Check Your Home!

Healthy Home Checklist

[ ] Do you smoke in your home?
[ ] Do your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room have adequate ventilation and exhaust fans?
[ ] Do you change your air filters once a month?
[ ] When cleaning or doing laundry, do you use bleach, ammonia or aerosol spray cans?
[ ] Is your gas fireplace and or gas stove checked yearly for emissions?
[ ] Was your home built before 1978? If so, has it been checked for lead-based paint?
[ ] Do your bathrooms have carpet?

Dirty ducts can circulate odors and contaminants like mold and irritating dust throughout the home. Servpro of Cayce/ West Columbia/ Lexington uses a proven portable ventilation and duct cleaning system to examine duct work and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

We can eliminate embarrassing offensive odors in your home.


Call us SERVPRO of Cayce/ West Columbia and Lexington 803-755-9774


-Denea Duran

Fun Friday

This month has been full of events around the community that SERVPRO has participated in. I thought that I would make FUN FRIDAY extra special today.  Here is a blog filled with delicious recipes.




Skinny Low-fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 170.7 • Fat: 5.0 g • Protein: 1.4 g • Carb: 34.5 g • Fiber: 1.4 g • Sugar: 25.4 g
Sodium: 113.1 mg

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line two cookie sheets with non-stick silicone baking liners or lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir to blend. In another bowl, whisk the sugars, butter, egg white, applesauce and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out.

Fold in chocolate chips.
 
Drop by level spoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets.

Bake 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let them stand 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the pans to cool on wire racks.
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/best-low-fat-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Quesadillas

4 medium-sized flour tortilla shells
1 lb chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
salt and pepper
1/2 cup scallions, diced
8 strips of bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 avocado, diced
mild cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp butter
Arrange bacon on a cooling rack (like for cookies) and set it on top of sheet pan. If you don’t have a cooling rack, you can just put the bacon straight on the sheet pan. Or in a 9×13 baking dish. Either way will work. Place bacon in a cold oven, turn heat to 400, and cook 15 mins per side.
Add 1/2 tbsp bacon drippings to a skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions and saute about 2-3 mins until softened. Add the chicken in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 mins or until chicken is golden and cooked through, flipping just once during cooking. Remove the chicken and scallions to a plate and rinse out the skillet.
Add about 1/2 tbsp butter to the skillet over medium heat. When foamy, add a tortilla and swirl it around to get it nice and buttery. Layer one side of the tortilla with chicken, bacon, avocado, and a little cheese. Use tongs to flip the other half of the tortilla over and press down. Cook the tortilla for about 1-2 mins on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Repeat with the rest of the tortillas, adding a little more butter for each tortilla as needed. Eat & enjoy!
Makes 4 quesadillas.


Read More http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/cheesy-chicken-bacon-avocado-quesadillas.html#ixzz1tGYylXt4


There is just one more recipe I wanted to share with you guys!
I got this recipe from 'The Chew" on ABC. Hope you all enjoy!

 Mama T's Baked Ziti with Eggplant 


We've Made Cooking As Easy As 1-2-3!

• step 1
  ingredients 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  instructionsFor the Eggplant: Preheat the oil to 350F.
• step 2
  ingredients 1 Eggplant
  Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
  instructions Cut the eggplant into rounds about 1/2-inch-thick dice. Saute in olive oil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• step 3
  ingredients 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  1 Onion (diced)
  2 cloves Garlic (minced)
  2 28-oz can San Marzano Whole Tomatoes (crushed)
  Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
  Fresh Basil
  instructionsFor the Marinara Sauce: In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 90 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook and reduce slightly for about a half hour. Top with fresh basil.
• step 4
  ingredients
  instructionsFor the Assembly: Preheat oven to 350F.
• step 5
  ingredients 1 pound Ziti
  instructions Cook the ziti to half of the time on the package instructions.
• step 6
  ingredients 1 pound Mozzarella (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
  instructions In a bowl, toss together the ziti, mozzarella, and half of the marinara sauce.
• step 7
  ingredients Pecorino Romano
  instructions On the bottom of a casserole, create a bed of the eggplant. Grate pecorino over the eggplant and then top with half of the sauced ziti mixture. Grate more pecorino over the ziti mixture, then cover with another layer of the eggplant rounds. Add the remaining sauced ziti mixture. Cover with the remaining sauce and grate pecorino generously over the top.
• step 8
  ingredients
  instructions Bake for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and melted.
•       http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Baked-Ziti-Eggplant-Mamma-T

-Denea Duran

Your Business+ Mold = Dangerous

If you own a business or a home, here are some great facts!

