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Trick-or-Treat
Follow these safety tips to ensure a safe Halloween
for your family!
| | Pumpkin Seeds | |
This year when you carve your jack-o-lantern, save those pumpkin seeds. You can make a tasty snack that will have everyone asking for more.
Remove and clean your seeds. Rinse them well, let them dry and then season them. Spread on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 20 minutes in a 350 degree F oven, stirring half way through, until the seeds are crispy and light golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, give them a good stir, and serve once they've cooled. After you've toasted them, you can store them in an airtight container for up to one week.
Sweet Cinnamon Seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned and rinsed
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
This month is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!
Save a life and visit your local Humane Society!
Humane Society
ASPCA
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Putting Down Some Roots
Plant a Tree  While you may think of the growing season as lasting from spring to the end of summer, the fall months are actually a great time for tree planting. The cooler weather gives newly planted trees a chance to establish roots during the dormant season before the next growing season begins. Once warmer weather and spring rains start, the tree will begin focusing on top growth.
To properly plant your tree, you should first take care to identify all underground utilities prior to digging your hole. You should also check for overhead utility lines to allow for future growth. A tree should be planted in a hole that is about three times the diameter of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. This gives the roots an easy way to push through the surrounding, loosened soil as its roots grow.
Be sure to plant your tree at the proper height. The trunk flare, the area of the trunk where the roots spread at the base of the tree, should still be visible. If you plant your tree too deeply, the roots may have trouble getting enough oxygen for proper development. You can plant your tree about two to three inches above the trunk flare. This will allow for settling. Fill the hole gently but firmly. The soil should not be compacted down, but you do want to eliminate air pockets around the roots. You can alternate adding soil and water to help remove these air pockets.
Finally, stake the tree if necessary to provide stability. You should stake if your tree is in a high traffic area or if your area experiences very windy conditions. Add mulch around the base of the tree to help hold in moisture around the root area. Water your newly planted tree at least once a week or more often if you experience hot dry weather. If you are planting during the fall months, water weekly until early November. You can then reduce your watering schedule to once every two to four weeks. |
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Vacationing for your Health
Time to Relax  A vacation can do more than just get you away for some fun and relaxation. It can actually extend your life. Researchers have found that men who do not take at least one week-long vacation per year increased their risk of dying from heart disease by 30 percent. There was also an increased risk of stress-related high blood-pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
It is not just getting away that helps to keep you healthy. Studies have shown that people sleep about one extra hour per day while on vacation away from home. They also get three times more deep sleep. There are also benefits to being removed from the stresses of daily life. In fact, it is not just the time away that gives you a health benefit. It is the planning too. Dutch researchers found that the best benefits to mood come in the eight weeks before a vacation.
It does take some effort to get the most out of your vacation. Try not to pack too much into each day and plan for some down time. You should also pay attention to your diet and avoid overindulging. Finally, stash your electronics. Plan to only check for messages, emails, or texts at certain designated times and leave these devices off otherwise. This way you can truly unplug and get the most out of your well-needed vacation time. |
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Green Living Tip | | |
Should you turn off your car's engine when stuck in traffic or at a train crossing? Experts suggest that if you know that you will be stuck for more than a couple of minutes, it is best to turn off your car. A vehicle idling for longer than this will use more gasoline than one that is being restarted.
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