Set your thermostat at a comfortable and healthy setting such as 78º F during summer.

The biggest energy consumption in your home - typically 55% - is from your heating and cooling equipment. Setting your thermostat at 78º F during summer can save 3-5% on your utility bill.

Use your energy efficient ceiling fans.

If it's just a little too warm in your home for comfort, use the ceiling fan. Remember to use the ceiling fan only when you're in the room. Running the fan doesn't actually lower the temperature. The moving air increases the amount of evaporation from your skin and helps cool you off.

Cooking is 50% chemistry and 50% imagination, so don't be afraid to experiment even if you have an occasional failure. And, with the inexpensive meat choices today, you can do a lot with just a few ingredients. The more simple you keep it, the less you'll have to remember. Whether you grill with charcoal or gas, you can achieve great tasting results by considering a few tips:

Resting:

Any large piece of meat like pork or beef tenderloin and even individual steaks are better if you immediately wrap them in aluminum foil when they come off the grill. They continue to cook this way and the cooking is more even. Allowing to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Smoke:

To give meats a great smoky flavor, purchase a cast iron smoker box. You can find it at Lowes® or Home Depot®. Walmart® carries it in the summer. Just add dry wood chips and put directly on the burner of your gas grill. I used to a charcoal snob, but this smoker box has made me a convert. I like gas because I can grill at a moments notice (which sometimes is all I get!)