In the 1970's, sick building syndrome became apparent as groups of people displayed similar symptoms after having spent extended periods of time in buildings with poor air quality. Good judgement and immediate attention can correct the situation and save you money in the event of litigation. People most at risk include:

-Infants and children
-Pregnant Women
-Elderly
-People with compromised respiratory systems or asthma/allergies
-People with weakened immune systems.


While molds are found naturally in the environment, an overabundance inside buildings is undesirable for both aesthetic and health reasons. Experts disagree about the more controversial details of molds but all agree that if you have excessive mold, it needs to be removed.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with mold please call SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran

Green Means Clean

SERVPRO does not just celebrate Earth Day one day, but we practice being kind to our earth everyday. What did you do to celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2012?

Many people do not know that the first Earth Day was planned as a teach-in, a day to inform the public about environmental issues. Earth Day founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson, an environmental activist who was outraged by lack of political response to gross environmental degradation evident throughout the country, said that he was “convinced that all we need to do to bring an overwhelming insistence of the new generation that we stem the tide of environmental disaster is to present the facts clearly and dramatically. ... Every university should set aside one day in the school year-the same day across the Nation-for the teach-in."

You do not have to plant a tree to become "ECO-FRIENDLY"! Here are some easy tips to start saving Green and going Green!

1. Recycle: In the office we started recycling cans, plastic bottles and office paper. Its just that simple.
2. Drop your thermostat temperature: If you spend your time in one room or one area of the house, why not use a space heater?
3. Become a hypermiler: Just drive the speed limit. That should not be too hard. Right?
4. Carpool once a week: Living in California, there are terminals available for carpoolers. If you live in a small town, then carpool with some of your co-workers that live close by. Carpooling just once a week is the easiest way to shave 15% off your gas bill.
5. Stop drinking bottled water: Unless you really enjoy swapping your five dollar bills with one dollar bills, bottled water is really bad on almost every factor except for convenience. Bottled water is: more expensive than drinking tap water, doesn’t necessarily taste any better or provide more nutrients, and has deep economic and environmental costs in production and transportation.

-Denea Duran

Photo Credit: Google Image

Water Leaks and Prevention Tips

 Water leaks withing a business can seep into flooring, carpets,baseboards and walls while moving throughout the structure, potentially creating mildew and staining walls. Quick action is critical in avoiding costly repairs ans expensive downtime. SERVPRO Professionals understand the water damage event can not only disrupt your facility, it can also interrupt day to day business functions-possibly closing the business and ultimately affecting your revenues.

Leak Prevention Tips:
-Regularly check the following items for leaks:

Exterior

• Check roofing for deterioration.
• Check gutters and down spouts for blockage.
• Check basements and crawl spaces for moisture.

Interiors

• Check appliances in break rooms and cafeterias.
• Check sinks and toilets in restrooms.
• Check HVAC for leaks and blockage.

If you experience any water damage please call your
SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran

Bark To The Park Pictures

Almost $100,000 was raised this year to benefit adoption centers across the Midlands! Get involved: http://pawmettolifeline.org/ Feel free to vist http://tiawilliams.smugmug.com/SERVPROEvents/Bark-to-the-Park to download a high def. image of your photo! Simply hover over the photo, click "original" and save to your computer.


Here are a few of my favorite pictures captured at the event!





























-Denea Duran

Green Is Universal - Green Wine: Going Organic

Since April 22, 2012 is Earth Day, Here is a link to a great blog that  I recently read!


Green Blogs Here - Green Is Universal - Green Wine: Going Organic - Blog - Bravo TV Official Site




-Denea Duran
Content Credit: Bravotv.org

Sneak Peek of Bark To The Park 2012

If you were not in attendance at Bark To The Park this Saturday then you missed out! It was not only an amazing turn out and time with my SERVPRO colleagues, but I learned about many types of mixtures of dogs that I never knew existed! Although Pawmetto Lifeline did not achieve their goal to raise $100,000, they still raised an outstanding $91,241.62 for shelters across the Midlands.

A sneak peek from the event--

Many more photos to come!

-Denea Duran

Luna Catches at Bark to the Park?

If you're currently on the fence about Bark to the Park tomorrow, let me fill you in on a little secret...

Luna Catches from Sandy Hayden on Vimeo.

THE Luna, of LUNA CATCHES, will be in attendance and taking belly rubs for the entirety of the event! Make sure you stop by our booth. If you can get her to catch ANY object of ANY size.. we will grant you a carpet cleaning on the house. No joke. 

