Author Lauren

Summer often brings vacations and road trips, which can put extra stress on your vehicle and one of its most important safety components: the tires. Higher pavement temperatures combined with normal wear and tear – plus added traffic volume due to summer travel – can contribute to potential safety hazards. Before you head out this summer, consider these tips from the tire experts at your neighborhood Discount Tire to stay safe on the road. 1. Check Tire Pressure Regularly Low tire pressure can lead to poor handling and gas mileage as well as excessive wear and overloading. Before any long…

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A sizzling steak is a surefire sound of summer, and the flavors achieved from one that’s perfectly grilled are hard to match. Before you fire up your grill, consider these five basics for cooking a chef-worthy steak: Prepare Your Cut Taste preferences (and prices) may differ among sirloins, ribeyes, T-bones and more, but the way you prepare steaks likely won’t change much from cut to cut. You’ll want to trim the thickness down to 1/2-1 inch for proper cooking, and setting the meat out ahead of time allows it to warm to room temperature before hitting the grill. Placing a…

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Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the summer months, when water activities are more prevalent, drowning is more common, according to the National Safety Council. Extreme heat may increase incidents of cardiac arrest and an average of 33 drownings occur in the U.S. each day, one-third of which are fatal. To protect your loved ones when playing in and around water this summer, keep these tips from the American Heart Association in mind: Never swim alone. Children always need supervision, but even adults should swim…

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Make Summer Travel with Pets Enjoyable and Seamless For pet owners, cats and dogs are part of the family, which means when it’s time to head out of town this summer, the four-legged friends get to come along, too. In fact, a survey conducted by Motel 6 revealed that of 2,000 Americans with summer leisure plans, the vast majority of those traveling with pets this summer (90%) are bringing their dog, and more than a quarter (31%) are bringing their cat. While traveling with pets can be a handful, Motel 6 and its Chief Pet Officer, Garfield, fresh off his…

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There’s nothing like the warm, gooey goodness of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, and today, we’re celebrating National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day in the sweetest way possible! The Perfect Recipe Here’s a quick and easy recipe to whip up a batch of these classic treats: Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons hot water 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).…

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August is National Wellness Month. Between work, family obligations and a constantly changing world, people in the United States are stressed. In fact, U.S. workers are among the most stressed in the world, according to a State of the Global Workplace study. While some stress is unavoidable and can be good for you, constant or chronic stress can have real consequences for your mental and physical health. Chronic stress can increase your lifetime risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also lead to unhealthy habits like overeating, physical inactivity and smoking while also increasing risk factors, including high blood…

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In between summer adventures and hot afternoons spent poolside, you’re likely looking to combat rising temperatures with a cool, refreshing beverage. This year, quench your thirst with drinks that play up the trendiness of bold flavors. While many concoctions can help you beat the heat, some gems seem to hit the spot better than others. Consider one of the trendiest beverages that is increasingly becoming available at smoothie and juice bars nationwide but which you can also prepare at home: the tempting, bold taste of the Mangonada. With a harmonious fusion of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors, this thirst-quencher captures…

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As a pet parent, you know your pet’s needs are continually evolving. That’s true during different stages of growth and even as the seasons change. Part of supporting your pet throughout the year is understanding the specific risks that come with changing weather and special seasonal events. Supporting pets this summer can be easier with these tips: Summer Health Concerns It may be an exciting time of year for humans with all the extra activities, seasonal celebrations and travel, but those summer pastimes can add up to a whole lot of stress for pets. In addition, environmental factors like allergens…

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Updating your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to cool your home in a smart and sustainable way involves several steps that not only improve energy efficiency but also reduce environmental impact. Consider these tips from the heating and cooling experts at Carrier to help make your cooling system more eco-friendly: 1. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient HVAC System. If your HVAC system is outdated, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. Look for systems with an Energy Star or high SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating, which indicates better energy efficiency. The higher the SEER2 rating, the more…

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Your skin is your first line of defense against the outer world. As the body’s largest organ, it protects you from bacteria, viruses and other environmental hazards, including pollution, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and more. It also helps regulate body temperature, recognizes pain sensations and alerts you to potential health problems, making it one of the body’s ultimate multitaskers. While some factors that impact your skin – like genetics, aging, hormones and certain health conditions – are out of your control, there are steps you can take to support and maintain your skin’s health. Protect Yourself from the…

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