Highroads Living - Holiday Edition - 11.6

How to enjoy the holidays without overloading your New Year’s resolutions

Face it, everyone’s done it - abandoned wellness goals over the holidays, hoping to make up for it with New Year’s resolutions. According to a recent study, half of Americans have broken a diet due to the holidays. In the fifth annual “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition, the average respondent expects to gain eight pounds over the holiday season. But most aren’t worrying about the weight gain, and instead plan on enjoying the season without sticking to their diets. What’s their solution? More than 60% say they will wait till the new year, making that extra weight next year’s problem.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Putting those extra holiday pounds on your New Year’s resolutions just makes it harder down the road. And unfortunately, the pandemic has compounded the problem. For 40% of respondents, the extra weight they anticipate is in addition to weight they’ve already gained during the pandemic. The stress of the past year and a half has spurred many to overeat, with 65% feeling like they “deserve” treats this year more than previous years. Between the pandemic and the holidays, how can you avoid piling on the pounds - and overloading your 2022 resolutions?

“Holiday celebrations don’t have to destroy your healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Kent Bradley, chief health and nutrition officer, Herbalife Nutrition. “Focus on your long-term goals, so you can make more thoughtful choices.” Here are tips for staying on track over the holidays - and making resolutions you can keep all year.

Plan ahead.

Don’t arrive hungry. Eat a high protein snack, to give you energy and keep you from overindulging at a party. Snack on hard-boiled eggs, lean lunch meat, low-fat cheese, yogurt or a handful of nuts. Other great options are Herbalife Nutrition’s protein Shakes or Protein Bites, a bite-sized protein bar.

“By focusing on proteins over carbs, slowing your eating pace and making sure you don’t go to the party hungry, you can enjoy yourself and minimize weight gain,” adds Bradley.

Stay hydrated.

The body can mistake thirst for hunger, which may lead to overeating. Staying hydrated with plain or sparkling water also helps you feel fuller. Sip on a glass of water between snacks to slow down and enjoy the day.

Pace yourself.

In the survey, 48% admitted they’ve eaten so much during the holidays, they had to undo the button on their pants or loosen their belt, and 45% have eaten more than one of the same meal in a day - such as multiple lunches or dinners. Others said they’ve eaten until they feel sick, unwell or full to bursting - or they deliberately wore stretchy clothes to accommodate overeating (both 39%).

If you’re hosting a gathering, start a holiday singalong, set up a fun craft or suggest a walk outside. If you’re at someone else’s shindig, take breaks

from eating treats by talking to people or playing games. Food doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of every get-together.

Make your resolutions count.

In the survey, 2/3 of respondents (64%) said they’re actively delaying attempts to be healthy over the holidays - and of those, 56% said they’ll begin postponing their wellness efforts by mid-November. But many said they’ll pick healthy habits back up in the New Year. The study found that 39% plan to make a New Year’s resolution for 2022. The top goal? Exercising more (27%), followed by eating healthier (25%) and focusing on self-care (22%).

Make your resolutions concrete, realistic and attainable - so you can keep them well past January.

“The most successful New Year’s health resolutions combine nutritious balanced diets and exercise, have specific, achievable goals - and activate a community of like-minded supportive people,” added Bradley.

Here’s how to make effective New Year’s resolutions:

* Make them simple and concrete: “30 minutes of exercise per day” or “Add 1 vegetable to meals,” for example. If you’re starting an exercise program, check with your doctor first.

* Don’t overload yourself: Start with only 1-2 goals, or you can feel overwhelmed.

* Use the buddy system: Find a friend or group of like-minded people to support you and help keep each other accountable.

Don’t give up on your wellness before New Year’s, and use resolutions to focus on small, reachable goals, so you can build on that success all year long.

Learn more about Herbalife Nutrition products to support your goals by visiting iamHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Make the Holidays Magical with Hearty Meals

Capturing the magic of the holidays often happens at the dinner table as loved ones toast the season with stunning meals worth celebrating. This year, call the entire family together and make your festive feast truly memorable with pairings that offer favorite flavors for all.

Starting with tender cuts of meat hand-trimmed by master butchers at Omaha Steaks, these dishes from chef David Rose call to mind the extravagant holiday gatherings of yesteryear with modern twists you can claim as your own.

