How To Use Your Dryer Vent To Help Heat & Moisturize Your House During Winter

Today’s newer efficient homes come with a price. The air inside our homes can become almost toxic and with the cold weather comes dry air.

Germs love dry air as they can float through the air more easily. Nasal passages become dried out not working as effectively at keeping the germs from entering our bodies.

Throats become dried out causing scratchy, sore throats. Allergies flare due to an overabundance of dust and pet dander.

I always recommend opening windows for at least 10-15 minutes every day to help “change” the air in your house.

Another way you can add moisture to the air during the winter is to use your dryer vent to pump the heat and the moisture from wet clothes back into your home.

There are benefits to this procedure and cautions, so please be sure to consider your own situation and needs and read the instructions below.

Benefits:

Adds moisture and heat to the air. Helps to warm the home by using the heat from the dryer. Adds moisture to the home from the drying of wet clothes and from the water in the bucket.

How to assemble:

See below picture.

Any large container will do. I like using Shaklee’s large team pack container of Performance Sports Drink. It has just the right size opening to fit the dryer tube.

I used a hole saw to drill out some vent holes in it. If you don’t have a hole saw you can use a sharp knife (with caution) to make some holes. They don’t have to be pretty, just functional. Cut out holes approximately this large.

Next, add a couple of inches of water. This is to trap the lint. Change the water at least once a week to avoid mold from developing and to empty out the lint. Use an old strainer to catch the lint as you pour the old water down the drain.

Loosen the clamp around your dryer vent and remove hose from pipe that exits your house. 

You can buy a vent cover at the hardware store or you can use a plastic lid with tape or at the very least stuff a rag in the vent exit tube. This will prevent cold air and any little critters from coming into the house.

Depending on the size of your container you are using you may want to get one of these inserts.

See pictures below:

(Please ignore the paint on my dryer – my husband decided to use my dryer as a paint mixing table. Wonderful.)

You may also just be able to clamp your dryer hose right onto your container without an insert. I love these easy dryer tube clamps – you can loosen and tighten them without the need of a screwdriver.

If you are uncertain how to make your tube fit the opening of your container, take your container with you to the hardware store and try different tubes and inserts. 

If you go to a smaller, specialty hardware store you will get more expert help than you usually get from the big box stores.

If you can’t make it work, try a different container. Look around and use your imagination.

Tip: 

Empty out and vacuum out your dryer tube of excess lint or just replace it. The buildup of lint inside the dryer tube can cause a fire. Lift up your dryer tube. It should feel very light. If it feels heavy, clean out or replace the tube.

Attach your tube to your container and sit it on a stable surface like the floor or a table.

Now for some of the cautions.

If you use a toxic fabric softener like a store brand – do not vent your dryer inside your home! Many of these fabric softeners and perfumy laundry detergents are very toxic and are the cause of many allergies and asthma problems. Please consider switching to a safe product. I use Shaklee’s laundry products – Get Clean Healthy Home - Laundry

I love how the light scent fills my home. If you don’t want any scent you can use the unscented laundry liquid and their unscented dryer sheets.

Make sure your furnace is running regularly. You don’t want too much moisture building up in your home. Check your laundry area regularly. If you see any moisture building up or if the air seems particularly heavy with moisture. Discontinue use. You do not want too much moisture in the home to cause mold.

If your laundry room is in the basement, make sure your door to the upstairs is open while your dryer is running. Don’t worry about the cooler air from the basement coming in – the air exchange is good as long as there is no mold in your basement. 

If there is mold, do not do this and make it a priority to get any mold eradicated from your home. The expense of doing so is far less than the medical expenses you will have if you don’t. Mold is a serious problem and is the cause of many health problems.

Once the cold weather is over and your furnace is not running much, be sure and vent your dryer back outside. Again, you do not want too much moisture to buildup in your home and cause mold. This procedure is only for when the air is very dry due to heating and you are looking to add a little moisture to the air. 

Make sure there is always a little water in your container and change it at least once a week. 

Check to make sure your connection to your container is fitted tightly and that your container is on a stable surface where it won’t fall over. 

Make sure your dryer tube does not have a kink or sharp bend in it. This will cause lint to build up inside the tube.

If you are doing a lot of loads, check to make sure your container isn’t getting too hot. Give it time to cool down between loads if necessary.

Never leave your home while the dryer is running, regardless of whether you are venting it inside or outside. Dryers often catch fire for many reasons. I personally saw a neighbor lose their house due to their dryer catching fire as they ran a quick 15 minute errand. So sad.

Now that you’ve read the precautions, I think you may really like using this method. We love how it adds a nice scent and moisture to the home and it helps to warm our basement up, too.

Now for the legal stuff: I am not responsible for injury, damage or loss to humans, pets or property. Any modifications you make to your home or appliances is totally up to you. Though this procedure is simple, an improper design or modification can be a safety issue. Use common sense or ask someone who has it for advice. When in doubt, consult a professional.

