Summer is a good time to exercise outside for sure. OK that’s obvious, but it’s also a good time to plan on buying exercise equipment so those winter months don’t set you back. Living in Minnesota we relish the summer to be active outside. The American Heart Association has some summer tips for getting into a healthy routine.
The long term key to staying in shape, however, is a commitment to staying active in the winter. The debate about home gyms vs. paid gym membership boils down to this: do you have the willpower and discipline to enjoy the exercise? If you can’t do that in the convenience of your home, then trudging out at 5AM to the gym when it’s 15 degrees outside is not a better incentive.
I saw these two tweets while researching this blog post that got me going on the idea of reviewing new exercise equipment.
I thought 1) old equipment can be a drag and 2) what is a Hula Chair? For number 1, having websites that give you a breadth of reviews and buying comparisons are helpful, here are a few
A recent trend in kitchens is to install professional or professional-like appliances that give you the confidence to cook like an Iron Chef. Ok, it will help if you have some skills to go with these solid ranges, ovens, and refrigerators. This look has several key elements:
Stainless steel
Larger knobs
Larger surface areas
The two major benefits of professional appliances are consistent cooking performance from the appliance, things like accurate temperature controls on ranges, ovens, refrigerators and freezers. Also more room to allow multi-course meals to be delivered at the appropriate temperature. That’s the area where I mess up the most, vegetables are too cold or items on the plate are not ready in unison.
I’m not saying you’ll be able to challenge Bobby Flay to a throwdown, but your family may appreciate dinner time. The operative word in that sentence is may.
The professional appliances being made in a consumer line include wall ovens, indoor grills, and sub-zero refrigerators. These comparatively small investments in the kitchen are sometimes the best values when looking to resell your home. There is nothing like having an open house with new shiny appliances. Penny for penny, it just may be the best purchase you can make with daily and long-term benefits.
June 12 is the day all broadcast television stations will transmit a digital signal meaning if you have an analog TV you’ll need to take one of three actions to keep watching TV according to the US Department of Commerce DTV website.
1. Purchase a converter box
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner
Many rural and fixed income residents are scrambling to get government coupons for a converter box or get a converter box.
Matthew Moskovciak, has a great review of converter boxes on CNET Reviews. These boxes attach to your current TV and old “rabbit ears” antenna. This will deliver you a signal. The government has a $40 – $60 coupon to subsidize the cost of converting, making the cost to the consumer nearly free.
While much is being made of the switchover date, a majority of the country is already there. More than 50% of the country is already capable of receiving the digital signal because this switch has been in the works for years. Since March 1, 2007 the Federal Communications Commission required all television sets manufactured to have a digital tuner. So if you purchased your TV after March 1, 2007 it is likely you’ll be able to receive the digital signal.
Now is a great time to get into true digital TV by purchasing a digital TV. There are sets for as low as $250 for a 20 inch – 27 inch set. The web is full of new TV buys.
Pay attention to the differences in types of digital TV, all of which will receive the digital signal. The three types of digital sets are:
High-definition (HDTV)
Enhanced-definition TV (EDTV) and
Standard-definition TV (SDTV)
Now is a great time to buy a digital set, shop around and get the clear picture.
Uncategorized | Linda Meehan | 
June 24, 2009 10:50 am | 
Comments (1) 
include wall ovens, indoor grills, and sub-zero refrigerators. These comparatively small investments in the kitchen are sometimes the best values when looking to resell your home. There is nothing like having an open house with new shiny appliances. Penny for penny, it just may be the best purchase you can make with daily and long-term benefits.