Roasted Chateaubriand with Red Wine Gravy and LemonGarlic Asparagus offers classic taste while Pepper-Crusted Prime Rib with Creamy Horseradish Sauce and Crushed Potatoes brings some zing to the kitchen. For seafood lovers looking to make a splash at this year’s get-togethers, Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails with Dirty Rice provide a savory, succulent pairing worthy of the season.

Visit OmahaSteaks.com/Blog to find more recipes fit for the holidays.

Roasted Chateaubriand with Red Wine Gravy and Lemon-Garlic Asparagus

Red Wine Gravy: Reserved chateaubriand juices

1 medium shallot, small diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 cups red wine 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups water 2 beef bouillon cubes

1 tablespoon stone ground mustard kosher salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste

Lemon-Garlic Asparagus:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pound jumbo asparagus, stems trimmed and spears blanched in salted water

1 pinch kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 pinch ground black pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 lemon, juice only 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

To make chateaubriand: Pat chateaubriand dry with paper towels. Season on all sides with salt and pepper; bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

- Preheat oven to 250 F.

- In large cast-iron pan, bring grapeseed oil to high heat.

- Sear chateaubriand on all sides until golden brown, 2-3 minutes per side.

- Remove chateaubriand from pan, reserving pan drippings; place chateaubriand on wire rack-lined baking sheet. Bake according to cooking chart for cook time and desired doneness. Use meat thermometer to ensure doneness.

- Rest chateaubriand 15-20 minutes. Slice to desired thickness.

To make red wine gravy: Bring cast-iron pan with reserved chateaubriand drippings to high heat then add shallots and minced garlic. Brown 30 seconds.

- Add red wine and deglaze pan, cooking until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

- Reduce heat to medium and whisk in 2 tablespoons butter and flour until all clumps have disappeared and mixture is well-incorporated, 3-4 minutes.

- Add water and bouillon cubes; bring to boil then whisk in stone ground mustard.

- Reduce to low heat and simmer until achieving sauce-like consistency, 7-8 minutes.

- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Turn off heat and whisk in remaining butter until fully melted and emulsified into sauce.

Recipe by Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: about 90 minutes

Chateaubriand:

1 Omaha Steaks Chateaubriand (2-4 pounds) kosher salt ground black pepper

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

To make lemon-garlic asparagus: In large saucepan, bring olive oil to medium-high heat.

- Add asparagus and season with salt, ground black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Sear undisturbed about 1 minute.

- Turn asparagus and add minced garlic, sauteing about 10 seconds. Add lemon juice and continue sauteing until reduced by two-thirds, about 1 minute.

- Turn off heat and add butter, stirring until emulsified into pan sauce. Season with salt and ground black pepper, to taste.

- Serve chateaubriand with lemon-garlic asparagus and red wine gravy.

1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

4 Omaha Steaks Cold Water Lobster Tails (5 ounces each), halved lengthwise

To make dirty rice: Rinse jasmine rice with water until water is clear. Drain.

- In large saucepot, bring vegetable oil to medium-high heat.

- Add ground beef, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika; saute 5 minutes until browned.

- Using slotted spoon, remove browned beef and set aside.

- Add butter to pot then add red bell pepper, green onions and yellow onions. Saute 2 minutes until lightly caramelized.

- Add sofrito and jasmine rice to pot; saute 1 minute. Add cooked ground beef and chicken stock; bring to boil. Once mixture boils, reduce heat to simmer 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave lid on pot 5 minutes. Fluff rice with fork and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To make crab stuffing: In medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice.

- Gently fold in crushed butter crackers and crab meat. Set aside.

To make crab stuffed lobster: Preheat oven to 425 F.

- Stir melted butter, salt and lemon juice. Brush lobster tails with butter mixture.

- Divide crab stuffing into eight portions. Stuff each lobster tail half with crab stuffing, pressing stuffing into lobster. Place stuffed lobster tails on aluminum foil-lined sheet pan and bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with dirty rice.

Source: Omaha Steaks

STAYING FIT IN RETIREMENT can reduce health care costs

It’s no secret that staying physically active supports overall well-being, especially for older adults. From reducing risks of certain conditions like heart disease and diabetes to minimizing injury and helping maintain independence, exercise is essential to supporting health and wellness as you age. Another noteworthy but often unrecognized benefit of regular exercise is that it improves overall health, which can result in lower healthcare costs.

