Westerville Town Money Saver | December FOM 2021

Central heating and cooling systems have revolutionized the way homeowners make their homes comfortable. But many people find that heating and cooling systems have a tendency to make areas in their homes more dry than they would be if the windows were open. Without adequate indoor humidity, static electricity proliferates, and living environments may not be as pleasant as they could be. According to HVAC makers, dry air can compromise peoples’ respiratory systems. When membranes in the nose and throat dry out, they cannot capture dirt, viruses and bacteria, potentially resulting in illness. Dry air can cause itchy, flaky skin as well as irritation in the nose, leading to nosebleeds.

Dry air in a home also can affect the structure of a home. Dry air will pull moisture from wherever it can be sourced, including wood structures in a home. This may cause walls and door jambs to shift and floors to creak. Even wood furniture can bend and crack if indoor conditions are especially dry.

Homeowners can remedy dry air in various ways. Some methods are relatively simple, while others may require substantial financial investments and even some renovation.

DIY REMEDIES

Do-it-yourself remedies are simply ways to put moisture in the air. One of the easiest steps is to put bowls filled with water in front of or on heating registers or radiant heating units in the house. The water will evaporate slowly into the home. Another and similar tactic is to boil a large tea kettle or pot of water to distribute moisture throughout a space. When showering, leave the door to the bathroom open to distribute steam throughout the house. For those who use the tub, allow the water to cool off and evaporate before pulling the drain.

HUMIDIFIERS

Humidifiers come as whole-house central units or portable devices. Portable units can be moved from room to room depending on where moisture is needed the most. These humidifiers hold a predetermined volume of water and mist it into the air when the unit is on.

Central humidifiers work with the home’s HVAC system. They are hardwired and plugged into the system. Water vapor is introduced into the air that will be forced through vents throughout the house. These systems work on the whole house at once, making them quite efficient. Many experts advise homeowners to keep their indoor home humidity between 40 and 60 percent for ultimate comfort. Investing in a hygrometer to measure relative humidity will help homeowners keep humidity at a level that produces a pleasant and comfortable environment.

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beer with food How to pair...

Perfect pairings at Temperance Row Brewing Co

1. Find harmonies. The BA notes that beer-food combinations typically resonate most e ectively when they share some common avor or aroma element. Reuben + Prohibition Pilsner. e Reuben is one of our most popular sandwiches and pairing it with our Prohibition Pilsner is always a great match. e clean and crisp avors of the pilsner cut the intense avors of corned beef, Swiss cheese, 1000 island and rye bread. It might just be the perfect beer for washing down a delicious sandwich!

The cra beer boom has inspired millions of people to look at beer through a new lens. Once relegated to backyard barbecues and ballgames, beer is now served alongside gourmet meals. Much like the right wine can make a meal taste even better, beer can bring out the avors of food, making it an ideal complement to anything from steak to seafood to salad.

e Brewers Association is an American trade group whose membership consists of more than 5,400 brewers, suppliers and retailers. e group recommends beer lovers follow a three-pronged approach to matching beer and food. It’s worth noting the BA does not view this approach as a 1-2-3 process, meaning beer lovers need not follow the steps in order to perfect their pairing skills.

2. Match strength with strength. e BA recommends pairing strongly avored foods with assertive beers and delicate foods with delicate beers. Second City Hot Italian Beef + Gunpowder IPA. Our Second City Hot Italian Beef packs some serious heat. We start with roast beef in au jus, provolone, and spicy giardiniera on an Auddino’s sub bun. Our Gunpowder IPA packs a hoppy IPA punch that works really well with spiciness from the giardiniera.

3. Consider sweetness, bitterness, carbonation, heat (spice), and richness. e BA recommends that beer lovers look to take advantage of the speci c and predictable ways that certain qualities of food and beer interact with each other. Figaboudit + Sco aw Scottish Ale. Our Sco aw Scottish Ale is a wonderful pairing for our famous Figaboudit Sandwich. e Scottish ale has subtle caramel undertones with a malty avor and hop balance. e subtleness of the beer really complements the ingredients of the sandwich including ciabatta panini bread, prosciutto, g jam, goat cheese, and arugula. Pairing the right beer with food can make any night out on the town that much better.