For more information on the laundry products we use that are safe, non-toxic and much cheaper to use as they are very concentrated, visit www.ToBeHealthy.MyShaklee.com or contact us by clicking the “Contact Us” tab up top and filling out the contact form.

If you would like to receive our Healthy Newsletter, click the “Contact Us” tab up top and filling out the contact form and tell us you want to receive our Healthy Newsletter.

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Recipe: Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes in Sauce

This recipe is one of my family's favorite cold weather meal.

It is so simple to make and if you make a lot of it you can freeze it for a quick meal on those hectic days when there's no time to cook.

What you need: 

(1) Package of cubed ham

(1) bag of frozen green beans or two cans

(4-8) raw potatoes cubed

¼ cup onions

1 tsp each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash table blend 

(add more of each seasoning to taste or if making a bigger batch)

2-4 tbsps. butter

2-3 chicken flavored bouillon cubes 

What you do: 

Put all into pot filled ½ - ¾ full of water.

Boil for 15 minutes or until beans and potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.

Mix up a few forkfuls of cornstarch with milk in a cup, mix well. Make it a consistency thicker than milk, but not as thick as paste and add to boiling pot. This makes the sauce. Stir well. 

It should thicken right away. Remove from heat. 

If sauce is too thick, just add a little water and stir. Too runny and do a mix of cornstarch and milk in the cup again and add till desired thickness.

Serve hot with favorite bread. 

Freeze the remainder for a quick meal. I freeze mine in individual servings by putting them into quart sized zippered bags then all the small bags are added to a large baggie and labeled. Put in freezer. Make sure the food is cool before adding it to the bags as you don't want to melt the plastic.

Then if a family member wants a quick, hot meal, they can just run the bag under the faucet for a few moments, break into chunks and add to a bowl to microwave or add to a pot on the stove with a little water in it and reheat.

It sure hits the spot on those cold evenings.

Science Talk: Breastfeeding Support

Do you know someone who is interested in breastfeeding their baby?

When my son was born I remember the challenges we faced and I am so happy I sought help and was able to nurse him into the healthy child he is today. I naturally had a ton of questions and I’m sure you did, too.

The subject of breastfeeding and support for moms who want to breastfeed is really popular. Many new moms have so many questions and while there is a ton of information out there, it’s nice to have the answers in one place and delivered to you from medical professionals who understand the benefits and the challenges.

We have a wonderful audio recording this month that discusses some of the most frequently asked questions about breastfeeding with additional suggestions.

Here is the link to Science Talk:Breastfeeding Support

This short audio is packed with some great information and it can be listened to on any device or as a podcast. I think you will really enjoy it.

Feel free to share this with a new mom or mom-to-be you know! Knowledge is power and a new mom will soak up all the good info they can get.

Want to know more about having a healthy pregnancy? Shaklee’s blog, Naturally has several wonderful articles on how to have a healthy pregnancy.

Just click this link to see the list of articles and pick your favorites: Naturally HealthyPregnancy

I hope you enjoy this information on breastfeeding. 

Do you have more questions? Feel free to contact me by clicking the "Contact Us"tab up top and we will talk more.

The Trek Across the Store Aisle to the Big Kid Clothes

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5 Easy Ways Moms (& All Women) Can Get Healthier

1 - Kick the Stress

Most of us experience stress every day. Daily stress and anxiety wreak havoc with our sense of well-being and the impact of prolonged stress can have severe consequences on our health.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates 75-90% of all visits to the doctor's office are stress related. One key to good health is to keep levels of stress in check.

Get started by:

• Identifying Your Stressors — Whether it's money issues, traffic or the piles of laundry, the first step to managing stress is knowing what is causing the most stress in your life. Once identified, you can begin to figure out how to overcome stress or manage it better. So what’s bugging you?

• Setting Priorities — Take stock to determine what's really important and learn to say "No". This can be one of the biggest favors you can do for yourself. You can’t do it all, so choose what is most important to you and learn to let the rest go. It’s OK if you start singing, “Let it Go, Let it Go…”

• Delegating Responsibilities — You don't have to be "Supermom", learn to ask for help and assign tasks to other family members. The best “managers” are those who know how to delegate. Teaching kids about responsibilities is also good for them, not just to help you out. You are not helping them any by doing everything for them. One of the best lessons a mom can teach her children is how to take care of themselves.

• Relaxing and Meditating - Research has shown that taking time out of each day to relax and meditate can help reduce stress. This is so true. Taking just a few minutes a day to just sit and relax; breathe deep and empty your overcrowded brain can do wonders for your mood. Even if it means locking yourself in the bathroom with earplugs.

• Exercise – Don’t forget the benefits of exercise. See our tip on exercise below.