Improved health, lower health care costs and reduced hospital stays are some of the benefits enjoyed by active seniors, according to a recent nationwide study by

Avalere Health and Tivity Health, a national provider of senior fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle solutions, including SilverSneakers, a community fitness program designed for older adults. The study compared new SilverSneakers participants and closely matched non-participating Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

So how much are healthcare costs reduced by participating in this program? The study’s findings showed the total cost of medical care for participants to be 16% lower than for non-participants and total annual average health expenses among participants to be $4,463 compared to $5,303 for non-participants. That can make a big difference, especially for people with fixed incomes.

Part of this reduction in costs includes fewer visits to the hospital, which can be expensive. After starting the program, participants experienced a significant 42% fewer hospital stays and 18% fewer ER visits compared to Medicare Advantage non-participants. Length of stay for hospitalizations was also significantly shorter for participants: 4.4 days compared to 5.8 days for non-participants.

“This research shows that seniors who are regularly engaged in more healthy behaviors enjoy improved health outcomes and lower health care costs compared to those who do not incorporate exercise in their daily routine,” said Julie Logue, fitness expert and senior trainer at Tivity Health. “More than just exercise, the impact of senior fitness is also emotional and social, providing older adults an opportunity to make meaningful connections with others.” Logue believes every senior can support their well-being and save on health care costs by being physically active.

She recommends the following tips to keep in mind when starting an exercise routine:

Talk with your doctor: Before you try a new fitness routine or take a class, speak with your doctor to make sure it’s a good fit for your health needs. You can typically reach out through your clinic’s nurse triage line or through a telehealth appointment so you can get insight without an inperson visit to the doctor’s office.

Listen to your body: Whatever activity you decide to do to stay physically

active, start slow and increase length or intensity as you build endurance. Any movement is better than no movement, so be proud of your efforts. Listen to your body and when you need to rest or take a break, do what feels right.

Research senior programs: Fitness programs focused on the needs of older adults help position you for success while also connecting you in community or virtually with likeminded people. SilverSneakers is a national fitness membership program that offers fitness classes designed for seniors at over 15,000 locations nationwide including a FLEX network outside of a traditional fitness center such as parks, medical centers and community centers.

Check virtual options: Not everyone is comfortable with indoor fitness, so consider online alternatives. Members have access to more than 13,000 instructor-led live classes each month as well as over 200 classes in our On-Demand library.

Check eligibility: Some health plans offer options for low-cost or no-

cost fitness programs. For example, SilverSneakers is available at no cost for adults 65 and older through select Medicare plans. Visit silversneakers.com to verify eligibility.

“Improving health and combating social isolation and loneliness are significant benefits of senior fitness, the measurable reduction in health care costs can’t be ignored,” said Logue. “There are a variety of programs to suit all interests, abilities and lifestyles to help seniors find safe, enjoyable and convenient ways to get moving today.”

MedicalDirectory

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See pg 13

Peachtree Community Health Center

4048 E US 64 ALT, Suite 1 828-837-8131

MURPHY

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2 Steps to Save a Life

The importance of Hands-Only CPR

More than 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur annually outside hospital settings. However, a hands-on emergency intervention like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

According to the American Heart Association, 70% of cardiac arrests - electrical malfunctions in the heart that cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupt the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs - occur at home, but often family and friends who witness a child, spouse, parent or friend going into cardiac arrest hesitate to perform potentially lifesaving CPR for fear of making the situation worse.

“By equipping people with Hands-Only CPR training, we are empowering them to spring into action if a loved one needs help, as the majority of cardiac arrests occur at home,” said Dr. Anezi Uzendu, M.D., interventional cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer.

As part of its Hands-Only CPR campaign, nationally supported by the Elevance Health Foundation, the American Heart Association aims to increase awareness about the importance of bystander CPR and offers these two simple steps:

1. Call 911.

2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest of the individual experiencing cardiac arrest.

Using the beat of a familiar song with 100-120 beats per minute, such as “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, can help you stay on pace with the necessary compressions.

