h e ck o n l i ce n s i n g In the United States, each state has its own licensing requirements for assisted living facilities. Confirm a facility is licensed and that it meets the expectations of the local regulatory agency. In addition, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the home.
6 ChoosE the right wine to pair with food many niche and private wineries have begun to make their vintages available to a wider clientele
Pinot grigio or chablis are delicately flavored and will pair well with seafood. Fish that is served in a rich sauce may be better matched with a heartier chardonnay.
Walk into many wine and spirits stores, and you will likely encounter a dizzying array of selections. While wine selections at such stores were once limited to a few well-known brands, many niche and private wineries have begun to make their vintages available to a wider clientele, so now shoppers are treated to both familiar and less well-known options. To novice dinner party hosts, the vast array of wines and flavors can make selecting a bottle or two to accompany a meal a bit more challenging. But one need not be a master sommelier to find the right pairing. The following tips can help anyone select wines to go with their menu or the type of occasion.
Ma k e r o s e y o u r g o - to win e w h e n s e r v i n g ch e e s e
W or k f r o m lig ht to da rk Just as you begin a dinner service with some appetizers and salad before moving to heavier courses, the wine should follow suit. Select lighter wines to accompany the earlier course before opting for deeper, richer wines as the meal progresses.
Although some cheeses work great with white or red, rose is typically a safe bet when serving cheese because of its acidity and fruity character, offering the best of both worlds.
H e a r ty m e ats , s u ch a s s te a k s a n d ch o ps , pa i r w e l l with r i ch r e d s want to exclusively serve champagne, which typically pairs well with passed finger foods and even bitesized desserts.
Cabernet sauvignon and bordeaux are great when paired with meat. Malbec and shiraz can hold their own if meats are spiced and extremely flavorful.
Op t for sauvignon b l anc when y ou do not want the flavor of the wine to b e over whelmed b y the food
R u s ti c win e s wil l w o r k be s t with r u s ti c r e ci pe s
C on si d er c ha mpa gn e to a c c om p a n y a ppetiz ers a n d op en i n g c our s es
Sauvignon blanc works with early courses that pack a flavorful punch. Sauvignon blanc can be grassy or tropical in flavoring, depending on the region in which the grapes were grown. It is commonly described as crisp and fresh in flavor and is often recommended with sushi.
Champagne works particularly well with salty foods, which is why it is often a good match for hors d’oeuvres. If your’s is a cocktail party only, you may
Match del ic ate seafood dishes with a light wine
Try to find a wine from the same region from which the meal originated. Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine that has full flavor and can work with many pasta dishes as well as earthy ingredients, such as mushrooms. Though some people follow a strict personal code regarding wine pairings, your personal tastes should dictate what you ultimately serve. Experimentation can yield an unexpected flavor combination that complements the nuances of both the food and the wine.
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f loss m o re e f f e c t i v ely
of brushing. Instead, use flossing in conjunction with brushing. To floss more effectively, find a floss product that is easy to use and comfortable. Floss comes in nylon or multifilament varieties, as well as PFTE or monofilament floss. There also are floss brushes and single-use floss sticks that can facilitate flossing and cleaning teeth. Floss that’s comfortable makes flossing more enjoyable. Otherwise, you may put off flossing if it is cumbersome or difficult.
To make the m o s t of fl ossing, empl oy the pr o pe r tec hnique
purpose of flossing is to remove food particles lodged in places a toothbrush cannot reach Dentists frequently advise patents to floss more often. Flossing is the key to preventing tartar buildup at the gum line and to reduce bleeding between teeth from enflamed gum tissue. Still, many overlook the benefits of flossing or
simply do not know how to floss effectively. The purpose of flossing is to remove food particles that become lodged in places a toothbrush cannot reach, such as under the gum line and between the teeth. Flossing should not take the place
If you have teeth that have tight contact points, you probably will want to use a monofilament floss that will not shred or break apart. Others may be able to work with a nylon floss. Floss also may come in waxed varieties for easier gliding between the teeth. Still other floss have fluoride already on them to help prevent cavities.
Star t with a pi e ce of fl oss ab ou t 1 8 inches in l eng th Wind the excess floss around your middle fingers and keep about 2 inches handy between thumb and index finger for use between the teeth.
U s e a g e n tl e s awin g m o ti o n be tw e e n th e te e th Work the floss along the natural curve of the teeth and also where each tooth meets the gum line. Do not snap the floss against the gums. Doing so can cause trauma to the tissue.
A n g l e th e f l o s s s o i t f o r m s ' C ' s h a pe a n d h u g s th e to o th Slide the floss up and down each tooth and make sure it gently goes a little below the gum line. Repeat on the opposite side of each tooth as well. As you floss each tooth, release clean floss from your fingers so you have a fresh area for cleaning the next tooth
Follow up flossing with br u s h i n g to remove any errant bi ts o f f o o d a n d pl a q u e Then rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. It is adviseable to floss twice a day before brushing. However, once a day will be sufficient and should be reserved for before bed. If using flossing aides, follow the same general techniques, but use a new aide when the one you’re using becomes soiled or damaged.
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