Hope to see you there!





$ave Money On Grooming

Although I am not a pet owner, I have experienced that many pet owners have been able to lower professional grooming costs by practicing routine pet hygiene. If you would like to know how to keep your pooch or feline squeaky clean, here are a few common questions and answers that may prove to be helpful:

How often should a dog be bathed?    

Only bathe a dog when they need it – once a month is fine for most dogs. Schedule it so that you bathe them at the same time you are due to put on their flea protectant.

How do you keep a dog calm in a bath? What is the easiest way to bathe a dog?


A lot of dogs that enjoy water activities like swimming don’t like baths. If your dog enjoys swimming, try bathing him outside if it isn’t cold.

For indoors, put non-slip mats down in the bathtub and use the shower head instead of the faucet. A hand-held shower head is best. I recommend putting cotton balls in their ears to absorb water. As with other grooming activities, make it fun for your dog. Talk to them and praise them while you bathing.

Moisturizing, Odor-control, Medicated ... there are so many different types of pet shampoo on the market now. What types of shampoo do you recommend for a healthy dog?


Ask a professional, "What shampoo should I be using?" Your vet can tell you if your dog needs a special shampoo. Never use dog shampoo on cats; read the label on pet shampoo beforehand to make sure it's for the correct species and age of pet you’re bathing.

Can I use regular human shampoo on my dog?

Never use human shampoo. It is a different pH level, and the chemicals are too harsh for pets.

What is the best method for drying a dog?                            

Towel drying is probably best, but if you do use a blow-dryer, make sure to use it on the lowest setting. Your dog's skin can burn easily. I also recommend using a blow-dryer (again, on the lowest setting) for puppies or kittens, because they will get cold much faster than an adult dog or cat.

Is it true that you can't bathe cats?          
      
It is true that cats don't like water and they are self-grooming, so you don't need to bathe a cat unless there is a need – if the coat looks unhealthy, or the cat has fleas or a skin condition. But it is a fallacy that you can't bathe a cat. You could bathe your cat once a year during high-shedding season, but as long as cats don't smell they are OK. Below are the steps I recommend for bathing a cat:

Trim their nails first and brush their coat, removing any knots or mats.
Have cat shampoo and big, absorbent towels within your reach.
Using the kitchen sink, fill one side with lukewarm water. Make sure the other side is empty and clean.

Pick the cat up, holding it by the scruff (between the shoulder blades and behind the neck), and lower it into the water
Next, move the cat into the side of the sink with no water.
Lather up with shampoo – let it sit for 10 minutes. Allow the cat to hold on to something, like the edge of the sink. Talk calmly and rub the cat as the shampoo works.
After 10 minutes, lower the cat back into the water to rinse.
Then towel-dry really good. Cats do not like blow-drying.

How often should a dog be professionally groomed?


If you aren't properly maintaining your dog's ears, nails and coat, you should take him to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. You should always ask your groomer to do the following:

1. cut hair out of ears
2. clean ears
3. express anal glands
4. cut nails

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/groomer-has-it/grooming-tips/dog-baths.html

Photo Credit: Google Image

How Healthy Is Your Pet?

Having a pet is not only about shelter, food, romp and fun but also about keeping your pet healthy and happy. Would you know what to do if your pet was choking or suddenly stopped breathing? Here are some tips to ensure that you know all of the proper steps to keep your animal pal in prime condition!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy. Make sure your pets:

• Get plenty of exercise.
• Have plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines (especially rabies).
• Are spayed or neutered.
• Are kept leashed while outside – another animal or flashy object may be too much temptation.

Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first
aid until veterinary care is available 

PET FIRST AID    Courses on how to better care for your pet are available at many local Red Cross chapters. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic pet responsibilities available at their Store. The guides cover many helpful topics such as spaying/neutering, medications, proper CPR techniques and disaster preparedness. For more information, visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available.




Content Credit: redcross.org
Photo Credit: Google Image

-Denea Duran

Bark to the Park 2012

Bark to the Park is right around the corner! Join Luna, Buddy, Penny and the rest of the SERVPRO team in raising money for our furry Midlands friends! It is only appropriate that we dedicate our April blog to the pets that love us unconditionally despite our crazy human antics. This week we will give you tips and fun projects to enjoy with your furry children.

