Get your house ready for spring
 

It won't be too long until you can open the windows and start enjoying fresh air and warm weather. Is your house ready?

Here are five items to add to your springtime to-do list that might help your home feel more comfortable and cared for before it gets hot...

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 Coming this April
 CHELCO Co-op Connections Card

There have always been benefits for being a member of your electric cooperative, and you're about to get more with the Co-op Connections Card program.

CHELCO's Co-op Connections Card is a money-saving tool that connects you with discounts on everything from hotel stays to prescription drugs.

The Co-op Connections card will get you discounts of 10 percent to 60 percent on prescriptions at 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target and more.

The card gives you access to discounts with almost 100 national retailers like Walmart, Sears Select, Hertz, Motel 6 and more.

The program will be introduced at CHELCO's annual meeting on April 16, at the Operations Center in DeFuniak Springs. Members who attend the meeting will be issued the first cards. The remaining cards will be mailed to members following annual meeting.

You can check out the great national discounts using the link below. A search feature lets you enter your zip code and the product or service you're looking for and gives you a list of participating retailers. New local businesses are signing up to participate daily, so check back often!

Check out the discounts now... 

 A "Two-Pronged" approach to home electrical safety
 by: Christine Smith

Consumers can depend on a pair of important safety devices to protect them from electrical hazards in the home: ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Each device protects against different dangers: GFCIs address shock hazards while AFCIs fight fire hazards.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)...

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 Recipe of the Month
 Lamb and Veggie Stew

With St. Patricks Day just around the corner, here is a festive recipe from the Emerald Isle that will delight your entire family. Try this delicious and easy recipe for St. Patrick's day or spice up any night of the week! Recipe and photo provided are courtesy of bhg.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean boneless lamb, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 14-ounce can beef broth
• 1 cup dry red wine or beef broth
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups cubed, peeled butternut squash
• 1 cup 1/2-inch slices peeled parsnip
• 1 cup chopped, peeled sweet potato
• 1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks)
• 1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt or dairy sour cream
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil; drain fat. Return all meat to pan. Stir in broth, wine, dried thyme (if using), garlic, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
2. Stir in squash, parsnip, sweet potato, celery, and onion. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 30 minutes more or until meat and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf.
3. In a small bowl combine yogurt, fresh thyme (if using), and flour. Stir 1/2 cup of the hot liquid into the yogurt mixture. Add yogurt mixture to saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 5 servings (about 8 cups)

Nutrition Facts: Calories365, Total Fat (g)9, Saturated Fat (g)2, Monounsaturated Fat (g)3, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)2, Cholesterol (mg)75, Sodium (mg)397, Carbohydrate (g)32, Total Sugar (g)4, Fiber (g)4, Protein (g)30, Vitamin C (DV%)35, Calcium (DV%)13, Iron (DV%)22, Starch (d.e.)2, Vegetables (d.e.).5, Lean Meat (d.e.)3.5, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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 Efficiency Tip of the Month