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Providing whole person care by integrating primary care and behavioral health at one location, during one visit. Our services encompass individualized treatment, health education, and community assistance from a team of providers that include physicians, nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), community health workers, and peer support specialists. M-F| 7 am - 6 pm amchc.org

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See pg 11

“Being able to efficiently perform Hands-Only CPR in the moment can mean the difference between life and death, and by following these two simple steps we can increase someone’s chance of survival from cardiac arrest,” said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., board certified emergency medicine doctor and chief health officer at Elevance Health. “As a longstanding supporter of the American Heart Association, we remain focused on working together to improve health inequities in our communities by expanding access to training and increasing the number of people who learn and feel confident performing Hands-Only CPR to save lives.”

To find more information, watch a livestream video demonstration of HandsOnly CPR or download a first aid smartphone app, visit heart.org/CPR.

(Family Features) #16432

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Source: American Heart Association

In Our COmmunity Community Involvement, Activities and Volunteer Programs

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Friends of Fannin County Library 400 W. Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 706-632-5263

Friends of Gilmer County Library 268 Calvin Jackson Dr. Ellijay, Georgia 30540 706-635-4528

Friends of the Habersham County Library 178 Green Street, Clarkesville, GA 706-754-4413 301 N. Main Street, Cornelia, GA 706-778-2635

Friends of Lumpkin County Library 342 Courthouse Hill, Dahlonega, GA 706-864-3668

Friends of Rabun County Library 73 Joe Dotson Circle, Clayton, GA 706-782-3731

Friends of Towns County Library 698 Miller Street, Young Harris, GA 706-379-3732

Friends of Union County Library 303 Hunt Martin Street, Blairsville, GA 706-745-7491

Friends of White County Library 90 Pete’s Park Road, Helen, GA 706-878-2438

SENIOR CENTERS

Fannin County 440 W. First Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 706-632-5438

Gilmer County 111 Gilmer Street Ellijay, GA 30540 706-635-7688

Habersham County 217 Scoggins Drive NE, Demorest, GA 30535 706-776-7768

Lumpkin County 266 Mechanicsville Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-2358

Rabun County 2832 Old 441 South Tiger, GA 30576 706-782-3853

Towns County 954 Main Street North Hiawassee, GA 30546 706-896-3138

Union County 95 Senior Center Drive, Blairsville, GA 30512 706-439-6105

White County 1239 Helen Highway Cleveland, GA 30528 706-865-4097

Clay County 196 Ritter Road Hayesville, NC 28904 828-389-9271

Cherokee County 69 Alpine Street Murphy, NC 28906 828-837-2467

FOOD PANTRIES

Fannin County Food Pantry Family Connections 101 Industrial Park Road Blue Ridge, GA 30513 706-632-6063

Food Bank of NE GA 236 Level Grove Road, #D Cornelia, GA 30531 706-776-3337

Gilmer Co. Community Food Pantry 1298 Old Hwy. 4 North Ellijay, GA 30513 706-273-3663

Lumpkin County Food Bank Community Helping Place 2030 North Grove Street Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-867-9621

Rabun County Food Bank Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 5312 Highway 441 South Tiger, GA 30576 706-782-0780

Towns County Food Pantry 1294 Jack Dayton Circle Hiawassee, GA 30546 706-896-4783

Union County Cottage Food Bank 1441 Pat Colwell Road Blairsville, GA 30512 706-835-1630

White County Food Pantry 1236 Logans Ridge Road Cleveland, GA 30528 706-348-6225

Clay County Food Pantry 2278 Hinton Center Road Hayesville, NC 28904 828-389-1657

Cherokee County Food Pantry First United Methodist Church 73 Valley River Avenue Murphy, NC 28906 828-837-2718

FREEDOM.

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.® Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you.

5 cleaning myths to keep in mind when cleaning your home this fall

If you tend to do a deep clean of your house in the fall, you’re not alone. According to a recent Harris Poll online survey commissioned by Bona - a sustainably driven supplier of floor cleaning solutions - 74% of U.S. adults like to do a comprehensive, deep clean in the fall to reset their living space. A deep clean of your home is always useful, but a fall deep clean is a great way to transition from one season to another and prep your home for the winter holidays.

The survey also shed light on some common preconceived notions many Americans hold about cleaning. So, before you grab your cleaning supplies, take a look and see what common cleaning myths you believe and how you can clean your home better this fall.

MYTH

#1:

DIY SOLUTIONS ARE SAFER

About 62% of U.S. adults believe DIY solutions are a safer option than currently available retail products, with 61% saying vinegar and bleach are the most important ingredients for their cleaning routines because they can be used on every surface.