 

Walk Begins: 10:30am

Festival Begins: 9:00am-1:00pm
Walk Registration: 9:00am

Bark to the Park: Walk and Festival for the Animals is one of Pawmetto Lifeline's largest fundraising efforts. It returns with exciting additions and changes. Bark to the Park now has a new time and a new walk route for 2012! Festival activities and walk registration will begin at 9:00am and the fun doesn't stop until 1:00pm. The one-mile walk begins at 10:30am where participating walkers and their pets will strut their stuff through downtown Columbia.

Join us for Bark to the Park 2012 and enjoy a fun-filled family day while helping support shelter pets across the Midlands. Click here to see Early Bird Registration Specials! Get an early start and form a walk team today or sign up as an individual walker. If you cannot be present on April 14th, you can still participate as a virtual walker! There are great prizes for all levels of walkers, and the sooner you start letting everyone know about your involvement the better!

All proceeds benefit shelter pets in the Midlands. More than 18,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in just two area shelters each year. Help us help them by participating in the 2012 Bark to the Park Walk and Festival for the Animals.

Register for Bark to the Park now and start saving lives today!

-Denea Duran

Photo Credit: Projectpet.com

Content Credit: Projectpet.com

Fun (Good) Friday!

Happy Good Friday! All of us at Servpro of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington want to wish you and your family a Happy Easter. Since it is Fun Friday, I have a holiday fun filled blog for you today! From a great chocolate recipe to a little creativity project, I hope you all enjoy this Fun Friday Blog.

Project is courtsey of visiblymoved.blogspot.com

Wooden necklace organizer
Salvaged wood is a hip and eco-friendly way to decorate. Here's how to bring that element into your room, and organize your necklaces at the same time:

What you need:
• salvaged wooden board
• small drawer knobs (with screws)
• drill

Instructions:
1. Take your piece of salvaged board and drill five pilot holes down the center of the board, the same distance apart. (Tip: You may want to mark them out before you drill.)
2. Take your drawer knobs and attach them to the board, via the pilot holes.
3. Hang up the board, and arrange your necklaces on the drawer pulls.

In my family, Easter dinner is as big of a deal as Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner. If deviled eggs are on the menu for this Sunday's dinner then here are a few creative ways to dress your eggs (literally). 

Cream Egg Brownies                                   

YIELD: 16 brownies

TOTAL TIME: 3 hours

ingredients:

For Brownies:
2/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons dark or dutch processed cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Cream Filling:
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

For Glaze:
3 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line the bottom and sides of a 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on two edges.

Sift together flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler or a medium-large bowl set over gently simmering water. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat. Whisk in sugars and stir until dissolved and mixture has cooled slightly.

Whisk in eggs and vanilla extract until just combined (do not overmix). Sprinkle flour mixture over top and fold in to chocolate mixture using a large rubber spatula until just incorporated. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

For cream filling, beat together corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar, a little bit at a time, mixing until creamy. Dump 3/4 of the cream mixture on top of cooled brownies and spread into an even layer. Add a drop of yellow food coloring to remaining cream mixture and stir until evenly colored. Drop dollops of yellow cream on top of white layer, and then swirl gently with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set.

Gently melt chocolate and butter together in a double boiler or a small saucepan set over low heat. Stir until smooth. Pour over cream filling, carefully spreading into a thin, even layer. Return to refrigerator and chill until set, at least 30 minutes, or overnight if possible (brownies are best when chilled overnight).

Remove brownies from pan using the edges of the parchment paper to lift the entire block out of the pan. Using a large sharp knife, cut into 2-inch squares. Brownies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: Project is courtsey of visiblymoved.blogspot.com

Inside the Hurricane Recovery Program

When nearly 4.5 million people needed help following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Irene, millions of individuals, foundations and corporations rose to the occasion. In just a few months, the American Red Cross was entrusted with nearly $2.2 billion to assist those affected. Hundreds of thousands of individuals and families looked to the Red Cross.  

The Red Cross has continued to support those devastated by the 2005 hurricanes through the Hurricane Recovery Program (HRP): a nationally-developed, locally-tailored initiative addressing the long-term needs of Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilma survivors. 


Working alongside local and national nonprofits and other partner agencies, the Red Cross ultimately helped tens of thousands of people obtain emotional support, create recovery plans and meet housing or occupational needs through the HRP services. Additionally, HRP built new partnerships and communities…ultimately empowering families and neighborhoods alike.

The Hurricane Recovery Program is a story best told by the thousands of families who received support – the thousands of faces that share equal parts grief and hope every day. It is often best told one story at a time.

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: redcross.org
Photo Credit: SERVPRO