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE. LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS “SMALL,” BUT THEY HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics report, small businesses created 10.5 million net new jobs between 2000 and 2019, accounting for 65.1 percent of net new jobs created since 2000 in the United States. e Government of Canada reports that the number of small businesses in Canada in 2020 was far greater than the number of medium and large businesses, accounting for 97.9 percent of all the businesses in the country.

Supporting locally owned businesses is a great way to support a neighbor, but that’s not the only attraction. Here are several reasons to shop small.

THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

Doing for others certainly has an impact on the person on the receiving end, but also bene ts the do-gooders. A November 2020 survey by Union Bank found that 72 percent of Americans said supporting small businesses was more important than getting the best deals. at may be due to the feeling of helping out a fellow neighbor.

CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Shopping at small businesses keeps those establishments a oat,

and it also keeps their employees a oat. Small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. at’s also true in Canada, where 68.8 percent of the total labor force works for a small business. A person may never know when he or she — or a relative — will need a job. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals.

KEEP MORE MONEY IN THE COMMUNITY

e Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

ENJOY A MORE LOCAL FLAVOR

National retailers and other businesses follow a global business model that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve. ese same small businesses also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

ese are just a few of the many reasons to seek out small businesses when in need of products or services.

HOLIDAY baking!

Salted Caramel Nuts

Makes 8 cups

1 cup each whole roasted salted cashews, whole large pecan halves, whole unsalted almonds, and whole walnut halves (4 cups total)

1½ cups sugar

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fleur de sel

2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine nuts & spread them on a sheet pan, roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Set aside to cool. Place sugar & ¼ cup of water in a medium (10”) sauté pan and mix with a fork until the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar melts—from this point on, don’t stir the caramel, swirl the pan! Don’t worry—the mixture may look as though it’s crystallizing. Continue to cook 5-10 min., until mixture becomes clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Careful—the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the nuts and the kosher salt and toss with 2 large spoons until the nuts are coated.

Home Made Hot Cocoa

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

½ cup boiling water

3 ½ cups milk

¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup half-and-half cream

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.

Cut Out Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups Sugar

• 2-1/2 cups butter

• 3 eggs

• 8 cups flour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 2 tbsp. baking powder

• 3 tbsp. milk

• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time; beating after each addition. Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture. Add milk and vanilla.

Work dough until smooth. Chill and roll to desired thickness.

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A

FITNESS CENTER

Each January, individuals make New Year’s resolutions that focus on getting t. Soon a erwards, the phones at area gyms start ringing o the hook with men and women looking to become new members. In fact, according to IHRSA, e Global Health & Fitness Association, 12 percent of all new gym memberships begin in January.

Gyms are not one-size- ts-all organizations. Gyms that appeal to some might not appeal to others. e following are some features to consider when looking for a new gym.

• Cost: IHRSA says 46 percent of former gym members claimed the reason they quit was due to cost. Finding an a ordable center is a top priority for many people. e good news is many gyms market themselves as low-cost options with low monthly fees with minimal annual add-on costs.

• Specialized programs: Some tness centers focus on speci c workout regimens, such as cross t facilities. If a certain style of workout is compelling you to get in shape, research gyms that specialize in that program.

• Atmosphere: Two gyms may have the same equipment and group classes but may give o completely di erent vibes. Individuals should take tours to assess who is visiting the gym and what kind of atmosphere exists inside it. e goal is to nd a comfortable, encouraging environment with likeminded people that will keep you going back.

• Hours of operation: A center that has exible hours is

important for people balancing careers, families and school schedules. Planet Fitness suggests asking about the general hours of the gym; when trainers are available; whether certain sections of the gym or amenities close at certain times; and when classes are o ered.

• Guest privileges: Working out with a friend or family member can provide the healthy level of competition needed to keep workouts going. Ask about family membership discounts as well.

• Equipment: Equipment is an important consideration as well. Visit each gym you’re considering to determine if equipment is modern, well-maintained and clean. Gyms that have several broken down treadmills or outdated strength training equipment may not be worth the membership fee. Determine which equipment is included in the cost of membership as well. Cardio machines, free weights, stretching areas, weight machines, and changing rooms are desirable among many gym members.

e right facility can make all the di erence and help people achieve their tness goals.