The truth is that DIY cleaning solutions, like water and vinegar, are fine to use on some surfaces but can easily damage floors and other surfaces. It’s important to use effective products that are gentle enough to not damage the surface you’re cleaning.

MYTH #2: MOP AND BUCKET CLEANING IS THE BEST

More than half of Americans believe an old-fashioned mop and bucket is the best way to clean floors. The fact is that mop-andbucket cleaning can ruin flooring by over-saturating the floors and damaging them. This method also wastes precious water, which is why sustainably minded consumers opt to use spray mops.

If you’re looking for a spray mop to clean and protect your floors, check out the Bona Spray Mop. It uses 97% less water than a traditional mop and bucket, saving 157 million gallons of water per year in the U.S. Spray mops are also easier to use and, when paired with the right formulation, give you the most effective clean with the right saturation to avoid damaging your floors.

MYTH

Senior Living in the North Georgia Mountains

#3:

SPECIFIC CLEANING CLOTHS DON’T MATTER

According to survey results, 66% of U.S. adults tend to use old rags or paper towels rather than microfiber pads or cloths when cleaning their home’s surfaces. While using rags and paper products may be cheaper and more convenient, they’re not the most effective or environmentally friendly options. Microfiber

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clothes are reusable, saving hundreds of disposable pads from ending up in landfills and can decrease deforestation.

MYTH

#4:

WHAT PARENTS SAY GOES

Many respondents said they prefer the classic mop-and-bucket cleaning method because they grew up knowing it (48%) and it’s the most effective/deepest clean (44%). While you may have grown up with one cleaning method, it doesn’t mean you have to stick to it forever. Cleaning formulations and tools have come a long way over the years, and there are easier options that provide a deep and effective clean.

MYTH #5: OLDER GENERATIONS DO THINGS THE OLDFASHIONED WAY

While nearly 60% of U.S. adults agreed that the best way to clean floors is with an old-fashioned mop and bucket, older adults aged 65 and older were less likely to agree with this statement. This age group was also the generation least likely to agree that DIY solutions are safer than those on store shelves.

The truth is, older generations had to use old-fashioned methods of cleaning for decades. Now that they have more options, they’re consciously moving away from mop-and-bucket cleaning and DIY solutions and into options like spray mops and floor-specific cleaning solutions as they see the benefits each provides. Take a cue from your elders and switch to easy-to-use, effective and safe options.

Cleaning should be safe, easy and effective. Knowing the truth behind these five myths may help you up your cleaning game this fall so you can get the deepest clean before winter sets in. To find more cleaning tips, visit Bona.com.

BUILDING A STRONG

While we should strive to maintain a robust immune system at all times, it is particularly important to get serious about it BEFORE flu season arrives. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, in the United States flu season occurs in the Fall and Winter. The flu typically infects on average 35 million Americans every year, with anywhere from 280,000 to 810,000 ending up in the hospital.

managing your response to stress. These along with making good lifestyle choices all help you find balance and harmony in the body.

Research has shown that supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances can help improve immune response and potentially protect against illness.

This includes proper hydration, consumption of nutrientdense food, getting adequate sunlight, regular rest, appropriate exercise for your age and fitness level, and

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is one of the biggest immune boosters of all. In fact, a lack of vitamin C can even make you more prone to getting sick. Daily intake of vitamin C is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce it or store it. Supplementing with vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold.

To build a healthy immune system, start by establishing good foundations of health.

Zinc fights bacteria and viruses and is essential for immune system function. A deficiency in this nutrient significantly affects your immune system’s ability to function properly, resulting in an increased risk of infection and disease, including pneumonia. Zinc deficiency affects around 2 billion people worldwide and is very common in older adults. In fact, up to 30% of older adults are considered deficient in this nutrient.

In addition to building strong bones and teeth, Vitamin D plays a critical role in immune health and may also protect lungs from respiratory infections. About 42% of the US population is deficient in Vitamin D.

Folate is a B vitamin necessary for proper immune function as well as a host of other benefits. B-vitamins are crucial to overall health and functionality. Age, chronic disease, changes in digestion, use of antiacids all lower your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins through food.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid prized for its targeted benefits for lung health and its ability to suppress viral replication.