*Try Shaklee’s Stress Relief Complex*, a botanical combination which includes a powerful stress reliever from green tea to help promote relaxation, alertness and concentration, and help relieve everyday stress in as little as 30 minutes.* This stuff works great. A Mom’s best friend during trying times.
2 - Get Enough Sleep 

Emerging scientific evidence indicates that insufficient sleep can be harmful to our health.

Sleep Well and Re-energize - Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule; establish a relaxing bedtime routine; and try not to eat a meal, drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages or exercise within a few hours of bedtime. 

There is nothing like a good night’s rest to help with your day. It can be hard though when there are so many things on your mind. Try meditation, reading and hey, here’s an idea! - talking with your spouse! Just keep the talks light, nothing stressful.

*To contend with occasional sleeplessness and to help you get a good night's rest, try Shaklee Gentle Sleep Complex* which uses natural botanicals to promote a calm and restful sleep.
3 - Eat Right

Good nutrition is essential to health and poor food choices contribute to health challenges including weight gain. Start by improving your diet by eating a variety of foods, choosing whole grains, beans and legumes and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't forget to include some lean protein from fish, chicken, soy and nonfat dairy and select heart-healthy omega-3 fats from fish, avocado and nuts.

*It’s hard to eat right and who has time to cook a big meal every day? So to help fill in the gaps don’t forget your vitamins. Shaklee’s Vitalizer is a complete daily vitamin regimen in a convenient easy to take pack. Just toss them in your purse or pocket and off you go – with energy! Plus we guarantee you will feel better in 30 days or your money back!

4 - Exercise 

No brainer here. We all know that exercise is a healthy habit and it's never too late to start. You don’t have to train for a marathon to feel good. Just a 30 minute workout can boost your mood and you can literally kick stress out of the way. Walking is a great activity for everyone, too. Start with a 10 or 15-minute walk, especially if you haven't been exercising regularly and build up from there. Lifting light weights 2-3 times a week is a must for strong bones and keeping muscle. Do your best to be active every day. Exercise helps lower stress, lose weight and increase strength, which helps our stress level too.

*Shaklee can help your exercise program with their weight loss program and sports nutrition products. 

Lose the weight & keep the muscle with Shaklee 180

Stay hydrated with Performance Maximum Endurance Sports Drink in orange or lemon lime flavors

5 - Take a "Timeout" with Friends

A landmark UCLA study suggests that hanging out with friends can actually counteract the kind of stress most women experience on a daily basis. When women engage in this 'tending or befriending' with children and other women, studies suggest that the hormone oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect.

We always knew that friends made us feel good and now there is actual evidence that they are good for our health!
So the next time you need a lift-me-up or simply want to relax, call up your closest group of girlfriends for a fun gathering.

*And why not make money while having fun and sharing with your friends? We can show you how: It’s Time to DreamAgain

Watch our fun, short video of Moms and what we do here:Moms Making a Difference

Take care of yourself so you can continue to take care of those you love.

Wishing you all the best,

Julie

Want to learn more about how Shaklee helps to keep you healthy with products that come with a 100% money back guarantee?

Visit our website: ToBeHealthy.MyShaklee.com

Mom Who Doesn't Have a Car, But Has a Dream

Meet Mary - 
No car? No problem! Find out how Mary Bias is building a business from home with no transportation and working towards her Shaklee Dream Car bonus!


Tell us a little about yourself.
I am married to my college sweetheart Joseph Bias (insert Christmas Joke here).  We have three beautiful little babies; Brooklynn 6, Garrick 4 and Ananias 18 months.  I am a nurse by training, with my masters in Nursing Education.

How did you learn about Shaklee?
I learned about Shaklee through a friend. At the time my husband and I wanted to start trying again for another baby.

What made you decide to join Shaklee?
I was taking an organic whole food supplement, and was shocked to find it had one of the highest lead counts on the market, so joining Shaklee was a no brainer for me. When my husband and I joined, we did so with the intent of just using the products and maybe making a few referrals.  I was working on my master’s degree at the time and never thought I would really pursue Shaklee as a career.

What kinds of changes have you experienced since using Shaklee products?
Our whole family has had a health transformation.  I myself have lost 22* pounds! Right now, our Shaklee income covers all our supplements and some of our bills!

What is your goal for your Shaklee business?
My goal is to have sufficient income to start making new experiences for our children.  Right now, my husband commutes over an hour each way to work – so the children and I stay within walking distance of the house every day.  By May, we are hoping to have another car and enough income to start going to the zoo, aquarium and other fun experiences.  My daughter would love to take ballet.  We would love to be able to put our children in choir or piano lessons.  Little things like that are next on our list!

