Because women are social and at the same time competitive, they find exercising in groups motivates them. "If she can do it, I can do it," is what Katrina Lopez, Club Manager for Lady of America, a Diamond Certified company, hears from women in her club. In fitness classes, women help and support each other and this improves results.

What else motivates women to stick with an exercise program? Ms. Lopez says they like good music, good choreography, variety and lots of cardio. They do not naturally want to spend time on weight training because it’s a more solitary activity. For this reason, it’s a good idea for a women’s exercise class to incorporate bands, free weights and machines in group training. Circuit classes work well for women too. When women start to see the benefits of exercising regularly, they stay away from fad diets, which are usually a recipe for disaster.

Getting the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner

If you are planning to replace an old air conditioner, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much better the new ones are. For one thing, according to Kevin Sollitt, President of Temperature Perfection, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, the latest models are more energy efficient, because they have variable speed systems, which maintain a constant temperature. They are also a LOT quieter.

Before recommending an air conditioning unit, a competent service technician will do an energy analysis of your home, taking into account the square footage, number and type of windows, and whether you have attic and wall insulation. If an air conditioner is not properly installed, it will waste energy instead of conserve it. What’s critical is that the a/c unit is properly charged prior to final installation. And with a brand new system, don’t forget about maintenance. Manufacturers and utility companies all recommend a thorough servicing once a year.

Some Good News About Grout

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about their tile countertops and shower tiles is that it’s tough to keep the grout clean. How many of us want to scrub between the tiles with a toothbrush? A new type of grout, which is stainless, eliminates all that trouble. It does not absorb water. And it won’t grow mold or mildew.

Stainless grout is installed the same way the old filler was. While it costs a little more, it has a lifetime warranty. Another advantage with this new product is that it reduces the need for caulking. People love it because it can be used just about anywhere in the house. Ask about stainless grout if you’re shopping around and comparing alternatives for surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, patio or family room.

The Grass IS Always Greener!

Artificial turf used to look so fake, no one would think of having it installed. Nowadays though, synthetic turf looks like real grass and feels great. This type of lawn requires no water and very little maintenance, and it stays green 365 days a year! Dan Theis, President of Heavenly Greens, a Diamond Certified company, says pet owners especially love it, because dogs can’t tear it up and animal urine does not discolor it.

Before installing the synthetic turf, 4 inches of sod and soil are removed. Next comes a layer of crushed rock. The turf is laid on top and then in-filled with silica sand and granulated rubber made from recycled tires and tennis shoes. The rubber is what makes it feel like real grass when you walk on it. The blades are about 2 inches high with one inch showing. It’s a great surface for backyard soccer, croquet, badminton and putting!

Simple Adjustments Produce Better Photos

One of the keys to taking better photographs is to know how to use natural light. Most of us amateurs make the mistake of using the sun as a lighting source for pictures. People squint with the sun in their faces and their noses cast shadows. The light is too harsh and colors have a burned out appearance.

Use indirect light whenever you can. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to take pictures because the sunlight comes from the side. If it’s a bright day and the sun is overhead, move the group under a dense, shady tree. This is called “open” shade. Here’s a good solution for eliminating red eyes, caused when light bounces from the subject’s retina into the picture. Use a camera with an external flash unit, because when the flash is farther from the lens, eyes don’t turn red.

Is Your Hot Water Too Hot?

When you wash your dishes with hot water, do you scorch your hands? If you do, your water heater setting may be set too high. According to Young Park, owner of Professional Plumbing Service, a Diamond Certified company, you should generally use the energy saving setting on your hot water heater, but make adjustments depending on the weather. In the summer, reduce the temperature by a notch or two, and in the winter, turn the setting a little higher. Keep the setting on vacation mode anytime you’re out of town for 4 days or more.

When hot water heaters are set too high for long periods of time, they will wear out more quickly than normal. You can get a clue that a water heater is getting ready to fail by looking for burns marks around the thermostat. Also any sign of rust on the top and bottom of the heater is a clue you might be replacing that old water heater very soon!

Which Dance Studio is Right for You?

When choosing a dance studio, you have to consider your own goals first. Do you want to be a professional dancer, or are you dancing just for personal enjoyment?  Would you like to perform occasionally or dance competitively? Knowing the level you want to achieve and atmosphere you want will help you choose the right place.

Some of things to consider before signing up at a dance studio are: 1) Does the studio offer the styles of dance you like? 2) How well trained and experienced are the teachers? 3) What is the studio’s philosophy and does it match your personality? 4) Will you get the opportunity to network and perform, if that’s important to you? Finally, ask about the dance studio’s flooring. To prevent serious long-term injury, look for a facility with the very best sprung wood flooring available.

Investing in Name Brand Kitchen Appliances

What’s the pay-off when you spend a little more on a name brand kitchen appliance? Chris Parisis, owner of CG Appliance Express, a Diamond Certified company, contends that comparing manufacturers’ warranties, customer service, product quality and impact on the resale value of your home will help you understand the big differences among the many brands.

Mr. Parisis points out, for example, top of the line refrigerators offer 15-year warranties on compressors, the most common part that fails. A standard model has only a one-year warranty. The same is true for garbage disposers. A name brand warranty can be 10 times longer than the base model’s warranty. Customer service calls are answered more quickly and technicians have more specialized training for high-end appliances. And finally, sellers get about 10% more for their houses, which sell more quickly when kitchens are equipped with brand name appliances buyers recognize.

Time to Take Down a Tree?

How do you know when a tree in your yard has to go? Jim Cairnes, owner of Small World Tree Company, a Diamond Certified company, says you can start with your own visual inspection of the cavities, bark, lower trunk, leaves and roots. They all provide clues when a tree is in distress or decline.

By poking around inside any cavities at the base of the tree, you can sometimes gauge how much decay there is. Another sign of internal decay is abnormal swelling on the lower trunk and fungal fruiting bodies that grow in crescent-shaped brackets out of the trunk. Sparse and pale leaves may indicate a tree is sick, as do girdling roots that can strangle a tree. Other reasons a tree may become unstable include over-irrigation, a change of grade around a tree so that it doesn’t get enough oxygen, diseases such as oak root fungus and storm damage.

Why Tire Pressure Matters

Like most people I know, I hate checking the air pressure in my tires. Believe it or not, to be safe on the road, you should be checking your tires about once a month. That’s because on average, tires lose about one pound of pressure every month and are potentially hazardous when under-inflated.

Without the right amount of air pressure in your tires, you have less control over handling and stopping the car. Another negative is that the tires wear out prematurely. By the way, your correct tire pressure is posted on your car door, in the owner’s manual or glove compartment. While you’ve got the air pressure gauge out, don’t forget to check your spare tire. The spare loses pressure at the same rate, as the tires on the wheels do, even when you’re not using it.

Expert Tips on Choosing Paint Colors

One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing paint color is that they pick a shade that’s too dark. Paint professional recommend trying a shade or two lighter than what you think you want. Most colors (especially yellow) become darker than the sample you see in the store when painted onto a larger surface area.

Brush your sample paints on the wall side by side.  Then look at the samples at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. They will look different in different light. Another suggestion is to settle on the main or base color first, and then worry about your trim and ceiling colors. Don’t try to pick out all the colors on your first visit to the paint store. Once you decide on the base, the accent colors usually fall easily into place.