In the News

Cleaning For A Reason Week Begins Today!

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, April 18, 2012

As we have mentioned before, we work with the organization called Cleaning For A Reason that provides free house cleanings for women with cancer who are undergoing treatments. We are very passionate about this, because having a clean home while dealing with cancer is so important, but can be almost impossible to manage with so much to handle already.

Starting today, in conjunction with the Mayor of Plano Phil Dyer, we are thrilled to announce that this Cleaning For A Reason Week. For more information, Go Here To Our Press Release!

Women Making A Difference In Plano

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, March 29, 2012

This charity was started by Mary Beth King 2 years ago, and has gained great momentum! Basically, everyone gets together quarterly, all participants gives a check for $100 and a vote is cast for which nonprofit the money will go to. When a charity is selected, the woman advocating the charity gets to deliver the check! It’s so easy anyone could do it! Especially when it is getting more and more difficult to commit as much time and money as we would all like to saving the world.

For more information on the charity and how to get involved, check out This Article From The Plano Star Courrier, and lets help the community one charity at a time!

5 Important Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, March 26, 2012

Heart disease takes the lives of roughly 1 in 5 people in America. While advances in medical technology have increased that can help people at risk or suffering, this problem won’t be reduced until we make better choices in our lives. Everyone already knows that a healthy, balanced diet and regular excercise are the two greatest things we can do for ourselves, and should be taken very seriously, but what else can we do?

1. Take A Multivitamin Rich In B, C, and Omega-3.

These vitamins should be present in your daily diet, but a boost from a multivitamin will help as well.

2. Drink Lots Of Water

While not everyone can realistically drink 64 oz. of water a day, drinking it as often as possible will do wonders for you. Choose water over soda, and you will notice a difference in your overall well-being.

3. Have A Beer Or Glass Of Wine Every Day

Just one of either of the two will help lower your cholesterol, a major player in heart disease. It will also put you in a more relaxed mood, which will assist with your blood pressure. Just don’t have more than one regularly, that will counteract the positive effects and can bring you into alcoholism.

4. Get Help If You Have Sleep Apnea

If your partner says you snore too much, get help. If you are by yourself, try and record you sleeping to make sure. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing many times a night, which interferes with your REM cycle, increases blood pressure, and reduces your overall health.

5. Drink Hot Tea Every Day

Not only is it soothing and tasty, it’s great for you! It doesn’t really matter what kind you drink, but green and black are best. It helps lower your cholesterol, and that warm comfy feeling you get from drinking it can’t hurt your mood either!

There are so many things you can do to help lower your cholesterol. Hopefully our advice will get you started, but check out these great websites that go in greater detail and have loads of little things you can do every day to make a significant impact on your health:

30 Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke – Reader’s Digest
Lifestyle Changes – American Heart Association

5 Ways To Make A Good Impression At A Job Interview

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, March 12, 2012

Interviewing for a new job can be very stressful. You have to find that balance of confidence and know-how to make youserlf look great, without coming across as too arrogant. Here are a few tips that will help you through the process, and remember: you can do this!

1. Be On Time!

I cannot stress this one enough. Almost any employer will notice when that clock goes one minute over if you are not there. Punctuality is often a very important part of the job, and no matter how great you are at it, if you can’t be on time you will likely not stay there long. Being where you need to be on time will give you a great first impression, and the employer will go into the interview with a more positive attitude. If you are really seriously about this job and want to do even better, get there 10-15 minutes early.

2. Be Well Dressed And Groomed

It doesn’t matter if you are interviewing to clean New York’s sewars, don’t show up in sweat pants and smelling like you need a shower! If you look and/or smell unsightly, it is almost guaranteed that you will not be considered. If you smoke, refrain from doing so on the way there.

3. Have An Upbeat, But Not Over-Excited Attitude

You don’t want to go through your interview with your shoulders and head slouched down. Make good eye contact, sit up straight, and smile often. You want the employer to know that you really want to be there and are interested in the job they have to offer, and body language is one of the most important ways to convey that. At the same time, you don’t want to be too excited. An in-your-face energetic presence can easily take your name off the table when it comes time for them to make a decision.