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties especially in the sinus area and it functions as a natural anti-histamine.

And let’s not forget herbs like Mullein, Elderberry, Fenugreek, Thyme, and Ivy that can help break up mucous and assist with coughs, ear infections and sore throats.

Start building a strong healthy immune system today so that when you are presented with a pathogen your body can begin fighting it off right away.

We are always available at A to Zinc Health Store to assist you with any natural health questions. Call us at (706) 754-0247 or just stop by. We would love to meet you!

9 Tips for Winterizing Your Home

Winter and colder weather mean it’s time to think about winterizing to help keep your home and everyone in it safe and comfortable - no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Winterizing your home now can help you avoid frozen pipes, storm damage and excessive bills. Because people tend to spend more time indoors in wintertime, it can be difficult to maintain those “perfect” interior conditions. HVAC systems may be less than efficient, and your home may not be as well insulated as it should be.

As a result, utility bills can be quite shocking, especially when you consider Americans are expected to spend more than 30% extra on natural gas or 6% more on electricity this winter due to inflation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Homeowners could save as much as 20% on their energy bills by making some improvements to insulation and fixing air leaks. Additionally, to help ensure your home is ready as the thermometer slips, consider these ideas to winterize your home from the experts at Best Pick Reports and Five Star Rated.

1. TRIM YOUR TREES

Start outside by trimming all your trees back. Get rid of any overhanging branches that come near your house. Doing this may help avoid issues during wind, snow or ice storms and protect your roof if too much ice builds up on those branches.

While you are outside, clean out your gutters and remove any leaves that may have accumulated to help prevent overflow and attic leaks.

2. ADD INSULATION

You may need to install additional insulation in the attic if the existing insulation looks old, threadbare or patchy. New insulation can come in many different forms like polystyrene, fiberglass or wool, and can either be filled, rolled out or sprayed.

Additional insulation can help trap pockets of air and ensure your heat does not flow upward and out of the house. After all, up to 90% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.

3. CLEAN THE AIR FILTER

Clean your HVAC air filter once per month, especially during the winter months. You are less likely to open any windows, so most of the air in your home is likely to be recirculated, making it important that the air is breathable and clean. Reusable filters can be washed under a running tap and left to dry before being replaced, which can help get rid of accumulated dust and debris.

4. SERVICE THE AIR CONDITIONER

Use this change of season to get your air conditioning system professionally serviced. It may have been working overtime during a particularly hot summer, and you want to avoid any potential issues during the dead of winter. It may also be less expensive and easier to find a professional HVAC company with availability during the winter months.

5. ADD A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

A programmable thermostat can help you save money and stay comfortable. It can be programmed for specific times of day, like when you are home and when you’re not. If it’s Wi-Fi-enabled, it can be accessed by an app on your smartphone for easy programming while out for the day or on vacation. While you may be able to install one yourself, it’s important to enlist the help of a professional if you are hardwiring the thermostat.

6. REVERSE YOUR FANS

Simply flip the switch on the side of each ceiling fan in your home to reverse the direction of airflow back to clockwise. This practice creates an updraft, which pushes warm air down as it rises, keeping the heat where you need it. Sometimes, you can even change the direction of your fans with a remote control.

7. CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY

Whether you use the fireplace every day or only on occasion, it can be potentially hazardous if not serviced regularly. Have a professional company service your chimney every year before

you begin to use it. If you have no intention of lighting anything, get a chimney balloon, which plugs the space, eliminating drafts and keeping heat in.

8. WEATHERPROOF WINDOWS

When it comes to windows, double pane is best for energy efficiency. However, they do come at a higher cost. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, apply weather stripping to the inside edges of your windows, which can help eliminate air leaks and blends in with the look of the window.

9. WINTERIZE THE PIPES

It’s important to protect exposed pipes, particularly those that are not in heated spaces. Insulating your pipes could prevent them from freezing over, which can cause excessive and costly damage. For a DIY option, pick up pipe foam at your local hardware store. Cut the foam to size and secure it with duct tape.

Taking steps to winterize your home can save you the headache of repairs and expenses down the road. If you need professional assistance with any winterization projects, visit bestpickreports. com and fivestarrated.com to find experts in your neighborhood.

PEACHTREE

TALLULAH

Phone: 828-479-6434 Fax: 828-479-2917