What are some of the intangible things you’ve experienced with Shaklee?
Shaklee has helped me to be a better wife, mother and friend.  You can’t truly explain to others what the personal growth aspect is like – it is something that has to be experienced.  But the fact that you can’t be successful without caring for others forces you to learn to love people in a way you never have before.  I have had to learn to truly serve other people, and it is life changing.

What are some of the specific things you’ve been doing to grow your business?
Since Cleveland, I have spent time writing my vision and my why and creating affirmations to help me with my mindset.  I love participating in the many different training opportunities that are offered in the Shaklee Family.  The weekly upline calls, and the Shaklee Mom’s Calls with Kristen Cunningham have been instrumental for me. Right now, I have one Director under me, and multiple distributors that are earning enough to cover the cost of their products.  I love looking at my bonus statement each month and seeing the different families who have their product cost covered!

What one piece of advice would you share with your fellow Distributors?
Don’t give up!  Keep your head up!  Keep your vision and your “why” handy.  They will keep you motivated.  Be willing to change your thinking when you need it.  Any activity, no matter how small is a step in the right direction!  If I can do it, anyone can!  I love to show other moms and young people that it is totally possible to build a business without a car, from your home, during the day with little kids running around!

**Would you like to learn more about what Mary does?
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
We can send you a no obligation info packet in the mail or via email. 
You can also talk with us. Click the "Contact Us" tab up top, tell us what you are interested in and how best to contact you.
You can learn more about what we do by visiting our website: ToBeHealthy.MyShaklee.com/whyshaklee

*Results and experiences from the Shaklee 180 Program are unique to each person, so results may vary. In a preliminary 12-week clinical study, participants on average lost 15.4 pounds and 6.7 inches in 12 weeks.
blog_bias_03242016
*The average annual income in 2015 for the Business Leader ranks ranged from $10,217 for Directors, $13,672 for Senior Directors, $21,646 for Coordinators, $48,367 for Executive Coordinators, $95,867 for Key Coordinators, $211,018 for Master Coordinators, to $614,200 for Presidential Master Coordinators. Average annual income is based on the monthly amounts reported on Form 1099-MISC for all Business Leaders at that rank.  The sum of these monthly averages is the figure reported in the income disclosure statement. Results will vary with effort. Shaklee Corporation does not guarantee that any particular income level will be achieved.

When Your Child Doesn’t Need You As Much Anymore

I was reminded of this today at the bus stop. My son fell on the concrete while running and scraped the palms of his hands. I could feel the sting and knew it must have hurt, but it was my heart that stung worse as he got to his feet, rubbed his hands together and went on instead of coming to me for comfort.

He wasn’t about to let his friends see he might need his mom. I understood his not wanting to need me, but it sent my mind reeling back to the days when a little boy would fall then come running to me with red scraped hands outstretched for mom’s gentle kisses.

We long to teach our children to be more independent. We start out with simple things like how to sit up, to crawl, and to hold a spoon. Then it’s on to dressing themselves and tying their shoes. Later it’s to making their bed and their own lunches.

They may balk at first at them having to do the things you used to do for them. You hear yourself telling them how they are old enough now to do it themselves. We feel the burden ease off of us just a little as they learn to do more on their own.

Then comes the day where you feel the sting of when they don’t need you like before. When you feel the distance growing between you there will come a day when you reach out to do something for them just to be helpful, only to have them stop you and say, “I got it, Mom. I can do it myself.”

You weakly smile and back off softly saying, “OK”, but inside it hurts. And that’s when you feel a longing. A longing for the days when your little one giggles as you pulled the shirt over his head and said peek-a-boo. When he needed you to fill his sippy cup and tie his shoes. When he desperately held your hand not wanting to let you go on his first day of school. You will suddenly find yourself longing for when he couldn’t do it by himself.

Why? Why do we work so hard at teaching them to do it on their own, only when they finally do we wished for the days when they needed us to do it?

Our job as mothers is to teach our children to be independent – to grow up and learn to take care of themselves.

Oh sure, they will always need us. To find that lost lucky shirt, to borrow money for that date, to listen when their best friend lets them down. Then later they need us for advice on a job offer or when their own children have a temperature. Their needing us never truly ends, it just changes.

Isn’t is strange how we can’t wait till they are potty trained, but the sight of a cute potty chair in the store years later makes us wish for those days back?

As moms we may always wish for the days when they were little and their lessons were little, but oh dear mom, just know that though they may need you less in the ways of chores and duties, their need for you grows in matters of more importance as their life grows.

So go on and make their bed for them once in a blue moon, not that they can’t or shouldn’t do it on their own, but more of a way to satisfy your need to do it for them just one more time.

We know you want them to think you are just being nice when they are overwhelmed with their super busy lives, but us moms secretly know it’s because you may miss the days when they needed you to.

Julie

Interested in children's health products? Check out our whole line of supplements, daily care, safe household cleaners and laundry products: ToBeHealthy.MyShaklee.com

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