4. Don’t Bad-Mouth Your Previous Jobs

In an ideal world, nobody would ever get fired because everyone would do a spectacular job, and you would only ever leave because a better opportunity is afoot. Unfortunately, such is not always the case. It is ok to be honest about your old jobs, employers wouldn’t ask if they didn’t want to know what happened. But no matter if it was your fault or theirs, being negative will always put them on edge, because it will make it seem like it is regardless your fault due to an attitude problem. Also, it makes them wonder what you will say about them to others.

5. Be Prepared

The more prepared you are for an interview, the more comfortable you will feel, which will make for a much more positive experience for everyone. Bring your resume, and be sure and research the company and job description before you go in, so you know exactly what you are getting into. This will help to avoid any surprises.

For information on things to avoid in an interview, Click Here to Worktree.com

10 Ways To Improve The Air Quality In Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, February 13, 2012

It is a common fact that the air inside your home is more likely dirtier than the air outside. This is true no matter where you live, even if it’s a big crowded city. We spend a great deal of our time indoors, and if the air quality is left unattended, it can lead to health problems involving the heart, lungs, and allergies. Follow all of these guidelines, and you will be doing yourself and everyone in your home a big favor.

1. Keep Your Air Filters Clean

We have talked about this several times, keeping your air filters up to date is one of the best things you can do for your home. It helps keep your energy bill down, and a clean filter will keep many allergens from floating around in the air you breathe. You should replace your filters at least every 3 months.

2. Limit Burning Candles

Candles are a beautiful addition to any home, and it is perfectly acceptable to light one every once in a while for the great smell and relaxing ambiance, but you don’t want to burn them regularly. They release toxins in the air, some of which have been linked to cancer. Click Here For More Detailed Information.  Having said that, beeswax and soy candles are an exception in that they release no harmful chemicals, and are safe for regular use.

3. Minimizing Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are two very nasty culprits, and should be erradicated as much as possible. The EPA has a great deal of material about the dangers, Listed Here. If you have mold in your home, find the source of moisture (whether it be a leak in the roof, plumbing, or elsewhere) and fix the problem, then clean the mold with a strong disinfectant. On a smaller scale, it is most commonly found in the shower along the grout. Regular cleaning and proper ventillation of the bathroom should keep it away.

4. Air Purifiers

An air purifier is a great way to help keep the air in your home allergen-free. Be sure and read the directions carefully, so you know proper care of the purifier to keep it in top condition.

5. Avoid Manufactured Air Fresheners

Aerosol air freshners do give the home an instant pick me up, but aerosol is bad for the environment, and the chemicals that are used to create that great smell can be harmful, especially if used regularly. Instead, try keeping small bowls throughout your home with water in them, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You will need to add more oil every couple of days to maintain the smell, and clean the bowls out once a week.

6. Open The Windows On A Nice Day

If the weather permits, open your windows. Even if you live in a city, that added air flow will add an instant freshness to your home. And as a bonus, saves you money on your energy bill!

7. Use Green Cleaning Products

There are so many alternatives to harmful chemical cleaning products nowadays, it is so easy to avoid them altogether. Refer to any of our blogs listed under Cleaning Products for a great way to get your green cleaning started!

8. Do Not Smoke Indoors

We cannot stress enough that smoking indoors is very harmful to yourself and others. Second hand smoke affects everyone who is around it long enough. Not to mention, it gives your home a distinct odor that many find unpleasant.

9. Don’t Give Dust Mites A Great Place To Live

Dust mites and their waste are a potentially very harmful allergen. We have talked about the dangers before, In Our Blog About Dust Mites And Their Link To Asthma we have everything you need to know to keep those little buggers out of your home, and what to do if you have them.

10). Use Houseplants To Clean The Air Indoors

Houseplants are great for improving the quality of air in your home. The absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and they also absorb other chemicals such as formaldehyde. They add a liveliness to your home, and most common plants are very easy to care for. Here Is A List Of The 25 Best Indoor Plants.

For more great tips on improving the quality of air in your home, check out this article on thedailygreen.com on How To Purify The Air In Your Home.